TEST DRIVE #002

[reveriemod]

TEST DRIVE #002

( 0 0 1 ) » WAKE UP

Were you asleep or were you unconscious? It doesn't matter: when you come to, there's an odd taste in your mouth and there's a low-level mechanical hum in the air. Your head hurts and you feel nauseous. You aren't anywhere you know: everything around you is metal, from the floor you lie on all the way to the ceiling. You are dressed in a jumpsuit you definitely weren't wearing before.

"We tried to save the world. I think— I think we did the opposite."

The message repeats on a loop. If you look for its source, you find a comms device on the floor next to you. The logo on its wallpaper says REVERIE TERMINAL. Upon closer inspection, you find the same logo on your jumpsuit.

Welcome to your new home. What choice do you have but to explore your surroundings?

( 0 0 1 . 1 ) » WAKE UP WHERE?

When you wake up, you find that you're not alone. But more importantly, you find that you're in a closet. An empty closet, bar you and your new companion. It's small, cramped, and there is no door that you can see. The ceiling is low, there is barely any lights, only some coming from the tiny flashlight clipped to your suit's shoulder. You cannot be sure that there is any air coming in to the room.

Are these grooves in the wall supposed to mean something?

( 0 0 2 ) » OBSERVATION DECK

There were no windows in the corridor you woke up in and no windows in any of the crew quarters you might have checked for occupants — but there are plenty of windows on the uppermost level of the station, deck 1. In fact, there are windows from floor to ceiling all along the circumference of the station's circular deck, and it's possible to walk along it all. What it shows is a strange solar system you've never seen before and a planet that might resemble one you know, but certainly isn't the same.

You're in space. You don't know where you are. Neither does anyone else.

( 0 0 3 ) » BAR

On deck 3, you find the bar. Tucked away from the crew quarters, it's dimly lit, there are bar stools thrown down on the floor and what looks like some very old drink spills, crusty and dark against the bar top. But there is alcohol here, or at least, what you think is alcohol, in bottles with faded labels, most of them indecipherable. Take a drink, get drunk, start a fight, or start a party? You're stuck on this station, might as well make the most of it, right?

( 0 0 4 ) » SPACEQUAKES

One second, you are is walking. Magnetic boots are on, the ground feels solid enough, for a metal deck in a space station. Everything is perfectly fine, or at least as fine as it can be, given that you still don't know where you are or how you came to be here.

The next moment, it's like everything explodes around you. You're thrown against the wall as sparks erupts from electrical panels, as the whole station rumbles and shakes around you. You fall to the deck, earning yourself scratches from the grating. When you look up, it's like nothing has happened. No wires hanging from open panels, no flickering lights, no more shaking. Like an earthquake in space.

( 0 0 5 ) » NETWORK

The comms device you found next to you when waking up connects to a station-wide network, REVERIE NET. You have the option to post video, voice or text messages.

What will you share?

( 0 0 6 ) » WILDCARD

The station features a variety of locations, from sleeping quarters free for the claiming to a dirty swimming pool and a bar that still holds alcohol (though some of the bottles seem to have been opened a while ago).

Go wild, but don't wreck the place. It's your home for the foreseeable future, after all.

Comments

padmé amidala naberrie | star wars

[senateur]

( 0 0 1 ) » WAKE UP

[ The memory of an explosion is what she wakes to, her body still aching from being thrown to the ground. She can still taste the smoke, though none of it clings to her clothes-- Jolting upright nearly leaves her physically ill, but she's too distracted to notice. Her flight suit has been replaced, she's in an unfamiliar corridor, and there's absolutely no sign of Typho, Cordé, or the rest of her entourage. She's just... alone.

Grabbing the communicator beside her on the floor, she stops the looped recording and climbs to her feet, taking just a few seconds to orient herself as best she can before setting off in a random direction. She needs answers and she's not stopping until she gets them. ]



( 0 0 3 ) » BAR

There has to be a reason we were brought here.

