natha: (Default)
ɴᴀᴛʜᴀ orbiters ❰ mod collective ❱ ([personal profile] natha) wrote in [community profile] elnyan2018-01-26 12:27 pm
Entry tags:

❪ test drive #4 ❫

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.

nohorn: (6)

iv

[personal profile] nohorn 2018-01-30 10:20 pm (UTC)(link)
Number One Maid: Explodo-kills?

[ She pauses, as if something up with a way to insult him while not insulting him. ]

I see, that must be some kind of joke frmo when you were a young child, right? Surely an adult wouldn't choose that for themselves. It must be nice to have a childhood you can look back on fondly.
windeity: (GAZE ♫ childlike)

[personal profile] windeity 2018-01-30 10:31 pm (UTC)(link)
[Thanks Roxy.

There's a pause though because haha. About that.]


the field is very big. and fieldish. and there are some weeds out here. it is overall not that exciting.
what is the last thing YOU remember? what if we do not remember the same things and this ends up with a whole bunch of dumb timeline stuff all over again?
but i remember talking to you. you were probably one of the last people i saw.
dontgiveabuckland: (It's cold and hard and petrified)

[personal profile] dontgiveabuckland 2018-01-30 11:15 pm (UTC)(link)
[Well, it’s Valjean’s lucky day, because Cam is habitually terrible at respecting other people’s personal space. He’s happy that the man seems to be listening to reason, and, after waiting for Valjean to gather his things, begins leading the man away, down the hall towards what he knows is the exit of the Stasis bay.]
 
Exactly. And she’ll be here when you get back. Trust me, I’ve checked. I’ve been in here five times already!  [And off goes Cam’s motor mouth, filling the space during the awkwardly long walk through the hall of sleeping faces. Eventually,]
 
What’s her name, anyway? And yours, for that matter.
dontgiveabuckland: (You can never run from trouble)

[personal profile] dontgiveabuckland 2018-01-30 11:16 pm (UTC)(link)
[Every time the Tiefling says ‘girlfriend’ Cam glances nervously at Jiutou, as if worried she would wake up and take out her displeasure of the topic of conversation on them. When the topic switches to Bresaris, Cam lets out a sigh of relief.]
 
It’s…. south? West? [Cam isn’t very good at geography. He waves his hand dismissively,] It’s far away, is the point. I’ve never heard of Nico-whatsit.
dontgiveabuckland: (Like stitches in the scar)

[personal profile] dontgiveabuckland 2018-01-30 11:16 pm (UTC)(link)
[Nonsense, everything is going smooth as butter.]
 
Woah!
 
[Cam cries out as he is suddenly hoisted off of the wall and flopped over a shoulder like a sack of potatoes. There’s a brief struggle, as Cam’s green cape swishes uselessly over his head, blocking the man from seeing anything that’s going on, but finally he manages to pull the cape aside. And is immediately greeted by a pursuing crowd of angry faces.]
 
Uah! Don’t stop!
 
[With a short incantation, he touches JJ’s back, sending a wave of magical energy into him. JJ will find that he feels stronger, making carrying Cam twice as easy as before. (Almost as if, were they in a game system where numbers dictated someone’s ability, JJ’s carrying capacity doubled.)]
dontgiveabuckland: (Default)

[personal profile] dontgiveabuckland 2018-01-30 11:17 pm (UTC)(link)
[Cam is bracing, preparing for a pain that is all-too familiar, when there’s a chill in the atmosphere, and, suddenly, spikes of ice rocket into the priest in front of him, sizzling as part of it makes contact with the hot brand. In the chaos, the nearby brazier is knocked over, spilling burning hot coals all over the floor of the altar. Good news for Cam, who is less important to the priests than not-being-burnt-or-stabbed-with-ice. Also bad news for Cam because he is now hopping between feet, while ducking his head, trying to avoid both threats.
 
It’s around that time, in the middle of hopping and ducking that he finally notices the stranger in the crowd. The mask really makes him stand out and is kind of creepy, but Cam will take any fair weather in a storm.
 
Pausing only to stoop and grab the discarded brand, Cam hops off of the altar, running over to the masked man.
]
 
Everyone stay back!
 
[He waves the brand threateningly towards the crowd that is quickly backing away from the two. To Yusuke,] So what’s the plan?
dontgiveabuckland: (Whether you should live or die)

[personal profile] dontgiveabuckland 2018-01-30 11:18 pm (UTC)(link)
[It doesn’t take much to distract Cam, and the glowing picture box has Cam stopped in his tracks, standing an awkward amount of feet behind Frederick’s sofa and just staring, transfixed at the drama unfolding. A bowl of grapes balances on one hand and he wordlessly shoves a few in his mouth.
 
