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!

bangleofjustice: (this is my suave face)

[personal profile] bangleofjustice 2018-07-29 03:47 pm (UTC)(link)
Some of it did, but if you're surrounded by rain or snow, you might have to dig for drier pieces. Snow's a lot easier compared to if it was raining.

[Apollo continues to strike, and soon the dry leaves and smaller branches catch fire. He gently starts to fan it.]

Don't let it burn too fast or you could lose control. If that happens, we'll have to dump snow on it quickly and start over.

good wrap-up point?

[personal profile] ayes 2018-07-29 04:50 pm (UTC)(link)
It feels nice, the soft, reassuring squeeze at her hand. Even if it's subtle, it's there.

Yoshiko's there.

She adjusts her hand so that her fingers are laced with Yoshiko's, without saying a word, and nods. "That's true," she says, looking down at the planet, and then turns to give Yoshiko a smile. It's a smile filled with longing and loss, a year of experiences she'd never had, some lingering trauma and sadness... but also hope. It's a smile.

"I'm glad you're here, Yoshiko-chan."
punshots: (✘ resolution.)

[personal profile] punshots 2018-07-29 05:12 pm (UTC)(link)
[ He figured Noct would ask this, and if there positions were reversed, Prompto would absolutely want to know. Still, that makes it no easier to give this answer, because he knows Noctis isn't going to like what he hears. ]

...Three times, now. [ But he's quick to chase these words, before his friend can start feeling too regretful, talking with both hands. ] B-but it's not your fault. There's nothing anyone can do about it. It's just...part of being here.

[ A sucky part of being here, but it is what it is. Eager to clear the air a bit: ]

You've never come out so scraggly-lookin' before, though.
fabrications: (ᴍᴀʏʙᴇ it is all a test)

[personal profile] fabrications 2018-07-29 06:12 pm (UTC)(link)
[ After, actually. Well after. But Akechi isn't even thinking of orienting himself from that particular point in their relationship right now. ]

Is it just us here...?
hellzone: (SMILE ♪ a genuine smile)

works for me!

[personal profile] hellzone 2018-07-29 11:03 pm (UTC)(link)
You had been here, by herself, for at least a year. Yoshiko wishes the circumstances were different and wishes that things were better, but she's here now. And no matter what, she's going to stick around and try to keep You safe and make certain this doesn't happen again.

"I'm glad I'm here also," she says, with a nod. "We'll deal with all this crazy stuff together, okay?"
flask: (a sea a boat a rock of ages)

[personal profile] flask 2018-07-29 11:21 pm (UTC)(link)
[Caught in the act! Well, it's a little obvious, anyway.]

No, it doesn't. That's just a helpful addition so people know they can reply. I'm a very helpful person.

...You can reply to this message.


[Really, it started off as her not wanting her spell to be wasted on a one-way message, and then turned into an automatic thing for her.]
rosebyanyother: (no one learns the secret name)

[personal profile] rosebyanyother 2018-07-29 11:50 pm (UTC)(link)
Well, not alone.

[Because that would be just plain reckless! Which is absolutely the opposite of what his actions...were...

Less reckless, though, surely.]


We refugees were tasked with distracting the dragon long enough for the native citizens of Wyver and Olympia to escape to safety. The plan was to draw the dragon away from both cities and occupy its attention as well as the attention of the man who raised it from the dead.

Unfortunately, it ate him early on in the battle. After that, it was mostly a war of attrition until the Natha finally stepped in to put the problem on ice.

[Metaphorically.

Peter tips his head to the side a little, considering something. He uncrosses his legs, recrosses them.]


I didn't actually intend to get as close as I did, mind you. [Well. He did and then Jim talked him out of it for a while and he....was going to stay back, but:] The dragon had a few unnerving effects. I was...more reckless in the end than I intended to be.
pachintoki: (alarm)

[personal profile] pachintoki 2018-07-30 12:07 am (UTC)(link)
[The smirk quickly leaves as Takasugi shoves him, replaced by a grimace as the corner of the table digs into his back; Gintoki gives it a quick rub before getting up; he's watching as Takasugi gets closer to the rumbling cabinet, starting to follow after him as he spots the pink acid spitting slime.

