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!

npa: (pic#12401297)

[personal profile] npa 2018-07-01 02:36 am (UTC)(link)
[ he watches her look over the unawakened refugee with a vague semblance of interest in what she had to conclude. needless to say, it gets a small laugh out of him. it's not in mockery, of course, as much as genuine humor. he brings a hand up to muffle his chuckle a little. ] Yes, I think that will do it.

[ he reaches over to pat her on the head. ] Good work, miss. [ for whatever reason it seemed like she lacked confidence. her posture, tone, and the even the way she filtered through her words with pause and uncertainty was clear signs of this. ... and well, if he could do his part in alleviating that a little. he smiles. ]

It seems your experience saved us. [ is he teasing? it's hard to tell, but he means well. ]
earthy: ([ ↓ sorry ])

[personal profile] earthy 2018-07-01 02:37 am (UTC)(link)
[For a minute there, as Ven falls silent and seems to search his memories, Terra has hope. Maybe Ven hasn't truly forgotten everything all over again. Maybe all those important memories will come rushing back to him and the strange expression on his face will give way to that big, bright grin and he'll just be Ven again.

Or maybe not.]


Roxas.

[Terra repeats, a growing dread tightening his chest and coiling in his gut.]

With an 'x'?
hellzone: (HUH ♪ wait what)

[personal profile] hellzone 2018-07-01 02:41 am (UTC)(link)
Oh.

Whoops.

You's right.

There's a pause while Yoshiko realizes her mistake before she goes back to screaming through the door. "I'll push and you'll pull! That's better!"
alibabas: (Default)

closes eyes

[personal profile] alibabas 2018-07-01 02:42 am (UTC)(link)
[ It's hard — on one hand, she's speechless at how realistic this virtual reality simulation is. She needs to know how they've managed to trick the brain into actually feeling the things she's feeling, just how far they've managed to go with this. On the other hand, she's really, really cold.

Cold enough that she's just decided to crouch in the middle of the snow, using some tiny pile as the saddest protection from the wind. Her jacket is zipped up, for once, the hood being used for something useful instead of existing in the middle of the summer.

All in all, she's been more dignified before. ]
What—

[ But accusations wait for no one, apparently. Her head snaps up when someone's voice joins the winds, eyes wide as she comes across literally the most grumpy looking person she's probably met ( this doesn't really mean much ). ]

Wh— What was what for?! [ Because she's too incredulous to be afraid, just this second. It will likely change in a moment. ]
alibabas: (Default)

must you hurt me like this

[personal profile] alibabas 2018-07-01 02:42 am (UTC)(link)
[ There are probably better ways to go.

No, there are definitely better ways to go — Futaba's never been a fan of environment gimmicks, at least not in real life ( the mice were fine, because she didn't really have to deal with them. Just laugh at everyone else ). But the moment she steps into a room she didn't mean to and her foot floats up, she knows she's doomed.

She tries to swim down to the ground — no gravity doesn't necessarily mean that she's always going to stay up, just that she can't stay standing on the ground. Flails towards the nearest, safest looking wall, and pull herself so that she's not just ... floating in mid air. It works, kind of, she's upside down but she can figure it out later—

The switch turns on, and there's a shadow over her face. ]
Oh— [ No time to even scream as her muscles lock up, air rushing out of her lungs when she realizes what's headed for her. She barely lasted a week in this place, this is how her life ends, and she just barely manages to squeeze her eyes shut before she can feel the impact.

Except there's no impact. Just a loud thud, and then a voice that's somehow equally loud. Loud and terrifying, thanks. Maybe if she keeps her eyes closed with her arms shielding her face, everything will disappear and the floor can just swallow her or something. ]
hellzone: (POSE ♪ her dumb v sign)

[personal profile] hellzone 2018-07-01 02:43 am (UTC)(link)
[ Yoshiko's arm is covered in slime. She briefly looks a little bit sad (she doesn't have any more clothes here!) before turning to look at Bree. What she wants to do is smile and say thank you and have a lovely conversation, normal girl to normal girl. But old habits die hard.

