Intro Log || The Calm Before The Storm

[melodiesmods]

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...

Comments

[blue_macarons]

i. wake up | other heroes

Garry took a deep, composing breath as the little ... creature-thing told him the entire tale.

It was certainly more pleasant company than a blue doll with red eyes. Just the memory of it sent frigid chills down his spine. He was out of one terrifying place, and now he was somewhere else. Releasing a sigh, he idly fingered the handkerchief wrapped around his hand. "Ib" it said in neat embroidery. Oddly enough, the wound on his hand had been healed, his blue rose in full bloom, and this crystal was--!

A Hero of Light? Him?

All this, and all he could think was, "Is she still in there?" What if he'd accidentally left her there, just before she took his hand to follow him into their real home? She would be all alone--brave, but still a little girl who missed her parents. His shoulders slumped and he had to rest his hands on his knees. Keep it together, Garry. Keep it together. Right. What had he said to her before? They just had to keep going. He just had to keep going. Maybe they would be able to find one another somehow, or maybe she made it back home! Yes, that's right.

He lifted his head, attempting to give the bouncing, flying thing a gentle smile. "Ah, so, you said your name was Lemondrop?"

She giggled, fluttering before him. "That's me, kupo! Are ya ready to get goin', kupo?"

His smile widened and he tried to swallow down the anxiety and uncertainty. "This seems like quite a bit to take in, though! Ahah ..." Maybe he really shouldn't have gone to the gallery at all today. Maybe this would've all been avoided if he simply stayed home. "It's rather tough to wrap my mind around."

"C'mon, kupo! There's a world to save, and you're definitely here for a reason, kupo!" Lemondrop took his pale hand, urging him to take another step.

Yes, perhaps he really should've just stayed home today. But ...

He thought of Mary with the palette knife, scrambling desperately and screeching in frantic madness after them as Garry took Ib's hand and bolted for the painting, his lighter in hand, hearts pounding in their chests as the darkness closed in around them ...

There might've been a reason he was down there with Ib. There might've been a reason he was here, now, with this Moogle and these new clothes. And if the only way to make it back home was to go forward, then that was what he had to do. It was the same in the gallery, anyway.

After all, he thought as he pocketed the blood-stained handkerchief, I have to give this back to her someday!

"I'm ready as I'll ever be, I suppose! Ah, I'll be grateful for your help; you seem to have a better grasp of everything than I do!" Garry declared, straightening up. "Lead the way, Lemon!"


ii. county of flence

"What's the matter, kupo?"

Lemondrop fluttered around the frozen man, standing before the entrance to the County of Flence's museum. The usual gentle expression that Garry wore was taut and tense, his jaw clenching. His hands were balled up into fists and he took full, deep breaths.

His moogle reached for one of his clenched hands. "Garry, kupo?"

With one more deep breath, he attempted to compose himself, his forced smile quivering and uncertain. And he had a passing thought--if the Gallery brought him to that strange world, and now this one, would this museum bring him back somehow?

And did he have the courage to go inside and find out? "Ah. I'm sorry, Lemon. Never mind. We should continue on."

i. wake up | other heroes

[goddessofthesky]

Zelda had been expecting the new heroes and so once word was sent out that they had awoken in Flence she was quickly headed out. She was on the first airship leaving Aqures Ixen heading towards the temple of water. This time with her journal in hand should she need it.

As she stepped in she was first met with Garry and then the moogle floating beside him. She took a quick step back as to not collide with him. Her own moogle was clad in green, with a long pointed green hat. The little moogle bowed and then quickly fluttered off to take notes for the young goddess.

The sun was hot and bright and Zelda was dressed accordingly. She was wearing a light blue sun dress with sturdy brown boots. Her long golden hair was tied back into a braid which stretched down past her waist. Two loose strains framed her angular features as bright blue eyes looked up at Garry.

"Excuse me." Her gaze caught Lemondrop and she smiled fondly at the little moogle. "You must be one of the new heroes. I'm Zelda." She wasn't a welcoming committee per-say but she made sure to come meet the new heroes and answer any questions they might have. "I'm also a hero of light."

