❪ test drive #4 ❫

[natha]

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. QUICK NAV premise ● faq ● lore ● map ● npcs taken ● atp/emp ● application ● rep/acp calendar ● hiatus/drops ● modbox [ FULL NAVIGATION ] elnysa nysalogs nysaisles nysaooc elnyan

Comments

"was it a lover" jfc ivan

[rightfully]

I know. What you say does make sense.

[ Yet, it galls so significantly at her insufferably righteous sensibilities that she will turn hesitation into an art form. It isn't just Chrom. It's Lady Lissa, and Robin - whom she does not strictly trust, and would want to watch over - and Sir Frederick, and the Ladies Sumia and Cordelia, and - and hers, Cynthia and Inigo and Nah, Gerome...

Balefully, Lucina rubs at her face. It's a rare gesture, almost impatient.

She ends up turning the question around on him, in the end. Turnabout Emotional Manipulation, or something. ]

Are there none here that you fear for?

[baguablade]

It's always better to look at things with a silver lining :)
If you're really going to look into the Storm, I'll offer my help.
And a drink, when we meet in person, if you still need entertaintment.

[rightfully]

[ Some wonderful genius of an individual, surely! ]

What a delightful symbol. Is it smiling?

[ Lucina wants to try it.

She's going to try it. ]

:)

The Storm

[song_of_ice]

[He had only seem to hear of the Storm. Whatever memories he once had about his world ending were gone. All he could remember last was waking in the pod after having made a promise to help the Natha. Whether or not it was real, he couldn't say and he tried not to think of very often. Though the Storm, that he tried to remember at times, to at least have an idea of what he was facing.

This was not what he pictured. He had been trying to outrun it as the ground rumbled under them and lightning struck near his path. His feet twisted under him as he tried to dodge a fallen tree. He slipped against the mud, falling as lightening hit where he would have been.

Someone was grabbing at his arm. He manages to get a look at the girl before he was getting back up and holding to her arm equally tight. It was hard to say who was dragging who, but they were moving at least.]

Where? Where do we go?

Stasis

[song_of_ice]

[He visits everyday, if only to reassure himself that his family is still there, that nothing had happened between the hours he had been there last and now. It was a stupid paranoia, he told himself as much every time he walked into the room, but he couldn't deny the relief he felt whenever he saw Arya, Robb and Sam, still asleep and in one piece.

There were others there usually, people he assumed that came with the same intention or those who had just awaken. Sometimes he hoped that he would arrive and see Robb among, getting his bearings and trying to make sense of it all, but it was an idle wish. But he never really considered how hard waking would be for them, such an obvious thought, until someone said as much to a figure in one of the pods. How did he forget how hard it was for him? It was more than simply stepping between sleep and dreams, it was facing the reality of losing their world and finding themselves in this new one.]

It's a lot to take in.

[song_of_ice]

[It was a strange thing to see. After so long of hearing of the Storm, of how it destroyed worlds and loomed as a great threat against this universe, he hadn't been able to picture it in his mind. There were no memories of what happened, only of waking in the pod and of his promise, which was binding, but he felt no emotional connection to. This war meant little to him apart from the need to protect his friends and family, still asleep in the pods.

But in seeing the scope of the Storm, of hearing the cries of the villagers and witnessing how a world died, it resonated in him. He was left speechless, watching beside a smaller woman, beautiful in a way he had never seen with someone before. She was a lone star, set against the blackness. When she spoke, she voiced the words he was unable to find.

She was right, but he didn't know how or where to start. How did you fight something like this?]

We need to learn more about it.

Observation Room

[song_of_ice]

It was something Jon did as well, visit the Observation Deck, if only to take in the view and remind himself of how small he was compared to its vastness. How his problems and worries were a speck of nothing, a slight breeze rustling against a wide world. This place called to him, as the top of the Wall had. It was a sight he missed and couldn't replicate, but this dwarfed it in a way he hadn't been able to imagine.

He had never met Renly before, only having heard of him in passing. There was the usual gossip at the Wall, crude and late, given how removed they were from the world. Stannis had never mentioned him and neither had Davos. He had heard Brienne briefly mention the late king, but those who knew him were focused on other matters.

