Cloud Hall, Clan Nimbus Headquarters

[Yuna]

Cozily nestled between the small shops and houses of Wood Village, Cloud Hall is built into a gargantuan oak. It stretches to the treetops and boughs, making it a sight to behold. Able to withstand the most vile of weather, the Nimbus HQ makes for a peaceful retreat from Marks and Quests.

The first thing you'll likely hear upon entering Cloud Hall is music, soft and soothing. Whether its the simple chirping of birds or the bards practicing their trade, there's never an entirely silent moment within the hall. It keeps spirits up and cheerful, giving them a peaceful respite by reminding everyone that here, there is always someone with you.

The entrance takes one straight to the lounge, where one can sit and relax with ease. The wooded tables and chairs are built out of the wood itself, and are as stable as they come. A number of Clan members can usually be found here, and most are of the Moogle, Nu Mou, and Viera races. Within the lounge is gargantuan trophy case, kept well-maintained.

Stairs stretch upward into the boughs of the tree; the left leading to Etoille's office, where she can be found almost constantly when not on the job, and right leading to the living quarters of prominent Clan members, such as Etoille's sisters and the Newfolk they've made room for. The rooms themselves are simple; a bed, a desk, and a trunk for your belongings. Overall, Cloud Hall is simple and beautiful, stretching high into the clouds.

[Yuna]

The sun was shining brilliantly through the many open windows of Cloud Hall, bringing with it the green tint of the leaves that were always present outside, basking the lounge in a pleasant forest glow. In the lounge stood five women, all Viera, all with the same lavender colored hair.

Standing with militant poise was Etoille, the eldest. Her hair was cut short and simple, spreading back behind her long elegant ears. Upon her head sat a simple red hat with a white feather branching outward from a black ribbon tied about it. She was garbed in a cloth uniform consisting of white gloves and a black tunic that covered enough to be proper, and revealed enough to show off her slim physique. At her side sat an empty black sheath, for her Rapier, the Scarlette - so named for its bright red blade - was being used as a gentleman would a cane.

"So, we have a Mark with which we can test the ardor of the Newfolk?"

Her reply came from a Viera lounging in a chair nearby at a table, legs crossed.

"Indeed, this should show if they're worth it."

Prima, the second in line, wore the garbs of an Elementalist. Her chest and groin were covered by flowing green cloth, and her arms tied to the elbows with bright green ribbon left dangling at the wrist. Her mouth was covered by a slightly transparent green veil, that billowed as she spoke.

"I think one of us should attend as well. I would see how they perform in battle."

Sujet was the middle child, oft by herself, and here she stood leaning against a wall. Her clothing was always black, covering her body from head to toe. Only her feet were revealed, proving to allow for better, more silent movement. Across her belt dangled a number of weapons - all foreign in style, daggers, throwing stars, curved blades... Sujet was proficient with them all. Only her eyes and ears managed to find their way to light from the cloth she used to hide her features.

"A-are you sure? I k-kinda like the new guys. I d-don't want to offend them..."

Next in line was Coryphea, huddled in a chair next to the stage. Her legs were pulled up under her, hugged close. She wore a green dress with a white veil over her mouth, like Prima's. Always skittish and polite to a fault, Coryphea made for an excellent scout and messenger due to her astounding ability to hide in plain sight. Despite her best efforts, however, she could hardly manage the gargantuan bow that proved her weapon, most of her shots being flukes.

"I think it'll do! The new guys seem pretty trustworthy. 'specially the spikey-headed one."

Youngest was Quadrillia, sitting on the stage with her small legs dangling over the edge. Still short of maturity, Quadrillia certainly had the biggest heart of the group, adding to her expertise as a healer and Devout. She was garbed in the general White Mage's robe with pink diamonds on the edges, only instead of the traditional hood hers had holes that allowed her large Vieran ears to poke through at odd angles. She had also gone to lengths to add cat-ears to her hood, despite her own ears covering them from sight.

