PHASE I [ 9 00 ] You open your eyes, and there is a chicken pecking at your face. It's not a very happy chicken, either, but if you can manage to fend it off, then it will be clear that you are in a village. It is... medieval-esque, in that video game sort of way; the details don’t seem too clear, but if you look to your left, there’s a cow! And to your right, a well! Ignore the clear evidence of modern technology in the buildings such as lights, gas, and 21st century plumbing; CERES is dedicated to authenticity.
Looks like the new ViViD level has finally been released, and everyone is invited to play, whether they want to or not.
The game (because this time, that's surely what it is) will start simple. Everyone begins in the same place and every NPC villager will say the same thing: to get out of here, you have to go through the caves. They’ll shove a stick at you (“take this, it’s dangerous to go alone”) and off you go, into the caves… !
Which are full of tiny rats and more chickens. They will try to fight you, but it’s really not very effective when they’re perfectly small and average (especially when everyone still has their typical powers and abilities -- CERES didn't mess with those at all this time). The caves are winding and circular and maze-like, and to make matters even worse, the only ones around are the other poor saps stuck in this situation.
But if you kill enough of the rats, you’ll get to hear the satisfying level up jingle. Congratulations! You are now level 2. It's probably satisfying just for a minute or so until you finally find your way out of those maze like caves and -- You're back in the village again. Great.
PHASE II [ 930 ] You’re carrying a bag. No matter what you do, you can’t take it off, either; it’s stuck with you through thick and thin. But it is awfully heavy. Maybe you should actually open it and see what’s inside?
The problem is, it’s going to take a while.
The bag has clearly tapped into its true hammerspace nature; there are items for days in there, and they’re all very, very strange. You might end up covered in hats of all sorts, buried in logs as you pull out one after another, or look like you have an odd fetish for pickaxes.
Maybe there’s 1/3rd of an evil turnip, half a piece of pie and an egg.
Geez, what in the world are you supposed to do with all of that?
PHASE III [ 1200 ] Eventually, you make it out of the caves the right way despite the harassment of the rats and chickens and the fact you'll keep perpetually getting lost. Hooray! You come out into a large, peaceful, scenic meadow, with a small river bubbling off to one side, and a house.
You'll immediately notice that there’s a bridge to cross the river, but there’s someone standing in the way of that bridge. When you approach to go past him, no matter what you try to do, you won't be able to. Asking him why he won't move will only get one thing in response -- “Bring me a fish. Cooked.”
Then he’ll shove a fishing rod at you and expect you to get to it. You can’t attack him, you can’t get past him -- looks like the only thing to do is to catch and cook that fish. Time to sit back, relax, and get to work. Or maybe you’ll team up with someone else and be the person in the house making sure that the fish gets cooked properly. For some reason, if you leave it too long it turns right into a pile of ashes.
Weirdly though, no matter how good you are at cooking or fishing usually, it’s as if you’re right back at the metaphorical level one. Any sort of seasoning or effort to cook it faster falls flat and in the end you'll only be able to place the fish in the pan and set it on the stove, whole. This may take awhile.
And if you try to cross the river itself, well... no, really, don’t try to cross the river.
At least if you get eaten, you’ll just respawn back in the village, but do have fun traveling through the caves again!
PHASE IV [ 1430 ] You made it through the caves. You made it across the river (with a slightly burnt fish). You’ve made it to the wide open world, and you can finally adventure to your heart’s content. You take a step forward on the road and --
A message pops up, bright red and in your face.
[ Restricted Area: Members Only ]
No matter what you do, you can’t go past that point. In fact, if you’re not careful and you’re going too fast, you might run face-first into it like it’s an invisible wall (which it is).
Then, just like that, you're back in the village. Again. Only this time, there's a nice, blinking message -- Pay a small subscription fee to access member's content. Oh well. No big deal, you can just start again.
Except then you see a cool sword and when you try to pick it up, you'll get that same message, and end up transported back to the village yet again. And again, with some shiny new armor. And again, with that attention-grabbing NPC over there. Looks like you're caught in an infinite loop here but no matter how much you inspect the pop up, there's no... actual way to pay the subscription fee (and why would you want to?). But at least you have company, because you can't be the only person who thought that sword was cool.
(It was really, really cool.)
BONUS [ xxxx ] What’s that on the ground in front of you? It looks like… some bunny ears? Or maybe it’s a chicken head, or a pumpkin head. Either way, the moment you touch it, you have a strong need to put it on your head -- and once it’s on, it’s not coming off.
