TEST DRIVE MEME

[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. None of you know how you came to be here or where you are going, and the door to the cockpit is locked as the pilots focus on navigating the treacherous obstacles of the Dream Width. You might as well take this moment to introduce yourself to your fellow travelers. B. CURTI CENTER There’s an almost overwhelming aura of excitement in the tower as researchers rush to document this unprecedented number of interdimensional travelers. Over the commotion, the leaders of the Center struggle to explain, ‘Welcome to Vaikuntha. We don’t know why you’ve been brought here, but this is your new home.’ The staff will do their best to help the off-worlders settle in. They answer the questions they can, provide maps and pamphlets about the world 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 under the circumstances. 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. WILD CARD Feeling inspired to create your own prompt? The power is yours!

Comments

[terrorfirma]

That's right. You were wondering how to get on board, weren't you? They should have given you a pair to make it easier.

( to drive this point home, she is, apparently, tapping at one of her own boots with the opposite heel. )

They launch you right up to the deck. How else do you think everyone's been getting there?

[mech_and_mutt]

No, it's a job. And I'm makin' sure I got 'em all.

[Red may not have a firm grip on fighting the skeletons yet, but blowhards? THAT was something he started getting used to after a while.

Still, he's got a bit more prudence in his swing as he brings the gunblade's edge down upon the next approaching skeleton-- this time aimed at cracking the collarbone instead of a more entanglement-prone skewering through the ribs.]

But I guess it's okay if you're not a hands-on kinda guy. More for me.

[transect]

It looks like you've been handling it yourself quite well, so far. ( thats sarcasm, btw.
the doc turns around, going to one of the cabinets in the room and pulling something down from the shelves. )

Are you still adamant about not telling me what happened? It could be much less painful that way, you know. ( could be. but will it be? )

[despairing_hope]

[That makes him pause, or more, it made him stop what he was about to do and instantly blurt out the first thought that came to mind at such a strange statement.]

Then it's obviously for something weird. Are you trying to figure out the perfect murder or something?

[mech_and_mutt]

You live on the ground? Where I live, you don't even see it when you look down!

[That, on the other hand, seems to puzzle him. I mean, sure, he knew it was something that could happen- long before his time- but how did that even...?]

How is it? Hopefully yours is in better shape than ours...

[mynameismikhail]

Oh yeah? I was too! Sort of. I mean, with thinking of Zero and all. There was a lot of caves, and mud, though she always got angry when I got in the mud.

[He's getting a little off track here, and knows that at least.]</small. What was your homeland like?

F.

[heartcandy]

[ the marlboro… looks peaceful while it’s sleeping. every once in a while, it opens it’s mouth, inhales, and exhales a green plume of what can only be described as smog. she looks away from the creature, and up to shiro who is on a ledge above her. it had taken her a while to make it this down far the cliffside, and her hands are scraped and reddened from how hard she had to grip the rock to keep from outright falling into the pit where the marlboro is resting. ] But… if we don’t wake it up, how are we going to ask for its vine?

[ . . . surely, if they ask for a vine ( it has so many after all, it can spare a single one ) the marlboro will give them one, right? ]

[warpstriking]

If it is something he can offer in this unsettling time, then the voice he had as the last in the line of Lucis was something he was willing to use. He would wait until he was alone and not surrounded by practical strangers to focus on everything else. Like then, there was no other choice. He couldn't think about what would be waiting for him at home, where he needed to be. Only what they need him to be here. Ignis, Prompto, and Cindy.

The rest could wait. Had to. Even as he let himself be distracted by this new acquaintance's insight. It too was spoken with authority, one he could have easily mistaken for the Marshal's were Shiro older.

"And here I thought we agreed having 'any bias to certain conclusions' would 'slow us down.'" Noctis pointed out with a bit of dry humor, but that didn't necessarily mean he ignored the point. Quite the opposite, in fact.

Fran | FFXII

[hear_the_wood]

C. Up in the Sky

[Viera might be born in the wood. Live with the wood. But they didn't have to remain with the wood. Fran believed long ago that the viera could become a part of the world, and so she did. Her freedom came at a great cost, but since leaving her home, she's seen things most viera would never set their eyes upon.

As a sky pirate, her feet left the ground and the vastness of the skies became a second home. Riding an airship is the most familiar sensation she's felt since arriving in this new world. Even if the wind on deck is a little chilly at times, Fran sits against the rail and watches as the clouds drift by.]

The world is changed. But the sky, the clouds, the wind, it is the same, is it not? A welcome sight, that.

[Sometimes it's the little things that can bring one comfort in strange surroundings.]

D. Guilds

[Bad enough she woke up in a strange new world, but on top of that, her magic and abilities were gone. It's not as if one forgets such things; especially as old and as trained as Fran may be. It's troubling to feel so disconnected, though it's not the first time. She lost a deep connection when she left her people in favor of a free life, but now her connection to natural things and even her very senses have been dulled further.

