❪ test drive: #1 - the overflow ❫

[natha]

YOUR STORY BEGINS     The Storm came. You only remember darkness, but you don't remember much after that. All you know, perhaps, is that it was cold as you slept. You don't know for how long you slept, but the dreams were short, at least. You remember the expanse of stars and the universe that came in view. Every world and solar system ever known was displayed in your dreams in careful, pristine detail. You have also witnessed The Storm, which has devoured a fair portion of these galaxies. It was a dark, thick smog; ominous in appearance and ever foreboding. Your Earth and similar planets were immersed in The Storm. Somehow, you knew it would be the last you'd see of it. That was when she told you what happened, and how you can help. You knew that you'll be living somewhere new, even though you never asked for it. The details here weren't clear, but you knew you'd made a deal with Darma. Not long after, you'll wake at Thesa Station — Your body is still cold. It was all a dream, but somehow, you knew it wasn't — now, will you keep that promise you made to Darma? PROMPT: THE MESS HALL     It's fascinating to the Orbiters how such a dull room can be turned around so completely with people in it. All meals are served by Roman, and while all the food is delicious, some of it is a bit odd. Is that neon green soup? That’s hideous. If you happen to be in the mess hall at a particularly unlucky time, you and the food will suddenly begin to drift. Someone’s got jokes, and they’ve turned off the gravity control. Now it’s just you, your fellow refugees, and the floating sea of food. Wait, did that person just chuck a pie in your direction? PROMPT: TRAINING MODULES     While it’s all nice and well to familiarize oneself with Thesa Station, it is most advised that new arrivals venture out a bit. Not physically. No one is quite prepared for that yet. However, there will be several virtual reality training programs set for those who dare to be adventurous. For those who aren’t and don’t dare, well— good luck, all the same. Be advised, however, that participating in one of the training modules will start you off favorably with the Natha Orbiters’ in terms of REPUTATION. Once seated and appropriately strapped in, the system will automatically whir to life and the dense foliage and forestry of a section of El Nysa will open up. According to one’s map registry, it clear to see that it’s miles from the outer gates of Olympia, but not as far enough to venture into any other territories. So, in that sense, you’re safe. 1. Or you could have been, but unfortunately the wilderness is home to various types of beasts and monsters hailing from different universes and galaxies. On the bright side, perhaps one of them will be oddly familiar to you. Or maybe someone else who is currently synced is willing to give you that extra helping hand. Fortunately, if you’re powerless, there are options. From telekinesis to flight, there are strange abilities one can adopt and “test” out in the virtual reality. Granted, you’re only limited to one at a time. They say in the near future, some of you may be granted these abilities under certain conditions. But, please practice some caution. You aren’t alone in the system, after all. 2.. Who do you fight for, the VR system will ask you individually before you enter the module. The righteous Olympians, or the free-spirited Wyvers? Whatever your choice, when you enter El Nysa, you will wholly and truly believe your allegiance. A. Working together: You now have to suffer the consequences of your choice, as you and your partner have been captured by guards of the opposite faction. Now jailed and soon-to-be tortured, you must find some way to negotiate your release. Perhaps you’ll find some means to escape without detection. Maybe you’re the “fight your way out” sort of people. B. Facing your enemy: That person you stepped into the VR with? They’re out to capture you. Or maybe you seek to capture them. 3. When you enter the virtual reality, things aren’t exactly how they’re supposed to be. Maybe that’s natural, especially if this is your first time, but the problems here seem a bit more fundamental. Maybe you find yourself under a parental safety lock, and you’re suddenly censored. Exposed back? Censored. Body suit? Censored. Or replaced with a mascot costume. Worst of all? You can’t sign out. Not right now, at least. Regardless, whatever it is— ridiculous filters, body alterations, or even body swaps with other users... you are assured it’ll all be fixed with due time. Zasere sends his humblest apologies and promises no more wire chewing, or so the announcement states. PROMPT: STASIS UNIT     You have found the massive section of Thesa known as the Stasis Unit. There’s no special access required to access 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. PROMPT: HANGAR STATION     You find your way to the hangar station. Here rests are a factory worth of docked mobile suits. You recall how the Orbiters had previously spoken of a "space frontier," but only after seeing this you realize how real their words are. Most machinery have marks of wear and tear, assurance that they have indeed been used before, and an assembly of others are going through repairs and maintenance. No one seems to care that you've just strolled in. In fact, there seems to be a couple of the aircraft that beckon you to take a closer look. Maybe you’ll only look on the outside, maybe you'll be greeted by the hand of a mobile suit extending toward you and welcoming you to its cockpit. You go out and explore SPACE!!! Unfortunately, that mobile suit should have warned you it only had 20 minutes of flight time left in its system. Or, perhaps, you’re a particularly ambitious pilot and you’ve strayed past the designated perimeter. Either way, the HUD display is now blinking with errors, cropping up with a single message: DISTRESS SIGNAL. 1. You’re the poor sap who happened to chill around the Observation Deck. Unfortunately, everyone seems busy with the influx of mobile suits out and about, and the only one who can answer this distress signal is on the Navigation System, well, you. Hope you can figure out the controls fast enough. Guide the pilot back to the safety of the hangar using the most efficient route possible. Keen Navigators will find an instruction manual that provides a shortcut to automatically return a suit back to base. 2. You’re actually sitting in a two-seater mobile suit. Funny how that works, isn’t it? Maybe you were unwittingly dropped down a hatch, or dragged along for a joyride by your ambitious co-pilot. Either way, it looks like help is going to take some time... PROMPT: OMAGE     Upon receiving your mobile phone, you will be asked to set a username. Voila, you can now access the network! You can choose to send a message to the entire network, specific usernames, or you can try out the Orbiters’ service, Omage, which connects you to a random user. They thought this might be a good way for their new guests to make friends with each other... Connecting to server... Looking for someone you can chat with... You’re now chatting with [username]... Say hi! PROMPT: WILDCARD     You are welcome to write any scenarios in Thesa Station! Characters have been granted temporary access to the Observation Room, and are encouraged to study it carefully. FINAL OOC NOTE     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! A Training Module thread of AC length on the TDM may be submitted for 1 NATHA ORBITER REPUTATION POINT after acceptance. QUICK NAV premise ● faq ● world ● map ● reputation ● npcs taken ● reserves ● application calendar ● hiatus/drops ● modbox [ FULL NAVIGATION ] elnysa nysalogs nysaisles nysaooc elnyan