[blue_macarons]

"Gah--!"

Garry almost jumped when the young woman stumbled upon him. His eyebrows shot up and he had to right himself, trying to appear as dignified as he could. Lemondrop giggled from behind him and his cheeks flushed with embarrassment.

With her golden hair and her blue eyes, Garry almost thought she was--!

But no, the lovely woman before him was smiling with a beautiful softness that was absent in Mary (and she was quite obviously sane). Honestly, jumping from reality, to a nightmare, to a new world entirely had him all out of sorts. Would he ever get used to this?

He tried to force a shaky smile. That was right--Lemon had told him that other heroes would likewise have creatures--moogles--as assistants. "You'll have to excuse Garry, kupo!" Lemon said from behind his tall leg, "He's a tad jumpy, kupo!"

Garry pouted down at the moogle, before turning his bashful gaze back to the woman before him. "Ah, y-yes, sorry!" He cleared his throat, reaching up to scratch the back of his head. "Zelda, hello. My name is Garry. I didn't mean to be in your way."

[goddessofthesky]

Zelda hadn't meant to surprise him. She smiled at Lemondrop and shook her head as she spoke. "It's alright. I'm sorry that I surprised you." She wanted the new heroes to feel at ease. At least as relaxed as possible considering their new situation.

"I actually came to see you Garry. I was hoping to welcome to the hero of lights and answer any questions that I could. I know your moogle has probably told you some already though." She kep her confident smile looking between the pair as she spoke. Zelda was the type to make eye contact through a conversation and she did so now.

She held a journal in her hand though she didn't draw any attention to it. She was more focused on the two in front of her, primarily Garry. He didn't seem to shaken up since finding himself in a new world but she could be wrong.

[blue_macarons]

"Ah, no need to apologize!" Garry smiled and bowed his head, his shaggy bangs obscuring his eyes for a moment.

Zelda's gaze was piercing, but amiable, he thought. Someone far more believable as a "Hero of Light" than he was. He glanced down at Lemondrop thoughtfully. "Then ... you must be used to this sort of thing. I've just arrived; it's quite a lot to handle all at once, but I suppose there are stranger things that happen."

He was still tense, but this place was altogether more pleasant than that gallery.

"I've gotten the gist of it," he said, bringing his hand to his chin in thought, "but there's just so much. I thought that painting would bring us back home. I ended up here instead. So I suppose we aren't the first here?" Ever observant, though (the gallery forced him to be), his eyes landed on the journal cradled in her grasp. "What've you got there?"

[goddessofthesky]

It wasn't the sort of thing that Zelda wanted to get used but she was trying her best to adjust as situations changed and it's been so long. It gets harder to remember home. "Strange things happen a lot here but you aren't alone. There are a lot of heroes all here to support each other."

She smiled happy to see that he was taking things in stride. It wasn't an easy situation and she hoped to make it easier if she could.

"Oh!" Zelda held up the journal so that Garry could take a look if he liked. Zelda's name was scribbled across the cover and then there was neat organized writing inside. "I started it a few months back. I've been here for almost a year now so I thought to write down everything that's happened as well as some of my own thoughts."

It's been hard but she's never wanted to forget.

ii- county of Flence

[her_rose_is_red]

"G- Garry...?"

Her voice is small, almost a hushed whisper. It's been nearly a year. A year since the gallery. A year living in this world, wondering if she would ever get home again. She'd all but given up on seeing him ever again. So of all the things she was expecting when she traveled to Flence to greet the new heroes, Garry was not on the list. Briefly, she wonders if maybe she's dreaming.

And yet, there he is. And from the clothes and the moogle... this isn't one of those.... doppel.... doppelgang... copies. It's really him. She takes a very tentative step forward, almost afraid that if she makes any sudden movements, he'll disappear. Turn out to be a dream or a vision or just her imagination. Ib doesn't think she could handle that.

