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.

micromania: (f21)

[personal profile] micromania 2018-01-31 06:46 am (UTC)(link)
[ Farah looks at the number, nods twice, and looks back at Alan. ]

Got it. I will, I'm sure. What do you do down there?

[ They've probably reached the canteen by now, yeah? ]
beknight: ([ bvs ] 58.)

[personal profile] beknight 2018-01-31 06:47 am (UTC)(link)
[ Yes, and he's paving the way to the nearest coffee machine. ]

I work at the Institute, in Olympia. Research on local wildlife.
adisaster: (pic#5313101)

[personal profile] adisaster 2018-01-31 06:48 am (UTC)(link)
[ The difference doesn't pass him by. That doesn't make him any less intrigued, though -- it's definitely a different sort of anger than Artoria's righteousness, her self-sacrificial indignance. But it's charming in its own way, seeing a face so familiar twisted so roughly, so hotly.

Gilgamesh can't deny his interest and he's not exactly trying to hide it, sizing her up with an up-and-down look at her.
]

Gilgamesh, the King of Heroes. I had the pleasure of meeting your father.
beknight: ([ jl ] 103.)

[personal profile] beknight 2018-01-31 06:51 am (UTC)(link)
[ Red and gold. Hotrod colours, flashy, says a lot. Man likes to make a statement, likes to be remembered. ]

Whatever happened to black?

[ Like an idle musing, with a brief shake of his head. ]
adisaster: (pic#6437775)

[personal profile] adisaster 2018-01-31 06:52 am (UTC)(link)
[ He doesn't step forward now, as if something Diamond has said truly has made him change his mind. And again, he doesn't seem scared at the implicit thread if he did act. It's more like ... he's starting to feel a bit mercifully. There's a desire to covet, there, certainly, but ... ]

It is very human, to desire new experiences. You are not content with what you already know?

[ Diamond's sort seemed to be more and more human and less like the homunculi Gilgamesh were aware of. Strange, considering that the biology of a homunculi far more closely resembled that of a human's than whatever held Diamond together. ]
adisaster: (come get what's lost)

[personal profile] adisaster 2018-01-31 06:55 am (UTC)(link)
AND FORGIVE HIM FOR ALL THAT HE HAS DONE BEFORE?
micromania: (f20)

[personal profile] micromania 2018-01-31 06:56 am (UTC)(link)
[ Cofeve! A man after her own caffeinated soul. She'll just follow, thanks. ]

What else does the Institute study? A rather broad title...

beknight: ([ bvs ] 31.)

[personal profile] beknight 2018-01-31 06:57 am (UTC)(link)
Depends on the department — there's demonstrations weekly, you're welcome to observe.
adisaster: (i can't let go)

[personal profile] adisaster 2018-01-31 06:58 am (UTC)(link)
HOWEVER, I DO NOT SEE HOW YOU COULD TIRE OF AN ACTIVITY YOU RARELY DO


BEING RIGHT, THAT IS.
micromania: (f23)

[personal profile] micromania 2018-01-31 06:58 am (UTC)(link)
I'll probably take you up on that.
beknight: ([ jl ] 136.)

[personal profile] beknight 2018-01-31 06:59 am (UTC)(link)
[ Two mugs at the coffee machine, standing aside so she can get hers, ]

Let me know, I can arrange a tour. Benefits of knowing an employee.
adisaster: (pic#10492649)

[personal profile] adisaster 2018-01-31 06:59 am (UTC)(link)
I ASSURE YOU THAT WOULD BE THE CASE WITH ANY FROM MY OWN HOME
punshots: (✘ slow view.)

[personal profile] punshots 2018-01-31 07:01 am (UTC)(link)
[ Okay, okay, so far, so good. His handshake didn't get rejected, even despite the hand-holding flub. Maybe they can just..pretend that never happened. For as much as Alphinaud may feel out of his depth here, Prompto feels equally so. While Alisaie has made it clear that she has an independent spirit, he knows how deeply she cares about her brother and in turn, Prompto wants to impress him, too. To prove himself worthy of what he has with Alisaie to the most important person in her life. ]

Yeah, she suuuure has! [ There's the sound of a laugh in his voice. ] All good things! Mostly. We got a lot of catchin' up to do.

[ A beat, and then: ]

You, uh...run into her yet?

[ Did she know? ]
inacan: (013)

[personal profile] inacan 2018-01-31 07:01 am (UTC)(link)
That's Natasha's thing. They call her 'Black Widow', it's not really my idea of sexy but I guess some people go for that.

[ Tony gives a faint shrug, shoving his hands in his pockets. ]

Having distinctive color schemes helps with branding and merchandising.

[ Is he being serious? Facetious? The world may never know. ]
micromania: (f21)

[personal profile] micromania 2018-01-31 07:03 am (UTC)(link)
[ MMmmMMMMMMMmmmmm. Farah takes a moment to just kind of inhale it in. Coffee. Yes. ]

Okay, I will definitely take you up on that.
beknight: ([ bvs ] 60.)

[personal profile] beknight 2018-01-31 07:07 am (UTC)(link)
Glad to hear it.

[ He points to the food dispenser if she's hungry, otherwise he'll let her be to adjust to the station. ]
diplomatie: (2483720-62)

[personal profile] diplomatie 2018-01-31 07:08 am (UTC)(link)
The pleasure is mine. [ Considering he was the one saved here, it is very much a pleasure to meet this man. ]

I take it the two of you are well acquainted?

[ At least that's how it sounds, from the way he talks about Alisaie. And by extension Alphinaud. ]
diplomatie: (o93)

[personal profile] diplomatie 2018-01-31 07:08 am (UTC)(link)
[ Wow, he begs your pardon, Keaton?? Those are such odd comments to make about him and his sister (of course their voices are different). But this guy isn't particularly good at keeping his mind on one subject, it seems, as he says so many (odd) things in succession. Alphinaud's just trying to keep up, but he's glad to see that he's mostly staying on the ground now. He can't be annoyed with the boy, because he's helped, and all. And apparently sacrificed his gloves to the plants in the process. ]

Ah, you have my than—

[ What the heck kind of question is that, KEATON?? ]

A-Aye, I am indeed flammable, of that I can assure you.

[ PLEASE DON'T SET HIM ON FIRE? ]

You are not genuinely considering setting flame to me, are you?
diplomatie: (o12)

[personal profile] diplomatie 2018-01-31 07:08 am (UTC)(link)
[ He's doing his very best to keep his cool here, but alas, he's not particularly good at stopping his tears, and he's cried over far less than the revival of a friend. Of anything, this calls for tears the most, probably.

But he brings his gaze to the hand she's outstretched, fixating on it for a few moments as he listens to her talk. Then he glances back up at her face, before reaching his hands out to grab her hand, his breath hitching as he finally has concrete proof of her existence in front of him.

In that moment, he's utterly incapable of holding back any tears he has, and he hangs his head so as to obscure his eyes from her view with his bangs, as the tears fall down his cheeks. It's obvious enough that he's crying — what with the tears falling to the ground and the telltale change in his breathing pattern. But he feels better keeping his eyes out of view regardless. It's just how he is.

Finally, the fingers he's so gingerly holding her hand with squeeze a little — some form of comfort to him — as he forces himself to speak. He can't very well remain silent. ]


I-It — It is good to see you ... as well.

[ He can't get out much other than that, sorry. He'll talk more at her when he's not trying to keep from sobbing. ]
diplomatie: (2483720-49)

[personal profile] diplomatie 2018-01-31 07:08 am (UTC)(link)
Ah — no, no. It is not something I am unused to.

[ He's completely used to being mistaken for his sister. Happens all the time. Even by people who are familiar with the two of them. Such is his life. ]

... Though I do hope my disappointing identity has not robbed me of your help.

[ Because he still needs that ... even if he's not Alisaie. ]
micromania: (f36)

[personal profile] micromania 2018-01-31 07:08 am (UTC)(link)
Thanks again, Alan.

[ And now, to eat! And be weirded out by the telepathic whateverness of the food server, but not really, because this is her life now. ]
adisaster: (pic#9028929)

[personal profile] adisaster 2018-01-31 07:10 am (UTC)(link)
You do heroic acts as a king.

[ Said with a sort of obviousness he's apparently keen to, because there's a smile as he does. He's still interested in her own self-proclaimed title, but that can wait for a bit. ]

In my world I was known as the oldest king in human civilization. Everything that is of value originated from my treasury.
beknight: ([ bvs ] 39.)

[personal profile] beknight 2018-01-31 07:11 am (UTC)(link)
[ Keep talking buddy!!!! ]

No doubt.

[ They're only on T-shirts in his universe, but action figures would follow, comic books, Bruce knows. He was a Gray Ghost enthusiast. ]

[ He gestures after you at Tony towards the door, lest another scenario load (it won't, but that kind of precise knowledge is something Bruce obscures that he has). ]
beknight: ([ bvs ] 71.)

[personal profile] beknight 2018-01-31 07:15 am (UTC)(link)
[ She knows him. Not exactly on sight — he's younger in that universe — but the eyes, the harsh lines of his face, the jaw, those are unmistakeable. She's quick — good. Bruce isn't exactly onboard with the idea of surrounding himself with others who wear the Bat's symbol, but he can't deny seeing reasons he'd approve of them. ]

Always nice to start with a friendly conversation.

[ He pauses. ]

I'm not the person you were expecting.

[ here we go, multiverses. ]
prettier: (094)

[personal profile] prettier 2018-01-31 07:19 am (UTC)(link)
Bollocks. Have you seen the leather gloves soldiers used to wear? Bet every night was spanking night in those barracks.