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.

icingonthecake: (shook)

god, you too? /deathbed high-5

[personal profile] icingonthecake 2018-02-01 03:14 pm (UTC)(link)
Axel does manage a chuckle at the other man's response.

"Okay, I'll admit, if you're actually a robot, then I probably don't want to see what's under the helmet," he says. "I was trying to give you the benefit of the doubt."

He leans back a bit when there's a flash of light that envelops the robot-man, squinting one eye, and when the golden light fades, Axel looks to the man's face--

--and makes a soft, wordless sort of noise in the back of his throat. Axel isn't one to show shock or surprise or any sort of off-guard response under most circumstances, but for half a second, he's sure he's looking it--

... No. Okay, wait, as the afterimages of the golden light fade, he can clearly see that this guy's hair is brown. His eyes are blue. His skin doesn't make him look like he's been bathing in fake tanning lotion (seriously, why is Xemnas so orangey?). The hairdo is almost uncannily similar, and his knowing who Xemnas is in the first place makes the whole thing oddly suspicious, but while he can feel threads of Darkness in this young man's presence, it's nothing like the staggering weight of Xemnas' aura.

Axel gives a nervous sort of laugh, shaking his head quickly, as though brushing away the discomforting thoughts.

"Weird," he says. "For a second, I thought I recognized you." He chuckles again, a bit less forced this time. "Guess you've just got one of those faces." He clears his throat and takes a step forward, offering a hand. "Name's Axel; got it memorized?" he asks. "Got a name, yourself? Since I can't call ya Robot Man anymore."
ukase: (All business)

[personal profile] ukase 2018-02-01 03:19 pm (UTC)(link)
[Rumlow actually wasn't particularly interested in a penis measuring contest, not in the state of mind that he was in now. He wanted focus and drive again, a meaning to his life after losing everything to an entity that he didn't entirely understand. He knew it was destructive, which could have been some kind of metaphor for humanity as a whole, but he wasn't that kind of thinker.

And he was fine with those being their questions. As much as learning about another person might benefit him in future, moping at the blood continuing to soak his chin took priority.

At the question, he snorted and gave the other guy a once over. Could hold his own in a fight, he decided.]


I hold my own leash unless you've earned the right to hold it and better... letting me loose from it to do your orders.

[Well, since they were on the questions, he paused in scrubbing at his chin with a sleeve and considered for a moment.]

What makes you fight?
ukase: (Game Face)

[personal profile] ukase 2018-02-01 03:22 pm (UTC)(link)
Well, since you'd be so delighted and gave me leave to do it.

[His voice was dry, but that didn't mean he wasn't going to. He looked up the pod where Rollins slept then returned to his com-unit.]

See, Jackie? This is why you told me I was always single. Can't help myself but agitate everyone.
ukase: (Aim)

[personal profile] ukase 2018-02-01 03:24 pm (UTC)(link)
But you do have potential partners, huh? Glad to hear you aren't as prudish as you sound.

[In his mind, some people just needed to let loose and blow off some steam. Of course, that could never come at the cost of someone else unless they were into that kind of kink.]
beknight: ([ bvs ] 31.)

[personal profile] beknight 2018-02-01 03:27 pm (UTC)(link)
[ Loyal man. Bruce can appreciate that, he's not particularly interested at the moment in figuring out how to jerk that one. Everyone has leverage. Even him. ]

[ He tips his head, then, ]

Survival.

[ Every moment of every day, against whatever would have him, against whatever it brought down on him. He didn't have a chance at life, whatever wrought was snatched in fragments. ]
ukase: (Intent)

[personal profile] ukase 2018-02-01 03:35 pm (UTC)(link)
[Loyal to a fault until that sense of loyalty was broken, and then he was just a rabid dog turning on the hand that had once been his main sense of control. Part of why he was here was to obtain personal answers and control, to give himself purpose what with the structure not even existing here.

He raised an eyebrow at the reply, but he slowly nodded. It was an acceptable reason to fight.]


You must be on the defensive much of the time. Means you're constantly under attack somehow.

[He wondered how much of those attacks were personal and not from an outside source.]
beatupgrass: (✘ the short version is "we're boned.")

[personal profile] beatupgrass 2018-02-01 03:36 pm (UTC)(link)
They don't even know, and we ain't supposed to tell 'em neither. Let that sink in.

