natha: (Default)
ɴᴀᴛʜᴀ orbiters ❰ mod collective ❱ ([personal profile] natha) wrote in [community profile] elnyan2018-03-27 06:32 pm
Entry tags:

❪ test drive #5 ❫

YOUR STORY BEGINS    

The Storm came. You remember darkness, but you don't remember much after that.

You don't know how long you slept, but the dreams were short. You remember the expanse of stars and galaxies in your direct view. Every world and solar system ever known to man was present in your dreams in careful, pristine detail. You also witnessed the Storm, which has devoured a fair portion of these galaxies. Your Earth and similar planets were assimilated by the Storm. Somehow, you knew it would be the last you'd see of your world. That was when she told you what happened. You knew that you'd be living somewhere new. The details weren't clear, but you knew it was a part of a deal with the entity known as 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 — Regardless of your will, you find your body doesn’t respond to you immediately. Instead, you hear a voice begin to resonate deep within you.

I have seen much... But what I am not accustomed to, is being unable to see.

It was never our wish for those we saved to go through such an ordeal. People... are unpredictable. And you, Refugee, still continue to surprise us. That is why we cannot allow you to die just yet.

Refugee, I no longer have plans to intervene with this world — I have already done too much. Here on out, what happens below... must be resolved by you, its people, and fate. You and your friends before you have proven yourselves. Our eyes are upon you, and our hearts with you.

THE WORKSHOP    
The Natha have become aware of how ill-prepared many of their new refugees are for the hardships below. While Darma has decided against direct intervention, the other Orbiters echo the opposite sentiment. With their homes destroyed and the ongoing trials that await them planetside imminent, they do not want refugees to descend without knowing exactly what they're getting into. Therefore, Roman and Zasere have set out to host a workshop in order to train the refugees for complex environment of El Nysa.

A new area has opened in Thesa Station: the Exhibition Hall. This vast open space has been configured to rival the size of the Hangar Station, with the north and south ends decorated accordingly. Refugees that have managed to return to Thesa will notice that the north end strongly resembles Olympia, while the south is a near replica of Wyver. Upon entering, you're given a goodie bag containing some postcards from either cities. There will be a variety of workshops available throughout this area. Each workshop is held in its own unique training room, separated only by high-durability glass for individual demonstrations to be observable to all in the vicinity. Workshops will focus on a few major topics that refugees should keep in mind when they reach land.


I — A HALL DIVIDED
The north side of the Exhibition Hall is fashioned to look exactly like a small section of Olympia. There are ghost-like projections of its people, seemingly going about their businesses as if to demonstrate their everyday living. There is even enough space for them to setup an example of a typical starter dormitory, and it wouldn't be a coincidence if it reminds you of room displays of the furniture stores back in your homeworld; Roman has been particularly inspired by magazines of various worlds.

Refugees who have been living or have visited Olympia will be highly encouraged to "sell" the Empire to the newly awoken. Until you find someone who is willing to do that, you'll find a fancy brochure inside your goodie bag, highlighting the benefits of choosing Olympia... however, there seems to be an earlier draft of it floating around, also.

Over on the south side is decorated will all kinds of tropical plant-life. Strangely enough, crossing the threshold of north and south, you'll also get a taste of the jungle heat, or is that only your imagination? Regardless, the presentation is to mirror the north: the Wyver people are shown as projections, making the space feel as populated as the canyons of Wyver. The sample living space is quite different here; all around, tents and wooden shacks are built to demonstrate what refugees might expect when living here. Similarly, refugee who are currently residing in the jungle city are also encouraged to talk about life there. The same brochure highlights this for the newly awoken.

On either side, you will be able to grab small trinkets from either cities; samples of food and wines, stickers, pins and buttons, and even photos of some of the more well-known natives. Wait, are those paintings of older refugees? Weird, but it's supposedly what you would expect from a convention for Darma's planet of El Nysa.
II — BLENDING IN
When you deal with natives, it's normal to feel a bit of anxiety. As far as you're aware, the natives don't know that you not only came from space, but other universes entirely. After this crash course, hopefully you will have the confidence to maintain a sane conversation with a native without getting any strange looks!

  • A) One side of the demonstration room shows various scenes from Olympia and Wyver. They seem to be showcasing the day-to-day interactions of regular natives, but you might find that some of the projected individuals in the examples are strangely familiar, even under all the effects and filters. In fact, after taking a closer look, you'll find that these are relatively poor imitations of the refugees that have arrived before you, even though you're assured that they're just a coincidence.

