natha: (Default)
ɴᴀᴛʜᴀ orbiters ❰ mod collective ❱ ([personal profile] natha) wrote in [community profile] elnyan2018-06-29 03:05 pm
Entry tags:

❪ test drive #6 ❫

YOUR STORY BEGINS    

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 —

We were mistaken to think we should not intervene. Dangers far beyond what should exist on this planet lurk beyond even our sight. Poor Ysverai's resurrection is only a portent of what threatens this world. El Nysa must remain frozen in time until we have found a way to repair the damage the High Dragon has wrought. But repair it we will. We give you this promise.

We are sorry for leaving you in your time of need. There was greater danger, or so we thought. The Storm, for the first time, had somehow encroached beyond our shields. Blinded to what was occurring on the planet, we believed it safe to turn our sight from the planet… Safe to leave our physical forms entirely, for we needed the energy to ward off the Storm. We withdrew ourselves from our aspect that we call Thesa, and in doing so left you vulnerable. We can only hope you will forgive us.

Still, we must ask your aid, for both your sake, and for all life on this fragile planet. Please, leave the matter of Ysverai's curse in our hands. Ready yourselves to journey to Nadril and find how the High Dragon's resurrection was hidden from our sight. We will do all in our power to repair El Nysa, but you should prepare yourselves well. We fear there is yet greater danger ahead, both from the Storm and from what lies obscured on the planet.

CLEAN-UP CREW    

While everything has wound down significantly from the strife and destruction of battle, the frozen image of Ysverai, the massive, rotten dragon, and the hole he tore in El Nysa's sky, on several screens of the station is a constant reminder of what took place. New and old refugees alike will notice that prolonged exposure to these images will leave them with a disquiet that gradually builds to actual pain. The discomfort starts from a crawling sensation, insects over skin, and gradually becomes unbearable. They will begin to hear the cries of Ysverai’s pain and suffering, first whispers, then echoes, then wails. Even after Refugees tear their eyes away from this footage, a strange itching sensation remains beneath their skin for several minutes.

The dragon isn’t a matter for them to deal with, however. Darma made it clear that the Natha will find a solution. For now, everyone is encouraged to assist in the clean-up of the cities currently frozen in time. However, in interest of the current events and the fact that the refugees still have much to prepare for, they will be offering this help remotely.

Several stations are set up where refugees can remote control drones to map out areas and pick up some of the lighter weight debris. Those more well versed technology are encouraged to assist those who may be having trouble getting started with the unfamiliar Natha tech. It seems like it’ll definitely take some getting used to, though. On the bright side, they’re pretty durable drones so if at first you don’t succeed, press the next button? To keep morale high during the clean-up efforts, one of the Natha have set up large hoops around dumpsites and a scoreboard program in the control room, though there's no sign of any directions or rules to be found. That's right, you can play a mechanized version of… some sort of game while you're helping clean up El Nysa. Just make sure you don't get too carried away with competitive spirit!

For those looking to pilot something more heavy-duty, there are also cockpits set up for remote control piloting of basic mecha. These are very similar to the VR simulations offered on the station. However, they will not work without a partner. To be able to successfully move one of these, two refugees will be required to connect their minds and pilot in tandem. This may be a daunting task, but with the extensive structural damage to the cities, it's a necessary one. Piloting will require trust and cooperation to make it through. The more connected the pilots are, the more agile and powerful their mecha will be. For those who can’t seem to get on the same page, coordination will be a pipe dream.

PROBLEMS WITH THE SHIP    

By now it’s likely clear to all refugees, new and old, that for all that they may appear to be infinitely powerful, the Natha Orbiters have been shaken by the recent events on El Nysa. The details of Ysverai’s revival were somehow obscured from their view, and while they’re focusing their efforts on the planet, certain… abnormalities again begin to arise on Thesa Station.

