( tdm 12 )

[hownkai]

T E S T D R I V E

leavin’ on a jet plane "Don’t know when I’ll be back again." ABOARD THE MOIRA The Ingress has pulled you in. Your body experiences several sensations at once: being pushed forward as if a hand is resting on your back, momentary and startling blindness, a gentle ringing in your head. You have difficulty discerning whether it is hot or cold, but where you have been prodded is noticeably warmer than the rest of you. Some may suffer from dizziness while others are perfectly fine. Once equilibrium has been reestablished, you will notice you are standing on a long platform and that the room is filled with a soft cerulean light. It's slightly humid and dark despite the glow around you, and nothing is familiar. Shortly after, you are led out and toward the medbay. Inside this room, you are given a physical scan and offered a contract to sign that states you are now part of the crew of the Moira with a specific job. Any questions you might have would be answered in a straightforward manner as well as an explanation about how the Ingress, the thing that has pulled you onto the Moira, is broken and bringing people here unintentionally. This process also consists of a complete work-up of medical history and current health, and afterwards, you are given your MID, a device that is integrated into your hand or wrist with only the slightest pinch. From there, you are guided out of the medbay and to your living quarters. 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. You may notice a slight change in the artificial gravity every once in awhile; however, more noticeable changes can be found in overall morale of those of the crew. ☄ 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. ) The day begins normally. Or almost. The Moira has accidentally fallen along the trajectory of an asteroid barreling its way through space. While most things like this are not uncommon, and the ship is far from any potential danger of collision or risk of debris damaging the exterior, there is something particularly odd about this specific occurrence. The rock itself appears to give off a strange light that is both eerie and alive. Often, if looked at in just the right manner, it will shift colors; so, while one person sees one side of the spectrum, someone else could see something entirely different. At first, things continue on as they usually do aside from the glowing asteroid alongside the Moira, but as the hours go on, that does not seem to be the case. ☄ the hours are breathing resignedly beneath the sky the melancholy waters lie With a rather open view of stars and space, thanks to the skylight above, the pool in the rec area suddenly comes alive beneath the light of the asteroid filtering in. Perhaps it’s some natural response to the chemical composition of the water, or perhaps it’s magic. Yet, regardless of the explanation, those who happen to take a dip suddenly find themselves plagued by despair. The depression and melancholy are not subtle changes either; it slams into you with great force, like a punch to the gut. The longer you remain in the pool, the deeper it grows, like an all-consuming paranoia that settles into the back of your mind and causes your heart to grow heavy. These strong feelings will eventually fade if you choose to leave the pool and dry off, but as long as you remain damp from the pool, those emotions will continue to linger. Even after you’re completely dry, there will be no mistaking just how intensely you felt or why. There is no explanation and might not be. Would you dare a second swim to test whether or not it was a fluke? ( These scenarios can be used as in-game canon. ) ☄ those who have crossed the eyes are not here, there are no eyes here The walls are shrinking in. Every room you step into feels much too small, like there isn’t enough room to even breathe. A crowded place becomes startlingly empty, and no matter how much you run, how much you explore, there is no one there to comfort you or answer your calls for help. Hallucinations run strong between the lulls of obscene loneliness or claustrophobia, and exposure to the glow of the asteroid is really the only thing to thank for that. You’re desperate to claw your way out of the ship—open the emergency hatch in the Cargo Bay, bust the glass of the Observation Deck. What’s worse is that it’s not just you. It’s catching, and the fear of being next is very real. It feels like you’re being watched, that everyone around you is looking and seeing everything you are. Or are not. The only way to make it stop is to admit that you’re afraid of being seen, but who, in the deep madness of the self, has the courage to ever admit the truth? ( These scenarios can be used as in-game canon. ) ☄ the sun in flight rage, rage against the dying of the light Something has drifted its way onto the Moira from the outside. Unlike the faint luminosity they give off, they suck up all the light around them, making them the only source to see by. From far away, they are just flitting balls of light, but if you get close enough to inspect them, they are mean. And have sharp, sharp teeth. Go poking, and they will bite you before trying to fly away while taking that only light source with them. The option to avoid them is quite easy if you’re not the curious sort, but without them around, it will be impossibly dark. As the asteroid moves on in the opposite direction of the Moira, these light creatures begin to dissolve and fade away with it. However, a word of caution: their bites glow. If you don’t manage to find the one that bit you and capture it between your hands, the bite will become a permanent glowing fixture of your body. ( These scenarios can be used as in-game canon. ) 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

[notyetsore]

[Oh jeez this is awkward. Ginko hadn't expected anyone else to come up here, except maybe Frisk and he'd kind of figured they were busy, and it doesn't really help that this kid is staring at him?? Why is this happening.

