( tdm 9 )

[hownkai]

T E S T D R I V E

ABOARD THE MOIRA Whether adjusting to space travel has been difficult or not, there is always something to be done. From working to leisure, the Moira offers a multitude of opportunities to get to know your crewmates a bit better. Exploration of the ship is highly encouraged, but as another planet grows closer to being docked, things start to get a little hectic. You'll notice a slight change in the artificial gravity as the Moira is pulled into a gravitational field; however, more noticeable changes can be found in the overall morale as you prepare to descend. ☄ on your own There are plenty of other communal areas on the ship to explore! Pick a place, and see where it takes you. ( These scenarios can be used as in-game canon. ) C R O M I A While exhibits or museums exist to commemorate people or objects, planets like this are designed as a memoriam for certain eras across the universe. Welcome to Cromia—a one-of-a-kind place set in medieval times. Sort of. Most technology on Cromia isn’t particularly advanced, and the fashion leaves little to be desired. However, one thing is very noticeable about this planet once you decide to explore: there are no organic people anywhere to be found. Cromia is inhabited by a race of intelligent, humanoid robots who tend to and care for the environment as well as live peacefully with one another. Yet, some have been programmed to show a certain disdain for those who are, in some way, living, and their hostility ranges between hurling insults and vegetables to reporting trespassers to the authorities. Besides that, all seems well and prosperous on Cromia. ☄ the emperor’s new servos The Royal Family of Cromia has extended an invitation to join them for festivities, food, and drink beginning when the first sun sets. This night is a way to relax and perhaps romance that special someone in your life with a little song and dance. For those who sample certain drinks, they might find themselves doing just that without being able to help themselves. Or perhaps that delicious wine you've heard so much about is actually a very oily concoction meant for the robots of Cromia. For others, a little cheese or venison might instill the need for fisticuffs. Could the desserts hold the same sort of enchantment? Do you dare to find out? ☄ catch-a-riiiide The fastest way to get around is via carriage in the city, and each city is pulled by a large insectoid cyborg. Their handlers assure you they’re quite tame, especially since their silly organic minds have been implanted with a control chip. They’ll take you to whatever destination you program in without a hiccup! What could go wrong? Except on the way, that ever-so-important control chip happens to malfunction. Your once docile bug-stallion is now running amok down the streets. Do you jump out before you meet a sticky end? Or do you take control and force it to stop? Either way, you aren’t likely to be getting your deposit back from this. ☄ taste the rainbow Archery. Bugback riding. Jousting. These are the typical leisure activities suiting the time period you now find yourself in, which is what you might assume when you see the banners denoting a competition. Anyone can enter. Anyone can win the prizes. When you ask what sport you’ll have to play, they just say one word: skittles. Similar to bowling, this sport is played on a long, flattened field, and the point of it is to use the wooden ball to knock over the "skittles" that are set up in increasingly complex patterns for each round. These skittles are also made of wood, exactly ten feet high each, and the balls used vary from the size of a golf ball to a canon ball (dealer’s choice on ball size). People are usually split into teams, but for the sake of the competition, everyone plays alone. Whoever gets the most points moves forward in the competition, and hope that there are no accidents mid-throw! OUT OF CHARACTER INFO FAQ | LOCATIONS | RESERVES | APPLICATIONS | NAVIGATION For mature or graphic content, please label. For questions, please direct them to the FAQ. As always, be kind and have fun!

Comments

Nathan Drake | Uncharted

[sketchycharacter]

[just out of the ingress]

[When Nate first opens his eyes and sees where he suddenly is, he thinks maybe he's dead, that Sully picked a bad plane and punched all their tickets. It'd be his second plane crash in a week, which is statistically unlikely but pretty in line with how his luck's been recently.

It's a hell of a weird afterlife, though, if it is one at all. He feels pretty alive, so he's doubtful, even if the alternative is yet another hallucination. Once he's free to do so, Nate makes his way through the crowd, eyes wide and still disbelieving at least half of what he's seeing, but he's getting his wits about him. That doesn't really help, though.]

The hell have I gotten myself into?

