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.

assholic: (Look - Distance 1)

[personal profile] assholic 2018-02-01 09:22 pm (UTC)(link)
Yep. Seems to be Olympia's MO.
selection: (« smolder »)

[personal profile] selection 2018-02-01 09:22 pm (UTC)(link)
That does sound interesting.
colorature: (Default)

[personal profile] colorature 2018-02-01 09:23 pm (UTC)(link)
[Mika you should get that looked at...]

Yeah! A bit like metal. You have a weird aftertaste.
colorature: (Default)

[personal profile] colorature 2018-02-01 09:26 pm (UTC)(link)
[That's...a compliment right? She'll take it that way, anyway.]

Make something of my voice?

[She doesn't get it, staring at him expectantly, awaiting a better explanation.]

What do you mean?
assholic: (Down - 6)

[personal profile] assholic 2018-02-01 09:28 pm (UTC)(link)
If you've got the money for it, it's worth it.
colorature: (Default)

[personal profile] colorature 2018-02-01 09:39 pm (UTC)(link)
[Of course it's a reason to. If it tastes bad she's throwing it on the ground. She doesn't say as much though, more interested in the second question that's posed to her. Something that tastes better, huh?]

Are you on the menu?
colorature: (Default)

[personal profile] colorature 2018-02-01 09:53 pm (UTC)(link)
Okay.

[And as simple as that, she won't. If Solomon says he'll take care of it, he'll take care of it. Sure he could be a little annoying from time to time, but he was reliable.

Cue getting more comfortable, limbs sprawling. Hope you don't mind her encroaching more on your personal space.]


Hey Solomon? Did you see my bridegroom in the sleeping room?
Edited 2018-02-01 21:54 (UTC)
pussywhips: pixiv id # 1565814 (096)

[personal profile] pussywhips 2018-02-01 09:58 pm (UTC)(link)
okay, if you're sure...
does that mean you live in france?
godwins: (thirty-three.)

[personal profile] godwins 2018-02-01 10:03 pm (UTC)(link)
I prefer democracy, myself.
thawedheart: (about to ask a real dumb question)

[personal profile] thawedheart 2018-02-01 10:22 pm (UTC)(link)
[you don't want to eat an ice maiden diva you'll get brain freeze

but anyway, that just makes yukina give her a quizzical look. huh. usually demons who drink blood aren't quite so.... human-looking, but she can't say it's entirely unheard of for someone to be asking that question]


I'm not... [Well, now what should she say?] But I'm sure there are other alternatives we can find. The cooks here seem rather skilled.
happylocksmith: (pic#12054698)

I've got to admit I've been stalking from afar and this is like, super lastminute.com test driving!!

[personal profile] happylocksmith 2018-02-01 10:29 pm (UTC)(link)
[Donald and Goofy too? That's good. Sora breathes a sigh of relief, feeling the knot of anxiety that's been sitting in his stomach uncoil. They're okay. They're here. They might be sleeping, but at least they're here, safe. They're not lost.

Being lost to nothingness... to the dark... it's something he swears he won't let anyone he cares about have to go through.]


Okay.

[But the hair's still nagging him. And- when did he get the coat back? He thought they'd seen the last of that in the Castle That Never Was.

And the hair!

No, this is definitely weird. Sora stops and hangs back, looking at Riku strangely.]


Riku... why are you wearing the coat again?
antleredcrown: (013)

[personal profile] antleredcrown 2018-02-01 10:36 pm (UTC)(link)
Renly snorts a laugh and pats the side of the tube, shaking his head a little. "Truly he is an impressive figure, is he not? But he'd be quick to remind you how very very strong and handsome he was in his younger days, have no doubt."

Perhaps he should feel bad for making fun of Robert while he was -- frozen, or whatever this was. But Robert does lend himself well to mockery.
antleredcrown: (004)

[personal profile] antleredcrown 2018-02-01 10:39 pm (UTC)(link)
If spoken aloud, he'd resent the comparison to his older brothers. As it is, he traces his fingers over the glass, connecting stars together absentmindedly.

"It certainly is something to contemplate. Perhaps I come here looking for guidance, who knows."
antleredcrown: (Default)

Re: stasis;

[personal profile] antleredcrown 2018-02-01 10:43 pm (UTC)(link)
"You know, I'm not certain. Though I know he would wake without his physical wounds, I worry he'd wake with the weight of the world on his shoulders again. That he'd feel the need to start up another revolution, unhappy with the way things were run here."