[Let's just keep the poor locals ignorant. That sounds cool.]
beknight: ([ jl ] 85.)

[personal profile] beknight 2018-02-01 03:39 pm (UTC)(link)
I live in a rough neighbourhood.

[ Understatement of the year. One wonders why nobody in Gotham ever seems to move away. ]
guidetoblivion: (♞ 019)

Stasis

[personal profile] guidetoblivion 2018-02-01 03:40 pm (UTC)(link)
Riku senses Axel before he 'sees' him, the scent of fire-and-flame tangled up with a note of nothingness that all Nobodies carry about them, and is quick to steel himself. The last time he had tangled with the Nobody had been in the middle of Castle Oblivion in order to allow her to find the answers she had been looking for, to clean up the mess that the Organization's plans had created of Sora… and back then he had won the battle between them, even if only thanks to Ansem's power.

He'll rely on them again, if needed, won't hesitate to cut the Nobody down this time... but given where they are, Riku is hesitant to initiate a fight first of all.

Especially when he has a feeling that he knows exactly what (or rather who) Axel is looking for.

"You won't find him here," he says as he steps into sight, arms crossing as he leans back against one of the pods.

Between having been in this world for months already and knowing just where exactly the pod holding Roxas is, he figures he holds most of the cards in this conversation.
ukase: (Game Face)

[personal profile] ukase 2018-02-01 03:41 pm (UTC)(link)
Don't we all. Where's yours?

[He wondered if this guy would actually answer. He was over the one question quota after all, and they hadn't agreed to more than that. Seemed legit to be refused and then they could go about their business otherwise.]
logpose: (27.)

[personal profile] logpose 2018-02-01 03:45 pm (UTC)(link)
Shura ... it's nice to meet you. Have you been here very long?
beknight: ([ jl ] 76.)

[personal profile] beknight 2018-02-01 03:46 pm (UTC)(link)
[ He shakes his head — enough people know that it's not a secret, but Bruce has realised very, very few people recognise Gotham City. To someone used to lingering in the unseen, it's poor form to flash that card at once. ]

Another day.

[ The man is bleeding, and calculation aside, Bruce prefers sealed wounds to open ones. ]

First aid kit is at the end of the corridor.
ukase: (Rough)

[personal profile] ukase 2018-02-01 03:49 pm (UTC)(link)
[That was the end of that then, and he was perfectly accepting of that. Their little question period was obviously over, and he had found a small piece of what he had been looking for. The problem lay on what he was going to do about it.]

Nice talk.

[It was like talking to Rollins, only this guy was less willing to smash his skull into railing at present. Clearly they would need to get to know each other better.]

What would I need that for? Can't bandage here and no point tending to the mess until it clots.
beknight: ([ jl ] 130.)

[personal profile] beknight 2018-02-01 03:50 pm (UTC)(link)
Likewise.

[ He approaches to a polite distance, hands still empty. A little wry, ]

For future reference. I'm nice like that.
ukase: (Dangerous mind)

[personal profile] ukase 2018-02-01 03:53 pm (UTC)(link)
[Rumlow wiped at his chin again, watching the other guy with a sharp gaze. He wasn't of the opinion they would fight. They had no reason to.]

I was always told to watch out for the nice ones. They have something big to hide.
icingonthecake: (don't make eye contact)

[personal profile] icingonthecake 2018-02-01 03:57 pm (UTC)(link)
Axel's ability to sense the Darkness isn't quite so finely honed as Zexion's was, or perhaps, he may come to learn, as Riku's is, but any Nobody worth his salt can tell when another soul steeped in Darkness is nearby. Or, well... Nobodies don't have souls, per se, so that isn't what he was detecting, back in The Castle That Never Was, or Castle Oblivion, but now we're getting off-topic. Riku's still got his soul, so far as Axel can tell, and he recognizes that essence of earth and ozone and sand and salt easily; you don't really forget the guy who breaks your arm.

He folds his arms over his chest and gives Riku a mostly disinterested look as the younger man steps out of the shadows like some sort of comic book villain, wearing that dumb blindfold of his.

"Well, well, if it isn't Darkness Impostor McGee," he greets with feigned cheer. Ultimately, he doesn't have any personal grudges against Riku (he'll admit he... may have deserved to get hit, but the broken arm was overkill, okay?), but he's not a fool; he's not about to show Riku any overt friendliness unless the kid proves he's not as trigger-happy as precedent has set. "And just who do you think I'm looking for? How do you know I wasn't looking for Elvis?" he asks. "I went to a world once where he was called The King, not your mousy friend, I'll have you know."

