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.

pussywhips: pixiv id # 1565814 (082)

[personal profile] pussywhips 2018-01-28 04:49 am (UTC)(link)
wait...
are you typing in french right now?
beknight: ([ bvs ] 54.)

[personal profile] beknight 2018-01-28 04:50 am (UTC)(link)
[ Too bad he doesn't know Oliver Queen's schtick, or they could both make that joke. Something flickers in his expression, some kind of recognition. Bruce preferred to tinker, but he kept his body in top shape as well. ]

There are a few. Count of three, move to that weapons rack.
pebblestone: official art (fe:a) (pic#11550774)

[personal profile] pebblestone 2018-01-28 04:52 am (UTC)(link)
[ oh ]

i s e e t h a n k y o u f o r y o u r a s s i s t a n c e i s t h i s b e t t e r
playingfetch: (I'm going on)

THE WILDEST, MOST BESTIAL OF CARDS

[personal profile] playingfetch 2018-01-28 04:53 am (UTC)(link)
[Lancer's not on Thesa station often at all, and even when he was by necessity, having first arrived here, he'd largely avoided the stasis units. A quick walk through the rows of tubes, not catching sight of anyone he knew, had been enough to get the gist. There aren't many people in particular he would care to seek out; such is his life. Over the course of his life and death he's loved and cared for many, always knowing they would leave one another behind, probably sooner rather than later. He'd come to terms with that as a mere child. Others may frequent this room, looking for the faces of those they know; Cu does not. Who would he look for? His wife? His teacher? His son? His brother in arms, his uncle, his fellow Servants . . . there are too many people to consider, and all of them live comfortably in his past. He wouldn't know what to do if he did find Emer here.

To his own horrified, ironic amusement, it's Archer who brings him here. How's that for kind of embarrassing? But the Archer in red had been awake on the planet below with him, and now no longer seems to be, and Lancer's regrettably curious if that means he's back up in one of these tubes now. The thought that such a thing can happen even to Servants is astounding.

He refuses to search too hard, out of some pride. But just a glance can't hurt. And that's where Bazett will find him, when she pokes into the stasis room herself: wandering down a row of sleeping people, cutting an unmistakable figure even with his back to her, grumbling loud enough to be heard in the quiet.]


Bastard . . . lettin' that Storm thing do my work for me before I could. What a pain.
trample: (11)

[personal profile] trample 2018-01-28 04:53 am (UTC)(link)
[ ...Seriously? After a lengthy pause, he pinches the bridge of his nose. ]

Fine.

[ And so he rushes as fast as a man with one leg can into the fray, raising his crutch like it were mankind's greatest weapon. This is it. This is his moment -

He's thrown back to where he came from after a short-lived scrap, about as battered and bruised as you'd expect.

Cough. ]


I'm never listening to you again.
exaomori: (🐍 27)

[personal profile] exaomori 2018-01-28 04:54 am (UTC)(link)
[ uh ]

is that just how u write where u come from or something
meinwaifu: (Scuuuze Me ♪)

2B!!

[personal profile] meinwaifu 2018-01-28 04:55 am (UTC)(link)
What a coincidence -- I was just thinking the same thing.

[Lined up next to Thor is a man who probably stands out more than anyone else around then, what with his blue hair and pristine white suit. Mephisto wasn't expecting to end up in a simulation like this, nor was he intending on sticking around to be branded. The only question was how and when should he make his escape.]

But how do you suppose we do it? Quiet and stealthy? Or big and flashy?
pebblestone: official art (fe:a) (pic#11550771)

[personal profile] pebblestone 2018-01-28 04:56 am (UTC)(link)
w e d o n o t h a v e s u c h t h i n g s w h e r e i c o m e f r o m p l e a s e f o r g i v e m e a m i u s i n g t h e s p a c e b a r i n c o r r e c t l y
pussywhips: pixiv id # 1565814 (092)

[personal profile] pussywhips 2018-01-28 05:00 am (UTC)(link)
i mean, isn't the part where we're just floating in space weird enough??
i was in a simulation earlier where i got stuck in a plant and had to kiss the person i was with to get out.
THAT was pretty weird.
bravette: with apologies to fans of the other stephen king series 'cause I'm gonna borrow this face (9)

stasis!

