❪ test drive #4 ❫

[natha]

YOUR STORY BEGINS     The Storm came. You only remember darkness, but you don't remember much after that. All you know, perhaps, is that it was cold. You don't know for how long you slept, but the dreams were short, at least. You remember the expanse of stars and the universe that came in view. Every world and solar system ever known was displayed in your dreams in careful, pristine detail. You have also witnessed The Storm, which has devoured a fair portion of these galaxies. It was a dark, thick smog — ominous in appearance and ever foreboding. Your Earth and similar planets were immersed in The Storm. Somehow, you knew it would be the last you'd see of it. That was when she told you what happened, and how you could help. You knew that you'd be living somewhere new, even though you never asked for it. The details here weren't clear, but you knew you'd made a deal with Darma. Not long after, you'll wake at Thesa Station — your body is still cold. It all felt like a dream, but somehow, you knew it wasn't — now, will you keep that promise you made to Darma? PROMPT: THE STORM     CW: death You were awake on Thesa Station. But at some point you, like many other new arrivals before you, wandered into the Observation Deck. Ordinarily, this is where images of The Storm are replayed to remind Refugees of the fate they have escaped. The Natha Orbiters' technology has evolved. They are aware of your gaps in memory. You may have doubts of The Storm even existing, or of your world's destruction. Though they do not wish reliving those last moments on anyone, they have created an experience that will do just that. Before entering the Observation Deck, you are warned that what follows will not be for the weak of heart. As soon as you step in, you will find that the walls around you begin to transform and expand. Welcome to the Planet Cespi, in the Circinus Galaxy. Unfortunately, we were not able to save this world from The Storm's Consumption. These are its last memories. You are surrounded by blue, grassy hills as far as the eye can see and a pleasant breeze. The atmosphere is thick with a sickly sweet smell. Before you lays the scene of a quiet village, with its residents going about their everyday lives. You aren't alone, either, with an equally confused stranger (or perhaps you know each other?) surveying the scene. Then the world grows completely silent for a full minute. You and your partner are unable to make a sound, verbal or otherwise. Without warning, a deafening roar fills your ears and forces you to double over in pain. The villagers run out of their homes in a panic, finding themselves in just as much pain and confusion as you do. Where there was no sound before, now there is too much for a normal human body to process. Look up. An expanding mass of energy is swallowing everything you can see. It consumes the earth, the atmosphere, the depths of space — and it is getting closer. Your only hope is to outrun it, if you can. The people in the village certainly try to, racing past you. Their fear is very real. Their bodies are very real. You may be able to run from it for a time, only able to catch glimpses of this dark and sinister force swallowing everything and everyone. The earth rumbles and separates beneath you. Electricity surges through the sky, and then through your very body. You fought hard, but it is impossible to outrun the Storm forever. You too will be consumed. Your death is quick, but not painless. What were you thinking, before you took your last breath? You awaken back in the Observation Deck, next to your new friend. PROMPT: TRAINING MODULES     While it’s all nice and well to familiarize oneself with Thesa Station, it is most advised that new arrivals venture out a bit. Not physically. No one is quite prepared for that yet. However, there will be several virtual reality training programs set for those who dare to be adventurous. For those who aren’t and don’t dare, well — good luck, all the same. Once seated and appropriately strapped in, the system will automatically whir to life. 1. When you enter the Natha's newest program, at first nothing loads. You might think this is an error as you look around in apparent total darkness, only able to see your own virtual body if you look down, but soon enough a voice comes to life as if speakers have turned on somewhere. Long ago, the lands of El Nysa were dominated by the ancestors of the dragons who now live among the people, tamed. It was pretty dangerous! How about a little history lesson? And then the simulation comes to life— a. The lush lands that blossom to life around you all at once are real enough to make you forget you're in a simulation — at least for a moment. Those refugees who have been to the planet in reality before will find themselves in territory as unfamiliar as those who are brand new, as this simulation takes place far back in history. Instead of sprawling cities and civilizations, the most you'll find is scattered villages, many of them no more than nomadic campsites at best. You've been outfitted to blend in with the natives and these simulated people won't react to you as a newcomer, but as a member of their village. Are you a doctor, or perhaps a warrior? Maybe you're even in charge! But they want your help, and they want it quickly: a dragon is coming. The dragon is larger than the mount-sized breeds that exist on El Nysa today — much larger. It's a good six stories in height, bestial, and angry. Maybe it's then that you notice the lands that surround you are littered with scars of scorched earth, some of them several yards across, and there's a reason these people don't live in one place for very long. But don't linger too long on the makeshift grave markers sticking out of the burnt countryside — the dragon is coming. b. If you're looking for something a little less violent, perhaps another area of the historic simulation will be up your alley. This one finds you on a cliffside, waiting among other villagers for an event the people are talking about in hushed whispers, some of which you can identify as prayer. When the white dragon raises its head up from the depths of the ravine, towering impossibly high over you and the others on the cliffside, it's no wonder most of the natives fall to their knees in awe and wonder. This dragon doesn't attack, only looks at the people on land with an ancient and strange wisdom. Then it speaks. Not in words, but the low rumbling sound that starts in its throat and becomes a full trumpeting bellow to the sky seems to have meaning, and somehow, you can understand its cry as it entreats the people to praise and worship. The natives around you are already starting to give offerings with their prayers, food and carvings and — blood? Is that someone's arm being offered up? That's different. 2. Let us now travel forward in time, shall we? a. The Olympian settlement around you is quiet — until the screaming starts. Guerilla fighters from Wyver flood the streets, knocking civilians aside and breaking down doors and windows when they find their way barred. They move methodically, advancing toward the nicer parts of town where the politicians reside and leaving terror in their wake. They're here for the politicians, people say. They're here to punish the people who made the decision to advance into Wyver in the first place. Blood for blood, as the saying goes. Where they'll be taking them once they have them is anyone's guess. A soldier emerges from a building, dragging someone in elegant clothing out by the hair. Looks like they've found one. Will you rescue them? Make a run for it yourself, lest you be mistaken for one of their targets? Or maybe they've already caught you and some other unfortunate Refugee who's been dropped into this simulation, and the two of you need to figure out a way to escape. b. CW: branding You find yourself in the midst of a bustling crowd gathered at the Temple of Thesa. Robed acolytes stoke fires on either side of the altar at the front of the temple, where miserable-looking people who seem to be from a village in Wyver await, bound in ropes. The priest, at the front of the crowd, picks up a metal brand from the altar and gestures for another acolyte to bring a prisoner forward. The crowd watches with interest as the prisoner is forced to kneel in front of the altar, their arm laid out flat on the marble surface. Another cry — "For the glory of Olympia!" — and the crest of the city is burned into the prisoner's arm. The crowd cheers, deafening the cries of pain. The priest ushers forward another prisoner, and then another. Is that a familiar face you see in the lineup, thrust into this bit of history by the simulation's whims? You have to do something. Or are you unlucky enough to find yourself bound? ...Well, hopefully someone else in the crowd has more scruples than this priest. 3. And now, the present. After all those enlightening scenes, the simulation finally brings you to a more quiet area of Olympia. You are deposited out somewhere in The Outlook, a place the very first group of refugees had to trudge through before they found their homes. You've arrived in the early evening — but sunlight is waning, and soon you'll be under a sky full of stars. Luckily, their old campsites aren't too overgrown. The intention here is to get you familiar with some of the local flora and fauna. What sorts of plants will you encounter? Do you find yourself under a Verillum Tree, suddenly compelled to be painfully honest and truthful in conversation with a complete stranger? Find yourself behaving erratically in the presence of Whistleweed? Or perhaps you'll have to break the spell of being trapped in a Vena Amoris' vines... with a kiss. PROMPT: STASIS UNIT     You have found the massive section of Thesa known as the Stasis Unit. There’s no special access required to enter 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: 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     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! An AC-length thread may be submitted for 2 NATHA ORBITER REPUTATION POINTS after acceptance here. Please submit by February 18th. We will no longer be providing overflow posts. In an event where the post hits CAPTCHA, players are advised to move threads to an overflow post on their character journals or create their own catch-all post. These threads remain eligible for REP. There will be an application cap of 60, and no reserves. Please read here for more information. QUICK NAV premise ● faq ● lore ● map ● npcs taken ● atp/emp ● application ● rep/acp calendar ● hiatus/drops ● modbox [ FULL NAVIGATION ] elnysa nysalogs nysaisles nysaooc elnyan

