elnyan | ❪ test drive: #1 - the overflow ❫

Entry tags:

test drive

❪ test drive: #1 - the overflow ❫

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.

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Flat | Top-Level Comments Only

[Consider: please?? Junpei lasts all of ten seconds before he reaches up and ruffles his own hair back into its unruly place. It was a good effort.]

Oh, uh... can't complain. You know how it is. [Does he? Snake is like, locally famous or something, does he really know how it is??] Could've done without the world ending. How are you not more pissed about this?

[He has the luxury of running away from bodyguards and hiting his mom up on social media. He's got no idea.]

I suppose it is reasonable to assume I would be angry, yes. But I've found that while the planet has been destroyed, my sister the world to me. So long that she is unharmed by this event, I see no reason to be angry at anyone here. There is no face to the threat yet, and I won't waste energy being angry at the universe. The stars move for no one.

[Snake is a hippie, more at 11.] Do I miss our way of life? Yes, but the people who lived it are here. I value being able to spend time with you over stewing not being able to go home.

[Thanks for nothing, rich boy. Bonus thanks for nothing for diffusing some of his misplaced anger with simple logic. He needs someone to be angry at for the wrong reasons, anyway - this Storm business made everything they did at DCOM pointless, so it's just one more kick in the ass in a long line of kicks in the ass.

At least he's got this hippie. And the others are in storage. Hmph. He'll find something else to be mad at later.]

Alright, alright. Think the stars owe me one by now, but I hear you. Better us than somebody else, right? [Junpei, no] If I didn't know any better, I'd be thinking you missed me.

[I mean, one way or another their world could have been totally fucked by something else. Junpei could have been a garbage man. Maybe he should be a garbage man here...]

Better all of us than no one, I think. [No one needs to be the last one standing, Junpei. He's getting a skeptical look for that.] Would it surprise you if I said I have? My life was nothing to complain about, but I began to miss hearing you fumble about with the obvious.

[Don't doom him to that timeline he doesn't remember? That's rude. Meanwhile he's suffering under that precision skeptical look, jeez, let a man flippantly dismiss other people. Ahem.]

Oh come on, that was ages ago. I'm not like that anymore. [He lies, lyingly.] Still could've just used your phone like a phone.

[But okay, he admits it, life is... better with someone to call him dumb all the time? Er.] I missed you too, buddy.

And you could have used your stunning observation skills. [But they're terrible, so. Speaking of his phone, he's going to put that away so his hands are free.]

I've decided you need to be my guide for now, since you've neglected to visit. Though you probably won't have the aptest of descriptions, I'll settle for your best.

[What does he need his hands free for? Is Junpei's jacket collar not straight?]

Wait, you want a tour? I don't know anything about this space station... space place. Thing. [good, keep that up.] I'll save us the trip: there's a whole lot of chrome and none of the windows open.

[It probably isn't, but Snake hasn't noticed. Nah, he's just taking Junpei's arm to pull him along as he stood up.]

Unfortunately for you, I'd like to take the trip anyway. A "whole lot of chrome" and the fact we aren't getting sucked out into space anytime soon isn't all that satisfactory. Why don't you show me someplace else?

[If only Snake would let him skip the tour like he wants. He gets up anyway, now that he has no choice.]

I'm pretty satisfied with not getting sucked into space. [See? Silver lining.] I've only been to a few places, so... alright. This way for the shortest tour this space place has ever seen.

[Just like old times, he tugs on Snake's arm to get him to follow. Let's go, buddy; Junpei is about to waste the hell out of their next ten minutes of walking. He will also point out various chrome objects, because he's this kind of person.]

[Snake doesn't really expect the best of tours, so it's fine. He seems satisfied enough to be walking, walking with Junpei, so much that he hasn't even pointed out how dumb the things he says are. He just follows up another chrome thing with "is it shiny" or "are you sure it's not steel?" Even better: he's just decided holding his hand is better than getting tugged, so that's a thing now.

But eventually, his stomach rumbles. As much as he tries to ignore it, he can't really help it after a second time.]

As fascinating is that is, do you think the kitchen is chrome as well? Surely not.

[A year ago Junpei was continuously working under the misguided assumption that Snake needed help getting around, and now he... still... is? Really, what he's doing mental gymnastics about right now is trying to remember which one of Snake's hands is the robot hand. Is he holding a robot hand right now???]

Oh, hell yes it is. Somebody turned the gravity off in there before, it was awesome.

[That said, he will definitely course correct them to head for the kitchens, whether or not the gravity is still having problems. It'll be fun.]

I'm sorry? They did what?

[Now it's Snake's turn to not grasp basic concepts... But really? Don't bullshit him?] You must be joking. That's too much of inconvenience while eating.

