zhautasmods: (Default)
Zhautas ([personal profile] zhautasmods) wrote in [community profile] sexyspace2018-07-03 08:30 pm
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TEST DRIVE MEME #2.5 (OVERFLOW EDITION)

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.

  • THIS IS AN OVERFLOW POST FOR NEW TOP LEVELS
    feel free to add a link to your previous top level if your threads reach captcha


shadowblends: (❧ charming)

[personal profile] shadowblends 2018-07-05 04:15 am (UTC)(link)
You are correct! [not that he ever thought someone could mistake him for another person. he's got a distinct look about him that's remarkable, even though there are other known blue people. no sign of them, though, which is ... good? or so he'd think.

speaking of the tail, it lashes in a rather excited manner as he draws closer, one hand sliding from his pocket and plucking up a cup to fill.]
A pleasure to meet you, too. It didn't, but that's okay. Whatever's happening with R.O.S.I.E., I hope it gets figured out soon.

[he watches the steaming coffee come out, head tipped, eyes peering at matt from his peripheral.] Maybe they're working on her? A lot of this place seems to be under construction. [caffeine thoroughly muddled with cream and sugar, he clasps it in both hands then moves to sit beside the other male, careful as possible, that way neither of them end up burned.]

So, [he begins, taking a small drink and grinning around the rim of the mug.] Have you been here long?
semicharmed: (messy hair)

[personal profile] semicharmed 2018-07-05 08:01 am (UTC)(link)
[ For all that Matt just said (in his head) about not staring, he does follow the whipping path of that tail. It's cute? He thinks? He might not have the right context for reading the social cues here.

As far as R.O.S.I.E.'s malfunctions and the under-construction-y nature of Zenith's facility go, the most diplomatic thing Matt can think to say is: ]


A lot around here seems to be in flux.

[ He shakes his head, sipping from his own cup of coffee. It's just cool enough now. ]

Umm, let's see. On the one hand, no, it's been like a month and change? On the other hand ... I feel like I've been here for ages. [ He smiles ruefully. ] I'm gonna use another school metaphor here, sorry, it's what I know--but being here is kind of like how you feel after the first two weeks of the school year. Like there's never been anything else.
shadowblends: (❧ contemplative)

[personal profile] shadowblends 2018-07-05 08:46 pm (UTC)(link)
[and even though nightcrawler absolutely noticed matt watching his tail, he makes no mention of it. such things are not common in many worlds, he'd imagine, so he's not offended by some gawking here and there.

hm. 'in flux' is such a great way to describe the ever-changing planet around them. another flash of fangs, his head bobbing with agreement.]
That makes sense.

[kurt heaves a sigh, sips from the cup again then slumps back against the couch.] No reason to apologize. Putting it that way is understandable.

I haven't been here all that long and it does feel like you've said. [for as much as he loves school, those two weeks do drag on and on, making it feel like they'd never had a summer break in the first place.] On the plus side, this isn't a school, so maybe the pace will change?
semicharmed: (NERRRRD)

[personal profile] semicharmed 2018-07-05 09:10 pm (UTC)(link)
Well, they'll start the experimentation part in earnest sooner rather than later, probably. We haven't done a whole lot of that yet.

[ Not officially, anyway. Matt takes another sip of coffee, and flashes Kurt a smile that's so rueful it's more like a cheery grimace. ]

Have you had your facility tour yet? Ours had some ... truly disturbing demos involving sandsharks and aphrodisiacs.

[ Tossup as to which disturbed Matt more, the sharks or the aphrodisiacs, but actually no it's the aphro. The aphro disturbs him more. ]
shadowblends: (❧ ruminate)

[personal profile] shadowblends 2018-07-06 04:37 am (UTC)(link)
That's what I'm worried about, to be honest. ['experimentation' sounds so disconcerting. he doesn't like thinking about it, regardless of the fact he knows it's inevitable.

his expression falters, lips turning down at the hangdog look matt gives him. such an appearance doesn't suit a handsome face like his.]


I haven't, no. [kurt wrinkles his nose.] Sandshark? I've never heard of those. [he has heard of aphrodisiacs, though.]

I'm almost afraid to ask, but ... what did they need the aphrodisiacs for?
semicharmed: (work and or magic to do)

[personal profile] semicharmed 2018-07-06 06:08 am (UTC)(link)
They're in the shark family. The big gray ones? And I guess they needed the aphrodisiacs to ... put them in the mood.

