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.

logpose: (28.)

[personal profile] logpose 2018-02-04 10:28 am (UTC)(link)
Yes ... [ It all happened so quickly. One moment, she was a second away from being torn apart by that dragon's monstrous fangs, and the next, the dragon is falling back, crashing into the ground in a loud bang, twitching and squirming through its last breaths. In an instant, the danger is over, and it's all thanks to this tiny powerhouse of a guy she happened to bump into.

She kind of feels bad for the dragon, but more than that, she's happy to be alive (or, at least, to not have to come out of the game knowing how it feels to be eaten alive). It's that rush of relief and joy that prompts her to cross Chuuya's personal space for a second, pulling him into a big, hearty hug. ]


WE DID IT! We're safe! [ She even lifts his body up a little, smooshing their faces together. Hm? Why is he so light? ]
logpose: (71.)

[personal profile] logpose 2018-02-04 10:50 am (UTC)(link)
[ Without a word, Nami follows after him, not quite feeling up to her usual bout of bossiness or complaining. There's a silence that falls over them both after that, broken only by their breathing and the patter of anxious feet. She still thinks she will need her weapon if she wants to survive through this, but she also sees why he would want to get out of there as quickly as possible.

There's a limit to how long they can keep running, Eventually, they find their way out of the building, and Nami leads JJ to a run-down building nearby. She collapses against the wall, leaning against it as her chest heaves. ]
Those people -- we left them!

[ When she thinks about what had happened to that man she saw, the tears start welling up again, and Nami frowns, cursing herself for her lack of strength. ]

Is this how it will be down there as well?
winddaughter: theEND (oh my heart it breaks)

[personal profile] winddaughter 2018-02-04 10:54 am (UTC)(link)
They're awfully good at acting like they're entitled to everything, while everyone else suffers.
panzersoldat: (22)

[personal profile] panzersoldat 2018-02-04 11:02 am (UTC)(link)
[ He looks around the pods and takes a small deep breath. At least she seems to know what simulations and firewalls are. So at least "this is a space station" wouldn't be too hard to explain. However, she asked and he must tell her the truth of it, no matter how painful it might be. No matter how much he wishes it wasn't the truth. ]

Nein. I'm sorry. This is real. This place. These pods. The people in them. It's all very real. There was a terrible event that destroyed our worlds. The Natha, those who own this place, they saved all they could. These people all sleep, waiting to be woken up, just like you just woke. Just like I woke. And when we wake, we get eventually sent down to the planet below, where we can all start over.
defenses: (╏ 134.)

[personal profile] defenses 2018-02-04 11:09 am (UTC)(link)
[ he's a little relieved when she sees to be taking well to it. actually, it seems like she really likes it!?

it kinds of makes him think it's a shame that she couldn't have it in person. you know, if it makes her that happy!
] Hahaha, right? Then I'd never have to get another outfit tailored again. [ not that he disliked it on principle, but waiting for it to come in always made him antsy. but, speaking of antsy...

he was sort of excited to get all changed, but when he turns to take a look at nami, he finds she hasn't exactly ... left to a changing room yet? he tilts his head curiously.
] What's wrong? [ nope, vane is not connecting the two. instead, he's ... already taking to removing his boots. ]
logpose: (16.)

[personal profile] logpose 2018-02-04 11:15 am (UTC)(link)
They put all that effort into designing the furniture and room, but it looks like they forgot to make a changing room. [ Or a bathroom, at least. She can either change right here or do it in the hallway. Nami peers out the hallway, and it doesn't look like there's anywhere to get privacy nearby either.

After a minute or two, she eventually gives up, claiming her own corner of the room and undoing her top right there in the room with Vane. ]


Guess it can't be helped.
logpose: (3.)

[personal profile] logpose 2018-02-04 11:17 am (UTC)(link)
About to kill each other, huh ... So what I saw in the VR room wasn't exactly far from the truth.
panzersoldat: (pounded beef2)

[personal profile] panzersoldat 2018-02-04 11:26 am (UTC)(link)
[ No one told him there would be koalas either. But there they are. But at least she's not taking offence to his laughing at her situation. But she's agreeing and the large man strides over and just gently puts massive hands around her middle.

