Summer Splash Party!

[Clio]

Clio was just finishing slapping up her 45th poster throughout Twilight Town. Her wings pulled her backward enough to observe her masterpiece and it was only now, when she’d realized there were three announcement flyers lining the sandlot alone, that she realized perhaps she overdid it.

A sigh rolled from her tiny lips. This is why I usually have somebody else do this! Oh, but the meticulous Lore Keeper had very little time to fret. She had to make sure the finishing touches were there!

She zipped here and there, positioning the balloons a little to the left, making sure the grill was being manned.

A magical dome covered The Sand Lot, providing lighting that mimicked the sun’s own. In here, one might hardly know the difference, save for the very real state of the world outside.

In a large square at the very center of the Sandlot was a pool with crystalline turquoise water. Somewhere, happy music strummed gently, seeking to uplift the spirits of any who cared to listen.

The Three Good Fairies even availed their services for the evening! Anyone in need of some swimwear would only need to visit the Magic Fabrics, and they’d walk out with the proper attire custom-tailored to them!

White towels had been rolled in refurbished lockers just to the right of the Magic Fabrics. There was even an air filter so it smelled fresher in here. Clio really had thought of everything. And all she could do was rub her little moogle temple an wait for the guests to arrive.

[Marmadue]

Marmadue shielded his eyes as he stepped inside the magical dome, the light inside quite blinding after what felt like an eternity of darkness. Not once had the sun risen in Twilight Town during his stay, the broken pieces of the moon their only natural source of illumination. His eyes had already gotten used to that, so now that he suddenly was bathed in magical sunlight… Well, it was another thing that he had to get used to once again! Perhaps it was just the darkness he had lived in for such a long time, but right now the sunlight felt like it was brighter than what he had ever experienced in his own world!

It had been difficult to not have seen the invitation. Fliers had been affixed to most structures around the town – and not just those, as the Yuke had suddenly been startled by a flier slapped onto his arm while he was busy pondering about the various predicaments they were in. Some might have felt they did not have time for such foolishness, partying when the times were dire. But Marmadue knew that was exactly when they needed something to lift their spirits. His own world, life was tough and a constant struggle. One always needed to be able to take their minds off that, if even for a day. They had to remember what they were fighting for.

The Sandlot almost seemed like it didn't belong in Twilight Town. While the buildings around them were still, well, rather destitute, the sunlight was bright and warm, the air didn't even seem quite as dusty as it was outside, the gentle sound of music filled the air and the smell of food wafted about. One thing was missing, however. The people…

Ah. The Yuke supposed he might have been a bit early…

[Shaizen Latross]

Shaizen walked along an empty street leading to the Sandlot, flyer in hand as he would read its contents. His mind would ask so many questions as his eyes scans the paper, wondering who would start a party in times like this. It was something he certainly thought was strange. He remembered the Phoenix Guard merely increasing patrols or even doubling squad sizes during times a crisis, but never never throwing a party. 

The Tirealian stepped into the sandlot and peered at the outside of the dome, wondering exactly what the inside was like and if he should even enter. While true he had only been on this world for a limited time, he still knew of its dangers. Or at least the immediate ones. He knew people were scared and desperate, that they all probably could use something to ease their nerves. Thinking in this, perhaps this might be a good thing, even if a bit risky

Shaizen would let the flyer fall as he stepped closer to the dome, soon stepping into it and being welcomed by a blinding light that he knew too well. Sunlight someone filled the inside of the dome and lit up everything inside. He had not seen such bright natural light since Luniel, and he had missed its warmth and comfort. It felt like an old friend against his skin, causing him to slightly relax before he would look around and spot the only other person there

"Ah... Marmadue... greetings again. Pleased to see you are well"

[Marmadue]

A sound from behind caused Marmadue to stir, turning around and lowering his arm that had shielded his eyes from the artificial sun. Ah, it was a man he could recognize. Shaizen. It only made sense for the two of them to bump into each other like this, considering that the town wasn't that large and the lot transformed into an event plaza was much in the same vein.
"Ah, yes, it is good to see you, sir. You too ah, found your way here?"

Of course he did. It was rather difficult to not see one of the fliers advertising the event. The Yuke absentmindedly scratched at the bits of dried glue still stuck to his sleeve, where one of them had been attached to him.
"…It has been a while, hasn't it? Ah, being in sunlight. If you can ah, call this that. I suppose it is quite similar," Marmadue's voice started to trail on as he looked up, squinting his eyes. It was… A rather strange situation, all of a sudden. Something so normal had become something to never happen. The gentle strumming of music didn't fit in a town that was in ruins… But maybe that was a good thing?

[Shaizen Latross]

Shaizen would walk over to the one who had welcomed him to this town, wondering if he had anything to do with this place. Before he could ask, however, he heard the question of how he got here and realized that Marmadue was not the one who had set this up. Who then had made this possible? He had yet to meet someone who might be able to create artificial sunlight on such a level. It was beautiful yet scary at the same time, making him wonder what kind of power made it

"Yes, I did. I saw the posters and merely wondered over. Mainly because I was curious as to who made the place and how they made it"

He looks up at the 'sky' while listening to Marmadue's comment on the 'sunlight'. The thought of how similar this light was to natural sunlight came to mind again. It was amazing in some ways, especially feeling it on his skin as he had missed it so much. While he was now more accustomed to living in this darkened world, he could still remember the light of the sun, and longed to feel it again

"Yes... it is rather similar in many ways to natural sunlight. The warmth... how bright it is... I would say the only thing off is maybe the size... then again I am more use to Luniel's own star, yes?"

