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.

inacan: (013)

[personal profile] inacan 2018-01-27 07:31 pm (UTC)(link)
ok that might be the first time anyone's called me naive, that's hilarious
i'm a futurist
talented minds should have the opportunity to innovate
it benefits everyone
even our benevolent overlords here
inacan: (005)

[personal profile] inacan 2018-01-27 07:32 pm (UTC)(link)
because
I am Iron Man.
carefulapostate: <user name="anabiotic"> (or return to the woods)

Do I? DO I?

[personal profile] carefulapostate 2018-01-27 07:32 pm (UTC)(link)
[Begrudgingly forced to look up from his diligent work trying to do a public service.
He had hoped he would not encounter anyone familiar with him, at least not familiar with him for what he was. He heaved a sigh and straightened himself up, folding his hands behind his back.
]

Dorian.

[There. That's the greeting he gets, because he's just going to ignore that whole wolf thing he did there.]
persistor: (cull())

[personal profile] persistor 2018-01-27 07:33 pm (UTC)(link)
[ ..... Right. ]

It's less sorcery, and more technology. [ But anyway. Step two: ]

There's a period close to it, on your right. You might want to give that a shot.
reek: (pic#11887301)

[personal profile] reek 2018-01-27 07:34 pm (UTC)(link)
Is that supposed to mean something to me?
diamondize: (I cant miss out on a half day of work)

[personal profile] diamondize 2018-01-27 07:34 pm (UTC)(link)
[Dia isn't quite sure what to make of the humans--it's perhaps a little patronizing to think of them as just cute little creatures, but, well, that's kind of what they were. They were cute and fragile and bumbling around; Diamond felt a particular fondness for them not unlike the kind they had for the jellyfish.

Probably best to not tell the humans that though.
] Well...If it's not attacking the humans, it probably won't attack us either, right? [They drop their hands to their sides, looking from Bort to the humans to the dragon.]

But probably if we attack it first, the humans will get angry. Or that thing'll get angry and attack... The humans probably wouldn't stand a chance. [And it'd be all on them. Which... No thanks, they don't need that guilt hanging on them. Dia sighs deeply.] I guess I shouldn't try to pet it either.
inacan: (006)

[personal profile] inacan 2018-01-27 07:35 pm (UTC)(link)
about as much as iron baby means to me
vorrutyer: (world-weary (and smug))

[personal profile] vorrutyer 2018-01-27 07:36 pm (UTC)(link)
What - and you expect there's some hidden genius down there on the planet's surface, herding cows, just waiting for the light to shine upon them so that they can blossom?

[ Byerly, of course, comes from a planet full of people who were isolated from civilization, who became backwards and inbred and half-crazed from their seven-hundred-year isolation. And when the light of the galaxy shone on them again, yes, some proved to be geniuses indeed. But he likes to be provocative. ]
reek: (pic#11887369)

[personal profile] reek 2018-01-27 07:36 pm (UTC)(link)
Ironborn. Are you incapable of reading?
thequitecontrary: (looking down)

[personal profile] thequitecontrary 2018-01-27 07:37 pm (UTC)(link)
[The look that Mary gives him back is mildly distasteful. She's very familiar with his kind because they tend to proliferate in the upper classes. Granted, she is a woman who likes flattery and flirtation, especially when both of those involved know that it's a game. The look on her face is hiding the fact that she is at least curious about this man.

The fact that he doesn't take advantage of the situation is comforting. Mary twists, trying to see if she can escape from the vines now that he has loosened them a bit.]


Do the locals consist of plants that can think for themselves?
carefulapostate: <user name="anabiotic"> (and broke the things you were fondest of)

[personal profile] carefulapostate 2018-01-27 07:37 pm (UTC)(link)
[He's your bad life choice hunbun, this is your own fault.]

I would only restore it to how it should be.
uninjured: (Default)

[personal profile] uninjured 2018-01-27 07:39 pm (UTC)(link)
[ Beatrix takes one look at his face, hers beaming with self-joy before it's all interrupted by the unimpressed expression he bares. ]

I... [ Is she really being judged by The Typical Blonde Character in Every Media? ] They're fresh, promise! And I keep my pockets squeaky clean—just look!

[ These sandwiches? Carved with the grace of a woman who knows how to work a knife and various other sharp objects to cut something in half. These are top tier, okay, even by visual anime standards. And fortunately she's not desperate enough to prove her worth by shoving it into his face. Rather, Beatrix goes the extra mile and decides to take a bite of one for her own gain; chewing with a gleeful hum. ]

Mhm~ They taste great!

