Intro Log || The Return of the Heroes

[melodiesmods]

Characters: All the "Heroes of Light" (only new characters can start threads).
Where: Aqures Ixen.
When: The 5th of September. The new Heroes of Light will awaken early in the morning.
Summary: The new Heroes of Light awaken in Aqures Ixen and are informed by their assigned Moogles of what the situation and what 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. It marks the first time since January that Heroes of Light have appeared in Aqures Ixen.
Warning: N/A

Where you were or what you were doing— It does not really matter. Not any more. Within an instant, 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 knew 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 it feels as though life itself is slipping out of you.

At this 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 distant noises of engines. Had it all been nothing more than a dream? The soothing voice repeats its call one more time, but is soon replaced with a much less graceful "Wake up Kupo." Hand clutched on your Crystal, the call of the Moogle may finally wake you up. But you are no longer in your world, nor in the void. You are before the Crystal of Fire, in the third district of a city called Aqures Ixen. At this point, you may realize the engine noise actually originates from an Airship flying low over the city and headed to dock beneath the castle. 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 who are more than happy to tell you about everything you want to know, about your 'destiny' as a Hero of Light, about what awaits you.

Or at least, they will tell you everything they do know, which isn't much in the end.

The only people around you are like you-- There are quite a few of them, all clothed in their Job garbs and most likely wondering what is happening. If somehow you do not realize it, the Moogle who woke you up will be more than happy to inform you there are others like you around. In fact, there are other Heroes who have arrived in the course of the past year and they will come soon! Like you, they have Jobs and a Crystal.

If asked, the Moogles will mention that the city was recently attacked by the Heran Empire and nearly destroyed by Ultima Weapon. What's the Heran Empire? What's Ultima Weapon? Better to ask to the heroes who saw it all.


The Other Heroes
— Shortly Thereafter —
Thanks to the efficiency of Mognet, it does not take long for the other Heroes to come around: those who arrived in this world within the past year. You may have imagined heroic and charismatic figures when your Moogle told you that there were other Heroes of Light in this city. You may have imagined persons with fearsome powers when they told you about how they fiercely battled each other past month. And more importantly, you may have imagined them as people who would have all the answers to your, doubtlessly, numerous questions.

If so, you may be up for a tragic 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.


The City of Aqures Ixen
— Anytime —
With the recent attack, Aqures Ixen is under reconstruction. The city was saved for the most part, but there are ruined buildings, the Sixth District is nothing but wasteland now and the Thirteenth District has become a graveyard. Even so, there are a lot of things left to do in the city for newcomers. A few groups of Triple Triad players are playing before Mognet Office in the ninth district, mostly Moogles as many of them are not working after what happened. And of course, they are more than happy to teach the rule to anyone passing by. Characters are free to enter and play games of Triple Triad, and if they do so they will be given very basic cards and explained the rules. This may be the start of a promising career!

Characters are also free to visit the city-- Mognet Office just behind the Triple Triad games is filled with Moogles, most of them panicked, tired, busy or slacking now that their director has disappeared. They can also visit Airship Port in the twelfth district from where characters can board for free Airships from Shoopuf Airline-- Though they have to make a request 48 hours in before to do so.

Or maybe you could visit your new house in the 11th District, and get to know your new neighbors and housemate. Hopefully your neighbors are people you will get along with.


Close Encounters of the Third Kind
— 19:00 —
Characters venturing by the city's outskirts at this specific time will be able to see a most peculiar sight: a flying saucer seemingly abducting a cow before flying away and disappearing into the sky without leaving any traces of its presence. If your character do see it, hopefully there will be someone with them. Otherwise, nobody will believe their story.

Was it an UFO or just a hallucination? Only the future will tell...

Comments

[unetoned]

[1: Waking up:]

An airship was nothing to get excited about, although the white stuffed toy was new. Billy had thought that only Fei got stalked by strange creatures like that. At least it wasn’t pink. And it had not proclaimed its maidenly love for him, so that was something.

