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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.)
jean-pierre polnareff | jojo's bizarre adventure | ota
01;
Move? You move, how about?
[It's muttered to himself, an irritated grumble that has no real thought behind it. Polnareff's barely awake, honestly; for half a moment, it seems as if he thinks he's in a hospital, but ah . . . no. No, he isn't, is he, and the moment he realizes, he springs to his feet. There's dirt and blood stained on his clothes; there's redness around his left hand and right foot, where metallic prostestics gleam. He glances around warily, but though he's tensed for a threat, there's nothing . . .
Nothing yet, anyway.
But best to be wary. A strange silver creature springs out next to him, hovering over his shoulder. Lantern-yellow eyes peer around warily; it grips its sword tightly, its body fluid and ready to strike. Polnareff doesn't give it a second glance; instead, he comes forward, standing over one of the bodies.
Not dead, or at least not yet. But who knows if it's a friend or a foe? Carefully, cautiously, he nudges them with the tip of his boot.]
Oi! You dead or all right or what?
[Like, yeah, he made a bargain, but who's to say this is what he asked for? Best be on his guard.]
part ii; the one where he's messing with powers and swords;
01;
[The training room is where he heads first, because of course it is. Food's important, and so's knowing the layout of his new home, but he's got a lot of stress built up. Exercise is always the way to release it.
It takes a while. Running first, round and round til he loses count of how many laps he's done, his lungs burning in his chest and his breath harsh and sharp. Then: more basic exercises. Pushups and situps, working patiently and thoroughly through each muscle group, gritting his teeth each time he feels the strain. And it's good, it is, but it's not quite enough.
So then he draws out his weapon.
Ah, but that's the trick, see: Chariot doesn't really look like a weapon, does he? A ghostly apparition that suddenly and swiftly appears behind Polnareff, looking like a strange mixture between fencer and robot. He's visible for only an instant, and then suddenly seems to surge through Polnareff: not quite in him, but then again, not exactly next to him either. The end result is that Polnareff almost looks as though he's wearing armor, albeit in bits and pieces scattered across his body.
But he has the sword, too. A breath, settling into the ready position . . . and then he fights. So swiftly he's a blur; thrusts and feints, throwing his body into it, leaps and turns . . . it's an impressive display of athleticism, if nothing else, but there's some kind of anger driving him. Something that keeps him going, on and on, and maybe he just doesn't notice he's got an audience. Hopefully he does, because sooner or later that silver sword will blur and he'll turn and—]
HEY!
[And the sword just disappears, about half a second away from slicing someone to ribbons. So does the armor, and Chariot too; all that's left is a very aggravated looking Frenchman.]
Don't you know better than to sneak up on somebody like that?
[Sneak's a strong word, but.]
02;
[Item drop! New clothes! And honestly, his are looking a bit grimy, covered in blood and dust, so you better believe he's gonna show up. He goes into the clothes almost immediately, holding up . . . oh, what a shirt. It's bright pink, for starters, and has a weird little corset pattern in black stitched in on the front.]
Hey, whaddya think?
[He holds it up, splaying it over his torso. Also: he's super talking to you! Yes, you! Answer his question, bud! Fashion is on the line!]
part iii; the one where polnareff parties like he's a fucking porn star;
3.1; mingling;
[See, this? This is way more his speed. From the second he walks in Polnareff relaxes, grinning faintly as he takes in the sights. Music! Dancing! Admittedly, some weird shit going on with a few of the guests, but hey, it's a party in space, why not! And shit, it's great when he gets to mix work with play.
It's not that he's forgotten the mission, mind. But who says he can't enjoy himself while he does? So yeah, sure, he drinks the damn thing, and when nothing immediately happens he forgets about it a little while, in favor of mingling.
Drinking! Dancing! And eventually returning to the sidelines, grinning a litle manically, because oh, it's been forever since he's gotten to do something that isn't life or death. It's been forever since the stakes have been so low, and maybe he's coping with something, maybe this is all just an excuse not to think, but you know what? He'll take it.]
Are all the missions this easy, or what?
[Though you know what a part of partying is? Flirting! He's twenty-two and it's been forever since he's gotten to flirt, so the first age-appropriate woman he sees, he's gonna come over with a grin.]
Bonjour.
[Hello shouldn't be able to sound flirtatious, but here we are, and that's the vibe he's putting out.]
So, uh, I guess I can't ask if you come here often, huh . . . I dunno, how bout if you look for orbs often?
[Come be hit on by him. Or save some poor NPC from him, either/or.]
