memesofeternity | TEST DRIVE MEME

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TEST DRIVE MEME

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

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Indeed, Archean came to his rescue and ended up separating Ignis from the rest of the group by sending the Imperial ships flying around. But Ignis had no complaints about him- he's still peeved at the Tidemother.

The utter shock replaced Ignis' confusion- two months!? He has to hold himself up by placing a hand on Noct's shoulder. And, judging from earlier, he apparently lost his vision in that period of time. But that doesn't matter- if it kept Noctis safe then nothing matters.

"I... I do not know." Ignis finally looks around them, "and I- do not know where we are either." He sighs, "The last thing I remember was being knocked out by Ardyn..."

Nothing made sense anymore-!

The only problem with how Ignis uses him to hold himself up is that Noct isn't exactly steady on his feet, either. Barely keeping himself up after this sudden shock. It's why he didn't even hesitate to hold onto him at first sight.

"We should... sit down."

Because this information is a little much to take in. Especially the thought of Ardyn attacking Ignis. Because he'd told him that he'd seen his ship, not-

The cot beside them is empty so he's just... Going to sit down there, now.

After making sure Noct sits down carefully, he eases himself down as well, wincing slightly. His muscles really are protesting and almost begging for rest, now that he isn't fueled by adrenaline and rage.

But, he ignores the soreness and turns slightly so he can face Noctis as he speaks. It helps to keep his voice down as well, in this crowded infirmary.

"What is important right now- is that you are alright. Everything else we can figure out." For now, they need to calm down and think about this. "Word from others? Prompto? Gladio?"

Noctis wishes he could get out a potion, but if he can't even sense his ancestors in the Ring, then how the hell is he going to be able to call their weapons or access their inventory? So he just sits there, slightly grimacing at how shitty Ignis looks. But, at least he's sitting down now.

"You're the first one I've seen." Which means little, considering how crowded the place is. But, it also means he hasn't seen a certain asshole they both would rather not.

Noctis should mind the way he looks- Ignis will be just fine after several hours of sleep and some food and coffee. What his prince says though, has Ignis worried a bit. Only them, in such a weird place? Carefully, Ignis looks over his shoulders at the people walking around.

"Hmm..." no sign of Ardyn. Or their friends. "We could comb through this place in search of them but," he gives Noctis a critical look, "it would be best if you took it easy." He looks really rattled and Ignis is not sure if he will be able to properly defend him if problems arise.

"Thanks, but I'll be fine." He won't be, but Ignis didn't need to know that. Not now. Not while they needed to look for their friends. He hadn't gotten very far in the search when Ignis had come running, and he looks like he's in even worse shape. He'd only need a few minutes, let all this information sink in so he can push the things from home onto the back burner for now. He had a duty to others to protect them, and he can't like this. "Besides. What kind of king would I be to stand still at a time like this?"

He smirks wryly. Yeah, he remembered that little speech. A little clearer now, thanks to someone reciting it recently. Not that he remembered, but that didn't matter so much as the sentiment behind it.

Noct doesn't have to tell him that he won't be alright- he can see it from his expression. Locked out here, in the middle of Ramuh-knows-where, without his trusty shield and gunslinger and with a badly beaten up advisor, Noct has every right to worry. Ignis just wishes he didn't make so much trouble for him...

The question makes Ignis' eyes light up. He... does Noct too remembers what King Regis told him on the day they met? Ignis always thought he was too small for it. The advisor gives him a small smile, nodding.

"...well said."

Good, because he won't. At all. Especially considering he's feeling drained himself, unable to call upon his powers at all. Even the Ring isn't responding. What the actual hell? He only hoped they would be able to find them, if they were here. That would be one less thing to worry about.

He smiles wryly at the small amount of praise, resting a hand on Ignis' shoulder. Honestly, both of them should probably rest while they could. Who knew what would be in store for them later? Yet he couldn't help but want to search for the others.

"Rest up, Specs. Gonna see if I can find them or at least some water." Because it looked like both of them could use a drink, honestly. And he somehow doubted his luck in finding anything stronger. Especially with kids around.

"Are you sure you don't want me to come with you?"

The muscles might be screaming at him, but Ignis is not used to be taken care of. Especially not by Noct. Not that it's a bad thing, it's just... unusual. A welcome unusual. But his inner advisor and protector scream at him to go with him since Gladio and Prompto are not around.

The people around don't look dangerous but one can never know.

"I won't be gone long. Just a couple minutes."

Because, honestly? Everything in him is screaming not to leave Ignis for the same reason the other's inner advisor and protector is screaming at him. He really doesn't want to leave his side when they're not just one, but two men down. Not that he hasn't gone it alone before, but with those memories still fresh in his mind - and with how splendidly that worked out for him...

