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

Madhuri | Original

[songbird_slayer]

[G]

Welcome!

[It was the cozy, curious sign outside or the smells... oh, the smells. Perhaps it was the sweet smoke of toasted sugar over freshly-made creme brulee, or it might be the melting butter as it puffs up layers of pastry for the round of pies to perk up a dreary rainy Tuesday; perhaps it's an early morning and you can smell the apples and cinnamon softening and warming a batch of muffins that begged for a cup of coffee or tea as big as your head... whatever the case, you're here for the first time or even your fiftieth.

The rumors of a "devilish baker" were amusing enough, the slight woman behind the counter wearing the flour-dusted apron paying no mind. With horns like hers and a long black tail to boot, it was nothing new to be mistaken for some sort of fiend. It was simply her lot in life as a tiefling.

But would a devil slide you just one extra slab of a lemon pound cake with a smile because she noticed you'd had a rotten day? There was everything sinful, yet everything innocent about the way the icing melted on the tongue, topping soft sweet notes to the dense bites of lemony cake.

On the counter nearest the register, however, is a peculiar sign attached to a jar filled with coins: "Tippers get a song or a haiku upon request. No takebacksies."]



[I]

Oh! Sweetheart? Do excuse me, you forgot your change-

[She took a step out of the bakery to give you what you were owed. A single step. Though she knew nothing of such creatures, she ought be glad she didn't run into a Warmech. In actuality, she'd encountered a few puddings who had decided to ooze up and beg for the opportunity to test what she'd learned among the guild... but which one?

With a flourish and a laugh, a flash of light and a rush of power, she swapped her usual purples and whites for red and black. With the flick of a wrist she prepped her rapier, and with a hop she assumed a brand new stance.

She could go without being a bard for just one day. Cue the music!]

I wonder if they'll pay me overtime for pest control...

[She gave you a wink. Are you joining in?]

[notaterrier]

[The boy that is approaching walks in casually and with passive disinterest. He gives a slow gaze around the room and gives a start at the attendant.]

Wow, they weren't kidding when they said that baker looked like a devil. That's a lot more literal than I was expecting.

[The boy really ought to keep his inside thoughts inside.]

Are those, like, real?

[songbird_slayer]

[She got it plenty enough, and rest her chin atop a hand behind the counter. Though the following question was very curious. She canted her head.]

My wares are very much authentic, dear. Every last bit of them.

[notaterrier]

Well, yeah, I get that but I mean your horns. Wings? Air flaps?

[A confused hand reached behind his neck and started to scratch.]

Just what is it that you'd call those things? Decorations?

[Tact was never Jack's strong suit.]

[songbird_slayer]

The horns are real and I hear with them, yes. I had a cousin who was born with little wings, once. Couldn't fly with them... I don't recall if she kept them or had them removed, however.

But that's neither here nor there. Can I interest you in a sample?

I

[erbluhen]

[ Ain is a pleasant enough customer, his aura of playful friendliness blending well with Madhuri's manner. He's come in for some of the usual cake, leaving both his payment and a single lily on the counter.

Though, it seems like he's not about to leave just yet. ]

Pest control indeed. Still - let's have some fun, shall we?

[ She has her rapier, and he has his book. Tri-coloured sparks of light appear above his hand, moving to an unseen rhythm. ]

[songbird_slayer]

[A flatterer and so charming! The lily would find its place in a lovely vase to add elegance and soft aroma during her rounds to dust the shelves and keep everything neat. She'd wondered if she had any sort of green thumb before, but now had the solution to that little mystery.]

I have to hand it to this world: I've yet to grow bored of it! Though I wonder...

[She fetched the focus behind her and clicked it neatly into the rapier, rendering it the perfect shortstaff to weave a duo of lightning spells to strike a pair of puddings. She'd learned that much- magic only, or she may well be using her weapons to strike water and hope to make it bleed.]

...Are these wretches the slightest bit edible?

[erbluhen]

[ Good thing that Ain's specialty back home are spells and not punches - he flicks Ruin at the puddings with a sort of dancer-like grace, never staying still in one spot. ]

Hmm, I'd say they look a tad unnappetising.

[ - said while he circles them to the opposite side, sizing up the remaining puddings for aiming the next turn. ]

[songbird_slayer]

Then it is a mockery to dub them puddings! [One of them seemed to take offense, coming at her with a water spell akin to a sizely deluge of icy brine to the face.]

...

[Her eyes sharpened. This one, then. She clenched a hand and a surge of power flowed through her. With a dualcast, she readied a pair of thunder spells to set upon the offending beast. It was almost time... she could sense the keening of her blade, slowly imbuing with red magic.]

G 1/2

[mech_and_mutt]

[Just what he needed- the extravagantly-prepared comforts of home! Heck, a set of a devil's horns and tail wouldn't even make rank on the list of the strangest things he's seen today. Don't mind him if he sidles on up and pops a coin onto the countertop.]

Y'got devil's food cake?

2/2

[mech_and_mutt]

[Wait a doggone MINUTE maybe he should rephrase that]

--CHOCOLATE! Chocolate cake. That's what I want.

[songbird_slayer]

[The very best sound, gold on the wood. Though it was more enjoyable to hear the occasional customer trip over their words. How sweet of him, fighting to keep from causing offense.]

