![[personal profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/user.png){kind=small}
![[community profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/community.png){kind=small}
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! |
no subject
She is a mess of noise, all happy whines, restless paws on the cool floor as she goes to him. Unspoken hellohellohellos. He must know of dogs, at the very least, to understand the necessity of allowing her to investigate his hand. Canines' handshake. She brushes cold nose over fingertips and knuckles, bumps her muzzle, then, under his hand in a combination of doting and selfish encouragement.]
no subject
Now that it's obvious she's very enthusiastic, though, he equally enthusiastically takes that encouragement and starts rubbing her head with careful, but vigorous motions. It wouldn't do to offer too much or too little to a new acquaintance, after all.]
Are you new here as well? I hope everyone else here is as nice as you~
[Ren doesn't mind talking to things that may not necessarily give him an answer, especially when they're this cute, but he feels it's probably the politer thing here anyway.]
no subject
And, no, she can't tell him that she isn't new exactly. Originally, she had been one of the first to awaken. It's a mystery to her why she lost her strength, although, given that she's only fragments of what she used to be, she'd chalk it up to a lack of sustainable faith. There are many nice people, though, is what she'd like to say, if she could, but can't, when she plunks down to sit beside him, blowing air out of her nose, her ears pricked. Some are a bit stubborn, but if he's patient, they'll warm up to him.]
no subject
Her eventual reaction to his question makes him laugh, and he rearranges himself again so he's actually sitting properly. It seems like he's not very good at staying in one position for long.] Does that mean not all of them are nice? Oh well. I'm sure it'll be fine anyway~
[It does make him look a bit thoughtful, though, and he leans his head onto his knees and looks at her.] You must know more people than me, then. Have you been here before? [After a moment, he blinks and looks at his hand.] Oh, maybe tap once for yes and twice for no?
[He taps his hand against the floor to demonstrate what he means. It's not exactly flawless communication, but it might help her tell him more, since he figures nodding or shaking the head would probably be more annoying for a wolf.]
no subject
It's sweet, on top of it. Somehow, he understands that she can understand, that she probably has much to share, despite the physical inability to do so. Whines aren't always a sound of distress, sometimes they're helpless noise of excitement or gladness. In this case, she's in awe and appreciation of him, high-pitched chorus rising out of her.
Has she been here before? One paw raises to mimic the tapping of Ren's hand from a moment ago, just once, for yes, long claws clacking faintly on the tiled floor.]
no subject
When she taps her paw once, he nods like he was expecting it.] So you do know more people. I hope they're happy to see you again, if you went away.
[Since he worded the question as "have you been here before" and not just "were you here", it's a little hard to tell, but he'll say it just to be safe.
In the next moment, his eyes widen slightly like he's forgotten something.] Oh, right, it's nice to meet you. My name is Suzugamori Ren. Do you have a name?
[He might have to find a way for her to communicate it effectively, but it seems sad to have nobody know your name if you have one.]
no subject
And again her paw lifts to tap the floor once in confirmation, her gaze lighting up on him.]
no subject
Does it start with A? [He's just going to try going through letters one by one until he gets the right answer and can move on to guessing the next letter. Hopefully the fact that he hasn't had any trouble communicating with her so far means she'll be able to interpret him even if she comes from somewhere that uses a different kind of alphabet.]
slakjl;l;l he's so CUTE??? pls bear with her long ass name ren
Her tail wagging has become full on whole frame wiggling because she's amazed by him. Who has this kind of patience? Although, perhaps he'll give up by the fourth letter. No one's ever really gone quite this far for her, and it's no small thing.]
this entire thread is cute and i am enjoying it a lot...
She seems to be glad of it already, too, and it would be a shame to pull that out from under her.]
Alright~ Then is the second letter A? Or B?
[He'll keep going through them one by one until she responds with a "yes" tap for one of them. While he might rearrange his sitting position once or twice in that time, it seems he's content to work his way through until he finds the letters she needs.]
;_; i'm so glad me too me too
She's in a never-ending state of awe that one person, out of all the people she's come to know, would sit with her, and painstake to learn something as simple as her name. Overjoyed is such an understatement. She's very touched. She wishes she could speak full sentences, not in the ancient way, but in the man's way. Tell him, It was a gift from my children. I had no use for a name, a long time ago, but they decided to give me one. It's a nice name, isn't it?