When Renly turns to face her, he looks stunned. "Gods, you must be a Stark. Or a Tully, at least."
thawedheart: (congrats you get an ACTUAL SMILE)

[personal profile] thawedheart 2018-02-01 10:58 pm (UTC)(link)
[hiei you are a reasonably capable man surely you can figure this out

Anyway, Yukina's gaze follows his hand as he indicates their surroundings, and that does actually bring a small smile to her face. Hiei used distraction! It's super effective.]


That's true. I'm sure they'll want to see it, as well... I'll be able to show them around. [wait] That is, we will.

[We, because if he thinks she's letting him disappear into the shadows he's wrong.]
Edited (FUCK i can't code) 2018-02-01 22:58 (UTC)
vulpining: (pic#11971058)

[personal profile] vulpining 2018-02-01 10:58 pm (UTC)(link)
Oh really? [ And she stomps one foot, closing her eyes and groaning — as if concentrating on something. Moments pass before one eye peeps open. ] Hmmmmmmmmm, sounds a little false.

[ But, Caster's eyes glance to the stairs, noticing the patrol of people that move in rhythm — synchronized, unnerving movement as if this was all a loop. ]

I'm familiar with simulations, but something of this degree — there's an unnerving realism to it. Something that makes my fur stand on end! Come, come, if your suggestion revels in genius!

[ And she's off, graceful in her steps as she makes her way towards the stairway. ]
antleredcrown: (Default)

[personal profile] antleredcrown 2018-02-01 11:00 pm (UTC)(link)
It's rather difficult to be subtle wearing white, even amongst the stasis tubes. Renly catches sight of him and inclines his head in greeting.

"Ser Barristan, I was not expecting to see you. Especially not in such interesting colours."
disabled: (We still have our roads to run about)

medusa | inhumans (mcu)

[personal profile] disabled 2018-02-01 11:05 pm (UTC)(link)
i BRANDING

[ Medusa struggles against the binds that hold her, eyes alight with anger, confusion and most of all - betrayal. If looks could kill, this one would certainly be a serial killer. She curses Max under her breath, hair far too short to fight anyone off. When she's shoved forward, and her arm is wrangled from her, she struggles against her captors. She has no intention of giving these people the satisfaction of begging, or of fear.

The scent of burnt flesh makes her a little nauseous, but she finds the bravado to speak. Her words take the commanding tone that she often holds when she's speaking as a queen.
]

This isn't glorious for anyone. Mutilation isn't glory.

[ She locks her jaw, knowing that even though she's never experienced a branding of her own, that this will certainly hurt. Medusa struggles against the grip on her arm again, not wanting what is no doubt going to come. ]

ii STASIS

[ This is one of her first destinations - she needs to be sure her husband and her family are safe. She spends far too much time looking for them, one after another. When she finds her sister's she can't help the weary sigh that escapes her. They weren't lying, they've at least got her. The tightness in her chest begins to release. She places a shaky hand on the stasis unit. Of course it's taken so long to find someone she knows, there are so many of them. Medusa tries to reason with herself once she leaves her sister's unit, still looking for her husband's.

Unit after unit only proves to make her begin to lose her resolve. Until finally, she finds his. Black Bolt's stasis unit is just like her sister's but for some reason it makes her heart twist in a different way. Both her hands move to rest against the unit, and then her forehead.
]

You're safe.

[ She doesn't know if he can hear her or not, but she finds the need to say the words anyway. ]

I promise you, I'll be here when you wake up.

[ She doesn't mean there in that physical spot, but she means waiting for him. ]

iii OMAGE

Connecting to server...
Looking for someone you can chat with...
You’re now chatting with Medusa...

Is anyone from Attilan here and awake? This is your Queen, and I would love to see each of your faces, if you are.
If I am here and awake, surely someone else from Attilan is as well.


iv WILDCARD

( Want something different? Wanna chat about it? I can be found at [plurk.com profile] susrien )
antleredcrown: (004)

[personal profile] antleredcrown 2018-02-01 11:05 pm (UTC)(link)
"I'm sorry to hear that Margaery was here and gone. Though that does mean it is possible for her to return." Another surreptitious squeeze to Loras's hand in an attempt to comfort.

"Stannis. Interesting. Without that damned witch of his, I hope."
vulpining: (pic#12011191)

[personal profile] vulpining 2018-02-01 11:07 pm (UTC)(link)
I want to, but that doesn't mean I can! A poor woman like me involved in that brutality?

