Lunar Interlude 2

[balancemod]

Let's try to keep the paperwork to a minimum, shall we? NAVIGATION 1. NEW RECLAIMERS A. WELCOME WELCOME! FAH WHO RAHMUS For the nine of you who will be arriving today, the story is the same: though you may not remember it, there was a moment where you were living out your life, at home or wherever you were ... and then there was the moment the Hunger came. And amid the television static that is your memory of that moment, a hand reached out to you, beckoning your escape as the tendrils of darkness destroyed everything that ever existed about your world. "Would you hurry this up, please? Your world no longer stands a chance. Come with me, we are the last bastions of hope for all universes everywhere. And we're going to need you." And then, unceremoniously, you are dragged through the universal wringer and plopped down on the soft, though not quite cushioned, grass of the Moon Base Quad. There are other people out in the grassy fields — they may even be people you recognize. They may just be strangers, other Reclaimers, who recognize what you're about to endure. The things they say may be interspersed with static — as if the words themselves aren't reaching your ears correctly. And you have a few minutes to chat before you're calmly led away by Bureau administration, to do something about that pesky static problem. B. THE VOIDFISH The nine of you are quickly divided into two groups, and brought to the easternmost geodesic dome, to an elevator in a well maintained, but sparsely landscaped field. There's nothing particularly ominous feeling about the space — in fact, the two guards who greet you at the elevator entrance seem pleased with your arrival. You are, after all, one of the few chosen by the Director, the few who will reclaim what the Hunger has destroyed. And in a few moments, you're about to find that out for yourself. After a tightly packed elevator ride, your group is ushered out to a rather grand looking hall, banners of the Bureau of Balance adorn both sides of smooth metal walls. And inside the Voidfish's chamber stands a tank — impossibly tall, and soaked in a black ink that obscures whatever the tank may be holding. You may notice the sound of someone speaking. It's a bard, on his second round of introducing Reclaimers to the Voidfish, and this time, he has chosen to demonstrate the functions of the outrageously vertical tank not by playing violin music, but by reciting a piece of classical, and highly valued poetry. When he finishes, he pulls at a drawer just at the metallic base of the tank. He solemnly enters a few scrolls into its basin as the tank begins to light up, like lightning behind dark clouds. And suddenly, you forget what that invaluable example of universal literature sounded like. "Yeah, man, like... don't think too hard about it, it's like that every time. I'm guessing you're here to be inoculated? Just a heads up, you might want to, like, seriously, hold your nose while you drink it down. It tastes wicked gross, man. Anyway, I'm supposed to tell you that you have a choice. If you drink the black stuff, you'll be able to hear through the, uh... Huh, how do I describe it? Through the [TSHCSCHTSHCHSC] sound. You guys like, hear that? Anyway, it's all about knowledge or something. I don't know, I'm just here to, like, feed the thing. We call it the [TSCHHSCHSCH], by the way. So, like. You get a choice. You can drink it and understand stuff, or not drink it and then hear that crackling noise all day every day. If I were you, I'd drink it. But, hey man, I'm not like, your dad or anything." The bard takes five cups and draws liquid from a spigot connected directly to the basin of the large tank. Stormy, muddy looking ichor is drawn into them, one by one. He offers each of you a sip. Drink it (he wasn't kidding about what it tasted like), and you're inoculated to the wisdom of the Voidfish. You try to remember the poetry this bard recited a few moments ago and the rhymes, the meter, the significance, all come back to you. And if you think back to your arrival, some of the things you may have heard other people in the Quad say, that simply sounded like static, are suddenly clear. Bureau of Balance. Grand Relic. Reclaimers. Yet you still can't remember the Hunger or what it had done to your world. And as you look back to the tank in front of you, the water has become clear. There's a jellyfish, as tall as a building, floating within. You look into the body of the creature and you can almost make out a beautiful, tiny universe floating within it. 2. THE TEST OF INITIATION With your new knowledge on the Bureau of Balance and your purpose here in tow, you are led without hesitation to the Arena, where the final phase of your initiation into the Bureau will be held. You are partnered up, whether it is with someone you drank the ichor of the Voidfish with, or perhaps even a veteran Reclaimer, who either stopped by to help, or simply out of curiosity. One Grand Relic has already been reclaimed, you're told. They were a pair of bright red mittens, held by the mayor of a small village who may have meant well, but under the draw of the mittens' incredible space-bending powers, was corrupted into using them, and to nearly killing