But that meant getting closer to that cabinet, and the chairs. . .he'll start running, that foreboding sense of dread leaving him unable to just stand and watch. Just as he's about to catch up to Takasugi, the cabinet doors fly open with a crash, tables, chairs pushed back as . . . what the hell.

Gintoki is just going to stop and stare, narrowly missing being hit square in the gut with the corner of a lab table as it slams into another table in the room. The doors were open and inside the cabinet . . .

. . .was pink slime. The entire cabinet, as if it were full of jell-o, slowly quivering there for a long moment, a longer glob of the stuff running the length of one cabinet door. Gintoki will continue to watch, frozen, as subtle, popping, sucking sounds start, and the pink slime begins to ooze out onto the ground -- and re-form. For another long moment it sits there on the ground, an enormous glob of slime - almost as tall as him - and Gintoki gives a quick glance to wherever Takasugi wound up, wary.

And then it turned around; Gintoki stifled a yell, arm moving up with his wooden sword ready, only to be met with two large eyes, blinking, and -- what the hell, that mouth was huge! It was enormous! He was not about to be slime food! He'll take a step forward, only to freeze as the slime gave a rumbling quiver, turned and inhaled the closest thing to it - an unsuspecting chair, totally engulfed in the slime's enormous mouth.

The chair starts to dissolve as soon as it's engulfed by the slime. That's when Gintoki doesn't even bother to stifle another yell. ]


T-takasugi!
flask: (still a weirdo)

[personal profile] flask 2018-07-30 12:43 am (UTC)(link)
["Being Caleb" obviously means "standing 30 feet back at all times", which is logical enough. It's a big station, after all. And a big creepy pod room. He could be around, somewhere. Even if he's not woken up like Molly suggested, he could be... in another pod. There's no reason to think he's gone along with Exandria.

That's what logic tells her, but she's not particularly happy with this line of thinking, either. Nor is it sufficiently convincing.

Nott doesn't really want to be alone after all, she's decided, so rather than sending another magical Message through her copper wire she pulls herself back to her feet and goes back to find Molly. The look on her face when she reunites with him again can only be described as "defeated".
]

What should we do?

[Congratulations, Molly, you're the new leader between the two of them.]
shikomizue: (pic#9925557)

[personal profile] shikomizue 2018-07-30 01:35 am (UTC)(link)
[Takasugi hardly notices the collateral damage - a few chairs? He couldn't care less. His vision is tunneled on the slime, even as it darts behind tables and tries to weave into a set of drawers.

He slides right past the barricade Gintoki had set up, completely unaware.

Only when the creature bursts out, flinging furniture and fixtures all over the room, does he turn-

To slash a table out of the air before it crashes into him. It crashes and splinters on either side of him, and the pink slime coos. Mocking son of a-

Gintoki interrupts Takasugi's ire, calling his attention in a voice he hasn't heard for a decade. What's so damn urgent?

The massive slime churns, rolling over an island and consuming it whole. Takasugi watches as the structure corrodes...

Slice it open, and its guts will take care of the door.]
Run!

[Off he goes, towards the way out, smaller slime forgotten. Though, he'd love to kill the little shit.]
objectionattorney: (Phoenix Smile Stare)

[personal profile] objectionattorney 2018-07-30 03:12 am (UTC)(link)
Digging huh?

[Amazing. Where he had spent hours bartering people for dry wood and help in order to get a fire going, here Apollo had one up in no time. In the middle of an ice storm no less!]

Guess I still have quite a bit to learn despite how long I've been on Nyssa. Although... It's reassuring...
winecasks: (pic#10819774)

[personal profile] winecasks 2018-07-30 06:20 am (UTC)(link)
[ The hand on his arm forces him to snap his head up once more with a befuddled blink. This isn’t Enjolras, he knows that, but there’s a small, drunk part of him that’s still having trouble separating the two.

