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.

flashystyle: (decisions of their lives)

[personal profile] flashystyle 2018-01-28 09:48 am (UTC)(link)
[Don't stare at him like that? Dorian sustains eye contact looking mildly uncomfortable for a few seconds, up until he has to look away. That correction does not have the intended effect Manley probably hopes it does, and he's trying not to laugh so he can hear him when he asks his question.]

Yes, as I've said, I can read! Just not your... Sap... [language... this is not Sap language, or oak language, or any kind of language. He gets it now.

He hates this.]
You can't read?
selfservice: (too stupid to function)

[personal profile] selfservice 2018-01-28 09:50 am (UTC)(link)
[Oh, please say Sap language, he wants to hear it. His weird wooden eyebrows will leave his weird wooden head, propelled by the force of his petty scorn.

Too bad.]


Ah, you're finally paying attention! No, of course not. [lmao......]
adisaster: (pic#5313072)

[personal profile] adisaster 2018-01-28 09:52 am (UTC)(link)
[ He's been told so many times already that his title means little to nothing here that he almost looks surprised at being addressed properly before - - again, he looks pleased. It's another point in Reinhardt's favor, and Gilgamesh is egotistical enough that he doesn't feel the need to correct him or tell him just his name is okay. He wouldn't mind, but if Reinhardt wants to treat him with the respect he deserves - - who is Gilgamesh to stop him? ]

I look forward to the chance to see your proper equipment, if it would be anything like what I just witnessed. But I imagine for now you will need the time to recover.

[ It's not an insult to say Reinhardt has deserved the break. No matter how hard he fought he does seem to be just a human, and not a young one at that. Gilgamesh is frankly impressed he fought as well as he did. ]

I do not enjoy what I've had of the modern era's beer, but if there is wine I would be more than happy to take you up on that offer.
selfservice: (.........)

[personal profile] selfservice 2018-01-28 09:55 am (UTC)(link)
[Time to swim through the dirt and go somewhere else, far away from this whole mess. No, he'll blink along the rest of the way she tells him, until he runs out of stamina after a few goes and has to walk the rest of the way. It's fine, he saved some time and effort...

Catch him brushing dirt off himself, when he's finally all the way out of the ground and frowning at his clothes. Hm.]


There you are. [Did he win?? Who knows.] Now, has this been here the whole time? It's quite large!

[How... does pop-in work.......]
flashystyle: (she wanted us to have a baby)

[personal profile] flashystyle 2018-01-28 09:59 am (UTC)(link)
What do you mean, of course not? You aren't dressed like some - some plebeian. [That's a compliment, kind of? Enjoy that. There are tons of people that can't read back where he's from that he can reference, but uh, that's a really uncomfortable topic. So instead:]

What does a man - Sap - that looks like this do if he doesn't read?
phonic: (054.)

[personal profile] phonic 2018-01-28 10:02 am (UTC)(link)
[ A grandmother at 22, incredible. ]

As well as expected, I suppose. [ How does she argue against what she can see with her own two eyes? Her heart may cry out for what was lost, but crying had never brought anything back to her. ] It's an uncomplicated trade, accepting losing many worlds to live on just one.

[ And now they are all of them pieces, relics. ]
hurtled: (♪13)

[personal profile] hurtled 2018-01-28 10:02 am (UTC)(link)
[Likewise, she attempts to hold back a snort at how Maria's face twists up. It goes over equally well.

As Maria is aware, you don't get to wield Gungnir without being Like This.]


Are you referring to her...or me? [If the former, she can guess at what "already" happened to the old lady. The latter -- she had figured they were past that, but maybe not.]
selfservice: (this face would never lie)

[personal profile] selfservice 2018-01-28 10:04 am (UTC)(link)
[Yeah he's rich as hell, thanks for noticing. He gets the implication, it just doesn't make sense, because only gutter-crawling outcasts with nothing better to live for (or Volfred) learn to read. Very sad!!

But he's got no interest in talking about sports prison, so,]
You make it sound like there's nothing to do in life except read, which sounds like a very, very lonely existence. [fucking nerd] I'm an ambassador, and quite an accomplished one, so I find speaking is much more useful to me!
panzersoldat: (pounded beef2)

[personal profile] panzersoldat 2018-01-28 10:05 am (UTC)(link)
[ Titles might not mean much, but to the people who wear them, they are very important. He wears title of "Last Crusader", not that he threw it in with his name. So, even if it's only a title, it will be used as is proper.]