The sudden commentary seems to break him of the television’s grasp, and Cam blinks eyes that had gone dry.
]
 
I know, right? [He swallows the mouthful of grapes, moving to stand directly behind the sofa.] Bernadette is really hot. Horatio is an idiot for hooking up with someone else.
dontgiveabuckland: (Please don't hang your head and cry)

[personal profile] dontgiveabuckland 2018-01-30 11:19 pm (UTC)(link)
[He stands, staring at Jiutou. It still feels fake, the whole situation. The end of their world, this whole space station, the idea that Jiutou and the others were going to be stuck like this for the indefinite future. Even the bad stuff, things that seemed like massive, world-ending threats were now totally irrelevant. Part of him wants to believe that any minute he’s going to wake up and tell the others about this crazy dream he just had, and they’d laugh and go on with their mission to stop the Broken Sky.
 
Luckily for everyone except Cam, he’s already in the process of burying his feelings deep under his normal veneer of clueless positivity. And he perks up a bit at the stranger’s offer of food.
]
 
Hold on. [Something still doesn’t feel right. Leaning in close to the glass on Jiutou’s pod, Cam cups his mouth and breathes out. In the resulting fogged up glass, he uses his finger to write in messy handwriting CAM. Now, if she wakes up, she’ll know he was here.
 
Satisfied, he nods to the stranger, ready to go.
]

So, where to?
failinglight: <user name=emiri> (Explaining)

[personal profile] failinglight 2018-01-30 11:25 pm (UTC)(link)
The notion of my entire...world...being gone is a little strange, to tell the truth. I understand the idea, a world being destroyed by a massive storm, but I don't have a homeworld. At least, not in any real sense of the word.

[Awkwardly, she considers Mirial, and a Galaxy without it. Drongar and Coruscant had been her home as much as that...]

Unless they mean reality? In which case that is whole other level of bizarre, and touches on astronomical impossibilities I couldn't even begin to consider.
thetaintedsorrow: (The prettiest boy)

[personal profile] thetaintedsorrow 2018-01-30 11:26 pm (UTC)(link)
[He didn’t get to an executive position in the Mafia by always charging ahead blindly. This was totally just a one time thing because uh, when else is he going to get a chance to fight a dragon?? But Nami is right; they need a plan of action to avoid too much collateral damage. He taps his chin for a moment before a plan suddenly pops into his head.]

How do you feel about distracting it while I find something big enough to hurt it with?

[Ah. He should probably explain his powers, shouldn’t he?]

I can make whatever I touch float when my ability is activated, along with other gravity related shit. If I can find something to hit it with we might be able to stop it without destroying the town.

[He grins.]

I won’t let you get hurt, don’t worry.
braidedwonder: (There is no road there is no place)

[personal profile] braidedwonder 2018-01-30 11:32 pm (UTC)(link)

You could. I might recognize it, but I probably won't.

Doesn't mean you can't, you know, throw a guy a bone and tell me about it.
braidedwonder: (I can’t belong but still I drive)

[personal profile] braidedwonder 2018-01-30 11:34 pm (UTC)(link)

Well.. mainly I didn't want people to go around thinkin' I was a girl or something.

It's funny in passing but I'm not a huge fan of it.

I'm sure there are. Isn't any fun in not stringing people along on a social media site, right?
pebblestone: official art (fe:a) (pic#11550779)

[personal profile] pebblestone 2018-01-30 11:36 pm (UTC)(link)
[ Ah, a man after his own heart! Or at least, of similar and sound mind, if he too can so easily see the folly of this man Horatio. Frederick glances up at his new guest, then nods decisively in agreement. (At least, to Horatio being an idiot. It feels wrong to comment on Bernadette's good looks.)]

Truly, he is a buffoon who has lost his mind. If I were him, I would never let Bernadette out of my sight.

[ Er. He flushes slightly. ]

Of course, within reason. A woman should be allowed her freedom.
dianano: (pic#11883658)

1b (yes my queen farah)

[personal profile] dianano 2018-01-30 11:37 pm (UTC)(link)
[ It's a simulation - something Steve is still getting used to in terms of advanced tech - but it's real enough to make him feel like he's looking at an actual dragon. There are dragon descendants in the city of Wyver, plus Steve has battled sea serpents before, though only on this planet (no creatures like those existed back where he comes from). But this beast is a hell of a lot bigger, regardless of its simulative state. ]

I want to say 'here's hoping' but that sounds like a weird reply to consensual limb offerings... [ That being said, better than the alternative.

Judging by her shocked expression, she must be new. ]
You should probably get used to seeing stuff like this out of the simulation. It... happens.
tricksune: (pic#11594021)

[personal profile] tricksune 2018-01-30 11:48 pm (UTC)(link)
[ His new, not so crisp friend is at least quick to spot him in a crowd. His mask is really not supposed to make him more conspicuous—but it's not exactly the most practical thief's garb. At least that helps for now, and Yusuke stands steady as he makes (hops...) his way over, answering coolly as he looks over the crowd. ]

Truthfully, I hadn't thought that far ahead. [ oops ] I suppose we try and survive until the simulation's over.

