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Hathaway. ([personal profile] futurologists) wrote in [community profile] thirstology2018-04-01 12:05 am
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TEST DRIVE MEME

FANTASTIC MR. FOX


Welcome to Azeria, a small single-biome planet covered almost entirely by deep, mossy forests. The natives of Azeria, a sapient foxlike species called Vulphytes, have reached out to Hathaway for help in repelling a planetary invasion. Other Vulphyte tribes have sent word of dangerous aliens descending in silver machines and laying waste to the forest, killing and capturing Vulphytes and animals in their wake.

Hathaway analysts have calculated that the Merging is to blame for this sudden invasion; before, these two nearly identical universes didn't see each other, but now that they are one, these strangers are suddenly planetary neighbors. The aliens, seeing a new planet, must be searching for colonization prospects, while the Vulphytes are helpless against their spacefaring weaponry.
FOR NEW VOLUNTEERS.
After the freshly-recruited volunteers (i.e., newbies) are welcomed into Hathaway and given time to prepare on the spaceship Headquarters, they are sent via controlled interdimensional rift to the planet Azeria. On arrival, their magitek device announces the parameters of the mission: protect the Vulphytes and drive back the invaders.

FOR OPHELIA VETERANS.
Those who have already completed Mission: Hanabira are welcome to continue their leave aboard Headquarters, with Imogen sending them a message about an elective mission opportunity. Ophelia members who are interested need only head to the rifting pad on the upper deck, and they will be brought to the planet Azeria to assist the new recruits on their first mission.
On greeting the Hathaway agents, the Vulphytes will initially be very awkward and surprised, or as awkward and surprised as sapient foxes can appear. The Vulphytes speak telepathically, and eventually a spokesfox explains the cause of their discomfort: the invading aliens are humans, just like most of you.

PROMPTS

Your mission is simple: protect the Vulphytes, forests, and native animals from the invading humans. It's not necessary to kill all the invaders (unless you want to), simply keep them from taking the planet for their own and do a good enough job to persuade them never to come back. Of course, the invaders are a bit... forceful in their methods, so it's up to you.


ONE PREPARATIONS.
The Vulphytes live in a cluster of burrows which are unfortunately not large enough for anything human-sized to visit, but the presence of non-aggressive aliens (that's you!) is enough to get the majority of them to pop out and curiously observe. The Vulphytes are variably black, grey, or red, with fur transitioning to moss along their backs; animals you might see in the forest, including deer, rabbits, and owls, have a similarly moss-covered look.

The Vulphytes will take awhile to warm up to anyone who is human (or those who visibly look human), their telepathic tones suspicious as they ask questions about their loyalties, where they're from, and what their homeworlds are like. Those who are clearly not human will receive a much warmer reception, the Vulphytes asking curious questions and the Vulphyte kits trailing behind in fuzzy little rows.

When the invaders' silver machines -- spaceships -- become visible in the sky, through breaks in the tree canopy, the Vulphytes look skyward and begin to howl. It's a pre-battle ritual, one of them explains, and characters are invited to join in: howl to the sky, to your enemies, and get ready to fight.

TWO THE INVASION.
The silver spaceships of the invaders crash down through the trees, sending animals fleeing in all directions. The Vulphytes stay put, snarling in the direction of the noise and waiting for the invaders to come to them. If you'd like, you can rush forward and head them off -- or stay and fight alongside the foxes.

Just as the Vulphytes claimed, the invaders are human. They are dressed in armored space suits, the visors on their helmets obscuring their faces and reflecting the forest all around. Their weapons are various types of laser guns, though a few are holding axes that have laser blades, which they use to start chopping down trees as their compatriots march toward the Vulphyte dens.

The invaders are surprised to see people here, but they're not interested in talking: they open fire on anyone they see, not recognizing any of the recruits as their people and thus pegging them immediately as enemies. Though they're aggressive, they're not suicidal; if a single invader encounters too much violence or are outnumbered, they'll run back to their compatriots for reinforcements, so it's best to dispatch them quickly (or prevent them for running for help in some other way).

Once the invaders reach the Vulphyte dens, the foxes fight viciously, swarming individuals in a flurry of claws and snarling teeth. Kill the invaders or simply give them enough trouble to make them retreat for good, it's up to you. But either way, look after your furry/mossy hosts; despite their telepathic way of communication, the Vulphytes don't possess any magical abilities, so they'll need to be looked after in the face of laser weapons.

THREE BABYSITTER'S CLUB.
The baby Vulphytes are in the greatest amount of danger from the invading humans, being entirely unable to defend themselves and uncertain of what's actually going on. Hathaway has been tasked with rescuing them from their dens and whisking them away to safer areas away from the fighting where they can be cared for until the fighting is over. The only problem is that baby Vulphytes are... well, babies.

They're quite upset by all the ruckus, yowling in a way that resembles crying, and aren't exactly happy to be taken away by strangers they don't know. In fact, some of them might try to make a great escape, so you'd better be quick! Those who make it to a safe area will need consoling and, once that's done, entertainment. They'll also need their caretakers to make sure no invaders sneak up on them -- since some are hidden in the woods. It's a big job, but you can handle it, right?

FOUR VICTORY CELEBRATIONS.
Once the invaders are finally chased off, everyone gathers together to celebrate. The Vulphytes bow (as well as a fox can) as the team enters and apologize for their uncertainty before; they see now that many of you are nothing like the aliens who threatened them, despite your similar looks. They'd like you all to stay and celebrate, if you have time.

