( tdm 13 )

[hohnkai]

T E S T D R I V E

my evil twin, bad weather friend "I know someday I'll meet him, but I don't know where or when." 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. ) Every day, the ship gets closer to its destination: the Midway Hub. Answers as to how to the fix the broken Ingress and send everyone home are sought there. Your captains, both old and new, have been working together peacefully to make the trip a little easier, though events occur that are well outside of their control. After having made the last cargo supply stop at the Mini Colony, the Moira and its crew are on the last stretch of its journey. The Ingress, for the majority of the time, is left off and only turned back on during testing; that's when new crew and other items come through. It's October on the Moira, and it's been far, far too peaceful.. ☄ older and far less kind get clowned when I come around On one of the ship's many stops, a group of sentient, flying whale-type natives were stumbled upon. They were friendly, although unfortunately hunted for a substance they produce, and the crew paid a group of mercenaries to keep these beings safe. Now, early afternoon, red lights begin to flash, and Captain Ira makes an announcement. A gam of a less advanced sub-species of those gentle giants is in the ship's path, and crew are told to make their way to the Observation Deck, Tower, and anywhere else that affords them a view of space. When the beings move closer to the Moira, the captains send out non-explosive decoys that can be remotely operated by the crew—lead these beings away from the ship so that the Moira can safely pass through. ☄ graveyard smash i was working in the lab, late one night Let's set the scene. It's early in the morning. Those who don't sleep or sleep very little already know what's going on as they've been roped into helping by the Captains. Everyone else wakes to a surprise. Some universes celebrate holidays like Halloween or Samhain, and this one is no different. First Mate Egan's home is known for honoring the dead on October 15th of every year, and after approaching the other Captains, they've decided to celebrate it on the Moira. The observation deck is decorated with candles and lights, music playing in the background. Small gift boxes are left outside everyone's door; a MID message explains that each crew member is to put something inside and then place them on the observation deck. At the end of the day, each crew takes a random box. A device that alters the gravity around a single object is used to make drinks, food, and gifts and float through the air. Everyone is encouraged to relax and have a good time. ☄ section t unfinished business, that's what There are many locations on the ship that are inaccessible, either because they are locked unless crew have clearance or for some an unknown reason. Section T is one of those such areas. Crew are known to get lost in this area, and hear voices, among other things. Having this brought to the Captain's attention, an expedition of sorts ghost hunters in space has been organized, and anyone who wishes to join will be paired up and sent in with their MIDs on alert to track their paths. Not long into the search, it will become clear that something, or someone, is displeased with the large number of people wandering through. Some unlucky crew will stumble across an apparition and those who are luckier won't. It's relatively harmless, and appears to only seek to scare everyone out of Section T. 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

Darin Altway | Original Character

[forgeabettertomorrow]

Arrival - Observation Deck

[Darin has absolutely no idea what to make of anything. The last thing he remembered was a meeting with his supposed-to-be-dead-but-is-actually-alive twin brother, Dromas where the latter had a lot of really disconcerting and, frankly, very evil things to say. The next, he's being ushered through some weird hallway, getting injected with weird things, and signing more contracts than he'd even cared to read.]

[As a businessman by nature, Darin tried to make sense of these contracts, but everything was just so far beyond his scope of understanding, that he just signed in hopes he could get some goddamn answers.]

[Sure, he got those answers, but the reality of the situation seemed so...impossible. All he could really gather was that he was on a ship called the Moira. So, after going through all of those ridiculous orientations, Darin is wandering the ship. He looks kind of sour with his hands shoved in his pockets, green eyes wandering around. That's when he passes a window.]

[Then promptly walks backwards to the window again and presses his hands and face to it. Why?]

[Because...]

HOLY CRAP WE'RE IN SPACE?! HOW THE HELL DID THAT HAPPEN?!

Graveyard Smash - End of the Day

[As instructed, Darin took the box he had found this morning and placed something inside. Not that he had much to begin with, really. He was already on the road when he arrived aboard the Moira, and most of his possessions had sentimental value: The dao his father had forged special for him, and his smithy hammer. He'd opted to place the holster that he wore around his hip that often held the hammer into the box. It was well crafted and well-worn leather. Whoever this was going to, someone was bound to get some good use out of it. Aside from that? Darin's doing what he does best: Eating, drinking, and casually chatting people up. Maybe he could make some useful connections here.]

So...space, huh? Pretty crazy. I'm new on board the Moira, by the way. Name's Darin Altway, Master Blacksmith! And you?

Section t

[So, when Darin was signing all of those forms, he probably should have paid a little closer attention to what he was signing up for. It looks like he volunteered himself to search the bowels of the ship for whatever was causing that ruckus. Darin, who was all gung-ho at first, is starting to get a little jittery the longer he and his partner are wandering. He'll jump at shadows, he'll panic and bowl into you at the slightest sound...]

Okay, look. Look, can we just. I don't know. Let's say we found it and get the hell out of here. Because I don't like this. I don't like anything about this.

