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AUGUST TDM.
● ● ● T D M . 0 3
… What are you willing to do to erase your regret from existence?
The words, when they die out, leave you in emptiness — despairing, all-consuming, the kind that invites only the worst thoughts. What have you done? What have you agreed to do?
But then, from the emptiness, a golden light shines, and as you reach for it —
you wake up.
1.0 Perhaps it was less the golden light in your dream and more the insistent feeling of something metallic poking your side repeatedly, making beeping noises… wait, beeping noises?
When you look down, you’ll see a small robot staring at you and looking less than happy (maybe it has something to do with your disheveled state, maybe it's still mad about having to clean up after a certain pizza-induced mess). When you get up, it unleashes a series of beeps — and then furiously starts to scrub the floor.
Yes, the floor — instead of waking up in a bed, you find yourself lying on a hallway, white walls and white floor surrounding you. You don’t have long to stare at the minimalistic look of everything around you before the little bot starts poking you again, the word MOVE blinking across its visor.
So better get out of its way! Perhaps you’re on the hallway on your own and leave on your own… or perhaps there’s someone else, sleeping near you. Maybe do them the courtesy of waking them up before this little angry bot does! Or perhaps you’re the poor soul still sleeping and needing a rescue before the beeps make it to you.
2.0 If you need a visit to the infirmary, the situation may be more dire — perhaps there’s blood on the wall that you wake up against, your clothes may be dirty or ragged… whatever it is that has happened to you before waking here and has left you injured, it sure doesn’t create a reassuring sight. Best get to the infirmary as soon as possible.... with some assistance, perhaps.
Once upright, 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 The most pressing question that you might ask yourself is: but where will I stay? The question is answered once you walk through the winding white corridors to the common area. Behind it, there are three types of rooms: those with one bed, two beds and four beds. The rooms are clinical yet clean, and sparsely-furnished — and most importantly, most are occupied. So be prepared to get some roomies!
4.0 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.
And speaking of weapons: to put it to good use, head to the training room, where the entire purpose is to provide you with a space to spar and train to your heart’s content!
5.0 After you’ve exhausted yourself training, it’s time to grab a bite. For that, you should head to the kitchen, which… seems to be filled with a lot of leftovers: takeout boxes with an assorted collection of pizza slices, kung pao chicken, lamb curry... not to mention the entire tray of chocolate brownies. Feel free to eat your fill — or if takeout isn’t your cup of tea, open one of the large fridges to pick fresh ingredients and make your own lunch.
6.0 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. A new addition is a flower garden where there once was a meadow — now, roses, camellias, lilies and dozens of other flowers sway in the wind, all varieties in their own flower beds, with a winding path of stones leading through them. The path leads to where a bridge rises over a sparkling, babbling brook.
Here, 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.
7.0 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!
8.0 If it’s items you’re lacking, though, some time after your arrival, the earpiece alerts you to a new message.
Indeed, the platform near the personal quarters is still whirring with power, and new items form neat piles 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 If you’ve been given a particular body change that might aid you in this mission, do not use it to your advantage.
B Team up with a fellow Orber to uncover the hidden location.
C Get up on stage and put on a performance during the simulation. Your song choice will determine the outcome of success in your investigation.
F Y I
• TDM threads can be used as samples for apps. In fact, we encourage it!
• Reserves are currently open!
• Apps open August 27.
• For any questions regarding TDM, please direct them here. For questions about the game, please refer to the FAQ.
FOR SOME FUN:
Have a listen for some clues about the second mission.
(Hint: there are four clues in total.)
no subject
Sorry, Kaiden, no one ever said a gangster played fair.
"No problem. That sounds good."
After a brief touch of hands together and--was that a small bow?--the Chinese man entered what could only be described as a loose fighting stance that looked like someone mimicking what they saw on an action tv flick of dubious validity. That or someone was already drunk as he swayed slightly in position.
no subject
That stance had to be deceiving, he judged. Still, he didn't want to come off as too cautious, so he took a step forward without immediately attacking.
no subject
He didn't really need the in-depth analysis to fight though. It wasn't really his style to do that sort of thing. It just happened sometimes with his over active mind. He ignored it and watched the other move.
The step forward was met with a staggering cross step to the side that pitched the Chinese man awkwardly. However, when nothing more was forthcoming, Zhao's hands rose. First was a lazy feint with his right hand and then a follow-up strike with his left that was also deceptively weak and awkward looking. Though if it landed Kaiden would learn that there was more force behind it than looked accurate to the movement. If that didn't hit though perhaps the barely noticeable leg sweep that came as Zhao 'tripped' from the missing attacks would work.
no subject
He managed to block the first blow, but hadn't seen the leg sweep and for what it was and had to fight to not react with any biotics.