Tempting, but I opted for red velvet and chocolate cakes on offer today. May I interest in something as red as you, dear?

[mech_and_mutt]

[...Well, that went a little better than expected.]

Red velvet? Never had it-- I always bought a bunch'a chocolate croissants from the bakery. Ain't that stuff real fancy?

[songbird_slayer]

That all depends on who you ask. It's all in the cocoa, dear- if it hasn't been fiddled with, it turns a lovely red color in response to its neighboring ingredients. Some would use the juice of beets or even food dye to achieve the same effect.

The top is cream cheese icing.

[She then took a small plate, cut a slice and divvied it up into bite-sized portions. One was offered to him.]

Here- try this on for size and tell me what you think.

[mech_and_mutt]

I get it- so it's the good stuff. The real stuff.

[And out comes a slab. He tries not to salivate too hard at a just a glance, but still can't chomp down on it fast enough. A free cake sample? What kind of sick weirdo would he have to be to turn THAT down?

...But his look went from curiosity to being almost aglow with ravenous satisfaction once the flavor had actually sunken in.]

OH, that's GOOD. That's the one I'll be havin'. You one'a those Gourmands I hear about?

[songbird_slayer]

Oh, no, though I gave it some thought. I learned of eating monsters among guild members and decided that was a little beyond my scope of comfort. 'Tis a hobby.

[She turned to prepare a slice for him.]

So, that'll be 5 gil, and you get your choice of a cup of coffee or tea with it. Are you staying or do you need to make a dash?

[mech_and_mutt]

...eating monsters. [Ugh, he was worried that those rumors were just an exaggeration, but now he was just trying his hardest NOT to picture how that would have to look. Think of a nice field of flowers, Red. In the end, he popped his gil on the table and quickly changed the subject.] Coffee, please. Extra cream. And I've got time to take a seat.

So you're not from around here, either?

[songbird_slayer]

Oh, no... I'm not exactly from anywhere. My family had itchy feet in the day to day. Oh, but I can't say I've seen anyone look quite like you!

[A warmed mug and saucer, and she slipped her prehensile tail around the kettle of coffee to bring it over. She absently poured into the mug with it, leaving extra room while her hands busied with filling the little porcelain pitcher with cream. Once finished, she passed them along to him before collecting the gil for deposit.]

Sugar's on the table, dear. Please take your time and enjoy.

[mech_and_mutt]

I get that. The only place I call 'home' is an airship that hops from place to place all the time. There's somethin' to be said for--

[...Red's left staring, immobilized, bone nearly falling out of his mouth as she lifts up the kettle by her tail. He even glances back to his own and gives it a quick swish side-to-side... nope, not even close.]

How long'd it take you to perfect that trick??

G

[notovelia]

[Ovelia finds herself drawn to the bakery by the heavenly scents, not immediately noticing the baker in her initial scan of the delicacies on display. In spite of her high status at home, she had spent much of her time in monasteries with tutors who expected her to eschew worldly excesses.

Oh, how she wants to sample these wares. She reaches for her purse with her meager coins she has managed to earn.]

I would like to try one of your cakes. [she says, turning in the direction of the greeting she'd heard.]

Oh! [Her first irrational fear is that the monks were right and this devil had been summoned when she had fallen to the temptation of dessert. But no, though devilish, the lady-baker looks too kind to be here for such sinister purposes. She starts again, hesitantly.]

Could I... make a purchase?

[songbird_slayer]

[If she won a gil for every time something like this happened, she'd be playing a golden lute... even if that would only make the music terrible. Still, she only smiled with the surprise, if anything because the woman hadn't grabbed the torch and pitchfork.

With a flourish to her display case, she laughed quietly.]

You certainly can, but I understand you'd like to try something first? I'm more than happy to offer a sample. I've opera cake today, with almond and coffee whipped right in, and I've also the "black & white" buttercream cake and souffle cheesecake. A little something for everybody.

[notovelia]

[The showman's flourish she uses helps put Ovelia's fears to rest, as does the offer of desserts. She gazes as the assortment, not knowing which to choose.]

They are all so lovely. Do you make all of the sweets here? [She does not know coffee and has never sampled a buttercream, so she chooses the treat she thinks sounds the most elegant.]

An opera cake, if I might. [She requests.]

[songbird_slayer]

I do! They're recipes picked up through my travels. I've been to so many places, it got a little hard not to let a little moss stick to the rolling stone, as it were.

[One taste of the opera! With one slice already prepared, it was simple enough to take a bit with a fork on a plate, offering it to her.]

It helps clear my mind in some cases... it's relaxing to hear the tap against the bowl with your whisk, or filling your space with the aroma of baking apples or warming butter.

In many ways, it smells of... home, in an abstract sense.

[notovelia]

[Ovelia sighs over her little morsel.]

That sounds wonderful. To have seen so many places, and to have something that reminds you of your home.

[She looks down at her hands,a little self-consciously.] I wonder if it is too late for me to learn, now that I am allowed. I don't imagine I could have a talent like yours, but...if it is as you describe, I think I shall endeavor to try.

[songbird_slayer]

[She canted her head and smiled.]

It's never too late, dear. In fact, I would be happy to teach you! Even if you burn eggs.

Well- We would start with them, really.