ximilian: (Default)
ximilia mods ([personal profile] ximilian) wrote in [community profile] ximiliugh2023-02-15 12:41 pm
Entry tags:

SPRING TDM.

T D M . 0 8

GET IT IN WRITINGYOUR NEW NORMALCHANGE OF FACEFYI

// PART I. get it in writing  

… What are you willing to do to erase your regret from existence?

The words ring in your ears as in the darkness of your dream, a teal glow pulses, slowly enveloping you. It is not a feeling of comfort that surrounds you, though — as a distorted voice whispers in your ear, you feel it: cold dread, and a sudden certainty that everything is about to be irrevocably changed.

It is to this daunting realization that you wake, and as your heart slows into something resembling a normal tempo, you notice something you should have noticed immediately: you are not in your bed.


1.0   White walls, clinical yet clean, sparsely-furnished rooms. You may wake in one of three rooms: a room with only one bed, a room with two beds, or a room with four beds. Those waking up in rooms with more than one bed notice that they are very much not alone. Perhaps the other occupants of the room are still sleeping, dreaming the same dream as you just did, or a regular one after returning to the station just a few days ago … or perhaps you wake to the other person in the room watching you.

What you do is entirely up to you: yell in surprise when you wake to someone staring at you? Or maybe you’ll try to sneak away before anyone notices you...


2.0   Those with life-threatening injuries find themselves awakening in the infirmary, in a regular hospital bed. Most of their injuries have been treated, and any lingering illnesses or conditions will have designated medicine bottles on the table next to the bed.

White curtains surround the bed on both sides, giving an illusion of privacy. But is that a rustling sound you hear? Some footsteps? Perhaps you’re not the only one in need of some medical attention... or you've attracted the attention of those with experience in medical aid, and they rush to your bedside, surprised about this sudden new patient.

It is not just for your injuries that you may want some company, but also for leaving the infirmary — you can’t stay there forever, after all, and will have to make your way through the hallways of the station to the living quarters, and claim a room and a bed there.


Once you’re up, you may notice there’s something in your ear: an earpiece that, when you become aware of it, quickly runs you through the instructions for how to use the network, a recorded message by a female voice that explains exactly why you’re here… and leaves you with a map of the station.

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// PART II. your new normal  


So what else is there to do but to explore? Best get to know what is now your new home.


3.0   When trying to decide where yo go, you may find your way to the armory, where you can try to work the machine there to make yourself a weapon — perhaps to replace one that didn’t come with you to the station… or maybe you want to be prepared for the future. The recently-returned team members will surely recommend having a functional weapon with you.


4.0   After you’ve exhausted yourself training, it’s time to grab a bite. For that, you should head to the kitchen, which is equipped with all the basic appliances you might need, and ingredients for most regular dishes.


5.0   A welcome reprieve to the cold, dark space that surrounds the characters can be found in the sunlight room. A skillful illusion surrounds anyone who steps inside the room: you can hear the trilling of birds, feel a light breeze caress your skin as you walk through a grass field. It seems that the illusion reflects the season — the leaves have fallen, a layer of white covers the ground, and the air is crisp and clean. If you follow the path, it leads to where a bridge rises over a brook that has now iced over — but maybe don't try your luck walking on it, as the ice may crack underneath your feet and you'll find yourself plunging into the freezing water.

With an illusion so authentic it may leave you longing for some hot chocolate, it is easy to forget you are in space at all. Perhaps that gives you comfort, or just makes you miss the real nature all the more.


6.0   If you’d rather choose tinkering over nature, the lab is guaranteed to provide you with some entertainment. Glass vials and jars of chemicals sit on shelves in a surprisingly beautiful display of colour on one side of the room, while the other side of the room contains stacks of boxes containing assorted equipment: cords, bolts, panels, buttons, gears, gadgets, gizmos, and thingamabobs. The downside is that the parts available seem to have no apparent method to their sorting. So get digging, and you may just find exactly what you need to make what you’ve always wanted to make!


7.0   As you wander back towards the common areas, you may notice a room off to the side. The room takes up a chunk of the common area, and on its unassuming door is a little plaque that reads, 'The Ximusic room'. Should you enter, you will find a sound-proofed practice room that contains — yes, you guessed it, band equipment that even the most musically inclined should be satisfied with. So pick up an instrument, saunter up to the microphone to belt out your favourite tunes, or take a seat at the side of the room and enjoy others' playing.


