[X] Agree with Chirithy. It was just a nightmare. Just some bad sausages or nerves or you're coming down with something unrelated or something. Nightmares don't have to mean anything. Sometimes they're just nightmares. You need to focus up, let it fade, and make sure your first day solo works.
[X] Confide in Ephemer. Ramble off as many details as you can rememberas comprehensive as you can get while it's still relatively fresh in your mind. You have to make him understand why it terrified you, however crazy it makes you sound he has to understand why it knocked you off-balance like this, right?
[X] Confide in Ephemer. Ramble off as many details as you can rememberas comprehensive as you can get while it's still relatively fresh in your mind. You have to make him understand why it terrified you, however crazy it makes you sound he has to understand why it knocked you off-balance like this, right?
[X] Agree with Chirithy. It was just a nightmare. Just some bad sausages or nerves or you're coming down with something unrelated or something. Nightmares don't have to mean anything. Sometimes they're just nightmares. You need to focus up, let it fade, and make sure your first day solo works.
[X] Confide in Ephemer. Ramble off as many details as you can rememberas comprehensive as you can get while it's still relatively fresh in your mind. You have to make him understand why it terrified you, however crazy it makes you sound he has to understand why it knocked you off-balance like this, right?
Ephemer is the best possible person to talk to about this.
[X] Confide in Ephemer. Ramble off as many details as you can rememberas comprehensive as you can get while it's still relatively fresh in your mind. You have to make him understand why it terrified you, however crazy it makes you sound he has to understand why it knocked you off-balance like this, right?
[X] Confide in Ephemer. Ramble off as many details as you can rememberas comprehensive as you can get while it's still relatively fresh in your mind. You have to make him understand why it terrified you, however crazy it makes you sound he has to understand why it knocked you off-balance like this, right?
[X] Agree with Chirithy. It was just a nightmare. Just some bad sausages or nerves or you're coming down with something unrelated or something. Nightmares don't have to mean anything. Sometimes they're just nightmares. You need to focus up, let it fade, and make sure your first day solo works.
[X] Confide in Ephemer. Ramble off as many details as you can rememberas comprehensive as you can get while it's still relatively fresh in your mind. You have to make him understand why it terrified you, however crazy it makes you sound he has to understand why it knocked you off-balance like this, right?
You can't just push this down and away. It felt so real. You've had nightmares before but none- never anything like that. The same manic energy that set your heart fluttering in your chest forces you to explain so that at least someone will share this knowledge.
"I was in this- like a graveyard," you babble, raking your fingers through your hair. "Not a graveyard-graveyard I mean it was like a desert o-or a mesa or something, nothing growing at all, but everyone's Keyblades were just lying there in the ground cold and I felt weird like- like there was something wrong with me like I was sick or something and I was in Anguis armour and I couldn't breathe or speak and I tried to get the helmet off and-"
You unconsciously clutch at your throat, nails pressing through your gloves to rake the soft skin. Chirithy presses a paw to your forearm and pushes down, guiding your hands into your lap. Your shoulders slump. You catch Ephemer and Chirithy sharing a glance in your peripheral vision. Your breath hitches - on top of everything else you just feel ashamed, for falling asleep in the first place and being so rattled by this stupid nightmare and for worrying Chirithy and Ephemer on top of that. Chirithy hops closer, sandwiching your closer hand between their paws.
"It just- just feels like it's important, y'know?" you say hesitantly. "Like a normal dream wouldn't be that... vivid. Help me out here, Chirithy. What happened?"
Chirithy sighs softly, patting the back of your hand. "It was a nightmare, Aevum," they say. "Nothing more. I'm sorry, this is my fault. I should've reminded you to get back to bed sooner. Or let you sleep in."
"Company," Ephemer interjects, glancing over the top of your head and nodding. You chance a quick look over your shoulder - another pair entering the plaza and making a beeline for the notice boards, no doubt fresh and ready for another day on the job. You turn back and Ephemer's looking at you. "Wanna take a second, find some shade?"
"(Yeah.)"
You hold your arms out cupped and Chirithy hops into the offered seat, a warm and soft-furred weight against your chest as you follow Ephemer away from the plaza. You take a left, a right, another left, and before you know it you're at a green spot you've never seen before. Hemmed in on three sides by multi-storey buildings, verdant green creeper pouring from the windows like waterfalls frozen in time. In the middle of it all a single tree and a square patch of grass, an oasis surrounded by pavement on all sides. You sit down against the trunk, careful not to jostle Chirithy. Their big, round head rests against your sternum, listening to your heart as its frantic beat gradually slows. Ephemer stays standing, leaning against the tree beside you. You still feel... wrung out, somehow. Like a hand-towel twisted too tight, limp and haggard as it's draped over a railing to recover. Chirithy finally lifts their head.
