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...

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"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.

"From here?" Ah, now it made sense to him. "You're a hero, too? My, there seems to be so many of us."

He frowned for a moment, staring down at his shoes in thought. "Aqures Ixen ... You know, they were discouraging me from heading over there. Is there a reason for that? A-Ah, but once I can, I'll definitely visit!"

Terra nodded slowly to confirm. She wasn't sure how many heroes there were considering she only knew a few of them but there were countless people she'd seen on the streets and in her shop with a moogle trailing after them. They were all a little different and Terra wasn't sure what to think of some of them.

"A war is coming. The battle ground is Aquares." Her voice was soft and wistful. Terra hated war, her memories were filled with death and blood making her stomach turn at the thought of it and yet she was forced to fight another war anyway. "They were protecting you."

There were many heroes planning to fight even know what it would mean. The Empire was strong and unlike anyone else they could very well kill the heroes of light permanently.

"A war--?" So soon after his arrival?

This place wasn't pulling any punches, was it? "Who's fighting? If we're heroes, shouldn't we be protecting everyone else?" Though, he doubted he could be of any help at his state. Newly arrived, not even sure how to fight (or if his new clothes really helped or not).

But he caught the faraway quality of her voice, and he dialed it back a bit, sensing that he might've been pelting her with too many questions all at once. "I ... I'm sorry. Forgive me for rambling off like that! I just ... well, I hope you'll be staying safe, too!"

She slowly shook her head. "It's alright. I understand being confused." Terra had woke up without any memories of her home or those she knew. It was a strange situation but she knew what it was like to not understand so much of what was happening.

"The Empire is attacking Aquares." Or the heroes, Terra didn't know any of the details but she had offered to help at Jessie's request.

"I don't know how much I can tell you. I don't know myself." She smiled then hoping to comfort the new hero. "You don't have to fight."

Garry glanced down at Lemondrop. The Empire ... He'd read all about it in Zelda's journal, so he knew the gravity of all of this now. At this point, he didn't know if he could be of much help.

But could he really just stand by and let it all happen?

"Will you be fighting?" She didn't seem like the type, but Ib taught him that it didn't matter what a person looked or seemed like. Ib had been braver and stronger than him during that gallery, so he wouldn't dare assume anything about another person again. "And ... if Aquares is being attacked, where do I go? To stay, I mean. I'm still not really ... familiar with the small things or my way around, haha ..."

Her hand moved over her heart at his question as if the idea itself left her unsteady and unsure. "Yes." Her voice was soft though there was a slight tremor in her voice that she was trying to cover with her calm composure.

"You can stay here." She turned slightly gesturing behind her to the town. "They have hotel's for those who's homes are in Aqures. It's no cost to you."

She knew of the accommodations after having tried to get those who have shops near hers to leave. She didn't want anyone to get hurt and she promised those near her that she'd protect their shops so that they had homes to return to. She had been asked and that was why she stayed to fight even if the idea made her nervous

Garry nodded mutely, his expression falling. The idea of that didn't sit well with him. "There must be a way for me to fight, too. I don't know how, but if I was brought here, it must've been to help."

Hotels for free, though, was unheard of for him. His eyes filled with relief. "Well ... at least there's that. I guess I won't have to worry about finding where I live just yet."

... And, fate willing, he'll have the chance to see it after this war thing was over.

Terra’s worry slowly vanished, hidden behind a well-trained mask. She didn’t want to worry him and talks of war were often distressing. “I’m sure there is way you can help. There will be a meeting in a few days in Aqures. It’s safe there and I believe the evacuation will last until and through the arrival of the Empire.” Though there was no saying for sure. Terra knew that she would help people evacuate the city well into the fight.

Nothing happy could be brought from war.

“Just promise that you will be safe.” She’d feel sad if something happened to her new friend.

His eyebrows rose when her expression suddenly grew utterly composed. As observant as he always was, he knew that that must've taken some practice, or maybe he was just once again assuming too much about other people. He didn't ask about it or point it out. "Right. I'll go around and see what I can do, too."

