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

He's happy that Noct is excited and that Ignis' state is not affecting him. He doesn't want him to stop enjoying things around him just because of what happened. It makes Ignis' lips twitch slightly as he tilts his head.

"Hmm. Are we actually in the space or just really high up in the sky?" Does space have weather? It probably does, but nothing Ignis has knowledge on.

It's the first good thing they've had in some time, other than the four of them still being alive. Not whole, but alive. That's what he chooses to focus on. He lets out a small chuckle to let Ignis know that, yes, he's still smiling. Even as he takes a few steps closer to him so he can lower his voice a little.

"Just in the sky this time," he clarifies, "I can still make out some of the treetops below. Even some things that look similar to what's on the maps they gave us."

"Us" being them and the other displaced souls who were not stuck here whether they want to be or not.

It is a good thing to focus on- Ignis would agree with that train of thought if Noctis ever voiced it. The chuckle keeps Ignis' smile remain in place.

"I hope the height is not making you dizzy," Ignis says, placing hands into his pockets. Despite Noct's abilities, he was always uncomfortable around high places.

"Only if I look directly down," he admitted openly. Which he had, for all of zero-point-five seconds to get a glimpse of what it was like down there. He'd have to admit that, despite how he could do much more damage in the air back home, it still somewhat embarrassed him. Without them as a safety net, however...

Yeah, no. He was not going to think about that. Instead joining Ignis as he rubbed the back of his neck.

"Shouldn't be long now before we're out over open water."

Heights didn't bother Ignis, but he did prefer to fight on the solid ground compared to the air. He turns towards where he heard Noct move to, brows furrowing.

"Where are we headed, exactly?" It feels weird to be the one asking about this when he's usually the guy with all the answers and having everything figured out about the trip into the tiny bits.

"One of the major cities. Didn't catch which was the first stop. Either Sparks Golsaucia or Von Oktavia." He admitted, and judging by the sun he could safely say they were headed eastward. Both were in that direction, now that they were leaving Lavode and he had his first asterisk.

"If we can't summon our weapons here, we'll have to find some other way to defend ourselves." Which meant joining the others on a journey to the guilds all across the known world. "Not to mention getting a feel for the different nations."

Figures. Well, it doesn't really matter. Ignis is still not sure if he could contribute much to the general battle, but he will be more than happy to provide tactical information, should Noctis need it.

"Have you thought about it?" Which guild to join. There isn't much Ignis can do to provide him protection right now, even when he joins one of the guilds. It will take a bit of time and extensive training to get used to it.

Whatever happens, Ignis wouldn't be alone. If the guild he decides to join doesn't help, Noctis will. Hell, Prompto probably will, too. They and the others are all they had left, and knowing now what he does...

"I have, and while I've narrowed it down some..." It's not the same. He wishes they were allowed to test the waters a bit more before making a choice other than "yes" or "no". But, he'll adapt. That's what he was good at. "You?"

Noct doesn't need to worry about it. Ignis is too stubborn to just sit aside and let "trivial" thing like loss of eyesight keep him from fulfilling his duties. He trained tooth and nail for his position, he is not going to allow himself to shirk his duties now. Not being back home is not an excuse.

"I am still looking into it. There aren't many guilds where I could fit in my current state. But I think I have an idea what I should do." It definitively won't be like back home, but it will require the same amount of practice and determination to pull through.

He isn't worried. Not more than he always is— both because of the complete absence of daylight back home Prompto mentioned, and because of, well, everything else. The offer to spar and train will be there, much like it always has been.

Noctis hums, thinking. He's pretty sure with practice Ignis would be able to do anything he found interesting. He'd been the one who found him, after all. The first familiar and friendly voice he heard in that hellhole, and here. It's more trying to convince Ignis of that, and he's more stubborn than he is at times.

"Sure you aren't overthinking it?" It's Ignis. What is he saying? "From what they described, it shouldn't be too difficult to ask about if you're curious about one of them."

And it will be always appreciated. Ignis will surely ask the Prince to practice with him, knowing that he won't go easy on him. The only thing that's crossing Ignis' mind is that he might get impatient about the training and that everything is too slow and that he isn't improving. Which could lead to different kind of problems, example complete and utter exhaustion because he doesn't know when to stop.

"It is less about being interested and more about where I can fit in. Training myself from using daggers and lances to a different type of weapon will be difficult."

Of course he won't. Though he can and will literally sit on him if he refuses to stop with words alone if he pushes himself too hard in his sight. That's the only catch.

"You know, I saw two Jobs that wield either one of those on the list." Noctis points out, before adding which ones they were. "'Ninja' and 'Dragoon' respectively." He won't lie, Ninja's one of those that has caught his attention. And if they decided to both go with that Job in particular... Well, they'd be training one Job in particular together.

That won't be too hard, especially in the beginning.

Ignis nods:"I heard people talk about the Ninja Job earlier and it got my attention. That is the one I had in mind. But I haven't heard about Dragoons. Do you know any specifics about it?" Ignis also heard that there are plenty of jobs so Noctis should definitively find the one that suits him the most. Not having their regular powers is discomfort as it is.

It's later he worries about. Especially if he ends up picking a Job he can either just jump away from any potential tackling attempts.

