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

Castor | FFXIV (A Warrior of Light)

[littlemhigan]

[A]
[If they hadn’t been aboard a flying machine out in extradimensional space, Castor would be climbing the walls. Instead, she stalks around the observation lounge like a large and angry cat, all tense muscles and wary looks.

She’s tall and muscular, an imposing figure even in the best of moods but with her white hair free of it’s bonds and wild about her shoulders, she looks more than a little…feral.]

I don’t suppose you have any answers, hm?

[C]
[Alright, this is getting to be less terrible. The air rushing by here reminds her so very much of the skies above Dravania, and for the first time since arriving, Castor finally looks to be at ease. When she finally speaks, her tone is wistful, and perhaps a little sad. ]

What a view! I can’t wait to travel overland...It’s not often I see a place I don’t recognize.

[E+F (and maybe I)]
[ Now we’re cooking with gas. What is, after all, an Adventurer who does not adventure? With an appropriate work writ, it’s easy to requisition a chocobo and some supplies (-at least two steps too many in Castor’s own opinion, but jobs meant prestige meant gil meant freedom-), and she’s practiced enough at bird-back to be able to ponder over the map as the bird plods along.]

If I’m reading this right, the ruins we’ve been tasked to explore should be nearby. Shout if you see something neat!

[She blinks and looks up, as if realizing something.] Or vicious. Shout if you see something vicious.

E+F

[spaceforged]

[As it turns out, Shiro doesn't really get along all that well with Chocobo riding. He's gotten the gist of riding, but he doesn't like how different it feels from being a pilot. Or even driving. He had his entire focus on keeping watch on the trail when he caught that last part.

A smile curves the edges of his lips and he raises an eyebrow.] Hopefully with different words for each scenario, right?

Just make sure to do the same. We don't know what we're dealing with and taking things on alone will be too risky.

[littlemhigan]

I leave that to you. The two scenarios might not be all that different, after all.

[Castor glances over at Shiro, and frowns a little at his riding.]

Weight forward! It'll be more comfortable for both of you.

[And her gaze drifts out back to the road.] That's part of the joy of adventure though! I like the not knowing. Keeps me excited.

[spaceforged]

[He jerks at the rebuke and corrects himself. That's not something he expected. The ride feels better and he can tell the bird appreciates it. Huh.]

We can not know and still play this smart. [Smart means no need for healing and he's all for that.]

...how much do you know about riding? While we have the time I'd like to know how to do it better. [In case they need to run like their tails are on fire. He doesn't want to hurt the bird or slow her down.]

[littlemhigan]

Well of course, but being overly cautious isn't much more fun. Besides, you're a Paladin, aren't you?

[Castor steers her mount a little closer to Shiro] Spent a lot of time at home on birdback. It's not hard to get used to once you know how to do it right.

A

[dustmyboots]

Oh, answers?

[The rather manic looking jester swivels around at the question, smiling as he taps a finger to his chin.]

Do I look like an answering machine to you?

[littlemhigan]

[Castor scowls at the clown who she needs to get her clear for the week from o o p s and crosses her arms.]

You might have a few more than the wall.

[dustmyboots]

Well.

That really depends on the question~

[Excuse him while he fucks around instead of saying anything substantial. Still, he's not denying that he could give answers to something.]

[littlemhigan]

Well, at least you're dressed the part.

Alright, where are we and where did home go?

[A]

[despairing_hope]

[If Komaeda was fazed by her demeanor or forcefulness he didn't show it, instead blinking a bit before tilting his head as if looking at a small misguided child, even if the woman before him was anything but.]

Am I supposed to? I'm pretty sure most of us are lacking in them.

Ah, but in a way, I do have different answers, it depends on the questions you have.

[littlemhigan]

[The severity of Castor's stare lessens somewhat as she regards Komaeda. It wouldn't do to fly off the handle at someone his age.]

It never hurts to ask. What answers do you have?

[She's not in the mood for 20questions.]

[despairing_hope]

[Though he was definitely young he was still in his early twenties, he should be better than this.]

Well isn't that just a broad question? Should I give you dialogue choices? Real life doesn't work like a video game though, you won't get far in life if you need your options handed to you in such simple ways.

