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.

dorzalta: (Default)

[personal profile] dorzalta 2018-01-28 11:00 pm (UTC)(link)
She feels well acquainted with his family for having never met them. Often since the decision to set sail for Winterfell, she wondered how receptive Sansa, Arya, and Bran would be to Jon bending the knee. In her eyes, he still is the King in the North, despite swearing fealty to her both private and publicly. Siblings, on the other hand...

"Robb and Arya," she murmurs, recalling his words. She has no jurisdiction in this place to mandate behaviors to be held, but if Jon grew up to become the man he is today, she would hope that his siblings learned similarly. He never alluded to them being monsters like Viserys, at least. "You've been most kind thus far, lady, and deserve kindness in return."

A hesitation. Inquiring about Jon's father would likely be a poor maneuver, but doing so with a seemingly neutral party may yield results.

"You don't speak as if you are a Westerosi, and I've been told a number of different worlds exist. Which would is yours?"
phykios: (♆ mmmyep no idea who that is.)

[personal profile] phykios 2018-01-28 11:07 pm (UTC)(link)
[ (one of these days, percy's going to curse in greek and be very, very surprised when miles understands it.)

miles's gaze -- that analytical, calculating intensity -- is one percy's more than familiar with. he's been on the receiving end of it more than once, and he's also seen annabeth and the rest of cabin six size up other demigods that way. in other words, the comparison to athena kids is only reinforced in his mind.

despite everything he's seen and done, percy manages to look pretty normal. he doesn't have any big, obvious scars like his old mentor and enemy luke castellan; just the faint, easily hidden kind that most people don't notice. he's toned and strong from years of running for his life (and, you know, fighting) but he's not -- like, an ares kid (or mars kid, hi frank).

he checks a step backward at the whole flourishing, bowing business, sincerely hoping miles isn't expecting that kind of formality in return, and as miles introduces himself, percy's eyebrows migrate higher and higher up his forehead. ]


Admiral Miles Naismith Vor -- [ gods, he's lost track already. no wonder the guy prefers miles. ] Um. Yeah, Miles is good.
godwins: (twelve.)

[personal profile] godwins 2018-01-28 11:11 pm (UTC)(link)
[ There is a large part of him that wants to pick a fight here. He doesn't care that the other guy is older, bigger, maybe tougher looking. They all were. It didn't matter.

Something holds him back, though. ]

Don't get yourself hurt, alright?

[ What a stupid thing to say. Everyone here was already hurting. ]
nineteenfortyfive: (RAIN)

[personal profile] nineteenfortyfive 2018-01-28 11:12 pm (UTC)(link)
"Robb and Arya," she confirms. She never had a chance to meet the youngest Stark girl, but she's heard enough from the remaining Starks to get a fairly good picture of the ones not present. "But I'm no lady. Just plain Claire Fraser, and you're very much welcome to address me as such."

Once she was the lady of a great house, but that was worlds and years away. Lady Broch Tuarach, Doctor Randall--she's all of these and none of these any more, though she is happy to be simply Claire. Herself.

"You're right, I'm not from Westeros. If you hear anyone talking about America or England, that's the world I'm from, but there seem to be a number of those." At least two Westeroses as well, but it's not Claire's place to start getting into that.
dendarii: (pls)

[personal profile] dendarii 2018-01-28 11:13 pm (UTC)(link)
[ So a reasonably fit young guy roughly Miles' own age. He's a little bit jealous, in fact, as he is with basically anyone who's got a decently healthy body on them. Sigh. His own is curved and terribly weak even before one gets to the subject of his delicate, birdlike bones.

Anyway. He grins in amusement at Percy's reaction to the bowing. And his name. ]


So where do you hail from, Percy? Not this station, I assume.
pebblestone: official art (fe:a) (pic#11550775)

[personal profile] pebblestone 2018-01-28 11:18 pm (UTC)(link)
but one cannot seek an audience with them?

