melodiesofkupo | [Video]

Entry tags:

[Video]

Dante, this is stupid, even for you.

Just hold the slate for me, alright? It's important.

(The video feed opens up with a familiar zora and his moogle coming to the end of their bickering and finally focusing on the zora himself. He greets his viewers with a fistpump and a proud grin.)

Hey! For anyone who doesn't know me, I'm Dante. For everyone who does, then...hey! You guys probably know me from the Curti Center or a slew of adventures across Vaikuntha. Things have been pretty busy lately, huh? Can't say I know more about it than any of you, but something's been bothering me lately. Might be more of a personal thing or one too many shifts at the center. Can't say. Anyway, here's the deal.

(The zora gestures for his moogle to focus the video feed down at the table before him, looking over a diorama of a city the length of the table. On one end is a tower, another a small office with a statue of a man who looks mildly familiar.)

So in these dreams, this is me. Crazy, right? Still don't wear a shirt, but I can respect that. I'm just chillin' and doin' my thing when BAM!

(A small collection of scary reaper looking dudes is dropped into the office, surrounding the red coated man.)

All these guys start swarming the place! I'm taking hits like a champ and dealing it right back to 'em. And it's real stylish and smooth.

(Cue a few moments of a fully grown man playing with dolls over a broadcast. It clearly looks a lot cooler in his head.)

So I deal with these guys, right? And it's happening 'til I get all the way here, when I gotta deal with this guy!

(Improvised noises of a large creature dropping in is paired with a matching figurine of a ice-based three headed dog standing in the man's way.)

So we fight and, of course, I win, and some pretty other cool stuff happens that I can't remember right now. See, it's a weird situation right now that I can't really piece together, but I got an idea that might help with that. Hear me out here:

The Monster Arena

I'm thinking if I deal with some of these creeps myself, it might help paint a clearer picture in my head. A real hands-on experience, you know? Course, I'mma need a little help to get through it, so anyone's itching to fight some of these guys or do me a favor, I'm open for business. I'm cooking for anyone who joins in, don't you worry.

Flat | Top-Level Comments Only

Hi! I don't think we've been properly introduced yet, but I think we've been part of some of the same missions this month, in different groups. My name's Corrin, I'm a Dark Knight, and I'd be happy to help you with this, Dante.

Appreciate it! I think I've seen you around, now that you mention it...yeah alright, you're in.

Also? Good choice on Dark Knight. Used that asterisk a lot when I was younger. Been thinking about taking it up again, but maybe after trying a few others, you know?

[ She grins happily.] Great! You can count on me.

Thank you, I find a great deal of meaning in its calling. Back home, we hold darkness to be sacred, and I'll always give of myself gladly in order to protect others. It seemed like the perfect fit to me, though I do want to give other asterisks a try, eventually. It never hurts to have a diverse skill-set after all!

Just let me know when you need me, and I'll be there.

Got it. Haven't decided on a date yet; kinda more in the interest check stage.

Now that I think about it, I feel like there was something about a Dark Knight that's supposed to be important in all that context, but it's not coming to me. Kinda like startin' a book at chapter 6.

That weird to say? That this whole thing feels like it has a story to it?

In your dreams, you're...human?

[Azusa blinks, trying to take this in, but all she can think about is something completely unrelated. It's business as usual.]

My, my. Sometimes, when I dream, I'm a mermaid looking for my underwater prince...it's like the same thing in reverse, isn't it?

Makes sense to me. The way I see it, you don't gotta dream about what you already are; you can wake up and do that just fine.

(The zora smirks.)

'Course, I thought you went and already found your prince.

Right? Though there's something to said about daydreaming, too...my mind does like to wander. I wonder...why a human, though. Do you want to be a human?

[What is this? Therapy? At his next statement, she blinks a few times.]

Eh? My prince? My, my. The closest I've come to finding a prince is almost accidentally marrying an oil tycoon, I think.

Not really, no. Can't imagine the scales and all that swimming for...uhh...hair, I guess? Humans do all kinds of things with their hair, so there's that.

(Like worry about it. Zora fins don't need nearly as much styling, which helps.)

Oil tycoon? No, not unless Re--

(Wait. Would namedropping him be a bad idea? Do they even like each other like that? Hmm...maybe best not to poke that hive.)

...Actually, nah. How's that oil tycoon thing play out? That sounds like a good story.

My, my. We certainly do, don't we? Before I debuted as an idol, my hair was a lot longer. I think my hair is much more balanced this way, don't you~?

[No big deal, she's just going to ask Dante what he thinks about her hair? Clearly, he's a man of style.

What's that about Re, though? She blinks, but she's not going to say anything. Hmmm...]

