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meadowlarking2020-04-22 11:35 pm
TEST DRIVE MEME 012
Welcome to the Meadowlark test drive meme! After waking up in strange and rather worrisome conditions, characters will need to begin to live their lives in this new world. All TDM threads take place after the arrival process, so please assume that the initial adjustment period has passed – in which the characters were found after being dropped off in a random part of the city and had to live in a safehouse for four days before hitting the streets. Now it's time to see the bright sights and sounds that New Amsterdam – and beyond – has to offer.
All Meadowlark test drive memes will not be game canon because of the nature of our arrival logs. Please feel free to carry on relationships that make sense, but please keep in mind that the TDM may not reflect current circumstances in game.
This will be Meadowlark's last Test Drive Meme until we hit 50 players.
NOTE: The PCs have chosen to call themselves "the Displaced," and that's become the common parlance to refer to them.
There is very little that can smooth over the experience of your arrival in this world. Coming to your senses in a van, drugged and restrained, only to be carefully helped out by the unknown guards and nurses and then abandoned in an alleyway. What comes after is relatively straightforward: you're found by others and taken back to a safehouse that is hidden under an old hover bike shop. You aren't the first group that this has happened to: there are others not from this world who have experienced the same, with no recollection of how they came here. Like you, they have few answers about what's happened to them. Maybe this knowledge brings you a growing sense of futility, or perhaps it inspires a deeper determination in you. But even as you begin to think on what to do next, life has to go on.
All of the new arrivals will be given a fake ID and a background that will lend them access to entry-level jobs. It may be overwhelming, but their fellow Displaced have found their footing enough to be able to help the newcomers. Two Morningstar agents will be around to take care of world integration and IDs – the rest will fall to the Displaced who arrived before. It would take at least a month's wages to put down a deposit on even the smallest apartment in the city, so everyone has a grace period before they have to leave the safehouse – and then some, depending on the kindness of who's running the show.
Morningstar's veteran agents will also make their purpose clear if asked: they are a group dedicated to fighting corruption and righting the wrongs of this world, though they're in the process of rebuilding the organization's branch in New Amsterdam from scratch, and they know that the people in charge of those efforts wouldn't mind a little help. It will be made expressly clear that this entire arrangement to get the Displaced situated in the world is meant to be kept a secret, and that especially includes Morningstar's assistance. Letting the world know about their involvement could cause big problems.
> EXPLORE THE CHANGES
Despite the lack of answers about why you're here, your fellow Displaced will be able to give you a rundown of the changes they've recognized in each other. Anyone who had powers before will find them gone. Anyone who was once an AI or in a completely artificial body will find that their current body is now fully human. Those with cybernetics will find that they've remained mostly untouched, though any primitive ones may be replaced with temporary ones that are improvements on the previous models.
◉ NEW ABILITIES. In the place of any powers that were lost, there is now a new power. These abilities are unique to each of the Displaced and seem to update over a certain period of time, with the changes appearing thanks to critical emotional events. One thing that's apparent is that the power seems to be linked to the Displaced individual's personality or life before this one, shaped according to who they happen to be. When this power appears, their chest glows with a blue light that shines from their sternum, and it can be triggered by anything: natural inclination or a moment of great stress. If someone's out in public when this happens, they might want to duck under cover lest the blue glow from their chest and the unusual power's appearance draws unwanted attention.
◉ EMPATHY BOND. No matter the circumstances or the conditions, every skin-to-skin touch of the Displaced triggers this empathy bond. Whether they touch hands, brush cheeks, or knock into one another on accident, they'll be met with the emotions of the person they've touched. Every instance of skin-to-skin contact will trigger an immediate empathic bond, letting you feel the other person's emotions and vise versa. While there's nothing that can be done to completely prevent this, someone can either decide to hold on and continue sharing that level of emotional intimacy, or let go and end the shockingly vulnerable exchange. If someone is particularly tactile but not fond of sharing their emotions, they might want to invest in a fashionable pair of gloves.
◉ MEMORY SHARE. Through a recent event, the Displaced unlocked the ability to share memories similarly to how they can share emotions. While unknown at first, the Displaced soon learned that they could share a memory with each other the same way they could share emotions. All they need to do is focus on a memory and touch the skin of their fellow Displaced, and then they could pass this experience along. These memories are shared through the eyes of the giver, granting the receiver a unique insight into the thoughts, feelings, and sensations during a specific moment in their life.