The most prevalent of the problems plaguing the Station are the malfunctioning doors. Walking through a door that should lead to a bedroom or kitchen (or, for the truly unfortunate, a toilet) will suddenly take refugees somewhere entirely different and possibly even new. And while this may lead to some accusations of breaking and entering, at least these mishaps can be quickly rectified by an apology and a hasty exit. That is, unless the door refuses to open again — the locks also seem to be malfunctioning.

Still, those that find themselves transported somewhere familiar, though off-limits, should consider themselves lucky. Thesa Station is far more vast than most refugees are aware, and some of them might find themselves wandering into a uniquely sticky laboratory. This area appears to serve no purpose other than to house dozens of slimes. These slimes appear not only in a variety of fun colours, but with a variety of not-so-fun abilities ranging from harmless (spitting bubbles) to deadly (spitting fire). Regardless of what abilities a slime possesses however, they are all relentlessly friendly, and characters will need to be careful not to accidentally bringing one out with them once they manage to escape.

Unfortunately, that’s not the only situation to escape from. Whether it’s in the mess hall or the bathroom, many will find themselves suddenly rising off the ground. … with everything else in the room, too! It seems like gravity control is also on the fritz. Fortunately, most open spaces aboard the station have a small control panel that can correct these effects. The only problem is getting there. Hopefully at least one of you refugees took that anti-gravity safety course.

SUMMER TURNS TO WINTER    

The news that the refugees should begin preparations for a return to El Nysa may come as a surprise given that the planet still remains frozen, but it appears there is one community that has somehow withstood Darma’s intervention: an area known as Nadril where time continues to flow freely. Not much information is available regarding this destination, other than the fact that it is isolated, and, more importantly, that it is cold.

(Maybe characters should consider the malfunctioning thermostat plunging the temperature to below zero in certain areas on the station as preparation for their upcoming journey!)

There are other resources available for those itching to take action, of course. There will be a new supply pack delivered to each room containing gear meant to withstand freezing temperatures — both clothing and storage gear to keep water rations from freezing. Characters will also be alerted to new training programs available in the VR room that are designed to assist with survival in the snowy regions of Nadril.

The training programs will consist of a variety of tutorials that will assist in winter survival. Naturally, there will be courses on how to start fires, find food, and build igloos to withstand the frigid temperatures, but that’s not all. Due to the Natha testing their systems, there will occasionally be strange occurrences. For example, refugees may experience a snowball or two pelting them from out of nowhere, or they may suddenly find themselves being cloaked by a snow yeti costume, amongst many other inconveniences. Hopefully that doesn’t detract from the lessons to be learned here, as some of the training programs can include extreme weather survival, including the perils of snow storms or avalanches.

SOCIAL-LINKED(in)   
By some miracle, there are still some quieter parts of the hall. This may be an appropriate time to check out your smartphone. 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!

STASIS UNITS    

During this time of crisis, the Natha have done their utmost to ensure the safety of those in cryosleep. However, due to the nature of recent events, they will be asking some refugees to do a quick check on some of the pods in the stasis unit. While they are definitely looking for any damage that may have occurred over these past few weeks, they also seem interested in getting a deeper insight into some of the occupants.

On each control panel for the pods, there's a new application, asking observers to add notes and commentary — the Natha are looking for a more personal understanding of their sleeping occupants. Refugees are tasked with providing evaluations of the sleepers, based on both their knowledge of those from their homes and on what they can observe just by examining them in their repose. The application asks for how useful you think the pod's occupant would be in a crisis, what their skills are, what their best feature is, if you'd take them with you for a long walk on the beach, and so on… And, of course, all answers must be recorded out loud. Anyone passing by could overhear these evaluations, flattering or less than.

FINAL OOC NOTES    
As always, 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.

New players may submit an AC-length thread HERE from this TDM for 2 Natha REP. In addition, old players who have not submitted rep for the Hour of Ruin log may also submit a TDM thread for 2 Natha REP. The due date for submission is July 15 11:59 PM EST.

