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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! |
no subject
He's still got that conspiratorial kind of smile on his face, leaning down towards her slightly as they walk.]
I'm not sure it has much to do with being smart. [No actually that's...exactly what it is?] But even if I can't, we can always ask someone.
[He lets a few long moments pass in quiet, but then he decides to say something else. He's usually not one for emotions because they're messy and he doesn't know how to deal with them. But the sight of her in one of those tubes earlier...]
I am glad to see you awake. I was...worried. Earlier.
[Now his voice is pitched very quiet, very soft. For her to hear rather than anyone passing by.]
no subject
But it is a little like walking through a forest, when you've never seen a place like this before. The strangeness of it all sort of... blurs together.
He's quiet, then, and she's content to silently follow after him, trying to concentrate on sobering up. But then he breaks the silence and... she squeezes his hand again.]
I'd never leave you alone for long.
[He needs her. She knows that. She isn't always certain whether he knows it, but... he's smart. He gets it.
It feels nice, to be needed.]
I... couldn't find you. Got pretty drunk.
[She has the decency to look a little ashamed of that.]
no subject
Well, I can't blame you for that. I, ah...panicked a bit when I thought I was alone.
[Kept ducking into closets to get away from people. It doesn't help that he doesn't have Frumpkin. At least if he had his cat, he'd have been able to keep a cooler head.
As they walk, he actually does realize that he knows where he's going. He leads her down a few different corridors in a way that seems purposeful.]
no subject
He's always so understanding about her, too. She'd miss this, if he wasn't here right now.]
I'm glad you're not alone.
[Like he was before they met in that prison cell, when she was alone, too. She never wants to go back to that. Not now. Not after being together with him for so long, not after forming the Mighty Nein with some pretty incredible people.
Nott knew she must have been too lucky. She should have realized the other shoe would drop, and it would be just her and Caleb again. She considered it sometimes, but she grew less prepared for it as time went on, and... now they're here. Not quite the way she imagined it.
But at least neither of them are alone.
She hiccups.]
I never thought I'd say this, but maybe I drank too much, Caleb.
[She can't concentrate on the direction they're going. She's getting kind of dizzy, actually.]
no subject
Caleb isn't sure how much he likes the idea of her worrying about him that much. But he understands it, because he worries the same amount.]
It's only a little further. [Gone is his apparent indecision about where the rooms are.] Would carrying you make it better or worse, do you think?
[Because he'll do that, if it helps.]
no subject
Better. Definitely better. I don't know where I am.
[Stating the obvious, but she feels very lost right now.]
no subject
Eventually, though, he's holding her against his hip. There's the possibility that one of his books might be digging into her shoulder a bit but it's otherwise secure and...comfortable?
He starts walking. Slowly.]
Just another minute or so.
[It really doesn't take too long, though maybe longer than a few minutes. About as soon as Caleb said, he's standing in front of a metal door. A few moments of fiddling with the panel, and it 'whooshes' open.
Nott is set down on the bed gently. And then Caleb sits down beside her. To start taking off his shoes.]
no subject
When she's set down on the bed, she just sort of lays in the same position she ended up in, not really feeling up to getting comfortable. Moving is hard. She blinks a few times when he starts taking off his shoes, blearily, and slurs out,]
I've got to help you clean that. Let me help. I did it, 's my job.
[But she doesn't make a move at all, despite her insistence.]
no subject
No, you stay there. It's nothing.
[Truly, it's about as easy to fix as taking off his shoes. And socks.
Once that happens, he inspects the rest of the room and does, in fact, find the small bathroom attached. There's no washbasin, but there is something that....looks like it. Caleb turns one of the knobs on top, and water comes rushing out.
Interesting!!
He reenters the bedroom portion to grab his socks and shoes, and then disappears back into the bathroom.]
no subject
Caleb...?
[She stirs, watching Caleb exit the bathroom and then bring his dirtied shoes and socks back into it. Okay, it's probably not a monster. She can at least put that together in her current state of confusion.
After a few more moments of continued hissing while she stares and waits for him to come back out of that room, she ventures,]
...Caleb, did the hissing thing eat you? Scream twice for yes. Once for "please Nott come help it's not too late".