![[personal profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/user.png){kind=small}
![[community profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/community.png){kind=small}
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—
2. Let us now travel forward in time, shall we?  a. The Olympian settlement around you is quiet — until the screaming starts.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... 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. |
omage... touches lightly...
[ so... Snake1964. it's been a while (read: two days) since Ocelot's been up to the Thesa Station, and he doesn't want to get his hopes up. it could be a coincidence. but the name, combined with the year, combined with the complete inability to carry on a normal conversation...
all signs point one way. well... there's only one way to know for sure... ]
Why? Worried that someone might keep you waiting?
how dare you.. slaps ur bum
there's a pause that definitely exceeds five seconds. ]
'68. Hanoi. What guns did you use?
[ because of course Snake remembers missions according to the guns they used. ]
no subject
but that doesn't mean he wasn't going to have his fun at his friend's expense. just for a moment. ]
You tell me.
[ but, unlike some people, Adam isn't exactly one to keep others waiting. ]
John.
[ if that's not proof of his identity, he's not exactly sure what is. ]
no subject
doesn't mean he can't give back as good as he gets, though. ]
You forgot, didn't you. Adam.
no subject
You think I'd forget the same guns that I've always used? Give me a littler more credit, John.
[ see? he totally didn't forget and you can't contradict him, can you? but still... there's one sentiment underneath it all. ]
I'm glad you're finally awake.
[ small blessings for that. ]
no subject
it's irrelevant in the long run.]
Sure. Where are you?
[ because he wants to ask about Mother Base. the last he knew, Paz's blood was saturating his field of view. everything he'd built was crumbling to ashes. ]
Not too enamored with this sort of communication.
[ his functional second-in-command is a real life Soviet spy, of course he's suspicious of everything. ]
no subject
and as soon as his friend sends him over the message, he can't help but laugh fondly to himself. typical.
(he really has missed this) ]
Planetside. Freshly awakened arrivals aren't allowed down, so I'll meet you up there. Where on the Station are you?
[ after six months, he knows the layout well enough. maybe he'll even bring DD along. ]
no subject
Hangar Station. East, with the docking bay as a ref point.
[ checking out the machinery like the fanboy that he secretly is. ]
-> action
[ and true to his word, he's surprisingly quick (one of the benefits of instant teleportation, he supposes), with DD in tow. he'd have been even quicker, if he hadn't taken a moment or two to smooth out his hair. idly, he wonders if John was from the same time that he was, or if it was going to be a situation like Miller, were things weren't quite aligned.
well, there'd be time for that later.
John's easy enough to spot, though DD approaches him first, before stopping once he realizes that no, this isn't his master. as for Adam?
he's taking his time, trying his best to appear as unfazed as he possibly can. still, he can't totally hide the twinge of excitement. ]
We meet again.
[ just like they always do. ]
no subject
he notices DD first, and his delighted surprised is easy to read - John's a lot of things, but a dog lover foremost. it's even got an eyepatch to match his own.
but the dog holds back despite its initial enthusiastic approach, and John's left on one knee, one hand outstretched. he recovers quickly enough at the sight of Adam, unfolding back to his full height. a few strides and he's clapping Adam's shoulder, forgoing a formal greeting for the ease of skinship. ]
Kept you waiting, huh.
[ and thus he reclaims his spot as the rightful owner of that catchphrase.
he does a double-take at the sight of Adam, though - it hasn't been so long since he'd seen him last. he's aged a decade since, time sculpting his sharp features into a quieter copy of the Boss's face.
the easy grace with which John had approached falls away: in its place is something grave, something brittle. ]
What happened, Adam?
[ you don't age ten years in a month without something terrible happening. ]
no subject
it was a strange sort of relief to think of.
when John puts his hand on Adam's shoulder, DD takes this as a cue that yes, despite being a copy of his other
fathermaster, he's friendly.an uncle, if you will. so, he's at John's feet pawing for attention. Adam, meanwhile, is just enjoying the fact that he's awake again.that is, until he asks him what happened. he remembers something just like this. it was what he was afraid of. ]
...What's the last thing you remember?