Comments

QUESTIONS.

[natha]

n. solo | tmfu

[selection]

TRAINING MODULES (1A)

[ a dragon is coming and the people want solo's help in fighting it. somehow, for some reason, they seem to think he's a warrior. it's all terribly inconvenient, really. not that they're wrong — he did fight in the war, after all, and he certainly knows his way around a weapon, but it's still terribly inconvenient.

he really doesn't want to be protecting anyone but himself. but if this is a simulation, there's no telling who might be observing him. it does feel frightfully real, and solo grips his gun a little tighter, raising it. ]

Dragons aren't even real. [ he grumbles.

look, he'll pretend to help but at the earliest possible moment, he might just make a run for it. ]

TRAINING MODULES (3)

[ solo had been walking. minding his own business, really — and exploring a bit, as one does when placed in a simulation of the planet one is supposed to start calling home now.

(solo has thoughts on the matter, but he hasn't bothered to stop and think them, to let them set their hooks into his conscious mind properly. he'd rather avoid it, too, if he can.)

he had been walking, catching up to someone ahead of him, intent on making small talk, gathering information — but now, both he and his prospective companion are caught in a rather precarious situation, wrapped up in the vines of some plant that seems to have a mind of its own. ]

Well. [ he says after he's exhausted his options of cursing and struggling, both to no avail. ] It doesn't seem to want to eat us, at least.

OMAGE (un: deveny)

This is all quite fascinating, but I'm wondering how much of the simulations is real. Dragons seem to me the stuff of novels at best, while this technology is beyond the best I've ever seen.

