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.

diamondize: (drank all the drinks. And jump off roof)

[personal profile] diamondize 2018-01-27 06:23 am (UTC)(link)
[Diamond briefly considers the branding thing, before dropping it to face the ones coming their way. While this isn't ideal and hand-to-hand combat is not really their favorite thing, they have been known to use their own severed limbs as weapons before. So, you know. There's that to fall back on if need be.

They make a split second decision to roundhouse kick the warrior that advances on them, sending the guy flying with a sickening cracking noise when their leg connects with his side--yeah that's probably some broken ribs right off the bat.
]

Are we running or fighting? [Diamond isn't sure about fighting off the entire guard or facing the civilians too.What if an actual army is called in??

Why couldn't things just be simple.
]
inacan: (011)

[personal profile] inacan 2018-01-27 06:24 am (UTC)(link)
Haven't met that one. At least it's not Loki, that guy tried to kill me once.

[ Tony is not the biggest conversationalist during a fight, but this is slow-paced enough that he can deal. He takes another huge swing at the exposed underbelly as the beast screams in pain, but isn't quite fast enough to dodge a swipe of a large claw, which catches him in the back and tosses him at a rocky outcropping. ]

Ah, shit...
inacan: (007)

[personal profile] inacan 2018-01-27 06:27 am (UTC)(link)
[ Damn. Of course he's here and awake. And probably talking shit about Tony. ]

historically not my biggest fan.
meinwaifu: (What do we have here? ♪)

[personal profile] meinwaifu 2018-01-27 06:28 am (UTC)(link)
[It's almost nostalgic, talking like this. It reminds him of speaking with demons fresh out of Gehenna -- though it's rather rare to find one quite the uninformed these days.]

[As Diamond speaks, Mephisto crouches down beside them and gives the man a look over. He's obviously dead, or very close to it -- he's certainly no longer breathing.]


Human bodies can't survive very long in this state. Once they've lost this much blood, their various internal systems stop functioning, and the body shuts down.

[A rather mechanical explanation, but it worked. He stands again, shaking his head.]

They're rather fragile creatures, after all. This one is already dead.
originallutece: talking shit about pokemon go (talk; why are you)

[personal profile] originallutece 2018-01-27 06:29 am (UTC)(link)
[She lifts a shoulder in a faint shrug. People won't give you the good information unless you ask them personally, in her experience-- but if he's going to take a public poll, she can simply use whatever information he collects.]

And what did you all team up against, precisely?
inacan: (011)

[personal profile] inacan 2018-01-27 06:29 am (UTC)(link)
Good question.

[ Another guard comes at them, and Tony manages to get him down as well, but he's not going to be able to handle too many before he wears out or makes a mistake. He's had some training but he's no soldier. ]

I say we make a break for it, we can use cover to our advantage, sneak around to the outside of the camp... or something.
revlon: (093)

[personal profile] revlon 2018-01-27 06:30 am (UTC)(link)
He hasn't said anything unkind, if that's your concern.
inacan: (010)

[personal profile] inacan 2018-01-27 06:31 am (UTC)(link)
Alien invaders, evil organizations intent on ruling the world, killer robots - usual stuff.

[ He keeps his voice very casual, very flippant. As always, Tony makes it a point to pretend not to take anything seriously. ]
eaudevamp: (ᴜɴᴄᴇʀᴛᴀɪɴ ᴍᴏᴅᴇ)

[personal profile] eaudevamp 2018-01-27 06:32 am (UTC)(link)
[ It was quite obvious that she didn't understand everything he said, but comprehended enough to piece together the info he gave. So it seemed that was what she meant by "siring", which looked to be quite similar to that of Dracula's style. ]

So, only females are able to sire new... chiropterans?

[ If such a way of siring was possible in Reign's world, he couldn't imagine the chaos that would happen. Vampires would experiment, possibility creating a sub-species that they could control.

Reign shuddered, snapped out of his thoughts when he felt her touch. It wasn't cold as he'd partially expected, but warm like a human's. Even the playful poke to his fangs surprised and confused him, wondering what she had in mind. ]


E-eh? Me, a bridegroom? [ He was curious about the two mentioned name, but still... ] You want to have a baby with me?!
adisaster: (pic#6437772)

[personal profile] adisaster 2018-01-27 06:33 am (UTC)(link)
IT WOULD BE FAR LESS POINTLESS FOR ME TO ASK YOUR NAME
riftjob: (pic#12042597)

[personal profile] riftjob 2018-01-27 06:34 am (UTC)(link)
( thanks babe, it wasn't even fun before she knew the truth. )

So you'd save it only to destroy it again. Great, I'm sure everyone will appreciate it when you tell them that.
inacan: (001)

[personal profile] inacan 2018-01-27 06:34 am (UTC)(link)
he wouldn't no he's polite like that

[ That's even worse. Even after everything, Tony knew that Steve wouldn't badmouth him to other people. The guy is just too decent for that. ]

bet he was happy to see you
adisaster: (pic#9028924)

[personal profile] adisaster 2018-01-27 06:37 am (UTC)(link)
[ The sparkliness immediately catches his attention and it actually takes him a second to answer, pausing in the motion he was doing with his cup -- his eyes widen and light up with interest, looking over them with an apparent ... greed, really. He doesn't bother hiding it. ]

Drinking, plainly.