8.0   If it’s items you’re lacking, though, some time after your arrival, the earpiece alerts you to a new message.

// VIVECA
Hello, everyone. I hope you've had time to rest, and those new here have got used to being here. Those who’ve been here for longer know the deal, but to the new arrivals: we've got a drop of new supplies. I hope all of you find useful things among them. Anything specifically requested will come with a name tag. We're working on locating the next orb, but in the meantime... I hope those who have just returned get some rest, and those who have just arrived read up on what is expected of you during missions.

As you make your way to the platform, you'll see there is nothing amiss in the neat piles of items on it. There’s clothes, shoes, dishware, skincare, books… even a couple of CDs, and a few cute stuffed animals. So sort through what there is and grab what you want, before someone else does!

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// PART III. change of face  


(CW: POTENTIAL BODY MODIFICATION)

Whether you’re a quick study and you’ve become settled into life on the station, or you want to get the full lay of the land (in a manner of speaking) first, if you decide to explore the hall past the control room, you’ll eventually come across the simulation room.

Step past the threshold and the doors will slide shut with a quiet woosh. Nothing suspicious; nothing to worry about. But before you can really get a sense of your environment (a grey, large-ish empty room, no furniture, no discernable objects to provide markers), the room goes dark, and then … there’s really no other way to describe it: the room transforms.

You find yourself in a club. The music is upbeat, loud, but not too loud. Down a short flight of steps flanking the bar and seating is the open floor with more tables and booths bathed in a warm, dim glow of light, and at the very end of the room is a stage with its bright spotlight showcasing its performers — though, at the moment, the stage is empty.


9.0   When you take a step forward, you’ll feel a presence gently push at your chest or your shoulder — a tall and jovial man resembling a well-dressed bartender from the top up (the rest of him appears to move along wheels) approaches with a tall flute glass in hand. Its contents are sparkly and blue.

“Hello, there. Care for a drink? I’m afraid you won’t be allowed to continue until you do, and I assure you this is entirely safe. All effects you might experience remain only so long as you participate in this simulation.

Will you proceed? Please respond ‘Yes’ or ‘No’.”

There’s something a little strange about his voice, a cadence that doesn’t sound quite natural even when the simulation is so realistic otherwise. Once you’ve given your consent, the bartender continues.

“One thing you should know: there is an orb within this club. This drink will aid in your ultimate retrieval of the orb. To better blend in with our patrons, you may experience temporary changes within your body. Good luck.”


10.0   It seems the bartender wasn’t lying. Once you’ve allowed the drink (tasty, sweet-but-not-too-sweet, effervescent, with light notes of your fondest childhood memory) to settle in your stomach you might experience a myriad of effects on your body, ranging from a change in skin colour (pink? green? blue with spots?), an additional limb or two (or three), a tail or wings, or cybernetic parts such as lie-detecting eyes or a tongue that can uncover truths and lies in others. If you happen to find another Orber within the room and both of you have consumed the offered drink, you might find yourself experiencing a full bodyswap.

None of the changes are painful; if anything, they might not even be noticeable until you look into a mirror, look down at your limb-in-question, or your companion points it out.


11.0   The moment you approach the stage, a performer will appear as if out of thin air and begin to sing, her voice strong and smoky and melodic. Her enthralling performance could put you into a trance, but you have an orb to find and a personal task to accomplish, so it’s time to put your best foot forward and do a little investigating.

Talking to some of the patrons might prove fruitful as some of them are convinced that the stage has never sounded or looked so good, like there’s something giving performers that extra oomph that no one can explain. It might be wise to wait until that last performance before you sneak up there — or maybe you want to do a little snooping around now, you know, while everyone’s distracted. Strategize with your fellow Orbers and uncover the location of this hidden orb.

N O T E:   The effects of the drink and the level of changes your character experiences is entirely up to you. Patrons of this fine club won’t bat an eye if you look a little like them.

Additionally, there are three personal tasks provided to each character as they enter the simulation. In-game, each character will be given one task. For the purposes of the test drive, we’re leaving it to players to pick a task for their character and run with it.


A   Say the opposite of what you mean during the simulation.

B   Create a scene with an unsuspecting teammate.

C   Get up on stage and put on a performance during the simulation.

