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

laviny: (pic#15038785)

[personal profile] laviny 2021-09-05 01:13 am (UTC)(link)
Oh, well, in that case it was fantastic.

[Because it was definitely painful.

She takes the sugar and adds a couple of spoonfuls, but leaves the milk for now.]


I guess they don’t have any of those flavored creamers in space.

[It's more of a statement than a question. Really the pizza and the curry is already more than she expected to find of Earth’s cuisine on a space station.]
unclesam: ((124))

[personal profile] unclesam 2021-09-05 09:13 am (UTC)(link)
You really got that thing down pat, where you technically agree with someone and they still feel like they were just owned, huh?

[ He doesn't lose the grin though. Hey, far be it from him to knock some good, dry as bones sass, even if it is directed at him. There's a reason he gets along with Natasha even when she walks all over his delicate, manly feelings. All one of them. ]

Actually... hold on.

[ He digs back into the fridge. Sam set up the inventory system upon arrival, and he's pretty sure... yep, there it is. ]

You want french vanilla, irish creme, italian sweet creme, hazelnut, cinnamon vanilla creme, salted caramel chocolate, vanilla caramel or café mocha?
laviny: (042)

[personal profile] laviny 2021-09-05 09:39 am (UTC)(link)
You could say it runs in the family.

[She could elaborate, but instead, she is immediately distracted by the delightful variety of creamer flavors to choose from, and she perks up.]

Oh, salted caramel chocolate sounds good.
unclesam: ((15))

[personal profile] unclesam 2021-09-05 10:04 am (UTC)(link)
Only heathens would not enjoy salted caramel chocolate.

[ Sam has just decided that. It's true though, and he will hear no slander in that direction. He slides Yelena the creamer. ]

So, you getting it from the parents? Or gotta sass a sibling?

[ 'cause that he can relate to very much. ]
laviny: (pic#15071207)

[personal profile] laviny 2021-09-05 10:18 am (UTC)(link)
[She doesn’t reply right away. Instead she takes the creamer and adds it to her coffee, then takes a sip. She probably should have asked about flavored creamer before putting the sugar in, because it’s very sweet. But, you know what, she’s okay with that.

Finally, after taking that moment to steel herself, she answers:]


My sister. Natasha.

[Not the most subtle way to drop that bomb, but Yelena isn’t the subtle one. Being blunt is easier.]
unclesam: ((35))

[personal profile] unclesam 2021-09-05 10:30 am (UTC)(link)
[ He chokes.

There is no more dignified way to put it. Sam Wilson, certified adult and freshly minted Captain America, takes a sip of his incredibly sweet and therefore incredibly tolerable coffee, and chokes on it when Yelena drops that bomb on him.

Frankly, he's grateful he doesn't end up doing a spit take, 'cause that would have been embarrassing as hell. As it stands, he spends a few seconds dying several thousand deaths until he's reasonably sure he hasn't inhaled hot coffee into his lungs, has to set the mug down anyway and cough against his arm. ]


You're...

[ The fake sister. Oh god. ]

... Tasha's sister.

[ Yeah there's been a conversation. Very recently, too. ]
laviny: (pic#15089021)

[personal profile] laviny 2021-09-05 11:01 am (UTC)(link)
[She's not sure what reaction she was expecting, but it’s not Sam Wilson almost choking to death on coffee. She has an awkward moment where she’s torn between amusement and wondering if she’s going to need to call for help. She wasn’t actually trying to murder him. That would be awkward.

But she relaxes once pulls himself together and speaks, tilting her head just slightly at the way he says that.]


It is complicated, but yes.
unclesam: ((69))

[personal profile] unclesam 2021-09-05 11:11 am (UTC)(link)
[ Behold his face going on a journey. Astonished surprise quickly bleeds into excitement which is then dampened by a realization over the implication of where in time she's from. It means she's lost Natasha, and his face settles on pained understanding as he reaches out, gently settling a hand on her shoulder.

Natasha didn't exactly go far into the details, but Sam knows that this makes Yelena like Natasha in all the ways that hurt. ]


I'm sorry that her busting me out of the Raft kept her away from you. And... I'm sorry that you lost her, too. She's here, though, on the station. Alive. Said she'd introduce me to you when we got back home. She talked about you, just never mentioned your name, so I didn't put it together.
laviny: (pic#15113472)

[personal profile] laviny 2021-09-06 04:32 am (UTC)(link)
[She tenses just slightly in surprise when he reaches for her. She just doesn't know Sam well enough to know to expect something like that, although she does relax slightly when she registers he's genuinely trying to be comforting and not manipulative or threatening.

