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sexyspace2018-06-25 07:10 am
zhautasmods) wrote in sexyspace2018-06-25 07:10 am
Entry tags:
TEST DRIVE MEME #2
Awakening
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 CreditMy 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.
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!
- 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. - 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. - 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.
- 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! - 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?*
- 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. - 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.
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.
- "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. - 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. - 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:
(*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
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 |
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.
no subject
Prompto sniffles a little, realizing he’s totally about to cry but he can’t. Noct shouldn’t have to see that. He’ll probably think it’s lame anyway and he has already cried more than enough since falling off the stupid train.
So, with a weak laugh, he breaks it off. Prompto forced a smile as he rubs at his nose and pulls back from Noctis. ]
Nah, it’s nothing. You’re right.
[ Of course he was okay. He’s strong enough and capable. And much as Ignis reassured him, he still can’t help but feel that they were at least okay without him. ]
Just haven’t seen you in a while, is all.
It um.
Looks like there might be some time issues going on? Iggy’s here and it looks like I might be a bit behind on you guys. I came here after I wound up in Gralea.
no subject
Noctis freezes. No, nothing about Prompto seems angry, despite the fact the last time they had met resulted in Prompto being knocked off the train. By him. Why isn't he more angry?
He wasn't angry when rescued either, but Noctis assumes it was because they'd managed to save him, proved it was an accident. Now, confronted with another reality, the prince wonders if Prompto really thinks so little of himself that he can't find it in himself to be angry with Noctis. This? This is more important than the topic that hangs over them.)
Gralea? Huh... (With the hug ending, Noctis scratches at the back of his head in an awkward gesture. The growth he's experienced shows in his ability to addressed this. )
Listen... Prompto, what I did on the train, I didn't see you. Ardyn... The bastard messed with my head, he took your image and stuck his over you. I never meant to attack you, I thought I was attacking him. I don't know what kind of time stuff this place can pull... (Which is already weird, but there are more important things to consider. ) But we're on our way. We get there before it's too late. (His dark eyes flicker to the wristband covering the barcode.) Some stuff comes out, but that doesn't change anything. We're all okay.
no subject
Prompto isn’t angry because he still isn’t sure he blames Noctis for shoving him off. He could name about a dozen reasons that make no sense to anyone but himself. He’s inexperienced, he’s foolish, naive, annoying. Prompto isn’t angry because for some reason, he’s just stupidly happy by comparison to his past moods that he’s got the jitters. Because seeing Noctis here is both soul-crushing and fantastic; he’d be a liar if he said he didn’t miss him terribly.
He would also be a liar if he had said he isn’t a little terrified here.
But he isn’t sure what he expects. Ignis has gone out of his way to name off why Prompto matters. Why he isn’t some soulless soldier meant to ruin the lives of his friends. But gods, no matter how many times he mentally re-runs those words in his head, there’s still such a strong part of him that combats it. He should hang on to this, he should be better, because now Noctis is reassuring him and Prompto can’t help but feel a slight modicum of guilt to it.
He knows they find him. He’s learned that much. But the “before it’s too late” part is slightly scary. Because he only just left Aranea to ride off in hopes of finding everyone when he offer was sprung on him.
But wow, he didn’t expect Noct to up and address this. And... So thoroughly. It’s rare that Noctis talks this much. It’s got Prompto a bit flustered, and he sees those eyes flick to his wrist. Prompto purses his lips, curling his hand tight over the wristband. ]
I know. Uh... Iggy told me.
[ He’s so bad at this. He was able to talk extensively about this with Ignis but it’s seemingly different with Noctis. Maybe because Noctis is the prince, his king, and while Ignis’ opinion means so much to him? Noct’s a whole other subject entirely. Because he’s constantly wanting his approval, his friendship, and Prompto finds himself scrutinizing his own mind every time he’s around the guy. He’s just that important.
So, he dodges talking more on the subject. This month has been a lot. ]
Oh!
[ He perks. The effects are still very much there from the pollen, making this easy to move forward. At least attempting. ]
We should go find Ignis. He’s gonna flip when he finds out you’re here.
no subject
But if Ignis is here, it's handled. Noctis did his part, he was open and honest, but some part of him is still relieved that Ignis has already had this talk, if for no other reason than he was likely way better at it.)
Yeah, if he's here, I should touch base.
(His name is both a relief and a guilt. Noctis knows why he's here.)
He came at the same time?
no subject
Prompto does, however, laugh a bit awkwardly as he rubs at the back of his neck. ]
Ah, yup. Same time. I ran into him on our way to the facility. We’ve been trying to stick together as much as we can, but Zenith likes to shuffle everyone around here.
no subject
So, does stick together mean...? Noctis can't even ask about sex, how is he supposed to take the leap and accept what needs to be done?
No, he can do it. He has to do it.)
Shuffle people around? (Despite himself, the chemicals in the air keep him talking.) What's that supposed to mean?
no subject
Oh.
[ He puts down his camera. ]
We got assigned roommates in housing. At random. Took me a while to catch up with Iggy again, which...
[ He’s blind. Like still freshly blinded here. And he’s in an unfamiliar place with unfamiliar people. Even if Ignis can hold his own just fine, there’s still danger in that. ]
Kinda stressed me out a bit.
no subject
Another talk for another time. Noctis has yet to meet Ignis, but the first question that comes to mind is 'can he see?' because if time can be weird here, then maybe he'd come in with sight. That would make things easier.
But a lot is coming at him at once. The roommate thing can wait because that's less important. Noctis can deal with whoever, he's not worried about himself in terms of dangers of safety (that isn't entirely selfless, he's just strong).)
How's Ignis holding up? You said time can be weird... (Noctis looks away because resolved or not, what happened to Ignis is still painful and a dark part of him holds onto the blame.) Can he see?
no subject
Prompto doesn’t quite anticipate that question, but he supposes it makes sense. Considering time is screwed up on his end. But then he starts to think of how cruel it was for Zenith to extend this offer to Ignis after he’d lost his sight. If they could have approached him sooner...
He purses his lips in a crooked frown, looking down as he shakes his head. ]
Iggy is Iggy. He can hold his own but...
Yeah.
no subject
(They decided he was going to with them until the end, hadn't they? His injury had weighed heavily on their shoulders, but the four of them came to an agreement, and Noctis isn't going to back out now.)
But we should regroup. (Noctis needs that as much as anyone, even if he'll never say it.)
Any idea where he is?
no subject
Probably in his room. Or the common area. He's sort of got a lay of the land here, but we're working on it.
no subject
(Which is great when there's a blind Ignis aboard.)
I haven't met my roommate... They might be stuck on the other side, but nobody answered when I knocked.
no subject
[ Said pretty casually. But Prompto still has his moments where he gets ridiculously flustered. And now that they’ve promptly arrived at destination: Elephant in the room... ]
Just saying.
There are a lot of people here uh... Pretty stoked for participation.