"The Prima Vista isn't the fastest airship, but she's lovely isn't she?" Ruby said as she gave you the tour. Zidane was going to give you a tour, but Ruby insisted on coming along and (very casually) deflecting all of his flirts.
"I noticed you use the deck as the stage. You're not going to bring the airship into Midgar, are you?" You asked
"Oh I'd love to, but apparently the air around Midgar doesn't play nice with mist engines. A short fly-through might be fine but parking there for a show... we'll have to park a few miles away, but don't you worry hon, we'll perform one way or another."
Your conversation is interrupted by a rustling sound, which makes Ruby frown and creep closer to a stack of stage props. She quietly grabbed the tarp over the stack, and gave it a strong tug.
The stack toppled over with a loud clatter, causing the stowaway inside to shriek in surprise as she tumbled forward, landing flat on her face. It took you a moment to recognize the brown bodice and flowy orange skirt. "You're the dancer from Cleyra!"
"Oww…" she complained, slowly sitting up and rubbing her head.
"What's going on here?" Baku demanded, stomping down the stairs. Marcus and Blank were right behind him, while Zidane and Cinna walked in from further belowdecks.
"We've got a cute little stowaway," Ruby reported.
The dancer laughed nervously. "Um… I can explain?"
"Go on then. Start with your name, and why you're here." Baku pressed, glaring at her.
She gulped nervously. "My name is Agnea and I'm here because I had a dream about you!" She turned to look at you.
"… What?" You tilt your head in confusion.
"Oh gosh, that probably sounds weird. I didn't mean it like that, it wasn't a weird dream it was a scary dream. You weren't the scary part of the dream though-"
"Sweetie, can you do me a favor and calm down? None of us are gonna hurt you." Ruby soothed. Agnea took a deep breath and calmed a little. "There's a good lass, now start from the beginning."
Agnea turned back to you "I saw you at the dance in Cleyra, in the crowd. I didn't think anything of it at the time, I was busy dancing at the festival. Afterwards, I was tired so I went to bed early, and that night I had a dream. There was this… thing that called itself Chaos."
"You saw it too?" You blurt out in surprise.
Agnea nodded "I saw you and your friends standing in his way. I felt like I had stumbled into one of those stories about Aelfric defending the world from demons. After I woke up that morning I tried to find you, but you had already left. So… I went looking for you. I want to help."
"That's great and all, how did you get on the ship!?" Baku asked.
"Oh, Zidane helped me."
The young thief, who had been trying to sneak away froze and turned to face Baku, who was glaring at him. "Oh, you know me. Saw a pretty girl in trouble and had to help her out."
"So Zidane… you're telling me that you allowed a random girl to tag along on our very important and confidential mission… because you wanted to flirt with her." Baku had his arms crossed, the perfect picture of a stern father.
Zidane hesitated for a few moments, clearly trying to find a way to spin his answer before he bluntly said, "Yes."
Baku punched Zidane in the mouth.
Turning away from the violence, you hold out your hand. "Let's try this again. I'm Aerith Gainsborough, it's nice to meet you."
"Agnea Bristarni." She took your hand and gave you a firm shake. "So um… what are we doing exactly?"
"The short version: Shinra is holding a princess captive, and Tantalus is going to break her out."
Agnea stared at you. "I… think I need the long story."
"In that case, how about we move this discussion to my room? I'll pour us some tea, it'll be lovely." Ruby suggested.
[Agnea joined the party!]
You had your suspicions after you bumped into Zack, but you couldn't confirm them until now. Part of you hoped you were wrong, part of you hoped you were right, and it turns out your suspicions were correct.
This wasn't Midgar as you remembered it
To be more precise, this wasn't Midgar as you left it. This was Midgar as it was several years ago. The Sector 7 Plate was still intact, the city streets were cleaner, and the decay and expanding piles of trash in the slums had yet to grow uncontrollably. Shinra still had 3 shining SOLDIER 1sts, Angeal, Genesis and…
Him.
That's not to say it was exactly how you remembered it back then either. The crowds were different, a mix of people from your world and those from others. Most members of Tantalus stood out like sore thumbs, everyone with non-human features did.