    — This is Focket and Warrior 67. They were both refugees that were exiled from Olympia for a quest that resulted in all those involved being framed for a biological warfare attack! Focket and Warrior 67 decided to run off to Wyver where they currently live a peaceful quiet life allegedly. And that's the beauty of El Nysa! If you accidentally commit treason in one city, you may try your luck in another!

    Before long, it becomes very clear that the instructional examples are meant to be the pre-existing refugees that arrived on the station to greet you. After all, there aren't many talking raccoons or white-haired soldiers with visors. Perhaps they're an early-riser from home, or a stranger that you met in the Mess Hall, or even in this very room with you. Makes you wonder where they got this from, doesn't it? At the very least, one thing becomes very clear: The Natha Orbiters weren't lying when they said they were watching.

  • B) While there are ample 3D renders and projections all around the floor that anyone can have access to, you will immediately notice that there is an excess of them in the corner. These are renders that were wrongly coded or mistakenly conjured up, hence... you might notice "Koralle" is looking a little furry, or that one of the Wyvern Shamans look a little more fish-like. Either way, these renders still manage to serve a purpose.

    In this corner you will be paired up with someone. Either you or them will be given a "role," and you must convincingly act and converse as such. For example, if one of you are given the role of "Wyver King," one of you must act accordingly, and the other must treat them with the proper respect. From there, the renders will judge.

    If they give you a pass, you'll be allowed to the exit. If you don't, then you might be here for a while. As a general hint, things that seem to give people extra "performance points" are: mentioning certain landmarks, figures, or other key details relating to El Nysa (see: the brochure). This is a workshop for this purpose, after all.
III — PLANET NYSA EXHIBITION

Perhaps you've heard of this prior to opening your eyes here on Thesa Station: a promise of power in exchange for diligence and loyalty. Show them you are capable of "earning your keep," and the Natha Orbiters may bestow you with powers of your own.

In this workshop, the Orbiters are now allowing refugees to physically test these powers; this time, outside of the comfort of the virtual reality modules. From healing spells to the ability of flight, the sky is almost the limit with these newfound abilities. These powers are temporary, however, and do not last any longer than an hour. You're free to sample as many abilities as you'd like. But, once one is in effect, you cannot gain another without the first one running out its course.

Closest to the exit was the wildlife exhibition, summoning renders of both flora and fauna of Olympia and Wyver. This was meant to showcase the types of wildlife those heading planetside could expect. Don't let the promise of "projections" fool you! These renders are as poisonous, as dangerous, and as realistic as you might expect if you were seeing the real thing. In fact, they have become so unruly that some may have escaped their stations and are running amok, terrorizing everyone (Especially Zasere, who prepared them himself). On the bright side, you've still got those nifty borrowed powers, right?

Monsters aren't the only things you should be worried about. All over, the plantlife that found exposure from the chaos. From the broken glass that once contained them, some flora will have effects that may temporarily ail refugees in its vicinity. Be sure to check their labels if you are caught! Roman has begun handing out gloves and gas masks for this special occasion, being unwilling to destroy the specimen himself. He encourages all to contain them rather than kill!

While most of the flora and fauna have been handled rather quickly, the more agile ones can be seen around the station. One may have found its way to your meal in the Mess Hall, another may be hiding in the bathroom facilities. Wherever they are, it never hurts to practice some caution. Hopefully this gets cleared up before Darma catches wind... but even she would admit this is the most lively Thesa Station has been since that July many months ago.
IV — SOCIAL-LINKED(in)
By miracle, there are still some quieter parts of the hall. This may be an appropriate time to check out your smart phone. Aside from the expected "Omage" app, there seems to be a new one called Social-Linked. There, you may find a profile waiting to be posted. The app allows for the user to fill it in, but there is also an auto-function! upon pressing it, it will generate a shockingly-honest answer based on the Natha's observation of your history. Roman will be your only friend in this app, with his very own profile:

●●●●○ THESA
ROMAN
@romannoodles (∞), Thesa

I WAS A: Butler! I still am, and I'm happy to serve all of the new arrivals!

I'M SKILLED IN: Cooking, cleaning, anything that involves making your life better!

I'M LOOKING FOR: Consistency!

ALSO, I'M: Not entirely certain if the "auto" profile function is to your liking. Feel free to edit if it is not to taste!

So, have you decided on making your own profile? Perhaps you used the "auto" function on accident? Regardless, once your profile is out there, it's out there. And like the Omage app, it will match you with someone. NOTE: Please use the form below to fill out a profile! Whether it's auto-generated or filled by the character is up to you!