He didn't figure Riku had any idea who Elvis was. He certainly hadn't until a fairly recent mission. Axel would never cease to be amazed at how much children could talk when prompted to do so. The little girl on that oddly empty island seemed as though she could have talked for days about her king.
beknight: ([ bvs ] 35.)

[personal profile] beknight 2018-02-01 03:59 pm (UTC)(link)
[ They have no reason to, and neither of them are much in the mood to start anything. But still, he makes the concession. It costs nothing. ]

Sound advice.

[ Since he hasn't exactly been the chattiest of people. But, there's one last thing, ]

Alan Foster.

[ It is a name. It doesn't matter that it's a lie, that it's told as easily as breathing. The truth of him is spelled out openly. ]
selection: (« superior »)

[personal profile] selection 2018-02-01 04:04 pm (UTC)(link)
Oh, I wouldn't dare.

[ he is, in fact, leaning towards a particular hypothesis on account of wanting to kiss this man in front of him, but it's not the sort of thing he'll come right out and say. perhaps mr kirk will make the first move. if he does not, solo might grow reckless, or he might not. if kirk keeps looking at him in a way that's encouraging, recklessness is more likely than not, though. ]
selection: (« blood »)

[personal profile] selection 2018-02-01 04:06 pm (UTC)(link)
[ solo would not give her the satisfaction of growing truly annoyed, or at least of letting her see any annoyance there might be. there isn't much, in fact, not even beneath the surface, because he can respect someone who plays others expertly, and she seems quite adept at it.

that does not make the release any more pleasant. ]


Ah. Yes.

[ he sits up, too, reaching out to fix his cufflinks simply for something to do. to steady himself. ]

Much obliged.
selection: (« superior »)

[personal profile] selection 2018-02-01 04:07 pm (UTC)(link)
I suppose that is true.
selection: (« drugged »)

[personal profile] selection 2018-02-01 04:08 pm (UTC)(link)
[ nothing happens. solo is too worried to even get more than a sliver of amusement from watching illya make a fool of himself, talking to the air. ]

I suppose not.

[ or maybe those were just not the right voice commands. who knows. not solo. ]
selection: (« smirk »)

[personal profile] selection 2018-02-01 04:10 pm (UTC)(link)
[ the moment of shock doesn't quite last long enough for solo to consider drawing back and apologising profusely. it's a close thing, though. close enough that he is glad when she kisses him back.

she opens her lips and he takes it for the invitation that it surely is, deepening the kiss. this is something he's not only good at but enjoys quite thoroughly and it shows in his focus, the quiet intensity of it. ]
thetaintedsorrow: (Hat smirk)

[personal profile] thetaintedsorrow 2018-02-01 04:12 pm (UTC)(link)
Sure can.

[Chuuya activates his ability, a red aura surrounding his body. It won’t become readily apparent just what he can do until he’s out in action, but he certainly wouldn’t lie in this situation. He glances out of the doors and scans the horizon for anything useful, and that’s when he spots a large wooden beam with a very sharp looking end to it lying in the rubble of what was once a house. His lips curve into a wicked grin; if he can just touch that beam he can launch it at the dragon and hopefully either kill it or injure it enough to drive it away.]

Alright, I got a plan. On the count of three, you run out and go zap it, and I’ll book it over to that ruined house and work my magic, got it?

[He crouches into a running position, giving Nami only a few seconds to prepare herself.]

1...2...3!!

[Chuuya bolts off, hoping that he can rely on Nami to distract the dragon long enough to make this plan work.]
Edited 2018-02-01 16:13 (UTC)
selection: (« idiot »)

[personal profile] selection 2018-02-01 04:13 pm (UTC)(link)
[ he cooks and he cooks well — but there is no connotation to the meal for him, at least not the one bruce seems to be implying, simply because that sort of thing is Not Done in his day and age.

so he raises his eyebrows, the gesture as exaggerated as it is claiming innocence. ]


Nothing could be further from the truth, Mr Foster.
selection: (« idiot »)

[personal profile] selection 2018-02-01 04:14 pm (UTC)(link)
And who are these higher ups?