Velvet | Odin Sphere

[familydrama]

the storm;

a. eye of the storm
[These are its last memories.

She knows that what's to come won't be at all pleasant. This is a recreation of the destruction of a world, and there's no way it could possibly have a happy ending. And yet... it's almost hard to believe, as she watches the villagers around them go about their normal, everyday lives.

They don't know. Not a single one of them knows, not until a deafening silence rolls over them. Velvet gasps, although it doesn't make a sound, and glances swiftly to her companion, her lips moving uselessly as she tries to ask what's happening?

They have about ten seconds before the roaring starts.]

b. aftermath
[Velvet awakes on the Observation Deck's floor with a start, short of breath and clammy-skinned. There's something about that entire experience that strikes just a little too close to home, and not just because supposedly they all lived that prior to waking up here.

She forces herself up into a sitting position and grimaces, but her expression gentles somewhat as she takes in the sight of the other person lying beside her. This can't have been easy for them, either.]

...are you all right?

training modules;

a. worship the dragons
[Dragons are held in high esteem and feared in equal measures where she comes from - so it doesn't particularly surprise her that the people of this land seem to worship them.

Although... cutting off an arm seems a little much. She looks vaguely alarmed as the crowd passes it forward, closer to the dragon at the edge of the cliff.

And -

Oh. Oh, god. They've just passed it to her, and they seem to expect her to pass it on to the next person.

Her nose wrinkles slightly as she holds it out to the next unfortunate sap in line.

(That's you, by the way.)]

b. past atrocities
[The simulation builds itself around her, and Velvet lets out a sharp cry as she feels a tug on her hair. The next thing she knows, whoever has hold of it is hauling her along, and she scrambles to keep her footing as they drag her out of the house the simulation had begun in and out onto the streets.

There is screaming. Townspeople look panicked - but the soldier who has hold of her hair glares down at her with loathing. She glares right back.

She still has Graveryl, and that's a relief. Assistance would be appreciated, if anyone in the crowd is of a mind to help, but if this goes on for much longer the simulated soldier is going to find that he picked the wrong person to try and "kidnap" today.]

c. flora and fauna;
[Early evening isn't so bad. Velvet takes a long, cautious look at her surroundings, but it's decidedly more peaceful than the last simulation she went through, and so she allows herself to relax. It almost reminds her of the Forest of Elrit - of home.

She could just set up camp at one of the campsites, but she'd rather explore a little first. So she unwinds her chain from her waist and flicks it up toward a tree branch to pull herself into the leaves.

That's how she gets around in this particular simulation - not on foot. She's following the glow of a luceatia, interested to see where the creature will end up. However, when she spots another person wandering the forest, she pauses while perched on a treebranch and watches them carefully for a moment or two.

It's... probably fine. So she speaks up.]

Have you found anything of interest so far?

thesa station;

a. stasis unit
[There's something almost unsettling about walking past all the faces in the pods. The majority of them, she doesn't recognize; occasionally, though, she'll come across someone she does.

In this case, it's a... rabbit? It's some kind of creature, anyway.

She pauses in front of the unit, then lightly presses her palm to the glass.]

...Cornelius... thank goodness.

[There's an almost palpable relief in the way her shoulders slump ever so slightly.

Apparently she's just that attached to her... pet rabbit...??? With hair???]

b. mess hall
[It's no Maury's Touring Restaurant, and it's no Pooka Kitchen, but Roman's food is... nice. Well, nice is an underwhelming word for it. The food here has all of the scents she likes. Technically speaking, there's nothing wrong it it. She's sure that when she eats it, it will be superb.

But it's not served by the faces that have grown so familiar to her, and that stings, just a little.

Still, it wouldn't do to be rude about it. So she thanks him for the meal, finds somewhere to sit, and prepares to dig in - only to see someone else looking for somewhere to eat.

Hm. Well.]

There's an open seat here, if you would like.

[She's not exactly the type to make fast friends, but there's nothing wrong with being cordial.]

wildcard;

[If there's anything you want to do that doesn't work with the above prompts, hit me with whatever! You can also PM me or hit me up at hungriest if you want to talk something out first.]

ann takamaki | persona 5

[pussywhips]

A. THE STORM

[ Even with the warning from Darma, Ann is still taken aback by the vastness of The Storm, how quickly it moves, how utterly it consumes everything in its path. She straightens, pain still surging through her body, but a greater feeling overtakes it: dread. Even with the abstract knowledge that this is all some kind of VR, she can't help the rush of fear and horror that grips her.

The villagers stream from their homes and begin to run—men, women, children. Children. It's the only option they have as The Storm looms on the horizon. She grabs the arm of her companion and shouts over the roar of noise— ]

Hey—we gotta run!

B. TRAINING MODULES: PAST

[ The dragon sure is coming. Ann wasn't sure exactly what to expect when the villagers warned her—something out of a video game, probably. As it turns out, that's pretty much exactly what she gets: huge, breathing fire, very aggro. Her heart pounds as she points frantically towards the forest in the distance, the closest available cover, yelling to the villagers— ]

Go! Over there!