[ A bar wouldn't normally have been on her list of places to investigate, but considering she's already spent hours on the command deck and accomplished absolutely nothing for her efforts... Well, she's allowing herself exactly two drinks and one good rant before getting back to business. Hopefully her companion doesn't mind being peppered with questions. ]

What were you doing before you woke up here?

3

[adjy]

[ jyn doesn't often come here either, but when she'd seen a woman she doesn't recognize sitting alone she'd ducked inside. she isn't wearing the jumpsuit uniform, but rather her own layered outfit from home, a bit of kohl smudged around her eyes as she takes the seat next to padme near silently. ]

I agree. I don't believe something on this scale could be random.

[ she puts both her elbows on the bartop and leans into her arms before glancing over at her companion. something about her seems familiar in a strange way. ]

My team and I had successfully stolen the plans for the Deathstar from Scarif, effectively ending the Empire's reign over the people of my galaxy. Not that I expect you to know what any of that means, of course. Are you another person from the planet called Earth?

[senateur]

[ There's an air about the other woman that's reassuring to Padme - a confidence in her words and bearing that is recognized as that of someone who gets things done. It makes Padme sit up a little straight, look more intently at her companion, and completely forget about the drink in her hand. ]

Earth? I'm not sure I've heard of it. Is it part of the Republic? [ She'd thought she at least knew all the names of the members, if not their current representatives. ]

Scarif is in the Outer Rim, isn't it? [ She at least knew the Outer Rim planets in the quadrants near Naboo, she'd made certain of that in the years since her experience on Tatooine. ]

[adjy]

[ the republic. her eyes darken in recognition, scooting a little closer to padme. perhaps this conversation won't be a waste of her time after all. ]

Hardly. From what I understand it's in a galaxy far, far removed from ours. At least, if you recognize Scarif I assume you and I hail from the same place.

[senateur]

The way you say it, I'm led to believe there are many here who don't.

[ Which is disconcerting, to say the least. A great number of people from beyond their known universe, all brought here against their will with no sign of means or motive. It's like something out of fiction. ]

I'm from Naboo, but I had just landed on Coruscant for a meeting of the Senate.

[ An important meeting that she was furious to be pulled away from. If all of this were a little less fantastical, she would have blamed her kidnapping on the same party responsible for the assassination attempt. ]

[adjy]

The Senate. [ she takes a breath in. this place is too bizarre. ] I was raised on Coruscant, at least, for the first few years of my life. My father- [ was enslaved by- ] worked for the Empire.

[ he's trying to gage her reaction, weighing it carefully though she is already thinking this is another case of disparate timelines. ]

[senateur]

[ To hear the other woman speak of Coruscant is a relief; they are from the same galaxy, then, and for a fleeting instant Padme doesn't feel quite so alone. Incredibly fleeting, in fact.

With sincere apology in her voice, and a bit of dismay, she explains ] I'm sorry, but I'm not sure to which Empire you're referring. [ Because it's clear from the way it was stated that she's supposed to know this. ]

[adjy]

[ jyn breathes through her nose, trying to remain calm. ]

You must be from before their reign. All the better, then.

[senateur]

Are you all right?

[ There's something in the other woman's posture, breathing, something that hints that not all is well. The information Padme is missing is important, and suddenly it feels as if a shadow is looming over her, waiting to strike whatever blow she doesn't see coming. She's not entirely sure she's all right, to be honest. ]

[adjy]

[ jyn can't answer that so she doesn't try, instead locking eyes with padme and holding on obstinantly. ]

This place will make you want to question your sanity. Don't let it.

3 - or that time kylo ren was very nearly abe simpson

[warfares]

[ despite its reserves running low, the bar still enjoys enough foot traffic that it might almost be considered a social hub. Kylo Ren, behind the bar currently, looks up from the bottles he'd been inspecting when addressed, looking back at her over his shoulder and pausing, lower-lip caught between his teeth.

he knew that face. had never heard her speak, had never had that particular good fortune, but he knew her as well as he knew himself, as well as he could know anyone that had been dead for decades before the time of his birth. he knew her because his uncle had been sure that he know her, had shared with him often that one prized holo of her he'd managed to acquire. the rest he had learned later, piecing together what he could find.

to think that she would find her way here, of all places. ]

Likely so, [ he says, straightening himself to his full height, still dressed in the jumpsuit he'd worn upon first waking, ] though the purpose has yet to be determined.

