zhautasmods: (Default)
Zhautas ([personal profile] zhautasmods) wrote in [community profile] sexyspace2018-06-25 07:10 am
Entry tags:

TEST DRIVE MEME #2

Awakening
Artificial lights assault your eyes. It takes a few blinks for them to adjust properly. Quiet mechanical whirs and clicks sound in the small, sparse space that you had likely been corralled into before being put to sleep for the long journey. As grogginess fades away and lucidity starts to take hold, you begin to remember where you are and why you’re here on this spaceship thousands of light years away from home and perhaps everything and everyone you’ve ever known.

The multiverse is sick. It’s dying. And it’s up to you to save it. Or, at least, that’s what the Zenith Corporation had told you when they announced their search for a cure across the multiverse. They hand-picked individuals to be "volunteers" for the next stage of experimentation. Maybe they made it sound dire, maybe you already had your mind set to help, or maybe the specifics of how you could help was vague. Considering the alternative was wasting away on your home planet with no promise of when this cure might actually come to fruition, it ultimately wasn’t much of a choice either way.

Everything comes to life the more awake that you start to feel. "Good morning, volunteer," sounds a synthetic, feminine voice in your ear. That must be one of the fancy features they advertised about the chip that was injected just beneath your skin. A projected HUD above your torso displays and scrolls through several readings about the state of your being. "A scan of your vital signs show that everything is functioning as normal." There’s a small pause. "Wait-" The spike of alarm that should follow that single, distressed-sounding word is accompanied by a light chime. "Emotional responses are still accurate, too. Thank you for your cooperation!" Without any further explanation or allowing for protest, she continues on. "I hope you enjoyed your nap! We’ll be descending to planet #05031941 - common name designated as Zhautas - in approximately three hours. There will be a brief orientation for all volunteers exactly one hour before landing. Due to potential unnatural stress levels upon awakening from stasis, I suggest a relaxing trip to the garden beforehand."

If you have any questions, please don’t hesitate to ask.
My name is R.O.S.I.E. and, on behalf of all of us at the Zenith Corporation, we’re happy to have you aboard.
Code Credit

Say Aloe (Prospective Players Only)


Red lights lead the way to the gym, green will be your path to the gardens, ostignuh is- Wait, what do you mean the color ostignuh is burning your eyes? Huh. They must have over-corrected for your species. Oh, well. They’ll fix that for the next trip. For now, don’t worry about it. It probably didn’t lead to anything important anyway!

  1. The staff is much more attentive this time than they were with the first wave of volunteers. Poor feedback and the threat of losing their jobs if they don't improve their standing will do that! Unfortunately, it isn't just the colors that have been over-corrected. Despite how many times you tell the very helpful staff member that you're fine, they won't leave you alone. Are you sure? They can walk with you if you'd like. They can even hold your hand if you're overwhelmed! If there's anything you need, they're here for you.

    Maybe if you find a buddy to walk you to your destination they might divert their attention to a different volunteer. The buddy system is pretty fool-proof, after all.

  2. As you draw closer to the gardens, the lights in the hallway begin to dim. In fact, the only available source of illumination for a small distance is the thin green line across the floor guiding your way. Careful not to trip! There's handy railing to hold onto or maybe you accidentally grab the arm of that (hopefully) cute person nearby. It's kind of hard to tell and green isn't really a flattering color anyway.

    Suddenly, you're stepping into a wide open space of twilight. Iridescent flowers dot the landscape for as far as the eye can see. They come in all different shapes, sizes, and glow softly in this simulated night-scape. Trees of shining magenta leaves and blue bark wind up to the stars. Or, at least, the viewing panels that allow the stars to be seen from inside the ship. Not to worry, it's entirely safe and beautiful!

    The featured flower of this month is the Nykt Blossom. Be warned, however, that inhaling its pollen causes increased levels of oxytocin. This will cause you to feel compelled to bond socially with others. That is, you might find yourself a lot more friendly than usual! Maybe a little too friendly, even, if you're especially susceptible to its effects.

  3. It's very easy to miss the warning signs in this dark as you step into the section of the garden that houses the more alien plant-life.

    They'll fix that for the future, of course, but for now many volunteers are likely finding themselves subject to the same unfortunate circumstances. Coitendrils are in abundance here; they're a pretty touchy feely species. It's a plant that thrives in warm conditions and grows at an incredibly fast rate to seek out these cozy spots. As it turns out, your body warmth is the highest temperature around and exactly what it's looking for.

