MISSION 001

[etrayamods]

WHO: Everyone!
WHEN: March 29th-April 20th
WHERE: Everywhere on Etraya
WHAT: Mission 001!
NOTES\WARNINGS: Potential violence, death.

⏵ mission prep ⏴ On the morning of the 29th, characters will receive a notification from Aurora to come to the hospital’s ground floor to prepare for their first mission. On this floor, pairs will be given slips of paper with matching numbers. If characters have chosen their partners, they too will receive small slips of paper with matching numbers, as these numbers match the room assignment they will be asked to please step inside. The rooms themselves are bare. There’s a cot, two chairs pushed up against a small table, a miniature fridge set up below a sink, and a television that only plays static. On the table is a note, which simply reads: Welcome. To prepare you for your first mission, we are giving you time to get to know your partner. You have a twelve-hour time limit to discuss your lives together. We recommend talking about moments throughout your life that have defined the person you have become. In addition, we have included several ingredients inside the miniature refrigerator. You must, without telling your partner specifically what it is, create their favorite drink using the ingredients within and above the refrigerator. Do not attempt to cheat. Do not make your own drink. If you pass, you will both be given two points and the door will unlock. If you fail, you may try again with the same partner or a new partner may be reassigned to you. Good luck. Within the mini fridge will be numerous ingredients - these ingredients could be anything, from Bantha milk to dragon fruit - whatever their favorite drinks are, they will find all the correct ingredients to make them. There will also be numerous extra ingredients. Maybe a character’s favorite drink is a nice cup of peppermint tea. The kettle, and the tea bags, will be present on top of the mini fridge, but there may also be soda bottles inside the fridge and various milk substitutes. Cheating by making their own drink will result in the game being reset, and a new partner being assigned or no partner at all being assigned and they will simply be removed from this part of the exercise. ⏵ the secret's out⏴ Numerous notes can be found throughout Etraya’s populated areas - falling from the sky, taped to doors, slid under them, or perhaps being handed out by a few of the companion bots who will eagerly note how these are meant to help, but a quick read may show that they’re not things anyone wants to be given out so freely. After all, on the notes are secrets, untold truths, things that were never meant to be shared nor wanted out in the open. Some of these aren’t notes at all, but small packages that are not addressed to anyone in particular, or addressed to the incorrect party. Inside the packages are items that may be associated with a particular event: a knife that had been used to betray a friend still stained with blood, a mask meant to conceal identity, a picture featuring a moment in time that had best been left forgotten. The goal of the game becomes clear by the notes written on the back or thin slips within the packages: match the secret to the person. You could simply ignore them, but the note also includes an addendum: more notes will continue to be sent until the person is matched to their secret. ⏵ cracked reflection ⏴ Every person is an intricate mosaic, composed of numerous facets that shape what makes them - themselves. After all, one person is not simply one picture, but rather, a puzzle comprised of myriad pieces. These pieces may shape their strengths, their sense of humor, the influences of their upbringing, and who they admired in their formative years. Together, these fragments coalesce into a singular form: you. But what if those pieces were rearranged? What if the fundamental aspects that define who you are simply… didn’t exist? What if, rather than being a courageous hero, you were cast as a formidable villain? What if, instead of pursuing the path that led you to greatness, you veered in a different direction? A new dawn breaks over Etraya. The artificial sun rises over the horizon, accompanied by the melodic chirping of birds. As the denizens of Etraya awaken, they sense... a shift in the air - a feeling of dissonance, as if a piece of themselves has suddenly gone missing. Because it has. Doubles of every current inhabitant of Etraya roam the corridors of the apartment building and the surrounding facilities. They let themselves into Roxx to get a few new outfits, get themselves a meal at the hospital cafeteria, or maybe they’re raiding the snack shelves at Kwik Trip. They may bear a striking resemblance to their counterpart and act very similarly, but there is something off about them. A quality that sets them apart. Remember that step you took, that led you to your current career? The step you’ve kept secret for so long, that has defined your actions ever since? They didn’t take it. They went down a different path, something darker, or perhaps something lighter. They took the path you most feared, the one you knew would turn out terribly. And they in turn - turned out for the worst. Characters will find they are facing one of their worst fears: themselves, but their worst selves. The version of them that they fought so hard not to become, that they strove against rather than towards. And the mission? They need to take out their worst selves. But there’s a twist: interaction with their doubles isn’t possible. Both halves are cognizant of each other’s existence, yet they are incapable of verbally or physically interacting with each other. And while the double understands what they are, the original? Well… how do you truly know you are who you’re supposed to be? What if you were the double all along? What if you are your own worst self? There is one way to be sure: the color of the copies’ blood is slightly darker than what it should be. Running closer to a red-black than the red you would anticipate. Or for some, perhaps their blood is red where it should be running black. While they feel and look real, driving a unique blade straight through where their heart would be will cause doubles to dissipate into nothing once the knife penetrates deep enough. As for the genuine articles, well, the blade is sharp—and it’s going to hurt. A blade is provided for every authentic copy. Those who were sleeping through the night will find it beside them upon awakening. As for those who remain vigilant throughout the night, the blade will manifest beside them in the early hours of April 2nd. Guess someone is going to have to kill your double. ⏵ quicksilver has no sense of tact ⏴ Aurora’s announcement left out several crucial details: the existence of the doubles, for one. But also the looming deadline to take care of the mess that has been dropped onto Etraya. Inside the characters’ wrists, they will discover a timer gradually counting down. The timers are only visible for the person who dons it, as is the amount of time given. Every person is given an individual time limit, but it cannot be longer than two weeks. As the numbers dwindle, more black marks appear going up the inside of their arms toward the inside of their elbow. And what are the black marks? With each additional black mark, they begin to feel… less like themselves, and more like their doppelgangers. In the beginning, maybe they barely notice the change. Maybe it’s a favorite food they loved that they now hate, or perhaps it’s an event that has shifted: something small but important - a decision to save a life changed to taking one. Maybe they’ll feel like a piece of themselves is no longer the same, replaced with another feeling or sensation. Where something would have usually made them empathetic to another's blight, now they find their suffering funny. Regardless, the longer their doubles are around, the longer they slowly begin to become their doubles - and their doubles begin to become just like them. If their doppelganger is not taken out at the end of their provided time, it will simply dissipate and the original will remain changed. The only way to return to normal is to kill the original. After death, the character will remain dead for twenty-four hours before returning to their normal selves as if the death had never occurred. While killing them to return them to normal is information Aurora will readily share, no one will inform them that they will simply return to normal by April 20th. ⏵ OOC ⏴ Welcome to the first mission! For any questions relating to this mission please reply below. All other questions can be directed to the FAQ. Please note that while ICly, characters are not given a choice, players can choose which missions they wish for their characters to participate in. They may have missed receiving room assignments, or their secrets may not have been dropped, or a copy may not have shown up for them. This may not always be an option in future missions! ⏵FULL NAVIGATION⏴

