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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! |
no subject
[She can't help being a little startled by the sudden pressure at her side, but instead of another slime looking for attention she instead finds a cat looking up at her, black and white and oddly familiar. She doesn't place him at first, but once her surprises passes she smiles softly and extends her hand, palm up to let him smell before she goes petting him like some heathen with no manners.]
Hello there. Have you gotten lost from...
[She trails off, though, because the longer she looks into those pretty blue eyes the more it wheedles at her that she's seen them before, peering over a shoulder or out of a bag, and she blinks a few times.]
Oh my, you're Akira's cat! He must be worried about you, he never leaves you behind...
[Hifumi stop talking to tiny things that shouldn't be able to talk back to you...]
no subject
some people are just gullible like that.
still, the last thing he wants to do is throw a Talking Cat into the mix. some people have quickly reacted in a somewhat muted manner? but knowing that Hifumi is from their world, cats don't talk there--- unless she knows something he doesn't.
so instead? he stays silent and nods. cats nod, right? especially when they lock eyes on the person they're paying attention to. ]
no subject
Still, it seems a shame she hadn't even thought to ask about him before now.
Maybe Akira could have explained that he's the kind of cat to... nod. Sure, that's normal.]
Well, that's- good, I suppose. I don't think it's very safe for you to be wandering around alone, though...
[The slimes have been friendly so far, but if there's slimes, if there's dead dragons, it's a wonder he hasn't gotten gobbled up yet.]
I don't have a bag with me, but if you'd like to stay with me until we find Akira I could carry you in my arms.
[Must Protect Small Creature.]
no subject
and because Morgana isn't a cat? ]
Oh... hey, could you go under my chin next? I have an itch, and...
[ ah. maybe he should have bit his tongue. his tail immediately goes stiff and upward, pointing toward the ceiling like a furry exclamation point.
hopefully he doesn't ruin her invitation to being carried. that would suck. ]
no subject
Well.
That's new.
Her hand does draw back in surprise at first, eyes widening in her shock, but she doesn't scream so that's at least a point in her favor.]
You- Did-
[She has more grace than to let herself go on stammering like she has no brain in her head, so she promptly snaps her mouth shut and looks from Morgana to the slimes and back again.
There are creatures from a video game and a cat just spoke to her. Akira's cat just spoke to her. She can't even pass it off as her having heard something, that was more than just one or two words. That was two sentences, there's no mistaking that, and the intelligence she'd seen in his eyes makes more sense in a very sideways kind of way.
Someone killed a dragon not long before she woke up here, apparently alone and more than a little frightened. It's taught her that anything is possible here.]
Have- have you always been able to do that?
[Please say no please say this is something this weird place did to you.]
no subject
the third, however, may prove to be more difficult. ]
If I said that I could, but you wouldn't have been able to understand me anyway, would that make sense to you?
[ because that IS the truth. the truth that also proved to be a clue and a lifesaver at the same time. ]
I promise I'm not trying to deceive you.
[ and he immediately goes to headbutt her hand. more to comfort her than anything, but also please return to the scratches you've started and you can't just stop. ]
no subject
If Akira trusts him, then so can Hifumi.][Her voice is a little uneven so she might sound a little on the fence still, but... well, she's going to just go with this. It's probably not the strangest thing she'll see from here on out. It's not going out of her way to go on petting him, so after she slides her hand carefully over his back she reaches under his chin to scratch there.
He did ask, after all.]
I feel like I should have asked your name months ago if you were able to understand everything we were saying...
no subject
It's okay. Part of what I do is be as unobtrusive as possible. The last thing I want to do is draw unnecessary attention.
[ because a talking cat, or at least one that does more than basic cat functions, would put a pretty big spotlight on everyone. ]
That makes sense, right?
[ if she understands the true reason why, then she'll know. otherwise it still makes sense at the most basic level. a test, in a way, to determine how much she knows. ]