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

[damn_juicebox]

[Suddenly Rukia opened her mouth and shot Megaflare. She draws her own blade, a rather plain looking katana. She'll be careful to aim her blows at the keyblade rather than his person, as she wouldn't want to injure him like she had with D.]

It's perfectly acceptable.

[Maybe when the loop was over, she'd start training with light armor herself to see if she can improve her own defenses. For now, it's too much hassle to keep buying it and putting it on every ten hours.]

I should warn you...

[Her smile turns confident.]

I have located a merchant who sold me an Invisibility Crystal. Are you prepared to fight an invisible foe?

[makingfriends]

Wow, you can do that? [HE IS SO IMPRESSED, FRIEND!] Sure, it should be good practice on my end!

[Ven backs up a few steps, twirling his Keyblade once to get it into his usual backhanded stance. He's already running over his Time Mage abilities in his head; he's practiced them lightly, but this will be the first time against another person. That said, he'll only be using the buffs for the most part.]

Ready when you are!

[damn_juicebox]

So be it! Prepare yourself!

[She snaps out a pure, clear crystal, grasping it in her hand with a confident smile.]

ACTIVATE!

[...Nothing happens. She's still visible. But she's smirking like she's got such an awesome advantage, sidling to the left in an attempt to flank him.]

[Guess who bought a fake crystal.]

[makingfriends]

[...]

Uh--

[Did she not use it correctly??]

Rukia? I don't think it -- uh...

[damn_juicebox]

[Ho ho ho. Rather than draw her sword, Rukia draws something far more terrifying.]

[Her black marker.]

[Grinning from ear to ear, barely able to contain her impish glee, the marker's tip edges closer to Ventus's face. Now for a moustache...]

[makingfriends]

[The entire time that Rukia's edging closer, Ven's wearing a look that's utterly clueless because what is she--

--oh--

--OH HEY WAIT NO NOT COOL--]

H-Hey!

[And at the last possible second before that marker touches his face, he jerks back and out of reach.]

I see that!

[damn_juicebox]

Eh?

[Rukia blinks in surprise. How can this be? She looks at her marker, puzzled.]

Then the crystal does not render foreign objects invisible? I was unaware.

[This is valuable information to know.]

Is my sword also visible?

[makingfriends]

Uh...

[Man, he really hates to be the bearer of bad news.]

Actually, it... didn't make anything invisible. I can still see you.

[damn_juicebox]

What?

[Her hand thumps into her chest as if to verify that she's solid, and she looks down. She thought maybe she was the only one who could see herself, so she hadn't questioned it before.]

Then I was scammed...?

[Guess which merchant is getting his head stomped for multiple cycles.]

[makingfriends]

Well... maybe you just didn't activate it the right way? I can try -- wait, no, I don't have Ninja.

[Frown]

Did the merchant say anything about how it works?

[He'll give the guy the benefit of the doubt, okay!]

[damn_juicebox]

I didn't think to ask. I just assumed willpower was enough.

[But she's starting to get suspicious. She takes out her crystal, shakes it, holds it over her head. Rukia looks at Ventus, raising her eyebrow to see if anything has changed. It doesn't look like it.]

Perhaps it's defective. He did give me a surprisingly good deal. Normally they sell for 20,000, but I was able to purchase it for a mere 5,000.

[makingfriends]

[He shakes his head at that look, indicating that she's still very visible. At the mention of the price, though, it's Ven's turn to raise an eyebrow.]

5,000?

[He has to think for a moment; Rae would remember better than he would, especially since money isn't Ven's strong suit, but...]

We all got a list from a merchant who sells that kind of stuff -- the things you need for you Jobs. I didn't really pay attention since it didn't have anything I could use, but... I thought some of the prices were pretty high.

[...]

Like... in the millions.

[damn_juicebox]

[The millions... Rukia's brow twitches. Then she wilts in gloom.]

I do not think shopping...is my specialty.

[She's a sucker for any sort of sale or deal, as she can't imagine why a product or good might be exaggerated as to its usefulness.]

[makingfriends]

[oh nooo]

Well, hey -- me, neither! I never even shopped before until kind of recently. ["Kind of." Key term there. He hasn't been scammed yet, but he's as trusting as they come and it's probably only a matter of time.] It takes some getting used to.

Still up for training? I'm sure you don't need an Invisibility Crystal to be a challenge, anyway!

[LET HIM COMPLIMENT YOU AND CHEER YOU UP, FRIEND]

[damn_juicebox]

[He hasn't shopped before either? Rukia lifts her head, blinking in surprise. She thought she'd been alone in that regard. And yet, he is quite savvy, in her opinion. When she realizes what he's trying to do, she relaxes, and tosses away the crystal. The money will be returned to her purse with the next loop, so she's lost nothing, and gained knowledge.]

