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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! |
Sakata Gintoki | Gintama | Re-arrival
[dragon quest in space]
[Even if Gintoki did, somewhere in the back of his subconscious, remember waking up like this once before, it still took a few minutes to make sense of the fact that yes, he was actually conscious and capable of moving, of speaking, breathing. This wasn't a dream anymore, but that didn't necessarily make it less of a nightmare.
He was pretty sure it would have been better if his time on the planet was a dream, after all. Especially once he learned that everything on the planet was basically gone, or not gone but paused, or whatever the hell that meant. That dragon was terrifying. Where was Shénlóng when you needed him.
The first thing he would do after venturing out of his quarters was enjoy a meal in the cafeteria, which he found with no trouble. It was only on his way out of the cafeteria door that caused him problems; two steps out the door he's tripped, slipping on something on the floor, the cup of ice cream he'd taken with him falling to the ground with disheartening splat! and the slightest shriek from Gintoki. He'll pick himself up to his knees, rubbing at his tailbone and looking back at whoever tripped him up, muttering.]
Oi, oi, help a guy up if you knock him over, will you? You're in the damn way and look at my ice cr--
[He'll trail off as he registers a few things -- the door was closed, and there was nobody standing there. He'll glance around then, only spotting the small lump of . . . something, there, near the door, and he'll scoot forward, crouching to look at it cautiously.
It looked very suspiciously like -- he'll give it a poke, watching the lump of goo quiver as he did so. He'll poke it a few more times, peering at it closely with a squint, muttering again.]
No way. . . no way, that's some weird crap, oi, haha [a chuckle], you know, it almost looks like -- but no, I haven't played Dragon Quest in a. . .ah. . .ages. . .ss. . .
[His voice falters a bit as the slime - because that's what it was - starts to move on it's own, turning slightly, revealing two liquid eyes, now looking back at him. He'll lean back suddenly with a grimace through clenched teeth -- ]
Oi. . . h-hey, stay there, stay, staaay . . .little. . . little guy --- aah, ugh, that's, I mean, you're not gross, stay STAY STAAAAA--
[He'll tumble backwards as the slime launches itself at him, latching onto his face. He'll roll around a bit pathetically, screams muffled by the slime as he works at peeling it off. He didn't want to die this way, damnit!]
[winter again]
[Gintoki finds it unbearable that one of his first experiences on the planet previously had been working in freezing, snowy territory, and now he's back again. Still, he's surprisingly obedient as he goes to complete the cold weather training. And that's how he finds himself standing alone, on a low, snowy ridge, looking over a field of other trainees working on starting fires and digging snow shelters.
He's going to look for anybody alone, or maybe a small group for him to join. If he could get someone else to dig his snow shelter, that would be ideal. His own wartime experiences had already taught him how to start a fire in the snow.
Once he spots you or your group, he'll raise an arm and wave it back and forth calling out a greeting and walking forward a few steps --
--only to have his greeting interrupted by a panicked shout as his foot steps on absolutely nothing, the edge of the snowy ridge nothing but a large snow drift collected high at the base of the rocks. He'll disappear, and after a flurry of snow, some shrieks and some swearing, and maybe a little pleading, he'll tumble out of the base of the snow drift, lying on his back half-buried in the drift, not looking much worse for wear other than now his clothes and hair were now full of snow, and he was sporting a little trickle of blood from his forehead courtesy of the rocks. He'll blink a few times at the snowflakes landing on his cheeks, dazedly thinking that they felt pretty real for a simulation. Didn't this happen last time?
Someone take pity, please. He could be there for awhile.]
[social linked in]
@fruitsparfaitsamurai (30ish), Earth
I'M SKILLED IN: Swordsmanship, cooking, free-loading
I'M LOOKING FOR: someone to free-load off of
ALSO, I'M: a free-loader, good company, sad
[like hell he understands technology very well. But still, what the hell was this brutally honest profile? Gin-san didn't sound charming at all! And why the hell did it say 'free-loader' so many times?!]
meet me at dq
They've all met a tragic end.
