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!

thetaintedsorrow: (Pissed)

[personal profile] thetaintedsorrow 2018-08-28 12:19 am (UTC)(link)
[Good thing Chuuya’s outfit is easily recognizable, and Chuuya meows excitedly when she guesses right, his tail swishing back and forth...

But then she has to go and insult him, and he gives her leg a little swat, though no claws are used.

But no, she’s not getting it!! Understandable, since only Atsushi was a true shapeshifter back home, but still!! Grr...this is frustrating!!

Chuuya jumps up on the bed and grabs his phone in his mouth before presenting it to her. He hasn’t checked his messages today, but he’s made a point not to mention anything best kept under wraps on the device, so it should be safe. He’s hoping maybe she’ll think he’s too smart to be just a cat...

But it’s understandable if she doesn’t. He has one more plan up his sleeve, after all, one that will put a few of her fears at ease in the process.
]
shashka: (birthday cigars)

1

[personal profile] shashka 2018-08-28 12:21 am (UTC)(link)
[ for his part, Ocelot shrugs, looking as pleased as can be, as though nothing about this situation was disturbing to him at all, and he couldn't be less bothered with the slightly more limited power in the stasis unit.

(even if reality couldn't be further from the truth) ]


Am I? Can you really be completely sure? Maybe you're the one that's intruding.

[ there's something familiar about this guy that he can't quite put his finger on just yet. ]
versianvirtue: (29)

A

[personal profile] versianvirtue 2018-08-28 12:22 am (UTC)(link)
[While doing rounds checking up on how the station is functioning after the Natha have gone, Asseylum chances upon someone she has never seen before perched by the windows, attention drawn to the cosmos. It isn't clear if what this refugee murmurs is meant for her to answer or just a private curiosity, but she decides to engage them in either case. She steps closer, keeping her sights swimming in starlight with an appreciative smile for their beauty.]

Are you talking about the stars?

[It's a little ambiguous when the question is posed as though the stars are somehow "in" there like an aquarium of lights, rather than "out" there, almost as though this person has never seen stars in their life.]
mobileforces: (Worried about sempai)

1/2

[personal profile] mobileforces 2018-08-28 12:24 am (UTC)(link)
[She's not going to make the connection because lbr it's funnier that way.]

[But she's already surmised this cat must be smarter than the average cat. How else did it know to bring her here? She'll take the phone when offered, looking conflicted.]


I can't just violate his privacy. But if something happened to him...

[FROWNS LOUDLY and scrolls through the first few messages...]
mobileforces: (Crying for sempai)

[personal profile] mobileforces 2018-08-28 12:24 am (UTC)(link)
[What she sees has her putting the phone down, going over to grab that flask, and taking a nice long drink.]
deadthenred: (41 ))

[personal profile] deadthenred 2018-08-28 12:27 am (UTC)(link)
Yeah. But I was here before. Things were… different.

[ The power wasn't so futzy, for one. He wonders what happened that would cause this. ]

Don't get me wrong, though, this is all above my pay grade.
shashka: (senpai notice me)

Gifts From Thesa

[personal profile] shashka 2018-08-28 12:28 am (UTC)(link)
[ well, this is different. not just the simulation, but his partner's reaction to the whole thing.

if nothing else, it could prove to be interesting. ]


If the mind believes it's real, does that make it a simulation? Perception is reality, as some might say.

[ a pause, as a piece from a wall falls down to the ground. ]

Now normally, we'd have had the Natha as insurance that nothing would happen with these simulations in the past, but with our so-called "saviours" gone...

[ who knows. this simulation might actually be dangerous. ]
ofaustria: ofaustria (Default)

Anne of Austria | BBC's The Musketeers

[personal profile] ofaustria 2018-08-28 12:28 am (UTC)(link)
[the airlock]

[Upon waking and realizing that she's alone in the corridor, Anne turns to examine the device she's emerged from. It's nothing that she recognizes, resembling a coffin far too much for her liking. There are others next to it and she gathers the voluminous skirts of her gown to move to the next one to see who it might be.

It's no one she recognizes and, as she leans in, the panel next to it lights up. Though she pulls back, it's not fast enough for her to undo the damage she's caused and she watches in horror as the pod slides from its holding station into a pose that resembles ejection.

Her eyes go wide and she turns to look at anyone who might be nearby.]
Please, help. It's going to-- [She doesn't know what it's going to do, but the noises aren't good.] That person is in danger.


[social linked-in]

●●●●○ THESA
Anne
@tinyqueen (30), Earth

I WAS A: Queen

I'M SKILLED IN: etiquette and horse riding

I'M LOOKING FOR: my son friends and Musketeers

ALSO, I'M: married.