[observation deck; bow]

[Not that he's ever given it much thought, but outer space isn't really Nate's thing. He's sure it's cool and all, full of cosmic wonders that can only be properly appreciated by NASA scientists and people with a well-developed sense of scale, but the lack of atmosphere outside hinders any emergency escapes via plane, train or automobile, and the need for such a thing is something he assumes. In space, no one can hear you yell 'Oh crap!'

But the view is pretty amazing. He'll give it that. Nate gets lost in it for a few minutes before noticing that he's not the only one standing here.]

Looks pretty cool, huh?

[cromia in general]

[No point in beating around the bush. The festivities are nice and all, but he's got an uncomfortable lack of resources and is still feeling a little off-balance. What better way to fix both problems than to do what he does best? It's time to pick some pockets.

As soon as he can figure out where the pockets are on these outfits. Huh.]

[choose your own adventure]

[Toss me a scenario and I'll roll with it!]

observation deck!

[desperate_times]

[Spotting a familiar face is the most reassuring thing to have happened to her since she got here. Knowing that she'd have a place to lay her head at night and a possible way back home was very little comfort given the vast scope of it all. But just seeing that face... somehow it made Chloe think everything would be all right. Nate was used to getting out of ridiculous situations.]

Yeah, if you manage to forget that we're stuck out here.

[As usual, Chloe sounds a bit cynical about the whole thing while Nate is admiring the wonder before him. One of them has to keep their feet on the ground and Elena isn't here, so.]

[sketchycharacter]

[Nate does a double-take when he actually sees who's joined him. His peripheral vision is turning to shit in his old age, apparently, or maybe he was just a little too caught up in the marvel of it all.]

Chloe? Holy shit.

[His laugh is surprised, half-disbelieving, but also something like delighted.]

They got you too, huh? I should probably say I'm sorry, but...damn. I am really glad to see you.

[desperate_times]

[There's a smile in Chloe's eyes at Nate's reaction. She's just glad to see him alive, given how they parted the last time. He was going off to do something foolish, as usual, but she believed he'd make it out of it in one piece. He always does.]

I'm glad to see you, too. If I am trapped here, at least the company's decent.

[She smiles.]

Seen anyone else?

[sketchycharacter]

[His smile dims as worry creeps in, and he shakes his head.]

No. To be honest, I thought it was another hallucination at first. Once I figured out it was real, I thought maybe Sully and Elena, since I was with them, but it's just me.

[Oh, right—about Elena...] We, uh, patched things up. I think.

[desperate_times]

Hallucination? Like what happened to Cutter? They got you, too?

[She hopes whatever that stuff was didn't have the same terrifying effect on Nate that it did on Cutter. Seeing him trip out was enough for Chloe.

The talk of Elena gets an arched brow.]

You think? Nate, one day we need to have a talk about women.

[Seriously.]

[sketchycharacter]

Yeah. They got me, too, and then some. Let's just say the secret of Iram that they were after was really in their wheelhouse.

[The shit they'd nailed him and Charlie with had been potent enough that Nate's wondered more than once why they even needed the hallucinatory agent that destroyed the ancient city, but that might be the wrong way to think about it. He should be asking himself what they might do with something exponentially more powerful and long-lasting.]

I mean, I know, I'm just not sure what happens next for us. Thought we'd figure it out at home, but I got snatched right off the damn plane. [He sighs] I don't know how much you know, but I didn't exactly cover myself in glory with her.

[Nate had made a point of Not Talking About Elena, Ever, with his friends after he'd left, but he was sure Chloe had noticed the missing wedding ring, and possibly Sully had filled in some details when he was out of earshot.]

[desperate_times]

[Maybe Nate didn't talk much about Elena with everyone else, but she, Sully, and Charlie were all Nate's friends. They cared about him. Chloe wanted Nate to be happy; even if it wasn't with her.]

What do you mean? Aren't you going to settle down with a white picket fence somewhere and have a couple of kids?

[That's sort of the cliche happy ending when it came to relationships; especially with a girl like Elena. Granted, she was tough, but Chloe knows she doesn't want Nate risking his life constantly for fame and glory.]