For this application cycle, there will be a cap of 60 and no reserves. Applications will be open on July 9 12:01 AM EST and end on July 13 11:59 PM EST. Thank you!

nanamari: (git gud scrub)

[personal profile] nanamari 2018-07-09 03:17 pm (UTC)(link)
[ When she isn't dealing with any of the other tasks, Ana has mostly been patrolling the halls to keep herself busy. There's no shortage of people getting stuck in rooms or lost in corridors or cornered by strange little creatures.

The hiccups get her attention, along with the whiff of alcohol as she passes. Ana turns to the small... person?... chugging from a flask. She isn't much of a drinker herself but that is, as her parents used to say, a mood. ]


Hello there. [ She crouches down to sit on her haunches. While she's wearing mostly regular civilian clothing, a few of her biotic grenades are still slung across her chest, the canisters glowing faintly golden in the low light. ] Are you a new arrival? Or are you just having that kind of week?
shikomizue: (pic#9306726)

[personal profile] shikomizue 2018-07-09 03:23 pm (UTC)(link)
[After being a trapped in a lab full of subhuman Amanto for potentially hours with one of the people you hate most, most would go for a drink. Takasugi, however, is going to find whoever coined the phrase "better late than never" and murder them.

He'd rather search for the slime himself; Gintoki's belated realization and attempt at cooperation is nothing more than a burden.

All that shouting sends a few of the creatures quivering away, sliding their amorphous bodies into the crevices between equipment.

How many are back there?

Facing an appliance that resembles a dishwasher (maybe it is one), Takasugi pauses only to see what colors ooze from beneath it. Pink? Or is that rose gold? Are they that specific?

Fuck it. He's destroying the damn thing. At least a dozen slimes jiggle into their usual shape, several pink ones among the group.

And, all at once, every single one of them blows a flurry of bubbles at his face, ostensibly for disturbing their abode.]
thatgoodnight: (31 gotta be srs a moment)

[personal profile] thatgoodnight 2018-07-09 03:42 pm (UTC)(link)
what's down there that's so exhausting? besides the zombie dragon thing. are there other monsters? or is like the gravity super heavy or something?

[He's thinking about sci-fi movies and games from his childhood and what might be really tiring on another world!]
thatgoodnight: (31 aww yeah)

[personal profile] thatgoodnight 2018-07-09 04:09 pm (UTC)(link)
[ (Honestly, the way Prompto's reacting of all things is part of what makes him wonder if this maybe isn't some weird dream.)

Noctis lifts his eyebrows, glancing away only because another slime jumps on his arm. This slime sizzles a little, so Noct is quick to dislodge it - or to try to, anyway. The slimes are kind of hard to pick up, but they're also sticky, so trying to push it off is a struggle. Still, he does his best, continuing looking back up at Prompto with a hint of slyness.]


I think he was just grateful it was more dignified than the goatee you had last time I saw you.

[The goatee is fun - don't get him wrong. And he's proud of Prompto for finally being able to grow facial hair! He remembers the laments of their teenage years... But ... it was just funny that of all the beard styles to choose...

In any case, the slyness is short-lived, and Noctis finally has dislodged enough slimes that he feels he won't be an avalanche of sticky when he stands up. So, he does his best to clamber to his feet - he'll accept a hand to help him up, if Prompto offers!

And if Prompto does, then once he's on his feet (and ok one slime made the leap to his shoulder while he was getting up, but this is fine; it's not the one that was sizzling), he wastes no time in doing something he kinda wishes he'd done before the end: he pulls Prompto into a hug. One of those close, one-armed kind of deals, where he leans his head in and claps his free hand on Prompto's back, while he grips Prompto's hand solidly with the other.]


It's ... good to see you, too.
expiable: (045.)

[personal profile] expiable 2018-07-09 04:21 pm (UTC)(link)
I've been doing rounds with plus ones for the same reason.