3.2; transformation;
[Of course, it's not all play. He's got a job to do, and more than that, a task to accomplish. Sing on stage, well, that's easy! But singing does not an orb get, and this kind of thing will take more than one person. So he snags someone by the elbow, yanking them behind some convenient pillar.]
Hey. You in this to get the orb or what? Cuz I got a pla—
[A pla? He's got a pla? Or, no, he just didn't finish his sentence, because suddenly everything looks weird. Like, everything is suddenly way clearer, but also all the colors are different? He's got cat eyes, the pupils now slits, though at least he retains the same blue color. And oh, some ears, too, that's almost cute, though they do rather blend in with his hair . . .]
Woah.
You— hey, you seeing this?
[Obviously it's the club that's changing, not him. Jesus, Polnareff.]
02. powers and swords time
Uh, sorry? [He holds up his hands in the universal gesture for surrender— very aware of the knives in his sleeves, but pretty sure he won't need them. Pretty sure.]
I was just watching you, and your... [He makes a vague gesture to indicate the weird armor-creature that melded into Polnareff. (It's a very vague gesture.)] What was that? How do you do it?
no subject
My Stand? You can see that?
[Oh, that's new information, he hadn't known . . . but there's a lot he's learning about this place. Polnareff blinks, then brings him out again: Chariot hovering over his shoulder, peering down curiously at Aizawa.]
Hey, do you have something like that? Some kinda power or something?
no subject
A Stand? No, I don't have anything like that. [He tilts his head a little, back and forth, trying to get new angles on the floating thing.] Oh, but I can do this.
[He seems to have a sudden realization, and out comes one of the knives. Not threateningly, though, he just lays it flat on his palm before muttering a few quiet words. The metal melts into clear water, dripping off his hand. Which is now wet, so he's just going to quietly wipe that off on his pants.]
no subject
And with that patronizing thought in the back of his mind: oh, neat! Oh, that really is a neat power, and he grins, leaning forward, peering with interest at the melted water.]
Shit, neat! So what, you can turn things to water? Or just weapons? Or what?
no subject
[Which matters in the hidden world, where everyone's a murder-wizard, but maybe not so much here. He can't decide if that's refreshing or troubling, but at least this guy's impressed.]
What about yours? What does your "Stand" do? [You can practically hear the air quotes.]
01 welcome to hell
With a shrill beep, the robot makes a u-turn and zooms over as fast as its little wheels can carry it. The soft click it makes when a small panel on the side of it pops open is almost impossible to hear over the whir of its processors, rapidly spinning like it's about to blow a fuse.
Out pops a nozzle that spritzes the outline of the boy's bulky frame with water, starting with his grimy boots. Then it moves up his legs (also muddy), followed by his chest (bloody), his arms (really bloody), and finally, his head (bloody and sweaty). It even takes extra, special care to spritz down the smoldering hole in his right knee and the stump (the bloodiest of all) that used to be his left forearm. How nice of it!
Once the robot makes it to his head, it pauses, glides closer, pushes the nozzle into the boy's mouth, and shoots a stream of water into it. That isn't nice.
But it is enough to finally wake Joseph up. His green eyes shoot open and he bolts upright, spraying a mouthful of water at Polnareff as he hacks and sputters.]
HRRK! [Translation: Hello!]
no subject
And ohp, the robot is moving, nozzles are being inserted, and what began as an act of kindness quickly turns into something awful. This is what he gets for being worried about someone else. This is what he gets for trying to reach down to see if he could help, water sprayed in his face.
Why do bad things happen to good people?
Anyway. He stands there soaked for a few stunned seconds, but— fuck, wait, fuck, okay, yes, he had a thought right before now.]
Oye! What the hell, you hurt? What happened?
[Also, maybe they should find a doctor or something? Limb injuries are no joke, Polnareff thinks, his prosthetics aching. Shiny titanium, fresh from the Speedwagon Foundation, replacing both fingers and his foot.]
no subject
The robot rolls back up, brush at the ready. As Joseph's glassy eyes focus on the man looming over him, it begins to scrub his boots, then his ankles. Make no mistake, it's for the sake of the floor, not him. If Joseph won't clean up after his gross, half-dead self, who else will? Nobody, that's who.]
K-Kars! [His voice sounds raw, hoarse.] W-Where— Wha—
[Where should he even begin. The little robot's brush starts working on his hips. Joseph squirms, looks down. What happens next should surprise absolutely nobody who knows him: he scrambles backwards and kicks the goddamn robot right in its nonexistent face. The little machine makes a warbling, shrill bleep as it sails through the air, straight for Polnareff. Joseph has 0.0000000001 seconds to process this before his leg explodes in agony. He shrieks, his body folding in on itself.]
WHAT THE BLOODY HELL'S GOING ON?!