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! |
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He can just imagine the chaos. Poor Yasha, so awkward, faced with a teenager who thinks she's the best without ever meeting her. One would think that Jester would have prepped her for such a thing, but... this just seems like it's way out of her depth. People have never put expectations on her before.
It'll be good for her.
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"Hey, Little Demon Molly." That's your name now, sorry Molly. "I know you've got some friends in those pod things, but do you have any friends who are awake?"
The deeper alto voice that Yoshiko was speaking with starts to fade a little as she starts speaking with her normal, more higher-pitched voice. She's asking a serious question here and her over the top Yohane-ness is fading away at least for this moment.
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"Nott, right now." He knows precisely what he said, and the double meaning behind it, and he is not ashamed of it. "But I'm meeting so many fascinating new people."
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Because yeah, homegirl doesn't know what a tiefling is.
"I suppose that's a good thing about this place," Yoshiko muses. "One of my friends is awake and I'm super glad she is. I want more of them to wake up, but even if they don't, at least there's a whole bunch of interesting and nice people here."
Nice people who do things like save her from closets.
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Or maybe that's just him. Then again, two years worth of memories means he hasn't even had time to really get attached to any place in the Empire or throughout it. He's attached to a people, who are just in stasis and could come out any time.
This is just one more new experience to him.
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There is one thing that sucks about her plane of existence being kicked in the dirt, though. "But we just did something really important back home...it would have been nice to linger on that feeling a bit. After all, it doesn't really matter here."
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He checks the structural integrity of both snowballs before he begins idly juggling them. Subtle distraction- who doesn't enjoy a little juggling act while facing a momentary crisis? "But I'm just a humble circus performer. What do I know, really?"
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"I'm a school idol—that means that me and my friends from our high school sing as a group together. We won a singing competition," Yoshiko explains. She can't help it: she's super proud as she talks about this and some of that pride creeps into her voice. "It's called Love Live. We beat out every other school idol group in the country in order to win."
Thankfully, she realizes purple demon guy over here might not know what school idols even are and is perfectly willing to explain more if needed.
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Despite the snowballs having been well packed, they are not meant for juggling and they start to break up around the fourth rotation, one catching him on the edge of a horn and the other crumbling to pieces in his hands. He seems to have no issue with this and gives a flourishing bow in order to shake the snow out of his hair. "I really am in the presence of greatness, Ms. Yohane." The Ms carries an air of insincerity, but it's harmless.
But this certainly explains her fallen angel fantasies- he's never met a bard that didn't have delusions of grandeur. "How do they judge something like that?"
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She's also blushing a little at the 'presence of greatness' remark. This guy might be teasing (after all, Molly doesn't know much about Love Live to begin with), but man does it feel good.
As for the question, "It's a combination of audience scores and a panel of judges. You dance while singing when you're at Love Live, so any obvious mistakes, mess-ups, or not as challenging choreography get points taken off as well." She pauses a little before, "It won't look as good because it's just me, but I can perform one of our songs for you."
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"That's all right. I've nothing to compare it to anyway. Dazzle me." Yes, he's going to make her dance and sing in simulated snow for his amusement, because why would you bother going somewhere else when you can have instant gratification?
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"You've gotta remember that there's nine of us normally," Yoshiko remarks, "so if I'm not doing anything, then that means Chika-chan or Ruby-chan might be doing something instead. Normally I don't sing all of the song, but it'd be confusing if I just sang my part so I'll sing the entire melody."
She's shuffled off enough of a stage before Yoshiko pauses and strikes a pose. Then, she starts to perform. It's a little awkward due to the fact that she's in snow gear, she's dancing in simulated snow, and the dance is obviously supposed to have more people than just her, but even though the awkwardness, it's clear that Yoshiko's a seasoned performer and this isn't her first rodeo.
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Once she's finished, she gets a polite clap for her troubles and an enthusiastic, bared-teeth grin.
"I can see how you won, if it was that lovely with just one person. You know, you and your group should really consider putting something together here if you ever get all nine of you together again. I think this place is sorely lacking in good times, and that could be the cure."
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At Molly's mention of bringing the group back together, Yoshiko nods. God, she'd love that. They all went their separate ways back home, but to have all nine of them back here, singing and performing together? It'd be amazing.
"I'd really like that," Yoshiko admits, smiling still. "This place...so much weird stuff has happened in the past few days, things that I never thought could even exist. It'd be nice to have a little bit of home, even if it's just singing and dancing."
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He hasn't done it in awhile. It might be nice to get back to his roots for a bit, especially since they clearly can't travel all over the countryside.
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It wouldn't be the same. And it wouldn't be Aqours proper. But at least it would be singing and at least it would be Yoshiko singing with her friends. For her, that's what matters most of all.
"But thanks, Little Demon Molly. I'll definitely ask you for help when we get something set up. When, not if, because Yoshiko's an idol. She adores singing and adores singing with her friends. Of course they'll get something set up.