Thank you. Had you not said anything, I would have persisted to buy that wretch's goods every loop.

[As for being a challenge... Rukia puts away the marker and draws her katana, smiling.]

Show me your strength, Ventus.

[makingfriends]

[That's the confidence he likes to see! Stepping back again, Ven shifts into his usual battle stance, the keychain on his weapon sounding with a high jingle. He can already tell that his equipped Jobs have diminished his physical strength a little more than usual, but that's what this is for: getting more comfortable with and knowledgeable of any new limits.

Eyes up, Rukia, because Ven will be taking the initiative this time with a quick dash and a quicker swing.]

[damn_juicebox]

[This will probably never cease to feel mildly nostalgic, crossing blades with a good friend and trading blows. She's far less awkward than when she'd first begun to learn swordplay. Rukia keeps her blows light so as not to damage his keyblade. She isn't sure what it's made of yet, and has no desire to break his weapon. But once she's sure the structure is sound, she'll strike a little faster.]

[She takes a step back and to the side, angling herself to get a little higher on the gentle slope of the hill.]

[makingfriends]

[His weapon's tougher than it looks, don't worry. He's had it broken twice in his life, but those were both extreme cases.

Ven's had a number of different battle scenarios drilled into him, so Rukia's shift in elevation is taken in stride; he lets her have the slightly-higher-ground, shifting his own footing in response, but in exchange makes a quick, low sweep with his Keyblade. It may be obvious that he's still trying to get a feel for her style, not moving as fast or hitting as hard as he could, either.]

[damn_juicebox]

[At least her rise in elevation will put her at eye level. Her face is serious, at least at first, as she studies Ventus's reflexes and skill. She pushes, just a little faster, just a little harder, until she can accurately gauge whether or not she should offer a little mentorship.]

[It doesn't seem likely, however. He knows how to handle a blade, that much is clear. He may even be better than her if he's particularly deft with his strikes. As Rukia uses her weapon with both hands, she's able to put a little more punch into her blows. He goes low, and Rukia leaps, aiming to strike his shoulder with the flat of her blade in retaliation.]

You're quite good. I take it you've had instruction before arriving in this place.

[makingfriends]

[Ven jerks when he sees her strike coming, bringing his shoulder up so that his spaulder catches the brunt of the blow.]

Thanks. I've trained for as long as I can remember, yeah.

[It's meant as a harmless remark, but considering what he's admitted to her before concerning his memory -- and lack of it -- it might mean more than what his easy smile suggests.

Still, his reaction is quick as he brings his weapon up and around, looking to lock blades and gauge her strength.]

[damn_juicebox]

It shows.

[And her smile is pleased, hinting at her pride. She's grown very fond of Ventus.]

[As for her strength? It isn't great. She's not weak, that much can be said, but neither of her jobs lend her any significant stat boosts in that regard.]

Are you prepared for a foe that uses spells?

[She won't hit him with any of her low level magic until she knows he's ready.]

[makingfriends]

[He nods once, firm and eager. Terra and Aqua usually avoided magic during training, so he'll always jump at the chance to get some practice in with that.

Ven disengages and withdraws a couple yards, again running over his Time Mage skills in his head as he stays tensed and ready to move. He's applied his own Red Mage magic as he only knows how -- as he did with his true abilities -- so he's curious how others go about it.]

Ready! Don't worry about going easy on me!

[damn_juicebox]

Understood!

[Rukia leaps back as well, facing squarely against her young opponent. She's not too worried about him. Her spells are low in level, and he indicated that he had defenses prepared against them. The tips of her fingers glow with a soft pale blue light, and around her, the tips of the grass are kissed with frost. She always did have a strong affinity with ice.]

Ice!

[She throws the spell with a sharp shout, palm extended and fingers curled.]

[makingfriends]

[That's interesting -- same spell, but very different style. Ven doesn't have too long to muse over it, though, because the chunk of ice warrants dodging; so rather than leaping or rolling to the side as he's used to, he stays where he is for an instant -- and at the last moment takes a slight step to his right as he activates Flash Step, disappearing for a heartbeat and then reappearing in a blur several yards over to finish the movement.

It's a technique he's determined to master; it's as close to his true speed as he's going to get.]

Keep 'em coming!

[HE'S GOT THIS]

[damn_juicebox]

[Oh, very nice! Rather than looking frustrated at having her spell miss, Rukia looks quite pleased indeed. Magic in this world is far easier to use than it is in hers, that's for sure. In her world, she'd probably still be muttering those ridiculously long incantations.]

Okay!

[She summons the power to her fingers once more, rejoicing in the icy chill as she sends another sphere of cold hurtling toward her sparring partner.]