    Before you know it, long green tendrils are suddenly growing around your arms or legs in speedy spirals. They get everywhere in a matter of mere seconds. Their growth is aggressive, finding ways beneath the fabric of whatever clothes you happen to be wearing and to the skin below. The only way to reverse their growing hold is to cool yourself off and fast. Maybe someone can grab you some ice?
Orientation (Prospective Players Only)

Around an hour before landing, an announcement is made to everyone aboard the ship. It’s time to find your way to the amphitheater for orientation. If anyone gripes, they are reminded that it has mandatory safety information that the Zenith Corporation is legally required to cover. In fact, there's even a quiz at the end to make sure you understand all the technical ins and outs! The Zenith Corporation only has your best interests at heart. They also can’t afford another lawsuit or PR nightmare but who can, really? It’s only a half an hour long and R.O.S.I.E. reassures everyone that it will go by faster than they think.
  1. Are you way too cool for school? If you try to play hookey, the crew members of the spaceship are already on guard. You're not the first one to try this and they doubt you'll be the last. Try as you might to super sleuth your way around, there’ll be someone at apparently every single turn and twist you try.

    It’s also very likely that in scrambling to find a place to hide you’ll run into someone else breaking the rules! Perhaps great minds think alike and you decide to try to defy the system together. Or maybe they’re totally just getting in your way and you decide instead to throw them to the wolves to give yourself a better chance at escaping certain boredom that is an informational seminar. The choice is yours, volunteer!

  2. Whether you come to the orientation willingly or are dragged in by one of the staff, you’ll quickly realize just how bad R.O.S.I.E. lied. A half an hour feels almost like ten hours instead. The last time you checked your watch, it was somehow later than when you check it now. Is time going backward? It sure seems like it the longer you listen to the monotone voice read over colored flavor text clearly meant to engage but missing its mark stupendously. Even the motivation of a quiz at the end that needs to be passed in order to disembark seems to do little to nothing for your dwindling attention span.

    Finally, there’s a break in the bureaucratic monotony. The faceless, droning voice introduces one of the staff currently on Zhautas, Jeneviere. He's assistant to the head scientist, Professor Quintalian, and freshly assigned overseer of new volunteers. He also looks like he absolutely doesn't want to be the one doing this seminar.

    "Come now, Jenny," says a masculine voice off screen. "You promised."
    "I know what I said," he snaps, glaring off camera and not seeming to care much for the fact this is a live feed nor that these new volunteers are expecting something a bit more professional.
    "Then what's the problem?" the voice asks again. As it does, a tentacle wiggles into view and gives a reassuring pat on the deerman's shoulder. "I know for a fact that you like being filmed, Jenny, so really this shouldn't be so daunting-"

    As he speaks, Jeneviere's cheeks suddenly burn red hot. He stands forcefully out of his chair and uses one of those hoofs to kick harshly at the source of the tentacles. There's a very undignified squawk at the attack before the video feed cuts out and a technical difficulties sign is displayed.

    "... Right," the narrator from before says to break the undeniably awkward silence. "Just give us a moment, volunteers, and we'll get a pre-recorded seminar ready for you instead. In the meantime, let's open up communications with the facility and allow you to discuss with those already on the planet about what they've enjoyed most about their time on Zhautas so far?*

  3. Hopefully, you didn't forget about the quiz! The staff certainly didn't. After the pre-recorded seminar is run, papers are handed out. A quiet shuffle carries through the room as people pass them to and fro down the aisles. It all seems rather arbitrary and tedious but remember! You have to pass in order to disembark.

    It isn't too hard. Or maybe it is. Perhaps it's just the pressure that you only have fifteen minutes to complete it. What was the professor's first name again? How many research facilities are there on the planet? Staff are scrutinizing your every move now, it feels like. Do you take the risk and try to whisper for help to the person next to you? Pass notes? Do what you must to succeed! ...Or you can just shamefully take the quiz again and again and again until they're legally obligated to let you off board.
Welcome to Zhautas! (All Players)

Finally, it's time to disembark at the research facility. This time they have the right coordinates so it's as easy as stepping off the ship and to your new home away from home. Or, at least, it should have been that easy...

There's an awful lot of construction going on around here. Several beings with hard hats, power tools, and ridiculous amounts of glue are rushing about. They're shouting orders and saying "excuse me" where they remember to. Still, it can be hard to get a word in edgewise about the fact that you're new volunteers here to check-in. In addition to the construction, there's also an awful lot of important-seeming people walking throughout the facility as well that staff are far more attentive to than you.

