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

Re: A

[finny_fun]

"It's all right. I actually didn't HAVE legs and um, what are these called again?" asked Ariel, wiggling her toes.

"Feet, and toes," said Boxcar.

"Oh right, that's it. But there's so many human world things here, I wish I could explore it further. Where did your moogle go?"

Re: A

[saint_sami]

“My Moogle said he was looking for something elsewhere. I think he’s being overprotective, though.” Sasami said. “I can take care of myself!”

Then, it dawned on Sasami about something.

“Never had legs? What did you have before?”

Re: A

[finny_fun]

"That's strange. You would think he would be around if he was being overprotective." Ariel knew all about overprotective parental figures after all.

"Oh, I had fins. I'm a mermaid. A lot happened, and I have legs now."

[saint_sami]

“I think he’s trying to find an adult or—“

Wait a second...

“You’re... you’re a mermaid? A real life mermaid?!” Sasami said, eyes wide. “Really?!”

[finny_fun]

"Yes, I'm from Atlantica, a ocean kingdom under the sea." said Ariel, giggling at Sasami's expression.

"My friends are all sea creatures after all."

[saint_sami]

“Oh, wow! That is so cool!” Sasami said, smiling widely. “I never thought I’d see one up close, even if she didn’t have fins!”

“And you believe her, kupo!” A voice said, a Moogle fluttering down towards Sasami. “You are so gullible to think she’s like that! First you want to fight and now you believe a scantily clad woman’s lies!”

Sasami sighed. “Ariel, meet my Moogle, Kujo.”

[finny_fun]

"He sounds a lot like Sebastian," said Ariel and Boxcar folded his stubby arms. "Don't worry about it, although I could probably find a new set of clothing. I'm not even sure what half of the things are here."

"Kujo, I thought it was you, kupo." said Boxcar. "I would smell the scent of overachiever from here."

Her moogle glared daggers at Kujo.

[saint_sami]

“Hmph, you’re just jealous of how better I am, kupo!” Kujo said, returning the glare.

“Maybe we should leave them be; they might be at it for awhile...” Sasami said, wincing a bit before going to lead Ariel away.

“Don’t you dare leave, young lady! We’re going to send you back into the Dream Width, kupo!”

Pushing faster!

[finny_fun]

"Jealous? You're just a overachieving know-it-all who steals kupo nut dishes out of the work fridge!" Exclaimed Boxcar. "For the top ranked employee of last year, you're certainly DEMOTED right now."

"Yes, let's leave them to their argument," said Ariel, as she was pushed away.

[saint_sami]

“I do NOT steal Kupo Nuts! That is just a lie those lesser made up!” Kujo shouted. As Sasami rounded a corner, she let out a sigh.

“I’m sorry you had to hear that.” She said, apologizing. “He’s been like that since I got here...”

[finny_fun]

"I'll show you lesser...!"

As the Moogles argued, Ariel giggled. "That's quite all right. He reminds me of Sebastian, the Major Domo of my father's court. He's always looking out for me, but sometimes he can get overbearing."

[saint_sami]

“I guess I got lucky back home.” Sasami said. “Most I had to deal with is my sister, Ayeka, but she isn’t too bad...”

“Kupo! Ow! My Pom! You don’t deserve to touch that, You chimney sweeper!”

“Though, father’s court? Are you a princess, too? Hee, so am I!”

[finny_fun]

"Ah yes, my father King Triton rules the seas, and while I am a Princess, I'm the youngest. So I don't hold any claim to the throne."

"Ow, you dumb fluffhead! I'll show you not to mess with my whiskers!"

[saint_sami]

“Neither do I, really. It’s quite complicated, but I’m the youngest, too.” Sasami admitted. “Um, mind if I sit on your lap?”

“Don’t pull my fur, kupo! Owowowow!”

[finny_fun]

"Sure, go ahead." said Ariel. "Tell me about your family. What are they like?"

"Screw you and your pom kupo! Ouch ouch ouch!"

[saint_sami]

“My family? Oh, wow... I’m not sure you’d believe me. I mean, yeah, I’m a princess, but my sister and I... we’re from another planet altogether.” She looked a little guilty admitting that. She IS a kid, so she’ll probably get dismissed.

“You no-good slacker! I’m going to put you in your place! You’ll be cleaning Chocobo stables when I’m done!”

“You don’t have to believe me if you don’t want to...”

[finny_fun]

"Another planet? Like, another world? My father mentioned that he had to lock away the passages to other worlds. So they must be open now. I believe you."

"You'll be working on the PuPu sanitary district first!"

[saint_sami]

“You do...?” Sasami said, surprised at that. Oh, gosh, for the first time in a long time, she didn’t feel alone! “B-but, yeah I’m from another world. Jurai. My sister and I came from there but we now live on Earth...”

“I will not be sent to that heap pile!”

[finny_fun]

"What's Jurai like?" asked Ariel, interested in the concept of another world having a kingdom. "What's your king like?"

"Owowowow let go of my whiskers!"

[saint_sami]

“Jurai’s pretty nice. There’s a lot of trees there, so you don’t have to worry about getting hot under the sun... even if we didn’t have devices that can alter the weather. As for the king he’s... stern. Very stern. But he can be nice when he needs to be.” She giggled knowingly at that, as if she had a secret over it.

“Kupo Bite!”

[finny_fun]

"That sounds a lot like my own father," said Ariel with a laugh. "I guess we've got similar dads as well."

"Kupo Kick!"

[saint_sami]

“Yep, but at least we can do what we want here, huh?” Sasami said, smiling widely.

“I give! I give! You win this round, but I will win the war!”

[finny_fun]

"You have a point! No one to tell us no, or tell us where to go..." said Ariel, growing giddy with excitement.

"Hah, awesome." Boxcar came back looking suitably ruffled. "What are you two plotting now?"

[saint_sami]

“Exactly! Just us and this world!” At that, she noticed Boxcar. “Oh! Heh, sorry, we just realized being in this world means we have a lot more freedom...!”

“Not... if I... say anything... ow...” Kujo groaned.

“Let’s not listen to him.”

[finny_fun]

"Yeah don't listen to the stuckup," groused Boxcar. "C'mon Ariel, Sasami, let's get something to eat. You'll like the food here."

"I could go for a kelp salad," said Ariel.