"Oh, shoot," they grumble. "We didn't stop and pick up anything to eat before we left, did we? I bet that's the problem! All these nerves on an empty stomach!" They look up at Ephemer. "Did you?"
He shrugs. "I could eat."
"Now we'll never beat the rush," you point out weakly.
"Y'know this isn't the only day we'll have missions, right?" Ephemer replies. "They won't all be like this."
You somewhat reluctantly let Chirithy go, and they join Ephemer's to hurry off in search of sustenance. Silence falls in their absence, broken only by the rustle of leaves above you as whatever errant zephyrs of wind manage to reach all the way here affectionately tousle the boughs. If you strain your ears you can hear the others gathering in the plaza, a dull roar steadily growing louder by sheer volume, but you try not to. It's quiet here. Even when the Chirithies return with more drinks (coffee for him, hot chocolate for you, but you know he likes his on the milky-sweet side) and sandwiches there's just a few murmured thanks and the sounds of eating. You smile slightly - Chirithy might've been onto something. You do feel better now, if only a little.
"I um," you say, belatedly breaking the silence, "I'm not normally this much of a bag of nerves after a bad dream, promise."
"I believe you," he replies. "And I mean... not like it's your fault what happens when you're asleep, right?"
"I guess." You clutch your rubbish close, crinkling the little brown paper bag up into a ball against the cup. "Um. I think I feel better now."
He looks down at you, and smiles. "You look it."
"Ready to go save the worlds from the endless tides of darkness?" you ask.
"When I finish my latte."
You return together, but bid each other farewell almost the moment you set foot in the plaza. The Union Cross mission used the general announcement noticeboard at the far end but for solo and high-rank missions each Union has their own, complete with heraldic badge stamped high enough to be visible to all over the sea of heads. The dull roar isn't so dull any more, Keyblade-wielders chatting away excitedly among their Unions and excitedly jostling for position just in case they get the chance to snag a rarer, more lucrative mission. You overhear more than one argument about turf, with Chirithies comparing notes atop the shoulders of their masters. People leave in ones and twos and threes in a near constant stream only to be replaced by newcomers just as quickly, some going somewhere quieter to hop to the world in question while others just summon their Keyblades and blast a hole in the thin skin between your world and the one they desire right there in the plaza - the strobing blue-white light and constant crackling don't help the atmosphere much. You shuffle and slink your way in close, keeping your shoulders on a swivel to more easily slice through the crowd. Chirithy appears pressed against your ear with a dull poff.
"I've got your world-list here!" Chirithy says directly into your ear, supporting their weight with one paw against your temple as they dig through their purse with the other. Paper rustles and crinkles close enough to be audible even over the din. "Aha, here we go. 'La Cite De Cloches', 'Prydain' and 'Paradise Falls' are on-limits for you at the moment - ring any bells?"
"The first one, kind of," you reply.
Chirithy chuckles despite themself. "I mean it!" they protest a moment later. "They discover new worlds all the time - who knows? Maybe Foreteller Invi was so happy about your letter that she let you explore worlds nobody else has been allowed to set foot in? You could be a pioneer! Granted it means you can't ask your friends for advice but it could be exciting!"
With a few muttered apologies you finally manage to shuffle into a spot where you can adequately scan the board.
"Aaaaand someone took your mission in the first world," Chirithy finishes, slumping against your ear. "Oh boy."
"I still have the other two!" you say with a strained sense of optimism, pointing them out. Your muscles flex a little harder under the added weight as Chirithy takes that opportunity to shimmy down your arm like a tree branch for a closer look.
"Hmmmmmm," they muse, very thoughtful and wise. They glance back at you. "If you want to impress the Foreteller, there's two things you need to look out for - something difficult and impressive, or something you're confident you can do super good. Or both! But you should use your own judgement - which one d'you think for today?"
[ ] La Cite De Cloches. Unavailable. Looks like you'll need to see the city of bells another day.
[ ] Prydain. According to the briefing, preliminary intelligence suggests that the world contains an artefact similar in nature to the Books of Prophecy themselves. Your mission is to retrive this artefact for further study - or, should that not be possible, learn all you can about it.
