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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—
He missed Finn so badly!
He had resented that as a child, seething in jealousy as he watched from the outskirts of every town, every hamlet and every dingy cave, as his peers were toasted to or had one of the rare cakes.]
Newton made a poster. It has the birthday of everyone here on it. He didn't remove yours when you left. [There had been a battle of wills over it, with Aleksander scribbling over it and Newton making new ones to replace the ones he ruined.]
It is in the common living area, I think. On the wall.
[Still pock-marked with crayons and festive stickers from the last time the station had a gathering.]
Did you find the things you left behind here?
;;
That's another warm, deep feeling to explore later. His small smile says a lot, though. ]
I'll have to go see it.
[ But, um- Right. He clears his throat. ]
I did, yeah. McCoy had most of it. I've been told my old room's been taken, though, but I've got everything that matters now.
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[And after a beat] If yours looks- strange, it is probably because of the party. That Newton organized.
[It's a too-specific denial, but it has been a long winter. Even without the change of seasons outside of the windows that they do not have, he still feels it in his bones. The call of the cold. Of long nights and watery daylight. Of snow and spiced ale.]
I live alone. [Kovach leaving had been a blessing, really. No one to occupy his space, no one to pretend for. The room was still almost as bare as it had been when he moved in, and that was how he liked it.] If you need a place to sleep, you are welcome with me.
[Aleksander's lips twist in a mockery of a smile, Kovach had a big mouth. A big, hypocritical one and it grated like sandpaper against his soul some days, when Daisy shouted at him on the network or Kovach himself made snide, juvenile remarks.] Unless you are worried I might kill you in your sleep.
[The tether that Degar dulled for him. For them. The relentless pull that seemed so distant now, it reason for his insanity and his endless want. The truth of his fate and how utterly helpless he was to stop it.
All he would ever get was this short time on the station.
And here, he would be Aleksander. His true name.
He shakes his head, hands out and palms down-] I'm sorry. That was-- I wouldn't, you know.
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But he's quickly surprised by such an invitation. And touched. Very touched.
He smiles over the warning and smiles larger over the apology. ]
I know. I'm not worried. [ Not in the slightest. He wouldn't have hesitated to trust him before he left and he's not going to now, even though it's clear that many things have changed. ]
Besides, I bet I can take you. [ He's like 95% joking, but anyway- ] I'll take you up on it. Thank you.
[ Far better than being alone. ]
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Why not choose to be him this time around.
After all, who would know any different?
No one to judge him for the mistakes of his grandfather, the first Sankt of Ravka or the regret he came here to undo.
Aleksander's smile turns teasing, just a little bit, when faced with Finn's.]
That is almost cheating, since you know my weakness. I trust that I won't find myself tied up too often, in that case. [and on a more serious note-] You're welcome, but that is the least I could do.
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But before he can tease too much, he finds himself a bit bashful. Finn laughs, hanging his head a little. ]
You don't owe me anything. [ And he can't imagine what for. ]
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That he would be alone, always.
Aleksander had walked Ravka and the surrounded countries for longer than he would admit to, searching for answers to the one question that burned through even his own wants.
But there had been a time here, when he had wanted to turn to Finn. To reach out and be sure to find a hand reaching back.]
While you were gone, Kovach tried to change his regret. Again. But the price for a change of heart is-- enormous. He attacked the station, transformed in to some kind of monster, and he tried to kill us all. There was blood on the walls, the heavy scent of fear and terror in the recycled air.
I didn't kill him for that. And I didn't vote to have him thrown in to space. Executed. [He had been sorely tempted to.] He was judged by Viveca and Degar, and I'm sure they made sure his punishment fitted the crime.
Because I made a promise.
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At the end of the story, he doesn't know what to say. Obviously, he's glad that things turned out better than they could have, and he's sorry any of that happened at all. For a long moment, Finn's just silent, thinking, until it all settles. ]
... You don't owe me anything. That was your choice... But I'm glad I could help.
[ Immensely. ]
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[With a deep breath, he shakes his head and gestures towards the door.]
But that can wait, the information of what has happened while you were away. When you are ready, my door is open to you. Do you know the way?
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[ His smile is back, small and warm and maybe a little tired. ]
I'll be by once I gather my things.