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.

poolhall_killer: ([Xrd] showing off)

[personal profile] poolhall_killer 2018-01-31 06:54 pm (UTC)(link)
I prefer the term practical.

And what I do with any potential partner is to remain behind closed doors.

[In other words, yes he has taken off his clothes for a couple of guys here. But they're not together so it doesn't count.]
pebblestone: garbagebird@tumblr (Default)

[personal profile] pebblestone 2018-01-31 06:58 pm (UTC)(link)
are you in the guard as well

[ tell him EVERYTHING ]
warchetype: (pic#12053609)

[personal profile] warchetype 2018-01-31 07:06 pm (UTC)(link)
[ well, that catches his attention. ]

Snake'll do. Voltaire might've been just a polemic warrior, but I'm not fit to wear his boots.
If he's what you're looking for, carry on.
rosebyanyother: official art by mk buckley (I will remember the words that you said)

1b

[personal profile] rosebyanyother 2018-01-31 07:11 pm (UTC)(link)
[It is, indeed, a dragon!

Peter is standing a foot or two away from Farah, even closer to the bodily offering. His nose is very faintly wrinkled. It's not that he necessarily minds the sight of blood. Or of severed limbs, to be honest. In his profession, he tends to see quite a bit of the former and at least some of the latter. Ideally not a lot but it does sometimes happen.

It just seems unnecessary, though.

When Farah speaks up, he turns his head to look at her. The look on his face is contemplative.]


It does seem very overzealous for a willing contribution.
thecat_thatwalks: ([pensive] well)

*whistles in passing* omage || un: MRC

[personal profile] thecat_thatwalks 2018-01-31 07:12 pm (UTC)(link)
[Truth be told, Matthew's not been here long - a matter of weeks, perhaps. Something shorter than a month (he hasn't been keeping as close an eye on the passage of time as he perhaps should, given the circumstances). But it's long enough that's he managed to get a foundational grip on the advanced technologies in this world. He's even managed to find himself some suitable lodging.

He's half-mindedly skimming the network, not expecting much of anything, when the username 'ladymary' practically jumps off the screen and down his throat. Could it be -- ? No, he shouldn't get his hopes up. It could be anyone with as common a name as Mary who also happens to have a title. He must approach it tactically and coolly, so as not to get his hopes up only for them to be dashed upon discovery of the other person's identity.
]

Indeed. It's a queer concept, instant communication, but really not all that different from the advent of the telephone. You'd have thought the sky was falling with how some reacted to its being installed in homes for private use.
rosebyanyother: official art by mk buckley (I will remember the words that you said)

the storm

[personal profile] rosebyanyother 2018-01-31 07:22 pm (UTC)(link)
Are you suggesting that that...thing...was possible to miss?

[Despite the words he's saying, Peter's actual tone isn't nearly as snippy as you might expect. He's a little rattled, of course. Who wouldn't be? The experience they just went through had been much more terrifying than he'd expected to be. But his tone is just faintly questioning. One eyebrow ever so slightly arched.]

I think seeing it was the entire purpose of the simulation.

[Slowly but gracefully, he starts getting to his feet.]
underwhelms: (it's called power posing eh)

[personal profile] underwhelms 2018-01-31 07:50 pm (UTC)(link)
[ Contrary to popular belief, JJ isn't a bara prince that has a habit of carrying around damsels in distress. It's not the most comfortable or smooth manoeuvre, not to mention that Cam's general size doesn't make it too easy for JJ to balance him on his shoulder, but really, it's more uncomfortable for Cam than it is more him (given the way his shoulder is probably digging into Cam's stomach), so he's not going to complain.

Especially once Cam hits him with those magical steroids. ]


Thanks!

[ He has no idea what's going on, but he's not about to complain. Maybe it's just his natural aptitude for athletics kicking in?

It would be great if Cam could give him some magical navigating powers too, because he still has no idea where he's going, jerking back when he turns toward an area that's too crowded. Thankfully he has good reflexes and stamina on his own, swerving away from their pursuers, ducking into another alley way, and scrambling on top of a dumpster, eyeing the rest of the wall with determination. ]


Hold onto my back. I'm going to climb!

[ He's like a younger John McClane. ]
notwagging: <user name="bittenbittern"> (5)

[personal profile] notwagging 2018-01-31 07:53 pm (UTC)(link)
Oh. I can't do that. [ he is no magician. he is no mage! the only stone he keeps on him is his Beaststone, and it certainly doesn't give him any additional jobs. ] But I bet your sister could. Maybe she could do it sometime.

[ yes, this sounds pretty good. being on fire sounds natural and not dangerous in the slightest. ]

It might be hard to get all of this stuff off of you. Heck, I don't even know where my gloves are anymore.

[ in space. forever. goodbye gloves. you were really good for touching dead things and bones and stuff. ]

Maybe if you were a little heavier? I could find a really big rock. Or I could carry you in my arms until we find an easier solution.
gekkajuu: commissioned, please do not steal (eatsushi035_zpsobll8gfq)

[personal profile] gekkajuu 2018-01-31 07:58 pm (UTC)(link)
[Wow, excuse you, Atsushi is totally -... Okay, maybe he's not very intimidating, the way he stands there, very clearly trying to keep from running away. Well, that's exaggerated, but he'd be lying if he said he didn't feel overwhelmed by Chuuya's presence. Short or not, the guy's self-confidence is through the roof, almost like a huge aura surrounding him. It would have been easier if they'd met as enemies here, too; if they were doomed to fight. But they're not, and that leaves everything up in the air all over again.

OH GOD HE'S GOING TO -... shake his hand. Right... Atsushi can do that. After a slightly panicked glance at Chuuya's hand, he extends his own to shakes it. For all his flaws and nerves, at least his grip is fairly solid.]


Nice to meet you... again, I suppose.

[This was even more awkward than he'd imagined... Maybe he should just get the worst of it over with.]

This way. I don't know everybody's location, but I know where to find a few people we both know.

[Dazai and Akutagawa in particular. Most of the Agency is there; most of the mafia probably is, too, but Atsushi hasn't bothered looking too hard for them.]
gekkajuu: commissioned, please do not steal (章魚の木の下で)

[personal profile] gekkajuu 2018-01-31 08:04 pm (UTC)(link)
[Oh man, he didn't introduce himself, did he!? Now he feels rude.]

It's Atsushi! Nakajima Atsushi... I was one of the first to arrive here.

No, that's not right... One of the first of this batch? The planet's been populated for a while.
pebblestone: official art (fe:h) (pic#11550768)

[personal profile] pebblestone 2018-01-31 08:31 pm (UTC)(link)
Of course, milord.

[ Ordinarily, being so close to another person without the familiar reasoning of sparring tutelage would give him palpitations, but it's Chrom who's asking and so he obeys without a second thought. He would walk off a cliff with a smile if Chrom ordered him too, or at the very least, clear the path of debris before voicing protest.

And, well, it is a matter of life or death. Better a bit of scandalous behavior than consumption by these alien vines.

So he cranes his head forward, tipping his chin down until it's about even with Chrom's own. ]


Will this suffice?

[ He's ready for whatever consequences this might result in. ]
originallutece: they say i'm a control freak (talk; baby nothing comes for free)

[personal profile] originallutece 2018-01-31 08:32 pm (UTC)(link)
They say it's health.

[Her voice echoes slightly as they head in. Row after row of sleeping bodies line their walkway, and it's hard not to feel a little creepy as they head forward. But if Rosalind feels it, she hides it well.]

But I doubt that. I believe it's more a hostage situation than anything.
ofseraphim: (determined)

[personal profile] ofseraphim 2018-01-31 08:39 pm (UTC)(link)
[ “Well-prepared”? Nah, not half as well as he was with his seraphim with him. And, especially right now, oh what he wouldn’t give to be able to call Mikleo’s true name and have those water spells on his side. They’d come in a hell of a lot handier against something that just scorched an entire town than a mere ceremonial sword.

But.

He’s put plenty of foes to this very sword by now, and this instance will be no different, if that’s the way it has to be. ]


I know! [ He calls over the growing rumble of this massive beast. ] But you have to trust me!

[ Sorey knows where dragons come from, and it... isn’t pretty. So he can’t just slaughter it -- who knows who this dragon used to be? ]

They can be purified!

[ But... how’s he going to do that without help? He doesn’t know, and it won’t stop him from trying, anyway. ]
originallutece: do as I say (talk; don't do as you will)

[personal profile] originallutece 2018-01-31 08:43 pm (UTC)(link)
Oh, please do. Nothing would delight me more.

[She says it so dryly and deadpan that he must realize she fully intends to destroy whatever it is he leaves. Because now, I guess, it's war.]
revlon: (071)

[personal profile] revlon 2018-01-31 08:54 pm (UTC)(link)
Yes, I imagine they're a bit more advanced than any of us are used to.

[ She watches him with muted interest, brows knit faintly more with curiosity than any sort of confusion. She might not be well-versed with the technology here or what can be done with — or to — it in the hands of someone more familiar, but that doesn't mean she can't observe. And question, as it happens. ]

And what are you hoping to find?
motivation: (【 SIXTY-ONE 】)

it's not ironic it's iconic

[personal profile] motivation 2018-01-31 08:55 pm (UTC)(link)
has anyone actually peed their pants? that's embarrassing
revlon: (104)

[personal profile] revlon 2018-01-31 08:55 pm (UTC)(link)
And is that something you do?
redeye: (pic#4571000)

sorry, stranger

[personal profile] redeye 2018-01-31 09:06 pm (UTC)(link)
[ Maybe he just recognizes 'Big Shot', you paranoid weirdo. (But for the record, Vicious assumes it's Spike, because of course they would both be collected; that's the way of fate.) ]

Only if you were paid?
I'm adaptable.
inacan: (013)

[personal profile] inacan 2018-01-31 09:10 pm (UTC)(link)
Oh, I can be very persuasive.

[ Or he'll find a way to hack into it, but he'll try the diplomatic route first. No need to make their benefactors into enemies, not while they hold the lives of the people he cares about in their - somewhat-omniscient hands. ]

I was working on a realistic simulation program back home, but nothing that could actually leave bruises. I wanna see their code.
inacan: (008)

[personal profile] inacan 2018-01-31 09:11 pm (UTC)(link)
he spent 65 years as a popsicle he's fine

looks younger than me
chikachika: (4)

Chika Takami | Love Live! Sunshine!!

[personal profile] chikachika 2018-01-31 09:15 pm (UTC)(link)
a. storm

    [ It was unlike anything Chika had ever experienced. As a highschooler from her small town on the coast of Japan, she'd had her troubles and painful experiences. But maybe they didn't quite prepare her for... this. All of this. The loss of life. The immense overwhelming power of something she couldn't have guessed existed.

    But even as the tinges of the electricity in her body linge and tears begin to fall down her cheeks, Chika grits her teeth. The metal of the floor beneath her hands and knees where she's sunk down to only reminds her that she's still alive. And if she's still alive, then there's no reason to lose all hope. Her family, her friends, her entire town, they can still be saved, that hope is implanted fully in her.

    Still, as much as she wants to stay and cry and think of those that weren't as lucky as her, she realizes she's not here alone.

    Getting to her feet is a challenge, shaky as they are, but she pushes through it all, moving closer to the other person she's with, offering a weary and pained smile with an out stretched hand.
    ]

    A-Are you okay?

b. dragon

    Is that seriously real?

    [ A look of extreme shock plays out over Chika's face as she stands amongst the gathered villagers in front of the white dragon. To be fair, she's seen dragons before in movies and games, but a living and breathing one never in her life! Though she totally believed in them, the idea that she might ever see one herself was not something she put a lot of stock into.

    Though unlike the villagers who offer bows and prayers and food, Chika is simply too dumbstruck to do much of anything other than stare at it. Her legs feel shaky and she's pretty sure she's starting to sweat, but her mind is way too overloaded to even think of anything else besides how crazy this all is.
    ]

    Do you see that? W-What should we do?

c. omage

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


    Hellooooo! I'm Chika!
    Do you wanna hear about school idols?!


    [ ...Jumping into things a little quick there. ]
inacan: (013)

ohhh yes

[personal profile] inacan 2018-01-31 09:15 pm (UTC)(link)
please
we'll have coffee and talk about ass-kicking obviously


[ And sure enough, Tony's in the kitchen in about five minutes, trying out the coffee maker. Space coffee better be good. ]
inacan: (010)

[personal profile] inacan 2018-01-31 09:19 pm (UTC)(link)
Anything. Everything.

[ Tony is self-aware enough to realize that's not really much of an answer, so he leaves off for a moment, shoving his hands in his pockets absently. ]

For starters, basic stats on everyone and everything they've got in stasis would be good. How the stasis is accomplished, what the wake-up process is, how do they determine when someone is viable to be woken up.

Also, info on this storm they keep telling us about, whatever they got, so I can start analyzing their data and compiling some of my own.
motivation: (【 132 】)

[personal profile] motivation 2018-01-31 09:21 pm (UTC)(link)
like what?
folkblues: (pic#12043952)

[personal profile] folkblues 2018-01-31 09:25 pm (UTC)(link)
how much storage space do you think you're allowed to take up? if you don't prove you're actually real i'm gonna have to cut this therapy session short.