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.

noblebeast: (King: Noble Beast)

[personal profile] noblebeast 2018-01-28 09:38 pm (UTC)(link)
[ Why does he have to be nice?! Why can't they just grow a spine?! ]

If you want me to lick your boots, then you've got another thing coming, cat-eyes.

[ Does yelling count as talking? ]
desistor: (tap())

[personal profile] desistor 2018-01-28 09:38 pm (UTC)(link)
[He lets Cam go easy enough when he tugs away. He's not here to manhandle anybody—if this guy really needs to get it out of his system, then he needs to get it out of his system. But at some point getting himself all worked up will do Cam's knuckles more harm than good. ...Among other things.]

Yeah, I bet.

[He knows a dumb I-am-coping joke when he hears one. But since Cam seems to be getting a grip, Boxer will let him talk himself down. He looks past Cam toward the girl inside—horns, purple skin. ...Wow.]

Wish it were that easy. Friend of yours?
ukase: (Order in pain)

[personal profile] ukase 2018-01-28 09:39 pm (UTC)(link)
[So they were going to fight. Clearly that's what two men with unresolved emotional issues should do, but it was made better by the fact that at least one of them was sober. He thought the Rabid Weasel was sober too, but the guy was clearly insane or maybe just high on some weird space drugs. Either way, they were going to hurt each other, and he was a-ok with that.

When his slash was blocked, he noted the feel of metal immediately and made mental note of it. This guy was all sharp edges and had strength and skill. He bared his teeth in reply, the corded tendons standing out in his neck, but there was no actual time to respond verbally.

Momentum drove him backwards, but he gave a little hop, tangling their feet together so that if he went down, the Rabid Weasel went down with him. As they fell, he swung his left elbow up in an attempt to drive it in Weasel's face.]


Sadomasochist or just masochist?
pussywhips: (044)

swoons

[personal profile] pussywhips 2018-01-28 09:42 pm (UTC)(link)
[ What... what? It all happens so fast that Ann doesn't really know how to react—the song, the silver armor, and then suddenly being scooped up in a princess carry. She lets out a little shriek of surprise as she's hauled up, her arms instinctively going around the other woman's shoulders to steady herself. ]

Whoa, hey!

[ Is she—is this girl just going to carry her like this the whole time? Isn't this going to slow them down? ]

Hey, you don't have to—I can run!
Edited 2018-01-28 21:43 (UTC)
diamondize: (Can you face time me.)

[personal profile] diamondize 2018-01-28 09:43 pm (UTC)(link)
I won't lack for company out here, either. [They'll not answer that 'are they here' question because...Fuck you Gil, YOU DON'T KNOW, OKAY.

?? ??? Countless other gems though? Dia pauses mid-pull away, brow furrowed as they frown.
] Gems like me? [Or more like the jewelry they've seen around? Non-sentient and lifeless? While they're preeeetty sure it's like that, Dia wants to make sure there's no brethren secretly trapped in this treasury thing they might have to rescue, just in case.]
pussywhips: (007)

[personal profile] pussywhips 2018-01-28 09:45 pm (UTC)(link)
oh, it wasn't too bad.
i was still just a kid so i learned english pretty quickly just by going to school.
the harder part was going back to japan after that.
pussywhips: (034)

[personal profile] pussywhips 2018-01-28 09:47 pm (UTC)(link)
[ hm... suspicious. ]

whoa, really?
wait... does that happen a lot?
like, people going back to sleep in the pods.
diamondize: (My new favorite word is dickbag.)

[personal profile] diamondize 2018-01-28 09:50 pm (UTC)(link)
Glue? [Glue...Paste...What's the difference?? Even if it's not the same type of paste, it sounds like it could be fine until their inclusions take root and bind everything together more effectively anyhow.

So they look a little relieved and smile
] That's great! I was worried I'd have to wait until the simulation ended, but I don't know when that'll be. If I could get fixed sooner rather than alter, I'd prefer that. The ship's doctors were very nice and able to fix me up good as new before!

