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.

braidedwonder: (There is no line there is no vice)

[personal profile] braidedwonder 2018-02-05 05:55 pm (UTC)(link)

I mean do you have hair past your ass? That's what I'm working with so I guess it's kinda a fair mistake to make sometimes.

I don't blame them for envying my hair though. I'd envy it too.
pebblestone: garbagebird@tumblr (Default)

anyway i'm ending this, goodbye

[personal profile] pebblestone 2018-02-05 06:02 pm (UTC)(link)
[ Even a broken clock is still right twice a day, and even calm and composed Frederick loses his chill every so often.

The pain caused by all his bulky armor crashing into the ground does at least jolt him back into reality, enough for him to scrabble back up off the ground and into a standing position, the tips of his ears burning ever so faintly red. (Due to his gracelessness, of course, and not other actions-that-shall-not-be-named.) ]


Of course, milord. I shall be right as rain in a moment.

[ His soul, on the other hand, will never be repaired....just kidding. He clears his throat with a low cough, and looks pointedly at the path leading out of the forest. ]

I do think it wise for us not to dally here. Who knows what other strange flora might lurking beyond our sight.

[ AND THEN THEY LEFT THE FOREST AND NEVER TALKED ABOUT THIS AGAIN AND CHROM FELL BACK ASLEEP IN HIS POD, THE END. ]
gekkajuu: commissioned, please do not steal (光と風と夢)

[personal profile] gekkajuu 2018-02-05 06:26 pm (UTC)(link)
While there are horses, the majority of animals is a little more -... [He trails off, unable to think of a way to describe them without sounding crazy. And, as long as he's sounding crazy, he may as well go all out.] There are unicorns and gryphons, among many other species.

[And Atsushi is quite casual about saying as much. The animals still impress him - just like most "normal" animals would, really - but little shocks him at this point. He's been here over half a year now.

Warming his hands on his tea, more for comfort than because he needs the heat, Atsushi decides to fill Chuuya in. Maybe it's a good idea and maybe it's not, but none of this information is remotely secret... and besides, Chuuya deserves to know. Still, Atsushi avoids eye contact, as if he's afraid he's doing the wrong thing... or just afraid.]


On a practical level, I'm sure it's territorial. But the reason usually stated is past insults and altercations. Both cities have their own past, and their shared past -...

Well. I'm sure you can imagine what it's like, with those two cities the only major players on the continent.
catfident: (x005)

[personal profile] catfident 2018-02-05 06:36 pm (UTC)(link)
[ Lead the way she does, pivoting on the ball of her foot and beckoning for him to follow with a quick wave of her hand. In truth, she's never been much for drink, her small stature largely intolerant of large quantities of alcohol, but it sounds so trite to invite someone for a simple glass of water. ]

Is that so? Most men around here would be more than ready to boast of their drinking prowess. That, and their fighting prowess.

[ Too much machismo, not enough common sense. ]

You seem more refined than most, though.
motivation: (【 004 】)

[personal profile] motivation 2018-02-05 06:55 pm (UTC)(link)
or under the shower in the morning
bornofgods: (pic#12065696)

No problem!

[personal profile] bornofgods 2018-02-05 06:57 pm (UTC)(link)
Yes. I do hope that your fighting will be as impressive as that display.

[ A low chuckle rises from the tanned man, reverberating up his throat. He doesn't approve of men drowning themselves in their own self-worth, despite any tendency of his own to do the same.

Unfortunately for Lancer, the class Rider has no tell-tale signs of classic symbol. There tends to be a mount involved, but that classification remains loose. However, Ozymandias isn't the type to be a man of mystery, and besides. This is hardly a Holy Grail War. ]


My name is Ozymandias, my title Pharaoh. You may call me either.

[ He gestures grandiosely up at the sky. The sun above may not be real, but his powers most certainly are. ]

The powers of the sun are mine to command. Once you commence your attack, I will follow afterward. [ The lack of impulse to spring into action is mostly a result of Ozymandias' curiosity of this Servant's capabilities... and part laziness. Still, he is not entirely disinclined to provide a helping hand. ]
adelphoi: (🍰 ᴊᴀᴍᴍɪᴇ)

[personal profile] adelphoi 2018-02-05 09:46 pm (UTC)(link)
Aye.

[ tether - the skill that is absolutely useless in game, but sure handy in rp. she's ready to act, however, and lifts her crystal focus; it hovers serenely over her palm, awaiting her command.

her eyes dart down the hall. ]


On your ready.
ausuben: (pic#11829266)

[personal profile] ausuben 2018-02-05 10:50 pm (UTC)(link)
[ Lancelot repositions into a low crouch for ease of movement the minute their attentions are consumed by Cain's distraction.

—which... oh, wow. Perhaps it's actually a little over the top considering the sudden chaos it creates even amongst the captives? (the corner of lancelot's mouth twitches slightly and he's going to absolutely simply pretend he saw nothing. this is obviously all according to plan.)

