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sexyspace2018-11-25 10:05 am
zhautasmods) wrote in sexyspace2018-11-25 10:05 am
Entry tags:
TEST DRIVE MEME #7
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 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 muscular atrophy upon awakening from stasis, I suggest hitting the osbtacle course for a bit of nonconventional exercise!"
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.
Obstacles Ahead
- While the staff are helpful, many of them seem to be on high alert. There's an unmistakable tension in the air. If anyone tries to ask, they reassure volunteers that everything is fine. Still, the moment that anything goes wrong or they can't exactly answer a question it's clear that they grow even more troubled. Just what's going on around here?
They won't say. Maybe one or two might eventually let it slip that the Zenith Corporation isn't especially happy lately with a wanted criminal still at large on Zhautas that seems to be terrorizing the volunteer program. Her name is Hoshiko and she's a pirate that seems to be somehow escaping every attempt Zenith has made to apprehend her. The only picture they have of her is one where she appears to have posed for the camera, flashing as much cleavage as possible and winking. She doesn't look very threatening, really, but they assure volunteers that they need to be on the lookout for this woman once they get to Zhautas. Still, try not to worry about it too much. Oh, and, don't tell their boss that they let you know this. They technically weren't supposed to. - As you draw closer to the obstacle course, some intense music begins to play through the halls. It's supposed to get volunteers pumped for the challenge they're about to face! They can thank the Nevrione Guard for installing the course. They wanted to give people visiting a taste of just a little of what they do to train to join The Guard's ranks.
"Are you ready, volunteers?" asks R.O.S.I.E. as a group gathers at a pair of closed doors. An LED countdown displays above the doors, numbers in blue that read 5...4...3...2...1... Go! A loud chime ding, ding, dings as the screen is replaced with !!! only that's flashing rapidly. The doors swish open quickly, revealing a large park-sized obstacle course to explore. It has artificial sunlight, plenty of trees and nature, and even mossy ponds beneath some of the obstacles that you could very well fall into if you're not careful.
Don't worry, they'll have a change of clothes for you in the case of this happening. It just might take a little bit to deliver them so hope you don't mind hanging out in your underthings for a little bit. You likely won't be the only one, if it helps the shame of failure any.
If the main obstacles prove to be a little too difficult, not to worry! There are easy sections. Originally, they were designed for the children of Nevrione who wanted to feel like they had a chance at joining The Guard from a young age. But they work just as well for volunteers fresh out of stasis with potentially noodly feeling legs! Step across wooden cogs placed closer together or walk up a flight of stairs instead of trying to get tangled up in a net on the way up. There's something to do for just about anyone!
There's even a bench you can sit on, right over there, in case you simply want to watch fellow volunteers eat dirt or get drenched for your amusement. See! Something for everyone.
- After all that exertion, it's important to remember that you were asleep for a while and likely need to help your muscles recuperate proprerly. A cooldown workout is the best option in case you went just a little too hard without meaning to. Stretch those muscles still, just- Gently. For that reason, they have a yoga class that's available anytime. One of the locals from Nevrione has offered to host these sessions, a lovely ison lady who is, uh. Wow. She's impressively bendy.
While you don't have to follow the same moves she's doing exactly (you didn't even know someone could twist their body into that shape!), she does encourage volunteers to try their best. It's likely you're more pliable than even you think! If not, it is something you can work up to. If that lady can fold both of her pairs of legs, then your one pair shouldn't be that difficult to work with!
She is very motivating and does her best to accommodate volunteers at every turn. Just don't get too twisted up now. At some point, she segways into movements where you will need a partner to help you with some of them. It's friend yoga and can be a lot of fun. While some of the poses are more difficult, it's meant to foster trust with the other person you're working with! Since everyone is so new, it seems like a good idea to try and get started with the right foot... by having it be held up by someone else, apparently!
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.
- Are you way too cool for school? If you try to play hooky, 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 twist and turn.
