letter + voice

[acceptedlife]

[Early in the morning, almost as if it were timed, every single Native OC who was at the dinner last month and every Outworlder receives a similar physical packet. In it is, written in neat handwriting, a letter placed atop two different manila folders.]

Hey.

Most of you have never heard from me, but of those who have seen Futaba's notes on what we know so far, you may recognize my name. I am Takeshi Nakagawa, an Outworlder like most of you who receive this. Previously, I was a Hero of Light.

By now you've likely heard of the tale of Crystallis and how the journey ended for four of us. I was not one of them, but I witnessed their sacrifice along with countless others. It is because of their deeds that we are all here this day, for if they did not, all worlds and all universes would have been wiped out by a threat that posed to consume and assimilate them unto themselves and into an existence that doesn't know life or death.

I do not share this with the intention of scaring anyone, but to inform you all of what has been hinted at and danced around. What we may face in the coming months may well hinge on what we know.

As a promise for the future: I intend to keep sharing these words gathered here to every person who shows up in the Dream Width. 'Cuz those who turn their backs on the past risk history repeating itself.

I will post something on the network shortly after everyone should be receiving this. If you have any questions, feel free to ask me there or mail them to me physically. For those who arrive in the coming waves, you can always reach me via the contacts list if my name has not been grayed out.

We need to be prepared, and face whatever comes our way head-on.

Also, as some of this concerns a certain problem, do not share this with anyone outside our number until the world leaders agree to go public about it.

- Takeshi Nakagawa

[Said manila folders of information are labeled Crystallis' Status Report (outdated, obviously) and Addendum: the World of Ruins and the Aftermath. About three hours after the characters receive this, a post on the linkshell shows up. The voice is tired, likely from having worked on assisting with custom jobs all day. Yet his voice remains crystal clear:]

Hey. If you're not completely distracted by working on these custom jobs, you've likely seen the letters I've sent most of you by now. Ran out of paper while working on one for the Center employees. If not, take the time to read them before responding to this. For those who have: I expect you all have questions after the letter I sent. If I can, I'll try to answer them.

For those who don't know me, I'm Takeshi.

Comments

voice;

[acceptedlife]

[He doesn't have the downright hostile relationship the real thing does with Xehanorts. In fact, the only one he personally met was Xemnas and he'd once tried to help offer information then, too. Which went about as well as one would suspect.

Tread carefully, the warning pops in his head.]

Keep in mind that until recently, there was a person who hacked into the mognet who was reading all our conversations. Person-to-person messages would work, if you trust the moogle delivering them. In person would likely be the wisest.

[Ahh, the ever-present question. One he hasn't had asked to him in years. His tone is wry in response:]

You mean Riku.

just.. guess!!

[fixed_destiny]

I trust .. one moogle. She is of the opinion no moogle would ever mis-deliver a message, but she might be a bit. Biased. I wouldn't mind in-person, but be warned I'm likely to share any relevant information I get with others if I think they can make use of it.

[By the feminine giggle just off the mic, 'she' is likely Xehanort's own moogle, but she's not going to add much to the discussion aside from a barely heard It's true, kupo, you can trust us!

But while Takeshi's wry, Xehanort's tone is ...cautious. It's not fun territory for HIM, if this fellow gets that problem too..]

A proper name exchange never happened. If you are not he, I would ... very much like to prevent any mistaken identities. They've caused me nothing but problems in the last two worlds, I can't imagine it's easier on anyone else.

like i have to

[acceptedlife]

I don't mind. It's just that I do not trust the security of these devices, considering what we promised as a whole at the Festival. As for moogles, I only trust one as well.

[There's a soft "R-really?" in the background. He ignores it, just as cautious despite his wry tone.]

I know the feeling. [With that, he briefly switches to video; the reason why becomes obvious. He is older in appearance; likely by about five or six years than the other who had given him grief. His hair is longer as well, more white than the purple-tinted silver of the original. The wall behind him is nondescript, but all the same... the cyan eyes remain the same.

He returns to voice-only.] I will be at the Center, testing the custom job asterisk system for a few days.

[Best to keep in a large group than hermit away the first few days.]

hey more sounds

[fixed_destiny]

[Trust one's own moogle, all the rest: disbelieve!

The devices not being trusted made sense. From what he understood of the technology on Earth, cellphones too were subjected to hacking. It was best safe than sorry, when world ending threats were involved. Especially if one of the threats were listening in.

But as the video turns on, explaining matters rather thoroughly, there's silence for a time, and then a brief, dry chuckle.]

I'd say you definitely know the headache it involves then. But I don't think I'll mistake you in person for ... ah, 'Riku' was it? He's a fair bit younger. I'm glad that's straightened out before it can cause issues.

[..Actually rather like himself and Terra in that respect, though the gap was smaller.]