◉ DREAM SHARING. Once one, two, or five Displaced fall asleep, they may be able to find each other in their dreams. These dreams lead to the dreamers themselves feeling lucid and somewhat in control of their surroundings—though the control itself is ultimately dependent on the dreamer and how well they come around to understanding what's going on. Dream logic applies with the flow of time, but no one is able to spend their entire lives there. Lost powers are still gone for any of the Displaced, but they can use their dreams to practice any new ability that they've received. Memory shares and empathy bonds are just as possible within these shared dream states—if anyone doubts that another Displaced is really there, they can test the empathy bond to see if it activates.
◉ POWER SHARES AND UNIONS. The Displaced can share something of themselves with another Displaced by offering them an object that comes out of their chest. This object is meant to be symbolic of the person it comes from and significant to them in some way. When someone else takes hold of this object, they will get a sense of the owner's essence, along with temporary access to their in-game ability. Only when they give the item back do they give up the power in question. In addition, the Displaced are able to act in unison and create a fusion of their powers, making it so they can fight someone else with them at once. This ability is there from day one, but the power's ability will only ever present at its current stage.
> THE NETWORK
When the Displaced first showed up, Morningstar set up a private network for all of the Displaced to use in order to communicate. Most of the veteran Displaced are old hands at using the implant now, and will be happy to provide any necessary information on how to utilize this new tool and understand its application in daily life.
Early on, every newcomer receives access to the encrypted network, only available to you and the others like you, making contact between you easy and safe. Familiarize yourself with this network and dig in. Perhaps you're hoping to find some bigger answers, ask about the current nail polish trends in New Amsterdam, or want to play a game of "hot or not" among the Displaced.
◉ IDENTIFICATION. Everyone who gets set up with an ID gets access to Morningstar's network. In order to ensure that none of the Displaced stand out like sore thumbs, Morningstar's agents El and Gaby ensure that everyone has a name that makes it so they fit in among society. All usernames are thusly formed as firstname.lastname, with some room for creativity (Ziggy Stardust had a brief cameo, after all).
◉ PRIVATE COMMUNICATION. There are private, one-on-one modes of communication available as well, though without the security of Morningstar's encryptions, they're much less safe. You can make calls, send texts, make videos, and even interact with others in a VR simulation—however, it's made very clear that the government has a means of tracking this communication. Big brother is always watching.
The day of April 26th is known to all United Nations citizens: it's Resolution Day. To everyone around the world, it's the day when the last known AI lifeforms were completely eradicated in 2101. While some might say that it's the day that the UN claimed victory over the AI, to people the world over it's the day that humanity managed to keep themselves from being wiped out. Little will be said in detail about the holiday itself, but a remedial bit of research will cover the six-year-long Xelkoven War between humans and AI. The war itself was started when the home security unit AI Elysian killed 50 households full of people, and the war itself was named after the largest artificial intelligence distributor at the time: Xelkov. Ultimately, a billion humans died in the war, and there was the very real risk that the rest of humanity could have followed if they hadn't devised a method to put down the AI for good.
The citywide celebration of Resolution Day starts early and finishes very late, so whether you choose to join in the fun, learn more about the history of the festival, or take advantage of the revelry for other, more nefarious goals, you'll have plenty of time.
As the festival sprawls wildly throughout the streets of New Amsterdam, it gives even the most desolate parts of the city new life with bright lights, noise, and plenty of food. Most businesses are closed for the day, but not all of them—if you've gotten yourself a restaurant, street cleaning, or corporate PR job, you might find yourself stuck on a double shift. Better snatch what small moments of enjoyment you can!
> ENJOY THE FESTIVITIES
Anything you'd think would be at a festival in the year 2512 is definitely at this festival. Food, games, dancing, alcohol, free stuff? It's all there for your enjoyment. While the city streets will be full of people, this isn't a bad day to try networking. Want to get a new job or find a way to pry some information out of someone when they're least likely to remember you? Try to butter them up—or use the powers you've been granted to get your way. If anything goes badly, at least you can slip back into the crowd.
