❪ 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

[ysayle]

Until such a time as sleep reclaims me, or you, I suppose. Are you also within this

..station? I confess, I am not entirely certain of the designation.


[OOC: I am fully caught up on everything except omega raid's story, so you are gud 2 go, my friend! :D]

[verflair]

Station seem s correct from what I've heard.

I would gladly have this conversation face-to-face if you would like.

[ysayle]

That would be acceptable.

I believe that there is an open mess hall, would that suit?

[verflair]

That would work just fine. I'll be easy to spot, I'm wearing red, hat and all.

[ So much red. ]

[ysayle]

Very well. I shall see you anon. My own garb is blue.

[ Not Icy Blue, though in spite of that colour being easily purchased from a dyemonger.

It does in fact take the woman known as "Iceheart" some time to make her way to the mess hall, if only due to the size of Thesa Station and lack of familiarity with the routes to and from locations. Longer than she wants, at least, and she hopes that 'crimson.duelist' does not depart before she can make his acquaintance.

Perhaps, if she remains awake long enough, that might change in future. For now, however, it's a slow elezen walk that brings into the room proper, and eyes sweep the hall for the aforementioned red. ]

[verflair]

[ X’rhun is very much in the same boat— or station, rather— as this “Iceheart”. He has no idea where he is or how to effectively get to where he wants to go. Being well-traveled means little in the face of a place so alien.

He arrives not too long before she does, and his time is spent finding a decent vantage point from which to keep an eye on the entrance. He marks her almost instantly when she walks in, the blue garb notwithstanding, Elezen are… distinctive in the way they move, all long limbs and slow grace. X’rhun never kept company with many Elezen personally, but just the sight of something he recognizes is a balm.

When her eyes drift in his direction, he waves a gloved hand at her, beckoning to come join him at a nearby table. ]

[ysayle]

[ She was not expecting a Miqo'te. Yet that race is familiar enough to Iceheart in spite of Ishgard's well known and much lamented policy of isolation in the past few years, that that simple fact is what relaxes her stiffly straight poise, almost before the RedRedRed helps identify him in the sea of strange surroundings.

Her head tilts, almost regal, before she strikes forward with swifter strides, inclining it more politely once she has reached the table he claimed for their talk. ]

So, you truly are a 'crimson duelist'. You were not jesting when you spoke of being garbed all in red.

[verflair]

[ He shrugs, as if to say, “what can I say?” Sure, his username was a bit on the nose, but given his penchant for wearing bright red at all times, subtlety was not his strong suit. ]

Nor were you when you spoke of being dressed in blue. The moniker “Iceheart” suits you well.

[ It also rings a bell, but a very distant one. A lot of murmurings came out if Ishgard before they rejoined the Alliance, and he’d be damned if he could recall the context of that particular whisper.

It doesn't really matter now, does it? ]

But usernames aside, my name is X’rhun Tia. It’s a pleasure to meet you.

[ysayle]

[ Red mages never look less than dapper in their ensemble, so who needs subtlety? He is fly as ver-fuck, lets be real here.

At least Ysayle seems to relax a bit, even looking a little amused at his address. Apparently he has no idea, and if she's honest, Ysayle has little intention of enlightening him on the particulars of her past. That time is now past, along with their world it seems.. ]

Blue has always been a colour I've favoured. Or perhaps favours me. [hers is after all a very pale complexion even for an Ishgardian.]

I am Ysayle. [a pause, as though mulling over a decision] ..Ysayle Dangoulain. Though I have not used that name in many years. The pleasure is mine.

[ She gestures towards the chairs; let us sit, shall we? ]

[verflair]

[ As if there was every any doubt. ]

Just Ysayle, then, if it pleases you. [ If she has no desire to use her surname, he’s not one to force the issue. Everyone has their reasons, and just because their home is gone doesn’t mean letting go of those reasons will be easy or even possible.

He slides into one of the chairs across from her, waiting for her to settle before he ventures, ]

What was the last you heard out of Eorzea?