"Right then, it is settled. We will summon the Newfolk to perform this Quest." As she spoke, her free hand waved the piece of parchment in her hand to indicate the bill she spoke of. "Quadrillia, if you could fetch Mister Cloud. Prima, Master Seymour." The two younger Viera nodded obediently, Prima disappearing with well-performed grace, Quadrillia with the pitter-patter of innocent feet. Sujet and Coryphea vanished as well, almost literally due to their stealth, leaving Etoille alone in the lounge awaiting the arrival of her Clan Members.

[Thief]

As he silently laid on his bed in his living quarters, looking up at the ceiling, Cloud sighed. It had been a month since he found himself in this world called Ivalice, and while he has been able to adjust to life in this world so far, he couldn't help but think about what must be going on back at home. The kids likely missed him by now, and Tifa had to be worried sick. He had already spent too much time away from them 9 months ago, and he didn't want to do this to them again. But it was unfortunately out of Cloud's control this time, and while he'd like to find a way back home, all he could do at this time was adjust and make the most of his time in this strange world.

That has led him to Clan Nimbus. Cloud felt fortunate that they were willing to accept him here, especially after hearing that there were some people around who didn't want people like him around. Being labeled as one of the "Newfolk" felt somewhat disconcerting, but he didn't let it get to him. He had been called worse things when he was a kid, after all. Besides, it was fitting, since he was new to this world.

Now that he thought about it, knowing that he's not the only one to have found himself in Ivalice, Cloud began to wonder... Did anyone else from his home world end up in this world as well? Maybe Tifa and/or the kids also wound up somewhere in Ivalice? And if so, then where?

[Yuna]

With an eager look on her face, Quadrillia ascended the many staircases of the clan hall, trying to remember exactly how to get to the rooms assigned to the members. She, and her sisters, slept on the opposite end near Etoille's office - not because they didn't trust the Newfolk, simply because they had lived there for a very long time - since their mother built Cloud Hall as a Tavern for Wood Village. The Newfolk rooms were actually the newest editions, built by Sujet's nimble hands - with some help, of course.

After turning around twice, tripping thrice, and almost running her face into a wall Quadrillia managed to locate Cloud's room. Each room was assigned to a Newfolk numerically, as each room was assigned with a number. Cloud had been one of the first Newfolk to approach Nimbus, and as such, he was in room #1. Quadrillia took a second to compose herself, then gave the door a few meager knocks.

"'scuse me Mister Cloud! We need you down in the Lounge!" She bobbed back and forth on her toes as she waited for "Mr. Spikey-Head" - as she had dubbed him - to appear.

[Sephiroth]

Seymour Guado stood at the window of his room. He was looking out at the leafy world that surrounded this ... "Clan Hall". Without conscious irection, his fingers were running back and forth across the windowsill, absorbing th ewhorled texture evenas his other senses absorbed the sights, sounds and smells of the arboreal world.

He had been drawn to this place precisely because of its tree-bound nature. While in Spira he had never thought much about Guadosalam's unique structure. In fact, the bad memories associated with the place often made him despise it. Yet, when finding himself alone in an unfmailiar and possibly hostile world, he had come here as if to a refuge.

Was that wise? He wondered. This place lacked Guadosalam's sombre atmosphere, but it still recalled unpleasant associations. At the same time, he missed many of the comforts he had enjoyed after taking possession of his father's ancestral home. This makeshift barracks could not be compared to the mansion of the Guado Lords.

Patience. In time, his undoubted skills as warrior and politician would secure him the position and prestige he craved. And needed. This Ivalice did have Spira's problems, but there was still plenty of fear, despair and pain. For, unknown to any in this world (except presumably the force that had brought him here) Seymour was no ordinary mortal. His body was little more than an illusion, for he was a wraith -- nay, a spirit, and one with a singular mission.

