Event || Window of Opportunity

[melodiesmods]

Characters: All Heroes of Light.
Where: Aqures Ixen - Everywhere
When: September 25th - From 12:30 to 22:30.
Summary: Heroes of Light will relive the same ten hours over and over again until they find a solution. This may be a blow to what's left of their sanity, but that's also a window of opportunity! The OOC Post is here for more information! It's not too late to sign-up, anyone can still jump right into the event! However, your vote for the total number of loops will not be taken into account any more.

Speaking of which-- Votes are in and this time displacement madness will be solved after 191 loops. Practically speaking, this means characters going through every single loop will live 2 months, 2 weeks, 3 days and 14 hours in the span of half a day. Hopefully they won't mind the food for the day, the clothes they're wearing or what they were doing when the loop started, because that's what they'll be stuck with until the end. There are some events described below, but there will be no NPC replies. Feel free to partake in these events and of course, make your own!

Warning: Too many time loops may be bad for your mental health.

The Flence Salesman
— All Day Long —
There is a salesman from Flence in the city, and he is going for every person he sees in the streets. Adults, children or elders, humans or tarutarus, it doesn't matter to him so long as he can make money! He will try to sell to the characters specialties from Flence and some crystals at absolutely awful prices, but he's open to negotiations and beyond that, he's extremely persistent. Normally, nobody would care about this, but given the salesman isn't be aware of the loop, he'll keep doing the same things over and over again... Hopefully he won't see your characters, otherwise he might just bother them for every single loop.


Moogle Demonstration for the Future of Mognet
— 12:30 => 16:00 —
For a surprise one-day long strike, the Moogles are demonstrating! There are roughly 800 Moogles together (250 according to the government, 5000 according to the striking Moogles) in the demonstration, all singing slogans and some even holding placards with "More Gil and Less Work" or "Give us Kupo Nuts" signs.

They started at 10:00 and left from the 09th District, but they will go throughout every district and explain what their protest is about. They'll finish at 16:00 and will be back to the 09th District to eat Kupo Nuts and drink Chocobo Milk together.


Biggs' Grand Return
— 14:00 => 22:30 —
After a month spent in the hospital, Biggs is finally back! He leave the Hospital at 14:00 and head straight for the Castle of Aqures Ixen. Noticeably he still has a broken and bandaged arm, but he'll pretend to be totally fine and for that matter, he will be as rude and as unfriendly as ever. He will spend most of the day in the Castle, but will go in Palitutu's Lab by 19:00 to meet with Cid. Among other things, he will side-eye everyone and will accidentally splash Cid's coffee on a Hero of Light working there (or on a Moogle, should the Hero have the good sense to avoid Biggs next loop).


Renovation of the Blitzball Stadium
— 15:30 => 20:00 —
The repairs are going steadily and today, a special dome from Trano Golsaucia is being transported and placed on the Blitzball Stadium, brand new and much more modern than what Aqures Ixen used to have! On the downside however, the airship bringing the dome and the work being done on the stadium are all very, very noisy. So noisy that everyone in a two-district radius will be bothered by it.

Under normal circumstances it would have been only for a short time and easilly bearable, but here it will happen for every single loop.


Have You Heard of the Heroes of Light?
— All Day Long —
Throughout the day, a few people are going to go and knock on every doors in the city, to talk about a most fascinating topic: the Heroes of Light! They will speak about how it is said the Heroes of Light are in Crystallis and how they managed to defeat the empire without difficulties back during the attack! Then they will go on and ask for a contribution (hear: money) to help the Heroes of Light in their cause. Of course, these people are dishonest and the money will go into their own pockets, as they don't believe in the Heroes of Light to begin with.

And of course, they'll go knock on doors during every single loop!


The Accident
— 22:29 => 22:30 —
The one minute that started it all. Who is the imbecile who committed the mistake on Palitutu's computer? Is this a Moogle or a Hero of Light, maybe Cid or Biggs? Whoever it is, after the first time, at 22:29 the program will start again on its own and will activate the loop right at 22:30, sending everything back to 12:30. The characters may try to run more programs to block the computer, cut the energy source or even bomb the building if they so wish...

But these archaic and barbaric solutions won't prevent the next loop from happening. Only hard work and scientific solutions shall prevail!

Comments

[sacredancestor]

[He remembered very well about her moves. That Transient thing her own Moogle spoke about. It would be interesting to see it again. When Rukia did her warcry, it caused D's eyes to glow, watching her unblinking. He pressed her blade with his sword and strength, not allowing her an inch. And when her leg muscles could and she broke away, he shifted, blurring again to the side just as her blade swung where his head would be.