[choose your own adventure]

[just don't ask her to cook!]
thetaintedsorrow: (Adorable blush)

[personal profile] thetaintedsorrow 2018-08-28 12:32 am (UTC)(link)
[He meows to encourage her, because while normally he wouldn’t be okay with people going through his phone, he figures it might give her some kinda clue-

Wait.

What kind of reaction is that??

Chuuya peeks at the phone, and it’s a good thing cats can’t blush, because god is that embarrassing!! What was he thinking giving her his phone?? Damn it, Meph, now he’s all flustered and fluffed up...

But okay, naughty texts aside (and even if he’s not happy about her drinking his liquor), he might as well help her out as best he can for now and leave his true identity for later. He meows loudly at her to follow him again, and if she does, she’ll find herself in the stasis chambers. He seems to know where he’s going, as if he’s been here before several times...

Inside one of the pods is Akutagawa, which is sure to get a reaction from her.
]
Edited 2018-08-28 00:33 (UTC)
summertimeblues: (063)

[personal profile] summertimeblues 2018-08-28 12:33 am (UTC)(link)
[Ah, the American interior. Home of his middle and high school years, bane of his city lovin' existence.]

How quaint. Should I shave some dried shit in instead?

[Now that the guy is spooning up his share there is one very poignant detail coming to light. His eyes skitter down from shoulder to shining pinky. What a pitching arm that must be, Jesus.]

Did Ma and Pa Kettle bang that out for you from old tractor parts?
deadthenred: (5 ))

[personal profile] deadthenred 2018-08-28 12:35 am (UTC)(link)
[ Bucky immediately regrets the sharp of his tone, even before the other guy starts to argue. He's been trying to keep his temper in check. His eyes don't move. ]

Well, you're right. I dunno that any of us are really supposed to be here.

[ He takes one last, significant glance at the man frozen in the pod— US Military, by the looks of him— and turns to the newcomer. A flash of recognition runs across his face. Ocelot hasn't changed much. It probably hasn't been that long in Nathan time, then. ]

My Russian's still pretty good, by the way.
deadthenred: (73 ))

[personal profile] deadthenred 2018-08-28 12:45 am (UTC)(link)
[ Oh, yeah. He's been on his own so long now, he sort of forgets that most civilians don't have access to shiny metal arm technology. He's probably going to need to figure out how to get the hologram function to work again. ]

I lost it in the war. I'm not…

[ An LMD? Prepared to talk about it? What? ]

A robot. [ A pause. ] And I didn't stay in Indiana.
mobileforces: (Happy for sempai)

[personal profile] mobileforces 2018-08-28 12:46 am (UTC)(link)
[She almost doesn't follow. She takes a minute to right herself after that experience, and then gathers up Chuuya's things. Carefully folding them and putting them together, she then uses her newfound powers to write him a note -- effortlessly carving the words into the paper with the tip of her finger, leaving her contact information before hiding his phone under the paper. "If you come back, please call me. I'm keeping your things safe" -- seeing as this room is just free for anyone to walk in and take whatever they want. She doesn't want to leave the phone behind, but-- what can she do? Hopefully he planned to come back.]

[But then she's following again, feeling notably lonely as they walk through the quiet, empty halls. That feeling only grows in the stasis chamber -- at least, until she sees who she's being led to.]

[Shock alone was keeping her from breaking down, not knowing whether Akutagawa made it safely off of earth or not. As soon as she sees him, she drops Chuuya's clothes and practically runs to the front of the pod, trembling as she rests a hand over the viewing window.]


...y-you're alive.

[She's definitely crying now -- but this is probably the happiest she's been since waking up.]
Edited 2018-08-28 00:46 (UTC)
summertimeblues: (077)

[personal profile] summertimeblues 2018-08-28 12:47 am (UTC)(link)
[Oh, good. Her wits are more gathered than most. He'd been a mess upon waking, not the least considering the time and place he'd been taken from and the culture shock of a lifetime. Richie smiles wryly, hands clapped to his knees.]

Yeah, they needed a host for the apocalypse special on Nightline and I signed up on the spot. Gotta invest heavy on the charm or nobody's quitting their panic to tune in.

[She's not wrong to question him though. He casts a regretful glance to the pods at their sides.]

You're right Annie, it's not ideal, but right now you are in a safe zone. You'll have time to get your sea legs and wrap your head around everything.
smithsonian: (Wait what?)

[personal profile] smithsonian 2018-08-28 12:51 am (UTC)(link)
Wait. [Her brow furrows.] You've been here before? How's that possible?

[What, his world disappeared twice?]
summertimeblues: http://www.hollow-art.com/users/jessecuster (021)

[personal profile] summertimeblues 2018-08-28 12:53 am (UTC)(link)
Why would anybody?

[More pressingly, this matter of the arm and the battle that took it. He's American, using modern lilts, but his accent seems...off. Somehow. Not too unlike what was happening with Steve Trevor, there.