In short, it's borderline chaos as you try to get your bearings.

  1. "Bad news, new volunteers," says R.O.S.I.E. in the midst of all the commotion. "We have your housing assignments but there have been some... technical difficulties in preparing the new rooms." There's actually been a lot of technical difficulties, period. Maybe you've already noticed with the lights randomly changing color or dimness, the vending machine that launched your drink at you, or R.O.S.I.E. herself glitching out periodically when responding. The problem with the rooms is that the doors won't open. Or they won't stay closed. Or that they open and close constantly and forcefully so it's a safety hazard. As if everything else going on with all the construction isn't.

    "We're working on it as fast as we can, but for now, we've set up a temporary sleeping situation until its resolved." Everyone will be directed to one of the larger common rooms in the east wing of the facility while the rest of the volunteers are still awaiting their new housing as promised. Mattresses are laid out in rows on the floor. There's plenty of blankets, pillows, and even some LED lights strung around the room to provide some nice ambience.

    Additionally, there's a screen covering one of the walls for a movie to be projected on before bed. R.O.S.I.E. has chosen a thematically appropriate film that was approved by Professor Quintalian himself. Snacks are provided too! It's an old-fashioned sleepover, volunteers. Make a blanket fort, enjoy what's on for your viewing pleasure, and have - most of all - have fun.

  2. What's a sleepover without scary stories? Flashlights have been provided and it's time to get spooky. Here's your chance to share that real thriller that you know from back home. Maybe another world has a similar tale! Either way, there's nothing like bonding over a little healthy fear. Right?

    Or maybe terrifying strangers isn't your idea of a good time and you'd rather make shadow puppets instead. That's also an option! In fact, some people are trying to start a contest out of it to see who can cast the most creative shadows around.

  3. The night staff comes around for one last security sweep. Get some sleep, they say. It's been a long day. Tomorrow might be even longer if they still can't figure out the rooms or where to put all these new volunteers for the time being.

    As nice as that sounds, it's a little easier said than done. Whether it's the construction noise, the person next to you snoring, or late night existential thoughts it's difficult for sleep to find you. Maybe talking to someone might help? Or maybe you just need to go to the bathroom. Good luck crossing the swath of bodies, in the case of the latter, and who knows! You might find someone else having as much trouble sleeping as you that you can commiserate with.

    Or maybe you're the one snoring. Do you happen to kick in your sleep? How unfortunate for the person assigned to the mat next to you. They might be courteous or they might tell you just how obnoxious it is. Whatever the case might actually be, you're likely in for a long first night here at the research facility.
Network/Bangr (All Players)

During all the goings-on, R.O.S.I.E. will prompt you to set up your presence on the network. Pick a username, a profile picture, and commence to shitposting immediately if you so desire! Additionally, if you want to get a headstart on your contribution to the volunteer program, why not set up your Bangr? R.O.S.I.E. even has an icebreaker question ready for you! They change every month. This month's question is:

Do you like wake-up sex or staying up all night?*
(*Despite what you might actually put, know that R.O.S.I.E. is a little glitchy. What you wrote might not actually be what's displayed! I.E., you can totally use this as a misfire type deal in case your character wouldn't answer this question.)


bangr
Professor Quintalian | 35
Do you like wake-up sex or staying up all night?
Wake-up sex is the best, in my opinion. Hormones are more haywire first thing in the morning; it's just scientific sense to get your bang in during wake-up time.

YES
NO


BANGR CODE
Please copy this pastebin for now!

Extra Notes

  • The BANGR code only works in comments, there is a separate code for entries!
    If you're testing this code before posting it here please do so in a comment to an entry for accuracy!

  • TDM top levels are allowed for current characters and/or new characters!
    However, current characters can ONLY interact with the following prompts:
    WELCOME TO ZHAUTAS where new characters are on the planet AND/OR the network options available if they want the thread to be considered game canon.


semicharmed: (research!)

[personal profile] semicharmed 2018-06-29 03:45 pm (UTC)(link)
Love and hate spells. [ He pulls a thoughtful moue. ] To attract love, that kind of thing, or what?

[ And is a hate spell a ... hex ...? Maybe he'll be able to glean some context clues. ]
aperturesubject0001: (Quirky smile)

[personal profile] aperturesubject0001 2018-06-29 04:08 pm (UTC)(link)
[ Yeah, he doesn't entirely not sound weird.

Probably none of her business, though, right?