Billy stood, half-listening to the chattering of the ‘moogle’ as he assessed his surroundings. The ship was too open to double as a submarine. Probably not Shevat-built.

“Where are we going, if I may ask?”

“To Aqures Ixen, kupo! The invasion is over, so it’s safe now, kupo.” The moogles delivered that piece of news with much more cheer than Billy thought was appropriate.

“Invasion?” he repeated back. He rifled through his white mage robes to locate his guns, not wanting to arrive at a recently invaded territory without them. He produced, with only a minor amount of entanglement inside of his new robes, a matching pair of handguns, two strangely-customized guns, and a long shotgun.

“WHAT ARE YOU DOING, KUPO!” His moogles screeched as he laid out his inventory. “WHITE MAGES ARE SUPPOSED TO BE PEACEFUL!”

[2: The Other Heroes:]

After a strong and high-pitched lecture from Primoogle about keeping his weapons stashed on public transportation in the wake of a traumatic battle, Billy had his guns concealed when they touched down in the city. Of course, a Hero who knew what to look for would probably catch the tell-tale outline of gun holsters, or the tight leather pants of the Gunner attire visible from beneath the white mage robes.

Billy eyed the damaged buildings. “And you only have person-sized armor to defend yourselves?” he asked Primoogle, who sighed as if it was not the first time he’d asked. “No Gears? Wouldn’t it be easier to protect your town if you had something bigger?”

Primoogle just huffed, and Billy moved on. “And what’s being done in terms of relief for the victims here?”

[ooc- Feel free to interrupt at any point if you want to get into guns, gears, orphanages, or anything else?]

[3: Around the City]

Billy could be found hanging around a few different places during his first week in the city.

In the mornings, he made a circuit around the Thirteeth District, helping salvage the burnt temples and cast healing magic on the injured whenever he could. It was not his church, but he still felt a kinship to those who flocked to the temples in times of distress. They were brothers and sisters in faith, and Billy would do what he could to help them.

Most afternoons, Billy checked in at the Observatory. He had heard rumors that some of the Heroes might be building an orphanage for those who had lost their families in the war. That was something Billy wanted to be a part of. He definitely wanted to assess the Heroes and make sure they were trustworthy.

One day, Billy marched into a shop, exchanging his G for gil and buying a belt-pouch for ammo. The damn pants gunners wore in this world had no room in their pockets for ammunition, and Billy was sick of it. While he was accessorizing, he traded in the weird, flat shoes for a good pair of sturdy cowboy boots. He resolved to save the rest of his money for the orphan relief fund…which was hard, when he finally walked past a flier for O’aka’s Shop, with the prominent advertisement for the Thanatos Bullet. He studied the ad longingly before he moved on.

[ooc-Once again, feel free to run into Billy at any time during these comings and goings.]

[4. Holy Snap, ALIENS]

Well, that was happening. A little saucer lifted a cow through the air, and Billy was honestly too stunned to respond right away. If it was a large floating city like Shevat, he would’ve figured they were stocking their larders, but that tiny thing?

Billy drew a gun, lined up his shot, but then lowered the weapon. He didn’t want to hit the cow, who looked peeved, but not so tortured as to need mercy-killing.

“Ummm, any idea what that is?” he asked.

2

[her_rose_is_red]

Um, we're all working together to fix all the houses and buildings and stuff.

[Ib just happens to overhear that last question and is eager to reassure him that they really are doing their very best.]

[unetoned]

[Billy's critical tone softened immediately at the appearance of this little girl who was trying her best. She reminded him of the kids at his orphanage. Being young did not keep them from doing their part.]

That is good to hear. If you work hard and help others, you will grow up to be a good person who people respect.

[But still, the buildings were not the most important thing. He bent to speak to the girl on her eye level.]

Where are the other kids? Does everyone had a family to take care of them, or is there anyone who's alone now?

[her_rose_is_red]

[The praise brings a smile to her face. Ib has been trying very hard to pull her weight since she arrived. But she misinterprets his question at first.]

