❪ test drive #4 ❫

[natha]

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. QUICK NAV premise ● faq ● lore ● map ● npcs taken ● atp/emp ● application ● rep/acp calendar ● hiatus/drops ● modbox [ FULL NAVIGATION ] elnysa nysalogs nysaisles nysaooc elnyan

Comments

[logpose]

He is just a fool. [ Said both fondly and harshly at the same time.]

You mean the stasis unit, right? You make it sound like we're at a doctor's appointment. [ waiting area .... ] Yeah, Sanji-kun's here.

[pebblestone]

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?? ]

[logpose]

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]

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.

[logpose]

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. ]

[pebblestone]

[ she's offering to help??? how generous. (he doesn't know how to make friends tho, sry.) ]

Two sets of eyes are much better than one. I shall gladly take your assistance if you are willing to offer it.

Perhaps we should meet by the kitchens? The smell should make it easy to locate.

[logpose]

Sure! My name's Nami, by the way. What's yours?

[pebblestone]

I am Frederick, a knight of Ylisse. I'm most pleased to make your acquaintance, Lady Nami.

[ it's fine. she can have a title now. ]

I shall await your company by the kitchens.

[ he'll be the fuckin' weirdo in a full suit of armor standing stick straight. ]

1/2

[logpose]

[ it's very fine. go ahead and treat her like a queen. Nami isn't particular surprised that he's a knight. He does have a sort of honor-bound rigidness to him that she can sense. ]

Right! I'll see you there!

action

[logpose]

[ It's really hard to miss the guy standing around in the kitchen in full armor. ]

... You must be Freddie. [ He did say he was a knight. Who else could it be? ] Why'd you wear your armor into the kitchen?

[ Says the person who wore her bikini top into the kitchen. ]

action, you're killing me caps

[pebblestone]

[ Fred, of course, has no idea what his mysterious companion might look like, and so he makes no move to speak first until he's approached, in this case by a rather voluptuous woman wearing almost nothing at all, at least on her upper half. The tips of his ears burn bright red at the sight, and he's careful to keep his gaze fixed firmly on her face and away from her chest. ]

It's Frederick. [ With an emphasis on the last few syllables after Fred. Please don't forget them. ] You must be Nami, I presume?

[ He'll address the armor part in a bit but first: ]

Are you not afraid of the chill? I should be able to locate a cloak of some sort, if you would prefer.

[ Translation: please put on some clothes, for the love of Naga. ]

rip frodorock

[logpose]

It's not that chilly. [ She can sense his discomfort, though. This clearly means she should make things worse. ]

What's wrong? You don't think it's cute?

[pebblestone]

[ Why are you like this, Nami. He doesn't think it's anything other than indecent because to evoke any other word to mind would require him focus on her...rather impressive assets.

And that's just scandalous. ]

I'm certain it suits you just fine. [ A cop-out answer. ] However, it would be remiss of me not to inquire after your health, especially given our recent awakenings as well. We could still be feeling under the weather from our time in those pods.

[ He's not feeling particularly comfortable, anyway. ]

[logpose]

[ Aww, he's so pure. She's so used to abrasive or perverted men. She finds herself quite fond of this new friend she's made. ]

It's nice of you to be concerned for me, but I'm fine. This is what I usually wear. [ she's used to this ] If it does get chilly, I'll take you up on that offer for a cloak.

[pebblestone]

[ There go all his hopes and dreams for a nice well-dressed companion.....Oh well. A gentleman doesn't force a lady, so if she wants to parade around in such an outfit then she's welcome to.

He'll just keep staring forward then. ]

Very well. Then let's not waste a moment more in searching for a proper bed and bath.

[ And then he takes off in the lead, because that way he doesn't have to look at Nami, sorry Nami. ]

[logpose]

[ How long is he going to keep this up? It's honestly a bit sad. Nami nods, following after him. ]

This is my first time meeting an actual knight. You really act the part, too. Is your lord or lady here?

[pebblestone]

[ Look....he lives a tough life when boobies are on display everywhere. Where is he supposed to look?! Only forward. The conversation is welcome, and he focuses on every word, taking a few seconds to formulate a proper response. ]

Act the part? [ Don't insult him, Nami. ] There is no acting. Every breath I exhale, every decision I make, is all in service of milord Chrom. A true knight devotes his body and soul to his lord.

[ But not in the yaoi way, ok. But now that his loyalty rant is over, his voice settles down again. ]

As for milord...I'm afraid he is currently resting alongside your crew.

[logpose]

[ that speech, and his intolerance of boobies... must be a yaoi. jk nami doesn't actually have that sort of introspection. ]

Right, right ... [ He sounds like such a stick-in-the-mud. ]

That's too bad. Looks like we're in the same predicament then. What sort of person is he?

[pebblestone]

[ I hate this. ]

Milord Chrom?

[ Hope Nami's ready for a twenty minute speech on all of Chrom's strengths and talents because that's what's coming next.

Actually, I'm sick of writing Chrom's praises, pretend he talked about Chrom for like two whole minutes before they reached the suite of bedrooms. The rows of white doors are rather inconspicuous, but one of them opens as soon as Frederick approaches, silently beckoning them in. ]

We appear to have arrived at our destination.

[logpose]

[ i can't believe you handwaved an important character moment

While Nami was impressed by the feats of the great Chrom by the first few seconds, several minutes into Fred's speech, she starts to get really tired. She doesn't stop him in his enthusiasm, but her replies gradually turn noncommittal ('right, right...', 'Ah, is that so ...').

This guy really thinks highly of his boss, huh?

Finally, they arrive. ] A room! A room with a bed and a bath! This is heaven!

[pebblestone]

[ Fred lets Nami enter first because obviously ladies should always go first, and as she oohs and ahhs over the prospect of impending bath and bed, he spends his time carefully inspecting each corner of the room.

It's quite plain, walls and floors a bland shade of white. But it seems clean and dust-free, which is good. With a little decoration, it'll be perfect for Chrom. In fact, Fred's so busy thinking about home improvements that he barely pays any attention to Nami, and says idly: ]

You're welcome to clean yourself first, if you wish.

[ He's just gonna peer into this closet over here... ]

[logpose]

[ She doesn't even need prompting, because she's already stepping into the bathroom and stripping herself of what little clothing she's wearing. She's making no effort to cover herself up too; Nami's been lacking when it comes to modesty, and Frederick was such a non-threatening kind of guy (aka: a yaoi) that she doesn't quite care to be covered up around him.

If he can't even look her in the eye while she's wearing her bikini top, there's no way he's going to act gross and perverted about it (like a lot of the guys she knows). It's probably in Fred's best interests not to turn around. ]

1/2

[pebblestone]

[ Alas, even Frederick can only inspect a small closet for so long. There are other things that need his attention - the rest of the room, in fact! - and so he's pivoting on his heel and turning back towards the original direction Nami had been in, mouth already open to speak. ]

I fear the closet space may be a tad too small but I believe tha—

2/2

[pebblestone]

[ —is all he manages to get out before his brain catches up to his eyes and nearly explodes.

That sure is a very naked lady not that far in front of him. A very, very naked lady. ]

I—that is—please forgive me!

[ AND HE IMMEDIATELY TURNS BACK AROUND AND SQUEEZES HIS EYES SHUT. Goodbye cruel world, he's going to go die now. ]

[logpose]

What are you screaming about? [ how does fred even funtion tbh... Nami ignores him and starts looking around. ]

There's no towel. Do you see one in the closet?