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▶ 007. TEST DRIVE & SIMULATION #7
TDM & SIMULATION #7
▶ 001. ARRIVAL / CAFETERIA.
It happens in the blink of an eye, a dash of time – you're taken from where you were. What you were doing... it isn't important anymore, and slowly, you give up the desire of your normal life. When you awaken, figures are looking down on you from a surgical table.
"Yeah, this one will do; let's take them to the rest." That's all you see before losing consciousness again, only to wake up in a pod with many others.
"Your questions will be answered soon enough, as I'm sure you will have many," a female, robotic voice says.
Just then, your pod opens in a dim corridor with many others. Your new life is about to begin... whether you like it or not.
The pods drain their stasis fluid which wakes each Outsider. Outsiders emerge from their pod in only their undergarments which have been supplied to them, and head to a locker room in the medical bay to find a towel to dry off with and a set of gray loungewear to wear as LILITH makes the final decision in assigning the Outsiders to their rightful teams. If a character has any accessibility needs, they will be found here. It's about then they will feel a sharp pain at the back of their eyes, almost like there’s a foreign body lodged on the inside of their head. This pain will subside quickly as their body adapts to the changes, but there will always be a sensation of something being not quite right; that their bodies have been changed forever. They would be correct in thinking that. In the pod, all Outsiders have been surgically fitted with ocular and brain implants that will enable them to communicate with LILITH and the rest of the crew, as well as providing them the information they require. Almost like a computer screen has been loaded into their brains, they will see a loading screen as the implant completes its download. A questionnaire will then pop up, waiting for their answer. A voice, robotic and feminine, will also read along in their brain for them.
█ █ █ LOADING COMPLETE … BEGIN ORIENTATION …
The system will give Outsiders one chance to provide a truthful answer and choose their username and civilian identity. Should they refuse to cooperate, the implant will download the answer directly from their brain (and give them a username or civilian name against their will). This questionnaire will then be posted on the network for all to view and reply to. Almost like an ice-breaker, if you will. LILITH wants all their newest recruits to learn about each other!
Outsiders will receive a quick brief about their situation: they will be told that the year is 2278 and they have been taken to Neo Tokyo, one of the last bastions of mankind in a world terrorized by various Kaiju and monsters. Only a third of the population remains, and LILITH has gathered talented people from other dimensions here as a last ditch effort to save humanity. Outsiders are free to continue asking LILITH questions through their implant, but there’s no guarantee that they will provide them with a straight answer …
Outsiders will also notice an implant in their dominant wrist. This implant has a barcode in it that will enable them to purchase goods from the local stores in Neo Tokyo. They will receive a starting balance of 15,000,000 KRYPTOS (about USD 100), which is barely enough for a few good meals, groceries, and supplies. They can view their current balance through a hologram window projected by their ocular implant.
While there would normally be a meal available for them in the cafeteria, this doesn’t seem to be the case this time. Robots working within the cafeteria will instead be handing out a small array of food: blood sausages, blood soup, pumpkin curry, candy corn, and iron pills to each Outsider. The blood for the sausages and soup are supposedly from donations and whatever was left from the medical bay. There will be enough iron pills for people to distribute amongst their teammates if needed, as well as other supplements.
That familiar robotic voice is heard again:
"Yeah, this one will do; let's take them to the rest." That's all you see before losing consciousness again, only to wake up in a pod with many others.
"Your questions will be answered soon enough, as I'm sure you will have many," a female, robotic voice says.
Just then, your pod opens in a dim corridor with many others. Your new life is about to begin... whether you like it or not.
The pods drain their stasis fluid which wakes each Outsider. Outsiders emerge from their pod in only their undergarments which have been supplied to them, and head to a locker room in the medical bay to find a towel to dry off with and a set of gray loungewear to wear as LILITH makes the final decision in assigning the Outsiders to their rightful teams. If a character has any accessibility needs, they will be found here. It's about then they will feel a sharp pain at the back of their eyes, almost like there’s a foreign body lodged on the inside of their head. This pain will subside quickly as their body adapts to the changes, but there will always be a sensation of something being not quite right; that their bodies have been changed forever. They would be correct in thinking that. In the pod, all Outsiders have been surgically fitted with ocular and brain implants that will enable them to communicate with LILITH and the rest of the crew, as well as providing them the information they require. Almost like a computer screen has been loaded into their brains, they will see a loading screen as the implant completes its download. A questionnaire will then pop up, waiting for their answer. A voice, robotic and feminine, will also read along in their brain for them.