To make matters worse, each hat has an effect associated with it; the bunny ears will, in fact, randomly turn you into a cute fluffy bunny for anywhere from 5 minutes to an hour before you pop right back to yourself, whereas the pumpkin hat will, in a complete reversal, turn you into Cinderella for a bit -- complete with beautiful ball gown and the ability to talk to all of those cute fluffy bunnies.
Also the rats will love you, so maybe you should go back to the caves again.
Meanwhile, the chicken hat won't transform you into any odd creature, but it will inspire in the people wearing them a very real, persistent desire to build a nest. This will involve picking up twigs, trash, shiny things and whatever else catches your eye to try to build a nest out of it. You'll also try to pick up whatever food you find on the ground to eat, have the weirdest desire to lay an egg, and basically have all sorts of odd chicken-like instincts inflicted upon you.
At least you look festive!
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naminé | kingdom hearts | ota
[Naminé has never had to privilege or opportunity before to actually play video games, but that doesn't mean she doesn't know how they work. At least, that's what she's guessing this new world is. A lot more people seem pretty confident in believing that fact too, so it's rather reassuring to her.
Despite her wishes right now, the Nobody finds herself in the cave, surrounded by a swarm of rats. She's tried to forego the request, passing back the stick and excusing herself, but the people in the village seemed so damn insistent and kept pushing her back toward the cave if she returned, any and all protests falling on deaf ears. Maybe it was part of the rules, but it wasn't something she agreed with.
The only problem with this solution is that she's been in the cave for 30 minutes and still hasn't gotten to the next level. Having avoided many conflicts with the rats and chickens, Naminé hasn't had much or any experience in this game at all. The only reason she's being attacked is because one of them surprised her and (either instinctively or accidentally) she swatted at it.
The second issue is that this is a girl with almost zero fighting experience whatsoever. As weak as the rats and chickens might be, she's not doing a heck of a lot of damage either.
LFG PLZ - Mage that doesn't know how to melee here.]
PHASE III }}
[Very slowly (or not so slowly, but she does have a lot of patience), Naminé is learning that video games are so not her thing. ViViD might put her off them for life.
Because now it's fishing and cooking that's required. And while she's actually gotten lucky at catching a fish on her first try, her cooking skill seemed to not be enough. The fish dissolved into a pile of ashes in a matter of minutes.
Well, she never really has cooked before, so... guess it's her fault.
It's not exactly going to stop her from trying though, considering that she really has no choice in the matter. Sitting down in the grass by the river, her lure bobs up and down until something is caught! And she's able to reel it in with ease!
Except...]
...What is a boot doing in a river? [A really old, stinky, worn out boot.]
BONUS }}
[Why... why did she have to put on that hat?
It was just a pair of bunny ears, but Naminé never, ever felt more compelled to put on a piece of clothing before. But the problem didn't start until she was out of the cave and took a few steps with the accessory firmly on her head. When the world shrank and her body changed, she looked less like a deer caught in the headlights and more like a stunned pale blonde bun.
No one in the village mentioned anything like this happening, and it had to be some form of magic. As nervous as she felt about it, heading back to get a way to lift the spell or something was the only way to get back to being human shaped.
So a few small and cautious steps later, Naminé's on her way to heading back but not before her new body decides to trip her up. Those hopping long feet get tangled up beneath her, sending her tumbling head over tail down a fairly steep hill.
Either she'll hit a rock, a tree or someone's leg. But she can't stop on her own.]
phase 3!
What the fuck, get back here! I'm gonna bash in the head of the bozo who put this entire game together...
[and then he stops and stares. Cute girl alert!!]
Have you seen a boot?
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Ignoring his outburst and just plain staring at the guy, she raises her line to show off the drenched boot coated in leaves and smelling like fish.]
Does this one belong to you?
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she probably didn't see all the embarrassing flailing from earlier. you good, dawg.
He rakes a damp hand through his hair]
Ah, yeah, it's mine...it kinda got away from me when I was wrestlin' that twelve foot fish awhile back.
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Oh wow. Twelve feet does sound pretty big. It's impressive enough to raise her eyebrows in a look of surprise. Moving the boot to the riverbank, she tries to clean it off.]
I'm not sure you'll want it back in this condition.
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Phase I
Rock Lee raises his fist in intense determination as he glances towards the young woman.]
I promise!! I'll protect you with my very life!