Ah, well, you see...I was wearing a wedding dress for a photo shoot, and these men in black came by and forced me into their car. They mistook me for the bride-to-be of this wealthy man whose bride had run away. I'm sure something similar has happened to most people~.

Hey, it's got my seal of approval.

(He may not know much about hair, but he knows it looks nice on Azusa. She gets the thumbs up and the signature zora grin, complete with teeth sparkle.

Of course, there's more notably concern as she goes on with the rest of that story, leaving him raising an eyebrow.)

...Uhh. No, that's not a thing that happens next to stepping on gum. That's kidnapping, Azusa. Not really a happy thing for people.

I'm glad to hear that. Hmm...it's hard to put into words exactly...but you're surprisingly chic, aren't you?

[She means that as a full-on compliment, she just can't explain why. Maybe it's the way he acts? A modern Zora for the modern times.

Well, it's a more fun topic than kidnapping. Azusa closes her eyes, frowning as she recalls some of the details.]

Mm...maybe it was more of a light kidnapping? They let me out of the car once they realized they were looking for a different woman in a wedding dress.

...Yeah. That happens to me too.

[Just when Red was starting to get used to seeing humans around without uncomfortable memories being dragged back to mind, this comes up. Suffice to say, Red observes the... dramatic re-creation with a discerning look, but it's more rumination than condescension.]

But if you're takin' on big bad enemies like that? You gotta count me in.

Red, I was literally gonna call you after I wrapped this up. You gotta see these guys in person; they're no joke, but I know you can appreciate a good fight.

Gotta admit: I'm not completely sure what this means, but maybe dealing with these more might dig up more dreams like this? Could be fun.

You must've really enjoyed that dream. Though I'm more curious where you dug up those figures.

[Wouldn't be the first weird coincidence like this he'd seen, either.]

Someone make 'em for you?

Threw 'em together myself...with a lot of help from Bass here, of course He's my bristly bookkeeper and moogle buddy. You're a pal, Bass. You know that?

We wasted so many hours on this, kupo...

And that's why you're getting all the kupo nuts. Fair trade, if you ask me.

Red, I'm not alone in thinking terms like "cooler" and "more whoosh" suck as descriptions, right, kupo?

Sorry, Bass, it's two on one here. I know exactly what those mean.

[He gives a quick laugh, but it tapers off... and only after a brief, conspicuous silence, he continues.]

Hey, uh... Dante. Do you always dream of yourself as a human, or...?

(There's a groan of frustration from the moogle as he shoves the iMog into Dante's hands and goes off to huff in privacy. The quick chuckle from Dante assures that the little guy will come back once he's cooled off.)

Not always, no. Actually, it kinda started happening a few months ago, after that trip to the empire. Didn't think much of it at the time and it didn't happen again for like...another month? The same thing, but more vivid. Kinda feels like the dream wants me to remember it and the context around it.

I dunno, Red; are dreams supposed to be that lucid?

[There's a long pause.]

Does it feel wrong to you? Like the human body just doesn't fit?

tbh it's pretty freaking likely that whatever this is is somehow linked to the dream width and bahamut and stuff, considering that apparently that weird hacker also went through the same thing??? so it's probably worth it to try and figure this stuff out. i'm pretty flippy and jumpy and all acrobatic myself, so i'm happy to help out

Good; I was doing a lot of flips and jumps and acrobatic stuff and they couldn't all keep up with it. Pretty sure that'll translate in the Arena.

You might be right about the Dream Width part, but what was the thing with the hacker, though? I think I missed that when it came up.

there was this weird hacker in the network with a literal codename, somebody managed to track 'em down and get some answers. they were super vague, but they mentioned experiences similar to yours.

oh also said hacker might be the ancient goddess of destruction from crystallis??? jsyk

Well. That ties a lot into what we're worrying about, doesn't it? Makes me think Baha-Blast is more like a phase one sort of deal.

Course I gotta make sure things aren't too similar now. I might be reckless here and there, but taking the world down with me? That's just out of character.

yeah you don't really seem like the type ;P you'd need a more intimidating cape, for one. deeper voice too, maybe some better monologuing skills.

anyways, hmu when everything's ready. don't worry about crankin' the difficulty up, i can handle myself.

Hey, I can monologue alright! That's part of all that stage presence stuff and soakin up the spotlight. I ain't doing the pointy collar capes, though; not my style.

But yeah, I'll let everyone know once it's all set! I'm gonna cook up some stuff for everyone to make sure we're all good to go. Any requests?

hmmm... some stuff to parkour off of would be nice so i can show you my own flippy acrobatic stuff.

[Oh. It's the Zora. This actually sounds interesting, and he can't say he hates Dante after their work in the fields.

But dreaming about being human, huh? Dylas can REMEMBER being human.]

I want to be on the side of the monster dog. You can fight both of us.

