![[personal profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/user.png){kind=small}
![[community profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/community.png){kind=small}
Entry tags:
❪ 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.
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. 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... 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 ] |
no subject
[He almost stopped there out of habit, then remembered that there was no longer any point in secrecy about the well. It was gone, never to be restored.]
Instead of death, we go into a deep slumber. Before the priests in my order slumbered so, they would pass down their knowledge and memories into the well, many wept as they did so, hence the name. It became all that was left of the world we knew.
Eventually as my superiors were killed or resigned themselves to slumber, I was the only one capable of leading those that remained. Most were too young to remember what we came from, so it fell to me to be the one to teach them what they are, and what was lost. I could not bring myself to leave them, nor could I let the last legacy of those I served under be squandered.
no subject
She thinks of Fareeha, tucked in among the rows of pods, in her own death-like sleep. She hasn't had the heart to go and look for the others. ]
That's a noble cause to dedicate one's life to. It can't all be gone while you're still alive, can it? Maybe there's a way for you to preserve what knowledge remains - if that path is the one you want to continue on.
no subject
The knowledge is gone, even if I were to undergo the ritual to pass on my meager knowledge on, who would there be to make use of it? I am the last.
[His tone was weary and distant as he spoke the words. He had become resigned to his fate after arriving here. What other choice did he have other than to simply endure it?]
It is no longer relevant, regardless. My last duty shall be to ensure those that served under me get the slumber they deserved, until I either fail or fall.
[He'd prefer falling to failure, his Sentinels did not deserve to suffer as he did. Though there was still a small selfish part of him that wished for the company.
He turned an inquisitive gaze to her.]
I have told you my story, what of yours? What is it you hide beneath your mask? [His only guess was that she was not human either, because why would a human bother to mask her face with so many other humans around? It would be easier to blend in without such a conspicuous thing on her face, such was his opinion anyway, and clearly he was doing wonders at blending in himself.] If you wish an exchange, I can offer to show what I am that makes my lifespan possible.
no subject
And if you're going to make enticing offers like that... I only ask that you keep this to yourself for now. [ She glances around to be sure that no one is paying attention, then unfastens her mask from the hood that she wears. There's nothing particularly shocking underneath - just an old woman. She fusses her hair back into place, and re-tucks it under her scarf, out of habit. It's nice to be out of the that mask. She doesn't know how Jack does this all of the time. ]
I told you I go by Shrike, and that was true, but my real name is Ana. Ana Amari. The mask is to hide my identity. I'm - well, how do I put this? Rumors of my demise have been greatly exaggerated.
no subject
When he sees her face however, his eyes go wide.]
You are... merely another human?
[He was quick to replace his hood, casting paranoid glances around the room to see if any had noticed him. Of course it had been misplaced kinship that lead him to be so loose-lipped, but this was just a human. One of the same childish beasts that assaulted his temple over and over for naught but power.
Even so, he made a bargain of sorts. He had to follow through. She was human but she was... an honorable sort. He had to try and put his very limited faith in the species in that. She was her own person, and thus far had done nothing to betray his trust.]
I shall keep this knowledge to myself, milady, as I trust you shall do the same. I mean no offense to you [And only her. Other humans could go be offended.], but I have found that your kind do not much care for those different from themselves.
no subject
[ Ana sets her mask down, at least for the moment. Cards on the table, and all of that. She does look at him, since he's invited it, taking in the pointed ears and the unusual style and color of his hair. Her expression is calm and curious. She doesn't ask 'what' he is. She hates that question. She leaves room, if he wants to volunteer that information.
She supposes he looks most like an elf with those delicate features, but he reminds her even more strongly of some of the omnic monks she's met. She has a feeling that his resentment comes from a similar place. ]
Trust me, I've heard much worse. We don't even like our own kind that much, if they're a little different from what we're used to. Humans are very good at creating reasons for our cruelty.
You asked what my story was - do you still want to know?
no subject
I am Elvhen.
[After a moment of internal debate, he tentatively lets his hood fall back once more. She was taking a risk, it was only fair he did the same. It had been his idea after all. She was thus far proving to be sensible with a unique insight, rare traits among her kind. There was merit to hearing her tale and perhaps learning why.]
Yes, if you are still willing to tell it. You mentioned people assumed you for dead?
i'm so sorry this is so long........
[ She files the information away. It will be interesting to find out where their cultures might intersect, if at all. It's hard not to be too curious about someone so entirely new to her.
