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.

fiendennor: (01)

[personal profile] fiendennor 2018-01-28 10:14 pm (UTC)(link)
[A nod, slow and deliberate.] With people I care for being up here, asleep?

Yes. A little bit, at least.

[Diana glances at the girl in the pod.] Who is she?
almaredemptoris: (Default)

[personal profile] almaredemptoris 2018-01-28 10:17 pm (UTC)(link)
Such a long way to travel not just once but twice

What brought your family to return to Japan

[personal profile] fiendennor 2018-01-28 10:17 pm (UTC)(link)
[Diana pinches the bridge of her nose. Akko...] All right. I suppose I can help you find the kitchen.

Are you all done here, or do you want to play around with the animals some more?

[personal profile] fiendennor 2018-01-28 10:18 pm (UTC)(link)
Yet none of your "accomplishments" last.
The empire you rule over turns to dust and desert sand.

That doesn't bother you?
dontgiveabuckland: (My heart feels dead inside)

[personal profile] dontgiveabuckland 2018-01-28 10:20 pm (UTC)(link)
[It's a good thing Cam isn't any stronger than a wet noodle.]

I don't get why they're stuck in there in the first place. [He gestures to Jiutou, the purple tiefling sleeping in the pod he had been assaulting.] She looks fine to me!

Nothing a good cure spell can't fix.

[personal profile] ayes 2018-01-28 10:26 pm (UTC)(link)
yeah I guess
I mean not like super often but theres like a dozen or so every month-ish
enough so that you notice it espec. if its a friend of yours

crap I dont remember her name though
it was weird bc she was japanese but she had like a foreign name but thats all i remember
poolhall_killer: ([Xrd] cool and collected)

[personal profile] poolhall_killer 2018-01-28 10:27 pm (UTC)(link)
While that may be true, I try to be as honest as possible.

[Including his past as an assassin. He's been trying to go legit anyway.]

Rumlow, then.
pussywhips: (003)

[personal profile] pussywhips 2018-01-28 10:32 pm (UTC)(link)
[ Careful not to tire out. She presses a hand to her chest, as if to reach out to Carmen—now that he mentions it, her Persona feels a little weaker than she last remembers. To be fair, all of her feels a little weaker, and she wonders if it has anything to do with the fact that she just woke up from some sort of cryosleep.

Well, it would only make sense. She's just going to have to be careful with her spells. Though, she has to wonder how effective fire is going to be against a dragon that... breathes fire.

This is going to go great. But they don't really have a choice, do they? If they want to get these people to safety. ]


Okay! [ She flashes Akira a quick peace sign to let him know that she's ready to roll.

She sends Carmen out next to join Arsene in distracting the dragon, giving the villagers more time to run for the forest. By chance, she glances back towards the village to check for stragglers—when she notices a small child, probably only a few years old, sitting on the ground and wailing. Did nobody notice it in the panic? She cries out— ]


Oh, no! [ —and then breaks out into a run. ]
selfservice: (too stupid to function)

[personal profile] selfservice 2018-01-28 10:35 pm (UTC)(link)
Oh dear, that sounds even more dreadful than this. [He doesn't give a damn, but you know. Objectively, it sounds worse. Glad he only has to sit through a few VR movies until the right time!

And yes, breaking news: trees are tall.]


As long as it isn't much longer, you know, I try to be very patient, but the constant discomfort is something of a bother!
godwins: (forty-five.)

[personal profile] godwins 2018-01-28 10:36 pm (UTC)(link)
[ He winces at "wonder boy," but stops himself before he says anything impolite. Instead, he says something else regrettable. But hell, he never could resist a line.]

Miss, I wasn't planning on getting decked.

[ He wrings out the arm she just let go of, bringing it into a fist. Truth be told, he finds the machines a bit creepy. But the whole point of training is training right?

One of the armed men is approaching, but for the moment ignores the two out-of-place young people. Instead, he's pushing through the crowd, clearly intent on smashing in a nearby door and extracting whatever he can find inside.]
selfservice: (very distracting)

[personal profile] selfservice 2018-01-28 10:37 pm (UTC)(link)
[Manley looks down with an inquisitive hum, mildly surprised someone is bothering to respond to him among all these screaming people. She, too, must be here for some silly "educational" reason...]

