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.

thetaintedsorrow: (:3)

[personal profile] thetaintedsorrow 2018-03-28 05:41 am (UTC)(link)
[Chuuya wouldn’t be surprised if the little guy wasn’t human, considering what he’s seen on Nysa, but he’ll drop it for now.]

Shell, huh? Never heard that name before. Mine’s Chuuya.

[But he was enjoying petting the cute bat...]

Sure thing.

[He finds one of the couches in a lounge area and sets Shell on one of the cushions before sitting down next to him.]

You new here?
Edited 2018-03-28 05:41 (UTC)
steponme: smile (♫ The sinking feeling)

[personal profile] steponme 2018-03-28 05:47 am (UTC)(link)
[Shell has mixed feelings?? on being petted, this is all very strange and vaguely uncomfortable. But he's too tired to fight it at the moment.]

Chuuya... [Also a weird name, but most humans had weird names where he was from. If they had one at all...]

I guess I am. I woke up a few hours ago, but it still feels like a dream...

And being stuck like this isn't really helping.
thetaintedsorrow: (Beautiful boy)

[personal profile] thetaintedsorrow 2018-03-28 06:17 am (UTC)(link)
I’m sure it’ll wear off.

[Eventually. Probably.]

The Storm got your world too, huh? That blows.

[Comforting words.]

It’s not like you’re alone. Plenty of us woke up here just like you did.
Edited 2018-03-28 06:18 (UTC)
steponme: serious, look (♩ That things have been)

[personal profile] steponme 2018-03-28 07:01 am (UTC)(link)
[He's already been like this for about 45 minutes, so he doesn't have much longer at this rate. Especially since he didn't exactly manage to transform the instant he got to power to do so.]

You're not the first person I've met in similar circumstances. There's someone else from my world awake as well. [...] But... it's just the two of us.

[How many hundreds, thousands-- millions? of humans and vampires were wiped out by the Storm? Maybe it's better not to think too hard about it.]
thetaintedsorrow: (Sympathy)

[personal profile] thetaintedsorrow 2018-03-28 11:29 am (UTC)(link)
Yeah? Maybe I know them.

[Atsushi and Dazai are the only ones he knows that are awake from his world, but at least he’d been lucky enough to meet them both on Nysa.]

It’s not all bad. You can start a new life down on Nysa. Do what you want.
steponme: smile (♩ Singing from heartache)

[personal profile] steponme 2018-03-29 12:38 am (UTC)(link)
A new life...

[That sounds more appealing than he'd like to admit... more appealing than he should admit, on the heels of losing his home. But he didn't have any particularly strong connections to the world he called home. And the only real "home" he ever had... left him.]

But I don't know... does the name Reign Fear ring a bell at all? [Maybe all refugees stick together?? It seemed worth a shot.]
thetaintedsorrow: (Fond of you)

[personal profile] thetaintedsorrow 2018-03-29 01:19 am (UTC)(link)
[Chuuya is surprised to hear a name he’s familiar with.]

Yeah. I know him.

[Chuuya smiles fondly.]

He’s a really nice guy. And he has a cute pet giraffe.
steponme: shock, look (♪ Type)

1/2

[personal profile] steponme 2018-03-29 01:21 am (UTC)(link)
Wait-- really?

[He wasn't expecting that?? Reign has human friends???]

And a cute pet wha--
steponme: sad, blush, shock (♫ Cause I could pass the time)

[personal profile] steponme 2018-03-29 01:25 am (UTC)(link)
[Oh hey! Looks like time is up on that new power of his. Which means he'll be turning back now -- going from a cute smol bat to a cute vampire... who is definitely not smol, he's like six feet tall and basically falling into Chuuya since there's just no way he'd be able to hold him up in the same way.]

[Which means of course we're going with the typical shoujo manga cliche of Shell now nicely straddled over Chuuya's waist, pinning him to the ground.]

[...except there's basically nothing sexy about this, because he might have just crushed the guy.]


W-What just-- I turned back!?
Edited 2018-03-29 01:25 (UTC)
thetaintedsorrow: (Adorable blush)

[personal profile] thetaintedsorrow 2018-03-29 05:47 am (UTC)(link)
What the-

[Oh, the spell or whatever the hell it was is wearing off now, apparently, and Chuuya finds himself pinned beneath a very pretty man...with fangs just like Reign’s...]

Oi! Get off!

[He’s not being crushed, but his cheeks are certainly turning red.]

You’re heavy.
steponme: shock, blush (♫ Between your teeth)

[personal profile] steponme 2018-03-29 07:31 am (UTC)(link)
Ah-- sorry! I didn't think it would wear off that fast!

[SUDDENLY VERY AWARE OF HOW CLOSE THEY ARE, Shell scrambles up and off of him as fast as he can, before falling backwards flat on his ass.]

[He's definitely very pretty, looking back at Chuuya with bright green eyes-- but a closer look will show he doesn't look all that well either. He's pretty pale (which could also just be him, but) and he's rocking from pretty bad dark circles under his eyes.]
Edited 2018-03-29 07:31 (UTC)
thetaintedsorrow: (You looking at me?)

[personal profile] thetaintedsorrow 2018-03-29 11:57 pm (UTC)(link)
[Chuuya sits up when Shell scrambles off of him, and even he can see that the guy doesn’t look so good. Judging from how vibrant Reign usually looks, at least.]

It’s fine.

[Chuuya gets to his feet and dusts himself off before offering Shell a hand up. He’s not an asshole, after all.]

You look like hell.