[ Her plan is basically this: get the villagers to cover, try to fend off or distract the dragon as long as she can, and hope for the best. The only problem is, she doesn't actually appear to be armed. Help? ]

C. TRAINING MODULES: FUTURE

1. [ Are all these VR simulations just suffering? Ann thought that she might get a small break here when she ends up in a quiet street in the middle of a town—until that screaming starts, at least. Soldiers close in from both ends of the street, shouting about spilling blood and yanking people from their homes. She almost doesn't know what to do—anything except run or do nothing.

A group of the soldiers knock Ann aside as they pass, throwing her to the ground—or maybe into someone else. ]

Ow. Hey, watch it!

2. [ Or, either because of mistaken identity or her outright hostility to the soldiers, she finds herself trapped inside a commandeered house, her wrists and ankles bound with rope. Soldiers guard the entrance, only occassionally turning to lay an eye on their prisoners.

Ann struggles with the rope for a moment, twisting her hands in a vain attempt to slip free. ]

Ugh, this is so—just let us go!

D. TRAINING MODULES: PRESENT

[ Okay, so maybe not all suffering. Yet. Ann looks a little out of place here in this quiet, open country—she's a city girl, through and through, so she almost feels a little creeped out by the sense that there's no one and nothing else around for miles. Welcome to nature.

The more she looks around, though, the more acclimated she gets to the idea. The way she examines all of the plant life, it's almost like she's never seen anything green in her life. ]

This is actually kinda nice... [ She glances habitually at her phone, because kids these days just don't appreciate actual conversation! No service. ] Whoa! Hey, we're really out in the middle of nowhere, huh?

E. OMAGE

You’re now chatting with ❤️PANTHER❤️... Say hi!

whoa hey!
what's up?

F. WILDCARD

[ lay it on me! or feel free to leave a comment and i'll write a wildcard up for you. ]

OMAGE

[underwhelms]

[ a stranger... well this is fine ]

FROM: ✨👑KING JJ👑✨

trying to choose between these

[ attached are two pieces of... indiscernible meats ]

tamamo no mae | fate/

[vulpining]

  I. the storm  
[ This was not the first time she felt death and not the first time she had escaped it. There would be no funeral for Tamamo today, no honoring the ferocious spirit and laying her body to an eternal rest. None of that for the wicked, you know?

Oh, she screamed in fear when the world around her came crashing around you both. The memory was fresh, the collapsing acceptance of an end. It was as if fate was kind to make it quick, to show the storm did not rage on and instead brought them down in a thunderous roar.

But now? Even as tears rolled down her cheeks in fear and she "awakens" back in the Observation Deck, Caster leaned against the nearest wall. Whether you're familial with the pink haired Caster or not, there's the same dazed expression coming from her eyes and soft whimper slipping past her lips — ]

Five more... Five more minutes.

[ ...Was she really sleeping now? Of course. ]

  II. stasis  

[ Off in the darkest areas of the Stasis Unit, you'll find an abnormally warm flicker of light. While the dim-cool hue of the pods reflect off the surface, you'll find there's something worldly here — a small alter of candles. In front of one of the pods (a small brunette woman), you'll find lit candles, bunches of chocolates, endless napkins which looked as if they were written on and of course, a kneeling girl with a giant fox tail.

Tamamo kneeled down in a quiet prayer it seems, honoring the special person in the pod. ]

You'll awaken one day, my Husband. This is no war, it is something far worse, and I selflessly allow you to sleep while I do the hard work out here. Rest. I will be here with you awaken.

[ Feel free to nudge her! ]

  III. history lesson – branding  

[ This was just a headache! This wasn't her world or any such thing she cares about. Tamamo had grown bitter towards the destruction and subsequent slumber of her Master. This wasn't her domain and the fox grows more and more annoyed as the history lesson trudges on. ]

Civilization doesn't know when to keep itself from self-destructing... You, go stop this nonsense!

[ She's curious — it seems as if it was one giant script. One giant predetermined game in which people play their parts. With the impending refugees, was this a variable in the system? Surely, she isn't silly enough to involve herself. She nudges you, elbow to the rib over and over as the next man is branded so painful to the erupting crowd of cheers. You were just unfortunate to stand next to a cloaked girl — no fox here!! Promise!! :) ]

This is all just one big replay, is it not? What's the worst that could happen?

  IV. omage  
Connecting to server...
Looking for someone you can chat with...
You’re now chatting with CASTER... Say hi!

CASTER: Hello! ♥
CASTER: Could you help direct the loveliest girl on the planet to the proper complaint department?
CASTER: I have a lot of things to critique on the housekeeping and upkeep of this Observation Deck! This level of undomestication is unacceptable, even in the apparent future/alternate realty!!!!!!!

big boss | mgs (post-GZ)

[warchetype]

TRAINING MODULES - 1b.