[But sure enough, as soon as they step into the mess hall, Snake's grabbing Junpei's arm with both hands. There's the robohand grip.] I thought this was one of your poor taste in jokes!

[It would be a lie to say Junpei isn't hoping, before they reach the mess hall, that the gravity is still on the fritz. How did he even get out before? He probably swam for an exit and crashed unceremoniously to the ground in the hallway, and he'd do it again!

Plus, it's great when Snake is the one who's out of his depth for a change. Don't mind him relishing this in the nicest way.]

My jokes are great, first of all. Second— [Second is not actually a statement - second is Junpei grabbing Snake's wrist in turn with one hand, and shoving the wall with the other. It's time to spin around with zero direction!!]

Junpei, do not-- do not--!

[Aaand it's too late. Snake is mentally cursing Junpei because he is above swearing, twisting around in some vain attempt to find purchase. Nope, there just isn't anything here anymore, Junpei is terrible???]

I think you've met your quota to make up the year I have not seen you! I no longer need to spend any more time with you to remember how ridiculous you are!

Haha, what's the matter? This is great! [It's way, way too late. To Junpei's credit, he doesn't just let Snake go, but keeping a hand on him is the only kindness he can offer while he's being the worst ever like this.]

Come on, live a little! Let's see that peak physical condition! Do a stunt!

[Lessons learned: never brag to Junpei about dumb shit like running backwards and kicking asses. Do a stunt, he says. Shoving his face into the garbage is a stunt.]

I don't do stunts so-- so blindly! [He says, because not touching anything is blindness for the blind. When he gives up at trying to stop himself, he's going to realize what he's said in 3... 2...]

I-I mean, [He starts, clearly trying to stay mad and not start laughing at how stupid this is.] My feet are usually planted firmly on the ground. I can't see, Junpei, so unless you'd like to hit you over the head...

[Ha ha oh nooo. Junpei is laughing enough for both of them, to the point where he can barely control himself anymore. This is just... too rich...!! Let him take a breath, hoo boy......]

Nnnot the kind of stunt I had in mind. Want me to give you a hand? ["Want me to just fucking throw you across the room??" He won't, but that's essentially what that question boils down to.] Seriously, this is the most fun thing we've ever done, and you're wasting it!

[Ugh, this boy is so... dumb, but also right. He's provoked Snake enough by saying he's wasting anything, because he's clearly the funnest person Junpei could possibly be around.]

I already have both my hands, but that's considerate. [ha... jokes.] But if you won't send me sailing into anything you'll surely regret, I trust you!

[He's not unfun. Junpei thinks he's pretty alright, but then again, Junpei has about 6 friends and Snake has cool firefighters to compete with now. Do something fun, boy.]

Uh huh. [wHICH HAND] Alright then, get ready... 3, 2... go!

[He says "go" like this is some big show, but all he actually does is let go of Snake and nudge him significantly toward the middle of the room. He'll watch out for chairs for him, don't worry.] You're in the zone now!

[This sure is a thing now!! Snake does move his arms a bit before he gets to used to the fact he is not going to be latching back onto Junpei, but there's still a small smile across his lips once it occurs to him open air isn't so bad.]

You won't be able to witness such display of acrobatics anytime soon, so I hope you're watching! [This is so stupid? But Snake bets cool firefighters can't do a backflip in space, let alone TWO backflips in a row. They're like, slower and marginally less impressive than gravity ones, but he's laughing sooo much more than he would on the ground.

Junpei like, has points, sometimes. Okay. This is fun.]

[This is really fantastically stupid, and yet, Junpei doesn't think he's actually ever seen Snake have fun before, so it's fine all the same. Making clever quips at each other while their lives were at stake doesn't really count...]

You know, I think the slow motion gravity thing is a nice touch. You're a Snake station in a space station.

[look Junpei thinks this is really funny]

[That joke should probably fall under the likes of the worst taste Snake has ever heard, but he's now? He's laughing even harder, like this is the best thing he's heard in awhile.

It probably is, but. He's never going to admit that.]

I suppose it's only appropriate I call you Jumpy, out here.

Hey, speak for yourself. [Who's doing sick slowmo backflips?? Not this guy. He tried that before and it didn't go well, so he's just drifting around, shoving other floating stuff to give himself momentum to try and keep up with Snake.

Basically: thank god Snake can't see this.]

If I start doing handsprings, I'll let you know.

Oh, please do. I'd hate to miss out on your performing art.

[Performing art... Like Junpei is talented. But there's still food going around, and Snake finds this out once he's drifted into that neon green soup. His nice jacket...]

Oh-- well, this is the mess hall, I suppose. [At least his flips were cool!!]

[He is so talented, don't give him this. Junpei watches him drift into soup and winces for him, but he's like, twenty feet away still.]

Looks like somebody needs a hand now, huh? Just say the word. Offer's still on the table.

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