Ah, ah- [He wags a long finger, like he's correcting a child. Just endure it.] Prefer, no, goodness, such barbarism is never a good thing!! But expected, yes!
exaomori: (🐍 34)

[personal profile] exaomori 2018-01-28 10:38 pm (UTC)(link)
yeah. the guy in the kitchen is one of them. they show up when they wanna
ukase: DW: famira (Whoa show pony)

[personal profile] ukase 2018-01-28 10:39 pm (UTC)(link)
Fine, since you're all about honesty: what's with the dumb ass hair cut?

[He had no problem making it personal, okay? Though, it was a hugely ridiculous hair style.]
pussywhips: (036)

how much money has this little gremlin spent whaling to get her husbandos

[personal profile] pussywhips 2018-01-28 10:40 pm (UTC)(link)
[ Oh, well—so that's what she's upset about. Not that Ann can really blame her—she only plays those gacha games very casually, if she does at all, but some people can get really into them. Really into them. And Futaba seems like... just the person... to do that, now that she thinks about it.

She pats the other girl's shoulder in a comforting gesture. ]


Oh, yeah... I didn't really think about that. I guess all that stuff is gone now, huh?

[ Just like... everything else in their world. Yikes, this is depressing. ]
adisaster: (pic#9918723)

[personal profile] adisaster 2018-01-28 10:42 pm (UTC)(link)
[ Gilgamesh matches his pace, shifting his head side to side to take in the sights of the station. He wouldn't have an issue keeping up with Reinhardt's regular pace either, but he doesn't think it matters enough to note it. He appreciates the chance to take stock of this place.

He can't help but chuckle, at Reinhardt's heartbreak.
]

Perhaps it is only the beers I have had a chance to experience, but it's a foul-tasting thing. It does not suit my sensibilities.

But it is a relief to know I will not be wanting for supply. I went through a man's entire store of alcohol, once, living in the modern era. Humans tend not to keep enough of these sorts of things readily accessible.

[ Which may speak to Gilgamesh's hedonism, or rampant alcoholism. Whichever. ]
pussywhips: (075)

[personal profile] pussywhips 2018-01-28 10:43 pm (UTC)(link)
my parents are fashion designers, so they do a lot of traveling. we moved around a lot when i was growing up.
i kinda feel like i'm talking a lot about myself, you know?
i'm ann takamaki, by the way.
nice to meet you 😊✌️
dorzalta: (pic#11766190)

[personal profile] dorzalta 2018-01-28 10:44 pm (UTC)(link)
That unbending faith of his was the sort of thing to get a girl into trouble. It gave a person ideas the likes of which would end in trouble in this place, she thinks. Ruling as a queen for people she knows little about? True, the same occurred in Essos, and she'd garnered her armies, raised her dragons, and collected allies... but this world... it's not Westeros. She has no knights, here!

That amusement in her smile twists into a knowing smirk. With no need to proffer a reminder of his encounter with Drogon, Dany instead contents herself with the easiness of being near him. Like a string pulled taut, so too does she feel; it's only now that the string slackens just a bit, as does her chest, allowing her a breath.

Maybe she would tell him of the day she met a young man who had stolen one of Drogon's teeth back in Essos.

Perhaps another time, when their foreheads are not pressed together. Breaths shared, she allows her palm to slip down along his throat, settling on his shoulder. She offers him his dragon figurine.

"It means wolf in High Valyrian." Seems a fitting nickname for him. "You've yourself a wolf pack, now."
selfservice: (god i'm still in hell)

[personal profile] selfservice 2018-01-28 10:45 pm (UTC)(link)
[That's a suspicious chuckle, Cain...!! Clearly he's enjoying this, it's obvious, Manley can tell. He hums doubtfully, to this effect, taking a moment to tug at his clothes and fuss over his appearance. Okay, he's good.

Stop talking about things he doesn't know how to do, little man.]


So, as I was saying earlier, you'll be slaying the beast? That does seem like it will do the trick!
adisaster: (pic#9918725)

[personal profile] adisaster 2018-01-28 10:46 pm (UTC)(link)
Well, they're the more stationary sort ... Are you terribly picky about the distinction?