It 100% works, anyway. Or, technically, it works even better, they come to find out because while a few of the guards react accordingly (alarmed, shouting for water or running for water or anything in between...) some do other things, such as try to make sure certain prisoners trying to move away from the spectacle (and maybe out a window, if they are lucky) stay put.

That decision of theirs actually doesn't turn out well for the guards at all. Those couple guards underestimating the sheer will power of the captives to move away is farm more than they can handle particular when it's quite a few prisoners falling over themselves. They get knocked over and tangled in the captives for their efforts, while two others start panicking and running uselessly in the confusion. All their energy and effort results in... them knocking each other out before Lancelot can get to them thanks to one of them tripping over the first guard that Lancelot has already knocked out and goes flying headlong into the other and ending with a crack of skulls that Lancelot grimaces slightly at observing that upon impact.

It's around this time that Lancelot realizes these men most likely aren't exactly what he'd call trained militants, although he reserves judgment for the entire lot of them. It's not surprising—beating on unarmed citizens doesn't take much skill at all.

There is at least one guard (Cain may have had to already deal with another but Lancelot is only witness to one. ) that falls into none of the other categories and has apparently considered that the best way to deal with their fire problem is to take out Cain. Thanks to the rather sad (very sad) reactions of his fellow comrades in times of stress, though, Lancelot is able to get to the guard a lot sooner than the guard has the courage and time to charge and get close enough to Cain to potentially strike out at him.

Another contributing factor may be that Lancelot doesn't bother trying to close the distance to catch the guard from where he is once he notices him. Instead, he is able to use one of the shorter bludgeoning weapons some of the guards have been sporting, and when he feels the distance is acceptable enough he shifts to reel back and fling the weapon forward and sailing towards the back of the guard. It enters into horizontal rotation in flight rather with surprisingly good accuracy and speed to strike the peroneal nerve on one of the guard's legs just behind the knees. Said guard drops hard without the use of both legs to attempt to catch his fall (and that's in an ideal situation) and lands no more than a meter or two away from Cain's feet in a disarrayed heap.

( they aren't going anywhere fast with their leg useless for at least the next 30 seconds. judging from their conditioning for this sort type of fighting method, a good three or more minutes of uselessness and painful numbness during through the entire leg is more likely their reality if they aren't already knocked out.)

]
parodeity: (Default)

[personal profile] parodeity 2018-02-05 10:51 pm (UTC)(link)
ive never been prouder in my life
also im the least likely to try to kill someone
its not an activity i typically find enjoyable

[personal profile] fiendennor 2018-02-05 10:52 pm (UTC)(link)
[Another nod.] Up here, absolutely. The technology is... incredible. It's completely on a different level from anything that existed back where we came from. Greater, even, than what we could accomplish with magic.

When you get down to the surface world, it's easier to adjust to. It feels less, ah... alien.
fiendennor: (15)

[personal profile] fiendennor 2018-02-05 10:53 pm (UTC)(link)
I do all right, by those standards.

[A little modest. A lot modest.]

What kind of magic is it that you practice?
dontgiveabuckland: (will be the one that you defy)

[personal profile] dontgiveabuckland 2018-02-05 11:23 pm (UTC)(link)
[Honestly, Cam would agree. He’s no pacifist, and has no love for people who stand around while others are being hurt, but wholesale evaporating people in large amounts directly in front of him still feels jarring. Not to mention the whole concept of the simulation being one giant illusion was still sort of processing in his head.

But he’s more interested in escaping than moral quandaries over illusion people.
]

This way!

[Once again, he grabs Sandra by the hand, yanking her a little to the right. This time, he holds his hand behind his back, leading Sandra directly behind him as he blazed a trail. Very suddenly, he mumbles a quiet incantation under his breath before hanging a sharp right, yanking Sandra with him. The air cools as he ducks inside one of the temple’s many unpopulated hallways. Checking that nobody is behind them, he leads them both into a darkened room, before closing the door. Through the walls, they can still hear the cacophony of the fleeing crowd.

He waits a beat, before breathing out a sigh,
] Okay. I think we lost them
almaredemptoris: (Default)

[personal profile] almaredemptoris 2018-02-06 12:14 am (UTC)(link)
[Some men, when faced with one whose philosophy differs radically from their own, listen only that they may find the best opening through which to lob their opinions. Jean Valjean, however, merely listens. It is a skill he had had to acquire and practice, much like reading and writing, or anything else a man might set his mind to.]

It may be true that life is immeasurably cruel. But so too can God be immeasurably forgiving.

[He has known both extremes, both the darkest hateful night and the brightest blessed day.]

Where we will be brought is not their home, but it is a chance for a new beginning.

