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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
And saving the world, apparently.
[ She tugs at his hand. ]
Found it.
[ At the edge of the lounge, propped up near one of the vending machines. ]
no subject
Oh. That's great. Is it still working?
no subject
[ Luckily all this tech mostly caps out at hitting the power button and making it go. She's about to make them some grade A hot water with this keurig. Be ready.
But for now, she helps him find the edge of the counter and grabs two cups from the sleeve. She's more interested in — ]
You're not comfortable here? It seems as though many have embraced it.
no subject
Taking his shades off, he rubs his eyes a little tiredly, but she can still see his smile.]
It... wasn't what I had in mind. I thought saving the world meant- something else. It's not that I don't enjoy it I just- or that I wanted to stab something and go out in a hail of bullets but- you know there's all these people who just want to do... ooo... things... and I- I think I'm just going to shut up and drink my coffee.
[Such eloquent lawyer. Much wow.]
no subject
(She's wrong.)
He's shy and figuring his way out around here. Maybe he hasn't been a huge hit with women or men elsewhere (Definitely Wrong), but now he's thrust into the middle of this, and it's bangapalooza and he's getting shy every time he encounters one. That's it. That's the interpretation she's settling on for now.
What a good time.
Her hand finds its way to his upper forearm, a motion of reassurance and understanding. ]
Please don't shut up.
[ She sets one of the cups into his hands — empty, barring her ability to use the machine thus far. It's a good excuse for touching him. ]
I can't help but feel as though that's the first real thing you've said to me.
[ She's real good about lies despite her radical interpretation of this particular text. ]
no subject
Is she- no. He thinks she'll notice if he sniffs her. So he's just going to hold his breath and try to do something other than stand there looking like a bewildered snow pea. As his lips start to move it seems like he's only capable of processing one thing at a time because the mug almost rolls out of his hands. He doesn't move away but it's all hands on deck at the panic station and the internal screaming is about to start in 3... 2...]
UhhhiiiII think I'm just. Struggling. To make sense of this. Saving the world without having the sacrifice, and the suffering. You know it all seems rather... indulgent.
[Lord have mercy.]
no subject
[ She doesn't quite let up, but she does hold positions. There's no further advance into his personal space. At least she has the good sense to pause when she senses something is awry. ]
New York must be a hell of a place. [ This she offers lightly, trying to break the mood. Same with, ] Well, if it's suffering you're after, I'm sure there are people here well-versed in that.
no subject
Sorry I'm just. Going to make us some coffee. It's a... big city. Everyone's rushing all the time. Places to be, things to do. No one would have stopped to help a blind man out like you did. [He smiles and bites his lip. All he can hear is the sound of his own heartbeat racing drowning out everything else.]
no subject
[ She doesn't budge, not at first, content to examine the way he seems to get nervous with her in his space. Or vice versa, as it were. It's hard to tell where his focus is, given his lack of sight, but every movement singularly works towards the coffee process, so eventually she does side-step slightly to give him room. It's not in her business to inconvenience him just because she's curious. ]
But you defend them anyway. Surely you must see something good in them.
no subject
He runs his fingertips over the front of the machine, feeling out for the braille descriptions of several options before pressing the right button.]
Maybe we don't all have it within ourselves to forgive the most heinous wrongs that have been done to us, but. Everyone deserves a second chance.
no subject
Can you forgive the person who did that to you? [ She gestures to his eyes, though she realizes a moment later that he can't see it. Still she doesn't clarify; he must know what she means. ]
no subject
For the longest time I couldn't forgive myself. Being blind and uninsured is expensive in New York. My dad couldn't afford the bills. [He holds the coffee out in her general direction. Although he readily shares this with her, it's not something he's ever really talked about, and he's making himself a little upset though he tries to swallow the discomfort down.]
Maybe I still haven't.
no subject
No. It all touches too close to home. To something she's not ready to confront yet: that if she cannot blame her father for being the monster she'd expected him to be, then the tragedy of her mother's death in childbirth was maybe the monstrous birth of Pelan herself. Not something Vidor inflicted upon her.
It's not a blame she's willing or able to share yet. ]
It was an accident. [ She repeats his words to him instead. ] And there are more important things than bills.
no subject
Yeah. [He ducks his head and sips silently on his coffee for a while, breathing out a sigh and licking traces of it off his upper lip. This was definitely worth the trek.]
I didn't mean to uhm... I mean maybe you're not here to... Well. I don't know why you're here. Just- I appreciate your time.
no subject
[ No better time to admit it than the present, following some uncomfortable personal examination. ]
What is it about me that makes you uncomfortable, Matthew?
no subject
...you remind me of somebody. From New York. Somebody I let down. [Maybe he meant to say 'loved' instead of 'let down', but. He still loves her. And he's still hoping (without hope) that she'll come back to him.]
no subject
[ She doesn't, not really. She's not practiced enough in letting people down or in having people she cares for to struggle the way that he does. But she says that she understands. That, and she can't help feeling like it preceded him knowing anything about her. A first impression, without sight. ]
So I'm a ghost to you.
[ She sips at her coffee without adding anything to it. It tastes just south of tar, honestly, but it's making her alert. ]
Is it painful?
no subject
A little. [A lot, actually, and it weighs heavily on his mind.]
But you're not her. And you're not a ghost. You're Pelan, as you've told me.
no subject
[ Pelan reaches for his coffee mug in the machine and hands it off to him, careful in direct contrast to his fumbling. She's willing to hear it out if only so she can better understand it. She still doesn't understand, but maybe that's just her being ableist about his blindness or whatever. It's not like she's ever been blind. ]
What was her name?
no subject
Elektra.
no subject
So she puffs out a breath — a long one, cheeks inflated and everything. Alright. Digging right into this. She's just gonna … prod for more, she supposes. ]
Was Elektra a client of yours?
no subject
No. We met in college. We weren't together that long, really. [He downs some coffee and instantly regrets it because it was really hot but also a little strong.] You know it wasn't- we fought all the time, towards the end. About... everything. We loved each other, but. I don't think we were good for each other.
no subject
She's in no condition to hear other people's relationship problems, in other words. But she can't help but be fascinated in it. Something she's never had. ]
Then how did you fail her?
no subject
That's twice now she's died in his arms. He struggled to move on the first time. Now he doesn't even know if he wants to.]
She's dead. I couldn't save her.
no subject
Ohhhhhhhhh.
Yikes.
Yeah, she's got absolutely no schema for this. Socially awkward as she is, Pelan can't quite figure out if this is like a 'pat on the shoulder' kind of admission or ? ? ?? Something else. She glances around as though she's hoping maybe some kind of emergency will happen to spare her but
It's not that kind of setting anymore. That would have happened back home. Not here. ]
That sounds really terrible.
[ SUCH EMPATHY. ]
Was there a chance?
(no subject)