It wasn't like he was going to hurt or kill her, but he was testing himself as much as sparring. If either for hurt in the process it was like dying on the battlefield. Life or death, these were the very principles grounded into him all his years. Life. Death. No grey answers.

Pivoting on his leg, he charged with the pommel of his sword, aiming for her ribs. Let's see how she responds...]

[damn_juicebox]

[Finally, it kicks in, just as she's tensing in preparation of the blow she knows she can't block in time. Her body moves of its own volition, and she doesn't fight it. She jerks hard to the side, skidding over the grass, with a horizontal slash in retaliation. She pulls back, not wanting to actually cause him any damage, but it's not easy resisting the ability. It comes in handy against monsters, but not sparring partners.]

[sacredancestor]

[His ears twitched feeling the shift in the breeze and he twisted his body to catch Rukia's blade seconds before it dug into his side, close to the hilt. The blade bit into his palm drawing blood, but D didn't flinch. His facial features stay firm, not wanting to show her his surprise. That move would be dangerous indeed against an enemy.

Gripping the blade, he forced Rukia forward and jammed his pommel into her diaphragm. Then he pushed her backwards, letting go of the sword before it ripped fingers off. D skidded backwards, blood dripping from his palm. Without a second glance, he flicked the excess blood to the ground and prepared for her next move.

This was getting dangerous. And exciting.]

[damn_juicebox]

[Wait, blood? That was careless of her. She's lucky she only hit his hand. Rukia blinks at the sight, then frowns. She'd better pull back a bit and apologize.]

D--

[He's already on her. Rukia's eyes jump wide open as she brings up her sword defensively. But as she was expecting to meet the bladed end, she can't prevent the strike to her stomach.]

Ungh...!

[She droops a little, gasping for breath. That really took the wind out of her, stunning her for a few moments. Thankfully he seems to be anticipating a counterattack, so she struggles up to one knee and leans on her blade.]

H-hold on...I'll use a Cure spell on your...your wound...

[sacredancestor]

[Cure spell? But D didn't glance down at his hand, didn't even care to. In fighting one did not simply stop to take care of wounds. Enemies would never give such an opportunity. True, Rukia and he were not enemies, but when he practiced it was through similar scenarios. Keeping similar rules. Besides, he chose to grab the blade and give himself the advantage. Hunkering down into a defense stance, he raised his bloodied hand up and motioned to her.]

Come. This is battle.

[damn_juicebox]

Yes...this is true.

[She lifts her head to look at him. If it's what he wants, she would be rude to deny him. It seems her sword will not be enough to hold her own against him; his strength is just too much. Perhaps it's time she started to use the spells she was equipped with, now that she knows it's possible.]

[With a grunt of strained effort, Rukia hauls herself upright, sword held defensively. Her other hand pulls back, fingers caged over a small sphere of growing crimson light.]

Then prepare yourself! Fire!

[sacredancestor]

[Shit, fire. Now that was unexpected. D jumped and twisted in the air to avoid the fireball as it hit tree branches behind him. He hates feeling the heat, but D wasn't about to let the girl overcome him with her magic.

Teaching toward her, he dodged the balls of fire, shifting seconds before one would hit only to reappear on the opposite side. The bloody trail from his hand, her only indication as to where he moved. Then right at her face, he flipped over her and, shot toward her back. He slashed his blade down with every intention of having her parry it.

If bringing the fight in closer quarters would keep her from accessing her powers, D would do just that. If overwhelming Rukia with physically trying to defend herself, that was how one won a battle. D wasn't about to lose.]

[damn_juicebox]

[She notes that he doesn't seem too fond of magic. But to be fair, she knows few people who would enjoy being set ablaze. Noting his hurry to dodge the spell, she starts to form a strategy in her head. If she can anticipate which way he means to evade, and be there to meet him...that would be a sound tactic on the field of real battle.]

[Her hand rears back for a second volley, her gaze focused as she intends to study him more carefully to anticipate his reaction. Then he's gone.]

[Too slow, the magic fizzles as she brings up her blade in haste. D's slips off of the hilt, scoring past and sinking deep into her shoulder. It hits her hard enough to knock her a few inches aside, bringing her to one knee again with a cry of pain. The slash in the sleeve bares half an inch of her pale skin, streaked with the scarlet of her blood as a wet spot slowly blooms.]

Nnnngh...you are indeed...much faster...

[She pants a little, managing half a smile. If she sustained one more blow, that would be the end of it. Best to bow out now. Rukia lays down her sword.]

