[Warning, incoming game. Warning, incoming game.] [Date: Friday, Ramuh 6th, 1360.] [Imza has just recieved his audition summons yesterday, telling him to come today in the morning. It's been somewhat quiet, and the paperwork to fill out was rather simple, although it included a waiver and told Imza to be ready for anything. We find the scene around the Council's hall-type-thingie that they're doing auditions in.] [A female moogle is standing at the podium near the entrance. The air is a moderate temperature today. Not too hot, not too cold, and light humidity, sun in the sky. Looks like it's gonna be a fine day for SCIENCE! And other stuff, too.] [Session start!] * Imza walks up to the podium. "Hello! Is this where they're holding auditions?" Yes it is, kupo! Okay! Can I go in? Only if they asked you to come. You would be... Imza Doltt? * Imza nods. "Yep! That's me!" He seems pleased that the moogle isn't laughing. * Moogle motions. "Step inside then. The council's been waiting, kupo." Oh. I should've gotten here faster, then. * Imza walks on in. [The council is sitting around a large U-shaped wooden hardwood table. From the left to right you can make out Mog, Penn Lak Illich, Loren Hasgord, Squenix Knackstedt, Cid, Gwesus Masahcarey, Ran Dom Iffin, Yarksetnik Czretzinger, and Darell Racht. Each of them observes you appraisingly, and a few whisper among eachother regarding what they see. Light is centered on you, although you can still see the council.] [Behind you and to the left is a small sparring area, and back and to the right is what appears to be the magical equivalent of a firing range. There is still a good amount of blood in the sparring area, which may or may not disturb you. Once you have entered proper and have had a seat on the chair at the focus of the U, Cid stands up and starts into one of his speeches.] * Imza notes the blood, and wonders who it belongs to, but hey, if they're not lying there bleeding they must be okay by now. * Imza looks around at the council as he has a seat. "Hello! I'm sorry I kept you waiting!" Hello Imza, and welcome. You know, not everyone has what it takes to join the crystal caravan. It takes both integrity and determination, and discipline as well. You are not just going out to keep miasma at bay, but also to show the rest of the world what your tribe and this city are made of. Hence, it is very important that we only let the best of the best to join the crystal caravan. In this way those who join can continue the proud traditions that our fathers have left us, and keep peace on our lands. As you know, miasma is a dangerous substance, and while its properties aren't completly documented, it is certai- * Ran Dom starts whistling idly at that point. Penn Lak is also motioning subtely (Or maybe not so subtely) with a 'stop' motion. Oh, um... Quite. Mog, can you begin? * Imza doesn't notice this. * Mog gets up and flies to Imza. "Hi Imza! Do you like to do anything?" * Imza grins. "Yes! I like to make weapons, and armor, and hinges, and nails!" Why do you like making wapons and armor and stuff? * Imza blinks, and a look of intense concentration creeps onto his face. "Uhm..." Kupo? Uhm... I dunno. You don't know? Uh... Why do you like meat? * Imza grins. "It tastes good!" Why does it taste good, kupo? * Imza blinks. "Because... it's cooked right?" Are you thinking, Kupo? What about meat tastes good? Well... the meat part is good, but also the spices it's cooked with? The way you cook it makes a difference, too. * Mog thinks for a few seconds, then decides to proceed down a different track. "Kupo, why do you like meat more than star carrots?" Well, star carrots are good too. But I like meat more, because it has a nicer flavor. And what about the flavor is nicer, kupo? It's kind of... I dunno. It tastes like meat and star carrots don't. * Mog rubs his head. "Kuuu." He flies back and passes the papers. "Go ahead Penn Lak." * Penn Lak takes the papers and snickers when she sees the name. Fortunately, the most Imza would notice is her snickering at something on his paper. She steadies herself. "Okay, Imza, let's say... Let's say someone was making fun of your name, and you couldn't beat them up to stop them. What would you do to stop them?" * Imza frowns. "Why can't I beat them up? Are they tougher than me, or is there some kind of wall between us, or what?" They'll kick your ass if you try. * Imza nods. "Okay. I'll bet he's not the kind to say he's sorry for it, either?" * Demot is now known as Demota * Penn Lak grins. "Of course not! Where would be the fun in that?" Well, if they were, I wouldn't have to beat them up. But... How much tougher are they? Could I beat them up if I trained hard for a while? Or is fighting just not gonna work at all? Let's say if you get stronger, he'll get stronger too. And if I bring friends, he'll bring tougher friends? Yeah, don't go trying to fight him. I thought so. Uhm... I suppose I could ask a Selkie for some good tricks to play on him. Water bucket on his door, sugar in his pillowcase to attract ants, or something. * Penn Lak snickers. "Hey, I like the way you think. Now, what if there wasn't a Selkie there to do the dirty work. What then?" ...I could get a Selkie to actually do it for me? I meant ask for advice! Do it for you, get advice. Let's say a Selkie wasn't willin' to do either. Oh. Well, then I guess I'd have to try it myself, wouldn't I? And how would just planting sugar in his pillowcase get him to stop? ...It wouldn't, would it. Not unless I told him I was doing it? But then he'd just beat me up for it. So I couldn't do that. Nope, doesn't work. What else, then? ...I dunno. I mean, there's things I could do to 'get even', but that doesn't matter. I just want him to stop. I'm sure you haven't exausted all your options. * Imza gets the look of intense concentration again. "Could... could I just ask him to stop? No saying he's sorry, but just stop?" That might work. * Penn Lak passes the papers. "I'm done. You may begin, Loren." It might? Really? * Loren takes up the papers. "Really, you could just ignore him and he'd probably stop once he saw it didn't bother you. Teasing is like that." Oh. But, with my questions. Why do you want to be on the caravan? 