Elite roleplay: Citi Gateway

CITI GATEWAY

The Orbis station is a center of activity. Within the station a myriad of places can be found.
  • The Warrens: Where the poor plebs of the station live. It's is a breeding ground for the most unscrupulous. Keep an eye on your wallet when traversing the corridors of these areas.
  • Habitation Complex: For those workers and pilots that can afford it, this area provides closer to 1G gravity for more earth like living.
  • Commerce Divison: and Administration Where the larger corporations make their home. Station administration can be found here.
  • Industrial Complex: Where industry manufactures their various goods.
  • Entertainment: District Bars, theaters and night clubs, tattoo parlors and other establishments can be found vying for a commanders credits in exchange for a bit of fun.
  • Station Security: A high tech brig used to house law breakers until they can be tried, and or deported off station.
  • Medical Ward: Where commanders can get patched up, enhanced, or fix existing cybernetics.

General Roleplay Etiquette:

1. Control only the actions of your own character(s). (AKA: God Mode)
This doesn't matter how small the action is, even if it is as simple as scratching their nose or a direct reaction to something else that just happened. This applies to everything from casual conversation to full blown fight scenes. If you'd like someone to do something specific, PM that person, however keep in mind they are completely within their rights to say no. Especially if said action is inappropriate to their character and/or circumstance.

2. Don't brute force your way into another persons RP.
Approaching with a conversation starter is fine, or indeed some other small action. However charging in, guns blazing and disrupting the flow of another person/pair/groups conversation/arc is about as rude as doing so in real life. If something is going on that you'd like to participate in, be subtle about it. Put out a gentle hook for someone to take, but again, be aware that said hook may not be taken. If you fear it was simply unnoticed, PM the person or people it concerns. Or even leave a message in the OOC forums.

3. Good grammar and spelling is preferred.
We're not asking you to be perfect, but please at least demonstrate willingness. no1 iz gna tak u srsly usng txt spk. There's a wide variety of people here, many who speak English as a second, or even third language. There are even some with varying degrees of dyslexia and/or likely other issues that affect spelling/grammar. We accept them all here. However, people who aren't accepted, are those unwilling to accept polite correction. Remember that even a small thing like the placement of a comma, or the wrong use of there/their/they're can completely change the definition of an entire sentence.

4. Accept constructive criticism gracefully and politely.
If someone spots an issue with your writings, they may wish to help you improve that writing. They may do this through PM or even publicly air their thoughts on the OOC forum. If they have taken the time to be polite and explain what is wrong with your writing, the best way to behave is to respond in kind, using the same manner they have approached you with. It means they have taken an active interest in what you have written and wish to see more. Basically, you have a fan!

5. Don't take the actions or opinions of things done IN RP, to be directly relevant to the writers thoughts or opinions.
Basically, if some ones character calls your character a jackass, it doesn't mean the writer thinks you are a jackass. It's a ROLE they are PLAYING. Watch a movie. The argument between the characters isn't an argument between the actors involved. The same applies here.

6. It's not a popularity contest.
Your RP might be bustling with participants. You have 3 people off station in a fire fight, while another 2 are infiltrating the darkest areas of the station, meanwhile a group of 4 others are tracking your movements in an effort to stop you. Good for you, I'm sure it will be a thrilling read! But you know what? Sometimes the absolute BEST work, comes from two RP characters having a simple heart to heart. Both are valid, both are great, but NEITHER is categorically better than the other. Period.


Inara RP Etiquette:

1. Respect the setting and rules of the universe.
Inara is an Elite: Dangerous 3rd Party Tool. The RP Forums are set in the Elite: Dangerous universe. Elite: Dangerous has rules, as any fictional universe does from Lord of the Rings to Star Wars, or Game of Thrones to Star Trek. If you intend to RP within the Elite: Dangerous universe you are bound by the history and rules of that universe. Simply put, this RP forum is bound by the same rules as the game, so if it can't be done in the game, it is not permitted here. This applies to things from a 50Ly Jump Range on a normal, unmodified Sidewinder, to the destruction of entire stations.

