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!

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Clarus Amicitia | Final Fantasy XV

[lordshield]

[A] - Retrieval
Waking in such a calm, quiet place after... well, Clarus’s last memories weren’t warm, nor quiet or calm. It had been chaotic, adrenaline pumping, desperate. The folks around would have to excuse the older man if he’s standoffish. He stood against a wall, looking stately in his council robes, still and silent as he scrutinized the other beings in the room. This place wasn’t what he imagined the afterlife would look like. Behind that intimidating glare, beneath the squared shoulders and the cold demeanor, was a man confused and out of his element. He stayed planted in place, expression closed. His age is showing, hair graying and lines creasing his face, but still cuts an impressive figure.

Finally, after long enough of looming in the corner, he approached someone who looked perhaps a bit more informed than he. “Pardon the interruption... have you heard from the crew what our heading is? And in what company do we find ourselves?”


[D] - Guilds
Paladin. The description had seemed the most like what he’d done at home, what his job had been his entire life more or less. The difference here was the armor. Lucis had always valued agility and mobility. The best defense is a good offense, as they say. Of course a sturdy shield helped as well. But here the job came with armor, and the older soldier was a bit put off. Regardless, this was how things were done here, so he’d adapt. Besides, it could be a fun challenge.

Clarus rolled his shoulders and stretched his neck, then lifted the plain-looking broadsword he’d been afforded by the guild. He gave it an experimental swing through the air, getting a feel for the weight. Satisfied, he looked around to the others on the training ground. “Would anyone anyone care to spar? I’ll go easy, I promise.” Was he joking? Was he serious? Someone would have to take the challenge to find out.


[E] Adventure
“Stop that, you silly beast!” Clarus growled, playfully pushing the beak of the chocobo away from the collar of his jacket as it tried to nibble at the trim. “Now hold still so I can properly saddle you.” The shove and scolding bought him a few minutes of unhindered time to strap the saddle and saddle bags to the bird, but it had other ideas as a button caught the light just right and the huge bird wasn’t back to curiously pecking at the old Shield’s jacket.

“I said enough,” he hissed again, this time giving the chocobo a sharp quick whack on the beak. The sound was loud and startled the bird, which gave an indignant ‘wark!’ and attempted to pull away, but Clarus held the reins tight in his hand, keeping the bird’s head at eye level. He stared it down for a moment before the bird calmed. “There now. Shall we continue?”

The steed seemed to agree and stood obediently still until the rider wasn’t finished. He smiled at the bird and scritched the feathers under its chin, eliciting a pleased coo from it and an affectionate nuzzle. “Yes, yes, very good. All you needed was a firm hand. That’s a good bird.” Despite his rough exterior, it was clear to anyone watching the scarred warrior that he had a soft spot for the birds.

[J] - Wildcard
[Hit me with whatever.]

E

[warpstriking]

Noctis couldn't help it. He chuckled at the older man, leaning against his own saddled chocobo as it quietly dozed behind him. Clearly doing what he normally does and napping through the worst parts of the ordeal. Not even the loud hiss seemed to startle it.

And, had it been anyone else, Noctis would have been asleep still, too.

"Good to know the love of these guys didn't skip a generation." Why, yes. The young king certainly is teasing a certain someone. Not that it was in doubt, honestly. It had to come from somewhere if both Gladio and Iris were fond of these trusty steeds. Gladio to the point of almost going soft. Ahh, good times.

[lordshield]

The older man rolled his eyes as he finally pulled himself up into the saddle, giving Noctis a mock-rueful look. Noctis had a very obedient chocobo, and less gear than Clarus. That was just fine with the Shield, though. He’d chosen the chocobo he had for her spirit, not her obedience. He liked a fiery steed. They were excellent battle companions if trained properly.

“From where did you suppose Gladiolus and Iris gained their appreciation? Certainly not their mother.” Not that she’d disliked chocobos, Clarus had just held a special love for the birds from boyhood that he had tried to impart on his offspring. He leaned back to check the contents of one of his saddlebags. “Did you remember to pack rations for the trip?”