Oh, it will be better. I'll be must faster for one. [ And a lot tougher. His J08 could take a lot more punishment than that armor he had been in. His real shield would have been useful too. But the king is right, he is only human and once the adrenaline wears off, he's going to feel this all. Not that he'll let a little pain slow him down. He never has before. ]

But, you have just broken this poor German's heart. Not liking beer. Highness, that is the saddest thing I've ever heard! But I know there is also wine. So I will treat you to that wine and I'll drink your beer and mine as well. In fact, the food up here is pretty great. They'll make you anything you want. You just have to ask for it. So you can always have taste of the things you enjoy, at least up here. Down on the planet it's whatever we can get from the markets or hunting and foraging for ourselves. So if you would follow me, I'll take you to that wine, Highess.

[ He'll even shorten his steps so that he doesn't range too far ahead of the shorter man on the way to the mess hall. Reinhardt though will take the scenic route, so Gilgamesh can see it for himself. The small planet that will soon be his home. ]
adelphoi: (🍰 ᴄᴀᴛ's ᴛᴏɴɢᴜᴇ)

an endless parade of jumping puzzles, forever

[personal profile] adelphoi 2018-01-28 10:08 am (UTC)(link)
[ ah, how she has missed that smile, the mirror to her own. ]

A passing kindness, do not expect it to happen again.

[ these tiny fists can pack a punch, after all!! but she exhales softly nonetheless, and inhales slowly yet again. she's still shaken, still in mild disbelief, but she's schooling herself back into some semblance of dignified togetherness, at least. ]

Now then, I suppose it is time we made our timely escape. No doubt you have.. many questions.
gekkajuu: commissioned, please do not steal (eatsushi062_zpszfla6brq)

[personal profile] gekkajuu 2018-01-28 10:14 am (UTC)(link)
[idk if you're setting a good example there, mom...]

It may not be a fair trade, but... for what it's worth, it's a beautiful planet down there - as you can see.

[He dares to gesture at their surroundings, just barely. The movement of his arm is minimal, almost timid, but his smile is sincere, even if it's adopted very deliberately.]

There are all sorts of things you can do, and all kinds of jobs you can get.

We're still alive. And we're not alone.
tornadoed: (❮ 010. ❯)

[personal profile] tornadoed 2018-01-28 10:14 am (UTC)(link)
[ dorothy hasn't been on the planet, but it'll only remind her of oz. the magic, the natives — the conflict, too. ]

yeah, you're right about that
i don't mean to be all gloom
it's just
a lot, right
tornadoed: (⟪ LOSS ⟫)

[personal profile] tornadoed 2018-01-28 10:15 am (UTC)(link)
[ it's a legitimate question, but dorothy can't bring herself to think about an answer right now because thinking would require pausing long enough to get her thoughts together. she's running on instinct and just plain running, her hand on this stranger's arm and his on hers. she's not sure who's dragging who, but they're moving.

that's the important bit. ]


Away from that.

[ she doesn't bother pointing back at the storm. there's no mistaking what she means, anyway. ]
phonic: (037.)

[personal profile] phonic 2018-01-28 10:23 am (UTC)(link)
[ Excuse you, miss, she was never Like That.

Much.
]

I can hardly choose. [ And now she sounds like an ass, her surprise getting the better of her and forcing her to eat the words that now feel too callous to say aloud: You're both supposed to be dead. ] ...I learned of you from her.
ausuben: (pic#11899489)

how do you sleep at night

[personal profile] ausuben 2018-01-28 10:27 am (UTC)(link)
[ There's a momentary silence before Lancelot starts to speak once finished testing the bindings. ]

I would say s—ngh!

[ His answer is cut off as he reactively cringes from the sudden jerk of his head being yanked back by a guerrilla fighter grabbing him roughly by the hair. The two exchange silent words via eye contact before the fighter smirks and tugs just a little more. "If you have something to say, do let me listen in. Go on, pretend like I'm not even here and keep talking with your friend there."

The Wyver soldier is met with silence and a rather nasty expression. Although the other knight is technically no longer Lancelot's captain, anymore, he may want to temporarily reprise such a role. Siegfried will easily recognize that Lancelot's expression indicates he's about to mouth off rather than keep the silence he so far has should the fighter push his buttons even the slightest bit more. The younger dragon knight is apparently far closer to being at wit's end than his outward behavior has previously implied.
]
selection: (« smolder »)

[personal profile] selection 2018-01-28 10:28 am (UTC)(link)
[ this is dangerous — that sort of smile, that sort of question. it's dangerous, or it was dangerous in solo's world. there are desires that one can flaunt and there are desires one should hide and this very firmly fell into the latter category except under exceptional circumstances.

but things are different here, aren't they? ]


I might've bought you a drink, for starters. [ he says after a moment's consideration, voice a little lower but not so low to make plausible deniability impossible. ]
selection: (« flirt »)

[personal profile] selection 2018-01-28 10:29 am (UTC)(link)
Yes, that's what I was afraid of.

