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! |
sandalphon | gbf
[ being the supreme primarch has its perks: 6 wings, lots of power, respect from pretty much every existing living being. not that the title still has a meaning on the ship, especially after learning that his world, the world that lucifer loved and looked after, has been destroyed.
still, some of his "charm" as a supreme primarch may have lingered, which may be the reason for his current predicament. ]
Wait— stop bouncing around, you little—
[ that is one (1) sticky, slimy sandalphon fighting off the colorful and friendly slimes bouncing all around him. there's currently a pink one on his shoulder, happily nuzzling his face and leaving a sticky residue while blowing bubbles everywhere. it's all seemingly very shoujo if it weren't for the fact that his expression looks like he's about to shank a demon spouting innuendos.
help him take care of this mess of slimes? be careful though, a few of them have gotten attached to the archangel and might start breathing fire, ice and god-knows-what if you try and approach him. ]
SOCIAL-LINKED(IN).
[ yep ... so this was totally automated and all. ]
@primarch (2000+), THE WORLD
I'M SKILLED IN: making coffee, ignoring people, being passive-aggressive
I'M LOOKING FOR: ...
ALSO, I'M: very bad at making friends
WILDCARD.
[ OOC. please feel free to send me a PM if you have any questions. feel free to send me scenarios as well and just generally bother sandy ... ]
social-linked(in)
So do all "archangels" enjoy drinking coffee?
Somehow, I expected them to enjoy something a little less bitter.
Ah, don't worry, I'm not speaking to you just because your profile says you need friends.
[ is that a joke? maybe a little. he means well... but it doesn't mean he won't tease a little. ]
no subject
[ goddamn, that was a very tsundere answer. but seriously, who posted this completely dishonest profile of his?? sandalphon tries to compose himself while composing another message. it's just a message. no need for his ire over it. ]
And just because my profile indicates that I can make coffee doesn't necessarily mean I find enjoyment drinking it.
[ ... he needs to walk away tbh. ]
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[ because it's text, it's probably a little difficult to read his tone.
but, for the record, he doesn't buy it. ]
Oh? Then what purpose would you have in ...
Was it for someone else's sake? [ he's a detective amongst other things... can't blame him for being curious. ]
no subject
I don't remember why anymore. It's been a long time.
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And even if it had, I was under the impression archangels would have an astounding memory.
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But when you've lived for over 2000 years, you'll find yourself forgetting unnecessary memories from time to time.
[ or just keep them from inquisitive individuals. if only exasperated sighs could translate well over text. ]
Does that sufficiently appease your boredom?
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but for his sake, he pretends to buy it as he pockets the idea for later. ]
Did it seem like boredom? Personally, I would consider this closer to genuine interest.
As for why I asked, you could say I have similar experiences.
[ a long pause. maybe on purpose, before: ]
Making coffee, that is.
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What, do you also have some profound purpose for making coffee?
[ ... "also". ugh, he stupidly typed that. ]
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also. he smiles at that. ]
I suppose you could say that.
[ it was part of his cover. ]
More than profound, I would say it was simply connected to my life and lifestyle.
That's not so unusual, is it?
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sandalphon reads and rereads the message, stifling whatever interest that's growing in him. ]
I don't know.
Is it, for mortals? For something so banal to impact their life so keenly.
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after all, this conversation seemed to spark enough interest in the other to keep it going.
also, his implications are probably clear here. he's more interested in knowing why someone who has lived for 2000 years would be interested in something he deemed ordinary or commonplace. naturally, he doesn't boldly state so. ]
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... is he slowly turning into his predecessor? is this his end game? ]
Having such short lives, would it not make more sense to focus on significant events in your lifetime instead rather than trivial ones?
no subject
Or so I've heard. Sometimes interesting events manage to stay with us.
I'm no exception, of course.
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slime
I guess, it is funnier when it's happening to someone else ... [ He has nothing against the guy, but schadenfreude is schadenfreude. ]
no subject
lucifer has a composure that sandalphon doesn't have and to be honest, it would help him if his predecessor had also bestowed even a smidge of it on him while he was leaving his voicemail from the afterlife. said composure would certainly keep him from kicking one of the slimes (go ahead, choose one) towards the unhelpful person in the corner. ]
Is it? I certainly don't hear anyone laughi— [ oh my god, his man-skirt is on fire as the fire-breathing slime attempts to keep him from walking towards the door. ] ... This is getting more and more irritating.
slimes.
