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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
After she finishes with her bag, she stands up straighter. No desperate rush or look of dawning realisation. In fact, she slips her hands into the pockets of her white jacket. If the girl meant to kill her, she wouldn't extend the possibility of honesty between them. And what a gamble it is to think their relationship can weather the ultimate truth about themselves. Perhaps her fidgeting is indicative of the emotional risk.
Ava has her full attention now. ]
We've met. [ Not I know, or I remember you. She doesn't. ] Or did they make me a case study?
[ They, her dancing masters at the Red Room. It wouldn't surprise her. As a living defector, Natasha is the exception. Regardless of how Ava knows her, it's an invitation to further explain or simply acknowledge their relationship (whatever it may be), despite Natasha's inability to recall it. ]
no subject
[Her voice is soft, but this isn't a deflection, but a fact. Even now Ava hasn't been able to completely untangle all of the pieces. Herself, Natasha, Alexei, Ivan, SHIELD-- there was so much, and some of it were things she wasn't sure she'd ever be able to put together. And even if she could, it wouldn't make Alexei's death make sense. It's a truth, but one that is still hard for her. She hasn't found him in stasis, but she refuses to look.
It takes her a moment to elaborate, because there's so many threads it's hard to know which one to start with. The Red Room, or you were in my head, or a dozen other pieces of how their stories wound together.]
You rescued me, when I was nine years old.
[This is what she settles on, in the end. That night, when they'd first met, first touched, not the whys and the shadows that overlaid it, the sinister machinations that neither of them had seen at the time. She tries to keep it as neutral as she can, but it's hard.]
When I was eight I was pulled from the Red Room and put into a program that ended up on SHIELD's radar. It was orchestrated by a man-- Ivan Somodorov. Red Room trainer and ex-KGB military dog, as he liked to call himself. You got me out as everything exploded around us.
[There's a wry sort of smile there, something to cover over the fact that there's nothing as terrifying as telling her the truth. But Natasha's a better liar than she is, and better at reading people. So she doesn't lie, not really, even if she skips some of the details, the worse parts of the story, the more personal ones.
I called you sestra and you said I was like you. You said you'd come if I needed you. She thinks quietly, that this time Natasha actually kept her promise.]
So yeah, we've met. And if you don't remember-- it's this place. Things don't always line up right, somehow.
sorry for the wait!!
Nat hasn't met someone like her in quite some time. She still has KGB contacts, connections everywhere from Kiev to Laos, but the Red Room has been at a distance. Uncertainty comes first, instinctively questioning every aspect of Ava's confession and searching for lies in her face. Then, a sharp stab of unease comes, widening her eyes. If she doesn't remember, then something has been done to her, or she arrived incomplete. Anything could have happened while she was in cryostasis. Is this how Rogers felt? No, not exactly.
Finally, guilt settles in her chest. If she really did save Ava, her confusion now must wound the girl. ]
We're out of sync. [ uttered steadily, a purposeful avoidance of the phrase I don't remember you, which is too harsh a truth to wield without intent to harm. Nat steps forward, closing the gap between them. She reaches out slowly (prepared to pull back if Ava shows any signs of fear or anger) and if it seems welcome, she covers Ava's fidgeting hands with one of her own. ] But I believe you.
[ For now, though wariness keeps her from admitting how much she knows, exactly, or from asking for the girl's name immediately. The Red Room turned girls into weapons, and she'd be a fool if she lowered her guard now. Still, her offered comfort is genuine, based on her snap judgment of the situation. ]
gosh sorry this took forever ALSO I'm totally hitting you up on the intro log
Her phrasing catches Ava, eases things a little as Nat so clearly tries to avoid making her words cut, and that's a kindness that's new to her. So when she steps forward, Ava stays, and not like she's holding her ground, like pulling away is showing weakness, but like she trusts her. It's not a sentiment that's always worked out in her favor, but she still can't help wanting it to.
This time, however, it does. Not like the times that she's hugged her and could feel the discomfort on her skin. Ava thinks this is maybe the first time that Natasha has initiated contact herself and she exhales like a breath she was only half-aware that she was holding. She smiles at Natasha with warmth to her face.
She hasn't told her everything, of course. Not because she wants to keep things from her, but because it feels easier. Like it'll be easier for her to hear it in pieces instead of all at once.
She knows what was done to Natasha, remembers how hard on her the link between them is. So while she fully intends to tell her-- she just thinks it might be better not all at the same time.]
Thank you. And- I'm Ava. [Maybe thanking her for something as simple as believing her, as touching her, is a little odd, but she means it. And it's why she offers her name; the colloquial version of it, anyway. No last name, no puzzles that Ava herself hasn't entirely unraveled, but something to call her. And her fingers calm, and she holds onto that comfort.
It's strange, but this feels almost- easier, somehow.]