[Marmadue]

Marmadue looked back down, at the man. Ah, yes, magic often was a curious thing to those who did not live and breathe it, he had seen it with many of the other tribes that had come to visit Shella. He couldn't say he knew exactly how this all had been done, but… But, well. The fact that it was just fake was a bit of a downer, the sunlight of their own worlds surely the most comfortable. Would they ever feel that again…?

"Ah… Yes, I suppose there are many differences to real sunlight, if you start to think about it," he mused. Did they want to think about it? Should they? Maybe a change of topic would be a grand idea right about now.
"Oh, ah, I believe it was the Moogles who are behind this event. Fascinating creatures, really. It seems like we have quite talented ones in this town. I am unsure if this dome has any other properties of sunlight aside from the light and perceived warmth, so despite being a rather ah, large magical field, it might not take that much energy after all. Perhaps we should ask about it after this is all over…"

It was a curious thing, after all. Perhaps there was something they could both learn.

The Yuke seemed to grow quiet for a moment, just thinking to himself. He did quickly snap out of it.
"Ah. I believe they were also serving some food."

[Shaizen Latross]

Shaizen would turn and look at Marmadue as he heard the word 'Moogle', his face full of confusion. He had never heard of such a creature and it caused him to be rather curious of what they are. If they could do something like this, whether it take energy or not, then they were probably rather powerful

"Um... what is a 'Moogle'? I have never heard of such a creature"

He felt as though this were a question he should already have an answer for, and felt like a burden asking Marmadue for more information... again. But he was still new to this world and those within it, knowing only the basics of the place and the hostiles within it. These Moogles seemed like they might be a more rare species, as he had never come across them. Either that or he had come across them and didn't know what they were

"Ah... food... yes, let us go eat then. I am rather hungry"

[Marmadue]

Marmadue had missed that he had lost Shaizen as he talked, only realizing the man's confusion when he outright asked what a Moogle is.
"…Ah," he just blurted out, realizing his mistake. His world had Moogles. They looked a little different maybe, but a Moogle was a Moogle. Similarly, many others had also seen Moogles before they came to Twilight Town, so it almost felt like they were some kind of universal species every world had! But it seemed like it wasn't so. Shaizen's world didn't have them. Or at the very least, he had never seen them before. Probably. Or maybe they had a different name? Yes, that also was possible.

"Ah, that is a very good question. There is some debate as to what they really are – ah, there was, in my world," the Yuke started, though he realized he was quickly getting off-topic. That wasn't what Shaizen was interested in hearing. He already started to walk with a relaxed pace, so that the two just wouldn't stand there awkwardly. There was food to be gotten, after all.
"…They are small, furry creatures. Quite ah, round, usually white, stubby limbs. Oh, and those fluffy, red… Pompom things they have. They also have wings," Marmadue continued, looking at Shaizen to see if he maybe recognized the description.

[Reliquim]

Charred meat. Ah, yes. Hardly was there an aroma like it.

The Firefox brought his nose down after identifying the trail of unmistakeable smell. An easy gate allowed the tall beast to stride through the darkened street with ease. A few steps and he was easily in front of one of the posters slapped unevenly along the wall, glancing over the precarious announcement. His attention would turn next to the street leading downward into the sandlot, and then back to the one who walked a few paces behind him.

He hadn’t used words to ask her if she would have wanted to go; he only stood at his nine-foot height, elusive and silent. The silver fox stood proud, elegantly awaiting her decision.

[Shaizen Latross]

The description he was given of these 'Moogles' did not ring any bells for him. Their appearance did not seem familiar, not did they themselves sound like something he had come across. They were certainly interesting, being able to use such magic to make this dome. From Marmadue's reaction, they also appeared to be common. Common enough that there was surprise in his voice when he explained Moogles to him

"Hmm... well I do not believe I have ever seen them. Perhaps my world didn't actually have them. Possible, yes?"

They arrived at the food table and Shaizen was again taken back by surprise, staring at the different foods laid out for them. In a world ruined and laying in desolation, food was rare, especially good food like this. Yet here in front of them was a feast for kings. He could hardly believe his eyes. These Moogles had to have access to some other place, at the least or this woud not have been possible. 

"Wow... what a feast. THis looks great"

[Marmadue]

Marmadue looked at Shaizen. It seemed like he didn't recognize a moogle from the description, either… Which did make the man's own conclusion a very real possibility. What that meant in the grand scheme of things for a world to not have moogles, he did not know.
"Ah, yes. Perhaps. With enough variables, that would be bound to happen," the Yuke mused. There were countless of worlds, weren't there? Still, it seemed like so many he had talked to actually recognize the moogles, so it seemed like worlds could indeed share features – or beings. Maybe, in a way, it would have been quite relaxing to know that there was something familiar about every world, but that didn't seem to be the case.

The smell of food would guide anyone to the right area – though with the lack of crowds and the openness of the sandlot, it wasn't difficult to find where the food was being prepared. The scent of grilled goods wafted in the air, and even if Marmadue wasn't a fan of very heavy food… He still found himself salivating, even at the smell of meat. The food situation wasn't good. There really wasn't all that much to eat and what little they had didn't usually have the best taste to it. But actual food that smelled amazing and was sure to be filling?

Well, his body knew what it wanted and any pickiness was pushed aside.

The Yuke walked closer with Shaizen, also quite excited. It seemed like some people had started to get attracted to the sandlot – perhaps because of the fliers or perhaps because of the smell of the food – but it was still quite empty. Surely that wouldn't be the case for long.
"Haa… A deduction I can wholeheartedly agree with, sir," Marmadue glanced at the man who had already proclaimed the feast great. The grill nearby sizzled with freshly cooked goods, filling the area with a rather mouthwatering aroma. He didn't even know where to start!
"I cannot say I recognize really any of this, but I do not think that will stop me…"