[personal profile] bravette 2018-01-28 05:01 am (UTC)(link)
[ Unbeknownst to Cam, an indeterminate number of pods down and an indeterminate number of pods across, a woman cowers with her hands clasped over her mouth, sunk to the floor with her back pressed against a pod occupied by a stranger. Unbeknownst to Cam, quite possibly the worst realization in a woman's new life has come to pass, in these halls. ]

[ As soon as the banging and hollering starts, Beverly lets out a shriek, muffled hard against her palms, before twisting her head to better listen... It isn't coming from the direction she'd just fled from, and it certainly isn't a voice she's ever heard before. Past or present. And so fear quickly feeds into hot anger as she scrabbles to her feet to follow the noise, skirting in an arc of sorts until she comes upon the man, trip-trapping upon his... pod. ]

Hey! Be quiet! [ She hisses, the hands clutched to her breast in panic now balling into fists at her sides at the sight of this Renaissance Faire-looking asshole. ] Can it, will you, you're gonna wake them all up!
almaredemptoris: (Default)

[personal profile] almaredemptoris 2018-01-28 05:05 am (UTC)(link)
Yes just as you are

[At least, the messages he receives appear to him in his native language. How strange.]
exaomori: (🐍 30)

[personal profile] exaomori 2018-01-28 05:07 am (UTC)(link)
[Well, that would kinda explain it, but still]

stop spacing between every letter just use it between words
baguablade: (07)

[personal profile] baguablade 2018-01-28 05:08 am (UTC)(link)
[ The relief Cain's felt at seeing Lancelot returned, newly woken again from his pod, he assumes, is short lived. It's replaced by dismay; it's clear that Lancelot doesn't recognize him. Ah. Well, there's nothing to be done about it, and it's not as though they have no connection to begin with. There's an easy enough explanation that won't require more time than they currently have. ]

We're both members of the Grancypher's crew. I'm Cain, recently of Idelva. I've heard quite a bit about you from your fellow knights, and I'm reassured that I could ask for no better comrade in an escape!

[ He must be getting a bit too into it; one of the guards glances towards them and Cain hastily shuts up, waiting until the man's attention turns away again. He gives Lancelot a rueful grin. ]
dontgiveabuckland: (will be the one that you defy)

[personal profile] dontgiveabuckland 2018-01-28 05:09 am (UTC)(link)
HOW DO YOU GET INTO THAT SIMULATION

[Asking... for a friend.]

ALL I GOT WAS PEOPLE TRYING TO KILL ME
poolhall_killer: ([Xrd] cool and collected)

[personal profile] poolhall_killer 2018-01-28 05:15 am (UTC)(link)
[That doesn't make sense. Did this man consider himself a friend yet the sleeping individual hates his voice? What?]

Somehow I doubt that...

But why, if he hates your voice so much...?
playingfetch: (you've been lied to)

II-A

[personal profile] playingfetch 2018-01-28 05:21 am (UTC)(link)
[Maybe Ozymandias recognizes the man next to him once he catches sight of him. If he does, it isn't mutual—but Lancer is appraising him right back, because it's hard not to take notice of someone with Ozymandias' commanding aura. The man is a Servant; he knows that much.

That's probably a stroke of luck, considering the size of the dragon they're facing down. A beast of this size isn't enough to make Lancer afraid, not exactly, but he's not an idiot, either. One look at it is enough to tell that this battle will be more hard-won than most are for him. The help of another Heroic Spirit is much appreciated.

He holds out his empty right hand in a loose fist, letting Gae Bolg materialize into it.]


I am now. I gotta say, you got my attention. Confident, aren't you?

