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

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.

[unetoned]

You're a Hero?

[Hearing the surprise in his own voice, he spoke again.]

You must be very brave, to have been chosen so young.

[He can't cast stones for her being a child. Billy was still technically a minor as well, and he had been serving as an Etone for a couple of years.]

What...job do you have?

[He hoped it was something that kept her out of enemies' range, at least.]

[her_rose_is_red]

That's right!

[She's proud of all the hard work she's put in to this hero thing. But honesty forces her to admit that bravery might not have been a factor. She lowers her voice though, as if this might be a secret. Or perhaps just an unpopular opinion.]

But I don't think anyone is paying attention to who gets picked. I kinda think it's just whoever the crystal finds.

[In answer to his other question, she grins.]

Right now I'm a Red Mage and a Warrior. I picked them out specially for the invasion.

[unetoned]

[Billy shook his head.]

It doesn't matter why you were picked. You're a Hero because of what you do.

[He gave her a quick pat on her shoulder before straightening back up.]

Those jobs put you pretty close to the fighting. Have you ever thought about a gun or another ranged weapon?

[her_rose_is_red]

[She stands just a little bit straighter. Ib is always happy when the older heroes acknowledge her as one of them.]

No, but most of my jobs use magic. So I usually don't have to get too close.

[unetoned]

That's good. Being smart is as important as being brave.

[And maybe Billy had started using a gun when he was around her age, and had good reason to think so.]

So, as the experienced Hero, do you know anything about this Calamity business?

[her_rose_is_red]

Only a little.

[Oh, but he called her 'experienced' so she wracks her brain for whatever things she can recall.]

It's this big wave of crystal that's eating up everything. I don't think it started until we rescued all those people that the empire kidnapped. For a while it was moving really fast, but then we all got sent back in time and it stopped. I think it'll start up again though...

[unetoned]

More crystal? [At least this world was consistent. He pulled his crystal out of his belt pocket.]

So, everything is turning to crystal like this? And it started with us? [He frowned. It sounded like the 'Heroes' had done more harm than good so far. Not that he would say that to Ib. She was a good kid, and he knew she's done her best.]

If we started it, we've got to be the ones who can stop it.

[her_rose_is_red]

[Well she's glad to hear some optimism, so Ib nods eagerly.]

I think so too! We don't know how yet, but there has to be some way to stop it. Even if-

[She seems about to go on, then pauses. He's new, so it's possible he hasn't heard much about what's going on yet.]

Um, did anyone tell you about Kalki and Palitutu and all that stuff yet?

[unetoned]

[Billy nodded at the girl.]

Primoogle told me a bit of it. It doesn't really make sense yet, though. Were you all really sent back in the past and hidden away? That means there were two of you here when you all arrived.

[It hurt his brain a little to think about. He hoped there wasn't another him around. That would be way too strange to deal with.]

[her_rose_is_red]

Two of us....?

[She... actually hadn't considered that before.]

I guess. But... I think it was the same us too. This stuff is hard.

[Her brain hurts too.]

[unetoned]

[Poor kid. It was bad enough for Billy to get pulled into all this, and he was practically an adult.]

Well, that part is over now. Things should go back to normal, right?

[her_rose_is_red]

I sure hope so. I mean, I know we're heroes and we have a job to do, but...

[She shrugs awkwardly.]

It would be nice to.... have a break sometimes.

[unetoned]

[Billy had the urge to pat her head, but he resisted. He gave her a smile instead.]

You've done a good job. It's ok to do something fun after you've worked so hard.

[her_rose_is_red]

I think it make everyone feel better too. To have some fun. I think everyone is a little... sad about what happened with Je- I mean Palitutu.

[Actually, angry might be a better term. But Ib is still sort of hoping, deep down, that maybe there's a good reason for all of this. Some kind of explanation where it turns out that no one is the bad guy and it was all a big misunderstanding.]

[unetoned]

[Billy was also thinking 'sad' might not be the right emotion. Ib was compassionate, and he imagined that colored her perceptions of such things.]

What fun things are there to do around here? I haven't been here long enough to know.

[her_rose_is_red]

[The subject switch perks her right up.]

Oh, there's lots of stuff. If you like animals you can go play with the chocobos on the farm. And there's a flower shop with a bunch of kittens. There's also a theater and a really big park. And you can take an airship and go to Trano Gol..sauce...ia...

[She's still uncertain of the pronunciation.]

They've got all kinds of fun things there.

[unetoned]

[Billy only understood about half of the activities she listed, but he nodded all the same.]

Which is your favorite? Maybe I'll try it.

[her_rose_is_red]

I like going to the chocobo farm. And if you ask the old man there, he'll give you some stuff so you can catch your own chocobo. They're really fun to ride!

[unetoned]

[Billy looked to Primoogle for clarification.]

They're the giant birds humans ride on. Instead of 'horses', some of the Heroes say. They look like big 'chickens'.

[Primoogle repeated those foreign words she'd heard from the other Heroes, though she did not understand what they meant. Billy nodded.]

Ok, I'll try out riding a 'chocobo' when I get the chance. Thanks.

[her_rose_is_red]

They're really easy to ride too. And if you need help catching one, I'll go with you.


[Never mind that her own chocobo hunting experience was almost a complete disaster. That was a long time ago and she's gotten much stronger.]

[unetoned]

[Billy nodded. Chickens were fine by him, whatever the size.]

That's very nice of you. I'm sure you'll make a great guide.

((Shall we wrap it up here? We can wrangle chocobos sometime if you want XD))

[her_rose_is_red]

[OOC: Works for me!]