❪ 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

[quevalry]

[ rubbing her chin, she hums out loud while thinking. ]

If you don't want to be in the royal guard, maybe try a merc job? I know there is some going. I'm not sure if peace is always going to last here though because there have been whispers ... well, down below at least.

[guidetoblivion]

…And you honestly believe that?

[It's not entirely false, Riku admits, things are a mess because of the Darkness, and maybe Kingdom Hearts could fix it. But would a Kingdom Hearts under the control of the Organization fix anything at all? Riku certainly thinks not.

To be honest, that question can also be applied to the second statement – he doesn't know much about Demyx, but if his reaction to his earlier assault says anything, it's that he isn't much of a fighter. The Organization has better people than him in that regard, ones that stand much better chances against Roxas.]

I think, it matters more than you want to admit.

[If the Organization is willing to turn its back on its members… even as a Nobody, how can the other be indifferent about that?]

[defenses]

[ while vane was agreeable most of the time, it was sometimes eclipsed with how obstinate he could potentially be. intense, too. especially, in the strangest situations. in this case, it's one involving his comrade's general warmth. but, it's here, he can also kind of see where cain is going with all of this. as well as where he came from.

hence, vane eventually stops jumping, gradually bringing his arms down. it's here, he gives a small hint of a sheepish smile, before giving a nod. ] ... I guess you're right. Looks like this place hasn't got much food either.

Unless you wanna split the jerky? [ he says mostly in jest. ... probably. that is, before he plops down beside cain. ]

[vorrutyer]

[ Ah. That level of insistence is...suspicious, to say the least. Still, his smile doesn't falter. ]

No, no, I swear I'll help. And you'll be quite glad if I'm a bit wine-drunk - I'm far more affable once I've a drink in me. Far less complaining. My oath to you.

[melodiouspacifist]

[He blinks.]

Yes?

[Why wouldn't he? He's been hearing about it forever, how Xemnas wants to fix everything that's going wrong, everything that put him in this position in the first place.]

And then he's going to give me my heart back.

[He wants that, he wants it badly, but things had been getting dicey and it was looking less likely. That is concerning to him.]

I don't want to die. [He clarifies, because that is true.] But I don't have any choices either. At least before the storm, that's what happened and as long as he is...

[He waves his hand at Sora's sleeping pod, because Xemnas has his own, like Saix and Xigbar and all of them]

Then I don't have to think about it and I can do what I want.

[It isn't that he isn't much of a fighter, although he'd be glad to know Riku thinks so. He likes to give that impression. He just doesn't care for it, and doesn't want to, unless it's necessary.]

I don't come here to bother your friend I just...want to make sure they're still asleep.

[unweave]

[ If there's anything she's good at, it's curbing temptation. Lesser people have sold their souls for it — the Empire included. ]

Maybe I'll see it one day, but tonight isn't it. [ But, how badly she would. ] Aranea. And you'll give me yours in return, right?

[ Her grasp keeps on the woman's knee, keeping her steady on the off chance she bites it to the floor. ]

[punshots]

[ He manages a genuine smile at her reassurance, because for as much as he is hoping for it, he needs to hear it all the same. Maybe it won't be this time, or for awhile, but...they'd all be together again sometime. They had to. ]

Y-yeah, guess so. [ Bigger fish to fry, as they say, when your whole world has been torn asunder. ] We should try to find a way out of here. It'll be easier to explain outside of...

[ He gestures vaguely. Why couldn't this simulation be on a tropical island, or something? ]

All of this.

[fibrosis]

[ well at least it wasn't potentially life threatening. maybe he'll ask for a crash course on what things are probably poisonous later on, just to maybe steer clear until he's been around a bit longer.

'plenty of trees', hah. take your huff of laughter, dutch, while he finishes chewing. ] Guess I'm gonna be doing a lot of hiking until I find the right one then.

[panzersoldat]

It really hadn't. He wants desperately to go back. Those people. They had needed so much help. There were innocent women and children in the freezing cold that were relying on him. It had felt so real to him. The entire thing sends him reeling to know that it was a simulation and that none of it had been real.

He holds his hand over his heart because it aches to know that he had been unable to help in the end. Unable to help someone that didn't even exist. He doesn't want to accept that. He wants to dig his heels in and be stubborn about it.

