OPEN ★ ARRIVAL LOG

[futurologists]

ARRIVALS ( OCT 2 ) The dragons are taken from you, sent off to a safe haven. You're back in Oska for less than a day when you hear the announcement and head to the rendezvous point. You blink, step through the portal, there's a loud crack, and... You're thrown into darkness. You taste copper and, for a moment, your ears won't stop ringing. All common side-effects of portal travel. The entire crew arrives just beyond the city gates, so you might also be feeling a little bit claustrophobic. It takes a second for the eyes to adjust, but one can make out buildings and the cobblestone beneath their feet. To the right is the Trade District, where all the vendors are gathered to sell their wares. Up ahead is the City Square, where the rest of the citizens out and about seem to be gathered. To the left of the square is the Commoners' District, and to the right of it is the Nobles' District, the two main residential areas. Further travel west will come to the outskirts, a makeshift residential area, this one densely populated with goblins. Many of the people are holding candles or lanterns. You might want to try getting your hands on one of those. If you have not already done so, your enchanted jewelry will manifest words in front of your very eyes — or sounds in your ear, if you're illiterate — asking you to identify yourself. A quick look around shows that you seem to be the only one able to see it. All you have to do is think or say how you wish to be identified. After that, you're immediately given a message. Those who participated in the dragon mission at Anwick will first receive this: We appreciate your help at Anwick. The wyrmlings will live to grow up and bring about the world's natural end. Thank you. -- ALASTAIR Afterwards, the crew will be given an abridged version of this, then told to familiarize themselves with the city and natives, report all information gathered back to ALASTAIR, and wait for further instruction. At the end of the night, wherever they may be, everyone will receive a letter with the royal seal thanking them for their efforts to end the goblins' defiance and inviting them to the Festival of Illumination on the 4th. FESTIVAL OF ILLUMINATION ( OCT 4 ) Candles are sitting on windowsills throughout the entire city, but the main event is in the city square. In the fountain float lit lotuses, and people all around are holding lanterns, waiting to light them. There's a minstrel playing songs, and several of the vendors have pulled their carts up to the square in the hopes of making a sale. Many sweets are for sale, including baked apples, gingerbread, cherry tarts, pudding, and more. There's also some drinks for sale. Some children are playing games in the corner, and others are dancing to the music or writing wishes on slips of paper to be sent into the sky with their lanterns. Everyone seems merry for once, but you'd better be careful. This is an ideal place for a pickpocket. About an hour and a half into the festival, the lanterns are sent into the sky. They're sent flying, the sky becoming filled with bright lights, until... A strong gust of wind sends all the lights out. At least, you think it was a gust of wind. What else could have done that? On closer inspection, however, you'll see that even the candles sitting on windowsills inside have gone out. For a minute or so, there's only darkness and chaos. Suddenly, the flames begin to burn again, revealing a message in the cobblestone in the center of the square. It almost looks as if it's been burned into the ground: IT IS COMING, followed by a symbol of a creature with a lion's head, goat's body, and serpent's tail. [MOD NOTE: This is a catch-all log for the first few days. For the sake of organization, all arrival threads should be posted under the subheader ARRIVALS and all festival threads should be posted under FESTIVAL. Threads that don't fall under either of those categories can be top-levels. Also, please remember to add your character's tag to the post! Thank you, and have fun!]

Comments

[birthbysleep]

[ Probably?? ]

Of course, take your time. [ She laughs a little, knowing she'll be stationed in this place for a while. More than a minute. She tilts her head, judging his uniform. ] I'm guessing you're ALASTAIR, too?

[viscontree]

[He nods to Aqua.]

Yes, you're correct. I'm a member of ALASTAIR. Since you're familiar with it I assume you're working for them as well. What do you think of everything that's happened so far?

[birthbysleep]

Please, call me Aqua.

I'm afraid I don't have a lot at this point, but from first glance it looks at though this town isn't suffering from external threats only.

[viscontree]

Alright then, Aqua.

It would appear to be that way. We would need a more thorough investigation to find out what's going on in detail. Would you like to cooperate with me for the time being? [The more allies the better...honestly. He'd like to work with this girl if he can help it. Aqua's pretty friendly.]

My name is Julius Visconti.

[birthbysleep]

[ She's the epitome of friendly, Julius doesn't have to work too hard to strike up this alliance. ]

I'd be happy to, Julius! Admittedly, I'm a little unsure in where we should be focusing on first. Do you have any ideas?

[viscontree]

Thanks. [He definitely sounds happy, but his expression is stoic as ever.]

We should speak with other members of ALASTAIR first. I believe that we'll be in a better position if we can get everyone on the same page.

There's plenty of time for that as well. [They've got this.]

As for the rest...we can figure it out as we go along. I'm looking forward to working with you.

[birthbysleep]

I hope it goes easy enough. The briefing sure didn't give us a lot of detail... I suppose it's our job to fill in the blanks.

[ Well, at least she's making new friends here. ] Do you mind if I ask what you do in your world? [ It's asked out of curiosity only, she has no reason to doubt his qualifications or anything of the sort. ]

[viscontree]

I don't mind your inquiry at all. Back in my world I was formerly the captain of a special forces military group known as Blood. [He had to quit for personal reasons, but you get the idea.]

Although I suppose you could say that I'm more or less accustomed to these sorts of situations. Do you have experience in combat, Aqua?

[birthbysleep]

Yes, you do seem quite comfortable about this mission. [ She would have guessed that he had some sort of background in these things.

As for his question, she nods positively. ] I've trained since I was young, and I've been fighting for a lot longer. Although, you could say I'm more efficient in magic than direct combat.

[ Not to take anything away from her raw skill either. She is a certified Keyblade Master, after all. ]

[viscontree]

I see then. Having some experience in combat is better than nothing.

You'll be just fine if something sudden comes up. [Aqua is a skilled fighter in her own right. She's more than capable of taking care of herself. Julius is going to be relying on her in the future!]