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Naminé takes a few steps back out of both surprise and slight fright. She really didn't expect anyone to just jump out of the shadows like that, or even to help out. Not that it's unwanted or anything.]
...Please be careful. [Just cause they're low levelled animals doesn't mean they should be taken lightly!]
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Please do not worry. I won't let you down! [He then leaps forward and initiates a dazzling display of punching and kicking away a number of the rats with a variety of swift and powerful movements.]
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Those rats don't know what's hitting them! Looks like a couple are even retreating as well.]
I... I think it's okay now.
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Phase I
Hold on!
[Terra leaps to attack, rushing forward with a single slice of his Keyblade. Inititally nothing happens, but then the Zantetsuken hits, and the swarm of enemies are taken out in that single strike, to be replaced by a pile of pixel bones. Accompanied by a level up jingle.
...Weird, but that's par for the course with ViViD.
Lowering his Keyblade, Terra turns to the girl.]
Are you okay?
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And once all the rats are poofed into bones, she gets a better look at him. That's... that's definitely a Keyblade, but that's definitely not Sora.
And he looks pretty familiar to her too, like she should know who he is.
Dumbfounded by his appearance, it takes more than just a second for her to respond and even then she can't quite get her eyes off his Keyblade. Naminé hasn't had the privilege of meeting many people, and she knows that he holds some significance to her. But for the moment, she can't place him.]
...Ah, I'm fine. Uh, thank you very much. [As if to avoid staring at him any further, she bows her head in gratitude.]
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Good. You shouldn't wander around these caves without a weapon; it's too dangerous. [It's not an admonishment, just advice. It's not like she could get herself in serious danger in ViViD anyway.] Stick with me, and I'll help you find the way out.
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...I know. [The more she looks at him, the more that twisted feeling grows. She's never met him before, then it has to be a memory of some sort...
Taking a deep breath, she clasps her hands together in front of her.]
It's alright. I don't want to impose on you.
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phase i;
not that he really needs it, since this time around he can summon his keyblades, but he holds onto it as he heads into the cave anyway. there isn't much of a reason for it, just a weird smattering of hope that something good will come of that familiar feeling—though it's lost pretty quickly when he sees a girl ahead of him surrounded by opponents and struggling. it wouldn't be right for him to just leave someone like that, so after looking at the stick (which he knows will not help), he dashes forward while summoning oathkeeper and oblivion.]
Look out! [when the gap is closes, he'll perform a whirlwind swing using the light and darkness to push back the rats. it takes out a fair share of them and scares off a few others, but it's enough for him to get that level-up sound. which is puzzling, but not his focus in the least. no, he's turning to naminé, looking at her with concern.]
Are you okay? [it's clear he doesn't recognize her though—he's just acting as a concerned stranger.] There were really a lot of them...
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Not to mention, well, the last person she'd ever expect to see in this world would be him. Not that it's a bad thing; she always liked Roxas. But the last time the two Nobodies saw each other was when they returned back to Sora and Kairi. At least that's the case for her.
Keeping out of his way and even moving off to the side when it wad safe, Naminé breathes a sigh of relief when it's over. With a small smile, she opens her mouth to respond, his name on the tip of her tongue--
Sadly, that look is familiar to her, and reminds her too much of the last time Sora and her saw each other.
He doesn't know her.
Taking a deep breath through her nose, she nods, still keeping up that smile despite the twinges of disappointment in her mind.]
Yes, I-- I'm okay now. Thank you so much. [She drops her gaze for a moment, looking him over and his weapons.] What about you?
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if he knew—if he knew that she was someone he's supposed to know, and someone else he doesn't remember, it would undoubtedly bother him. it would make him feel a bit guilty, and maybe even angry towards whatever it is that tampers with his memories. he knows about situations where people remember meeting him in worlds he can't recall, and he also knows about the possibility of really egregious time discrepancies. but things like that aren't anything roxas is capable of discerning from a glance alone. she looks relieved but there's something else, and he has to wonder if he's just imagining it or if there's something he's missing—and maybe just unable to understand.
but roxas can't dwell on that, so he elects not to. not yet, at least. after a moment, he'll dismiss the keyblades, not seeing them as necessary when there's nothing coming their way as f now.]
I'm fine. Those guys were nothin' for me. [it's a little weird to take out rats, sure, but... it's ViViD, so they're not real. he's dealt with way worse outside of the game than something like that.]