I don't think there are any other heroes who are kids. I haven't met any.

[But then understanding dawns.]

Oh! You mean the kids from the city. Well most of the people left the city before the attack, so I think a lot of them are okay.

4.

[no1]

Ace was no less bewildered by the sight. As the faraway object hovered over the poor animal, he quickly grabbed onto the reins of his own chocobo that had been walking beside him, a creature with bright yellow feathers lightly tipped in silver, as if attempting to protect him from the same fate. He knew that the attacker could not be reached by any means from that distance and thus, decided against drawing his weapon, joining the fellow Hero at his side, but being unable to provide a satisfying answer.

"I wish I could answer that, but this is no ordinary foe." The boy frowned, eyes still set on the unusual scene. "Our best bet would be investigating it from an airship."

[unetoned]

The strange ship drew its captive closer, and suddenly shot off into the sky, out of sight in the blink of an eye. Billy lowered his gun. No point now.

"We'd never catch it. Our ships are too slow for pursuit."

He puzzled over the empty skyline. "Do you think...they won't hurt the cow, will they?"

[no1]

With the unnatural velocity it all came to a close, Ace certainly noticed the point of the other's remark. A dragon mount would have been enough, perhaps... except it was all theoretical talk at this point, with the ship being beyond their reach.

"...Hopefully not." He absentmindedly reached out to give his chocobo a consoling pat on his head. "Still, I can imagine the citizens beginning to panic if this continues, and rigftfully so. I wonder where that came from."

[derplander]

Nice guns. Are you a machinist?

[The Adventurer had noticed Billy there at the shop, and he noticed the curve of multiple weapons under that White Mage robe. He was not unfamiliar with that concept, for White Mages often carried books for their Arcanist jobs back home. The few White Mages that existed however, like his old Lalafell Friend.]

[unetoned]

A machinist? [Did he mean like a Gear Mechanic?] No, I'm an Etone. We have specialized equipment.

[Primoogle had told him to keep his guns out of sight, but being asked point-blank about them was permission to bring them out, was it not? He drew one of his ether guns from his sleeve.]

This is one of my own design. The ether bullets are missing, though, so I will need to create more before I can use it.

[derplander]

Ah, pray forgive me. A Machinist in my homeland is a gun specialist, using mechanized sentries called Turrets to deliver additional damage to a target, as well as grenades and what not.

[The Adventurer nodded, watching his weapon and tilting his head.] Aether? You utilize it as well?

[The pronunciation however from Billy was a little different than he was used to.]

[3: Around the City]

[goddessofthesky]

Zelda was spending most of her time in the observatory though there were times that her or Kopula would take turns running from the building to grab blankets or lend a hand. She sent a lot of messages to those in the city hoping to lend aid and organize efforts. Those in charged were currently stretched thin and she hoped that in this way she could help.

Her bright blue eyes landed on Billy as he walked in. Her arms filled with blankets that she promptly put on the counter.

"Can I help you with anything." Her voice was soft with a confident composure as she moved through the building. She was a little tired but she was determined to keep working. Kopula fluttered at her side before zipping off with a letter clenched between his paws.

[unetoned]

The woman seemed like someone who was in charge. Billy drew himself up to full height, five feet and seven inches, aware that he was seen by some as too young to have authority.

"I want to help. War always leaves victims. They must be cared for. If an orphanage has not already been formed, I will build one."

[goddessofthesky]

Zelda looked up at him with a warm smile. "Actually that's what these blankets are for. If you follow me I can show you?" She picked up the blankets after flashing him a warm smile. She had been working on it since Valvalis first purposed the idea. She was glad to see that someone else was interested in it as well.

She carefully stepped downstairs, looking over the stack of blankets as she moved. The first two rooms were the ones that she had outfitted for this project. The wall between them had been moved though there was still a 6" frame that indicated that a wall once separated the two rooms. It had two doors thought one remained closed. The room was mostly empty except for four bunk beds that were pressed against the far wall.