[ Maybe he shouldn't have started this conversation with a teenager. But then again, it happened. And there were mislabeled aphrodisiacs at the welcome banquet! Everybody should probably be aware of the party drug situation around here. ]

I don't know if that's what Zenith's planning for us, but they did show it off on our tour, so presumably it's important to them. I think Professor Quintalian said something about how the drugs could help volunteers who were having trouble adjusting.
shadowblends: (❧ fatigued)

[personal profile] shadowblends 2018-07-07 06:15 am (UTC)(link)
Oh, I thought maybe— ah, nevermind. I know what you are talking about. [well, he figured matt was on about a totally alien shark that swam in sand, but maybe it's best he keeps that to himself. what a silly idea!] Did they get the results they were looking for?

[in matt's defense, kurt acts far more mature than any regular teenager, undying curiosity and impulsiveness aside. he's also grateful that someone is kind enough to inform him of such things, too.

"trouble adjusting," he says. the cobalt-tinted mutant shrinks down on the couch and draws his legs up to put his heels on the edge of the cushion, knees against his chest. cup resting on his thighs, he thumbs across its lip, hesitantly peeking from behind his bangs.]
For people like me, I'd imagine.
semicharmed: (you don't like my vest?)

[personal profile] semicharmed 2018-07-07 07:27 am (UTC)(link)
I guess? Maybe? My understanding of experimental science is that you don't always know in the moment if you got what you wanted.

And I guess you're not supposed to "want" an outcome, exactly. Just test a hypothesis.

[ Matt sips his coffee, gaze drawn in a quick flicker to Kurt's thumb moving along the rim of his cup. He understands what curled-up body language means, even if he's not sure what's brought it on, and aims to catch Kurt's eye through his partial shield of hair. ]

What makes you say that?
shadowblends: (❧ inquisitive)

i read your icon keywords and said aloud "matt i love your vest" lmfao

[personal profile] shadowblends 2018-07-08 04:29 am (UTC)(link)
This is why I'm not a scientist. I'd go into an experiment, expecting certain results and end up getting something totally different.

I'll leave those kinds of things to the people who are better suited for them.

[in spite of himself, kurt meets matt's gaze then quickly averts his attention, attempting to focus on anything else that isn't the ridiculously attractive man beside him. even more so because he can feel his cheeks flushing when he admits,] I've never [pause] been with anyone?

[if his horrible subtlety makes any sense.]
semicharmed: (work and or magic to do)

omfg <3 <3 <3

[personal profile] semicharmed 2018-07-08 04:38 am (UTC)(link)
[ Oh. OH. Yup. That explains the ... body language. Matt privately curses Zenith, his own libido, and R.O.S.I.E., in that order. ]

That's okay! [ He lost his virginity when he was like fifteen, but different strokes for different folks. Literally. ] That's totally cool. You don't need drugs to be okay; you just need to figure out what'll make you feel comfortable.

[ Honestly, it strikes Matt as a lot braver to go into this thing a virgin. He's got nothing but respect for the never-have-I-ever corps of volunteers. ]
shadowblends: (❧ furtive)

such a good vest ♥♥♥

[personal profile] shadowblends 2018-07-08 05:45 am (UTC)(link)
[to be fair, he's only a few years older than that, so it's not too unheard of? poor matt, though, and his having to suffer through this conversation with such an awkward teenager. more specifically, one that can't help turning purple when his virginity is being defended.

he's relieved to hear that in any case. kurt has a feeling there are other people who would've made fun of him or called him an idiot for volunteering when he has no experience.]


Rather silly that I volunteered, huh? At the very least, I know what I do myself that makes me comfortable. I guess it's a start.
semicharmed: (bedroom hymns)

[personal profile] semicharmed 2018-07-08 06:00 am (UTC)(link)
It's not silly. It's kind. And, um--selfless.

[ He smiles crookedly. He does notice the purpling? But he's not a hundred percent sure what to make of it, so opts to politely ignore. ]

That's a great start. I've always been kind of a people pleaser, so when I first started hooking up with people I had nnnno standards for how somebody should treat me.

[ Spoiler alert, he still doesn't. ]