[But he’s also blunt. Sorry, Shell!]
Edited 2018-03-29 23:57 (UTC)
steponme: look, tsun (♩ Building my rain up in the cloud)

[personal profile] steponme 2018-03-31 07:46 am (UTC)(link)
[Shell takes his hand and stands when offered the help, only a little unsteady in his feet after that very disorienting experience. But once standing, and once Chuuya cuts in with his comment, Shell looks down and makes one of his own.]

...you looked a lot taller when I was a bat.

[Gonna be rude back??]
thetaintedsorrow: (: /)

[personal profile] thetaintedsorrow 2018-03-31 09:43 am (UTC)(link)
[WOW. RUDE. Chuuya carried you around and everything, Shell!!

Chuuya glares daggers at Shell, huffing and trying to keep his eyebrow from twitching in annoyance. He can’t deck people on the station; who knows what the Natha will do if they find out.
]

Yeah, well.

[Chuuya snorts, much like an irritated bull.]

You need food or something? Water? I dunno. You look sick.
Edited 2018-03-31 09:43 (UTC)
steponme: smile (♩ They would drown)

[personal profile] steponme 2018-03-31 01:50 pm (UTC)(link)
[Okay, the more specific comment has his expression shifting, realizing now what Chuuya meant. He doesn't feel bad enough to apologize, but he will look a bit sheepish for it.]

...do I really look that bad? [...] I... guess some water would be nice? I was stuck like that for a while.
thetaintedsorrow: (Dollface)

[personal profile] thetaintedsorrow 2018-03-31 05:02 pm (UTC)(link)
You look sick. Not like you’re about to fall over dead, just sick.

[Chuuya nods before going to fetch a bottle of water from the mess hall and returning to hand it to Shell.]

Drink up.

[Whether it helps or not is up for debate.]

So are you a vampire like Reign?
steponme: sad, look, blush (♫ Ever pacify)

[personal profile] steponme 2018-03-31 05:22 pm (UTC)(link)
[When Chuuya returns, he'll find Shell once more on the ground, this time crouched against a wall. He's still a little uncomfortable around here...]

[Taking the water without comment, he starts drinking even as Chuuya asks his question, drinking nearly half the bottle in one go.]


...mm, that's right. And you're... human, right?
thetaintedsorrow: (Respect)

[personal profile] thetaintedsorrow 2018-03-31 08:09 pm (UTC)(link)
Yeah.

[Chuuya plops down on the ground next to Shell, not really having anywhere to be anytime soon.

A thought occurs to him then, a possible reason why Shell looks so sick.
]

You need blood or something?
Edited 2018-03-31 20:10 (UTC)
steponme: serious, look (♩ That things have been)

[personal profile] steponme 2018-03-31 09:22 pm (UTC)(link)
[Shell looks surprised when Chuuya sits next to him so boldly, ever knowing what he is. But then, he was friends (???) with Reign, so maybe he just wasn't afraid of vampires?]

[But the mention of blood has Shell instantly on edge -- though he tries pretty hard to hide it.]


...no, you don't have to worry about anything like that. I'm... not hungry.

[He didn't think he was going to bite him, did he??]
thetaintedsorrow: (Whatever)

[personal profile] thetaintedsorrow 2018-03-31 11:01 pm (UTC)(link)
I wasn’t worried.

[Chuuya makes that abundantly clear in the deadpan expression he wears. He’s not afraid in the slightest, nor did he think Shell was just going to attack him for his blood.]

Just asking. Food is food, right?

[Blood or not, it’s not like Shell or Reign chose to be vampires. In Chuuya’s eyes there’s absolutely nothing wrong with blood drinking.]

Anyway. Have you met up wth Reign yet?
steponme: smile (♫ And every time)

[personal profile] steponme 2018-04-01 07:01 am (UTC)(link)
[Food is food... It's strange to hear that from a human. A vampire would be just as likely to consider humans as nothing more than livestock.]

[But he's grateful for the change in subject, letting the previous one fall to the wayside instead.]


Ah, I did, yes. I met him right after I woke up. [...] How is it you two know each other, exactly?
thetaintedsorrow: (Blue ability)

[personal profile] thetaintedsorrow 2018-04-01 03:28 pm (UTC)(link)
I met him my first day on the station.

[Chuuya’s head falls back, his gaze fixed on the ceiling.]

He saw a simulation of the storm. It bothered him pretty bad.

[Chuuya smiles, just a little.]

He’s a nice guy, huh?
steponme: smile, sad (♪ Black lace)

[personal profile] steponme 2018-04-03 10:17 pm (UTC)(link)
[A simulation of the thing that destroyed their world and countless others?? For someone like Reign to have to see something like that...]

...he is. He's one of the nicest people I know.

Still, it's... a little surprising to me to hear he has human friends. I don't think he even knew any personally back home.

[It feels strange every time he hears something new about Reign from strangers. Is this how Reign felt when he finally told him him secret back home? It's like seeing a side of him he just never thought existed.]
thetaintedsorrow: (Ribbon)

[personal profile] thetaintedsorrow 2018-04-03 11:07 pm (UTC)(link)
Yeah? Well. A lot of shit is different here.

[Chuuya sighs; he could certainly attest to that. Going from a Mafia executive to fucking nobody was a hell of a transition for Chuuya, in more ways than one.]

Heard he wants to open his own perfume store. I promised him I’d test out some samples.
steponme: smile (♫ Just to touch the phone)

[personal profile] steponme 2018-04-06 05:27 pm (UTC)(link)
I can tell. [A lot was different. But some was the same -- and hearing him talk about Reign's perfume shop brings a smile to his face.]

I'm not really used to it yet myself. Back home, most humans were afraid of me. I never thought I'd be able to just... talk to them this easily.

[Says the guy who looks like the least-frightening vampire to ever exist??]

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