'Cause caraveners do great things! What great things do you want to do? Well, coming back with a chalice full of myrr is pretty great, I'd think. But there's also exploring ruins, and finding new things, and stuff. If there weren't ruins and new things to find, would you still go on the caravan? Well, sure. They'd still need people who knew how to fight, right? * Loren glances at the rest of the council, then back at Imza. "Yes they would." Then I'd still go. Why would you? Because it's important. If people don't go on caravans, nobody brings back myrr, and that nice crystal of ours doesn't do much good anymore, does it? * Loren nods. "Okay, I have no more to ask." He passes the papers to Squenix. * Squenix takes up the papers and puts them down. Today, in front of her, are a number of carrots and potatoes, carved in the likenesses of various pieces of adventuring gear. Rope, spears, lanterns, candles, torches, there's even one of the chalice, a myrr tree, and a crystal. Squenix takes a carrot carved like a rope and points at it. "What is this?" A carrot carved to look like a rope? ...that's pretty neat. * Squenix offers it to Imza. "Carrot?" Thanks! * Imza accepts the carrot. See, he eats his vegetables, too. * Squenix passes the papers to Cid. * Cid takes up the papers and adjusts their position until they focus in his bifocals. "How often do you work alongside others?" Work? Not very often. Smithing is kind of a solitary thing. At the most, you could have an assistant. But a bunch of people don't come from all over town to get together and make nails. Mmmm, do you have any problems working with others, then? As long as they don't make fun of my name, I get along fine with people. It's a pretty easy-to-follow ground rule, right? If they do make fun of your name, do you still have problems working with them? Well, yes. I can try to ignore it, but if they keep at it it'll eventually get to me. So I'd try to get them to stop as soon as possible. Would your meathods to do so get in the way of your work? Probably not? Probably or no? I wouldn't beat up a fellow caravaner, if that's what you're asking. * Cid hmmms, and passes the papers to Gwesus, sitting down. * Gwesus looks at the papers. She stands up on the table and looks down at Imza. "How important is the good of the caravan?" Very, very, very important. If the caravan does not succeed, everyone dies from miasma. And that just won't do at all. What is the greatest thing you can give for the caravan? My life, probably. I don't have too much more to give. Would you? If I had to? Sure. Would you give another caravaner's life for the caravan? * Imza blinks. "No? I'd give mine instead. Why would I give someone else's?" * Gwesus sits down and passes the papers approvingly. Ran Dom. * Ran Dom hmmms and picks up the offered papers, reading through them." Who is the most important person in your life? My grandfather, probably. If it came down to it, whos life would you save then. You, or your grandfather? My grandfather. * Ran Dom passes the papers. "No more questions." * Yarksetnik takes up the papers and puts them to the side. She speaks from everywhere and nowhere at once, in the calm creepy voice of hers. "Imza Doltt. You seem to get angry rather quickly, from what I have observed of your youth. What do you do with this anger?" Vent it at whatever's handy, better if it's the cause of the anger. Do you allow this anger to cloud your judgement? No. Really. So, if I were to call you a Doltt, like the idiot that you are, you would think twice about jumping up and attacking me? (We love you, Yarksy.) * Ardle is now known as Ardweden Hey! You take that back! ...er, please? * Yarksetnik mantains a perfectly calm voice. "Why should I take it back? It is after all your name, is it not?" But you said I'm an idiot. And what are you going to do about it? Well, since you're not gonna apologize, I'm gonna sit here and be really angry while I answer your questions. I suppose I could be more accurate and call you a dimwitted folley of a Lilty that couldn't find his way out of a paper bag with all four sides open. Oh, and your grandfather? Worst excuse for a caravaner I've ever seen. * Imza seethes quietly. He's trembling with rage, but he's managing to keep himself under control (somehow). And I must say your craftsmanship is impressive. For a toddler. I've seen babies craft better in their sleep. But don't let that get you down. There is a big demand for empty heads today. * Yarksetnik waits patiently for Imza's actions, if any. "You may speak in your defense. I doubt it would do any good." * Imza says nothing. * Yarksetnik stares through Imza for a moment. "Relax. Apologies will come later, but Darell needs to complete this portion of the audition first. My statements do not represent the views of the council, and in this case not of myself either." She passes the papers to Darell silently. None of the council members act like they heard anything, just watching a contest of wills. * Darell takes up the papers and steps down, walking around the table and leaning on the front of the 'U'. "Hey, Imza, how much do you like your friends?" * Imza is simmering down. "My friends? I like 'em. I