[ ] Paradise Falls. According to the briefing, reports have trickled in that some kind of adventurer or explorer has taken up residence in this world. Some of them even say that he is a world-traveller himself, though there has been no solid proof yet. Your mission is to learn all you can about this man, and discover if there is any truth to the impossible breadth of his travels.
Adhoc vote count started by ZerbanDaGreat on Feb 22, 2019 at 7:20 PM, finished with 23 posts and 20 votes.
[X] Prydain. According to the briefing, preliminary intelligence suggests that the world contains an artefact similar in nature to the Books of Prophecy themselves. Your mission is to retrive this artefact for further study - or, should that not be possible, learn all you can about it.
[X] Paradise Falls. According to the briefing, reports have trickled in that some kind of adventurer or explorer has taken up residence in this world. Some of them even say that he is a world-traveller himself, though there has been no solid proof yet. Your mission is to learn all you can about this man, and discover if there is any truth to the impossible breadth of his travels.
Adhoc vote count started by ZerbanDaGreat on Feb 24, 2019 at 6:04 AM, finished with 27 posts and 24 votes.
[X] Prydain. According to the briefing, preliminary intelligence suggests that the world contains an artefact similar in nature to the Books of Prophecy themselves. Your mission is to retrive this artefact for further study - or, should that not be possible, learn all you can about it.
[X] Paradise Falls. According to the briefing, reports have trickled in that some kind of adventurer or explorer has taken up residence in this world. Some of them even say that he is a world-traveller himself, though there has been no solid proof yet. Your mission is to learn all you can about this man, and discover if there is any truth to the impossible breadth of his travels.
[X] Prydain. According to the briefing, preliminary intelligence suggests that the world contains an artefact similar in nature to the Books of Prophecy themselves. Your mission is to retrieve this artefact for further study - or, should that not be possible, learn all you can about it.
Adhoc vote count started by ZerbanDaGreat on Feb 24, 2019 at 8:22 AM, finished with 28 posts and 25 votes.
[X] Prydain. According to the briefing, preliminary intelligence suggests that the world contains an artefact similar in nature to the Books of Prophecy themselves. Your mission is to retrive this artefact for further study - or, should that not be possible, learn all you can about it.
[X] Paradise Falls. According to the briefing, reports have trickled in that some kind of adventurer or explorer has taken up residence in this world. Some of them even say that he is a world-traveller himself, though there has been no solid proof yet. Your mission is to learn all you can about this man, and discover if there is any truth to the impossible breadth of his travels.
[X] Prydain. According to the briefing, preliminary intelligence suggests that the world contains an artefact similar in nature to the Books of Prophecy themselves. Your mission is to retrieve this artefact for further study - or, should that not be possible, learn all you can about it.
[X] Paradise Falls. According to the briefing, reports have trickled in that some kind of adventurer or explorer has taken up residence in this world. Some of them even say that he is a world-traveller himself, though there has been no solid proof yet. Your mission is to learn all you can about this man, and discover if there is any truth to the impossible breadth of his travels.
You can't just push this down and away. It felt so real. You've had nightmares before but none- never anything like that. The same manic energy that set your heart fluttering in your chest forces you to explain so that at least someone will share this knowledge.
"I was in this- like a graveyard," you babble, raking your fingers through your hair. "Not a graveyard-graveyard I mean it was like a desert o-or a mesa or something, nothing growing at all, but everyone's Keyblades were just lying there in the ground cold and I felt weird like- like there was something wrong with me like I was sick or something and I was in Anguis armour and I couldn't breathe or speak and I tried to get the helmet off and-"
You unconsciously clutch at your throat, nails pressing through your gloves to rake the soft skin. Chirithy presses a paw to your forearm and pushes down, guiding your hands into your lap. Your shoulders slump. You catch Ephemer and Chirithy sharing a glance in your peripheral vision. Your breath hitches - on top of everything else you just feel ashamed, for falling asleep in the first place and being so rattled by this stupid nightmare and for worrying Chirithy and Ephemer on top of that. Chirithy hops closer, sandwiching your closer hand between their paws.
"It just- just feels like it's important, y'know?" you say hesitantly. "Like a normal dream wouldn't be that... vivid. Help me out here, Chirithy. What happened?"
Chirithy sighs softly, patting the back of your hand. "It was a nightmare, Aevum," they say. "Nothing more. I'm sorry, this is my fault. I should've reminded you to get back to bed sooner. Or let you sleep in."