█ █ █ LOADING COMPLETE … BEGIN ORIENTATION …
Name:
Username:
Civilian Identity:
Age:
Species:
Origin:
Blood Type:
Do you believe in ghosts?
The system will give Outsiders one chance to provide a truthful answer and choose their username and civilian identity. Should they refuse to cooperate, the implant will download the answer directly from their brain (and give them a username or civilian name against their will). This questionnaire will then be posted on the network for all to view and reply to. Almost like an ice-breaker, if you will. LILITH wants all their newest recruits to learn about each other!
Outsiders will receive a quick brief about their situation: they will be told that the year is 2278 and they have been taken to Neo Tokyo, one of the last bastions of mankind in a world terrorized by various Kaiju and monsters. Only a third of the population remains, and LILITH has gathered talented people from other dimensions here as a last ditch effort to save humanity. Outsiders are free to continue asking LILITH questions through their implant, but there’s no guarantee that they will provide them with a straight answer …
Outsiders will also notice an implant in their dominant wrist. This implant has a barcode in it that will enable them to purchase goods from the local stores in Neo Tokyo. They will receive a starting balance of 15,000,000 KRYPTOS (about USD 100), which is barely enough for a few good meals, groceries, and supplies. They can view their current balance through a hologram window projected by their ocular implant.
While there would normally be a meal available for them in the cafeteria, this doesn’t seem to be the case this time. Robots working within the cafeteria will instead be handing out a small array of food: blood sausages, blood soup, pumpkin curry, candy corn, and iron pills to each Outsider. The blood for the sausages and soup are supposedly from donations and whatever was left from the medical bay. There will be enough iron pills for people to distribute amongst their teammates if needed, as well as other supplements.
That familiar robotic voice is heard again:
"Greetings, my name is SYNTHIA and I will be taking care of you today while the rest of the crew is occupied. Worry not, my children. You are in safe hands."
▶ 002. SIMULATION.
Outsiders are provided sufficient downtime after the last optional mission. Additionally, LILITH will still be offering the same services as the aftermath of the previous battle, including the usual medical assistance and therapy. Those who have lost body parts will be provided a synthetic replacement when they are ready. This replacement will function just like the body part that is lost and can look way cooler (up to you) or blend in with a character's natural body (also up to you.) Refer to our rewards page for more information. Characters will receive a replacement prosthetic (e.g. the basic prosthetic arm/leg/eye) but will need to put in a reward request to further enhance their prosthetic (e.g. to buy a machine gun for their prosthetic arm).
Just because LILITH provides therapy, doesn't mean a character has to go, but the option is there. Outsiders may also be encouraged to visit these facilities, depending on their general mood, which occasionally seems tracked through their oculars. Team members will also be incentivized to reach out to one another to check in and provide some much needed emotional and/or physical support.
While not required, LILITH will still resume its usual simulation training, and those who desire to participate will be asked to arrive at the simulation in varying intervals in their LILITH-issued plugsuits. The design of this simulation will be a bit different and will take on the form of a horror and/or survival game: participating Outsiders will be expected to complete puzzles and make it through various levels of difficulty in order to complete the simulation.
Each Outsider will open their eyes to what appears to be an abandoned town. The town almost appears to be colorless in many ways and is covered in a light fog. The simulation will provide various objectives that range from protecting a single civilian or child found in the midst of this town, to defeating several monsters. The monsters will be reminiscent of any monster the Outsiders have already seen before, the only exception being the “final boss.” During the final boss fight, Outsiders are encouraged to give it their all and push their abilities in order for LILITH to be able to better gauge everyone’s abilities and growth.
Besides, it wouldn’t be considered an actual simulation without a proper battle.
█ █ █ MONSTER DEBRIEF SHEET:
NAME: TRIANGLE HEAD
HEIGHT: 3 METERS
WEIGHT: 300 KG
CLASS: UNKNOWN, CANNOT BE CLASSED.
THREAT LEVEL: MODERATE-SEVERE
LOCATION: Unnamed City, USA
ABILITIES: Able to appear from people’s shadows, able to instill a sense of fear in others. Wields a sword, which it also utilizes as a long ranged weapon.
WEAKNESS: Susceptible to the emotions of the other party. The more acceptance they have in their hearts, the less powerful it becomes.
EXTRA NOTES: Once it is able to instill fear on its target, it is able to cast illusions. These illusions can differ from person to person, but seems to make them confront their biggest fears.
█ █ █ MISSION OBJECTIVE:
✖ Identify any living civilians and take them to safety bunker while fighting off monsters.
✖ Take out all monsters and/or kaiju that are in the area.
✖ Protect safe zones.
✖ Defeat TRIANGLE HEAD.