[ They both know the cold in ways that others never will — spreading that expertise seems wise. ]

We should rendezvous on the ground.

[ with Steve goes unsaid, but it's implied. Better to meet him on the ground than in these close quarters, if he remains uncertain of her. ]
thatgoodnight: (31 dramatic head telt)

[personal profile] thatgoodnight 2018-07-09 04:46 pm (UTC)(link)
[Hearing someone vocalize those words... 'you can't go home again'... it hits a deep and painful place inside him, and Noctis has to close his eyes and take a deep breath to steady himself. His fingers curl into fists at his sides.

He finally had gone home. Well... to what was left of it. He tried so hard to save it. He did everything that was asked of him, and still...]


... yeah. I guess.

[His voice is thick and unsteady. He doesn't want to believe it.]
thatgoodnight: (31 aww yeah)

ALSO HOLLERS LOUDLY! floating on~

[personal profile] thatgoodnight 2018-07-09 05:46 pm (UTC)(link)
[ Noctis keeps telling himself to just walk past the monitors and not look, but it's difficult to resist the urge. Besides, he feels kinda sorry for the wretched creature on display. Still, it's not good to get too lost in musing over it, so it's for the best that Ignis interrupts.

The touch startles Noctis, but he has barely turned when gravity stops working and he flails slightly, feeling like he's faling but - no it's falling up and woah, Ignis is really close all of a sudden, and

he's making a pun, because of course he is.

Whatever else Noct is thinking about seeing his oldest friend again like this and in this place is driven out of his mind by the absurdity of it, and he laughs.]


You always did know how to appreciate the gravity of a situation.

[This place is weird, and this is disorienting, and there are many things wrong, and Ignis doesn't look quite how Noct last remembers, but for the moment none of that really matters.]
dirthena: (a nice smile in purple makeup)

[personal profile] dirthena 2018-07-09 06:00 pm (UTC)(link)
( she appreciates the levity that this man greets her with, and shoots him a grin from where she's floating. sure, they might not be able to get where they want to go but at least they can exchange witticisms while waiting. she doesn't often feel useless, even missing her arm, but this seems to be the exception -- there is nothing she can do in order to change her predicament. )

What they should do with it? ( a small gesture outwards, which sends her in the opposite direction. something to remember, she thinks, as she floats gently into the wall. ) Here I thought that was something that was entirely your responsibility.

( he reminds her a little of dorian already. never a bad thing. )
flask: (optimistic but)

[personal profile] flask 2018-07-09 06:04 pm (UTC)(link)
[Nott wavers in place, but the glow of the canisters along this stranger's chest catch her attention and she blinks up at them owlishly a few times before realizing she's being spoken to.]

Oh, both. Definitely both.

[She's a little less on guard now that she's gotten (more than) a few drinks into her, so she doesn't bother with her mask. She hiccups again and takes another drink.]

This place is weird. Never seen anything like it.
dirthena: (seriously just burn this place)

[personal profile] dirthena 2018-07-09 06:08 pm (UTC)(link)
( she should have done something. even though if cole knew it wasn't happening there was no chance that she would, the failure weighs on her shoulders. what could she have done? nothing, and yet-- the doubts weight at her mind, one on top of another. she is no dalish elf anymore, her faith lies in tatters, and she must save or kill the man she loves.

it is all too much for her to sort through at the moment. she'll need time and silence, elera thinks, and there's no saying how much of that she'll be granted here. better to square her shoulders and continue on and refuse to dwell.
)

Neither of us could have known, I think. And yet-- ( she can be vulnerable around cole. he has that way about him, even as a spirit. ) Have you found any others from Thedas? Still sleeping or wandering around, I suppose.

( allies. she could use some right about now. )
mollymocked: (⚔ your fever dream)

[personal profile] mollymocked 2018-07-09 06:17 pm (UTC)(link)
[He leans in slightly.] Drugs. I'm talking about drugs. [He grins, cheeky.] Did you think I was talking about something else?

[Let's be real, he was talking about a lot of things, but he is currently floating and that's something that usually only drugs would make you feel like you were doing. They're on his mind.]
mollymocked: (⚔ but i guess i'll leave that up to you)

[personal profile] mollymocked 2018-07-09 06:21 pm (UTC)(link)
He considers whether he approves of the nickname, and then decides... Yeah, he's good with it. The thing he's not good with is whether or not he should mention Nott. Drawing attention to her with this little maniac might not be great for her, but it also seems like that's inevitable. And also kind of funny.

"Nott, right now." He knows precisely what he said, and the double meaning behind it, and he is not ashamed of it. "But I'm meeting so many fascinating new people."
Edited 2018-07-09 18:21 (UTC)
inaurare: (Oh?)

[personal profile] inaurare 2018-07-09 06:23 pm (UTC)(link)
There are a great many things that can fall under the banner of poor decisions.

[a light lift of his brow]

...but they had those too, “downstairs” - in Khalo Village, specifically. You have to smoke their herb in order to enter past their wards, but they smoke it recreationally as well.
desistor: (help())

[personal profile] desistor 2018-07-09 06:33 pm (UTC)(link)
[Repeating those terms with more volume doesn't actually help all that much, but she moves on past it before he has to decide what to do with this information. Joke's on you, Futaba, he's actually just an exposition machine.
]

...Kind of a long story.

["What's it called" tends to lead to "what is it" tends to lead on and on... Maybe this isn't the best place, even if he was in a hurry to get into it at all. So, it has the air of a canned response, but there's a little restrained edge of amusement to it that most people don't tend to win out of him. He's resigned to the curiosity, by now, enough to get used to it. But the enthusiasm is new. (Couple that with the way she's leaned in to have a look—the Transistor has got to be nearly as tall as she is.)

She's engrossed enough in the cool shiny thing that the slime manages to ooze its way over toward Futaba's feet while she's distracted, blowing idle bubbles at her heels as it joins her in staring at the gently glowing blade in front of it.
]

Hey, think it likes you.
mollymocked: (⚔ and buried in your bones)

[personal profile] mollymocked 2018-07-09 06:33 pm (UTC)(link)
I'm a tiefling, if that's what you're asking. If you're asking what kind of a person I am, that's a much longer answer, and I'd have to get a few drinks in me first. The short answer is I'm just looking for a good time, and making sure other people have a decent time of things themselves.

[For such a scary looking guy, he is... well, not nice. But a least kind.]
mollymocked: (⚔ this the greatest show)

[personal profile] mollymocked 2018-07-09 06:35 pm (UTC)(link)
I prefer to let the cards speak for themselves. I could give you a reading if you'd like.

And he's a god who is a dragon.
mollymocked: (⚔ stay in the cage)

[personal profile] mollymocked 2018-07-09 06:44 pm (UTC)(link)
I kind of assumed they did, because if they don't... [He finishes that thought by taking a swig of the alcohol because he doesn't want to think about that. He was starting to like all of them, Beau, included, and losing them now and being alone makes him deeply, deeply perturbed.

And a bit fearful. Thank the gods for Nott being here. He hands her the flask back, hesitates, takes one more swig, and then hands it back.]


Anyway, have you ever tried to convince a god of anything? Jester's the only one with any experience with that, and I don't think her Traveler is that cooperative. And as for me... I've never asked the Moonweaver for anything before.

[Look he admires his flashiness and he'll happy try to work his better-than-Nott's-but-still-awful charm, but he has his doubts.] It seems like a bad idea, but... sure. We can give it a shot, if they don't have Caleb and the others.

[It's a nice excuse to go looking, because if he doesn't, he's going to be wondering and he hates worrying about shit. It messes up his vibe.]
flask: (after all these years)

[personal profile] flask 2018-07-09 06:59 pm (UTC)(link)
[Well now, you had to go and namedrop Caleb. Nott twitches, hating that she's so easy to read at this point. She's been with these jokers a month now and they know basically everything about her. She also doesn't want to think much about what might be true if Caleb and the others aren't sleeping soundly in... whatever it is the people in charge called them. Tubes or something.

She accepts the flask back and takes a drink immediately.
]

Well, the Traveler is... I mean, Jester follows him, and you know how Jester is.

[And that explains everything about the Traveler from Nott's perspective, pretty much.]

So we're... going to look for them? Is that the plan? Step one of the plan?
dealign: (CREASES.)

[personal profile] dealign 2018-07-09 07:41 pm (UTC)(link)
I tried to punch a superior officer. He ducked.
stargatemedic: (Default)

[personal profile] stargatemedic 2018-07-09 07:50 pm (UTC)(link)
Who'd you hit?
rosebyanyother: (but do not tell me all is fine)

wildcard A LITTLE LATE BUT HI

[personal profile] rosebyanyother 2018-07-09 07:50 pm (UTC)(link)
[And then there's the time that Juno steps through a door that doesn't lead to a storage closet! It actually leads to a sleeping quarter! Which is lucky.

...But not an empty one. The room isn't particularly decorated, because Peter hasn't honestly spent much time up on Thesa. There's some clothes draped over the back of a chair, one dark red silk scarf pinned up on the wall behind his bed so it doesn't look completely sterile.

This "people accidentally stepping through his door" nonsense has been happening for the better part of two days now. Peter doesn't actually even look up as he hears the door swish open, sprawled across his bed with a book in his hands. His loose black shirt is a little askew, showing a white bandage creeping up one side of his neck.]


I hope you're just coming from the cafeteria. I could do with some-

[It's only halfway through mildly teasing whoever stumbled through his door that he bothers to check who he's talking to. And he stops abruptly, eyes widening. It's not often that Peter finds himself short on words but....Juno. Of all the people. Of all the timing. Only a couple weeks after he spent a night curled up on the floor of the stasis room across from Juno's pod. The first time he'd ever lingered there.

Juno.]


....Detective.

[It's definitely, definitely just a trick of Juno's imagination that Peter's voice is a little rough.]
stargatemedic: (Default)

[personal profile] stargatemedic 2018-07-09 07:51 pm (UTC)(link)
[In all honesty, TJ was far better at compartmentalizing someone else's pain and suffering in the interest of helping the greater good than she let on. For that reason, she was very good at what she did. For that reason, she'd wondered if he should be in the cockpit, but she wasn't his doctor, which meant that as long as he was cleared by some doctor or another, she had no say in what he could or couldn't do.

Also, she wasn't his mother.

But he was apparently her best bet for a pilot to run the mech and, when it came to sharing memories, TJ had a few of her own that he might not be prepared for - losing the Icarus base, being stranded in space, being shot while pregnant. Still, if he was willing, she was. She felt a need to help where she could and this was it.]


No one's memories are happy all the time. [Her expression is encouraging.] Including mine. It might get a little rough on both sides.
impavid: (❖ Weak or strong)

[personal profile] impavid 2018-07-09 07:58 pm (UTC)(link)
[ He squints at her thoughtfully, sizing her up. ]

When you say no actual doctor, just you...?

[ What does that make you, TJ? Nurse of some sort? EMT? Fill in the blanks a little, here. ]
dealign: (DOUBTFUL.)

[personal profile] dealign 2018-07-09 08:00 pm (UTC)(link)
No one.
stargatemedic: (Medic - working - investigating)

[personal profile] stargatemedic 2018-07-09 08:30 pm (UTC)(link)
I'm an Air Force medic. I ended up on a ship-- [She doesn't say space ship, because who'd believe that?] --and by default, became ranking medical officer on board. Learned a lot about what I was capable of in a very short period of time.

[She tilts her head.] And you're... a pilot?