❪ 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

[vorrutyer]

[ He's genuinely interested - and by the slight twist of his lips, a little impatient. There's a reason that By makes such a good spy: his vice to end all vices is curiosity. But on the other hand, it's also something of a vulnerability for him. ]

Do go on.

[motivation]

I could show you, but if you have no money, you can hardly buy me a drink to make it worth my while.

[vorrutyer]

[ With a little twitch of his eyebrow - ]

What, is alcohol the only thing you want from life? There are other ways for a man to pay.

[motivation]

Not the only thing. [ but it's high up there. yeah, she drinks too much. so what?

dutch hums, considering. ] All right, what's on offer?

[vorrutyer]

Well - alcohol is on offer. Don't mistake my protest for denial.

[ He flips out his hand. ]

Even without money, I still have my ways. But - [ His hand comes back in, and his eyes grow hooded. His voice turns resonant, smooth. ] I'm very good with a favor or two. A tender man like me always wants to please the hearts of others, and so I live to tend to your heart's desire. A bottle of rum, a close-tailored gown, a liaison with a charming someone. A needleful of something relaxing. A kitten, a puppy, a quick and satisfying shag. Whatever you want. I like to make myself useful.

[motivation]

How satisfying?

[ of course it's the shag that got her attention, of course. as d'avin will complain at a point still in dutch's future: she never follows orders, drinks too much, and sleeps with all the wrong guys. ]

[vorrutyer]

[ His smile broadens just a bit. ]

I suppose that depends. I can find you someone lovely-lipped and dewey-eyed, but I fear I'm new to this world; all I'll have to go on is testimonials from others, not testimonials of flesh, which is what I generally prefer. So if I arrange a little affair with someone else, I cannot guarantee their fitness. I can, of course, arrange a little affair with myself - my heart is quite captivated by you, after all. But I also know I am a meager prize - not always worthy of the trades I receive, of course.

[ His bow, and the ironic little flutter of his eyelashes when he straightens up, intimates that this might just be false modesty. ]

[motivation]

[ he's not charming at all and yet, dutch is charmed. a little mad about it, but mostly amused. ]

What the hells. I'll show you, and we'll see how you can make it worth my while. But for the record? I don't need anyone to pick my bed partners for me.

[ a beat. ]

And yeah, I bet you're terrible.

[vorrutyer]

[ With a grin - ]

I'll admit I haven't heard too many complaints. [ Then he presses a hand to his chest, and says, with the fakest fucking humbleness you'll ever encounter - ] But my partners have always been ever so polite.

[ He does fully intend to seduce Dutch at some point. Or at least to do his best. He's in a brave new world, after all, and he doesn't have any idea of just how dangerous it's going to be. It would be very nice if someone deadly like her felt vaguely indulgent and protective towards him. And sex has always been an excellent tool for making someone a bit indulgent and protective.

Then he drops his hand and cants his head just a little to the side. ]

But please, do show me. Is it something you can show me now, or must I wait?

[motivation]

[ dutch has encountered some very fake humbleness but he definitely ranks in the top five. what a performance, what skill.

for what it's worth: dutch isn't the most compassionate of people, nothing like johnny who will help anyone just because they need help, but anything she gets someone into? she'll get them out of it, too. it's become something of a personal code of honour.

but if he's good with his tongue and doesn't talk too much, she'd probably feel more indulgent than she does right now. ]

You'd only get in trouble if I let you stew. Where are you?

[vorrutyer]

Up on our benevolent overlords' space station. Sitting in my luxuriant quarters. Your lovely self?

[motivation]

Meet me in the mess hall.

[ they probably are benevolent, but that doesn't mean dutch trusts them. besides the point now; the red light district down on the planet is something she understands far better than the motivations of the orbiters.

after a moment, she adds: ] Wear something nice.

[vorrutyer]

[ He lowers his head in a half-bow. ]

I fear my fine silks didn't travel with me, but I shall do my best, esteemed lady.

[ He turns off the video before she can protest. And, true to his word, he shows up just a little while later in all his tall lanky glory, clad in a suit of fine fabric and an outrageous color (deep red), smiling with perpetual irony as he searches for her. ]

[motivation]

[ at least he didn't call her "his" lady again.

dutch isn't difficult to spot. dark skin and darker hair contrast with an emerald green dress, long but with a high slit to allow for movement, a gun strapped to one thigh. if he's observant, he might even spot the glimmer of steel between the braids of her hair. she isn't difficult to spot, but he makes spotting him easy in that suit and dutch nods in acknowledgement when their gazes meet. ]

Hi, buttercup. [ the nickname is as ironic as his smile. ] Ever teleported before?

[vorrutyer]

[ A little grin at the annoying nickname; he's quite pleased by it. But the second question elicits a bit less merriment. ]

Teleported? [ A little quirk of his eyebrow. A little dubiously: ] I've done a wormhole jump or two. I assume they're quite similar, no?

[motivation]

I guess.

[ dutch has never done a wormhole jump, so how would she know? she shrugs. ] Just concentrate real hard on going to the planet below us and the station'll take care of the rest.

[ handwavey technology magic ok. ]

[vorrutyer]

[ Um. His gaze is a little skeptical. There's a hardness to that skepticism, a sharpness: there is, in spite of what his foppish excesses might imply, an alert and focused and cynical intellect under the silliness. ]

Really.