You're new around here, right? I don't think I've seen you before. [ouch, roxas. way to dig the knife in deeper and twist it a bit.]
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It's likely a bad thing- a very un-Nobody-like thing- that her expression very nearly falls. Gaze diverted for a moment, it looks like what she saw in his eyes was right. Somehow, she's a stranger to him, even though just moments ago for her they were smiling at each other. They may not have been incredibly close, but she would have liked to have thought they'd friends to some extent.
Or maybe that's just wishful thinking on her part. She has modified his memories too after all.
Mouth slightly open again, she contemplates even questioning him. But what good would that do? Jog a memory that's not even there? Something or someone could have changed his memories here, or maybe its a part of this world, or maybe she did and then erased her own memory of it. Maybe, even... he's choosing not to remember.
Whatever the reason, should she question it? This isn't exactly a great place to discuss something so personal. And, well maybe this is what she deserves in the end.
Looking down for a moment to compose herself, she looks back up at Roxas with a sigh and a brave face. A smile that's just a little somber.]
You're right, I am. I'm not even sure what this world is called.
[Or where she is or what she's doing here. The more Naminé thinks about it, the more it feels like something went terribly wrong.]
Phase III
Someone must have lost it.
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It looks like it's been in there for a while. [Smells like it too. She looks at Iris for a moment.] What should we do with it?
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[That was a good question, wasn't it? Throwing it back seemed a shame. She had every confidence that the owner must still be alive. Shoes fell off all the time. Especially if someone had been in the water and the laces came loose. It happened.]
We could ask around?
[Figure out if somebody was missing a shoe, or knew someone who had. They might want it back.]
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Still, she reels it in a little more so that it's easier to grab, and gets to her feet, dusting off her dress in the process. She's placing some amount of trust in the other girl in this sort of situation. Not to mention her idea seemed like the right thing to do.
So she nods along.]
Where do you think we should start our search?
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bonus
a rabbit? where did it... riku looks in the direction it came from only to be greeted with a hill. from up there, huh? it seems like someone has luck as bad as his. he can't help but smile a little, the inner softie getting the better of him as he crouches down. real or not, why not give it a heal if it needs it? who knows, maybe helping out a hurt fluffball might all be part of the game.]
Took a bit of a roll there, didn't you, little guy?
[...huh. something's weird about little guy, though. the smile shifts into a curious expression. the rabbit feels oddly familiar. why does a rabbit feel oddly familiar?]
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With stars in her eyes and and a throb in her head, Naminé gets up onto her feet with a wobble or two, completely unaware of who or what stopped her. When that wash of healing light comes over her and she hears his voice, her head snaps up to look at him, ears perked and alert and eyes opened wide.
Riku... is here? And he looks different. The haircut is instantly noticeable, since she hasn't seen hair that short on him in over a year. It looks good. It's nice that she can see his eyes again.
She moves back a little with a few wiggles, still not used to this body at all. Being short and always having to look up at others was one thing. But the gross difference here, even as he's kneeling, makes her feel even smaller and more nervous now. Naminé knows that he'll have an idea of what's going on here, and why and how she might even be here, but seeing as he doesn't recognize her right now, it's not going to be easy to convince the Keyblade wielder that she is who she is.]
Riku...? Riku, it's me...
[Can't blame a girl for trying to talk to him. But it's just coming out as bunny chatter.]
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I'm gonna go out on a limb and guess you're not just part of the scenery.
[if not part of the game then that means they're probably some innocent person suffering at the hands of one of vivid's wonderful glitches. considering the quality of today's game, a rabbit-fying glitch definitely isn't impossible. weird, but possible. he pauses briefly before speaking again.]
Have we met before?
[it's a question that kills two birds with one stone. if it answers, it's clearly more than just an ordinary rabbit and, if the answer is yes, then it gives riku some personal motivation to help bunny dude out. honestly, the answer is already obvious enough. ugh, it's frustrating. riku KNOWS this feeling, but can't immediately place it thanks to the whole rabbit look throwing him off. it's right there on the tip of his tongue, too.]
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But of course, this is Riku and he's surprised her a few times before. The question earns him a head tilt. Maybe he can't understand her, but he must know, somehow, that something's up. Otherwise, he wouldn't have put it that way at all.
If she could breathe a sigh of relief right now, she would. Terrible luck or not, she's glad it was him that she could run into. Anyone else might have just ignored her or treat her just like an animal.
There's a nod for your answer. They absolutely have met before.]