EXTRA NOTES: Assisting other Outsiders and working together also increases the overall score.
█ █ █ ATTACHED PHOTO:
At the end of the simulation, they will be rewarded with a little pin that says: “I’ve survived ☺” with either a cat, ghost, or witch on it. Outsiders may challenge this as many times as they would like. Unfortunately, as this “horror simulation” hinged deeply on the subconscious, some will find that after the simulation is complete, they may have residual fear left in their bodies that trigger at random times. Whether this be when they’re going to the bathroom at 2 AM, or they’re in the middle of the cafeteria grabbing a late snack. They may also have the feeling that they hear monsters lingering around base, and be struck with the sudden fear that they’re being followed.
While LILITH will rework everyone’s oculars in order to deal with this problem, in the meantime, they suggest watching heartwarming videos and shows. LILITH will have a library of suggestions, including old Christmas movies, cartoons, and even old episodes of reality TV to act as an appropriate distraction. Maybe arrange a comforting sleepover party?
Just because LILITH provides therapy, doesn't mean a character has to go, but the option is there. Outsiders may also be encouraged to visit these facilities, depending on their general mood, which occasionally seems tracked through their oculars. Team members will also be incentivized to reach out to one another to check in and provide some much needed emotional and/or physical support.
While not required, LILITH will still resume its usual simulation training, and those who desire to participate will be asked to arrive at the simulation in varying intervals in their LILITH-issued plugsuits. The design of this simulation will be a bit different and will take on the form of a horror and/or survival game: participating Outsiders will be expected to complete puzzles and make it through various levels of difficulty in order to complete the simulation.
Each Outsider will open their eyes to what appears to be an abandoned town. The town almost appears to be colorless in many ways and is covered in a light fog. The simulation will provide various objectives that range from protecting a single civilian or child found in the midst of this town, to defeating several monsters. The monsters will be reminiscent of any monster the Outsiders have already seen before, the only exception being the “final boss.” During the final boss fight, Outsiders are encouraged to give it their all and push their abilities in order for LILITH to be able to better gauge everyone’s abilities and growth.
Besides, it wouldn’t be considered an actual simulation without a proper battle.
█ █ █ MONSTER DEBRIEF SHEET:
NAME: TRIANGLE HEAD
HEIGHT: 3 METERS
WEIGHT: 300 KG
CLASS: UNKNOWN, CANNOT BE CLASSED.
THREAT LEVEL: MODERATE-SEVERE
LOCATION: Unnamed City, USA
ABILITIES: Able to appear from people’s shadows, able to instill a sense of fear in others. Wields a sword, which it also utilizes as a long ranged weapon.
WEAKNESS: Susceptible to the emotions of the other party. The more acceptance they have in their hearts, the less powerful it becomes.
EXTRA NOTES: Once it is able to instill fear on its target, it is able to cast illusions. These illusions can differ from person to person, but seems to make them confront their biggest fears.
█ █ █ MISSION OBJECTIVE:
✖ Identify any living civilians and take them to safety bunker while fighting off monsters.
✖ Take out all monsters and/or kaiju that are in the area.
✖ Protect safe zones.
✖ Defeat TRIANGLE HEAD.
EXTRA NOTES: Assisting other Outsiders and working together also increases the overall score.
█ █ █ ATTACHED PHOTO:
At the end of the simulation, they will be rewarded with a little pin that says: “I’ve survived ☺” with either a cat, ghost, or witch on it. Outsiders may challenge this as many times as they would like. Unfortunately, as this “horror simulation” hinged deeply on the subconscious, some will find that after the simulation is complete, they may have residual fear left in their bodies that trigger at random times. Whether this be when they’re going to the bathroom at 2 AM, or they’re in the middle of the cafeteria grabbing a late snack. They may also have the feeling that they hear monsters lingering around base, and be struck with the sudden fear that they’re being followed.
While LILITH will rework everyone’s oculars in order to deal with this problem, in the meantime, they suggest watching heartwarming videos and shows. LILITH will have a library of suggestions, including old Christmas movies, cartoons, and even old episodes of reality TV to act as an appropriate distraction. Maybe arrange a comforting sleepover party?
▶ 003. THIS IS HALLOWEEN.
Outsiders who choose to venture out into Neo Tokyo will find the city bustling with life, just as it always is. Halloween has always been a holiday well loved and celebrated in Neo Tokyo, and not even the very real threat of kaiju can dampen the spirits of the people. If anything, being able to find some humor in the sordid state of the world seems to be keeping the spirits of the people up. The fact that some people are walking the streets dressed up as very real kaiju that have attacked the city before seems to prove this point.
