Test Drive Meme II

[eternitymods]

A. RETRIEVAL Dreams fade slowly, and awareness returns in increments. The hum of machinery, the smell of recycled air, the murmurs of others waking up around you. The interior of the ship has been outfitted with cots for those Biggs and Wedge retrieve from the Dream Width. Outside of the makeshift infirmary, windows set into the walls of the worn lounge area offer a view of space. It’s time to meet your fellow new arrivals who have been brought together on Biggs and Wedge’s airship. The other newly-awakened people have no idea how they came to be here, but now's a good time as ever to introduce yourself to the others on the airship and glean what information you can. B. CURTI CENTER The researchers at the Curti Center are not quite so unprepared as last time, but it is still obvious that they are struggling to understand the sudden influx of interdimensional travelers from the Dream Width. "Please step into the lobby for a quick survey. Perhaps there is some common thread we haven't discovered yet..." The staff will do their best to help the off-worlders settle in. They answer the questions they can, write down all proffered information they can about the arrivals' homeworlds, provide maps and pamphlets about Vaikuntha and the destinations within it, and even guide the arrivals to a neighborhood where housing has been provided for you. Yes, due to the strange influx of arrivals, you’ll be expected to share, but the Curti staff are doing the best they can, considering they are still housing the previous arrivals here on the island. Experiences like these bring people together. Perhaps you are the only one here from your world, but at least you are not alone in this experience. Others are right beside you, learning the same information, planning trips to visit the same new cities, checking out these Job things, and settling in to their new (temporary) homes. C. UP IN THE SKY There’s a whole new world to explore. It’s almost enough to distract from the fact that there’s one place you can’t go- home. You are on an Airship, the main mode of transportation between the major cities of Vaikuntha. While the majority are owned by airlines, perhaps you hitched a ride with a friend that has their own. You can go anywhere in a matter of hours — One can only hope you don’t have motion sickness. D. GUILDS Proud representatives of the Guild are lined up, ready to demonstrate their skills for the new initiates. Make sure to stay behind the designated line, this might get dangerous. So you want a new Job? You'll have to first travel to the Guilds, sign the papers, go through the orientation and introductory lectures, and get basic training. Afterwards, you can freely chat and practice with your fellow members, celebrating your new powers, and checking out your new wardrobe. E. LET'S BE ADVENTURERS Separated from all of your material possessions, connections, and everything you know, and really, what you’re left with is time. Better try to make the most of it. Enough expository banter. It's explorin' time. Maybe instead of spending every day in your room, you'd rather spend it living it up in the city of Lavode, or betting on Chocobo Races in Sparks Goldsaucia. Or maybe you'd rather go and explore the caves and ruins near Arito. With Airships and Chocobos at your disposal, you can go nearly anywhere! F. SIDEQUESTS Maybe you’re telling yourself, ‘I didn’t sign up for this.’ But wait, you did. At least it pays. It all started when you checked the Quest Board.  All you wanted was a few gil to spend, and here you are in the wild, hunting for a Malboro Vine. Or maybe you are in some ancient and decrepit ruins looking for an artifact. Or you could be asked to be janitor for a week. Consider yourself lucky though, at least you don't have to do that alone. G. GET A JOB (THE OTHER KIND) You’ve got a Job, but Claire keeps sighing and muttering about layabout space-people not earning their keep, so it might be time to seek out Employment as well. There are plenty of opportunities to earn some gil in Vaikuntha, no matter where you choose to settle down. Your iMog slate includes listing for employment opportunities. Hopefully you can find something you can live with so that you can start saving up for an airship or the security payment for your permanent housing. H. MOGNET *Ding!* You’ve got Mog-Mail! Thankfully, you can instantaneously chat with your friends around the world thanks to you iMog Slate. And unlike old-fashioned Moogle Letters, you can even send messages to everyone in a blink of an eye! However, despite the change in technology, the old tradition of Mognet Strikes have never gone away. Nobody knows any more whether the Moogles have legitimate reasons to go on strike or if they are just lazy. But today, Mognet is down, and to get information you have no choice but going to the public boards or risk message corruption and mishandling. I. RANDOM ENCOUNTER The ground trembles, and out of nowhere, something hostile appears! Is that battle music playing? You were minding your own business walking around, and suddenly monsters attacked you! Time to put to use the skills you've learned with your Jobs! Will you try to fight on your own or seek help? And remember, you die in random battle, you die FOR REAL. There’s no shame from running from enemies that are a higher level than you! J. CHOCOBO MADNESS You look at the giant chicken, and the giant chicken looks back at you. Could this be the beginning of a beautiful relationship? The kind folks at the Chocobo Farm have provided you with the tools of the chocobo-catching trade: greens, a bridle, and more advice than you can remember. Time to go find your new steed. Or perhaps you have already captured a chocobo, and your friend has captured a chocobo, and now you'd like to bring some chicks into the equation. Chocobo breeding may be the minigame for you! K. WILD CARD Feeling inspired to create your own prompt? The power is yours!