◉ GAMES. Care to play a game? All attendees can play for free. Some games —like the hoverblade racing, the augmented reality fightboxes, and the street-wide bouts of laser tag—require a partner or a competitor, so you better hope someone's willing to do you a solid or bring out your competitive side. For anyone who's interested in something a little less hands-on, all of the city's biggest VR arcades will have setups with all the latest games. Hoping to get noticed for your gaming talent? This might not be the day to try to stand out, but anyone's down to try.
◉ FOOD TRUCKS. It's time to try the delicacies of New Amsterdam. Hundreds of food trucks have turned out today in droves with high hopes that they'll come away turning a profit. Down for some Mexi-German fusion? Or perhaps you're hoping that pad thai still tastes the same with grasshoppers? Share your food – or give away whatever you don't like. Food trucks are the hub of activity, and the busiest ones might be worth the time, but you'll be standing in line for a while.
◉ NETWORKING. There are other opportunities with the city being flooded with festival-goers. Whether someone is on a mission to try to test the current sentiments toward Morningstar or simply wants to charm some corporate execs, this might be the time to get it done. Whatever your cover story is, make it good. Whether you claim you're hoping to pitch an idea for some new tech or are more interested in seducing – or squeezing – some information out of them, following them into the next bar or karaoke booth may give you the perfect chance. But you might want a lookout to watch your back, a co-conspirator to keep them plied with drinks, or maybe you'll need a voice of reason to stop you from squeezing too hard. Discretion is the name of the game. Everyone can agree upon that.
> HISTORY LESSONS
Aside from your typical booths of free samples, charitable causes, volunteer applications, and white chocolate-covered beetles, you'll find an opportunity to learn about Resolution Day’s history. There are various stands available where—thanks to the augmented reality application of your neural implant—you can view videos about the origins of the festival and the reasons for celebrating. If you haven't done your initial search yourself, you'll be able to buff up on it here.
◉ VR SIMULATIONS. If you'd like to feel like a hero, the UNA are running several virtual reality simulations where you can be taken to the battlefield to fight alongside fellow soldiers, working to bring the outwardly robotic AI to submission. The virtual reality simulation interacts with your neural implant to give you the most realistic experience possible. If you don't ground yourself enough, you'll be certain that the sights, sounds, and smells around you are real as you march in formation toward the brutality waiting up ahead. Feel free to team up with a partner on a side mission, or maybe try to keep someone from plugging in for what could be a traumatic experience. Eerie, heart-wrenching music plays when you die, but is promptly followed by the image of several corporate logos reminding you that they sponsored this day and this event.
◉ SYMPATHIZERS. If you're uncomfortable with the concept of eradicating all AI, no one will understand why. AI sympathizers are not present among the native population. Everyone in this world has been raised with the understanding that AI only wanted to destroy humanity, and that everyone is lucky to be alive in spite of it. They have a deeply ingrained fear, and anyone claiming to formerly be an AI or android won't receive a very friendly response.
Traveling down from the hectic main city streets reveals a different side from the gloss and promise of New Amsterdam. Economic disparity runs rampant throughout the city, and many people are pushed to desperation, looking to find other ways to make ends meet. In the darker shadows, many illegal activities thrive, out of view of the authorities—or perhaps known and supported by corrupt individuals. Maybe you're out exploring, completing a task for Morningstar, or working a job in the place you excel. Whatever brought you to the rougher parts of town, you may want to watch your step, or else find the city eating you as it has so many others.
> ORGANIZED CRIME
Organized crime still has a strong foothold in the world, with gangs and more established families working with drugs, weapons, property, and black market cybernetics, to name a few. These organizations are sprawling units that regularly recruit new members into their ranks, so long as they can prove themselves by passing the intensive hazing. While there are two main mob entities in New Amsterdam—the Riverstone Mob and the Petrov Family—there are a handful of gangs that otherwise roam the streets. Some are loosely sponsored by the mob, while others are fledgling groups trying to gain clout. More than anything, these groups know they don't have the power of the corporations or government, and do everything to seize more power when they can.
