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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! |
ignis scientia | ffxv
[ The dreams are vivid. Ignis is used to having active dreams; a product of days spent slaving over texts and studies, over political treaties and organization. But these dreams are different, violent. Worlds upon worlds devoured by a great darkness, a storm.
Scourge? The city falling, Eos falling. The star he knows so well fading into the maw of the storm.
He wakes with a start, and he has a moment of bleary eyed calm before the world comes rushing back into focus.
Noctis. The journey to Altissia. Ramuh. The whole star disappearing before his eyes.
He pushes his way out of the pod and stumbles, steadying himself against it for a moment. ] Noct?
[ Nothing but the hum of machinery and the distant sounds of life within the station. He reaches for a dagger, for some weapon, anything. Perhaps the Armiger doesn't work here. Perhaps he's so far removed from his friends—
A noise. Feet on the metal flooring. ] Who's there? [ He needs to find Noct and the others. He needs to be sure that what he saw was nothing more than a dream. He refuses to believe anything else. ] Answer.
and we all float on;
[ Since his arrival on Thesa Station, Ignis spends a great deal of time mapping out the station and taking notes on the strange happenings within. One can never be too prepared. Information is key in strange, uncertain surroundings.
He's passing through one of the corridors when he catches someone staring up at the large screens posted throughout. He'd fallen victim to it as well, when trying to put together everything that happened before his arrival. He reaches out to touch the person's arm. ] I do not recommend—
[ And that's when something changes. When the distance between him and the other person is suddenly more than a few centimeters. He's floating up into the air, unable to control his trajectory. ] I suppose we could all stand to have a modicum of levity, however this isn't quite what I had in mind. [ Time to work together, stranger! ]
it's cold outside;
[ For much of his life, Ignis studied and trained to be prepared for all manner of events and environments. The tutorials are easy to complete, but Ignis spends his time familiarizing himself with the surroundings and technology.
He's just preparing to exit when he catches sight of a weak, dying set of embers. The kindling is wet, and no stones or ice packs have been set around the flames to contain the inevitable fire. ]
Would you care for assistance? [ VR or not, if this was the real setting, they'd both have frozen to death with an attempt like this. ]
wildcard;
[ Find Ignis in the corridors? Maybe you both get pummeled with snowballs? Maybe you're stuck in the labs, trying to escape a slime? You do you! ]
arrival; HOLLERS LOUDLY
...Or maybe not.
Prompto is en route to what probably amounts to his zillionth visit to the section of pods that hold his friends, to check up on them and give them updates he likes to think they can hear, when he stops dead in his tracks at the sound of a familiar voice. Familiar, though it has been many long, long months since Prompto heard it last. His heart squeezes tight in his chest, breath catching in a sharp gasp—and then he's hurrying towards its source. He quickly rounds the corner and sure enough— ]
...Iggy?
[ It's him. In the flesh, awake, and...not blind. But that's not as much of a stumbling block as it might've once been for Prompto, and really, everything else pales in comparison to his abject relief and joy. Irrespective of the tension in Ignis' tone, Prompto all but skips right up to him, claps him on the shoulder, and wraps an arm around his neck in a stranglehold that is some sort of approximation of a hug. ]
Heh—you're one hell of a sight for sore eyes, y'know that?
[ Ignis likely has no idea how much so. ]
Float on! o9
[ Man, one moment she's minding her own business, and the next everything decides 'fuck it, battle royale time'? Worst week ever. The Natha have a lot of explaining to do if they think this is what long overdue R&R is.
Urbosa's managed to twist herself, catlike, to maintain at least a semblance of "upright" while floating helplessly - batting away floating cups, chairs, and other miscellany from bumping into her with one arm. The sheer ridiculousness of it all makes it difficult not laugh.
Which she does, shaking her head a little. ]
Well, well, well. Quite the welcoming party they're throwing this time around.
ALSO HOLLERS LOUDLY! floating on~
The touch startles Noctis, but he has barely turned when gravity stops working and he flails slightly, feeling like he's faling but - no it's falling up and woah, Ignis is really close all of a sudden, and
he's making a pun, because of course he is.
Whatever else Noct is thinking about seeing his oldest friend again like this and in this place is driven out of his mind by the absurdity of it, and he laughs.]
You always did know how to appreciate the gravity of a situation.
[This place is weird, and this is disorienting, and there are many things wrong, and Ignis doesn't look quite how Noct last remembers, but for the moment none of that really matters.]