He sighs, standing up and moving before Ignis can protest further. And, as promised, is back with tea in less than two minutes. "No sign of them in this lounge area." He sighs, sitting back down and offering a cup to Ignis. "I swear, it's like this place came straight out of a movie or something. Even had this weird blue milk."

Which he obviously did not touch.

Those ten minutes felt like an eternity. He had tried standing up, but his legs seriously protested and he just ended up plopping back down. The waiting for Noct to come back was spent as if he was sitting on needles. He did, however, pay attention to people passing by, trying to catch the familiar glimpse of golden, chocobo hair or tall, muscular frame.

Nothing.

When Noctis came back, Ignis visibly relaxed, knowing that he's fine. He accepted the tea with a grateful smile. Still, the lack of Gladio and Prompto is bugging him. "I heard people mentioning that this is a spaceship." Perhaps they went out of the infirmary to wander around and look for Noct and him in return.

Noctis sits down beside Ignis,a sigh not far from his lips but he still didn't allow it to escape him. He too had been looking for the musclehead and wannabe musclehead. No luck.

But he could confirm a few things.

"They weren't wrong. The lounge has a window to the outside, so I tried to find any constellations from home." Noctis admitted, that sigh finally escaped him. "Nothing."

Ignis takes slow sips of the tea, feeling the liquid warming him up slowly and, despite the predicament, relaxing him slightly. His brain isn't as tense as before and he can properly stop to think.

"I see. We will have to do a proper research on all of this." Going back is a priority. No matter how much Ignis disliked the visions he got from Pryna earlier. This is just stalling the problem, not finding a solution for it.

Noctis follows Ignis' example, though far slower than he does. A few more pauses as he's a little distracted by everything else. The Draconian's words, Ardyn's words, everyone around them being just as confused as they are... It's a lot to take in.

"Yeah, no kidding." Noctis says flatly, not really in the mood to argue. Though he realizes now he didn't actually tell Ignis anything about what he last remembers from home. He has no idea how he's gonna tell him, or the others, once they find them. If he can even do that. He'll have to, back home, and yet... He's not ready.

Ignis can see that Noct is slightly on the edge and he supposes that this entire situation is not making anything better. And, for once, Ignis cannot provide any solution to the problem at hand. His hands are tied with information so limited. Especially now that Noct confirmed that they are in space of all things.

"Noct..." Ignis starts slowly, placing his hand on his shoulder. If what the vision had shown him is true then, once they return... Noct will have to... "Do not hesitate to share your burdens with me. I am your advisor, but more than that, I'm your friend. You... don't have to bear everything by yourself."

Noctis was staring at his tea, and then Ignis speaks. He pauses, biting the inside of his cheek. First looking to Ignis' cup, then Ignis himself. Part of him wants to just spit it all out, yet... he stays his tongue for a few seconds.

"I know," he sighs, staring at the wall for a moment. It's easier. "Just... reeling from what happened back home. We'd just saved Prompto in Zegnautus Keep. Ardyn was torturing him."

Edited 2018-03-25 03:32 (UTC)

Ardyn was-

Ignis almost dropped the cup he was holding. But it's warmth reminded him that it was hot and he should probably get himself together. If there was time Ignis wanted to spill every curse that comes to his mind, it was now. He wants to ask how did that happen but Noctis still looked upset. Was there more? Did Prompto-

"He is alright, correct?" Ignis didn't know what kind of torture Ardyn used, but it can't be good. Nothing related to Ardyn was good.

Noctis almost reaches out to catch the cup, but Ignis seems to keep it in his grasp. Slightly grimacing, he nods. Grateful that Ignis doesn't press for more details just yet.

"Yeah. He has you guys." He's just... going to take another drink of tea. "Or just Gladio right now, I guess. If they aren't here somewhere."

Though it doesn't make sense. If Ignis is here, from two months ago, how was he there with him earlier to tell him to get to the Crystal alone? Ugh, it's going to be bugging him for a while now.

When it came to serious things, and especially to expressing his feelings, Noct always had a hard time. Ignis knows that. So he lets him go at his own pace and take his time. The time difference seems to be causing a significant problem. Did he lose... his eyesight in that time period? Probably from the battle. If it was to protect Noctis, then it is worth it.

Ignis scowls, his mood going even worse than before. "He will never have us, Noct. We don't yield so easily, especially to not to Ardyn." Ignis cannot see himself submitting to whatever Ardyn asks of him.

"We will have to carefully scour the ship in search for others and not separate. That man is dangerous." Too dangerous, according to the vision.