"Honestly, it sounds a lot like what Aranea does. Save Lancet and I've yet to see her spew fire." He'd be only a little terrified if she suddenly did. Huh... Even has a skill that shares her last name. He goes over the Job overview and its skills for him, trying to get that particular image out of his head.

It will take a while until he learns how to dodge those tackles.

"That is a positively terrifying mental image." Ignis probably ends up voicing what Noctis was thinking, but is not less amused. "Still, I think that job as a Ninja would suit my previous skills better."

It will, and he'll have to make sure to keep him guessing all the longer. Change up some tactics along the way. (He's going to miss warping so much when Ignis does indeed learn how to dodge.)

Regardless, he can't help but laugh as Ignis points it out. "Yeah, no kidding. I have to admit, their parkour skill is the closest I've seen to warping. Save 'teleport', but..." There's just one problem with the second one... Illusionist. "So a visit to Tark Varentain, after we reach the next destination."

... Gods, he missed this.

"Teleport. Hmm... I wonder how disorienting that would be to use in the heat of battle. Probably a good disengage mechanic, but I don't think it would be good for the offense." He sighs, rubbing his chin, "Then again, it would probably all depend on the way you use it."

"Of course, if you decide to go with it," Ignis adds, sensing that Noctis isn't very impressed by the selection he was presented and the 'teleport' option itself.

He smiles, nodding. It feels a bit like a road trip they took. Only with ships and flying now and they don't get to steer the wheel. Maybe that's for the best. Noct is good (?) driver, but Ignis distinctly remembers that he didn't learn how to fly a plane.

"Probably, but I won't be pursuing it." Not personally, not with what the rest of the Job entails. He sighs, already scrolling through the list. "Pretty sure we've dealt with enough illusions for one lifetime. Maybe more."

He'll try not to judge anyone who does pick it up, but thanks to a certain someone... he'll trust them as far as he can throw them.

And excuse you, but he's totally a good driver! ...Except for when he speeds a little when there's no other traffic. It's more a staying focused problem than skill. Though Ignis better not say that aloud. He might already be tempted to try and learn how to fly an airship. Especially if it means they won't be tied down to scheduled flights, and maybe helping find others out there in the 'Sea.

"Couldn't agree more," Ignis confirms. He witnessed the illusions Ardyn can use, disguising himself as Gladio and trying to trick them all. He didn't have the chance to thank Ravus for seeing through the trickery.

And he is smart enough not to mention it. Driving on the land is hard enough as it is, and while there would be someone to teach Noct to command the ship in the air... he's not sure Noct could do it. What with his fear of heights. But who knows. Maybe driving the ship is different from watching the scenery and height around them.

"Is there an estimated time of our arrival?"

Whether he knows about what Ardyn did to and caused for Ignis or not, he... can't do it. To himself, or to Prompto; to even go near yet another magic similar to what his ancestor has.

There was only one way to find out, and he would more than likely try once they were more settled and could defend themselves again. Whether he'd mention it to either of them, well.... that one was up for debate.

"We're over water, now. Shouldn't be more than an hour." Where they started from had been the easternmost port of the continent they'd first been taken to when they arrived.

"An hour. That is quite a flight," Ignis muses. The more time they spend here, the more is Ignis curious about the world they are on. He should probably focus on finding out how to return back to their Star but he doubts that their ticket back would be just handed to them for free.

"Ah, what about Prompto? Did he decide about his job?" Their bright and skittish friend- Ignis wonders how is he adapting to their new surroundings. "There should be some job that can fit him." Like marksman or something. If there are Ninjas, marksmen should be standard.

"Yeah. But then, this star seems just as big as our own." Judging from the world map they received; if the measurement system wasn't much different from their own, that is. He can't help but be curious, either. Why not indulge it, considering they have no idea how to get back? Who knows, they might even find clues in the world that those at Curti Center or elsewhere can't tell them.

"Last I asked? Not yet. Though if one of them isn't Gunslinger, I'll be shocked." He's just... currently elsewhere on deck. Trying not to flip at how high up they are. No big deal.

So, the place is as big as theirs with a chance to be even bigger. A lot of things to explore and learn about. Noctis seemed to enjoy the road trip and the travel so maybe he will get to enjoy this as well. Ignis really hopes Noct will indulge his curiosity.

"Maybe the job won't go under the name of 'Gunslinger' but I am sure there will be something similar to it." Deep breaths Prompto, just deep breaths. The ship won't crash down.

The two of them and their curiosities will likely be their undoing at this rate. Still, he wouldn't trust anyone else to have his back. Especially in a strange place like this where the word 'magitek' is used for almost every bit of technology.

"No, that's- what it said on the list..." At least it's rather straightforward, he guesses. Doesn't take much of an imagination to guess what it is, that's for sure. Even so, he shrugs. "Remember anything about what they said about the place?"

Curiosity killed the cat- but satisfaction brought it back. Ignis never says no to knowledge. And, it goes without a doubt, he will always have Noct's back, no matter what comes their way.

"Really? A job tailored just for him," Ignis says with a soft chuckle. He is sure that their blond friend could learn to operate any type of unknown weapon in just a day or so. Ignis shakes his head: "Nothing specific. I suppose we will have to wait and see for ourselves."

TEST DRIVE MEME

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