They've made it up to the R of her name, with three more to go. Her verve has only amplified, that tail won't quit, she's keening, she alternates between plopping fully onto the ground to inch closer to him, and then fumbling to sit up, rigid, whimpering happily.]
no subject
His slitted pupils flick up briefly to the flaming disc over her back, and he tilts his head onto his knees again, smiling a little curiously and letting her wriggle closer and sharply sit as she wishes. He'll keep going with the letter guessing if he turns out to be wrong, especially since she seems so happy about it, but for now, he'll take another sort of guess.]
You know, in my country back home, there was a powerful sun goddess we called Amaterasu. Is that your name?
[It would certainly explain the appearance, though Ren doesn't recall seeing any depictions of her as a wolf in his world. Which is a shame, because it seems like she makes a really cool wolf.]
no subject
And he speaks her name aloud as if he's always known it, and well. Well, it gets the better of her, the jubilation she feels for such recognition. She drops the front half of herself, her ears falling back too, and despite herself, a yip bursts out of her. Not a common sound for wolves, usually only reserved for warning other wolves, or brimming over excitement. It goes through her, as if it wants to erupt free, this kind of joy, and she tosses her head, and stamps her paws. Then she's racing around him, whining happily, all play.
Whoops! It dawns on her, she didn't answer properly did she... She skids to a stop, and trots back to him, her tail a ceaselessly moving flag, and taps once on the floor before him. Is she overreacting? Perhaps, but he doesn't understand that not a single person has either guessed at who she was, or come to even bother to ask her who she was when she was here last. If they earned her name, they thought nothing of it. She was ordinary to them. Back on the earth she was last, very few recognized her even then. Although, she couldn't blame them, their belief had been dampened. And it's true that they depicted her incorrectly, but it was still flattering to see how they might have imagined the Mother in the sky, a heavenly beauty.
(Only a spirit had ever seen the maiden shape of her, fair he called it, and she wondered if that was true.)]
no subject
While Ren may not be the type to prostrate himself before a god - he's dealt with far too many nasty god-tier powers before to be cowed by that sort of thing - he's polite by nature. So he briefly puts a hand to his chest and gives as much of a formal bow as he can while sitting down, enough to show that he's honoured without having to be excessive.]
Well then, it's truly a pleasure to meet you, Amaterasu-san. [He offers out a hand again, in case she wants to temper her excitement with some more affection.] I hope we can be friends, even though we're far from home.
no subject
It's not that gods are better, they're only different. They're supposed to be connected, everything, everyone, a family. And, while she's of the sun, makes it climb the sky, then set, encourages plants and food out of the ground, will warm and dry clothes on a line. Though once she had the capacity to imagine a reality and existence and then paint it into being, she could've never managed any of this without the prospect of faith. First from plants, then from animals, next humankind. Whose belief falters the most, who she has to try most to convince and protect, because they're so prone to waywardness.
But as much as they may have depended on her, she depends on them as well. It's mutually beneficial. She's no more or less, and she believes this, even if she has a showman's tendency to gloat over her abilities.
It doesn't bother her a bit that he doesn't give more, and she has no reluctance in bumping delightfully against his offered hand, as if trying to get it onto her head herself. In fact, she feels in wonder of him, her appreciation hasn't died down a smidgen, and this is easily known by her slipping down to him. First head and shoulders falling near his feet, a blow through her snout, the rest of her dropping without ceremony, and she rolls onto her back in humility. She's grateful. Some can see her, the truth of her, but it's as if he's seen even beyond this.
And it hadn't dawned on her until her lowering to him that it had abolished some of her own private loneliness. Before she had Issun, who knew who she was, who would demand people to respect her while she admonished him in a way only he could hear. She had Waka, who stayed with her and the Celestials back home. She wonders if people take for granted when someone recognizes the center of them, the who that's housed in the quiet beyond bone and blood.
What would I need a name for? she'd asked the Celestials once. They laughed and said, Of course you need a name, Mother.
Now, she understands. She's loved it since they gave it to her, but now, she truly, without a single doubt, understands.]
no subject
Then again, he's rarely this genuine with people. Amaterasu had an advantage from the start being in this kind of form, considering his soft spot for animals, and the fact that one doesn't think to be wary of their fronts in front of something so honest.