[ a dragon?

unlike a mass of black energy, unlike a brand spankin' new universe with no answers to be found — at least a dragon can be fought.

which is exactly what Snake does. maybe he's down an MK22 and a few layers of electronic weaving tech, but a soldier doesn't need his gear to spill some blood. it's almost cathartic, in a way: weaving in and out of the path of those monstrous claws, dodging a strike of teeth only to smell his own hair burning from a near-deadly cascade of flame.

he thinks briefly about climbing the damn thing. those teeth can't reach him if he's parked squarely on top of the dragon's head.

that plan goes quickly into the garbage bin when he realized the scales scald naked skin just as the dragon's breath does. after a bit of this to-and-fro, he skids to a halt behind a mound of uneven earth - which, be as it may, is also shelter to a stranger. ]

You have a death wish?

[ he's managed to procure a tree branch sometime during the fight. the ragged edge where he's torn it off is stained with black ichor. Snake himself is a patchwork of blood and bruise, his hair still smoking liberally. he tosses a sharp look in your direction, its point not dulled by the fact that he has only one eye. ]

Get the hell out of here while you still can.

[ will you help this crazy asshole on a dragon-induced adrenaline high, o hapless stranger? ]

TRAINING MODULES - 3.

[ when all else goes to hell, at least Big Boss knows how to survive in a jungle. maybe the flora and the fauna looks like something from Close Encounters of the Third Kind (thanks, Para-Medic), but there's nothing new about creeping plants and dangerous animals. CQC and common sense will take care of the rest.

he'd chased off a pack of odd little dragons on his climb up a tree, which is where he's perched now. nestled up against the trunk of the tree, looking up at the sky - well, it's not so different from sitting on some forlorn spot somewhere in the depths of Mother Base, waiting for Kaz to come by with the budget reports for the week. a cigar would've completed the picture, but beggars can't be choosers. he'll make do with the fig-like fruit he found as he was exploring - it's sweet and tart and oddly comforting. were he anyone else, he might have curled up and taken a nap.

if he's surprised, his surprise will be limited to a roll and a throw. possibly an armbar across the throat, if you're close enough.

--at least, that's what would have happened were he not currently the focus of a slow-sliding vine's attention, its encroachment upon his person as silent and deadly as the snake he was named after. ]

OMAGE

[ all things considered, Snake's pretty good at adapting to new technology. when it comes to information-gathering, staking out the locals is always the best bet, which is why - with approximately zero helpings of healthy trepidation - he logs into the anonymous chatting function, setting his own username as Snake1964.

he knows fully well the effects of anonymity on others. and honesty is what he needs right now. ]

Connecting to server...
Looking for someone you can chat with...
You’re now chatting with Snake1964... Say hi!

Snake1964: You have until the count of five. Speak.

[ ...all right, Boss. not the best opening, but hopefully you'll run with it. ]

lucina | fire emblem: friendship is magic.

[rightfully]

» stasis unit.

[ The room is, for her, a den of nightmares-- worse than her worst fears, the cruel space between life and death, faces that should be light with life caught between. Her own, in a neat little row like toy soldiers, and that alone is almost too much to bear, but Lucina's expression is just on the mournful side of inscrutable as she passes by all of them, gives them all their due. Severa, who should have been full of prickles and bark. Laurent, whose mind would not - could not - be slowed. Gerome, ah - Gerome - in front of black armor, she gulps a little, and then continues on.

Chrom is the worst. She knew it was coming, after Lady Cordelia in her spot of honour, and the possibility of mother somewhere close. But it's Chrom she finds first, and that one leaves her gasping for breath.

Nononononono— Desperately, her hands field the glass, searching for some sign of life in this alien technology. ]

Are they dead?

[ Yeah, she doesn't understand anything she was told. Blame it on medieval sensibilities. ]

» omage.

(un: luc/ina)

[ Are you ready for this, poor innocent bystander? You did nothing to deserve this, but... here we are. ]

Hello?

[ Typing... ]

[ Typing... ]

[ Typing... ]

[ Typing... ]

[ Typing... ]

[ Typing... ]

Hello?

» wildcard.

( come at me! )

dorothy gale | emerald city

[tornadoed]

THE STORM

[ it's not real. it's not real, but it feels real and the people around here seem real enough. they're solid, flesh and blood — and they're terrified. so is dorothy, but at the back of her mind, the knowledge that this is a simulation helps. it doesn't take away the fear, but it makes it easier for her to push it aside at least to some extent.

she still starts running. to escape. to get away from the horror.

somewhere in her path, someone's fallen, and she reaches down, grabbing their arms and helping them up. ] C'mon, c'mon. [ she urges them on. ] Let's get out of here.

OMAGE (un: gale)

it's not snapchat, but i guess it'll do
anyone here been to a different world before coming to this one?