[ysayle]

It does, and my thanks, X’rhun.

[ When one's entire family and village are lost forever, without even a body to bury or grant a headstone too, it is a simple matter to become a ghost. None save she (and now X'rhun) know her family name, but perhaps it might be revived here in this place.

But probably not. She is too long used to going without. ]

Hmm. [how much to tell.] ..Ishgard was in some turmoil. There was word that the dreadwyrm Nidhogg had been slain. [word she had had direct from the source, no less, and brought to her followers in Ishgard] And soon thereafter, the Archbishop of the Holy See went missing. The one known as the Warrior of Light had departed to seek him out...

I also believe Ul'dah's sultana had recently recovered from illness. I know not of any news from lands beyond Eorzea. But to be honest, my attentions have not often wandered far from Coerthas, or Dravania.

[verflair]

[ Gods, but that seems like ages ago, though given that there... was an entire world out there, most of which he never got the chance to explore, it wouldn't be so uncommon for news to be few and far between. ]

The Archbishop met his end, same as Nidhogg. I know not the particulars of that venture, but the result turned Ishgard on her head a bit. They eased into a new system of government, and took a place in the Eorzean Alliance.

The Warrior of Light apparently couldn't bear to sit still for a moment afterwards, or perhaps more accurately, fate wouldn't allow them the chance, because some fool decided to try and claim Baelsar's Wall and summon a primal to boot.

[ There's a bit of an edge to his tone, but it's slightly muted. Ilberd did all of Ala Mhigo and her people a disservice with that fool endeavor. ]

[ysayle]

[ Has so much time truly passed since Azys Lla? The white elezen woman seems to sit a little taller, brow furrowing as she listens - though there's no denying the hint of relief.

The Warrior of Light succeeded then.. When they awakened, Ysayle would have to thank her friend for doing what she could not. ]

A new system of government, you say? [the holy see, rudderless or not, probably didn't like that; her mouth quirks in one corner] Do you know what form it took?

[ That the Warrior promptly went haring off on yet more Save The World business doesn't surprise her in the slightest. But her eyes do widen at the mention of Baelsar's Wall, and she immediately leans forward, folded arms propped atop the tabl. ]

A Primal? [Gods be good] Were they attempting to summon the Twelve?

[ She cannot tell from his expression, but -- had they died? Or succeeded in such an attempt?

(Worse yet - was this a precedence that she herself had started?) ]

[verflair]

[ It’s clear to him that this woman, however far from home she was, clearly still cared very much about it. The loss of their home world must sting for all of them. ]

A republic of sorts, presided over by two Houses, the House of Lords and the House of Commons. The intricacies of the system escape me, but rest assured, Ishgard was doing its best to do right by the people.

[ To mixed results, if he recalls correctly, but his dealings with Ishgard were very minimal. It’s easy to talk about it with a professional sort of distance, but now they’re getting into matters much more personal to him. ]

I know not what the intent was, but what emerged over the wall was a great dragon, a beast named “Shinryu” by the Doman refugees. It was kept captive for a time by some sort of spell, a great cocoon of light that hung in the sky over the Shroud, but it did not hold for long.

The beast was deemed enough of a threat that Omega itself was unearthed and sent to dispatch it.

[ysayle]

[ Very much so. Even when the fullest truths had been revealed to her, her wish for peace between man and dragon ever remained. No doubt it would be some time before she might learn if all children could consider themselves safe from the dangers of the skies, or from being left alone in the snow.

She listens with interest, privately curious as to how the nobles would treat common folk elected to such an office. But it is clear she believes him, or at least believes he's sharing what he knows. He is not of Ishgard, so there are some details she would be unable to pry from him, but this...is enough.

Her eyes do widen as he goes on to describe the mess that Ilberd made. She has little knowledge of the Domons, save that (of course) they were familiar to the Warrior and to Alphinaud, so the dragon's name means nothing to her. ]

It was not a Dravanian, then? This primal that was summoned?

And what is an Omega?