❪ test drive: #2 ❫ THE OVERFLOW

[natha]

ORIGINAL 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

[terrantrash]

_{[Ah. It's a sore spot. The trauma is still fresh and vivid in his mind and it shows on his face as his back presses into the metal casing of her pod instinctively.]}

Initially no...however she was shot later on and was in critical condition in a similar medical containment unit before being transported here.

[meinwaifu]

[HAH HE WAS RIGHT IT WAS HIM gonna keep hold of his face.]

Oh no, I'm afraid you're mistaken! You see, that wasn't a dream at all, but it still wasn't quite reality either.

You recall those video games I showed you back in Assiah, yes? What we experienced was a something very similar to that, with an added dose of brainwashing to make us -- well, at least one of us -- believe we were from that planet you see down there. [As he gestures to the large viewing window giving an excellent view of El Nysa.]

Now then, what was it you said...? "I'll stay awake in case you try anything weird"? Tell me, just what sort of horrible things were you insinuating about your dear older brother?

[AND THE FACIAL ABUSE CONTINUES]

[worldlyafflictions]

Aah.. Right, well, then it wouldn't be that much of a disaster at all! [Haha, no trouble is about to be caused here...!]

Um, all the same, if you're actually looking for him right now... [since Mephisto had been leading them deeper into the unit...] I'm gonna see who else I can find myself? [He points in an entirely different direction than where Mephisto was headed.]

[crushingly]

[He does remember those video games. The shoddy explanation sort...of makes sense? Not quite reality, not quite a game. Brainwashing? Alright. There's a sideglance, following that motion of his. Oh, right, he did think he was from Nysa natively. Maybe the cold has nothing to do with their former home(s) after all...

And focus is back on Mephisto. He turns his head from left to right, semi-squirming, mostly just trying to get him to let up on the pinchies.]

I didn't stay up! That's something you'd normally say when you're cuddling with someone, right?

[Studies suggest Amaimon isn't so naive when it comes to that stuff as he's letting on in the moment.]

You're being horrible right now.

[Matter-of-factly, though with some difficulty. His hands both come to seize Mephisto's wrists, not with any pressure, nor is he trying to push him away. It's the most passive act of defiance...]

[earthy]

[I have no idea what you're talking about, ma'am, I'm sure succumbing to smokey blackness will have no ill effect on my body whatsoever.

I'm perfectly capable of making awful life decisions without the direct influence of any form of darkness, too. I'm just talented like that.]

Oh, you'll be going down there. [He tips his head forward, indicating the world.] El Nysa. Plenty to do planetside. Learn your way around, fight monsters, help the locals out...

[Train obsessively under the misguided belief you'll be able to defeat the Storm if you just get strong enough~]

Get a job, find somewhere to live if you don't like the tiny space they give you. It's supposed to be a new beginning. A new life.

[Terra glances her way when she turns to him.

(Pointy and long... er. He's met a few people with pointy ears before, but they were just your run-of-the-mill small ears that happened to have a pointy bit. This is different. This is earist.)]

As for the names... I thought you might know those people. From your world, I mean.

[And if he can help reunite friends, he sure as heck will. It doesn't sound like she knows them, though. Not that that means they're not from her world. Worlds can be pretty big, after all. Maybe she's seen them in passing? Or just heard about Lavellan at some point?]

Alisaie is... about this tall. [He holds his free hand out below his chest. Alisaie is gosh darn bitty.]

Lavellan's taller. [(Almost everyone's taller.) His hand starts to raise to his chin but then he pauses and motions to Vex'ahlia instead.] Around your height.

They're both pale and have light hair. Ah... [Let's see...] Lavellan has markings on his face?

[Ringing any from-your-world bells?]

[ebeje]

[ Max doesn't know the nuances of muscles or scars; she knows people. Emotions. What she sees is sincerity, that this young woman carries herself like she earnestly believes what she's saying, and that is a measure of truth Max trusts herself to judge.

Only once catches something sharp inside her, that pitches her brow. But she nods, accepting that too without judgement. ]

I am sorry that it came to that for you. It is not an easy thing, to carry with you even one violation of a promise you would never allow to be broken again.

[middy]

[ Hush looks right at Setsuna in the eye. He doesn't really show strong emotions, even in this sort of disaster. But his voice is firm. ]

Tell me then. What do you need it for?

[ One quiet pilot who puts more into his actions than words is plenty enough for Hush, and that spot is filled. Sorry buddy, he likes clarity. ]

[fakers]

[ even as the men begin circling the wagon to check the cargo, archer can tell he's reaching his limit. like a battery about to run out of life, some of his magical circuits are already starting to flicker and fade. at the very least he's aware this is only vr, so once they've left it his body should be as it was before.

but for now... they're in trouble. which is why he leans in closer to a2, muttering under his breath. ] Be ready for anything.

