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.

uninjured: (pic#)

[personal profile] uninjured 2018-01-27 10:10 pm (UTC)(link)
I MEAN THE ONLY DOWNSIDE IS THAT EVERYONE WILL THINK THAT YOU'RE LOUD FACE-TO-FACE.

WHAT ARE THE CONSEQUENCES IF YOU DON'T HAVE FUN? THAT'LL BE THE DECIDING FACTOR ON WHETHER OR NOT I CAN MAKE THAT PROMISE.
araearyrha: (009)

[personal profile] araearyrha 2018-01-27 10:11 pm (UTC)(link)
What's that supposed to mean? I was just checking to see if my magic still worked.

[Considering this was the only spell she was really successful with, it made sense to try it out instead of one that was certain to fail.

As to Diana's question, Akko gets a thoughtful look on her face as she tries to work out the answer.
]

It's been a couple of hours now. I tried walking around for a while but I got lost and ended up here.
adisaster: (pic#5313098)

[personal profile] adisaster 2018-01-27 10:13 pm (UTC)(link)
THE SCALE OF YOUR PUNISHMENT WOULD NATURALLY DEPEND ON HOW MUCH YOU DISAPPOINT ME

ON THE LIGHTER END, I WOULD HAVE YOU TO BEG EARNESTLY FOR MY FORGIVENESS
impregnates: (pic#12042143)

[personal profile] impregnates 2018-01-27 10:14 pm (UTC)(link)
[ In true tentacle porn fashion, Chrom finds the grip on the Falchion doing less and less to free him from the constraints of the vines. There's too many of them, and he simply can't keep up with the assault, until, eventually, he too is mummified, the blade now limp in his grasp. ]

Drawn to warmth you say...

[ Contrary to expectation, the vines don't proceed to squeeze tighter and tighter around them, breaking their bones and forcing them further into the vulnerable flesh and tissue of their body until they die either from internal bleeding or asphyxiation.

Instead, it's more like a firm, but very inconvenient hug. ]


I suppose it is worth a try. [ His panic and sense of urgency dissipating when it appears they're not in danger of being squeezed to death, he takes a breath and tries to relax his body. ] I only pray that the usual course of things isn't that these vines loosen once their prey has become corpse cold.

[ Despite his words, he has a wry smile on his face. ]
rightfully: (pic#7535289)

[personal profile] rightfully 2018-01-27 10:14 pm (UTC)(link)
Truthfully, I am uncertain.

[ Sorry, random helpful @nobody. You're about to have a purse dumped out all over you. ]

This level of technology is overwhelming.
playingfetch: (got some bad news this morning)

[personal profile] playingfetch 2018-01-27 10:17 pm (UTC)(link)
[All right well. Maybe it's a little stereotypical to think, but Lancer doesn't know many women who are . . . like this . . .

Maybe she's just real confident. Going with that for now.]


NOTHING IN MIND AT ALL?

ENTERTAINMENT COULD BE A LOT OF THINGS. A GAME, A GOOD FIGHT, SOMETHING A LITTLE MORE PRIVATE. LUCKY FOR YOU, I'M NOTHING BUT QUALITY IN ALL THOSE THINGS.


[Also he's not about to be outshouted by this ??lady?? so mutual capslock time it is.]
pussywhips: (011)

[personal profile] pussywhips 2018-01-27 10:17 pm (UTC)(link)
[ IT'LL BE FINE, DON'T WORRY

The hand the soldier puts on his sword gives Ann a little bit of pause—I mean, she really isn't used to being threatened with swords from perfectly normal human beings on a regular basis. If this soldier were a Shadow, she wouldn't even hesitate to summon her Persona—uh, can she even summon her Persona here, outside the Metaverse?

Maybe she should've thought about that before mouthing off. Maybe, but not likely. She refuses to stand aside anymore when people are being hurt.

In any case, the soldier advances towards them, his hand still on the hilt of his sword as he says something about how they're nothing at all like you Olympian scum. Ann tenses as she stands her ground, her heart pounding in her chest. ]


You're the ones who look like scum to me! You don't have to do this to these people!

[ Okay, maybe be worried. ]
diamondize: (come home. i made deep-fried hotdogs)

[personal profile] diamondize 2018-01-27 10:18 pm (UTC)(link)
[Diamond considers for about half a second before they clasp their hands behind their back lightly and widen their stance a little, silently holding their ground. Flashy and gold though he may be, Dia isn't about to let themselves get intimidated. He's no sensei, after all, so Diamond's reasonably sure if this turns into a threatening situation that they can hold their own.