[For someone who is 6'2" and looks like he could bench press a house, Darin can't exactly handle paranormal...things. Especially ghosts. He's sweating. He's fidgety, and he's about two seconds from straight up leaving his partner and bolting off.]

Okay, you saw that right?! You saw that?? Over there?! Oh man oh man oh man...

SECTION T

[iseedeadbees]

[See, Starscream had been looking for any excuse to get into one of these locked down areas, because he's nosy as hell. And also because maybe the captains were hiding ~scandalous secrets~ or something in them, and Starscream was all about digging up dirt on people. Even if there wasn't anything particularly useful in here, at least it had the potential to be an entertaining change of pace.

He'd decided to just use his holomatter for this little adventure. Y'know, just in case it was actually dangerous. Unfortunately for him, he'd been paired up with this jumpy goofball. Starscream's fancy lady holomatter just stared at Darin like it had already had enough of his weird bullshit.]

What are you blabbering about? I didn't see anything. You and I are the only ones down here right now.

[forgeabettertomorrow]

Look, I know what you're thinking. I'm not crazy.

I saw something. Something rat-sized.

But not a rat, because it was bigger but not by much.

I don't know how big space rats get. But it didn't sound like a rat.

...Stop looking at me like that.

[iseedeadbees]

[The holomatter waves it's hand dismissively like ugh UGH this kid]

This ship is probably crawling with vermin from who knows how many organic planets. You probably just saw some kind of... I don't know, giant blood sucking insect.

[forgeabettertomorrow]

...Okay, see, I don't have a problem with those.

Because we're apparently down here to investigate murmurings. And talking. And other things that giant blood sucking insects don't do.

Why can't we just go back? Let's just say we didn't find anything! There's not even anything to find! Look at this place!

[iseedeadbees]

If you want to go back, be my guest. I'm not leaving until I've covered every inch of this place. If people say they're hearing voices down here, then there's got to be someone down here. The captains have to be hiding something from us, and I intend to find out exactly what it is.

[The holomatter turns and starts heading deeper into the SPOOK ZONE. Whatchu gonna do NERD]

SPAAAACE

[knaval]

[riptide's job of checking the wings doesn't really afford a day off. he's taken a few, sure, but generally he likes to go out for a space walk.

anyway, right now? he's floating around near the observation deck and happens to see darin pressing his face to the window. he can't head what the guy is saying, but he can guess from his expression.

riptide is a careful member of the crew who does his best to avoid scaring the organic passengers.

...riptide decides to surprise darin by popping up from the bottom of the window out in space, floating lazily.]

[forgeabettertomorrow]

[Darin had only ever seen the stars from his world but he'd never actually been among them. This was amazing...! He doesn't care how he got here anymore, he's more excited that there's a literal universe out there full of adventure, and experiences and HOLY HELL WHAT HE HELL IS THAT?!]

[Darin's face contorts from wonder to absolute batshit horror as Riptide pops up in front of him. Darin is now shrieking. Except in the cold vacuum of space, all Riptide can see is Darin's jaw practically unhinge.]

[On the inside of the ship though??]

AHHHHHHHHHH!!! WHAT THE HELL?!?! WHAT THE ACTUAL HELL!!! GIANT METAL SPACE GOLEM!!! SOMEONE KILL IT!! USE SPACE MAGIC OR SOMETHING FIRE ALL WEAPONS!!!! AHHHHHHHHHHH!!!

[knaval]

[this is the reaction he was expecting. riptide grins to himself (probably a terrifying looking predatory grin below two bright yellow optics.

he raises a giant hand and taps on the glass lightly, then waves.]

[forgeabettertomorrow]

[OH GOD ITS TRYING TO GET IN. IT'S TRYING TO GET IN AND KILL THEM ALL AND IT'S SNEERING ABOUT IT!!!]

[Okay. Okay, Darin. You've dealt with large monsters before. You can do this. If it gets in, you'll have to fight it.]

[But what about all of the other people on board?? He'd have to draw this thing's attention. Really rile it up and get it to focus on him...]

[Darin steps forward, face locked in determination. Whatever this thing was, he wasn't going to let it hurt anyone on board.]

[As he gets up to the glass, he about-faces so his back is to Riptide. A few seconds later, Darin has unfastened his belt and dropped his pants so his bare ass is right in Riptide's face.]

[If there was ever a more universal sign for 'Come and get me you giant bastard' he doesn't know what it is. But he sure hopes his heroic gesture pays off.]

there are no words for what I am feeling

[knaval]

[silence. utter silence while riptide tries to figure out what the hell is going on.

darin will be baring his ass to space for a couple of long, awkward minutes. then there's a big flash of light.

darin's MID pings with a new message. if there's anyone else around, darin might notice their MID pinging, too.

riptide just took a picture and sent it to everyone on the ship.

welcome to the moira, darin.]

section t

[wallride]

[despite being almost a solid ft smaller than darin, lúcio has been trying his best to keep the massive guy calm. he wonders why darin is even doing it, but is too polite to actually mention it.

lúcio looks back at darin and raises a clearly unimpressed eyebrow.]

I know you're scared, man, but someone's gotta see what's going on down he-- woah!

[okay yeah no maybe it's hypocritical but he yelps when darin does out of shock.]

C'mon, let's go check it out! Quickly!

[for someone so small, lúcio is surprisingly strong as he pulls on darin's arm.]

Re: section t

[forgeabettertomorrow]

WHY ARE WE GOING TOWARDS THE SOUND?! WE SHOULD BE GOING AWAY FROM IT!! LIKE, FAR AWAY!!

[That said, Darin is stumbling around and being led by smol man]

Don't you know you're supposed to leave ghosts alone?! They don't want to be disturbed! They want to chill down here, I say fine! Let 'em!!

[wallride]

Because maybe it's something that needs help! Maybe it's something dangerous! Maybe! We won't find out until we get there!

[lúcio unholsters his wub gun, setting the setting to the speed boost. be energised, darin!]

[forgeabettertomorrow]

[Darin was about to protest, but then he feels that surge of energy course through his body. Before he can really surmise what's happening, his feet hit the ground and he's keeping pace!]

Yeah!! Yeah, that's right!! We won't know until we get to the bottom of this!!

Come on!!

[And off he goes in a full sprint.]

[wallride]

That's the spirit, man!

[lúcio laughs, following darin's larger strides easily with his skates.]

Where did you hear the noise? Go that way, I'm following. You won't be hurt with me behind you, okay?

section t again

[diamondslap]

[why does she always end up with the morons? aurelia decides to heft her sniper up into the crook of her elbow - one handed, just to show off - and scowls at darin.]

Darling, do shut up. If you can't keep quiet by choice then I'll be tempted to make you stay quiet.

[forgeabettertomorrow]

Yes because, by nature, open threats are a good way to calm someone down. I almost want to scream at the top of my lungs just to spite you.

[A pause.]

Dearest.

[Because wtf 'darling?']

[diamondslap]

That's not a bad idea, darling.

[she aims the sniper at him.]

Go on. Make noise. Attract whatever's out there so we can kill it and be done with this farce.

[forgeabettertomorrow]

[HANDS UP.]

WHOA WHOA WHOA!!

UNLESS THAT THING CAN KILL GHOSTS THAT SEEMS LIKE A REALLY STUPID IDEA!!

Look, just put the weapon down. Okay? Honey bunches? Shooting me won't do anything except maybe make me really mad, and even then I don't think that'll accomplish much.

[diamondslap]

[aurelia grins, then fires a round past darin's head, down the hall.]

Come, now! Make some noise! Bring the beastie to us!

Graveyard Smash

[10_20_15_5_50]

'Pretty crazy' is an understatement. I'm suspecting it's gonna hit me full force in another week or two, and when it does, I'll [shit bricks] wig right out.

[Sam grins, pleased with her save because she would like to be polite at least until 'after introductions.' Sudden Space Bullshit is bad enough without making poor impressions---which is part of the reason why one of the mystery boxes has her turquoise ring in it. (The rest of the reason being the belief 'what goes around comes around,' coupled with her other lucky charms being either too personal to pass on, or of little apparent value.) She offers a hand which might look gloved at first glance, since she has tattoos almost to her cuticles; some musical score.]

Samantha Patchowski, karaoke enthusiast. Prior to signing on with the Moira---which I did very, very recently, being new on board myself---I was working in an art gallery. Nothing impressive, but I enjoyed it.

[forgeabettertomorrow]

Karaoke enthusiast, huh? And worked in an art gallery? Talk about a jack of all trades. Do you paint as well?

[Darin crosses his arms and grins, happy to meet another creative type.]

[10_20_15_5_50]

I'm afraid so. It sounded like a good warning for a first meeting, up until I said it. [Still, Sam's is not the face of regret. She laughs a little at the question, and waves her hand in what's partially a second save (since it's going to take some time to stop trying for handshakes for force of habit) and partially automatic reaction to the painting question.] Not often and not well---been a year and some small change since I had a proper project on the go. Part of that's the consequence of a cross-country move; part of that's time constraints. I thought that that move was going to be my most dramatic, but then there was this. But enough about me; how'd you start in on smithing?

Monster Ma- I mean Graveyard Smash

[vulteran]

[Darin was in luck. The thing he decided to talk to was also new to the Moira. So new, in fact, that he hasn't yet figured out that humans here can actually understand the shit he says. So, Kassan just makes a somewhat pleasant-looking expression and starts saying whatever comes to his mind, confident in the fact that absolutely nothing he says will make any difference at all.]

Uh...Huh. Maybe if I start making noises, they'll figure out humans can't understand me. That or they'll just start talking anyway like they can. ...Yeah, probably that. It's always that. So hello, buttface. what shit are you gonna spew for me?