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Entry tags:
❪ test drive #4 ❫
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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. |
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He, Frederick the Wary, is nothing short of a failure.
His head hangs low as he squeezes his eyes shut, letting his breath flow in and out as he pieces together the little he's learned thus far. ]
I'm uncertain, milord. It appears to be some sort of plant drawn to the warmth of living creatures, perhaps for a source of nutrients.
[ But it's not eating them?? As far as he can tell; it's hard to feel anything with the protective layer of armor that surrounds him. ]
I was unable to observe the vines for long. I fear I do not yet know of the fastest method to disposing of them. [ But!!! ] Perhaps if we were to hold very still, the vines might loosen on their own...?
[ Worth a shot, tbh. ]
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Drawn to warmth you say...
[ Contrary to expectation, the vines don't proceed to squeeze tighter and tighter around them, breaking their bones and forcing them further into the vulnerable flesh and tissue of their body until they die either from internal bleeding or asphyxiation.
Instead, it's more like a firm, but very inconvenient hug. ]
I suppose it is worth a try. [ His panic and sense of urgency dissipating when it appears they're not in danger of being squeezed to death, he takes a breath and tries to relax his body. ] I only pray that the usual course of things isn't that these vines loosen once their prey has become corpse cold.
[ Despite his words, he has a wry smile on his face. ]
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[ Welcome to Lecture Time with Frederick, featuring all sorts of useless facts about flora and fauna no one ever wanted to know.
With that said, his own muscles loosen as he takes in the sight of Chrom - wrapped up but whole and hearty - though he's careful not to relax just yet lest danger pounce when they least expect. Like Chrom, he also holds still, keeping his arms carefully at his side. ]
But...it is rather warm this way. [ Wrapped up in vines and all that. ] Why, I daresay I could almost fall asleep standing up were there no guarantee that I would lose my life doing so.
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[ He's got a wry smile as he offers the remark. He has to admit that if nothing else, he's glad that he at least has Frederick here with him. His penchant for precaution is more than Chrom honestly feels is necessary on most days, but he is a reliable comrade, and Chrom is certain that he wouldn't be so relaxed if not for Frederick's presence.
If Frederick is at ease, then surely there's nothing to be concerned about. ]
. . .
[ And after a few minutes of standing, Chrom tests the bonds of the vines, frowning when he finds them as unrelenting as ever. ]
Hm. I'm not sure how long we're expected to wait here. If the plant does require warmth as you suggest, perhaps we ought to try coming closer to together? [ He looks over at Frederick's huge silhouette. ] Though it might be futile with all your armour in the way.
no subject
Luckily for the both of them, the sun continues shining and the birds keep chirping and not a single thing comes prowling through the forest save for a single squirrel, who darts past the vines with alarming alacrity. Unluckily for both of them....the vines don't seem to have any intent on releasing the both of them, as Chrom is quick to note.
Frederick dips his head, closes his eyes in acceptance. ]
I apologize, milord. Had I anticipated this would occur, I would have shed my armor posthaste.
[ Too late now though.
Perhaps the vines are sentient or perhaps it's just coincidence, but the vines shift just enough that both Frederick and Chrom are angled towards each other. Hmm. Frederick thinks deep, trying to discern if there's any meaning to be found in the movement of the vines. ]
Perhaps we are meant to engage in physical contact of some sort.
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Thoughtful, he leans back on his heel, feeling the vines tighten in protest to something almost painful. Hmming to himself, he leans forward next, closer to Frederick, and finds the greenery much more amenable to the movement.
Interesting. ]
You might be onto something, Frederick.
[ It's not easy, but Chrom shuffles ungracefully closer toward him, surprised that the bindings would allow so much freedom. He keeps going until he's leanin on Frederick's cocoon. ]
How's this? Are you feeling any give?
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Lest Chrom be the only one hard (heh) at work, Frederick does his best to sway forward, using the bulk afforded to him by his armor to swing his vine-wrapped self ever closer to his lord. It's not much longer before their clumsy efforts reach fruition, and they gain one (1) whole point of contact despite the awkward mass of armor between the two.
The vines seem pleased, tendrils sagging just a hint. Hm. How curious. ]
It appears to be working, milord. [ There's just one problem. ] However, I fail to see where else we might be able to join forces, as it were, given that both our arms are bound firmly to our sides.
[ They could....touch foreheads??? ]
no subject
While Chrom had always done his best to be friendly and personable, he'd never consciously thought or planned how to get close to someone. His gestures of physical affection tend to instictive, casual and done without thought when he's too preoccupied with emotion to remember propriety. Regardless, it's not awkward as he eases closer to Frederick, simply because he's so used to the knight being in his space. Plus, they're not particularly "close" when Frederick's armour is actively pushing him away. ]
Frederick— tilt your head toward mine. It doesn't seem like we have much choice when it's the only part of us that isn't covered.
