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memesofeternity2018-07-14 03:33 pm
eternitymods) wrote in memesofeternity2018-07-14 03:33 pm
Entry tags:
Test Drive Meme III
  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! 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. SUMMER SUN
[insert Sheryl Crow track here] Vaikuntha offers opportunities for many summer activities. Only some of the beaches hold the risk of being attacked by aquatic monsters, the others are a perfect destination for a day trip on a sunny day. Take a hike up the mountains and relax in some hot springs at the top. Go camping in the woods K. WILD CARD
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no subject
S-sorry. Shiro and I have been here for a crazy few months, and I was starting to wonder if we'd ever see anyone again. We both got our Lions back, but... [ He blinks, and the tears start to overflow. ] ...it's not the same as my best friend, y'know?
[ One of Hunk's hands comes to rest firmly on Lance's shoulder. He wants to pull him into another hug, but then Lance's bones probably would break. He wants to sit his best friend down and ask him about Oriande, about whether Hunk's still the farthest in the future, but he can't. Not yet. So he just smiles through the tears, even though every time he blinks more of them fall. ]
So... where should I start? Do you want everything from the beginning or just the highlight reel?
no subject
Months. He's been here for months with Shiro and...and nobody else? Just the two of them?]
Hey. [He taps his fist against Hunk's chest, a soft bap!, and he is totally not blinking back tears because he totally doesn't feel terrible for leaving Hunk alone for so long. Totally.] I'm sorry I couldn't be here for you, but you've got me now so...Everything'll be fine.
[He clears his throat, even though it's totally unnecessary because he's not getting swept up in Hunk's emotions and...all of this guilt that's been weighing heavy on him and all of the blame he's shouldered on himself. They can...
They can deal with that later. For now it's just Hunk and Lance, a dynamic duo to rival all dynamic duos, and they can leave everything involving the Galra and Quintessence and Voltron behind them for the rest of the day. Or the week, if they're lucky.]
Weeell, the beginning might be a great place to start because I haven't even understood half of what you've already been saying to me.
no subject
So three or four months ago, Shiro and I turned up in the Dream Width. That's the weird magic space that traps you in memories. [ A casual shrug. This is normal now. ] But we got rescued and ran into each other and we've been roommates. Our other roommates have been pretty cool, you're gonna get to meet one of them later! The other travels the world and stops by for some good food. [ He's beaming when he's talking about Adrien and Baiken. Hunk could've had worse roommates for sure. ]
And then we went around the world and picked out our Jobs, which are like magic video game classes, and their Guilds hand them out as Asterisks, these little crystal thingies. [ And he furrows his brow. Hunk doesn't quite get how they work. ] Shiro got one called Dragoon that lets him jump around like crazy and breathe fire, and I got one called Magitek Knight that lets me shoot a bunch of lasers out of a sword that's also a weird magic gun! [ And then he puffs out his chest in pride. ]
It's actually pretty awesome once it stops being weird.
very mild s6 spoilers happened here i guess
Even with everything that's happened. Even if it doesn't seem like Hunk knows what happened, if he's been here for months and if Shiro seems to be fine.
(Which...which he's not sure if it's a relief or not, he's happy that Shiro and Hunk are okay but if Shiro can lash out like he did back home...should he be on the lookout for that? Is the Shiro here really Shiro?)]
What...kind of memories? Like, is everyone going to be able to see that time I cried in first grade? [He was an emotional child, okay?]
This...all of this sounds pretty much like a video game. Travelling the world, getting crazy weapons, breathing fire... [But admittedly that sounds pretty cool. Will he be able to breathe fire or shoot lasers out of a sword?
No, because he does not always make the best choices.]
And fighting giant monsters! This is like VR but...real life!
[Getting enthusiastic over this is a solid plan, though. Just don't think about any of the problems that come with being here and don't think about what just happened, and don't think about what could. He can just...go with the flow. Be cool. Enjoy the little things.]
no subject
So, okay, you get to pick out the Job thingies, and I guess it depends on what you wanna do? [ And for a moment, he's contemplative. Almost like he's talked about the team's Jobs with Shiro before. Because he has. ] Y'know like healing, fireballs, fighting off monsters up close, or shooting them from far away! There's singing, dancing, cooking- but that's mine, hands off -and reading, and...
[ Blink blink. He's rambling. A lot. ] You have a ton of options! [ A pause. Hunk thinks he's being super helpful and so he's just beaming with pride. ] And, uh...
The Dream Width just kinda picks. It could be the time you cried in first grade, or the time you cried when Keith left, [ Hunk cried, and he's just assuming Lance did. ] or that time you cried when we saw off Commander Holt, or that time I tried to kill you because that sea serpent was mind controlling me. It's not picky.
no subject
Still! This is so much more...involved? Than being a paladin. Granted he is also getting the most barebones explanation of Jobs possible, but it's enough to pique his interest. Specifically when hunk brings up singing and dancing.]
Wait, wait. How do singing and dancing help you fight monsters? [He also wants to question the cooking, but he's sure that'll come in time, and reading seems logical. Because that's just like...doing research, right? Pidge stuff.]
I did not cry over Keith! Or when Commander Holt left! [He may or may not be a liar. Who's to say.
That is a little concerning, though, because there are definitely memories he doesn't want people to see.] Ugh. Hopefully it's not too embarrassing, then.
