interstellar5555 | ☆TRACK VI: THE NEW AMERICANA

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☆TRACK VI: THE NEW AMERICANA

Who: All the rescuers...and DAFT PUNK.
What: The rescuers enter Vista City for the first time.
When: January 20th, 2055
Where: The ship, the coast, and outer Vista City.
Warnings: Could basically be anything.

“Viral mess turned dreams into an empire.
Self-made success now she rolls with Rockefellers.
Survival of the richest, the city's ours until the fall.
But we don't feel like outsiders at all.”

☆THE NEW AMERICANA

Your arrival on Tera doesn’t exactly happen with a bang – though maybe that’s a good thing, given that this is supposedly a stealth operation. The ship firsts touches down somewhere in the ocean, at which point it hovers above the waves for a few hours while Shep “touches base” with some “contacts.”

This is your time to get ready, to collect any gear you’ve been assigned, and to talk over initial plans with your new teammates. You’ve been given a rough outline of what to expect upon reaching actual land. You’re going to be dropped off in the ring of forested land outside of the city, at which point you are to access a hidden stash of supplies that has been planted there for you and head into the city, where a second stash of supplies will be waiting for you in the outer ring of the city.

It will probably be a long walk. From the onboard supplies everyone will be given the following:

ENGLISH LANGUAGE TRAINING: if your character doesn’t already speak English, they will be given some time with a crown like technological device that seems the be able to psychically teach people languages at a rapid pace. Whatever has been enabling communication so far won’t cover you once you enter the city, so it’s important that you’re prepared. How easily a person’s brain accepts this information will vary based on unseen neurological factors, and can range from perfect fluency to an uneasy second language. (On an OOC level, whether or not your character struggles with picking up English is completely up to you.) Most of this training will be done on the trip to Tera.
THEIR DESIGNATED TOOLS: any items your character was designated on your application will be given to them now. They’ll have some degree of choice in what they get, but everything is limited in supply. There are manuals for everything, but how much you can be fucked to read them will vary. Also, some of them aren’t in English or anything else even remotely recognizable.
COMMUNICATION DEVICES: Everybody will get a communicator, which are worn around the back of your ear and project a holographic field over your eyes when activated. The device itself must be manually switched on with your fingers, and from there on out your exact method of controlling it depends on the settings. Some of the more basic functions can be manipulated with “brain waves” (though nothing very complicated) and the rest is mostly voice or touch activated, though you can also set it up to be controlled with blinking and eye movement if you are a “pro”. Its functions include voice, voice-to-text, and a sort of janky manual text mode that you have to touch the screen to use. Video chat is not available, though it is capable of recording video from your POV to be shared manually after the fact. It can also share still images. Various channels can be set up and accessed, both private and public, much like a Teamspeak server is used in gaming.
HOLO EMITTERS (LIMITED): The amount of these available are limited by “plot convenience.” Do you want your character to have to struggle with their alien appearance to get by constantly? Then imagine there wasn’t enough of them to go around and your character was unlikely or benevolent enough to not receive one. Would you rather they have access to one? Then you can have one. A holo emitter is capable of projecting a holographic image around your character and disguising their appearance, the complexity of which is entirely up to you. The major problems with it are that 1) it can’t conceal things that the hologram doesn’t actually touch – cow horns could be covered in a hologram to look like a hat, but it couldn’t make them look as if there is nothing there at all, and 2) the holograms have no mass, and so if anyone tries to touch them they’ll realize they are just light projections. Also, like most of the equipment, they only work for a few hours before running out of power.

☆STASH NUMBER ONE: THE FOREST

Once Shep has made sure things are prepared and everyone has their stuff, the ship will very briefly skirt close enough to the shore for people to disembark. The beach seems totally free of witnesses, and once you’ve hit land it’s a short run to the tree line. A few random people will have map information uploaded into their communicators (Usagi, Saitama, Reborn, Pearl, and Sparks Nevada are the lucky winners) and will be put in charge of making sure everyone navigates to the first stash correctly, and then into the outskirts of the city where a meet-up point and a second stash of equipment is located. The directions are not complicated, but it’s a lot of people to shepherd around incognito. How everybody handles this is completely up to the characters.

Meanwhile, Shep is piloting the ship back off into the ocean to hide it somewhere. He says he’ll meet you in the city at some point, and that he’ll keep in contact via the communicators. Stay safe, and good luck!

