natha: (Default)
ɴᴀᴛʜᴀ orbiters ❰ mod collective ❱ ([personal profile] natha) wrote in [community profile] elnyan2018-08-26 01:27 pm
Entry tags:

❪ test drive #7 ❫

YOUR STORY BEGINS    

The Storm came. You remember darkness, but you don't remember much after that.

You don't know how long you slept, but the dreams were short. You remember the expanse of stars and galaxies in your direct view. Every world and solar system ever known to man was present in your dreams in careful, pristine detail. You also witnessed the Storm, which has devoured a fair portion of these galaxies. Your Earth and similar planets were assimilated by the Storm. Somehow, you knew it would be the last you'd see of your world. That was when she told you what happened. You knew that you'd be living somewhere new. The details weren't clear, but you knew it was a part of a deal with the entity known as Darma - once, you might have been able to speak to her, but now you are only met with silence.

When you awake, you will find yourself in Thesa Station. Your body is still cold, you're hungry, and the halls seem frighteningly bare somehow.

EMPTY HALLS    

Despite the absence of Darma and the rest of the Natha Orbiters, the station is still managing to sustain itself. Those that dig within the station’s log will find that it’s currently in some sort of Energy Saving Mode. While Thesa isn’t at risk of failing any time soon, people will notice that the ship will appear more dim and desolate. Malfunctions will be common, and while none seem to be life-threatening (yet), they are notably inconvenient. Fortunately, it seems the Orbiters were prepared for the worst, and in a potential response to these concerning turn of events, they've prepared some help.

Hi! My name is Yppilc, I will be your assistant on the station! It looks like you just woke up. Did you need help?


The virtual assistant takes a wide variety of shapes, from adorable animals to metal paper clips with googly eyes. Regardless of what form they take, their mission is clear: to help in any way they can. It’s unfortunate, however, that they just haven’t been calibrated properly. Hence, they will appear at the strangest times— in the middle of dinner or an important conversation— sometimes they won’t even offer anything useful. Apparently they were designed after a program that existed once, but who really knows....

However, while they may seem like nothing but trouble at first, there are many occasions in which they can actually help. They are equipped with a whole wealth of information on how to keep the station operational. They can offer tutorials and step-by-step instructions on how to fix various aspects of the station and beyond. Their knowledge is extensive, and if they believe the refugee they're assigned to needs a different kind of help (a lesson in smiling or how to have adequate small talk being some of the many topics they're equipped to teach), well ... they're not against supplying it. Expect some invasive teaching.

The virtual assistants are also all synced together. Meaning, if there’s a big enough problem, they can ping one another and assign refugees to help with certain parts of the ship. The only problem is that prioritizing may not be their strong suit. What seems like a simple issue could be exacerbated into a huge ordeal. What someone thinks is a fire in the main hatch could actually be a plumbing issue near the Mess Hall. They also seem to assign people arbitrarily. One can only hope all the refugees get along.

SEND HELP    

While no specific parts of the station are necessarily offline, a lot of the tasks the station would normally complete on its own will need to be handled manually. Fortunately, the main functions of the station are more than accounted for, however everything else will be up to the refugees. As there is no telling when the Natha Orbiters will return, perhaps it’d be wise to take this opportunity to learn to be a little more self-sufficient on Thesa Station.

1. There are some areas the Station can’t automatically clean without exiting its current emergency protocols. Each of these areas will be marked off on the map provided by Thesa's very own virtual assistant, Yppilc. According to Yppilc, one of the key places that would benefit from a good wash down is the airlock. As a fair amount of foreign matter travels through these doors, special suits will be provided for those cleaning the area. The suits will have a built-in communications system and will also include its own oxygen tank. A helpful feature to have, just in case someone may be swept out into space. Which happens more often than one would think! Cleaning too close to the controls can trigger the doors to open… they’re sensitive. The oxygen tank isn’t equipped to last very long, so you can only help comes soon.

On the bright side, in the event that someone is stuck outside and running low on oxygen, rescuers can easily share some of their air with them. The suits are built to be able to connect to one another like an adhesive. To activate this oxygen-sharing mode, refugees will be required to follow several steps. Hand on one another's shoulders, eye contact, helmets pressed against each other— each suit follows a slightly different set of steps, but they’re probably not any less awkward. While it looks a little absurd and while maneuverability might be a bit of an issue, at least everyone is breathing!