◉ JOINING UP. Catching the eye of the mob is difficult, but not impossible. Getting into the larger gangs is less difficult, but they're still wary of anyone who doesn't know the ins and outs of how to duck surveillance, traffic drugs and supplies, and intimidate people without catching flack from the NAPD. The best way to start getting attention is through their clubs, casinos, and illegal gambling dens. Getting inside isn't always easy: it might take a few weeks of legwork to get an invite, but someone could try to strongarm their way inside or use some chicanery to make it a smoother endeavor.
◉ ESCAPE PLAN. Whether you went in to cause trouble or accidentally caused it by breathing the wrong way, it's good to have an escape plan in place. Does that mean fighting all the goons available? Maybe. What about stealing a hover bike and getting away? The good news is that hover bikes can fit where hover cars can't.If you've got the skills, you'll be able to weave through the chaos of the city and make a clean getaway. Just don't let the chase run for too long, or you'll have law enforcement on your ass as well.
> FIGHT CLUB
No matter the occasion outside, New Amsterdam's fight club events are held every evening. The bouncers at the door don't have too many scruples on who they let inside. All they care about is whether someone has the money to pay the cover charge.
The interior of the fight club reveals the sophistication of a business that's used to uprooting itself regularly. All the fights take place in a large cage in the center, and you remain on your feet while you enjoy the show. There is a special VIP section if you've been lucky enough to receive an invite or bribe your way in – just keep in mind that these invites are scarce, and you will have to have done something spectacular to earn the attention from someone high up the food chain. Regardless of where you end up, there is one rule: what happens in the fight club stays in the fight club. This tenant is law, and everyone's heard stories of the different (and sometimes extreme) lengths that have been taken to maintain it.
◉ FIGHT. It's time to sign up and test your chops against other fighters. Many of the fighters boast illegal cybernetic enhancements, so it would be a really good idea to have someone on hand who knows some first aid. Fights can either happen in duos or in one-on-ones depending on the signups for the evening.
◉ RINGSIDE CHAT. You might just want to enjoy the show, or use the opportunity to grill the bartenders for information. Just be careful not to make a fool of yourself. Asking too many questions might catch the wrong kind of attention – the kind that might find you being thrown into the ring, whether you wanted to be there or not. For all the blood spilled, these fight clubs thrive on discretion, so whatever you do, try to keep it quiet.
Life in New Amsterdam was once all festivals and people avoiding association with organized crime. Life in New Amsterdam these days is full of drama, citywide disturbances, and everything else that might be expected of an action film in progress. While there aren't many answers for what's happened to the Displaced, there is enough chaos going around that it seems like it may be connected to their arrivals.
The worst part is that New Amsterdam seems to struggle. Rather than being an anonymous backdrop to those action films, New Amsterdam is a bustling city full of life that never asked to be at the heart of this. When trouble hits, most repairs and restorations focus on helping those with money, while others are left forgotten living in tents and hoping for a helping hand. Recent circumstances have called for improvements in this area—there is more charitable work than ever before in New Amsterdam—but it's still a trying time.
Where the Displaced stand in all of this varies, but it's hard to ignore a city in trouble.
◉ DISPLACED VERSUS DISPLACED. Whether it's by manipulation of an outside force or through inhaling weird monster gas, sometimes the Displaced are at odds with one another. When some of these few heroes are fighting, it means that the city can be left in even greater danger. Other times, the Displaced might not be able to control themselves. Feeling a sudden surge of vengeance and hoping to follow through on it? That monster gas might be the cause. Want to finish out a nasty deal to get something back important? The monster gas won't be an excuse, but maybe someone can pretend it was. Life as a Displaced is wild sometimes.
◉ THE UNITED NATIONS ARMY. In fact, it's so wild that sometimes they come up against the extremely dangerous soldiers of the UNA. These soldiers are the military arm of the United Nations government. They aren't the average soldier, however. Dressed in thick black armor that acts as an exoskeleton for their bodies, they are basically invulnerable to any and all attacks. When fighting as a unit, they work perfectly in unison, making it so that they can quickly move to deny almost any and all attacks. They're also extremely resistant to any mental or emotional compulsion or manipulation, making them hard nuts to crack. Ready for a bossfight? They're the soldiers for it.