But then she is kind of immediately overwhelmed by what he says. It's a lot to take in. Both the sympathy and the information. For a moment her mind is just a giant record scratch.

When, eventually, she finds her voice what comes out is the most intensely baby sister thing imaginable.]


She talked about me?

[She has other questions, too, but that's what comes out. She can't help but be surprised and a little thrilled by the idea that Natasha acknowledged her with her cool kid friends.]
unclesam: ((101))

[personal profile] unclesam 2021-09-06 09:25 am (UTC)(link)
Yeah.

[ And just like that, whatever surprise, shock and discomfort he felt about the entire situation - fake family still ringing in his ears like an alarm bell - is gone. Because he knows that look in her eyes, the one that sits under the wariness, the defenses. He knows the thing that sits under the tone of her voice, too.

Sam's got a little sister, too.

It was real to her, and he decides then and there that he's got plenty room in his heart for Natasha's family, come hell or high water. ]


Since she's absolutely gonna team up with my little sister to bully me, she said she'd introduce me to you so we could team up, too.
laviny: (003)

[personal profile] laviny 2021-09-06 01:07 pm (UTC)(link)
[She nods once, the corner of her mouth turning up in a pleased half-smile. But then she has to look down, because she’s a little overwhelmed. Natasha is alive and here, somewhere in the station. And she's acknowledged Yelena with a fellow Avenger. It’s a lot. Yelena is having a lot of feelings and there are tears stinging the back of her eyes.

She sniffs a bit.]


It looks like she will be getting bullied sooner than she expected.
Edited 2021-09-06 13:07 (UTC)
unclesam: ((76))

[personal profile] unclesam 2021-09-06 01:16 pm (UTC)(link)
Yeah. Lucky her, right?

[ Lucky them that they get this chance here, with her. Sam keeps his voice soft, but doesn't move in for more touch - not yet at least. ]

Y'know, when I came here and saw her... honestly, I cried. Not just the once. So if you wanna sit down and feel your way through this, I get it. And if you'd like to hide in a hug for a moment, I'm offering. Big arms gotta be good for something. Your call on what you need, alright?.

[ 'cause he gets it - the emotion, and the fact that she might not be all that cool with someone touching her. Sam doesn't know much about the Red Room - but he knows enough about Natasha to extrapolate. ]
laviny: (pic#15124259)

[personal profile] laviny 2021-09-07 01:48 pm (UTC)(link)
I don’t have a lot of experience with those.

[With hugs. She’s talking about hugs. It’s not an outright rejection, though. She’s just acknowledging it’s not something she’s used to.

But she does appreciate that he’s giving her space to think about it and decide. She has been known to appreciate tactile gestures of comfort before, but only from her family or other Widows. She has a positive impression of Sam so far, but they’ve only just met and her defenses are still up.]


Do you like hugging people?

[That might seem like a strange question, but she’s actually honestly curious.]
unclesam: ((1))

[personal profile] unclesam 2021-09-07 02:30 pm (UTC)(link)
[ Yeah, that doesn't come as much of a surprise. Still breaks Sam's heart. It's one thing when people just aren't into touch like that, or picky about who they let in, it's another when people never get the bare minimum affection humans just require to ever figure out if they're into hugs or nah. ]

Hell yeah. Some people don't like it, and I respect that, but most people are more starved for affection and touch than they realize. Feels good to hold someone and be held. Warm and safe and all that jazz.

[ He takes a sip from his coffee. ]

Tell you what. Why don't you just take a blank cheque for trial hugs. So any time you feel like you might want one, you cash that in with me. And if two seconds in you decide that really just ain't it for you, no judgment, no questions asked. No risk, no explanations necessary. Speaking of...

[ He nudges her lightly, grin lightly teasing but eyes earnest. ]

You know I won't be offended if you wanna ditch me to go reunite with your sister, right?
laviny: (030)

[personal profile] laviny 2021-09-12 08:36 am (UTC)(link)
Oh, you offer to hug me, but now you’re trying to get rid of me. I see how it is.

[She's kidding. Using humor to soothe her nerves and cover all the feelings that are bubbling up under the surface.

She mentally files away the hug rain check, appreciating that he’s giving her space to figure out for herself what she wants. She might take him up on it. Someday.

For now she sips her coffee thoughtfully and then clutches her mug closer as she starts speaking again.]


I will go look for her, and I am taking the coffee with me. I like the salted caramel chocolate.