[blue_macarons]

Garry took pause in his step as he made to leave the museum behind him. Lemondrop smiled up at him, tugging at his hand. "Garry, someone's calling you, kupo!"

His eyes widened marginally and he turned on his heel. Then he had heard correctly; someone had said his name in a familiar, soft tone. Garry fully faced her, his lips parting in relief and surprise.

If there was anything different about her (aside from the obvious change in clothes), he didn't notice. For Garry, it had been less than a day since he last saw her. Still, a strange bittersweet feeling settled in his chest. Sure, he knew she was safe and out of that gallery, but now he knew she wasn't at home with her parents, either. Protectiveness and relief swelled up within him as he and Lemondrop immediately made a beeline for the young lady. "Ib! You're here--you got out, too! I thought I left you there when I came here--I was worried!"

[her_rose_is_red]

Unfortunately, his words don't even register. The fact that he's actually here is all she can process right now. For the first few seconds, Ib just stands there, staring. Hope and disbelief warring on her face until it all becomes too much and tears start welling up in her eyes. Very suddenly, she rushes forward, wrapping her arms around him in a tight hug. It takes her a minute to come up with anything resembling a coherent sentence.

"You're really-! I thought I'd never-! I missed you so much!"

That will have to do. It's been so long. Too long since she'd seen him, or her parents, or her home. And Ib has tried so hard to be strong. She's clinging to him like he might disappear at any moment.

[blue_macarons]

Lemondrop's eyes widened as she fluttered nearby, and then she smiled, happy that someone Garry knew was here as well.

And Garry couldn't help but think that this embrace was familiar. He remembered when Mary had threatened her and he bolted up those stairs to stop her ...

He still didn't know how long she'd been here. He didn't question it for now. Ib was crying, and that was all that mattered right now. Garry reached down, bending forward a bit to wrap his long arms around the little girl. She was brave, he knew--braver than most children her age--but he knew there was only so much she could take.

It was better now, though, that he was here. They could find a way to bring her home to her parents together, just as he'd promised. He held her close, stroking her hair with a comforting smile. "Ib ... it's alright. I'm here now. I'd thought I left you back there when I jumped into the painting. But you're safe and that's all that matters. You're not hurt at all, are you?"

[her_rose_is_red]

Ib shakes her head, her face still buried in his shirt. She's fine physically. Emotionally, she will be okay. Especially now that Garry is here. And when he put his arms around her, she knew he really was here. This wasn't a dream, a vision, or anything like that.

"I thought I'd never see you again..."

Her voice is muffled, but the words are still clear. She finally gathers herself enough to pull back and look up at him. Her eyes are still a little red, but at least now she's smiling.

"I'm okay. I just... it's been a really long time."

ii. county of flence

[greenmagick]

"Are you okay?" Her tone was soft as her gaze fixed on the man standing in front of the museum. Terra wasn't familiar with museums and so her gaze flicked between Garry and the tall building a few times before finally settling on the new hero.

She has a small basket under her arm that is filled with stem flowers that were happily in bloom despite being cut from their roots. She gently tucks a loose strand of mint green hair is tied back as crystal blue eyes watch him curiously.

Terra didn't make the connection that this was a new hero of light even with his moogle floating nearby. Her companion, Tempest, had run off to grab something from a store leaving the shy hero alone.

She looked down at her flowers and then back up at Garry with a shy smile. "Would you like a flower?"

[blue_macarons]

Lemondrop took it upon herself to flutter closer to Terra, cooing over the blossoms nestled in the basket. "Ahh, Garry, Garry, look! They're so pretty, and in full bloom!"

Garry, however, still stricken by his lingering thoughts and the memories that plagued him, took a moment to try to relax his tense muscles. Those flowers ... each petal ... every petal mattered.

Know the weight of your own life.

