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.
There will be an application cap of 60, and no reserves. Please read here for more information.
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no subject
She files away the information he provides into her mental rolodex, adjusting slightly in her chair, heels lightly clicking against the floor with the movement. Lois is silent for a long moment, weighing the pros and cons of divulging what's simply a theory. ]
It's not-- I need to learn more about this place before I share any coherent sentences about my theories about us being here or what's going on. [ And she doesn't know who might be listening considering that training scenario with 'Warrior 67' seemed a little too specific to be comfortable. She opts for a transition, considering she'd probably already said too much in a public forum. The last thing she really wanted to do was get into trouble within her first week here. So-- ]
How long have you been here?
she's so cute, i hope you're apping! if not just know she's great and so are you
[If they ask at all. That's a whole other ballgame, a lot less blind fanaticism and a great deal more debate. Sounds like a hobby for the eggheads of the world. Could he even name ten journalists off the bat and not borrow six from the Mary Tyler Moore show? How about outside of Rolling Stone?
The protest sounds fair enough to his ears. He'd be saying the same if you'd cornered him on his first few days. And she is new, what with the way that pen is whipping across the page. Overstimulated and in need of a sieve to filter the thoughts, the theories. And she looks...well. In good health, let's put it that way. Most of the other refugees are either branded by the scars of the hostage situation or looking like they need to sleep like Rip Van Winkle.]
How long? Humm...it was, ha ha, "November" when I got here. March is almost over now, so I suppose we're talking close to five months. What's the date where you're from? [He takes another sip of his coffee. She knows Miss Barbara, so she can't be that far off. But her hair is slick, not the teased and curled standard he knows most girls liked at home, and there's no padded shoulders on her jacket. Probably a few years forward then. He offers her a smile.] May, 1985 for me. Before you ask.
lskdjfldj you're too sweet and she was accepted!
[ It could be worse, and the fact that it's not is something she's grateful for. The insanity of the world around her hasn't fully caught up with her fans. Although, if she's honest with herself, she may be speaking too soon. The world only went to hell in a handbasket not that long ago. She hasn't seen the full fallout of the almost apocalypse.
5 months. Well, he seemed to have adjusted well. As for her overall feelings? She masks her stress well, comes with being in high stress and life or death situations regularly. It'll catch up with her in a few days... She knows that and so, she's going to get as much done before that time came. Before it all hit and she takes time to recharge her batteries and come to terms with her new life.
198-- ] 2013. Quite a jump from you. [ She sits there stunned for a moment, trying to wrap her mind around the span of the storm. ] A storm spanning at least 28 years across possible universes. What the hell...
[ Just give her a minute while she comes to terms with that. And in order to test a theory-- ] Have you ever heard of the city of Metropolis?
no subject
[The slack-jawed surprise is there, but it passes quick enough. She's on to grinding gears in a split second. Which is good, she was taking the news and implications more gracefully than a few people had. Himself included. Pardon him if the idea of Earths adjacent was a rude shock, but that kind of shit didn't fly outside of those shoddy science fiction paperbacks and anthology comics.
Except, of course, it clearly did.
The woman gives him a good yoink out of his own musings to pose a new question. Richie squints at her, uncertain.]
Which one?
[His choice is between Fritz Lang and Superman. One's a seminal flick comprised of black and white and all the art nouveau eye feasting a guy could ask for, and the other's an American institution rendered in drifting dots and inked letters. Christopher Reeves had taken up the mantle lately, putting the tragedy of his predecessor in the back of the public's minds.
But as good a time both had been in the theatre, he can't help wondering why this is the first thing she asks. Some media repeated across the worlds, that much was certain. Matt Murdock knew about Pink Floyd, and Alan Foster had recognized his Bugs Bunny impression. Talked him over his shock of finding some nutjob dressed up as the fucking Joker in a stasis pod, puzzle that one out for us, please.
His mouth twists, thumb tapping on the coffee mug handle.]
Some things repeat across the different editions of Earth, if that's what you're wondering. Most things do in fact, but I'm assuming there's slight changes in each. Outside of you making it to the new millenium and me getting shunted out before we got to party like it's 1999, that is.
no subject
[ She'd gained enough notoriety with the whole alien invasion/protecting Clark and having her name thrown out there for doing so. His response to her question, throws her off, brows furrowing quickly as she has to think of a way to respond. ]
Alright.
[ All she'd wanted to do was manage to establish if they were from the same world, same universe... That answered that. There was only one Metropolis in her world, and the confusion about locations solves her quandary. It's something she'll circle back to if he presses further, not sure how much he might know about local superheroes from her world. Better to not fully open that can of worms right now. ]
1999 wasn't all that great, don't worry. The jump into the 2000s was more of a cause for mass panic than celebration as people prepared for . It was an interesting time to be in journalism.
no subject
The lady fails to expand on her Metropolis fixation. That's all fine, he can tuck away that question for a rainy day. And while perplexed, she takes his answer as solid enough for her own purposes.
(A fraction too late he thinks of that cute police officer on the network. She came from a "Storybrooke", Maine, which as a former denizen of the Pine Tree State himself he could say hadn't dotted any map he'd seen. Maybe Metropolis was a New York offshoot the next Earth over. Nothing was certain these days.)]
Mass panic? What for? [Richie clucks his tongue.] Don't tell me somebody cried Doomsday. They fucked up by thirteen years, for one.
no subject
[ Yes, people tended to get worked up over the unknown, especially when transitioning to a new millennium. It didn't shock her anymore how worked up some people could get over lines of code. A situation broken down to its most base form of zeros and ones. It was terrifying that something like that could destroy so much. But again, the devil was in the details.
It's where she usually found the holes to pick apart in order to find answers.
Giving an almost dismissive shake of her head, she smiles - not wanting to touch on how close he'd hit with the crack at the Mayan apocalypse prediction. ]
I don't think I've introduced myself, Lois Lane.
it says 4th walling is okay in your permissions but stop me if this is no bueno
[He's dropping the disdain when she goes to introduce herself, smile on and pleasant as potpourri.
Then the name comes.
Richie pulls back. His side eye is mighty strong on a regular day, but now it's doubled up with a laugh that stutters in its uncertainty. That's not much of a punchline, Missy. And where was the joke to begin with? Her asking about Metropolis? She ought to stick to journalism.
(Lois Lane was a journalist—)]
Riiiight. Okay. In that case call me Clark Kent.
yup it's cool
[ Especially with the advancement of phones and laptops. She can only guess it's going to get worse. The attempted apocalypse already was having some serious fallout. She couldn't imagine what a robot uprising out of a Sci-Fi novel would do.
Of course, that didn't really matter anymore considering the Storm seemed to take care of that for now.
His reaction to her name is unexpected, but the words that follow earn a look of confusion as she studies his face. It was an odd reaction to something so simple as a name. ]
I'm sorry, do I know you?
[ It's the first step in figuring this out, her named paired with Clark's not something she's quite so used to yet. ]
no subject
No. We just established...look, if you don't want to give a real name, that's all dandy as candy. You're not the only one who's still carrying old paranoias into the new world. Everyone here goes cagey over something. [He goes back to his mug and takes an irritated sip.] My name — and it is the one you'll find on the birth certificate — is Rich Tozier.
If you're picking out aliases, you could do better than Superman's girlfriend. Pick a side character that's not so prolific.