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

[chocobosnap]

No sign of him?

[He should be worried.]

I was just with him. I mean we were in the tent the...the three of us.

[But things were already awkward. He wasn't great company and the other two felt the loss as much as Prompto did. They're all kind of at a loss, Prompto thinks.]

F.

[silent_princess]

[Her guide had seemed a trustworthy fellow, though she preferred optimism when she could be afforded it. Staying closely behind Zelgadis, staff drawn, her curiosity got the better of her and took form in the way of chatter in an area where silence was a necessary skill.]

How likely do you think there will be a monster? Do you think it will be a large one? Will it be mechanical? Magical? A beast? Don't most monsters have some sort of treasure that they guard? If it IS a legendary artifact, do you have any idea what sort of legendary artifact it might be?

[Anxiousness has a strange way of making otherwise composed individuals problematic to a cause. For Zelda, asking questions was her unfortunate way of trying to remain calm.]

A

[raidraptors]

[Shun usually isn't all too vocal, but this is a question (he likes to think) he can answer.]

Some kind of deity, probably.

[At least that's his experience, after having been dragged off to another dimension against his will once already. (Does he sound bitter? Damn straight, he does. He doesn't look forward to being regarded as a toy again.)]

Curti Center

[silent_princess]

[It was a foreign thought to her. To hear some one disparage scholastics and studying? This was going to take some getting used to.

Not wanting to impose or force her opinions on a stranger, but at the same time wishing to stress the importance of intellect and learning, the young woman approached the sobbing young man to place a gentle hand upon his shoulder.]

Do excuse me, Sir, but if you need assistance with your studying I might be of service? School should not be something to dread, but rather it should be viewed as an opportunity to expand your mind and to further explore the unknown. That should not be something to cry over, would you not agree?

F/G.

[silent_princess]

[They had only begun working in the same establishment a few days or so, but Zelda had made it a point to engage with those around her to try and make life here all the more comfortable; not just for her own good but for the good of others. She was not one to be easily intimidated, especially in the face of unknown territory, but there had been some bashfulness when she initially approached Jade.

With an arm full of books, a stack she had chosen for some "light reading", the Princess carefully walked down a corridor where she was sure she'd find him. Peeking out above the stack, her voice stuttered as she tried to not ruin a proper greeting.]

Umm.. Sir Jade? I must say you uhh- You sure know how best to make these floors clean. Why, I do not believe I have ever seen such a shine or a reflection before. Heh..

[Swing and a miss, Zelda. Swing and a miss.]

(he's a smug bastard who left his shit all over the place!)

[baeyek]

Gone are the tattered robes of the Medjay, buried to the sands of Egypt like others of the dead order. In their place were the robes of a hidden one. One who walked in the shadows as Amun; one who gave up all for those that they would serve. In hopes that there would never be another time as there was when the Order of Ancients ruled through a puppet Pharaoh. He had hoped that the strange world he now found himself in would be free of such ideas and disregard for human life.

Bayek turned his head only just as the strange young man took a seat beside him. Ah, the young man seemed to be out of sorts. He had seen his fellow traveler move from person to person. A kind heart -- or so it appeared. Gods, he hoped that those of kind hearts truly did exist in the world still. So many had been tainted, scared, left battered by forces unseen. His included.

There was a wave of his hand, a tch underneath his breath. "There are many wonders I have beheld in my years... not all make sense. Only the Gods truly know what any of it means."

IV.

[silent_princess]

[Wearing red when her staple had long been blue made Zelda feel uneasy. Nevertheless, the valuable lessons and education that would come from becoming a Red Mage were too numerous to raise a stink over a choice of color. She had previous experience with swordplay, though it was no where near the proficiency of her former guard.. but it did bring with it the ability to help her fellow guild-mates when needed.

She walked about Vic's stance, putting her hands upon her to straighten her out so that her feet were resting in the proper place.]

Forgive me here, but.. Hmm.. Yes, yes that will do!

[Clearing her throat, she takes a position next to her companion, thrusting her own rapier forward and staying in stance to help give a visual comparison.]