[ Or whatever the goal of it is... He helps him balance, mostly to avoid getting a faceful of brand. With another blaze of energy, more ice crackles out in a wind, driving back a pocket of the confused bystanders. And also freezing over the ground in large, shining puddles.

Whether that'd help or hinder their movement is yet to be seen. At least it seems to deter their assailants too, for a moment. ]


Go on, I'll cover you.
braidedwonder: (I live to destroy)

sim part 3

[personal profile] braidedwonder 2018-01-30 11:51 pm (UTC)(link)

[ Not one to miss the adventure episode of adventures in space, Duo's brushing his bangs out of his face as they make it to the slightly overgrown camp, relieved for the chance to take a break. His feet are a little tender, but not the worst, and he could use a fire to warm them with -

Which is why he spots out a guy working at a tinder pile unsuccessfully, sort of quirking a brow at the whole smoking a cigarette but not using it to light the fire.

So, of course, king asshole thinks up a plan, waving as he comes closer - ]


Yo, you got an extra cig?
wallofbriggs: (041)

[personal profile] wallofbriggs 2018-01-31 12:24 am (UTC)(link)
Was. Maj General Olivier Armstrong, Amestrian Army.

[What the fuck is a Navy or Air Force?]
wallofbriggs: (Default)

[personal profile] wallofbriggs 2018-01-31 12:25 am (UTC)(link)
Of course.
redeye: (pic#4570998)

:')

[personal profile] redeye 2018-01-31 12:33 am (UTC)(link)
My mother would never encourage anything nice.
Bounty hunting is an often romanticized profession. What will you replace it with?
ursulamajor: (03)

[personal profile] ursulamajor 2018-01-31 12:43 am (UTC)(link)
Ah, that is for the best, then. And I imagine you've made friends since you arrived!

[Well... she hopes. Diana is also often at the top of the heap. It can feel lonely up there.

Chariot knows something about that.

But she looks down, at that.]


...Mm. It would be hard not to. But dwelling on the past and what could be -- and I say this as someone who has done more than her fair share of both -- can cause you a lot of heartache.
ursulamajor: (15)

[personal profile] ursulamajor 2018-01-31 12:44 am (UTC)(link)
[Oh god, oh god, someone saw.

Chariot turns, slowly -- turning to stare at Ram for a moment longer. But she doesn't do more than look, and she stops to look... down at a pod? Chariot blinks, before she starts to walk over.]


Ah, is this a... sister?

[Pretend like she didn't do that. Top plan.]
asmilebettersuits: (09)

[personal profile] asmilebettersuits 2018-01-31 12:48 am (UTC)(link)
Whether the cause is divine, infernal, or otherwise, it seems that the results -- the immediate results -- are well worth excitement and further study.

Ah, my friend, 'tis important our words convey our feelings. I was a commander of a military camp before I came here. Some of my charges would only see me sparingly, once or twice a week at most.

T'was necessary that my words convey who I am, that they knew who led them.
persistor: what do i do with all of these (pic#11971666)

[personal profile] persistor 2018-01-31 12:48 am (UTC)(link)
[ BEING QUIET FOR FUN why are you the way you are

Luckily, Red misses most of Nami's pity— a good thing too, because there's more productive things to be doing than getting pity from a stranger in the middle of a simulation. Probably. But as for anything more productive than that —

She shakes her head. It would be too easy if she had something sharp. She does look around the jail cell, looking for something that they could use as a substitute. Maybe old, splintered wood, or... something. ]
dianano: (pic#11909609)

2b (any friend of richie is a friend of stevie's... I mean steve)

[personal profile] dianano 2018-01-31 12:51 am (UTC)(link)
[ Steve comes from a world where virtual reality training programs don't exist, but once he gets to grips with them on the station, they prove to be very useful. They're great practice for Steve to keep up his abilities as a spy. Mostly he uses them to practice disguising himself where he might need to pretend to be someone he isn't to help.

In this particular scenario he's entered with Beverly, he finds himself horrified by what's happening at the temple. With several guards around, it doesn't take long for Steve to attract one's attention with noise in the shadows, then choke them into unconsciousness once they're close enough. He puts on their uniform, concealing his weapons underneath, then pushes his way through the crowds towards the altar.

He sees the guard hit Beverly and masks his angry frown, not wanting to give away his real identity. He's pleased to see her kicking up a fight though and when the guard gestures at Steve to help him when he appears to be struggling with the prisoner, Steve makes his way over with an obedient nod...

Then he grabs a hold of the guard, wrenches him off Beverly, then promptly throws him down the stairs. ]


What part of her no didn't you understand? [ Steve asks the groaning form lying below them. ]
disharmonizer: (z06)

A

[personal profile] disharmonizer 2018-01-31 12:52 am (UTC)(link)
[ Tuan gives her a bored look. ]

Why? It's not real. None of this is real. If they're going to try and scare me into submission they should do a better attempt.

Let's just get over with it.