[ solo lowers his gun again, after a moment's hesitation. ] I don't suppose you have any bright ideas?

[ but despite the way this feels all too real, he takes his gaze off the dragon long enough to smile at her. ] Jack Deveny, at your service.
icytouch: (n i n e t y)

[personal profile] icytouch 2018-01-28 10:30 am (UTC)(link)
Unlike her new companion, it seems, Elsa had been more or less aware that she may not be the only one here. It's an open facility after all, and given the endless rows and rows of sleeping refugees.. well, visitors must be somewhat common, yes? At the very least, she is not surprised by the footsteps approaching, or the voice that follows.

Still, there's no mistaking the anxiety that flickers momentarily over her face as she turns, drawing both hands together and knitting her slim fingers. She has never seen this man before, with his wild fiery hair and strange clothing, but then, that too must come as no surprise.

"No, no, it's all right," she's quick to say, with a shake of her head. "You haven't intruded, and I probably.. shouldn't linger."
phonic: (066.)

[personal profile] phonic 2018-01-28 10:35 am (UTC)(link)
[ you're the one with the cub ]

Of course. Few things are fair or just, which is why we just have to carve those things out for ourselves.

[ With wills or blades or other truthful things. Chin lifting, she catches Atsushi's gesture to the lush image of the place she'll now have to call home. It's teeming, even in a fabricated space. Though she'll likely always have regrets about being able to do nothing for the home she was growing into, she doesn't want to forget what it taught her. ]

— wherever we are.
selection: (« smolder »)

[personal profile] selection 2018-01-28 10:35 am (UTC)(link)
It's been a while since I've shot a gun, but I shouldn't be too rusty.

[ a bold-faced lie, of course. ]

So you're somewhat of an expert on things around here?
icytouch: (s e v e n t y - f o u r)

[personal profile] icytouch 2018-01-28 10:35 am (UTC)(link)
[ there are others here, roaming the halls, visiting with friends and family and dear ones who sleep endlessly, so near and yet so very far away. this storm seems to have affected so very, very many, an impossibly vast array of worlds and lives, the very idea of it is enough to make her heart feel heavy. but it stands to reason that she would not be alone here. the draw of visiting those you've lost is simply too powerful.

biting her lip, elsa drops her hand from the glass and weaves her fingers together, straightening her spine in an attempt at more poise and assurance than she surely feels. ]


Yes. My.. my sister.

[ despite it all, she still can't help the way her gaze slips back toward anna again, fearful and longing. ]
rightfully: (pic#7535322)

this is going to be worse than dad jokes

[personal profile] rightfully 2018-01-28 10:35 am (UTC)(link)
[ Lucina considers the question briefly, and then squints up above her. What an odd thing to ask! ]

Nothing, presently.

Merely the ceiling.
selection: (« smirk »)

[personal profile] selection 2018-01-28 10:37 am (UTC)(link)
Some more than others, I should think. But I'm very firmly interested in enjoyment.
icytouch: (s e v e n t y - f i v e)

[personal profile] icytouch 2018-01-28 10:37 am (UTC)(link)
[ despite the massive inroads she's made towards accepting and understanding her abilities, elsa nonetheless is quick to draw her hand away from the glass at the sound of an unfamiliar voice. the frost still clings, however, held by the cryogenic chill of the pod itself.

knitting her fingers together with clear uncertainty, elsa shifts her weight from one foot to the other. stand tall. ]


You have.. experience with this?
hurtled: (♪06)

[personal profile] hurtled 2018-01-28 10:40 am (UTC)(link)
Aah. [Not the answer she expected, though one which explains much more.

Her eyes flick upward in the direction of Nastassja's motionless form.]
Then I ought to thank her, if I ever have the chance. [If accounts of the "other" Kanade were positive. She hadn't been given any indication to the contrary.

It's concerning, for Maria not to recognize her like she did -- would the woman she calls "mom" also remember her differently, she thinks, and refrains from voicing aloud.]
Edited (reworked a line) 2018-01-28 10:41 (UTC)