2. Space is unpredictable at times. It isn’t uncommon for the station or its pods to occasionally brush against meteors or asteroids. While Thesa is well-fortified, it doesn’t mean that these asteroids don’t need closer inspection. A lot of rare materials can be mined from them, and while this domain would normally be handled by the Natha, it’s now the job of the refugees to procure pieces of it. You never know when this alternate source of energy and fuel could come in handy, after all! Refugees will be provided two-person pods to go and retrieve these materials. While they can physically descend from the pod once they get out there, they can also control the pods to drill and pick up these materials. Though, the controls are a bit difficult.

3. Without the Orbiters to operate the the kitchen, the Mess Hall will also experience a steep shortage of food. All the ingredients used in the cafeteria were actually conjured up by the Natha, hence without them— people will discover that there isn’t enough food for the new refugees. Old refugees will be pinged prior to their arrival at Thesa Station and the message is clear: bring and cook food for the new refugees. With the errors on the ship, it seems that many of them woke up hungry. For those that lack confidence in their culinary skills&Mdash; they say food tastes better when you’re starving.

GIFTS FROM THESA    

The Natha have bequeathed their will unto the refugees, the burden of watching over their dear planet not given without a token of trust. Everyone, those newly awakened and those already settled, will receive periodic urging from Yppilc to visit the VR facilities. These messages will grow more frequent, more frantic, the longer they go ignored - for the sake of sleep, it’s best to indulge the request.

Load into the simulation, and the scene is mired by the confusion of battle. You and another stand on a low hanging precipice, overlooking a failing front line. The location and conditions of the fight vary, drawn from the memories and fears of the participants themselves. Olympia and Wyver, locked in a caustic war - and your new home is succumbing. Or your homeland, entrenched in conflict from the past, or from a dreaded future. While the scene laid out before you is chaotic, one thing stands clear; your allies are fighting a losing battle. Comrades fall, innocents flee, and the wounded cry out for help. The program has determined what could best spur you and your comrade to intervene, though the more stubborn refugees may need additional goading from their partners.

Your next action determines more than the outcome of the fight before you. Choose wisely - this message is conveyed mentally in a garbled voice that sounds familiar and ethereal all at once. Jump into action and fight. Save an ally - perhaps even your partner in this simulation - from certain death. Or help those who cannot help themselves. Act, and you will find yourself imbued with a new power. Use it, and the scene will soon come to a close. Despite returning to the reality of Thesa Station, you’ll find this newfound power still within your grasp. A gift from Darma, to aid in the battles to come.

OOC Note: Feel free to give your character any one power that would be classified as a ‘major spell’ on the ACP rewards table. These powers can fall under any category (Unaffiliated, Natha, Olympia, or Wyver), and must be reported by existing characters and new applicants here under the most appropriate header no later than September 8th 11:59PM EST. Please include a brief description of the power you’ve chosen. You will receive a response within 48 hours if there are any modifications required.

SOCIAL-LINKED(in)   
By some miracle, there are still some quieter parts of the hall. This may be an appropriate time to check out your smartphone. Aside from the expected "Omage" app, there seems to be a new one called Social-Linked. There, you may find a profile waiting to be posted. The app allows for the user to fill it in, but there is also an auto-function! upon pressing it, it will generate a shockingly-honest answer based on the Natha's observation of your history. Roman will be your only friend in this app, with his very own profile:

●●●●○ THESA
ROMAN
@romannoodles (∞), Thesa

I WAS A: Butler! I still am, and I'm happy to serve all of the new arrivals!

I'M SKILLED IN: Cooking, cleaning, anything that involves making your life better!

I'M LOOKING FOR: Consistency!

ALSO, I'M: Not entirely certain if the "auto" profile function is to your liking. Feel free to edit if it is not to taste!

So, have you decided on making your own profile? Perhaps you used the "auto" function on accident? Regardless, once your profile is out there, it's out there. And like the Omage app, it will match you with someone. NOTE: Please use the form below to fill out a profile! Whether it's auto-generated or filled by the character is up to you!

PROBLEMS IN STASIS    

1. The ship’s malfunctions have reached the stasis chamber, a long feared outcome finally dawning on sleeping friends and families. Yppilc will be quick to notify all refugees aboard that the pods will need close monitoring. Whether you’re visiting to keep an eye on things, or simply there to see the face of someone dear, be careful. Bumping a control panel, or drawing a hand along the glass could trigger an emergency ejection. Lights blink and a mechanism hisses, and then the pod is gone. With the pod thrust into space, you’ll be left with nothing but a small screen displaying the chamber’s position. There are ways to retrieve it— such as climbing into a suit from the airlock or following Yppilc’s instructions. Regardless of approach, it’s imperative that you stay calm. One error, and you could eject another pod or cut off the view screen entirely.

