❪ test drive: #2 ❫ THE OVERFLOW

[natha]

ORIGINAL POST

THE PROLOGUE     Many people in stasis seem to be medically sound enough to wake up, brother. Are the preparations ready to go? Yes, I've long prepared myself for this. Watching them everyday has been truly rewarding. ... Right. Yeah. Okay, let's get them ready to wake up. We should keep their minds active to ease the transition into consciousness. A simple VR program should do the trick, I think. I will boot one immediately. There! All systems are green. Their consciousnesses are linked. However, their minds appear to be too active... They may be over-stimulated, brother. Huh? How can that be...? Can we pull them out safely? Not from my end, no. This may be too large for us to fix alone. Do you think...? Yes, I think so... It will have to be done organically. Can you send out a message to our refugees? Of course, brother. I will send one swiftly. We must be sure to fix this before Darma returns. There is urgency in the Orbiters' request. Refugees currently in El Nysa are asked via mass message to please return to Thesa Station virtual reality area immediately. Zasere tells them that the next set of Refugees are scheduled to wake, but there's been an issue. On Thesa, refugees will find that the people in stasis are still apparently trapped in slumber. Most of them are complete strangers, but there's a chance you may recognize a familiar face or two. Normally, these people would wake up from their pods without issue, but due to a malfunction caused by the unforeseen force during The Descent, they have to go through extra measures to make this possible. Those in slumber require extra stimulation, something to keep their minds active. What better than a simulation of an area of El Nysa? Keeping their minds active requires an extremely involved simulation. Those subjected to the VR (prospective characters) will find themselves completely immersed in their new environment, believing themselves to be native Olympians. To wake up from the simulation, characters must work together to accomplish a certain objective(s) in the icy tundra. Characters in-game will be aware that this is a simulation, but this is good practice for properly interacting with El Nysa natives, isn't it? An AC-length log thread on this TDM may be submitted for Two (2) Natha REP points HERE. Please read the OOC note at the bottom of this post for the terms. PROMPT: WINTER CAME     The wind in the icy wasteland is bitter and frigid. You are wrapped up in a winter coat, but even still, the cold bites at your skin and leaves you yearning for a warm fire. Perhaps you're a merchant from the city, here to make a delivery, or you're a royal guard, sent to patrol the area. Who are you? The sky is the limit. One thing is certain — you won't snap out of your new identity until you finish a task. 1. Due to the vast diversity of the creatures on El Nysa and the fact that new ones are constantly being discovered, an important objective is to carefully chronicle different species. Unfortunately, to research these new species, they happen to need more than just a visual. More than just fleeting glances in over a snowy hill. Researchers are constantly looking for ways to secure... You guessed it! Blood and stool samples. The supplies for the former will be given. Supplies are offered in a small box; one per person. In this box is a small dart that will automatically procure a small touch of blood, and easily shaken off so the creature will be able to securely escape. As for the latter— well, they'll give you a plastic bag if that counts. Look, sometimes to get a job done, you have to get your hands dirty. Specifically, they seek samples from a newly recorded rare beast known as a Klep. Kleps spend much of their time hidden in caves, so hitting them with the darts will be tricky. They are also nocturnal, but you may be able to lure them out of the cave with fish as bait. When struck with a dart, you must grab the dart and escape immediately, as they will charge you, and killing such an endangered species is illegal. As for stool samples, well... Once you find a pile, you will have plenty of sample to work with. 2. It's cold, to say the least. Too cold to continue forward. Whatever you were doing, you must stop and seek shelter. Looks like your goal is clear, at least. Get warm. Not finding a way to sustain heat, whether it be seeking shelter, building a fire, cuddling up, or all of the above, will likely end in serious consequences. 