Though Halloween is over, the celebrations are dragging on for longer than usual this year. Lucky you, right? After a month of loss and devastation in Transylvania, you still get to enjoy Halloween! Shops, restaurants and bars are milking this holiday for what it’s worth while they still can. They come fully decked out in spooky decorations - skeletons, cobwebs, jack-o-lanterns, and the occasional witch cauldron! Outsiders may simply enjoy the sight of costumed locals wandering the streets, but if they feel inclined to dress up as well, they can buy a costume from a store or use their style upgrade to make a costume (or simply assume that the style upgrade chip had glitched them into a particular costume). Some events running in the city include:
With the popularity of Halloween, law enforcement is on high alert for unruly characters and will be breaking up gatherings of too many people or arresting anyone appearing to be heavily intoxicated in public. There’s a certain gang of trouble-makers who seem to be finding joy in scaring people for real, and they do this by dressing up in clown costumes and chasing people down the street with real weapons. There have even been reports of these hooligans assaulting people for real. Any Outsider who can wrangle these trouble-makers and present them to law enforcement will receive a decent reward from the city.
For the period of Halloween, LILITH has given clearance for inhuman Outsiders to roam the streets without their cloaking disguises. They might get many compliments for their impressive ‘costumes’.
Though Halloween is over, the celebrations are dragging on for longer than usual this year. Lucky you, right? After a month of loss and devastation in Transylvania, you still get to enjoy Halloween! Shops, restaurants and bars are milking this holiday for what it’s worth while they still can. They come fully decked out in spooky decorations - skeletons, cobwebs, jack-o-lanterns, and the occasional witch cauldron! Outsiders may simply enjoy the sight of costumed locals wandering the streets, but if they feel inclined to dress up as well, they can buy a costume from a store or use their style upgrade to make a costume (or simply assume that the style upgrade chip had glitched them into a particular costume). Some events running in the city include:
- Bars and clubs are serving Halloween themed drinks and food. Some examples of this would be alcohol served in a jack-o-lantern or smoky cauldron, blood-themed cocktails, cookies with frosted spiders on them, candied apples, pumpkin-flavored food and many more. Feel free to make up your own.
- The Harlem bar in Tokyo is hosting a Halloween rave with drinks, music, and a costume party! The customers with the most impressive, scariest, or sexiest costume get to be crowned king or queen of the bar for the night and will be treated to bottomless drinks and a 50,000 KRYPTO gift card.
- The Tachikawa region of Neo Tokyo is hosting their annual yokai festival! People are filling the streets wearing masks or dressing up as yokai, and coming to the festival in a costume is mandatory or you will be turned away. Don’t worry, a face-painting stall has been set up to help characters become the yokai of their dreams! Live music is playing, people are dancing, and there are numerous stalls selling traditional snacks and yokai-themed foods.
- Pop-up haunted houses and zombie houses are still running in the area! Test your courage by wandering through a spooky, dark room filled with ghastly ghouls, zombies and werewolves (who happen to be … robots or people in costume). Or perhaps you fancy a zombie run event in the dead of the night? Being chased by zombie actors and robot zombies sounds like an excellent way to get some cardio in. (These zombies and ghouls are paid actors and will not harm the customers in any way, so any violence against them is prohibited and will get you kicked out.)
- The Bandai store is excited to reveal its latest holographic virtual pet: Kasper! Kasper exists as a keychain of a cartoon ghost. When turned on, it projects the hologram of a cutesy-looking ghost into the air. This small ghost can float around in the air and phase through walls and people. It is programmed to behave like a pet, coming to its owner when called, enjoying being petted, and getting into some mischief on occasion. Very much like a Tamagotchi, Kasper needs frequent attention or he will fade away and the user will need to start the game over. Outsiders may purchase this toy if they wish. It is for leisure purposes only and cannot be used for carrying things or espionage.
With the popularity of Halloween, law enforcement is on high alert for unruly characters and will be breaking up gatherings of too many people or arresting anyone appearing to be heavily intoxicated in public. There’s a certain gang of trouble-makers who seem to be finding joy in scaring people for real, and they do this by dressing up in clown costumes and chasing people down the street with real weapons. There have even been reports of these hooligans assaulting people for real. Any Outsider who can wrangle these trouble-makers and present them to law enforcement will receive a decent reward from the city.
For the period of Halloween, LILITH has given clearance for inhuman Outsiders to roam the streets without their cloaking disguises. They might get many compliments for their impressive ‘costumes’.
▶ 004. BLOOD DRIVE.