Having chosen the path of the archer, Fran picks up a bow and makes for the practice yard where she can be found letting an arrow fly at a distant target. This reminds her of her childhood, or her days practicing with her sisters. Only now, her keen eyes are not as sharp as they were back in Ivalice. The arrow is released and flies straight, but lands just a little off center. Normally, she wouldn't have to think much to hit her target. Now, she'll have to pay more attention.]

Is this how it is for a hume? It will take some practice.

Wildcard!

[Set as you'd like.]

YELLS 1/2

[sunderings]

[ !! ]

My lady, wait--

[ Oh. Oh, it's much too late, isn't it? The Dancer clad in her performer's garb has already drawn back for a kick which...! Sees the poor geezard flying, its small body becoming nothing more than a dark blot in the sky before the blaze of the noonday sun, its silhouette suspended there for a singular, long moment of terror before its trajectory sees it crashing back down to the world below a fair distance away, more than Sion could hope to traverse quickly enough to provide adequate healing.................

And when he looks to the Dancer, she is so thoroughly content, her pride apparent in her stance and in her crystalline eyes, that he feels as though it would turn him into some villain, were he to tell her the truth of the matter, confessing that he'd needed no rescuing at all.

(Dangerous and endearing both, that the Dancer seems to possess traits belonging to both sisters of House Eris: ferocity, boldness, and charm.) ]

You...

[sunderings]

You have my thanks. [ A slight incline of head, a palm pressed flat over his heart, fingers splayed across his White Mage's robes. ] But now, I fear, I am without a training opponent.

[ Perhaps he should make to locate the geezard? Or...! ]

Unless you would care to humor me with a game of 'tag'?

[ So that he might be able to overcome his abysmal lack of agility........ ]

[spaceforged]

[He stares at her, lips parting to repeat the words she just said to himself. Shiro eases himself a little farther to the edge of his ledge, hand gripping the spear tightly.

Sometimes the armor of a dragoon is just so impractical he yearns to be tackling problems in his old armor.]

We can wake it when we're not in its home. If you fell into its mouth you can't ask for permission for anything.

[He will never let that happen. But he's trying to make a point.]

[tasteslikechildren]

[ Party!!!!? ]

What kind of party? Is it someone's birthday?

Your new friend???
Webber

[jeido]

[Jade chuckles as Shiro throws down a similar slash, dodging it fully this time around.]

Indeed.

[Even if it's not up to par as before, it's quite fortunate his speed hasn't suffered as much as his ability to cast spells. He doesn't feel quite ready to take on that particular blow, given how heavy it looked with the other arm.]

I could say the same for yourself. But to answer your question...

[He holds the practice weapon in front of him by the hilt, his other hand lightly closing around the dull blade in a similar manner in which one might hold a spear hilt to deflect a blow.]

...Would you like to take a guess?

[With barely any warning, he darts in and begins a flurry of stabs, aiming at Shiro's stomach. It's nothing like anything he would try with his weapon of choice, but he might as well start getting used to the advantage this weapon gives him--namely the lesser premium it places on precision given his ability to get more thrusts in a given frame of time.]

[spaceforged]

"I said we can't have any bias towards what brought us here. Making reasonable guesses based on how our rescuers behave isn't the same thing." He doesn't smile but he raises an eyebrow and his expression that had been serious lightens a little. It's his own brand of dry humor showing.

"All those cots. These ships." He jerks his head to indicate the ship they're on. "That's already a lot of resources and that's only what we've seen." Search and rescue takes effort and not a blind shot in the dark. "Wasting all this...I wouldn't know a race alive that would do that unless they knew what they were risking it for."

Yet they hadn't found the Black Lion or the rest of Voltron. He looks out the window briefly as if he might see the glare of yellow eyes and the burning blue light of a massive sword. Nothing.

"Makes me wonder what they know about where we were that we don't." He lets out the breath he'd been holding in without realizing it and turned storm grey eyes back on Noctis. "Heard anything mentioned by the crew at all?"

[heartcandy]

[ it's mouth is pretty large, now that she looks at it. a large, black cavern, filled with teeth. she shifts back a bit on her ledge ( which wasn't that big to begin with, is starting to crumble at the edges with her weight ). ]

Oh, I see, this is its home!

[ maybe... it would be more polite to ask it later, when it's already awake. out of its lair home. ] But— I already wrote my name on the quest board. Doesn't that mean whoever posted the request is counting on me?

[ they'll be disappointed, if she returns empty-handed. ]

C!

[checkmate_past]

"I'm having a hard time believing it myself." Came a voice from nearby. Cue a robed figure who had yet to take her eyes off the airship. Robin carried a mixture of awe and interest on her face, tilting her head to different angles.