Think of your sword as an extension of the self. It is a part of you, just as your arm or legs are appendages. Your clothing, your hair, your blade; all of these are an extension of yourself and should be treated as such. When you trust, put everything behind it. Hips, the strength from your forearm, commit to the movement and you will always strike true.

[She rests, standing up straight and resting the blade at her side. Turning, she gives her friend a smile and a nod, speaking again with less severity.]

Does that help?

C.

[silent_princess]

[She had bundled herself up in enough wrappings to appear more like some sort of confectionery than a woman fighting against the chill air. Curiosity had caused her to follow the unfamiliar species, not wanting to be rude but all the same wanting to know more of Fran and her people. It had not been her first time in the air, but it was astounding to see such a feat down with ease.

Zelda sat beside Fran, looking over the railing to see if she could put a picture to her words, her mouth slowly dropping as she took in the sight before her. A sea of clouds, every now and again parting to give a glimpse of the world below. Being this high up, looking down upon the world, it was a sensation of freedom that she had never felt before.]

Miss Fran, are you familiar with flying? I cannot help but think by the way you speak that this is not the first time you have looked upon the skies this way.

[witchwithoutacause]

It's all, like, solid, and can be stood on.

[ Although she wouldn't mind being airborne more often. ]

What, did you guys ruin your environment? Have a nuclear war?

[ Did the nuclear war create talking dogs? ]

D.

[silent_princess]

[A hand jutted upwards in the small collection of chefs, drawing attention to herself in the hopes of her request being answered.]

There is a dish, where I am from, called "Monster Cake". It is made using wheat, sugar, goat butter, and an monster extract taken from fallen beasts and dark creatures.

[She did not wish to create an impossible task, but it had been far too long since Zelda had tasted a recipe of the Royal Family that the prospects of possibly seeing it replicated gave her no qualms with issuing her request.]

Though I will understand if it is not possible, given the inventory kept in the guild here.

[witchwithoutacause]

Yo, you don't get to decide if someone's busy or not, and if they wanna use their free time on you.

[ Amanda's hands are on her hips. She knows smug when she sees it - was she some kinda gremlin princess back home or something? ]

And I'm all about disappointing my parents. It's great.

[ They're annoying. Shut up she doesn't have issues. ]

[uneroded]

[ Vic pays attention, listens intently. She's never used a sword, so the help is much appreciated. This girl is a good teacher, she feels, because she's strict while also actually showing what she means. ]

More than you could know. Swords aren't... They're not really common where I'm from. I normally use a gun, but... Don't let your dreams stay dreams, right?

[ So. Treat it like an extension of herself. That's... Okay. She's going to try again, keeping that in mind. Everything is a single unit, and she has to move with that thought in mind. And, well, it's better than before, but she's nowhere near a master. It's going to take time to get the true grace that comes with years of work and understanding, but it's a good start. ]

C.

[silent_princess]

[Perhaps it is because they are pointed or because they've been trained to hear feint sounds, or both, but it is difficult for the Princess to not hear the subtle song coming from the other passenger who seems intent to stare upon the floor.]

Excuse me, Sir, but.. are you all right? You are missing quite a spectacle beyond the glass here. T'would be a shame if you missed it all.

J.

[silent_princess]

It wasn't important as to how she found out that the man she now stood before was to be a King in his homeworld, nor was it important as to where she had heard it from. While her blonde informant had been most helpful, it would not be in her best interest to give him up or divulge his perhaps accidental slip up.

What was important was that two families now stood in the presence of one another, families raised to understand diplomacy and order, two families that were familiar with old demons striving to usurp their thrones.

She spoke, as she always had in front of such dignitaries, in a manner far more graceful and far more proper than her attire would suggest possible.

"Forgive me for intruding upon your time, but it would be a terrible error on my part if I had not sought you out to give necessary introductions and speak with you, good Sir. My name is Zelda, daughter of King Rhoam Bosphoramus Hyrule and Princess to the throne of Hyrule. I am to understand that you yourself are royalty, and I believe that if the two of us are to be trapped here in this world.. it would do a great disservice upon these people if we did not cooperate and share what we know with one another, in the hopes of bettering their lives and more importantly striving to uncover the means needed to see ourselves back home."

