TEST DRIVE MEME #3

[zhautasmods]

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 lightyears 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 on helping, or maybe the exact specifications of how you could help were 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 shortly after landing. Due to potential unnatural stress levels upon awakening from stasis, I suggest hitting the pool to unwind and have a good time!"

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

Just Keep Swimming

Red lights lead the way to the gym, green is where you'll find the garden, and blue will be your path to the pool. Ostignuh is- Wait, what do you mean the color ostignuh is every color? Huh. They must have overloaded 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. After over-correcting last month, the staff seem to have leveled out. They aren't the best customer service one could ask for but they aren't terrible either. They're just decent. You wouldn't give them a tip if this were a restaurant. Additionally, they're all wearing beach wear. From silly, floppy hats to swimming trunks to two pieces, they're all appropriately clothed for a pool party. If you're interested, they'll show you the newest feature, compliments of R.O.S.I.E. Be warned though, it's a little buggy still. The attire is selected at random and you might get stuck with something ridiculous or risque! Or both! Trying to change back might prove a little more difficult than anticipated as well. They're still working out all the hotfixes. Sorry for the inconvenience!
   
   


2. As you draw closer to the pool, thematic music begins to play across the loudspeakers in this section of the ship. There's definitely a sun day, fun day vibe going on here. People all around you are picking up what's being put down and seem to be in a pretty jovial mode. If this is what life on Zhautas is advertised as, maybe it's not going to be so bad! It's possible, however, that you're instead just reminded of home and wish the people you know could be here to have a little fun too.
   
   Suddenly, you're stepping into a large open area with simulated sunshine and a very real-seeming sea salt breeze. Light shimmers off the surface of the various pools for your enjoyment. Chlorine, salt, and even mineral water are available to swim in should you so desire. They wanted to make sure that they are accommodating any and all species that might have been interested in volunteering.
   
   There are beach chairs to lounge in if relaxing is more your thing. The staff even provides fun drinks in coconuts with little umbrellas. Don't worry, they say, there's nothing "extra" in these. That'll be for when you're planet-side. Winkwonk. If you wanna hit the pool, however, there are plenty of options to choose from. Additionally, Zenith has provided slides, a lazy river, and wave pool for all the fun you could want.
   
   And for those of you looking for something a little more private, there are heart-shaped jacuzzi pools off in far secluded offshoots of the main room.


3. It's very easy to miss the warning signs with all the fun you're having. They aren't very obvious. Besides, it's not as if there's anything really lethal in this pool. Or so staff would say, if asked.
   
   The water starts to churn as you swim through it. Huh, you might think. That's an interesting feature! It feels a little like resistance training with how hard you're fighting against the sudden current. Actually, is it a current? It's hard to say. It doesn't feel like you're making any headway. When you look into the water, there's nothing to be seen immediately. Give it a moment, however, and one large eye will be staring up at you from the bottom of the pool.
   
   Before you know it, a tentacle wraps harshly around your waist. It's as clear as the water that it resides in. The translucent appendage snakes its way around your person without warning. It doesn't seem deadly but it is territorial. It wants you out of its pool and it wants you out fast. It might throw you or try to drown you or just flail you around disorientingly. Whatever the case may be, there's always the option to call for help! A staff member will be there to assist you... eventually. Maybe someone else nearby can give you a hand. It's entirely possible that they may just wind up getting tangled up in this nonsense as well.

Orientation

Shortly after 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 announces an additional impromptu seminar from Professor Quintalian. He's said to be the one in charge of the volunteer program at the main Zenith Research Facility you'll be soon visiting. The topic of this seminar? Love! Isn't that sweet?
   
   "Love is dead," he starts, shoulders slumped and demeanour morose. Oh. Or... not so sweet, actually. Sour, if anything. He continues to talk about how love is just the absolute worst. Who needs it? Obviously not him. Obviously not you. You're here to bond, yes, but love is just a pointless social construct that no one really needs.
   
   "Thank you, professor," the voice says once he's finished, discomfort clear in his tone. "That was... enlightening. Volunteers, what do you think about the topic of your love? Discuss amongst yourselves!"


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!

Finally, it's time to disembark at the research facility. This time they have the right coordinates, so it should be as easy as stepping off the ship and to your new home away from home. The keywords here being "should be."

