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

[likewishes]

[ Really, that's nothing to worry about. Lelouch holds his arm out for Euphy to take. ]

One thing at a time. We can always ask around too.

[euphemia]

[ In the same fluid motion when he offers his arm does Euphy wrap her arms around his extended one. An almost natural and synced response. But her lack of preparation has not wiped the concern off her brow. If she doesn’t think things through more throughly next time, it might be their last. A quiet battle of remaining optimistic while sad for the future left her countenance alll over the place. ]

Right. Of course. We can always use more allies in the process.

[likewishes]

[ "More allies." Good thing he is in perfect control of his expressions. Lelouch doesn't actually like the idea of seeking people out and relying on their talents or lack thereof. He needs more time to access who could possibly be an advantage for them.

Knowing Euphy though... She'll find someone to drag along with them soon enough. ]

When you meet someone you want to come with us, you'll let me know?

[euphemia]

You will be the first to know. [ She smiles. The meeting others part just as exciting as her new job. So much to learn and not enough time. ] Did you know they have jobs that are supposed to be Knights? [ Not just a random thought... ]

[likewishes]

[ Well there's that at least. Now Lelouch will at least be able to threaten observe any of Euphy's "new friends" that she might make. Will make. ]

Knights? [ Yeah no way that's a random thought. It's crossed his mind as well. ] Paladins and Dark Knights, if I remember correctly. I don't think they'll be anything like ours back home.

[ So why bring it up? ]

[euphemia]

Mn. [ Why indeed. She needed a bit to work up the courage but it eventually comes out. When last he was mentioned... ]

Do you think ... that maybe—ah ... [ Trying to get it out was the tricky part, however. The name alone twisting her lips into a frown. ]

[likewishes]

[ Lelouch has an idea who she might be referring to. And it makes sense. ]

He could show up, Euphy. You never know.

[ That is a tricky subject for Lelouch. Suzaku showing up could be problematic. Or it could be a blessing. It all depends upon the when. ]

[euphemia]

[ He knew. Of course he did. She wasn’t as skilled as he was with hiding her feelings or thoughts. A constant open book she was when in his company. Surprised at first, the thought of Suzaku being here does return her smile. A small and quiet one at the thought of him here, but it fades when she realizes how selfish that might be. After all, he had a duty to serve there. Was it right to want him here?

She doesn’t answer. Hearing that’s it’s a possibility is enough. One she will fight with herself on whether it’s right to wish it. ]

[likewishes]

[ Suzaku could be such an asset. A real help. But then so would Kallen. Again, it all depends upon the time they'd hail from. He knows that Euphemia holds Suzaku in high regards. Nunnally had hinted at more, but Lelouch has sort of... Ignored it.

Looking at his half-sister now, she really is an open book. Worry and guilt eat away at her. Lelouch gives her a little nudge. ]

Is that any look for a princess? You gave up any claim to the throne to make people happy, Euphy. You were ready to stay away from Nunnally and myself so that we could continue to be overlooked by the family. I think you're entitled to a selfish wish or two.

[euphemia]

[ The nudge manages to stir her from her somber thoughts and back to the present. It would be far worse if she was alone, so in the meantime, she is grateful to have at least one here. Hearing him recap her actions before their arrival here manages to wipe away some of the melancholy from her expression. But hearing another name, well. ]

Nunnally... [ Yes, now it was time to look at him and see if that name did anything. He said the name so casually, too. She has her personal quarrels to tackle, but for him to be without Nunnally...]

[likewishes]

[ She's right to look at Lelouch. His expression has gone a bit tight. It's more of a forced look of indifference that he wears. Lelouch had resolved himself to never be near his little sister again. That is the price he is to pay for all of the evil he had wrought upon their world. ]

She's better off back home.

[ Where there are people who love her and will be around her. Will support her and take care of her in his stead. This is no place for her, as pretty as it is. ]

[euphemia]

[ That's not entirely fair. She can't tell if he's bothered or merely unmoved. Somehow she suspects that his lack of emotion must have meant something. It's the only thing she can go off of.

Despondent now with memories of those long gone in their mind, she quietly joins his side as they head wherever. If they were even moving. It doesn't take long for her to finally have something to say to that. ]

It's okay to have a selfish wish or two. [ Take your own advice, Lelouch. ]

[likewishes]

[ Using his advice against him. That's cheating. He gives the princess a look, even as yes they walk towards a shop. ]

When did you get so clever?

[euphemia]

[ They could both wish for things even if they knew it was probably selfish. It was only fair they both established this! Hearing his remark brings forth a quiet smile, just enough to negate her somberness.

For now, memories were placed to the back of her mind. It was time to do some shopping. ]

[likewishes]

[ They both can, but there won't be any from Lelouch. He isn't going to allow that for himself. Just being around Euphemia is enough. He shouldn't even be allowed that. Not for the crimes he has committed and not for what he has done to her personally.

She doesn't have to know about this though. Not how he won't dare wish. So instead he focuses on the task at hand. Like approaching this shopkeeper and inquiring about the prices. ]

[euphemia]

[ This does beg the question about money overall. Gil, was it? How were they going to earn that? And the shop... so many options. It was now time to wander and read off every label while Lelouch handled 'transactions'. ]

... How will we afford any of this?

[likewishes]

[ They have a small amount to start with. It's not much but it should get them by for the time being. ]

I think there is a place where we can pick up job requests. They'll pay a reward to see them completed.

[euphemia]

We should start on that soon then. I'd like to start earning our keep as soon as possible. Especially if we want to get our own place. It will be a nice change to ... contribute in that regard. I just hope I can do it.

[likewishes]

It won't be easy but you're a determined girl. You might be able to pull it off. With a little help, of course.

[ From him, naturally. If she had been prepared to give up her title back home then she must have been prepared for all that could follow after. Meaning little to no support from anyone who isn't Cornelia. Euphemia is a stubborn girl so Lelouch isn't necessarily concerned about her being able to contribute. ]

We can work on it once we get a decent handle on these new abilities we've been given. Start small and work our way up.

[euphemia]

[ That sort of pep talk was precisely what she needed. It brightened her spirits immensely and perhaps made her a touch anxious to get started on their adventures. However, with their funds limited to what they were provided and their experience no more than beginners, patience was vital for their survival. After all, she didn't quite know everything yet. ]

What about your abilities, Lelouch? What are they like? You never did go into much detail! I'm very interested to know about your job.