3. You are stuck in a dilemma. On one hand, you are set to work for Olympia. One the other, you're not completely sure what is really expected of you, or who the man who gave you this mission truly is. You and your partner are meant to protect precious trade cargo for them. You were told that these were essential supplies for one of the outer colonies. They assured you it was mostly food. In loading the cargo onto the supplied wagon with your partner, however, you noticed something inherently off about it. The weight and even the sounds of some of the contents inside definitely don't sound like food. Moreover, some boxes are more obviously more concealed— draped in black sheets and reinforced on all sides. You've also caught wind of rumors that you are potentially being utilized to supply advanced weapons and other contraband to Wyver terrorists in the colonies. But what do you do? Refuse to make the delivery, and people in the colony will surely starve. Try to remove the weapons and only deliver the food, and you will be killed on sight for being too suspicious. Make the delivery as-is, and not only will Olympians die at the hands of terrorists in the future, but you will betray your country. Decide quickly... 4. There are many dangers associated with traveling in such an isolated, harsh environment. You must help each other to survive. Perhaps someone has fallen on thin ice, and requires a rescue. Maybe someone is on the brink of starvation, and you must share what provisions you have. When you come to, you will awaken in Thesa Station. All will be explained to you by Zasere or Sael via telepathic link. Your world is no more. The Storm has consumed it. We offer proof in the Observation Deck if you desire it, but it won't be an easy thing to stomach. We offer you a new life, in our planet of El Nysa. We just ask for your help in maintaining the vitality of El Nysa. What can we offer you in exchange for your help? PROMPT: STASIS UNIT     You have found the massive section of Thesa known as the Stasis Unit. There’s no special access required to access this part of Thesa Station, but refugees are warned that it may not be for the faint of heart. Here, in large pods that nearly cover every square inch of the space, are all of the people the Orbiters have managed to rescue. Your loved ones, your greatest enemy, your next door neighbor— you might find them here. These people are in a state of deep cryosleep. Due to the damaging effects of The Storm, their bodies are not yet ready to be awoken. PROMPT: GET REKT     The Orbiters have noticed that some of the refugees really miss their video games. The technology in El Nysa could be much worse, but it definitely leaves much to be desired. Which is why, after expressing relief that everyone awoke safely, the Orbiters have decided to provide a little fun in the form of video game competitions. Anything from old-timey arcade machines to state-of-the-art computers, consoles, and VR headsets (though you may be a little tired of VR right now...) is available, and yes, they have your favorite games! Enjoy PAC-MAN, Starcraft 2, or perhaps Dance Dance Revolution! Teach a friend how to play. Get unnecessarily angry and competitive. Most importantly, have fun. Keep fourthwalling to a minimum, please. Recommended playing: QWOP PROMPT: OMAGE     Upon receiving your mobile phone, you will be asked to set a username. Voila, you can now access the network! You can choose to send a message to the entire network, specific usernames, or you can try out the Orbiters’ service, Omage, which connects you to a random user. They thought this might be a good way for their new guests to make friends with each other... Connecting to server... Looking for someone you can chat with... You’re now chatting with [username]... Say hi! PROMPT: WILDCARD     You are welcome to write any scenarios in Thesa Station! Characters have been granted temporary access to the Observation Room, and are encouraged to study it carefully. FINAL OOC NOTE     Please give toplevel priority to prospective characters! Current characters wishing to thread these scenarios with other current characters are encouraged to create separate logs. However, threads between 2 current characters are not eligible for Natha Orbiter REP. These threads may be carried over as game canon if players choose! Players are encouraged to submit TDM threads as application samples, but they are not required. Please direct any OOC questions to the questions thread below! A TDM thread of AC length may be submitted HERE for 2 NATHA ORBITER REPUTATION POINTS. Current players may submit their thread at any time, and prospective players may submit a thread after acceptance. Please note that threads must contain at least five (5) log comments from your character. A toplevel counts as a comment. Network threads are not eligible. QUICK NAV premise ● faq ● world ● map ● reputation ● npcs taken ● reserves ● application calendar ● hiatus/drops ● modbox [ FULL NAVIGATION ] elnysa nysalogs nysaisles nysaooc elnyan