◉ MONSTERS. As for unconventional threats, there are the monsters. These creatures first turned up in giant form when the first batch of Displaced arrived, stomping all over New Amsterdam. The less unique version of the monsters are around 400m high, have lizard-like features, and tend to show up by tearing down a portion of New Amsterdam's city wall And that's the less unique version. More unique monsters vary in size and make, seeming to be an amalgamation of a number of different creatures. Half-snake, half-dog? Seems odd, but it happens. The one consistent feature of all these monsters is they all have golden irises. Suffice to say that running into these creatures could be a problem.
Feel free to branch out and explore! Visit a doctor about some advanced cybernetics. Sneak through the city checkpoints and set out into the wilderness. Try to hop on a train bound for one of the world's five spaceports to see one of the colonies—though bear in mind the cost and difficulty of one of these joy rides. Experiment with some insect based versions of your favorite recipes. Perhaps you'd prefer to engage in some illegal street racing, spend some time getting used to the technology, or try to become a social media celebrity. Use the SETTING for inspiration and choose your own adventure!
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Something is still off, though, if Aerith has no idea who Leon is, and Sora frowns as he taps a couple of fingers against his chin. ]
I also know Cloud and Tifa, but... [ Aerith had spent more time with Leon and Yuffie, usually. Cid, too. Maybe it's time to dig deeper. ] You're from Radiant Garden, right? [ It seems like an obvious question, but at this point he's not so sure. ]
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I'm from a city called Midgar. [ A name that sounds much harsher compared to something like Radiant Garden. She wonders if it's truly a garden of some kind. ] I don't remember anywhere called that, where I'm from. And considering the last thing I remember -
[ There's a frown as she stops herself. Nope, not gonna go there right now. ]
It just seems weird, Cloud and Tifa remember mostly what I do.
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Guess I'm the odd one out, then. [ Sora laughs, though there's something a little uncertain in it. Given how many different worlds are out there, it makes sense that something like this might be possible, though this is his first proof of it.
Needing to let some nervous energy out, Sora stands up from the bench and spins to face Aerith. ]
Sometimes the Displaced talk about other universes and stuff like that. We're all from different worlds, and I've been to a lot of them, but... maybe there can be other versions of places, too? So you're Aerith, but not the same Aerith I know.
[ Which must be a weird thing to hear, but Sora's hoping she'll hear him out. ]
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[ Is she going to have an existential crisis later? Probably not, she's just gonna...go with it. No reason to really dwell too much on it, is there? ]
So - if you notice any differences you'll have to let me know. [ She smiles, half joking. Maybe it really is just her in another world. A different past maybe, but maybe she's who she is meant to be regardless. It's not that bad of a thought, actually. ] You've been to a lot of worlds? Really?
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Aerith doesn't insist he's wrong, at least, which Sora appreciates. He's quick to return her smile, since she's not actively pushing him away. It's only after the relief hits that he realizes he'd been worried that might happen. ]
Oh! Yeah, I have. Usually I'm not supposed to talk about that, because most people don't know that there are multiple worlds. But since we're all here, it doesn't matter as much.
[ Sora's been careful not to say anything to the natives of this world, though. Donald would be proud. ]
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[ It's a little bit unsettling to her, but she feels better equipped to think on it now that she's here, and been here long enough to get her bearings at least. If he were to talk about this to her when she was home... ]
I think I'd find it hard to believe six months ago. [ She offers him a smile, shrugging. ] Now I feel like it's just one more new thing to learn.
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Here, they're all in the same boat. They're castaways. ]
Yeah, kind of hard to deny something like that when you're living it, right? [ He plants his hands on his hips, a smile quickly returning to his face. ] It's kind of fun, though, getting to learn about all the other places that people come from. Every world is so different and unique!
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Leaning forward, she grasps the edge of the bench she's sitting on. She's very into this conversation, that's for sure. ]
What's the differences that stand out to you? Were they really different in many ways, or was it just small things like... [ She draws a blank for a moment before pulling out her inner silliness. ] Maybe yellow was really purple in other places?
[ It's a joke, but who knows maybe he's seen it. ]
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Nothing quite like that...
[ He shifts his weight from one leg to the other, drawing his arms up behind his head as he taps his foot in thought. There's so many examples to give that he doesn't really know where to start. ]
Every world is unique in its own way, so it's hard to narrow it down to one thing. Different cultures, different sorts of people, or... not-people.
