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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 —
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: 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! |
Hifumi Togo | Persona 5
[After she understands what the task is, Hifumi moves somewhat like the drones herself, repeating the motions of collecting debris from things she doesn't quite recognize in a daze. The images from that dream are still flitting around in her head and swirling with the knowledge that everything she knows is now gone.
Her mother. Her father.
It's easier to focus on the clean-up and so she does, steadfast in sweeping over one quadrant at a time until she's satisfied with how it looks and moving on to another square of space that's roughly the same size. It's very methodical, takes a little longer than it might strictly need to, but it can't be said that it isn't efficient in completely clearing things away so no one will have to go back over her work later to tidy it up.
Near the end she lets herself observe other people trying to make baskets with their trash, and while she's never been particularly athletic herself Hifumi has to assume that with the assistance of a drone she must have a good chance. So she lines up the shot, trusts in what must be hours of practice at this point of piloting the thing, and takes her shot-
And misses. Terribly. With a sigh, she just directs the drone to clean up the mess she's made.]
I should have realized that would happen...
[slimes are cute tho]
[There are many, many terrible ways this whole door malfunction thing could go. She could end up walking in on someone during a compromising situation, get entirely lost in a place she still doesn't know how to get around in, or even get locked out of the few places she does know how to get to.
What happens instead is that she opens a door, it closes harmlessly behind her without locking, and she comes face to face with what looks like something straight out of a video game.
Several somethings, it turns out. Being a normal human girl with absolutely no fighting skills, there's a moment of worry where she just kind of stands there, backing towards the door and ready to flee, but as a pale green slime hops forward with a winsome smile and starts to spout pink heart-shaped bubbles from it's mouth, Hifumi is fairly certain that it's probably harmless. She smiles a little at the absurdity of it and steps into the room again, sweeps her skirt demurely under herself for modesty as she crouches down, and reaches a hand out to pop one of the bubbles.
No poison mist spills out, it just explodes in a little soapy puff, and Hifumi is immediately charmed by her new friend.]
You seem to fit in here just as well as I do...
[Which is: not at all.]
[social link]
@shogiqueen (17), Tokyo, Japan
I'M SKILLED IN: shogi
I'M LOOKING FOR: the ability to plan my own life
ALSO, I'M: not really sure what the point of this is
[Wildcard]
(hit me up with any of the other prompts here or make something else up entirely! I'm also available at
clean-up crew
[The remark comes from a woman a few stations down, who glances over with the touch of a smile to her red lips. Where the drones are gathered, one finishes gathering a bundle of trash and scores a textbook shot through the hoop with it.]
I mean, you don't have to do it, but it's more fun when there's a game to it, isn't it? [Emma winks, glancing back to her console only to make sure she's where she thinks she is in the area before her hands, moving in a skilled flurry over the controls, go back to piloting her own drone.]
no subject
He wouldn't want her to give up, not on something so simple, so Hifumi nods to the woman and turns her attention squarely on the task at hand.]
You're right. I won't be defeated by a child's game! It's time unleash my secret attack!
[There's a flurry of motion as her hands fly over the controls and then with a triumphant battle cry, she makes another shot!
... And misses again. Dang.]
no subject
I think you might be getting a bit eager. Systems like this need a delicate hand. [Emma runs her own hand gently over the controls, as if caressing them.] Have you done anything like this before in your world? You seem like the kind of young woman to be on top of things.
[Emma will call helping her an equivalent exchange in the form of getting some information about where the people around her here are coming from.]
no subject
carefully, he bumps his forehead into her side, peering up with a faux-feline curiosity.
no way he's going to out himself so quickly. besides, Mona's not even sure if she'd recognize him as 'belonging' to Akira in the first place. ]
no subject
[She can't help being a little startled by the sudden pressure at her side, but instead of another slime looking for attention she instead finds a cat looking up at her, black and white and oddly familiar. She doesn't place him at first, but once her surprises passes she smiles softly and extends her hand, palm up to let him smell before she goes petting him like some heathen with no manners.]