If he tried, perhaps he could recall a time when he was as full of hope as this man is now, but now he only perceives the world with pessimism. He has few comforts, even in this second life, and he clings to his death in a most unhealthy manner.
]

An artist? You offend me.

[ He smiles, though, soft and sad, to show that here’s no true hard feelings there. Perhaps there are regrets though, somewhere far in the back of his mind, that he could never achieve what he hoped to. It’s his own fault, really. ]

But there was a time when I thought myself one. I was a pupil of Gros. What he saw in my wretched paintings, I will never know, but he was well past fifty at the time. Perhaps his eyesight had begun to fail him. I might have daubed a picture or two, but I am no artist, monsieur.
justtolove: (I will love you until my dying day)

[personal profile] justtolove 2018-07-30 07:07 am (UTC)(link)
[ With each word, Christian appears to grow sadder and sadder. As if some epic tragedy were unfolding before him. For an artist to say something like that, it was absolute heartbreaking. Christian may not know who Gros was by name, but to study in such a way. To be personally tutored. He must have had great skill. To speak so poorly of his own art...

Not being able to help himself, Christian grabbed Grantire's hand between both of his.
]

If only I could wake Toulouse myself. He would be able to tell you better than I could, but no matter your skill, all it takes to be an artist is what's in your heart!

[ He let go with one hand, to press it to his own chest. ]

Regardless of that, I doubt this Gros would have taken you as a student if you didn't have the skill. To get even that far, to put brush to canvas, it takes a certain passion not many possess. To think poorly of what you've done...it breaks my heart.

[ He could feel something budding at the back of his mind. Lyrics. Music. Something heart-wrenching and tragic. ]
illuminating: (pic#11902258)

[personal profile] illuminating 2018-07-30 02:23 pm (UTC)(link)
[Her heart quavers. It can't be helped. Few know her, few know her name but few, so very few, can see her this plainly. And even then, not only see her, the strangeness of her, but acknowledge her without a shred of doubt. The earthen form she has struggles to be heard, struggles to reassure, struggles to find the means to tell the whole of life to believe and to not give up. This shape tests faith, but to test faith is to exercise it, which in turn means to restore it, or to strengthen it, or to bring those who've always been lost into consideration of faith as a possibility.

High-pitched whine stumbles out of her, she plants her forehead against his palm for sake of nearness and sake of thanking him for not doubting, for not turning away, or being fearful, her eyes closed behind his hand. This is who I am, she wishes she could say, and wonders if her presence permeates it to him all the same, in some way. But she's still her, still dopey wolf, feeling no urgency to act superior, and after she takes a moment as if to absorb his recognition, to fully engulf and appreciate it, she slips under his fingers with pressing deliberation.

Then, she's all helpless wolfishness, fawning over him in her gratitude, her side practically flopping against his legs, her ears down, her whimpering subconscious, and constant, and yet chipper. She rears on her hind legs to try to find his arm or shoulders with forelegs, her tail swiping with gleeful violence, and in her happy-crying, she's trying to lap his face.]
breadmuffs: (i will remember the words you said)

[personal profile] breadmuffs 2018-07-30 04:39 pm (UTC)(link)
I suppose it's a matter of getting them to favor me, then.

[He looks both thoughtful and a little earnest. Though, to be fair, he already knew he needed to do that. It's just a matter of figuring out how.]

Though I don't need them to teach me, I need them to allow me to do what I already know. Has there been a tested method of earning their favor?
inaurare: (Yet also pouty and blushy.) (Unsure)

[personal profile] inaurare 2018-07-30 04:46 pm (UTC)(link)
Not that I know.

[a light shake of his head]

Just time, perhaps, and patience? I can’t say...
breadmuffs: (got high hopes lots of potential)

[personal profile] breadmuffs 2018-07-30 09:52 pm (UTC)(link)
Ah, that's also kind of you.

