![[personal profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/user.png){kind=small}
![[community profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/community.png){kind=small}
SPRING TDM.
● ● ● T D M . 0 8
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.
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.
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!
(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.
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.
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.
F Y I
• 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.
FOR SOME FUN:
Have a clue about the upcoming mission—
sleep paralysis demon part two
Unfortunately, the stranger once again had other plans.]
Isn't this supposed to be a freakin' hospital? [Jake shouts to no one in particular, overtop the sound of Ryunosuke's continuing screams. The man's wild flailing didn't push Jake away so much as the exact opposite, catching the dog's arms and torso in a mess of stretchy, tangled loops. Jake couldn't jump down if he wanted to... and he very, very much did want to.] What he heck are they putting in the IVs here!?
no subject
Instead of thrashing around, he now starts actively trying to shove Jake off of him, yelping in a total panic:]
Wh-- What ARE you!?! Why do you look like that!? And why are you on my BED?! Get off!!!!
no subject
[ Jake coughs, wind knocked out of him as Ryunosuke's shoving effort manages to sock him right in the lungs. It's not the guy's fault, to be fair. Jake's not even really sure where his lungs were right now. ]
That's it. [ He sucks in a deep breath, physically enlarging himself. Not so much himself... mostly his mouth, which is now very much yelling: ] CHILL.
no subject
He actually flinches, not sure if this frightening demon dog is about to bite him with his huge mouth or what. But when it turns out he's just yelling a single word, Ryunosuke blinks his eyes open in confusion, and then full on glares at the intruder. He struggles to sit up, still holding the stretchy yellow creature and its numerous coils at arms length, wincing as one of his scratches stings in protest.]
Hold on-- you-- you crawl on top of me while I'm passed out, scare the daylights out of me, and now you're telling ME to calm down!?
[He's not normally so confrontational but this is easily the WORST wake up call he's had since that time he woke up to the news that Kazuma was dead.]
no subject
I'm a dog, homie! [ He waves his arms for emphasis, as if it was the most obvious thing in the world. No acknowledgement paid to the fact that moments ago Jake had the consistency of quicksand. ] Categorically proven to heal the sick with our sweet dispositions and griz. People pay good money for that in hospitals, you're lucky I don't send you a bill!
[ He stops, takes a breath, and continues with the same tone and expression but none of the anger. ]
And okay, maybe I shouldn't have done that! But in my defense, I really didn't think you'd wig out so hard! So... yeah!
no subject
These are all very basic questions that Ryunosuke naturally has, but will not permit himself to get hung up on for the moment, because he's busy trying to prove a point.]
You touched my face and said welcome to death! In--! [He stops, looks Jake up and down a moment, and then gently sets him back down on the bed before continuing, just as exasperated as before.] ...In what world is that supposed to be comforting!?
no subject
In a deadworld, bro. A friendly hello would be pretty nice, if you were actually dead. [ In saying those words, the dog finally seems to internalize what had been gnawing at him since Ryunosuke's first reaction. Jake didn't feel 'actually' dead, either. But if he wasn't, then where the hell was he? ]
no subject
It's almost a letdown when he realizes the problem just seems to be an ordinary dog. (Putting aside the absurdity of that very scenario.)]
Wha--? Bad dog! [He puts the plate aside on the nearby chair and, in the same motion, strides forward to grab Jake around the midsection, intending to get him off Ryunosuke and put him on the ground instead.] How did you even get in here?
[It hasn't registered yet that he'd heard two voices talking in the room...]
no subject
Uh oh.]
Wait, Kazuma, I wouldn't--!
no subject
More grabbing!? Where were the boundaries in this place? ]
Ey, ey!! [ Jake yaps, wriggling defensively. ] Watch it, pal!
no subject
no subject
no subject
Okay, this time wasn't my fault! [ Jake gestures toward Kazuma emphatically, scurrying to leap off the bed and put some distance between him and the guy he was about to throw under the metaphorical bus. ] Yell at that dude!
no subject
S-Sorry, I--
[Jake seemingly forgotten, Kazuma surges forward like he's going to help Ryunosuke sit up, or make him more comfortable, or just fuss obnoxiously, but then he freezes halfway through the motion: the absurdity of the talking dog situation has finally caught up with him. He turns back toward Jake, apparently unsure which problem he needs to address first.