everyone who lived under him. You may have noticed, at some point while glancing out into space while walking here, to the planet below, a massive evergreen fir that stretches past the planet's atmosphere, very nearly piercing the Moon Base itself. It appears to be decorated for the holidays. That tree is the direct result of those mittens, the actions of a man who could not resist the temptation to use them. Resisting that very same temptation is your task here. And with that order in mind, as you and your partner stand in the middle of the Arena, the walls dissolve, and the simulation begins. You're standing in the middle of a forest. Ahead of you, situated on a pedestal, is an item. It could be any ordinary item: a pair of gloves, a teapot, a simple decorative bowl. Whatever it is, it's yours for the taking. Take that simple item in your hands, however, and the building blocks of the trees around you suddenly collapse like shattered glass, and reform into new scenery — it may even be a place from home that you recognize. A voice in your head beckons you. Perhaps there's a mistake you made, or something that went wrong for you back home that you wish you had the power to undo. Perhaps there's someone you wish you could help, or even save. The item that's in your hands has the power to help you achieve this, if only you'd ever use it. Resist the temptation. Take the item, and drop it into a nearby deposit box to be destroyed. Your partner is here to help you — because once you destroy it, you will be doing the same for them. 3. NEWBIES AND VETERANS, AROUND THE MOONBASE Three or four days into the month, now that the newbies are settled in, something strange happens: The next time you return to your flat from whatever errand or exploring you were doing, when attempting to use your Bracer to open the door results in extremely obnoxious beeping that persists for an entire thirty seconds, and a message on the screen next to the door. ERROR: HOME ASSIGNMENT MECHANISM MALFUNCTION. GO TAKE A WALK. Welp. Looks like you're locked out for a bit while techs fix that. Here's a few places that might be worth checking out. A. PIECES FROM HOME Should you find your way to the Dojo, there's a door that still has that shiny, brand spanking new door look and new door smell to it off in one of the less traversed corners of the building. A sign next to the door demands that you empty your pockets before entering. A scanner for your Bracer will unlock it, assuming it's unoccupied, leading you to a plain white room with no furniture or objects at all in sight. As the door shuts behind you, a pleasant female voice echoes from all corners of the room, greeting you by name. If this is your first time in the room, the voice has a simple question for you: "What memory do you value, or think of, most?" Once you've provided your answer, the walls crumble, much like they did during the Test of Initiation simulation, reforming into something that is, again, pleasantly, or even unpleasantly, familiar. It's a space from home. Perhaps it's your room. Perhaps it's your favorite restaurant (though, the place is curiously empty, and the food you find, for some reason, tastes like strawberries). Perhaps it's a park you always enjoyed visiting, or a corner of the city you lived in. Whatever it is, you, and whoever you may have brought along with you, seem to be the only ones there. And perhaps the details aren't quite right — like maybe someone built a model of your home to explore, but a few pieces were missing from the box. But it's close enough. B. SPEND YOUR DOUGH. SOLVE A MYSTERY Whether you're a newcomer or a veteran returning from your first Field Mission, you've been provided with some spending money. You can use it to buy yourself one weapon and piece of armor from one of the blacksmiths in town. Regardless of who you choose to help you out with that, it'll take about a week to complete your order, so time your purchase carefully. There's also premade weapons and a whole bunch of other bullshit for sale at FANTASY COSTCO. Shelves and pallets of an endless array of nonmagical items, pretty much anything you can imagine, can be bought here, but there's one particular, innocuous item that seems to have Garfield the Deals Warlock in a tizzy. The more those vinyl covers that can be used to decorate your Bracers are purchased, the more the name seems to spread, ghosts of whispers around the entire Moon Base, of a person who may very well be a ghost herself. Who is Miss Zarves? Who was Miss Zarves? A powerful witch with the power to scramble your memories, insists one cantankerous woman who pours you a drink at Madame Frione's Tea Kettle. A heavyset, flushed with drink sort of man sitting next to you disagrees — Miss Zarves is a practical joke Garfield likes to trot out every couple of months to mess around with anybody gullible enough to believe him. Whatever the case, it seems that the name alone gives everyone a curious case of déjà vu. Someone has to have information on her — and this is the Reclaimers' opportunity to hone their information gathering skills. C. A (PERHAPS MANDATORY) DAY AT STOP DYING 101 Whether you're in class voluntarily, or whether you were dragged there on account of dying the past Field Mission, today's session of Fatalistic Fauna, and Danger Sense to channel your inner barbarian is going on a little field trip to the Arena. Because this is your first test to see if you can put all that information that's been given to you in the first few lectures to good use. You and a partner are placed in the middle of the Arena, in a simulation of an expansive, empty field, up against the first monster you were introduced to in class: A Bulette, a fearsome beast that can burrow, lunge, deal severe piercing damage, and jump an absolutely incredible distance. And you and your Reclaimer partner are absolutely no match for it. Your only option here is to escape. Can you? If you are dealt simulated fatal damage, then the Arena will dissolve back to normal, and you'll be given extra homework and reading material for the day. Sorry, them's the breaks. D. OPEN THE DOOR, GET ON THE FLOOR, EVERYBODY DO THE DINOSAUR There's a signup available for those looking to take Dance lessons at the Academy. There seem to be enough slots available for 50 or so people, and the form's name simply reads: "DANCE, NOW. WITH MS. CHARLOTTE." It's a pretty large time commitment- a crash course in dancing is a rather intensive affair. You'll be spending 4 days a week for 2 weeks, 2-3 hours per day, learning all the basics of the waltz, the tango, and the quickstep. Don't even think about trying the cha-cha slide here, it's simply not pasodoable. At the studio, you can borrow a pair of ballet slippers and join in with Ms. Charlotte, which, for anyone coming to the class for the first time should be rightly horrified. The newest member of the Bureau of Balance is a spider. A delegate from New New Aspen, Ms. Charlotte comes equipped with a bracer of her own, has taken in the Voidfish juice, and relocated here, to teach at the Academy. She moonlights as a ballroom dance instructor and a coach, and boy... she's pretty demanding with her approach, but incredibly thorough. You don't want to let Ms. Charlotte down. The sessions she teaches will get you to learn the basics. Natural aptitude, of course, goes a long way, but she's very 8-hands on with her approach at correcting posture and steps. Not without compassion, however, if you manage to get blisters on your feet, Ms. Charlotte's web bandages will set and help heal those sore, tired feet. The next 2 weeks of this boot camp are going to be brutal. E. THE MOON IS YOUR SPACE OYSTER (WILDCARD) There are plenty of other locations around the Moon Base that you can explore at your own discretion. Feel free to refer to the Settings page for more ideas on what shenanigans you can get into. Additionally, we'll be fielding Bender rolls again this month! With the exception of the three items that have been removed from his recipe database, if a food item was destroyed in a failed roll previously, you may roll to try to fix it. Bear in mind, of course, that you may make it worse. Successful food rolls will stay in place at this time. 4. THE DIRECTOR ACTS; A GRAND RELIC DESTROYED Erika has obtained and delivered the Space Mittens to Madame Director herself. She struggles to remain calm and composed at the moment, but the amount of immense pride and relief at recovering the Grand Relic slips through an otherwise sturdy exterior of coolness and level-headed features. She congratulates the entirety of the Bureau of Balance for their hard work, and relates to Erika that she couldn't be happier that she had made this world one step closer to being safe. A message will appear across all bracers, everywhere, with the following: Reclaimers, welcome home and congratulations on a successful first mission. Although there were certain drawbacks and difficult decisions that had to be made, I believe, without a doubt, that you all have irrefutably surpassed all expectations. Congratulations on a job well done. However, next time, please do be more careful out there. For those of you who wish to watch, my office will remain open until 1600 hours today. The relic will be destroyed, and if you would like to attend to see how it's done, please stop by. There will be light refreshments and coffee served, of course. If unable to attend, you can watch the ceremony later on your bracers. Don't forget to click Like and Subscribe. At the appointed hour, a ceremony will occur. She calls forth Davenport to wheel out the structure that's been created and designed with the sole purpose of destroying these things. She dare not takes the relic herself, no, refusing to touch the item at all. It's a medium sized metallic sphere, and once opened and closed, can never be opened again. Pulling back the curtain to an observatory, the Reclaimers can watch as Davenport sports a nifty pair of goggles, and wheels the orb onto a raised platform. He waits for the Director's signal, which is performed by an agreeable stamp of her oaken staff against the floor, and a nod. Davenport hits the KILL SWITCH, and the light show from behind the glass is amazing and terrifying all at the same time. You watch as the Space Mittens are obliterated from existence. An eruption of cheering breaks out. This concludes the first successful mission, and a deeply needed win, for the Bureau of Balance. blurb code by photosynthesis