2. Respect the characters created by others.
We have a wide variety of characters already here. It's expected that some will be similar, just as it's expected that two characters will be vastly different. Opinions of each persons character will naturally be varied, but all are valid provided they follow the rules of the universe. You are allowed to interact with, or avoid interaction with, any character in the RP forums. But you have no right to belittle others for their creation. You are not an authority figure on writing, nor are you directly affected by another persons imagination. You might not like it, but you MUST respect it.

3. Be caught up on current events before joining in.
You need basic things like character descriptions in order to interact with them. You also need to know what's going on in the surrounding areas. This is simply because the people you are hoping to RP with, might be gearing up to something that you might not want to be part of. Or simply that the most recent post, out of context, could leave a different impression on the goings on than if you gather that context. We don't expect you to read every single post from the beginning of the forums, just enough to get that basic understanding.

4. Either subscribe to, or frequently check, the Roleplay: Q&A and OOC forum.
People may be discussing something relevant to you there, or even discussing you directly. Perhaps someone asked what the general consensus on the existence or non-existence of a certain object. Or we're just chatting about random gibberish. Either way, be aware of it and use it. If you're unsure about something, such as how guns would look and or behave, or even the music selection, use the OOC forum to ask. We don't have all of the answers, but the collective knowledge and logic usually allows us to overcome an issue and come to a decision on what should be allowed. Frontier Developments, and even David Braben himself, don't have the answers to every possible question that can be asked.

5. Large Scale events exploding out of nowhere are a complete no go.
We get it. Everyone wants their character to be noticed and for people to be tripping over themselves to interact with them. In some audiences, an introduction involving you blasting in for landing in a fiery wreckage of a ship, before cart wheeling out and sword fighting 35 Ninjas before whisking off with the local celebrity for a glorious night of passion, is in fact, cool. This is not one of those audiences. It is generally considered better to build your character up slowly over time. Eventually, you might even have a legitimate excuse to fight those Ninjas. Maybe even with other RP participants by your side.

6. Perfect characters are boring.
The point of a character arc, is that it is in fact, an arc shape. One who is morally unquestionable, fully kitted out and an infinite fountain of knowledge, cannot go through an arc. Give your character flaws. Be it a tendency towards befriending the wrong people, or a bad knee that frequently gives out at inopportune moments. It gives readers something to latch onto and empathise with. You can give your character exceptional capabilities at something, but it requires balance. She's a damn good pilot with no equal, but can't drive an SRV for peanuts. It can lead to some very interesting moments between characters, be it heartfelt or comedic.


Other Notes:
It should be noted that there can be exceptions to these points. For example, good grammar when a character is speaking is actually rare. Few people in real life actually speak with perfect eloquence after all. Or previously arranged actions during a fight scene, such as someone stumbling back after a punch. What's key to remember is context.

All in all, remember this is purely for fun. We have some seriously talented writers here, and others whose writing history starts and ends at high school. But many are willing to help out in whatever way they can. All it takes is that you ask nicely.

Also keep in mind that many people who RP here, also have logbook stories related to the character, or characters, they portray. If it looks like there's an "in joke" going on that you're unsure of, it's probably in those.

In fact, some users have even gone to the trouble of creating "alts" to RP with. If you read back far enough, it's usually pretty clear who has and hasn't, and which ones are the "alts". It's therefore not unheard of to see the apparent seizing of control of other characters. If you do spot one, point it out in the OOC section. If intervention is needed, it will be sorted quickly and (hopefully) politely.

Most, if not all RP participants here have Logbook stories pertaining to their character(s). These are for the reading pleasure of anyone who wishes to do so. While it can be useful to read them in order to gain a bit of backstory on a character you wish to interact with, it should not be assumed that your character shares that knowledge. Within the E:D Universe, these Logbooks either don't exist, or are private diaries kept by the characters. Either way, without explicit statements to say otherwise from the writer, your interactions should reflect that your character is in the dark about any information you, the writer/reader, have gained from reading the stories.
Meowers
16 Aug 2023, 8:49pm
"Sure", I nodded in agreement and then made a gulp of tea. "We deal with mess, then we get distant from the mess. At least temporarily."

"Talking and thinking about the mess we've found ourselves in, we can't improve anything since the plans are made already, we know what to do and now it's a straight road forward we both hope to survive. It can only make us depressed and heavy-hearted. Had enough of this shite. Aren't you too?"

