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Entry tags:
❪ test drive #6 ❫
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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! |
Ren Suzugamori | Cardfight!! Vanguard G
[Not wanting to open his eyes after being asleep is normal for Ren, but he feels like he has a reason this time. The frantic few days after voices from galaxies away died out and left him feeling emptier than he'd felt in years are a blur, but as he listens to the words the woman speaks, the cold awareness that they failed dawns on him, bright and unpleasant.
They'd just stopped the end of the world for something like the fifth time, and this is what did them in. It's almost insulting, really.
Ren awakens in an uncharacteristically sober mood, but the distraction of seemingly being on some kind of futuristic space station helps immensely. Within a few minutes of probing through the odds and ends and unfamiliar things in the surrounding rooms, he's recovered himself enough to manufacture a suitably cute and vacant smile for anyone he might come across. He doesn't have to manufacture his growing enthusiasm for the strange things he's seeing, though - that comes naturally, especially when he catches sight of the image of the rotting dragon on one of the screens.
It takes getting closer for him to really register what's occurring in the image, and his smile falters for just a moment, a slight and unsettling feeling crawling over him as he reaches a hand out to touch the display. Despite the tension seeing the dragon gives him, the whispers, however painful, are almost welcome after the emptiness of his head since Cray was consumed by this "Storm" thing. And as the voices become more distinct, he can hear the dragon's pain in full. So he listens, expression betraying nothing despite the increasingly cacophonous agony in his head - he's faintly aware it's turning into actual pain somewhere along the line here, but he'd rather feel that than nothing right now.]
I'll share it with you for a while, shall I? [It's a murmured, deceptively brightly toned request. He can't take this much longer, but it seems lonelier than even he feels right now for this creature.]
--
[B: Stasis Units]
[As soon as Ren comes across the stasis pods and realises what they are, he can't keep himself from searching. Partially for his friends from Earth - though he feels they must have saved at least a few of them if they got to him - but mostly for confirmation that there's still life from Cray here. His connection to his units has only given him the sense of something alive when he reaches out, but no response, and though it's somewhat naive, he can't help but be hopeful.
Finally, after a particularly long stretch of pods, he rounds the end of a row, pauses, and then runs forward, long red hair swirling through the air behind him.
There's a handful of strange-looking humanoids in the next set of pods, including a blue-haired woman in armour and a carelessly dressed blonde elf. Ren's attention is all for the figure between them, though, a knight with large pauldrons and a long red cape, helm disguising much of his features.
Ren reaches a hand out almost cautiously to touch the cover of the pod, then lets out a quiet, exhausted laugh, resting his head against it.]
This isn't really how I wanted to meet you properly... [At that point, though, he hears the faint sound of someone else moving nearby - or perhaps someone else responding to the questions on the stasis pod, now that he's actually noticing them. Glancing over the area, Ren tilts his head and pitches his voice up to sound almost childishly curious as he calls out.]
Hello~? Is someone there?
--
[C: Slime Time]
[Some people may be trying to escape Slime Room once they find it. Ren is not one of those people, because Slime Room is possibly the most entertaining room he's found on the ship so far.]
Hey, come on, that's mean... [His voice comes out in an exaggerated whine as he tilts himself to dodge a burst of flame from one of the fire-breathing slimes, and he holds out a blue one that had jumped enthusiastically into his arms earlier and squeezes it slightly. It puffs out a jet of bubbles, and the other slime oozes back a little, looking vaguely hurt.
If anyone else happens upon this scene, Ren turns to them with a bright, seemingly vapid smile and an equally bright voice.]
Oh, hello! Are you fireproof? [Legitimate questions to ask.]
--
[D: Social Link]
@diablo (22), Earth
I'M SKILLED IN: lots of stuff but it would take forever to write out so ╮(︶▽︶)╭
I'M LOOKING FOR: interesting people with interesting stories!
ALSO, I'M: adorable ☆⌒(ゝ。∂)
Social Link
[ Excuse Dazai just...making up his own nicknames without ever so much as meeting this person. ]
I might not be a cardfighter, but I'm quite the fast learner.
Care to play teacher and give me a quick and dirty introduction sometime?
[ Could his words be harmless teasing or blatant innuendo? Stay tuned to find out. ]
no subject
it's a shame so many people are missing out on having cute names, isn't it? i try to fix that whenever i can ( =ω= )
i think i'll need to make another deck before i can teach you...but if you like other kinds of card games, we can play those instead for now! i can't promise it'll be quick but i can make it dirty if you want~
[The question on the return message is whether he's just oblivious to what that means or whether he's responding to the innuendo. There's something to be said for text communications disguising intent.]
no subject
A travesty, really. But how considerate of you to give them a helping hand.
It's a rare thing to meet such a generous soul.
Personally, I find giving to be very satisfying. But can you believe some would rather just do nothing but lie back and take from others?
[ At least he's not using baseball metaphors. ]
There's nothing wrong with preferring the scenic route and enjoying the ride.
I'm game if you are.
[ That escalated quickly meme.jpg ]
no subject
[Says the guy who constantly gets his coworkers to do his work for him, but hey.]
i'm always ready for a game~
but i'm a bit new, so maybe we should meet somewhere i know i can find...is there a common room or something here? i get lost easily (´•ω•`)
[Surprisingly, this is not actually an excuse not to meet an unknown quantity one-on-one.]
Slime Time!