"It was. They were. They were real here." He thumps his chest. "It was real." He frowns a little. "And you. Who are you to tell me differently. You can't even show your face. You go by a number. I refuse to believe a stranger. What do you know! I think they are real. They are alive and they are somewhere. And I will find them and I will help them!"

[unprays]

[ she falls silent, her brows furrowing as something painful flashes over Jean's expression — perhaps she wouldn't notice if she weren't so used to seeing that very expression on her own face, trying to hide it from others.

she wonders what happened to her family... whether it was ever like hers, or if their stories are completely different. ]

... sometimes that is all you need. Blood doesn't guarantee you trust or safety.

[unprays]

That... that is incredible.

[ she gives Ros a small, slight smile. ] You're very talented, my lady. Back home, they would call something like that magic.

[emblazes]

Well, if he's dropping the A-bomb like that, he's...likely of a similar constitution to himself. At the same time, should he be slightly offended at that tone? If only his spoiler identity were a bigger deal.

"Haven't heard of it." In conclusion, as per the entire theme of their conversation. His expectations weren't too high in terms of recognition, at any rate. "What's it like there?"

Similar to earth, he imagines, considering how Duo looks. Not to be racist. Speciesist?

[panzersoldat]

[ Reinhardt was impressed by just how fast the young man is. He can't even follow the movement. Not that he's going to. He needs to focus on his own opponents. He can't be distracted by the amazing bout of speed and agility coming form Atsushi.

He wants to call out and congratulate the young man, but instead, he finishes his own battles. He piles his unconscious bodies up. Maybe they can shove everyone in the box, though they'll have to tie them up and gag them all. It's a good thing the terrorists all have clothing he can rip up for that. ] Good job there. You're a pretty formidable fighter.

[ As he starts to get their captives ready for movement, it looks like whatever their mission was is over. The scenery is starting to fade. ]

[braidedwonder]

Duo'd probably not be too bothered by the news that Keith is part alien - he's an orphan from space who became a terrorist so.. what the hell could be possibly be worse than that? Certainly not being a damn alien. Still, had he known.. well, never mind. He's not couth enough to think through what he's saying before hand to check if it might offend someone or something like that - leave that to Quatre or Relena or someone.

"Yeah, a lot of people around here haven't I'm finding..." Not that it bothers him all that much. If L2 doesn't exist in their world then it's very likely they have no idea about him or his friends and what they do - which he generally approves of as a whole. Surprisingly it's a lot easier to make friends when they don't know what you do to scrape up a buck in space.

"They tried to make it as Earth like as possible but it's weird when your home is curved upward and then you come down to solid terra and Earth actually curves down, and the weather is a complete crap shoot always." It's easy to predict colony weather when it runs pretty much on a schedule. Earth didn't really work that way, and naturally, this colony kid has never really appreciated unplanned breaks thanks to rain.

[panzersoldat]

I will. [ Reinhardt places himself between the mouth of the cave and the smaller man. If something comes in, it'll attack him first, and he can watch down the cave into the darkness for anything coming from that direction.

He remains that way until the young man is finished and putting his gloves back on. ] We can. But first, a moment of your time. [ He'll step forward and cup his huge hands around Linneus'. He rubs them vigorously and leans down to blow hot breath on the gloved hands, trying to warm them. ] All right now? Warm again?

[ Once he's certain those hands are indeed warm again, he'll turn and start down again, keeping his eye out for more poo or even a sight of white fur. He thinks he hears something ahead, but it's hard to tell in the dark. ]

[triplerose]

Ah.

"Cool." Loras repeats it, trying it out. What a peculiar phrase. "I haven't thought much about it." Mostly because, yes, it's hard to figure out. How they all ended up here, how dead people are alive again. "Probably better to not worry at all."

[r3f4c70r3d]

[ She shrugs. She's only been awake a couple months herself after all. But she still wants to help as best she can. She diverts her attention back to the screen in front of them ]

What was the name of your world?

[inaurare]

[he dips his head to stifle a chuckle in the fur of his collar as the man warms his hands. He would laugh, but they're trying to be quiet here, and in the echoing cave his laugh would probably ring too much. He lets Reinhardt proceed, though, nodding as he withdraws.]

Much better, thank you.

