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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Flat | Top-Level Comments Only

We will surely honor its sacrifice. [She said half-joking half-serious. Really, sometimes its hard to tell with this girl.]

[When they sit down and he extends his hand the gesture took Makoto off-guard. She had seen that greeting before, sure, but that didn't mean she was used to it. Her lost composure doesn't last long, however, and she gently reaches for her hand and allows it to be shaken.]

Hunk-san. Its very nice to meet you. [She said politely before waiting patiently for the rest of his story.] So what happened next?

We made sure they couldn't follow us back to our universe, and that was that. [ Glossing over the fact that the goal of the expedition was pilfered, of course. ] We didn't expect to find them, and they shouldn't be able to follow us.

[ He closes his eyes, and takes a deep breath. ]

It was creepy. One of my friends in this universe was a ruthless, intergalactic Empress who took away people's free will so they wouldn't disagree with her! But it's just another day in the life, really, Makoto-

[ A beat of silence. She said Hunk-san. Makoto is a Japanese name. She's probably Japanese. Oh no, now he's mortified. ]

I'm sorry! Sh-should I use an honorific? My friend Shiro doesn't so I wasn't even thinking!

[She hears the story and she wonders about herself. Were it not for her friends, would she still be the person that she was now? If the worst thing happened on that... that day, would she not consider the possibility?]

[She shook her head at the thought. She acknowledged that the potential was there, but then so were her ideals. Her justice. A world without free will was not just. It couldn't be, no matter how pleasant the words were used to justify it. As she was thinking that, Hunk popped her reverie with a question.]

[She smiled, almost laughed even. No matter where she is, she just had to continue as she always did.]

Makoto-san. [She smiled.] You don't have to say that, though. I've gotten used to people not using the right honorifics. I just do because... well, its how I was raised and so it was a part of who I am.

Actually, if I were to tell you the truth, you're supposed to call me Niijima-san, since we only just met. But... I think we can let that slip.

You have a commanding officer who is Japanese? Shiro... huh.

[Her mind drifted to a vision of the future where there were Japanese intergalactic spacemen. It was a happy thought.]

[ He's taking mental notes on the honorifics, and flashes an awkward, mischievous grin when she just up and lets the honorifics go. She brings the conversation to Shiro and, well, Hunk just starts beaming. ]

He's pretty awesome. I wouldn't call him our commanding officer, it's a bit more casual. He's just the leader. [ He looks sheepish, even embarrassed. ] Shiro's the only full-blown soldier. The rest of us were cadets, except the space princess and her butler, but I feel like aliens don't count.

[ He grins, reaching a hand into his backpack while trying his darnedest not to focus more on his fumbling than a conversation. ]

The ability to do great things doesn't seem to care who you were, though, or else we wouldn't get anything done!

[Her expectations lower a bit once it was apparent that Hunk asked about the honorifics and immediately threw it out the window. Would it kill him to at least try a little before dismissing it out of hand? Oh well.]

[The thought passes quickly once she hears about her countryman being a kind and considerate leader. Shiro, was it? Makoto would very much like the opportunity to see this guy. Theeen there's the rest of the cast.]

You know, if it wasn't for the fact that we're sailing on what looked like a flying boat int he sky and I just saw what I think is a dog-person, I would call you crazy for including a space princess and space butler. But now I don't know what to think.

[Her attention did focus on the ability part, though. She was going to ask, but wondered if Hunk was going to discuss that in greater detail on his own.]

Niijima-san, you...

[ It felt weird to be so... formal, but he didn't wanna disrespect her culture. Besides, what's the point of asking about honorifics if he doesn't try? But he has more important things on his mind than formalities, so he doesn't let that pause build. ]

...Saw a dog-person?! Where?! Are, uh, are they more human than dog or do you think I can pet 'em?

[ It's the closest he's been to seeing a real dog in so long, and he's thrilled. ]

Y'know I can hear you, right?

[Some timing Red had in his sightseeing; He was just finally starting to shake that pile-up of concerns he'd built up about this strange new world and begin to lose himself in the expansive, panoramic view of the ground below... only to once again find himself the centerpiece of a nearby conversation.

On the plus side, Hunk had his chance to get a good look and see for himself.]

[At the sight of the dog-person Makoto's cheeks flush beet red.]

O-Oh! I do apologize... I didn't mean any offense!

[I mean, one of her best friends was a cat-person so there was that at least...]

{...o-or maybe the dog person can smell Mona? That's not a problem, is it?]

[ Hunk never expected a response to his question, at least not from a male voice that was definitely not from Makoto! So his more ignoble instincts kicked in as soon as his brain connected the dots, and his excited squeal turned into a terrified shriek. He didn't flinch so much as recoil away from the voice and send himself (but not that backpack, thankfully) tumbling off of the bench.

