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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—
flower arrangements—
Yes, it's quite a shame. ( he sounds sincere enough, even if it isn't reflected in his eye. ) They would liven up our rooms.
no subject
but the very faint purse to her lips decries her annoyance just the same. ）
Sōsuke. （ no honourifics. he does not deserve them. but it's more of a greeting than he gives her in turn. manners, boy. ） I should think that any room here is an improvement over muken.
no subject
Considerably. ( he lifts his arms indicatively, so free and unconstrained. ) There is more room to stretch my legs here. Better company, too.
no subject
（ her tone is still mild, polite as she gives him a sideways glance. ）
Though, surely you miss your subordinates?
no subject
( is she aware that she died? she would be the type. )
no subject
her mouth curves up. it is, by all appearances, a perfectly pleasant smile. serene, and sweet as the honeysuckle she cuts near the root. her scissors have a decisive sound to them, the whisper of metal against metal.
she wonders if the sunlight room functions similarly to kyōka suigetsu after all. it is all so very real. ）
Ah, but it's the duty of a leader to ensure those entrusted to them can flourish in their absence. （ she has not forgotten poor hinamori momo. used cruelly thrice over by the awful creature before her now. ） Vice Captain Isane will do well without me. Can you say the same of those you lead astray?
no subject
really, he's just having some fun — no greater motive than that. )
Is there someone specific you are thinking of when you speak of my subordinates, Captain Unohana? If there is, you're welcome to tell me. Perhaps, I can shed some light.
no subject
Oh? You'd be so willing to indulge me, then? How long is it you've known darkness now, Sōsuke, to speak of light?
no subject
( a few steps forward and he settles beside her, crouching down to one knee as he cups a white flower betwixt two fingers. )
Just like this rose, we were cultivated, cut and then arranged into a bouquet by a gentle pair of hands. Grateful for the life given to us, we strived to flourish and shine brilliantly for their sake. But in truth, the dirt that nourished us and the sun that strengthened us were nothing more than an illusion, carefully crafted not by the hands we thought sowed us but the inner workings of a well-tuned machinery.
( he plucks the rose from its stem with a delicate snap. )
How long have I known darkness, you ask? ( he slowly stands back up, crushing the flower in his gloved hand, allowing for its petals to fall lifelessly to the floor at their feet. ) We've never left it, Retsu.
no subject
It's truly incredible to behold the agility of a mind that has come to such conclusions.
（ she rises, then. the basket is abandoned. what does it matter? it is more an illusion than what he speaks of with such eloquence. is this why captain tōsen chose to follow him? pretty, empty words? a dissection of all the unjust things in the universe? ）
And please, I would hate to think you've lost all your manners. It's Captain to you, upstart.
no subject
he isn't here to sway her over to his cause, however; an aspiration that has been laid to rest, ever since his battle with kurosaki ichigo ended.
the politics of soul society does not concern the dead either, not unless she intends to use the orbs to regain life. )
Let us not separate ourselves with such lofty distinctions here, Retsu. You and I are no better or worse than the others aboard this ship.
no subject
（ it isn't as if he has ever concealed the fact that he is a traitor, after his machinations came to light. indeed, he seemed to revel in it — glorying in the way he had fooled the soul of seireitei for so long. ）
Of course, I would not expect anyone not of our world to legitimize my rank.
no subject
this exchange is meant to be a gesture of goodwill, so if she wishes for the formalities to be kept, then so be it. )
Then, forgive me, Captain Unohana. It seems I have overstepped my bounds. ( he doesn't sound the least bit sincere, his tone a mild amusement, yet it's relenting all the same. ) I assume you would prefer it if we maintain a distance from each other, while we're on this journey.
no subject
then he can prove it.
the fourth division is not a combat division. she has never stood opposite him on a field of battle. illusions are a coward's tool — not that he cares for such trivialities. if he didn't wished to be called traitor or coward he would not have done what he did. but it is not the first time she has considered what it would be like to cross blades with the bearer of the hōgyoku. ）
On the contrary, I would prefer to keep an eye on you. A simple healer may not be able to subdue you, but I can certainly make your life difficult if necessary.
（ she says that pleasantly enough, all things considered. ）
I suppose Miss Viveca and Commander Degar have suppressed your Kyōka Suigetsu.