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SUMMER TDM.
● ● ● T D M . 0 9
The words ring in your ears as in the darkness of your dream, a chromatic 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: the sun hangs high overhead, bright and unyielding. Those who aren't so keen on the heat may be tempted to find shade under one of the many towering trees scattered about the lush green fields, or even take a dip in the room's crystalline pond.
With an illusion so authentic it may leave you longing for a nice glass of ice-cold lemonade, 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!
Eventually, you’ll find yourself at the doors of the the simulation room — it has been equipped with a new simulation to take you through possible mission-like scenarios so it’s best to prepare yourself and see what it has in store for you.
8.0 The doors slide shut behind you and the room goes dark. Small pinpricks of light will start to build on each other until you’re surrounded by grey skies overhead and grassy green lawns, a row of old stone columns lining your vision. It seems you’re in a courtyard of some kind, but that’s not all. Something tugs at the hem of your sleeve or nudges at your leg, a warm presence that feels comfortable and ultimately very familiar. They look up at you, or maybe they meet your eye-level, a creature that varies in size, shape, colour, and form depending on what reflects you best. This creature, known as a compalion is a physical manifestation of your spirit or soul and will stay by your side on this journey.
You can stay here and get to know your compalion, or you can take your new companion and explore the campus. Because, if you do move forward past the line of columns (a hallway it turns out), you’ll find that the small cluster of buildings forms an academic campus of some kind.
• Your compalion will shift into one form throughout this simulation and can be any creature that best mirrors your personality.
• They can be as small as a flea and as large as a small elephant; get creative!
• Whether they speak to you in your native tongue is entirely up to you (some speak, some don’t)
• Basically daemon rules apply.
9.0 While it might seem like fun to spend hours just exploring the old buildings with your compalion and any Orbers like you that you might bump into along the way, it’s important to remember that you have a goal to achieve: follow the clues and retrieve the orb. Your compalion might offer an idea or two for where to go, or it may just be voicing the thoughts in your head, but it’s not a bad thing to follow your heart (or your gut) as it were. You might find that the rooftops of the campus buildings are easily climbable to get a good vantage point of your location. (Just be careful not to slip and fall! The height from here is quite dangerous.) A clocktower stands proud in the distance among a cluster of other campus buildings, marking the time.
Inside, you might be led down dark stone halls and into a series of classrooms: including reading quarters, study rooms with old leather couches and warm carpets covering stone floors; lecture halls with stiff wooden seating and individual desks to match, a chalkboard with indiscernible scribbles half-wiped away; and a laboratory that deals with something a little less modern than you might be used to, or perhaps with its twisty vials and bubbling potions, it suits you perfectly. There is the large library filled from floor to ceiling with books beyond imagining.
If you look out from the tall arch-shaped window from a classroom, or if you’re outside and you tilt your head up to the sky, you might notice that the sky appears to be darkening further, growing heavy with what is inevitably an oncoming rainstorm. If you’re inside, it might be best to stay indoors; if you’re outside, perhaps it’s time to find some shelter. Or if you’re determined to find that orb outside, risk you and your compalion getting wet.
● ● ●
N O T E: 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 Team up with another Orber and their compalion to find the orb's location.
B Climb into the clocktower and ring the bell.
C Explain your best theory regarding your compalion’s manifestation to a fellow team member.
F Y I
• TDM threads can be used as samples for apps. In fact, we encourage it!
• Reserves are now open!
• Apps open June 25.
• 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—
Miles Edgeworth | Ace Attorney
2.0: Infirmary
It wasn't that he'd awakened in the infirmary - at least, not the first time. This time, he'd awakened after an apparent fainting spell. Which, surrounded by all of this, didn't surprise him.
The new bandages on his stomach beneath his clothing and the new brace on his wrist surprised him. Apparently the old ones hadn't been up to the standards here. And the bottle of medication in his hand... He'd get used to it.
Miles slid it into his pocket. Better to not let that be too seen just yet. He'd be up and moving before long.
4.0: Kitchen
There were certain things that made life worth living - and more often than not, they were the little things. His surroundings, to say the least, were new and strange, in that order. But he remembered the voice. The dream. The bargain. He'd thought of it immediately, what he'd change, and for once had made a decision with very little thought put into it. Now all he had to do was live with and live up to his choice.
Which was why, just now, he was pouring hot water into a cup, a bag of tea slowly colouring it as steam rose. It had taken some exploration to find it and he'd been careful not to misplace anything from where he'd found it. But, once his tea was steeping, he took a seat and began to write in his organiser - which, thankfully, had come with him. He knew better than not to write any of this down. His memory certainly wasn't the best anymore.
7.0: Music Room
Was this teasing? Taunting?
Miles sighed, shaking his head, eyes closing. He'd chosen this for himself, both making the deal and going into this room. He could've just as easily said no to either one. Instead, here he stood, in front of a piano, one wrist still firmly in a cast. He couldn't play anything like this. "Encouragement," he muttered, "to heal, I suppose."