[ While he's happy to go into further detail, they could be here all day. Instead, he focuses in on Aerith. ]
Why don't you tell me about yours?
[ Since it's not Radiant Garden, he really has no idea. ]
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[ Midgar isn't the shining beacon of civilization the Shinra company would want everyone to believe back home. Aerith can't sit there and say only bad things about it, though. It is her home, after all. ]
Midgar is the biggest city on our planet. [ She's just gonna hold her hands up, palms up with one hovering over the other. ] They built a large city on top of a group of smaller ones. Nobody remembers what the villages were called, but they did have names at one point. Now everything's broken up by sectors.
[ There was a class divide she didn't even want to delve into - that's for smarter minds than hers - but she does know the slums.]
I lived in an area under the plate. It wasn't that bad, but a lot of people didn't know what the actual sun felt like. Sometimes, they didn't even know what it feels like to stand under the sky! [ And it's a very different feeling than being under a steel plate, that's for sure. ] I was one of those people until recently.
Our planet's...well, it's not doing too great.
[ Now she's frowning. There is unfinished business there, after all, and just because she finds herself here doesn't mean she doesn't worry about home. ]
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Sora hadn't seen a real city until he got to go to San Fransokyo, though now he's almost used to living one because he's been on this world for so long. Midgar sounds pretty similar to a lot of the megacities here, where people often live on top of each other. Like New Beijing. ]
Man... I really can't imagine that. [ Sora lets his arms fall back to his sides. ] Home for me was a set of islands. [ He tilts his head up toward the glass ceiling of the gardens. ] Got to catch sunlight and play in the water pretty much every day.
[ Though when Aerith mentions that her planet is in trouble, he looks back to her, wearing a frown. ]
What's wrong with it?
[ His first thought is Heartless, but it could be a hundred other things. ]
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[Though she has wondered, from time to time, what life would have been like if she had grown up outside and out from under Shinra's thumb.
His question has her sighing, a hang going up to tug absently at her hair before she realizes it's not really there like it used to be. ]
A few things, honestly. A big bad corporation draining our planet of life, a scary villain trying to summon a planet destroying event.
[ From what she's gathered from others she's spoken with, this unfortunately seems to follow a trend for a lot of them. Maybe not the specifics, but the villain parts for sure. ]
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I didn't mean to say it was! Home is home, right?
[ Destiny Islands isn't perfect either, mainly because it's so small and also backwards compared to a lot of the other places Sora's been to by now. He's pretty sure that even if things calmed down enough for him to stay there for a while, he'd start to get restless. Not that it's even an option right now, and he's not sure it'll ever be.
Sora isn't as familiar with big bad corporations, really, but scary villains trying to destroy things? Yeah, he knows all about that. He sighs to himself and crosses his arms once more. ]
His name isn't Xehanort, is it?
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It's all right, I'm always the odd one out when it comes to how I feel about Midgar. [The name is unfamiliar but strange enough for her to sigh. These villain and their names, what is it with them? ] No, his name is Sephiroth. It's a very long story there, and I don't even know half of it honestly.
[She definitely didn't know him before he turned into what he is now, that's for sure. Just third hand accounts. ]
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Instead, he spreads his arms out slightly to either side and leans in toward her. There's enough distance between them that he isn't yelling in her face, but he's also loud enough that it might draw the attention of other people who are visiting the gardens. ]
Whaaaaaaat?! Are you serious?
[ Obviously she is, but man, he's sick of that guy! ]
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It's a big one, one like she hasn't had in what felt like forever. It's a nice release of tension and she ends on a chuckle, swiping at the corner of her eye. ]
Dead serious. I guess you know who he is, huh? [ Leave it to that guy to be notorious enough to affect whole other worlds. ]
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Even if it's not the same version of him, he doesn't seem capable of leaving people alone. Instead he spreads darkness wherever he goes. ]
Yeah. I've had to fight him a couple times. Barely made it, but...
[ He sighs to himself as the initial shock wears off, then sends Aerith a worried glance. ]
He's really powerful. I'm sorry that you've gotta deal with him, too.
didnt cloud and sephiroth like FLY OFF INTO THE UNKNOWN in KH?