2. The newly awakened won’t find a moment of respite. The errors that pervade over the rest of the station have altered the contingencies for resuscitation in a majority of the pods. Some may awaken with gaps in their memory, or an old injury yet unhealed. Some may be afflicted with new ailments, such as loss of a sense or severe nausea. Anything could happen, with the computer systems processing so inconsistently. Interfacing with Thesa in any way, from entering the VR simulator to accessing the medical facilities, can cause the same range of side effects, so even established refugees should take caution.

FINAL OOC NOTES    
As always, feel free to wildcard prompts within Thesa Station!

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.

Players may submit an AC-length thread HERE from this TDM for 2 Natha REP. The due date for submission is September 16 11:59 PM EST.

For this application cycle, there will be a cap of 60 and no reserves. Applications will be open on September 2 12:01 AM EST and end on September 4 11:59 PM EST. Thank you!

triplerose: (Default)

[personal profile] triplerose 2018-08-29 07:54 am (UTC)(link)
As much as I can.

[ The station is clearly being temperamental, and Loras isn't sure what they can access and what they can't. At the end of the day, showing Renly around simply means the two walking together, and Loras knows that.

It's a bit awkward to guide himself and another person back to the safety of gravity in the hallway. There's nothing flattering about Zero G's. Feet firmly back on the ground, Loras doesn't quite embrace Renly. Both hands go to Renly's arms and he gives the man a light squeeze of his own. Then it's time to walk, picking a direction at random.
]

I can't wait for you to meet everyone. [ Well. Everyone. Loras has a total of three friends he can name, but he certainly knows people. ] And when they let you go, I've got a house in Wyver - you'll enjoy it more than Olympia - with more than enough room. It's no Highgarden or Storm's End, of course.

[personal profile] bestfit 2018-08-29 08:29 am (UTC)(link)
[It's such a comfort to be on the ground. Renly isn't the most graceful on his feet, but if he stumbles a little against his friend that may or may not have been deliberate.]

You really have been here an entire year. [He hadn't exactly believed what he'd heard earlier.]
triplerose: (easycompany-got3x2-070)

[personal profile] triplerose 2018-08-29 08:42 am (UTC)(link)
Yes. I've even got a job. Well - it's not unlike a knight, really, and I fight in the rings now and again. [ Some things never change. Loras is naturally inclined to follow the path that feels the most comfortable. ] And I've got a training ground now. I hope someday I can teach enough people to joust so we can host a tournament.

[ The point is, Renly won't need to worry about sustaining himself right away. He's lucky. Loras has a means to support them, which is more than he'd had himself when he first woken up. ]

It's a bit strange, I know. It took me a while to get used to it all.

[personal profile] bestfit 2018-08-29 09:14 am (UTC)(link)
You, a job? [Renly's laugh is delighted, if a little disbelieving. He falls into step beside Loras, perhaps a little closer than he ought to be but there's no one in this corridor.] Gods, I don't know what I'd have done if I woke up here without anyone I know. And here you are setting up tournaments just so you can knock everyone off their horses.
triplerose: (Default)

[personal profile] triplerose 2018-08-29 09:20 am (UTC)(link)
You can laugh, but eventually you'll need to get one as well.

[ He has no intention of letting Renly live as a freeloader, thank you kindly. Then he snorts a little. ]

You like when I knock people off their horses, don't act as if you don't. It'd be a bit rude of me to compete against a bunch of new jousters, don't you think?

[personal profile] bestfit 2018-08-29 09:26 am (UTC)(link)
[His only response to that is a disgusted expression. Him? A job? What in the gods' names would he do?]

I'll act how I like. Maybe I'll let you train me so I can have a turn at it. Who knows, I might be just as gifted as you. [Except that no, that sounds horrible and sweaty and please don't hold him to that Loras.]

[personal profile] krasnaya_vdova 2018-08-29 09:30 am (UTC)(link)
Maximizing physical capability through genetic manipulation. Or-- more about additions, like further abilities?
I don't know much about the science, but I know a little about some of the concepts.


[Gee, why could she be asking?]
triplerose: (Default)

[personal profile] triplerose 2018-08-29 09:36 am (UTC)(link)
[ Now it's Loras who laughs, because Renly had already had his chance to be a knight and instead it was squire who took to it better. The thought of Renly trying to joust is, quite frankly, hilarious. ]

I'll spare myself the trouble of a bad student, I think. My Lord Baratheon is suited to less labourous hobbies, such as spectating.