"What do you think?" Zelda set down the blankets on the bed and then began to change over the sheets. "I don't know if it's to small."

2

[line_piece]

This world only has steampunk-level technology at best, and that's only in certain areas. It's called Magitek here. There's only one weapon bigger than that, and it's...

[Chiaki pauses for a moment, looking vaguely uncomfortable.]

...a special case.

[unetoned]

['Steampunk' was not anything Billy recognized. Maybe it was some long lost civilization?]

What special case? I'd like to see some of this Magitek. Maybe it is similar to what we have in my world.

[line_piece]

There are only a few suits in the city. Ask around for Sparks Nevada. He's the head of the city's police. I know he has one. There's a research facility too, but it was heavily damaged in the recent attack.

[2hell_weride]

A rider on one of those big yellow birds, a chocobo, was carting a huge crate when he heard 'human-sized armor' and stops.

"Hey mister. What'd you just say about 'person-sized armor'?" he brashly interrupts.

"You were saying something about protecting the city with 'larger' things, eh? Good-fuckin-luck. Though... actually maybe now those secrets will be open to me. What do you call your 'giant machines' huh?"

A new friend, perhaps? Someone who knows what the hell mecha are!?

[unetoned]

'Mister'? That was a first. Billy looked up to see who had spoken, not sure if they were speaking to him or not.

"Yes, Gears. Fifteen to twenty sharls high. One or two Gears could protect the city as good or better than a while army of soldiers on foot."

He looked the other guy over. "What do you know about them?"

[2hell_weride]

He could've said things like 'dude' or 'asshole', but Mister works as a greeting to a total stranger!

And for sharls... it's either meters or feet in equivalent. Meters makes more sense... that's like a Gundam.

"I've never heard of Gears, or sharls, but where I"m from... I worked on giant robots that could STEP on this city and crush it. All kinds. About the size of your Gears are probably the most common though."

Oh look, bonding!

2.

[iscursednomore]

"You know, if it isn't obvious what is going on, but people seem to be trying the whole team work thing to help rebuild things. However that won't mean things will be done over night or any time soon." he wished that one could just use magic or something if the damage was thing big, but sadly he knew that would be the case.

"I assuming you are new since you asked a question like that, so welcome~ Sorry you didn't come at a better time."

[unetoned]

Billy turned toward the newcomer. "I don't mean to belittle your efforts. I am trying to find where I can be of assistance."

He gave the sleeves of his new white mage robes a tug. "It seems I came at the time I am most needed. That's what's important."

2

[neverfirstclass]

"Uh, excuse me." Cloud walked over, overhearing Billy's questioning of the moogles.

"You're one of the new Heroes right? There are a few inns and other buildings that have been working as clinics and emergency homes. They're still welcoming volunteers and donations." He held out his hand in offering.

"I'm Cloud. Cloud Strife."

[unetoned]

Billy took Cloud's hand and gave it a quick shake.

"Billy Lee Black. Which way to the nearest of those? I want to check them out."

Billy did not have any of this world's money to donate, but he could give his time, at least. And he wanted to make sure the people in charge knew what they were doing. If they did not seem to have the refugees' best interests at heart, Billy wouldn't be afraid to speak up for them.

2

[nomorecowbell]

Zelda's good influence had kept Nanami volunteering, though she was a bit more comfortable with kids. She knew a tiny bit about what it was like to not have people who cared about you, though Nanami's parents had been present, just... distant to her. Anyway, she could handle kids. At least keep them occupied while parents or other caregivers were recovering or trying to rebuild. And a teenaged girl might not look old enough to be a Hero to adults, but she could be a Hero to children.

When she heard Billy, she visibly twitched. "And I don't see you doing anything to help."

[unetoned]

Billy raised an eyebrow at her. Well, if she was going to be rude, there was no reason for him to be courteous.

"I just got here. I can't help until I find out where I'm needed. Do you actually do anything, or do you just go around listening to other people's conversations?"