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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.
Re: bangr
However, if “wake up sex” is a requirement, I’ll have to find a workaround.
no subject
The question is one of preference rather than requirement. Nevertheless, shall I take your response to mean that you're an "up all night" sort of man?
no subject
Yes. It might be a bad choice for some, but it shouldn’t be a problem for me.
[ Humans would experience both skin irritation and exhaustion before the end of a night, wouldn’t they? It just doesn’t seem optimal. ]
no subject
[ he considers giving out a checkmark for that.
gabranth go...up???]And what sort of man might you be, exactly? I must confess the term "android" is one unknown to me, but in your profile image you appear much like any other hume.
no subject
no subject
well. that would certainly explain the -oid part of that term, wouldn't it. ]
A construct, then?
[ after sending that response, he hesitates further. immediately his mind jumps to those constructs he'd seen in the midst of war, towering golems forged of mythril and clay... nothing like the picture he's looking at right now. he's not even sure if he believes it, or if the man is making some kind of jest at his expense... but he'll play along for now. ]
I see. [ he does not. ] In that case, I should think congratulations are in order for achieving your design. Your resemblance to a man is simply uncanny.
no subject
Unfortunately, Cyberlife did not take this scenario into account.
no subject
Well, no harm, no foul. [ hmm. ] "Cyberlife" is the name of those who constructed you, I presume? Have they any affiliation with the Zenith Corporation, or might they have an independent interest in this endeavor?
no subject
I’ll be cooperating with the Zenith Corporation independently until I’m able to reconnect with Cyberlife networks.
no subject
[ he wonders about that. something worth looking into, perhaps. ]
Were you the only construct deployed in this manner? I have difficulty imagining a premier manufacturer would lack the resources to send more than one, particularly when so many lives are at stake.
no subject
I’ve told Zenith Corporation that there are a wide range of models available that are uniquely suited to this environment. My original mission was to assist law enforcement.
no subject
[ hmmmm. ]
Do you not suspect an ulterior reason for your presence here? Something connected to your law enforcement activities, perhaps.
no subject
Shit. ]
May I ask you a personal question?
no subject
You may.
no subject
Are you ideally adapted to this scenario? If not, why are you here?
no subject
it isn't necessarily a question gabranth is unprepared to answer, but the fact that he's finally been asked at all is what gives him pause. ultimately, he decides he might as well be frank. ]
No more than any other hume, I suppose. I came here for two reasons, primarily: the first being that otherwise I would have certainly died, and the second being that if my presence here could prevent another from needing to accept this burden, then I would gladly bear that responsibility.
Does that answer your question?
no subject
It doesn’t matter why Zenith Corporation requested my cooperation rather than that of a more suitable model. I simply decided to because it may save human lives.
[ But the implications are going to bug him now. ]
no subject
how curious. but he chooses to turn his curiosity outwards, to whatever purpose this constructed man might have truly have here. ]
A most noble decision, to be sure, and the fact that you've made it of your own free will, I presume, only makes it all the nobler.
[ of course, he doesn't actually know whether or not connor is truly acting on free will; he simply lays out the presumption for him to confirm or deny. ]
no subject
That’s all.
[ It’s never been that simple.
Really, he’s not trying to convince anyone but himself here. ]
no subject
Of course.
[ nothing is ever so simple. no man should know that any better than he. ]
I must confess I still find myself amazed by your ingenuity, for the constructs that exist in my native Ivalice are not nearly so complex. Indeed, I should think not a one has the capacity to make such exacting calculations; rather they are bound by magicks to serve the will of their master alone, and once those magicks have faded, they turn their mindless ire to whatever might cross their path until their bodies crumble to dust.
Your "Cyberlife" does not seem so cruel a master, if they have slackened your lead this far.
no subject
But he’s not deviant. Even in places he’s never heard of, like Ivalice, an autonomous machine going rogue was a clear threat to human lives. Connor isn’t a danger to anyone just because he had to work through conflicting priorities.
He’s suddenly entirely too aware of how his self-monitoring program is kicking back warnings of software instability, and he’s not sure why. ]
CyberLife doesn’t take risks with public safety.
I can assure you that nothing in my program allows me to deviate in the way you’ve described. My ability to operate independently is explicitly designed to maintain harmonious relations with humans. There are no dangers in using me as a partner for Zenith Corporation’s research.
no subject
[ of course, there's no denying that he said what he said to provoke a reaction. somehow he's slipped into the inquisitor's chair without even fully realizing it. ]
I do wonder, however, what might happen in the exceedingly unlikely event that your program should fail. This is an alien planet, after all, and I can imagine a great deal of conditions that might fall outside the range of your master's risk assessment, no matter how carefully it may have been crafted.
Have you considered the possibility that Zenith might critically interfere with your design? Or perhaps that they already have?
no subject
[ At first, he was just being defensive. It’s a petty impulse to start to calculate the percentage chance that a human could be made dangerously psychologically unstable in these circumstances.
But now it’s got him thinking. ]
I understand that volunteers are fitted with biocompatible chips to allow access to this system. I would advise caution with all volunteers that have an open connection with an unknown network. Despite Zenith Corporation’s stated intentions, there is a risk that anyone connected to this network could experience errors affecting cognitive stability.
no subject
[ the risk of having an intervening force in his head, or the certainty of death... neither outcome is preferable to gabranth, but at least on the path he's chosen, he might yet exercise some agency over his fate. ]
And once again I must ask that you forgive me, if my line of questioning seemed altogether invasive. I suppose none would know you any better than your own self.