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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
There are many strange things than can happen when you're exposed to people from a thousand different worlds.
[ He was still adjusting to that fact himself, honestly. ]
Why don't we sit so you can tell me more of this friend of yours?
[ Lunch could wait. He couldn't resist a good story. Especially not when it came from a man with such a look of adoration and astonishment in his eye. ]
no subject
Why don’t we? I would like to argue, but I can think of no reason.
no subject
After you. This is your room, after all. At least...I assume?
[ He briefly wondered if this was instead Apollo's room, and this man had been looking for the man when Christian stumbled in. ]
no subject
It serves to shake Grantaire out of it, though. He tries to smile as he waves Christian further into the room, toward a small table. ]
Only for the time. It serves well for sleeping, but the doors! You aren't the first to find your way here by mistake. Just yesterday I found myself trapped in a lounge for hours trying to find my way back here.
[ And the wine comes out immediately, because company means breaking into his small stash of wine. ]
no subject
How does anything get done around here, if everyone continues to find themselves trapped in strange places?
no subject
I often get nothing done at all, regardless of where I am.
[ The self-deprecation is real. ]
But the misfortune of being trapped in strange places is a new acquisition. The doors usually work quite well.
no subject
I feel exactly the same sometimes. When I first got to Paris, I got settled in, put that first sheet of paper in my typewriter then...nothing. My mind was as blank as the paper.
[ He held up his glass, asking for a toast. ]
To...something making a little sense around here?
no subject
[ The comparisons just keep going deeper and growing stranger. If Grantaire didn’t know for certain that Enjolras had died, he might have far more questions than he actually does. All the same, his head spins with them as he clinks their glasses together. ]
You speak of my home. You speak of one of the few things that makes any sense to me at all on most days. I’ve not heard of a typewriter before, but I once met a woman here who kindly informed me that Notre Dame had been restored and that Napoleon’s elephant had been removed at last from the Place de la Bastille. There are many things I've missed, it seems.
[ She also taught him about supermarkets, but he’s still trying to wrap his mind around those. ]
Where do you come from, if not Paris?
no subject
Just a small town in America. But that doesn't matter, really. If you've never seen a typewriter...wait! They gave us one! But it's really small. Way beyond anything I've seen before!
[ He dug in his pocket to pull out his communicator and already had it on a keyboard. ]
Typewriters are what they based this on!
no subject
I concede. It appears that I have been using a typewriter all this time.
[ Color him surprised. ]
Am I right to assume you to be a writer, then? Paris seems to draw artists and poets from across the world. The most fortunate of them are even more than momentarily inspired by what they find. As for myself, I find inspiration to be a rarity in the shortest supply.
no subject
He reached out and placed a hand on Grantaire's arm. ]
To live in Paris, in any era, in any world, and to be without inspiration...that is greater than any tragedy Shakespeare himself could have written.
Does that mean you are, yourself, some sort of artist?
no subject
If he tried, perhaps he could recall a time when he was as full of hope as this man is now, but now he only perceives the world with pessimism. He has few comforts, even in this second life, and he clings to his death in a most unhealthy manner. ]
An artist? You offend me.
[ He smiles, though, soft and sad, to show that here’s no true hard feelings there. Perhaps there are regrets though, somewhere far in the back of his mind, that he could never achieve what he hoped to. It’s his own fault, really. ]
But there was a time when I thought myself one. I was a pupil of Gros. What he saw in my wretched paintings, I will never know, but he was well past fifty at the time. Perhaps his eyesight had begun to fail him. I might have daubed a picture or two, but I am no artist, monsieur.
no subject
Not being able to help himself, Christian grabbed Grantire's hand between both of his. ]
If only I could wake Toulouse myself. He would be able to tell you better than I could, but no matter your skill, all it takes to be an artist is what's in your heart!
[ He let go with one hand, to press it to his own chest. ]
Regardless of that, I doubt this Gros would have taken you as a student if you didn't have the skill. To get even that far, to put brush to canvas, it takes a certain passion not many possess. To think poorly of what you've done...it breaks my heart.
[ He could feel something budding at the back of his mind. Lyrics. Music. Something heart-wrenching and tragic. ]
no subject
Wires are crossed somewhere in his head, and he’s having a difficult time untangling them. It grows even more difficult when the other man takes his hand. ]
Le Baron Gros would disagree with you, unless it’s apples and wilting flowers that dwell in the hearts of all artists.
[ Schooling had always frustrated him so much. Day after day, nothing but still lifes. He lost motivation quickly after that, and heart not long after. He’s picked sketching back up in recent days, but he only finds the flaws in his work. ]
You believe I’ve gone beyond putting brush to canvas? A few strokes at best. I’ve not even finished a painting. If I could wake my teacher, I would ask his forgiveness, for I wasted his time.
no subject
You'll do no such thing! I may not be able to wake Toulouse, but maybe I can ask for his paintings!
[ He realized he didn't even really know when Grantaire was from. He could be from later, and already know of Toulouse's work. Or he could be from the past and would not appreciate the style. But he didn't seem to react to the name...how does one even ask when someone is from? ]
They're quite modern, but maybe that will help! The apartment is...was covered in them...
[ His excitement suddenly faded. He was still coping with the reality of why he was here. ]
...if they were rescued with us.
[ He tried to push back to his previous level, but it wasn't quite working. ]
But then you might see that just because it's not finished doesn't mean it's not worth doing.