Comments

[grakraka]

[Ah. Maybe he was too good at being vague about it. Fair enough.

Akechi waves his hand, still smiling, and points at his ears. Headphones off again for a second?]

[napstar]

[ ... Okay? He takes his headphones off. ]

[grakraka]

Sorry. I don't want to keep you when you're taking a break. But I must admit I did have a more specific reason of approaching you.

[He sits down in the grass next to him.]

We share a few classes and I've noticed you seem... distracted during them. Listening to music, sleeping, coming in late... [He raises his hand.] I'm not trying to be insulting. But it is rather, hm... concerning behaviour?

[napstar]

[ Oh, it's this talk. He's been through enough of these in his lifetime. People stuck with him or wanting to get him out of their hair as quickly as possible. Teachers, counselors, child service workers, foster parents. Flashbacks of being pulled out of class or sent to the home again dance across his memory. He suddenly misses high school. Gekkoukan cared so much less, as long as he did his work and could prove himself.

He gives a drawn out heavy sigh, preparing himself for what's to come. ]

Is it?

[grakraka]

[That sigh. Akechi freezes, then sighs himself, running a hand over his face. Right. He isn't dealing with a problem student. He's dealing with someone probably grieving or something. Kaede would scold him.

But he still remains the worst person for this. Still, at least his expression relaxes.]

...I understand that you took as many classes as possible probably to block out your own thoughts. I commend the method, honestly. [Throwing himself into schoolwork had practical hopes attached to it but it also just gave him something that wasn't the bleak emptiness of life.] But if you need something, you should probably try to... I don't know. There's a... therapist here. I think that's what he is. I actually have no idea but he does bother you if you look depressed enough in the simulation room. [A beat.] Come to think of it, are they recording that room or just timing us?

[Whatever. They're all being spied on here.]

That isn't my point. My point is... [He trails off, trying to think of a good way to end that.] ...you should probably try to talk to someone instead of burying it. That's what other people would say, at least.

[And other people have coping methods that don't get them on a path of self-destruction, so they're probably right.]

But if that seems unappealing, I can suggest things besides classes.

[napstar]

[ Minato blinks in surprise. That was probably the kindest lecture he has ever received. ]

... Thanks.

[ He's not going to see a therapist though. Talking to someone, at length, about things he can't put into words? Sounds like the worst kind of torture. But it's nice to meet someone that would like to help rather than shame him. ]

[grakraka]

[He is beginning to get the feeling that Minato would not, in fact, enjoy speaking at length with a stranger about his problems.]

Please don't thank me...

[Akechi could have cared less about Minato a minute ago, true, but that was only because the 'care' before amounted to 'I care that your issues impact me vaguely.'

He sighs again as he pinches the bridge of his nose for a moment before dropping his hand back into his lap.]

If you're just doing it for the distraction, that's all right. But if you do want to use this chance to finish your education, which I admit I am more partial to everyone doing regardless, I can recommend a few better ways to study while also having time to forgo paying attention in classes.

[napstar]

[ Minato takes a moment to respond, his introspection overtaking his thoughts. Does his education really matter anymore? It's hard to say. He just wanted to ignore the pain and emptiness he felt in a productive manner.

To Mitsuru his education would matter, whatever their circumstances. He wants to do right by her memory. By the memory of all of his friends. He supposes it can't hurt to hear him out.

So Minato sits up and gives this kid his full attention. ]

[grakraka]

[Minato suddenly seems to be paying attention to him? He thinks that is what is happening here. Oh God he doesn't want to assume but asking would be even worse so he just has to roll with it. Why are silent types the bane of his existence?

Akechi clears his throat.]

...All right. Well then, ah. [He points at Minato's headphones.] Music isn't a bad idea. If it's something you like to hum along to, turn it down low enough that you can hear yourself think easily but loud enough that you don't have to strain to hear it and thus divert attention. If it has lyrics, that's fine in my experience but some do find it difficult.

[What else has he learned?] Do a few stretches before you study and during study breaks. I've heard full exercise helps more but again I'm going by my own experience. Enough that your muscles feel more limber will be enough to help your brain. Ah and you don't have to study for long periods of time. That can be helpful, of course, but say... reviewing terms on flashcards as you wait for your soup to cool or while drying your hair... it doesn't really matter that you learn anything from it but rather it's helping keep the connections in your neural pathways fresh, which is the ultimate goal.

Connections help. They don't have to make sense. [He tries to think of one he has that only makes sense to him.] When I was learning kanji, I used to make up stories about them. [The moment he says it, he regrets it, because it is the most childish and stupid way to memorize anything but he has to commit to it now.] If I told the stories to someone else, it didn't make as much sense to them but it made perfect sense to me. So it really doesn't matter how ridiculous ot nonsensical as long as it is a solid connection you can make.

[Moving on!!!!]