"Good one," he praised. Kaidan had a feeling his training would make any offensive moves read like an open book by comparison, but he would give it a try anyway. He could pull off a feint too, acting like he was swinging for Zhao's head only to twist at the last moment and kick out toward his knee instead.
The guy was a good dance partner, no question, making Kaidan think of different steps. He liked the challenge.
no subject
Even if he had been deceptive about it. He might apologize for that later. Or he might not.
The feint was met with a twist of Zhao's body to avoid it but his eyes caught sight of the real attack, too, as it began and he switched tactics accordingly. The dodge turned into a block as he brought up his leg to prevent the blow from hitting his knee and took it on his shin instead. He didn't flinch. Despite the vulnerable strike area the Chinese man barely felt a thing, his body hardened from training in styles that conditioned the body to take strong hits.
In a sudden change of tactics, Zhao's movements quickly changed and an attack very much like that of a striking snake flew at Kaiden with the speed of lightning. At the end of it, Zhao dropped back down into the swaying, drunken pose as before as if nothing had happened.
no subject
This guy's fighting style was unlike any Kaidan had ever seen before. He was liking the challenge of it even as he was getting soundly shown up. The last strike was so quick Kaidan reacted on instinct, throwing up his biotic barrier to soften the blow. He held up a hand to pause their fight so he could step back and take a breath. He lowered his barrier again.
"Sorry, you caught me by surprise. But damn, your moves are impressive. I can see them coming in handy for covert missions."
no subject
"Well, you could say that's what Drunken Fist is all about. Deceiving the enemy, appearing weaker than you are. It's also about moving like water and going with the flow. Got a little hasty though, switched it up there for a moment. I'm sorry, did I forget to mention I'm a Kung Fu master of several styles?"
He said it so obnoxiously it was almost cute sounding. He had a charisma that he didn't always try to throw in people's faces but came naturally. Didn't work on everyone of course, and often annoyed people who didn't like a good joke. He smiled sweetly and, just for kindness sake, added:
"Nah, don't worry about it. Sorry for throwing you under the bus. Nice block though. That's a handy aura you've got there."
no subject
"I didn't exactly tell you that I'm a biotic, either," Kaidan pointed out with a shrug. "Yeah, the barrier's pretty handy. It was just instinct to throw it up." He wasn't all that bothered that he lost this match. If anything, he saw it as an opportunity to learn something new.
"Can't say I know much about kung fu styles," he went on thoughtfully. "I think maybe I saw a vid once as a kid? Definitely not something they taught us in the Alliance."
no subject
"Well, I wouldn't have known what you were talking about anyway. What's this 'biotic' thing you're talking about?"
After a blink and a brief stare, Zhao continued with a disbelieving look etched on his face and lining his voice. "You've only ever watched one movie with kung fu in it? Man, and here I thought they were a staple even in other countries." Maybe that didn't apply here. He didn't recognize the next term either. "I'm gonna guess and say the Alliance is the military or paramilitary group that you were apart of before landing here. You seem the type."
no subject
"A biotic is someone who can create and manipulate mass effect fields using the element zero nodules in their bodies. It's..." He had to think of how to phrase this. "I guess back in the old days they would have called it a psychic ability? Since it all acts through electrical impulses in our brains. I just think about it and..." The barrier returned, glowing purplish-blue over his whole body. "I'm not sure I'm explaining this right," Kaidan admitted. "Maybe think of it like radiation exposure, and the biotics are a mutation result. It's close enough to the idea."
And hopefully a good enough explanation that Zhao had some idea of what it was and how it worked. Kaidan dropped his barrier again. It was an ability he could hold for hours at a time under the most hectic of combat situations, so using it off and on like this didn't phase him at all.
"Am I that obvious?" Kaidan gave a little laugh. "I hope I don't come off as having a stick up my ass or anything like that. But you're right, the Alliance is humanity's military force. I'm a marine, until recently serving on a war ship. Not really sure what that makes me here yet."
no subject
Though he did have plenty of schooling, Zhao had never heard of many of those terms--at least not in the way Kaiden used them. It sounded a little like science fiction but Zhao had to wonder if some secret government project had unleashed some new crazy science that sounded like fantasy bullshit. He couldn't deny that crazy shit existed in the world. In all honesty, he'd probably have a hard time explaining the Heat of Battle to someone not already initiated or having seen its effects in a fight. He thought of it as simple martial arts but others typically didn't understand it. There was a slight mystic aspect to it after all. Auras and inner energy and all that bullshit.
Then Kaiden said something else that caught Zhao's attention and the Chinese man had to re-think his guess. This place was beyond him in some aspects, and that meant there was some crazy stuff to adjust to, including apparently people from different worlds. And times. This, however, was his first real dealings with that sort of thing as fact rather than rumor.
