❪ test drive: #2 ❫

[natha]

OVERFLOW 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

winter came 1.

[beknight]

[ Nothing wrong with making use of the man where he seems happiest. Bruce follows behind him for the most part, asking one or two polite questions when Reinhardt seems inclined for conversations. He doesn't push it. They make a good enough team. ]

[ Though, when he's shouting, Bruce says dryly, ]

You might not want to shout.

[panzersoldat]

[ The older man seems more than happy to make conversation here and there, but mostly he's conserving his energy for this hunt. The beasts and illusive and he's not a young man anymore. He really can't just go charging off after any wisp of white fur (though knowing him, he very well might. )

He frowns a little at the small dry scolding and he turns to look down at the man. ] Why not. If these creatures know what's good for them, they'll come out for us. We're not going to hurt them. I was just letting them know that they are cowards for hiding away!

I could also tell them we have fish for them. If that would work. [ Tell, bellow at the top of his lungs...same thing really. ] The quicker we get this done, the quicker we can get you back to the warmth. [ Because Reinhardt's concern is never for himself. He's fine in the cold. ]

[beknight]

You've never gone hunting.

[ There's no bite to his statement, the cold does enough of the sting. This man's perspective is vastly different from Bruce's own, that much was already clear. ]

The quicker we get warm. [ On this, they agree. He's not ruling out Reinhardt being a meta, but Bruce likes not to assume. ] Set out the fish. Then let's find somewhere to wait.

[panzersoldat]

Of course not! When I was a knight, I had other things to do besides hunting. Hunting is a noble's sport and I am not nobility. If I had been invited on one, it would have been to serve as Kings Guard and nothing more than this!

[ It's probably sort of sad that someone Reinhardt's age has never been hunting, at least not like this. Going after bandits and the like, that wasn't really hunting, at least not to his mind. ]

But yes. That. [ He's not a meta. He's just a really impressively huge guy that's worked very very hard to get the strength he has. ] I will do that for you but you will have to find the hiding place. I don't approve of hiding in wait. It's not honorable. [ That and he thinks Bruce is likely to find a spot large enough to fit then both of them. So he will do as instructed and start placing fish in likely areas. ]

[beknight]

[ One thing's for sure, he certainly has presence. It's a warm thought, Bruce knows several men who act their size, but exude something else. (Himself included.) ]

I can do that. [ Helpfully, ] We're not fighting warriors.

[ So there's no need for honour. ]

[panzersoldat]

[ Nonsense! For Reinhardt there is always a need for honor! But Bruce has a point. This is a cat, not a fellow warrior. The rules of chivalry need not apply. ]

Then we will do it your way, my friend. [ Which leads the huge man slogging around in the snow placing fish here and there, trying to set them in such a way that it would lure the illusive animal into an open area for an easier shot.

When he is done, he'll return with a nod and then grumble a little, because he still hates the idea of hiding away. ] I think that should do it. I hope you found a good enough place for us to hide.

good w/ tagging here or moving, I don't mind captcha

[beknight]

[ Bruce meanwhile is ready with the dart gun. Not his preferred choice of weapon, but he handles it effortlessly. ]

[ He moves over, settling into the snow, watching for the animals in his periphery. ]

Down here. Get comfortable.

here is fine then. sorry for the wait

[panzersoldat]

[ Reinhardt sadly doesn't really have a periphery. He's only got one side. So when Bruce sits, the large man goes to sit as well, purposely sitting so that his blind side is towards the man.

He knows he should be quiet now. This is a hunt after all and surely the fish will bring something out, but Reinhardt still speaks, trying to at least be a little more quiet than his yelled challenge. ] I have some jerky if you'd like it. While we wait. And if you get cold, let me know. I will give you my cloak.

[ Still he settles and casts his eye around, to watch everything. He's more worried about other animals coming out after the food. Like bears or wolves. He's not sure if he can protect his partner from them, but by god he would try if they were attacked. ]

np

[beknight]

[ He sits with his blind side towards Bruce. A trusting man — the gesture's appreciated. He readies the dart gun, going absolutely still. If it weren't for the curl of exhaled breath in the air someone might have mistaken him for a statue. ]

I'm fine, [ though he adds, ] thanks.

[panzersoldat]

[ It's not just trust. It's also because he doesn't know what dangers might hide in the mountains and the snow. He needs to keep his sighted side out so he can keep watch while they wait.