With the medical treatment he'd gotten here, he had the feeling it wouldn't take as long as it normally would have. Everything here looked like something out of science fiction. There was a part of him that almost expected to see a real Steel Samurai walk around the corner. And with that in mind, one-handed, he played the first phrase from the theme. That, at least, he could do.
9.0 (A) Campus
He'd signed up for this. And, despite the oddness, he needed to see if he was capable. If it required a lot of physical work, with his wrist in its current condition, he wouldn't be able to do it, but to think through puzzles and clues - that was his milieu. His organiser was already in his hand as he walked into the hallways, wondering who he would end up working alongside. It had to be someone, after all.
The quiet footfalls of the lynx beside him...
It was far from a pomeranian, but that didn't stop him from giving it a similar name. "Nitro," he murmured, "are you sure you've not scented anyone lately?"
Was he going to fail by virtue of being alone?
7.0!
Today, however, he was alone. Out of sight and around the corner from Miles he stood, carefully inspecting a viola beside a violin on the music room's wall. Yujin raised a brow. Surely to the untrained eye it wasn't so strange to confuse the two, but to someone who knew which was which... someone who'd been very familiar with one instrument or the other... it'd be a simple matter to tell them apart, right? With a frown, he grabbed the viola's bow without removing the instrument from the wall. He rested its hairs atop the viola's strings, prepared to test its sound, when--
"Ah!"
At the sound of those notes in what was once dead silence he started, causing the viola to utter a short, ugly squawk. This place was supposed to be empty-- who on earth was playing? He poked his head around the corner to see the unfamiliar man standing behind the piano.
"P-please excuse me!" he said quickly, and with an apologetic bow. "I didn't think that anyone was here."
Fellow musician!
He half-bowed, saying, "Miles Edgeworth." Normally, he would've followed it with his job, but that didn't matter so much here.
4.0
And when he first sees Miles in the corner of his eyes, he doesn't say anything. After all, they spend a lot of time together, including in kitchens. After a few steps, he remembers that Miles isn't supposed to be here, and double takes, stuttering mid-step before coming to a stop.
He's talked at least once with someone about the chances of someone you know appearing on the station. Of course, it's crossed his mind that there was always a chance. He also knows very well what Miles would likely want to change and that the opportunity to do that would make it very easy to persuade him to come along, no matter how much time has passed. Just as he opens his mouth to say something, one last thing registers in his mind.
Miles's clothes.
His hair.
His posture.
What little he can see of his face.
It's all wrong.
Not wrong wrong, just-- There have been many years since Miles looked like that. As the years passed, he'd never thought about how age was settling on their faces, but seeing Miles like this makes it glaringly obvious. And it's like someone's kicked him in the chest.
"M-Miles. You're here."
While he himself isn't dressed in his new suit, he's sure there's no denying the years on his face either. He does know for certain that he's gained some wrinkles.
Mwahahaha
Well. At least it isn't Gumshoe. Who knew what Gumshoe would regret, anyway. Would he even have a regret? Maybe his continual mistakes shaving.
He took a breath then turned to face the person he'd certainly not expected to see here. "That's quite familiar, Wright," he answered. "After all, we aren't elementary school friends anymore. We're coworkers."
Miles knew he shouldn't be so cold toward him. He had just changed... everything. But if this worked out, there wouldn't have been a need for him to change it. A strange situation he found himself in, for certain.
cries
"Wow, some thanks for everything I did for you."
Of course, he's not angry. Not about anything, not anymore. But he can't resist telling Miles off, because there should be about nine years between them and it's ... baffling.
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That was fair. Unfortunately. Still, it got Wright a shift of his jaw before he said, "Very well - I appreciate what you've done for me. But the fact remains that we aren't boys anymore."
Though he did now wonder - what was the protocol for once-friends who had found one another again? Especially when one had saved the other? He still wouldn't call them friends, but was a first name basis proper?
It felt too close. Too... friendly for him. Hm.
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"Relax, I'm just teasing." Moving on. "Found something you like, then?"
Suddenly, he's not sure about doing anything too elaborate. Maybe an omelet? That sounds nice. He walks into the food storage, because he has to but also because it might not be a bad idea to give Miles some space.
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From what he'd seen, the food stores here were basic but adequate. He'd also not looked really in-depth to see what was in stock. If there were enough ingredients for him to make a curry, he'd not yet found them.
Miles wrote that thought into his organiser. There was something of a request system. He surely wasn't the only person here who liked curries. But that did make him wonder - and if he was going to ask anyone, it may as well be Wright. At least the man didn't tend to lie. Prevaricate, yes, and fluster easily, certainly. And when he did lie, it was usually obvious as he stammered to try to come up with his cover-up.
"It seems you've been here for some time."
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"A month ish, yeah. Why?"
A pack of eggs, some pepper and cheese ... He collects it all in his arms, then heads back into the kitchen.