Noctis wasn’t his son, but Clarus would never stop being a father or a military commander. Troops must be prepared and ready at all times. “And spare potions. And greens for you chocobo?” Forgive him, Noct. The last time he saw you, you were green to being prepared for the outside world.

[warpstriking]

Noctis finally stood up, stretching as he tried to ignore the look Clarus gave him. He didn't particularly care when selecting his own chocobo; the bird had just waltzed up to him. The fact he'd also confused Prompto's hair for food was a bonus.

"I don't know, their grandmother?" He's only kidding; if that faint smirk was anything to go by. The question gets a quick roll of the eyes - once his back is turned, obviously. Astrals, it was almost as if he were back on the royal vessel and a certain someone harping at him applying sunscreen or not. "Yes, Clarus..."

He sighed, patting his chocobo on the neck. "Alright, up you go," he said, as the chocobo opened one eye and kwehed sleepily. Slowly moving to its claws. "That's a good boy." Noctis grinned, stroking his soft feathers before taking hold of the reins and hopping onto his back.

[lordshield]

And someone had Regis the same sort of thing on the same boat thirty years prior, though it hadn’t been Clarus. The prince had a steward just like Noctis did, but a turn of fates caused Weskham to take his leave from the group, and Clarus had been made to take the role of Hand and Shield and Regis’s well-being was in his hands. Then years later he’d become a father, and then the world had taken his wife from him and once again he’d needed to step into a role he wasn’t ready for. Years of practice made a habit, and old habits die hard as they say. Acting the parental role was hard-wired into him now.

“You’ve found a chocobo as lazy as you,” he teased. “Remember the old saying: spare the rod, spoil the chick. Keep him on his toes so he can best serve you.”

Noctis being present was a relief to Clarus. The prince gave him purpose and direction. He could protect the young man, even if it wasn’t in an official capacity, and he’d feel as though he were actually doing something with himself. Of course he planned to get a job in public service here eventually, but for now he wanted to see Noctis safe and acclimated. His own comfort would come with the young man’s.

“What do you hope to accomplish today?” He asked, drawing the conversation back to serious, focusing on the goal and task ahead of them.

[warpstriking]

Funny how all these parallels just kept happening despite the odds. He wasn't even going to bother to tell Clarus to relax; not when they were going to venture into unknown — to them — territory. Yet if Clarus actually took a second, he'd note that his posture and how he held onto the reins bespoke of how many times he'd ridden before. Though he couldn't help but wonder.

"I do hope you didn't give the same advice to Gladio." He chuckled. "If so? Never followed it."

He smirked, obviously kidding. Still, he felt the need to at least keep the tone of conversation light. Especially as he still bore a certain ring on his finger for fear of otherwise losing it. At least, until that question was asked.

"Exploration," he admitted. Well, mostly. Though he'd hardly admit part of it was also a need to simply... stop thinking about everything else for a while and focus on their new surroundings. "What better way to learn the lay of the land than on the back of a chocobo?"

And if they find a fishing hole? It'd be an awesome bonus.

D

[immortalblade]

He had been considering his next move carefully, after all it was never too prudent to consider all of his options before deciding what to do in an unfamiliar place. There would, doubtless, be a route home eventually.

Cor's thoughts were interrupted by someone familiar calling for a challenge and his lips quirked slightly, but it wouldn't do to let Clarus in on the amusement he had. He turned around to face him, katana in hand.

"You wouldn't insult me like that, would you? Unless you want me to go easy on you."

[lordshield]

Cor. Surprise of surprises, but the expression only briefly flashed across his face before it was replaced by his familiar semi-scowl. They’d been friends long enough, however, that the younger warrior would see in Clarus’s eyes that he was pleased to see his subordinate, if only to have a familiar face about.

“How long has it been since we sparred?” He asked, amused that the Immortal, of all people, should be in the place he thought might be the afterlife. “I’ll start easy. We’ll see if you can still keep up with me.” He could, of course he could, but taunting and teasing had always been half the fun where Cor was involved.