I have not seen you here before.

[senateur]

[ There are so many strangers here and not a single familiar face. She's been trying not to let it get to her, reminding herself that she's been in far worse situations than this, but it still unsettles her -- even when facing down the entire Senate or battling against a droid army, she'd had her advisers nearby, her handmaidens and colleagues. In this, she is completely alone and entirely out of her element. ]

I only arrived a few hours ago. [ At least, she has to assume that's when she arrived. If she'd been here longer than that... ] That's when I woke up, anyway. I've been trying to find answers since then.

[ He's wearing the same jumpsuit as here, whereas she'd seen some others with different clothing. Was it a choice, or did he have nothing else? She moves her long, simple braid back over her shoulder and focuses her full attention on the man. ]

How long have you been here?

[warfares]

Months, [ the specifics are difficult to pinpoint, and while it's tempting to mark out the time according to whatever new disaster is thrown their way, it's somewhat lacking in accuracy. ]

What was the last thing you remember before waking here?

[senateur]

[ Months? Suddenly she doesn't feel quite as confident that this is something she can handle. If he'd been trapped here for months, then what hope did they have-- But no, new perspectives on a persistent problem could provide solutions, so that's just what she would have to be. A new, helpful perspective, asking questions and seeking out answers.

Beginning with the question he'd just posed to her. A similar one to what she's been asking anyone she comes upon, to be sure, but also... There's something about the way he asked it, the phrasing, that leaves her feeling that this conversation is more than it appears on the surface. ]

I was on my way to Coruscant for a meeting of the Senate. We'd just landed on the platform when my ship was attacked.

[warfares]

[ that doesn't really narrow things down, honestly. politicians, particularly during the days of the Old Republic, lived fraught lives. ]

I'm afraid you're quite a way from the Core, Senator.

[senateur]

So I've been informed. [ She's clearly not pleased with this fact. But there's little point in going on about it, so on to more important matters. ]

Do you know anything about why we were brought here, or by who?

1

[darkforce]

[there's a variety of choice curse words that escape him the moment that anakin wakes up. finding himself pressed face first into the corner of a hallway may not be the strangest position he's found himself in before, but it's certainly not a favourite. especially once he manages to right himself again, his back popping in a way that he hasn't felt in--

decades.

he takes a moment to breathe. to remind himself of how that feels. he's alive again, doesn't need to bury himself in machinery to survive. that he can feel that cold press of metal against his hand. the solidness of the floor.

that once familiar warmth in his chest that he's only ever felt when he's near a very small list of people.

padmé

twenty-three years. twenty-three years and he still feels like a bumbling teenager the moment he feels her presence. it doesn't keep him from moving though, his feet taking him in her direction despite the nervousness, the regret, the shame that sully his memories--

(he killed her. he's to blame. she should hate him.)

--but the idea of padmé being brought here is motivation enough to have him scramble round the corner, feet sliding as he finally catches sight of her and forces himself to stop. to leave the decision with her as to whether she even wants to be around him anymore.]

Padmé?

[senateur]

[ She's examining the logo emblazoned on the wall when she hears the unfamiliar voice say her name, her personal name rather than her official title. The voice is as strange to her as that design written on the wall and the jumpsuit she wears, the faded blue grey of it making her long simple braid of hair appear even darker. The braid sways as she turns toward the voice, wary curiosity coloring her expression as she studies the man. ]

I'm sorry, have we met?