With a shrug, she sits on the bed, pulls off the Long Fall Boots -- a slightly involved process -- and tucks them as far out of the way under the bed as possible. Taking into consideration a -- host, or a roommate, for lack of a better term, isn't something she can remember doing before. Even before Aperture. (Although was there ever really a time before Aperture?) It feels odd, like a change in air pressure.

It is a relief to have a little space of quiet and relative privacy, though. She stretches, rolls out her ankles, and shoots a quick smile towards Matt. ]


Tell me if you want to switch spots. I don't mind. I don't sleep very much anyway.
drehnifusbahi: (*total sincerity*)

[personal profile] drehnifusbahi 2018-06-29 04:10 pm (UTC)(link)
[He's already started to type when her voice sounds - not that he got far. And though he's heard her speak a time or two before, he can't help but startle a little at first.]

Yes, this is easier. [And he's probably going to end up leaning on it quite a bit until he's fully mastered the 'texting.'] And that's good to know, about the... app? How do I go about it?
wasteofparts: (pic#12389772)

[personal profile] wasteofparts 2018-06-29 04:11 pm (UTC)(link)
[ and now she's sitting there whispering "bitch me too"???? ]

Good.
kisekae: (love is a shooting star)

[personal profile] kisekae 2018-06-29 04:31 pm (UTC)(link)
-Excellent, he was making more friends! His brothers would be so proud of him. And he hadn't said anything inappropriate yet, either! A new record!-

Yay! I get to celebrate my victory with my new friend, Reisen-chan! Today is a great day!
kisekae: (over the hills and far away)

[personal profile] kisekae 2018-06-29 04:34 pm (UTC)(link)
-Midare didn't need to be told twice, practically diving his way to the floor and taking every bit of his self control to not bury his face in that tail, petting and and humming, even rubbing his cheek against the fur.-

So fluffy~! Mofu, mofu~!
aperturesubject0001: (Sarcastic; incredulous)

[personal profile] aperturesubject0001 2018-06-29 04:37 pm (UTC)(link)
Disease, social bonding, space expedition?


[ She pulls a rueful face. It sounded okay in the abstract, right? ]
kisekae: (carried on rippling waves)

[personal profile] kisekae 2018-06-29 04:38 pm (UTC)(link)
boy u sure get frustrated easily

u should relax! do u want me to find u and give u a massage?
inthemiddle: By Kippie (Admiring)

[personal profile] inthemiddle 2018-06-29 04:47 pm (UTC)(link)
[Heavens, strike him down, how absolutely embarrassing. Silas flopped right into a broad chest, which makes him scramble. Gloved hands palm over bare skin, muscles, and he flushes red to try and push himself away. Instead, he's met with a hand on his back and held in place. Silas can only think to ball up his hands so they aren't groping the man, looking at him apologetically.]

I'm so... very sorry, sir, I just tripped. [does he have horns? A Rahuth, maybe? Did other people from his world end up here, too? Not impossible, the thought distracting him from squirming away more. Which probably makes his excuse sound more convenient than truthful]
compelledtoprotect: (really concerned)

[personal profile] compelledtoprotect 2018-06-29 04:49 pm (UTC)(link)
Mink then. I'm Steve.


[Steve blinked at the man in surprise, watching as Mink wrapped the towel around himself while he was still covered in soap. He shrugged a little, ignoring the annoying little voice in his head that kept going on about things he ought to ask about or ask permission to do. Damn his conversations and the thoughts they'd put into his head! It would be unspeakably rude to accost a stranger, especially in the shower!]


I . . . interested? Interested in what? And forgive me, but you don't exactly look . . . finished. Did I use all the hot water? I apologize . . .
thetaintedsorrow: (Nyeh)

[personal profile] thetaintedsorrow 2018-06-29 04:52 pm (UTC)(link)
That’s too bad.

I’m sure we’ll end up running into each other eventually though.

I think I’d like to meet you in person sometime.
inthemiddle: By Kippie (Interested)

ii

[personal profile] inthemiddle 2018-06-29 04:56 pm (UTC)(link)
[the tail, the ears... Silas had heard of a splinter tribe from the Springtide that had such animal features. He'd read of them in books and dealt with a small caravan that was traveling through the lands. They had been so fascinating, happy and free.