The one assaulting Gintoki's face will be no different. That the man is familiar has no bearing on Takasugi's approach. He isn't doing this to help, or horrify.
He's simply destroying.
nailed itWith an unrestrained downward slash, Takasugi's sword cleaves the creature in two. It melts sadly to either side, leaving torn clothing and the smallest of cuts on Gintoki's face in its wake.
Takasugi doesn't say a damn word. Just goes to the control panel of the door and tries to make it open. Which, of course, it doesn't.]
injuring him right away like a true friend i mean edgelord
Only to feel the slime slowly slide down his face and neck, making sure to make it all slimy as it splats to the floor of the lab. He'll turn his head and watch it cautiously, only to hear some some beeping by the door. A short - like really short - figure was huddled by the control panel in the dark room. Gintoki glances around again, noting the other piece of the slime - seems like this person helped him out. He'll stand up and get closer, sounding a little sheepish.]
Ahh, hahaha, these things are like, really persistent. I don't have any gold or EXP to give you but thanks for help. . .ing. . me ou--uhhhh-hccckkk. . .
[He'll pause, recognizing that figure immediately once he gets a better look, his thanks devolving into a choking, vaguely vomit-y sound.
. . . and then he'll wordlessly lay back down on the ground, picking up the slime on the floor and putting it back on his face. Kill him.]
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Gintoki's rambling devolving into vaguely vomit-like sounds is nothing new. That's what Takasugi usually hears win Gin talks. More aggravating is the sound of the panel denying any input he attempts.
Bzzt. Bzzt. Function Offline.
He'd break it, but the possibility that it might come back online erodes that impulse.
And redirects it somewhere else.
Turning away, he's faced with an idiot on the ground, covered in slime.] Aa-
Looks like there's another slime.
[Better kill it. His blade plunges downwards, absolutely aimed to lop Gintoki's head straight off if he doesn't do something about it.]
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There's a short pause, and then he's swinging his leg at Takasugi's feet, aiming to knock him on his ass. ]
Shut up. I'd rather be a slime; they make better friends.
[Whether or not the other falls down, the slime on his face will be flung towards Takasugi's face.]
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He steps back, and away from that bullshit.
But some other bullshit pelts him right in the hip. Slime remains, slung recklessly by the idiot still wallowing in the stuff. The next heap thrown at him, Takasugi cuts through.
Like its a bullet or something.]
It'd suit you. Wandering around and cleaning up everyone's garbage.
[Takasugi... those are Porings not Slimes.
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That's not even what slimes do, oi!
But I've been picking up trash that I meet for a long time now, a real damn long time ago I came across one super rotten bit of garbage, even.
[He'll stop, catching his breath in a huff that was only because he's ticked and not because he's really exerted himself at all. Rein it in, Gin-san.]
I thought someone had poked it right through the middle with a pick up stick and tossed it but I just saw it again.
[To be fair, he did see Takasugi before on the train from the beach, but before that the last time he'd seen his best frenemy he'd been stabbed through the middle and Gintoki hadn't been sure he'd survived.]
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Everyone stinks.
They're both trash.
So long as there's that understanding, Takasugi's fine with being garbage.
But not fine with Gintoki dragging him. Even if he'd agree, pride isn't so easily surmounted.
A slime comes crawling towards Takasugi, fearless in its affection. He punts it immediately towards Gintoki.] If you're not careful, someone will come to skewer you too.
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. . . and promptly melts the floor.
After a surprised pause, he'll toss it to the far recesses of the lab, then turn back to Takasugi as if they didn't just watch slime spit dissolve metal.]
Come oooo~on already. Can't you get the door working?
[He's just whining now, not responding to that threat - for now.]
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Takasugi looks up from the melted ground to the idiotic face opposite him slowly. His smile's gone, faded with how incredulously frustrated he's just instantly become.
He levies that stare upon Gintoki for several seconds, unblinking.
There's no need to make the door work if you melt it! Just go fall through the hole in the ground to the circuitry beneath and get electrocuted. Maybe it'll jumpstart your brain-
He can't bring himself to appease Gintoki with a response. Instead he turns - pointedly - away to walk briskly towards the back of the lab. A slime in his way, blue rather than the pink he's searching for, meets a particularly brutal end. Smeared all over the lab wall from a strike with too much force behind it.
When he finds this thing, he's not telling you. Get out yourself!]
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Hell this was awkward. Takasugi could be fun to talk to, maybe if it were half a lifetime ago, but right now he just looks pissed off and there's no chance of being entertained by that guy while they're stuck in here. He'll watch the other stalk off like an angry child, making a small grimace at the merciless slaughter of the slime. Gintoki will look back at the door, only to watch as a few of the slimes inch their way towards the hole in the floor --- and one slips right out of the hole, somewhere into the ship. Great. They've released them. He'll watch another slime slip through and this time . . . this time it clicks. ]
The slimes. . .
Hey, Bakasugi! The slimes! Stop being a baby and help me look for some pink slimes!
>
[Co-op, co-op, co-oooooooperation]
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He'd rather search for the slime himself; Gintoki's belated realization and attempt at cooperation is nothing more than a burden.
All that shouting sends a few of the creatures quivering away, sliding their amorphous bodies into the crevices between equipment.
How many are back there?
Facing an appliance that resembles a dishwasher (maybe it is one), Takasugi pauses only to see what colors ooze from beneath it. Pink? Or is that rose gold? Are they that specific?
Fuck it. He's destroying the damn thing. At least a dozen slimes jiggle into their usual shape, several pink ones among the group.
And, all at once, every single one of them blows a flurry of bubbles at his face, ostensibly for disturbing their abode.]
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Oiiiiii, pinkyyyy~
Come on pinky, we gotta talk --
[It was ridiculous how many different shades of pink these slimes were, not to mention other colors. He'll snatch one out of the corner of a counter top, giving it some squeezes, only to watch it start oozing, almost like it's deflating, with a high pitched whistling sound. He'll set it down and watch it melt into a puddle, looking around once or twice before nudging it under a table with his boot. O---kay. It wasn't his fault.
He'll bang around some chairs as he comes to a larger cabinet, calling out to the slimes as he opens the doors, letting them bang into the cabinets and counters next to them.]
Come to Gin-s--EEEHHAAAHHHHHH!
[For a shriek, it's loud, but short. Takasugi will probably be able to hear Gintoki slamming the doors of the cabinet shut frantically, followed by the sound of chairs and tables being moved - shoved roughly against the cabinet doors. A low, rumbling, shaking sound starts to come from the cabinet. Just what the hell was going on---]
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Pointedly, not in the direction of Gintoki's strangled cry.
Maybe a slime ate him.
Deserved.
Even as chairs shake and slide across the floor, his search continues undaunted. Slimes of the wrong color are dismissed entirely, nudged aside violently but not slain. He's out of patience for even that much-
As he turns around, the corner of the room populated by numerous small, squeaking things, he sees it. A glimmer of pink! Several islands stand between him and the key to escape. It darts behind one, leaving an acidic slop in its wake that begins to steam and erode the floor.
Takasugi rushes it, completely disregarding whatever the hell is going on with Gintoki.]
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So while Takasugi's running after the acid slime, Gintoki's focused on making space between him and the cabinet at record speed - all the while looking behind him as he's running. They're about to have a moment of true friend bonding as Gintoki runs into Takasugi hard, easily knocking him off his feet and not quite registering what happened until he's picking himself off the ground, a quick shake of his head to get his bearings. He'll blink a few times and look down, the hand that he's using to push himself off the ground planted squarely on Takasugi's chest.
Takasugi might catch the look of abject fear on his face before he's almost. . .forcibly giving the other a smirk. He'll even laugh a little, just a low sound, a single scoff.]
. . . did you give up on looking already? M-maaan that's so l-lame. . .
[He wasn't scared nOTHING IS SCARY HERE]
no subject
It flickers through his mind, but this isn't the time.
All he can do is crash, hands spread to catch and disperse the shock of the fall. He's down, but it didn't hurt.
The pink slime stops, almost out of sight. It looks like... it's smiling. That little shit-
Takasugi cranes himself to sit up, both hands reaching up to shove Gintoki off of him and into the corner of a desk.] Get out of my way-
[He's not taking the bait, and Gintoki's nervous demeanor is disregarded as something that's entirely the other brat's problem. Takasugi scrambles to his feet, leaping over a table to pursue the pink slime without losing sight of it.
The slime scoots away, knocking a few of the chairs Gintoki had set as barrier over in its path. More begin to corrode, coated with the mucus the creature exudes. Whatever's in that cabinet, it's about to get out.]
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But that meant getting closer to that cabinet, and the chairs. . .he'll start running, that foreboding sense of dread leaving him unable to just stand and watch. Just as he's about to catch up to Takasugi, the cabinet doors fly open with a crash, tables, chairs pushed back as . . . what the hell.
Gintoki is just going to stop and stare, narrowly missing being hit square in the gut with the corner of a lab table as it slams into another table in the room. The doors were open and inside the cabinet . . .
. . .was pink slime. The entire cabinet, as if it were full of jell-o, slowly quivering there for a long moment, a longer glob of the stuff running the length of one cabinet door. Gintoki will continue to watch, frozen, as subtle, popping, sucking sounds start, and the pink slime begins to ooze out onto the ground -- and re-form. For another long moment it sits there on the ground, an enormous glob of slime - almost as tall as him - and Gintoki gives a quick glance to wherever Takasugi wound up, wary.
And then it turned around; Gintoki stifled a yell, arm moving up with his wooden sword ready, only to be met with two large eyes, blinking, and -- what the hell, that mouth was huge! It was enormous! He was not about to be slime food! He'll take a step forward, only to freeze as the slime gave a rumbling quiver, turned and inhaled the closest thing to it - an unsuspecting chair, totally engulfed in the slime's enormous mouth.
The chair starts to dissolve as soon as it's engulfed by the slime. That's when Gintoki doesn't even bother to stifle another yell. ]
T-takasugi!
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He slides right past the barricade Gintoki had set up, completely unaware.
Only when the creature bursts out, flinging furniture and fixtures all over the room, does he turn-
To slash a table out of the air before it crashes into him. It crashes and splinters on either side of him, and the pink slime coos. Mocking son of a-
Gintoki interrupts Takasugi's ire, calling his attention in a voice he hasn't heard for a decade. What's so damn urgent?
The massive slime churns, rolling over an island and consuming it whole. Takasugi watches as the structure corrodes...
Slice it open, and its guts will take care of the door.] Run!
[Off he goes, towards the way out, smaller slime forgotten.
Though, he'd love to kill the little shit.]no reply. it's just a corpse.
But real life, 3D slimes are just so... cute. Not as cute as a cat, but pretty cute, and rather than keeping a respectable distance Katsura has instead elected to scoop one up and carry it around like a friend. Because it is one.
Not unlike a certain naturally wavy-haired idiot rolling around on the floor, and while Katsura feels a jolt of something like relief at finally seeing Gintoki up and about again... ]
Honestly, Gintoki, what sort of samurai can't handle a single slime?
[ Really, that slime did him a favor, making him drop his ice cream like that. And speaking of slimes, the one in Katsura's arms gurgles, then spits out a iridescent bubble filled with mint-colored fog, which slowly drifts through the air. ]
whhhhhh I forgot to reply to this :'D
. . . Zura?
[It's muffled by slime, for sure, but Katsura might be able to hear it. He's. . . actually relieve to hear the other's voice. That means he'd gotten off Earth, too. He hadn't seen Katsura the last time he was on the planet, or even known he was alive.]
IT'S OKAY i've been a bit busy the past week anyway
[ His tone is rather bland, like he's suddenly reconsidering helping Gintoki at all. Still, he sets aside his slime (which proceeds to spit up another ominous bubble) and steps forward, leaning down to grab the slime and give it a good yank. Hopefully it comes loose and he doesn't end up just yanking Gintoki around a bit. ]
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