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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! |
the cliff is crumbling
[Terra stares after Ven as the boy apologizes and makes as if to leave. What in the worlds...? Sure, you never want to accidentally walk in on someone in the bathroom, but he was just flossing his teeth! No big deal! Maybe Ven's feeling a little frazzled from all that time he spent sleeping in a pod?
Not taking his eyes off his friend, Terra untangles the floss from around his fingers and shakes it off into a wastebin. Then he's darting forward and ducking into Ven's path.]
Hey! You're awake!
[His hand finds Ven's shoulder first.]
When did you wake up? It must have only been a few hours ago?
it's hard to type tags while covering my eyes with my hands
Except that knowledge doesn't doesn't help him now, because it's not normal to stop an intruder from leaving after they've blundered into your bathroom. Not unless you're mad, and flossing guy doesn't sound mad. He actually sounds kind of excited, which is maybe weirder than accidentally walking in in the first place.]
Uh—yeah, this morning. I think some other people did too. [He hadn't been paying much attention, though—he'd been more surprised by existing than he was by being awake.] That's not why I ended up in here, though—I'm not lost, the doors are just broken somehow.
[Ah geez, that sounds pretty lame.]
hello darkness my old friend
Probably. That's usually how it goes. It's never just one or two people waking up, it's whole groups. Fifty or more people all around the same time.
[He ignores the comment about broken doors outright. Even knowing things have been screwy at the Station lately, it doesn't really make any sense to him. Ven's not lost, the messed up doors just brought him here? Maybe just more proof of what he was thinking, that Ven's gotten kind of scrambled up by the extended nap and maybe also by everything going on here now. If he happened by any of those pictures of the dragon, he'd definitely be out of sorts.
Terra gazes down at him fondly, his smile just as soft and warm as can be. Ven. Maybe Aqua will wake up soon, too. He always figured she'd somehow willed herself to stay asleep just to keep an eye on their younger friend. With him awake now, surely she'll join them shortly...]
I'm glad you're here. Awake and okay.
[The last time he'd seen Ven (conscious, anyway), the boy had been covered in ice and was being dropped off a cliff. And then that great and terrible beam of light and Xehanort's words ringing out in triumph...
Terra's fingers dig into Ven's leather coat for a second then he's pulling him right into a hug.]
I've really missed you guys.
[To think he'd just told Sora he didn't want them to wake up, he didn't want them to have to suffer this world's darkness, too. How much better it'd be if they just stayed asleep until he's able to set things right. Apparently that sentiment didn't come from his heart after all.]
lotta darkness about to be up in this house
It's just that there's something off about this that, well, sets his skin crawling would be too strong a description—but it's alert and ready to start moving, more or less. It almost reminds him of his encounters with Riku-who-wasn't-Riku in the fake Twilight Town, even back to some days with the Organization when they looked at him and seemed to know more than he knew about himself. Except this guy doesn't act like he wants anything from him; he just seems happy.
Roxas' vague hypothesis that floss guy is some kind of greeter/welcoming committee volunteer who cared a lot about the people sleeping in pods is immediately shattered when he's yanked into a hug. A really tight one.]
Hnngk—
[A sharp noise of surprise is all he can manage. There's a half-second of uncomfortable wishing that this guy wore pajama tops as well as pants before he stiffens up and shoves his way out of the hug. Or tries to. Wow, he's got a good grip.]
What are you doing? Let go of me!
the abyss looms
Ven...? What's wrong?
[Something's obviously wrong here. Is Ven... angry with him? For not letting him tag along, way back in Radiant Garden? For not being there for him during the fight with Xehanort and Vanitas? For... not visiting his pod a lot lately?
Terra's eyes drift to Ven's shoulder, to where his hand rested a moment ago. A leather coat. His heart sinks in his chest as he finally really sees and recognizes it. The coat... The same kind the Nobodies wear, the same kind Riku wears.
Terra shakes his head and takes another step back.]
Why are you wearing that coat?
when I saw the icon I almost felt too guilty to scroll
He has absolutely no idea what to make of this. Nothing in either his observations of normal people or his brainwashed time thinking he was one of them ever gave him a clue how to handle this kind of unexpected, overly affectionate familiarity. If floss guy had attacked him like Axel did, then he'd be on steadier ground.
The change in topic is even more confusing. He looks down for a moment, as if to confirm he's still wearing it, then looks back up. Their bewildered expressions are one thing they have in common right this second, at least.]
Because it's my coat? Why are you calling me [What was it? Ben? Ven?] that?
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'Ventus cannot tell you anything... because he cannot remember anything,' the Master's stern voice echoes in his memories.
But no. No, that can't be it. Not again.]
Ven? Ventus. That's... That's your name.
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[That's wrong, he wants to say. That's not me. I've never heard that name.