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 the 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 announces an additional seminar from R.O.S.I.E.! Do you all remember that voice speaking to you when you first awoke? If so, this digitally projected blond's soothing tone should sound familiar. She smiles wide for the "camera," clearly excited to be interacting with potential volunteers in a new way. The topic of today will be safe, sane, and consensual. Considering the location that volunteers will be arriving at has a heavy emphasis on BDSM, it seems very apt!
When the video starts, she's all professionalism. Okay, so- Mostly professionalism. Compared to most of the other lecturers of the past, this woman manages to touch on the core concepts of the topic while still adding appropriate humor to keep things interesting. Of course, her topic is a very serious one and she doesn't take it lightly despite trying to lighten things up for the code. "Make sure," she emphasizes, "that you always have an enthusiastic 'yes' from your partner and that both your boundaries are clearly set! Communication is key in these types of situations. So long as you talk and are honest, well- Everything should be a kinky good time!"
"Thank you, R.O.S.I.E.," the voice says, charmed themselves even by the entertaining seminar. "Wasn't that fun! Volunteers, what do you think about the topic of safe, sane, and consensual? Discuss amongst yourselves!" - 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
- Volunteers will be dropped off at the outskirts of the city of Heawood. The market is bustling, the streets are full, and most homes have their doors and windows open to peer out at passerbys. For the most part, everything seems fairly busy throughout. Volunteers will be directed by staff to the Nevrione Inn. It has a dining hall and bar, fireplaces to cozy up to, and plenty of places to tuck away if you want to gossip about what's going on with Zenith staff. Though perhaps you just want a moment or two to yourself instead.
Once you're done getting settled in, why not stop and explore a little bit? The locals certainly don't seem to mind the company.
- Suddenly, R.O.S.I.E. turns on one of her newest features to help volunteers blend in a little better. Someone next to you might sprout cat or dog ears. Don’t mind if you get knocked in the face suddenly by someone’s new butterfly wings. It happens! It’s also possible they take on the long whiskers of a Coeurl or plumage of a Chocobo or other animals entirely unfamiliar to some. Either way, everyone just got a lot more animal-like. While it doesn’t look exactly like the natives, it does bring a smile to the faces of the locals and they seem a bit more generally receptive to the people waltzing into their homeland.
This feature is extremely customizable. Volunteers can toggle it off if they don’t want it at all. Additionally, they can have as many or as few animal features as they’d like. They can also change what creature they’d like to take after with just a thought! The only limitation seems to be that they can only appear as one animal at a time.
While all the add-ons seem to be mostly for aesthetic, it is a lot of fun to play around with! 
In Nevrione the current seasons is clearly Autumn. There’s orange, red, and yellows everywhere in varying shades and varieties. There are a lot more leaves missing from the trees than before as the season starts coming to a close. Everything starts to look a little more sparse as Winter creeps ever closer and the temperature grows increasingly colder.
If you head out and about, there's a marketplace to peruse and locals to mingle with. Volunteers shouldn't want for things to occupy their time here. They've landed just after the Harvest Festival and it seems to have been a fun time indeed. Some might ask for assistance in taking down decorations or cleaning up a bit from all the festivities. They've got to start gearing up for Winter now and figuring out their stores for the coming cold. You'll be compensated with a couple of bronze seedlings for your time, of course, and might even get some fun festival stories like-
Oh, uh. This story is really explicit. Did they say there was an orgy? And you missed it? Well, you might be glad that you did... Of course, just because there was an orgy doesn't mean that all the fun has been had. The natural growth enhanced by the Selva are still growing and especially at night, milky wafts of pollen might tickle your nose and cause a stirring in your nethers you don't quite expect. Maybe you're lucky and immune to these plant's effects but if not, don't worry! You'll likely find someone else feeling just as friendly as you are before long. Or maybe a kind soul will help alleviate this (sexually) tense situation you've found yourself in.
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:
(*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
I have already. Several times, in fact. Exhibitionism is such a fun kink, I think, and really allows for such a unique feeling of freedom.
| ✓ | ✕ |
| YES |
NO |
PLEASE NOTE: This BANGR code is the COMMENT-FRIENDLY version, 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
- Remember that 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!