don't spend as much time with 'em as I used to." At least you got them. That's more than I could say about a number of applicants. How much would you do to help them out? Anything! They're my friends. If they need a few gil, they've got it. If they need a place to sleep, the forge room's got space for a sleeping bag. If they need help in a fight, they know I'm the one to come to. * Darell nods. "And'um... what about those who aren't your friends?" Well, if I see someone who really needs help, I'll help 'em. Good, good. Now... You say you're good with a scythe and cutting things with it. Can you show us some of that? Sure! ...right here? Or do you have a place for it? Here is fine. Go ahead and show off. ^_^ * Darell walks back to his seat and sits his chubby self down. * Imza stands up in the chair and summons his scythe, and goes through the more impressive-looking katas. Lots of spinning is involved, mostly horizontal, although there's one where he jumps and spins forward. His command of the weapon is absolute; through all of this, he somehow manages not to hit the chair. * Imza makes some more slashes without spinning with the weapon, this time, and then finishes with a mighty jump, at the end of which he brings his scythe down neatly on an imaginary foe. Nicely done Imza. Now... Can you do anything other than that? Uhm... I have a defensive form where I can hit people back the instant they hit me. And, uh, I can shoot a ball of energy, if I need to. I mean, anything other than fight. ( "I can not fight!" ) Oh. I can make things with metal, repair them if they get bent up, and working the rigging of a ship. Oh, and I can ride a chocobo. * Darell nods. "There isn't exactly anything you can do to demonstrate those in a quick amount of time. So, instead, we'll move on to the last test. Gwesus, Squenix, he's all yours." * Gwesus gets up and walks over to the ring. "Come." * Imza gets back out of his chair and follows Gwesus to the ring. * Gwesus, for note, does have Gugnir out. Squenix follows and has a small glowing yellow magicite orb with her. * Imza stares openly at Gugnir as he walks over. Step in. You know that caravaning is a dangerous business, and that caravaners don't always make it back. Some do die in the line of duty, and don't always get revived. It is important that you realize that you are not invincibile, and that if you have the opinion that 'It can't happen to me', it *will*. * Imza nods. * Gugnir is one badass mofo of a weapon. Um... Let's see. Black, hugely massive (at least 7 feet long). Gwesus is carrying it in one hand at the moment. The metal composition is unlike anything you've seen before, and the blades steadily change colors from dark-blue to dark-green to dark-red and back at varrying intervals. There is one *huge* spearhead done like a Phillips screwdriver, with four 'blades'... * Comming out and making a wicked stabbing implement. We need to make sure you won't crack under the pressure of the caravan. And thus, if you haven't figured it out, I am going to kill you. Gignir really is... er, what? Oh. Uhm. Okay. Gugnir is something special. Did you pay attention to what I said? * Imza nods. "Yeah, uhm. You're gonna... gonna kill me. Er, she's gonna bring me back, right?" He points at Squenix. Assuming that magicite is still working. It's been on the fritz recently. * Imza looks worried. No, really. You can still back out if you want, but you won't get on the caravan. N-no. I'll go through with it. * Gwesus assmes an offensive stance. "Are you ready?" No. But go ahead. * Gwesus jumps up in a *massive* dragoon jump. She takes her spear and fires a beam of holy light from it, blinding Imza with the light and probably doing a considerable amount of damage. Gwesus then throws Gugnir down through Imza, penetrating the Lilty. Finally, she drives down with her body and lands on the spear, making a nice crater and causing all five blades to impale Imza's now lifeless corpse. (You may describe a death pose) * Imza seems to be rather impressed until the lights in his eyes go out. * After an almost eternity of empty and nothingness, Imza's shunted back to life, his spirit forced back into its mortal coil. His shirt's covered in blood, and he's got a HUGE headache, as well as a small amount of pain in his chest. A little light breathing, is all. The council is generally looking over him. Gwesus is cleaning Gugnir of blood, and Squenix is inspecting her creations. * Darell is the first to talk. "Hey, look who's back among the living." * Imza gets up. * Imza's shirt is basically ruined. The hole is too large to repair. * Jex is now known as Cait`Sith Ow, my head. That was weird. Ms. Gwesus, that was *awesome*. That's Mrs. Oh, right. Sorry. * Imza looks around awkwardly. "So, uhm, is that it?" Yeah, that's it. You might want a shirt though, and don't go talkin' to anyone else about this. Otherwise Gwesus over there might make that trip a bit more permanent. * Imza blinks. "Oh, I won't." He shakes his head for emphasis. Congradulations on a job well done. Do you have any more questions for us before you need to leave? * Darell offers Imza a shirt. Uhm... no. Oh! Thanks for the shirt. Think nothin' of it. ^^ Is there a room I can change in out in the hall, or should I just change here? Go ahead and change. I don't think anyone'll mind. We're all grown and used to that kind of stuff. Happens a lot on the Caravan, honestly. * Imza switches out the item equipped in his 'shirt' slot. [Imza is now wearing 'New Shirt x1'.] So, uhm, when will I know if I've been accepted or not? When we're done with all the applications. You'll know if you're accepted. Okay. Thanks. Uhm.... bye. * Imza heads out of the room. [Session End!]