[ he's already gone through this once with John. he can do it again.
(don't let him be from as far back as Miller was.) ]
no subject
Mother Base was destroyed. With most of our personnel still on it. They put a bomb - two goddamn bombs - inside of Paz.
[ even the sudden affirmation of canine affection isn't enough to chase the shadow from John's eyes. his hand drops away from Adam's shoulder to rest on the dog's head, scratching him idly behind an ear.
killing anonymous soldiers at the behest of some city-state or another is one thing. killing kids - kids like Paz, who'd warmed up to them as surely as a blossom unfurling under the sun, no matter her ultimate betrayal - that went beyond everything that he fought for. ]
no subject
Sometimes, we remember being pulled from different times. Don't ask me how it works. You're lucky they got you then. When the Storm hit for me, it was 1984.
It wasn't easy.
[ and so, he begins to explain it. about the coma, just like he had the first time John woke up back home. how he found himself dancing once again to the beat of Zero's drum, because what else could he do. how he spent nine years alternating between his cover as a soviet officer in Afghanistan, doing work with Miller (he tries his best not to let any disdain show through), and keeping an eye on him. how he finally woke up after nine years.
he doesn't mention Venom, and everything else that happened. not yet. this was still a lot for him to take in. ]
no subject
nine years asleep. the MSF gone. Zero rising to prominence yet again, Paz the least of what was to come. Kaz and Ocelot - who would have thought? there's a reason the information circuit ran to Ocelot and not back to Kaz for all those years: he'd known from the start that Kaz wouldn't take well to Ocelot's longevity in John's life.
was that it, then? the last of the Boss's legacy, lost to a coma that he'd never actually get to live out?
or maybe he was living it out, somewhere out there - he still can't make head or tails of this multiverse nonsense.
he makes a rough sound at the back of his throat. ]
Sounds like you've toughed it out with little to gain.
[ he finally looks back to Adam, gaze quiet. ]
Thanks.
[ he's not a man of words, but hopefully Adam will glean from his attempt the weight of his intent. ]
no subject
It was... the least that I could do, really.
[ and he means it. the fact that he hadn't been there when it happened, it still hurt. and, he owes Venom (or rather the man who became Venom) a debt that he couldn't quite hope to pay back.
as to the rest of it. ]
There's more I could tell you. Would you rather I go over the situation here first, or hear more about what happened after you woke up?
[ and of course, there was still the matter of the stasis pods. ]
I know it's a lot to take in.
[ just like when John had woken up back home. he knows the sort of man his best friend is. ]
no subject
he would have given his life for her at any point. even at the very end, when she'd taken the choice for him. but he's never quite understood why anyone would affect the same sort of loyalty for him - especially someone with Adam's demeanor and competence. the men at MSF had been understandable, as they'd been fighting for themselves as much as for the symbol of Big Boss. but Adam knows him - he's known him since the early days.
be that as it may - it's just another thing that he won't question.
nonetheless, John's not the sort who shares the darkest parts of himself - there's something to be said about living up to the symbol the Boss's legacy had become. better to lick his wounds in private away from all eyes. ]
Our current situation comes first. [ efficiency demands discussion of the more relevant option, as much as John wants to hear about what followed nine years of inaction. ] Starting with where you picked up a dog with a missing eye.
[ it's not an attempt at injecting levity into the situation, in all honesty. he's in the midst of compartmentalizing, and a moment of reprieve would make that easier. ]
no subject
Picked him up in Afghanistan from a friend of mine. [ probably the best way to describe "Venom Snake" for the time being. ] I trained him, and he would take him out on missions. His name's DD.
[ he gives his dog a smile, impressed at well-behaved he's been. eventually, he was going to have to say more, but for the time being, this was a lighter avenue of conversation.
he knows that once John hears what happened to the Medic, that was going to make things a lot harder. ]
no subject
There's a good boy. [ the words murmured with uncharacteristic warmth as John ruffles his flanks, free with his affection as he so rarely is. ]
You take up any other hobbies while I was conked out, Ocelot?