[jeido]

Thank you, and that is correct.

[It was satisfying to see his observations and theories come to fruition, but equally fulfilling is meeting someone who has a good head on their shoulders. It doesn't hurt that Shiro, rough around the edges as he is, seems to know his way around combat and is well aware of his points to improve on.

Which is why all through Shiro's exposition and counterattack, Jade keeps up a smile even as one of the strikes he fails to parry manages to leave a bruising mark. Speed could only take him too far and he finds himself forced to what he's been avoiding, and his unsteady hand in that regard is telling. Still, this is all good to know for the future so he might be better prepared in a more serious fight, already drumming up a routine that will help ease himself out of the double-handed parries he's more used to.]

You'll get used to it, in any case. [He says as he adjusts his stance and positions his rapier properly once more.] If an old dog like me could still take this much punishment and learn a few new tricks, I'm certain a young one like you would be capable of much more interesting feats.

Princess Zelda | The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild

[silent_princess]

B. Curti Center

To her dismay, the numerous people with pointed ears like her own were not from her kingdom. It had been her hope that seeing such familiar features meant that she was not alone in this strange world. Usually, curiosity would overtake any sort of somber thinking, but thoughts of family and friends, and importantly of home, had clouded such behavior outright.

She found herself sitting on a bench, hands clasped atop her lap as her head grew heavy and lowered her eyes upon the floor. Unconsciously had her tears begun to fall, her thoughts so focused on the world she had been plucked from. It felt as if mere moments ago she was using the entirety of her being to keep nightmares at bay, speaking with the one glimmer of hope Hyrule had on its side. Now? Now she was crying in front of passerbys, lost, feeling hopeless and feeling as useless as a slotted spoon in a bowl of broth.


-------------------------

F.

While other vigilant adventurers would stay on task and keep to the trail, it was a different and all too difficult thing to keep a curious mind focused on what actually needed to be done. Zelda, and her insatiable thirst to explore the unknown, was once more crouched down on her hands and knees in the tall grass of the road side. She hadn't heard the others calling out to her, and it was only until she'd finally succeeded in her own personal side-quest that she once again approached the group with her recent discovery.

"Yes! I cannot believe I was able to find one! Here! Look at this! Can you believe it? I found a Dream Cricket! I heard some of the locals here saying that there are a variety of different uses for an insect matching this description. It can augment a lot of different feats for one who consumes it, but I have not yet seen one in practice. The space out here is not the most ideal, but that should not keep us from attempting a test."

She holds her hands out, cupping the the rather large insect but still allowing others to get a good sight of the bulbous eyes and fluttering legs as it hops for escape without success.

"Go on then", she orders, "Eat it! Someone of your stature and constitution should be just fine with this experiment. Eat it and we shall see just what happens. Well? Why do you hesitate? Go on then!"

[jeido]

They don't look like they're fully equipped to handle such a situation, but I suppose their enthusiasm isn't anything to scoff at.

[Indeed, Jade's not quite certain he'd be this welcoming if a group of people of unknown origin suddenly showed up on his proverbial doorstep.]

That aside, perhaps it's for the best if I return some of these pamphlets or inform the staff that they need to make more copies.

[It seems rather detrimental for everyone's causes if such information were to be unavailable for consumption. Never mind the fact that some of them seemed irrelevant as of press time.]

...Or were there any other pamphlets you wanted to take a look at?

[erbluhen]

[ There's no use panicking, and Lapis losing concentration would be even worse. He's used to fighting close-range even if it's not his specialty, after all. ]

Just a bit more...

[ Ain jumps from rock to rock, always out of reach - but just. He flicks Ruin into the monster's eyes, determined to slow it down. ]

Thanks!

[ - he's apparently going to just use his arm to block its strike and bookslam it in the face. Boom. ]

[silent_princess]

Precisely. It is something that will come with time and understanding, so be sure not to push yourself too hard. Even now, I know Masters that continue to practice these basics despite being instructors and revered as the experts of their art.

