ximiliugh | SPRING TDM.

Entry tags:

! test drive

SPRING TDM.

● ● ● T D M . 0 8

GET IT IN WRITING • YOUR NEW NORMAL • CHANGE OF FACE • FYI

// 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.

TOP

// 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!

TOP

// 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.

TOP

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

Flat | Top-Level Comments Only

Which part? The one where she tried to kill you?

[Natasha heard that part, a few other details.]

She must not have tried too hard, considering how you're both still alive.

She gave it a fair shot. [He probably still has some of the healing wounds to prove it, though admittedly those are not all from her.] Would've done it, but I think using your whistle threw her for a loop enough to actually get a conversation out of her.

I don't blame her for being pissed at me. For being hurt.

Yeah? Because I'm still a little unclear. What does the public know about what happened on Vormir?

[She asks that, but it's more out of a spark of frustration than because he wants the answer.

She'd rather her sister didn't start murdering her friends.]

Clint...

The public knows they lost two Avengers in saving the universe. [He's about to give some snappy comment about two guesses which one gets murals on the sides of buildings all over the world, except he...doesn't know. What Natasha knows.

But that's also a good question. Because he sure doesn't talk about Vormir. The only people who ought to know are the ones that were part of the heist, and then their allies beyond that, those who gathered for a funeral ostensibly for two. So how did Yelena find out? Someone there talked to someone else and...something spiraled out enough to catch the eyes of a Black Widow.

He takes a shaky breath.]

We're good. She's not happy, but we're good.

[Natasha would hate having murals and shrines dedicated to her anyway. Being a role model or a hero never set well with her. Not that she's ungrateful, but at the end of the day she's a spy.

Spies aren't meant to have their faces on magazines, even if she'd risen to the occasion. Tony, on the other hand, always seemed to like the attention.]

Are you sure? I don't mind patching you up, but I'd rather not have to.

[Apparently try telling that sort of thing to someone who's looked up to you since they were literally a kid that spies can't be heroes and role models. Which. Shit. God. He needs to tell her about Kate, too. And about Steve, and about Thor, and about Bruce, and Laura and the kids and-]

If she's not good with me, she knows how to punch me. Or, she knows how to try and beat my skull in with a baton.

She won't.

[Natasha will have a talk to her about it, if she has to. The conversation keeps bringing her around to another question, a half step change of the subject.]

Clint, why are you here?

Why are you here?

[Because if that's where she wants to go with this, he can toss it right back at her.]

I'm not gonna ask how are you here, because...who the hell even knows.

[How she is is a question Natasha's not sure how to answer at this point anyway. Alive, when she shouldn't be. Beyond that, she's not sure she'd know what to say.

And she wouldn't be able to say it to him.

Why, why is better.]

You first.

I had a dream. Woke up here.

So I'm guessing the dream wasn't actually a dream.

[Is that stalling? Yeah, that might be stalling.]

You've been here longer. You first.

[He's not answering, and not answering is a kind of answer too isn't it.

Her jaw tightens.

She doesn't like to give in, but she also knows what battles to pick.]

Because I left Yelena behind when I got out. I'm fixing that.

[And now he doesn't have any excuse to stall.]

Your turn.

[Honestly? He hadn't expected her to capitulate like that. He almost stops dead from the shock. And now...shit, that means he should probably say, too, right?]

It's not what you think.

[Even if that seems like it should be. That if there is a power greater than the Stones, then yes, of course, why wouldn't he save Natasha from a what seemed like permanent fate? But that's not it. And he thinks that maybe he shouldn't tell Yelena.]

I did a lot of damage in five years. Not all of it for a greater good. I'm thinking maybe I can be someone different.

[He doesn't really want to invoke the name. Like a malevolent spirit that might get conjured up on speaking it.]

And that's what you're here to undo?

[She presses. She wants to hear him say it. She needs to hear it.]

Tell me that's what you're doing here, and nothing to do with me.

Nothing to do with you.

And if I'm lying and it did have something to do with you, do you think I'd actually tell you so you could kick my ass about it?

[He shakes his head.] No, I...hurt people that maybe didn't need hurt. I got people caught up in what I did that didn't have any reason to be caught up in it. Monster created some monsters of his own. If it's anything to do with you, maybe it's that I'd actually listen to you. Stick around instead of run off. Or let you catch me.

I think you know if I found out you were lying to me, I'd kick your ass twice as bad. And I'd stop you.

And you know I would find out.

[She tugs his hand as she threatens him, softening the statement with a bump of her shoulder against his.]

I'm glad to see you.

[He ducks his head and nods. He'd like to save tears for being in private, so it's best he not try to verbally return the sentiment right at this moment. But he squeezes her hand. If it's hard enough to hurt, it's out of anything but malice.

When he trusts his voice, he switches topics. Other things to catch her up on.]

I, uh. Have something of a protege. May have passed on the old name to her. She had some real terrible ideas for hero names.

[If it hurts, Natasha doesn't complain.

Her room isn't all that far. The station isn't all that big. They'll be able to talk without any prying eyes soon.]

A protege, huh? One Hawkeye wasn't enough?

Nah, the world's gotta deal with two of the greatest archers now with too much heart and not enough sense.

You'd like her. Kate. Maybe Yelena's told you about her. I think they really hit it off, in the middle of your sister trying to assassinate me and all.

Kate Bishop? Yelena's mentioned her name. I haven't dug too much into... into what happens after.

[Because that only makes her want to know more, makes her resent not being there too.

She's trying to be her best.]

She can't have less sense than you, can she?

She's a 20-something rich kid who rescued a stray dog from traffic in the middle of a fight and ran around New York in the Ronin's outfit.

Wait, how did she get the Ronin suit? That should be locked up.

[Sorry, Clint, Natasha has questions here. You know better than to let that fall into the hands of a college student.]

Lotta Avengers and SHIELD shit got scooped up in the cleanup after the compound became a crater, sold off at auctions for whoever could pay. She crashed an auction and made off with it, and the sword.

By the way, compound's a crater now. Sorry if any of your stuff ends up in the hands of a wacko collector or on the black market.

[Pinching the bridge of her nose with her freehand. She has to let this go. She can't micromanage things from beyond death. But oh, she wants to.]

Please tell me that's the worst thing that got scooped up.

...I don't know. [Agent 19's identity was at least briefly in danger, but the methods that would have to be used to even try to backtrace and identify seem ludicrously beyond what any collector would do even if that had any remote chance of being possible. So, yeah, on Clint's end, that's the worst. But on the other hand, he doesn't know what else got nabbed, what could be floating out there.]

I hope so. No sense worrying about it now.

No. There's not much we can do about it now.

[But Natasha wants to. She has a hard time not doing things herself.

Obviously.]

Better to focus on what's in front of us.

● ● ● T D M . 0 8

F Y I

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject