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

"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."

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.

"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?"

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.

Lots of heroes ...

Garry had to wonder what good he would be if there were already lots of other heroes. Especially if he couldn't even succeed in seeing Ib home before he was swept away like this. But there was no time for self-deprecating thoughts. After all, Zelda was being helpful and sweet, and he had to show that he appreciated that.

His eyebrows rose when she showed him the journal, and he reached out with curiosity. "Ah, may I?" He took it into his hands, but asked for permission before flipping it open. "Almost a year ... so people have been brought here for an entire year?"

Despite his unease, Garry had always been one to put others before himself. He toyed with the spine of the journal, glancing into Zelda's direct gaze. "And ... how've you been handling it? Ah, that is, you've come all this way to welcome new people. How are you doing, with all of this, and being away from home for so long?"

"Of course."

Zelda was happy to let him look through the book. There was all sorts of information inside but if he wanted to ask something specifically then she would try her best to answer with what she knew.

Her smile didn't falter at his question as if she'd been asked that many times before. "It's difficult. Sometimes it's hard to remember home. There are ways though and even though I'm here I can feel that those I care about are safe. I'm going to keep doing what I can." It was strange to think her birthday had just passed in Crystallis and that she might be here longer still.

"I'm lucky to have met many wonderful friends here as well as know someone who it from my home too." Having friends always helped the young goddess stay strong.

Well ... he supposed there was no harm in it. It wasn't a diary, so he shouldn't have felt it was a breach in privacy, right? He cleared his throat and bowed his head in thanks, opening it up to the first page. It looked rather detailed, actually, and his eyes widened at the information.

But Garry was ever polite, so even as he scanned the pages within, he kept focus on her words. His heart softened. "A year is a long while to be away from home. Heck, I spent just an afternoon in a strange gallery, and I already missed it. At least the other heroes seem kind, in this place."

However, as he flipped through, he paused every so often, his eyes widening. Battles, memories, sicknesses ...

Death. But--?

He glanced up, worry dripping from his features. "I--so much has happened. Why was I--are you--?"

She was killed?

She gave him time to skim over the pages. Zelda was patient and she wouldn't have brought the book if she hadn't thought that it might be useful for others to read. It also helps her, saving her voice from having to explain the same few basic things again and again. As she watches him she makes sure not to stare or make him feel as if he's being watched.

She didn't want to be rude.

"There are things that help." At least she wasn't alone from her world though sometimes that didn't make it easier. Zelda would keep trying to be strong.

She wasn't very sure how to answer his question because she wasn't really sure what he was asking. "Am I?" Zelda's head tilted slightly to the side spilling golden hair behind her shoulder.

Garry knew he had to suspend his disbelief somewhere. Anything was possible, he supposed. Crystal stasis, strange, new abilities ...

And being alive after being killed. "Are you ... alright? All this time, I thought I needed to know the weight of my own life. Yet, you're here. You were--you're back. How does that work ...?"

The journal answered a great many questions he might've had, however. She ought to consider publishing her work, he thought, but if this was a journal she kept to keep track of events, then things were still happening.

"It's strange..." It wasn't something the young goddess could easily explain and she had a deep fear of being encased in that crystal and never waking up. What if he didn't get to her in time?

Zelda shook her head trying not to think of home. "The crystals you carry are a life line here. It connects us to our worlds and it heals us if we are killed. Our bodies are encased in crystal and it takes about a week for us to heal..." She paused for a moment before she continued. "However, the Empire has a way to destroy our crystals."

It might sound familiar to him except that the crystals held a lot of power that was used to protect them.

"It's a little scary." She had to admit that much. "But I can back..." She looked up at Garry and smiled. "So it's alright." The hardest part had been getting killed by one of her friends.

The crystals ...

It seemed that he couldn't escape from his life being tied to an inanimate object. The thought of it almost made him chuckle. But at least the crystal kept people safe. The roses were mere representations. And they were easily taken apart.

The thought of the Lady in Blue sent shivers down his spine.

There were things he had to worry about now. Like the Empire. Thankfully, flipping through Zelda's book was incredibly helpful and he could follow her words easily. And her optimism, even in the face of her own apparent death, was uplifting. So he smiled back. "... Yes, you came back. And thank goodness for that."

So many events ... so many things ... He flipped through the journal again. "You know, you should consider publication. At least in installments or something, you know, as more continues to happen during your stay. This was incredibly helpful."

"It's open for all the heroes to read. It's mostly my own experiences but I'm happy that it's proving to be helpful." Maybe one day when they are gone it would be published so that the memories of the heroes would never die. Though she hoped that the end of their story would be a happy one.

Zelda's smile widened slightly. "And if you need anything else you are always welcome to ask! I want to help all the heroes and helping heroes get use to this place is usually the best way that I can."

At least so far and Garry seemed like a nice person. She already felt lucky to have met him.

Garry returned her smile wholeheartedly. Already, his unease had begun to settle out. This ... couldn't have been all that bad, he supposed. If the heroes were all this kind, then surely, all together, they could fight their way through everything.