They are large enough that they go fully around her. ]
I will lift you then. You can use it to stand on my shoulders and I think they'll be in reach then. Don't worry about falling. I will catch you if you do.

[ So he's just going to lift this girl like she weighs literally nothing at all. ]
panzersoldat: (zeus)

[personal profile] panzersoldat 2018-02-04 11:34 am (UTC)(link)
I trust you at my back, my friend. [ The count of Drei and there. he. goes!!! ] RAAAAAAAAH!!! [ Reinhardt is rushing forward, using his bulk to pick up the alter and use it like he would his armor to slam the priests behind it into the wall.] Hahahahahaha! Got you!

[ He doesn't see the kick (it's on his blind side) but it's hard to miss someone flying because a strong person just kicked them. But now there are a lot of angry guards to deal with. ]

The priests are out for the count. Let's free these poor people.
defenses: (╏ 012.)

[personal profile] defenses 2018-02-04 11:57 am (UTC)(link)
[ being busy in his own routine of taking off his shirt, he almost doesn't realize what nami is implying with her words. or rather, what she says straight out. it takes him a moment to register, that is, before he turns to her. ] I always thought this— [ whole scenario was meant to test some degree of adaptation. maybe even flexibility (or fun?? probably not), but before he could get that out, he's suddenly


—!? he drops his clothes in shock, and it takes him a full 5 seconds to regain his bearings.
]

I-I'm sorry! I didn't see anything! Really! Or, well, I saw ... n... nothing! [ he bows his head firmly, making sure to stay down and angled as to keep his line of vision out of her general vicinity. only, this probably seems really strange since he's also shirtless... ]
logpose: (17.)

[personal profile] logpose 2018-02-04 12:09 pm (UTC)(link)
[ There's a nonchalance to that. Changing right here is simply a necessity, and one she doesn't feel particular shy about. Her pants come off too, and Nami slips into the form-hugging evening gown. ]

You'll hurt your neck if you keep bowing so hardly. What's the matter? [ The dress is just the right size for her, but it's a little difficult to zip up at the back. ] Can you help me with this?
logpose: (51.)

[personal profile] logpose 2018-02-04 12:50 pm (UTC)(link)
How ...? [ It's got to be magic. She doesn't think she's seen anything quite like it, that display of light that he had performed. That little spell he had cast has to be magic too. While many things were possible in the world she once knew, they have yet to encounter anyone with command over magic during their journey.

She's still scared, but she somehow feels emboldened now that she has someone who looks so dependable around. No use wasting his efforts with that spell; she has to act. Pointing her staff above her, she launches an egg-like object at the beast, and it cracks to hatch dark storm clouds. ]
Like I'm going to let it burn us alive -- Rain Spark!

[ The clouds gather above that dragon, and with a crash of thunder, it starts to pour, extinguishing the dragon's fire before it can reach them. Somehow, it does feel like she's creating larger clouds than usual. An effect of his spell, maybe? Or just her imagination? Either way, she's feeling much more energetic and confident than usual, so --!! ] And then for a second helping -- Thunderbolt Tempo!

[ Bringing down her staff, she summons a lightning strike, hitting the dragon directly in its wings. She knows she isn't able to make clouds big enough to completely electrocute it yet, so that was where she was aiming for.