Comments

aranea highwind ( ffxv )

[unweave]

ONE - snowplowed.

[ It's absolute bullshit to find herself playing search and rescue. This was stupid. The second she decided to try and at least dip her toe in some good karma, she finds out the entire world was destroyed. And for once, it wasn't some threat of daemons that did it. Talk about a bummer. The unfortunate truth — that the snow that nips at her nose and mission she was promised to be paid handsomely for — was part of some bullshit ruse. While she knows this is some weird game, why not play along until it's over? It had to end sometime.

Some poor saps were sent to go find some blood of some fierce animal. In the snow. Alone. Who the hell comes up with that kind of confidence? Wishes she could have some. As the snowmobile revs under her grip, Aranea is making a b-line right towards the mountain bluff that she was given location for. Snowfall was light, making it easy, but when she gets to the overpass — she sees quite a scene.

You, sadly, were on the receiving end of a chase from a Klep. Angry and ravenous, the creature has been hunting you down for trespassing into its territory. Aranea made it juuuust in the nick of time with a fancy drift that kicks the snow up as she stops. ]

Hey fancy feast, get the hell on!

[ Yeah, that's all she's going to say. ]

TWO - contrabanned.

[ Aranea Highwind has since come to her senses, chewing on a few unfortunate truths she has to push herself through. She spoke to one of the refugees who was actually willing to answer her — told her that the VR simulation wouldn't end until a few specific tasks were completed. Looks like she had to get some shit taken care of.

She's in the last outpost before reaching her destination — delivering some unsavory cargo that makes a growl every so often. Aranea put two and two together, only assuming it was an exotic breed of creature. Not her problem, not her rodeo. Parking her vehicle outside of the nearest tavern, she's warming up by the fire. Letting a storm pass seems like a good option before going off to the great unknown.

For now, she's curious, however and speaks to the person directly to her right at the bar. ]

What's a gal gotta do to get some luck out here? Storm's gonna last for the rest of the night.

[ She says passingly, making a bit of a conversation. ]

THREE - omage.

Connecting to server...
Looking for someone you can chat with...
You’re now chatting with HIGHWIND... Say hi!


So.
On a scale of 1 - 10...
How much do you think they're going to pay us to put up with their bullshit?
Natha, I mean.

FOUR - wildcard.

[ I'm good with anything! Feel free to PM me to plot something out! ]

two

[puffing]

You made it here before the storm. I'd say that's pretty damn lucky.

[ Bigby doesn't look over his shoulder to make eye contact just yet, lifting his glass of straight whisky to his lips and taking a sip. he'd rather have it from the bottle, but things aren't exactly as cheap in a simulated environment as one would hope. he's still nursing some sore muscles from his escapades as a wolf a few hours prior, so he figures the downtime at the tavern should be savored.

only after he sets his drink down does he look over to the stranger. conversation isn't exactly his strong suit, but he figured he signed up for it after deciding to sit at the counter instead of a table across the room. ]

They have beds in the back. Might as well get comfortable. There's a good chance you aren't going anywhere tonight.

[unweave]

Maybe I'm use to outrunning the shitstorm. Nothing new.

[ There was a fantasy Moscow Mule clutched in her grasp, utilizing the copper tin to chill her drink. Aranea didn't have any adventures out in the wild like Bigby, but she was just trying to get a little warmth going. It was boring — point A to point B to point C.

The promise of payment is what makes her curious — and answers. ]

Sounds like a plan. Once I can feel my fingers and toes, I'll probably grab one before someone hogs 'em all. I gotta head out as soon as I can. [ She's chatty, at least. ] Hate to look like a tourist.

[puffing]

It catches up with you sooner or later. Trust me ― you've been lucky.

[ Bigby sounds rather confident in his words, but hey. if anyone knows a thing or two about shitstorms, it'd be this guy. especially considering he was the shitstorm that people were often trying to outrun for quite some time. now he's just trying to stay warm and wait things out like the next person. oh, how things have changed... ]

From what I can see, most are finding tables as their pillows. I don't think you'll have much to fight over. [ he takes a glance at the drunkards passed out with their cheeks pressed against the wood surface. that's also something he has seen way too much. ] I'm assuming that means you are one? Are you from, uh...

[ he wants to choose his words wisely, but there's no real way to describe this being a simulation and how they're actually supposed to be awake in a space station thing. apparently. that's what he has been told, anyway. hopefully this lady will just know? yeah. ]

[unweave]

[ She keeps quiet, lamenting the fact she was stuck in a situation where she has to rely on luck. She'd rather take charge, but waiting leads her to grow a bit anxious. Bigby's questions make her laugh a little, a nod in a casual way. ]

Not here, if that's what you're asking. Not sure if where I'm from is even around anymore. I haven't a second to check in with anyone who wasn't — uh... well, fake. [ AKA, programmed to just answer questions. ] Guessing you're real too.

wildcard

[honesthearts]

[ He was not a man built for the cold. A body forged in fire, reborn in the flames, was not made for the winds of winter. It was to be expected when he was traveling opposite the direction he was meant to go. When he discovered the cargo, the true cargo, that he was contracted to deliver, he turned himself around and chose not to continue to the Outpost. No, he was going to go back to where the man who hired him was. Get answers. Make him regret.

But, not tonight. The sun is setting fast, the cold numbs and he must retreat. He locates a cavern and starts a fire, sacrificing a portion of his bandage wrap to keep it lit. The pain is horrible, the fire always burning his skin, but he can resist. You are only weak if you accept weakness into your heart. The righteous will be saved by fire... he doesn't know where that phrase comes from, but it feels familiar in his thoughts. Strange.