Eventually, he decides on addressing Jake, but he positions himself so that he's between Jake and Ryunosuke, just in case this weird dog tries to make another weird pass. It just makes him feel better. Unfortunately, this leaves the plate of apple slices rather unguarded.]
What are you doing in here? Get out! [He is also not in the mood to be polite.]
no subject
Bro. Gladly. [ Jake deadpans, holding up his hands in a gesture that could be read either as surrender or y'all crazy. As he backs up towards the door, though, one stretchy arm does extend towards the tray of apples. ] And I'm taking these for my trouble, 'cuz you.
[ He points to to Kazuma with his free paw. ]
And you.
[ A third arm grows out of the top of his head, looping to an angle where he could point at Ryunosuke. ]
Gotta learn to chill.
no subject
HHhh...HEy...!
[Those are for him! :(]
no subject
And that is unconscionable. Kazuma knows how Ryunosuke feels about snacks.]
Stop! Those aren't for you!
[He jumps forward as soon as Jake announces his intentions, trying to get to the plate before Jake does. There is an apple kidnapping in progress!!!]
no subject
[ It would be so easy, so easy, to stretch out a leg and trip this guy. Or pick him up by the scruff and stretch him into another room. Or any other number of creative applications of his powers that resulted in him getting a snack and this very self-righteous man getting stiffed without them.
But then again, this is a hospital. And whoever it was he scared the jeebs out of, he was clearly recuperating from something. And this guy, well... there are only a few reasons a man cuts apples into cute little bunnies. Not many of them could be considered platonic.
So Jake only plucks one rabbit from the plate, stretching it back from the platter in a swift motion. ]
Keep your rabbits, man. [ He inspects the pilfered one for a moment before popping it into his mouth with a satisfying crunch. With his mouth full: ] And next time, sharpen your knife! Those cuts are amateur hour, dude.
no subject
But, ohhh, the dog just insulted Kazuma's knife work. That's not good. Over Kazuma's shoulder, Ryunosuke can be seen grimacing and shaking his head in resignment, bracing himself for the high probability of Kazuma taking that sleight very, very personally.]
no subject
W-What?!
[Excuse you, rude dog, they are perfectly serviceable cuts that look just fine for the first time he has ever attempted to carve rabbits out of apples, and anyway he's plenty dexterous with an actual sword, which is a way more useful skill than being able to cut apples uniformly anyway!
And also, he doesn't care what this dog thinks! (Yes he does.)]
I'd like to see you do better! [He's a dog, so he probably can't cook. Right?]
no subject
Unfortunately for the kid, he happened to be walking right into Jake's wheelhouse.]
Oh, please. In my sleep, dude.
no subject
[...Ryunosuke starts out trying to say, but, these two... They're already talking over him and moving on to the posturing phase of this disagreement. Which is only one step off from officially making it a Challenge.
While they're snipping at one another, he gets another look at the plate, properly appreciating for the first time that Kazuma actually went to the trouble to cut the pieces up like that. He hasn't seen anyone go to the trouble to do apple slices in that style since... Hm. He actually can't remember...?
The point is, they're cute, and looking at them makes him feel strangely at peace, despite the tense and chaotic atmosphere in this infirmary right now.]
...Sorry, but could one of you pass me some of those, when you have a moment?
[Pointing towards the plate. He's officially on his way to checking out of being outraged.]
no subject
He shoots Ryunosuke a chagrined, apologetic look.]
Of course. Sorry, Ryunosuke.
[He doesn't waste another moment to go retrieve the plate from where he'd put it in the first place, thought it's mostly to avoid giving Jake another opportunity to thieve an apple slice. The very poisonous glare he shoots Jake as he does so probably isn't necessary, but when has Kazuma ever taken the high road?]
no subject
Still. He gives them one squinting look before trotting down the hall.
Pretty cute.]
no subject
He grins apologetically.]
Sorry. And thanks, partner.
[Over Kazuma's shoulder, he sees the yellow dog take his leave. Ryunosuke thinks about calling after him. He has SO MANY questions for that, uh... Guy(???) after all? But he quickly reconsiders. Probably better to just take the peace and quiet now, while it's an option.]