Then again, it seems that's just par for the course since arriving. ]
And here I am having not fought him at all. [ No, apparently she could only be stabbed by him. Maybe there's a little bitterness in her voice - she's not actually dealt with it yet. Her facade of keeping it together is starting to show its cracks.
Focusing back on Sora, she wonders what other kinds of things he's done. He's not a child, but he is young. ]
How old are you?
IN KH2 YEAH THEY SURE DID
[ Sora doesn't know why anyone would want to go toe-to-toe with Sephiroth, having now experienced it a couple times. He's clueless to Aerith's ultimate fate, given that she's safe and sound back in Radiant Garden as far as he knows. For that reason, he misses the edge to her tone now.
When age comes up, he can guess at what Aerith might be thinking. He tamps down on the urge to be annoyed by it. He doesn't need anyone to coddle him or underestimate him, but he doesn't think Aerith would do that. ]
Six... Actually, seventeen now. I had a birthday while I was here!
[ The dates hadn't exactly matched up, but whatever, he's counting it.
There's a pause as Sora takes a quick look around them. ]
— Although as far as anyone here knows, I'm eighteen. El had to lie about my age, said it was easier that way.
What a couple of dorks
[ He's really not much younger than she is - color her impressed. In fact, he's about the age that Zack was when she met him, and he was already in SOLDIER, so it's not the first time she's heard of someone so young having already had several battles behind him.]
How did you get involved with fighting him, anyway?
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Aerith's question is a fair one, though Sora hesitates for a moment, not sure there's a clear-cut way to explain. ]
We were pitted against each other in a Coliseum. This guy, Hades, Lord of the Underworld, had a grudge, so he kept finding more and more enemies to throw my way. I guess he and Sephiroth made some kind of deal. Cloud was after him too, though.
[ Sora's still not sure where the two of them ended up. He's confident that Cloud can handle himself, even against Sephiroth, and Aerith (the one he knows) hadn't seemed concerned, so... ]
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Probably. It seems to be common here. There is one thing that doesn't surprise her though - ]
Yeah, that sounds like Cloud. I wonder if that's just his story at this point - always chasing Sephiroth, always trying to stop him. [She says this with a little sigh afterward. Truthfully, what they've gotten involved in back home hasn't been going on that long, but it feels like a lifetime has passed since she's met Cloud and got caught up in AVALANCHE. ] He just doesn't know when to stay out of trouble no matter where he is, hmm?
[Silly Cloud. ]
So, what's a Lord of the Underworld? Under what world?
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I guess not. But he was pretty serious about it, so I wasn't gonna stop him.
[ Sora probably couldn't have managed that even if he tried.
Aerith's question is a fair one, and Sora taps a finger against his chin as he figures out how to best explain. ]
Well, there's Olympus, which I guess is the overworld, and then the Underworld is where people go after they die. On Olympus, anyway. Hades decided he got to be in charge of it, but as you can probably guess, he's a not a good guy.
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How about that - not every world has their own stories about some extinct race of people. More differences than she expected. ]
That's a new one to me. I guess you ran into that a lot, traveling between different worlds. We have the Lifestream where I'm from - people return to it once they die. They become one with our planet. [ It's a beautiful and slightly reassuring story to her, as she's grown older anyway. It used to scare her when she was young. ] I can't imagine if someone just - wait.
[Even as she speaks, she realizes someone has declared themselves in charge of their form of the afterlife. ]
Nevermind, I guess Sephiroth would be what Hades is in that case. The stories change but there always seems to be some kind of coincidence that connects them.
should we start to wrap this up? c:
The Final World was different, somewhere outside of any one world. Or at least that's Sora's guess. He doesn't really know how to explain that place. ]
Guess it's kinda nice, knowing there's somewhere you'll go once you're gone. [ He glances down and away for just a moment and clears his throat. As much as he might feel kinship with Aerith, whether it's "his" version of her or not, he's not sure he's ready to talk about all this right now.
When he looks up again, his expression changes to something between determination and distaste. ]
Guess we should just be glad Sephiroth isn't here.
[ As far as he knows, but he's pretty sure he wouldn't have missed that. Sephiroth isn't someone who can blend in, to say the least. ]
Sounds good to me!
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