He sits cross-legged by the flames, arms crossed, eyes closed, meditating. Pain was nothing more than a state of mind. However, sound breaks the silence. A crunch in the snow of nearby footsteps. An animal, perhaps? Ideal, so he could eat tonight. He pulls out a dagger from his hip-side, waiting to see who may venture into the cavern. ]

[unweave]

[ When she was a little girl, she was taught that the night brought horror. She was warned to never stray from the light — to keep going, but be mindful of the shadows. Aranea had long since teetered into the understanding she will need to venture into the night to make something of herself.

Mercenary to Commodore back to some hopeless chump taking on cash with odd jobs. Aranea didn't think she fell from grace, but god damn did this suck not having anyone with her.

She's traveled alone until the sun began to set, bundled up for the snow but not the drop in temperature. The light from the cavern could be pinpointed through the new snowfall, so she travels to it. Instead of hunting for obscure creatures for their horns or pelt, she hunts for a way to stay warm. ]

Put it down — ain't here to hurt you.

[ Through the darkness a firm voice comes through, a feminine twist. He can see the reflectiveness of her clothes — some metals catching the dancing embers, but she keeps her distance, still in the shadows. ]

I have a spear, but I'll tuck it on my back if you put yours down too. Deal?

[honesthearts]

[A woman hm. Some men would put their guard down for the opposite sex. Not Joshua. Any able bodied person who can hold a knife, aim a gun, has intent in them, can be dangerous. When she mentions the spear, it only makes him more cautious. It could be an attempt to lull him into false security, or a lie - she could have far worse than just a spear. He can't see her well, but he keeps his body ready for fight.]

Step out from the darkness first. If you're honest with your intents, we will lower our weapons together at once.

[... Of course, if she has another one, that's ok. He has a gun that he simply isn't going to pull out yet, conserving the ammo being the priority.]

[unweave]

[ With the blaze enough to light a small diameter around him. Aranea isn't going to argue — he put his terms out and unless she planned to return to the dark cold, she plays along. The first few steps are heavy so he knows which direction she's coming from. The woman carrying quite a long spear with both hands outstretched. He sees her figure, but she clasps onto her weapon tightly. ]

Better? Don't stare too hard. [ A joke, but, she puts her terms out. ] Lower on three, alright? One... two... —

[ She begins to tuck her spear back behind her. A shame she isn't able to make it disappear like usual. That thing is a bitch to lug around here. ]

[honesthearts]

[As 'three' is uttered, he sheathes the dagger in his hip holster, keeping his word. No need for a fight. She's just a wanderer, and he's on a mission. Attacking people for no reason is behind him now. Now he only hunts those deserving of justice without mercy.]

Hm. Seems you are good to your word. Come closer to the fire - it does not burn those who present respect. The night will be long.

[He steps back and lowers himself back down to a seated position, crossing his legs once again.]

one

[punshots]

[ In an absolutely shocking turn of events, it's Prompto on the receiving end of that Klep chase. He may be a (self-proclaimed) chocobo whisperer, but he's never been overly fond of wild creatures, and virtual reality or not, if that thing catches him with its claws, it's gonna hurt like hell. So he's hightailing it through the snow, head ducked low, positively sprinting - well, sprinting as well as you can in a snowdrift, anyway - when he hears a familiar shout. Familiar both in origin and setting, because of course he's going to run into Aranea in the middle of a snowfield like this. Them's just the breaks.

"Fancy feast" is a new one, but whatever, he's not about to be picky over nicknames right now. As soon as he sees her, he beelines towards her, pistol still in hand but he's been too focused on running for his life to take more than a few over-the-shoulder shots with it. ]

Aranea! We gotta stop meeting like this!

[ For reals, though. Despite the pseudo-mortal peril, though, he chases his quip with a bark of laughter. ]

[unweave]

[ And no one was ever surprised. Klep were not adorable little chocobos that bended to Prompto's whims with the promise of some greens — it was a territorial animal who wanted to protect its home. Prompto, sadly, didn't get that memo until it was too late.

History has a sense of repeating itself, like the VR simulation just knew. Aranea revved the engine to keep the motor running — it was too damn cold for this. ]

Yeah?! You think? Hop on!

[ She doesn't have a firearm but instead just cheers him on...? Until he can get on? The second he touches the snowmobile, she is going to completely book it, fyi. Klep or not, Aranea is on a time crunch. ]

[punshots]

[ Deja vu's kind of a bitch like that, huh?