Comments

[arosetowar]

I wouldn't lie to you about this.

[Physically, she is fine; the wounds still ache like bad bruises but that's an avoidable pain. It will fade soon enough. In the wake of Zero Requiem, however, she has yet to find the time to speak with Schneizel, to do much of anything besides comfort Nunnally and provide guidance to the surviving Britannian soldiers as they struggled to deal with the effects of Lelouch's Geass. Even here, she falls so easily and so comfortably into a position of leadership and strength that her own worries rarely rise to the surface, held down instead by the anchor-like weight she places on Euphy's sadness, on Euphy's pain, on Euphy's struggles.

That is how it always is for her, though. It is another small comfort.]

[euphemia]

[ No. Maybe not lie. Yet withhold? Yes. Delicate were the hands that most of her family tended to handle her. She was better off not knowing things that could potentially do harm or hurt her. How could this be any different? Yet she also knows Cornelia is capable and strong. Wounds of battle were a given, yes? But what battle? ]

Well, uhm. Is there anything I can assist you with? [ A look is given to the bandages. Surely she'll let her do that at least. ]

[arosetowar]

[Her first impulse is to refuse. Cornelia is rarely reluctant to find comfort in her sister's company, but that comfort has always been borne by Euphy's smile and in her laughter, not by her concern. The thought of accepting her assitance feels awkward It feels like a disgrace, a mockery. She took over a dozen bullets and lived; Euphy took one and died.

She has to take a moment to remind herself that this isn't about her. Just as Euphy knighting Suzaku was not. Just as the SAZ was not. It is simply about Euphy trying to do the best that she can, and Cornelia has hindered her enough. Hasn't she?

Still, even if she won't say no, she can't say yes. Not yet.]

Your company is more than enough, Euphy.

[euphemia]

[ That really isn't an answer. Well, it's not a no at least. Her shoulders sink a little since she can see she isn't going to get a direct answer. So rather than wait for it, she decides to take initiative and wanders over to collect one of the bandage roll before taking a seat alongside her on the bed. She isn't really sure what she's supposed to be doing but she's here now! With bandages! ]

... you know, I'm a White Mage now. That means I can heal people. I wouldn't be a very good one if I didn't at least try to help a little bit here.

[arosetowar]

[She knows; she just doesn't want to be Euphy's responsibility, even when it's something as simple as being bandaged. But the way her sister's shoulders sink tell Cornelia that she was right the first time. This is about Euphy. It's only about Euphy.]

Not yet.

[Removes the bandages from Euphy's hand and replaces them with the ointment, then offers her right arm. There are a few scattered entry wounds around her bicep, each with a corresponding exit wound. They are all closed, all clearly healing.]

Have they taught you how to apply this?

[euphemia]

[ Euphemia stares at wounds quietly. Fear. Before she came here, she was bleeding and injured. Where does she remember that? Ah, yes. Lelouch. His royal appearance. His shocked expression. His blood-stained robes.

That cursed image is back again. It makes her wince just a bit before turning her attention to the ointment and focuses on simply caring for her beloved sister. A free hand reaches to grab a neighboring cloth and soaks it properly before applying it gingerly to the closed wound. Why were her siblings arriving injured? ]

They showed me the basics for triage, yes. I'll be learning even more once I start my position as a Nurse at an assigned hospital.

[arosetowar]

[Catches the wince as well and almost asks Euphy if she's all right but holds herself back.]

You'll do well as a nurse. Your touch is gentler than most.

[There's pressure but not pain. Cornelia doesn't flinch, but she is tense, her muscles tight, her expression flat. She takes a deep breath and hopes that it's enough to soften away even just a piece of that tension.]

[euphemia]

[ Gentle she is. Very gentle when it comes to sister and these unexplained injuries. ]

Mn. I,... I never imagined myself in this line of work. Yet I'm slowly growing accustomed to it. It ... feels right. Being able to look after people and care for them. [ Keep them alive. ]

[arosetowar]

Just don't neglect to take care of yourself as well. Medicine can be an unforgiving field.

[euphemia]

It will only be part-time. I don't want it to cause too much conflict to my studies. [ A pause. Yes, her studies. Because: ] I decided to enroll in school here.