He shut the journal and held it out for her to take, his eyes shining over with earnest gratefulness. "I don't know what to say. Thank you. I ... this has been an incredible help. Is there any way I can repay you?"

Zelda took the journal passing it to Kopula with a smile. He was charged with writing down the names of the new heroes as well as their companion’s names. It was a small task but Kopula insisted on helping. So he was off again disappearing among the other heroes that were slowly waking into consciousness.

She shook her head slowly. “There is no need. I’m always happy to help.” Her smile widens slightly.

When this was all over she wanted to do something nice for the heroes also though for now she had to focus on the task at hand.

"Yeah, but--!" He scratched the back of his head, but relented with a lopsided smile. "--Alright. But if you do think of anything I can do for you, let me know? I'm just ... well, I guess we'll all be around for a while."

And with everything going on right now, it seemed like the entire place needed aid. Garry had to be ready for anything.

Ever the gentleman, he asked, "Ahh--I don't know my way around, but do you need me to walk you anywhere, or are you still greeting others?" Did this place have an organized greeting club or something? Maybe that would help, too. Agh, there was just so much to consider, and Garry really needed a moment.

... Maybe a cigarette, too, but he was out.

There was a way for Garry to get cigarettes though it would most likely have to wait until after the fight.

Zelda smiled at his kindness. “I don’t have anywhere to be. How about I show you around some instead? or if you rather explore. I know this town fairly well because I’ve been here a few times before.” Though those were usually short trips it wasn’t the largest town there is.

“I know!” Zelda’s smile brightened. “How about I get us both something to eat?” Food was the best comfort after all.

"Ah--?" He took pause at her words, a light blush staining his pale cheeks. "Well, I--I don't quite have the money for that just yet." And he couldn't very well let her pay, could he?

... Food did sound rather enticing, however. "I'd ... let me repay you later then! I insist!"

"If you'd like but you don't have too." Money wasn't a very important object in Aqures since the heroes where provided food and housing. She smiled brightly and then took Gary by the hand so that he'd fall in step beside her.

"There is a cafe near here I wanted to try." She saw it on her way to the temple and it was always more fun to eat with someone else.

She let go of his hand when they got closer not wanting to pull his arm off. She pointed over towards the small building nestled perfectly between an Inn and another shop. "This okay?"

"I'd definitely like to!" He was definitely keeping track of everyone who'd been such a great help to him. Even if money wouldn't be an object, he still felt that they deserved something for taking the time to be so kind.

But his smile grew upon seeing the little cafe, and his heart warmed. He thought of Ib, too, and his promise to take her to one of these as soon as they escaped the gallery.

"This is perfect! I love little places like this." He stepped forward and opened the door for her to let her through first.

“I’m glad.” Zelda’s smile warmed as she stepped into the small little café. She found them a table with four chairs so that their moogles could join them without having to sit on their lap.

As soon as they sat down a young woman greeted to take there order. She seemed a little star stuck as she looked at the pair and their moogles but didn’t say anything about the matter. “I would like tea please and if you have strawberry cake?”

”Water for me kupo and a kupo nut muffin!” Kopula smiled thinking of his impending muffin.

Zelda then looked over at Garry and smiled. “What would you like?”

Garry hadn't felt this at ease since before he entered the gallery. And the place was rather cute!

Lemondrop took it upon herself to order, bouncing excitedly. "Definitely a kupo nut shake, kupo! With extra kupo, kupo!"

For himself, he always ordered the same. "Ahh, would you happen to have macarons? If you do, vanilla and chocolate would be lovely!" He tapped his chin. "Hm. Kupo nuts. I wonder what those taste like."

Zelda laughed softly as the woman walked away. "They just take like nuts. They are very good but the moogles like them best." She got in trouble if she ever ate Kopula's kupo nuts.

The cafe was nice and it gave them a chance to sit.

It didn't take long for the waitress to come back with their drinks and the moment Zelda had tea her smile widened. She loved tea. "What are macarons? If you don't mind me asking."

"Kupo nuts ..." Garry chuckled a bit to himself. "Maybe they have kupo nut-flavored macarons?

"They're little pastries that are kind of like sandwiches. They have a delicious filling in between. They're my favorite, and my biggest weakness!" He winked, grinning with excitement. This was the lightest he'd felt all day, to be frank.

He took a moment to relax his muscles, glancing over his shoulder at the retreating woman. "Is it just me, or did she seem rather ... excited to see us?"

Zelda smiled. She made a metal not to try and make those. She was a baker and very talented when it came to sweets. It was a nice hobby and she liked to practice different things when her duties as a hero didn't conflict.

"The heroes of light are often the topic of many rumors and gossip. Their are mixed reactions though." She kept her smile in place but it's obvious that she's implying that the heroes are both seen as good and bad.

Their orders come almost as quickly as their drinks.

"Ah? Not everyone is fond of them?" He still felt ill at ease trying to refer to himself as a "hero." He didn't think he'd ever get used to it.

Without preamble, he offered her one of the macarons on his plate. "Here! Try one! They're my favorites and I hope you like them!"

Intro Log || The Calm Before The Storm

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