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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! |
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And the last words she had given him, the only person in her life who had ever supported her, who she had ever trusted, echo like curses in her head, Do not fail as I did, Yubari.
And yet she is the one awake, alive, and he sleeps there like the dead, and her apologies stick in her throat and come out only as sobs of sound she could never have let out in their own world. She could never tolerate such shame, the very idea of it being known-
But then there is a motion in the corner of her eye... and she turns. Freezes, for a single instance.]
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Madam- [What is the correct appelation of a centaur? This is entirely beyond him.] Excuse my presence. Are you quite well?
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I am fine! Leave me be!
[At least he had half manners. Leaves her half the hope that he will obey and she can wipe her weakness away on what to her is akin to a burial basket, not a "stasis pod".]
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If you insist. [He has things to do. He has to check that Grantaire hasn't drunk half the wine supply on the ship.
But he does not leave yet. He withdraws a handkerchief from his breast pocket and approaches. It has a bright pink and green floral pattern.] Here. [There's no trace of empathy in his tone of face. The woman-horse has tears in her eyes. This handkerchief can be used to wipe them away.]
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[As he approaches she begins to scramble to get her feet back under her, human palms hitting the floor, levering up her heavy equine half, viewing him less as a human views another and more like a cornered animal viewed a potential threat. In this place, in this confusion... she couldn't trust anyone, couldn't trust any of these so called refugees...]
I do not ask anything of you!
[... she also might not recognize such a strangely patterned cloth as a handkerchief.]
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It is a handkerchief. [He seems finally to notice the strange colour. Ah. Thanks, Jehan.] It's form is strange, I grant you. But it will serve.
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A human. A human man offering her a cloth as if she were some weeping war widow in the streets-]
You expect me to become even more indebted to you? I refuse-
["You". Unknowing, she paints them all with the same brush, those who have brought her here and those who have likewise been brought.]
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He snorts.] It is not even my handkerchief. It won't be missed if you never return it.
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[Trying to pawn something off on her? She's not even sure which one is the more insulting- to be given a debt she did not ask for or thrown something in pity that had been plucked from nothing of import.
Either way, she gets to her feet. All seven feet tall of her.]
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It belongs to my friend. If he were here he would demand I offer it to you. His is the kind of soul which is moved with concern for others. He would entreat you to take it with concerned words. His eyes would fill with tears, even. He is that kind of man who does what he can to help others.
[He extends the handkerchief again, face set.]
For his sake I will offer it to you one more time.
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[All of the things he said might be taken by most as kind. As helpful. Compassionate. Yet though she had begun to feel the pull of hope, the taste of freedom... in the end it had come to nothing. Her world was gone. The possibility of the life Matsukaze had offered her, a free life, a life without a price on her flesh and the flesh of her kind... it was gone.
Replaced with a force she can scarcely comprehend who seem to hold the lives of her comrades hostage for her servitude.
And in that circumstance... she can see only the negative. Pity. Condescension. Ignorance.]
I will not be shamed before my brother [by color... probably the centaur whose pod she'd been weeping my in front of] by accepting a human's pity. Take it with you and go, or you will find just how much honor I have left in me.
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You did not have my pity until now, madame. But I will not insist again. Farewell. I hope your honour is a comfort to you.
[And yup, he's going to leave.]
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It was supposed to be a shield. Armor. A rich cloak to be wrapped about her shoulders, to make her more than she was. To give her dignity, to make humans see her as something closer to an equal, as almost human like they were, not the animals they viewed the armless as. As useful. Worth keeping alive. Worth keeping her arms.
And yet now-
She stands her ground only as long as it takes the man to leave her sight before she reaches out a trembling hand to catch herself on the pod that holds her brother.
Surrounded by the ones she has failed as she sinks back to the ground.]