Not only is the mission to Transylvania highly classified, but the existence of vampires amongst the Outsiders is also classified information. For the sake of Neo Tokyo’s stability, LILITH will be ordering all Outsiders to keep this information under wraps. Thankfully, a fanged vampire would not look too out of place amongst the many costumed crowds in Neo Tokyo. In fact, play into the vampire theme, and you might even get your picture taken! You don't need to answer them when your image doesn't show up on film, it's all part of the magic with nowadays technology.
As Dr. Spim works tirelessly on a cure, freshly turned vampires will need to find ways to cope with the changes. A special monitor will be added to their implant that will alert them when they are dangerously low on blood and need to feed. If they continue to ignore these warnings, LILITH security robots will prevent them from leaving the base, forcing them to feed on a blood bag or find a friend to feed on. With some Outsiders going feral from their thirst for blood, LILITH simply cannot allow the people of Neo Tokyo to be put at risk. Vampires who are sensitive to the sun (it's up to you if you would like them to be a daywalker or not) will be given medicated sunscreen that will offer some protection from the sun. It is still recommended that they wear protective clothing and stay in the shade, however.
With the grave hit that LILITH has taken following the last mission, LILITH’s blood bank is running lower than ever before. Not only did the wounded require blood transfusions, but a good number of Outsiders have been turned into vampires and require a regular food source. A creative solution has been proposed: it’s time for a blood drive! LILITH has set up a medical booth in the streets of Shibuya where volunteers and Outsiders may visit and donate blood. For some added irony, the blood drive is vampire-themed, but LILITH would prefer that Outsiders not tell the donors about the fact that some of their blood will go on to feed actual vampires.
Donors rest on one of the comfortable chairs provided, and a trained medical staff or robot will prick them, drawing out enough blood to fill a bag. Those who do not know their blood type can be tested today and get a cute sticker with their blood type on it! Outsiders may become donors themselves or volunteer to prick others; specialized training will be provided for volunteers. There is a refreshment and relaxation area providing beverages and a light meal (such as little cakes, small sandwiches and onigiri) to all donors.
▶ 005. THE ORPHANS.
Following the mission in Transylvania, several cultist children have been brought back to base. LILITH has prepared a holding area with beds for them to stay in temporarily as a long-term solution is prepared.
These children are understandably very affected by what had happened to them and the town they once considered home. In their perspective, LILITH Outsiders had come out of nowhere and the adults in their town had treated them with hospitality. It was typical for the people of the town to occasionally disappear, and the adults would call it being ‘chosen’ by the Lord of the Forest. What was not typical was what had happened in late October: how chaos had emerged between the people of the town and those from outside, which led to parts of the village being burned down, food being taken, and children being whisked away to this mysterious land.
Someone should probably fill them in on the real story.
Being ripped away from your entire world in such a drastic and violent way would not be easy for anyone to cope with. Most of the children appear miserable and withdrawn, some refusing to eat, some crying in their corners and some refusing to speak. While most of the children are shaken with terror, a few of them cope with their raw emotions by lashing out, hitting the other children, kicking the walls and throwing things at other people. The road to recovery for them appears to be a long one, and currently, it’s not clear if they even can go on to live a normal life after everything they have been through.
Since the Outsiders now have some time on their hands, they are heavily encouraged to make an organized effort to help these children. The holding area looks as clinical as any other hospital room and could use …warmer decor. The area is also bereft of toys or anything a child would typically enjoy, so there’s little for these troubled children to do but sit in their corners feeling miserable for themselves. LILITH does provide robot nannies capable of changing diapers and teaching mathematics, but they are cold and emotionless, lacking any real affection. Presently, LILITH does not have the funds to do anything more than meet these childrens’ basic needs, so they are counting on the Outsiders to provide their support in any way they know how. Keep them company? Teach them something new? Give them treats? Take them trick-o-treating? Every Outsider has a different skill to offer.
Outsiders who gain the trust of certain children will be granted clearance to take them around the base and into the city of Neo Tokyo. These children have grown up isolated from modern technology and people outside their town–the sights and sounds will be overwhelming for them, especially with so many people in costumes, so field trips need to be planned carefully.
While still in the early stages, the Outsider known as PUNISHER (Nicholas D. Wolfwood) has proposed that an orphanage be raised to provide shelter for disadvantaged children in Neo Tokyo. LILITH has plans to make a generous donation to this project, and is calling on Outsiders to raise funds however they see fit. Some examples on how to raise funds include: speaking to investors for toy companies, spreading awareness to their social media followings, putting up musical performances or selling merchandise. (If you wish to have your character gain fans or a following online to aid in the fundraising, you do not need mod permission and can just assume it happens.)