"Company," Ephemer interjects, glancing over the top of your head and nodding. You chance a quick look over your shoulder - another pair entering the plaza and making a beeline for the notice boards, no doubt fresh and ready for another day on the job. You turn back and Ephemer's looking at you. "Wanna take a second, find some shade?"
"(Yeah.)"
You hold your arms out cupped and Chirithy hops into the offered seat, a warm and soft-furred weight against your chest as you follow Ephemer away from the plaza. You take a left, a right, another left, and before you know it you're at a green spot you've never seen before. Hemmed in on three sides by multi-storey buildings, verdant green creeper pouring from the windows like waterfalls frozen in time. In the middle of it all a single tree and a square patch of grass, an oasis surrounded by pavement on all sides. You sit down against the trunk, careful not to jostle Chirithy. Their big, round head rests against your sternum, listening to your heart as its frantic beat gradually slows. Ephemer stays standing, leaning against the tree beside you. You still feel... wrung out, somehow. Like a hand-towel twisted too tight, limp and haggard as it's draped over a railing to recover. Chirithy finally lifts their head.
"Oh, shoot," they grumble. "We didn't stop and pick up anything to eat before we left, did we? I bet that's the problem! All these nerves on an empty stomach!" They look up at Ephemer. "Did you?"
He shrugs. "I could eat."
"Now we'll never beat the rush," you point out weakly.
"Y'know this isn't the only day we'll have missions, right?" Ephemer replies. "They won't all be like this."
You somewhat reluctantly let Chirithy go, and they join Ephemer's to hurry off in search of sustenance. Silence falls in their absence, broken only by the rustle of leaves above you as whatever errant zephyrs of wind manage to reach all the way here affectionately tousle the boughs. If you strain your ears you can hear the others gathering in the plaza, a dull roar steadily growing louder by sheer volume, but you try not to. It's quiet here. Even when the Chirithies return with more drinks (coffee for him, hot chocolate for you, but you know he likes his on the milky-sweet side) and sandwiches there's just a few murmured thanks and the sounds of eating. You smile slightly - Chirithy might've been onto something. You do feel better now, if only a little.
"I um," you say, belatedly breaking the silence, "I'm not normally this much of a bag of nerves after a bad dream, promise."
"I believe you," he replies. "And I mean... not like it's your fault what happens when you're asleep, right?"
"I guess." You clutch your rubbish close, crinkling the little brown paper bag up into a ball against the cup. "Um. I think I feel better now."
He looks down at you, and smiles. "You look it."
"Ready to go save the worlds from the endless tides of darkness?" you ask.
"When I finish my latte."
You return together, but bid each other farewell almost the moment you set foot in the plaza. The Union Cross mission used the general announcement noticeboard at the far end but for solo and high-rank missions each Union has their own, complete with heraldic badge stamped high enough to be visible to all over the sea of heads. The dull roar isn't so dull any more, Keyblade-wielders chatting away excitedly among their Unions and excitedly jostling for position just in case they get the chance to snag a rarer, more lucrative mission. You overhear more than one argument about turf, with Chirithies comparing notes atop the shoulders of their masters. People leave in ones and twos and threes in a near constant stream only to be replaced by newcomers just as quickly, some going somewhere quieter to hop to the world in question while others just summon their Keyblades and blast a hole in the thin skin between your world and the one they desire right there in the plaza - the strobing blue-white light and constant crackling don't help the atmosphere much. You shuffle and slink your way in close, keeping your shoulders on a swivel to more easily slice through the crowd. Chirithy appears pressed against your ear with a dull poff.
"I've got your world-list here!" Chirithy says directly into your ear, supporting their weight with one paw against your temple as they dig through their purse with the other. Paper rustles and crinkles close enough to be audible even over the din. "Aha, here we go. 'La Cite De Cloches', 'Prydain' and 'Paradise Falls' are on-limits for you at the moment - ring any bells?"
"The first one, kind of," you reply.
Chirithy chuckles despite themself. "I mean it!" they protest a moment later. "They discover new worlds all the time - who knows? Maybe Foreteller Invi was so happy about your letter that she let you explore worlds nobody else has been allowed to set foot in? You could be a pioneer! Granted it means you can't ask your friends for advice but it could be exciting!"
With a few muttered apologies you finally manage to shuffle into a spot where you can adequately scan the board.
"Aaaaand someone took your mission in the first world," Chirithy finishes, slumping against your ear. "Oh boy."