[ what the heck, what kind of rulership is this ]

[personal profile] ayes 2018-01-28 11:19 pm (UTC)(link)
no they put you back to sleep
like your soul gets corrupted or w/e

im not sure I totally buy it but they say "hey you need to go back into stasis" and then you dont get a choice
which is kinda creepy when you think about it

I only talked to her over text, sorry (︶︹︺)
no idea what she looked like

we talked about where we came from since we were both japanese though
shes from tokyo! im so jealous Id love to live in tokyo

why do you ask
moneytwin: Art by <user name="thebutt">; commisioned by me, do not take! (Wink~)

Hey, that's my line! ;)

[personal profile] moneytwin 2018-01-28 11:20 pm (UTC)(link)
[ Nice landing! Even if the whirley bird arms did make it look rather comical. ]

He? [a glance about] Is someone else awake with you?

[ Vex is usually pretty observant (natch), so managing to be as sneaky as her brother is an impressive feet, whoever they are. ]

Jester. [She regards the hand cooly, before accepting it with a shake and a smirk.] Vex'ahlia. [patented wink] Pardon my asking, but you wouldn't happen to be a tiefling, would you?
ukase: (Order in pain)

[personal profile] ukase 2018-01-28 11:21 pm (UTC)(link)
[Rumlow paused in his pacing, looking the kid over. Young, likely brash, but there was... something as well. A hardness that came from doing nasty shit from a young age. He knew that look; he'd had it since he was ten years old.

Maybe that was why he didn't just return to the simulation and drag this kid back in with him. Let them both feel the pain of dying over and over.]


Why? Pain is good for people. Teaches them a lesson.
colorature: (Default)

[personal profile] colorature 2018-01-28 11:21 pm (UTC)(link)
[Is it really that funny? What a weird man.]

Is it really that surprising?
familydrama: (006)

[personal profile] familydrama 2018-01-28 11:21 pm (UTC)(link)
[mission accomplished

anyway, she can practically see the sarcasm oozing out of him. like sap.]


We're all just bystanders - or observers, as the case may be. Although, I do wonder... [This is a simulation of a history that has already occurred. Doing something now won't change what happened then, but...] Is there anything we can do?

[Idly, she fiddles with the chain at her waist. Maybe this simulation is built to account for their actions, even if the pair of them were never actually here when these events truly occurred.]
catfident: (x032)

[personal profile] catfident 2018-01-28 11:23 pm (UTC)(link)
That's unhygenic.

[ Like she would want teenage boy germs on her?? Disgusting. So, definitely a no on that front. She almost smiles at the nickname - does he know how close he is to the truth? - but keeps her face schooled.

Normally she's not in the habit of dishing out advice, but he looks like he could use it, even if he won't listen. ]


You won't last very long here if you insult everyone you meet.
persistor: (pic#11971624)

[personal profile] persistor 2018-01-28 11:24 pm (UTC)(link)
[ Yes, and then Red could have swooned and Cam could have saved her like a hero and they could have rode off into the sunset forever ( no ).

But his answer's almost impressive, at least, until he's a little more truthful about it. Which is appreciated, because she's not super keen on putting all her faith in a stranger she just met ( she jumps at the sudden roar, staring up at the skies. They should probably start moving soon. Except... where? ).

She inhales, then exhales. At his question, gives a single nod — then a small shrug of her shoulders, because it'll still hurt, probably. The ground beneath them rumbles, and —

She points to a building, slowly further away from where the dragon is. Might as well get away while they try to figure something out. ]
Edited 2018-01-28 23:29 (UTC)
exaomori: (🐍 21)

[personal profile] exaomori 2018-01-28 11:24 pm (UTC)(link)
u can prob get one... never tried myself. but it'll be on their time, not urs

[you can't expect everyone to be as nice as emmeryn!!]

1

[personal profile] fiendennor 2018-01-28 11:25 pm (UTC)(link)
[Akko being awake means that Diana's more encouraged to check the stasis chambers for the people she knows. Perhaps if one of them was released, then more of them would follow?

But Hannah and Barbara are sound asleep. All of her fellow students at Luna Nova remain in their tubes in their dreamless hibernation. She's ascending to the level where she's seen some of the teachers when she hears that loud clang-- it makes her quicken her pace, out of some sort of instinct-- only to turn the corner and see--]
Professor Ursula...?
selfservice: (.........)