[ Fear not. A former Master Of Laws and rightful king must have some viable skill for an occupation in Wyver. If nothing else, they can perhaps get Renly a spot on the council. ]

You know, I hadn't been sure if it would be so easy to fall back into our old ways if you ever woke up. I'm not entirely the same man I was when we last saw one another.

[ But being around Renly is as natural as breathing. It's almost as if it's only been a matter of days and not years, and whatever anxieties Loras had felt about a possible reunion seem to have all but vanished. ]

[personal profile] bestfit 2018-08-29 10:25 am (UTC)(link)
I am rather gifted at spectating. [Meaning: he enjoys watching Loras.

His forehead wrinkles as he processes the second part. It's been two days since he's seen Loras, they'd gone longer than that in Westeros.

A year, though. His steps slow. He can't ask the question he wants to, but he wouldn't blame Loras if he'd found someone else.]
You've been all right, though?
emblazes: (pic#12507571)

[personal profile] emblazes 2018-08-29 10:53 am (UTC)(link)
[SUPER WEIRD.

There's always a glad you're awake -- around sentiment with him, it's just hard to find beneath his shitty loner-eqsue habits and inability to hold anyone much closer than at arms length (figuratively speaking). The next texts come in much less frenzied -- good, good...]


Alright.

[Off he goes, from the mess hall to the lounge. It's an incredibly short journey; that text comes through, I want to be helpful, he slows in step for all of two seconds.]

You will be.

[Err.]

I mean, you already are, Lance. You don't have to worry about anything right now.

[Aside from being zapped here and having to contend with a whole slew of things that make approximately zero sense. He'll tuck his phone away with that, make quick work of the distance between the kitchenry area and where Lance is located...

And he'll stop some several feet away, a very slight grin pulling at his features, something he can do very little to prevent.

Pickin his firstborn up from daycare.]


I didn't know where I was my first day here.

[So...congrats on that, and also: hi.

Made finding his peers at the time a huge challenge.]
warhorns: (when we tearing it up (you know))

[personal profile] warhorns 2018-08-29 10:58 am (UTC)(link)
Aye, I thought the same. Then I remember I'm no stonemason. I don't know how a castle's built, nor a ship. Surely this can't be any different. [Robb knows what he knows, and he's sure of those things. He has an easy faith in the rest of the world to be what it is.]

I know good soup, I know good bread. That's all I need right now.
warhorns: (to the beat of the drums)

[personal profile] warhorns 2018-08-29 11:08 am (UTC)(link)
One thing Robb is finding he likes about this place is that he isn't King Robb here. He's on equal footing with any other man. He holds out a placating hand, hoping to settle the man. "I am looking for my family, but I've had no luck so far." That's hardly a suprise.

His eyes turn from the man to the woman behind the glass. "She's beautiful, your lady."

conqueredhearts: (Wanna Have Sex?)

[personal profile] conqueredhearts 2018-08-29 11:18 am (UTC)(link)
Well, what is a musketeer? Also, what answers are you looking for?
conqueredhearts: (A Toast To Kings)

[personal profile] conqueredhearts 2018-08-29 11:20 am (UTC)(link)
Break? I'm not sure what you mean by that but I'm certainly not human. I'm a Spirit.

[Break though. Maybe she does know Diamond after all.]
conqueredhearts: (Defective Master...Want A Refund)

[personal profile] conqueredhearts 2018-08-29 11:23 am (UTC)(link)
Much bigger.

[Which could be a problem. He unsheathes his sword as he moves further into the chaos. Simulation or not, he's going to treat this like it's a real scenario.]

I think we'll have more answers if we get closer to the chaos. Whatever this is will be at the center of it all.
conqueredhearts: (Default)

[personal profile] conqueredhearts 2018-08-29 11:24 am (UTC)(link)
Remember, I'm not human anymore. So I very much died. I was simply brought back as a Spirit.
tellmehowthisfeels: (Witnessing progress)

[personal profile] tellmehowthisfeels 2018-08-29 11:26 am (UTC)(link)
Further abilities are well within the realm of possibility. I know that to be fact based on my own studies and experiments.

[She would know. She's done the experiments on herself and another. Both with very promising results.]
thedarkbond: (spectral blaster)

[personal profile] thedarkbond 2018-08-29 12:15 pm (UTC)(link)
Oh, don't you? [Diamond hadn't mentioned that part, but it makes sense considering what they are. Either way, Ren doesn't sound too fussed about it, his tone remaining rather absent (and intentionally so).