[ Maybe Diamond would like hanging out with them anyway? Gilgamesh doesn't know how speaking gems work. And looks side to side, around them, as if seeing for any lurking sensei or other gems waiting to save them. ]

Regardless, if I chose to take you now it doesn't seem as if there would be anything to stop me.

[ Diamond included. Gilgamesh clearly isn't daunted by what sort of fight Diamond would put up by themself. ]
almaredemptoris: (Default)

[personal profile] almaredemptoris 2018-01-28 10:48 pm (UTC)(link)
Because you have done no wrong.

[Jean Valjean holds his voice quiet and aims his gaze at the altar; he disguises his work with the angle of his body and the sleeve of his coat. His hands are strong and nimble and his movements discreet, and so the thick ropes are no match.

To blend in with the crowd, he cries aloud:]


For the glory of our city!

[Yet his words lack the fiery conviction possessed by the crowd, and his countenance lacks the raw hatred worn by so many of the men and women present. Meanwhile, he has severed the ropes the bind the young man's wrists, and he drops to his knees to cut through those that bind his ankles. The crowd provides cover, but he shall have to work swiftly.]
pussywhips: (048)

[personal profile] pussywhips 2018-01-28 10:51 pm (UTC)(link)
why though?
i mean, if you wake up, then that means you're strong enough to move around and stuff, right?
why would you have to go back to sleep?


[ a foreign name... no, it's probably just a coincidence. still... ]

um, do you know what she looked like?
familydrama: (003)

[personal profile] familydrama 2018-01-28 10:52 pm (UTC)(link)
I imagine they [she nods at the poor Wyver saps who are next in line to get branded] are rather pleased that this does not live up to your expectations.

[As pleased as anyone who's about to get branded can be with anything, anyway.]
drachenritter: (pic#12047654)

Siegfried | Granblue Fantasy

[personal profile] drachenritter 2018-01-28 10:53 pm (UTC)(link)
training module - a

[ Unlike the station he found himself awakening at, this locale seemed more familiar. He was more used to the sprawling fields and rolling mountains than he ever would be with metallic surfaces and seemingly magical items that responded to his touch. But he hears a roar - unfamiliar, yet familiar in its intent.

A dragon that towers over all that it surrounds, its eyes brimming with hostile intent. At the sign of it, the villagers take as many of their possessions as they can and flee. But Siegfried looks it straight in the eye, matching its gaze with a quiet tenacity of his own.

He knows he's a tad outmatched, but that has not stopped him in the past. Siegfried just has to keep in mind the practised movements of his blade, watch his foe and keep his wits about him. But it would be helpful if there was someone here...

Which means that he turns his attention to you. It might be slightly intimidating that a man with a giant blade and a black helmet that covers most of his face is talking to you, but his voice is calm and even. ]


Good day. I know that this is perhaps an unusual request, but are you adept at fighting?

stasis unit
[ Even a man who is as stout of heart as Siegfried is taken aback from what he is seeing in the stasis unit. But he had to see himself what exactly Orbiters meant by their improbable talk. Cryosleep? The word meant nothing to him.

But what Siegfried understands is that the body suspended in animation is that of a "lizard", or rather something like it in a tank filled with liquid. It pains him to see the normally animated Vryn with his eyes closed and his body stilled. A frown crosses his lips and he brushes his hair away from his face.

The silent man resolved to find something to break the glass - anything. He looks around and finds a manner of metal rod that would be enough to make an impact on the pod. Siegfried readies himself to strike the pod, to break it apart and free his comrades but --

He stopped himself moments before the rod made an impact into the pod. No. This was not the way forward.

He felt it prudent to leave at once. He doesn't think he would be able to see the form of his Captain like this - it would shatter the resolve he mustered the moment he found out that he was in this place. ]


omage - un: siegfried
salutations

[ he's an old man ]
beatupgrass: while i rob this place stupid (✘  just turn a blind eye)

[personal profile] beatupgrass 2018-01-28 10:56 pm (UTC)(link)
It's my name, jackass.

[honestly, does that really make the argument better.]
selfservice: (a very trustworthy man)

[personal profile] selfservice 2018-01-28 10:58 pm (UTC)(link)
[don't say saps i got confused]

They don't appear pleased about much, but do go on, I'm very, very interested in hearing your objections to this presented to me, an innocent bystander!