![[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! |
kirei kotomine | fate/
[ The wake-up certainly is not what he expected. He recalls seeing the state of his world -- surrounded in black, all but devoured, and the not-so-vague threat of being left on it if he decides not to be helpful. But he readily decides that he will help them. There is no reason for him to remain on a dead planet; there is something that he is still seeking the answer to and so, he has to press on.
When he first truly open his eyes, he is blinded temporarily by the lights of the ship. He feels the pain of the artificial lighting after being surrounded by darkness. But it isn't too long before he gets used to it. He walks through the halls, taking in the sight of everything, before stopping to look at the horrific visage of Ysverai. ]
And it seems like we have not actually won here, either. [ He wonders if the screen itself is frozen. But Kirei doesn't wonder for too long. A disquieted feeling crawls out from the back of his mind. His eyebrows come together in confusion as he cannot place the reason for the feeling. He pulls his eyes away as pain tears into him. ]
Well... it seems like it isn't done fighting, either, doesn't it? [ So he says as he lightly scratches his arms, feeling itch eating away at the skin. As he looks up, he sees he is not alone. A half-smile graces his lips, even though his eyes remain dead. ]
I wonder ... what do you think of when you look at this dragon?
b - social linking
@priest (37), earth
I'M SKILLED IN: healing, mediating difficult situations
I'M LOOKING FOR: nothing in particular, just an answer to a long-standing question
ALSO, I'M: more than happy to bless and offer prayers to all you lost lambs
Social linking | UN: MrFancyHat
The world here is beyond fucked, but why not offer a blessing or two, I guess.
no subject
It will only work if you believe in it, too, Mister Fancy Hat.
no subject
Never been religious, but I’ve seen some demons in my time.
no subject
Though, now, I wonder if you mean demons metaphorically or literally.
no subject
If you say so, priest.
Who’s to say both don’t exist?
Though I gotta say humans can be scarier than any monster around here.
Except the dragon.
no subject
But about that dragon. Could you tell me more about it?
(no subject)
(no subject)
(no subject)
(no subject)
(no subject)
(no subject)
(no subject)
(no subject)
(no subject)
frozen horror
pain, after all, could tell you a lot about someone.
this man intrigues him, and he returns the smile with one of his own, albeit one that might be slightly more genuine. ]
What's the answer you're expecting?
[ a question answered with a question. where would the fun in giving a straight answer be, after all? ]
no subject
[ He pauses to look down at his arms, still feeling an itch just underneath the skin. His gaze slides back up as he smiles in a smug kind of way. ]
Of course, that's hardly a helpful answer to what I am searching for. [ Kirei steps forward, his arms sliding behind his back as he starts to walk in a small circle around the man. ] I merely am wondering what it is that you see when you look at this dragon. Do you only recognize the pain that you feel and avert your eyes? Or, perhaps, a sense of hopelessness that it was not beaten and only frozen in time?
Or do you feel a sense of triumph -- that eventually this matter will be handled? That this is but the remnants of an unfortunate battle and nothing more?
no subject
That's putting a lot of faith into someone you've just met.
[ of course, Ocelot's first instinct has always been to lie. it is what he is best at, after all. but still... ]
Maybe, I feel neither. I might recognize that the sensations are just that: sensations and echos from a creature that remains trapped. Maybe I see another challenge. Or, maybe I won't give you your honest answer.
It really depends on whether you believe that I'm a trustworthy man.
[ of course, he'd say that he looks trustworthy enough. as a spy, after all, it would be to his detriment if he wasn't. still, a wise man knows well enough to never trust anyone, particularly someone they've just met. ]
no subject
[ Kirei shakes his head as he immediately dismisses the idea of wanting to trust in the man before him. Heavens, no. ]
An honest answer has nothing to do with whether or not I trust you. [ Say what? ] Even if you lie to me, there is something honest in your lie. After all, a good liar puts some truth in what they're saying. All the same, I have no intention of trusting anyone. [ Kirei chuckles. ] It's my policy that not trusting is proof of dependability.
But going further into that goes further away from my question. So you can answer it however you like, just make sure that it is an honest answer. [ Kirei is an awful person to know. ]
no subject
So no matter what someone says, you'll learn something about them. But, if the other person is particularly observant, they might learn something about you too.
[ it looked like it was just learning all around for the both of them. but as for that "honest" answer... ]
The dragon's just one part of everything. It is what it is, and nothing more.
[ no, it was just a tool that a particularly foolish man had decided to use for his own means. and as far as Ocelot was concerned, it was only one piece to the puzzle that made up his current concerns. ]
no subject
I would hope that they would learn something. Indeed, it would be unfortunate if I am the only person gaining something from the conversation, after all. [ It isn't that he hides anything about himself, but that his thinking and ideals are generally so esoteric from others that no one can glean anything as to who he is. ]
Just one part of everything. [ Kirei repeats the words carefully, thoughtfully. ] No hope, no despair. It merely exists to be part of the next step for what needs to be done for this world, is that right?
a
His hands ball up at his sides, shaking. His jaw clenches tight. It's like he's testing himself. Testing his endurance. ] No. We didn't win.
[ His thick German accent is strained. ] And it does still fight. As to what I think when I see it. I think it was cowardly to run away. I think that more than anything, I want to slay it. What good is a knight that can't slay a single dragon? I think that it's a pitiful, wrenched beast that should have never been brought into the world again and I will see it returned to it's rest. That is what I think when I see it. Do you not think so?
no subject
The people here must have given the order to retreat, I assume. Nothing that could have been done to stop whatever it is that it was born to do. [ His eyes slide to the side, like he would turn around to once more look at the undead monstrosity. But he relents and decides he's suffered enough under viewing it. ]
I have only come to be awake here so I do not have a solid opinion yet. Still, I believe you speak of mercy when you talk about this creature rather than hatred at its unnatural existence. [ His chin drops a little as he nods. ] That's quite honorable. Yet honor did not slay the beast. What will kill it ... it will probably be something colder... and without heart.
[ His eyes close. ] But whose to say? Natha, probably. But you all presumably fought this creature so... I shall hope they listen to your words and regardless of what they choose to kill it, that the intent behind it remains as you wish it to be.
no subject
They had no faith in us. A single hero had killed the dragon long ago. So a group of heroes should have been able to slay it again. But instead, they pulled us from the fight. [ It had likely saved their lives, but it still doesn't sit well with Reinhardt, who was more of the 'fight to your last breath' sort. ] Then they tell us to go find someone. The first one of us, somewhere on the planet. If they could pull us up here at any time, why can't they pull this person? Why must we go elsewhere when the threat is right there!
[ He points at the beast. ] That thing was dead. Dead for so very long. It needs to return to death. It suffers and the people suffer. It didn't ask to come back and it didn't ask to be controlled. So yes, I would give it mercy. I would put it out of it's misery.
[ But he can't stand in it's real presence without all his old scars tearing open. He can't fight it without his armor and his weapon, both destroyed by being too close to the beast. ]
But I don't think the Natha will kill it. If they could, they would have already. It seems strange to me. They can stop time, pull us back to the station, and yet they can't kill one dragon.
[ He makes a tsking sound and finally turns from it. He's at his limit. It's making him question and doubt. ]
no subject
Why, indeed? [ He sounds smug even though he knows nothing what is going on. All he knows is what he has been told. There hasn't been enough time to read up on what has happened, so he can only assume. ] It may be merely a task to keep you all occupied. Like the efforts to clean up. [ His head cocks to the side as he makes a sweeping gesture with his arm. ]
It's all a means to distract while they figure out what to really do about the dragon. It gives everyone a false sense that they're ... accomplishing something while Natha is buying time to figure out what to do about the dragon itself. [ A smile touches his lips. ] But that may not be what is going on at all. I certainly am just offering my uneducated opinion on it all. Yet if something rings true in it, well... it rings true.
[ He has to actually look up at the man to be able to speak to him. It's a rare occurrence for him, but he can't say that he minds. The man before him feels weary and tired; his wounds have been torn but not fully opened. ] If they cannot kill one dragon, it could be... that they have other plans for it.
[ A beat. ] But a slight distraction is in order. I am Kirei Kotomine. Before we share more of our thoughts on this... situation, I felt a brief pause to allow for names would be best. After all, it seems like you are about to collapse under the weight of everything that I may not even come to know your name.
no subject
That effort. It's a joke. If I had my way, I'd be down there, using the frozen time to move the people out of harms way. Why are we picking up rubble when there are people that need our attention more!
[ It's yet another thing he's angry about. And this man's talk. His uneducated opinion is just making him more so. Because as much as Reinhardt has hope, it make sense. Distract and keep them busy. Send them to another country, another part of the world, where the dragon isn't. Let them stay there lord knows how long. Get settled. Remake their lives in peace. Forget all about the dragon a world away. ]
I...wouldn't be too surprised, if that was the case. It's just one more thing for them to answer for, some day. As for that...
[ He laughs a little and shakes his head ] I've been rude. Reinhardt Wilhelm, at your service. And you don't have to worry about me falling over. This, I'm used to. This is nothing to a Crusader.
more icons needed
But there is a consolation in all this, if that turns out to be how this all ends. You will remember them. [ He holds his hand out to the man; his palm up like he is offering their lives to the Crusader. ] You will hold their lives dear. Their lives will not cease to have meaning, because you will make them your reason.
[ Nothing to a Crusader. ] You will ensure this will not happen, again. And as you say, you will have them answer for what they've done -- abandon people that they asked you to save. [ He smiles as his chin drops. ] That is quite a weight you may end up carrying.
Re: more icons needed
(no subject)
(no subject)
(no subject)
(no subject)
(no subject)
(no subject)
(no subject)
(no subject)
(no subject)
(no subject)
Social Linking | UN: NoneOfUrBusiness
un: priest
Still, I feel I should add that I had no intention to have that sound creepy. Lost lambs are lost lambs. It is our task to look out for them. Is that not so?
no subject
People.
Those that we have sworn ourselves to guide are people.
And they are not lost in so much that they are trying to find their own truth themselves. Our purpose is to merely aid those who feel like they may need it so long as they wish for it. Whether mentally, spiritually, or even literally.
Although such guidance act more as placebos, in my own personal opinion. Satiating those in their times of need until they've managed to discover their own answers.
no subject
Have you satiated people here, then?
no subject
Who knows? Maybe. Maybe not.
Not like I'm a mind reader. And I'm not the sort to keep tabs on those who ask for help unless they actively keep me updated.
[S H R U G]
(no subject)
(no subject)
(no subject)
(no subject)
(no subject)
(no subject)
a.
With an ounce of reluctance, she hefts up onto hind legs in order to place forepaws on the barrier, to show she's really taking a considerable look, even if she isn't feeling up to it. There are many things, such as the dragon in his frozen image, that only serve as reminders for what she couldn't do. It seems her worst habit is having fallen asleep when she's needed most—though what could she have done, a sliver of something once grander, as she is? She doesn't have the tendency to dwell. It's not proactive.
What she thinks of, and the answer she can't give him, can't speak, is of one of the younger gods, a son, who tore from her body. He's returned to her. He was shaped differently, but a dragon all the same, and of course, when she looks upon this, she thinks that she's grateful that she found him as a constellation before someone else could have. She hadn't known people have this kind of capacity. What if someone found him and corrupted him? Could that happen, could the other fragments of what she once was, the children of her, be changed to something else? Where she's from gods are inherently good, but can they be broken?
And, more so, her golden eyes pinning on the priest's now with a kind of muted, burning purpose, she thinks this dragon was as much a victim as everyone else. She doesn't care if he might misinterpret, it's important to her, and so her gaze finds his with an contrasting intensity. She thinks that it is urgent that his suffering is put to bed, and that along with the devastation wrought, one of the worst outcomes of this is what the dragon's had to feel.]