Airily he spoons up slop for himself, fully expecting nonsense when he asks:]


And which war was that?
thetaintedsorrow: (Sad boy)

[personal profile] thetaintedsorrow 2018-08-28 12:53 am (UTC)(link)
[To be fair he usually locks his room, but he’d kinda turned into a cat and freaked out before running out into the hall. Luckily nothing was stolen, otherwise he’d have to kick somebody’s ass when he turns back into a human...

Watching Higuchi’s reaction to seeing Akutagawa alive is both sweet and heartbreaking, and Chuuya meows sadly at her. He remembers how conflicted he’d felt to see Kouyou alive in the pods, glad that she’d survived but saddened that she may never wake up again. He can’t even imagine how much more intense those feelings are for someone like Higuchi, who’s devoted her life to Akutagawa.

He’ll let her have a moment before he rubs against her legs and gently head butts her, as if telling her “it’s all right, you’re not alone, even if it feels that way right now”.
]
Edited 2018-08-28 00:54 (UTC)
inaurare: (Happy)

[personal profile] inaurare 2018-08-28 12:53 am (UTC)(link)
I'm glad.

[oh - it does little if the boy can't see his face, but his user-name should have made it obvious who he was? No matter; he'll go ahead and switch to video. Perhaps that will clear the confusion? Though many sleepers have woken with troubles, of late...]

Linneus.

We met, when you were awake before.
smithsonian: (Watching)

[personal profile] smithsonian 2018-08-28 12:54 am (UTC)(link)
[She's been witness to more than a couple of weird things and she's woken up in a strange place or two. This, however, takes the cake and she eases herself into a standing position once more, still watching him warily.]

You've got the charm. [She can admit it. He's certainly got a witty answer for everything.] What's everything, exactly? Earth's really gone? What's left of my friends and family are somewhere in there? [She says it with a nod toward the pods.] Do we wake 'em up or do they just sort of come to on their own?
mobileforces: (Thirsty for sempai)

[personal profile] mobileforces 2018-08-28 12:57 am (UTC)(link)
[Eyes fixed on Akutagawa's face, she loses track of how long she stays like that, hoping that maybe if she watches him long enough, he'll wake up. But soon she's sinking down to her knees, wiping at her eyes before reaching out to run her hand down along the cat's back.]

You're a good little kitty, aren't you... how did you know I was looking for him?
notdrfrasier: (Default)

[personal profile] notdrfrasier 2018-08-28 01:00 am (UTC)(link)
[Was this person for real? Okay then.]

Yes, I'm a human doctor. I do my best but if they're... shattered, putting them back together isn't all that easy. But, I've worked on both humans and uh, some who weren't human.

I would think in a place like this you would have met a human doctor before.
summertimeblues: http://www.hollow-art.com/users/jessecuster (011)

Bye bye butterfree, I'm crying this is the worst title

[personal profile] summertimeblues 2018-08-28 01:00 am (UTC)(link)
[That's not good.

Richie has been stopped dead in his stride near the end of the row. He'd been willing to keep walking and leave the stranger puttering around in peace, but that sudden hiss and metallic shunt kick away propriety pretty damn quick.

He's trotting over, gape widening as he realizes there's now an empty slot where a whole pod used to be. It's floating off in space now, just yonder.]


What the fuck did you do?
quintessent: (Or put it out)

[personal profile] quintessent 2018-08-28 01:00 am (UTC)(link)
Wha-

[The look on her face is baffled, until she looks down and realizes that yes, there is indeed a half peeled potato on the floor. There's nothing particularly embarrassing about a dropped potato, but her ears heat up anyway, the same way she does any time she feels on the other end of a joke.]

Ah- That was...

[She stoops to pick up the sad looking thing. Half peeled, it's obvious Allura isn't the most efficient potato peeler in the galaxy. With a lopsided smile,] It is meant for dinner. Are you hungry?

[She means for actual food, not just a potato, but he can have that too, if he wants.]
thetaintedsorrow: (You’re gonna die)

1/2

[personal profile] thetaintedsorrow 2018-08-28 01:02 am (UTC)(link)
[He arches his back when she pets him, happily leaning into her touch like an actual cat. And lo and behold, Chuuya Nakahara starts purring as he jumps into her lap and nudges her face with his cheek. He’s not sure why he’s being so affectionate, considering he and Higuchi had never been close, but being a cat has a strange effect on people...

It’s all super sweet and cute-
]
Edited 2018-08-28 01:02 (UTC)
thetaintedsorrow: (Cute surprise)

[personal profile] thetaintedsorrow 2018-08-28 01:03 am (UTC)(link)
[-until Higuchi ends up with a butt naked human Chuuya on her lap. Oops???

He hasn’t realized he’s human again yet, either...
]