[ he moves off his seat after delivering the message, moving around to help the others inspect the cargo. the men don't even pay attention to the food crates, clearly caring only about the more illicit cargo. as they start to open the boxes of weapons, it at least appears that everything is still fine.

until one of the men notices a sword flicker in and out, before disappearing entirely. at first, the men don't know what to make of it - is there something wrong with the weapons? but it only takes a few moments for that confusion to turn to anger; this isn't what they were promised, which can only mean they're being deceived. ]

Of course. [ archer grumbles, though he was obviously ready for this turn of events. he releases his projections all at once, causing multiple boxes of weapons to disappear in an instant. the men seem startled by that, catching them off their guard. and letting the fake cargo disappear at least frees up enough energy for archer to project his own twin short swords, which he uses to cut down the man closest to him.

considering things have ended up turning out like this, that really was all a wasted bit of effort. ]

[meinwaifu]

It most certainly is not!

[A passive act of defiance though it may be, it does make him back off and let go -- he got the point across that he was mad! That's all that really mattered.]

[Also god don't just say they were cuddling for everyone to hear?? What if one of his students is nearby!! He'd never live it down.]

[He huffs and straightens up, folding his arms across his chest.]

...in any case, how much of this station have you seen? Did you happen to spend any time exploring the Stasis Unit where we woke up?

thesa station

[wondie]

Where is the life? It is a very good question. Èowyn reminds Diana of herself when she first walked these halls — a bit apart from many of those that had been saved by the Orbiters, from a time quite different than the one they were transplanted in now. Things are a little more familiar on the ground, though here amongst the stars and the steel? It's about as foreign as one can get from the island Diana had once called home.

"I'm afraid there is little to be found here, though if it eases your mind, there is life down on the planet. It is far more familiar than this cold place." Diana glances around with a slight tilt of a frown on her face, before she focuses on her company again. "Have you only just awoken?"

[deathstiny]

Well, that all depends on how great your ambitions are, I suppose.

[Wrathion's head tilts in a manner that can almost be described as cat-like.]

And, do not forget -- we are not prisoners here, we are refugees. I have heard many a human voice their yearning for a clean slate. For the most part, we are all strangers here. Speaking of:

[To this, he holds out his hand for her own.]

You may call me Wrathion.

[middy]

I'm glad. You should be at your best.

[ Is he though, this miracle probably can't fix everything. That's too kind for people like them. Hush stares at his own hands that pulled Mikazuki close, now laying flat than gripping clothing. He's fixed too... He doesn't like thinking of the details, but there was no way he could survive that. They both knew. That didn't mean they had to acknowledge the fact though.

Mikazuki isn't one to show strong emotion in any way, even anger. Certainly he didn't grieve, and calling out for the other's name the last thing he heard... that seem like courtesy. The closest Mikazuki will be courteous, worried... that's fine. Hearing him talk now, like they weren't in danger makes him relax, releasing tension in his shoulder to rest his back on the cold wall of the cave. ]

I'm here. But it's not right, is it?

[ He prefers living. But did he deserve to live again? The law of survival, kill or be killed would imply that he should stay dead. Undeserved death doesn't really exist on the battlefield. He died because he wasn't strong enough.

But also. While the technology of this virtual reality makes an effort to rewrite his memories to optimize and ensure efficiency at completing the simulations... Being dead and acknowledging it throws a wrench in that. Mikazuki too. What they feel as comfort in their awkward embrace despite not wanting to let go, especially when it's warm. ]

Mikazuki... when can I wake up?

[mayarah]

But if they've never heard it pronounced that's even harder!

[mayarah]

Noah's Ark!! I have heard of that. Do you think they're doing it because their God told them to?

[offtune]

[ if asked, she wouldn't know what the hell he means by mana and mana exchange. all she knows is that she's powered by a the flower through a thing called song magic. it'd surprise even her if that kind of thing translated well for archer's need for mana. even moreso, if this kind of physical activity actually helps him. haha, and here she thought intoners are savages. well, that's a discussion for another time when they're both out of the simulation.... which she doesn't even really know she's a participant of yet. apparently, that doesn't change the fact that she's just as horny here as she would be in person. who knew, huh?

unlike him, though, zero openly enjoys this. she may have little regard for archer (and the people she sleeps with in general), but a good fuck is still a good fuck. in particular, she's entertained by his mild bashfulness; he might be giving her some small indications that he's only doing this out of necessity, but the body doesn't lie. every time she drops her hips on him, she feels the muscles of his groin flex to meet her. there's eagerness there that neither of them can express through their banter, and archer can't hide it no matter how hard he tries to stay "composed." who does he think he is, anyway? ]

What... [ zero gasps, stifling a moan in the process. ] You- you wanna have pillow talk afterwards? Hah... how did I know you're a softie.

