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

[regalblaze]

[The question is sudden and caught Ignis a bit off guard. He's been so focused on the things they need to do that he didn't give this too much thought.

He... doesn't want to. Not at the price that has been set. And yet- there is no way of stopping it and there's no way of changing it. Not with Noct's mind firmly set. He bites the inside of his cheek and then nods.]

I can. The warmth of it... [he says slowly.]

[warpstriking]

[He'd apologize, but he... doesn't know how else to say it without full on telling him he wasn't completely honest with him not even half an hour ago.

He stares at his tea for a moment, before placing it on the table in front of them.]

So, when we get back, and dawn breaks...

[He can't finish that question.]

[regalblaze]

[Ignis is not sure how long will he be able to keep this a secret but what he knows is that now isn't the time for it.

He nods gently, taking a sip of his beverage.]

Yes... I will be able to feel it.

[He pauses.]

...Is there something wrong Noct?

[warpstriking]

[Noctis clasps his hands in front of him, resting his elbows on his knees. Not really looking at him or anyone else. It's a little odd how quiet it is in the lounge area. Most everyone else must be still in the makeshift infirmary. But, maybe that was a good thing.]

I was just wondering.

[It's not a lie - he is honestly curious if Ignis could sense it. Because, when they're home... The next time they'll meet again...

He lets out a shaky breath.]

... I made it to the Crystal. Ardyn was there, waiting for me to approach it...

[Please don't make me say it.]

[regalblaze]

[Ignis keeps quiet, waiting for Noct to slowly elaborate what he means. 'I was wondering' is usually followed with more. And he was not wrong.

Ardyn waited for him at the Crystal and waited for Noct to approach? Why would he do it? Wouldn't he try to stop him?

The pause tells Ignis that something happened there. Something that rattled Noct enough not to be able to say it outright. In the small pause, Ignis tries to hear if there are any people around, and then speaks softly, placing a hand on Noct's shoulder-]

Noct? Did he hurt you?

[warpstriking]

[He cringes. Of course. Of course Ignis would ask him that. There aren't any people around, otherwise he wouldn't even have said this much. So instead, he just... tries to keep his voice down to the point only Ignis can hear. Tries to keep it level, but he only really succeeds in keeping it down.

Noct's trembling in both anger and sorrow under that hand of his.]

No. [And honestly, a part of him wishes he had.] Never even lifted a finger. Didn't have to. Like I said, he was getting what he wanted.

[Him inside the Crystal. Doomed by both fate and his own desire to see an end to this madness and darkness. Wanting to save everyone.]

All he had to do was watch... as the light pulled me in.

[regalblaze]

[Alarms go off in Ignis' head and a flash of big, blue crystal with a crack, seeping out white light briefly crosses Ignis' mind. The Crystal... pulled Noct in.

His fingers curl into the fabric of Noct's clothes-]

And he wanted you to enter the Crystal.

[Which doesn't really make much sense considering he is the Usurper and wants to kill off all the light in the world. Overconfidence?]

[warpstriking]

[He doesn't mind. He'd taken his jacket off so it's more than easy for Ignis to curl his fingers into his shirt. Yet he tries to say something, anything. Yet all that comes out at first is:]

Yes.

[He bites his lower lip, wishing he could do something other than simply shake under Ignis' grasp. Yet no tears come, nor do the words. It's too-

'We've lost so much. Too much.'

He freezes, as if Shiva had placed a finger over his lips instead. Realization dawning on him all at once.]

... So that's why. You asked about ending our journey.

[regalblaze]

[The hand slips off Noctis' shoulder and into Ignis' lap, the man hunched over slightly.

So... it is the Crystal that told him. He know as well. Ignis knew that Noct will eventually find out what is going to happen to him but, to find it out like this. And then realize that Ignis knew too.

He's not going to lie to him.]

...yes. I was... a bit selfish then. [Wanting things he can't have, wanting for Noct not to die.He pauses.]

Pryna had given me the vision. At the altar. I'm, [Ignis exhales shakily-] I'm sorry for not telling you.

