elnyan | ❪ 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.

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Flat | Top-Level Comments Only

I know. [She answers quietly, aware that what he's saying is true. Admittedly she is much better than she used to be when she was younger. Back then, being cruel in the game was fun. Now, she tends to play for the sake of enjoyment, as a bit of cat and mouse. She's the type of woman who enjoys being desired, being chased. In her maturity though, she only encourages the pursuers that she plans to allow to catch her.

Mary isn't expecting the title though, and her eyebrow raises ever so slightly. She puts her hand in his.]

How do you do, my Lord? Lady Mary Crawley. Thank you for your help. I am sad to admit that I have never heard of your land.

Why sad?

[ He caresses her knuckle with his lips. He does have a very graceful way of kissing. When he straightens up, that's graceful too. ]

It means there's all the more to discover about me, dear lady. And I - I suspect I'll have quite a lot to discover about you, too. Learning about someone is the most exciting process, don't you think?

[His movements do mimic those of someone high born and Mary is pleased to meet him in such a place. There's a playful smile on her face at the way he kisses her hand.]

Yes. [She says after a moment.] Yes it is. Will you tell me where I might find your land? [Perhaps a small country in Eastern Europe or the Middle East. Mary admits that she isn't as familiar with the regions out there as she is with Western Europe.]

[ Byerly, the drama queen, gestures grandly upwards, and leans in, and murmurs, his tone an intimate purr - ]

Out amongst the stars.

[ Then, pulling back: ]

Barrayar is a multi-planet empire. Billions and billions and billions of miles from earth.

Oh. [He eyes instinctively travel upward, following his hand, though there are no stars to see. Just the canopy of trees and daylight filtering through them.] You know, I might tell you that you're quite mad to think I would believe that, but I saw a dragon today, so clearly nothing is impossible.

[ He purses his lips playfully. ] Oh, I don't know about that. I can think of a few impossible things.

Such as?

[They're walking now, strolling down the path. It occurs to Mary how comfortable he's made her feel in such a short amount of time. She's not even as worried about sentient plants anymore. Amazing what quality time with a handsome, flirtatious man can do.]

Well...

[ He makes a show of thinking, then offers, his voice pensive: ]

You walking into a room and not being noticed.

You flatter me, my Lord. [Mary gives a roll of her eyes, even though it's playful, and the fact that there's a grin on her face should let him know that she's enjoying every compliment he throws her way.] And what would you do if you saw me walk into a room?

[ He clucks his tongue mock-thoughtfully. ]

That would depend, my lady. Would you grace me with a smile, or a look of contempt?

I should think that if you approached me with a smile then I would smile in return. A lady would have to be foolish not to smile back at an Emperor, especially one so charming and handsome.

[Mary likes throwing it right back at him. She's always been a fan of flirting, and rather skilled at the art as well. It's gotten her into trouble sometimes, but most men seem to know where to draw the line and how to remain gentlemen.]

Ah, be careful now, my dear.

[ He grins rather lazily over at her, his manner still just as flirtatious. Though this is an honest warning. ]

I have a bad reputation. You might do better to frown.

Oh, I see. That sounds unfortunate.

[She's still walking next to him though, hasn't made a face of disgust or excused herself. Really, where would she go anyway? If he was harassing her, she'd find some place. As it was, she didn't know anyone here and Byerly had helped her out.]

What sort of bad reputation, if you don't mind me asking? The kind that leaves a woman crying in her bedroom?

Without a doubt.

[ He smiles over at her. His warning is, perhaps, a little hard to take seriously, given the wry irony in his manner. ]

I'm a rake of the first order, you see.

Ah. [She nods.] Well, I daresay I might have guessed that. Surely you would never force yourself on a woman though, my Lord?

[Honestly, for all the rakishness, she isn't seeing him as the type who prefers his partners to be unwilling. Which means that he's a rake, but not a complete asshole.]

[ And, indeed, for just a moment, the irony is gone. He's completely, utterly truthful, with no laughter at all, when he answers: ]

Never.

[ Because for Byerly, who laughs at everything, that is the sole matter that cannot be laughed at. Soon as he answers, though, he's back to his ironic pose. ]

But if you ever wish for companionship, I would offer it gladly. And as discreetly as you might wish.

[He’s been surprisingly truthful so far, so his serious demeanor only cements for Mary that he is continuing to be honest. By not forcing himself on women, he’s already doing better than one of her previous lovers.

Scoundrels amuse her, but men who think they can take what they want from a woman are worse than devils.]

And what sort of things do you do with your companions?

[Mary’s being cheeky, playing innocent to see if he will be blunt. Daringly, she slips a a hand into the crook of his elbow.]

[ And he reaches over to cover that hand with his free one. ]

What do I do with my companions... [ His voice is a low, flirty purr. ] Well. I pour them wine, of course. Rub their weary feet.

[She grins, loving the tone of his voice.]

That sounds quite lovely indeed. Very relaxing. So once they are relaxed, then what?

[Mary’s pushing, but he appears to be indulging her or playing along, or perhaps very much enjoys telling her how nights spent with him usually go.]

Then...I listen to their desires. A bit of conversation is so thrilling, don't you think?

Oh, yes. And then you’ll know exactly what they want, if they’re brave enough to tell you.

[Mary is the sort of woman to ask for what she wants with little shame, even in the bedroom. It’s very possible that sometime soon, she’ll desire some of Byerly’s companionship. He’s good-looking and charming and she could do much worse. Being alone here might get to her. A foot rub sounded equally delightful.]

❪ test drive #4 ❫

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