ximilian: (Default)
ximilia mods ([personal profile] ximilian) wrote in [community profile] ximiliugh2021-08-19 10:36 am
Entry tags:

AUGUST TDM.

T D M . 0 3

// PART I. all that glitters  


… 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.

TOP


// PART II. the new staycation  


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.

// VIVECA.AI
Hi everyone, just letting you know there’s a new supply drop. It should be a little more… well, organised than before. If you made requests for items earlier, you should find them in a separate pile near the platform.

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!

TOP


// PART III. bright young things  


(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   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.

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 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.

TOP


FOR SOME FUN:

Have a listen for some clues about the second mission.
(Hint: there are four clues in total.)


NAV

cold_noodles: (down: down)

II. 4.

[personal profile] cold_noodles 2021-08-23 04:10 am (UTC)(link)
[ That is... definitely the bartender from SURVIVE. And he definitely just punched a punching bag hard enough it was parallel to the ground. He also seems to have taken off his glasses and his hair has fallen into his eyes a little. It's definitely a different look for him but there's no mistaking that scar.]
essenceofdeadlybeasts: (038)

[personal profile] essenceofdeadlybeasts 2021-08-23 05:53 am (UTC)(link)
Heyyyy, Bartender-san.

[Said casually as he sauntered over towards the familiar man. Casual as always, though his eyes were alight behind the shades, interest peeking through as he watched the old man ream the punching bag. That was definitely new.]

That's not very Bartender-ly.
cold_noodles: (Default)

[personal profile] cold_noodles 2021-08-24 02:31 am (UTC)(link)
[ He turns back and looks at Zhao for a moment before he nods sagely and steadies the bag. ]

Not much for a cook to do around here either.
essenceofdeadlybeasts: (058)

[personal profile] essenceofdeadlybeasts 2021-08-24 02:39 am (UTC)(link)
[Zhao heh'ed a one-off laughter.]

Ehh, well. Probably make more friends with the cooking than the punching.
cold_noodles: (back: arms crossed)

[personal profile] cold_noodles 2021-08-24 03:25 am (UTC)(link)
It depends on what kind of friends you're looking for.

[ He takes a moment to straighten his hair out, and reaches over to a bench to pull on his glasses. Then he looks over at Zhao. ]

Good to see you. Surprised, but it's not a bad one. What brings you here?
essenceofdeadlybeasts: (015)

[personal profile] essenceofdeadlybeasts 2021-08-24 04:29 pm (UTC)(link)
I've found that I can make just about any sort of friend I want with food.

[From tough guys to cute girls, everyone loved a good cooked meal. But then maybe he was just that lucky. Or charismatic.]

Oh, I'm sure you can think of a reason... [Because if anyone other than Kasuga knew Zhao's deeper concerns it was this guy--most likely from eavesdropping.] But that begs the question: why are you here?
cold_noodles: (back: looking down)

[personal profile] cold_noodles 2021-08-25 11:58 pm (UTC)(link)
[ What he knows and what Zhao wants to talk about with him are two different things, and you can't know without asking. ]

What? You think I was born behind that bar?
essenceofdeadlybeasts: (064)

[personal profile] essenceofdeadlybeasts 2021-08-26 12:30 am (UTC)(link)
[A burst of amused chuckling.]

Nah, that'd be silly. As amusing an image as it is...

I just wonder what a guy like you has to gain from being here. It's not like we've talked much. Adachi only reveals so much when he talks, too. Seems to appreciate all that random knowledge of yours though.
cold_noodles: (back: arms crossed)

[personal profile] cold_noodles 2021-08-26 02:33 am (UTC)(link)
Adachi knows how to keep his mouth shut, even when he's got a few drinks in him.

[ It's something that he happens to appreciate about the man in return. ]

I let something get out of hand a few years ago. We all saw it happening but we never knew how bad it would get.

I do now. And if I can do something about it? I'm going to.
essenceofdeadlybeasts: (004)

[personal profile] essenceofdeadlybeasts 2021-08-26 03:10 am (UTC)(link)
Coulda surprised me with that assessment.

[Slightly muttered off to the side but then maybe Zhao was just making fun of Adachi because he could--not like the other guy was around to defend himself.

He tilts his head to one side as he assesses Kashiwagi for a moment.]


20/20 vision, amirite? It's a bitch.

Guess that's what a majority of us are here for when you think about it. [He nods.] I understand.
cold_noodles: (back: what?)

[personal profile] cold_noodles 2021-08-26 03:16 am (UTC)(link)
That's what he usually does.