Time that downing the last slice of pizza took was enough for me to form the next words more or less as I wanted, as I saw them in my mind.

"We may be in a public place, but we don't talk with public, we talk to each other. That makes the conversation private. And, my rule is simple: what was said privately, stays private", and I smiled. Maybe even a little mischievously.
Kasumi Goto
16 Aug 2023, 8:57pm
“I don’t know… what to say, I guess? I’m not really sure. I don’t plan to die there, but… I guess I just wanted to talk in case I do. Or we all don’t make it out of there.”

I scoffed lightly.

“Maybe that’s why I talk about this in the first place. Don’t know if I’d have shared my ideas about a… bigger or growing body… well, body features, with anyone otherwise. Anyway, if this is going to be some kind of shared space between us, don’t act too surprised when you see ‘me’ in there.”

I sighed.

“Well, anyway. I guess I am a little tired of getting the short end of the stick in life every time. I don’t think anything that I do in however that program turns out will make it to, well, this.”

I held up my arms and looked down, basically indicating ‘my body’.

‘I hope no one was listening to this’, I added in my thoughts.
Meowers
16 Aug 2023, 9:26pm
I put my elbow on the table and let my head rest on the open palm. Relaxed. Thinking. But thinking positively.

"We survived so far... I think that makes us good at surviving. And, making those plans, no matter how funny and weird they might be, essentially helps. You know... If you stop thinking about things you'd like to do if you survive, you may lose the willing to survive at all. And I don't want to see that happening to you. This shit is horrible. So, we're fighting horrible shit on all fronts, and we've been good at it so far."

"And don't act too surprised seeing 'me' too," I chuckled, "You have a clue already."

"Like, who knows..." I stared blankly at the wall to the side, with my vision turned inwards and head still resting on my palm. "This may be an escape of sorts. May be an exploration of sorts. We can't predict the future and can't know what we what we will think about, being in that point, which is future now, but will become present soon. And, you know..." suddenly, I decided to remember my recent thoughts.

"Back then, in that fancy Imperial luxury wondershack, when I left the conference room right after you, and we walked down that long hallway, empty, I thought... Like... Those liminal, interim moments are always special... Somehow. And seeing that empty long corridor ahead multiplied the feeling. It wasn't fear, it wasn't anxiety, or uncertainty... Something familiar yet unidentified, something I don't have words for. A chaotic noise, an endless race of unfinished unborn thoughts. Like, we were bound to become different versions of ourselves when we reach its end, and the previous 'us' were left in the room forever, condemned to disappear in time, and in our own memory. So... Seems like that hallway wasn't the only element of this path."
Kasumi Goto
16 Aug 2023, 9:47pm
“I didn’t think about much. But seeing those people that were going to be fighting with us… made me wonder if they were aware they might not make it out in one piece. Or how many of them will.”

I paused for a long second.

“I thought about the Dedicant. What those guys must’ve been thinking when they launched it right into Thargoid space. Or how many of them were aware they’d probably die, or worse… some of them seem like they weren’t, listening to those logs.”

I sighed, then let off a very light smile with closed eyes. I began to talk again when I opened them, returning my face to a somewhat neutral expression.

“I’m not sure how much really changed, rather than us just… I guess, admitting something we already knew deep inside. But I’m not sure I’ll change anything about… well, myself. On the outside, at least. Maybe bigger is nice, but if I end up finding it not so, it’d be harder to go back than to have done it. And I’m not exactly aware of… non-surgical, or natural, means of doing it.”

I still felt somewhat awkward to talk about such a thing, when I was largely content with my current body, but not quite as much as when asked about whether this was something I’d thought on.
Venus Duval
16 Aug 2023, 10:19pm
Relocating for concurrency

Last edit: 16 Aug 2023, 10:26pm
Meowers
16 Aug 2023, 10:24pm
I shrugged, thinking about Venus' commando squad.

"That's, kind of... A way of life they keep going. I guess they're perfectly aware, they don't look like a green novices, and they're used to that. I see the same in our AXDF pilots as they gain experience. Only if... Your survival chances are bolder if you're protected by a few dozen centimetres of armour. Hell, I saw the same in myself. You're doing what you supposed to do, and this thing is risky."

"And, the Dedicant... The same goes for Fed agents there, they knew their work is dangerous. Thing is... Your deep, underlying, subconscious kicks in when you feel that death's gaze falling on you. That makes so many people go over-emotional."

There wasn't that much tea left in my 'cup', and the ice cubes were hardly recognisable, almost melted down. A metaphor. I took the pitcher-cup and held it.

"Look at my tea. The ice cubes are short-lived, they tend to melt, and they melt faster being dropped in a warm tea. If they melt forgotten on the table, the worker will come and remove the water they became, using a shabby towel. No good. When they melt floating in the tea, they're doing what they were supposed to do, they melt faster, but the tea becomes more pleasant to drink. They do a good thing."

Thinking of cultists, I shrugged.

"And, the fanatics... That's how sects work, I think. Most of them were ready to die for the sake of their ideals... Until it came down to actually dying. In a horrible way, romanticised flair of which serves as a cover-up to make new people join their ranks. Nobody's going to join a sect that puts a 'you will meet a grisly end soon' sign on the front door. Well, almost. Phah. So... Their leaders are to blame. And, the pawns... They knew they might die. Were meticulously, thoroughly brainwashed to believe. But they weren't ready for that happening so soon and so painful."

"And, you smiled," I smiled as well, saying that, "It might mean that weird idea brought you some enjoyment. So... That's a start. At least. Anyway, if it's really 'not so nice', you have a chance to figure that out. Without, well, doing anything invasive and hardly reversible. And the main purpose is... To have fun. To enjoy being, enjoy the life while we still have it, via connecting to something that was hidden behind the armoured door with a 'deeply personal' sign on it."
Venus Duval
16 Aug 2023, 10:26pm
Kasumi Goto “I didn’t think about much. But seeing those people that were going to be fighting with us… made me wonder if they were aware they might not make it out in one piece. Or how many of them will.”


'They know, and they still decided to come along. It's not something people think about when looking at commandos or mercs. They see us and think we are mindless killing machines, with only enough braincells to point and shoot. The worst part about all of this, most of them won't ever be memorialized. That is not officially. Me personally I welcome the day I get to join my brother's and sisters in Valhalla. Yes, a warriors death that is what we all welcome. It's strange, you know when you face death everyday, you become numb to the fear, numb to the threat. Those people who came along know they may never get to see their families again, but if their sacrifice means others will have that option, it is worth the risk.'

Aventus steps in his oddly deep voice is melodic in nature.

'Sorry I'm Aventus. I don't mean to be rude and I certainly don't want to impose but our briefing is done and I have a craving for something Italian.'

'Those souls will give everything they have to make sure you each get out of there alive. Myself included.'

Aventus offers a polite bow to the two ladies and takes a seat a few tables away from them.

Last edit: 16 Aug 2023, 10:43pm
Kasumi Goto
16 Aug 2023, 10:59pm
I looked at the officer, if he even was one, with a curious expression, then back at Meowers, not having anything to say. Food seemed to be on the man's mind more than talks, anyway.

"So, I guess you have a point there. One of those logs... where the Thargoids showed up. Think it was one of the FIA agents that recorded it. She... well, there's no other way to describe it than that she sounded beyond terrified. A bit like what you describe. One of the few times I'll feel sorry for some Fed guys, but it's really the fault of that idiot Hudson in the end. Thought he was doing everyone a favor by appearing tough on the cult, after that idiot Salvation's superweapon failed. Lot of good that ended up doing, making them go straight to the Thargoids. Anyway ..."

I sighed.

"I can't say I agree with what they did, but I don't blame them. They never really did anyone wrong, but because they happened to choose to worship the Thargoids, they got hammered on the head by him more than a few times. Not really surprising they decided to hijack the megaship when they got a chance to."

I closed my eyes and took a deep breath, isolating myself from the subject. The memories of it were too closely associated to the encounter with the Scythes I had just after that, a mild shudder running through me as a result.

"You won't see me smile often. But I guess it'd be fun to try. Most of what I've been doing for the... well, nearly a year now, hasn't really been so much 'fun' as figuring out a life where I barely remember anything of my past, and surviving. And trying to not lose the one or two friends I've made in it. Even if it just stays in that virtual sphere, or maybe because of it."

I paused for a short moment.