He shook his head and forced a smile, letting his gaze lift away from the basket to her sweet expression. The flowers were, indeed, quite beautiful, but her face, with her shy smile, was more comforting than the memories that came with the blooms. He remembered the blue rose, still tucked into his pocket even now. "A-Ah ... Thank you, but I already ... have one. And I'm fine, thank you for asking! I was lost in thought." His smile turned bashful and he bowed his head in apology. "I suppose I must've looked strange just now! You are a flower seller?" He had been told that the heroes had partners with them as well--those moogle followers. And she didn't appear to have one.

Her shyness and innocence reminded him of Ib, and his smile turned a bit reminiscent.

[greenmagick]

Terra didn't know the weight that she carried in her basket or what it was that Garry saw when he looked at the collection of brightly colored plants. She had opened a flower shop a few months of arriving in Crystallis. She wanted to make things grow and flourish as if to counter act the horrors of her memories.

"No. I came to meet the new heroes but while I was here I picked up some seeds and stems for my shop." She could understand becoming lost in ones thoughts but the expression on his face looked so sad. She wished there was something she could do to make him smile. "Tempest is also from here. So she wanted to visit family otherwise I'd introduce you."

However, her moogle wasn't around at the moment.

Terra's smile became shy once more. "I'm Terra." It was a little awkward but she's getting better at talking to others.

[blue_macarons]

"Ah, you own a shop." Garry smiled softly, his expression soft. "Tempest is a friend of yours?"

Her shy smile pulled at him, warming something in his chest. Terra seemed sweet. "Everyone seems rather welcoming in this place." That was far more than he could say in the last strange place he visited. "My name is Garry. It's nice to meet you, Terra. I'd like to come see your shop sometime."

He doubted this place would give him immediate leave to go back home, after all. Not after all he'd heard from Lemondrop. And perhaps he would have the courage to face so many flowers all at once.

So strange how such little things could become so significant to him now. "How often do new heroes arrive? People seem incredibly accustomed to coming to meet us!"

[greenmagick]

"I don't know." She admits freely. "This is the first time I've come to meet heroes. Tempest..." Her voice softens to a fond timber. "She's my companion. She's from here and I think she wanted to see her home before anything more happens. I decided to come along."

Meeting heroes was secondary to her accompanying her friend. Terra couldn't make Tempest come alone after she had been asked to escort her. The little moogle had done so much for her and had never asked for anything in return. Terra felt like she could finally do something to repay her friends kindness.

"My flower shop is in Aqures Ixen. It's called Jardin Verdoyant." Which meant Green Garden.

country of flence

[dragonflame]

Bloom had noticed that someone had been a little tense, and she couldn't put her finger onto why, but that didn't stop her from wondering over towards them, a gentle smile on her lips as she tried her best to be reassuring.

"Hello there. Are you okay? Is something bothering you or something, if so I can always help." Her eyes were quick to notice the moogle that was with them and thus didn't take her long to realize that maybe they were a new arrival.

"You must be a new Hero of Light. I guess I should also say welcome."

[blue_macarons]

"Ah!" Garry was startled out of his stupor, his muscles tensing. He turned with a sheepish expression, Lemondrop giggling behind him. "I-I--yes, yes, I'm alright! I'm sorry, I was just lost in thought for a moment."

He scratched the back of his head and cleared his throat, letting his bangs cast shadows over his nervous eyes. "Thank you. For the welcome, that is. I'm Garry."

Idly, he turned his glance back to the museum. "Ah, have you ever gone inside?"

[dragonflame]

"That's okay, I should however apologize for starling you. That was not my intention." She had kind of felt bad about that really. She hadn't meant to and it was obvious she was sorry about it.

"Nice to meet you Garry, my name is Bloom." As she spoke her eyes went over to the museum she wondered why he was staring at it for this time, but for now she shook her head slightly. "No, not yet anyway. Why do yuo ask?"

[blue_macarons]

Bloom. It reminded him of roses. He gave her a shaky smile and nodded. "Bloom. It's ... It's nice to meet you, too! And don't worry, ah, I've been rather on edge for the last day or two, so it's my fault."