The first stash is about a twenty minute walk into the forest, and should be found with relative ease. It is basically just a few large, plastic tubs buried beneath soil and moss, and has to be dug up like treasure. Inside of it lies the following:

AMERICANA DISGUISES: Clothing, make up, the works – everything the average joe needs to pass themselves off as a resident of Vista City. Outfits are perhaps a bit more eccentric and flashy than you’re used to...or maybe a bit less, depending where you come from. Either way, it’s a specific look, and there should be enough here to accommodate new outfits for all the humanoids. If you’re a horse, you’re sort of on your own. What your character ends up with is up to you, though “space rave” is a good way to describe common aesthetics. There are also a lot of hooded coats, hats, and other articles that would be good for hiding inhuman characteristics.
RATIONS: Enough food at water, tightly compact, to last everyone for a few days. It’s going to start to run out quickly, though, so the group is going to need some breadwinners sooner rather than later.
A WELCOME CARD: A welcome message from these two with their selfie printed on the front. Written inside are the following messages: “Glad you could make It! ♥ –Gold” and ”Welcome to hell. ☺ -Silver”. They are both in the same handwriting.

From there, the maps only lead further into the city.

☆STASH NUMBER TWO: CITY BOUND

You'll quickly notice that Vista City comes with multiple levels - the ground level, that actually touches the earth, and then a second level of streets and walkways that occurs halfway up the mountainous buildings. Cars streak down both sets of speedways, and the signs of life scatter every inch of the towers surrounding you. At the same time, though, a city of this magnitude leaves a lot of nooks and crannies left frequently unseen - something you'll definitely have to take advantage of. In the outer ring of the city the population is less dense than it gets towards the center, so at the least it gives you the opportunity to get your bearings.

You'll find that there is no shortage of people stalking around in the darkness, even as the sun sets and night totally takes hold. A lot of them are dressed pretty funny, too, and any insecurities you had about looking ridiculous can tentatively be put aside. The costumes you were left do allow you to blend in about as well as you could hope. If the navigation team holds true, you'll be able to make it to the next stash in good time. You've been advised to avoid talking to locals as much as possible, at least until you've figured things out better. There is a notable absence of homeless people on the streets, which could mean any number of things.

The place you end up at is, unsurprisingly, a warehouse. One of the few entirely flat buildings in the cityscape, the maps will lead into the center of the building. You try the door. It opens. When you go inside, you aren't alone.

The floor is littered in blankets and what passes for foam mattresses. Waiting with them is the silver helmeted figure from the welcome card earlier. They usher you in hastily and ask you some cursory questions about whether you've been followed. When they seem satisfied, they'll tell you that you can spend the night here.

"This is the first and last time you can stay here," they'll say, gesturing around. "This was Gold and I's launchpad for the last little while, and we're junking it after this. I recommend you follow our example. Don't stay any one place too long, and don't travel in one huge group. If you do that, one bad night will pin you all down."

Silver will pass out what is apparently enough fake IDs for everyone in the ship - complete with each individual's image (or a human approximation) and a made up name. It's enough info to get a job with, they'll explain, if you can manage it. Avoid pushing the forgery's limits, though, if you can. They made them themselves so they expect they are excellent quality, but you can never be too careful.

"...Most importantly," they'll finish. "Don't go looking for the prisoners right now, as much as you might want to. If you fuck that up, you'll fuck this up for everyone - and I'll tell you right now, other people have already invested a lot more blood and tears into this than you have. Respect that."

Silver will stay for a few more hours, and then Gold will appear to take over, bringing snacks and hot chocolate with them. Get a good sleep, you'll need it.

“We are the new Americana.
High on legal marijuana,
Raised on Biggie and Nirvana.
We are the new Americana.”

Flat | Top-Level Comments Only

Oh my god! You're adorable!

[Usagi couldn't help it. It was a talking pony! How cute is that. Was she a magical talking pony? Usagi's experience with talking animals usually meant they were magical.]

Ah, sorry, hello, Applejack-chan, my name is Usagi Tsukino!

Edited (Sorry, I'll match your format) 2016-01-20 02:42 (UTC)

[oh. AJ was just called adorable. that's... that's never happened before. it brings a blush to her cheeks. and that's not the only thing that's strange. AJ is kind of befuddled by the way this girl pronounces her name. she tries to mimic it]

Ooo... U-sa-gi... Soo-kee-no?

That's great! Ah... Well, hmm.. [English, right. She thought back to how Usagi meant "Rabbit" or "Bunny" and then snapped her fingers.]

I know! My name in English is "Rabbit," so you could just call me Bunny, if that is easier, Applejack.

[She crouched down to be more eye level.]

[what's... english...]

Bunny! [yeah, AJ's got that one down] Y'really don't mind?