He raised his sword in response, widening his stance and angling his body just so to give him a strong first thrust or stroke. Which would be impossible to tell, even for someone experienced with Clarus’s fighting style as Cor was.

[immortalblade]

In that regard, he would be in agreement, it would be much better to see someone familiar. It was, however, strange to see someone who was departed come back to life. Would the world's wonders never cease?

"Hmph." Cor refrained from commenting on the amount of time, it had been awhile surely. They'd had things to do, even in the time leading up to everything changing at the Empire's whims.

"Your choice. Don't get angry if I lay you flat on your ass." He smirked, slightly and took his stance.

His new job class came with a bunch of unique skills, all of which he did not need to challenge Clarus to a fight. The sword would be enough.

[lordshield]

“If you could lay me flat, I would concede you were the better warrior and step aside,” the Shield jeered, though it was all in good fun. They hadn’t seriously fought in years. Decades, even. It didn’t matter who was the better, it mattered that they could work together and trust one another. Clarus saw no reason that should change, even if they wouldn’t have the same working relationship here.

Rather than waiting to feel Cor out, to see if The Immortal would strike first, Clarus took the initiative with a hard arc over his head culminating in a downstroke. Of course Cor would block, but they’d likely block each other at every strike. That was how the game was played.

[immortalblade]

"Then we'll have to see what happens." Cor taunted back, as though it wasn't really much of a challenge, and it was mostly in fun. He didn't exactly want to fight seriously now, but he too believed their ability to work together was far more important. It always had been.

Alas, he'd been a young man with a penchant for glory and that hadn't completely gone away, so a bit of a challenge never hurt anyone.

He smirked slightly when their blades clashed. "Come now Clarus, you'll have to push harder than that to take me down."

Not that, of course, he would but the game was all in good fun.

a

[raucous]

There's too many questions swirling around in his head and not nearly enough answers. He's pissed off. Unbelievably so. Part of him feels like ripping every last shred of this place apart. It's not fair! Not...that anything has been fair, really. Not lately. Just chalk it up to one more unfortunate, rage inducing thing. Some days, he feels like he can get a better handle on his temper. Some days, he just knows that he can't. Doesn't.

Whatever. It doesn't matter. This is someone else's fault and he's pissed off he's getting empty responses. He's just about had it, his temper reaching near catastrophic levels when --

A voice cuts through his fury fog like a dagger through flesh. Quick and sharp, right to the bone. Gladio nearly trips over his own feet to whip around to find where it's coming from. Is this all some stupid trick? Some mind game that's funny to everyone else but him? His heart double beats. His chest feels like it's being squeezed by a vice. This can't be happening. Maybe this is some weird dream? Or some horrible nightmare.

But, no. There's his father standing there like nothing ever happened. Like he's --

Gladio's jaw clenches tight. His teeth grind hard together as he fists his hands by his sides. He takes a halting step closer, forcing a normalcy to his tone that claws its way from his throat. "Dad?"

[lordshield]

When Gladiolus’s voice cut through the room the graying man jerked as though he’d been shot. His large frame was frozen a moment as emotions and thoughts ripped through his mind and heart like a hurricane. If this were the afterlife then Gladiolus shouldn’t be here. He’d been sent away with Prince Noctis, and Ignis, and the prince’s enthusiastic friend. He was supposed to be safe, away from Insomnia and the worst of foreseeable events. If this place were truly the afterlife, Gladiolus had been claimed too soon, and it shattered Clarus’s heart like a bullet exploding through glass.

He turned slowly away from the random innocent he’d approached, collecting himself behind his usual calm mask to address his son, his heart beating wildly beneath his ribs. His son, his pride, was here. And the poor boy looked as put off as he did. They were warriors plucked from their battlefield by whatever force of gods and nature. They were lost together.

“Gladiolus...” he regarded his son with veiled sorrow in his eyes. “It seems I am not only among strangers here.” Sad as he was to think of his son’s fate, Clarus couldn’t help but feel relief at seeing him, and he stepped forward to embrace him tightly.