Vlad Tepes III | Dracula Untold

[vladpire]

i: Training Module (3)
[He knew he was not on the planet that the station seemed to orbit properly, but to most of his senses, it felt real enough. He took his time, flexing his fingers, moving about to test the limits of his range of motion. There were things he could not do down here, but the one that let him know more than anything that he was not here in truth was the fact that he stood in the dying light of the sun. It was setting, yes, but it still cast its light upon him and he looked down at his hand, speckled with light and yet still whole.]

I would find this a marvel in itself, for this alone.

[He spoke to himself, but there may be others nearby. He was too wrapped up in admiring the fading day to pay particular attention just then.]


ii: Stasis Unit
[He wanders into the room out of curiosity, not hope. Everyone he knows has been dead and gone, buried for centuries. Well, everyone that mattered. He did not seek to find a familiar face here, merely to... familiarize himself with ones that might waken. To see the marvel of so many faces from so many worlds -- worlds beyond his... It was still hard for him to wrap his mind around.

Oh, not that there were peoples beyond Earth. He'd long since come to terms with the truth of that. It was simply too narcissistic, too vain to think that out of all the planets in the universe, theirs was the only one with life. No, it was the sheer number of worlds. That and, well, the storm. He'd gone to the observation deck and relived that nightmare again, his skin still tingling with the sensation. That storm was like none he'd ever known, and he could call them to his hand on a whim. That storm was a force. It humbled him. Made him realize that even he could be a small, tiny thing in the grand scheme of things.

He paused by a pod, staring in at a slumbering body, hands clasped behind his back as he wondered where this one had come from.]

Sleep well. Waking will be hard.


iii: Wildcard
[Perhaps you will find him on the station somewhere, exploring what he can, finding all the similarities and differences from the world he knew that is seemingly destroyed. Maybe he is in the kitchens, told of a blood supplement that he should see about trying. Or maybe he's nearer the red light district, seeing just what trades those here ply and if any interest him. Say, someone willing to trade their neck for coin? He might also be found outside the observation deck, watching the effects that scenario had on others who enter and leave.

Come bother the old manpire.]

Diamond | Land of the Lustrous (Houseki no Kuni)

[diamondize]

[Prompt: The Storm]

[It's not like Diamond is any stranger to destruction, but this is a very different level than what they're used to dealing with. The overwhelming feelings of it all are too much even for them, though, and when they wake up on the floor of the training room--

Their body has cracked. Literally. There are hairline fractures running over their face and the few parts of their body exposed, and some parts even flake off to the ground when they sit up. Some of the powder has fallen away, leaving small patches where there's something shiny glinting underneath the 'skin'.

They glance down at their hands and then around for whoever it was they'd seen in the simulation as well]

Was that...a 'death'...? Is this what a living thing goes through...? [It was very different from the type of "death" the gems experience, and Diamond isn't sure at all what to make of it.

Oh, right. Their companion.] Are you alright?

[Training: 1-B]

[It's utterly fascinating. Diamond's doing their best to remain undercover and not draw attention to themselves, but it's hard when they're openly gawking and delighted by every little thing around them.

The dragon appearing gets the biggest gasp of all and Diamond clasps their hands to their mouth, eyes going wide. It's a very serious moment for everyone around, but they're not paying much attention to all of that--Why would a dragon want praise and worship? What was a dragon anyhow??-- But there's a more important matter to attend to here.

Diamond squirms, wiggling in place in a way that might be mistaken for some kind of potty dance before they whisper-squeal:] I want to pet it!

[Training: 2-A Part 1]

[They're not prepared for the erupting chaos. It all happens so fast and Diamond's head is reeling as they try to figure out where they're needed to help or if they should at all. At least, until people start being taken.

That's too close to home for them, and with a frown Diamond leaps into action. They don't unsheathe their sword, but rather uses the whole thing as more like a blunt object to whack the warriors down whenever they get their hands on someone, and ushers the person away to safety.

They're trying to be careful, but death is rather inevitable when you don't really know your own strength compared to normal humans. Still, they don't seem particularly bothered by it until they come back after sending the latest captive on their way and sees bleeding from a wound sustained on the fall from one of the warrior's bodies.

They pause, confused, and nudge at the body with their scabbard, then crouch down to examine the blood in closer detail. When they notice someone coming that doesn't appear to be with Wyver, they raise a hand and wave to get attention]

Excuse me! This one, um... It appears to be leaking? What does that mean?

[HE'S DEAD, JIM.]

[Training: 2-A Part 2]

[Maybe you're in a tight spot being cornered by one of the Wyver people. Maybe you've been captured or aren't paying attention or WHATEVER. Either way you were about to get hit with a sword and now you're not, because despite looking like they could be snapped in half over someone's knee, Diamond is, well, 100% pure diamond. Which means it might feel a little like getting suddenly grabbed and covered by solid rock (though, to be fair, Diamond is very careful not to actually put their weight on whoever they're bodily protecting) as the sword comes down and actually breaks over Diamond's back.

They smile reassuringly and turn, roundhouse kicking the attacker away. There's a sickening crack of probably broken ribs and worse as they go spinning away and collapse.]

Phew... Are you alright? You weren't injured, were you?

