melodiesoflife | Intro Log || The Calm Before The Storm

Entry tags:

Intro Log || The Calm Before The Storm

Characters: All the "Heroes of Light" (only new characters can start threads).
Where: Flence, Aqures Ixen, Airships.
When: The 5th of July. The new Heroes of Light will awaken early in the morning.
Summary: The new Heroes of Light awaken in the Temple of Water next to the County of Flence, and they are informed by their assigned Moogles of what the situation and their destinies are. This a log for them to react to the situation, meet each other and be welcomed by the former batches of Heroes of Light.
Warning: N/A

Where you were or what you were doing— It does not really matter. Not any more. Within a split second, the world around you collapses. Reality twists and shatters... Or maybe you are the one who is collapsing and shattering away from reality as you know it. No matter what the answer is, it will only take a few seconds for you to find yourself sinking into a void, your world vanishing into the distance. There is nothing but darkness as far as the eye can see. Even you feel different: all the powers you might once have had are now gone. It is silent, cold and before long it feels as though life itself is slipping out of you...

And at this very moment, when it looks as though nothing but a never-ending void awaits you, a red Crystal forms before you. In this void, its warmth compels you to grab it. Upon doing so, you can hear a soft, soothing voice speaking:

"Wake up."

Soon, the void itself vanishes and is replaced by the peaceful sound of waves. Had it all been nothing more than a dream? The soothing voice repeats its call once more, but is soon replaced by a much less graceful "Wake up, Kupo!" Hand clutched on your Crystal, the call of the Moogle may finally bring you back to your senses. But you are no longer in your world, nor in the void. You are before the Crystal of Water, in the Temple located next to a city called Flence. At this point, you may realize you have been laying on a thin layer of water originating from the massive blue Crystal floating nearby. Sorry about the wetness. As if it wasn't strange enough, your clothes have changed as well. They are now a reflection of the Jobs you are wielding.

Last but not least, you are surrounded by Moogles, small and fluffy creatures. They look pretty tired, but they will be more than happy to tell you everything you want to know. They shall tell you about your 'destiny' as a Hero of Light and about what awaits you. Or at least, they will tell you everything they do know, which isn't much in the end.

There are quite a few people around you as well. For the most part, they are people like you-- All clothed in their Job garbs and most likely wondering what is happening. There are also some other Humans, Tarutaru and Hypello in the room, but unlike you they don't have a Crystal, nor do they have a Moogle following them. If addressed, they will say they are the Guardians of the Crystal of Water and will confirm everything the Moogle said. They will reveal they found you unconscious around the Crystal a couples hours ago, and immediately contacted the governments of both Aqures Ixen and Trano Golsaucia.

If asked about it, both the Moogles and Guardians will explain that Heroes of Light have already appeared in this world within the past year, and they all are in a city called Aqures Ixen. It's the first time Heroes have appeared in this temple.

In fact, you may want to go to Aqures Ixen as well. The Moogle will tell you this is where your house is and where the other Heroes will be able to help you. However, they will also inform you that Aqures Ixen is about to be attacked by the Heran Empire. What is it? Quite simply, the Moogles will say that the Heran Empire seems to know a lot about you and this is why they plan on attacking the city.

Should you decide to take your sweet time to get there, the other Heroes may just come to you.

The Other Heroes
— Anytime —
And indeed, thanks to the efficiency of Mognet and Shoopuf Airline it does not take long for the other Heroes to come around. You may meet them in Flence or in Aqures Ixen, or maybe even in one of the Airships going back and forth between the two cities. They are those who arrived in this world months ago and they have gone through quite a lot. You may have imagined heroic and charismatic figures when your Moogle told you there were other Heroes of Light in this world. You may have imagined persons with fearsome powers when they told you how they recklessly attacked the Heran Empire to free their friends a few months ago. And most importantly, you may have imagined them as people who would have the answers to your, doubtlessly, numerous questions.

If so, you may be up for a complete and utter disappointment. Still, for the most part they know more than you on the situation and may be more than happy to fill you in, especially if your Moogle didn't tell you much.

County of Flence
— Anytime —
Should you leave the Temple of Water and head North, you will reach the County of Flence. It's a peaceful city inhabited by peace-loving and refined people. A lot of the people living there are either aged or specialized in non-battle focused Jobs, and they are very friendly, though if they're asked about the upcoming battle, they'll urge the Heroes of Light to stay and avoid fighting.

Other Heroes of Light are easy to spot in the city: they are the only ones who are followed by a Moogle and holding a Crystal. And there are quite a few things that can be done in this city. Maybe you'd like to stop by the fishing pond and try your chance-- Of course the world is in danger, but fishing is never a waste of time. If you have refined tastes, you may try to visit one of the many restaurants in the city, or the Museum covering this world's naval history. There are also Inns, and you can stay there for free: indeed, the government of Flence offers asylum to all residents of Aqures Ixen, and Heroes of Light are considered to be residents of Aqures Ixen.