STASIS UNITS    

Far away from the chaos, you managed to find the massive section on the station 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.

FINAL OOC NOTES    
Feel free to wildcard prompts within Thesa Station!

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 THREE (3) NATHA ORBITER REPUTATION POINTS after acceptance here. Please submit by April 17th. Network threads are not eligible.

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.

baguablade: (98)

[personal profile] baguablade 2018-04-03 02:56 am (UTC)(link)
We couldn't even access the station until just last week.
And before that, there was an issue with navigation that ended in a bunch of shuttles being shot down by the natives.
versianvirtue: (16)

[personal profile] versianvirtue 2018-04-03 03:02 am (UTC)(link)
[ Hurt very badly...

Her final moments flash back to her, bloody and brutal and clear at last. It causes her to stiffen up and gasp. She remembers being hurt. She remembers the curtain of darkness that shrouded her consciousness and the confusion that spun through her when The Storm came. Other memories attached to that moment phase in and out of focus for her; she was trying to save someone, someone important to her... She releases her grip on their hands, Slaine's the only ones keeping them together.]


I... I remember... gunshots... A-And then... I watched Earth... Vers... all the stars, they became nothing...

[She trembles more than ever.]

...And after that, I thought... I thought I would never see home... see you again...
terrantrash: (20)

[personal profile] terrantrash 2018-04-03 03:17 am (UTC)(link)
[It's a lot to process, a lot to digest and swallow. He knows all too well, but he can't imagine how it must be for her. For him, when he'd woken up, things had remained the same. She had just been moved to a different pod. For Asseylum though she was in limbo, purgatory if you will, hovering precariously between life and death.

No wonder she was trembling. No wonder she seemed so vulnerable, tears still flowing. Her gasp startles him as he grips her hand tighter, swallowing hard, before throwing all caution to the wind to reach for her instead. On the contrary this isn't the first time he's shared an embrace with her. A long time ago when he'd been rescued by her, lungs recovering from having been filled with fluid, she'd hugged him once, happy to see the boy she'd saved from a wreck alive.

Her shoulders are narrow, arms thin and soft, but she's warm and so very much alive that he can't help but tuck her head against his chest, his palm against her back as he keeps her other hand in his. A year ago he never would have dared to do something like this, but this is a moment that calls for pushing past titles and pretenses. His own head hangs, blond mixing with blond.

He'd be lying to say he hasn't wanted to do this for quite some time.]


I never thought I'd hear you say my name again...
america: (mcdonalds)

[personal profile] america 2018-04-03 03:45 am (UTC)(link)
My alt. Is that what we're calling them?

[ It's actually a real question. He's never been sure how to refer to the Bucky that isn't his Bucky. Most of the time he avoids the topic of conversation all together.

An 'alt' just sounds like some kind of a carbon-copy, a clone, something eerily Winter Soldier-y.

Steve nods anyway. ]


Thanks for the confirmation. You remind me a lot of the Tony I know, so it only makes sense that you and him are ... alternates of each other.
givemeoblivion: (turn)

[personal profile] givemeoblivion 2018-04-03 04:00 am (UTC)(link)
Are you still here?

[Callisto looks disgusted again as she shakes her head. Despite hearing his advice her attention seems much more drawn to her unconscious enemies.]

Pictures aren't any good. The artists never get them just right.

[And she doesn't like the ones machines can take here. It's disturbing, having her image captured that way.]

Oh! What about a toy? A stuffed doll made in my image. How innocent and cute that would look.
ayes: (pic#11471756)

[personal profile] ayes 2018-04-03 04:30 am (UTC)(link)
[She's wincing on the other end.]

maybe a little

not much! dont worry about me! but it got a little rough thats all
sakabroto: (This is bullshit!!)

[personal profile] sakabroto 2018-04-03 04:57 am (UTC)(link)
was it someone from Olympia or Wyver who did it?

[he has to know who to beat the living shit out of]

did you get healed up? is mipha still around to do that?
ayes: (pic#11471756)

[personal profile] ayes 2018-04-03 05:07 am (UTC)(link)
olympia I guess
they wanted to know if I was ok with peace with wyver or something
and bc i was that wasnt the answer they wanted to hear

but uh i dont know who they really were
and theyre not around anymore so

i havent really seen anyone since then Ive been staying home as much as possible (。•́︿•̀。)
meinwaifu: (We're just getting started ♪)

I AIM TO PLEASE

[personal profile] meinwaifu 2018-04-03 05:17 am (UTC)(link)
[It took literally dying in her arms for Mephisto to finally stop calling Mipha "Lady Mipha" to her face -- he's gonna be Sir Sidon whether he wants it or not.]