Ren looks around for a moment as if looking for another human, but his wandering gaze finds the tails of Bortz' hair before too long, and he leans across the table a little, seemingly very distracted by the sight.]
Ah, you have really nice hair, too. Is it as much of a bother for you to clean so much of it...?

[It sure took him about 0.5 seconds to get distracted from the topic of finding someone else to give the food to.]
shipoftheseus: (is this shit for real)

[personal profile] shipoftheseus 2018-08-29 12:59 pm (UTC)(link)
i was out on patrol with cairngorm.
why?
hellzone: (HUH ♪ WHOA SHIT)

[personal profile] hellzone 2018-08-29 01:14 pm (UTC)(link)
This Iron Fist sounds like a parasite.
hellzone: (HUH ♪ WHOA SHIT)

[personal profile] hellzone 2018-08-29 01:19 pm (UTC)(link)
I'm not worried! [ Yoshiko worriedly exclaims. She's trying to take deep breaths, trying to calm herself down. She needs to do something. Mostly because she needs to be better at this. She can't keep her friends safe and protect You if she doesn't even have the courage to deal with a silly situation.

So, still shaking, Yoshiko dramatically points a finger in the direction of a few soldiers, in a move that is far too magical girl.
]

F-Fallen Angel's Phoenix Inferno!

[ You'd think something with the name 'phoenix inferno' would be a fire attack. It is not. Instead, two or three of the soldiers almost instantly start to drop their weapons, trip over their own feet, and get turned around, like they've suddenly just become the most unlucky people in the planet.

That doesn't change the fact that there's still a bunch more baddies out and about.
]
quintessent: (and they have no say)

[personal profile] quintessent 2018-08-29 01:24 pm (UTC)(link)
[She’s not sure she agrees with such a risky approach but surely the woman has her reasons, and Allura’s apprehension fades easily enough as the topic changes to her people. She nods,]

Culturally, we value pursuits of the mind; as such, scientists and engineers are held in high regard in Altean society. And for good cause: there is no match for Altean technology.

[Said with no small amount of pride. Then, almost apologetically,]

Unfortunately, as far as specifics go, I am a little out of my depth. My expertise falls more on the diplomatic than scientific, and much of our technology isn’t… compatible with other species. But I still enjoy listening to others speak about it.
hellzone: (POUT ♪ stop judging okay?)

[personal profile] hellzone 2018-08-29 01:25 pm (UTC)(link)
[ Yoshiko isn't as big an eater as some of the other Aqours girls...but man, the idea of food right now sounds really good. ]

Then I'll go get some food with you.

[ Plus, she doesn't want to leave Riko alone. They can still talk while getting food, so Yoshiko fills Riko in on some more of the details. ]

I don't know how, but people can get magical powers here. You-chan's got magical singing. [ there's a small pause, before she admits, ] I'm going to get some magical powers myself so that nothing bad will happen to You ever again. Oh, and so nothing bad will happen to you period.

[ Now she's got Riko here to worry about as well as You. Still, she's Yohane! Fallen angel! She can do this, right? ]
manussanatiomea: (pic#12533976)

[personal profile] manussanatiomea 2018-08-29 01:43 pm (UTC)(link)
If I see them, I will let them know. I promise. And if you happen to see a boy, Prince Javan. He needs me. He's....[Tavis stops himself, refusing to use the word crippled to describe his young charge.] He's only twelve.

[Seeing the man in pain, he starts to get to work, only to be interrupted yet again. God he missed Javan, the boy was used to working with him, out of necessity. He was so very good at relaxing and letting Tavis work. This man on the other hand seemed unable to do so. Quickly tracing nerves out from the man's spine, he counted and numbed the man's pain, and probably everything else for the moment. He opened his eyes, starting to get annoyed.]

Trying to fix you, which would honestly be a lot easier without the constant interruptions. Are you still in pain?
Edited (utter html fail) 2018-08-29 13:53 (UTC)
widow_of_the_crag: ([Jeyne] What)

[personal profile] widow_of_the_crag 2018-08-29 01:54 pm (UTC)(link)
[He's a hideous sight and it makes her glad for a moment that she hasn't eaten, as she can't be sure that her stomach won't revolt against her. The dizziness combine with him, it was a bit too much for her delicate sensibilities to take. She swallowed, hurriedly looking away to keep herself from staring or offending him, already embarrassed by her response.]

I don't wish to waste this food, as everything is being rationed. Are you certain you don't want it.

[Her voice felt tight in her throat.]

Much of it is soft food...