If you'd like more details regarding all that is available in the County of Flence, you can find everything here!

Airships
— Every Four Hours —
Upon reaching the County of Flence, you will also have the right to board an Airship. Exceptionally, there is an Airship available every four hours, all because of your arrival so that Heroes of Light can meet each other and go to Aqures Ixen with ease.

The flight itself should take between four to six hours as it will travel from one city to the other on route. This is nothing special for the denizens of this world, but for you it may be quite the experience if you never boarded a plane or any flying contraptions before. Something may be evident though: the flight in destination of Aqures Ixen are nearly empty, whereas the Airships leaving the city are filled, as if everyone was fleeing from it.

Aqures Ixen
— After an Airship Trip —
Upon arriving in Aqures Ixen, the first thing you will see is the Airship Port in the 12th District. Following that, no doubt your eyes will find the Castle of Aqures Ixen, a classic yet refined structure standing in the city. From there on, characters are free to visit the city-- There are no attractions in this city, but there are scientific buildings, another Blitzball Stadium and even an Observatory serving as base for the Heroes of Light. If you'd like more details regarding all that is available in Aqures Ixen, you can find everything here!

Noticeably however, there are very few people left in the streets and most of those remaining are either heading to the Airport, or they are preparing to leave in the coming day. If asked, the Moogle will explain that the city is being evacuated in reason of the upcoming attack. Maybe once you've done what you have to do, you should leave as well, unless you want to find more about why you are here-- In that case, confronting the Empire may be the better solution.

And -perhaps inevitably!- you could visit your new house in the 11th or 14th District, and get to know your new neighbors and housemate. It's been a long day, so you could use some sleep. Hopefully your neighbors are people you will get along with...

Flat | Top-Level Comments Only

[She turns away from the window to once again focus her gaze on Ace, brow furrowing at his softened tone. Her instinct is to tell him to stop, there was no reason for him to apologise for it, but she keeps her tongue in check for now. She wasn't going to be unnecessarily harsh with him for his kindness.] Thank you...

[And with what he says about those bonds, she almost smiles again.] Though you're right, it isn't fair to try and compare them. In truth, I'm still... upset, with him.

Has your brother... always been that way, or something has happened between the two of you?

[ Whether it's a reassurance that she needs, or a gentle push, his attempts at picking up social clues is more of awkward fumbling than anything. With that knowledge in mind, Ace decides that it's only appropriate he replies with honesty. ]

You could say he was always that way. The brother I knew growing up was kind, loving, wanting to protect me. He was like a father to me, but there were moments when he suddenly wasn't that brother. It scared me.

[And now he was always that brother, willing to fight even his sister for his goals. She shakes her head, trying to clear away some of the negativity.]

A lot of things happened, it'd take some time to explain, especially when you're likely to have more questions the more I say.

[ Ace watches Tear attentively, still thinking on her words even after she's finished her story. Suddenly, he finds himself filled with gratefulness for having been given the family he had never known he needed, even if it only causes the separation to affect him more. ]

So he's forged his own path, in the end, just as you're free to follow yours.

[ And the way she speaks of it -- with a certain kind of acceptance -- is a proof of her own strength. It's not like he needs any other, given he's merely a stranger that she's decided to confide in without knowing much, really.

Leaning forward to prop his elbows against the railing, he lets out an amused sigh. ]

Your story is safe with me, but I suppose this isn't what you expected when you bought your ticket today. There's no rush.

[ And he'd silently like to believe their first meeting isn't their last. ]

Yes, we both have dedicated ourselves to the paths we have chosen. [Even though they ultimately had the same goal, it all came down to the methods they used to achieve those ends. More important than that was the fact they even chose those paths, of their own free will.

And now that she had Ace's word she finds herself relieved, a little surprised that she had been this tense about the topic. However, it didn't escape someone else's attention.]

It isn't what I expected, bit would still hope it is. Or Sein may never leave you alone. [The moogle floated up at once as if on cue, fixing Ace with what he undoubtedly thought was a warning glare once his pom-pom bounced back into place.]

[ It's not like Ace to ignore any kind of warning, be it from another human or a moogle - they all deserve the same kind of attention, so the boy immediately straightens up, offering Sein a small nod of acknowledgement. ]

Well, I wouldn't want to get in the way of your mail duty. Speaking of which...

[ His gaze involuntarily shifts downwards, to the spot that his moogle made her own while they were talking. Hanafuda had the luck of having dozed off a while ago, and when Ace picks her up she's still deep in her slumber, completely oblivious to the terrible threat they've just only witnessed. The boy gives her a little shake, but to no avail. ]

[Content with Ace's response, Sein floats over to look at his fellow companion completely immobile in her Hero's arms, clucking his tongue softly a few times.]