- A reminder that the TDM can be considered game canon and timeline-wise the TDM takes place on the 8th when the arrival ship arrives, as shown on the calendar.
- Going into DECEMBER, we are continuing with an APPLICATION CAP of (40).
no subject
Rogue's about to explain that they tricked her, seeing as he seems to know her somehow, but he reads her like a book and her own heart twists a bit as she recognizes that frown. She watches him quietly, her own smile fading away to somber understanding.
Setting her glass down, the mutant pushes her hood back so he can see the entirety of her face and hair, not wanting to seem as though she's hiding from him. He recognized her primarily by voice, so he had to know her and not just another version of her. Or that's what she's willing to believe in the moment.]
You know me. [She says simply, in a tone that indicates it's a fact he best not try and argue.] Ah know what it's like to know someone and for them to not know you here. [A beat.] Ah'm sorry sugah.
no subject
Too little too late, now. Can't go back and pretend he didn't recognize her, can he? Still, there are details he can keep to himself. She doesn't really need to know everything. Actually, considering where they are, it's probably for the best that she doesn't. ]
It's fine. [ Well, not fine, but he'll live. He offers a small smile and shrugs it off. ] Like I said, got you confused with someone else.
[ If another version of her even counts as 'someone else'?? He's not really sure. ]
Anyway, I can– leave. Sorry for just coming over like that.
no subject
She wonders how much he knows about her, what sort of relationship they had beyond what seems like a positive one given his disappointment and genuine politeness. He's not in an easy position, and she can't help but think about all the people, friends, family, and teammates, who only met her here.
Not having her brother recognize her still twists her up.
Her eyebrows lift as he repeats his explanation, a silent indication that she knows better, but she also doesn't press him further on it at the moment.]
Stay. [Her desire for him to stay is genuine.] Ah could use some pleasant company if ah haven't already ruined that possibility.
no subject
If it stings a little, it's just because of who it is, but. Well, that's on him for caring. ]
You're kidding, right? Can't imagine you ever would. [ The words come out before he can think better of it, but like with everything else, he just moves on with a smile thrown carelessly. He shifts on his seat, making it clear that he has no intention of leaving now, not if she really wants him to stay. ]
I'm Owen, by the way. Sorry, that's... yeah. [ He knits his eyebrows a little, then offers a hand for a shake. ] Nice to meet you?
[ Somehow this is even more awkward than the first meeting (the one he remembers), and they were both naked then. The thought nearly makes him laugh. ]
no subject
Challenge accepted.
[She grips his offered hand in a firm, gloved handshake. If she knew how their first meeting had gone in his memory, she'd probably be wearing quite the blush. Instead, she's blissfully unaware, if not curious.]
Pleasure so far Owen. [Pausing, she cants her head while she still has his hand in hers. It's non-threatening, but as he's likely aware,
she doesn't need much time or effort to react.] Remind me again who ah am and why ah might have an issue with this place?
no subject
For the time being anyway. ]
Your name's Rogue. You're a mutant, and your primary ability is triggered by touch. You can... absorb powers, memories, energy by simply touching someone. Even though you had full control over that ability the last time I saw you, I know that wasn't always the case. I can't think of you agreeing to come to a place like this knowing that you might lose that control at any moment.
no subject
When he speaks, the air in her chest escapes and her grip loosens, becoming gentler as he continues. Everything is spot on, and not only that, it sounds as though he knew her and not of her. There's a familiarity and perhaps a fondness to his tone that doesn't once cause her to feel like either a monster or on a hero pedestal. It sounds like she's just Rogue to him. It's a genuinely nice thought.
But it's the mention of her having control of her powers that earns a soft gasp from the mutant, her features twisting a bit in a waft of pain and confusion.]
They left the sex part out. [She explains, trying to smooth her own face back out to something more neutral.] Plus, ah may have died so... Here ah am.
no subject
His eyebrows raise when she explains that she wasn't told of the sex aspect of it all, and he nods slowly. That does make a lot more sense, come to think of it. Rogue would want to save people, she'd leap at the opportunity. But she wouldn't be this careless, knowing better than anyone else what her powers are capable of.