[He's relaxing very slowly, no longer standing quite as rigidly by the door. Even if he's not as alone as he'd hoped, Diana is - if not a calming presence - not adding to the noise or stress.

He doesn't want to be too presumptuous and get the offer rescinded so he simply takes a seat on the floor, back against the wall.]


...What are you reading?

[Talk about ways to get potentially kicked back out. He knows what it's like to want to read in peace and quiet but he's also just...very curious in general. About books, at least.]
larsenist: (pic#11453294)

[personal profile] larsenist 2018-07-30 11:00 pm (UTC)(link)
[ don't :blush: at me young lady ]

Cuddling a slime?
bangleofjustice: (happy pepper)

[personal profile] bangleofjustice 2018-07-31 12:34 am (UTC)(link)
[Apollo thought about doing that, but he wanted to see if he remembered how to do it from scratch just like Dhurke taught him.]

Don't worry, Mr. Wright. I'll have you covered for your outdoor needs.

[Just as his fire starts to sputter out. Of course. Apollo starts striking his rocks together after adding more dry leaves.]

The wind isn't making it easy!
fiendennor: (37)

sorry this is so late! feel free to ignore if you want.

[personal profile] fiendennor 2018-07-31 03:13 am (UTC)(link)
If you're willing to put in the effort required, I don't see why not.
I'd be happy to teach you some more helpful magic rather than leaving you with an inherently destructive repertoire.

[personal profile] fiendennor 2018-07-31 03:20 am (UTC)(link)
Please, think nothing of it. I understand the need for some quiet. [She sits back down, grabbing the book and holding it up so he can see the binding. It's not a familiar title.] A history book about the planet below-- or at least, the island we were on.

I'm curious about the two city-states and their legacy. I have questions that I'm not yet finding the answers to.
larsenist: (pic#11453316)

[personal profile] larsenist 2018-07-31 03:43 am (UTC)(link)
[ He lets out a soft laugh as she showers him with affection, doing his best to return the favor. (He's completely forgotten that they're still in a simulation, in a space station in the middle of some lonely galaxy.) His attention wholly absorbed by this wonderful creature and the incredible reality of her presence.

...Though for all her godhood, she really is rather like a wolf. He wonders if that was part of her nature to begin with, or perhaps the outer form affecting her personality, divine speech translated into nuzzles and happy yips, a swipe of a tongue and the pads of her paws on his shoulders. Her joy is real and palpable, affecting his own. He wraps his arms around her in a fierce hug, and it feels like returning home. A mother's embrace. Bittersweet, and he has to blink away the brief and sudden moisture from his eyes. ]


Thank you.

[ For keeping him warm.

...When she (Amaterasu, goddess, shining in heaven... big white floofy dog...) settles again, he reaches down to spell out his own name in nearby pocket of snow for her to read. ]


Akira.

[ 暁—daybreak, or dawn. He has a little bit of the sun in his name too, and he's pleased to share it with her. ]
learntthehardway: (why are you talking??)

[personal profile] learntthehardway 2018-07-31 08:44 am (UTC)(link)
I suppose I do.

[Truly, she had a feeling she was going to have a lot of free time compared to what she'd had back home.]

Is there a place here that actually feeds us?
reinerouge: (pic#7642449)

[personal profile] reinerouge 2018-07-31 11:18 am (UTC)(link)
... ... Thanks.

[ Her gratitude is spoken in a super low voice. Thanking him feels weird to her after all, despite everything that has happened, because he's still iffy in her eyes. Wrapping her arms around her stomach, she will quietly follow after him while chewing on her bottom lip. ]
reinerouge: (pic#7699549)

[personal profile] reinerouge 2018-07-31 11:22 am (UTC)(link)
I-I am excited to see you! Trust me.

[ There's a weak smile and she takes Diva's hands into hers. ] It's an honest relief to see that you're here, Diva. [ More than she knows. ]

I hope so. I guess we'll see whenever we're able to go down.