Already sleeping on the job, kupo...? [The moogle then shakes his head slowly in clear disapproval, allowing himself to float back down into Tear's lap.

The melodist herself, however, is not bothered by Hanafuda's state at all. Just look at how peacefully she slept in Ace's arms, if only she had a blanket or something similar with which to cover her...!]

[ Ace shifts somewhat awkwardly, unsure how to proceed with the little furball that shows absolutely no intention of waking up anytime soon. ]

She seems... young, for a moogle, probably still learning the ropes. Kinda like the one from our class-- [ supressing a small chuckle ] they all have to start out somewhere, I suppose.

[ Moglin was never easy to work with, but these are all fond memories Ace has. He looks up at Tear, not being quite able to decipher her expression. ]

[Tear only just catches the last of what Ace said, occupied as she was with giving Hanafuda her attention. Once she does realise he's looking at her again she blushes softly, embarrassed that she had been caught fawning over the other moogle.

Maybe if she looks away the blush would fade away more quickly, wrapping her arms tightly around Sein and overlooking his confused squeak.] She may be young, but she still must be very capable if she was assigned to you.

[ Her behaviour does have a certain theme that slowly starts to dawn upon him, except with observation comes a certain risk of borrowing that curious shade of pink for himself. Indeed, this is by no means a reaction he's used to, and just like smiling, it catches on weirdly easy, he notes in his mind.

Ace might know how to keep up the appearances, though he opts to look away for safety, all that while not letting the moogle out of his grasp. ]

I think the same. Hana helped me make my first steps here, age should not be an indication of somebody's skills.

[ ...Unless you come from a world that blatantly favorises teenagers in the use of magic, for some reason. ]

We're very different, but I hope we're gonna make a good team. [ Another smile. ] Just like the two of you.

Kupo...? [The surprise overcoming Sein is clear, and he shrinks further into Tear's lap timidly.] Mystearica has been good to me, I want to help her and the other Heroes however I can...

You've done enough. [Tear lets out a soft sigh, looking down at her companion.] We've only been working together two months, but just like Hanafuda, Sein helped me immensely during those first hours.

Two months...

[ It doesn't seem like a lot, but he knows how his own life has changed in not much more than that. He could never forsake the bonds he's made, but would it be time to forge new ones, as well? The thought makes his confidence waver. ]

If you could, would you go back?

It's not a matter of if I could. If the possibility exists, then I have to. There is something that only I can do. [That, perhaps, had been the most grating thing about being in Crystallis, which had been otherwise worth enduring. Her goal had been just beyond those stairs she was ascending, side by side with him...

She shakes her head to clear those thoughts away. Simply put, there really was nothing she could do.]

For now, I'm here, and this is the time that matters first.

So you, too, wish to see it through the end. [ Ace expected no other reply, but the persistence with which she answers his question takes him aback slightly. It almost seemed as if she was at peace with the world surrounding her, and yet her will to forsake the present makes it very clear how important her mission is to her, whatever that could even be. Having arrived at the very end of his journey, he could call himself fortunate for at least not being taken away any choices.

How selfish is it of him, then, to wish to experience more, still? ]

I thought that perhaps not everyone would be ready to throw away what they've built over time.

[ Sensing the weight in his grasp shifting slightly, he looks down, and staring back at him is a pair of sleepy eyes belonging to his own moogle. ]

Excuse me, k-kupo... but who's throwing away who?

[Tear pauses to take a breath, releasing it slowly before answering Hanafuda's question.] No one is throwing away anything. At least, I don't intend to.

[Though it was true her investment for this world wasn't entirely settled on solid ground, she knew it would grow as time passed. The people she had met, Sein, her companions who were here...]

Putting it that way makes it seem as if the choice might not weigh on the conscience of the person, don't you think?

[ The moogle rubs her eyes, and lets out a small yawn as she pulls herself up nervously, as if trying to shy away from the fact she required her Hero's assistance. ]

That's good, kupo, because we've barely just started, you know? [ Sweet obliviousness doesn't let her be more tactful in the matter, if anything, it's her attempt at sounding motivational. Fluttering her wings, she rises into the air.

It sort of works as a quick distraction, painting a ghost of a smile on the boy's face even if he remains at a loss of words. ]

...I don't know.

[ Perhaps he will, when the time comes, but the way his own question has evolved only reassures him that she was right about simply letting it go. Why would he have these doubts at all? ]

[Ace isn't the only one at a loss for words. Silence fills the air as Tear looked at the two of them, eventually shifting her gaze to the ocean passing beneath them in her efforts to find how to best answer Hanafuda, and help the blond.

In the end it was just as the moogle said, and she nods just once without looking away from that ocean.]