"I've secured a date for our performance," Baku announced, after only a day in Midgar. "We're being sponsored by… what's his face? Angel?"
"Angeal." You correct.
"Right, we're being sponsored by Angeal, who wants us to put on LOVELESS for one of his buddies, Genius or something"
"Genesis."
"Whatever. We have a few weeks to prepare. So I better not catch any of you slacking!"
(Note: Actions that take place in public, have a chance to attract the attention of Shinra)
[] Visit Wall Market: You know this little slice of criminality still existed even when you were a kid. As you learned during your time with Cloud, as long as you carry a weapon and stick to yourself, you'll be fine. Maybe you can get some shopping done and keep an eye on the rumor mill. (Reward: Information on the conditions in Wall Market and Midgar as a whole. The opportunity to buy illicit goods.)
[] Visit Sector 5: It's risky. There's every chance the Turks are already there looking for you, or have staked out the places you used to frequent. But you really want to check on Mom, and the Sector 5 Church is the only place you've really been able to commune with the planet in Midgar (Reward: Visit your childhood home. A chance to clear your head and commune with the planet)
[] Watch the Local News: Now, you really shouldn't trust everything Shinra says, but getting a view of what's happening inside could be valuable. (Reward: Learn the "Shinra-approved" version of the local news.)
[] Prepare for the Play: You've only really been on stage once before, so you have some experience but not a lot of experience. Baku point blank refused to let you participate unless you attended acting boot camp. [Note: Cannot be taken with "Really Prepare for the Play"] (Reward: Aerith is allowed to perform on stage)
[] Really Prepare for the Play: If you want to impress, you'll need to put in the work. Acting lessons, rehearsals, footwork, makeup, the whole package. It will be a lot of work, but if you can wow the crowd it might be worth it. [Note: Costs 2 actions. Cannot be taken with "Prepare for the Play"] (Reward: Aerith is allowed to perform on stage, and receives an additional +20 to her roll.)
[] Create a disguise: If the Turks are looking for you, they'll have an easy time finding you in public spaces, or places you frequent. Luckily Tantalus has plenty of stuff for you to use. Costumes, cosmetics, hair dye and more. (Reward: Reduce the chances that Aerith is spotted or identified by Shinra)
[] Coach the Infiltration team: You've already given them the gist of what they'll be facing, but more coaching never hurt. (Reward: Add Aerith's Intrigue modifier to the Infiltration Team's initial rolls.)
[] Bodyguard Aerith: Not technically in your mission statement but, it's something to consider. The client can't pay if she's been kidnapped or worse. (Reward: Shadow will take steps to hide and protect Aerith from Shinra. Adding his Intrigue to attempts to hide, and his Martial to attempts to fight)
[] Make Some Contacts: Wall Market sounds… interesting. Career criminals often have need of a hatchet man, and you're one of the best. (Reward: Make contacts in Wall Market)
[] Spy on Shinra: This is a different environment than what you're used to, and Aerith has gone to great lengths to illustrate the danger of the Turks. Still, more information can only be helpful. (Reward: Observe Shinra, potentially gleaning useful information)
[] Path Action: Entreat: Dancing is your life, your passion, and your career path. Any bar or inn with a stage should be willing to let you dance, and if you do it well, you'll earn some coin! (Reward: Funds, depending on how high Agnea rolls)
[] Path Action: Allure: It's honestly kind of incredible what you can get away with by being a charming young dancer. You don't like relying on this ability, but if it's for a good cause... (Reward: Angea charms a Shinra employee, granting some kind of bonus on the infiltration)
[] Dancing Lessons: LOVELESS isn't a play that really has any dancing or singing in it, but there are still scenes where footwork is important, and your voice has to carry during a play. Maybe some of your exercises will help? (Reward: Agnea applies her Diplomacy to the performance roll)
Hey so, remember how Crystals traditionally pick teams of 4? Here's your fourth! I thought it would be extremely funny if you kept missing Angea for one reason or another but, the dice let her find you. I'll get her character sheet to you when I have a chance.