Stunned, the large dragon starts to fall. They should probably start running if they don't want to be crushed. ]
Edited (i can html i swear) 2018-02-04 12:52 (UTC)
pebblestone: official art (fe:a) (pic#11550772)

[personal profile] pebblestone 2018-02-04 01:40 pm (UTC)(link)
[ did they ever leave square one tbh..... ]

ihavedabbledabitinartisticpursuitsbutiwouldnotcallmyselfapainter
howdoitakeapictureonthisblastedthing
notwagging: 57358252-15 (28)

[personal profile] notwagging 2018-02-04 02:35 pm (UTC)(link)
[ if only Alphinaud would let Keaton plant him in the ground so he could grow into a magnificent giraffe tree!!! but c'est la vie, there is no gardening for the Wolfskin today. maybe tomorrow. or the next day. for now though it'll be easier for him to find a large rock--- one that won't let Alphy become the space elf that he doesn't deserve.

and there's one. just right over there? yes, this will be easy. unfortunately it comes with a price in the form of Alphinaud's pride because he's going to have to hold him at the same time.

with a hand around his waist, pinning him there, Keaton slowly makes his way over to the best sized rock. one that doesn't look too heavy or big. just right. ]


Okay. Here. I'll keep holding onto you. Just bend over and grab it.
inacan: (003)

[personal profile] inacan 2018-02-04 02:41 pm (UTC)(link)
[ And Tony doesn't really want to talk about Steve right now - another wound that's too fresh, too - whatever. He can't deal with it, so he just ignores it for the moment. ]

Food? I subsist on motor oil and - you know, actually, a cheeseburger sounds really good right now, let's do that. If there's a decent cheeseburger to be had around here.

[ is she trying to mother hen him? he could probably use someone to do that, in Pepper's absence. ]
braidedwonder: (Default)

[personal profile] braidedwonder 2018-02-04 03:01 pm (UTC)(link)

[ Duo can't help himself, there's a little laugh as she abandons all hope of him helping her out. Well, better to teach a little self reliance, right, especially if she already has a plan in mind? He'll be helpful if she's truly stuck, but as he watches her... well, she seems to have it handled. His knife goes through a second rope and he feels the entire knot give, tugging his fists apart and watching how the ropes unlock from one another. Thankfully they hadn't bound his feet, too, and soon he moves to stand, tucking the knife away in to one of his back pockets and surveying the room around them.

He's got a little while before she's up and moving to discern how they're gonna break out of here, and he'll take that time to mostly figure it out.

There's a couple, small ventilation windows in the walls, and Duo is quickly hauling himself up through grips in the wall to see if they're just egregiously small, but open -

Only to be greeted with bars once he weedles that small frame in to the space. ]


Well, that's a no for either of us.
braidedwonder: (Default)

[personal profile] braidedwonder 2018-02-04 03:04 pm (UTC)(link)

First of all, I have no idea what a woolong is. Secondly, I wouldn't be thirteen-thousand anything for a cigarette. [ Listen, he seems to think he's being scammed here and there's no way he's going to just go and let Spike get him. Still, there's a bit of one of those blank, 'are you serious' expressions as he requests he start the fire. Sure, he's got a multi-tool and a knife where he could easily start a fire for him, but - ]

You have literal fire in your mouth and between your fingers, man. [ That had been his plan, anyways. ]

Use the end of the cigarette. Isn't that a little common sense?
happylocksmith: (pic#12054841)

here’s hoping d23 in Tokyo gives us the goods next weekend!

[personal profile] happylocksmith 2018-02-04 03:35 pm (UTC)(link)
[Lavellan doesn’t seem that much shorter, Sora decides he’ll go with Sen as he takes the elf’s hand and shakes it enthusiastically.]

They sure are weird circumstances, but I guess if we all try our best, maybe we can make a difference and stop the Storm from taking anymore worlds, or maybe we’ll even find a way to get the worlds back again!

[Ah, the eternal optimism of a Disney mind.]

Have you been here for a long time, Sen?
folkblues: (pic#12063228)

dont ever make me anything again

[personal profile] folkblues 2018-02-04 03:38 pm (UTC)(link)
[Nobody briefed Peasant Spike on either of these goddamn dragons, and his weapon from that last simulation hasn't carried over (it was a primitive rake). While this one seems almost tame, it's large and potentially deadly -- hence those gifts the townsfolk are providing, right?]

I can see that...