Hello there. Have you gotten lost from...
[She trails off, though, because the longer she looks into those pretty blue eyes the more it wheedles at her that she's seen them before, peering over a shoulder or out of a bag, and she blinks a few times.]
Oh my, you're Akira's cat! He must be worried about you, he never leaves you behind...
[Hifumi stop talking to tiny things that shouldn't be able to talk back to you...]
no subject
some people are just gullible like that.
still, the last thing he wants to do is throw a Talking Cat into the mix. some people have quickly reacted in a somewhat muted manner? but knowing that Hifumi is from their world, cats don't talk there--- unless she knows something he doesn't.
so instead? he stays silent and nods. cats nod, right? especially when they lock eyes on the person they're paying attention to. ]
no subject
Still, it seems a shame she hadn't even thought to ask about him before now.
Maybe Akira could have explained that he's the kind of cat to... nod. Sure, that's normal.]
Well, that's- good, I suppose. I don't think it's very safe for you to be wandering around alone, though...
[The slimes have been friendly so far, but if there's slimes, if there's dead dragons, it's a wonder he hasn't gotten gobbled up yet.]
I don't have a bag with me, but if you'd like to stay with me until we find Akira I could carry you in my arms.
[Must Protect Small Creature.]
no subject
and because Morgana isn't a cat? ]
Oh... hey, could you go under my chin next? I have an itch, and...
[ ah. maybe he should have bit his tongue. his tail immediately goes stiff and upward, pointing toward the ceiling like a furry exclamation point.
hopefully he doesn't ruin her invitation to being carried. that would suck. ]
no subject
Well.
That's new.
Her hand does draw back in surprise at first, eyes widening in her shock, but she doesn't scream so that's at least a point in her favor.]
You- Did-
[She has more grace than to let herself go on stammering like she has no brain in her head, so she promptly snaps her mouth shut and looks from Morgana to the slimes and back again.
There are creatures from a video game and a cat just spoke to her. Akira's cat just spoke to her. She can't even pass it off as her having heard something, that was more than just one or two words. That was two sentences, there's no mistaking that, and the intelligence she'd seen in his eyes makes more sense in a very sideways kind of way.
Someone killed a dragon not long before she woke up here, apparently alone and more than a little frightened. It's taught her that anything is possible here.]
Have- have you always been able to do that?
[Please say no please say this is something this weird place did to you.]
no subject
the third, however, may prove to be more difficult. ]
If I said that I could, but you wouldn't have been able to understand me anyway, would that make sense to you?
[ because that IS the truth. the truth that also proved to be a clue and a lifesaver at the same time. ]
I promise I'm not trying to deceive you.
[ and he immediately goes to headbutt her hand. more to comfort her than anything, but also please return to the scratches you've started and you can't just stop. ]
(no subject)
(no subject)
slimes!!!
[ Akira's a bit further into the lab, in the process of attempting a selfie with one of the blue (and benign) slimes. (He has to send receipts to his friends—they'll never believe he found RPG creatures right on Thesa...)
It's proving to be a difficult task with all the wriggling and jiggling around, and before he can stamp his thumb over the shutter his gooey companion hops off again towards the entrance of the room, its interest caught by a new arrival. (Akira's, too.)
In his surprise, he ends up accidentally snapping a picture of a very familiar face—one he would've expected to see in a dim-lit church on a side street of Kanda, or even gracing a magazine cover at the local bookstore, nevermind that's all long gone. ]
Hifumi...?
[ His tone of voice suddenly changes to alarm as the blue slime continues to bounce toward her, aiming right for the girl's lap with a perpetually gleeful smile. ]
—Watch out.
no subject
[He's just seconds too late, unfortunately, and with a wet plop the slime lands directly in Hifumi's lap. She looks mildly put off for a second because that feels... well it feels like a pound of jello on her lap and surely that won't come out of her uniform skirt...
But, she thinks after a moment, it doesn't particularly matter. It isn't like there's a Kosei High School to go back to anymore.