[raucous]

If this is some dream, he's actually not ready to wake up yet. Where he'd been ready to tear through the crowd like some frothing at the mouth, rampaging garula, he's not now. Near docile in comparison. His father's arms are around him, and for several heartbreaking seconds, Gladio can't even move. This doesn't even seem real. But, everything feels the same. Smells the same. And, that does something to Gladio. It throws him back to when he was a child and how easily he sought his father's embrace. He's been working hard since they all left Insomnia, pushing himself to his absolute limit. But, right now, he feels like everything shatters inside of him.

No more hesitation, then. His arms grip around his father's back, his face tipping to press into his shoulder. It's more vulnerability than he's shown in a long time, but he thinks he's allowed this. Just this once. After they all found out about the fate of Insomnia, Gladio had no time to properly grieve. They had to keep pushing forward. They had to keep Noctis on task. He had to throw himself in front of Noctis to keep him safe, protected. He didn't have time to think about his own life and losses. Part of him wishes he had so he isn't exposed like this when he should be keeping it together.

There's a horrible lump in his throat that he's embarrassed by. He shouldn't be like this, he should be better than this. Every time he tries to say something, nothing comes out and he feels like such an idiot. Finally, eventually, he's able to shift back, though not far. (There's a small, small, foolish part of himself that thinks if he lets go that Clarus will disappear. He couldn't deal with that right this second.)

"I, um--" he pauses, wets his lips. What's he supposed to say that isn't just groundbreakingly idiotic? "I didn't think I'd see you," again, "here."

E

[precisioninpink]

A soft spot for birds might be one thing. But what about pink hedgehogs?

Amy had saddled up her bird and was adjusting to riding it; she'd managed to ride an Earth horse before but truthfully, she didn't often ride animals. She was more used to hoverbikes than giant birds. Her chocobo could sense her unfamiliarity, pacing a little with her on it's back.

"Hey, relax. We're not going yet." She pulled on the reigns but it just redirected, stepping over to Clarus. "Oops- Sorry! I can't get him to stand still."

[lordshield]

Amy Rose was a strange-looking companion to be sure, and certainly not someone Clarus may have chosen for himself right off the bat, but she was eager and polite enough so far that he would remind himself not to dismiss her out of hand. Whatever she was wasn’t anything he’d encountered in Eos, but she was likely a perfectly normal person on her world. This wasn’t his world, Clarus was regularly reminded.

He caught the bridle of the wayward bird and held it steady a moment, petting its beak and shushing it softly. “It’s alright, that’s a good bird.” The hedgehog was afforded a small understanding my smile as he released the bridle. “Try to put yourself at ease, Miss Rose. The chocobo will remain as tense as you are. Small rugs on the reins, a squeeze of your thighs when you want him to move. They’re gentle beasts, you just need relax a bit.”

His own chocobo was raring to go, and he patted the side of its neck before stepping into the stirrup to mount up. “I’ll be by your side, so don’t be afraid to call out should you require assistance. Are you ready?”

E

[tuneyourheaders]

"For all that fuss, ya' really are soft for them," Cindy teased as she came up with her own bird in tow, the reins resting around her arm as the rather unkept looking chocobo looked from one thing to the next, ducking it's head down to peck at something on the ground before doing the same to Cindy's jacket. Oh look a rock--wait there's something floating in the air--!

Despite it's attention issues Cindy had managed to saddle it and get her bags strapped in place, the mechanic sliding her gloves on now and making sure her fingers sat in snug.

"Better be careful or they'll start pickin' up on it, Mr. Amicitia."

[lordshield]

Clarus snorted in response to the young woman. “If you ever tell Cid, I’ll deny everything.” The old man knew he liked the birds, it perhaps didn’t know the spot in his heart they held. Not like it mattered, chances seemed to be that he would never see Cid again. Running into Cindy had been surprise enough, and he’d barely recognized the girl he hadn’t seen since she was a child. It was the logo on her hat that had caught his attention.