[Despite knowing he's got nothing on him, he'll give his outer-thighs some cursory pats. Just in case the Simulation Lords decided to take pity on him (they did not). They can either pretend to be part of those NPC townsmen (which the cpu can probably detect), or retreat while the thing's distracted with all it's new presents, return with hard artillery and take it out. They may end up losing the game, but--]

Didn't you say you were a gypsy before? Go ahead and dance for it.
folkblues: (pic#12063233)

[personal profile] folkblues 2018-02-04 03:47 pm (UTC)(link)
No way.

[He's sitting back, inwardly washing his hands of making a fire.]

If I lose this thing, it's all over.

[It's gotta burn out naturally. Why risk it if there's perfectly capable somebody to use? That's more important to address compared to the fact that this kid has no idea what a woolong is. He's probably a dumpster brat like Ed -- but even she knew about currency.]

You can't hang out at my camp unless you help out, so what's it gonna be?

[His camp: a stretch of nothingness complete with a clump of compiled wood and brush. Accented by the smell of nicotine. No privacy, no commodities.]
bornofgods: (pic#11997962)

[personal profile] bornofgods 2018-02-04 04:07 pm (UTC)(link)
If you exceed the set standards of your time, then you may.

I wonder how your magic compares to my own.
revlon: (249)

[personal profile] revlon 2018-02-04 04:26 pm (UTC)(link)
[ Peggy doesn't motherhen, necessarily. That's Mr Jarvis' job. But with her dear fellow countryman still asleep, this will have to do. ]

You know, I could do with one myself. Roman can whip up anything, bless him. The food on the surface isn't bad, in fact a lot of it is quite good. But there isn't much in the way of familiarity. [ Because... alien planet. God, that still takes some getting used to. ] I'll show you to the mess.

[ She turns to walk, heels clicking softly as she goes. Then: ]

When was it for you? [ A glance to him and she clarifies, ] The last thing you remember?
braidedwonder: (I can’t belong but still I drive)

[personal profile] braidedwonder 2018-02-04 04:27 pm (UTC)(link)

Really? As if you weren't about to try to swipe a boat load'a cash off of me for another one.

[ Duo's hands stuff in his pockets, a brow rising on his forehead in a way that says he's unimpressed. This guy might not be able to survive his way out of tin can, at this rate. Not the first time he's ever encountered this in Nysa, but he's still not very pleased to be teaching grown ass men how to figure their lives out whether he's at home or on some weird alien planet in the middle of no where. ]

Oh, wow, whatever am I gonna do if I can't hang out at some shit pile that doesn't even have a fire, and a guy that won't bum a cigarette? [ Hint : Make his own camp. Which is what the long haired kid trails off to do just... not too far down from the area Spike's commandeered. After gathering up some sticks and bits and bobs for a fire, of course, he finds a nice tree with a heavy canopy in case of rain.

.. Which is promptly plops down under, studiously combining what he's gathered for fire making, reaching in to the base of that long braid for what looks to be a multi-tool, his boot for a knife -

And promptly starting a fire. ]
folkblues: (pic#12043951)

[personal profile] folkblues 2018-02-04 04:44 pm (UTC)(link)
[Asking a little over 100USD in exchange for a cigarette is a little much, huh. There's a shrug, his cigarette shifts from one side of his mouth to the other.]

If there's one thing I hate, it's brats who talk too much...

[Mumbled just as he decides to vacate. He makes no effort to further persuade him to stay, or invade his up and coming camp. He will spare it a sideglance or two, marking progress as a pique of interest; nothing much else to stare at. It isn't long before his cigarette's all but finished. It's flicked ahead, into his pile of tinder.]

Brats who talk too much, and showoffs.
inacan: (012)

[personal profile] inacan 2018-02-04 05:03 pm (UTC)(link)
[ Before Pepper, there was Jarvis, the original mother hen. Don't tell Tony he's in stasis.

He shoves his hands in his pockets as he keeps stride with her. ]


It was 2016. I'm really gonna have to work on the temporal differentiation thing, because the fact that we're both here having a conversation basically proves the existence of pocket dimensions and that means our world could still exist in one of them.