Not at all! [She smiled brightly.] Besides, that's what it means in English and that's what I have to learn. [She rested her chin in her hand.] So they took your friends too, Applejack?

[Applejack nods, brows furrowing sadly] Pinkie Pie an' Rarity. They're two of my closest friends.

I'd love to hear about them, if you want to talk about it.

[she thinks about it briefly, then takes a seat on her haunches, nodding] Sure thing! Fer starters, they're both little ponies, like me. [AJ considers best how to explain both of her friends, smiling fondly as certain memories play in her head] Pinkie Pie is... Well, she really likes to party. She's probably the most friendly, outgoin' pony Ah've ever met.

Is she a bright color just like you? [Pink, probably?]

Oh, yeah! All the ponies in mah world're brightly colored, ev'ry color of the rainbow. Pinkie Pie's pink... and more pink! [she laughs]

I love pink! [So does her daughter. She was happy to hear Applejack laugh.] And I bet she is an expert on parties if she loves them.

[AJ's expression brightens considerably] You bet! She is the best party-plannin' pony there is! She never misses anypony's birthday, an' she's always helpin' out with big events.

Ah! That's incredible! She sounds like an amazing pony. And how about your other friend, Rairty?

[oh, Rarity, AJ's complete opposite] Well, Rarity's a Unicorn, meaning she can use magic. She's white'n purple'n super fancy. She's really into fashion, an' she makes pretty dresses.

A unicorn! Oh that's incredible! I've never met a unicorn! [Though if AJ pressed, she could find about the Alicorn, Helios, that Usagi was good friends with.]

That's wonderful! I bet she makes all her friends really pretty dresses. I didn't know ponies even liked wearing dresses.

[AJ nods, proud to be talking about her friends] Yanno how Ah said Pinkie was an expert on parties? Rarity's the same way with them dresses. She's been hired by some really big names back in my world...

[still, talking about her friends and home makes Applejack feel a bit homesick, she bows her head, eyes beginning to water] Boy, Ah sure hope they're all right...

[Oh no! No adorable pony please don't cry! Usagi reaches out and hugs Applejack, since she wasn't sure if petting her would be considered rude. Luna liked it, but then Luna was a cat and a person at the same time. She offered a smile to Applejack.]

Don't worry, Applejack, I promise we'll get your friends back, okay? They took one of my best friends too. That's why I'm here, though, I'm going to make sure everyone is sent home. We'll get everyone back and we'll do everything we can to cure any heartache.

[hugs! hugs are good! AJ is a little surprised at first, because she's never been hugged by a human before. but then she wraps one of her front legs around Usagi to hug back. ponies can hug too]

Yeah... Yeah, me too. [sniffs, but also smiles a bit before pulling back] Why don't y'tell me about your friend?

[She's only briefly surprised the hug, but is happy for it all the same.]

Well, Rei is absolutely amazing! She's really strong and brave, she's a priestess! And she's beautiful! [She smiles as she thinks back to how they met.] Rei is very loyal and has a dream to run the family shrine someday, her favorite colors are red, white, and purple. She's like... well, she's like the embodiment of fire. [Well, she WAS the guardian of fire, but best not to mention her ability to control it.] Beautiful and aloof and when you get close, warm and comforting, but don't ever get her mad.

[that's a very nice description! it really paints a picture. AJ continues smiling softly, nodding along as she puts the pieces of this Rei together]

Rei, huh? Well, Ah'll definitely keep a lookout fer her. You gotta picture, or somethin'?

Unfortunately not, all my pictures of her are back home. [And she had quite a few of her with all the girls. She even had her favorite which had her and Chibiusa and Mamoru, Luna and Artemis and Diana, and all her senshi in it at the same time. What wasn't to love about that photo. She would wear it in a locket if it fit.] But I can describe her for you easy.

Rei's one of the most beautiful people I know. She's got pale skin and long raven black hair that in the right sometimes even looks purple! She's got purple eyes that are as fiery as her personality. She's just a little bit taller than me and she's surrounded by this air of mystery! She's stunning in everything she wears and just every movement is elegant and graceful!

[a human with long black hair that looks elegant and graceful. well, Applejack doesn't know if she'd be able to pick out Rei, but she would try]

Long black hair, purple eyes, pale skin. [nod] Got it.

That's right. Ah, by the way, Applejack, if you don't mind my asking, what do you like to eat? We should go get some while we still can!

Oh, yeah. That's a good idea. Ah wonder if they have apples. Ah don't see any hay around here.

Are apples your favorite? I love strawberries, myself!

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