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! |
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I never thought I'd hear you say that again. I love you, too.
[ She never thought she'd be able to say it to Claire ever again, either. ]
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So don't make me leave again, hmm?
[It's a joke to stave off the tears.]
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I promise. But if you found him, it was worth it. I know he makes you happy in a way you never were before.
[ She didn't need to see Claire and Jamie together to know it. It was enough to see the way her face softened in their quiet conversations about him leading up to leaving. ]
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Wetting her lips, she touches Bree's cheek and looks into the face that always reminded her of Jamie.]
He's here, too. You could meet him--if you'd like.
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Does he--
[ What does she even want to ask first? ]
Does he know about me?
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[Claire may have failed to mention Brianna for a long time, not knowing how to tell a Jamie in his twenties about yet another child he has but cannot raise. But she did. Claire smiles still, but something it falters.]
But he's not exactly the Jamie I met when I went back through the stones. He's... well. [Out with it.] He's only a few years older than you are, Bree. He's more the age he was when I left him during Culloden.
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[ She falters a little, though, she supposes the blessing here is that he isn't so young he doesn't remember Claire at all. ]
Should I still meet him? Will he even want to meet me?
[ He's expecting a baby, probably? Maybe? The time thing still has her so confused, and she frowns a little. ]
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Bree, of course he would want to meet you. He knows about his children. He doesn't love you any less.
[Jamie loved her the moment he knew there was that flicker of life. It's why he had to send Claire away. Claire knows he'd make the same decision no matter what.]
... it will be strange, I'm sure, but you're still his family. His blood.
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I'd like to meet him but first I want to hear about everything first. How was it going through this time? I know you said you wanted it to be peaceful. Did you find him right away? Was he happy to see you like I said he would be?
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I'll tell you everything. But let's sit, first. Just in case gravity feels like tossing us around.
[Or anyone comes upon them. Claire has been fairly open with who she is and some of the things she's experienced, but that doesn't mean she'd like strangers to know some of the more intimate details of her life.]
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[ Kidding, she's kidding. Mostly. But she does smile and lets Claire take her to sit anywhere she wants, not knowing enough about where she is to plop down anywhere and get comfortable, not yet. ]
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She takes her daughter's arm and finds them a sitting area that's out of the way. When she sits, she keeps a hold on her daughter's hand, not wanting to let go at all just yet.]
Well. Going back was... easier, this time. I knew what I was doing, at least.
[She smiles sadly.]
And it did mean the loss of that necklace you got me for Christmas.
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I'll have to give you something special here, then.
[ She squeezes Claire's hand because honestly, the only thing that was important is that she made it. ]
You were okay, though, really?
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[Her hand squeezes Bree's back.]
I was fine. He was right where we thought he'd be, at his print shop. He certainly didn't expect me to waltz right in, though.
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Don't stop there, what did he do? What did you do? Did he look exactly like you remembered?
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Well... I saw his back, first. Then he turned around.
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[ Yes, she watches The Guiding Light. What of it? ]
You saw his back, he turned around, and then...?
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And then...
[Even Claire can't keep the smile off her face. She had been terrified and anxious, stepping into that print shop, not knowing what she would find. Jamie? It had been a day like any other. He didn't expect his long-lost wife to appear out of the blue.]
He fainted.
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No he didn't!
[ She laughs again, unable to help it. It's the most ridiculous reaction; she'd been imagining the two of them running into each other's arms, tears and declarations of love and so much more. But he fainted and she can't stop laughing. No one tell Jamie that Bree laughed this hard about it. ]
Wow. How long did it take for him to wake up again?
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[Given his father had died from a heart attack, it wasn't too absurd of a worry.]
He was coming to by the time I ran down the stairs to him. Thankfully. I don't know what I would have done if he'd concussed himself.
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[ Bree's voice softens a little. ]
Did you have as much to worry about as you thought?
[ What with dyeing her hair and being worried she wouldn't be attractive enough for him anymore. ]
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Those aren't things Brianna needs to know about right now. Eventually, but not now. Instead, Claire smiles gently, shaking her head.]
No. He was very happy to see me again.
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[ And maybe that's all that matters in the end. Bree's inexperienced in matters of complicated love, but she thinks it's all that should matter. ]
I'm glad he's awake with you here. Even if he's not quite the way you thought he'd be. It's enough, right? That he knows you and loves you?
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[It took someone a little removed, but still knowledgable enough about the two of them to soothe Claire's worries.]
It was difficult, at first. [There and here, and there are still the oddities that come from Jamie being twenty years younger--him being so close in age to Bree, for one.] But I would always choose to have him, in any way I can. No matter if he's twenty or two hundred, Jamie is Jamie.
And I know he's going to be so happy to meet you.
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[ She's a little nervous about meeting him, she's not sure why. She'll just cross that bridge when she gets to it. ]
Where do you live? And will I live there with you?
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