elnyan | ❪ test drive: #2 ❫

Entry tags:

test drive

❪ test drive: #2 ❫

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

Flat | Top-Level Comments Only

[ When he hears a voice, an unfamiliar voice, a voice with a distinctive southern twang that didn't match any of the echoes in his head, not Wes and definitely not his aunt... well, it helps him pull out, helps him look up and meet her eyes. He looks... rough, like he doesn't sleep enough, and there's something that's still not well as he slowly tries to uncurl, clearly pushing himself now that someone's here to watch. ]

I'm...

I'll be fine. I just- I think I need to get out of here. At least for the moment.

[ For a moment, she feels a bit guilty about interrupting a private moment, but she has to tell herself that perhaps it's what he needed. Perhaps he'd been lost in his own thoughts and being dragged out of them would be for the best. And all it takes is one good look at him to convince her that he needs something, a hand, a drink, a shoulder to lean on -- whatever it is, if she can give it to him, she will. ]

Why don't we get you a cup of coffee, then? A change of scenery. It might do you some good.

[ She leans down a bit and holds out a bare hand, offering him help up should he choose to accept it. ]

[ He can't help it: he blinks, just the once, and has the wild thought that somehow, she must know him. And then he thinks of how often he's proposed a cup of coffee to a woman in tattered clothes or a man who's just avoided meeting his maker. It's just the standard kindness.

A moment to swallow and then- ]

Yeah, I'm... pretty sure I'm due another cup. It's been at least ten minutes since I finished my last one.

[ He'll take that hand with his own, his grip firm but careful. He's no Superman, but he's still stronger than he used to be and he's always got to be a little more cautious after something like that. Honestly, he's just glad there's no ground beneath his feet. ]

[ Rogue is observant if nothing else. She notes his reaction to her proposal of coffee and has to wonder which of the usual scenarios is at play here. Is he not used to simple kindness from other people? Did he not expect anyone to care enough to offer him an easy way out of this predicament? Or is it just that he's a coffee addict like herself and it surprised him that she might guess such? Judging by his response, she guesses it's probably the last. She hopes it is. ]

A man after my own heart.

[ There's a smile with those words, and a hint of flirtation as well. It's her standard way of charming others, her default setting when trying for a pleasant conversational experience. That there's some handsome under sleepless look doesn't hurt either. ]

Up we go, sugar. [ She'll be steady as they get him upright, standing her ground no matter what strength he does or doesn't use. She's used to a lot of different types of people and will roll with whatever he throws her way. ]

[ The flirtation makes his cheeks just a tiny bit pink; it's not something he gets directed at himself often, since he usually ventures out for work and work only or solitary trips places that don't generally involve interaction. The mask doesn't exactly prompt people to want to get chatty. All the same, he lets her pull him up, pushing a little to make it a little easier. ]

Thank you. For coming over.

[ He swallows just a little, keeping his eyes distant, not focusing on any of the tubes. ]

I came here to look for some of my friends, family really. I didn't realize it'd hit me like that.

[ The hint of color in his cheeks strikes her as adorable and she won't soon forget it. When things are better, she might add him to her list of people to good-naturedly tease, if only to encourage that bit of color to sprout up again.

She nods slightly, and adjusts her hold once he's steady, her arm wrapped through his like they're old friends. ]

I think a lot of people have that reaction at first.

[ The immediate friendliness and the claiming of his arms makes him think of no one so much as Karen, and while that reminder makes his heart ache a little, it also settles him down. His friends are somewhere in there, but there are good people out here too, new people to get to know. Intimidating, perhaps, but it's the same as it ever was: adapt or die. And he's always known which one he intends to do.]

Well, there's that, [ the whole 'your world is ended and everyone you know is boxed up like last night's leftovers still' ] but sit one of those tubes up and make it about five feet wider and it was my accommodations for about fifty years.

[ And yet, of the two of them, it was the one who'd trapped him there who'd paid someone to make him forget the whole thing, not Sand. ]

[ Rogue tilts her head and frowns slightly, concerned because that sure doesn't sound like something a person would volunteer for. She can't assume the worst, though, not when her idea of worst is probably more than anything most people would ever have to experience in their lifetime. Still, she wonders, and since he brought it up-- ]

That sounds like a story waiting to be told. Maybe over that cup of coffee, if you feel up to it?