He reached over to pat the stupid bird’s long neck, giving it a quick pitying glance before returning his attention to human company. “And no one else would ever believe you anyhow.” Anyone who knew him, anyhow. Or anyone who couldn’t see past his cold exterior to the loving, good-humored man beneath. “What is our goal today, Miss Cindy? More discarded parts?”

[tuneyourheaders]

Cindy just grinned. "Deny it all ya' want, Pawpaw would see right through it," she teased, leaning away from her Chocobo as it attempted to preen her hair--okay no more like it was trying to preen her hat but not all Chocobos are bred equal so we'll give it a pass.

"That's right!" the young woman confirmed with a grin, moving to haul herself up onto the saddle of her bird now. "I've got a good selection but the more stuff I can find, the better." It would make her the first choice of more people who needed air ships repaired and that was her goal. Among other things. "Anythin' you're after?"

E

[shinra_dog]

Reno couldn't help but watch, very impressed.

"You're good at that," he observed. "You musta' been doin' it awhile. Yer familiar with chocobos?"

He wasn't familiar with anyone who looked like Clarus, and he had a good feeling that he should. But he knew well that time was relative and multiple universes were strange. This man might be from Gaia but probably not from Reno's time.

[lordshield]

"We had them back home, yes," he agreed, not completely able to wipe the soft expression from his face that lingered in the presence of the animals. Another pat and he turned to study the younger man addressing him.

"Clarus Amicitia," he spoke first, taking in Reno's full appearance and demeanor as he offered his hand in greeting. More than likely Reno would recognize the look of someone who was trying to subtly read him, someone who did it out of habit and was well-trained in the art.

[shinra_dog]

Reno smiled appreciatively and gave Clarus' hand a firm shake. How could he not? He knew the look; he'd used the look. He was doing it right now, too. Old habits had come full circle back to usual routine as one of the last Assassins on Crystallis.

"Same here. Call me Reno. It's nice, actually, meeting someone else who knows 'em. Most a' the other Outworlders think it's a bit weird."

[lordshield]

The look was odd in that when Clarus noticed Reno had it too he felt both more at ease to know he was in the company of a like-minded individual, and also more tense as he wondered the motives of this new character. Whatever they may be, only time would tell. Still, the look remained an important bit of information.

"Oh? Hm." He puzzled over this information. "I suppose I assumed since they were here as well that all worlds had them... A foolish assumption."

[shinra_dog]

"Don't be so hard on yerself!" Reno shook his head and grinned. "I mean, statistically, yer two for two. Pretty normal assumption to make, I think."

"I've just... This isn't my first 'new world'," he explained. "It gets easier... for better or worse." He rubbed the back of his neck. On the one hand, it was good to adapt quickly and become productive toward a solution. On the other hand, what did it say about someone who "got used to it" when it was about their world and their existence? Maybe Reno was biased; this was his third go-round with the forced travelling, as it were. It got old.

"So -- yeah, I mean, if you... need anything, y'know..." Reno shrugged, suddenly feeling a bit awkward. Since when had he become so welcoming and helpful? Ah, yes, Hero saving the world bit.

"Just lemme know."

D

[conniemaheswaran]

A girl, almost comically young to be dressed in such heavy armor and wielding a gunblade at thirteen years old, perks up at Clarus' offer. She'd been going on a tour throughout Vaikuntha to get a taste of what each job had to offer, if not by taking an asterisk herself, then by sparring with the more combat-oriented jobs and sitting in on lessons for supporting ones. The duel she had with a Gourmand was certainly an... experience, as well as her brief foray into the guild headquarters of the Dark Knight. It was like walking into a Hot Topic on steroids.

Connie had actually been patrolling the training grounds for almost an hour at this point, as the honorable types that the Paladin job attracted balked at the prospect of fighting such a seemingly inferior opponent. It had been getting on her nerves, really. Hopefully this new fellow would be a bit more... opened-minded than his guildmates.

"I would, sir," she says, looking up at Clarus. There's steel in her eyes, the kind of resolve only seen in battle-tested soldiers who have stared Death down and spat in his face. It's quite disconcerting to see it in someone so young. She makes no apologies for her age, stature, or gender, and simply waits for Clarus' response.