[ an undue emphasis on the codename. because he's known Adam for years, and he'd always thought he was a cat person. ]
no subject
at John's comment, he can't help but shrug. he certainly admires cats, to be certain, but the fact of the matter was, he wouldn't trust a cat to watch his back. after all, he knew exactly what they were like.]
Besides building up a reputation in Afghanistan? [ now there was a "hobby" he saw no reason to do here... "Shalashaska" served his initial purpose. ] Nothing you don't already know about.
[ and, of course, it was the truth. if there was one person he'd never lie to, it was him. ]
no subject
You see any need to build that same reputation hereabouts?
[ it's a loaded question, one that he knows Adam will read into - does this strange new environment need its own information hound? does it have space for a tired old soldier seeking to build a sanctuary for the rest of his kind?
he doesn't know what he wants Adam to say. it's always been like that: never knowing where next to plant his feet, relying on the Boss and Zero and Kaz and, of course, Adam all the while. ]
no subject
You know me.
[ read: maybe. he can't be sure yet. ]
I've been doing my part.
[ truthfully, a part of him had been hoping that John might have a better idea of what he'd want to do. Adam? he'd been doing the same thing he'd always done. charm some people. betray others. sometimes do both. as to the whole situation on the ground... ]
There's two cities down there, Olympia and Wyver. Right now, they're in an uneasy peace. Think of it as a mini version of the United States and the Soviet Union. Only, they don't have the benefit of "mutually assured destruction" to keep the war from heating back up again.
[ you know the old saying. the more things change, the more they stay the same. ]
I've been staying in Olympia, working for their city guard. But, I've also got eyes in Wyver, and go down there myself a lot. You'd like it there. Lots of jungle.
[ ...not that he doesn't want John to stay with him, but he's not going to beg, or something. ]
no subject
disappointing that even here - where the stars themselves clump together in strange and unfamiliar constellations - nothing much has changed. still two superpowers fighting over trivialities.
at least it gives him job security. Adam's familiarity with the area and - yes, John does know him - his like-as-not encyclopedic knowledge of the inner workings of the conflict make it all the easier to get started. ]
Can you swing me a job in the guard?
[ it's the best place to be, when information-gathering. if he chooses ultimately to retreat to a cedar cabin in the jungle - assembled log by log with his own hands, of course - it's only to be expected. ]
no subject
Of course. They're always looking for more recruits, particularly with the way things are starting to heat up. Just don't go mentioning anything about this Station when you get down there. As far as they know, we're refugees from the "distant colonies".
[ not that lying was something that either of them were unfamiliar with. ]
I've also got a spare room at my place, if you need it. Though, you might have to share with DD.
[ he figures he might as well offer, even if he doesn't accept it. not to mention, he's got a rotting spider leg and some sea serpent meat in his fridge that he'd saved. ]
no subject
Sounds good. At least until I get my land legs.
[ wouldn't want to impose on DD.
it'll make it easier to discuss everything that John's itching to ask about, anyway. this hangar bay may appear deserted, but he's been through this song and dance time and again: there's always someone or something lingering in the shadows. he can trust that Adam will have proofed his living quarters before settling in.
his gratitude isn't verbal, but Adam will get another clap to the shoulder, this one lingering. ]
no subject
but, Adam understands. still, it would be nice for the two of them to get some time together again, without having to worry about Zero, or the Patriots, or whatever else might come their way. in the grand scheme of things, it could be a lot worse.
when John touches his shoulder again, he tries his best not to look too pleased, but he can't exactly help it. six months was nothing to nine years, but he still missed this... the two of them together. knowing that at least this time they didn't have anyone against them
not yet at least. ]Good. I even picked up a few "delicacies" for you. Just in case you ever wondered what sea serpent or giant spider tasted like.
[ because he knows you all too well, boss... ]
(no subject)
(no subject)
(no subject)
(no subject)
(no subject)
(no subject)
(no subject)
(no subject)