[Training 3]

[You know, despite their best efforts, sometimes mistakes happen. You get injured out on a job, or something particularly sharp hits you too hard too many times or there's some kind of weird freak accident and your hand falls off. Diamond's just glad they still wore their gloves, because the hand and shattered bits are neatly held inside until they can get it fixed together.

In the meantime though, they kind of seem at a loss. There's the sanctuary they heard about in the city of Olympia, and they suppose when they get out of the simulator thing the doctors on the station can fix them up--they did it before, after all-- but it's still an immediate problem until the simulation ends. Diamond ends up loitering around the camps, looking slightly concerned...and probably catching quite a bit of attention given the wound tends to glow and cast rainbows and light about when the sun hits just right. And, you know the fact they're VERY OBVIOUSLY not flesh.

They sigh.] I wanted to get this fixed before nightfall... [Even though actual night seems a couple hours off, they already look sleepy.]

[Wildcard]

[Come at me for rock shenanigans]

Rey | Star Wars

[floatingrocks]

The Olympian settlement (2a)

[Rey's outnumbered; all you need is a pair of eyes to determine that much. While months ago her instinct may have been to flee, to save herself--something deep in her stomach lurched at the idea of what horrors would befall the poor woman the soldier dragged out.

She couldn't be much older than Rey--she was just a girl--what crimes could she have committed to merit such treatment?

Stalking toward the soldier and his prize, her arms swung violently, making her appear quite larger than she actually was--it also allowed her to sneak a small brush of her fingers against the staff fastened on her back. With the legacy saber split in two, it was back to her trusty old friend to get her and this woman out of trouble.

Hopefully it would be enough.]


The Outlook (3)

[The moist smell of soil and foliage was sweet in Rey's nostrils. It was a comfort against the harsh, dry memory of the Jakku desert. She liked the lush green overgrowth of this place. It seemed there were things to explore around every corner; she could spend a lifetime discovering new plants and creatures here. She imagined it was easy for someone to lose track of time out here--or...just get lost, really.

The stiff crackle of twigs and the rustle of leaves beneath her feet summoned forth memories of Takodana, and in spite of her enjoyment of her surroundings, that association did put her a little bit on-edge.

It was so quiet out here--surely she'd hear something if she was being followed...

...right?]

OMAGE

You're now chatting with
[ReyofJakku]...say hi!

[ReyofJakku] Hello--hi. Where's the closest outpost?

Wild Card!

why the hell are you like this

[pussywhips]

um... are these meats?
what is this for??

omage... touches lightly...

[shashka]

You’re now chatting with colt.saa... Say hi!

[ so... Snake1964. it's been a while (read: two days) since Ocelot's been up to the Thesa Station, and he doesn't want to get his hopes up. it could be a coincidence. but the name, combined with the year, combined with the complete inability to carry on a normal conversation...

all signs point one way. well... there's only one way to know for sure... ]

Why? Worried that someone might keep you waiting?

stasis.

[planetary_bonds]

Not dead. Asleep.

[The voice is as terse and blank as it is abrupt, and with how he puts little inflection on what few words he speaks it almost sounds like one could be speaking to a rather deeply voiced robot.

It's not one, thankfully, but his expression remains rigid all the same. At least, until his eyes pass over the glass she touches, looking up and down, then back and forth to glimpse the others, all in a row, all in that same state of frozen slumber. Then...somehow, without changing at all...they look...sad. Wistful.]

Found someone, did you?

manley tinderstauf | pyre

[selfservice]

training 1A

[Being suddenly released from what was advertised as a life sentence in the nastiest countryside ever is a real improvement, as things go, so it's with a spring in his step that Manley - who is, for reference, a very tall tree man dressed like a dandy - wanders into the training room. This is apparently the first mistake.

The second is actually participating, as this all seems very impossible but also very real and he does very, very poorly under pressure. There are people shouting, an impossibly huge monster dragon not too far away, something is already burning somewhere— and Manley is hiding in fear. Sitting on the ground, tucked behind what used to be a whole wall of a small house, he is dangerously close to catatonic.

At least, until he sees someone who looks more capable than he - which right now is basically everybody, so congrats, just being upright at the moment means you're doing better than somebody.]

You there, hello!! You're someone who looks especially talented at, perhaps, killing things that are attacking entire villages? I do hope so! [Yes, this is the perfect sales pitch. The dragon roars, for emphasis.] Either way, you are ideal for a very, very, very important job I have for you, which is to kindly get me out of here!

[he will literally die in the matrix if left alone]

training 1B

[Now, this other dragon? Not so bad! Quite pretty, actually! Manley still doesn't understand half of what's going on here and it's a constant struggle to remember this isn't actually happening, but! Nice lizard!

When it starts entreating them to, uh, donate, he is quite easily compelled. If a giant terrible monster thinks well of him, goodness, all pros and no cons, right? He leans over (and... down, he's very tall, being a tree) to the person nearest him.]

Could I borrow some money? Now, that's something I've never had to ask before, how quaint! But how much, if you could give a rough estimate, maybe, do you have on you?