Which is exactly why he’s suddenly standing in the middle of the slime room, either dodging the fire breath (really? Hadn’t they just had a goddamn fire-breathing dragon down on El Nysa?) or just saving himself the trouble by drawing up his shield between himself and the slime and letting the magic protect him.
At the question he snorts:]
Depends on your definition, I’d say.
[Behind the shield, maybe sort of. Otherwise? Certainly not.
Light, why are those things attempting to cuddle up to him anyway?]
no subject
Hmm...I was kind of hoping for someone the fiery ones could play with properly...
[Almost on cue, one of them makes an odd burping sound, and Ren readies the bubble slime again before he realises it's just burping smoke this time.] It'd be sad to just leave them alone when they're so cute, right?
[With a wide, cutesy smile, he holds up the bubble slime to approximately Riku's face level, though at least he has the decency to not actually shove it into his face. Even if that might be partially because of the shield.]
no subject
Then he turns back when something cold hits the back of his leg; one of the slimes has started to spay small ice crystals at him so he’s a little distracted when he comments on what Ren is babbling.]
Cute isn’t the word I’d choose for them.
[He can’t help a faint shiver as he frees himself of the crystals that have started to cling to his pants. It’s been months already since he’s been up on that mountain, captured and tortured, but still… ice and cold makes him uncomfortable, even though he knows it really shouldn’t.]
no subject
Something to put away for later. For now, he bends down to scoop up the ice slime and gently scolds it.]
If you freeze him without his permission, he's definitely not going to think you're cute, okay?
[The slime responds by breathing out more ice crystals, and Ren squeezes the bubble slime gently again. The bubbles float out into the freezing air, creating fragile, partially crystallised spheres that glitter briefly at their eye level before winking out as each one breaks.]
See, you can make pretty things too instead of being trouble.
no subject
He snorts softly then, muttering–]
I won't either way.
[–because yea no. These slimes aren't even close to what Riku defines as cute. They are really only ridiculous.
Though, he can appreciate the aesthetics of ice bubbles as long as they just float around. It's times like these though where he wishes he knew status magic… something like Stop or Slow maybe, so he wouldn't have to watch all those slimes. One particularly sneaky one manages to drop itself on his shoulder, causing it to flinch slightly when it hits him and starts to breath flower petals.]
How many of these are even around here?
no subject
Maybe he's like Kai and prefers kittens. An experiment for another time, maybe, and possibly a funnier one. For now, he...postpones answering that question to gasp quietly and applaud at the petal-breathing slime, because that's a particularly amazing ability as far as he's concerned.
And then he seems to remember there was a question several seconds later, and hums thoughtfully.] I don't know. I saw a lot when I came in, so maybe this is just where they all live.
no subject
Riku sighs, then reaches up to brush the petal breathing slime off his shoulder before saying:]
They must be some experiment by one of the Natha. Though I have no idea what exactly they are supposed to accomplish.
[They certainly won’t help against the undead dragon frozen in time down on Nysa. Or against anything else for that matter, he’s sure.]
no subject
Oh, maybe they're trying to figure out ways they can make us breathe petals too! [As if on cue, the petal-breathing slime leaps up onto Ren's shoulder and starts sending out a veritable blizzard of the things, which only seems to make him look even happier about the whole absurd situation.]
And other things too, I guess, but petals are more interesting.
no subject
Why would anyone want to breath petals?
[Never mind why the Natha would want them to; and Riku certainly doesn't. It doesn't accomplish anything and there are safer ways to practice magic than to breath it. Unless you are like. Used to that already.
In any case he doubts that that's what the Natha are trying to accomplish here.]
I think it's more likely that they are precursor to some kind of weapon…
[At least to Riku they seem easy to weaponize… once the wanting-to-snuggle-people-glitch is worked out of them.]
no subject
Who wouldn't want to breathe something so pretty? Honestly... [His tone becomes a little bit whiny as he trails off, though his mouth does quirk slightly once he gets over that little moment. There's certainly a possibility something like this could be used as a weapon...though they'd want to train them out of jumping for the nearest person indiscriminately first.]
So do you think we're their test subjects, then? [Intentionally or not. The systems seemingly on the fritz is what brought them here in the first place, but perhaps their hosts are opportunistic sorts.
Or maybe he's just seeing how Riku reacts to that notion.]
social link, @poirot
[ the concept of a cardfighter had been popular in media, had it not? hence it gets him a little curious. ]
I'd be interested in learning, but I have a few questions.
Was your role as CEO connected to that?
no subject
i'll need to get more cards before we can play properly though (◞‸◟；)
it was! how did you guess?
[It's hardly as if it wasn't obvious to guess, but Ren's playing up his obtuse side today.]
no subject
At the very least it ensures I will have time to practice.
You could say I'm good at guessing games.
I presume to gain a title like that, the cards did successfully?
[ which is interesting to think of. different. ]
no subject
oh? i like guessing games too
and cardfighting is really popular in my world, its kind of like a spectator sport~
so yes
[He's not exactly on the money, but it's not really any fun if Ren tells him the incorrect assumption upfront.]
no subject
Really? Then perhaps we have more in common than I thought.
A spectator sport, is it? That sounds very interesting.
I would have liked to see your world.
Was there anything else to note about where you're from?
For example, have you been to space like this before?
no subject
there's a lot of interesting people here who are probably from interesting places
i haven't been to space
but one of my friends was studying astrophysics~
so who knows
maybe one day ヾ(*ゝω・*)ノ
[Okay, he's kidding, but Aichi deserved to see something amazing out of all his hard work studying. It's a shame for more than one reason he's not awake.]