natha: (Default)
ɴᴀᴛʜᴀ orbiters ❰ mod collective ❱ ([personal profile] natha) wrote in [community profile] elnyan2018-06-29 03:05 pm
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 —

We were mistaken to think we should not intervene. Dangers far beyond what should exist on this planet lurk beyond even our sight. Poor Ysverai's resurrection is only a portent of what threatens this world. El Nysa must remain frozen in time until we have found a way to repair the damage the High Dragon has wrought. But repair it we will. We give you this promise.

We are sorry for leaving you in your time of need. There was greater danger, or so we thought. The Storm, for the first time, had somehow encroached beyond our shields. Blinded to what was occurring on the planet, we believed it safe to turn our sight from the planet… Safe to leave our physical forms entirely, for we needed the energy to ward off the Storm. We withdrew ourselves from our aspect that we call Thesa, and in doing so left you vulnerable. We can only hope you will forgive us.

Still, we must ask your aid, for both your sake, and for all life on this fragile planet. Please, leave the matter of Ysverai's curse in our hands. Ready yourselves to journey to Nadril and find how the High Dragon's resurrection was hidden from our sight. We will do all in our power to repair El Nysa, but you should prepare yourselves well. We fear there is yet greater danger ahead, both from the Storm and from what lies obscured on the planet.

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:

●●●●○ THESA
ROMAN
@romannoodles (∞), Thesa

I WAS A: Butler! I still am, and I'm happy to serve all of the new arrivals!

I'M SKILLED IN: Cooking, cleaning, anything that involves making your life better!

I'M LOOKING FOR: Consistency!

ALSO, I'M: Not entirely certain if the "auto" profile function is to your liking. Feel free to edit if it is not to taste!

So, have you decided on making your own profile? Perhaps you used the "auto" function on accident? Regardless, once your profile is out there, it's out there. And like the Omage app, it will match you with someone. NOTE: Please use the form below to fill out a profile! Whether it's auto-generated or filled by the character is up to you!

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!

thedarkbond: (Default)

[personal profile] thedarkbond 2018-07-03 02:11 pm (UTC)(link)
[He won't touch on the issue of seeing her - that sounds personal, and is better preserved until later when it might be of use. He does, however, let his smile pitch down slightly at the matter of asking to see new things, because the answer to that seems obvious.]

Do you think you're the only one who didn't ask to be here, miss?

[His tone is still light, but it's toned down a little bit now, enough that his words can be taken as slightly more serious.]
warmare: (決心)

[personal profile] warmare 2018-07-04 12:03 pm (UTC)(link)
By the looks of things, you all are well complacent with this madness.

[How else did he explain this? Why were they not angry? Railing against this treatment? Why had almost everyone she'd met seemed so calm, so complacent?

There was no good explanation. (Yet. To her.)]
thedarkbond: (pitch black sage)

[personal profile] thedarkbond 2018-07-04 01:09 pm (UTC)(link)
Mmm, I think a lot of people look that way right now. [Ren closes his eyes briefly with that thought, but opens them again to refocus on the woman before him. It's hard to identify, but there might be something a tiny bit more knowing about his look in that moment.]

You're a fighter, right? [She certainly looks like one, with that form and that wariness about her.] Tell me, how often do you attack before you know what it is you're aiming at?

[His tone hasn't gotten any less bright and airy, despite the subtle shift in his manner.]
warmare: (決心)

[personal profile] warmare 2018-07-07 02:17 am (UTC)(link)
I am a warrior.

[The difference may be pointless to some, but not to her. She wasn't a brawler in the streets, a masterless, wandering-

Well.

She was masterless now, wasn't she.]


Speak plainly if you must speak.
thedarkbond: (Default)

[personal profile] thedarkbond 2018-07-07 11:10 am (UTC)(link)
[It's less fun if he has to speak plainly, but Ren just shrugs slightly and lets it go. He's still clearly playing to his own tune and nobody else's regardless of what she's actually saying to him.]

A lot of us only just arrived here ourselves. If you're going to lash out about something, it's more effective to understand what it is you're lashing out at before you do it, isn't it?