[In the looming shadows of his thoughts, however, he too balks at beginning anew (once more) without Cosette at his elbow. Yet above all he remains grateful that he might at least have the chance to complete his work.]
almaredemptoris: (Default)

[personal profile] almaredemptoris 2018-02-06 12:33 am (UTC)(link)
[He casts a wary eye over his shoulder, always expecting for someone to follow, to shout for him to stop, but none pay attention as they slip away in plain sight. The altar is difficult to see through the roiling mob of jeers and shouts, the prisoners thickly packed, the oppressors pushing at the oppressed. Yet through it all lacerates the screams of each victim. Jean Valjean shudders with the whole of his body; his heart curls like the brown leaves left at the end of autumn.

The very same heartbeat surges at once with gratitude that he could escape, that he could help this young man, and with guilt that he would abandon so many to such a fate.

They pass over the threshold of the temple and the night air gasps freshly against their faces.]


The cruelty of men is at times difficult to comprehend. But you must remember not to give into despair.

[He keeps his voice low; they are not yet in the clear, not until the temple has passed from sight.]
asmilebettersuits: (03)

[personal profile] asmilebettersuits 2018-02-06 12:59 am (UTC)(link)
Truly? Ah, then it would not do to fail to introduce myself. 'Tis necessary that I seek them out and pay my regards. I wonder if there are any I might know...

[He shakes his head. It's not all that likely.]

Five moons... by the Fury, that seems like it might feel longer than it sounds, my friend!
ursulamajor: (02)

[personal profile] ursulamajor 2018-02-06 01:01 am (UTC)(link)
It might make Croix's head explode, to see all of this. [She looks around for a moment -- and a glance, back at Croix in her tube -- before she looks at Diana.

She nods.]


That's a relief. I'm not sure how I would feel about spending the rest of my life up here.

Some place more like home... that would be better.
thetaintedsorrow: (:3)

[personal profile] thetaintedsorrow 2018-02-06 01:08 am (UTC)(link)
[...unicorns??? Gryphons??? This sounds too far-fetched to be true, but why would Atsushi lie? This is already like a goddamn sci-fi movie, might as well throw in some fantasy elements! Plus, he’s already met a vampire, so believing that unicorns exist isn’t too much of a stretch. Man, he’s gotta pet one sometime...

Oh. Right. Serious topics.

Chuuya is mildly annoyed that Atsushi won’t look him in the eye, but whatever. He’s had subordinates cower before him in the past, but Atsushi seems more self-conscious than afraid, and that’s not something Chuuya can fix. He sips at his wine, mulling over the information that Atsushi is sharing with him, and after a moment of consideration decides to add some commentary.
]

I’m not fighting their wars for them. They better not try to recruit my ass, or I’ll be living in the woods like a goddamn hermit.

[He’s just...tired. Tired of turf wars, tired of seeing men that were loyal to him die. Yokohama was his home, his territory, and he would’ve gladly given his life to defend it in Mori’s name, but this? Fuck these people, seriously. He has absolutely no obligation to fight; if he’s going to start his entire goddamn life over, it’s going to be on his terms.]

You pick a side? Or you just trying to live your own life out there?
Edited 2018-02-06 01:10 (UTC)
worldsaway: (pic#12049853)

[personal profile] worldsaway 2018-02-06 01:12 am (UTC)(link)
You never know with a name like godhead.
Is it your name because you're smug or is it a reference I'm not getting?
worldsaway: (pic#12049833)

[personal profile] worldsaway 2018-02-06 01:12 am (UTC)(link)
I never had hair that long, no. It was past my shoulders, but now it's gone.
worldsaway: (pic#12049836)

[personal profile] worldsaway 2018-02-06 01:12 am (UTC)(link)
I'm having a hard enough time texting, don't tell me there's a way to convey sarcasm that I'm missing here.

Don't tell me, I'll figure it out.

You're so creative.

Like that?
braidedwonder: (Default)

[personal profile] braidedwonder 2018-02-06 01:14 am (UTC)(link)

What happened that you cut it?

If that’s not too personal.
worldsaway: (pic#12049845)

it's fine

[personal profile] worldsaway 2018-02-06 01:17 am (UTC)(link)
We have, that's true. Only it's kind of like we don't see each other for months and then something big happens and we team up. You know how it is.

Since we're best friends by proxy, can you be honest with me? What do you make of this place?
worldsaway: (pic#12049841)

[personal profile] worldsaway 2018-02-06 01:20 am (UTC)(link)
That might interfere with my singing practice, actually.
worldsaway: (pic#12049866)

[personal profile] worldsaway 2018-02-06 01:22 am (UTC)(link)
It's very personal, but I'll tell you. I was shaved in preparation for my gladiatorial debut. I needed a new, edgy look.
braidedwonder: (I live by the sword)

[personal profile] braidedwonder 2018-02-06 01:23 am (UTC)(link)

That’s it?

Just a new look?

Here I thought that it might be a little less predictable than a new look.