How tragic to think such worlds devoid of selfies exist!

[And he walks forward, still in the air, except now walking down "stairs" until he's on level with Sidon. Show-off.]

"Selfie" is a word derived from "self-portrait" -- more specifically, it's a photo one takes of themselves to share their current mood, appearance, or to simply revel in their own vanity!

But in this case-- [And he disappears in a poof!]

[Only to reappear hanging over Sidon's shoulder, arm stretched out in front of them both with his pink cell phone in hand -- the screen showing both of them as the camera app comes on. Look, he knows how to get on a big friendly guy's good side.]

[...even if he is ridiculously slimy right now?? Someone's gotta tell this guy how to rub this lotion stuff in and it sure as hell won't be be Mephisto.]


Why don't we take one to let your darling little sister know you've finally woken up?
sakabroto: (We gotta do somethin')

[personal profile] sakabroto 2018-04-03 05:17 am (UTC)(link)
what the hell! what the freaking hell!
they attacked you just 'cause you wanted peace?


[What the freaking hell happened to Olympia after he left? That's insane! He wants to beat someone's face in over this, but there's nowhere to direct his anger.]

...and you've been shut in since then? do you need someone to come help out?
triplerose: (Default)

[personal profile] triplerose 2018-04-03 05:23 am (UTC)(link)
I've yet to meet anyone who hasn't settled in over time. I've spent the better part of seven months here now. I've found ways to make it my home.
cluing: (Default)

[personal profile] cluing 2018-04-03 05:26 am (UTC)(link)
[ A shame, then, that he'll figure it out. He always does. ]

Fortunately I never asked for your appreciation.

[ Which means, that, yes. He absolutely is settling. He may not immediately dislike Peggy, and he can absolutely see why John would choose her as a friend, but Sherlock as a rule does not do people. And he doesn't seem much to care if that offends her or no. ]
lustration: (it as a crime)

[personal profile] lustration 2018-04-03 05:50 am (UTC)(link)
[She doesn't know how to lighten up, or have fun. She was always busy doing what the Ori expected of her.]

I suppose that is fair enough.

[Still, his questions have her a little wary but she is a good enough actress to show otherwise. She offers a small smile and then gives a small nod of her head.]

What is it you wish to know, John?
lustration: (in salvation and love)

[personal profile] lustration 2018-04-03 05:52 am (UTC)(link)
This is not my home nor do I think I wish it to be. But maybe you are right. Perhaps over time, though at the moment, I highly doubt it.

[She is grudgingly trying here. But just a little. Her stubborn nature doesn't allow her to cave so easily.]
lustration: (I will till this ground)

[personal profile] lustration 2018-04-03 05:56 am (UTC)(link)
[Adria was actually quite content on ignoring the people around her. Rude? Perhaps, but it wasn't something she gave much thought to. She wasn't use to it. She was use to people following her orders and leaving her be, even if she was muttering to herself.

Here, things are completely different. She has no Priors, no servants, no army. It's all rather disconcerting and still, she is wondering just how Ba'al might have pulled something like this off... Though, that was giving his intelligence more credit than it truly deserves.

Lost in thought, she doesn't even realize that someone was passing her by when she was threatening to snap Ba'al's neck and when the man speaks up, her eyebrows rise up in confusion.]


Are you addressing me?
meinwaifu: (I'll give him all my love ♪)

[personal profile] meinwaifu 2018-04-03 06:25 am (UTC)(link)
The brightest light casts the darkest shadow... personally, I would be more suspect if we were subjected to such violent obliteration, only to be brought to a true utopia.

[And he's not saying near obliteration anymore -- not after what he saw when he died. But the less said about that, the better.]

Still, I suppose it's only natural to be distrustful of other worldly beings who believe they know what's best for us, even with their seemingly endless generosity. [The irony is strong here.] Humans are often disinclined to trust beings they struggle to comprehend -- and for as much as they might look and act human, the Natha are rather far from it.

[Of course, for Mephisto, it was much the opposite -- it was far easier for him to understand the feelings and motivations of the Natha than the intricate human relationships in display down on the surface. They weren't all that different from demons, in a way.]
motivation: (【 SIXTY-TWO 】)

[personal profile] motivation 2018-04-03 06:38 am (UTC)(link)
not the nerd type? i figured

[personal profile] ayes 2018-04-03 07:03 am (UTC)(link)
idk it was less an attack and like
more like an interrogation or something
they kidnapped people but i dont know why

im ok. i can get out and do some grocery shopping every now and then so just fine here!