Well fought. I need far more training, it seems.

[sacredancestor]

[He connected, which was also odd. D thought she would've been able to block the blow causing her Transience to react. He was proven wrong. Interesting. Sheathing his sword, D came forward going to not frighten her. He didn't mean to draw blood and yet he did. That was cause for rectification.

From a pouch he had bought a few days ago where he held some necessary healing supplies, he pulled out some gauze and bandages. Reaching just behind his ear, D produced a needle and thread. She announced that the fight was done so he was relatively sure it was safe to approach her.]

I apologize. Let me stitch up that wound at least before it becomes infected.

[damn_juicebox]

That won't be necessary.

[She holds up her hand to stay him, smiling tiredly. Then she allows that palm to hover a few inches above the wound.]

Cure.

[A soft white glow ebbs from her hand, slowly erasing the injury. It doesn't do much for the damaged sleeve, but she's not worried about that. Her clothes always seem to mend when she swaps the default jobs. But if he really wants to put that needle and thread to work...]

Speaking of which. Here.

[She reaches out to lightly grasp his wrist.]

The least I can do is repair the damage I've done to your own hand.

[sacredancestor]

[D watched with suspicion and awe as Rukia healed herself. Things Nobles could do, and himself if he allowed it. Though probably not in this world. When she offered her skills, he hesitated at first but brought his hand forward. The cut was deep but nothing he wasn't already accustomed to receiving. Especially with all the loop cycles. He done worse lately.

Still...]

I could repair your clothing.

[damn_juicebox]

[Her touch is gentle, and her fingertips cool to the touch as she cradles the back of his hand in her palm. Her other hand lingers a few inches above his wound, and the soft glow appears again. This is good practice for her at the very least, and as the damage isn't severe, one or two applications ought to do the trick.]

[Rukia glances up at him when he makes his offer. It actually earns a smile, and a chuckle.]

If you wish.

[If he has the talent for it, why not?]

[sacredancestor]

[He watched her, fascinated as his skin knitted back in place. The spell worked laboriously, as if she was having trouble breaking him. Though, reading up on his Vampire Job, she would. Healing spells were only hallway effective to people of his Job class. Still, in the end she managed. Then he took her sleeve and made quick strokes until the cloth only showed a slight pucker where he slashed it. Once finished, he stood up.]

You have improved. Thank you.

[damn_juicebox]

Heh... Somewhat, I suppose.

[She's grateful for the praise, even if she feels like she hasn't advanced all that much. She fully plans on continuing her training, however, and the Cure spell will help to extend her sessions. She pulls at her sleeve a little to examine his work, and nods.]

You do fine work. Where did you learn to sew?

[sacredancestor]

[Sorrow filled his eyes with her question but he tucked the thread and needle back behind his ear. He turned to hide his face so she wouldn't notice.]

The loop cycle will be resetting soon. You know about it?

[damn_juicebox]

[Judging by his hesitation to answer, she can tell she's touched upon a sensitive subject. Rukia has a feeling that if she lied and pretended not to know about the loop, he'd probably tell her. But she has more respect for him than that.]

I do.

[She settles herself to sit on the ground, facing him directly.]

Even so, if there is a matter you wish to confide, I will listen to you.

[sacredancestor]

I will keep that in mind.

[Taking a cloth from the pouch at his waist, D began to clean the blood from his blade.]

[damn_juicebox]

[Her assumption was correct, then. She's curious, but not so much that she intends to bully her way into his private life. Rukia has learned her lesson firmly after previous mistakes. So she's content to sit with him for a little longer, and she leans back on her hands, directing her gaze to the night sky. The moon is almost at its position.]

...It's going to happen soon.

[Her tone is mild, and calm. By now she's grown accustomed to the loop and the feeling of disorientation as she's ripped from one point of time and into another.]

[sacredancestor]

Call on me. [D said suddenly and very much unlike him. He leaned his back against the tree, typing hour hat forward to hide his eyes. If he didn't say it now, he would think against finishing it. And for some reason, he decided he wanted to say it. He never said it to anyone.]

If you find yourself in need of a friend, ally, what have you, call on me. I shall come.

[Then he tilted his head to her and actually smiled, knowing that this cycle was up.]

[damn_juicebox]

[It's not an offer she expected to hear, and the surprise is evident on her face. But as she feels the shift of time, she smiles.]

I will.

[Rukia inclines her head, closing her eyes. Soon she'll be back in the library again, cheese roll in her mouth, dropping her pile of books. But for now, it feels good to know she has a friend.]

You do the same.

[And she's gone.]