These children are understandably very affected by what had happened to them and the town they once considered home. In their perspective, LILITH Outsiders had come out of nowhere and the adults in their town had treated them with hospitality. It was typical for the people of the town to occasionally disappear, and the adults would call it being ‘chosen’ by the Lord of the Forest. What was not typical was what had happened in late October: how chaos had emerged between the people of the town and those from outside, which led to parts of the village being burned down, food being taken, and children being whisked away to this mysterious land.
Someone should probably fill them in on the real story.
Being ripped away from your entire world in such a drastic and violent way would not be easy for anyone to cope with. Most of the children appear miserable and withdrawn, some refusing to eat, some crying in their corners and some refusing to speak. While most of the children are shaken with terror, a few of them cope with their raw emotions by lashing out, hitting the other children, kicking the walls and throwing things at other people. The road to recovery for them appears to be a long one, and currently, it’s not clear if they even can go on to live a normal life after everything they have been through.
Since the Outsiders now have some time on their hands, they are heavily encouraged to make an organized effort to help these children. The holding area looks as clinical as any other hospital room and could use …warmer decor. The area is also bereft of toys or anything a child would typically enjoy, so there’s little for these troubled children to do but sit in their corners feeling miserable for themselves. LILITH does provide robot nannies capable of changing diapers and teaching mathematics, but they are cold and emotionless, lacking any real affection. Presently, LILITH does not have the funds to do anything more than meet these childrens’ basic needs, so they are counting on the Outsiders to provide their support in any way they know how. Keep them company? Teach them something new? Give them treats? Take them trick-o-treating? Every Outsider has a different skill to offer.
Outsiders who gain the trust of certain children will be granted clearance to take them around the base and into the city of Neo Tokyo. These children have grown up isolated from modern technology and people outside their town–the sights and sounds will be overwhelming for them, especially with so many people in costumes, so field trips need to be planned carefully.
While still in the early stages, the Outsider known as PUNISHER (Nicholas D. Wolfwood) has proposed that an orphanage be raised to provide shelter for disadvantaged children in Neo Tokyo. LILITH has plans to make a generous donation to this project, and is calling on Outsiders to raise funds however they see fit. Some examples on how to raise funds include: speaking to investors for toy companies, spreading awareness to their social media followings, putting up musical performances or selling merchandise. (If you wish to have your character gain fans or a following online to aid in the fundraising, you do not need mod permission and can just assume it happens.)
▶ 006. AFTERWORD.
Welcome to our 7th TDM! All TDM threads are game canon and characters who don't app will be glitched out of this world. As the TDM will act as the event, existing characters are heavily encouraged to participate. Please use this format for top levels: CHARACTER | CANON | CURRENT / NEW CHARACTER.
There are currently 8 available player slots. New players are welcome to use this TDM to get samples for when APPLICATIONS open.
Use the code provided in the ARRIVAL prompt if you'd like to participate in the ice breaker, and place it in your top level along with your other prompts. Anything such as civilian name or username can be marked as UNDECIDED if you're unsure of what you'd like your character to have for now. Though it says 'Orientation', existing characters can still participate in the ice-breaker.
The monthly mingle will reveal information about payment for last month's mission and the winners for KO and top hit.
Please note that all tags in this log will count for 2 reward points each and will count towards November AC.
There are currently 8 available player slots. New players are welcome to use this TDM to get samples for when APPLICATIONS open.
Use the code provided in the ARRIVAL prompt if you'd like to participate in the ice breaker, and place it in your top level along with your other prompts. Anything such as civilian name or username can be marked as UNDECIDED if you're unsure of what you'd like your character to have for now. Though it says 'Orientation', existing characters can still participate in the ice-breaker.
The monthly mingle will reveal information about payment for last month's mission and the winners for KO and top hit.
Please note that all tags in this log will count for 2 reward points each and will count towards November AC.
TDM #7 BREAKDOWN/RECAP (CLICK TO EXPAND)
1. ARRIVAL PROMPT: Newcomers arrive with ocular and brain implants, and are given a breakdown of the premise with an icebreaker orientation to complete. Newcomers are placed in gray loungewear while they are being sorted into teams. Blood based food will be served for all vampire turned Outsiders with Halloween themed food for non-vampires. Characters who lost a body part or two in Transylvania may get a free prosthetic when they are ready. On-base therapy and counseling sessions are offered.
2. SIMULATION: An optional simulation prompt featuring TRIANGLE HEAD is offered in a survival-horror themed simulation. Some after affects from this simulation may cause characters to feel fear and panic and are encouraged to watch comforting videos, possibly together, to counteract the side effects.