I recently volunteered to help with the custom job research, I enjoy that sort of work. I'll get in touch with you when I spot you there, the more information there is to work with on this matter the better.

all the sounds

[acceptedlife]

[To be fair, he knew not of the other moogles' integrity. Thus, he remains silent on his feelings on the one other he does know well: Bonnie.

He trusts her about as far as he can throw her, and he doesn't know Throw yet.]

Yes, and that makes one more on that list, at least. [Who isn't on that list, he won't say. That's his business.] Alright, though I don't think I caught your name.

[whirluendo_of_puns]

I see. And the two women would have been [he pauses to check the report again] Kalki and Gelda Nebilim. And the guy with the nose must have been Igor...

[Hmm...]

...You think this might have something to do with why there are two versions of the origin story? I mean, the natives of Vaikuntha wouldn't have the context to realize these were two totally different events.

noises and so on

[fixed_destiny]

[He hadn't encountered Bonnie yet, but there were surely some of them that could be trusted. Xehanort was reserving judgment til he met a given individual though.

Hopefully there wasn't some great moogle conspiracy going on.]

Xehanort.

[acceptedlife]

Exactly. And it could be; from what we've found, it makes the most sense so far. I'd like to find more info on what we can here before I say "Yes" outright, though.

[singerofspells]

"Many worlds in my own universe are like that, just not Earth. At least among humans."

action; a day later

[shadowsthedawn]

[To say that the information Takeshi provided everyone had given Riku something to think about would be an understatement. He spent most of the afternoon and evening staring at the notes, reading and re-reading, making sure that there's nothing he missed. There's not much that can conclusively be linked between Crystallis and this world, but there are enough similarities to raise several eyebrows.

Low-key stalking Takshi's mognet announcement has also given him a couple of other things to think about. But it all leads to the fact that he has questions and the only person he really trusts to answer him is his replica.

Which brings us to why Riku is standing at Takeshi's door the next day, pizza box balanced carefully on one arm as he uses his other hand to knock. Who doesn't love a good food bribery?]

[acceptedlife]

[He'd be surprised if they didn't give Riku something to think about, and ever since he basically exploded at Baiken... He's been kicking himself. It's been a long time since he snapped like that, the last time being in the heat of battle.

That said, he kind of expected he'd see Riku again soon. What he didn't expect was that it'd be the very next day, and with a pizza box...? Takeshi blinks, a bit of a teasing smirk crossing his lips.]

Didn't take you for a delivery boy.

[And he didn't even order anything. Tsk tsk. Still, he moves to the side to let the real thing enter unbarred. His apartment isn't much, and far smaller than the house they briefly shared at the Center, but hey; he's taken steps to make it feel a little more secure. Both in adding soundproofing (for... reasons) and purchasing some healing supplies; supplies which are currently arranged on shelves alongside a few sparse books in the living room as if they're decorations.]

Make yourself at home. [Or whatever it is you're supposed to say. He didn't have visitors often, okay?]

[acceptedlife]

[...It's a very good thing that this is just audio; he recognizes that name. The full significance is lost on him, however; he's from before they know the true name of the man's Heartless who would possess Riku.]

Nice to meet you, Xehanort. [Moogle conspiracies may be the one thing they have to worry about the least right now.]

text;

[promiselisting]

Didn't realize you planted some damns that high. Seems like it'd be a lot of trouble if you ask me.

[ There's a pause as her amusement fades a bit. ]

Man, if I really am overhauling my notes I guess I really... gotta decide what I'm doing with them?

Re: text;

[acceptedlife]

basically

you could just add the basics of mine into the crystallis section.

[shadowsthedawn]

[He shrugs, not bothered by the comment, as he steps over the threshold and into the apartment. He takes a quick assessment of the room as he strolls inside and locates a table to set the pizza down on.]

I sort of banked on the idea that we'd share the same taste in pizza. Double pepperoni and cheese. [There's a not so subtle question in the way his gaze moves between the pizza and Takeshi. A silence 'is that okay?' lingering between them.]

Where do you keep your plates? Do you have anything to drink?

[He figures he might as well get everything set up so they can sit down and eat before getting to business. Food bribery only works if they can actually eat while he needles Takeshi for answers.]

[acceptedlife]

[It would be a sad, sad day if that was enough to bother either of them. Especially considering the fact he kept working at an item shop, and a private healing gig on the side.

Luckily he won't have far to look; there's a coffee table in the living room. He hasn't bothered with a dining table yet; though there are signs he likely made that table himself. If the scent of fresh wood and callouses on his hands were anything to go by. Takeshi shrugs, 'yeah, it's fine.' Hopefully he didn't look in the pantry; there were ingredients in there that'd make baking it from scratch simple.]

Upper cabinet, second from the left. Drinks are in the fridge.

[...Along with the pizza sauce he made a day ago and jarred it. Shh.]

> Private

[whirluendo_of_puns]

Ah, I guess you're right.