She's glad that her overture at openness invites more of the same. Still, she laces her fingers in front of her, to keep her hands still. She doesn't care much for talking about herself - not after years of interviews and young cadets clamoring for war stories - but she does it now because it seems like a fair exchange. ]
I was once considered the best sharpshooter in the world. I carried a rifle that I notched for every kill. Not as a trophy, as some seemed to think, but as a reminder to myself of what my work costs, and why it must be worth that cost. I never hesitated, even when my targets went from machines to human beings.
There's no real choice, between the life of an enemy and that of a friend. I never questioned it, not until my last mission for Overwatch. [ She forgets, here, to explain what Overwatch is. Everyone in her world knows.
She chuckles ruefully, without humor. ] What a shock, seeing an old friend through the crosshairs of my rifle. How does a person change so much, and become so evil? I shouldn't have hesitated, I know that. But how do you choose, between the life of one friend and another?
I tried to stop her and I failed, though I hear the mission was a success. [ Ana exhales softly. ] In all of the commotion, I was left behind. Assumed dead, with good reason.
I recovered from my injuries on my own but... I'm only human. I've had a long life, for my kind, and I've buried too many of the people I love. I suppose I finally slowed down long enough for the weight of it to settle on my shoulders, and it felt impossible to get up again, after that. [ She only admits this because she knows that he's felt the same kind of loss. ] There are other reasons for me to remain dead, more logical or noble ones, but that's the truth of it.
[ She opens her hands. ] I am still lost, like you, and trying to find my way again.
Nooo it's super sweet omg Ana ;w;
There was almost a surprising comfort to be drawn from the similarities in their lives, there were considerable differences as well, but the end result was the same. She was far more compassionate than he, he never felt pity for those that attacked the temple. He took their lives without remorse, but the lives of those he commanded were another story. She knew what it was like to lose people. No matter how well you plan for a battle there will always be casualties. They will always be your fault. That was what it meant to lead.]
There are times when I envy the mortality of your kind, but it is sometimes a shame to see one with insight and understanding such as yours and know that their time is fleeting.
[A rare compliment from him, though he knew there was a selfish aspect to it. It had been a very long time since he had good company to speak to that he did not outrank. She did not deserve to suffer the life of an immortal as he and his sentinels had. Living indefinitely only meant that eventually nothing would remain, though now she was forced to face that as well. Her world was gone as was his, she too would be stripped of her culture and all the little familiarities he once took for granted as well.]
Even in spite of all my years, I cannot tell you if such a burden can ever be lifted. I have never been granted the opportunity to move on from my loses. However, the advice I can give is... [He paused to think of a way to phrase his next words right without sounding ridiculous.] Find something from your home to eat. Something you enjoy. Things begin to feel emptier once you start to forget the little things, lest you forget where you came from, and why you started to fight in the first place.
[Hmmm... yeah that still sounded foolish. He was terrible at this whole conversation thing.]
That sounded absurd.
aw you're sweet ;u;
She huffs: ] I'd like to see death try. [ She's deflecting because she's embarrassed, not that she'd ever admit that.
His next comment makes her smile however - not necessarily because of what he says, but the way he gets flustered with himself for saying it. ]
No, I understand what you mean. I would like that. I could cook, if I could find the right ingredients here, but it seems like a shame to make a meal just for myself. Would you like to share?
no subject
[He wasn't sure what to make of such an offer. He could not remember when the last time he was made such an offer, much less the last time he ate an actual meal. At the same time he would have no way to return the favor. He had few skills outside of combat which she was already proficient at, aside from things that were no longer relevant like speaking an old dead dialect of Elvish, which was all but useless here. He would feel poorly to take up her resources and not offer her something in return.]
I do not think I have anything I could offer you in return Lady Amari.
no subject
[ Not the sort of thing she ever intends to collect, but reminding Jack of every time she's saved his life has proven to be good for grounding his ego, and she suspects Abelas will be just as entertaining. She shrugs. ] And the company would be appreciated, more than anything else.
no subject
Very well, I would be honored to offer such company. And should you find any of my skills or knowledge useful, I shall offer it in return.
[Or maybe he could try with coin. When was the last time he even had money? Ugh, barely awake a day and the temptation to simply go back to sleep was nagging at him, if just to avoid the impending headache involved with adjusting to yet another alien time.]
no subject
And I would be honored to learn anything you want to teach. [ She means this sincerely. ] But for now I should get going.
[ She picks up her mask, but she hesitates before putting it on again. ] Do you know how to get in touch?