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.

dendarii: (sawed-off maniac)

[personal profile] dendarii 2018-01-29 12:56 pm (UTC)(link)
[ God. Mostly he really, really wishes he hadn’t taken that oath. ]

Who else from our world is here? Is anyone awake?
gekkajuu: (Default)

[personal profile] gekkajuu 2018-01-29 01:03 pm (UTC)(link)
[Honestly, Atsushi wouldn't mind being called jinko, but he prefers it as more of a "job description" and less of a name.]

Either Nakajima or Atsushi is fine. Most people here aren't big on using family names.

You can contact me this way. I live in Olympia, in case we ever need to meet in person.

You'll come to find out what that means soon enough.


[Politics. What a hassle.]
thefatherssins: (pic#10409611)

[personal profile] thefatherssins 2018-01-29 01:24 pm (UTC)(link)
Oh, good. I never used this kind of thing much.

[So direct! Is that how kids are these days? Then again, homesickness must be a real problem here.]

I'm from Japan, actually. You are too?
notsolomon: (pic#9161776)

[personal profile] notsolomon 2018-01-29 01:28 pm (UTC)(link)
You seem like th type who is moved easily. I don't know. Words just seem to convey that impression somehow.

Well yes, but normally it is in a different, more limited format. Though you do have a point. Otherwise why would anyone aspire to write a memoir?

But what thoughts would you have to share today, if any?
pebblestone: official art (fe:a) (pic#11550775)

[personal profile] pebblestone 2018-01-29 01:29 pm (UTC)(link)
[ don't h8......this is the only life he knows!! ]

arethereotherwaystocommunicateusingthiscontraptionifsoihavenotyetdiscoveredthusly
pebblestone: official art (fe:a) (pic#11550777)

[personal profile] pebblestone 2018-01-29 01:31 pm (UTC)(link)
Freedom to dress however one wishes.

[ He likes it. ]

That's quite advanced a belief for a culture as well, truly this place is full of wonders.

Are you a native of this place?

[ Teach him, Joker-senpai. ]
pebblestone: official art (fe:a) (pic#11550772)

[personal profile] pebblestone 2018-01-29 01:35 pm (UTC)(link)
Yes, the stasis unit. Forgive me, everything here is quite new to me. We do not hold people in stasis where I come from. When people sleep, they do so in beds.

[ who tf puts sleeping people in pods?? ]
pebblestone: official art (fe:a) (pic#11550771)

[personal profile] pebblestone 2018-01-29 01:45 pm (UTC)(link)
[ No!!!! Even in a simulation his heart must remain true and steady, loyal only to the Exalt of Ylisse and those she holds dear.

But. The crowd is starting to whisper, eyes turning back as they wonder amongst themselves why the ritual has slowed, who could possibly dare to hesitate upon the altar of their lord and savior and god, the dragon. Frederick clenches his teeth, expression darkening, and pauses only a moment to offer up a silent prayer to Naga (wherever she might be) before marching stiffly up to the dragon and placing the severed arm down before it. Then he marches back into the ground, waiting until he's back at Cherche's side before releasing a pent-up exhale. ]


I shall be quite relieved to remove myself from this simulation. Preferably sooner rather than later.

[ The crowd, satisfied, goes back to whispering the dragon's praises. ]
vorrutyer: (the vorish sideeye)

[personal profile] vorrutyer 2018-01-29 01:46 pm (UTC)(link)
No one else awake.

[ As for the first question - ]

A good number of the High Vor are present under glass. I can make a list of the ones I've identified. Your father and mother are present, if that brings you any comfort.
logpose: (57.)

[personal profile] logpose 2018-01-29 01:49 pm (UTC)(link)
Why would I want to fight that thing?! It's got to be a hundred times bigger than me! [ Her weather manipulation aside, she's really just a regular human. There isn't much she can do against a huge dragon. It's clear that Chuuya has some kind of ability, but will it be enough to go up against the beast? She isn't sure of that yet. ]

Come on, we should run! I'm sure we can think of a way to stop it without having to face it head-on!
micromania: (f22)

[personal profile] micromania 2018-01-29 01:50 pm (UTC)(link)
Hopefully more of us will wake up soon.

Thank you.
pebblestone: garbagebird@tumblr (Default)

[personal profile] pebblestone 2018-01-29 01:52 pm (UTC)(link)
then what are we to do

simply sit back on our laurels and twiddle our thumbs and allow these natha to do as they wish


[ he won't stand for this!! ]
dendarii: (emaciated)

[personal profile] dendarii 2018-01-29 01:52 pm (UTC)(link)
[ He twitches slightly, wanting to pace but suppressing the urge. At least he can focus on practicalities like this. ]

A list, yes. We ought to know who’s left.