"And don't get too philosophical on me. I don't think it really suits you."
Meowers
16 Aug 2023, 11:53pm
"Hm," I raised an eyebrow seeing Aventus entering the same café. Then, quietly, whispering, I addressed to Kasumi, "This might be just a coincidence... But something weird makes me think it's not. I don't like being watched, if that's the case."

Then, downing what was left of my tea, I leaned back, feeling pleasantly satiated, and continued my thoughts. A smoke would've been be a good addition to that... Was it evening? To that time. But I wasn't sure if it was allowed there.

"Yep... Poor folks. There are many, to say, less terrifying ways to die. And that brings us closer to the reason why I held so much disdain for the 'Big Trio', expecially corporations running under their patronage, and actively fought against their expansion projects in the independent systems. Their internal structure... Looks similar to those of sects, cults, scam pyramid schemes, whatever else people see wretched, dangerous and in many other ways 'bad'. But those governments are totally clean, normalised, and they actually issue laws that make their lesser variants illegal. I totally believe that someone's having a plushy life skimming profits generated by that Far God cult, from those poor little folks who sell their everything, making donations 'for the sake of greater good'. A parallel to governments, taxes and Hudsons sending their soldiers to die. Maybe it makes me a kind of an anarchist, I don't know. Sadly, humanity can't operate without a boot in its arse, we aren't smart and honest enough."

I shrugged as memories of my recent almost-mercenary anti-corporate past flashed quickly behind my eyes. There was nothing especially disturbing there, only lots of disappointment in humankind as a result, and that made me scowl slightly.

"Anyway... I, kind of, understand you. I can say that... No, I can state, that I have a life, I'm trying to control it and I'm controlling at least the major part of it... Only for the last, maybe, five years. And I'm 34 now. I do have memories of what kind of stuff was happening to me earlier, about those almost three decades, but I'd rather not keep them. Sadly, brains don't have a delete button. So, still yet to figure out what to do with this 'life' thing, actively trying not to get myself killed in the process. Phah."

I shrugged and made an ironic smile.

"And, okay, okay, no more philosophy stuff, phah. Did I say you I'm an overthinker? Thoughts sometimes evolve to weird shapes if you keep them spinning inside your mind for a long time. Nevermind though. Shall we pay our tab and move out?"
Venus Duval
17 Aug 2023, 12:16am
A chicken parmesan dinner arrives at Aventus table and a giddy kind of school boy look appears on his face.

'Oh you sweet morsel of cuisine. I am going to enjoy every bite of you. But wait I need more'

He raises a hand in a polite manor to grab the waiters attention. They walk over to the table and Aventus smiles.

'Could you be kind enough to bring me a whole cheese grinder of parmesan and some extra marinara? Oh and some mozzarella.... no make that fried calamari. Please. Oh and take this.'

He pulls out a small black void from a pouch on his belt and hands it to the waiter. They take it and place the void in their pocket and disappear into the back once again. Aventus grabs his fork and knife basically drooling over the meal in front of him, then begins to dig in while he waits for the rest of his food to arrive.

Last edit: 17 Aug 2023, 1:38am
Kasumi Goto
17 Aug 2023, 7:06am
Meowers "This might be just a coincidence... But something weird makes me think it's not. I don't like being watched, if that's the case."


“Well, we were going to leave anyway, so I don’t think it matters.”

I threw a look at the commando, then prompted a waiter to come over so we could pay. I decided to cover the bill and stood up, gesturing Meowers to follow. No suspicious figures were magically always behind us, even after being well out of listening distance.

“See? It’s fine. Anyway, I could ramble to you for hours what I see wrong in this world, but it gets tiring more than it is fun.”

I found a bench to sit down somewhere, unoccupied, and made it ours.

“I sometimes think too much, too. Especially annoying when I try to sleep and there’s thoughts that just refuse to get out of your head. Sometimes get caught up in this ‘philosophical rambling’ as well, but usually stop myself quickly. Anyhow, if we are going to do that game thing, I’ll want something where it’s just us. Nobody else to come and annoy us.”

I paused for a second, then added to that.