[He hesitates for a moment before switching to private. He's not really worried about other outworlders hearing this, but after what went down with that hacker... The whole subject kind of unnerves him.]

Er... There's one other thing. The Empress, Lady Ramaa, said Kalki's statue had moved her to tears when she saw it as a child. Apparently it left such an impression on her that she modeled the monument in the third district after it, despite not knowing who it was of. It might not mean anything, but...

[shadowsthedawn]

[Also considering the fact that Riku is looking at being hired to work the counter in a weapons shop while he studies to become a airship pilot. Not exactly delivery but barely a step up from it.

Following Takeshi's directions, he enters the kitchen and makes a bee-line first to the cabinet, and then to the fridge, collecting plates, glasses, and drinks as he goes. He does notice the pizza sauce, but leaves it untouched. Clearly Takeshi has a purpose in mind for it other then the pizza currently sitting on his coffee table. Otherwise that means he would have been expecting Riku and the pizza, something the teen highly doubts.

Bringing all the items back into the living room, he begins arranging them on the table. Once everything is set up, he finally opens the pizza box, letting the fresh aroma and heat waves rolling off of it permeate the air.]

Dig in. [He pours himself a glass of soda as he waits for Takeshi to grab his slices, ruminating on where he wants to begin with his questions. He might as well start from the beginning.]

I saw the mognet post you made yesterday. You handed out a lot of valuable information but there's a couple of things I want to ask you.

text;

[promiselisting]

Oh yeah, already planning on doing that.

I just meant more, originally I just made these notes for my own benefit. Then I just thought I'd throw 'em up on the network to see if anybody had anything to say or add.

[ Now people are using them for a lot more than that. ]

[acceptedlife]

[Items and weapons... Well, at least Riku wouldn't have to worry about the replica becoming his manager or anything. He smirks faintly, grabbing himself a glass of soda as Riku gets the plates and his own drink to the other room.

Riku, he had expected. The pizza, not so much. Honestly he'd almost expected Sora to follow, but considering the message still sitting in his inbox, he kind of doubts that the guy would.

He only grabs the one slice before he sits down; resting his glass on the table in front of him. Silly Riku; this is his home. Or at least as close to one as he'll have here. He takes a few bites, waiting for the inevitable questions to start and he almost takes a fourth when at last, he says something.

Aha.] Had a feeling you would. [To be fair, though - he imagined a lot of people did. It was a lot all at once.] Well? They won't ask themselves, Riku.

Private

[acceptedlife]

...It's something to keep in mind.

[He won't say the theories he had come up with over the network; not in regards to that hacker or the Empress. He still has no idea what to think about the latter.... She seems helpful, but... so did someone else. It might be rude of him to judge one person based on the actions of another, but- he's distrustful of others on principle.]

Wish a few of the others who were there from the start were here. They'd have more answers than I do. Not to mention another perspective, but the one I knew had been there the longest disappeared recently.

[He needs to talk to Reno. Maybe he or Bonnie know more.]

[shadowsthedawn]

[Honestly, Sora probably would have come if Riku had told him what he's doing. But if=t had kind of been a spur of the moment plan that he made up only after pouring over all of the notes overnight.

And if he's honest, some of the stuff he wants to ask Takeshi is probably too personal for a mixed audience. He's not even completely sure that his replica will be that forthcoming with him.

It's safer to begin with the more standard questions.]

The notes say that the Eidolons were also present in Crystallis, but I couldn't find anything on what their purpose was. Was it the same as it is here? And was Bahamut also among them?

[There's so many parallels between the two worlds that it must mean something.]

[acceptedlife]

[That would explain it. He pauses, thinking over the information he barely remembers.]

They were supposed to be protectors of the land, yeah. Something had corrupted them before our cycle began. I don't know the details, didn't ask, [Which he is now internally kicking himself over, by the way.] -but most were freed from their madness by the time I awoke in Aqures Ixen.

And yes, Bahamut was among them. Kalki corrupted him herself to buy her some time. Several of us didn't come back from that fight.

[shadowsthedawn]

[He lets that sink in for a moment before nodding. More parallels but nothing substantial enough that they can know how things will go this time.]

He was also the Eidolon of Destruction there? [He's asking more for clarity then anything. It seems weird that they would have one of their 'protectors' be an entity of destruction. But maybe he wasn't always that.]

And it seems like whoever is summoning him wants us to fight him now.

[acceptedlife]

He was made into one, yeah.

[There really isn't enough substantial evidence to back up that it'll be the same. Hell, they don't even know if it's the same Bahamut either. Some of the Eidolons of this world look completely different from the ones of Crystallis, but he's no summoner here and he wasn't one there. Something about the whole 'call out to another being for help' didn't really sit right with him and still doesn't.]

Looks like it, but, why Bahamut specifically both times? [What's so special about him?] There were four other "Legendary Eidolons" they could have gone for, but didn't.