[she is not fine]
beknight: ([ bvs ] 71.)

looks good!! I'm sorry he's weird lmk if you need me to edit anything

[personal profile] beknight 2018-04-03 07:15 am (UTC)(link)
[ Bruce is in the mess hall now, in a corner with his hands wrapped around a mug of tea. People come here first, or they end up here eventually, and there's no more useful tool than food to spark a little conversation. He's — not exactly sure what kind he'll have with Lane, but she's one of those people he's always known to keep an eye on. ]

[ And anyone who can unsettle Amanda Waller is someone worth having in the loop. He'd lied to Trevor, the first time, seeing him, and he doesn't intend to do different here, maybe it reads like cowardice. Not wanting to look her in the eye after what he'd done. ]

Coffee machine is over there, [ he says politely as she passes. ]
agradecido: (I wanna wake up)

[personal profile] agradecido 2018-04-03 10:32 am (UTC)(link)
Well, er, standard measurements of time.

[Congrats, he's never considered that other people wouldn't have the same sort of calendar set up as Thedas! That earns her a pause as he's distracted by what other people might think about time as he percieves it, and then he has that uneasy feeling he gets sometimes when he remembers that he's living on an alien planet; a rocky marble spinning through an infinite black vacuum full of incandescent stars made of gas and radiation and what might happen if the sun explodes, which isn't a thing he'd ever thought about before coming to El Nysa, but every now and then it pops back up in his brain these days and he has to have a stiff drink or just lay down on the floor for a while until the nausea goes away.

(Don't think about it. Just...just don't think about it.)

Clearing his throat, he continues, hoping he didn't go into that thousand yard stare he gets sometimes when he thinks about how tiny he actually is in the universe. There's a tightness around his eyes, he can feel it. Hopefully, she doesn't misinterpret it.

Deep breath, Zevran.
]

Well, that was months ago. Things were briefly amiable between the two cities, at least while the Olympians were living in Wyver, but then things got a bit worse. There have been other incidents, as well.

Most of the refugees are trying to calm who they can, but their pleas mostly fall on deaf ears. A few brave souls set out on their own to help people who've not chosen a side, native and refugee alike. There's a group of us who'd prefer to wash our hands of the whole mess as well, and one or two war dogs, chomping at the bit to cause mayhem for their adoptive homelands. We're a mixed group.
agradecido: (I just woke up in my underwear)

[personal profile] agradecido 2018-04-03 10:38 am (UTC)(link)
[As long as he can get you to stop calling him "Mr. Arainai," he'll count it as a win.]

Just Zevran, if you please. I have a few friends here and there, scattered between the two cities. Unless of course, you meant in here, which [he gestures around to the pods] yes, several.

Why do you ask?
tumang: (wcab1_40)

[personal profile] tumang 2018-04-03 11:09 am (UTC)(link)
more of a bully, probably
atwo: (026)

[personal profile] atwo 2018-04-03 11:30 am (UTC)(link)
kind of sick even. they allow us to feel sadness to such a degree and not pleasure.
defenses: (╏ 016.)

[personal profile] defenses 2018-04-03 11:59 am (UTC)(link)
[ if it's an insult, it's clear vane doesn't really see it as one. instead he gives a diffusive laugh. ] Fat? That's pretty mean, don't you think? [ but, he seems to be taking it in stride. ] Besides, I pride myself in being in shape! I mean, that much is expected from a White Dragon Knight!

[ but it's a weak defense. one he isn't even sure holds much weight for rohan. which is fine, actually. either way, as rohan moves his head a bit, vane seems to move his head curiously. he attempts to move his hand, too, as if abiding to rohan's initial quest, but it only ends up ... yanking on his hair.


oh.... but, as for the voices—
] Eh!!? I-It's not like that! R-right? [ help defend them from the masses, rohan?? ] I mean, you're a great guy and all, but— [ but, is he actually a great guy? vane seems to stop and think about this for a few seconds...

anyway, he does his best to try and pry his hand off, but instead it now rips out some of rohan's hair, and has only really managed to move to the back of rohan's neck now. aka, basically nothing has been solved. help.
]
logistical: (walking with kirk)

[personal profile] logistical 2018-04-03 12:22 pm (UTC)(link)
Mr. Arainai.

[ Did you know Vulcans are the most polite dicks you've ever met? Now you do. ]

I am curious about the patterns among the refugees. For example, the population seems disproportionately humanoid. You are the only other I have encountered with outward physical similarities to myself.