And suddenly, Silas is addressed and he realizes he must have been staring. He'd been trying to wade through the swamp of pillows and blankets, but stopping to look the man thrice over didn't help him make any progress]

O, oh, I'm... not looking for anything like that. [on the contrary, he was trying to move to an abandoned corner to get some privacy, but Kaden was pretty close the spot he had his eye on anyways]

I didn't mean to bother you with lingering eyes. You look similar to an acquaintance, it caught me up in memory. [is he still staring? He's still staring....]
loxias: (08)

[personal profile] loxias 2018-06-29 05:01 pm (UTC)(link)
[That... actually would help, as far as getting him to relax was concerned.

It upset him he can't say it won't.]


A massage won't change how stupid people are.

Why do you want to, though? Still trying to curry favor with a god?
mind_of_god: (symbols of wisdom)

no worries!

[personal profile] mind_of_god 2018-06-29 05:09 pm (UTC)(link)
-Something Eirin was starting to pick up on, though she didn't have enough observational data to say as to why, yet, and thought better of asking directly.-

I hope that's a flattering comparison.
mind_of_god: (radience of enlightenment)

[personal profile] mind_of_god 2018-06-29 05:10 pm (UTC)(link)
Do you have a story like that, Caster? -Probably too pointed of a question, given the context they were both dancing around, but she didn't see any real consequences in asking.-
mind_of_god: (it's a jungle out there)

[personal profile] mind_of_god 2018-06-29 05:11 pm (UTC)(link)
Not yet, and I doubt I'd be allowed access as a newcomer just yet, anyways.
mind_of_god: (oh your lights are burning too slow)

[personal profile] mind_of_god 2018-06-29 05:12 pm (UTC)(link)
-A chuckle, brushing her fingertip over her jaw, leaning in just a bit closer.-

Goodness, do I seem that fragile? I suppose a woman my age should be more worried about that sort of thing.
mind_of_god: (Somebody Told Me)

[personal profile] mind_of_god 2018-06-29 05:13 pm (UTC)(link)
Oh it's hardly play, dear, I take my work rather seriously.
inthemiddle: By me (Conversation)

oh hi (SAY ALOE ii.)

[personal profile] inthemiddle 2018-06-29 05:17 pm (UTC)(link)
[Nobody has warned Silas that the flowers might give off a suspicious pollen.

Even if they had, maybe he would assume it wouldn't work on him, Druid constitution and all. He's been going about cupping his hands around blooms and holding each close under his nose, smelling the fragrance fully. Each is so unique and uncanny! The flowers on his head are relaxed open, matching the at ease look on his face]

Aah, can we just stay here? How peaceful... [he speaks wistfully and to the air, sounding rather lightheaded and wobbly. Maybe shoving his face into flower after flower isn't a wise idea.]
kisekae: (irregular hamon)

[personal profile] kisekae 2018-06-29 05:19 pm (UTC)(link)
nah u seem way too grumpy for that

but maybe we can just be friends? i tried flirting with u but it fell rly flat, so im just gonna try this instead, ok?
episodically: (2558066 (12))

Re: sass forever

[personal profile] episodically 2018-06-29 05:22 pm (UTC)(link)
I don't always listen very well.

[ but that was more in his professional life than his personal one. if he thought he had a better idea than an admiral or someone else in power, he wasn't afraid to go with his idea and go against orders.

the bop to his nose has him scrunching up said nose involuntarily. ]


Nothing. It's just an offer. Good natured and open ended.
catsallthewaydown: (nia5)

[personal profile] catsallthewaydown 2018-06-29 05:23 pm (UTC)(link)
Must be quite a sight.

How do you get there?
catsallthewaydown: (nia11)

[personal profile] catsallthewaydown 2018-06-29 05:24 pm (UTC)(link)
I hate that I can't ignore it now...

So what exactly do you do with those rabbits?
inthemiddle: By me (Neutral)

i. Say Aloe

[personal profile] inthemiddle 2018-06-29 05:37 pm (UTC)(link)
[peeking out among the flora are two blush color lily flowers. They're not particularly interesting until the form they're attached to rights himself and begins to walk onward.

The flowers poke out from a mop of silky, vibrant pink hair. When Silas is still and leaning in towards a bloom, they blend right in with the garden. The man they're growing out of is wandering about with a look of contentment, even a little drunkenly wobbly after shoving his face directly into so many of the plants to smell them and appreciate their beauty. He's oblivious that it could be the pollen compelling him wander to the men nearby, smiling timid, but friendly]

Do you not like it here? I think it's magnificent. [He's not so difficult to impress as a god, not by a long shot]
mind_of_god: (try to listen)

[personal profile] mind_of_god 2018-06-29 05:45 pm (UTC)(link)
Well I keep them as pets, of course. What did you think I did?