Then she adds the last part, and he frowns. He turns the information over in his head a couple times before he finally asks, leaning forward on his seat. ]
Sorry. You died?
no subject
The pursed lips of her own frown returns with a furrowed brow as she takes her own couple of moments.]
Ah don't... Know exactly. Somethin' happened with mah power an' another mutant's when we touched. [Made out.] Next thing ah know ah wake up and have a conversation with Zenith.
[Which brought her here and gave her a bit of extra motivation to come here.]
They told me ah was still alive, but given all their lyin', their word means jack shit to me now. [Her eyebrows lift. Neutral be damned.] You know we got chips in our head, right?
no subject
He nods at the explanation, focusing on what she's saying, rather than the very distracting way she draws her fingers in circles against the inside of his wrist. ]
Yeah. [ His voice is quiet, expression somber. His head dips and he glances around them, then looks back to her. ] That's the part they didn't tell me. I knew about the sex, but not... that.
[ He'll likely be battling a very particular kind of paranoia during his time here, but for now he doesn't delve too deep into that. ]
I've also been told I can't take it off. [ But he doesn't trust any of the people who have told him not to try, so he asks her: ] Is that true? There really isn't a way to get it out?
no subject
The mutant's always had a soft spot for those little, affectionate touches, as he probably knows. It's strange that he knows these things, but given her mutation it's not a difficult conclusion to draw. So, her fingers keep with the slow movement as he glances around, which provides an excellent opportunity to take a healthy swig of her drink.
Her eyes don't reflect anything positive in regards to his concerns about the chip.] It ain't magnetic metal, else mah friend who can control magnetism would have felt it an' tried. Ah've had lightnin' run through me without damagin' it too. Ah haven't talked to anyone who's tried surgery or magic yet. So far we can't deactivate it.
[Her gaze drops to her drink, or maybe their hands.]
Did they tell you what just happened? What's happened before?
no subject
The place overall isn't the issue, to him. It's the little things, the details they omit, the parts they don't mention as they see fit, so they can get who they want to come here. Manipulation, pure and simple. Owen's sure that were the whole truth to be told to each and every one of the volunteers, then Zenith would have very few people agreeing to come, if any at all.
At least he feels like less of an idiot when he knows he's not the only one who's been lied to. ]
I'll ask around. See what else other people might've tried to do, and what were the results.
[ Nothing good, he expects. But he'd be stupid not to try and find out more. ]
You mean... the orgy? [ Were this anyone else, and were the mood any different, that might've carried a teasing tone to it. As it is, however, he can tell all too easily that Rogue's incredibly upset, and whatever she's upset about, it must be somehow connected to something that happened recently, so. ]
What happened? To you. Something happened, right? Was it during the orgy? [ Owen grits his teeth behind his pressed lips, but somehow manages to keep a check on his tone. ] What did they do to you?
no subject
Thank you sugah. Ah'll reach out too.
[It can't hurt to ask around, can it? Her tone has a certain caution to it, and she gives him a bit of a pointed look.]
Just be careful.
[Her worries about the nature of this place and her abilities remain a constant, and even though she's currently under the influence of Hank's serum and is safe to touch, the recent events have amplified her anxiety on the matter.
When he mentions the orgy by name, she visibly flinches, jaw tightening as she leans her torso back against the chair back, gaze intent on her glass as he asks a series of questions. She hears them, but it takes her several moments of mental chewing before she responds, voice soft and heavy with guilt. If he knows her mutation, then he knows. So, she nods.]
Ah killed someone. [In her head, it feels as though she yelled those three words. She hadn't, but she feels like everyone in the bar heard and knows.] The aphro hit, an' before ah knew...
[She dares a glance through her bangs to see his reaction, his horror and judgment no doubt. Her hand relaxes so he can recoil from the contact too, if he wants. She wonders if the Rogue he knew ever told him about the deaths, if he'd seen that uglier side yet. Well, he's seeing it now.]
no subject