Comments

[shabuir]

[ Fett is quite used to people staring. He bears her scrutiny in silence, waiting for her to get over the shock most people seem to go through upon seeing a fully-armored Mandalorian for the first time. Fortunately, she collects herself relatively quickly. To her question, Fett delivers a single-syllable answer: ]

No.

[ Saying this, he begins to move past her towards the note on the table, just to check if any of the instructions have changed. Regrettably, they have not. He reads over them again with a growing sense of resignation. He might just have to brute force his way through this one—botch as many drinks as he needs to before he gets a partner with something simple enough that not even he can kark it up.

Though, it occurs to him now that if she's asking such a question, it might not be this woman's first attempt, either... ]

What about you?

[skaikru]

( oh, rough one word responses are something she can absolutely do here too. )

Second, ( clarke admits as her partner advances on the table to re-read the instruction note. same time limit, same prerequisites, same rules, exact same bullshit as before, and even knowing they'd both failed at least once prior doesn't do much to erase the sour set to her mouth. )

...She really meant it about not trying to cheat.

[shabuir]

[ It's not quite a comfort to know someone else has failed the task, but it is useful information. What could Echo be testing them for, Fett wonders? Intuition? Perseverance? Luck? Certainly it can't just be their bar-tending skills.

Already feeling somewhat foolish having told the Jedi about his life only to fail the drink-making portion of the test, Fett resolves to start with the drinks this time. He moves towards the small refrigerator, per-emptively bracing for another battery of unfamiliar ingredients—only to be met with a nearly empty fridge. There's just a pitcher of water and a tray of ice cubes.

...Maybe it really is just a matter of luck.

He turns his gaze back towards the woman behind him, silent for a moment as he considers what he might be able to say without it being counted as cheating. ]

How cold do you want it?

[ He shifts slightly so she can see the refrigerator's contents. It seems they've both lucked out this time; now they just need to avoid being failed on a technicality. ]

[skaikru]

( initially confused by the question, clarke takes a break from attempting to burn holes in the instruction pamphlet with just the thermal power of her own stare to look at her partner when he turns to her. she can't see anything past the dark slits in his helmet, but looks anyways; like she can map the general geography of the face beneath it and (presuming human) force a little eye contact. then her brow knits, and she drags her eyes to the barred shelves of the mini fridge only to note it's relatively bare except —

oh.

and:

huh. interesting. she may discount the notion of luck playing any part in this, but when the name of the game shifts from blindly groping in the dark to potentially streamlined efficiency she perks up a little. still perpetually unsure if she wants to play along and earn those points aurora had dangled above their heads without ever really explaining if they really helped their planets odds, but. better safe than sorry, right?

some of the initial frustration clarke had darkened the room with lightens; clouds parting for a singular ray of sunshine to break through. and looking at the cool, condensation slicked pitcher, the back of her throat feels suddenly dry and demanding. she is notoriously terrible for remembering when to stop, sit down, take care of herself, and indulge in creature wants. when was the last time she'd drank anything prior? this sudden new uprising across her tongue is thirst. )

I'm — ( she almost says something along the lines of just don't boil it and we're good but that feels like it brushes too close to instructing, and this close to the finish line she doesn't want to fumble. besides, at least for clarke, water in general has always been the want, with no special preference for how it was presented. so — )

...the exact opposite of picky.