[So he's not implying she's lashing out herself...but it definitely looks like she is from where he's standing. True, it looks a lot like it's mostly born of fear, but there's definitely a lot of misplaced pride in there as well.]
warmare: (沈黙)

[personal profile] warmare 2018-07-08 07:13 am (UTC)(link)
[She knows that she lashes out, even as she does it. But on high alert, hyper defensive... she cannot find herself reacting any other way. What? Is she supposed to just accept such madness as fact? Just-]

Then which are you? If you know nothing, then what point have we to even speaking?

[Yet even if he was equally new... she almost doesn't want him to go. It would leave her alone again... with just the black to swallow her whole.

Though that would be all she deserved.]
thedarkbond: (death feather)

[personal profile] thedarkbond 2018-07-08 10:02 am (UTC)(link)
[There's a lot of ways Ren could answer that second question, but he chooses to focus on the first for now. While his bearing overall changes very little, his smile takes on a slightly more sly angle, as if he's figured out more than he's letting on.]

I'm...waiting to see what happens. It seems like we've arrived at a pivotal moment.

[That dragon frozen on the land, the message whispered into his head before he properly awoke...it seems like however long this has been going on, these beings have only just realised they don't have total control. And that could spell opportunity or disaster for the lot of them.]

But I also think that if you talk to people now, they'll be more likely to speak to you when they do know something.
warmare: (沈黙)

[personal profile] warmare 2018-07-13 02:12 pm (UTC)(link)
["Pivotal" he says. It brings a sneer to her lip, makes her fingers tighten on her arm. In all honesty, she had not listened as well as she perhaps ought to have- or rather, her mind had not been clear enough to truly register it. She is far more occupied with the existence of space, of other worlds, of planets-]

If the people who brought us here they may address me themselves. I will not grovel amongst those equally ignorant in the hopes of being given their charity.
thedarkbond: (dark heart trumpeter)

[personal profile] thedarkbond 2018-07-14 12:18 pm (UTC)(link)
You have an interesting way of looking at things. [Ren seems faintly amused by it, and still has a rather knowing look, but he's not going to try to push her into doing something she'd rather not do. And it's true enough that it would be more useful for the ones who brought them here to speak, but then, they've hardly been here long.

He doubts she'll put up with his company too much longer, but there is at least one thing he'd like to ask before he goes.]
Anyway, what's your name? In case I have to come grovel around you again.

[He says that in his prior, brighter tone - he definitely thinks it's a funny way to put it, but it doesn't seem to bother him any.]
warmare: (闇の中)

[personal profile] warmare 2018-07-15 05:09 pm (UTC)(link)
Hayame, of-

[Automatically, she begins to introduce herself the way she would in her own world. Hayame, of the Miyatsuta Stables.

But the stables were gone. Her world was gone. Even if it wasn't... she had failed. Nothing but death awaited her there.

A death she had been robbed of. A plan, a torch, a necklace of gunpowder, and a cliffside, all of which would have cleansed her dishonor. But here she is, expression darkening, realizing she has nothing because some ridiculous man wants to know her name.]


- Hayame.

[There.]
thedarkbond: (fiercebau)

[personal profile] thedarkbond 2018-07-17 10:01 am (UTC)(link)
[That's a very telling hesitation, but Ren notes it aside without letting anything show. He doesn't imagine Hayame is the sort of person who'd respond well to being gauged for reactions - or asked for details on what's given her such trouble offering a name.

Instead, he smiles slightly and offers a just as slight bow. Polite, but not exactly humble.]
It's nice to meet you then, Hayame-san. I'm Suzugamori Ren, but just Ren is fine.

[He still sounds as cheery as he has for most of the conversation in introducing himself. The problems he has with being here are plenty, but not quite the same as hers.

That said, he raises a hand, half-turning on one heel.]
I guess I should be on my way then, huh? Seems like you'd prefer to be alone.

[It's said with the same vapid obliviousness as earlier, but he has his reasons for putting it the way he has.]