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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! |
River Tam | Firefly/Serenity
Thesa is a very, very strange place. With very, very many people. It all became overwhelming quite quickly and River had tried to seek refuge somewhere more quiet. Which, she supposes, this lab qualifies as.
Mostly.
Some of the slimes make noises, which makes no sense as they seem to have no vocal chords of any kind. Or anything of any kind. Though they are cute, in an unsettling amorphous sort of way.
Except the one trying to climb her leg. That one is annoying and needs to stop at once, please.
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The pods remind her of her box. The one Simon had carried her in to reach safety. Reach freedom. Reach home. Only these are cold, so cold, and Simon looks like he's sleeping but no amount of pounding in the sides of the pod are waking him up.
"You can't leave me alone," she insists, frantic. "It's time to wake up. It's time to wake up."
ＷＩＬＤＣＡＲＤ
It's too much.
Everything is loud and bright. Sterile looking. Like a doctor's office. Like --
She stops herself from even thinking the name, like it might summon them if she does.
But there are people all around her, trying to get from here to there, trying to get over the catastrophic ruination of the planet, this planet or their own and everyone hurts hurts hurts, even if they don't show it, crying and screaming and mourning and lost and confused and in pain and River's back hits the wall as she slides to the floor, hands pressed to the side of her head. Trying to block out all the noise.
"Wo xiang mei er, mei xin, bian shitou," she sobs, tears streaming down her cheeks. Watching as people go by. "Renci de Shangdi, qing dai wo zou."
wildcard.
[ Where he came from, no one can say. Footsteps silent, if he had the cape it'd be draped around her shoulders, either a comforting blanket or a place to hide in until the noise stops. Bruce's mind is a still lake, an absolute, eerie silence. There's just that flare of concern for her. She's young. He's always known how to be a comforting guardian. ]
[ Follow my breathing. If you are a stone, be a stone in the river. ]
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Be a stone in the river. It makes her laugh a little, the unintentional joke, and she takes a deep breath.]
Follow your breathing.
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Better?
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Follow my breathing.
It gives her something to focus on. Something solid, that isn't noise.]
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I'll stay here.
[ It's a Batman voice, but soft, meant for young children, people who've been hurt. As long as she needs. ]
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Yearning.]
How are you a stone? I want to be a stone.
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[ He doesn't touch or remove her hand, but slowly moves to sit next to her, that she can stay close. His fortress has made room for more than a few, over this last year. It's still quiet, still strong. ]
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A stone in the river.
Though his answer isn't exactly what she wants to hear, and she snorts derisively, leaning her head against his shoulder.] Unhelpful in the moment.
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[ Nightmares, ghosts, all familiar to Bruce Wayne. He lifts his shoulder just a little, to help her settle. ]
What's your name?
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Very hard to be a stone in the river when you are the river. Exceedingly difficult. [Though he doesn't seem to object being her stone for the moment, so she takes one of his hands and holds tight.
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stasis
She heard a familiar voice coming from a row not far from where she was and she paused, her eyebrows knitting together for a moment and then she was all but running towards that voice.
She saw her before she heard her again, and Inara was letting out a breath she hadn't even been aware that she was holding. "River!" And then she was moving again, her arms extending out towards the younger woman. "Mèimei, are you all right?"
Loaded question she knew, but it was River who looked to be all in one piece.
come to my bosom
"They won't wake up."
<3
"I know, darling. Maybe...Maybe it's just not their time to be with us."
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She drew back a bit, her hands moving to River's shoulders and she smiled at the young woman. "But I'm here with you. I know I'm nothing like Simon... But, I'm here for you. You know that, don't you?"
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"You're here. That's what matters." She tries to smile but never quite makes it, reaching up to touch Inara's cheek. "Jiĕjie."
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Inara smiled at River and leaned forward and pressed a soft kiss against the young woman's forehead. "We'll be all right, Mèimei. I promise." She just hoped that wasn't a promise she'd be breaking.
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She takes a deep breath and tries to put on a brave face. "Food. And shelter. Those are our priorities."
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She had woken up in a comfortable bed but she hadn't thought to make note of where it was before she'd set off exploring. She looked thoughtful for a moment and then nodded. "Certainly there's a map of the station we can find and then maybe we can find out sleeping quarters..."
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River had headed towards stasis the moment she'd awoken, needing Simon beside her. Needing her friends. And now she's relatively certain she can get them to some sort of -- something.
But her usual intuition is being temperamental; she'd locked herself in a supply closet by accident on the way here, and the doors don't all seem to work as they should. "Problematic. Doors keep changing. Doors should only go two ways."
wildcard.
Because she's of it, it's a simple thing. And when white wolf lowers herself to girl, not yet intruding on her space, but close enough to be a presence, all she exudes is a sunlight through the mess of everything else. Quiet and patient and loving. Her ears are down in display of docility; she whimpers like a whisper to ask young lady to find her, to stay with her. She'll lay on the floor beside her for as long as she needs.]
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And she follows that light, stretching out next to the wolf and burying her face in the soft scruff of her neck. Clinging to her and sobbing in relief.]
Jiĕjie. [Soft, quiet, whispered against her fur. Big sister.] Stay with me.
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In this place, she has the time to lay and sit with people for longer than she was able when she was earth-bound before. People pat her, and played with her, and chatted with her, but this is only the third time someone's held onto her, almost as if for dear life, and she hopes she's an anchor for them. It startles her, but she's also relieved if they feel they can come to her in this way. What mother doesn't want to be clung to, and hold back in return? And regardless of her lack of arms, her lack of hands, she still angles to curl what she can of her neck to keep face pressed against her as if in effort to embrace her all the same.
Big sister is a new one, and she wonders if she means her or if she's missing an older sister terribly. She wishes she could ask what has her so distraught? But even if she could speak, she's not certain that she would. Being voiceless is a nuisance, but it means, she's a decent listener, and in time, people eventually say what they feel like on their own. They aren't cornered or pressured. They know, or rather learn, that she won't repeat, that she's a sponge for agony, and she won't stray to wander in instinct of her own independence until she knows they can manage being apart.
If she knew what was unwanted and streaming through her, she wouldn't be able to imagine it. It's one thing to hear cries or desperation or prayers from miles and miles off, but to have such things caged inside you without your wanting? This is nothing she can be contemplative of, she doesn't know anything, except for the fact that this person is well beyond frighted, and that she doesn't need to feel lost and without anyone in the thick of whatever is tormenting her.]
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The calm presence of the wolf helps lessen it, a little. Dampens the noise and settles somewhere in her chest. A warmth, coming from this creature.]