![[personal profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/user.png){kind=small}
![[community profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/community.png){kind=small}
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! |
musical doors
Ending up trapped in a closet with a stranger far surpasses Nott's most hellish dreams. It's worse than a burning prison.
She grabs the ends of her long hair, mask and hood firmly in place to hide her face, and practically vibrates with anxiety. Her voice comes out high and thin, the telltale signs of sheer panic coming through.]
Hi! You're very tall! Please don't stand near me!
[Nevermind that there's not much room to stand away from her.]
no subject
Sitting okay, then?
[ not like he's actually asking permission because he's already gone and done it with a sip of the bottle. ]
no subject
For good reason, you know, but still. That spells trouble for her. And being so close, it's only a matter of time before he realizes the porcelain half of her face is hiding green skin.
At the same time, though, he is really speaking her language with this whiskey-straight-from-the-bottle deal. She'd consider trying to get some if she didn't definitely have an infinite amount in her flask already. Speaking of, she takes out her flask and takes a quick drink to calm her nerves.]
I... suppose. Hang on, don't just give up! I can pick the lock!
[She reaches into her cloak and pulls out a couple thin metal tools, and hovers over him, getting up in his face as she reaches for the door to look for a lock. So much for not staying near...]
no subject
Not sure this is the kind of door you can just pick your way out of.
[ he eyes the tools in her hands. ]
I knew a guy who could pick his way out of anything though, so may as well give it a shot.
no subject
[She sounds very smug about it, then stares at the door handle. It's so smooth. And... flashy?
She pries off the panel with her clawed fingernails and stares at the wiring inside. What the fuck... is this...]
Who locks doors with string!!! This is definitely a trap.
[I'M FROM FANTASYLAND AND WHAT IS ELECTRICITY.]
no subject
whatever that is!!!
juno's taking another swig from his bottle as she pries off the control panel, glancing at the innards and yeah. looks pretty standard to. whatever kind of electronic locking system you might have on a weird space ship. in any case, it's more his speed.
and by his speed, we mean he's never picked a door in his goddamn life but he sure knows what an electronic one looks like. ]
What? No. No, it's wire and junk - you never seen it before? The thing runs on electricity. Or whatever the rest of this ships runs on.
[ he gets up on a knee, putting the bottle down and leaning in to see the panel just a bit. ] Ugh, stupid thing. Cutting the wrong ones might just even get us more stuck in here if we're not careful. Don't even know the first thing about this. Goddamn door - can't even get the Theia to help us out with this stupid thing.
[ to no one in particular as he reaches in to maybe see if he can tell which wire goes to where: ] Hear that, Theia? You're useless! Ugh.
no subject
[She really doesn't get how all this works. Understanding how a ship is running is far beyond her abilities. Maybe if Caleb were here...
But he's not, is he? It's just Nott, all alone again. She peers over the strange man's shoulder as he rambles to himself about the door.]
Who's Theia?
no subject
[ juno leans a little out of the way to let some of the dim closet light in, but really he's not getting far. ]
Can you hold that thing there? That wire? Just hold it down a sec... maybe we can find the one that goes exactly to the lock and cut it...
no subject
That's perfectly fine. Caleb's been mad before, or so he's explained. A lot of perfectly fine people have been mad. It's all fine.
Only Nott doesn't know what sort of person this guy is, at all, other than a man who appreciates a good drink, which, who doesn't, honestly? But he's unnerving her a bit. Again, who doesn't?]
Uh...
[She reaches in with her tiny, bandage-covered fingers and holds down the wire he indicates, letting him take the lead. She's learning about electric doors; she can use this later.]
no subject
You make a hobby out of picking locks?
[ he tilts his head as he starts to pull at a wire carefully to see where it goes. ]
no subject
But Caleb's asleep, and she's in a closet with some stranger.]
No. I've never picked a lock in my life.
[The lie is obvious after she flashed her thieves' tools, but it's easier than answering with the truth.]
no subject
[ sounding a little preoccupied, juno's not going to admit he doesn't know whether to pull the damn wire already or just leave it alone in case it just makes the situation worse. where's rita in your ear when you really need her? juno glances over just a bit, wire pinched in his fingers anyways, giving it a bit of a test tug to feel the give. ]
It's not like I'm gonna go arresting you or anything. Like I said, I knew a guy.
[ knew? know? whatever. ]
no subject
[He did say that. She watches him fiddle with the wires, a little impatiently. If she could just pick the lock, they'd be out by now. What is with these fucked up doors.]
Well. You never know when you need to get out of something. ...Or in.
[Case in point. Although her thieves' tools did little to help her out of this particular situation.]
...Are you just going to pull on the wires? I thought you said you'd cut it!
no subject
Hey - give me a minute, okay? [ he glances over at her, eyes rolling a little. ] You can't rush a lady.