The celebrations are... a bit different than most might be used to; it's definitely not a human party. There are games with handmade balls of packed moss, which the Vulphytes seem to love. In fact, they go crazy for Fetch, a game they were never introduced to before due to their tragic lack of opposable thumbs. They "sing" for the team in howls, a rare example of adults not communicating telepathically.

As for the team, they receive a congratulatory message from Imogen on their magitek suggesting they take the rest of the celebration to meet and greet with the unfamiliar faces. There won't be much time to do so back at Headquarters, I'm afraid, she adds. Drakstaden awaits, darlings!

FIVE CHIT-CHAT.
It's your standard network option. Make battle plans, chat about how cute the foxes are, or share good hiding places. No matter what, you get one username to identify you and one only -- if you don't enter one, it will default to your real name (for example, Voldemort's would be tomriddle.) Choose wisely... or make it assfarts69, if that's your thing. More information on the jewelcomms can be found on the devices guide.

SIX WILDCARD.
Do whatever the heck you want! Go pick wildflowers. Climb a tree. Hunt animals. Loot innocent fox dens, you monster. The world is your oyster.


OOC NOTES

Welcome to the second test drive meme of Futurology Season 2! This test drive will function as an optional mini-mission for both new and current characters, similar in feel to the missions we have in-game but on a much smaller scale. Threads on this test drive are game canon by default unless one of the participants would like to retcon it. Current characters may use TDM threads for non-!plot AC proofs.

Both test drivers and current characters are welcome to top level! While current characters are allowed to tag other current characters, we ask that you please make an effort to be welcoming to test drivers as well!

Since incoming characters currently don't have official specializations, we have no specialized prompts. However, feel free to play as if your character is level 1 of whichever specialization you would like to choose.

Questions about the game in general can be directed to the FAQ.

If you've been with us before, you might notice things look a little different around here. Make sure you check out the welcome page for the basic rundown of how your character joined up with Hathaway. For further information about the game, the full navigation has all the links you'll need.

Upcoming Events (Futurology runs on timezone UTC):
  • 01 April: Reserves open.
  • 07 April: Open apps begin. Apps for new characters will close when all slots are filled or on 15 April.
  • 08 April: The dossier for the next mission, Drakstaden, is released.
  • 12 April: Welcome/CR Meme.
  • 15 April: Mission: Drakstaden begins. Apps close.
rejoins: (pic#10834430)

[personal profile] rejoins 2018-04-02 01:41 pm (UTC)(link)
Someone better suited would keep them from crying, I imagine.

[ Of course, while Noctis is playing cute with the babies, Ciri is kind of giving one a head pat and inching towards the entrance... ]

I'm thinking of leaving to go where I'm best suited. [ But, he was direct, talking about milk with a furrowed brow. ] You know they won't be quiet until their parents return, right?

[ But, she's not pulling for her sword and leaving for battle just yet. She slumps her shoulders and finds herself at the fire and milk. ]

The moment they're fed, I'm gone.
Edited 2018-04-02 13:41 (UTC)
rev: (pic#12127841)

[personal profile] rev 2018-04-03 03:12 am (UTC)(link)
Sounds like a bunch of excuses if you ask me.

[ Noctis ain't having it. he needs all the help he can get, and whether or not she thinks she's useless in this regard, she's here and he isn't planning on letting her go any time soon. he's appreciating that she is at least kind enough to give one attention, but he whistles softly at any attempt at making it seem like she is about to abscond. no. nuh uh. ]

I'd be better fighting too, but this is why we're here. The Vulphytes won't be very happy with us if we let their babies go missing.

[ he'll let her think she's leaving. so long as she's warming that milk for him, he is satisfied. Noctis will go ahead and take a seat at a stump next to the flame, rocking the screaming animal as if he's able to successfully put it to sleep. even he has to wince at how much it's making his head hurt, though. ]

Might want to consider sticking around. We're not exactly hidden, and I could use you if the colonizers find us.
rejoins: (pic#10834428)

[personal profile] rejoins 2018-04-03 10:30 pm (UTC)(link)
[ She sputters her lips. ]

Excuses? It's no such sort of thing!

[ But she has like, no excuse, though. Oops. She brushes a stray hand of ashen hair from her face out of frustration. As if she's trying to give him a serious look. She makes special care to pour the bowl of milk for them, setting two or three off to the side. ]

I'd like to hope me leaving would keep them from even getting close...
rev: (pic#12141040)

[personal profile] rev 2018-04-11 02:13 am (UTC)(link)
Got another name for it that I'm not aware of?

[ brushing her hair to play cute isn't going to let her get past him! as much as he would be okay with taking care of these dumb babies even when he doesn't know how to take proper care of himself, he's aware he can't manage this by himself. she might feel like she's been dealt a poor hand, but he needs her right now. there's no getting around that. ]

Glad to hear you're so confident, but I can't have you taking that chance. I need another pair of hands here, and until someone comes to fill your spot, you're not goin' anywhere.

[ but he does give a bit of a smile when she sets the milk down, as it does seem to calm some of the more hungry Vulphytes. ]

I'd say you must not like wildlife very much, but I'unno if I can call them that... Good thing they're too young to understand what I'm saying right now.
persists: (pic#12203522)

[personal profile] persists 2018-04-14 03:18 am (UTC)(link)
Not excuses, that much is certain.

[ Ciri isn't well-versed in this, but she isn't a stranger for offering reassurance to those who need it. She hopes these young ones were able to fully grasp the sympathy and feel at ease, but she doesn't have high expectations. ]

No, it's not that. They're easily the nicer variety of beasts I've ran across. Then, when their stomachs are full, they'll hopefully nap.