Prompto doesn't waste another second throwing himself onto the snowmobile, weapon still grasped in his hand as he grabs onto her. Even still, it's no small miracle that he doesn't go flying off the back end when she guns the engine, and he cranes his neck around just in time to see the klep's claws swipe and miss him by just inches. ]

Ho-ly shit! [ Hopefully Aranea doesn't mind an earful of his shrill yell, because that's what she's getting right now. ]

Did you see how close that thing was? If you didn't show up when you did I'd be lunchmeat right now!

[unweave]

[ The snow kicks behind them almost immediately. Prompto has no time to even get comfortable before she's gunning it off and outrunning the feral feline. Aranea winces at the level of Prompto's voice, but she's almost use to it by now. ]

Maybe that tells you to take better care of yourself, kid. Not going to be around all the time to pull you from the jaw of beasts.

[ A beat as she speeds up. ]

The hell were you out here alone for?

[punshots]

[ If he weren't so frazzled from yet another near-death experience (just another notch in the wall, at this point), he might've noticed that question was sort of unusual.

Isn't she out here for the same reason he is? The Natha had called all of them up here to do this one thing.

As the wind and snow whips at his face, he shouts out his response, though not as panicked as before. ]

Same as you, right? Looking for new refugees to snap back to reality! [ Even if that clearly wasn't going so well for him, given the state she found him in. And truth be told, while he'd be happy to help anyone out in here, there are certain faces he'd been hoping to run into more than others. ]

STILL TAGS U EVEN IF YOU HAVE YOUR SAMPLES....omage. un: a.izunia

[daemonized]

I imagine, like anything, that depends on just how well you perform the task.

BRING IT ON

[unweave]

[ Hm. Well, that's definitely not a face she was pleased to see. Of course, she had an interesting relationship with the guy. Always thought a screw was lose, but when the gig pays well and people are mostly not being slaughtered?

You keep your mouth shut. ]

Shit.
Out of every end-of-the-world scenario, you just had to end up in mine.

[daemonized]

[Well, that's a response that he wasn't quite expecting. But if this was another repeat matter of Aranea falling asleep and then waking up with little remembrance of what had happened before, then maybe he shouldn't be so surprised.

Time to test the proverbial waters.]

And is that such a bad thing, Aranea?

[unweave]

Well, when you give everyone a headache when you open your mouth, yeah.
Are you off making political drama here too?

[ :( She forgot the first precious month they had together. SIGH. ]

[daemonized]

[So it would seem. What a shame!

A pause before the next message.]

I wonder.

May I ask you a question? It's a rather simple one.

two

[offtune]

[ she downs her drink in one gulp. it burns on its way down her throat, and she feels it warm in her stomach not too long after. zero sees her breath when she exhales, and she only pays mild attention before she's distracted by the feminine voice next to her. ]

Huh. You looking for luck? [ hah, there she goes again with answering a question with a question. ] That's real funny. Don't go in a tavern and expect to find it.

[ there's lightness in her tone, at least, even though her response is fundamentally rude. ]

[unweave]

You'd be surprised what I end up finding in taverns, lady.

[ Her voice was sly, twisting with just a mix of flirtation thanks to her drink. She wasn't looking for some grand salvation, just shelter and enough time to get her shit together before she heads out. Her eyes glance up, barely eyeing Zero. ]

Call it optimism or dumb faith that makes me think this would be no different.

[offtune]

Yeah?

[ It's the kind of look she recognizes, at least, and it's not unwelcome. Zero may not possess the same kind of grace this woman has, but her lips does twist with a small smile. ]

Maybe I could use some of that. [ She moves the goblet to her lips— doesn't know what the hell it is, but it's the cheapest she can get, and it's doing its job in keeping her warm. But before she takes a sip out of it, she decides to add: ] Of your optimism, I mean.

[unweave]

If you have lady luck on your side, of course. Gotta find the only good thing in the place and stick close to it. Right now, it's the booze.

[ She takes a swig, the sting of alcohol making her lips tense up a bit. It's strong - she definitely needed it. Aranea's kept her eyes focused every so often, looking to the door and half expecting someone she knows to walk through. It's moot, though. She isn't rude and will return her attention to Zero. ]

Not hard to find. You just gotta... do it, you know? Fake it til you make it.

[offtune]

[ she doesn't often drink; too busy with more important things to even think of such luxuries. but here, zero feels the need to keep her mind buzzed and body warm. the alcohol does just that, but the company is providing another level of something else entirely; she can't place a finger on what, exactly, but it's there.

maybe it's the silk of her voice. maybe she's just fucking buzzed. whatever it is, it keeps her eyes on the woman; her gaze flicker between the movement of her lips, to the focus of her gray eyes. ]

Are you doing it now? [ a small smirk twists at the corner of her own lips. ] Faking it.