He hasn't, has he? Except...something about the full name, Ventus, strikes a chord in him, makes him trail off. He goes quiet for a moment, searching his mind, then shakes his head.
No, he doesn't know the name Ventus. It's just, it feels like he should.]
That's wrong. My name is Roxas.
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Or maybe not.]
Roxas.
[Terra repeats, a growing dread tightening his chest and coiling in his gut.]
With an 'x'?
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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.]
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His other hand finds its way to his bare chest and there curls into a loose fist.]
You lost your heart?
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Wait, what? The expression on Roxas' face shifts to nothing but thunderstruck.]
How did you know that?
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... How does he handle this situation?]
Could we talk about this... out there?
[He gestures vaguely and tentatively at the closed door.]
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But despite all that, he doesn't actually feel threatened. And he wants to know what this guy knows.]
Yeah...I guess so.
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Oh, right.
[He turns, hesitates, then glances once more at Terra before stepping through.]
Huh. It worked this time.
[Is he relieved or disappointed? Hard to say. Roxas moves across the room, glad to put a little more space between them, and hopes floss guy decides to also become shirt guy.]
So what's your name?
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There's another short pause before he detours to a small storage compartment and, fulfilling Ven's secret wish, produces a matching pajama shirt. He takes his time unfolding and picking the lint off it before he pulls it on, giving himself a minute with his back to Ven to collect his thoughts. (Keeping his back turned is also very helpful in hiding his wince at Ven's next question.)]
I'm Terra.
[Okay, so... Ven's from the future, like the others are. He lost his heart at some point and became a Nobody. He calls himself Roxas now. Most likely the name that 'Superior' guy gave him.
And, most importantly of all, he's lost most or maybe even all of his memories.
Which means Terra needs to be careful here. Too many questions or too much information all at once might break him again. Ven collapsing to his knees screaming and passing out again is about the last thing Terra wants to see happen right now.]
Does my name ring any bells? Or maybe the name 'Aqua'?
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Terra and Aqua...
[He gives it some thought. Even if neither name sounds immediately familiar, he's lost memories twice now, if the memories of his original self, the ones that would have been his if Sora had remained a Heartless, count as lost. Roxas has to at least consider it, even if he's not and has never been known as Ventus.
But there's nothing.]
No.
[It feels like he should maybe add a 'sorry', but he doesn't.]
How did you know I'm a Nobody?
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Terra considers taking a seat on his bed, but... it's probably better he stay standing, just in case Ven does start to get wobbly. If he's on his feet, he might be able to dive and grab Ven in time to keep him from hitting his head on anything.]
There was a guy named Demyx here for a while. He woke up at the same time I did. He told me about Nobodies, about the 'x' in your names. And about the Superior? Xemnas?
[What else had Demyx said...?]
He mentioned someone with an 'x'-shaped scar on their face, too. Soix? I think the name was. [Close enough.] He said there are thirteen of you.
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Demyx was here?
[A lot about the waking-up-in-a-space-pod thing has seemed impossible, but this seems even more impossible. He didn't realize it could happen on a scale.]
Xemnas isn't superior to anyone. And Saix... [He scowls and shakes his head.] Yeah. There were. I was Number Thirteen.
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Yes? He's still here, just back in a pod. Sometimes people wake up only to fall back asleep a few months later.
[He shrugs. Incomprehensible Natha science/magic business.
Also, duly noted: Xemnas isn't superior to anyone and 'X-Face', as Demyx had called the man with the scars, is Saix. He's going to have to review his notes later.]
Number Thirteen. I... take it you're not friends with these other Nobodies?
[A reassuring idea, frankly, given how Demyx described them as 'pretty much all jerks' and Riku said Xemnas has caused havoc for the worlds.]
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But Demyx wasn't awful, even if he could be a pain. It's not terrible to think that he could have another chance, if he wakes up again. Unlike Xemnas or Saix, some of his former comrades had been okay. They just fell in with a bad crowd, the same as he had.
He shakes his head.]
Only one of them. I left the Organization a while ago.
[And he hasn't been in a position to return even if he wanted to.]
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Only one? Who was that?
[Friends are important, after all. More important than anything else.
... Please just don't let it be Quaxa or something like that.]
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[The only one who'd shown any sign that he deserved a heart, even remembering the times he'd let Roxas down. He'd tried to make up for it and now they've got a fresh start.
It occurs to him that he's answering a lot of questions but not getting to ask many in returns.]
Why does that matter?
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[Ah, so Ven must have been the kid with the crazy bedhead hair Axel told him he was looking for in Stasis. Along with some girl with short, dark hair, if he remembers right.]
I was just curious. If it had been someone I'd never heard of before, I would have asked what they look like so I could keep an eye out for them.
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