Even without recognizing him, he noticed the resemblance to the dour king and to Robert as well. "It's a lot to take in," he nodded to the view.

1b

[song_of_ice]

[He's no different than how Jon remembered him during the trek beyond the Wall. He's just as impulsive and reckless, thankfully without a rock to throw to get them into any trouble. Still, it's good to see Clegane again, even if it was under these circumstances.

He's able to smile, even at the man's desire to get into another fight.]

It's not a threat, not like the other.

Stasis

[song_of_ice]

[He can understand that pain, feeling it each time he visited his family. It had taken a great deal of courage for him to actually walk through the door and down the row of pods that contained those he knew and cared about. It didn't matter how many times he'd come, that ache was still there and just as sharp.

What was a surprise was to see the spread of ice and frost across the metal. He knew others had abilities, but this was something new and disturbing, though not through her own fault. Ice and snow were tainted for him now, bringing to mind a different threat.]

Is she your family?

[He wouldn't say the woman would wake soon. He knew how little that helped. He wouldn't lie to her, not when she was clearly hurting.]

Omage: un: manbun

[song_of_ice]

There are a number of people reading this. It's strange, I know. Think of it as an invisible letter.

[vladpire]

I would advise you to listen to your sister. She sounds quite wise. Though, I suppose it's easy for me to give advice about how to manage seeing loved ones here, as I've none to find myself. Were there someone I knew here, I might find my tune changing.

[vulpining]

[ The curl of her fluffed tail raises and from her kneeling position, the pink-haired girl is up to her feet. As if she's attempting block the view of the person in the tank. ]

Oh no, my Husband is — [ Well, her "Master"? Her 'wife', if she wants to be technical. She doesn't correct him, instead the dim green hue closes and the pod is back into rest. ] Thank you, it is good to hear that this world offers second chances and new beginnings.

[pebblestone]

technology? i see.

[ Look he found the question mark too!! ]

this is common, where you hail from?

[ She seems v comfortable with all this. ]

[dendarii]

Not in the slightest.

[vladpire]

He laughed softly, still keeping pace with her as they strolled away from the stasis units. A queen, then. She had the manner, reminding him of some he'd met in his days. "That is a question with a double-edged answer, my Lady. A sword thrust between the truth and the past. I had already abandoned what I was, and yet I had to become it again. And worse. And then time went on and I became as you see me now. No longer a Prince. No longer a Lord. And yet not merely a man. What is there left to abandon?"

[dendarii]

Ah. Well. War seems to be the way of it for most.

[ For all in his world. Even the Federation equivalent. ]

Is it a democracy?

[ He says the word like it's rather quaint. ]

wth is this rude twig — training 1B

[allamhigo]

[ So there are a few things that she's come to expect in this scenario. Groveling? Got it? Moaning and groaning prayers of worship? A little excessive, but she can understand where they're coming from.

An actual tree man bending over and asking for a loan, that one's new. Which is why the Hyur will pause before slowly looking up at her foliage-covered "friend" in disbelief. ]

...You can't be serious.

[ You better be-leaf he is, Lyse. this player is going to see herself out now ]

1/2

[folkblues]

rright, i forgot about how robots hate it when you call them robots.

Bazett Fraga McRemitz | Fate/Hollow Ataraxia

[unluckoftheirish]

the storm

[Bazett opens her eyes.

It's strange; despite how (literally) alien everything here seems to be, there's a familiarity to this part. More than anything else, opening her eyes after death, after a grueling experience of agony, as if waking from a nightmare... feels comfortingly routine.

She hadn't gone in expecting to die. "This is not for the faint of heart" had seemed almost like a challenge. She was prepared to get in and out of there with knowledge and without incident, as someone who is no stranger to death or torture—and yet even she found herself harrowed by the sensory overload and overwhelming terror, and her inability to fight back. All she could do was run and keep running. There's nothing that feels more crushingly demoralizing than being obliterated by something so impersonal after a lot of futile effort.

