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.

revlon: (155)

[personal profile] revlon 2018-03-28 08:12 am (UTC)(link)
[ Crikey O'Reilly. ]

Mr Holmes, [ she greets politely. Her tone doesn't belie the shock she feels at meeting him — she'd been prepared for this somewhat, of course. She'd made the connection between names and literature some months ago but hasn't dared bring it up with John. The poor man has enough on his plate and quite frankly, as a woman who's learned she graces the pages of history books in her future, she understands wanting to keep all that at bay. ] It's a pleasure. John's mentioned you, of course.

[ She won't lie and say it was necessarily flattering. But it was vivid: "clever idiot with a tendency to get themselves into shit in pursuit of information," if she remembers correctly. And made as a direct comparison to the trouble she was likely getting herself into for the same reasons. Well. ]

A detective may very well be what we need downstairs.
enarms: (pic#5580591)

[personal profile] enarms 2018-03-28 08:15 am (UTC)(link)
[ the laugh that follows that one borders on manic. just one bark, but it's enough to get the point across. ]

Getting on, yeah. The planet hasn't exactly been getting on with us, but there's only so much you can do about that. [ and that's cryptic, unnecessarily so. so for as little as he really wants to talk about it... John takes a breath, obviously steadying himself before going into this. ] There was a hostage situation not that long ago. Local politics - anti-government extremists, we think.

[ and, to clarify: ] It wasn't great.
sparsity: pixiv id 9115542 (pic#11391759)

III

[personal profile] sparsity 2018-03-28 08:20 am (UTC)(link)
[ Alright, sure. Despite it sounding like he's being threatened, the politeness only furthering that bland expectation, Mikazuki flicks a glance more sideways than behind him. His instincts are vaguely flared, sensing the weapon. If he's going to actually look, he might as well be prepared. ]

Is that any worse than being shot face first?

[ jw ]
cluing: (014 (1))

[personal profile] cluing 2018-03-28 08:20 am (UTC)(link)
And I've missed it?

[ Sherlock actually looks a little petulant at that. A hostage situation with government extremists and Sherlock woke up a week too late? Isn't that just typical. ]

John. John, John, John, that's what we live for.

[ Yes, he's disappointed in you, too, John. It wasn't great. Psh. ]
enarms: (pic#9616155)

[personal profile] enarms 2018-03-28 08:27 am (UTC)(link)
[ for fuck's sake, Sherlock. that should rub him up the wrong way, it really should, considering everything. but it doesn't. of course it doesn't. instead, here he goes again, laughing out both disbelief and mild joy. Jesus Christ. ]

Yeah, well, we could've done with you.

[ it doesn't last. he doesn't mean for it not to, would hold onto that if he could, but - well. people died. and the ones who didn't aren't faring much better. and John was about as much help as a bloodhound with its nose lopped off. (God, he can hear himself, and he's so bloody morose these days.)

there's no follow-up, just the slow muting of his expression. later, maybe. for now, John chases after a new topic. can't dwell on this one. ]


— Been up long?
sparsity: (09.)

NATIONAL GEOGRAPHIC 2

[personal profile] sparsity 2018-03-28 08:30 am (UTC)(link)
[ Ew. That's amazing. ]

What does it taste like?
crunchcrunch: (43)

[personal profile] crunchcrunch 2018-03-28 08:32 am (UTC)(link)
[that seems to spike his curiosity even further and he blinks oddly at mephisto, the weight of his hands on his shoulders odd-feeling. of course he can't recount the last time his brother showed him any sort of physical... anything, so seeing it here was bizarre.

amaimon tilts his head, this time to the other side.]


You were. For awhile at least. [another slow blink and then he turns his head to look up at lucifer, still sleeping.] Have I been asleep for long?
cluing: (Default)

[personal profile] cluing 2018-03-28 08:33 am (UTC)(link)
Sherlock, please. And I'm sure he has.

[ Don't worry - Sherlock doesn't need to imagine how flattering John's words were. He can pull up a few choice quotes of his own. But there is something inherently pleasing about knowing that John's been talking about him. ]

Conveniently, a detective is what I'm best at.

[ How modest. Of course he'd never take up any other occupation. Every place needs a detective. ]
cluing: (Default)

[personal profile] cluing 2018-03-28 08:37 am (UTC)(link)
[ It's fine. At the next sign of a hostage situation, Sherlock won't be missing out. ]

Hmm? No, not at all. A few hours at best. I've been to their little exhibit, showing off their cities. There's a wall of portraits that, quite frankly, are off putting. You've taken up in Olympia?