[shabuir]

[ Fett nods, once, and though it's impossible to tell behind the layers of beskar and darkened transparisteel, he, too, feels the beginnings of relief. He reaches into the fridge and pulls out the pitcher of water, then takes a glass from the top of the fridge and brings it to the small table. "Ingredients" prepared, he simply pours a glass of water and hands it to the woman. ]

Good quality to have, [ he tells her, a rare note of approval in his usually dispassionate voice. ]

[skaikru]

( hard to grow up picky when the remnants of humanity barely have the bare necessities on hand at any given point. there are deep underlying reasons that clarke still finds herself awestruck by the amount of new clothing here; the readily available and hot buffet in the hospital cafeteria, the constantly restocking medicine in the higher levels of the hospital. there are true wonders in this world, but that doesn't mean she can entirely buy into them.

the glass of plain and simple water is offered out, and clarke accepts. raises the rim to her lips but still sniffs for any sign of contamination before taking a small sip. nothing offensive in scent or taste, the water is chilled and refreshing as it slides down her throat. she imagines that somewhere in the great ether beyond what they'd allowed to see, a little green light goes off announcing their pair has correctly guessed 1/2 portions of this game, and mutters mostly to little to herself — ) It's always better when it's not recycled.

sorry for the delay! was hosting a family member this past week

[shabuir]

[ Spoken like a true spacer. Fett knows what it's like to live a life with only the necessities, to the point where he himself has few things that might be called preferences. Indeed, there have been times in his life where his level of self-denial had felt almost religious. In that sense, he has softened some with age: he's now aware of his own preferences for things like the appearance of his armor or ship configurations for hyperspace jumps—and even preferences for certain people, as much good as it's done him in this mess. Still, he does have to think about what might constitute his preferred drink.

He's quiet for a few moments as he mulls it over, letting the woman enjoy her glass of water in the meantime. When she's done, he speaks up, inclining his head towards the fridge. ]

Cold, for me, [ he says, a touch tentatively. He's not sure he'll be able to forgive himself if he founders so close to the finish line because he couldn't figure out his own likes. ]

never any worries! hope you had an excellent time

[skaikru]

( clarke doesn't realize she's been nursing this glass of purified water for as long as she has — honestly, there's not a lot of difference in taste when it comes to recycled and freshly bottled water, it simply comes down to knowing where it came from and the rationing that always managed to leave one thirsty despite growing up on the bare minimum; more prominent is the lack of earthiness that comes from filling her own water jug and boiling it as best they could to avoid sickness on earth — until her partner speaks up. )

Oh — ( she says, about to apologize but foregoing it in the end. just standing up with the faint screech of chair legs on tiled floor and moving towards the little refrigerator.

aurora's voice doesn't suddenly filter into the room to announce their failure like last time, so he need not worry for too long. instead clarke's completely silent and all they hear is the clink of ice cubes clattering into a tall glass and the gurgle-gush of water being poured. then she's back, setting a cup of ice water so perfect it hasn't even started to sweat against the glass in front of fett and resuming her seat. )

thank you, i did! :)

[shabuir]

[ Fett isn't an optimist, not by a long-shot; part of him is waiting for Aurora's voice to fill the room, announcing another failure. At the very least, he's expecting to have to brace himself for another round of soul-baring just to get the shab'la door to unlock, but to his surprise, as the woman places the glass of ice water on the table in front of him, there's an audible thunk from the door as the lock disengages.

His head turns towards the sound and then back towards the woman. ]

Two points, [ he intones. He may sound as impassive as ever, but if Beviin were here, he'd probably be able to discern the nearly-imperceptible note of relief in his voice. ] Looks like we're done here.

[ He doesn't reach for the water at all. The woman seems to have a good head on her shoulders, but she's certainly not familiar enough to see him without his helmet. ]

[skaikru]

( the lock audibly out of place and clarke snaps her head around, wrestling with more surprise than she thought she would. just like that, huh? it's over, and wasn't nearly as terrible as she'd anticipated. it'd helped that the mini fridge was almost completely empty, and that her partner seemed about as keen as she was to use up the allotted twelve hours and fulfill the bonding prompt.

that's it. they're done. the legs of the chair scrape against the tile floor when she pushes to stand again, only to pause in the awkward limbo of task completion. should she say something? good game, or thanks, bye, or you're not going to drink it? probably smart, or this felt too easy, right? another half-dozen half-formed thoughts shift through her mind over the next two seconds, just to resolutely (awkwardly) land on: )

Well, nice to meet you. I'm Clarke by the way.