Comments

[dragmire]

[It does not go unnoticed by him that her focus had lingered, but it was just as well. In all his years of trying to take what was rightfully his, he'd never forgotten his people. He wanted Hylians to know that it was a Gerudo that was taking back what was rightfully owed.

She does give him pause, though. The technology here is nothing like what he knew in Hyrule and there was no kind of stasis that he was aware of. Even when he was sealed away in some form or another, he was always aware of each long and hollow moment.]

If they are truly alive, then it is no kindness to be sealed away like beasts. There is no sin great enough for that kind of hell.

[rhygret]

[ ...Ohhhhh boy. Right. "Other universes", people aren't going to automatically recognize the name of the most hated company across the galaxy. ]

Hyperion's a
Hyperion was a weapons manufacturing company. They used to be the biggest company out there.

[ Until Rhys crashed the whole space station into a planet....... ]

Moonshots are how they got supplies moved around. Like a big space canon. They were pretty sweet actually, I miss those. As for the killing part...when doesn't someone want you dead, am I right?

[suffusive]

[ As is often the case with Tina, Newt finds his eyes drawn to the action, watching the way she swiftly shifts. For anyone else, the uncanniness of one's own features exploring various emotions would be odd.

Fortunately, his scholarly inclinations help him sidestep this particular brand of awkwardness. ]

Right. [ He clears his throat. Sometimes, Newt forgets that Tina's an auror, not in the way that he doubts her skills or anything. It's only that her wariness and distinct familiarity in this training scenario remind him. ] Yes, of course. Ah, lead the way?

[ if you like. He ought to defer to her, here, in her element. ]

[songofdeneir]

Either he really doesn't know what a gun does, or he honestly trusted a stranger not to actually shoot him. He doesn't give any outwardly indication either way, though he seems to be regarding the other man in a deeper sort of way for a long moment.

Cadderly blinks when Sanzo speaks, then smiles again. "Perhaps there is truth in that, but one way of learning something new is to ask questions."

[suffusive]

[ The information comes rapidly and, remarkable, Newt grasps it as it comes. Accelerated cognitive efficiency? Fascinating.

Note-taking, what an excellent idea. The annoyance doesn't bother him. It's a familiar reaction to his, ah, personality. ]

I've a quill and parchment in the left pocket, although it's rather... [ a vague, sweeping gesture. ] ...deep down.

[ He cast an undetectable extension charm to compensate for his lack of luggage. Under other circumstances, he'd simply accio the items, but... does the statute of secrecy apply to aliens? He's on rather thin ice, as of late. But he'll need his wand in the simulation, regardless, so really...he's saving himself the trouble of explaining later.