3. THIS IS HALLOWEEN: Halloween celebration spills into November with Halloween themed bars, costume parties, youkai festival, and the reveal of Kasper, a hologram virtual pet. Troublemaking gangs dressed as clowns wreck havoc when they see a chance and Outsiders are free to intervene for a reward.
4. BLOOD DRIVE: A blood drive to aid in feeding vampiric Outsiders is offered in Shibuya. Outsiders may be donors or phlebotomists for this task.
5. THE ORPHANS: Cultists orphans are held on base while LILITH works on establishing an orphanage for both cultist children and orphans on the street. Outsiders are encouraged to take care of them and even take them trick-or-treating until their new home is ready.
002
she's not the type to go to these things too, but this time, she chooses to be alone in a crowd and lets herself get swept away -- and almost bump into a familiar face. well, it's less familiar and more like a face she's seen in passing in base, a guy who's often with dearka it seems, but details, details. ]
Huh. It's that weird to you?
[ she tilts her head, her witch hat almost threatening to fall off her head. whales come in many forms to her, after all. ]
no subject
Well, it's not like whale skeletons are a common sight on the norm. And I don't even live on Earth where the living ones are.
But, we've got a fossil on display in my homeland's capital city, of ...
[ He wrinkles his nose slightly, while he considers how to word it. ]
a whale with wings. If it's not an actual whale it otherwise looks exactly like one. But it was found on the moon of another planet, so it's an extraterrestrial creature that didn't come from anywhere around our galaxy.
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oh, but that's new information. one that gets her eyes to widen. ]
There... are Whales in space?
[ he really just had to tell the resident whale hunter this, huh ]
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It's news to us, too. Though we never found any signs of anything else but the fossil. And as far as we were concerned before that, alien life existed only in fiction. And now we've got something we've never seen before that looks just like something we have.
[ ... ]
That makes it sound like I'm creeped out about it. But it's actually an important symbol to my people.
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[ she stares at the skeleton again, her expression turning a touch wistful. ]
It's just hard for me to wrap my head around a little. I didn't even know it was even possible to reach the stars before I met the people here who have lived in space for most of their lives.
[ airplanes didn't exist where she's from, so imagine her surprise when they have to ride those in some of their missions from now on. it's wack. ]
Have you been to the ocean before, then?
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[ And it's certainly a part of why he's such a nerd for this stuff. Fiction can sometimes be so much more interesting than reality.
His face twists up into one of great annoyance when Ishmael mentions the ocean. ]
I have. I've only been down to Earth a couple of times - either for war or diplomacy trying to avoid starting a new one.
It's huge and it sucks! Though I think I'd still prefer it over a desert.
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[ IT'S SO WEIRD though she won't lie, it does have its perks. she would've died a long time ago if it weren't for marcille's healing magic coming in clutch.
but okay, she knows that other people can have their opinions, but that doesn't mean she'll have to tolerate hearing landlubbers (spacelubbers???) talk shit about the sea? skill issue right here. ]
You say that like space isn't any scarier. Isn't it dark out there? And how you couldn't breathe out there without any external help.
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He gives Ishmael such a skeptical look. ]
Haaah? The ocean is the same way! Dark and you can't just breath in it without the right technology. And I never said it was scary, I'm not scared of it! I just spent a ridiculous amount of time under water in a submarine. [ Alone. Alone. With his friends either dead, thought dead, or gone off for better things, all leaving him behind. But, you know, details. ]
You can at least see the stars in space.
... And the Earth. But on some nights that's actually obnoxious when I forget to close my curtains because it's so god damned big and bright.
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Well, you've got me there. At least you've been underwater before. Best of both worlds.
[ smh. ]
I guess what I'm trying to say, as a person who've never even considered the idea of space travel before, is that space is too wide and infinite. At least the ocean can only go deep for so long.
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Come to think of it, I'm not even sure if the entire ocean has even been explored. [ He shrugs a shoulder when he says that, since that's not any more than just an idle thought.
And following that spoken thought comes a brief stretch of silence. Yzak considers, one hand coming up to rub at the bandages around his neck. ]
One thing I'll give it credit for, is that for the few times we got see them ... the sunsets are pretty impressive.
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[ and she'd continue ranting about the horrors she'd encounter back home, but then he mentions the sunsets and her voice trails off. when was the last time she ever sat back and watched it, anyway? during the vegas trip, when they used to think that the worm was the least of them problems... ]
...But you're right. The sunset over the water are always pretty no matter where you are.
[ she would know. it's the reason why she'd grown out her hair, after all. ]
What else is up there in space? Have you ever seen a star up close?
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[ So in that sense, the future sort of blows even his mind as much as magic does. Because the sort of travel he's heard about being the norm ... is something those in Yzak's world can still only fathom. ]
But, you get 'close' to a star, and you die. It's physically impossible. The sun we see from here is the closest we'll probably both ever get to one. Telescopes and their ever-advancing technology take some pretty impressive photos, though.
It may not look it on dark nights where you can see a billion stars in the sky, but space is actually huge, dark and empty. Comparing the galaxy we live in to an atom in an ocean isn't even close. So as to what else is out there ... a hell of a lot of nothing yet everything imaginable.
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[ the City may not have blocked their skies completely from view, but there is a reason why air travel isn't freely available to its civilians. ]
But like space, the seas are just as terrifying. But I'd be repeating myself. [ hmm. ] Come to think of it, it's been almost a year since our first kaiju fight that took place at the ocean not too far from here. Who knows, maybe one day we'll get to fight them in space too.
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—that actually varies because of the differing orbits around the sun but I doubt you want to get in to all of that and I'm not in the mood to talk about it! [ PLEASE SHUT UP YZAK YOU FUCKING NERD. ]
But, my machine was built for space, so while I don't actually want the kaiju problem to spread that far, if it did, I'd be in my element.
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she wrinkles her nose. ]
I'll leave that up to you when it happens, I guess.
[ a pause, as she gives him a much thorough once-over. right, he was one of the people who were kidnapped. he looked like he'd seen better days, but at least he's here. at least he's alive.
life truly is unfair sometimes. ]
Hey. I'm sure you're sick of hearing this at this point, but... You're doing well now, right?
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[ By reflex, he brings a hand up to rub lightly at the bandages over his neck. ]
Yeah. It took long enough to get these procedures done; not being able to speak or use the ocular device to communicate was a pain in the ass! Even with Dearka's ... contribution to help with that.
[ In the interim Yzak was notably all around base with a whiteboard fitting of his image and using that (RELUCTANTLY) when he couldn't get a point across via expressions or gestures.
He lets out a huff through his nose after that tiny little frustrated outburst. ]
But I'm doing much better, now. Thank you. [ Physically ... mentally to an extent, too. Even if scars in both forms are going to linger, but ... he's unfortunately used to that. ] And I'd rather be sick of the question than not be asked it at all, because that would mean nobody gave a shit. [ And one thing Yzak is, beneath his prickly, cranky exterior, is a sensitive little man who wants to be cared about and liked. ]
You probably feel the same, but what about you?
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at that question though, it's her turn to bring a hand up to scratch awkwardly at her neck. ]
I was really hoping you wouldn't turn that question around on me...
[ but like he said, it shows that a person does care. this may be her first time talking to the guy, but she has seen him around with dearka, a guy she's talked to more often, and the two of them can't be any more different in terms of personality. she can feel a teensy bit of kinship as a result. ]
Obviously, I'm not fine. One of ours had died. [ and yzak may or may not have seen her carry a certain corpse out of the castle. ] It wasn't the first time that happened to me, so I'd say I have pretty bad luck in general.
[ a small, self-deprecating chuckle. ]
But... I know I will be okay. Getting there is going to take a lot of time, though. [ huffs. ] Anyway, I don't want to dwell on these depressing topics on such a fun holiday. Do you?
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Of course not! [ He crosses his arms, shifts his weight, tips his chin up a little for emphasis. ] But, even despite the experiences we may have with this sort of shit, it would have been extremely uncouth of me to not express my concern in turn. [ He is a POLITE GENTLEMAN! All cranky faces and yelling and cursing around the base aside.
And to Yzak's credit, he doesn't linger on the subject because he doesn't want Ishmael to feel as though he's overly pitying her or anything. He knows how this goes all too well himself. It sucks and it hurts and it doesn't go away, but you still want to reach for normalcy and any shred of feeling good in the form of something different so you're not just ... wallowing in grief and being asked if you're okay.
He reaches up to adjust the silver fox mask he has on his head, ensuring that it's still nice and secured. ]
Festivals like this are few and far between where I come from. Small events, but nothing so grand and widespread, as PLANT is more of a melting pot.
Not to mention, yokai and folklore like this is exactly the sort of thing I enjoy learning more about. [ And there's a slight perk up in his tone as he speaks this, unable to hide how nerdishly giddy he actually feels about it. ] So getting to involve myself directly in a celebration like this in the very place that it comes from is an opportunity I wouldn't have passed up even if I didn't have my voice back!