Though, he was touched that she would make him promise such a thing just after meeting him. Garry, affected by her sweetness and concern, gave her a smile, and reached up with one hand, offering his pinky finger to her with a wink. "Only if you promise the same!"

Terra was a master at pretending nothing was wrong except when her curiosity was peaked. As he holds out his pinky finger she blinks and then looks at it curiously.

"Am I suppose to do something?"

Terra had grown up in a lab with scientists and researchers. Some of them were nicer than others but she wasn't familiar with the concept of a pinky promise. She watched him hoping that he would instruct her on what she's suppose to do.

Garry blinked. She didn't know what--?

... Maybe she just had different gestures or customs where she came from. That had to have been it. "Ahh ..." He'd never really explained something like this before, but he was a patient teacher--he spent a long time in that gallery defining to Ib words she couldn't yet understand.

Clearing his throat, he tried to put it as simply as he could. "W-Well ... where I'm from, it's a symbol! When two people link their pinkies like this ..." He demonstrated with his other hand, curling the two fingers around one another. "... It means it's a promise. And it's kind of binding! So pinky promises have to be taken seriously!"

He offered her his pinky once more. "So ... promise?"

She watched his demonstration curiously. She hadn’t heard of anything like this before however she knew the weight that a promise can carry.

Terra met his pinky with hers, gently curling the delicate finger around his. “Pinky promise then.” She smiled, a little wider than she had before. It was a simple gesture but for some reason it made her happy. She looked at their joined pinkies curiously for a moment longer. She wasn’t in a rush to move her hand.

“I wonder why you hook your pinky and not another finger.”

Garry returned her smile with a bright one of his own. "Yes, pinky promise!" He likewise didn't remove his hand right away, feeling rather proud that he could get her to smile a little wider than before.

... But she did make him question things he never really hadn't before. "... I ... I have no idea! It's just a thing everyone does where I come from. Though, I suppose in some places, different gestures mean very different things ..."

Finally, he pulled his hand away, but gently.

She didn't mean to make him question things. Though questions always arose when Terra was around. She slowly shook her head as he pulled his pinky finger away.

"I'm sorry. It might be common where I'm from. I don't know, I lost my memory and I've been regaining it very slowly." Though so far nothing in her memory was as happy as learning what a pinky promise was. "I'm glad to have learned."

She bowed slightly. "Thank you."

"A-Ah?" Garry blinked in surprise. There he was, moping about not being able to return home, and she didn't even remember anything? At the very least, she said she was regaining certain memories.

Still, he hadn't meant to be insensitive. He blushed with shame. "D-Don't be sorry! I had no idea--that is, I'm sorry! I don't think I'm from where you're from, but if you have any questions, please let me know if I can help!"

Terra shook her head slowly as a shy smile pulled at her lips. “It really is alright. I haven’t met anyone else who has had something like this happen so it isn’t something I expect others to know.” It was logical and Terra held no ill will towards the new hero.

“And you have helped. I really like learning happy things like this.” She held up her pinky, her smile growing slightly. There was so much sadness and so much hate. She wanted warm memories that filled her chest with the sweet flames that often accompanied friendship. Of course it was Tempest who often helped Terra identify the emotions she’s since learned that it’s happiness. That she was happy.

“So thank you.”

Garry blushed, scratching the back of his head. There would be a lot of adjustments ahead of him, that was for sure, and he was bound to meet tons of people he never would've if not for this place.

But they were all heroes, and they were all in it together, weren't they?

With a nod, Garry smiled. "Then, if I think of other happy things, I'll let you know. There's no need to thank me. I'll be the one to thank you for the help today."

Terra gave him a quick nod. She wanted to give him a flower but he had already refused once. She glanced around wishing again that Tempest would show up and help her but without her moogle swooping to the rescue she was left to her own devices.

She shook her head slowly before fidgeting slightly.

"I should probably go but.. if you need anything.." She wasn't sure what help she could offer but she was trying her best to lend a hand where she could; even if it wasn't very much.

Garry nodded politely with a bow of his head. "Oh, of course! Like I said, it goes both ways, so ... I'll come visit soon!" He gave her another smile. "Be careful out there."

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Intro Log || The Calm Before The Storm

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