Despite the sunny beachfront advertised, there's a severe storm currently overhead. It actually makes the initial landing for new volunteers rather rocky. Hopefully, you didn't have any embarrassing mishaps like losing your footing and falling into the nearest person. R.O.S.I.E. reassures that there is nothing to worry about. Just some expected turbulence!

1. "Bad news, new volunteers," says R.O.S.I.E. as everyone drags themselves inside with unfortunately soggy shoes. Soggy everything, more than likely. "There's been some... technical difficulties in preparing the new rooms. Interference from the storm prevented us from getting the names of new volunteers in on time. We're sorting everyone now but it will take a while. In the meanwhile, please enjoy the common areas we have for your leisure!"
   
   Everything is a little chaotic but, hey, at least there's somewhere you can relax. There's magazines to read. If you're into that sort of thing! If not, there's still malfunctioning vending machines that launch your drinks at super sonic speeds. Some people have even seemed to make a game out of it.
   
   If you'd like, one of the staff will take your wet clothes to dry. It's only after you've stripped that they say they don't have a replacement. Of course, it will only take a half an hour to get your clothes freshly laundered. That isn't too long! There are pillows to cover up if you're really modest. In fact, there might even be some blankets lingering from last month's unexpected slumber party.
   
   
2. By the late afternoon, the storm outside seems to break. An announcement is made that due to some mix-ups, rooms won't be ready until the next day. At least now you can head outside!
   
   Everything's still significantly damp. It smells fresh. Collected rain plips from the trees above to the ground below. Out of the ground wiggle several worms to say hello. Your freshly cleaned clothes are just begging to be muddied. Wait, what?
   
   Whether you expect it or not, some of the rowdier volunteers have opted for a bit of mud wrestling after this rainy day. Maybe it was being cooped up inside for long. Maybe it's just that playing in the mud is surprisingly fun. Whatever the reason, it's suddenly a free-for-all. Keep your clothes clean or get down and dirty if you'd like! Even if you don't like, there's bound to be someone to attempt to drag you down to their level.
   
   
3. Temporary lodging for the new volunteers are tents! A holdover from the scavenger hunt activities, they're repurposed for housing volunteers overnight. How convenient! These are provided if they want to stay on the beach instead of returning to the common room couches for the evening. Anyone is welcome to these, of course, but the newest wave of volunteers get priority! It's a decidedly better option than the likely horribly crick in your neck or back you'd get from sleeping on the couch or facility floor.
   
   They're very nice state of the art contraptions that pop-up without all the hassle of assembling all those small, obnoxious parts. True camping is for plebs says the Zenith Corporation. They even have a projection of a movie for all volunteers to watch out on the beach before bedtime. Last month's was a romance, but this month's is a horror flick. It was selected by Professor Quintalian himself, a movie that hits personally close to home for him with its wonderful portrayal of the pursuit of (weird) science.
   
   It's doubtful you'll be sleeping after that viewing. Not to worry, however, since there are likely several other traumatized souls you can share a tent with if you're still a bit uneasy. Be warned though, these tents also come with some unique features. Namely, they have a certain new fresh smell to them that will compel characters to get closer than they otherwise might. What? There's only so much room in this tent and you might as well snuggle up so long as you're comfortable. There's absolutely nothing strange about this newfound desire of yours to cuddle whatsoever.

Network/Bangr

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:

What are your favorite sex positions?*
(*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

What are your favorite sex positions?
All of them. But especially the ones where I can get as many tentacles in as many orifices as possible.

✓	✕
YES <span style="font-family: times; font-size:40px; color:#33cc33;">✓</span>	NO <span style="font-family: times; font-size:40px; color:#CC0000;">✕</span>

BANGR CODE Find the code for the Bangr here!

PLEASE NOTE: Use the BANGR code that is labeled COMMENT-FRIENDLY, 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!

Extra Notes

• We've decided that going forward all prompts are OTA! It can now be assumed that after the ship lands current volunteers in-game were able to board and hang-out for a little bit before it leaves again! That means established volunteers can welcome new members, show them around parts of the ship they're familiar with and explore new areas that weren't open during their own arrival! Only new volunteers will be taking the orientation quiz but established volunteers are free to peek inside the room or try to help with the quiz!
• Credit for the tentacle monster goes to Ashley, player of Rei Ryugazaki (freestyle_chrysalis)!
• A reminder that the TDM can be considered game canon and timeline-wise runs the first week of the month to correlate with applications.

NAVIGATION ✦ TAKEN ✦ RESERVES