[ Adachi's greatest asset, in Kashiwagi's mind, is the fact that he comes off like a fucking moron. ]

And I figured you would. Anyone here? They're probably pretty familiar with what regret looks like.
essenceofdeadlybeasts: (007)

[personal profile] essenceofdeadlybeasts 2021-08-26 03:22 am (UTC)(link)
Heh! I guess so.

[That's probably because he was a fucking moron--when it came to most things. He just had, like most of the gang, an intelligent side that only showed under certain circumstances. But for Zhao, well, the old man was easy to tease and that had it's own sort of endearment in the youth's eyes.]

Gee, I wonder why. [He shook his head but Zhao wasn't going to argue that one.] Yeah, I don't doubt that for a second. Some will share it with ya but others I'd rather not ask.
cold_noodles: (back: standard look)

[personal profile] cold_noodles 2021-08-26 03:25 am (UTC)(link)
I've tried to live without regrets since I came to Yokohama. But the kind of chance this place represents was too much to resist.

[ While he'd taken the chance that his injury had given him, what he'd lost because of those choices? It was irreplaceable. Maybe it was why he'd been able to move on. ]
essenceofdeadlybeasts: (013)

[personal profile] essenceofdeadlybeasts 2021-08-26 04:13 am (UTC)(link)
[Zhao nodded solemnly again.]

This place just represents one big second chance. You think it's real? You think it can really happen? It's one thing to end up on a space expedition... but regrets are part of the past. Can you really hope to change them?

[Musing out loud. He doesn't really expect an answer.]
cold_noodles: (Default)

[personal profile] cold_noodles 2021-08-26 04:21 am (UTC)(link)
Does it matter?

[ That's the thing about him: he was the kind of man who always seemed to find himself beside dreamers, but he's always had to be more practical. That's how it goes when you keep getting left with the grind. ]

If I didn't even try, that would just be one more regret. And I don't need any more of those.
essenceofdeadlybeasts: (078)

[personal profile] essenceofdeadlybeasts 2021-08-26 07:23 am (UTC)(link)
[Fair enough. A part of him must have felt similarly or why else was he here? Even if it had just started off as a dream... some part of him wanted it to be possible.]

I don't think I'm trying to doubt the validity of anyone being here or their reasons for trying it. I guess I just wonder if that sort of thing could really be true or if this is just some ruse by some as-of-yet unknown force. Heh.

[Said almost jokingly but what if. Guess it was a problem for future them. He was in this, too, he wasn't going to quit before he even got started.]
cold_noodles: (Default)

[personal profile] cold_noodles 2021-08-29 05:39 am (UTC)(link)
There's plenty of value in skepticism but after a certain point, you have to just make your decision and give 100%. Half-assing never got anyone anywhere.
essenceofdeadlybeasts: (100)

[personal profile] essenceofdeadlybeasts 2021-08-29 05:42 am (UTC)(link)
Ahh. Truer words have never been spoken. [He sighed softly.] Getting somewhere is a lot of work. I wonder if I'll ever actually get to be lazy instead of just pretending.
cold_noodles: (back: arms crossed)

[personal profile] cold_noodles 2021-08-29 05:46 am (UTC)(link)
Probably about the time I get to be reckless.

[ Because guess who'd had to shove down some of his own hot-blooded nature over the years to do what was needed? ]
essenceofdeadlybeasts: (037)

[personal profile] essenceofdeadlybeasts 2021-08-29 06:14 am (UTC)(link)
[That produced a laugh.]

Well, can't say I wouldn't be interested in seeing that. Sounds like it would make for a good show.
cold_noodles: (back: looking down)

[personal profile] cold_noodles 2021-08-29 06:21 am (UTC)(link)
It's definitely an experience.

[ He can't help a laugh, though. ]

Pretending to be lazy sounds like a chore, though.
essenceofdeadlybeasts: (001)

[personal profile] essenceofdeadlybeasts 2021-08-29 07:26 pm (UTC)(link)
An old one, for you, I take it? I can't imagine you ever as having been reckless. Hard to imagine old men with heydays.

[He smirked.]

Well, you know.... kinda. Basically just act one way, be another on the inside. Not much different from just being uptight all the time. Except I get to make it look cooler.
cold_noodles: (Default)

[personal profile] cold_noodles 2021-09-06 01:51 am (UTC)(link)
Says the kid in the midst of his heyday. Just think about telling someone stories about what you do now.

And when everything goes to hell? You get to sit down and drink a good drink and offer advice to the people handling it.
essenceofdeadlybeasts: (133)

[personal profile] essenceofdeadlybeasts 2021-09-06 02:12 am (UTC)(link)
My point exactly! Some day I'll be staring down a dumb kid making fun of me for being experienced... you know, if I make it that far.

I guess that could be worse. Still can't imagine it just yet. I'll stick with being young for now. [a beat] Thanks, by the way.