[ There's no accusation in her tone, just proper formality - he might very well be the reason she's here, but it will do no good to fling about harsh words until she's established a former understanding of what's going on. ]

[darkforce]

[it's far from being the response he'd expected (anger and hate), and not even close to the one he'd hoped for (relief and happiness). her response isn't an act though. isn't an attempt at trying to ignore all that happened between them. all he did to her. it's genuine in a way that brings a bitter taste to his mouth.

she really doesn't know who he is.]

My apologies, Senator. [and doesn't that feel strange to say. to have to use a title again when it's just the two of them.]

Maybe you remember me from when I was a little... ["smaller". he motions a hand downwards, palm flat to demonstrate the word he doesn't say. a trace of a grin and he adds--] You never actually told me whether you were an angel or not.

[senateur]

[ The use of her title helps in a way she'd never have expected, that simple word offering a level of comfort and assurance that little else could. Finally, something that made sense.

Unfortunately, it was the only thing. ]

...Ani? [ The name that slips out is barely even a whisper, shock and disbelief gripping at her fiercely. It isn't possible. Even with the years that have passed since last she saw him, he couldn't be-- She steels herself, pulling on the strength that's seen her through nearly two decades of political battles, and her next words are firm and direct. ]

You can't be Anakin Skywalker.

[darkforce]

Apparently I can.

[though quite how this is happening, he doesn't know. being brought to this station, the two of them seemingly from different times-- there is a reason behind all this, he knows. but what the reason is hasn't been made clear yet.

it's the will of the force. he has to trust in it.]

It's...good to see you again. [to put it mildly. she may not remember anything about their life together, may not know how important she is to him. how deeply he loves her, even now. but the very fact that padmé is here, alive and well, means more to him than he can explain.

maybe this time he'll have an opportunity to not ruin everything. to keep himself from destroying her future.]

[senateur]

[ He'd expected her to recognize him. With the years between them, even more of them now, the only way she could have managed that was if they'd met again as adults. But they haven't-- not yet. Something is messing with them, messing with their lives in ways she's never heard of outside a holodrama. And yet, here they are. ]

And you. [ And it is. Her memories of the young boy on Tatooine war with the image of the man before who seems... Different. So very different. But now isn't the time for that. ]

I don't understand what's going on, but someone here must have answers. [ She's already turning as she speaks, picking a direction to head in to continue her exploration. There isn't any question of if he should or would follow, she simply expects that he will. ]

[darkforce]

[there's only the briefest of hesitation, a moment of uncertainty that keeps him from follow straight after her. but it's the knowledge that she hadn't outright dismissed him that has him relax enough to follow after padmé. he does keep a step behind her. a little off to the side so it at least doesn't seem like he's stalking her. though given that he's barely able to make himself look away from her, he doubts that would really make any difference to anyone who saw them.]

There are people here, but not enough to fill this place. A hundred at most.

[he's sure, if he really focused on it, he'd be able to count them all. but that involves having to sit still, having to meditate. even now, after all these years, it's a skill that's far beyond him to complete. so instead, a rough guess will have to do.]

I can't sense anybody familiar.

[that other force user though...]

[senateur]

[ It's been so long since their first meeting and so much has changed in her life that she doesn't notice his hesitation or the way he positions himself - it's so like how others automatically walk with her that it doesn't strike her as odd in the slightest. He's an acquaintance, not even really a friend now, and she lives and breathes authority. ]

There are a hundred people here?

[ There's incredulity in the words, and she has to remind herself that he had gone into training to be a Jedi. She has no reason to believe he didn't finish that training, and it does seem like information a Jedi would be able to ascertain easily enough. ]

Can you tell if there's anyone-- I don't know, suspicious?

[darkforce]

The structure itself feels...off. But there aren't any people who stand out.

[which technically isn't a lie. not with the question she's posing. without meeting that force user in person, he can't say whether they're suspicious or not. can't know whether they're going to be a risk to the others there.

to padmé's safety.

though given that he became the biggest threat to her safety in the end, he probably isn't the right person to judge.]

So, you don't recall any of it? [who needs a segue?] Meeting me again? Or Obi-Wan?

[well, to his credit, he's at least able to say his former master's name without flinching.]