"I still have the other two!" you say with a strained sense of optimism, pointing them out. Your muscles flex a little harder under the added weight as Chirithy takes that opportunity to shimmy down your arm like a tree branch for a closer look.
"Hmmmmmm," they muse, very thoughtful and wise. They glance back at you. "If you want to impress the Foreteller, there's two things you need to look out for - something difficult and impressive, or something you're confident you can do super good. Or both! But you should use your own judgement - which one d'you think for today?"
[ ] La Cite De Cloches. Unavailable. Looks like you'll need to see the city of bells another day.
[ ] Prydain. According to the briefing, preliminary intelligence suggests that the world contains an artefact similar in nature to the Books of Prophecy themselves. Your mission is to retrive this artefact for further study - or, should that not be possible, learn all you can about it.
[ ] Paradise Falls. According to the briefing, reports have trickled in that some kind of adventurer or explorer has taken up residence in this world. Some of them even say that he is a world-traveller himself, though there has been no solid proof yet. Your mission is to learn all you can about this man, and discover if there is any truth to the impossible breadth of his travels.
Ephemer and Chirithy continue to be great. Also, Sword in the Stone(?) and Up as worlds? Neat.
[X] Prydain. According to the briefing, preliminary intelligence suggests that the world contains an artefact similar in nature to the Books of Prophecy themselves. Your mission is to retrive this artefact for further study - or, should that not be possible, learn all you can about it.
[X ] Prydain. According to the briefing, preliminary intelligence suggests that the world contains an artefact similar in nature to the Books of Prophecy themselves. Your mission is to retrive this artefact for further study - or, should that not be possible, learn all you can about it.
[X] Prydain. According to the briefing, preliminary intelligence suggests that the world contains an artefact similar in nature to the Books of Prophecy themselves. Your mission is to retrive this artefact for further study - or, should that not be possible, learn all you can about it.
[X] Prydain. According to the briefing, preliminary intelligence suggests that the world contains an artefact similar in nature to the Books of Prophecy themselves. Your mission is to retrive this artefact for further study - or, should that not be possible, learn all you can about it.
[X] Prydain. According to the briefing, preliminary intelligence suggests that the world contains an artefact similar in nature to the Books of Prophecy themselves. Your mission is to retrive this artefact for further study - or, should that not be possible, learn all you can about it.
[X] Paradise Falls. According to the briefing, reports have trickled in that some kind of adventurer or explorer has taken up residence in this world. Some of them even say that he is a world-traveller himself, though there has been no solid proof yet. Your mission is to learn all you can about this man, and discover if there is any truth to the impossible breadth of his travels.
[x] Prydain. According to the briefing, preliminary intelligence suggests that the world contains an artefact similar in nature to the Books of Prophecy themselves. Your mission is to retrive this artefact for further study - or, should that not be possible, learn all you can about it.
[X] Paradise Falls. According to the briefing, reports have trickled in that some kind of adventurer or explorer has taken up residence in this world. Some of them even say that he is a world-traveller himself, though there has been no solid proof yet. Your mission is to learn all you can about this man, and discover if there is any truth to the impossible breadth of his travels.
[X] Paradise Falls. According to the briefing, reports have trickled in that some kind of adventurer or explorer has taken up residence in this world. Some of them even say that he is a world-traveller himself, though there has been no solid proof yet. Your mission is to learn all you can about this man, and discover if there is any truth to the impossible breadth of his travels.
[x] Prydain. According to the briefing, preliminary intelligence suggests that the world contains an artefact similar in nature to the Books of Prophecy themselves. Your mission is to retrive this artefact for further study - or, should that not be possible, learn all you can about it.
[X] Paradise Falls. According to the briefing, reports have trickled in that some kind of adventurer or explorer has taken up residence in this world. Some of them even say that he is a world-traveller himself, though there has been no solid proof yet. Your mission is to learn all you can about this man, and discover if there is any truth to the impossible breadth of his travels.
[X] Paradise Falls. According to the briefing, reports have trickled in that some kind of adventurer or explorer has taken up residence in this world. Some of them even say that he is a world-traveller himself, though there has been no solid proof yet. Your mission is to learn all you can about this man, and discover if there is any truth to the impossible breadth of his travels.
[X] Prydain. According to the briefing, preliminary intelligence suggests that the world contains an artefact similar in nature to the Books of Prophecy themselves. Your mission is to retrive this artefact for further study - or, should that not be possible, learn all you can about it.
Disney will never acknowledge that the Black Cauldron existed and was a super good, but Zerban can. .-.