[littlemhigan]

wow called out.

[Her stare gets sharp again.]

Alright, if you'd rather play clever then where in the seven hells are we and why?

C

[warpstriking]

Seriously? Same here. Though we did most of our traveling closer to the ground.

[He can't help but be excited, even if it seems more muted than most would.]

I take it you have ships like this back home?

[littlemhigan]

Yeah! Most of them are just for cargo or people, city-to-city transport and what not but I've got a friend who owns his own...But I'm usually only on that one if its an emergency.

[Bless Cid and bless his Enterprise.]

It's peaceful up here.

[warpstriking]

Can't argue with that.

[Some tension in his shoulders seem to relax, if only just a little. Watching the sea go by below them... he almost misses the water spraying in his face on his dad's boat. Even Ignis reminding him for the umpteenth time to apply sunscreen.

(He's honestly still waiting for it... Just wait, it'll happen.)]

I honestly don't know if anyone from my kingdom owns one - only those either previous or current ties to the Empire did. None of them were as grand as this baby, though.

[littlemhigan]

[Castor can't help but snort a little as Noctis explains.] Now there's a celestial coincidence. My dear airship owning friend is a defector from our own friendly Empire. Never had much a mind for the technology behind them, but this one is certainly better looking.

[She finally glances over at Noct.] I guess you're no stranger to travel, huh?

A.

[gomu_ningen]

[The young man couldn't help but laugh, holding a hand at his stomach while his teeth flashed from the width of his open mouth. It wasn't malicious, but it did tickle him so to see someone so flustered.]

What's to be worried about? This is gonna' be an adventure! Someone like you? You don't look like you'd have a problem handling things. You must be pretty strong, huh? Why don't you sit and face things when they come? No use getting upset over what you can't control.

[littlemhigan]

[Castor has to stop and stare at the young man laughing at her. She stares. And stares. And eventually some of her anger deflates and she crosses her arms.]

It's not me I'm worried about - I can handle myself just fine. It's the people I left behind - I'm worried about them.

[gomu_ningen]

[Luffy can understand that.. to a point.]

Are your friends not strong? They can't take care of themselves?

[littlemhigan]

[Castor worries at her lip as she tries to phrase what she wants to say.]

Not to completely tear them down, but there are threats that they can't keep themselves safe from. Things they can't do. They're strong but...

E+F (And Maybe I)

[silent_princess]

V-Vicious?

[She wasn't normally the sort to be afraid of the unknown, but if this world's odd sights and documented bestiary were anything to go by.. then she had every right to be fearful of such descriptors.]

P-Perhaps we should stay together? No sense in breaking up such a fantastic bond we have here, yes?

[Zelda isn't sure if her Chocobo was simply kweeing or responding to her request, but it elicits a response from her either way. She grumpily rubs a hand on the top of her mount's head, tussling its feathers with a sigh.]

Hush you. You can easily run away on those powerful legs for yours. This girl is not as well built for escape.

[littlemhigan]

[Castor laughs as she directs her own mount a little closer to her traveling companion.]

I doubt we'll see anything that we can't take care of together. If you're concerned, just stay mounted and stay close. The only thing in this area I'm concerned about are the Malboros and we'll smell one before it sees us. Hopefully.

[It's too easy to fall back into protective patterns. It's comfortable. Castor reaches over to pet Zelda's bird as well.]

I'll get us all back home. No need to worry.

[silent_princess]

And lose the chance at gaining more knowledge about them? I.. I simply won't stay back!

[Courage was in short supply, but a thirst for knowledge? Unquenchable. She held to the dangers of a possible encounter, but thinking of how she might be able to take back pieces of a Malboro, perhaps numerous viles and samples, saddlebags filled to the brim's worth of ingredients, made her as brave as even the most fearless knight.]

Have you.. Have you encountered one before?

[littlemhigan]

Not here, but they're a noted nuisance back where I come from. [Castor can see the clever gears turning behind Zelda's eyes.] I suppose you'd like a rundown on them? Mind, my information might be no good here - Not sure how different the Malboros are, if they are at all.