[ and shit, she's close. zero can feel the fires flickering inside her, and it's smoking up, threatening to burn. she's placed either of her hands on his chest now, squeezing at the fabric there into her fists as she continues to slam her hips down, each time her moans become louder, more desperate — and as she reaches the threshold of her climax, she leans forward and grinds down once again, pressing bodies as close together as possible, her body tensing up in the process. the movement of her hips become reduced to intense, circular motions as she curses fuck, fuck fuckfuck— he'd feel her tightening around him as she comes that same instant with a cry.

she rides out the long seconds, unable to formulate any thought or words, focusing only on how he feels as she gyrates her hips keep the friction aimed at a sensitive spot inside and outside of her. and once she's spent herself on his dick, she continues to move, albeit notably weaker now... for one of two reasons: one, maybe she's generous and wants him to come also; or, two, maybe This Is Just Not Enough. stay tuned for more... ]

[motivation]

[ there's no honour in killing, nor any romance, if you ask dutch. not in killing, and not in dying. sometimes it's necessary, but that's all there is to it. necessity. sometimes, it isn't even that, and then it's just a waste.

but instead of talking about death, they're talking about something else entirely, and dutch's lips quirk up again. ]

Security, sweetcheeks. [ how very disappointing, isn't it? ] But there's plenty of sexers, if you have an itch to scratch. And the money, of course.

[ettersberg]

I see. I'll admit, that does not sound particularly eventful.

[axiomed]

Chances are, they might not care. Or they're desperate enough to try.

[ Charles can't say he's too fond of their benevolent rescuers either. There's too much they don't know about the storm, how they got here and what was expected of them. So far, they seem to allow a lot of freedom, but to what end? ]

[axiomed]

[ It is a skepticism Charles is heartily familiar with, so he doesn't dwell on it. ]

I have. I share a room with a nurse and I work at the Institute.

[priorly]

Really? You tease. And now we discover the fatal flaw in these fancy phones: I still have no way to know for sure.

HAHA. I'd say, "At least he arrived in style!" but... looks at him, looks away

[spineshatters]

[Hah. If he'd needed some kind of sign that she didn't recognize him, her expression right then would most certainly have been it. Even so, there's not a single doubt in his mind about who she is—everything else is very distinctly the Ysayle he knows.

(If that thought isn't amusing enough, he can't help but think such an expression won't last, at least for him. At times, it almost felt like they were meant to be at odds, though certainly, it was better when they weren't.)

He makes sure to shut the door behind her. He wasn't unused to the cold, either, but the less they had to deal with, the better. Besides, it didn't seem like they were meant to just deal with it, anyway.]

You would hardly be the first traveler to have been caught off-guard. [Well, probably. He assumes this is the case. It's just a simulation, surely no one is going to come back and fact check his claims—] I cannot say how long it will be until it passes, though I would not expect it to be anytime soon, if I were you.

[immeasurably]

Guess you'll have to take my word for it.

At least until you can coax me into sharing.

[priorly]

Luckily for you I have a beautiful imagination, and a wealth of possibilities to choose from in the movie archives of my mind. Has anyone ever told you you look like someone else?

[polkabrows]

[ it winds up being one of the little rooms that izumo holes herself up in. it's not hers, but she doesn't think it's anyone else's either, and yet she did manage to find an entire set of the true cross uniform tucked away in one of the drawers... conveniently her size. she tries not to think about it too much, instead dressing herself as best she can without really keeping too much of what makes the uniform true cross — the skirt, the stockings, the shirt, and that's it. no tie, no blazer, nothing emblazoned with a past that doesn't even matter anymore.

when she finally walks out — much more composed, the brunt of several of her realities now stamped down deep inside so she doesn't really have to deal with it — she very nearly steps on a plate of what looks to be... a neatly assembled meal. she gawks at it, looking completely unsure what to do with it.

had she accidentally commandeered someone's room after all?! ]

[atwo]

[ An emotion that she isn't familiar with grows in her chest, anxiety growing as she watches the men. However, she does her best to keep a straight face which turns out to be a waste because it isn't she that gives him away. Gritting her teeth, it frustrates her to know that they still have to fight.

All of it was for nothing. Taking a deep breath, she puts her hand on her sword. She isn't going to ask Archer how he is doing because all she cares about is if he's able to fight and she assumes that he will be good enough for that.

He has to be.

They'll be dead otherwise. ]

Try not to die, [ The words are shouted out by her and she makes a quick attack for the ones closest to her, taking them down. ] Because I'm not sure if I can handle them all alone. [ Not as a 'human' at the very least. ]