His reverie was broken as a sound other than birdsong fell upon his pointed ears. He half-turned to the door, unsure if he had really heard anything.

[Yuna]

With a superior air about her, Prima managed to maneuver through the Clan halls with ease. She greeted a Nu Mou who was studying a text, bypassing a Moogle as he polished one of his rifles as he moved. Clan Nimbus was pretty small, housing primarily Viera, Nu Mou, and Moogle members. Etoille favored Viera for familiarity, she said. A Nu Mou's wisdom is worth a thousand gil. The Moogles' nimble hands and minds make them valuable allies.

The Newfolk, however, were something Prima never quite understood. Etoille welcomed them with open arms, but Prima had always been leery of these folks. It had been her idea to test them in the first place - this would be the first time that the Newfolk would be allowed to take down a Mark without the presence of one of the Viera sisters.

Prima had taken a liking to this one, however. She was an Elementalist and a Summoner, working with the most primal forces of nature. For some reason, she felt he could understand that - mayhaps, outside of Ivalice, peoples other than Viera were permitted to listen to the spirit world, as Seymour, despite being a man of religion, was also a useful hand on the battlefield as a Mage - and more importantly, as a Summoner. The power with which he could command what he called an Aeon was far superior to Prima's summoning talent.

"Master Seymour", she called as she tiptoed to his doorstep. Her heels clicked the wooded ground as she did so - not a sign of impatience, as most matured Viera wore heels due to the shaping of their feet - but a sign of alerting the Guado to her presence. "Etoille has requested a meeting in the lounge, and has asked that you be present."

[Porom]

While most of the clan members favored the lower ground of the great oak tree, Freya was strange for a Newfolk in that she seemed more at home on the upper levels of the tree. She sat on one of the expansive branches, higher than most tended to be comfortable, where much of the woods' canopy stretched ahead what seemed like an eternity beneath her. Whether it was the view or the solace she sought, she told no one. She wasn't sure she knew herself.

It feels almost as high up here as it did looking out from Cleyra. And not half as real, she thought to herself, leaning back against the wooden trunk. The reality of her situation hadn't quite sunk in yet, she felt. Her people, her friends, her world - none of them were more than a strange story in her head now. None she had met so far in this Ivalice had recognized her race, much less her kingdom.

It felt as though she was walking through mist. All of the things that had motivated her in the past existed no longer; it was like being without moorings. "If to be forgotten is worse than death, what then is to not have existed at all?" she asked aloud, expecting no answer, save from the ghosts in her own memory.

[Yuna]

Silent and unseen, Sujet made her way up through the branches of the tree, leaving the actual 'hall' down below. It was here, too, that she felt most comfortable, preferring to be alone whilst the rest of the Clan did its work. She had been the one to build the Newfolk lodging quarters, standing on these very untamed branches. Her bare feet touched bark, and she was pleased. Eyes closed, she let a calming breeze sweep through her... and it was only then that she heard the words being carried with them. She could see the Dragoon Newfolk resting some ways ahead.

With graceful and exaggerated movements, Sojet leaped from branch to branch, climbing nimbly to the spot where the Dragoon rested. "How does one prove ones existence?" She countered solemnly. "I have put many to rest, yet I can not say I've truly felt that any have existed." She simply stood there, eying the people down below. "But what does it mean to exist?..." She stood thoughtful for a moment, then looked to Freya with a nod.

"I shall ponder this further. Your presence, however, is requested in the Lounge. My elder would speak with you." And with that she was silent, staring into the clouds pondering a question that may have no answer.

[Thief]

Cloud's train of thought was interrupted by the sound of knocking at his door. He slowly sat up, wondering what was going on, but it wasn't long before he heard a voice on the other side letting him know that he was needed in the lounge.

"I'm on my way," said Cloud.

With that, Cloud got up off of the bed and made his way over to the corner where he had his trusty sword, First Tsurugi, fully assembled and leaning on the wall. He wasn't sure if he would need it, but he figured that he might as well bring it with him just in case. As he took it and placed it in its harness on his side, Cloud thought for a moment about how his weapon made it with him to Ivalice, but Fenrir didn't. It did feel weird being without his motorcycle that he had put so much effort into, but again, there was nothing he could do about it at the moment.

Once he was ready, Cloud walked over and opened the door. He stepped out and looked over at Quadrillia, who was waiting for him. He was still getting used to seeing the different races in Ivalice, including Viera like her. Still, she seemed like a nice kid.

"So, what's going on?" Cloud asked.

[Cyric]

Still scratching his head, Cyric stepped into the lounge. The note was still in his hand and at the center of his attention. Somehow the clan had gotten a note into his hand without him even noticing. Even knowing that magic is in full bloom in this world, the thought of something being placed in his hand without him noticing was mind blowing. But there should be no thought on it, as it happened, one way or another.

Cyric felt a spark, a feeling he hadn't felt in a long time. A sense of curiosity, of wanting to know and understand. On that thought, Cyric placed the note in his pocket. Maybe he will inquire later as to their method of transporting messages.

Taking a seat on one of the wooden chairs, Cyric was always amazed as to how comfortable the furniture was. Made from the tree itself, furniture that was alive and crafted with such precision.

"If only things were different, what an adventure this would be."

[Porom]

It had seemed as if Freya was comfortable at rest in her reverie. Yet at the first sound of Sujet's voice, before her first sentence was halfway complete, the red-clad Newfolk was on her feet, the lance that had been leaning against the treetrunk in her hands and pointed at the direction of the speaker. If she had truly been relaxed at all, that state was ephemeral and easy to dismiss. Her spear lowered when she recognized the speaker though, whom she listened to with a hooded stare from under the brim of her steeple hat.

In truth, it was because of the Viera that Freya had chosen this clan, among the various others available. As a stranger to Ivalice, the presence of a Burmecian was cause for curiosity and interest, both unnerving at such a vulnerable time. But the Viera were themselves removed from the common races of this land, in both action and thought, and so she felt more at ease to be left alone with her thoughts here than she had any where else. That rest, it seemed, was at an end though.

"Be wary. That question I've seen some spend their entire lives chasing the answer," she replied, without thinking, and immediately regretted it. Sujet's reply, questioning what it meant to exist, roused more ghosts than it chased away. The image of a short, inquisitive young creature flashed in her mind and her snout twitched as a frown fought for control of her otherwise unreadable expression. But she bowed her head, spinning her spear and hooked it again to the harness on her back in a single gesture, with practiced ease. "But I'll dwell no more at present. Thank you for the message."

And then she crouched, just for a moment, and leapt, the height of her ascent matched only by how far she fell, seemingly without discomfort or fear.

[Sephiroth]

He was not mistaken. The sound he had heard was that of footteps, and one he recognised as a particular pair of feet. He turned fully and paced to the door of his room. When he opened it to find Prima, he was not surprised.

He found the Viera quite interesting. Their apparent bond with nature and the mystical, never mind the occassional touch of arrogance, reminded him not a little of the Guado. They were quite different in appearance, though -- to his half-human eyes, much more comely and graceful. And this Viera ... she seemed cold toward the other "Newfolk", as they called them, but not so toward him. He was not certain what it betokened, but he did appreciate it.

"Lady Prima," he acknowledged with a smile and slight bow. "I shall surely attend. Please, lead the way."

[Yuna]

"Right this way." Prima smiled, stepping lightly as she lead the Guado down the boughs of the great tree towards the lounge, her head held high and her nose perked up - her constant state of being.

---

"Sister's gotta mission for ya!" Quadrillia said excitedly, nearly jumping as she said so. The smallest sister, hopping was just about the only way to get her face up to meet Cloud's - normally, she was just a pair of ears walking around. Prima joked that there were Moogles taller than her - an act that prompted her to compare her height to every Moogle's since (pompoms are cheating).