[ he fiddles with a little part of his sleeve, the one where he typically stores his plasma blade box cutter. that should probably do the trick... except they've definitely gone and removed that from his person too, which isn't really ideal. he presses his lips together. ]
They took my knife, so plan B. I'm gonna pull it.
no subject
Wait! It's not going to explode or something, is it? Are you sure it's not going to explode?
[Her fingers are right in it! She needs those!]
no subject
[ he doesn’t really have it, per se, but he’s got fingers pinching a wire that he’s pretty sure is snaking up and into the door. maybe. how the fuck does nureyev do any of this? he’s just going off a hunch, but hey.
you live and die off your hunches... might as well right? in any case, juno pushes himself up against the pried up panel. he waits for her to let go so he can block it fully. a door exploding in his face probably doesn’t feel... too bad... ]
no subject
[Nott pulls her fingers out the instant he gives the okay and backs away from the door panel. Far, far away. She's literally pressing herself against some shelves full of cleaning products, half tangled in them.
She's seen explosions! Technically some of them weren't that harmful! But without knowing what to expect, she covers her eyes and whines.]
Tell me when it's over. Or when we're dead!
no subject
there’s something that hums low inside of the door, a ratcheting clicking sound and a sharp snap and pop. it isn’t loud, but it startles juno enough that he lets out a yelp that breaks. he falls back as something leaks a little smoke from inside. ]
Boom. Hey - uh what’s your name - let’s try popping this sucker open.
no subject
She shoots him an annoyed look at his "boom" comment and wanders back over to the door, now that it's apparently over. And smoking? Why is even checking for traps complicated here.]
It's-- Nick.
[She's never given her real name to anyone, like hell she's starting now.
She reaches for the door and tries it again. She tugs a few times, then winds up for a good, solid pull... and it opens.
Revealing an empty bedroom.]
...Well. That's... great. We're out of the closet.
no subject
to reveal a bedroom.
nice.
juno's shoulders drop as he sighs deeply and meets nick at the door, hands deep in his pockets as he makes his way out. ]
Could've been another closet, Nick, we lucked out.
[ but it's clear he sounds less than thrilled as he walks over to explore just a little - mostly devoid of signs of personalization, so at least they weren't in someone else's room about to get caught, at least that he knew of anyways. ] Let's hope this isn't some dumb nesting doll bullshit and get the hell out of here. I knocked my bottle over so I'm gonna have to make another visit to the canteen again.
no subject
[She's getting slightly more comfortable with this guy as she spends time with him. Maybe being stuck in a closet together does that to people. Maybe that's what Seven Minutes In Heaven is all about.
She looks over the room for herself as well, letting out a muffled sigh through her nose as she realizes the only doors in here are for presumably a bathroom (which, holy shit, the toilets are fancy and high tech here, and what the fuck is a shower and how can she get as far away from it as possible) and another closet.
But hey, maybe they'll get lucky and the doors to one of those will fuck up too somehow, and lead them back to a hallway or something. Or even the canteen. She's catching onto how this works.]
Oh, if you want booze, I have whiskey.
[She reaches into her cloak and pulls out her platinum flask, offering it up to him. She doesn't bother telling him it's infinite. He'll figure that out on his own, probably. A hint may be the smug look on her face as she brandishes it at him.
Alcohol is her biggest bargaining chip, this makes it less likely that he'll kill her once he figures out she's a goblin.]
no subject
but he could always use one. ]
Thanks.
[ juno glances down at the offered flask. she'd been clutching at it before, drinking from it even, so juno takes it in his hand, feels the heft of it, and opens it. there's a moment where he looks to her and then to the flask, which he opens and takes a swing from. ah yes. whiskey. the kind that gets you nice and drunk as someone wise probably once said a long long time ago.
it's weird though, because it doesn't actually have the heft of a container that's been drawn on as much as he saw nick drink from it in the closet. it's pretty average-sized as far as flasks go (and juno would know, he's got a few of them rattling around his desk). ]
I'm Juno - [ capping it and handing it back to her. ] - nice flask you've got.
no subject
I know. It's made of platinum.
[She takes a small drink herself and then places it back in her cloak.]
So... do we want to try one of these other doors? Or both of them?
no subject
juno watches the little look in her eyes and files it away for later. when he's out of this stupid rat trap of a room. still, his expression might soften up just a bit. there's probably. worse company. maybe. he's not sure yet. ]
There's two of us. May as well do both at the same time. As long as they're not locked like the other one, we might be able to find something that leads back out into the main station. Just don't go running straight through 'em. Last thing we wanna do is find a door that leads straight to getting spaced.
[ as cozy as that sounds. ]
no subject
Once the door is opened, she instantly gasps.]
Wow!
It's a toilet.
[It's just a bathroom.]
(no subject)
(no subject)
(no subject)
(no subject)
(no subject)
(no subject)
kickflips this to a close.