[yes.]

training 2B

[yall ready for no tact? great.

There's something to be said for having a strong stomach when it comes to watching something like a branding, but for Manley, he's passed that to the point that he just seems unimpressed. Hm. The crowd is cheering, the Wyver natives are shouting and crying, and Manley—]

Is that it? Hardly a minute, that's considered enough? Hm!

OMAGE. (un: g)

[The following are all sent separately, in quick succession, all from the same mysterious user "g":]

j

dfg

.

999999999

,

[So that's new and exciting!! Not really, he doesn't know what this thing does and he's very close to throwing it in the nearest trash can. If you actually spot him doing this in person, he's tapping keys with a very bored expression. Even confusion is not worth this effort...]

wildcard!!

[you can find this charming individual loitering basically anywhere on the station looking SUPER out of place for obvious reasons!! anything else, hit me..... jojoveller if u dare]

how dare you.. slaps ur bum

[warchetype]

[ Snake's not so fond of jumping to conclusions, especially when he's gotten himself into more than a few hairy situations as a result. which is why he reacts with suspicious instead of levity.

there's a pause that definitely exceeds five seconds. ]

'68. Hanoi. What guns did you use?

[ because of course Snake remembers missions according to the guns they used. ]

omage; sorry...

[vorrutyer]

You're now chatting with eproghuefgdzptrrw... Say hi!

eproghuefgdzptrrw: Woof woof.

( 3 )

[willrevile]

[ Hey was the gameplan - say hello to the person coming up behind him, pause in his explorations, take stock of the setting. But no, even in a simulation, something stupid has to nab him. ]

I feel like that's almost jinxing it, [ he grunts, hauling himself into a more upright position. The vines had snagged him around his middle and knees, leaving him uncomfortably dangling sideways, teetering near to upside-down. ]

There's got to be a reason it-- excuse you-- [ He bats a creeping fine away from his midsection, only to have it wind around his outstretched arm, keeping him in place.

Sigh. ]

are you really though

[warchetype]

[ he's not in the habit of making threats he can't carry out, which is why there's a noticeable pause before his response shows up. ]

Snake1964: You got something to say, or am I wasting my time?

[ yeah, okay, he didn't think this one through. ]

omage | un: fi

[accomplice]

does it matter if it's real when it can kick your ass either way?

[ not her ass, specifically, but she saw someone's ass get kicked. ]

omage | un: fi

[accomplice]

change your un to buttdial

[ at least she didn't say "delete your account" ]

[shashka]

[ well. that leaves no doubt in his mind at all. a few different emotions pass over him all at once. at least this time he'd only waited a matter of months, instead a matter of years.

but that doesn't mean he wasn't going to have his fun at his friend's expense. just for a moment. ]

You tell me.

[ but, unlike some people, Adam isn't exactly one to keep others waiting. ]

John.

[ if that's not proof of his identity, he's not exactly sure what is. ]

[warchetype]

[ there's nothing complicated about what John's feeling this time around - it's all pure, unfettered relief. if Adam's here, maybe he'd get some answers. if nothing else, a friendly face was far more valuable than any anonymous information he could've hoped for. especially when that face is Adam's.

doesn't mean he can't give back as good as he gets, though. ]

You forgot, didn't you. Adam.

reinhardtzar | granblue fantasy

[reinhardtzar]

I) TRAINING MODULES

[ this entire situation is a bit of a whirlwhind, but that's far from unordinary at this point.

reinhardtzar resigns to uncovering what he can about his surroundings as opposed to protesting — however, the opportunity to train, to get in on a bit of the action is far too enticing.

so here he is, blade in tow, dragon beckoning him forward. he turns back to you, something of a grin on his face: ]

Been a while since something's gotten my blood pumping like this. [ he gives you a cursory lookover. ] If you're getting cold feet, now's the time to leave.

II ) OLYMPIA

a)

[ guerrilla fighters. a universal constant, he supposes. the chaos is more of a nuisance than it is a thrill, and while the situation is understandable, it's far from picturesque.

so reinhardtzar steps forward, making his through the crowd. his disposition is calm in spite of the circumstances. ]

Ey!

[ well. that's one way of getting your attention. ]

I know a thing or two about taking matters into your own hands — but as sweet as the taste of revenge may be, as the sight of blood on your fingertips is in this moment, you need to consider what you're doing. What this means for the future of every single person in this crowd right now.

[ he crouches next to the noble, beckoning the soldier to drop them. ]

Let 'em speak first. Bartering over beating.

b)

[ wow. bizarre cults, yet another constant.

it's likely that you'll find reinhardtzar next to you, silent as he does nothing more than fold his arms, watching from a distance. both suddenly and quietly, without turning his gaze to you: ]

Still interested in dawdling there, or are you going to help me take these bastards down already?

WILDCARD)

[ who said the unknown wasn't beautiful in of itself?

reinhardtzar's features are benign; in this moment, he finds himself immersed in the subtle hues and tints of the forestry. choose a plant, any plant, idc. ]