[ Sounds FAKE, but Caster gazes back and forth to try and find an exit. For a simulation, she knows what it can do. She knows there are worlds where simulations tie directly to life and death. She refuses to die again today. ]

The narrator said before we were guided here — [ She tries to recall, a warning was given for the branding but... she hums — ] It is when the last prisoner was branded that the story took a twist.

[ AKA me just writing some stuff out, but y'know, sounds cool. She sees the line of prisoners, the guards protecting the last two. ]

If we can bring the fight away, long enough for those final two — this should stop! Or at least, move onto a better scene!

[ A theory, but the morality of it was still kinda bad....... There's a faint glow at her fingertips, ducking a bit further away from the patrolling guards who push between the civilians, ripping off cowls to try and find them. The next thing Takasugi would see was a large mirror, hovering only an inch from her body. ]
antleredcrown: (008)

[personal profile] antleredcrown 2018-02-01 11:07 pm (UTC)(link)
"I think anything would be hardpressed to make a man of your stature feel small," he comments with an arched eyebrow, looking his new companion over curiously. "But I understand what you mean. I though crossing from one kingdom to another was a long journey, but this -- " He taps the glass. "This makes a few days on horseback seem like nothing."
dontgiveabuckland: (Please don't hang your head and cry)

[personal profile] dontgiveabuckland 2018-02-01 11:07 pm (UTC)(link)
[She’s tiny and weighs nothing, which is a blessing because Cam is not the most muscular man around. But he’s got adrenaline goings and feels just a little bit cooler, for actually having succeeded in diverting the dragon. It was a risky gamble that paid off, since dragons are notoriously tough, frankly he was worried it would have just ignored the Guardian’s damage and continued on to kill them. (But Red doesn’t need to know that. Just keep thinking Cam is cool.)
 
 He stands up with just a little bit of a grunt.
]
 
Cam Buckland!
 
[You say your name, it inspires you. With Cam’s long strides they get to the edge of town easily. Behind them, the Guardian stands still and stoic, and Cam hopes it can manage to distract the dragon for at least a little bit longer before it disappears.
 
He cuts a quick path into the nearest building and shuts the door behind him (that will help). He lets Red back down to her feet, immediately turning towards the window to survey the situation (and to hide his huffing and puffing. Carrying people is hard!)
]
 
Okay… [Wheeze] What now?
dontgiveabuckland: (Whether you should live or die)

[personal profile] dontgiveabuckland 2018-02-01 11:08 pm (UTC)(link)
[Cam scoffs,] This is nothing compared to Arboria. [And here is a wistful sigh. He misses Arboria.]
 
Have you ever been to Arboria, mate? It’s great. I saw a horse man and a winged lady getting it on. [On second thought,] That part was kind of weird. [Mostly disturbing.
 
It strikes Cam that maybe this box is actually scrying into other planes of existence. That would make a lot of sense. He scrunches his face up, thinking towards the box Show me arboria and gasps with joy when the screen goes dark once again. But when it lights back up, there’s a chubby man talking about mattresses.
]
 
Aw. This isn’t Arboria!
 
dontgiveabuckland: (Default)

[personal profile] dontgiveabuckland 2018-02-01 11:09 pm (UTC)(link)
[Cam turns his head,] How am I supposed to help them if I’m standing st-Woah! [ glowing crescent light slices through Cam’s bonds, getting uncomfortably close to cutting off more than rope. It’s lucky that his mouth was doing the most of the moving.]
 
You should have warned me! [But Cam doesn’t waste more time (he does think that clothes changing trick was pretty cool though) and springs into action. He raises a hand,]
 
Nimbus!
 
[A dagger appears in his outstretched palm, forming out of a poof of clouds. He knew Nimbus was his favorite dagger for a reason. Careful not to slip-slide over the patches of ice on the ground, Cam dashes over to the restrained captives. As Yusuke keeps the guards at bay, Cam gets to work slicing through the ropes, going down the line one by one.]
 
Go! They can’t catch everyone at once!
dontgiveabuckland: (You can never run from trouble)

[personal profile] dontgiveabuckland 2018-02-01 11:10 pm (UTC)(link)
I think you’re making things up. [Cam frowns. He used to travel around a lot with the Bucklands and,] I’ve never heard of any Margarine coast.
 
[He leans in.] Did you bump your head when you got here?