[ Like they were made just a few hours prior and not....... months ago if we're going by nysa time ]
vorrutyer: (eye-fucking)

[personal profile] vorrutyer 2018-01-27 07:41 pm (UTC)(link)
The pleasant ones do. Certainly, yes, they'll try to strangle you to death, which isn't ideal. But they're sweet-smelling and beautiful. I'd put up with any sort of malice for aesthetic delights. Lift your foot, please, madam.

[ He unloops the vine from under her foot, working steadily and patiently. Then he looks up, meeting her eyes and her mildly contemptuous look, and grins back at her. Yes, she seems to know the game as well as he does. ]

For example, you could step on my back most cruelly with your fine feet, and I'd still be grateful for the experience.
persistor: (cheerleader)

omage | @r.

[personal profile] persistor 2018-01-27 07:41 pm (UTC)(link)
[ Helpfully: ] Hi.
folkblues: (pic#12043959)

[personal profile] folkblues 2018-01-27 07:42 pm (UTC)(link)
hang on, is this thing automated?

[like a rude version of smarterchild. the unhelpful version of alexa??]
inacan: (008)

[personal profile] inacan 2018-01-27 07:42 pm (UTC)(link)
yep
diamonds in the rough
dontgiveabuckland: (will be the one that you defy)

[personal profile] dontgiveabuckland 2018-01-27 07:43 pm (UTC)(link)
Right...

[Cam is quiet. His eyes follow the other man's, looking at the face of a young girl. Like all of the other countless faces staring back at them, her eyes are shut, deep in a peaceful sleep. Cam wonders if they even know what's going on, how far away they are from their homes. The homes that are no longer there.

The silence is cloying. It makes him itch and unpleasant ponderings bubble to the front of his mind. Cam looks back over to the man, at his white knuckled grip, then back to the girl.
]

I think she's too young for you, Mate.
vorrutyer: (oh hello)

[personal profile] vorrutyer 2018-01-27 07:44 pm (UTC)(link)
In my experience, proles are proles. Little minds to go with their lowly stature.
inacan: (006)

[personal profile] inacan 2018-01-27 07:44 pm (UTC)(link)
irritating you is way too fun, fetus. a little advice: make yourself less of a target if you want to be taken seriously
it's an internet username, kiddo
thequitecontrary: (oh no)

[personal profile] thequitecontrary 2018-01-27 07:46 pm (UTC)(link)
[She huffs, then stops twisting. There's no point to it and all she's doing is tiring herself out. Mary tries to find a rock or something on the ground that they might somehow be able to use to cut the vines, but so far it's hopeless.

It certainly doesn't help that the plant seems to be throwing her against the other man, like a little girl with a doll in each hand.]


I'm terribly sorry. [Her head is somewhere near his neck and the vines are pushing their legs together.] I can't seem to get it to stop.

[Similarly, Mary might not mind being this close to a handsome man if it wasn't for the vines trying to strangle the life out of her. She stops fighting for the moment, letting it do with her what it wants.]
flashystyle: (decisions of their lives)

omage!

[personal profile] flashystyle 2018-01-27 07:47 pm (UTC)(link)
[Somewhere, who he's connected to heaves a long, drawn out sigh over his terrible joke.]

Sparkler: Are you near a window?
inacan: (003)

[personal profile] inacan 2018-01-27 07:48 pm (UTC)(link)
90% of all people are idiots, regardless of social class
finding the good ones requires work
or a really good search algorithm
jettisons: (Default)

stasis also HELLO :*

[personal profile] jettisons 2018-01-27 07:48 pm (UTC)(link)
[Bellamy is in the stasis unit almost every day, checking up on his friends, although he always spends the most time at Octavia's pod, of course. The new arrivals are being released again, like clockwork, and like clockwork there's a lot of... concern. He isn't surprised to see a girl with her hands pressed against the glass of one pod, breathing just a bit too quickly. Time to answer some questions.]

Not dead. In stasis.

[Which, he realizes, might not mean much to her.]

Asleep. The Natha say they're recovering, receiving medical treatment.
logpose: (38.)

3

[personal profile] logpose 2018-01-27 07:49 pm (UTC)(link)
[ While she can't disagree, she's a bit more way of the creatures around her. She knows nothing about them after all. It's hard to tell what's dangerous and what isn't, especially since she doesn't even have a name to call most the beasts she's come across (more like hid herself from) so far.

Unbeknownst to her, the flora should be tread under with caution as well. Nami steps under the same tree, glancing at the man who had just spoken. She doesn't know him, but she is glad to have someone else around, at least.

Though -- ]
Not as remarkable as that gold armor of yours. It's got to be worth a fortune. Wanna give it to me?

[ ... ] Eh? [ Sure, she was thinking that, but she didn't actually mean to say it out loud??? ]
baguablade: (07)

[personal profile] baguablade 2018-01-27 07:50 pm (UTC)(link)
You're stuck here, though.
If it's not worthy, shouldn't you work to make it so?