Leaning over her slightly, and draping his hair back over his shoulder so it doesn't tickle her nose, Ren rests a hand on one side of Amaterasu's chest and starts to rub in gentle circles. He's a bit too used to cats and their habit of objecting strongly and painfully to having their bellies rubbed for too long, so he wants to make sure Amaterasu is satisfied with it before he does anything too enthusiastic to her belly.]
Now if anyone wants to know your name, I can tell them as well. Would you like more people to know?
[He holds his free hand out flat so she can paw an answer against it if she likes.]
no subject
But when he offers his hand for her to paw an answer, she falters herself, staring at it in consideration. Yes, she'd like so much if other people understood her through her name, but this might be impossible. Amaterasu isn't known here. It's a name without weight to those who have learned it. And she's still convinced that people have to come to know her on their own volition. This is why she's voiceless to man's ears, isn't it? Because if she could state to them, matter-of-factly, that she's Amaterasu, the Mother of All That Is, they'd scoff. They'd laugh. They'd sneer. They'd say the expression she's overheard that goes: "That's rich."
It's why when those without faith begin to find faith anew she glimmers before them, they start to see her, because they're believing, because they want to see her. It's reliant on faith, all of it, and not because she demands it of them, but because by their choosing and their own circumstances, they've chosen to be brought before her. Ren could see the mirror spinning in holy fire on her back, he may have guessed the name Amaterasu even before the point he spoke up, none of it is coincidence. He saw her plainly, and then he found her.
So, she doesn't touch pads of paw to palm at all. Not once, or twice. She's torn, but inwardly, silently, not giving up. Even if they never come to comprehend who and what she is, that's all right. Many of them talk to her, they share food with her, they open their hearts to her. And even if she isn't always granted opportunity to make one small thing in their life easier, she can at least remain present as a companion for them, who holds no judgement, who doesn't interrupt. Sometimes, this is all people need.]
no subject
I'll leave it for you to think about, then. [It's unlikely he's going to specifically avoid mentioning it if the subject arises, but there's no need to go out of his way, either. It is, after all, a place where people have come from all kinds of worlds. There are even people from Earth who probably wouldn't recognise the name for what it is. He'd wondered whether it might make her a little less lonely, at least, but...well, he has a feeling it's going to take a lot more than that for most people here. Even if it's easier to make others feel less alone than himself right now.
He continues rubbing at her belly for a little while if she'll let him, but there's an uncomfortable squirm in his stomach, and he pulls one of his hands back to tap at his own belly with an almost petulant frown.]
Hmm...I probably should've looked for the kitchens earlier... [Obviously they must have them with this many people here, it just slipped his mind what with everything else to distract himself with instead.] Are you hungry?
no subject
Energetic most of the time, when she goes still, she's really like an old lady who can't help herself: and a little while is all it takes for her to slip into dozing off, but it's the sound in his stomach that makes her uppermost ear flop in a tiny swirl to attention, and when he speaks, she lifts her head to blink at him blearily.
The word kitchen is enough to send her tail into circles, and she's groaning and urging onto her belly and stretch-stretch-stretching. Then, she's on all fours again, brightened by the prospect of sharing a meal with her new friend, her tail waving endlessly, face canted while she waits for him.]
no subject
But a food adventure is a more than okay alternative in his book, and Amaterasu's prompt response to the notion of food has him satisfied that it was a good suggestion. He only takes a little longer to stand up himself, stretching his arms in a somewhat exaggerated manner and dusting down his half-skirt so it sits straight.]
Do you know where it is? I might just get us lost if we go looking for it, though that's its own kind of fun. [Somewhat less fun when he's already hungry, but he hasn't had a dull moment on this space station yet.]
no subject
Confident, she's turning about to start trotting in the direction she remembers the kitchen being from here, and soon enough, she's vanished around a corner. A second or two later, she reappears from it to make certain he's following, her ears lowered a little sheepishly, tail swishing behind her hocks. She forgets that people are slow at this pace, even if she defaults to it in second-nature.]
(i'm so sorry for the delay! would you like to consider this the end of this thread, and we can do a new one once in game? [if not, i'm glad to write more until you're satisfied])
i'm fine with fading to black here!
Sorry to make you come collect me. [He mostly just seems amused by it, though, and follows her around the corner. At least he can make it to the kitchen without getting lost this first time...]