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 —
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
She tried to help me become more bold but...it didn't quite worked as we planned.
[But it was a lot of fun though. Instead of lingering by the finished questionnaire, she follows Henry. It seems aimless but...]
Yes.
I want to find her. I want to find-find Chrom, and Robin, and all of our friends.
[It's easier to smile when he's not looking (squinting) her way. Or rather...it's easier to say bold things.]
I wanted to find you too, but you found me instead.
no subject
Of course I did! Wouldn't wanna make you worry about little old me. There's enough of that fretting going on in this place. Better that energy be used on other folks.
[Instead of going so aimlessly, Henry begins to glance up at the windows rather than regarding each pod as some body's encasement. He studies features through their hazy glass, looking for deep blue locks, tightly bound curls, somebody that might please Olivia.
Before allowing her to dwell long on his previous musing, Henry babbles on:]
The Natha must have biiiig plans to be keeping all these people! I guess those plans involve figuring out if we wanna hold hands with them, which is even more confusing. Say... [Henry slows for a moment, glancing up at the ceiling in thought before casting it toward Olivia with a grin.] Do you wonder if anyone had to talk about holding YOUR hand while you were deep asleep in one of these things, Olivia?
no subject
I wouldn't want you to worry about me either. There's a lot of more important matters going on then to worry about me.
[It's kind of sad. She's not sure if he's joking, just like-she's not sure he knows how to smile for real, most of the time. She should be looking at the pods, but mostly it's to double check-see if they are a friend or ally, someone they know.]
Huh?
[She blinks, and a blush creeps up onto her face. Predictable. ]
I don't...I never thought about that.
[She shakes her head, and her hands are starting to come up. Yup, here they go.]
Why would they want to! I don't want people watching me while I'm asleep!
no subject
Aren't you doing the same thing to them? What's the harm when they'll never know? That's the beauty of it. You could say all kinds of things and it'd go right over their heads. Er, it wouldn't penetrate these metal walls? Ah well, same thing.
no subject
Look at her she's now covering her face.]
But what if they find out? They might find out! I've made a horrible mistake.
I thought I was helping but I wasn't helping at all! I was just embarrassing someone in the future!
I'm the worst!
no subject
[Just another nail in the coffin, and Henry knows it.]
But really, what's the worse you've said in these reports? I doubt it's anything to be ashamed of.
no subject
[And there's Henry, making Olivia want to die out of embarrassment. Is this exposure therapy? It might be.]
I-I just...I kept getting...dating...questions...
no subject
[Henry shrugs, continuing on with his whimsical stroll.]
If I were one of the strangers you had to talk to, I'd be flattered that you stopped for me and said stuff, even while I slept like the dead. Maybe you're making future friends. See? Nothing to be ashamed of.
no subject
[Olivia ladies and gentlemen. But...she supposes yes, Henry has the chance to make some small talk with lion tamer back there.
But...still. Henry is-while he was being a bit of a troll-is reassuring at the same time. She's still fidgety, but she's at least brought her hands down a bit. To worry at her hands, but still. Face uncovered.]
I-I just...I don't know if that's a good way...if we should be making friends like that.
Henry wh-what...what would you have said if you found me? In one of the pods.
no subject
[Henry doesn't want to pause and give it too much thought. If he found Olivia locked away in a container rather than faltering and embarrassed in front of one, he would have been having a completely different sort of conversation, he guesses. A memory of her breath hitching and her eyes closing eases in, but none of the same panic. It feels like a fresh memory, but distant all the same.
Henry slows in his footsteps; his hands are tucked behind his back, under his cape, where he clasps his hands together loosely.]
I think I would've told you thaaat... The look of a coma doesn't suit you at all. [Regardless of the memory playing in his head, Henry's cheery composure remains.] I don't mind talking to dead things, but... One-sided conversations aren't nearly as fun to have with you, y'know? Or maybe you don't. But I'd probably tell you to hurry up and wake up already!
no subject
Henry...too, did save her from going into one, once.
His answer-so earnest, so Henry-does make her smile.]
That sounds like you. No bothering with questions of hand holding or walking on the beach.
[It makes her straighten up a bit.]
I'm surprised. I thought you might curse the pod open.
no subject
[Henry goes through the actions of acting coy, raising a hand to barely cover his devious grin.]
I jest. But I can't deny, the inclination's there! There's gotta be a curse for that. I have restraint, but if you're looking at somebody you care about through a glass window, how could you not contemplate busting it open? [Heaven forbid it sound mushy. For the mischievous factor, Henry adds:] Y'know. Just to give that curse a whirl.
no subject
[She laughs a little, shaking her head. It's dangerous, but still. There's some mush going on here on both sides, even if he's still teasing her about it.]
I mean, I wouldn't want you to keep a new curse to yourself. It'd be too much.
[Softer she goes:]
I know that I'd try to get you out, if you were asleep in one of these. I'd likely get caught before I could do anything but-it'd be worth getting punished for, again and again.
no subject
Yesss. Thanks! I knew you had a darker side to you, Olivia! We'd make a pretty awesome team: rescuing each other in a pinch, watching each other's backs, slaughtering witnesses to our crimes...
[Suddenly breaking people out of the pods is criminal?! Alright Henry. He laughs airily.]
Even if you busted me outta there and it turned out I was uselessly asleep, couldn't you just put me to bed 'til I woke up? That's what I would do.