"He got Prompto once, and he tricked me. Some sort of illusion where he swapped places with him." He admits. He doesn't know how Prompto got from being pushed off a speeding train to Zegnautus Keep, but he's still angry about it. Even now, that Prompto is relatively safe. Wherever he is.

"Given his real name, guess that really isn't much of a surprise." Noctis' gaze meets Ignis' for that brief moment. There's only one thing, two really, that they have an advantage on over him if that bastard's here. First is whatever it is out there blocked even the power of the Lucii. Second is... "Ardyn Lucis Caelum."

It sickens him to say it, and he can feel the bile in the back of his throat. So he's just going to try and wash it down with more tea.

These are the events that transpire after everything that happens in Altissia. From the way it sounds, the things only go downhill and Ardyn stops trying to hide his true intentions from them. If Ignis could reach him right now, he'd snap his neck in two.

Thank the Astrals that by the time Noct reaches revealing Ardyn's true name Ignis is done with his tea.

"...how is that possible?" Sorry Noct, you will have to give him proper explanation here.

Ignis is asking a lot of him, and a lot of it is really really fresh. So much so that his shoulders are actually trembling in anger to the point where he has to set the remnants of his tea down by his foot so it doesn't spill. Because, if he could?

He would do the same damn thing.

Noctis starts to open his mouth to say something, but while he's accepted his role as king and protector... It's still hard for him to express this. Both because it involves his personal feelings, and because it's something they can't do shit about until they're back. Well, Ignis could. He's a bit stuck at the moment.

"So I..." He stops, shaking his head. He would hug his knees if he could. Instead, he rests his fists on them. Taking a deep breath before beginning again.

"Honestly, I didn't catch all that he said. Even then, I wouldn't trust what he says farther than I could throw him." If the Draconian hadn't corroborated part of it... He frowns, staring down at his fists. "Apparently he tried to heal the Scourge, but it corrupted him. So the Crystal chose another, and he's been plotting vengeance ever since."

Against his family... their family. The gods. The Oracle line... Everyone, really.

If he had known he was, Ignis would probably have some tact and not ask. But, this being dropped on him- he can't help but ask about it. So much happened in only two months since Altissia.

He can see the shaking and can't tell whether Noct was angry or sad- maybe it was both of it. Placing a hand on Noct's back and giving him a comforting rub is all Ignis can do for Noctis right now, and here. Wherever this here is.

To think that the prophecy says that Noct has to lay his life to save them from someone like Ardyn, who holds onto a grudge for decades, hating everyone and everything, going against his own blood, killing everything in his path.

"Whatever- whatever Ardyn's plotting, we will stop it." His voice almost breaks because he knows what this entails. How... oh, how he wishes to take Noctis' place in that vision. "We are always of us by your side- Ardyn will never have us. His magic and trickery can't break this bond."

It's fine. It's... okay, it isn't fine, but Noctis will deal with it. Like a lot of other things. Their current situation being one of them. Maybe another time he'll finally be up to talking about the rest, but for now he's just... going to try and push it all aside until he can reflect on it alone. Maybe think of a way to manage telling Ignis the rest.

Noct's head ducks down slightly at the comforting touch. It's- almost too much to hope for another way when Bahamut himself has told him of what kind of price must be paid. Yet he says nothing. He can't. Just as he couldn't force himself to put on the Ring on his finger until he was quite literally forced to in order to survive.

The tone of which it's said, however, it gets Noctis to look up- to stare at Ignis for a second. "Iggy..." He inwardly curses, considering he just said Ardyn knocked him out before he woke up here. "I know.... you're right." It's just a lot to take in and now he's fighting to put it on the back burner. Especially in the face of his childhood friend suffering as well. "Holding up okay?"

If Ignis is going to remind him that he can lean on them, he will remind Ignis of the same.

Ignis has a lot of inner thoughts and turmoil to deal with- later, when they are not flying, where he can lie down, or sit at the table by himself. Comming to terms with the prophecy will take time, Ignis will never be okay with it.

Slowly, Ignis nods. "Yes. I am alright. Mere flesh wounds will heal fast." The wounds of the heart and soul- not as fast. If ever. Ignis can only hope that the pain will wane a little so he can focus on other stuff as well.

He hisses a bit as he shifts on the cot, trying to get more comfortable. "It was what people call an "uphill battle" to reach you." He sighs softly closing his eyes and leaning back against the wall of the ship. Then looks at Noct again and gives him a small smile.

"If you are two months ahead of my time, it means that my efforts weren't in vain. You're alright."

Edited (wrote the instead of then) 2018-03-26 00:50 (UTC)

TEST DRIVE MEME

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