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Though it made him wonder. If he could assume everyone here had a bargain such as the one that was offered to him, just what was it that Wright regretted? Becoming a lawyer in the first place, likely. For all he was a good defense attorney, the atmosphere surrounding law back home wasn't one that favoured defense in the least. That was surely it.
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The word is enough to get him to pause. His hands settle on the kitchen counter in front of the ingredients he'd picked out, and he stares blankly into the wall for a moment or two. Arriving hadn't been comfortable. Any time he'd thought about the fact that he was in space, he'd felt a sort of crawling unease under his skin. Then they'd been sent to Ankata, and although he wouldn't say he did much, those weeks had gone by very fast.
Is comfortable the word? He might say he's just going through the motions.
"I guess so."
With that, he moves again, to grab a grater for the cheese.
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And that was a large difference between the two of them. Phoenix knew where to find things. He'd not hesitated to help himself while Miles, when he'd first entered, had wondered if there were rules that he didn't know. Certain things he should and shouldn't do, or should and shouldn't touch.
The way Phoenix had to stop and look at the wall, though... That spoke to something greater. And there were changes about him. Ones he'd just not seen before. Now, though, he had to wonder.
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Is he the only one that can tell the difference in age, here? Maybe it's easier from this end. It's sort of killing him that Miles hasn't asked, because that kind of leaves it up to him to figure out what to do with it. Hadn't Ryunosuke said something about how it's probably better to just get it out there because you never know how else it might come out? Something like that.
He looks at the ingredients on the counter, realises he's missing the milk, and goes back into storage to fetch some.
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Well. He knew why. He knew that, given the note he'd left, Phoenix was most likely upset at his choice despite the action being his suggestion. He had a lot to learn. A lot to consider. His entire future. And now, with this bargain--
Maybe he had an entirely different future ahead of him. If he'd even remember it.
Still, he wasn't one to force conversation when things became awkward. He did, however, note it down in his organiser. His presence certainly made Phoenix uncomfortable. As he write, he sipped his tea, letting his--... His coworker do as he would.
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"So maybe I should take this as a sign that the wrinkles I see in the mirror really aren't that bad."
Easier to make light of it, urge Miles to think about it, than try to come out and tell him that it's been about nine years or so for him.
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How would that even be possible? But then, before now, he would've entirely refused the possibility of translocation. Yet, here he was.
So was Phoenix... older?
"I'd noticed something different," he said before turning back to his organiser to add, "but it's never polite to mention age."
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It seems Miles isn't about to deny the possibility, which wouldn't have surprised him. But he's definitely glad he doesn't have to somehow try to convince him.
Of course, he remembers very well how strange that first day was. It tends to open your mind to a lot of possibilities.
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Phoenix, out of everyone, should know that Miles was never one to soften a statement for the sake of someone's ego - which meant that he was telling the truth. Or at least the truth as he perceived it. But after another sip of tea, he did add, "You do, however, seem a bit more mature."
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I can't actually app her but the temptation was too real
Well. Finally, here, right now, she decides... The time has come. Mostly because she's sick of waiting, but also the circumstances are suitably dramatic enough that she can accept them. She has managed to get inside the building through the lower hinged portion of one of those elaborate arched windows dotted along the university hallway, and she now crouches in wait high up on the sill, waiting for Edgeworth to draw close.
When he's parallel with the sill, and pauses to talk to his compalion? That's when Kay stands up. The dying sun, beaming through the window behind her, casts a long shadow across his path, keeping her face in ominous silhouette. Her crow compalion flies up to land on her shoulder with perfect timing, as she strikes a pose, and starts her speech:
"Even in the depths of night, when no other bird dares to take flight--"
MAN she wishes she could see how cool she must look right now.
If you told bb Miles he'd end up basically adopting a thief...
...This apparent threat that had a crow on one shoulder and hair that reminded him of Maya Fey.
Was this girl part of the puzzle or a fellow searcher? His eyes narrowed as he half-turned, guarding his wrist. "Do you mind?" Miles bit, brows lowered. "Some of us are taking this seriously."
a GREAT thief, tyvm!
"Excuse you, I'm absolutely taking this seriously!" Kay replies, with a mock tone of affront that completely fails to match the chipper grin that's still on her face. She hops down from the window sill, crow compalion fluttering down to land on her shoulder again just as she straightens up. Hands on her hips, she beams at Edgeworth with an undeniable air of over-familiarity, and, unfazed by his scolding, chirps: "besides, you can't possibly expect to solve this puzzle without the help of your trusty assistant!"
With a theme song, even.
"I beg your pardon? My what? I have no assistants. Least of all loud ones."
It's all about brand recognition :')
Kay huffs and gives him a little pout, hands on her hips. "Alright, first of all: rude. I can be quiet when it counts! And second... How many times do I have to remind you? I'm stealing the position. So let's skip the complaining and get cracking already! We've got an orb to find!"
She beams at him, completely unapologetic.
She's certainly got her themes going. Too bad he has no idea!
"You may, however, still be of use."
He did have to team up with someone for this part. Hm.