[ He could play it off as some grand deduction. Wyver, Sherlock learned, was tropical, sunny, a bit on the boisterous side. John was lacking a tan and, given the chance, would reside somewhere more reasonable. Really, John's portrait had mentioned it. ]
enarms: (attend attend i'm calling)

[personal profile] enarms 2018-03-28 08:42 am (UTC)(link)
[ John look s briefly surprised - then realises that there's absolutely no reason he should be. smiles instead. ]

Yeah. Wyver wasn't really my speed.

[ if a place makes you change your shirt more than once a day just to keep it from sticking to you, it's not going to work as a substitute for home. ]
arcane: (pic#11405437)

[personal profile] arcane 2018-03-28 08:44 am (UTC)(link)
[ he more than realizes it's rhetorical, and yet there's a brief hum of consideration. almost as if he's deliberating over the differences or the level carnage involved. still, as soon as he releases his arrow, it seems like all is forgotten. for now.

the attack manages to cripple the beasts' leg from a distance. but, just barely. despite everything, arjuna does his best not to waste a life without purpose. it was no fault of the creature to be summoned here. however, this is only the case if the beast decides its finished here.

arjuna's eyes don't stray from it. instead, he walks right alongside the young male. mostly feeling out his presence in a similar manner that mikazuki does his.
] Some state being shot from behind is a warrior's biggest disgrace. [ meaning, they've left themselves open and vulnerable. a shame on the battlefield. ]

And your verdict?
insist: (51.)

[personal profile] insist 2018-03-28 08:46 am (UTC)(link)
[ Thanks. ]

Hmm. [ He's licking his lips while still holding the poor, struggling frog in his fingers. ] It has a subdued flavour. Obviously, it's salty from its skin's secretions, but there's a tinge of something else.

[ Just going to talk about the frog like he's a food critic and not a weirdo licking a frog. ] I will need to have another taste to find out.
revlon: (281)

[personal profile] revlon 2018-03-28 08:49 am (UTC)(link)
[ Her lips quirk, amused. She hadn't expected a man like Sherlock Holmes to be modest, but this is quite reserved in comparison to most of her colleagues back at the SSR. ]

I'm sure it is. [ Cryptic, maybe. Or humouring him. It's impossible to say. Peggy inclines her head to the exhibit in general, but doesn't bother to gesture to it any more than that. It rubs her the wrong way, but she's curious: ] What have they told you?
cluing: (Default)

[personal profile] cluing 2018-03-28 08:51 am (UTC)(link)
Good. I didn't much care for their little display.

[ Though their flora had been very, very interesting. It's good to know that he and John won't be at odds about where to be - unimaginable, that. ]

Tell me about it. Fill me in on all the details.
cluing: (Default)

[personal profile] cluing 2018-03-28 09:02 am (UTC)(link)
Oh - The usual rubbish.

[ He glances the way of the exhibits, a brief look before his attention is back on Peggy. ]

Nothing unlike what a car salesman might say, or someone looking to sell their home. You replace a few key phrases but the buzz words are always the same. I suspect it's not as good as they paint it to be. It never is, is it?
insist: (45.)

social link-kuns

[personal profile] insist 2018-03-28 09:06 am (UTC)(link)
So, you're essentially claiming to be skilled at everything?
steponme: smile, blush, look (♪ When the tears come streaming)

[personal profile] steponme 2018-03-28 09:12 am (UTC)(link)
[Are you hungry, he asks... of course he is. But at the same time, the thought of eating right now makes him feel ill. What would he even eat?]

Ah, no... that's all right. I don't think I have much of an appetite right now. [Gonna just dive away from this topic as quickly as possible--] What were you doing up here anyway? Did you know I was going to wake up?
meinwaifu: (Slide on over here ♪)

[personal profile] meinwaifu 2018-03-28 09:20 am (UTC)(link)
Hm... about five months, I'd say. [The contact is as odd as it is brief. Soon his arms are pulled back and neatly crossed in front of him, like he hadn't done anything at all.]

Ah, but for you to be asking me about that [That being the incident Shura has alluded to but never explained in great detail] it must be closer to 7 months. I take it you don't recall the last time you were awake?
defenses: (╏ 014.)

1

[personal profile] defenses 2018-03-28 09:34 am (UTC)(link)
[ with all the bustle of the "convention," it's relatively difficult not be caught up in the atmosphere. if anything, maybe this was the brief reprieve many of the refugees required in a time of strife and disconnect. not that vane really thinks that far, if anything, he's more keen on simply allowing himself to go with the flow of the situation. to temporarily, permit his mind a bit of rest. (he's not used to thinking so bleakly, really!)

besides with everything slowly repaired and their companions being out back into place, vane supposes that despite his own shortcomings, that's all they could really ask for. regardless of these considerations, he finds his thoughts are momentarily steered in the direction of...

a guy who seems to really, really like that wall!?!
] Uh— [ but, before he says anything he seems to be beaten to the punch. ahem. ahem?? vane tilts his head to the side? did he want... something? vane looks at the meat dish he's swiped from the convention.

then looks back at the stranger. with a shrug, he brings it up to him... only for it to get sucked in by his stickiness.
] Eh!?! Are you that hungry!?
eaudevamp: (ᴡᴀɴᴇ sᴍɪʟᴇ)

[personal profile] eaudevamp 2018-03-28 09:37 am (UTC)(link)
[ Reign would have offered the alternative synthetic blood, which hopefully wouldn't be as bad as straight up drinking human blood. He knew what Shell was going through, so he wouldn't force that matter on his friend just yet. Certainly one of the Orbiters would impart their knowledge should Shell got hungry.

At the questions, Reign's expression fell. He didn't know if he should burden Shell with his grief, especially when everything was still so fresh for the blond. ]
No, I didn't know you were going to wake. I come up here almost every day to talk to you, even if you were still asleep then.

[ He took in a deep breath, trying to muster up a smile for Shell. ] The situation down on Nysa hadn't been going well, tensions going high. It's... peaceful here.
arcane: (pic#11405371)

[personal profile] arcane 2018-03-28 09:40 am (UTC)(link)
Is there a problem?

[ he's not confirming or denying. let him look modest, rohankun. ]
revlon: (072)

[personal profile] revlon 2018-03-28 09:43 am (UTC)(link)
It was, [ she concedes. That much is true. It was almost domestic, the routine she'd fallen into before the tensions on the surface erupted. ] If you could get past the possibility of a civil war or the idea of your home being obliterated by an intergalactic storm.

[ Because that's one of the more difficult pills to swallow, isn't it? Alien planet, faraway civilisation, people kept in stasis pods until they're ready to rejoin society — that's the stuff out of novels or radio programmes. Or even Howard Stark's wild imagination since she's sure space travel was one of the many things he'd hoped to accomplish someday. But the thought of having nothing to go back to, well, that's the piece that always grounds the whole mess into something nightmarish.

And the questions, too: why were they spared, why were people who were considered terrible spared? A man who tried to assassinate Steve Rogers is walking amongst them below. No telling who else more dangerous or nefarious. (Many of them are dangerous, possibly herself included and definitely Steve, but morals are a different matter. Maybe.) ]


The theories, of course, vary depending on who you speak with. Some people come from places where apocalypse is as commonplace as magic. And it doesn't matter whether or not you believe in any of it because what could be the stuff of fairytales for us is reality for others. The scope is enormous. I've been awake nearly a year and things still surprise me.
Edited 2018-03-28 09:45 (UTC)
insist: (48.)

[personal profile] insist 2018-03-28 09:47 am (UTC)(link)
Of course there is a problem. That is impossible! If you mean to tell me you would be skilled any arbitrary task I give to you right now, then you had better come up with a more convincing lie.

[ you're not allowed to be more arrogant than he is, homie. ]
insist: (43.)

\

[personal profile] insist 2018-03-28 09:52 am (UTC)(link)
I am not -- [ Okay, he is a little hungry, but that doesn't mean he wants a whole roast chicken sticking to his hand the way it's doing now! ] Do you think that I am sliding around this wall for fun?!

[ So, he probably would slide around a wall for fun, but after 10 minutes of that, it would get old really quick.

... Now he has a whole chicken stuck to his hand. Rohan gives it a shake, but it doesn't come off. He sighs deeply. ]
arcane: (pic#11405421)

two bitchies

[personal profile] arcane 2018-03-28 09:54 am (UTC)(link)
A pointless argument.

There is no benefit in you proving me wrong.
However, I will accept your challenge. Well?


[ after saying all that, you must have a way to prove him wrong? ]