"Whoa, okay, back up. I haven't been here that long. What's going on here? What did you say about the Alliance being humanity's military force? What, all of humanity? Since when did we decide to all join forces and hold hands like reasonable people?" Excuse him while he snarked at the same time he asked questions for an explanation on future world events.
no subject
He really had to remember that the people on this station came from all walks of life. And all periods of time. Kaidan really could use an Avina right about now to give this guy all the information.
"The Systems Alliance is probably unique to my world experience," Kaidan amended. "We found these alien artifacts on Mars that jump-started our technology and helped us come together as a people. We're hardly reasonable, but it was necessary for us to be more united, especially after we came into contact with other aliens. I'm painting in broad strokes, but just to put it in terms of perspective, the Alliance was officially established in 2149. Even then, a lot of other factors had to be involved for them to be taken seriously as a political body. I wouldn't count on circumstances lining up like that where you're from."
no subject
"Good point... and even if they did, that's...really far into the future." Farther than he would live to see. "I think I'm beginning to get the picture here though. Iii shouldn't be surprised to run into aliens while I'm currently on a space station. It's just, you know, new to me. It still kinda feels like...a bit of an isolated building instead of...space."
Now that he thought about it, he was certain there was mention of non-humans around here already. He just hadn't met any of them in person yet. Not up close. Not while he was paying attention. He would have to prepare himself for that inevitability.
"It's interesting. I mean, that's just stuff from sci-fi where I'm from at the moment. We've barely gotten off the planet. It's just 2019. Now look where I'm at. It's just...gonna be interesting adjusting to this kind of crazy." As opposed to the usual kind of crazy he was used to dealing with.
no subject
He couldn't help cracking a smile. He imagined Zhao had to be feeling even more overwhelmed than those who discovered the Prothean ruins or who first came into contact with turians. Discovering alien life was mind-blowing enough; doing it in that time period had to be beyond surreal.
"It's a lot to take in," he agreed. "But we're all supposed to be working together here. And any aliens you meet will hopefully be willing to answer questions. I know the aliens in my world are used to human curiosity." After a moment he added, "You can reach out to me if you're feeling over your head. We'll spar a round or watch a kung fu vid. Something to help you feel more grounded."
He knew better than most how important it was to seek out semblances of normalcy and taking a moment to breathe.
no subject
Eh, it didn't matter. He shook his head. So it sounded like more of an accident than a science experiment gone...right? wrong? Who knew. Maybe it was on purpose just not how he had initially thought of it. He decided not to ask.
He smiled as Kaiden made his offer. "Yeah, I'm sure it'll be fine here. But if I need some company I know who to hit up for an ear while I knock one back." And then as a hesitation after thought, "Uhh, they do have alcohol here, right? God, there better be alcohol in space."
He looked towards the door as if he could confirm the answer from here but after another second passed he realized something and turned back to the man. "Oh, speaking of which... might help if I get your name so I can track you down more easily. I'm Zhao."
no subject
"As long as there are organic beings, there's alcohol," Kaidan said with a smile. He hadn't explored enough to know for certain that this place had alcohol, but he would be shocked if it didn't. Even the hanar had something that could give them a buzz.
"I'm Kaidan," he returned. "Nice to meet you." No need to give his rank and Spectre status. "And nice sparring with you," he added. "Let's do that again sometime. I like a challenge."
no subject
Zhao offered the other a little bow--same as the first--before he stepped out of the ring. He turned to face Kaiden, leaning on the boundary pole. "Unless you were looking for round two earlier rather than later... or one of those drinks..."
no subject
He was itching to do more exploring of the station. "I think I'll hold off on the sparring for now, but that drink sounds like a good idea. Better to find out where they hide the liquor now rather than when we really need it, right?"
no subject
"You just might. Maybe I'll give you a few pointers," Zhao said with a smirk. Then moved on to the real fun part of the conversation. "I see we're getting along nicely already. Alcohol makes the best of friends. So, let's go find it together, huh? I'm game."
no subject
If not, the other place Kaidan could think to look was food storage.
no subject
"Beer would be the better part of a reward like that. Can't see why they wouldn't have gotten any."
So off to the kitchen it was!
no subject
"So that Drunken Fist technique. Is it better with alcohol?" He was partly joking but also not really, because who knew how these things worked.
[ooc: btw you are welcome to poke Kaidan's event TL if you wish]
no subject
"As a matter of fact, yeah. Makes the movements easier, less predictable, less thought processing needed. I've been told my punches get a little harder too," he said with all earnestness. Probably due to a lack of inhibitions at that point.
[[ooc: I'm so laaaaate to everything. But I may still hit you up if ya want? Or wait until part 2 goes up?]]
no subject
[ooc: I don't mind late tags! Go for it if you see a prompt that inspires you.]
no subject
And, for the most part, it always was.
(no subject)