redshift: tdm #4

[modblob]

Redshift: Welcome to the v͖͕̺̲̘̱̜͎o̴̦̣̠̦̘̹͞i̯̖d̛̪̬͈̱̦̝͍̕.

▶ Click here to read what characters will experience when arriving in Anchor.

▶ All TDM threads can be considered game canon, and current players are welcome to either top-level on the TDM so prospective players can tag them, or use the prompts for logs or network posts on the communities. All threads on the TDM can be used for Activity Check.

a. the red shit.

There are rumblings in the deepest, most overgrown part of the agricultural area, where until very recently there was a lingering pocket of red algae. The good news is, the red algae is gone! The bad news is, it all got eaten by a mutated bear-thing with giant antlers. The algae did a number on the poor thing, doping it up and confusing it to the point where everything is an enemy.

What’s worse? The algae has adapted, colonizing the creature’s entire body. The algae has mutated in the process, releasing a protective cloud of toxins that causes severe hallucinations, as well as some of the protective and euphoric qualities that the red algae originally possessed. Which means the mutated, antlered, bear-thing is accompanied by a small army of other creatures, from large to small, who are all very invested in its survival and also are being driven crazy by its presence.

Prepare yourselves for one hell of a hunt. These animals can pop up almost everywhere in the agricultural zones, and when they do show their paws it’s to go on a rampage.

b. fashionista.

It wouldn’t be Anchor if the bots weren’t fucking shit up.

This time, the spa bots have gone full stylist coach, chasing down residents and trying to do their hair, nails, makeup, or change their clothes. In some cases, they're literally sweeping people off their feet and carrying them to the hot springs, massage rooms, and spa areas to be pampered. Too bad most of their cosmetics are fifty years out of date and the closests they’ve raided either had another resident’s clothes or moth-eaten dust-covered rags.

Is that the jacket Idris Elba was wearing in the introductory video? It kinda looks like it.

But it’s not all bad! The bots actually give great massages and fantastic mani-pedis. They also have a small stash of fresh cosmetics and clean clothes that got left behind in the spas. They might not fit great, but they look pretty good!

If your character doesn’t practice proper self-care, well. They’d better watch out. These bots have a particular eye for the sad, the filthy, the tired, and they’re going to make sure you get some damn fine pampering.

c. whole foods: 2.0.

Remember that whole Whole Foods grocery store thing that happened? Well, the grocery store and the zombies are still there. Only now there are more zombies, and two giant supply trucks have shown up, one behind and one in front of the store.

The one at the rear of the store can be accessed fairly easily. It’s painted to look like a giant United States flag, with a dramatic crying eagle emblazoned across the back doors. Inside, there is beer. Lots and lots of beer, and a bunch of semiautomatic rifles. Also some skeletons. Seems like the guns and booze didn’t help them.

The one in front of the store is thickly surrounded, the creatures clawing at the plain white sides of the semi like there’s something precious inside.

If Anchorites can make it through, if they can fend off the monsters and keep from getting torn to pieces by a hoard of bloodthirsty beasts, they’ll find out what that precious truck contains.

It’s twinkies. A semi full of twinkies. We hope you’ve got a sweet tooth, Anchor.

Navigation.

Comments

[circumitus]

The idiom mishap doesn't slip by Rey, but she's not pedantic enough to correct Elleru on it at the moment. Now that she's not 'just an animal', it's a wonder that she even knows any phrases like that at all.

"Right," Rey says more to herself than to Elleru. "Why not. Unless you're able to reach that far back, you're going to have a hard time fixing yourself, anyway."

Judging by the creature's proud posturing, pointing out the short arms in any blunt terms might not help. Best to keep that to herself.

For now.

[birdical]

"Is a reason why I was hoping you would help," Elleru returns with a coy smile. True, it might be easier for her to handle any wounds on her back and thighs in her upright guise, but shifting when wounded does run the risk of complications. It can be done without any stress on the injuries, but she'd be more than likely to tear the lacerations and cuts open further. If nothing else, it would be a painful experience, and that's something she'd rather avoid more of if she can.

She settles her great head down, giving Rey all the room she needs to play doctor.

[circumitus]

If Rey were a shifting animal, she'd probably prefer to avoid any unnecessary pain as well. As a walking synthetic person, however, she'd be more likely to exacerbate her injuries out of self-spite.

Luckily, she isn't the one who needs to be tended to here.

"All right. Just a moment, need to get--"

As Rey speaks, one of the robots interrupts with some basic first aid supplies. She squints at it a moment, surmising that maybe it listened in on their conversation to conclude that medical aid was necessary. It's probably bound to happen sometimes, even in a spa.

Nevertheless, giving the machine the old stink-eye, Rey finds a dry robe before taking the supplies offered to her. "Still don't trust you," she mutters to it, returning to Elleru, preparing some disinfectant gel. The wound has already been washed out, but you can never be too sure, especially when applying bandages over deep lacerations and bites. "Okay, this is going to sting a bit."

[birdical]

Though Elleru glances back to see just who Rey is talking to, she settles back down before she replies, not too worried about the little robot lingering around. She takes a deep breath to brace herself. Despite the relative safety of her colony, she has been injured before -- not by mindless, aggressive, upright monsters, but ones that needed attention regardless.

"I will restrain myself," she promises, her claws tensed against the floor, the end of her tail flicking in anticipation.

[circumitus]

Although Rey had never spent much time around animals, she knows enough to recognize when someone is bracing themselves for pain. It's not human body language, but it's telling nevertheless. They've already been banged up and bloodied pretty bad, but she wasn't sure how the animal would cope being manhandled.

Or... Rey-handled, for that matter. She's not very good at this. Not the first aid, but the bedside manner and being gentle. She doesn't talk while she works, not wanting to distract herself with conversation -- especially not for one that she wasn't prepared for. Working around Elleru's non-human form, before long Rey finishes with some bandages to cover the gel.

"That should do, for now. Doubt it's bad enough that you'll need to change them regularly." Because Rey's not sure she's up for that. Since this creature can, in fact, talk and comprehend the situation, it would be best to move on. Shouldn't let herself get attached, anyway.

[birdical]

In good news, Elleru is a well-behaved patient, save for a couple of low grumbles and stifled growls that rattle through her throat, reverberating against the ground. She's grateful when it's over, lifting her head and arcing her neck around to have a look for herself. It's cool beneath the bandages, the gel working to numb the pain.

"Change them?" she asks. "What if I should need to change them? May I call upon you?"

Apparently, the don't-get-attached mentality isn't present in her the way it is in Rey.

[circumitus]

Oof, that's more a loaded question than Elleru realizes. The vagrant lifestyle doesn't really lend for house calls that much, and she has to wonder if this creature can even use the comm devices to contact her with. She's not sure if she wants to let herself care enough to ask.

"...Probably best to go to whatever med facility they have here," Rey responds, almost coldly. She should get out of here now. Needs to. This isn't good for her. She wasn't ready for conversation with anyone, and now this sentient talking animal is asking questions about seeing her again. No no no no no.

[birdical]

Oh no, Rey isn't getting out of this without another question.

"Med facility?" Elleru repeats, slowly and carefully as though trying to commit a foreign, complicated term to memory. "What is med facility? Do you mean a hotel?"

No, not hotel, but she can't think of the proper word just now.

[circumitus]

For a moment Rey just looks baffled. But then realizes that she's not even sure what species this is, so maybe they wouldn't share many of the same words. How annoying.

"What? No. As in 'medical facility'? More like a hospital."

Which Rey can't say she's fond of, either.

[birdical]

"Hospi— oh, a hospital!"

Delighted as she seems to have figured out she was using the incorrect word, she gives Rey an apologetic nod. "Is there a hospital here?"