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F Y I

TDM threads can be considered game canon so long as all parties involved agree to it.
TDM threads can be used as samples for apps. In fact, we encourage it!
Reserves open February 19!
Apps open February 24.
For any questions regarding TDM, please direct them here. For questions about the game, please refer to the FAQ.

TOP


FOR SOME FUN:
Have a clue about the upcoming mission—


NAV

sparklified: (pic#11961378)

karolina dean | mcu — runways

[personal profile] sparklified 2023-02-17 11:28 pm (UTC)(link)
5.0
[ you would think that karolina would be a little more bewildered over being up in space but actually with how her life has been going lately, it undeniably falls on the scale of being normal sort of weird. she remembers having very distinct dream about regrets and in finding herself on this space station, it's not hard to determine that the two are interconnected.

is it unsettling? sure. does she think it could be some trick? possibly but she tries to remain optimistic while keeping vigilante as she wanders through the station with her focus on two things: trying to find out if her friends similarly found themselves here and to get acquainted with her new surroundings.

it is inevitable that karolina finds herself in the sunlight room. she is no stranger to illusions, she knows it isn't real but she finds herself captivated by it regardless. the snow is surprising though much like the cold air that makes her consider that she should have worn something a bit warmer but it was nice and peaceful in a way. she follows the path towards the bridge but instead of walking across it, she wandering closer just near the edge of the brook just appreciating the view for a moment.

she can feel it start to get a bit chillier so when she thinks no one is around and it happens to be less crowded, her appearance slowly starts to change:

a. it starts with her hand glowing brightly in a very vivid rainbow hue as she reaches out to touch the water to see how strong the illusion if it would melt just from her touch or hovering slightly above the surface to get to the other side as a bit of practice for her powers.

b. alternatively you could catch her as she is fully changed mostly to help keep herself warm only to immediately shift back a bit too late when she hears footsteps or the sound of an unfamiliar voice talking to her ]
Oh— hi. I didn't realize anyone else would be down here this late.
10.0
[ from knowing this was meant as practice for future missions along with her own curiousity that she decided to take part in the simulation. it all seemed pretty normal so far though the bartender did seem a little sketchy but she rolls with it, taking the drink that gets offered to her and downing it quickly before turning to her fellow orber nearby]

That wasn't so bad— but let me guess, there's a catch to it? Because I'm not sure how drinking is going to help us with the mission. [ whether it's that she has changed colour or gained a pair of wings, she clearly hasn't noticed the changes just yet ]
WILDCARD
[ choose your own adventure! not too sure if her canon falls under the mcu umbrella so i will be keeping it vague on who she knows in general for mcu-verse but other than that if you would like another scenario feel free to go wild and encounter karolina elsewhere!]
atium: (May claim him)

5 b

[personal profile] atium 2023-02-27 07:28 am (UTC)(link)
I'm -- what do they say? A night time person.

[Vin offers, with a shrug. Though she does tilt her head slightly a little in noting the other's weird....colours? Brightness? Before, when Vin first came in and all. It isn't like something she is familiar with. Then again, basically nearly nothing in this place aside from some bare basics are what she is familiar with. Let alone in the sunlight room. Even just the light from the false sun is enough to have her squinting. Let alone when she sees Karolina.]

Um. What was....that?
sparklified: (pic#11961387)

[personal profile] sparklified 2023-02-27 08:33 am (UTC)(link)
Right— well I hope I didn't startle you too much? [ she is usually pretty careful with not revealing her natural form but maybe it was inevitable in such an open environment like this. the other girl doesn't appear to be freaked out too much at least but she does immediately change back to hopefully put her at ease in case she was ] If you're talking about the glowing, it's kind of part of my physiology.
atium: (Heretic)

[personal profile] atium 2023-02-27 08:40 am (UTC)(link)
No. I mean. Not everyone is human back home. Some humans even have certain abilities like I do. But you....glow? I suppose that would be useful in some cases.

[The glowing? Light? Rainbow? Thing? Vin has not seen a rainbow. It's rather hard to get a decent enough view of the sky to see such a thing. Between the ash mounds and the Mist. Still, she does at least seem curious about the other's abilities. She is more used to making use of the darkness, the Mists, in sneaking around mostly unseen. Trying not to draw attention to herself which. Well, the other girl's abilities certainly would do that.]