He shoved his hands deep into his pockets and sighed, his eyes taking in the doors of the museum. "I was just ... wondering if all galleries were basically the same. I know it's a strange thought, ahah."

Scratching the back of his head, Garry turned back around to face Bloom fully, bowing his head in respect. "Are you one of the heroes, too? Seems like quite a bit of them are here."

[dragonflame]

"On edge? I mean I can understand considering the situation here, but I don' think that is what you meant." After all she knew the new heroes had only just arrived today, so she knew that was out, but then it begged the question just where did this guy come from.

Placing her hands lightly on her hips, she was going to do her best to be as kind and gentle as she possibly could, to help him. "That is correct, I've been here a while, though there have been heroes who have been here longer than I have." She glances over to the side, once more her eyes look at the building in front of her.

"I think they have differences, but they usually have the same idea. Though I have yet to look in all of them to find that fact out though, so don't quote me on it."

2) Flence

[neverfirstclass]

Cloud was a little late compared to some of the rest of the welcome wagon, but even if a few hours late he still arrived in Flence all the same. He was still wary about the money he had to spend on remedies but at least he was getting off the airships a bit less wobbly and green.

The upcoming invasion also weighed heavily on his mind, but at his moogle's insistence he took the trip and tried to get his mind off of things. One day spent on something other than prep wouldn't get everyone killed.

His eyes scanned the crowd for the telltale signs of another hero and lo and behold he found one standing n front of the city's museum. "Excuse me! Hey!" He called out to Garry, and gave the young man a wave once he got his attention. Like the new hero, Cloud too was accompanied by his moogle, one who wore glasses and a very serious expression on his face.

[blue_macarons]

"E-Eh?" Garry blinked, turning on his heel to greet another who had come to greet him. Another hero, he presumed, considering the cute (if rather serious) creature that accompanied the blond.

He cleared his throat and smiled, trying to mask the nerves that the museum had given him. He left that place behind, and he needed to stop dwelling on the past. There was now to worry about, and he still needed to gain his bearings.

With a polite wave back, he quickly approached the other hero with Lemondrop fluttering behind him, attempting to swallow down his anxiety. "Ah, hello! My, there seem to be quite a few more heroes here than I was expecting! Are you just passing through?"

[neverfirstclass]

"Kinda. I need to get back to Aqures Ixen to help prepare...uh..." He glanced at Mako for guidance but the moogle just shrugged. "I'm one of the Heroes who's been here for a while. Nearly a year now actually. Name's Cloud." He held out a hand in offering.

"I'm sorry to tell you this since you just got here but..." He looked around and then leaned in. He didn't want to panic anyone but a fellow Hero had a right to know. "Aqures Ixen is expecting an invasion soon. Right now we're trying to figure out what we can do to defend it. You...don't have to help if you don't want to. It's not fair that you've been dragged into things like this."

Mako gave a dismissive shrug at Cloud's words. Clearly the moogle didn't agree with what Cloud was saying.

[blue_macarons]

A year. Once again, he felt like he was actually late or something. But he pushed back his doubts, giving Cloud a small smile and returning the handshake firmly. "Ah, hi there, Cloud. I'm Garry."

But when Cloud leaned in a bit, Garry's eyebrows furrowed, taking in his words. That explained why people were discouraging him from entering Aqures Ixen.

Already, it felt like a lot to take in, but his earlier encounter with Zelda had helped him come to terms with a bit of it. It just seemed ... funny, that he arrived at a time like this. Perhaps his penchant for awful luck persisted. Garry gave Cloud a wry smile. "I ... I kind of get it. But I was brought here for a reason, if a bit late for it, ahah ..."

Lemondrop fluttered beside him, smiling gently as she gave him an encouraging nudge to his leg.

Garry nodded down at her, before meeting Cloud's gaze. "I don't know how I can, but I'll lend my assistance somehow." His expression grew firm. "Besides, there's someone here I have to protect--though, she might be better off than me, anyway."

This was so complicated. He scratched the back of his head. "Is it ... is it always like this here? Invasions and battles all the time?"