[arosetowar]

Goodness, you're certainly keeping yourself busy. Do you know which courses you'll be taking?

[euphemia]

[ Might be just a tad too happy to hear what she thinks is approval from her sister. ]

Not yet. I have yet to get any information but I imagine it won't be long now. I'm actually excited to see what attending school here must be like.

[arosetowar]

[Diversion successful! She's still tense, but now it's because of how hard she keeps searching for ways to keep Euphy focused on the good things, to maintain her smile, to block the light in her eyes from growing dim again with concern.]

Regardless, I'm sure you'll thrive. You always were fond of school.

[euphemia]

I have nothing but time now. It would be silly if I didn’t take advantage it and finish the one thing I promised myself.

[ But the frown returns. It will never be like home. Or the Academy. Yes, the Academy. That’s where Nunnally and Lelouch resided. Where Suzaku was sent to. She wanted to go. To attend and be with all of them. To be... just Euphy. But this would have to do? This would ... have to do. ]

You’ll have to ... choose a special job eventually, too.

[arosetowar]

[Sighs a little, sinking into the bed. She'll allow Euphy to carry the conversation elsewhere if she insists, but right now she has to ask,]

Are you all right, Euphy?

[euphemia]

[ Her hand stills as she looks up. ]

Aa.. [ No. ] Mmn. I'm a bit tired after today.

[arosetowar]

[Cups her face with her left hand, gently running her thumb along her jaw. She's smiling, but it's more of a knowing smile than a natural one.]

You've been through a lot lately. It's all right if you're more than just tired.

[euphemia]

[ Such an understatement. Euphy can only wonder if Cornelia knows about Lelouch and his supposed death. She wants to ask but how does one even start that conversation? Especially with the way she arrived. It was getting increasingly worrying that maybe this was their 'afterlife'. But ... can't say that. Just allows the moment and leans a bit into the hand. ]

[arosetowar]

Euphy...

It's all right. Whatever it is you can tell me.

[euphemia]

Are you ... dead?

[arosetowar]

What?

[Though Cornelia wasn't expecting any question in particular, the one Euphy asks is so shocking that she can't say anything at first, she just sits there, eyes wide, mouth slightly agape, skin slightly blanching. She feels immediately foolish for not realising how easy it would be for Euphy to reach that conclusion, then feels worse for trying to gloss over her concern as if what had happened could ever be polished into something smooth and pretty and easy to grasp.

Quickly softens back into a smile.]

I apologise for worrying you, but please believe me when I tell you that I'm all right. This didn't kill me.

[euphemia]

[ That's .... a relief.

A huge one, actually. Of course, there is still the matter of her injuries in general but she imagines that answer is easier for her to answer. She can ask about it, hopefully? ]

If you didn't die, how did you get injured?

[arosetowar]

[Easier? Few things were more difficult. How could she possibly tell Euphy that Schneizel was responsible? That he had eradicated Pendragon in an instant? That he had planned to massacre two billion people in the name of peace? It's too much. It's entirely too much.]

I'd rather not discuss it, Euphy.

[Her tone isn't frustrated, or angry, or vengeful like it would have been if she'd been taken down on a battlefield. It bears no sense of shame over having put herself into a vulnerable position, over having been defeated. It is simply sad and deep and soft, like a rock eroded by a river into something smaller than it should have ever become.]

[euphemia]

[ Well that......

How can she even respond to this? She assumed this was the easier part. After all, her sister was military officer and a rather formidable opponent. She expects that there were to be a few injuries sustained here and there, even if it's questionable how she might have gained them from outside her Knightmare Frame. But for her to not share the details of her current battle injuries? It's ... it's just. ]

I understand.

[ Or she will try to. After all, she arrived into a new world and was likely still trying to accept it all just as she did weeks ago. How can she not be patient here? It is the least she can offer her older sister, even if she wanted so desperately to try and understand. Yet, as usual, it seems she was to live a life shrouded in mystery where hands covered her eyes.

Maybe it was better that way.

The cloth is pressed once more, nothing else to add to this topic for a moment. Until. ]

I'm glad you're here.

[arosetowar]

[Cornelia knows that Euphy doesn't truly understand--that she can't understand with so little information--but because she also believes that there are worse pains than being shut out from the truth, she carries forwards as if her silence isn't still hurting her sister.

The quiet that rises between them immediately thereafter feels wrong, though. It is no comfort. She's about to say something when Euphy speaks again. They're together again. Finally. After weeks for Euphy. After over a year for Cornelia. All she can do is say,]

I missed you.

[More than she can ever express, she missed her.]