Perhaps she'll also exude a paralleling sensation. She was the god, the First, Mother of All That Is, who encouraged all life into existence, where she'd been before. Nothing small time. Preoccupied as she is in her observation, she doesn't seem to notice or be all that bothered by the gaggle of slimes that have been drawn to her, piling over her so that all that can really be seen of her is her fuzzy head and her legs, laying on the floor. She almost looks like a balloon animal.
Fond of all life, she hasn't the heart to chase them off yet, but she can easily see that he's not enjoying himself. So she stands, and tries to throw those hanging onto her free of her fur, and they do stretch outwards with the rapid shake she gives, only to spring back into place. Well. First things first. With a kind of daintiness, she steps through his slimy fans, and with some hope that he won't move back, she raises half-haphazardly on her hind legs to catch the pink one with her teeth.
But this is a bad plan. It wants to hold onto him, and sticky as it is, it holds onto her mouth, some of its form stretching away with her when she tugs. She panics, because it's almost like gum on white hair and whiskers, and suddenly she's partly thrown herself to the floor to paw her muzzle, torn between growling or whining, she produces a noise that sounds like both.]
no subject
except, well. it's a bit arresting to see such a very large dog, a part of him wondering (while attempting to remove a particularly clingy slime from his arm) if it's one of those monsters that somehow magically spawn when the singularity's crew is around. it doesn't seem like it, its movements very much different and the atmosphere that surrounds it very ... primal.
a creature like him, then? he thought that the primals have been destroyed, along with the world.
a beat, and sandalphon starts walking towards it, hiding his curiosity behind a look of indifference and detachment. he doesn't hesitate kneeling on the floor to help remove the remaining slime around its muzzle. a normal person would, but he's dealt with worse monsters in life. ]
Don't move around too much, it'll only spread. [ his other hand tries to soothe the creature, rubbing its head. ]
no subject
She's supposed to be pulling Slimes off him, this is completely the opposite of her intentions.]
slimes
Have you tried politely asking them to leave you alone?
[ he's trying his best to not laugh at the preposterous scene, stifling them behind a pursed and amused smile. ]
no subject
What kind of politesse is needed to get rid of these little monstrosities? [ he makes a move— and accidentally steps on a landmine. of slime.
ew, his boots are now slimy too. ]
A round of Ain Soph Aur, perhaps? [ the look on his face briefly causes the slimes to back away for a bit. it's short-lived though. ]
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[ not that he wants to actively defend things that remind him of a monster from Hyrule, globs that could absorb elemental properties and quickly make a mess of any situation given what should be an easy time, BUT! details. these are a lot more predictable and even have complete faces! ]
A round of what? [ he cants his head. ] Is that some kind of food or drink? [ based on the reaction of the slimes, he doubts it. unless they're allergic. but who isn't vs. Charge Attacks? ]
Perhaps you should... get away from them.
[ he doesn't have any weapons to keep Sandalphon from going Sandalphon on them. shame. but he does notice some slime down by his boots... ]
wildcard - winter survival vr
Hence why they've been left stranded on the side of an icy mountain, sparse fir trees poking up the only shelter around for miles. He gives his companion a sidelong glance. The newly-minted Supreme Primarch isn't someone Cain's very familiar with; Sandalphon kept to himself on the Grancypher, and Cain only saw snatches of him here and there, most of the time in the kitchen, but they hadn't ever exchanged words. It's somewhat ironic that that's going to change only now that they're in another world entirely.
Ah well. Even though Sandalphon has a reputation for being prickly — Cain's heard quite a few stories about the first time he and the captain had met, at least — he's still a welcome companion. Better to be stranded on a mountain with company, and a crewmate is preferable to a stranger at that. Cain's breath mists in the air as he he offers a cheerful observation. ]
The VR space is programmed to be non-lethal so it probably doesn't matter which direction we head, but we shouldn't just stay here. It'll only get colder when night falls.
un: priest
Somehow, you look and sound mortal.
Slimes
[She doesn't have her usual kit, which is a pity. She loves her doctor's kit. But, if there's nothing else that the Agency has taught her, it's to think fast on her feet. And that means she's already picking up a chair-a stray chair that she's found in the lab, which must have been left behind in the containment.
But she offers him a grim little smile.]
Can you duck?
[She's not afraid to take on some slimes and bash them with a chair. Sorry Sandalphon, she's used to settling things quickly and decisively.]