Splayed out on the ground with the grace of a dead fish, he began taking deep breaths, stopping to wheeze out a simple...]

S-sorry.

[ But he just screamed so loud, and if this guy is as much of a dog as he looks like, Hunk expected to feel even worse soon. ]

It's--

[He was cut off by the sudden shrieking just as much as he was by the clenching of his jaw; and by the time Hunk's response had finally abated, Red still had his ears yanked down in an attempt to muffle the noise.

It would be another few seconds before his fur stopped bristling, and his wince relaxed enough to speak a few words.]

C'mon, am I really that scary?!

[Makoto herself had to cover her ears as well. She could understand the sentiment, but she was standing RIGHT THERE.]

[Waiting for the dog-guy to speak was definitely the better idea, because her ears felt much better when he finally did.]

I don't think that was fear as much as it was... unbridled joy. Or maybe it was fear, I don't know.

[She then realized who she was talking to and felt a pang of embarrassment.] O-Oh um... not that I find you scary either. I... just am not used to seeing people of your... um... species?

Oh my god, I am totally botching this firs impression...

[ The long, awkward pause was enough for Hunk to regain the composure that was so forcefully stolen from him, and as soon as he saw Makoto fumbling, he scrambled back to his feet, determined to save the day... that he endangered. ]

No no no, you just caught me by surprise and I'm a nervous guy! [ He puts a hand up in a dismissive sort of gesture and laughs like that hand just got caught in the cookie jar, and his tone is jovial again. ]

I've seen cat people, snail people, bug people, fish people, giant tardigrades... [ He's contemplative for a moment to double-check his memory, but his casual air continues. ] And most of those have tried to kill me, so the fact that you're not is huge points in your favor.

[ The hand comes down for a handshake, and Hunk resists the urge to baby-talk this large dog-man into shaking hands with him. That would be so rude. ]

I'm Hunk.

And after seein' all that, you end up bein' afraid of me?! [He didn't know whether he should feel insulted or weirdly flattered by that. The heck did this guy even do that made him so many enemies?

Well, the whole screaming part might've been new, but this wasn't the first time today that Red had gotten some odd reactions to his being- apparently- the sole bipedal canine most of the new arrivals had seen. He waved off Makoto's wordfumbling.]

I ain't used to havin' humans around, either, so we can all be weirded out together.

[With that, his hand dropped down to take a hold of Hunk's. He'd actually be some kind of monster if he just left the poor guy hanging.]

Red Savarin, hunter-for-hire.

[Oh shoot, he heard her grumbling. Well, of course he did. Dogs did have good hearing, didn't they? She's just going to have to be extra careful.]

R-Right. Um.... [She stood up, straightening out her jacket as she did.] My name is Makoto Niijima. Its very nice to meet you, Savarin-san. [She gave him a soft bow before sitting back down.]

Um... w-we were talking about traveling new worlds. Have you traveled to different places like this too?

[ Hunk wanted to point out that he wasn't afraid, he was surprised, startled at best, but... the chance passed before he could interject. He shrugged it off, because he was far more interested in Red and wherever he came from, because there's no way dog-people are from Earth! ]

Nice to actually meet you, Red! [ He grins, letting that handshake go and switching right to a totally cool, not scared thumbs up. ] And I gotta ask, if you haven't been around humans, what kinds of people were you around?

[What strangely different names, too; they were probably from other worlds than each other, themselves.] Nothin' you could really call 'new worlds', just goin' above and below the clouds-- s'not somethin' most people in my world can say they've done. I don't usually even get a chance to see under 'em like this.

[He took a second to adjust the bone in his mouth.] And I lived with others like me! Think you'd probably call us 'dog people.' And 'cat people.' Livin' together. [Mass hysteria!]

Wait, does that mean the two of you HAVE been to 'new worlds' before?

[Makoto's imagination swims of the possibility of cat-people like Red. She wondered if Morgana would be more comfortable there?]

Oh, so your people live above the clouds most of the time? Wait... [Realization.] Does that mean you live on floating islands??

[That's another part to add to the visual image. Its not for long as she remembered the next part of the conversation.]

O-Oh... well, I've only been to one world [technically], but Hunk-san here was telling me that he goes visit other planets in space. He even says he has seen another universe.

[ Red's cat people are probably better than the Galra. Or, well, most of the Galra. Keith is alright. But floating islands? Seas of clouds? ]

Makoto-san's right, I've spent a lot of time travelling between the stars in my... [ He grins, assuming and hoping it'll sound cool as he dons a casual, nonchalant tone. ] Ancient flying lion warship. Me and my friends live in a giant intergalactic space castle fighting evil. It's pretty neat. But!

[ He points a hand at Red again. ] Red, your home sounds fascinating. Nothing I've seen in space can compare with floating continents [ That's physics's fault. Ugh, gravity. ] and I'm pretty sure nothing from Earth, where Makoto and I are from, could come close in a billion years!