[She raises a finger to her chin, tilting her head with curiosity as a spark of interest flashes in her eyes.]

I have heard of this "gun" before, but I have never head it explained. Would you be willing and able to explain what it means? I would be forever grateful to know more about them and the world you come from.

B

[dragonflame]

[Bloom couldn't help but give off a light chuckle, watching the scene in front of her. It was nice to see a man and a moogle be so happy to find each other again. It was always a positive sight.]

It's like watching a reunion.

[She knelt down to pick up the hat, keeping a firm grasp in her fingers before holding it out.]

And I am also pretty sure you do not want to lose this.

Re: B

[gomu_ningen]

The pirate finally plucks the moogle from his person, holding Pakku out with two hands as he looks to the direction of the soft and familiar voice. It takes him a moment or two to go from point A to point B, having only just regained the ability to breath but also use his eyes.

They once more go wide, almost filling with years as he jumps quickly to his feet. Luffy doesn't bother with the hat, and instead wraps his arms around Jack in a tight embrace. For poor Pakku, this means being squeezed between them like a slice of adamantoise between two slices of bread.

"JACK! Wow, I'm running into all sortsa' old friends today!"

He lets go of his old friend, patting him on the shoulders and flashing him a tooth-filled grin.

"You're looking as fancy as ever! Feels like it's been years since I've seen you! Are any of the other crew members here? Yuffie? Rikku? Yuna?"

Alphonse Elric | Fullmetal Alchemist Brotherhood [CRAU]

[sonofgold]

A. Arrival

[Thankfully, this isn't Alphonse's first song and dance like this- wake up on a spaceship, introduce yourself to everyone, then lots of waiting to find out what's going on. Might as well mingle, right?]

Hey, there. I'm Al. Are you doing okay?


C. Sky High

[There's a problem on the airship Alphonse is riding on; it seems like there's a weak point on the hull that's beginning to rip open, and the ship is shaking as the engineer on board struggles to figure out what to do. Al fights his way through an increasingly-panicked group of passengers to the breach, not bothering to make introductions.]

Can you guide this ship to the ground if the tear is fixed?

[When the engineer nods frantically, Al claps his hands together; blue light sparks between them as he lays his hands on the fracture in the hull, and it begins to knit itself together, albeit messily.]

Go. Make sure we get home safely.


F. Sidequest

[Al loves helping people. He likes to give back when he can, even when he's been away from home and his brother for so long. However, sometimes it's less than glamorous, like now. He's found himself knee-deep in mud, looking through a swampy area of a forest for a certain type of lizard he'd been hired to collect specimens of.

Also, he smells.]


J. Wild card

[PM this journal or ping me at shurimon if you want something!]

Re: B

[gomu_ningen]

[His ears twitch as his moogle covered face turns in the direction of the all too familiar and unforgettable voice. Muffled though, he speaks, rising to his feet as he tries to pull Pakku from his vision.

When his words and breathing are free to live again, he blinks a few times before a wide-spread smile over takes the features of his face. Hurriedly he approaches her, not minding the hat as arms wrap about the girl's waist to lift her from the ground and spin her about with a hug.]

Bloom! Wow, it's Bloom! I don't believe it!

[Setting her down, he looks her over, eyes practically flashing stars from the excitement of seeing a beloved friend in his company once more.]

Ha! This is great! I get to see my nakama again! Pakku, did you know Bloom was here?! And you didn't say anything?

[jeido]

The price to pay for such a feat is rather steep, Miss Zelda.

[Jade says, pressing a hand to his forehead as he does so.]

Would you say it's a cause worth breaking my back for?

A.

[gomu_ningen]

[The young man couldn't help but laugh, holding a hand at his stomach while his teeth flashed from the width of his open mouth. It wasn't malicious, but it did tickle him so to see someone so flustered.]

What's to be worried about? This is gonna' be an adventure! Someone like you? You don't look like you'd have a problem handling things. You must be pretty strong, huh? Why don't you sit and face things when they come? No use getting upset over what you can't control.