Yoshiko's voice drops down from the high pitched voice she has been using to a deeper alto. Turning towards Bree, she makes a v sign with two of her fingers over one of her eyes.
]

Your help in freeing me shall not go unnoticed. As thanks, I shall make you the newest of my little demons on this accursed spaceship. Come and fall with Yohane!

[ is she okay? Jury's out on that. Especially since after she says that, a brief look of embarrassment flashes across Yoshiko's face. ]
morbide: ᴀʀᴛɪsᴛ: Kozaki Yusuke, <user name="kymg" site="twitter.com"> (i'm not going to die so easily!)

[personal profile] morbide 2018-07-01 02:44 am (UTC)(link)
[Henry smiles more broadly than before at the notion, closing in on his approach.]

Yup, I can tell! You're only all over that container, after all. [He stops short of Usagi and the stasis pod, tucking his hands behind his back and rocking onto his heels.] I guess it's something-something about not waking up until they're healthy enough, but... Pfft.

[Henry waves a hand, dismissive of that excuse as though he has some objection to thee line of reasoning.]

Anyway, why only "want"? Have you two only just met?
hellzone: (FUSSY ♪ hey hey pay attention)

[personal profile] hellzone 2018-07-01 02:46 am (UTC)(link)
For all her bluster of being a fallen angel and little demons, Yoshiko knows magic isn't real. It's the stuff of children's parties and fantasy novels. So even though this guy seems on the level and doesn't seem like he's a crazy hallucinating person, she knows he must be wrong because magic isn't real.

But then again, dragons aren't real either. And spaceships are the stuff of science fiction. Maybe she just needs to accept that things are going to be weird around here.

"If you can do necromancy, does that make you a warlock?"

She can't help it: she's a little bit curious and can't hide the interest in her voice.
warmare: (恐慌)

[personal profile] warmare 2018-07-01 02:48 am (UTC)(link)
[They look dead to her. In stasis, still and frozen... no matter how much she's told that they are sleeping, that they might wake up, that she had been like that as well... How can she believe it?

How can she believe any of this?]


I am not your teacher!

[He peeks in, and she feels a desire to push him away, to somehow protect those within the pods from his gaze, to keep them to herself, half moving to do so but managing to hold herself back at the last moment, fingers curling impotently into fists, hackles raised.]
quintessent: (you'll find humanity)

[personal profile] quintessent 2018-07-01 02:51 am (UTC)(link)
[Confusion crosses her face, but it only takes her a second to catch on to what he's talking about. She grew up around technology, but her people's brand of science often bordered on the mystical, so it's not a difficult jump to make,]

I grew up on a ship like this. Malfunctions like this happened from time to time.

[Her hand keeps her gently tethered to the wall, making no movements to rush back to the control box, nor join him in his careless revelry. She's loathe to admit it, but after being stuck planetside for so long, there's something nostalgic about carelessly floating along in space again.

Wryly,
] You're going to land on your head, if you're not careful.
alibabas: (pic#11453390)

[personal profile] alibabas 2018-07-01 02:52 am (UTC)(link)
[ Look it's not easy, being a gremlin coffee sister. But even the super cool and composed Alibaba pauses when she gets a text from her coffee bro, who makes his name extremely obvious.

( Even if he didn't, no one else in their party can summarize his point using half the words Ryuji would. Or Inari. She's not picky. )

That makes typing a response easy. ]


More like slept just enough. The whole world ending thing is really exhausting, you know? [ It's easy to be callous with a screen in between. Kind of like saying it out loud, just to wrap her head around it, without actually having to say anything out loud. ]

Especially because we saved it just before.
violentbeauty: (Default)

[personal profile] violentbeauty 2018-07-01 02:53 am (UTC)(link)
I hope so too!

It'll be a really boring place if it wasn't, and a total waste to bring us all the way from the other side of universe, just to bore me to death. That certainly won't do.