Yeah! Floating islands. ...Well, I live on an airship, but it's a lot nicer than thi--

...Ancient flying lion warship?? [You have his full and undivided attention. Sure, he's all read up on the likes of Narupo, Loufok Holmes, and Lupin, but... nothing quite like what he was hearing now.] Out in space? And an other universe?! You're like somethin' outta a comic book!

[...And yet for all his excitement, for all his eagerness, there was a near-conspicuous halt, a sudden smack-in-the-face of wincing tension at Hunk's last few words. Red actually had to ruminate on his response for a few seconds.]

...Ha-hah... yeah, I guess not.

[Makoto chuckled lightly.] Compared to you both my life seems so ordinary. Giant space lions... islands in the sky? It sounds like stuff of dreams.

[She readdresses the both of them.] Not that I mind. I'm finding the stories I've been hearing fascinating, but I think I wouldn't want to leave where and when I am from if I was given the choice. Home is home, no matter how far away you end up from it. I just hope I'm not boring you both.

Boring?! [ Hunk sounded absolutely insulted, and his face showed offense. ] You're out of your mind, Makoto! ...San! Talking with you about Earth is like a literal time machine and that's just as much the stuff of dreams as the stuff we've talked about.

[ He catches himself for a moment, and sheepishly scratches at the back of his neck. ] Well, at least for me, I can't even try to speak for Red!

[ But he furrows his brow again. ] So give yourself and your world some credit! Earth is awesome! [ And then the huffy scowl melts back into a smile and laugh. ]

Because let's be honest, normal is probably great for Red, since he doesn't know much about humans! Or about how our continents are stuck to the surface, surrounded by giant salt water oceans, and how the clouds are so far above us we need aircraft to touch them. I bet he has a ton of other questions, and that's on you, Earthling-san. [ And then he gives her some finger-guns for jovial emphasis! ]

Hunk's right-- this is all as new to me as an airship probably is to you. Besides, I'm sure there must've been some great adventures to come from wherever you'd call home, right?

[Besides, she was taking all of this quite well for someone who claimed to have lived a boring life.]

Besides, it looks like we're not gonna be landin' any time soon. Why don'cha tell us what it was like back where you came from, Makotosan?

O-Oh... Earthling-san? [Her eyes widened. She didn't expect to actually have the spotlight put onto her like that.]

Um... [Thinking fast, she decided to go back to what she remembered at school.] The Shiuya District of Tokyo is one of the 23 wards of Tokyo, the biggest city of Japan. Um... it has a population of over 200,000 people, so that's a lot.

[She started to kick her feet out a little.] Its a big city. There's a lot of fashion, stores, movie theaters, shrines, and even a theme park or two. The main square has some pretty tall buildings... I think the tallest was the Shibuya Hikaire which was um... 180 meters. But most of the buildings aren't nearly as big as that.

But as for me, most of my time was spent going to school, working on my duties as student council president, and getting ready for entrance exams. Pretty normal, really. [Normal save the part where she's moonlighting as a Phantom Thief and entering into the subconscious worlds of criminals to steal their corrupted hearts, heh.] The furthest I ever went was a school trip to Hawaii -- er, a tropical island way out in the middle of the ocean.

[ Hunk stood, mouth agape, as Makoto pulled his imagination back in time. He wasn't actually sure if 200,000 was a large population for an area, but everything he knew about Tokyo made him think it was. Theme parks just in the city? It sounded like a fun place, but really noisy. And as much as he wants to ask about the Hawaii of the past, he'd just compare it to the Samoa of the future, which would get awkward. ]

For a normal person, you're handling all this really well, Madame President! [ He smiles and shoots her a look that's completely, unabashedly impressed. ] I mean, I was a student at the Galaxy Garrison, which is a military academy and far from normal, and the first time this happened to me I did not handle it well.

[ A lot of vomit, screaming, crying, terror. Kind of like now but... probably worse. ]

Two hundred thousand people in one city?! That's insane!! That's gotta be either enormous or really, reallt cramped. [No wonder she's keeping her cool with all of this-- just imagine the air traffic involved! Heck, imagine just walking down to the store for a loaf of bread...!]

At least if you two are comin' here from school you're probably gonna get a chance to enjoy a nice, long vacation. ...If fightin' monsters could even be called a 'vacation.'

Sounds like Hunk here's used to havin' to fight off enemies, though; you think you're gonna be okay here, Makotosan?

TEST DRIVE MEME

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this is the best development i never expected, thank you

whew, i was worried it'd be unwelcome

its all good this is amazing

this thread is a gift

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(Sorry for the delay- last few days got hectic IRL)

(s'fine~)

(long as you're good, yo!)

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