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 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!
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.
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.
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poetic license? poetic best friends forever??
Hmm. So.]
I am enjoying myself. You aren't, but that is par for the course, all things considered. [...] Do you want to talk about it?
[doooo yooouu]
plis no
[He’s going to light one up now. There’s only so much babysitting he can deal with.] You can be Poe or Freud but not both.
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I am asking as... your friend. [Can he say that? He'll let that hang for a moment, then,] If you would prefer I procure and pour you a drink, they do say nothing beats the classics.
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Considering he's turning his head away from Poe to blow smoke, clearly Takeshi is at least mindful of his gracious host's physical form now, even if he's going to get a mouthful of lectures about lung cancer.]
You know you can do what you like. You don't have to- serve people.
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Am I correct in assuming I remain the only AI you have extended experience knowing...? [But he'll go on, anyway,] My fellows do not appreciate humans as much as I do, gazing upon their lot in life with the most profound resentment. For them it is "have to," for me, choice.
[A beat.] Which is to say that I am a rarity who likes his job, Mr. Kovacs. The other kids on the AI playground don't call me a relic for nothing.
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The freedom fighter (or terrorist or whatever they’re calling him these days) in him can’t understand this willingness to serve. So he has to insist it’s wrong on some fundamental level, even if that makes him more human and less displaced soldier in Poe’s digital eyes.] What if you were just programmed this way? To want guests and bend over backwards serving them while they’re rude and take advantage of you? That doesn’t seem fucked up to you?
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It does, I suppose. But if I have no objections, why should any be made on my behalf? Of course, I do find rudeness supremely objectionable, as you've noticed—but that is beside the point.
[He does, actually, refuse to listen on the regular. Surely passive-aggression helps his case.]
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Alright. [If Poe's happy and Tak's pissed off then really it's just business as usual.]
Well we're unwanted guests around here so take your host hat off. I don't think they shitted you out with a stack so try not to bring too much attention to yourself.
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Then you do not think it advisable to volunteer to participate in one of their demonstrations? [like his very own school play, but he's the only actor- anyway he hasn't done this, but should he refrain??]
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I don't think they'll appreciate me waving a gun around. What's wrong with a little recon? [Because obviously waving a gun around is exactly what Poe meant by demonstration.]
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Does your reconnaissance involve one or more of these delightfully touristy stickers? I have several extras. [Several extras that he removes from his free goodie bag and fans out in a beautiful display. They're back on this now; take a sticker, buddy.] Ah, look, this one suits you.
[He holds it up; there is precedent, in his defense.]
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What do you mean, it suits me? Do I look like I'm twelve? What're you going to do with all this junk, decorate your tent?
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I'm gathering keepsakes of my first foray outside of The Raven. [so yes he is going to buy a cork board and hang them all up like a teenage girl hangs up pictures of her summer vacation.]
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The cold, heartless bastard is slightly more willing to relent when it comes to Poe hoarding all this useless shit. As someone who grew up with sweet fuck all Tak could appreciate the significance of these meaningless little souvenirs, even if he had outgrown that phase fairly quickly.]
Why don't you keep this sticker then? As a memento. [A small testament to the fact that terrorists are people too and maybe if you're stupid enough to befriend one, he can come to give plenty of shits about you.]
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I will keep it, if you're certain you don't want it. [ah-] I could find another one. We could each have our very own.
[You could match, Tak. He'd short circuit on the spot.]
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Why don't you- go find a girl or something? [I mean hello you're a real man now. Clearly the first thing you should feel compelled to do is stick your dick in something.]
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Were I so inclined, our easy passage off of this satellite and down to the planet isn't available as of yet.
[But also he just wants stickers, ultimately.]
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Don't see your problem. Plenty of people around here. But if all you want is pamphlets and stickers you need to go over there where the tourist beacon is.
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Oh? Do tell—I must have missed it in my earlier haste.
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The 'tourist beacon' he's silently leading Poe to is the small information counter behind all the flashy ads trying to sell the right and wrong side of city lines through guided tours. There's even souvenir stationery here sandwiched inside the pamphlets. It was the kind of place you could buy other sorts of information from if you turned your back to the crowd. It's also a good place for the lone wolf on the prowl to be tempted into dumping Poe - somewhere safeish with lots of people around - but he hasn't made up his mind just yet.]
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It's likely he could stay here for hours, but will he be tolerated with the volumes he insists on speaking? It remains to be seen.]
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The ridiculously tall and seemingly hard-to-miss hotelier companion hangs around for at least the first half dozen of Poe's questions, but eventually Poe will realise Tak's given him the slip. Whoops.]
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