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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.
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Encouraged by the other woman's smile, Rowan chuckles softly and keeps the fingertips of one hand resting lightly atop her arm as she resumes walking-- More carefully, this time.]
It's so strange, this place... All sorts of new sights, new smells... It's like being at some sort of carnival, there's just so much to take in. But it's exciting, don't you think? Kind of... promising.
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Chell nods agreeably to the sentiment that this is strange, this is new, there's so much to take in . . . and gives Rowan a questioning look when it comes to the word promising. Like, promising what? ]
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[The words are accompanied by a rather distinctively canid head-tilt, a curious frown furrowing her brow.]
We're out here to help save humanity, right? I mean... That sounds pretty promising to me. [A beat, and then she chuckles again-- Hell, where has this bubbly side of her come from, all of a sudden?] And of course, meeting all these new people... That's promising in its own way, too. Maybe a good way, maybe a bad way. Who knows?
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Sometimes people promise you you'll save the world, sometimes people promise you cake, sometimes people promise you they'll help you escape an underground facility. In her experience, that usually ends in an incinerator or getting punched into a pit. But this time could be different! Who knows, indeed? ]
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She nods in lazy agreement with Chell's gesture, shrugging once.]
Might be a little bit of both, yeah... That's probably fair to expect. That's just sort of how it goes with people, most days-- But I'm trying to be optimistic. [She gives Chell a wry grin, obviously acutely aware of the folly of putting too much trust in others.] Trying.
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Me neither, usually... I think I'm just excited. But I think you're right... Maybe caution would be more prudent, here. We're in a strange place, after all.
[But it's a strange place full of so much new stuff. She can't help but let herself be at least a little excited. Just a little.]
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Usually this is the point where she'd pull out the network device Zenith issued her and start typing -- and she probably will eventually. She will! But it's nice to just stroll with someone, you know?
Still, some response is clearly required. She nods, gestures at the garden, and twirls one finger next to her temple. This place is crazy, right? But hey. She pats Rowan's arm and gives her a thumbs up. They can stick together. ]
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That's the spirit.
[Might as well make the most of things, right? And at least the company's enjoyable thus far.]
Let's see what else there is around here, hm? I don't know much about plants, but I'm pretty sure I've never seen anything like these before.
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Awfully tempted to let this evolve into that Coitendrils plot, not gonna lie
I'll be sure to keep my nose out of their business.
[Chuckling, she directs their lazy meandering over towards the flowers in question. They're certainly lovely, and she's got to admit she's curious about them... The bioluminescence is so alien, she just can't help but want a closer look.]
ME TOO. great minds think alike!
Chell nods and taps her temple. Very wise. Although she's sure Rowan would be still be cute while sneezing.
Though there are some definite paths through the gardens, their stroll is starting to take them off the paths and into the greenery (and bluery, and glowery). Leaves brush around their ankles as they walk. ]
So it would seem! Who should play victim? Rowan's got freaky werewolf strength, if that helps.
Do they have anything like these, where you're from?
[She's asking more out of genuine interest rather than just an effort to make small talk; the quicker she can learn as much as possible about their alien surroundings, the better. And what better way to learn than veering off the path to get a little bit more up close and personal with the flora in question, right? Right.
Dropping to a squat so she can examine something with a more muted glow to its leaves than its neighbors have, she leans in to sniff curiously at it.]
Hmm... Smells almost sweet, but I think we're probably better off not taste-testing any of these just yet.
Chell is pretty low on superstrength, so she can get wrapped up!
When Rowan leans in to sniff, Chell cocks her head curiously, taps Rowan on the shoulder, and mimes smelling. Why's she doing that?
(With all the interesting plants around, she doesn't notice the tendril of plant life creeping over the toe of her boot.) ]
Perfect!
Just trying to see if it smells like anything I might know... Maybe they're some sort of relation to the regular ones back on Earth, you know? [She blinks, then pauses as a thought occurs to her.] That's the name of the planet that I'm from. I don't know if you know it-- I know there are people here from all over the place, after all, so...
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[Grinning again, Rowan turns her attention back towards the plant after puzzling out Chell's query.]
I've got a pretty good nose... Most people probably couldn't tell what you had for breakfast just from standing close enough to you, for example, but I could.
[This does not, however, mean that she's paying as much attention to her other senses as she should be-- which is why she completely fails to notice as that plant's tendril works its way quickly up Chell's leg, two more closing in quickly to snake their way up her arms while Rowan continues playing amateur botanist.]
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But finds herself restrained.
She looks down at her arms, confused -- then gives Rowan an alarmed look.
Then the vines yank her backwards and off her feet, dragging her towards the parent plant. ]
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Oh-- Hang on, don't panic!
[People always panic, but it's at least worth trying to keep her calm. Whatever's happened, she's sure it's nothing that can't be dealt wi--
Oh.
Oh, that is a very large plant that appears to be trying rather enthusiastically to wrap Chell up, or... Maybe pull her apart? What's even going on, here?
Frowning, Rowan moves closer to the scene to try and make sense of it.]
I'm going to get you loose, don't worry...
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Chell isn't panicking, not really, but she is squirming and struggling, half in annoyance and half out of ticklishness. Some of the smaller tendrils are creeping under the edges of her clothes and NOPE NOPE NOPE oh geez her knees are really sensitive this is not great. ]
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[Apparently deciding that quick action is more important than trying to understand the motives of a plant, Rowan grabs one of the tendrils in both hands and tugs... Then strains, really putting some muscle into pulling the thing apart. It gives after several seconds, but another's already moving in to try and take its place.]
...Well, shit.
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She stops struggling for a moment, breathing a little hard. At this point the plants are just holding her, without any apparent ill intent. Maybe they're reacting to her struggling?
She gives Rowan a helpless look. Are any of those overly helpful staff members around? ]
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[Sparing her companion only the briefest of looks to ensure that she's understood, Rowan grabs hold of the vines again-- And then very abruptly her hands have been replaced with some grotesquely-oversized, vicious-looking "paws," equipped with claws as long as her fingers had been-- Which make short work of the vines still binding her new friend's limbs, slashing through them neatly.]
Quick, quick--! [The greenery seems to already be working on regrowth, straining eagerly for the body heat the two women provide.]
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One thing you can say for Chell, though: she's not inclined to waste time on shock or confusion when there's an immediate crisis. She yanks herself away from the remaining vines and stumbles forward, grabbing Rowan by the shoulder to pull her along with her. Go go go go! ]
Sorry for the slow reply! Life got a little manic.
Bending down to try and tug her boot back into order, Rowan clears her throat demurely before offering the other woman an apologetic look.]
I, ah... I apologize, if that frightened you. Usually I'm a bit more delicate about those sorts of revelations.
[At least her hands are both back to looking human again; Small, freckled-- almost delicate-looking, really, if one didn't have the same inside information that Chell now did.]
No worries, mate!
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