AND THEN THE SPOILER CARROT WAS DANGLED
[ And he's forlorn for a moment, soundly defeated. A beat later has that struggle boxed right up and hidden deep in the recesses of his mind. ] But Bards play instruments and sing to help their friends, and Dancers mess with their enemies. I... [ Hunk gives a sheepish little chuckle. ] ...don't really pay them much mind, since I'm not very musical.
[ But he rides that admission into excitement. ] There's a buncha types of magic if you wanna blow stuff up, though! [ Eyes wide. Huge grin. Ask him more!!! ]
AND THE SPOILER CARROT WAS EATEN
Hunk saw Shiro disappear. Hunk saw Shiro die, but he didn't know he was dead. Lance hadn't known either, wouldn't have assumed until...
Well. He never would have, and he had to learn the truth the hard way when Keith came back with an injured Shiro in two with a burn across his face.]
Hunk...Shiro didn't disappear.
[But does he really want to be the one to break the news? He doesn't want to upset Hunk, but...is it more or less cruel to keep the truth from him? If he finds out the truth later, if he - if he sees it in Lance's own memories, if they're ever in the Dream Width together, wouldn't he be angry at Lance? For keeping something so important from him?]
But, hey, those sound pretty cool! [He forces himself to ignore thoughts of Shiro, for now, unless Hunk decides to press, and focus on something much safer to discuss.] You know I'm all about the razzle dazzle, man!
[Could you imagine, Hunk? He could be a star.]
HERE WE GO
The Curti Center, they... [ He's trying not to ask about it. ] They do a tour to see the guilds and see what stands out, so you can find the best fit. You can have up to three of them, but only two are active at a time, and... [ He blinks a few times before sighing. ]
I came here right after Allura got back from Oriande. [ That'll be a good frame of reference for Lance, if nothing else. But he can't even look at his best friend anymore. Hunk's gonna start crying, and then Lance might start crying, and he doesn't want Lance to get embarrassed, and... ] Where did Shiro go, Lance?
HERE WE GO, DESTROYING ALL INTRIGUE
The thing is, Lance could lie. Or say something like "we can talk about it later" or "you should talk to Keith" or "you're not that far away from finding out back home" or anything else. He could think before he speaks, but he doesn't and just says the first thing that came to mind.]
Shiro died. [He swallows, turning away.] He...died. The Shiro that - that came back to us was a clone.
ROCKET POWERED BULL IN A CHINA SHOP
[ His knees shake, and in a moment Hunk's plopped down right on the floor. His eyes are out of focus, staring blankly into the space ahead, and his breathing turns ragged. ]
I... [ Then his voice falls to a hush, raising because he's about to start crying. ] I watched Shiro... die?
EVERYTHING IS BROKEN AND ON FIRE
[He shakes his head, squeezing Hunk's shoulder. His eyes are stinging, but now isn't the time to be weak. He can't just let Hunk suffer alone, with only a few pieces of the puzzle.] You have to listen to me - Shiro's fine.
[How can someone be dead and fine? He huffs, frustrated with himself, because he doesn't have the right words for this. He doesn't know how he can get Hunk to understand that there's nothing he could have done to stop it, but there's nothing he should be worried about. Things with Voltron have always been complicated, have never been something you can plan for, and it's not helped by the fact that he still feels so incredibly guilty himself for not - for not noticing sooner.
The writing had been on the wall, but he had been too stupid to see it. He can't leave Hunk here, suffering, because of that.]
When he died, when...whatever Zarkon did happened, he...lingered. In Black. We get him back, so don't - don't feel like you could have stopped it. It was just a memory, and...And it works out in the end. We get him back. The real one.
THIS IS FINE DOT GIF
He... [ It's one word, better than nothing. There's a deep, shallow exhale following that one word, as if willing himself to do that much was exhausting. But then after another moment, Hunk's gaze refocuses. Part of him, deep down, was figuring out what to do, how to move forward from this, and how to support his team. And his eyes slowly fix onto Lance. ]
We can't tell him. [ Another shallow breath. ] We can't tell him that he died and we didn't know and-
[ The words catch in his throat as he covers his face in his hands. Hunk's crying again. ]
takes a deep breath
Hunk's always been emotional, sure. He's always been quick to tears but never - Lance has never seen anything like this. Lance will never be able to forget this.]
We don't have to. [But is that too cruel? Would it be better if Shiro knew, if Shiro could anticipate it? Would...
If Shiro knew, would be be able to tell him? Would they be able to save him before he tried to attack all of them? Would they have been able to stop Lotor before he was able to rip the seams of the universe apart? Is it truly better to say nothing.
Those aren't questions he can answer. They're not even questions that are important right now. What's important right now is Hunk, and he stops hesitating and just pulls him in close. His chest might not be the most comfortable one to be pillowed against, but he's going to wrap himself around his best friend regardless.
And this time, he won't even think about how this shirt is going to get ruined.]
oh no you held your breath for so long
We can't tell him. Not yet. [ How can they tell him at all?! Shiro's been stressed enough. So he stands up, pulling Lance to his feet as well. They don't have time for this, Shiro could be at the Curti Center, and they're on the ground. And Hunk's crying. ]
Can we get out of here, Lance? [ This is a secret. And it's a secret he'll keep for as long as he needs to, even if it means Shiro's gonna hate him. ] I can... I can probably tell you everything you need to know, anyway.