[ She won't push him, of course. Lord knows she has enough stories she'd rather not share with anyone on any planet in any universe. ]

[ It's a pretty terrible story, all told. But there's a certain kind of armor to telling it like it was nothing, like it was just all a grand adventure. Like it's no one's fault. ]

I never say no to coffee.

I'm assuming you've been here long enough to know where we can get some of the good stuff?

You assume right. The mess hall's this way.

[ She points the way and then gives his arm a little tug to get them going. ]

And don't be fooled, just because it's called that doesn't mean the coffee isn't delicious. It's half the reason I come back up here, really.

[ He holds up a hand in mock surrender. ]

I know better than to judge a place before I try it. You don't know how many hole in the walls I went to back home.

[There's a pause there, as he realizes all those places are gone, that he'll never go to them again.

But this isn't the first time, it's the second time he's had to do this. He just wishes so many people hadn't been lost. ]

[ The pause is telling, and her heart breaks for him as it has for everyone else here who hasn't dealt with things in quite the same way as her. She gives his arm a gentle squeeze and softens her tone. ]

It gets easier. At least, that's what I've heard from others.

Funny enough, I've... done something like this before. And I try to keep in mind one thing.

[ He lifts his head a little. ]

Adapt or die. And since I don't intend on dying, I'm just going to have to learn the new way of living.

[ Oh sugar. To have something like this happen twice in one lifetime is... unthinkable. And all kinds of awful. For a moment, she considers telling him about her world, about how it was practically gone already, but it's not the same and the words won't come, so she focuses on something else instead. ]

Well, you're in luck. The new way isn't all that bad. We're treated as refugees down in Olympia, so the living arrangements aren't all that fancy, but there are jobs available and most people are pretty nice.

Can't ask for more than that.

[ He's not so much an eternal optimist as the guy who sees the dark side and refuses to let it stop him from moving forward. He'll do better tomorrow. ]

What is it that you do, if you don't mind me asking?

Here? I'm a bartender in Olympia's Red Light District. At a brothel, actually, but all I have to do is make the drinks.

[ Things she'd never thought to be doing with her life? Working at a brothel. The bartending part isn't such a stretch, and if she'd been old enough when she'd first left the mansion, she might have ended up doing just that to make ends meet. But she's grateful for the job now, for doing something where she gets to be around people, in order to remind herself that she's not back in that hell. She's not alone here. ]

Well, from my experience, the staff at places like that are great. Think they'd mind if I came in and just had a few drinks?

Of course not, a lot of people come just for drinks. We make some pretty unique cocktails and have the closest thing to bourbon I've found so far in the city.

[ Which is Important, if you can't tell. ]

Do you do coffee drinks?

[ He's not much for alcohol. ]

We do a decent coffee, but anything more than that is a bit beyond what we're capable of. I know of some great shops around town though, I'd be happy to show you around when you come down to the planet.

Decent coffee's all I need.

[ He uses one hand to wave off the idea of anything else. ]

I don't really like my caffeine adulterated. I mean, I'm happy to go to see the other shops, but I was mostly asking since you seem nice.

Well, thank you. I try to be.

[ There's a smile that's spread across her lips as she says it, something about his statement settling in her chest in a pool of warmth. ]

I could always show you some other things. What sort of interests do you have?

[ You know, things had been going pretty well, but this was where the fact that he's a giant nerd is going to become apparent. ]

Well, uh... I'll pretty much read anything you put in front of me, I'll watch pretty much any movie you care to name, and I'll give any board game a shot at least once.

[ Oh lord, he's adorable and she can't stop smiling. ]

I can work with that. Unfortunately, I think we'll only be able to find anything like movies up here, but the Simwe Institute has a pretty big library that I've been meaning to check out myself.

Simwe Institute?

[ And that is a detective's curiosity. Not that he wouldn't want to check out a library with her. That actually sounds nice. ]

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject