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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! |
Lawd I hope so
His dead weight hanging off her upsets her balance, forces her to readjust, but then his hands are in her hair and she reaches with her free hand for the short blade she kept in wrap about her waist, only to find nothing there, her weapons taken. Regardless of the hairs she feels tear free from her scalp she desperately tries to jerks her head back forward, baring a mouth full of teeth far too sharp to belong to either human or horse as she rears up, spins-
And tries to pin him to the wall, to trap him between her dun lower chest and forelegs, snarling into his face, those sharp teeth snapping likely a bit too close to throat for most people's comfort as a hand moves to try and twist behind her and grab his wrist.]
I will rip the arm from your shoulder if you do not release me, human!
[And if tone is any indication, she definitely means it.]
no subject
Maybe she needed this. Maybe they all did, being shoved into this new and pretty depressing reality. But--holy shit, she was rearing up again -- ]
NO! BAD PONY! BE A GOOD GIRL!
[She slams him into the wall, hard, and he doesn't even have time to think of the totally weird dynamics of being pinned by a horse torso while the human half tries to bite him. She could crush his ribcage just with her body weight, so he'll make one last desperate, kinda dirty move - just after she snaps at him, speaking, his other free hand shoots out, wrapping strong fingers around her throat - a throat that still felt slender, like a woman's, more muscular. . .his fingers twitch in some hesitation. Still,the weight on his chest and the wheeze of his breath, her size and strength and anger altogether told him she was dangerous, so he'll give a little squeeze. Enough was enough; he wasn't going to hurt her if she listened, so maybe this will get her attention, growling out in frustration.]
I said STOP.
why do i love this
[She hates it, she's always hated the more bestial way wild jinba would bite and kick as if they were no better than animals, always looked down her nose at such behavior, and yet all she wants to do in this moment is sink her teeth into him.
Not even him.]
am not-
[Anyone. Anything. Any sort of pain or violence or rage that would allow her to scream or cry or die, which seems a far better option than what she's woken to. Even with his hands on her throat, a move that shows the whites of her eyes even wilder, she doesn't stop, gritting out the words despite, an attempt at a headbutt arrested by the good grip he has found in her pontytail.]
a horse!
[Or a good girl.
Because one dirty move deserves another, (so this is how far she has fallen?), and the grip she had in his own hair slips down... with her thumb heading for his eye if he doesn't thrash out of the way.]
because they're both awful and also fighting
Yet. Feeling her hand move on his forehead, seeing her thumb out of the corner of his eye has him jerking his head as far away as he can, closing his eyes and clenching the hand around her throat, hard, hard enough to cut off her air, at least some. She was just being a bitch now, stubborn like. . . well, a horse.
He'll crack an eye open, the one away from her thumb, talking to her again, voice strained
L-look at me, lady. I need my lungs, and my damn eye. . . AND my arm [he'll scowl, feeling her hand clench around his wrist] . . . and I'm pretty sure you need your windpipe, pony girl. [wheeze]. . .If you got a death wish there's no way I'm gonna let you take me along. How about I count to 3 and you back the h-hell off, huh? I'll let go, you let . . . g-go, and then launch yourself into space for all I c-care.
[She'll feel him trying to pull his hair out of her grip; if she doesn't agree he's not gonna hold back on punching her in the face for even a second, lady horse or not.]
yeah... that'd do it
[Who needs air? Not Hayame. That's the mantra she's living by right now, muscles in her neck bulging beneath his hand, blunt nails scrabbling at the side of his cheek even as she pushes up from her back hooves to push even more of her weight up against him.]
Who attacked me, you naked monkey.
[Disrespect. She'd given him the correction, and yet to be called a "pony", (let alone a "girl"), again, makes her see red, snarling straight into his face.]
As if I'll bargain with that?
[But she does let go of his hair. Only to slam that palm into the wall behind him, push off it, spin, twist the wrist she has tenuous hold of- And slam her forelegs back down to the floor, a move she hopes will jar him, and give her just enough leverage to wrench and throw him off her.
At least this time, she's not aiming to have him land underfoot, instead trying to toss him and get distance between them again.]
I love rping fights. . .she's so fierce. . .
Y-you scared the shit out of me!
[But he can barely gasp it out; the hand on her throat lets go and he just about has his hand and arm drawn back to clock her good when she moves abruptly, not just freeing him but dropping him some. He'll let go of her hair, thinking maybe this is his chance to scramble away, when --
Damn. This was gonna hurt; his shoulder was already on fire from her twisting it, and he can't help the short sound of pain as she flings him. He'll hit the ground hard on his back and roll a bit, finally coming to a stop lying face-down in the corridor, pulse still racing. She'll be able to see his back rising and falling in deep breaths. ]
Me too... also yais... samurai centaurs cause why not
And she'd resolved then never to let herself be ridden by a human. Never to fall to such disgrace while she yet had the strength to die.
... With just the one leg sling over her withers, Gintoki has come the closest.
But with that pressure gone, she is left panting, neck red, knuckles white, dun legs slightly spread, still ready to run, to charge, staring him down where he lays. She can't remember for a full moment what she'd been doing before they'd collided. The chaos of what she had learned, the confusion of why she's even awake comes rushing back, and her pupils dilate in fear to see stars outside the corridor windows.]
Who do you serve?
[He yet breathes, so she barks it at him, flanks heaving in steady rhythm with the smaller set of lungs in her human chest.]
These "orbiters"?
why not indeed centaur samurai meet space samurai
Pretty sure we're all just serving ourselves right now. I think a better question is, what made you wanna kill me so bad, huh? Outta your damned mind so quick, huh?
The pleasure is all hers
[It's the people she sees walking around this place as if they were taking a stroll in a village and not floating above a planet. She doesn't even know what a planet is, why is it round, and why is the sky black and not blue no matter the time, and how was she even alive here in the sky on this cold metal heap?
It's far too much far too quickly for a woman of the warring states.
She should fix her hair, half ripped from its style, or her clothing, the deer hide wrap she wears about her waist askew where it separates human from horse, but. Instead she keeps her eyes on him, yet wild, a hoof slamming into the metal floor like a woman might impatiently stamp her foot.]
Be grateful you live at all!
ugh i want them to be friends now
[He can't help but look over at her when she stomps]
You know, you're scary enough without stomping around like Gojira, just look at your face. You should be thankful you met such a nice guy like me, Gin-san doesn't just let anybody beat him up, you know? I could take you again. [okay so maybe he doesn't learn all that much after all]
His next words are quieter, murmured.
There's people here who woulda cut you down before you could even get upset about it.
Shit me too
[Not horse. Not even horse-person. She hisses it out, latching on to pettier, more immediate anger in order to save herself from the lashing of the chaotic tide that is... everything else. Worlds. Space. Being alive at all.
And a jinba's hearing was far sharper than a humans, so the mutter is not unnoticed. Brings another bark of sound, this time an attempt at laughter that falls flat, drawing herself up to full heights over seven feet, muscular arms crossing. (Disguising the way her fingers dig in to her own skin.)]
Do not make me laugh! A human, cutting down a jinba bred in the Miyatsuta stables? If it is enemies you will set upon me then I will meet them with honor enough for two.
[In her bravado... against a human and not her own kind... she almost forgets. She had betrayed that master. Lost her pride in that lineage, being able to claim with head held high to be property. ... how easy it was to slip back in.]
it's settled then
I've taken down things bigger than you before.
[The look he fixes her with might hint that he's not lying about that.] Scarier too, but maybe not uglier. [charming.][He'll stand up stiffly, hand curled around his side, other hand on the wall; that initial slam into the wall was still what hurt most.]
somehow someway
Slights against her strength, however... offend far more.]
You will not this day.
[She doesn't move, retreat or charge, but her hand does half reach for the quiver of arrows laced to her harness, only barely held back.]
I will slit my own belly open before I allow you or any on this boat to disgrace me.
[... er, ship.]
no subject
Tch. You're a long way from home, I bet.
Don't worry; I got better things to do than disgrace you today. You can keep your guts this time, but I'll help you out the next time you feel like opening your belly.
[He'll move along the corridor to make a bit more distance - yeah, he saw her reaching for something - and then sit back down where he'd been resting before a maniac horse person scared the life out of him, leaning his head back against the wall for a moment before turning to look at her again.]
. . . you know this boat is in the sky, right? Like, actually, way past the sky.
no subject
So she'd looked away.
Away from the truth. Reality. Away from the things that a part of her knew were just too much to try and accept.]
There's nothing past the sky.
[... It has to be impossible.
Just like all of this.]
no subject
. . . even I know that's bullshit. Just what do you think the sky is, hah?
Though, maybe, you could be from a place where that's true. Where're you from?
no subject
The Miyatsuta stables, in Echigo Province.
[She doesn't think to add "Japan", because... Japan was all there was.]
no subject
Still. . . he never met any centaurs before. Or at least ones who seemed to be native, and not an alien. He'll hold on to his curiosity for now, only casually mentioning the obvious.]
Ehhh? Echigo, Echigo. . .I'm from Edo, you know. Planet earth. From the same planet and everything. [He's not so sure of that, actually.
He'll move from leaning on the wall to full on laying on the floor. His back still hurt, damnit.]