Why does something about the flashiness make her think of the Lunarians...? Hm. ItsAMystery.jpg

They still keep up that pleasant air though! Dia does feel a bit of pity for the eyes of anyone who might see the lights shining through the trees though. The light reflecting off their hair and hitting his armor is almost painful to them too at times.
]

I'm not sure... He taught us everything we know, so I suppose we picked up mannerisms from him and each other. Is it strange?
rightfully: (Default)

[personal profile] rightfully 2018-01-27 10:19 pm (UTC)(link)
I admit, I should.

[ Her hands don't lessen up from the glass, though. It would be impolite to ignore the young - young? - man speaking to her, however, so she does give him a quick glance over her shoulder, nodding in greeting.

Hello, weird hobo man. Are you here to relive your glory days as a teen psychopath? ]


They wouldn't leave me, if given the choice. I would not feel right if I abandoned them now.
micromania: (Default)

[personal profile] micromania 2018-01-27 10:20 pm (UTC)(link)
I'm glad you're here, I was worried when I didn't see you in the cryo pods.

I just...picked something that felt right. I guess? I didn't want to use my name.
micromania: (Default)

[personal profile] micromania 2018-01-27 10:21 pm (UTC)(link)
Oh, good. My name is Farah and he's my friend and business partner.
rightfully: (pic#8539607)

[personal profile] rightfully 2018-01-27 10:21 pm (UTC)(link)
[ Time for some truly witty repartee. ]

Hello.

[ Nailed it. ]
almaredemptoris: (Default)

[personal profile] almaredemptoris 2018-01-27 10:22 pm (UTC)(link)
[The horror that is evident in the young man's countenance is perhaps what draws Jean Valjean to pity him beyond all the prisoners who share his plight. And in truth, he misidentifies him as a young woman, which in his mind makes the scene all the more horrific.

With the mob's many eyes aimed at the center of the altar, to which each prisoner is marched in turn, he is granted a narrow window of opportunity in which to aid this "woman." The mob provides ample cover for his operations, too, with the way they press close to the altar, nearly swallowing the prisoners in their fury before the brands ever touch the prisoners' flesh.]


I bear you no ill will, [he murmurs, so quiet that even the bound man can scarcely hear.

So speaking, he gently tugs Linneus' hands away from his face, to where they cannot be seen so easily. He then draws something from his jacket pocket and shortly sets to sawing at the ropes that bind the young man's hands.]
cacoethical: (pic#11969877)

[personal profile] cacoethical 2018-01-27 10:23 pm (UTC)(link)
i have been here for MONTHS!!!!! i was starting to think id never speak to you again or with you again rather!!! i have been doing quite a lot of speaking AT you sorry about that
meinwaifu: (Calm down Satan ♪)

[personal profile] meinwaifu 2018-01-27 10:24 pm (UTC)(link)
Oh, not to worry, I have no such intentions. I have plenty of things to keep me entertained here, after all.

[And shockingly, Rin isn't even one of them. But how long has Yukio been awake? Has he met with anyone else yet? If he's from the same "time" as Shura, simply asking might not get him an answer.]

[But if he posits it as an offer to share information, he might be able to draw more out of him.]


But you must be feeling rather groggy, over-sleeping as long as you have! I woke up months ago -- though I've yet to find any pattern to it.
forceskype: (14.)

[personal profile] forceskype 2018-01-27 10:24 pm (UTC)(link)
[He's not immediately familiar with their species, but he understands what's going on all the same. Still, a good number of the species in his galaxy are capable of bleeding, so even those who don't are usually aware of the concept. Oh well. Kylo sighs as he drops his arm to his side.]

I'm bleeding. [He says with a scowl] And I'm aware.

Although if this place is capable of resurrecting the dead, I doubt they'll have trouble with something as minor as this.
Edited (whops too small also sorry about? him) 2018-01-27 22:25 (UTC)
forceskype: (04.)

[personal profile] forceskype 2018-01-27 10:27 pm (UTC)(link)
Unfortunate what happened to it, isn't it?

[Look, he can play along.]
diamondize: (drank all the drinks. And jump off roof)

[personal profile] diamondize 2018-01-27 10:27 pm (UTC)(link)
[Diamond purses their lips, thinking about that. Sacrifices. For what purpose? They can't wrap their head around any of this. Did organics--humans?--not have some logic?

Jean's work happens with a quick effectiveness that Dia can't help but admire and be impressed by. The need for being undercover or sneaky isn't one they normally had-- there was no infiltrating or prisonbreaks, the fighting was all refreshingly straight-forward.