[personal profile] selfservice 2018-01-28 11:25 pm (UTC)(link)
[don't make it dirty, talking like that about oozing

Anyway, Manley looks down at her with a little more overt concern when he notices the chain. Just what is she planning-]


You keep saying "we," and I'm afraid "we" are perfect strangers, as it so happens. [Please, he doesn't want to be dragged into Some Shit. He's delicate.] But if you are so, so set on taking action, I will gladly save your place over here on the sidelines.
phykios: (♆ time to sass gods.)

[personal profile] phykios 2018-01-28 11:26 pm (UTC)(link)
Yeah, definitely not. [ he looks a little bemused at the notion. ] I don't think anyone's from here.

And -- [ he's tempted to say manhattan, but there's no guarantee miles has even heard of the USA. ventures, ] New York City. Please tell me you've heard of it. Or Earth, at least.
shashka: (ghostdad genes dominate)

[personal profile] shashka 2018-01-28 11:26 pm (UTC)(link)
Glad to hear it.

[ as to whether or not he's an expert... look sometimes he explains the state of geopolitical affairs to his friends after they've spent nine years in a coma. you know. normal stuff. ]

I might know a thing or two. You have any questions?
dendarii: (113)

[personal profile] dendarii 2018-01-28 11:28 pm (UTC)(link)
[ Manhattan would have been way too much. Even New York City would probably be a bit too detailed, but fortunately Percy follows it up with Earth, and that makes it click. He brightens in recognition. ]

I have, although it's underwater in my version. I hope you're a good swimmer.

[ A joke; he assumes New York isn't flooded just yet if Percy is from there. ]
pebblestone: official art (fe:h) (pic#11550766)

[personal profile] pebblestone 2018-01-28 11:29 pm (UTC)(link)
[ terrible!! he demands a refund ]

you havent tried

whyever not
persistor: (pic#11971628)

[personal profile] persistor 2018-01-28 11:30 pm (UTC)(link)
[ At the prompting, Red finally looks into the pod — face to face with a small girl, sleeping like the rest of them. Her expression can't help but soften a fraction, because not ... everyone's like her. Not everyone has a complicated history with the entirety of her city, the people she thought were her friends ( or just, one, really, but she never really went out of her way to make friends ).

But ... her gaze lingers on the pod once more, before she reaches into her pocket for her phone. In complete silence as she types out a message, short and sweet, eventually turning the screen to him. ]


I'm sorry. [ For what it's worth. Sympathy from a stranger never means much, but — but. ]
dontgiveabuckland: (Please don't hang your head and cry)

[personal profile] dontgiveabuckland 2018-01-28 11:31 pm (UTC)(link)
Jiutou? Yeah, we go way back.

["Way back" isn't all that long in the grand scheme of things. It was only months ago that he fled Greybell and met his companions, yet it felt like several lifetimes ago.

Speaking of time passing slowly. He crosses his arms over his chest, rocking back on his heels.
]

So how long are they supposed to sleep for? I don't see anything wrong with her.
poolhall_killer: ([Xrd] neutral)

A!

[personal profile] poolhall_killer 2018-01-28 11:31 pm (UTC)(link)
[Venom has met his share of knights, or people who believe in the code of knighthood. So when one addresses him, he's just as calm. Nothing like lending a hand in a battle against a virtual dragon.

Though now he kind of doesn't want to harm it despite being an illusion. He's... kind of started to like them.]


I am rather adept at fighting, yes. Do you need help battling this creature?
exaomori: (🐍 12)

[personal profile] exaomori 2018-01-28 11:31 pm (UTC)(link)
things like them don't tend to listen to people. not unless u got something to back u up

[ie she wasn't in a good position to try and make threats or try to bargain a better position for herself just yet]
familydrama: (003)

[personal profile] familydrama 2018-01-28 11:31 pm (UTC)(link)
[fighting things solves literally every other problem in her canon okay, what else is she supposed to do]

Hmm. So that's the sort of [tree] person you are. [Gee, Velvet, what was your first clue. She doesn't put down the chain, but she doesn't start whipping it around yet, either. Small blessings.] It's curiosity, mainly - these people were real once, but they're mere memories now. I wonder if this is designed to allow the circumstances to deviate from their true outcome.

[She shrugs lightly.]

If you'd rather watch than find out for yourself, I suppose that's fine.