OPEN PSL ❖ fragment space

[moes]

"Welcome to the S.S Phoenix! We hope you enjoy your stay!"

You open your eyes feeling a little stiff. The last thing you recall is seeing your planet get destroyed before a hand reached out to you--Captain's hand. You were then greeted with the same introductory phrase before receiving the keys to their brand new dorm, a device--you're told it's called the Babelfish, something that allows you to interact with others through the interdimensional network--and perhaps an extra thing or two.

You are then ushered into the onboarding area, where you can see your fellow passengers. Some foreign faces, perhaps even some familiar ones. Before you are given any time to think, however, Captain, at the head of the room, speaks up.

"Once again, welcome new guests, to the S.S. Phoenix! You may call me Captain. Today is your first day of onboarding, where you can get to learn more about us and your fellow passengers.

We are part of the Interdimensional Galactic Coalition, a system that was created to keep order and peace amongst the multiverse. This ship that you're currently in is now your new home. Consider the card that you have obtained your citizenship. However, staying here comes with a price.

As you already know, your worlds were destroyed. And we are here to help restore those worlds into proper order. But in order to do that, you must obtain Fragments. These mysterious Fragments will then power our ship's Revival Program. Those can be found in various worlds.

Now, if you have any further questions, now is the time to ask."

And she opens up the floor for questions--any questions.

[ OOC: Welcome, everyone, to a long form PSL in the form of Fragment Space! The premise of this is that your character's universes have been destroyed -- player's choice on the how -- and they have been rescued by the Captain to adventure to various worlds.

This PSL will very much be an exploration/mystery setup, with various types of settings that I will work with players on.

Locations for the S.S. Phoenix can be found here, and current NPC information can be found here.

In terms of moving things along, I will try to make sure that things move smoothly at least once a month. If you need to contact me for any questions/comments/concerns, please ping me either on plurk (tsundereban) or Discord (tsunderebans)! As this is an open PSL for my timeline, characters who participate may also interact with each other if they'd like, or keep things separate. I'm willing to run with things either way. ]

Comments

[moepcs]

[ Surprise: it's. . . a very glitchy girl who is only barely visible, what with all the black she's wearing.

At least it's not a monster?

She seems to be crouched down, making herself small -- it's clear she's trying to hide. ]

[use_the_sound_force]

... Are you all right?

[Lori's tone is gentle, as she slowly moves down to ground level so she's not towering over the girl... Glitch... Look she's not sure. But being gentle is the best start right?

Unless it gets her, like, bit and turned into a static vampire or something. Look weirder has happened to her!]

[moepcs]

I'm-

[ Her voice is husky and filled with exhaustion, still a bit of static noises coming from her glitching out as she takes a breath in, then out, as if to try and even out the glitches.

Which do, in fact, eventually settle. ]

I'm unharmed. Just trying to keep away from the creatures here.

[use_the_sound_force]

I see.

I'm Lori, and I can keep you safe. You?

[Just. Try to favor kindness. Calm tone. Keep her calm.]

[moepcs]

Can you?

[ Her voice is marred with distrust; even if her bangs cover her hair, Lori might be able to barely see her narrowed, dark eyes. ]

I don't recall my name. You can call me whatever, or just 'NPC-chan'.

[use_the_sound_force]

...

[This wouldn't be the first time she'd met someone who had lost their name. This time around it doesn't seem to be Fae bullshit at least.

She almost pointedly refuses to be started by the darkness in the girl's eyes.]

I... I can try, at least. I am stronger than I look. Had to be.

What even happened?

[... There's so many specific questions she could ask, but starting with just that seemed suitable.]

[moepcs]

I can't say. One of the other newcomers already knows a little, so you'll have to ask them.

[ Another sigh, before: ]

Sucks to be in here this late, to be honest.

[use_the_sound_force]

... Yeah. Entire ship with one employee, and then monsters show up at night. It's... Um.

Are you from the ship, or would you like to go there? I can definitely help you get there if it's possible at all.

[moepcs]

Space Costco really just needs Anais working at it--

[ And as if on cue, said Anais pops from the ceiling: ]

"Did you call for me. . .?" [ And Anais' mouth makes words that only come out as static. ]

Anyway- I was onboard the Phoenix, but I'm not from it.

[use_the_sound_force]

[The static...]

... Do I appear... Like static to you?

[She'll get back to helping them to the Phoenix - or not - in a moment.]

[moepcs]

"No." [ Anais opens her mouth, static noises coming out-- ] "is her name."

[use_the_sound_force]

[Lori pauses, but realizes what's going on. Anais knows the name, but trying to say it gets overruled with static.]

... Perhaps I should try a different question. What could I do to help you?

[moepcs]

[ The girl waves Anais off and while she frowns for a flicker of a second, she disappears, understanding that there's no actual work to be done, and fades away into sparks.

Sighing, she explains: ]

She shouldn't show up until we call for her again. That's how this place operates -- if you ask for her, she'll show up. Space Costco's basically like a magical store that has anything you'd ever want, for a price.

Although not everything is monetary.

[ Another pause before she shakes her head. ]

All we can do now is make sure we survive the night. This whole thing? Kinda like Five Nights - once it hits 6 AM, the monsters're gone until the night shift.

[use_the_sound_force]

... I'll take Five Nights over Resident Evil, honestly.

[... She's DEALT with a Resident Evil situation, and it turned into four seasons of incidents including way too long in the realm of the Fae.]

Dare I ask what price you were convinced or possibly forced to pay?

[moepcs]

I haven't paid anything yet. But I've asked about several things before, and she's said that their cost can vary depending on what you ask for. Like if you wanted to restore your planet right this very second, you'd have to pay the price of all the lifetimes of every single person on that planet. . . in hell.

[use_the_sound_force]

Well that's more than a little terrifying.

And that tells me the cost of bringing my team here would be terrifyingly high too, so... That's. A thing.

Not that I'd have thought that was something I could buy at a Costco, even one like this.

[moepcs]

Yeah, this place is kind of special in the sense that it'll sell anything and everything if you can pay the price for it. Something something equivalent exchange.

[use_the_sound_force]

... So be sure I check the prices before I accidentally trade my name and get turned into a Fae minion. Got it. Thanks.

If you haven't paid yet, could I ask about... It seems like there's static around you, sort of?

[Hopefully nothing too bad to ask about.]

[moepcs]

Basically. Well, she'll ask for confirmation before finalizing anything.

[ ... ]

That? The glitching's normal.

[use_the_sound_force]

... Like, for you, or just in general around here?

[She blinks.]

Good to know she'll confirm at least. That's legitimately nicer than the Fae with the 'FREE SAMPLES'.

Don't take free samples from a Fae.

[moepcs]

For me.

[ To put it simply. ]

She's a saleswoman, but not a cruel one. Just one that needs everything to be balanced.

[use_the_sound_force]

That makes some sense.

... But, let me wind back... What, if anything, can I do to help you?

[moepcs]

[ Immediate, cold, and without a single shred of hesitation: ]

You can't.

[use_the_sound_force]

... Why not?

[Lori seems distinctly uncomfortable at the prospect of being unable to help someone who seems to be in need.]

[moepcs]

You just can't.