He shifts a little where he's sitting, glancing away.]

I... didn't think anyone else would want to come up here. I'll... I could leave if you want. Sorry.

[allsparked]

[SHE'S NOT PLANNING ON IT.]

Huh, neat! Only one of the bots I know has a hologram, but it wasn't solid.

[jiminycrockett]

[His jaw clenches. His hand tightens on the knife. He swallows. If this man knew what he was doing then that means he knew how to do it too. He might have been doing it too. And he gave him a knife right after he'd thought to take one. There must be something wrong with the man. He stops his train of thought short, one step from thinking what that means about himself.

He shakes his head.]

No. It all happened...[Not 'home' of course.] -where I came from.

[beside_myself]

"Why are you making that face?" Church asks, his breathing still a little heavy. He pushes himself up onto his elbows, then moves to push his sweaty hair away from his forehead. This ... wasn't what he expected when he stumbled out from the Ingress. This definitely wasn't what he expected when he got a text from her. But he's not going to complain. He's just happy to have her, happy to know she's alive and happy (he thinks, at least).

He doesn't have any deep, poetic thoughts. His brain's still a little too fried for that. All he knows is that he's so fucking grateful that they're together again. That they're alive and able to reconnect. Really get to know each other without barriers, without Omega, without the Human-Covenant war, without Project fucking Freelancer. It's just her.

Of course, the Moira will bring its own set of problems, he's not an idiot. He knows shit isn't going to be perfect. But ... it's new. Something for them to tackle together. Together.

[idkmybffgun]

[Which is good, because the kid shouldn't have to deal with that, but bad because Frank can't get at them. If only he knew. He blows out a slow breath.]

Okay. I'm not gonna lie and say this place is safe. But there's folk who'll protect you.

[Not, like, Frank. He shouldn't be around kids. He couldn't even protect his own kids. But there's a few dozen hero types who'd probably be better influences anyway.]

[a_shadow]

Her eyes dart to his face. She's not going to be able to get away with saying it's nothing, gauging by the way he's looking at her. She needs to just say something vague and then move on to something else, something to distract him. "I want this to go right," she says. "There were times in the past where they didn't." Times she couldn't save him. Times she needed to leave him ignorant.Though in a way, that had been the only choice. Which is what she had been thinking about. She looks to the side, not wanting him to see her expression. She rubs her hand across her mouth, then touches his leg. "We ought to get up and get dressed," she says. "I don't know when Matt might come back."

[beside_myself]

He gives her a look, knowing that that's not the whole story, but he's not going to press it. He shifts, then sits up, not bothering to reach for his clothes yet. "Who's Matt?"

[a_shadow]

"My assigned roommate," she says. Not theirs because he's not back in this room with her yet, but...she thinks that invitation is probably coming. She's careful to use the word 'assigned' when she explains—she doesn't want it to turn into a misunderstanding.

His face is near hers now that he's sitting up and she continues to avoid his gaze, except after a moment there's a glance in his direction and she quickly presses her lips to his. "Come on. We need to find something to clean up with." And she draws away, and stands.

[jiminycrockett]

[Ralph keeps up the staring. He's wary of other boys now, and it shows. The awkwardness of his reply, the apologizing, the avoiding his gaze, it all reminds him of Simon. A flare of regret fueled compassion battles briefly against his distrust, and quickly loses. But just because he's cautious doesn't mean he needs to be rude.]

No, that's alright. You were here first.

[He shifts a bit on his root. He was stopped mid climb so he's not in the most comfortable position, and now he's not sure if he should go ahead and climb down. He doesn't want to. Just because somebody else knows how to get up here, doesn't mean its not worth exploring. Maybe he could try to just climb around him? He doesn't move in either direction.]

[metalivore]

[More frowning.] Yeah, well, sounds to me like your shitty taste is your problem.

[And then he leans forward, tapping his fingers idly against the bar.] Anyway, you still haven't explained what you're doing back here, kid. Given how orderly things seem around here, I bet they'd have a few things to say about attempted underage drinking.

[notyetsore]

[Ginko nods after a moment of hesitation, still watching Ralph with a hint of wariness. He looks to be about Ginko's age, so it could be worse, but...

After a moment, he adds,] ...I could just move a little if you need to get past.

[jiminycrockett]

[To Ralph the phrases "won't lie" and "there's folk who'll protect you" are directly contradictory. Maybe the presence of people, organized, civil people, would protect him some, but nobody would look after him. Grown ups didn't do that, not for real anyway.

Ralph's glare eases up, but the cadence of his voice is flat and false when he speaks.]

Right.

[There's people here who'll protect him. That's why he gave him a knife first off. Sure.]

[idkmybffgun]

[Damnit. Too little, too late. And Frank is the worst person to make the case - well. He'll let the people who actually believe in peace wear the kid down. It'll happen. It's not his job. He should go now.]

Okay. First lesson: don't stab a person with a kitchen knife unless you got no other choice. The grip's all wrong, you'll wreck your hand.

[beside_myself]

"Right," he says, his lips quirking to the side. She just fucked you, you're not going to get jealous, asshole.

"Okay, yeah. Cleaning up. Uh - a shower?" He stands as well, grabbing his clothes from where they're scattered on the floor and holding them to his chest.

[jiminycrockett]

[When he leans forward, Ralph takes a step back in turn. His back is nearly against the cupboards behind him. His eyes dart to the side again and then back. The opening is still clear.]

I wasn't drinking anything.

[jiminycrockett]

Thanks, yeah.

[He hoists himself up to Ginko's level slowly, being mindful to keep a good bit of space between them. He doesn't want to seem like he's rushing him, he's just getting to a more comfortable perch. Also he's wary that his feet might still be visible from the ground. If he got caught now, this boy would be in trouble along with him. The boy may seem quiet and harmless, but nonetheless, Ralph isn't keen on getting on anybody's bad side.]

[psychobabblery]

So when we come, they just update the Insert Name field and go about their day. Makes perfect sense.

[a_shadow]

"Yeah, but we have to get dressed to get there," she says. "We'll have to run and grab you another uniform or something to wear after." She goes to the dresser to get out a couple of bath towels. She's a little amused by his obvious jealousy. "Don't worry about Matt. You'll like him."

She reaches for her clothes after she has the towels folded on the bed and pulls them on, then gets out a fresh outfit. The trip to the Collective ensured she had plenty to wear that suited her a lot better than those uniforms.

[beside_myself]

Church pulls on his rumpled clothes, trying to smooth out some of the wrinkles. He gives up after a minute. "I'm sure I will," he says, rolling his eyes. But it's ... mostly in good nature. "Uh - and yeah, I can - there should be some in my room, right? Clothes? Uniforms?"

[a_shadow]

"Yes," she says. They're standing right by each other now, dressed and ready to go, and she tucks her hand under his chin, grasping it and dragging him down for one more kiss. She keeps it brief. The PDA in the mess hall was highly out of character for her and she doesn't intend to go down the hall holding hands or anything dumb like that. So she kisses him that last time, then gestures toward the door with a tilt of her head. She'll probably have to guide him back to his room this time.

[beside_myself]

Church is perfectly happy to keep the touchy-feely crap on the down low, so he's fine with just a parting kiss and a little smile before he goes to open the door, stepping into the hallway.

And yes, she's going to have to lead him, because he has no idea which way they even came from. He was ... a little distracted.

[diamondhack]

A hell of a biotech company if you look like that.

[Vague as he is, this company has real power, and a real need for some kind of secrecy, she could imagine, if he's as outfitted as he is. She knows how this goes. Corporations leverage just as much as any other government sector, if not more, and that she knows has been a trend since who knows when.]

If this is any indicator, [she signals, throwing her head up in the direction of some damage] you won't need a new job. But you won't be granted your previous job. [She takes a slow drag, realizing that smoking on the deck of a spaceship is probably not safe.

Realizing that at this point in time she doesn't actually care.

Isha notices, though, his eyes on Q-11. Always the greyhound...]

He won't bite. Yet.

[A clear indicator that she's not going to let him off the hook, despite being on civil terms now. A wrong move and at the very least there would be a fight. Prove her wrong, Jensen.]

[a_shadow]

She does so, and after they retrieve the needed garments she takes him to the communal shower room. She chooses a stall, entering it without a word and waiting to see what he'll decide on—whether he'll join her or choose one for himself. It's a test, in a way—to see just how desperate he is to continue to be around her, considering what all has gone on between them this morning. In any case, she sets her clothes on the bench, looks at him, and puts her hand on the curtain to prepare to draw it closed.

[beside_myself]

Church hesitates. If they hadn't just fucked each other's brains out, he would've picked a different stall — he doesn't want to be that pushy fucking asshole. But ... they did. He bites his lip, strips, then steps into the shower with her. Fuck it.

[a_shadow]

She smirks when he steps in with her and she pulls the curtain closed so he can disrobe. The shower is in a second stall through a second curtain behind the bench, and she tugs him in with her after undressing and shuts it. Water on, and—she turns toward him and mashes her mouth against his. This will mostly just be a very wet make-out session, with occasional lathering up to get clean.