[ He pauses, though, at the mention of his parents. Should he be grateful? Probably, but. The thought still sends a chill through him. In a much softer tone: ]

Where are they?
vorrutyer: (ew)

[personal profile] vorrutyer 2018-01-29 01:56 pm (UTC)(link)
Three rows down that way. [ And then a mocking smile, his eyebrows raised and voice dripping with false enthusiasm: ] Right next to mine.
thetaintedsorrow: (Default)

[personal profile] thetaintedsorrow 2018-01-29 02:12 pm (UTC)(link)
Right. You can call me Chuuya, then.

[He GUESSES he’ll let the lack of honorifics slide.]

Can I ask you one more thing?
logpose: (35.)

[personal profile] logpose 2018-01-29 02:15 pm (UTC)(link)
When it comes to loving treasure, my greed is second to no one ♥. [ She doesn't know why she said all that out loud just now, because she wouldn't normally be so rude to a stranger, but she's willing to admit to her more unsavory traits at least. She's proud of them, in fact.

His refusal is taken in stride. It isn't a pressing matter, and Nami really only steals from the people who crossed her first. She shrugs it off. ]
We might as well get acquainted. What do I call you?

[ She's going to be sticking to him because she doesn't want to be alone, so she's going to need a name. ]
logpose: (40.)

[personal profile] logpose 2018-01-29 02:30 pm (UTC)(link)
[ It ...sort of comes through? Anyway, she's not too focused on whether or not her fishing for compliments actually worked. It does feel like some of the ice has melted away, and that's a good thing.

It's probable that this other girl cannot speak. because I really thought she was just being quiet for fun. When Nami thinks about that, she feels a pang of sympathy, wondering about Red's circumstances. It softens her, just a little, but she's careful not to look like she's pitying Red. ]


The guards aren't paying attention to us right now, so this might be the best time to make our getaway. You don't happen to have anything sharp on you, do you? [ Just trying her luck. ]
logpose: (18.)

[personal profile] logpose 2018-01-29 02:36 pm (UTC)(link)
Tell me about it! My feet hurt from standing in that pod for so long. There's nothing I want more than a bed to lie in right now, and a bath!

You know where I can find these things?
pebblestone: official art (fe:a) (pic#11550774)

[personal profile] pebblestone 2018-01-29 02:43 pm (UTC)(link)
There are living quarters somewhere, I have been told.

If you would like, I can scout them out and send directions when I come across them.
inacan: (008)

[personal profile] inacan 2018-01-29 02:49 pm (UTC)(link)
good
cause i've got loved ones too
logpose: (31.)

[personal profile] logpose 2018-01-29 02:50 pm (UTC)(link)
You don't have to scout them out alone. You're probably feeling tired from everything that happened too, aren't you?

We could find it together. I don't know a lot of people here yet, so ...
[ be her friend, stupid ho. ]
vladpire: (Look - Side 2)

[personal profile] vladpire 2018-01-29 02:50 pm (UTC)(link)
Then you are richer than I. All those I cared for were long dead before the storm ever came.
vulpining: (42)

[personal profile] vulpining 2018-01-29 02:52 pm (UTC)(link)
[ GENIUS OR NOT, SHE IS STILL POUTING. ]

And where do you intend for us to go? The restrictions of this realm is quite limited. If you try to exit this area, you're met with nothing but a roadblock! Something prevents it — perhaps a busy crowd, a cart blocking our exit, or increased guards.

[ She doesn't want to admit she tried already. ]

Despite our involvement, it's like we have basic user access! We're probably not even editor level!

[ Meaning, they're powerless. ]
dendarii: (abject apology)

[personal profile] dendarii 2018-01-29 02:58 pm (UTC)(link)
[ Ah. Well. Is that good? Bad? He doesn’t know. At least they’re here, but - he wishes they’d been safe offworld instead. Deep breaths. ]

Let’s go see them. Yours too.
revlon: (236)

[personal profile] revlon 2018-01-29 02:58 pm (UTC)(link)
[ She has to admit, she is intensely curious. Steve had pointed out his friends and teammates to her in stasis so she at the very least knows what Howard's son looks like. But just like a file can't begin to skim the surface of who a person is, a brief story or introduction via cryosleep is no better. So Peggy slips out of bed, gets dressed, pens a quick note for Steve and leaves it on his bedside table, and —

Well, all she really has to do is think about heading up to Thesa and suddenly there she is. Teleportation is a strange and terribly useful thing. The one rule is that the locals on the surface can't see them doing it. ]


I'm here. Tell me where you are.

[ And once she receives that reply, she's off to find him; and she does, in due time. As it's the middle of the night on Olympia, Peggy hadn't bothered with makeup or her usual swipe of red lipstick. But her hair is still in loose curls, neatly brushed through and pulled back with a sidecomb, and she's comfortably dressed in a blouse and trousers. ]

Mr Stark, [ she says, in greeting. She extends a hand. ] Peggy Carter.