With the slightest upturn of his mouth, allowing some amusement over rule-breaking to dust his tone. ]

Actually, you're better off grabbing my wand from the right, inner pocket.

[ JUST GONNA LET THAT HANG. How much does he need to say? Will his borrowed form be the only one capable of casting spells? ]

[axiomed]

[ Charles shrugs loosely. ]

I had one before the war came. That, admittedly, led to some problems.

[ He rubs his chin in remembrance. ]

But I thought I should give it another try.

[suffusive]

[ well, that answers his questions.

none of rhys' statements particularly surprise him. weapons, why must people also be fixated on weapons. at least he smiles over the moonshot explanation — not as efficient as apparating. ]

Now that I know you're accustomed to humans trying to kill you and weapons manufacturing, of all things, I'm not surprised that you find my approach to other species foolhardy.

[ just an observation. ]

[suffusive]

[ he does that. makes people stare, with the clanging and the oddness. in truth, this isn't an altogether new experience (risking exposure).

her explanation earns a smile, amused or mischievous — it's hard to tell. ]

Ah, sort of. Helpful trick, isn't it?

[ because that's all it is. ]

[chaoticlootral]

Okay, okay, jeezie-creezie, as long as we're clear this is a borrowing situation that you can't [air quotes] 'No Take Backsies' [end air quotes] your way out of it at the end. You wheel and deal with the best of 'em and you can get your own permanent cool sword.

[ Dropping the fight for that exact reason. It's probably best that it never really occurs to Magnus that he might be owed anything for constantly throwing himself in front of danger to protect his frail wizard body. Without the bickering though, Taako trails off into a silence, shifting back into nervousness - twisting the end of an earring around one finger and scanning the room for anything that might divert the conversation. He has to break a lot of news, and isn't really sure where to start, or when to start. Or, frankly, why to start. Right now. ]

So. Uh. Hmm. That's settled then?

[nanamari]

Oh, I'm sure. And how long have you been a soldier?

[ He seems like he should be too young to have seen any real action.

She's been a Captain longer than he's been alive, easily. Ana considers telling him as much, but she doesn't want to give him a reason to be weary. It's not like it matters around here. ]

[goldsteins]

[She tries not to look at him, his calloused hands rolling a thumb over the smoothness of her wand a reminder. What were they supposed to be doing--? Reconnaissance, her nose wrinkles a bit. At least that shouldn't be so difficult like this--

But her mind prickles to the man (woman, Mercy Lewis this is weird) next to her. She hadn't expected to see him anytime soon, even in a place like this.]

We should be able to fulfill the mission without much trouble with the two of us. [She offers mildly, chancing him a glance then-- A hint in her words about their adventures before while she starts off.]

You've managed all right here?

[Nailed it.]

[rhygret]

You know, that's not a bad idea. I'll look into that! Thanks.

That's good though. I think that's the case for a lot of people which is really lucky. Usually when stuff like this happens you don't get to keep the people you really care about.

In books and stuff I mean. I've never actually seen a universe end before.

[performativity]

[ While that plan isn't inherently bad, Archie still tears his gaze away from their targets to goggle at Jughead like he's just proposed something completely unreasonable. ]

How are we supposed to get them all at once?

[ Anyone else might have sounded outright incredulous. Archie's apprehensive, but he's open to whatever Jughead proposes. They've been friends long enough for Archie to know that Jughead's pretty good at coming up with plans, as long as Archie's game to do the legwork. There's no reason for that to change just because the world ended a little bit. ]

ok i just need to say that your magnus is glorious and i love him

[rhygret]

Yeah, that would be w--wh, wait, what?? Can you...uhh, can you really do that?

[ Rhys stutters mid-sentence at that, looking over at Magnus quickly with an incredulous expression. He's not discounting the idea: he's seen a man run right through double-panel glass, and Vallory had lifted a rocket launched five time her weight like it was nothing. ]

[r3f4c70r3d]

Some places were. The technological advancements were dependent on the planet. The one I resided on was further behind, but I lived in one of the most innovated cities [ Actually the most but the history behind that wasn't something she was up to talking about right now. ] How was your home comparatively?

[rhygret]

I hear you. Big corporations am I right?

[ Rhys knows alllll about being an asshole in a big corporation. He'd made it his life's goal ever since childhood to own a company, and with his very former idolization of Handsome Jack, it only seemed natural to join up with Hyperion.

It feels like ages ago now. ]

[songofdeneir]

"Nor have I of Sarenrae." Surprisingly enough, Cadderly had actually spend a good deal of his priesthood as an agnostic, constantly questioning and needing to seek for the answers he needed to cement his faith. He'd never judge anyone for their doubts and questions. In fact, he'd encourage them.

"Does your faith have a name?"

[armedwithhands]

[And Hibiki thought she'd done a fairly decent job at sneaking along. But then, out of the entire list of things people could could call her "subtle" absolutely isn't one of them.

Her apologetic rambling trails off soon enough as she tries to get herself together and untangle herself from her blanket when she realizes that the woman is standing over her. Her eyes snap up to take in the older woman's face. She's somewhat intimidating, that eyepatch especially, but there's something gentle in her expression as well that puts Hibiki at least somewhat at ease.]

Oh, no, I'm fine! I only landed on my face a little so I'm... okay.... [An awkward laugh finishes that off. She can feel her face burning as she reaches out to take back the pillow with a small] ... Thanks.

[sweetwater]

We've just got to keep our sunny dispositions.

[ easy for the two of them, right? ]

[sweetwater]

Maybe you're a poor conversationalist.

training

[hoboish]

[ Wisely hates choosing sides, and this is why. Because something inevitably goes wrong and you end up in places like prison. He never asked for this. Why had he even decided to go in the VR room? It was too much curiosity. He regretted his decisions, but there's nothing he could do about it now.

And it seems he's not alone either. He did take a moment to poke into the female's head to see if he could read anything in there and learn something quick about her. In the end it's not really need though. She literally she just suggested she's going to blow the wall up.

Huh.

He scoots back, not even bothering to stand, and sits cross-legged against the farthest wall. He folds his arms across his chest, peering at her silently. ]

You really going to blow up the wall? Be my guest, it's less work for me.

[songofdeneir]

-=cadderly gives him a look that clearly says he doesn't quite believe that, but he doesn't press the issue=-

I reworked a spell that relocates gravity to work in a contained area rather than merely a point. That is what took me so long.

[personalwar]

[ The sandwich comes flying his way and Jack reaches out to catch it, eyeing Ana for a few seconds before he slowly unwraps it. He'll leave her half, but he already knows that trying to give it back to her will end in failure.

If he's going to eat, the visor is going to have to go. After a pause, Jack reaches up to remove the front plate of the visor, exposing his face. It's the first time he's done so since he woke up, and he sucks in a breath and scrubs a hand down his face.

Then he picks up the sandwich, takes a bite, and chews it over as Ana speaks, savoring the taste as much as he can. He might never get to eat food like this again, and the fact that it's a day-old sandwich without any meat makes it all feel a little anti-climactic. Still, he's going to enjoy it.

For the moment, Jack is willing to believe that the Storm wasn't the doing of the people who brought them in, if only because it's hard to imagine one species having that kind of power. Granted, what else could have done it? Some greater force? He has no idea.

Ana is essentially telling him that he should try to make contacts in this place. It's something he used to be good at, but the thought of it now is exhausting, to say the least.

After he finishes his bite of sandwich, Jack shrugs. ] There's the guy who was greeting people in the mess hall. He's one of the hosts. I could try to press him for information. [ Interrogate him, possibly violently, is what he means. ]

Wisely | D.Gray-man

[hoboish]

A. Continuing!

[ Here is the original top level, feel free to start a new thread! ]

B. Training!

[ Wisely has no reason to do this training thing, so just assume he's been bored. Or curious. He's definitely curious enough to see what all this new technology is all about. Besides, he doesn't like not knowing things, so he wants to learn all he can about it all.

Another thing he doesn't know, however, is that "training" means getting jailed with some other sorry shmuck and being told you have to work together to get out. This wasn't training, it was just irritating! Plus, obviously he's a lover, not a fighter. He has no interest in working together with anyone. Or working at all. So he simply looks rather dully over at his new companion and shrugs, tilting his head to indicate the guards outside their cell. ]

Want me to crush their heads?

[ Can he even do that in a VR room with fake VR guards? He'd sure try. ]

[personalwar]

[ Alan doesn't elaborate on that answer, which 76 finds interesting. He could know hand-to-hand, how to shoot a gun, or have some fantastical power, for all that he knows. It's something he files away for later. Somehow, he gets the feeling he'll see what he can do firsthand someday.

It always comes down to a fight, doesn't it? Why the hell else would they be here? ]

Go ahead.

[ 76 is fast on Alan's heels, though, curious to see what this observation room will have to offer. ]