[he pats himself down, makes sure he's not leaving anything behind before he follows along, carefully moving through the cave behind the man.

A sound catches his ear as well - he can't tell if it's the whistling of the wind, or something more, but he reaches out to catch Reinhardt ahead of a bend in the cave, tugging firmly on his furs. Mouthing clearly, once he has the man's attention-]

Slow.

[gekkajuu]

Thank you.

[Atsushi's skills are nothing compared to Reinhardt's, of course - what skill he has only stems from his ability, anyway - but Atsushi doesn't bother pointing that out just now. They're almost done here, but...]

We should probably return in a hurry. If the local population starts to get involved, no one stands to gain from it.

[After all, no one likes seeing their neighbors locked up, even if their intentions are less than pure. Sticking around will only make the conflict even bigger by encouraging such polarization.

Whether that intention is enough, or the mission was counted as completed even before it, the scenery starts to fade, and Atsushi looks around, a little surprised. Maybe he'll never fully get used to these simulations... Even knowing full well that they're fake, it's easy to get lost in them, when the stakes are this high.]

Oh... It looks like we did it.

[panzersoldat]

[ The royal guard sounds like something he would definitely be good at. But he sort of doesn't like the idea of just staying in one place. There's an entire world to explore and many many different people and villages to help keep safe. ]

I will keep a look out for such jobs then. And if they are just and righteous then I will take them on. But if there is indeed a threat of something more and darker down below, then we must both do out best to do as we always have and protect the innocent.

But even if I do join such a group and travel far abroad, I hope you know that I will always act as your shield should you need it.

[quevalry]

I'm not sure if all of them are like that, but be good to at least check them out. [ because when you ask for a mercenary, it isn't always to just save people. ]

It's really nice to hear you say that. Be good to work like we used to, so hopefully we get a chance for that!

[panzersoldat]

Good. I am glad. [ He would hate for this young man to freeze because of this mission of theirs. A mission that, at the moment, was only half completed.

He was about to press further ahead when he feels that little grasp on his furred cloak. He turns and barely makes out the movement of Linneus' lips. He nods. He'll go slower, not just so he doesn't knock his head, but so if there really is anything ahead, he doesn't surprise it too greatly.]

[frizziest]

[ damn. it's going to be sad if he for some reason doesn't remember his experiences during this simulation. worst yet? if she didn't. talk about an awkward re-introduction down the line. there is no way he can even consider the future at this point, attention far too pre-occupied with the image of Zero securing her weight on his groin before pressing forward without a second of hesitation.

just like that, his cock is inside of her and he is enveloped in warmth. Akira's body feels as if it's heated up tremendously, her insides squeezing down on him like a vice with no intent of letting go. his nails bite into her pale, creamy flesh, no doubt scratching harder into her than he would have ever intended. he can feel how his toes curl without any guidance, and his lips begin to tremble for more reasons than the blizzard raging outside. ]

O... okay. Maybe a little fast. [ but he doesn't dare ask for her to slow down. the fingers that had been toying with her panties glide up towards her taut stomach, grazing her midriff before eventually settling at the swell of her breast. her skin is cold and her nipple no doubt stiffened to a peak, but with a deep grope, he hopes to change that. ] Go as... nnn, fast as you need to, though. Don't mind me.

[ it's pretty obvious he's a means to an end right now. not that he minds. ]

[panzersoldat]

[ The young man is indeed correct. They needed to hurry. Shove all those men into the box. He would carry it. And keep the poor innocent citizens from being dragged further into whatever this was.

However, it's a little disconcerting to see everything slowly melting around the edges until they are back in the station, in the simulation. Something Reinhardt hadn't known that wasn't real. He had been one of those to just wake. He had truly thought this was honestly real.

He frowns, seeing no boxes and no bodies. Frowns more, thinking of those starving and needy people. ]

Did...it? Where are the men? They need to be brought to the authroties. And where are we? How did we get here? What's going on?!

[ Reinhardt is actually taking this better than he should be. ]

[listofnames]

Will it? Basic vintages, I imagine.

[It wouldn't be able to just conjure up wines from a particular maker and year, would it? That would just be odd and she's not sure how much she would trust anything like that a machine made for her. It was contradictory. Wine took a fine hand.]

Think I'll stick with ale and water.