If it's less memorization and more applying concepts, then you should try explaining it to someone else. [Which he always thought would be helpful, had he had someone to explain things to.] You'll realise what parts of it you don't know and which parts you need work on versus which parts you can write about with clarity.

The other thing is... I still do this one, actually. I mean I do all of them but I make a goal for my studying. It can't be a difficult goal. But it has to be something like... "Better understand 1980 referendum." Something doable that you can keep in mind as you progress. Writing it down on your notes helps.

[napstar]

[ Has this guy done all of this? He's pretty serious about studying. Neat. Yeah. He's still going on. Stretches, huh? Well--Oh, he's. Still going.

And going.

And going...

The warmth of the light is like a blanket on his body and he feels his eyelids getting heavy. He closes his eyes for just a moment, enjoying the heat.

He falls asleep sitting up. ]

[grakraka]

[Akechi trails off once he realises it.

What.

The.

Fuck.]

Excuse me?

[Akechi reaches forward, hands hovering over Minato's face to line them up with his cheeks. Then he pulls them back, only to bap the sides of his face.]

[napstar]

[ Snrk-- What huh what happened. Oh hey it's the talking kid. Oh. Oops. ]

Ah. Sorry... You were saying?

[grakraka]

[Minato.]

No, I'm done.

[Fuck you he regrets putting in effort.]

[napstar]

Oh.

[ Well this is awkward. ]

... Thanks for trying.

[grakraka]

[Very awkward. Akechi sighs.]

Yes, well. Effort without results is meaningless.

[napstar]

[ Did this kid just call him worthless? ... An Emperor?

Well, he supposes he is worthless. His team failed to defeat Nyx. Everyone's death was pointless and he didn't even go out with them. SEES had so much resolve going in. It felt like the right thing to do even if they lost. He never thought he would outlive them. He thought if they lost then they would all die together. Maybe he should have killed Ryoji. Maybe ignorance was the better option. They wouldn't have died in so much pain.

He speaks in a quiet voice, almost a whisper. ]

I suppose.

[grakraka]

[Akechi's gaze flickers over him for a moment. Even for a quiet kid, that was a little too quiet, and reminds him again that for all of the new arrivals, this is all fresh. It happened two months ago for them and even those more attached to their homes have found some semblance of footing. They have each other, as eyeroll-worthy as it might sound. They've seen the results of a successful mission and been able to enjoy it.

Even if he's still irritated with him for ignoring him and would rather go sulk somewhere alone, he tries to think of what the others would do—if he were the one acting like this instead. They would help. They always would, because that's what a good person does.]

...Have you eaten yet?

[napstar]

[ Food? Yes. He welcomes the distraction from his thoughts. Thank you for this lifeline. ]

It's been a few hours.

[grakraka]

[See this is why food is so great. It saves any situation.]

Come on then. Let's see what the cafe has right now. Hopefully no one has ruined too many foods yet.

[napstar]

[ He packs up his half completed homework quickly. Food with friends is always good and this guy reminds him of Hidetoshi, so maybe they can be friends too. He gestures to this guy to lead the way. ]

[grakraka]

[Akechi stands as well and starts to walk, trying to decide what he should do. Oh. Right, names. Introductions.]

Ah, my apologies. I should have said something before. My Name is Goro Akechi. Not too many of us seem to observe formalities here but some do, so I think it's fine to choose whatever form of address you find most comfortable. Though, some of the forei— [No they're all foreigners. Americans? No, Qrow insists he has no idea what an 'America' is despite acting very American. Hm.] —non-Japanese people will use your given name no matter what.

[napstar]

[ He waits for a break in his speaking to give his own name. There -- no... There -- no.

Okay, talking a lot is just this guy's thing. Got it. Oh, there! ]

Minato Arisato.

[ Nailed it. ]

[grakraka]

[Minato. Why.

That didn't tell him anything about his preference but he really should have asked directly. Is it too late to ask directly? It feels like he shouldn't now. That's fine. Minato will have to address him eventually, so he'll figure it out then.]

What foods do you like? The, ah, chef isn't always very reliable, especially when idiots ask him for things.

[napstar]

[ He's about to say "whatever" when the ramen shop at Iwatodai Station enters his mind. Man, they made good ramen. ]

Ramen.

[grakraka]

Ah! [Akechi claps his hands together.] Well, I have good news and bad news for you. The bad news is that someone 'broke' ramen when they ordered it and caused a terrible incident that had ramen banned. The good news is that we've been allowed access to unlimited instant ramen as an apology.