Yes, we've only just started. Maybe in time you'll find the answer for yourself, and if you don't, then that's all right, too. It's your life.

The way you put it, --

[ Contrary to how it might seem, there is no recipient to his speech, perhaps except for his own thoughts. Even as he turns his head, briefly, to let her know that her words of consolation have been acknowledged, he doesn't look at the girl properly like he always does. ]

-- Mother said a similar thing to us before she left, that it was up to us to live our lives from now on. Of course, this can't have been what she had on mind, considering the circumstances.

[ He draws his hand closer to his face, calmly flexing fingers that are no longer able to produce a familiar spark of magic, or summon a card with a quick snap. ]

But this is my chance to see what it feels like. I'll... try.

Whether it was what she had in mind or not...maybe it still comes down to the same thing.

[Auldrant, Orience, Crystallis... What was the real difference when it came down to it? Their lives were what they made of them.

For that there is the barest hint of a smile on her lips even though she doesn't turn away from the view of that ocean. In it's own way, it was a frightening thing to imagine so much freedom.]

Wherever it is you go, I'm honoured to be here at its beginning.

[ Honoured.... Ace carefully considers her choice of words, not entirely sure what to make of his own contribution to the way she supposedly feels, or is it a figure of speech? Unable to find a fitting parallel in his memories, he decides to trust in the authenticity of her kindness and accept that as it is. The boy smiles to himself. ]

I'm glad we can stand as allies. [ The response is simple, but honest, and doesn't risk using terms she might perhaps not agree with.

Yes, that sounds okay. ]

I never asked, but I suppose you're planning to assist in the preparations upon the arrival?

I do. In a way, it ties in with my intentions for coming here, which were to assist any of the new Heroes who might still want help.

[A moment later she begins to shrug, looking mildly ashamed. But it was better to tell the whole truth.]

To be honest, I was also on the lookout for any of my companions who miight have arrived. Sometimes it's easier to hear these things frrom someone you already know. [And seeing as none of them had, she had been feeling somewhat saddened by it despite her simultaneous relief. It was the state Ace had found her in, battling between the desires of wanting someone here or not.]

No doubt about it. Being thrown into a situation like this raises many answers and makes it... difficult to place your trust.

[ It's all true, but Ace doesn't sound regretful, considering himself to be fairly fortunate for having received such welcome. He has the benefit of possessing knowledge on Crystals that is perhaps not extensive enough to explain the ways of Crystallis, but remains knowledge nevertheless; the time has come to separate feelings from facts and appreciate the little acts of kindness. ]

There weren't many of us back at the Crystal, perhaps whoever you're waiting for has yet to answer its call.

Exactly. It's unfortunate, but it's a likely reaction when someone finds themselves in a new world. [Or it was a logical reaction, in her mind. Despite the friendliness of those who weren't her comrades, there was still some disbelief on her part.]

Maybe someday they will appear, but I hope if they do that it's in a place we'll be able to reach them.

[A smile flickers over her expression.] I woke up near the Crystal of Wind, and it was quite some effort to reach Trano Golsaucia.

[ With that, she raises a valid point, and for a moment his mind is occupied with possible options. The vast land and ocean beneath their feet only contribute to the feeling of enormity that Crystallis possesses, who are they to know what lies beyond the boundaries of the kingdom and its allies? ]

They might as well already be here, and we have no knowledge of it because we can't. Then again.... [ angling his head to look at her. ] We're always connected by the same link, and that is the Crystal. Maybe that's our clue, something to let us know that those summoned will always find a way to meet each other.

[ It seems way too logical, from his point of view, one of a person who has accepted their existence as something fundamental, ever-present. They have simply always been at the very core of things, and would be.

He's only had a brief look at the map so far, and that makes it hard for him to visualize the place Tear speaks of, but what are the moogles for? ]

Trano Golsaucia is also on a different continent, kupo! A loooong way to the west from Aqures, or to the north of Flence, kupo, your pick. They've got fireworks, card games, races... all the kupo-est attractions in there! Isn't that right?

[ ...The question is whether Tear used her time to do a proper research. ]

That's a positive way to look at it. [It wasn't necessarily wrong, but it did ring of optimism.] That could also mean that my search is far from over.

[And with what she had heard regarding the doppelgangers, it could very well be true.

On the topic of the city, however, Tear's expression becomes a little sour. She knew she would have to visit again someday, considering her first experience there was hardly ideal.]

Trano Golsaucia also happens to be in a rather cold and somewhat harsh environment. [So travelling from the Crystal to the city? Was not a very pleasant trek, and while she had taken the time to look into the entertainment, a person could only go so far when she had no Gil.]

Hanafuda is right, but some of the vendors can be... somewhat aggressive in their eagerness.

Intro Log || The Calm Before The Storm

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