“Or, at least, where I can make sure no one does.”
Meowers
17 Aug 2023, 9:58am
"Aw. Thank you. That's... Kind of you," I said, reacting on Kasumi's gesture: she paid our tab leaving me standing next to her awkwardly, with a bank chipcard in my hand. Yep, that was, kind of... Logical, considering that I covered all the expenses for our recent overnight stay in a rented room, though I wasn't exactly used to be on the 'receiving end' of such acts. Not 'uncomfortable' yet 'unusual' for me. And it wasn't about the money, since the amounts were a drop in the ocean, no, something in the underlying logic and my weird skewed perception.

We left the café and found a bench in a wide yet short auxiliary hallway, where simplistic, unsophisticated starport interior meets human willing to decorate and make surroundings look more like home. Little trees in pots, even shorter than an average person, assorted random paintings on the walls, hidden loudspeakers loaded with unintrusive natural ambient sounds, warmer, slightly yellowish lighting, all that was making a curious, yet definitely not out-of-place contrast being placed over flat metal wall panels, metal floor, air and water pipelines, vent grills, terminals and other familiar station stuff.

"Yeah... You'd die of old age only trying to make a list of what's wrong with this world. And, I totally agree, overthinking and some other thought stuff that just can't stop running circles, all that has been a source of sleep problems since my teen years.

Sitting relaxedly on the bench, I finally allowed myself to have a cigarette.

"Sure then. If you want to run some isolated environment scenarios without interacting with anyone else but me, we totally can do so I guess. Then you may decide whether you want to find yourself... in public, or not."

"Just try not to get addicted," I chuckled, completely aware of the same risk for myself.
Kasumi Goto
17 Aug 2023, 10:40am
“It’ll be your fault if I do.”, I replied, in a dry, partly joking tone. “I didn’t bring up the idea of a dream playground, after all.”

I leaned back, stretching, feeling my belly being almost too full.

“I do kind of wonder how it’d feel like, being… different, in that sense. But it would do horrible things to my willingness to appear in public.”

A pleased sound came out out, more from the food and being relaxed than anything else.

“Not sure I really want to do this with ‘other players’ at all, though. I thought this was going to be a private, only us thing from start to finish.”

My mind wasn’t really occupied with what we were about to commit to, but more what would come after that. As if it didn’t want to weigh me down with the very likely possibility of death, instead focused on positive thoughts and experiences.
Meowers
17 Aug 2023, 11:34am
"Phah. Not the worst kind of addiction," I laughed, waved my hand and then dropped a brief look at my own cigarette. A wavy trail of smoke, emanating from the smouldering tip, slowly dissipated in the air above me, being dispersed and carried away by the flow of conditioned air. "Better than drinking yourself to misery, or injecting stuff, or whatever. Sometimes... We all need an escape."

"And you may actually feel it, realistic enough. Again, better than drinking yourself to misery trying to imagine or pretend, or suffering from inability to feel what do you want to feel in the real life..."

I laughed sarcastically.

"Crap. I feel like the same drug pushers, getting someone hooked. What an irony. At least those things have health control routines, they won't let you exhaust yourself and shut down in case of any risk. I actually tried a couple of times, but back then... I wasn't thinking about that kind of possibilities. They were just games for me. And now, thanks to this our little talk, I figured out... They might have another effect we didn't know about earlier."

Certainly. We can't predict future, we can't know what kind of thoughts we might have tomorrow, and in that moment... I was a few hours away from embarking on an almost suicidal mission, sitting next to a woman I've met just recently and thinking about putting our weird personal fantasy stuff into a virtual environment to see what it may give to us. Life is a chaos.

And, sometimes, I like it.

I took a drag of vanilla-flavoured smoke, closed my eyes softly and smiled.
Kasumi Goto
17 Aug 2023, 11:48am
“I’d rather be in a virtual world that I can go and leave from at will than… well, any of those other things, really. I stayed away from things like alcohol for a reason… not something I needed the bother of while I had other troubles to deal with.”

I sat up a little straighter again.

“Besides, there’s no harm in having a little fun with a… slightly different body, is there? Not that the thought really came to me when I played games in the past, mind you. Still, I’d like to try it.”

I sighed, in a good way, and moved closer to the back of the bench to have it support my back. I had no idea how it would feel, but a certain, irrational part of my mind thought I’d enjoy it.

“Well, not much more to do than enjoy the place until we run off to pay the devil a visit, I guess.”

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