But I guess now I know who to ask about happy hour.
desistor: (help())

[personal profile] desistor 2018-07-01 02:55 am (UTC)(link)
[Maybe he's an NPC and it's his whole job to talk about mobs like this, you don't know.

The point is help she's so cute, sos. He hums a little, thoughtfully, as Futaba offers the correction with more confidence than anything that had preceded it since she noticed him. The Slime meanders, meanwhile. Oozes its way into the wall and just kind of...bumps off of it a few times. Like a roomba that's gotten itself stuck in the corner.
]

Kind of on the nose. ["Slime." A beat.] ...Not that it's got one.

[A nose. Important to note, apparently.]
Edited (that was redundant) 2018-07-01 03:05 (UTC)
thetaintedsorrow: (Glare)

[personal profile] thetaintedsorrow 2018-07-01 02:56 am (UTC)(link)
[L-lol...]

If you say so, priest.

Who’s to say both don’t exist?

Though I gotta say humans can be scarier than any monster around here.

Except the dragon.
unevoke: (pic#8074857)

i completely forgot she was MUNCHING INTENSIFIES

[personal profile] unevoke 2018-07-01 02:58 am (UTC)(link)
[ He could probably give Grumpy Cat a run for its money, it's true. (Never mind that Grumpy Cat is a cat and therefore is automatically disqualified from the grumpiest person contest.)

If Shinji had any sort of common sense left in him after the wind's stripped him of all his remaining senses, he might have considered that this tiny slip of a girl would hardly be able to stand up without shivering back over sideways, let alone fling a snowball with perfect accuracy at the middle of his back. But he's cold, tired, there's snow sinking into the backs of his shoes, and he's really not in the mood for any sort of rational thought right now. ]


The snowball. You threw it, didn't you?

[ Don't try and play dumb, Foot!!! ]
pullsheavendown: (※ got inside my head)

[personal profile] pullsheavendown 2018-07-01 02:58 am (UTC)(link)
[He shouldn't be here. He should never have ended up here, and he should have left immediately once he did, no matter what floss guy did. The smart thing would be to turn around, yank the door open and leave quickly.

But he's never been quick to do the smart thing. Looks like he won't start now. Roxas will have a thousand questions if he goes now, and he's tired of carrying around unanswered questions.]


Yes? What difference does that make?

[He could be Rocksas, he guesses, but he'll stick with the spelling he's got.]
Edited (icon! ) 2018-07-01 03:06 (UTC)
illuminating: (pic#7811233)

[personal profile] illuminating 2018-07-01 02:59 am (UTC)(link)
[Amaterasu, is the name she gives for his, her ears collapsing at his expression. Now that he's taken notice of her, she slows her pace a tad, stepping carefully to meet his side.

I won't think you small, if you aren't feeling up to smiling, she conveys to him. She can understand, however, the urgency to plow through devastation, to keep going indeed, don't look backwards—not for too long. One will be left reexamining where they went wrong. She understands the sense of obligation to seem like a pillar to those who need one.]
npa: (pic#12401308)

c.

[personal profile] npa 2018-07-01 03:01 am (UTC)(link)
[ the whole ship seemed to be in a very curious state. being inquisitive by nature, this hardly diminished his desire to see more. if anything, it made the exploration all the more worth it. or it would have had he not encountered a small mishap in the mess hall. but while he thought that was done and over with, he sees the anti-gravity effects stretched further than just the kitchens. when he sees a young man floating away, he instinctively follows them with his eyes.

he just came from the other side, and he's close enough to door that he hovers a hand over the lock and locks it. easy enough, but it seems like the anti-gravity isn't easing up in this place either.

he holds onto a latch by the door as he peers back up at the other man who keeps ... floating higher. not sure if the other could see him, he recites the facts:
] I've locked it. Unfortunately... [ there is one slime that made it out. it's a bright green and it seems to be producing strange sludges.

sludges that are slowly rising off the ground. good job, team detectives.
]
morbide: ᴀʀᴛɪsᴛ: Kozaki Yusuke, <user name="kymg" site="twitter.com"> (i'm not going to die so easily!)

[personal profile] morbide 2018-07-01 03:03 am (UTC)(link)
How so? I only do what I'm told. And when I'm told to get out there and fight until one of us drops dead, you'd better bet I'm not gonna be the one to go out at the end of an axe! I like gruesome death as much as the next guy, but I don't like injuries. So tossing a few hexes out here and there really does me and the other guy both a favor.
almaredemptoris: (Default)

[personal profile] almaredemptoris 2018-07-01 03:04 am (UTC)(link)
[He can see the shift in her disposition as clearly as a change in the weather: the sky bruising grey, the wind showing the silver undersides of leaves. In this moment it becomes easy to see her as a horse startled, wary of the threatening unknown. A man of great stature, although dwarfed of course by her, he is capable of cutting an intimidating figure if he so chooses, with just the subtle sharpening of his features and voice. But so too is he capable of softening himself as he does now, to calm, to reassure. He holds up a hand in a placating gesture. The corners of his lips suggest a smile, and his eyes implore gently.]

I did not mean to startle you, nor did I mean to eavesdrop. Forgive me. I was only passing by.

[His silvery white hair indicates his advanced age, although this is in disagreement with his facial features, which aside from a collection of fine lines is relatively unmarred by the march of passing decades. His manner of dress, in addition to his features, place his homeland as somewhere other than the island nation with which she is familiar.]
dancerefresher: (Ballerina)

[personal profile] dancerefresher 2018-07-01 03:04 am (UTC)(link)
[There's a feeling of relief when she glances down and the screen is, in fact, back at the starting assessment screen. She starts to sigh in relief and then-

The pat in the head. She blinks up at her companion, surprise. Though her cheeks do puff up a little.]


I haven't kissed that many people, not really.

[She was used to a little teasing, from the way her stammering gave way to a grumble. She was blushing, for sure, but it was better than before.]

I'm surprised. You've...I'd have thought you'd have a girlfriend. Or boyfriend?

[She waves a hand.]

Don't answer that, that's none of my business. Thank you. For helping me.
alibabas: even if she pAINS ME (pic#11453367)

[personal profile] alibabas 2018-07-01 03:04 am (UTC)(link)
[ There are more graceful things to start a conversation with than a yelp, but Futaba was never known for her grace. Though maybe, in her defense, she hadn't really expected that someone would sneak up ( "sneak up" ) on her. This showdown was for her and the Slime, clearly, and no one was going to walk into a hallway.

Fortunately, she recovers. Blinks a little at the girl that seems to be around her age, taking the moment to gather her courage ( if it was Inari or Ryuji or basically not a stranger, she would have tutted right now. But alas, she doesn't have that kind of luxury at the moment ). ]


... Just because it has a mascot-worthy face it doesn't mean that it's harmless. [ Which means it needs to be ERADICATED, probably. ] It's the cute ones that'll getcha.
illuminating: (pic#11902227)

[personal profile] illuminating 2018-07-01 03:05 am (UTC)(link)
[Does she remember him? How can she answer him in a way that's clear enough?

The attempt to do so is her forgoing taking in the scent of gloved fingers, and with her whimpering self, letting her huge head lay in his palm. Her ears are tucked, tail going back and forth over the floor, she nudges into his space. Heavy warmth. Hello, of course, yes, she remembers him.]
alibabas: thank dw (pic#11453365)

hard pass, goodbye

[personal profile] alibabas 2018-07-01 03:05 am (UTC)(link)
hi

[personal profile] sinisterminister 2018-07-01 03:07 am (UTC)(link)
Indeed, they can be. Demons only know evil, and angels only know good. Humans, however, recognize both and choose which one suits them best. That is the only reason anyone does anything, and if it is not, then they are quite foolish.

But about that dragon. Could you tell me more about it?