[It's impressive! Well, to Dia, anyhow, who had only ever seen Rutile or their teacher working extensively on rebuilding the gems]
familydrama: (Default)

training 2b

[personal profile] familydrama 2018-01-28 09:50 pm (UTC)(link)
[well. that's. okay.

if there was any reaction to the branding velvet was expecting, it wasn't that. for her part, she's quietly horrified, and she's been scanning the crowds to get an idea as to whether or not picking a fight here is a good idea—

and then tree-man opens his mouth.]


...you would prefer that it go on longer?
vladpire: (Uncertain - 1)

[personal profile] vladpire 2018-01-28 09:52 pm (UTC)(link)
I am not, though I shouldn't be surprised there are those that have experienced that here. I suppose I'm still... amazed that such a thing is possible, no matter that I find myself circling around a new one.

[A year of being here. That was time enough to adapt, Vlad would think.]

Are the people of this world much like what you're used to?
exaomori: (🐍 22)

[personal profile] exaomori 2018-01-28 09:52 pm (UTC)(link)
[fuk]

besides that the natha probably aren't ur friends? nah
adisaster: (pic#9918722)

[personal profile] adisaster 2018-01-28 09:53 pm (UTC)(link)
HA
I'LL AGREE. IT SOUNDS AS IF HE IS UNWORTHY OF BEING KING IF HE CANNOT EVEN LEAVE HIS THRONE
beneath: (64)

[personal profile] beneath 2018-01-28 09:54 pm (UTC)(link)
[ sup ]

Well, that's a shame. There's no chance of anyone finding you seductive if it's not explicitly stated.
vladpire: (Look - 4)

[personal profile] vladpire 2018-01-28 09:54 pm (UTC)(link)
Like one of those jet packs I've heard so much about?
vladpire: (Default)

[personal profile] vladpire 2018-01-28 09:55 pm (UTC)(link)
You say that as if you expect it to change for me. I can assure you, Lady, there will be no familiar faces for me to gaze upon here. I have come to terms with that long ago.
familydrama: (011)

training modules!

[personal profile] familydrama 2018-01-28 09:56 pm (UTC)(link)
Cold feet? Not in the slightest.

[For her part, she looks remarkably unruffled as she stares up at the approaching dragon. She raises the crystal-tipped chain she's holding onto and gives it a twirl, then nods once.]

Shall we begin?
persistor: i could honestly do with a billion more happy icons (tap())

[personal profile] persistor 2018-01-28 09:57 pm (UTC)(link)
[ That's one way to put it, Nami. The complaining is just lighthearted enough to have the tense edges of her shoulder relax, expression nearly softening as Red focuses on Nami instead of ... whatever on earth is going out there. One at a time. She can't do much, and getting angry won't help now.

Which means she engages in the conversation whole-heartedly. She's absentmindedly trying to get her hands free, but otherwise — she shrugs, a second time. Except there's a little more purpose, and something closer to a sharp smile on her lips.

She still looks cute, is what Red's trying to say. Whether or not that comes through is another matter entirely. ]
diamondize: (why is there glitter)

[personal profile] diamondize 2018-01-28 09:57 pm (UTC)(link)
[Yeah we're just gonna chill here a minute, sorry Ann. The thought of putting her down doesn't even cross Dia's mind, especially since it's not like there's any strain to it.

As fragile as humans are compared to Dia's people, they can't help but feel impressed. It might be considered condescending to pretty much everyone else, but Diamond isn't aware of that at all, because aww, look at them. A fraction of a lifespan and ready to fight the power.

They smile warmly and nod
] Mm. My kind is quite different from yours'... Haha, you're so cute! [They mean it genuinely though. Humans are adorable, if kind of messy.]

Hmm... My kind doesn't really have a name though... I suppose we're just gems? I'm Diamond. Nice to meet you.
familydrama: (006)

stasis unit

[personal profile] familydrama 2018-01-28 09:59 pm (UTC)(link)
[Eerie is one word for this part of the station - nightmarish is another, better word. Velvet is able to keep her composure for the most part, but only because of many long years of dealing with...

Well...

Bullshit.

Lucina's question calls her attention from the pod she's been looking at, and her expression gentles somewhat. She's not... the best at comforting others, but she'll try.]


From what I've been told, they're merely asleep. They should wake someday, just as we did.
dendarii: (sawed-off maniac)

[personal profile] dendarii 2018-01-28 10:00 pm (UTC)(link)
[ They sure look like Athena eyes. And if demigodhood were a thing in his world, well. Miles sure has the right temperament to be a child of Athena too. Hell, he even speaks Greek.

His gaze sweeps up and down Percy with tactical precision, tucking all the bits of information he can see away for later. Young fellow, probably strong? The name doesn't give him any real hints about heritage, but he's also in a different world. He bows a bit, waving one hand in a flourish. ]


Admiral Miles Naismith. [ A beat before deciding to add his last name. ] Vorkosigan. But just Miles, please.
sharktrash: (damn it // you're going down)

[personal profile] sharktrash 2018-01-28 10:02 pm (UTC)(link)
[ High on some weird space drugs called ~*~love~*~, probably. Not that he'd ever cheapen his relationship with Xanxus by using that kind of a meaningless word for it. They were two parts of the same being. ]

[ And now he was half, and he was lost. ]

[ Squalo had never intended to stay upright after his suicide charge, so he's not particularly surprised when they both tumble down; instead he's already scrambling for a better position. ]

[ The elbow punch catches him on the side of his face - he makes sure to turn enough not to get the full blow to the teeth - but he immediately returns it with his best effort at impromptu headbutt. ]


Depends on the day.
almaredemptoris: (Default)

[personal profile] almaredemptoris 2018-01-28 10:04 pm (UTC)(link)
[Dumbness swaddles his tongue as he reaches for the man's hand and uses this as leverage to climb to his feet. The shock of succumbing to the darkness of death, and then of emerging once more in the light, alive and breathing, has not sapped him of his strength and yet he is grateful for the support nonetheless. Once upon his feet, he withdraws his hand and nods to the man.]

Thank you... Prayer was all I could think to do at such a time.

[He had prayed for Cosette, and for his own wretched soul, but also he had prayed for all the townspeople who did not stop to call upon God in their final diminishing moments. He now casts his gaze about, seeking the townspeople but finding no one else in the room.]

Was it all a dream, then? How real it felt! I was sure that I had been transported, to where I know not, and how I know not either... But it appeared as Judgment Day.

[It stirs loose in his memory fragments of his last day in Paris, before all turned cold and dark and his memory ceases. Before he awakened in the dimness of the Stasis Unit, which seemed to him a sort of graveyard. He remembers the descending darkness, the panic in the streets clamoring throughout the city, and Cosette's hand tight in his grip as he led her through the passage that evacuated the house on Rue Plumet. A shiver seizes him as the memory strikes.]
pebblestone: official art (fe:a) (pic#11550775)

[personal profile] pebblestone 2018-01-28 10:05 pm (UTC)(link)
keeping a watchful eye on these natha does seem to be the best course of action

do they ever show themselves in person or are they always voices without a form when they speak to us
dontgiveabuckland: (will be the one that you defy)

[personal profile] dontgiveabuckland 2018-01-28 10:10 pm (UTC)(link)
[Honest mistake is a kind way to put it. Cam lets out a long breath, one that betrays a deeper exhaustion than how he appears on the outside. It's been a long day of coping with idea that his world is gone and his friends are all asleep for Avandra knows how long. And there's something sobering about the way the older man looks at his daughter.

Abruptly,
] It's probably better in there than it is out here. Safer. I mean. As far as they know they're just taking a big nap!

[He thinks. Anyway, he's trying to be comforting to the old man.]
ukase: (Making friends)

[personal profile] ukase 2018-01-28 10:13 pm (UTC)(link)
[This was exactly how five of his friendships had began! He wasn't here on his space station to make friends, damn it! He was here to annoy sleeping Rollins, but one just couldn't predict when the next asshole would waltz into one's life with full intention of head butting him.

He twisted and squirmed on the floor seeing as he was in the lower position of this entanglement. He jerked his head to one side, taking the headbutt to his cheek and then snarling as he moved to return the favour. Headbutt was his move, Rabid Weasel!

Of course, he was adding to it by trying to punch Weasel in the ribs a few times as he moved to roll them.]


You got a safe word?