Her shock doesn't have time to fade, either, because she recognizes that voice, and with a small smile she looks up at Akira from where she's stuck now, giving the slime an awkward pat as it gets comfortable where it is.]
I-I don't think they're all that dangerous. [Just to get his worry out of the way, hopefully. And then, more heartfelt-] It's good to see a familiar face.
crawls back
It's all very cute, and very bizarre, and Akira stares for a moment before following suit, joining the party on the floor. —He's immediately greeted by a faceful of glitter, and he blinks hard and attempts to brush it out of his already disastrous hair. ]
It's good to see you too.
[ It's always so strange to encounter someone from their world here, as if he were the one waking from a dream or perhaps being pulled back in. It seems an eternity has passed since he last saw her, though he hasn't forgotten her in the least bit. (Her demure yet warm smiles, the cord in her hair that he's always liked—a rebellious pop of red. He's missed playing shogi with her, or more accurately losing to her, and of course all the passioned narratives she'd weave with each campaign.)
She's another piece of home, and he's glad she's here. ]
...New fans, huh?
[ Shameless, these slimes... ]
social linked, un: Yousoro★
theres actually like a lot of us here which is surprising
ive never played shogi before though
is it fun
no subject
Shogi is very fun, but it takes a lot of practice to master it.
Do you enjoy games that involve strategy and planning out your tactics?
no subject
i totally get that
its always nice to meet someone who knows where im from
(i mean generally nobody knows where im from im from waaaay out in the sticks)
ive played some strategy video games if that counts?? im not very good at planning things
no subject
[Congrats you're about to get adopted.]
Skill is something that can come in time, as long as you have the passion to keep practicing.
no subject
i did a bunch of stuff at home like diving team, swim team and school idols
just nothing ever like
strategic
& im you watanabe! whats your name
no subject
[Of... shogi...]
My name is Hifumi Togo. It's nice to meet you, You.
no subject
the high dive is like 10m up so thats a pretty good view
it might be too hard to see the shogi board from up there though
[you she didn't mean it literally]
its nice to meet you too hifumi! so you go to school in tokyo?
ahhh thats so glamorous
clean-up!
But it isn't her appearance or reputation that catches his attention. Rather, when was the last time he saw anyone from his neck of the woods? If ever? He blinks out of his surprise to approach quietly, not wanting to break her concentration. And probably looking like he's creeping up on her in the process, but no matter. No disturbing a master at her work. ]
—Togo?
[ ...And it seems like he's here right on time to see her swing and miss. There's a clatter of rubble over the displays, which he remarks on with a minute smile, more sympathetic than mocking. ]
Ah. Not quite a shogi board, is it...
no subject
She gives him a very small, very polite smile that's perhaps just a little too warm for a proper Japanese girl to be giving someone who is, in essence, a stranger, but it doesn't matter.
She isn't like him, isn't a Phantom Thief, and this is the oddest thing she's ever been through. So what if she lets propriety slip a little because she's glad to see a familiar face?]
Kitagawa. You're here too? [Obviously he is, and that's very below par for her. She tries again.] Ah, I suppose not. But nothing here is really what I'm used to.
[That's better. Her hands slip off the controls as she turns to face him properly, but at least she doesn't make it more awkward by bowing.]
It's good to see someone I recognize.
no subject
But then again, he hadn't exactly woken from the Storm with tears or shouts or railing anguish—and it was still affecting. It's just as huge a relief to see someone from home as it was a year ago. Maybe they're just seeing each other as fragments of home—of a (mostly) ordinary life at a (kind of) normal high school—but everyone can use a little of that when they first wake up. ]
Likewise. But don't let me interrupt.
[ She'd been hard at work helping out the populace, after all. He falls in beside her, peering over the controls himself. ]
...I hope you didn't have too rude an awakening.
[ Things have been chaotic on the surface—as evidenced. ]
slimes ARE cute
Coming up from a little behind the girl, he crouches at an angle next to the slime. He's not trying to interrupt—he just wants a better view.]
Do you think it can do other shapes besides hearts?