Not that I'm against the idea, but I dunno if the Arena will let you pick. Or if the monster dog plays nice; Cerberus really lives up to the gate guardian task and didn't wanna go for a walk, either.

...I'm not sure how I know it's name is Cerberus.

That's too bad. I don't usually feel like playing nice myself. He and I would've made a good team.

[You know, he has to at least pretend like he doesn't want to talk to Dante. But he does, because he's here, so...]

Whatever. I'm still interested if you want a mage. I won't blame you if you say no.

[He knows he is a lot. Dylas is not the biggest fan of Dylas.]

Edited 2018-12-01 22:19 (UTC)

(Dante waves a casual hand.)

It's all good; the more firepower we have, the better. These guys are rough. Like, will murder you outright rough. Would've been terrifying if I didn't take 'em down so easily.

Pretty sure I can't do half the things I could in the dream, though. The figurines don't do it justice.

Wh-- don't say that after we spent hours putting this together, kupo!

No, not like that...

I don't know why I'm wasting time talking to you, then. The you in your dream sounds like a lot more fun.

[See? Even he can be snarky. Look. At. That.

But Dylas always feels a little sting of envy when he hears about people who are close to their Moogles. His own is still avoiding him nine months in. He tries not to let it show, but he looks a little distracted for a second.]

Uh...but yeah. I've seen some pretty tough monsters, too. My kin, probably. [Gotta sell that 'I'm a monster' schtick.] I can handle it.

I'll be honest with you: the me in my dreams is pretty cool, so I'm not taking that personally.

(Dante can't argue that even if he wanted to.)

But yeah, gimme some time to speak with the arena guy and I'll get back to you...oh! I'm serious about the cooking bit, so if there's anything you wanna try, let me know.

Yeah. I can see that. I doubt the other you plays with dolls.

[He's trying to friendly-tease, but he's not great at it.]

My favorite food is, uh...fish. Any kind will do.

[He pauses.]

Zora eat fish, right?

[He's a little concerned they don't now and admitting he likes to eat fish is somehow offensive to someone who looks like a fish? Crap.]

What're you cooking? [That's going to make or break Okuyasu coming to fight some monsters with a fish dude.]

Edited 2018-11-28 16:34 (UTC)

I'm willing to take requests. Course with Starlight coming up, I might do some holiday stuff on the side; I got my cookies and eggnog recipes all set to go!

Are you gonna film the fighting? I can bring my pins over to add somethin' extra to your outfit!

...

(He's actually speechless for a moment, his expression shifting into a grin as he looks back at the moogle holding his iMog.)

...Hey Bass...

No.

Come on, it's a legit idea here!

No.

It'll be cool~

No, kupo.

You'll be cool if you can get the footage.

I SAID N-- ...how cool?

So cool that people are gonna talk about how brave you are for getting all that sweet recording going on. Like an investigative journalist! Right, Okuyasu? It takes guts to get that close to the action to share the truth with the world.

Yeah! There's always gotta be a guy with the camera, runnin' into action to make sure the heroes look good! [A Koichi of the group, only Bass never joins the fight.] And we can post it on Mognet - no, wait, we can post a highlights reel. That'll be our campaign to get people to hire use and get us to lead 'em against Bahamut!

They're gonna be all "Holy shit, these guys are kickass, so we're totally listening to them, maybe we'll think they're the coolest dudes ever!" [And forget his disaster on public broadcasting in June.]

Not typically my deal, but given what happened back in the tundra, I'm coming to realize that maybe I should get better at fighting things that aren't regular people.

You handled it pretty well back there, to give you credit. Course, a little practice can't hurt. I was doing plenty of flips and slick dodging in the dream and those guys had trouble keeping up; you roll dragoon again and you might do fine.

Thanks, Dante. Hopefully this time, I can actually use the pointy stick instead of just having to ditch them to handle things the old fashioned way.

By the way, I never got to say this - you have fine tastes in coats.

...That actually means a lot, coming from you.

(From a man who practically lives in his coat? You better believe there's a bit of flattery going on here. Dante's taking it in stride, brushing his thumb across his chin.)

I'm probably gonna dress the part for that extra bit of immersion, now that you mention it. Ain't gonna make anyone else do that, though; it's more of an experiment for me. The whole thing kinda is, really. Plus the idea of the arena is just really, really cool to me.

Flat | Top-Level Comments Only

[Video]

[Video]

[Video]

[Video]

[Video]

[voice]

[voice]

[voice]

[voice]

no subject

no subject

no subject

[video]

[video]

[video]

[video]

[video]

[video]

[video]

text

text

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

eh, I wasn't going to double-tag you but

But now you get double the Dante

double the d :eyes:

Does that make it quadruple the d with these two

it...it does...

no subject

no subject

[video]

[video]

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject