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.

folkblues: (pic#12042627)

even better

[personal profile] folkblues 2018-01-31 09:30 pm (UTC)(link)
[MAYBE BIG SHOT JUST EXISTS INTERDIMENSIONALLY.]

to slay a dragon? what's the payout look like?
unless you're fireproof, i'd recommend bar tending.


[He's hung up on the dragon thing.]

can't promise you won't see some combustion though.
exaomori: (🐍 12)

[personal profile] exaomori 2018-01-31 09:35 pm (UTC)(link)
no

[there that's everything right??]
happylocksmith: (pic#12054638)

Sora | Kingdom Hearts

[personal profile] happylocksmith 2018-01-31 09:44 pm (UTC)(link)
Training Modules

3.
[The sun's starting to set.

Sora wonders, as he looks up at the streaks of red and purple above, if he had ever really appreciated the sunsets as much as he does now when he was little, or if it's something of Roxas' that's creeping through and growing in his heart. Those memories of Twilight Town, of the clock tower and ice cream with Axel... they make him want to stop and take them in now, if only for a moment.

Next time, he thinks. Next time I promise I'll enjoy it, but I can't right now.

The forest is strange, and he's on his own... well. Pretty much on his own. He should keep his wits about him, the last thing he wants is to be ambushed in a strange new world.

...wait, what are those lights?

Sora's not about to go chasing after these things unarmed, so he summons up his Keyblade and hurries after them -

Until he runs into you in the half dark.]


Oof!

[And falls gracefully onto his behind, laughing sheepishly.]

Heh heh, sorry, I didn't see you there.

Stasis

[Everyone from back home should be here, right? That's what they'd said, they'd saved as many people as they could before the Storm came and put them here until they were ready to wake up. Sora, having had to sleep for very important reasons on more than one occasion, knows that you can't rush these things. You wake up when you're good and ready. But... but there are so many people here!]

Woah...

[Row upon row of these strange pods... how is he even going to begin to find anyone? Kairi, Riku, Donald, Goofy, the King... oh, and Lea too, and- wait, what about all of the other worlds too? Were all the other worlds swallowed too? That would mean...

Oh boy, there are so many people that he needs to check on. He needs to make sure everyone got out safe so really he needs to search for everyone.

But where to even start..?

Wait, is that someone over there?]


Hey! Excuse me!

[There's a boy with spiky hair and ridiculously oversized shoes running towards you.]

I'm looking for my friends. Have you seen them?

Omage

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

SORA!: HI THERE!
SORA!: Are you new here too?
SORA!:I just got here!
SORA!: I'm Sora. What's your name?
Edited 2018-01-31 21:45 (UTC)
willrevile: (0094)

[personal profile] willrevile 2018-01-31 09:53 pm (UTC)(link)
The same way we'd be pulled from the same point in time. You know how this-- [ he moves his hand through the air ] feels like nothing? Because there's nothing there? But there's actually billions of atoms that make up the atmosphere. We just can't perceive them. Time isn't linear, that's just how we experience it. Some beings experience it as an open ocean that's not in a progressive line. I assume the Orbiters are like that.

[ Look, he's a smart cookie but he's not Spock or Scotty or even Chekov, here, bear with him and his shitty explanation. ]
Edited (do they even call themselves the orbiters, did i read the info pages right, idk, editing this purely to speculate in the edit reason box) 2018-01-31 21:54 (UTC)
meinwaifu: hand chin (Ain't that cute? ♪)

[personal profile] meinwaifu 2018-01-31 09:53 pm (UTC)(link)
Oh? You mean to say you eat their flesh in addition to their blood?

[What a kawaii little abomination?? Be still, his demon heart!]

[He's just gonna laugh again tho.]


I'd say that makes you more like a ghoul than a vampire... I can see why you'd want to make the distinction.
meinwaifu: (Salutations ♪)

[personal profile] meinwaifu 2018-01-31 09:57 pm (UTC)(link)
[Diamond... how fitting. But does that mean they're really made of diamonds??]

[He finally pulls his hand back so he can manage a proper bow.]


The pleasure is all mine. My name is Johann Faust. But just Faust will do.

[And then, taking a passing glance at the body still just... there.]

Now that that's settled, perhaps we should relocate to a less gruesome location. I would hate to be around for when this man's comrades come looking for him.
cacoethical: (dgfy101 (1040))

[personal profile] cacoethical 2018-01-31 09:57 pm (UTC)(link)
his name is john!!!!! john watson

[Yes, really. No, Dirk has no conception of why that might, under the circumstances, be weird.]

i have though yes!!!! or i will do ive only just decided to do it

at first i wasnt sure if i COULD or if i really wanted to do anything but try to lay low for a bit and be

i dont know normal?????? TRY to be normal??????
pebblestone: garbagebird@tumblr (Default)

[personal profile] pebblestone 2018-01-31 10:09 pm (UTC)(link)
[ ??????? not even close ]

then what is it you do as your livelihood?
prettier: (072)

[personal profile] prettier 2018-01-31 10:13 pm (UTC)(link)
So middle aged?
blueplicity: (Pastries Plz)

[personal profile] blueplicity 2018-01-31 10:19 pm (UTC)(link)
Nicodranas.

[with an extra roll. At least it's not girlfriend anymore, but rest assured, Cam, you (and Jiutou) will be going in the sketch book tonight...]

Make up your mind, whether your Bresaris is south or west or north or wherever it is.

[pats, pats. You'll work it out.]

Maybe you can get to find a map later...
nohorn: (Default)

Ram | Re:Zero − Starting Life in Another World

[personal profile] nohorn 2018-01-31 10:19 pm (UTC)(link)
Training Modules 2a

[ It's almost like a dream, to Ram. She's not sure how she got to where she is, or even where "here" really is. Explaining virtual reality to her goes in one ear and out the other (and not just because she's a terrible listener) as she's never dealt with technology like this before. And for all the reasons she needn't take this "simulation" seriously, Ram loses any sense of control she might have otherwise reserved when she witnesses the scene in front of her.

Men and woman being dragged out of their homes. Someone setting fire to a building, accusing those insides of being traitors. It's like her painful memories of her childhood have been forced to be re-lived. The setting may be different, the soldiers in a different uniform than the robes worn by the Witch Cult, but the effect is the same. The spot on her head where her horn used to be throbs painfully as vengeance and anger flood her mind.
]

Don't you dare touch her.

[ The soldier in front of her regards the angry maid with little interest, only laughing at her as he grabs at the woman's hair who he's been dragging along the ground. He should have probably listened, as half a second later a sharp slice of wind leaves him with only one arm as the other drops to the ground with a thump.

Having caught the attention of the soldiers (while the one-armed one screams in pain) Ram is left to face them alone, a young woman in a maid dress standing against men twice her size with rage in her eyes.
]

Training Modules 3

[ With little in the way of instructions or goals, Ram has defaulted back to her usual behavior. That is: not really do anything. The only thing is, she's found herself hungry, in a strange place where the flora or fauna doesn't quite match up to what she's used to in Lugnica. Which leaves her with a problem: where could she find someone stupid helpful enough to suss out the dangerous fauna from the safe ones? ]

Excuse me, do you have a moment?

[ With a slightly more pleasant tone to her usual flat-indifferent voice, Ram appears in front of another wanderer of the forest, holding her basket of mushrooms and berries out in front of her. For the most part, they all look pleasant enough, from the bright red berries to the long stalked mushrooms, but who can really know? ]

Could you eat one of these for me? I can make a promise that you won't die. [ No she can't. ]

Omage

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


Number One Maid: No I won't describe what my underwear looks like. Pervert.
Edited 2018-01-31 22:20 (UTC)
dorzalta: (pic#11766624)

[personal profile] dorzalta 2018-01-31 10:22 pm (UTC)(link)
[ You're real? she doesn't ask, for risk of sounding foolish. So instead, she looks foolish, staring at him with eyes wide and near haunted. Their environment is not real, an illusion spun by the magics of those who established this place--it's why her attention strays from the dragon and remains on him.

One step closer, two, and she watches the familiar gait, her heart lurching. ]


When did you awaken, ser Barristan?
exaomori: (🐍 21)

[personal profile] exaomori 2018-01-31 10:27 pm (UTC)(link)
y do u want to know?

[why is this important??]
dorzalta: (pic#11766568)

[personal profile] dorzalta 2018-01-31 10:29 pm (UTC)(link)
Truthfully? No. Likely, Drogon and his brothers would have continued their slumber on the cliffs of Dragonstone. Or perhaps he might've gone hunting for sheep. [ She makes the comment lightly, but it's no less truthful. ] And he's not an it.

[ Her focus shifts back toward the dragon, which watches them in return. The illusions of people clamor all around them, tripping over themselves to proffer gifts. ]

They're all wild, even mine. Shall we approach this one?
happylocksmith: (pic#12054698)

un: SORA!

[personal profile] happylocksmith 2018-01-31 10:30 pm (UTC)(link)
Justice League?

I dunno, that sounds like... a team who fight for justice! Or a whole bunch of teams who try to get the most justice until one of them comes out on top, like that kind of league? Are there heroes?
parodeity: art credit unknown, please contact (THUMBS UP 🎧 sarcasm)

[personal profile] parodeity 2018-01-31 10:39 pm (UTC)(link)
you know what ill take it
so like
how octogenarian are you
dianano: (pic#11945225)

looks good to me!

[personal profile] dianano 2018-01-31 10:54 pm (UTC)(link)
That depends... How easily overwhelmed are you?

[ She's probably not going to like his answer either way, but it's better to be prepared and expect what he's warning her for. He wishes he got more of a heads up himself before he met his first monster. Waking up in space had been crazy enough to handle. ]
happylocksmith: (pic#12054841)

un: SORA!

[personal profile] happylocksmith 2018-01-31 10:55 pm (UTC)(link)
Hi!
I don't know about ice cream places, I just got here, but that sounds really good right now.
larsenist: (pic#12002860)

forgives... u3u

[personal profile] larsenist 2018-01-31 11:02 pm (UTC)(link)
[ :pepehrm: Akira doesn't really need any favors and he doesn't mind donating some herbs to this fella, but he's more used to lockpicking than he is patching up his own clothes so... if the other party doesn't mind... ]

Just need to fix a jacket sleeve.

[ Monogramming??? Underwear???? —Actually he knows a few people here who'd probably be into that.

Also, ]
Chrom?

[ grabs popcorn ]
Edited (words...) 2018-01-31 23:03 (UTC)
rightfully: (pic#11648310)

[personal profile] rightfully 2018-01-31 11:06 pm (UTC)(link)
As well as one can be, given our strange circumstances.

[ She does not! Like it!!

Lucina sees the residue of dried tears lingering about his eyelashes, and says nothing. Of course. How could she do otherwise? His careful dignity as the retainer to her father is not for her to judge, or remark upon. ]


I don't think it is prudent to linger here. Will you come with me?

[ Don't make her pull rank on you, old son. ]
pebblestone: official art (fe:a) (pic#11550774)

uwah!!

[personal profile] pebblestone 2018-01-31 11:07 pm (UTC)(link)
[ Who wouldn't want their underwear carefully monnogrammed, please. ]

I'm more than capable of mending a mere jacket sleeve, never fear. I shall be happy to offer my mending services in exchange for some herbs.

[ As for Chrom....it's almost pathetic how much pride rings through his voice as soon as he starts blathering on. ]

Yes, my liege Lord Chrom, the Exalt of Ylisse and the greatest man I have had the pleasure of serving in my lifetime.
pebblestone: official art (fe:a) (pic#11550771)

[personal profile] pebblestone 2018-01-31 11:10 pm (UTC)(link)
i       beg    your      pardon     ?
pebblestone: official art (fe:a) (pic#11550777)

[personal profile] pebblestone 2018-01-31 11:12 pm (UTC)(link)
i simply wish to know the variety of jobs offered in this place

[ don't b rude ]
rightfully: (pic#11648310)

[personal profile] rightfully 2018-01-31 11:17 pm (UTC)(link)
That's a good philosophy. The others - [ whoever they may be ] - are wise to recommend such a thing.

[ If she sits here, guarding them until she wastes away - well, Chrom will have the discourtesy of learning his heir is a fool, but she will not have helped them. The lords and ladies of her father's confidence, and her own dear comrades Lucina does them no honour lingering by their feet like a loyal, thoughtless animal. ]

May I ask for a favour? [ ... briefly, she colours, almost embarrassed. ] I'm actually quite lost in these halls.
exaomori: (🐍 34)

[personal profile] exaomori 2018-01-31 11:17 pm (UTC)(link)
[ur rude]

i guess ud say i do mercenary work or somethin like that