But at least in this moment, as she wakes up, Bazett has nostalgia to soothe her, even if she can't hear Avenger's voice quipping about it.

She sits up carefully, making sure that there isn't any lingering pain in her body, looking over at the person next to her. Focusing on someone else is a good way to set aside her own feelings... and this person just went through the same humiliation she did. She puts on a façade of calm practicality as she addresses her companion.]

Can you get up?

training modules (1a)

[After going through that depressing incident at the Observation Deck, any simulation seems better in comparison, no matter how daunting. After arriving in this quaint historical scene, Bazett finds she doesn't really care about what her role is "supposed" to be—she's dressed in armor as a front-line warrior, but she drops the weapon as soon as it's in her hands. If anyone attempts to question her on it, simulated villager or otherwise:]

It's fine. I work better in closer combat.

[There's a flashy glow as she magically enhances her limbs, assuming a fighting stance as the dragon looms, fists clenched. Sure, the dragon is six stories tall. Sure, even if she isn't familiar with how dragons work on this world, she already knows that dragons where she comes from are immensely bad news that she really should not fuck with.

But you know what? This is a simulation, and she can punch a dragon, in a way she definitely could not punch a raging storm. So she's going to punch the dragon.]

omage

You’re now chatting with Anonymous... Say hi!

You don't have to say "hi". I'm only testing the feature.

I'd like to hear any advice or information you might deem useful for a new arrival, that wouldn't be covered by the official rundown. But if you'd rather small talk, then I'll disconnect now and you can find someone else. I think I have a good enough idea of how this program works.

wildcard

((or if you just wanna get in contact then hmu @ rivalcharacter))

[vladpire]

[Vlad turned to the man who spoke, offering him a small nod in notice.]

For a variety of reasons, I'm finding. There are those who come from worlds and times where none of this is possible. And others who seem to almost expect it. It's an odd blend of folk in an unusual and unlikely scenario.

[bornofgods]

You are correct. Allow me to not only make a claim, but declare my personage!
I am Ozymandias, the King of Kings, the Sun Itself. I am he who reigned as King of Upper and Lower Egypt under the name Rameses II, son of Ra, Rameses and Amun.

wait one more

[folkblues]

but aren't you guys supposed to be less-wordy about that stuff? 'sorry, since i'm just a hal, i don't know what that means'.

for the record, i'm not getting on my knees for anybody, not even for an unfeeling ai with a primitive response sequence.

[Which would actually be ideal, but...]

[folkblues]

hang on, are you a guy-robot?!

[adisaster]

[ It's still a mystery who this Lancer is but that doesn't make Gilgamesh any less willing to accept the invitation. In fact he's undeniably intrigued. ]

VERY WELL. I WILL GRANT YOU THAT MUCH CONSIDERATION. I SHALL SEE FOR MYSELF IF YOU CAN EXCEED MY EXPECTATIONS

DO YOU KNOW OF A PLACE TO MEET?

[dorzalta]

That earns him a sharp look. The sort that's not quite in reprimand, but hovers a breath away from it. He would rather stay in this place than return to their world? What of the Night King? What of their people? What of every single thing they've fought so hard to accomplish thus far?

How is he alright with any of this?

"They're lost so long as they sleep." For a moment, she's half tempted to return to that room and force the other boxes open. Were her people in there, as well? Missandei, Tyrion, and Grey Worm? Where was Drogon and Rhaegal? They were far too large to fit into one of those things, and she'd seen nothing of them. "We were just on that ship and sailing north, Jon. To see your family. And now you're ready to--" abandon them.

The thought's not finished, and instead, she turns her focus back to the scene before them. It seems less beautiful than moments ago, and a bitterness churns in her belly, rising quickly to the back of her throat.

Their world cannot be gone. A world cannot simply be destroyed.

But he talks as if it is. As if he's seen things to solidify that fact. How could he, when they'd been in each other's arms hours ago? None of this makes sense... lest she believes in her dreams.

"Where are my dragons?" she asks as his fingers glide down her back. She looks at him, then, as if seeing him for the first time; it's not with relief that she gazes upon him, but something guarded. How could he accept this so easily?