[sketchycharacter]

I'd be happy just to settle down somewhere without architecture that won't explode and/or crumble beneath me.

[As for the rest...well, they'll see. Nate gives Chloe a grateful smile, glad she knows him well enough not to push too hard.]

Or I would if we weren't in literal space. Something tells me white picket fences aren't in the cards for any of us.

doesn't even go here // observation deck

[diamondhack]

[Some part of Isha is convinced this is a drug trip, a bad dream, a side effect of the drugs and nerves getting themselves mixed up with reality and adjustment to reality.

That would be logical explanation, wouldn't it? But she feels fine. Spry, even. For the most part. As spry as anyone could get.

She knows, though, that she would never willingly change out of clothing. What does Isha do?

Roll up the sleeves, fix and smooth it all out to be as fashionable as possible, of course. The black prosthetic, encrusted with gold and diamond henna designs, gleams in whatever light is on the bow.

Behind dark glasses, she glances over to the other, a clearly American man. When she speaks, her voice is accented British, prim in some manner.]

It's certainly a view.

[sketchycharacter]

[Nate's not going to claim he's an expert on people when the people here seem to come from freakin' other worlds, but he thinks he recognizes her type when she speaks. Bored, above it all, probably rich.

The prosthetic looks pretty sweet, though.]

What, you're not impressed? Let me guess. You cruise around in outer space all the time for fun and this is old hat.

[diamondhack]

[And now she grins. She even huffs a bit a laugh between her teeth. She's not sure if she likes him quite yet, but he's at least mildly entertaining from his speech.]

I'm rich but not that rich, love. You're quick to assume.

[The view certainly is breathtaking. What isn't quite so breathtaking is the contract and the distinct lack of information.

Born paranoid.]

Besides, I have better things to do than to "cruise around in outer space." It's not my sort of fun.

[sketchycharacter]

[What, snap judgments aren't always completely accurate? He might have to think about that one a little longer.]

Is it anyone's?

[Wait, no. He holds up a hand before she can say anything.]

Don't answer that. It probably is. But I wouldn't be here myself if I had the choice, nice as the view is. [He extends a hand.] Nathan Drake.

[diamondhack]

[Pot meet kettle.]

Neither would I.

[And she takes it, careful as she can to not use her prosthetic arm. It wouldn't exactly leave a great first impression, accidentally crushing someone's fingers...]

Isha Devan, at your service.

[Not really, horrible habit.]

[sketchycharacter]

[He is grateful for that. His fingers are so puny and delicate.]

So how long have you been kicking around here, Isha? I'm still figuring out my place.

[Without treasure to plunder or cities to wreck, he is lost.]

[diamondhack]

[They can withstand tetanus, but surely not the forceful touch of a woman.

Things to consider...]

Not very long, Nathan. [Slightly unsettling that they're already on a first name basis, and she's going to switch to Drake now, she doesn't like this first name business with strangers.] Have you seen a dog, by the way? About this tall, [she gestures roughly somewhere on her upper thigh] dark silver and gold metal, looks suspiciously like a greyhound?

[She too is lost without a target to destroy, but toys come first and Q-11 is her ultimate toy.]

[sketchycharacter]

[He had a lot of calluses, it was like tetanus armor. The forceful touch of a woman is a different thing entirely.]

Not so far. Are you sure it's even on the ship? I doubt they'd bring in pets if they don't even let us come with spare clothes. [He misses his Henleys and—

wait what.]

Did you say a metal dog?

cromia, fight me, fists up

[tearsinajar]

[ In whatever hellish, heavy thing she's dressed in on this planet, there are, surprisingly, pockets. Pockets. Skirts that come with pockets were the greatest thing ever invented next to strawberries and cream and wine. Who knew some medieval gowns came with them. Not just the pockets but the pouch which kept whatever 'coin' she had— that was none.

Nate was going to end up empty-handed whenever he got around to trying to pickpocket her, not that either of them know about the other. Her hood is up, tucking her hair and face from view. Elena hasn't had much of a chance yet to try the food or drink that's been offered as she's been more interested in walking the crowds of the festivities and seeing who else is here that she would know or recognize. Which is hopefully not Talbot or Marlowe.

Standing off to the side now leaves her back open and vulnerable, perfect for some conniving little thief to come along and try to pilfer her pouch sitting openly at her hip.

God, these sleeves and these skirts are so cumbersome, all the layers underneath. How in the hell did anyone wear this back in the day? She's beginning to miss her camisoles and light button up shirts. Her khakis.

Too distracted by watching the real people mingle and the...humanoid robots...? This is some crazy Ex-Machina shit right here, if she could tell human apart from machine, which she can't. But back to the point— Elena's too busy with her eyes forward that, at first, she doesn't notice that there's someone at her back as the hood obstructs most of her view to the back and her sides unless she fully turns her head. Only when she feels the tug at her side does she look away from the crowds and look down— what the hell? Is someone trying to get their grubby hands on her money pouch? There's no money in there for them to take!

Whatever self-defense lessons she's had, guess it's time to put them to the test while wearing this layered bedsheet combo of fabrics as her elbow crooks and swings back sharply. Maybe she'll catch them in the eye or the head or the face, any one of those areas sounds perfect to stun them for a confrontation because— seriously— who do they think they are trying to steal from her? They obviously don't know who she is— she's Elena Goddamn Fisher™— she's got a mean right hook and goes around punching asshats all the time when they think they can threaten her. Or, in this case, steal from her. ]

ELENA NO

[sketchycharacter]

[Nate's got three scores under his belt and is feeling good. It's nice to know he's still got it, even on another planet. Maybe when he gets home he can add "interstellar theft" to his resume...if he kept a resume.

He's debating taking a break and spending some time enjoying the festivities like a law-abiding citizen when he spots the woman up ahead. He can't see her face from here, but he can read body language and she's clearly distracted. Excellent. This will do nicely.

Except instead of staying occupied by the sights, she starts to move, and Nate has a split-second to think he made a mistake before the elbow connects with his throat and he knows that what he's actually made is a critical error.

Bam. He drops to the ground immediately in a haze of pain and lost breath, and it's only after a worried couple of wheezing seconds that he's sure he can still breathe, that she hasn't crushed his throat. Jesus, that shouldn't have happened! The woman is so short, how did she even reach his throat? How the he'll did she nail him so easily through all that fabric?!

How's he going to get away from this? Shit shit shit.]

ELENA YES

[tearsinajar]

[ Whoever is trying to jack her goods, Elena doesn't realize she'd caught them in the throat. She'd been hoping for an eye, a better response that way, but the throat? Okay, she hadn't wanted to try to kill them, she'd been hoping to stun them. Elbow to the throat, sounds about right as far as stunning a thief goes. Next step in the plan is to spin around and kick the asshole in the gut so he stays down because she wants to have some words with him. Weeelllll...that's more than a little difficult to accomplish with these damn skirts.

The sound of wheezing sounds promising, as morbid as that comes off, and Elena twists in a whirl of fabric, hood still up. Her fists come up, sleeves sliding down to her elbows— she's ready for him should he jump up and either a.) attack her, or b.) try to run like a coward. Which is why she digs her foot into their side to shove harshly and roll them onto their back. ]

You're messing with the wrong lady, pal—

[ Oh. Oh. Elena's eyes go wide as she stares down at her...husband? It takes her a minute. Oh shit. ]

Oh my God... Nate?

HUSBAND MURDER IS A CRIME

[sketchycharacter]

[This has gone to shit real fast but the best option from here is that she runs for the local law or something, giving Nate the chance to run away and—nope, she's wheeling around to come take care of him herself. Fuck.

He feebly raises one arm in preemptive self-defense, not expecting it to do anything against the wrath of a would-be mark. He recognized the outrage in her voice all too well, and—actually, he recognizes her voice...

Getting shoved over is better than just getting kicked hard in the side, barely, and Nate rolls onto his back like a sad hermit crab, only for his eyes to go just as wide.]

Elena?

[It comes out in another wheeze. This can't be happening, she can't be here, but even if he were hallucinating again, why would he imagine her in that dress?]

HUSBANDCIDE??

[tearsinajar]

[ It's one of the more unflattering dresses in all of the past eras, in Elena's opinion, and while she enjoys her history lessons as much as the next person, this one ain't for her. The hood does add a bit of mystery and gives the outfit a bit of a pagan flair, but god damn. It's all of the layers that are killing it for her right now, and not in the good way.

She can't believe she's staring down at him right now, him of all people. She doesn't know what to say, mouth opening and then closing, floundering on how to answer or speak. ]

How did you— Is this where you've been all this time?

[ There's a good reason for her asking that question, breathing it out in a disbelieving voice that comes out small and uncertain, as if she can't believe what she's seeing right now— that happens to be him. Elena had looked everywhere for him, not just for him but also for Sully, and she had come up so empty-handed that she'd begun to panic thinking terrible, dangerous thoughts after seeing Nate struggle against the drug that had been injected into him by the dart.

She'd never seen him so afraid, so out of control and unable to stop himself from lashing out at them. And then when he'd run away from them into the narrow alleyways...

It takes some maneuvering of the skirts before she can lower herself down to his side. Elena's afraid to touch him, still staring. ]

Where did I hit? You all right?

YES THAT IS THE THING SHE SHOULD NOT DO

[sketchycharacter]

I wouldn't say—it was all this time—

His voice is scratchy, like he's been gargling in the sands of the Rub' al Khali again, so he takes a moment to collect himself and swallow a few times before trying again.]

You know, if you wanted me to stand around silently looking pretty, you could have just asked. I don't remember your elbows being so sharp.

[Granted, she'd never used her elbows on him before. He sounds more admiring than resentful, though, and he smiles as he drinks in the sight of her. He'd expected Sully and Elena to have been space-napped with him, they'd been right there, and there was nothing like the sense of crushing distance and loneliness he'd felt when he'd been unable to find them. Elena especially, much as he loved Sully. He'd just gotten her back; it wasn't fair to be torn apart now.

Nate reaches out to her with his right hand for balance as he decides to try getting to his feet.]

I'd say you should remind me never to pickpocket you again, but I didn't realize it was you. Nice hood.

PISH

[tearsinajar]

[ Part of her feels absolutely terrible by listening to him. He sounds rough, and it's her fault, guilt heavy in her stomach like someone had dumped stones there. The other part of her argues that he deserves it for trying to steal from her. It didn't matter if he'd known it was her or not. He shouldn't have done it! ]

I've only used my fist on you before, never my elbows, remember?

[ He was reaching out to her and Elena hesitated, looking to the hand he's extended. What if this wasn't real? What if she took his hand to help him up and he disappeared, slipped through her fingers? Hesitation and worries and doubts be damned— her hand grasps his and she's helping him to his feet, rising up with him. No, his hand is as she remembers— rough skin, the coarse bumps under his fingers on his palms, his hand big enough that it covers nearly all of hers. The familiarity closes her throat and it hurts to try to swallow past it.

Elena leans in then in an unexpected rush and her arms are tight in wrapping around his neck, holding on. He's solid, sturdy— real, alive. Said hood tips back slightly but doesn't drop to her shoulders. ]

—I was so worried. [ The words are muffled against him, hushed, emotion thick in them. ] I couldn't find you, I couldn't find Sully. I wasn't sure where to start, what to expect. God, Nate—

This is why they need Space Marriage Counseling

[sketchycharacter]

[Oh, he remembers. It's a strangely good memory, all things considered. But her mean right hook hadn't interfered with his breathing, just his sight.

He wraps his arms around her waist and hugs her back just as tight. Maybe even tighter. It hasn't been so very long since he hugged her, but he'd been afraid to think how long it was going to be until he could again, about how far away she was.]

I know, I know. I looked everywhere for you two. But the ship is huge, and then there's this city—we must have kept missing each other.

[He rocks them back and forth slightly. How long might they have gone without knowing each other was here? For once luck is on his side.]

This whole thing is crazy. I'm glad I found you.