Here... It definitely seems to be something they'll need to pick up. They don't protest the coat or anything, letting themselves be led away, though they do glance back as the backs of the prisoners are swallowed up by the advancing crowd.
]

I'm afraid I don't understand the meaning. [Dia confesses at length once they've made their through most of the crowd.] They're all the same species, aren't they? They're all human? Why would they turn against their own?
vladpire: (Smile - 2)

[personal profile] vladpire 2018-01-27 10:29 pm (UTC)(link)
[Was he talking to a teenager? Mentions of sparkles and 'cool story, bro' over his name had him assuming that.]

Let's go with not.
trample: (493)

[personal profile] trample 2018-01-27 10:29 pm (UTC)(link)
[ He's here to make her emo.

Before he can ask her "if you should, then why don't you", he's interrupted by her answering that very question - all without a word from him. Whatever works. He'll just find another opportunity to take a dramatic, lengthy pause. Like now. ]


...Abandon? [ Another one. ] I can see how you'd think that, but...

[ One eye (his only) on the pod she's so into. Some blue-haired macho man with a goofy hairdo. Was it a lover? ]

Like I said, they're not going to come out of their shells for a while yet. Maybe longer. You never know - but if they do decide to wake up, I figure you'll be the first to know. [ A one-armed shrug. ] For them, it's like nothing ever happened. Might as well kill some time while you're waiting. It's all you can do.
desistor: (mask())

[personal profile] desistor 2018-01-27 10:30 pm (UTC)(link)
[It's fine, he spends most of his day as a useless usb sword, what else is he going to do with his time but chat down worked-up protags.

Agreeably—
]

Takes a little getting used to.

[More for some than others. But from his stupid art-deco-Matrix perspective, surely she means the Cryo Pod nonsense, or the spaceships, or the ??? "magic." And not the....texting..... Little does he know.]

Helps to take it one thing at a time. [Prioritize. Take it from there. It worked for him.] Let me guess. Just woke up?
rightfully: (pic#7915147)

[personal profile] rightfully 2018-01-27 10:31 pm (UTC)(link)
[ Sleeping, and healing - it makes sense in theory, but Lucina hardly likes it. These people are her own, born of a camaraderie that contradicted time itself. She didn't consent to give them up to this inexplicable force with its abrupt technologies and confusing devices. It's all so alien, her stomach clenches miserably. ]

You're certain that they - this Natha - can be trusted?

[ Lucina does let go of the glass, albeit reluctantly. The young man behind it doesn't even stir. ]
impregnates: (pic#12042143)

[personal profile] impregnates 2018-01-27 10:31 pm (UTC)(link)
[ The man takes it... gingerly. Which is kind of puzzling because Chrom thinks it's a fine glove? The material is lightweight and comfortable, but also durable enough to survive many a battle.

But there are plenty of eager worshippers surging forward, and while Chrom is troubled by a few of the offerings (body parts and indiscernible meats?), he accepts the exit with grace, nodding to their unimpressed elder and sweeping away with an unconscious flourish as his cape fans out behind him.

There isn't much room for solitude in the area, the sheer magnitude of worshippers is impressive, though Chrom can imagine why, when they're faced with their deity right before their eyes. He still finds the entire ceremony fascinating, and he looks back at Lucina with a gentle smile, evidently unfazed by the encounter. ]


Thank you for your assistance, stranger. I'll admit I was at a loss as to how to keep my sword without offending the old man. Are you a visitor to this area as well?

[ Since she was so willing to step in to aid him, he can only suspect that she isn't part of the world created by the training machine. ]
houndedby: (pic#)

[personal profile] houndedby 2018-01-27 10:32 pm (UTC)(link)
[The concept of virtual reality is not something Sandor has a strong grasp on. He's witnessed all manner of nonsense and witchcraft in the past couple of years, but he draws a hard line at this.

It's not the first time he's helped himself out of a situation he decided he didn't want to be in, but the sound of laughter raises his hackles. Sandor glances toward Theon, narrowing his eyes as he tries to place him in his memories. He's seen him before, he knows that much, he's not sure he remembers who he is.

He does know that he doesn't want a little bitch like him to think he can get away with laughing at him.

Sandor glances on the ground around him, crouching down and righting himself quickly before he pelts a decent sized rock at Theon's head.]
punshots: (✘ stinson.)

rest in pieces 1/2

[personal profile] punshots 2018-01-27 10:32 pm (UTC)(link)
[ To his credit, he catches on quickly.

Perhaps not as quick as he should have, but it's abundantly clear from the moment Alphinaud speaks that this is not Alisaie. Definitely. Not.

Prompto halts abruptly, turning a wide-eyed scrutinizing look as he lets go of the other's hand, both of his own flying up. He knows her face better than anyone's, and while they are alarmingly identical, the differences are there, subtle as they may be, easily overlooked, as he is quickly coming to realize. ]


...Uhhhhh -

[ Oh gods.

Please hold. ]