The youngest Viera grabbed Cloud by the hand and started tugging him downstairs, with or without his permission. She didn't let go until they had reached the lounge, successfully knocking a book out of a studious Nu Mou's hand and a Moogle's gun into the air as they moved with reckless speed.

---

As all of the Newfolk converged in the Lounge, Quadrillia and Prima took their leave. The only ones remaining in the room were the Newfolk and their Clan Leader, Etoille. She seemed not to have moved since the sisters met earlier, still standing poised with her prized Scarlette - shimmering in the emerald light - acting as a cane. In her free hand she held a sheet of parchment.

"Greetings, Clan Members." She set her gray eyes upon each member one at a time. "I have called you all here for a special test." She unrolled the parchment, eyes still focused on the members before her. "As I have stated, I have no qualms with you Newfolk, so long as you can pull your weight. Here, we shall test your merits, for on this Mark, my sisters and I shall not be accompanying you." She paused for dramatic effect.

"It seems a number of undead creatures are causing trouble in the Wicked Marshes of the Vivid Swamplands. Supposedly, a Nu Mou has taken an estranged Grimoire and is using it to perform Necromantic Magicks. The Vivid Wildlife Foundation has given us this mark to take care of this problem, and has asked that the Necromancer, and the lot of his minions, be dealt with." She closed the parchment and slowly, calmly descended from the stage. She handed the bill to Cloud, then eyed the rest of the group.

"Mister Strife shall be designated leader of this particular venture. I have been informed by our Beastmaster specialists that Undead are particularly weak to fire and holy magicks, and that curative spells have an adverse effect on their person. This information should be useful in this quest. Are there any questions? If not, dismissed." She made her way back to the stage, still poised as though an artist were eying her for his canvas.

[Cyric]

Cyric took the information in, and with displeasure as well. The undead? Hearing stories of the monster and being told you're going to kill one are completely different. This is ground Cyric had never touched on, only heard stories about. The thought gave him a chill.

Watching the bill handed to Cloud, Cyric was not surprised. Just from the air about this man, one could tell he was battle hardened. In spite of that though, Cloud seemed distant, almost to be lacking confidence at times. Cyric could relate to that.

Standing, he walked over to Cloud, "Alright Team Captain, sounds like we're getting a shot at making something of ourselves."

Cyric turned and gave a nervous smile to Etoille.

[Sephiroth]

Following behind the Viera, Seymour had to admire her posture. She was a Summoner too, he remembered. Perhaps such regal pride manifested itself in all with their ability. Regardless, they were soon in the main hall. Watching the others withdraw, he found himself unsurprised as the leader spoke.

He listened with respectful calm. However, inwardly his stomach turned with distaste. Marsh? Swamplands? Why did it have to be a swamp? He had known when he signed onto this group that seeking out fiends and destroying them would be their main job. He had been on a few such missions already.They had not, however, transpired in a place that sounded so very ... dirty.

He did feel a certain irony, though, when he had what their Mark was. A necromancer, indeed. The Guado were all practically necromancers themselves, what with their window on the Farplane and the ability to control fiends. The thought made him smile slightly, though it was still rather sickly at the thought of all that mud.

Maester Seymour preferred his water frozen.

He turned his head to watch as Etoille gave "Master Strife" his scroll. The half-breed had not had much contact with the man, despite Cloud having joined before him. Frankly there was something about Cloud he did not care for. As the Viera asked for questions, he silently answered, Yes, I have one: why make him the team leader, instead of me?

Nevertheless he smoothed out his disgusted expression and walked up behind the other human to congratulate Cloud as well.


"Indeed." He also cast a glance at their leader, and smiled. "Lady Etoille will not be disappointed." Then, back to Cloud, "I must fetch my staff and some more suitable clothing. I will be ready to depart then, if you wish to leave immediately."