He tries hard to go still, but he's a man of action. He's used to moving. Reinhardt continues to shift, ready to just stand up and charge. Who knew hunting would be so difficult. ] Well, it's here if you want it.

[ He tries to go quiet again, staring out into the snow. Surely the beasts will be lured by the fish soon. ]

[beknight]

[ He's not used to it, but there's comfort in this, in knowing that someone is simply and wholly on his side. ]

Here goes, [ he murmurs, just loud enough for Rein to hear. The dart whistles softly as it flies towards its target and hits. No fuss. ] let's move.

[panzersoldat]

[ He's rather impressed by that shot. In the back of his mind, it remind him of someone. Someone he used to know. Someone who carried sleepdarts. But then he loses that thread of memory. It's not yet time for him to wake, but soon enough it would be. It's just the first inkling that things aren't what they seem. ]

That was a great shot! Are you a hunter then? An archer?

[ He'll stand and move with surprising quickness for a man his size. He'll easily get to the Klep. A part of him wants to just grab the whole animal to take back to the scientists. ] How long do you think it's going to be out?

[beknight]

I hunt, [ he replies, with a small smile. ] I'm not bad with a bow.

[ Modesty doesn't suit him. ]

It's a big animal, let's be quick about it anyway. I want to get out of the cold.

[panzersoldat]

[ Reinhardt follows orders pretty quickly. Habit for an old soldier like him. He quickly gets samples, keeping an eye on the cat to make sure that it doesn't suddenly wake up and maul him.

It doesn't and he's happy to return to the hunter with the filled vials. ] You are cold? [ He starts to take his heavy furs off to hold them out. ] Until we get back. You can use it.

[beknight]

[ Bruce quirks a small smile. ]

Keep them. We'll be out of here soon, don't worry.

[panzersoldat]

[ The words and the smile are confusing but he's going to discover very soon what the man means. Since their 'mission' is over, it's about time for the simulation to be over and for Reinhardt to wake completely. It's still disconcerting to go from surrounded by snow to standing in some simulation room. Those thick furs replaced by his usual tight shirt and fatigue pants.

It seems that he's just as huge out of the sim.] Was??? [ He's so confused that he's sort of fallen back into German, at least for the moment before the universal bablefish kicks in. ] What is this?!

[beknight]

[ This isn't his first rodeo, and he reaches out to Reinhardt's shoulder to steady him. ]

Er — « It's all right. Stay calm. ​»

[ His accent in German is strong, doesn't sound at all like a native — more like someone who's trying to crib off a phrasebook. ]

It's the simulation. It does that sometimes.

[panzersoldat]

[ It's quite a way up to reach but it helps him so much. That little steadying pat and the familiar sound of his native language really does put him at ease, even if it sounds like board room tourist German ]

<< Does it? It seemed so real and those people...>>

[ He was worried for them. But if they weren't real... ]

<< Are you sure they aren't real? That they aren't somewhere in need of help? >>

[beknight]

[ The universal translator's kicked in by now, he answers in English, patiently, ]

No. That was all the program, it glitches sometimes. I can show you.

[panzersoldat]

[ Thank heaven's for babblefish! Though even then his accent is still pretty heavily Bavarian.]

A program? Yes. I would like to see this.

[ It's likely the only way he's going to accept that the cat and that freezing world weren't real. ]

[beknight]

[ He gestures Reinhardt over to the console and brings up the settings display for the simulation. ]

Look, the animals and the instructions.

[panzersoldat]

[ Reinhardt moves over to look at the console and all those settings. His brow furrows a little as he reads. ]

I...see. That's the cat...and

[ He runs a hand over his face and swears softly. The translation doesn't quite have the right words, but it's clear it's pretty colorfully German. ]

So, all of that was just a trick? A game?

[ He doesn't really remember agreeing to play some strange VR game, then again, he doesn't really remember being asleep in a stasispod either.]

[beknight]

[ He gives no indication he understands what's being said. ]

The simulation is meant to be used for training. But sometimes it — [ he gestures to his head. ] don't let it get to you.

[panzersoldat]

[ He has to sort of lean against the console, hands flat, arms braced, while he has to deal with this all. He's always been an imaginative man, so this messing with his head is sort of a big thing. ]

I'm trying. But normally, I know I'm training. I wasn't much help, so I don't even know if I passed. But you're here and you know. So, did I pass?

[beknight]

We both did.

[ Bruce gives him some space to breathe, listens for anyone else coming. Vulnerability is not something he ever shows easily — and it shouldn't be out there for everyone else to gawk at either. ]