[warpstriking]

[He wishes it was the Crystal. No, it was the Draconian Himself. Yet he doesn't have the heart to tell him. Instead, he finally takes a sip or three of his own tea.

...He wants to be angry. To scream and yell, but he just can't. So instead, he reaches to place a hand on Iggy's shoulder.]

--like I'd have listened, anyway.

[It's his own way of saying that the apology was accepted. He only wishes he'd asked him to clarify more, before it's too late.]

[regalblaze]

[Ignis shakes his head-]

It doesn't matter whether you would listen no. I shouldn't have withheld the information from you. As an advisor... and your friend.

[Childhood friend. That promised not to hold secrets from him. At least, not ones that really mattered. Like the fact that the destiny, Astrals, Old Kings planned for Noct to die.

He will never come to terms with that fact, no matter what is said and how much time passes.]

[warpstriking]

[That gets him to stop. His hand pulling away slightly, yet still hovers to the point his fingers still are brushing against the fabric of Ignis' clothes. He has no idea what to say to that. Especially knowing what he says is true. Ignis shouldn't have, and yet he did. He did, and now -

Now they're far from home, with no idea how to get back. If they can get back. And the thought sickens him that he has no idea how badly their world is going to descend into darkness without him to bring back the dawn.

Without him to give the Pyreburner peace, or free Ardyn from his curse.]

... I don't blame you. Whatever happens when we get home, that will never change.

[He squeezes Ignis' shoulder. Wishing he could do more.]

[regalblaze]

[Ignis knew that will be the answer in the end. But still- it has his throat feel as if there's suddenly a boulder clogging it. He can feel his hands shaking slightly. Nothing will change- Noctis will walk to his throne, head high and bring back the dawn after taking Ardyn down. And he will die. It is written. And decided. By the astrals, fate, destiny- whichever fuck in the past fucked this all up for the future.

With a nod, Ignis holds back a shaky sigh.]

...of course. And thank you...

[If he could just get rid of that tremor in his voice, it would be nice.]

[warpstriking]

[Noctis puts down his tea again, sighing. He knows words won't help this time. Nor will silence, really. They never really were great at expressing their emotions, and this time... Ignis can't rely upon his sight to see the sincerity in his gaze.

So, what he does instead is release his grip on Ignis' shoulder, letting it slide across to the other. A quiet sign of support. If he wasn't still holding onto that tea, though... he'd have taken one of Ignis' hands in both of his.]

We have time. Whatever this place gives.

[He won't say time to figure out another way. A way to save him. But time to spend together with all their friends, regardless of what the hell is going on here.]

[regalblaze]

[He can't break here. It's too much of everything, Noctis knowing, not being angry with him and just accepting what's to come- it's too much. But he can't break down into tears no matter how much his soul hurts.

Ignis can feel his hands shaking so he does leave the cup on the table (carefully, not to spill it) and just curls both of his hands into fists. Whether Noct is fine with this or no, it will never beat the feeling that he led him to it. Slowly, carefully protecting him just to die at the right place at the right time.]

Whatever time this place gives... [Ignis says slowly,] it's never going to be enough.

[So much about not crying...]

[warpstriking]

[That's just it. He's not fine with this. Never will be, even though like everything else... he's accepted it and will keep moving forward. Because it's all he can do. There's no turning back. Again, and he hates it so.]

... I know.

[His other hand reaches to place itself over one of Ignis' fists. He hates this, seeing his oldest friend like this over him. Yet he can't stop it. He can only offer what meager light he wasn't stripped of by this place.

If only they could go back in order to prevent this from even being necessary. Maybe then he wouldn't be shaking so in anger and his own sorrow.]

[regalblaze]

[Feeling Noctis' hand over his own, Ignis instantly places his other on top of prince's. Ignis is having a hard time accepting this, but he knows that it's even worse for Noctis. He has to die, to give his life away to bring back the light.

There is nothing that can make this better, except a solution where Noct's life won't be sacrificed.]

If you need anything, don't hesitate to ask. We are all here for you.

[Until the end.]