[ He's definitely angling for some forehead or cheek touching now. ]
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[ Ordinarily, being so close to another person without the familiar reasoning of sparring tutelage would give him palpitations, but it's Chrom who's asking and so he obeys without a second thought. He would walk off a cliff with a smile if Chrom ordered him too, or at the very least, clear the path of debris before voicing protest.
And, well, it is a matter of life or death. Better a bit of scandalous behavior than consumption by these alien vines.
So he cranes his head forward, tipping his chin down until it's about even with Chrom's own. ]
Will this suffice?
[ He's ready for whatever consequences this might result in. ]
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And yet, despite their best efforts, they remain trapped. The vines are loser now, but the instant that Chrom tightens his grip on the Falchion, they return to being vice-tight, tighter than they had been before as if reprimanding for his attempt at escape. ]
Apparently not.
[ They're eye to eye, but Chrom's gaze is elsewhere, shifting as he runs over multiple options in his head. Eventually, he looks back at Frederick, contemplative. ]
Are you willing to come closer to me?
[ Just because he's not uncomfortable doesn't mean Frederick isn't. ]
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I've made it my duty ever since I was introduced to you, milord, to always stand by your side, as close as you will allow me.
[ Watching Chrom grow from a gangly child to the fine young man he is today has been nothing short of a delight and a great honor. Certainly, there are some laws of propriety they ought to respect, particularly where the Exalt is concerned, but there is no one here to observe their antics, only the gentle cheeping of the birds above.
(How romantique.) ]
All you need do is say the word.
[ And Fred will do whatever's requested. ]
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But just because he's willing doesn't mean that Chrom doesn't sometimes feel the weight of the sacrifices Frederick makes for his sake. ]
Then, if you'll allow me.
[ It's just a guess. And odd one to be sure, but these vines appear to be scheming something, and Chrom isn't sure why it would be this, but something instinctual suggests that it is. And if he's wrong, then it's only a moment of awkwardness in comparison to the potential of their freedom. They can't remain here forever.
He's almost clinical as he shifts closer, counting down the steps mentally—close eyes, tilt head, relax—since it's not as though he has much experience. His shyness only appear in the last moment, an awkward inhale as his mouth fits over Frederick's. ]
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All the same, he holds still as Chrom's face looms ever closer, lips held in a straight line as he does his best to follow his lord's command. Realization of Chrom's true intentions strikes too late, Frederick's eyes widening at the exact same time their lips meet.
The kiss strikes him deep to his core, eliciting a whole range of emotion. Shock, confusion, deep shame. (There's no pleasure to be found here, never fear.) Such an intimate moment ought not be shared with him but with Chrom's intended future wife. How could he sully his lord's lips so!
Well, it's not the plant gives a damn about Fred's inner turmoil. Having finally gotten what they wanted, they loosen unceremoniously to dump both Chrom and Fred back on the ground in whatever position they might unfortunately land on.
Which, for Fred, is unceremoniously on his ass, the knight much too flabbergasted to worry about regaining balance. ]
no subject
Frederick's presence in front of him disappears in an instant, though Chrom had barely time to even think about the intimate gesture. He was too focused on their escape to even consider it an actual kiss—more like CPR in a time of crisis.
That said, the sight of Frederick falling gracelessly backwards looking absolutely dumbfounded does crack his focus, prompting him to laugh at the ridiculousness of it as he sheaths his sword. It was an awkward moment, and there's still a hint of embarrassment on his face, but he's not going to let it fester between them. ]
Frederick! Are you all right? [ He's obviously not worried, stifling the flustered feeling with amusement. ] My apologies, friend. I should've asked—it just occurred to me so suddenly.
anyway i'm ending this, goodbye
The pain caused by all his bulky armor crashing into the ground does at least jolt him back into reality, enough for him to scrabble back up off the ground and into a standing position, the tips of his ears burning ever so faintly red. (Due to his gracelessness, of course, and not other actions-that-shall-not-be-named.) ]
Of course, milord. I shall be right as rain in a moment.
[ His soul, on the other hand, will never be repaired....just kidding. He clears his throat with a low cough, and looks pointedly at the path leading out of the forest. ]
I do think it wise for us not to dally here. Who knows what other strange flora might lurking beyond our sight.
[ AND THEN THEY LEFT THE FOREST AND NEVER TALKED ABOUT THIS AGAIN AND CHROM FELL BACK ASLEEP IN HIS POD, THE END. ]