[Even with the dragon bearing down on them, he's not doing too shabby in the confidence department himself.]
adisaster: (pic#9028925)

[personal profile] adisaster 2018-01-28 05:22 am (UTC)(link)
[ Ah, there it was. Lancer's self description had led him to expect something like this, even if the memories of this particular Lancer were fuzzier at this point, tens of years aged. So there's no great amount of surprise seeing him emerge. Instead... There's an expression like he's just stepped in something unpleasant - - ]

Perhaps your eyes should be checked. Or I can rid you of your sight if you're making so little use of it.

[ -- before a smile splits its way across his face. It's not a pleasant one, though, more something sharp an arrogant and cruel.

Basically what Cu would probably expect from Gilgamesh.

His Gate of Babylon appears behind him like an unfolding fan, dozens of golden shimmering portals at the ready, though nothing fires yet.
]

This is quite nostalgic, Lancer.
cajolery: burnishable@tumblr (061)

wildcard!!

[personal profile] cajolery 2018-01-28 05:24 am (UTC)(link)
[ Really, what else do you expect Clair to do in this situation... she does her best to defend the innocent villagers while the Wyvern soldiers run around and terrorize them. Unfortunately, there's only one of her against a whole lot of them, so it's a whole lot harder than it sounds.

Case in point: she's currently facing off against a small group of soldiers, a family of three huddled on the ground behind her. The father has a young child clutched against his chest—apparently, the mother is one of the politicians that the Wyverns were hunting down.

Well, not while Clair is still standing. She brandishes her spear at the soldiers, a fire in her eyes. ]


This is not the conduct of honorable men and women! Stand down and leave these people be!
Edited 2018-01-28 05:24 (UTC)
worldsaway: (Default)

omage

[personal profile] worldsaway 2018-01-28 05:25 am (UTC)(link)
[Wow, now he feels better about his name.]

I'm not familiar with figurative thunder.
vladpire: (Pissed - Side 1)

[personal profile] vladpire 2018-01-28 05:26 am (UTC)(link)
[Well. Color him surprised.]

Do you dally with many vampires?

[Because only vampires could be old, right? Did this Iron Man know of the Master?]
worldsaway: (Default)

[personal profile] worldsaway 2018-01-28 05:27 am (UTC)(link)
[He knows. He can feel it in his bones.]

Mmm. Now I know I don't have the worst name. Thanks, you always make me feel better than you.

Sorry. I mean, better about myself.
poolhall_killer: (hidden)

[personal profile] poolhall_killer 2018-01-28 05:30 am (UTC)(link)
[From what Venom's seen, they are sturdy, but he doesn't like the idea of a random flaw being unintentionally exposed with a passionate punch or kick.]

So far, that has yet to happen. And I'd rather not bear witness to it, honestly.

[Mostly because he wouldn't want to deal with personnel.]
worldsaway: (pic#11900862)

[personal profile] worldsaway 2018-01-28 05:35 am (UTC)(link)
I wasn't implying that we should leave without a fuss. [Thor retorts, a little defensively at the allegation that he might have just left without helping.

The fact that he worded it poorly does not occur to him, nor does the fact that nobody here knows who he is. He's used to his reputation proceeding him.]


Can you break your binds? Because my plan was to break them, then pretend they weren't broken and then start punching people. [He fidgets with his wrists.] Unless you have a better plan. [God, he hopes he does.]
inacan: (008)

[personal profile] inacan 2018-01-28 05:35 am (UTC)(link)
[ Not everybody can be a ninja but Tony is no slouch! He's just not used to medieval weapons.

Count of three, easy enough, and on cue Tony sprints for that selfsame weapon-rack, the dragon letting off quite the roar as he does so. A quick dodge and roll (putting that training to good use), and there he is.

And there's the crossbow. Okay, he can do this. He used to design weapons for a living. How hard can it be? ]


Give me a box of scrap metal and a week and I'll get you something that'll blow Puff 'n Stuff sky high. Guess this'll have to do instead. You can distract it?

[ He glances to his companion dubiously. ]

pussywhips: (071)

[personal profile] pussywhips 2018-01-28 05:36 am (UTC)(link)
i got that too!!
ugh, i don't know... i'm not really sure how the VR stuff works
it was definitely part of some sort of "survival" test, i think?