[ Because that should be obvious, duh? Less obvious was what this creature in front of him was made of. ]

And you -- I have never seen anything like you before. The way you glimmer ... You look as if you would belong in my treasury.
vladpire: (Look - 11)

[personal profile] vladpire 2018-01-27 06:40 am (UTC)(link)
[Vlad had adjusted to stranger things than being in a new world. And he'd had to do so in a short span of time. The Observers had not only given him time to adjust, but had been forthcoming with information he requested, which was much more than what he'd been told before his entire world had changed on him. This? This was manageable.]

Vlad Tepes of... well, I can't claim a land that is no longer mine. We shall have to see where best I fit here.
panzersoldat: (15)

[personal profile] panzersoldat 2018-01-27 06:40 am (UTC)(link)
[ Now there's a story he'd love to hear. Because the only Loki he knows of is the one that got it on with giants and horses and shit. But story time later. Dragon time, now.

And really, he should have been a little more conscious that his fellow armored man might not be as tanky as himself. Because Tony goes flying and Reinhardt immediately breaks away to take up the place in front to plant the metal shield into the dirt. ]


You might want to stay down there for a second. I'm afraid I'm going to have to give this whole place a little shake. And he might blow fire. If he does, you'll be safe back here.

Just...be prepared to give it a death blow as soon as I land this. We've got...maybe 7 seconds after. [ If he doesn't break the room. ] You ready? [ Because as soon as he's sure his companion is, there will be Reinhardt charging forward again and then ] HAMMER DOWN!! [ One Earthshatter, coming right up. ]
adisaster: (pic#5313073)

[personal profile] adisaster 2018-01-27 06:42 am (UTC)(link)
YOU CONTINUE DO USE THESE TERMS AND DO NOT EXPLAIN THEM
Edited 2018-01-27 06:42 (UTC)
vladpire: (Side - 3)

[personal profile] vladpire 2018-01-27 06:42 am (UTC)(link)
[Sister. Yes, he supposed he saw some resemblance. Another small nod.]

Your sister is fortunate to have a sibling that cares so much to sadden herself with her care.

[For Vlad could see the black of mourning and that small sadness when the young woman looked upon that frozen face.]
notwagging: <user name="bittenbittern"> (11)

3!

[personal profile] notwagging 2018-01-27 06:44 am (UTC)(link)
The Twelve what?

[ standing there, he's been watching Alphinaud for the past few moments. just observing. not something he'd normally do, but because of already knowing one (1) small white-haired Elezen, his excitement of running into someone familiar already had his excitement up into the stratosphere!!!

which sadly crashed into the ground once he heard Alphy speak. ]


And who are you?

[ because he's really confused and the concept of twins doesn't immediately jump up in the space between those fluffy listeners of his. ]
poolhall_killer: ([Xrd] pursed)

Omage - un: BishopRunout

[personal profile] poolhall_killer 2018-01-27 06:46 am (UTC)(link)
Snapchat?

This is the first new world to me. My home didn't get far in terms of space travel.


[He recalls talking to Garrus about it, and that tiny bitterness remains.]
vladpire: (Amused - 1)

[personal profile] vladpire 2018-01-27 06:47 am (UTC)(link)
"I am frightening to all who know the truth- well, most." There were those gypsies that had followed him for so very long. 'Master', they called him, a title he had never asked for, nor sought from them. And yet it was thanks to that reverent fervor that he continued to walk the world.

He heard her words, hearing the weight that settled on them as if she spoke from experience. He nodded, then posited a question towards her. "Have you people here to lead, though? Would you demand those who live here under another rule follow you as opposed to that which they already know? Is this not a chance to become something other than what we were?"
phonic: (064.)

maria cadenzavna eve | symphogear

[personal profile] phonic 2018-01-27 06:47 am (UTC)(link)
I. THE STORM
[ No part of her actually wanted to relive the experience of losing an entire world. Hers, someone else's. At this point splitting hairs over such a broad destruction is pointless. Darma's voice rings so clearly in her mind it makes her blood whirl, laden with the truth of it. But Maria also doesn't want to run from the confrontation of something she won't win against — something she's already lost to.

Though not running at this point seems like a terrible idea. That great inhalation of energy, sparks like teeth gleaming from the maw of some celestial creature, all it can do is make her weak in the knees, fear showing plainly on her face as the world begins to disintegrate.

Not once has she ever had to deal with a silence like that. But she doesn't call her Gear to her yet, not here. Instead, she's extending her left hand, pale fingers outstretched.

Be calm.
]

Please, give me your hand.

[ To the one she'd entered the chamber with, same as her. Does she not want to leave anyone behind, or not want to be left behind herself? ]

II. TRAINING MODULES (1A)
[ In the face of a rampaging dragon, Maria figures, well. It's more up her alley. Granted, this time she looks a little more impressive, clad head to toe in brilliant silver armor. (Or silly, depending on who's asking —) Whatever the case, she has a brave little smile flicked onto her face, a short sword clutched in her right hand. ]

What a terrible tantrum. [ She gives the blade a curt spin. ] Do you suppose its mouth is a weak point?

[ Maria Cadenzavna Eve, looking a dragon in the face and wanting to go for it teeth-first. Also, is that music? Coming from her armor?

It sure is. Enjoy your sudden j-pop battle music.
]

III. TRAINING MODULES (3)
[ After the strain of being subject to the battering of training modules so soon after awakening, Maria feels as though she understands things a little better, though the reality is no easier to stomach. She wants to be angry. Furious, even, at the senselessness. What she can muster up is a stormy sort of sadness in the hollow of her ribs, curls of bitterness in her like wind. So when she finds herself with nothing but her thoughts and an open grove to settle in, Maria does what she does best: she sings. Something a little nostalgic, like a music box, or a lullaby. Intermittently, sullen chirps join in from overhead, no doubt from some of the wildlife she can't see.

Should she hear the sound of approaching footsteps, she'll stop despite the way her voice carries, senses sharp. Though what she offers is a slightly reproachful smile as she tucks her arms protectively to her middle, as if trying to hold something in.
]

Forgive me, I'm not used to an audience nowadays.

IV. STASIS UNIT
[ Eventually, Maria tires of the modules, choosing to wander among reality for the rest of her time on Thesa. She gets lonely easily, and finds her way to the stasis unit, passing row upon row of faces slumbering away in their protective cocoons. She doesn't know how many she glances over, the pit of her stomach feeling cold, until something catches her eye in such a breathtaking way that she actually gasps when it comes into view. An older woman with dark hair and an eyepatch, serenely tucked away among the rest of the refugees. Maria's footsteps pound against the floor until she's all but colliding with the pod. ]

Mom...? Mom!

[ She bangs once on the pod, fingers splaying on the glass and streaking loudly downwards. Maria's eyes are nearly panicked as she stares in, looking as though she's seen a ghost. ]

What's the meaning of this? It isn't possible!

[ Three guesses why, and the first two don't count. ]

WILDCARD
[ i'm up for literally anything, give me what you got! ]
vladpire: (Talking - 3)

[personal profile] vladpire 2018-01-27 06:48 am (UTC)(link)
Unless cereal carries a new weight for you, I would think that one of the foods that requires less cooking. I have seen establishments that sell food as well. Perhaps that is more to your taste.
colorature: (Default)

[personal profile] colorature 2018-01-27 06:49 am (UTC)(link)
Only my dear sister and I.

[Diva's not sure whether or not it has anything to do with the fact she's female, but she gives him a non-committal shrug as her answer. It's not important anyway.]

I don't care if I have a baby. Solomon wants me to have one.

[Which makes Solomon sound like he's the biggest cuck right now.]

Maybe you'll fit the requirements.
Edited 2018-01-27 06:50 (UTC)
adisaster: (pic#9918722)

[personal profile] adisaster 2018-01-27 06:51 am (UTC)(link)
It's natural to be awed. But this is hardly a fraction of the extent of my treasury.

[ It's seemingly endless, the amount of weapons that come flying out of Gilgamesh's portals. They don't cease in their speed or strength and the sheer variety just seems to grow and grow, all sorts of decorated or non-decorated or gold or steel or silver weapons emerging ... Even if they're small in comparison to the beast, they can still hit hard and they're more than an effective distraction for Reinhardt to move in closer.

Gilgamesh doesn't move a step for all of this. It tends to be a signature of his that he can dispatch foes without even moving an arm. But more and more he feels tempted to just -- join in the fight, to move in too. Part of him is waiting to see Reinhardt's potential, to see if the larger man can just handle things by himself. As interesting as it is to watch the man work, he wouldn't want both of their efforts to fail because Gilgamesh just sat on the sidelines.
]

Now -- are you strong enough to vanquish this beast? You've certainly seemed strong enough to at least contend with it.

[ His voice carries well, haughty and imperious, despite the distance between them. ]
diplomatie: (2483720-25)

b!!! lyse stahp

[personal profile] diplomatie 2018-01-27 06:55 am (UTC)(link)
[ It's not that he doesn't trust her. It's that this is a dragon and those are extremely powerful — there's a reason their plight against Nidhogg was so drawn out and difficult!! Not that she was there for it, he supposes, but — gods.

Lyse being so raring to go against something like that is just ... how does she do it?

And he covers his face with his arm when the dragon lands, to shield it from the wind and debris. ]


You cannot seriously mean to fight that!

[ It may just be some sort of ... simulation thing? But it feels very real. And being killed by a dragon is something he very much does not desire. ]