"I've walked around it five times already, and there's still something more to take in. Though how they did it... I can only imagine." Robin narrowed her eyes, and extended a hand out to point. "Like those propellers, or how something THAT big can fly in the air. I was used to pegasi before, but never flying ships. I'm guessing that's the same for you-?"

She trails off when she looks at who she's talking with. Platinum isn't the most common hair color in the world, and she gives a startled blink at that. And transfers her staring for a moment.

[spaceforged]

[His opponent moves so fast all he has to save him from taking hits is instinct. The blade is larger and slower than he'd like but not by much thanks to his right arm. Sometimes it really frustrates him how much he relies on it.

He has to focus solely on parrying. A couple strikes get through. He resolves to never let this man put that sudden speed to his advantage. A fast opponent can wear a strong one down over time.]

Spear or staff. Nice charge, I didn't even catch it until almost too late.

[His stomach stings a little. Without practice armor and with real blades he'd say first blood to his opponent.]

My arm. Probably a given. It used to work like a sword.

[Felt only fair to say so.]

But I've held swords before. [This time when he slashes at him there's not as much power behind it. He reverses the strike immediately and with ease. Right to left, left to right. They're old familiar friends and even slower, he had turned his blade at the right time.]

Just nothing this heavy.

[resolvetochoose]

Well, I'm the only one who's gotten here so far, so... any besides the furthest back is fine. Though um, if you end up really wanting it, that's fine too.

[ It was the room she picked for herself but she's not like... in love with it or anything.

She has to admit she's slightly curious - she's never really seen clothes like those before? But he seems tired, and... well, after waking up here, she can't blame him. They've all kind of had a trying day. ]

[resolvetochoose]

They must have, at least of that one.

[ She sighs very softly, opening the pamphlet to scan the page. It's not something she's sure will be immediately relevant but... still useful to know. ]

There's just so many of them. Are the people here used to people just turning up like this?

[resolvetochoose]

[ Well, she can definitely say that she never got any boots, at least. ]

But um... wouldn't we go through the ceiling that way?

[ Since she's thinking of a boat deck, here. ]

this thread makes me feel so sad

[shutsup]

I actually don't know what trivia night is really like because I haven't been invited. [It's at this point that Sandra realizes she sounds like a friendless loser, so it's time to embellish.] That's because I'm very busy and people depend on me so I don't really have a lot of free time. My best friend Dina is always asking for my opinions.

It looks like someone took off my name when I posted it to the board. Here, I'll

[And here the letter is torn again. Tidus won't have to look very hard to find it? Someone tore off a piece of Sandra's reply, put their gum in it, and missed throwing it into the trash can. There's no salvaging the text inside.]

[shutsup]

[Out of her element implies Sandra ever had an element to begin with. But she nods, feigning understanding.]

So...what do you think is out there? Once, I thought I fought off a bear to save a cat, but it turned out to just be a rug someone hung out to dry. Will it be something tougher than that? Rugs are pretty resilient.

[forestsong]

[In Saria's eyes, this scary-looking guy is a little distraught. She's just trying to help him calm down a little. But does acting like the big sister when she's clearly the smaller one really help? She's learning, too.]

Oh, it wasn't anything fancy. There's not very many of us in the village, so we spend a lot of time teaching each other. What's your school like?

Beelzebub || Original Character

[hellofachef]

[ I. Arrival ]

[ This is not his beautiful house or even restaurant. This is not his beautiful wife. Partner? Depends on the day. Wife last he checked. But he sighs, swinging his legs off the cot as he sits up and stretches. Okay. This could be worse. Ast could rip him a new one, really, when he gets back to them. That's fine. He'll deal with it then. But for now, he needs information. ]

Hello, any of you know where this is? I'd rather like to get back home. I've got a few businesses to run... I'm sure my workers will do find without me, but I'm still rather antsy.

[ IV. Guilds ]

[ Somehow, he's made his way to the Gourmand's guild. And he seems right at home. He knows how to cook. It's as much his realm as banishing pestilence and calling it upon the heads of those who he deems deserve it. Cooking and eating are second nature to one deemed the Demon of Gluttony, one of the Seven Princes of Hell. ]

Haha! Now this is more like it!

[ TIME TO COOK UP A STORM WITH BEELZEBUB. Who wants to try his cooking? He's willing to share, and he promises it's all things normal people can eat. ]

[ VII. Get a Job ]

[ Beelzebub knows healing. He was once, before he became a demon, a deity associated with healing sickness. He still kept plenty of that knowledge. It allowed him to be a good butcher when he followed his passions into being a chef, and a good chef, in his opinion, butchers their own meat. That way they know the ins and outs of it and where it came from. But for now, he feels, he will return to healing. So he has become a nurse, because he's not quite sure "former healing deity" counts. ]

How may I help you today?

[ X. Wild Card ]

[ Aaaaand any other prompts you want with the Demon of Gluttony. Because he's here. ]