zhautasmods: (Default)
Zhautas ([personal profile] zhautasmods) wrote in [community profile] sexyspace2018-06-25 07:10 am
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TEST DRIVE MEME #2

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

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

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

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

Say Aloe (Prospective Players Only)


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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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


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

YES
NO


BANGR CODE
Please copy this pastebin for now!

Extra Notes

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

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


dothelokimotion: (We pretend that we do know)

[personal profile] dothelokimotion 2018-07-02 05:24 am (UTC)(link)
Yes, earlier. It was part of her imagination, I believe.

[ which made this movie all the more unrealistic. who would fuck a monster? loki certainly wouldn't. monsters were — well, monster held a personal, deep seated connotation in loki's book and still has him scared. being one, meeting one, they're all the same to him. he cannot stand it. calling himself that was supposed to make it easier, but it rarely does, over time. ]

Though why, again, eludes me. Perhaps mortals are so starved for variety, they need to imagine sleeping with monsters.
dyingstar: (blue - doubt listen unsure side eye)

[personal profile] dyingstar 2018-07-02 05:18 pm (UTC)(link)
[ ...Alright, the first time, Thor could let that slide, but the second seems a little more transparent, even to him. ]

I'm not sure.

[ Thor answers, face turned toward Loki, appraising his expression, but guarded in his own. And he could leave it at that. After all, he wouldn't know anything about fucking monsters. He kills monsters when he can, hates them, would not fuck them, no, thank you. They were just talking about it before. But Loki should know some of the appeal of fucking monsters, shouldn't he? Monsters with power, like the Grandmaster, and Quintalian. Like Thanos. Thor would die before kneeling to people like that, but Loki does what it takes to gain the upper hand. It has nothing to do with variety, in his case, but opportunity. And a bastard mix of arrogance and desperation.

The fish in the film doesn't seem like a monster to Thor, though. That's the difference, and Thor can't leave it at that after all, but instead, feels the irrepressible need to point it out. ]


You're not a monster.
dothelokimotion: (Presuming awful things about people)

[personal profile] dothelokimotion 2018-07-03 12:52 am (UTC)(link)
[ loki stiffens, his lips pressed into a censorious line. that had been rather obvious, hadn't it? but it was one of the many demons loki has never been fully able to exorcise and he hated things like this, that made it seem simple, that people could just blink and ignore the ramifications when loki simply couldn't. ]

And what does that have to do with any of this?
dyingstar: (beige - huh lips eyebrow)

[personal profile] dyingstar 2018-07-03 04:08 am (UTC)(link)
[ The bristling isn't wholly unexpected, and so Thor answers just as obtusely. ]

Nothing.

[ He turns back towards the screen and leaves it at that for about three whole seconds before adding. ]

You just seem really concerned with what monsters are and aren't deserving of love.

[ Less than three seconds this time, before Thor turns again, leaning harder against Loki's shoulder this time, deliberately, obnoxiously (heavily) in his space to better aid his words. ]

Do you need another hug?
dothelokimotion: (It is beautiful and on fire and awful)

[personal profile] dothelokimotion 2018-07-03 04:37 am (UTC)(link)
You used to be the same, long ago.

[ thor, giant-killer. hunting down the monsters. long ago, it was loki's monsters thor would banish into the night. then they blurred together, indistinguishable. he keeps his gaze on the screen, not wanting to betray himself anymore than he already has, but taking a moment to flick thor's nose, like an asshole. ]

And I don't need another hug.

[ but he hasn't moved away, a telling sign. ]
dyingstar: (red - uh no argue joke question)

[personal profile] dyingstar 2018-07-03 05:09 am (UTC)(link)
That was, like, ten years ago!

[ Long ago (Ten years, in fact, but what's less than a decade to a god?), Thor was a fool. And if he watched this movie then, he would say the same as Loki says now. 'How could anyone love a monster like that?' But the incredible thing he learned in his time on Earth is that gods are no better than mortals, only different. And looking differently from them, living differently, or loving differently, doesn't make anyone a monster. And if Thor can be forgiven for all the mistakes he's made in his life, than anyone can. Even Loki.

Not the nose-flicking, though. There's no forgiving a transgression like that. Thor looks affronted for half a second before throwing an arm over Loki's shoulders, close to his neck, and pulling him violently. ]


Come here, give your brother a hug.

[ Do choke holds count as hugs or............. ]
dothelokimotion: (You aren't a real man)

[personal profile] dothelokimotion 2018-07-03 05:25 am (UTC)(link)
[ loki yelps, his limbs askew. ]

Thor — Let go!

[ he apparates a dagger in his hand. ]
dyingstar: (beige - point talk convince argue joke)

[personal profile] dyingstar 2018-07-03 02:59 pm (UTC)(link)
[ Would you seriously stab your brother who loves you Loki

Wait don't answer that, we already know

Thor laughs anyway, because apparently he doesn't fear death. Or because he hasn't realized there's a dagger in Loki's hand all of a sudden. Or because he knows Loki would only stab to injure, not kill him. A warning stab. Those are fair game. Either way, he eventually releases Loki after a good, hard jostling, maybe quickly enough not to get a blade to the gut, maybe not quickly enough. Either, way, seems like a good time to remind. ]


You're worrying too much. This planet is meant to relax you. All about releasing brain chemicals, remember? Don't get lost in your own head and miss all the fun. There's time enough for brooding back on Earth.

[ Maybe he should've found that beer after all. ]
dothelokimotion: (We are all invincible to bullets)

[personal profile] dothelokimotion 2018-07-04 12:46 am (UTC)(link)
[ loki grumbles, shoving thor's arm away and running a hand through his hair. ]

Don't oversell it.

[ the mark of a good lie is letting it be, not constantly bringing it up. ]
dyingstar: (gray - squint neutral talk profile)

[personal profile] dyingstar 2018-07-04 03:13 am (UTC)(link)
[ For a moment, Thor doesn't fully understand the comment. Oversell what, the monster thing? And then he realizes belatedly... Oh, Earth. Him and Loki returning, and that web of lies he's been weaving.

The funny thing is... He forgot all about that. In having his brother here to talk to, to play around with. It just seemed like the natural conclusion, that after they're done with this place, he and Loki would return to Earth. His Earth, the one he dreads returning to, but will, because he ruined it, and it's his responsibility to see that mess righted again, whatever little can be done.

He grows somber at the thought. Because there is no Loki in his universe to return to. And this one... is probably not from his universe. And trying to take him to his own is a terrible idea. One he's going to try to do anyway, because he'd be a fool to try, but a worser one not to.

But anyway, all of that is a problem for Future!Thor. Now!Thor just leans back against the couch, his arms spread comfortably out along the seat (perilously close to Loki's hair, but not touching, so he doesn't garner any immediate complaints) and agrees absently, eyes back on the screen, grateful for the distraction, however lacking. ]


Right.
dothelokimotion: (Thoughts are magic)

[personal profile] dothelokimotion 2018-07-04 03:20 am (UTC)(link)
[ loki simply mutters something under his breath, but shifts closer, strands of hair falling over his face. in the movie, she dances with the monster, black and white, dresses and a song. his eyelashes flutter from the faint exhaustion. even a place like this can take a lot out of him. the lie will collapse eventually, hurting them both. but loki wanted to be here and wanted to pretend thor wanted him here.

that's good enough. he's not going to push his luck. ]