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Mods ([personal profile] modblob) wrote in [community profile] redmarsshit2019-10-24 11:41 pm

redshift: tdm #5

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. don't be a sap.

Good morning, October 25th! Whether you're a confused new arrival or a current resident, you probably had some plans for today, right? Grab breakfast, visit a friend, pick some fruit, explore a new part of the massive city.

Well. Too bad. Because, as every single bot in the city will be telling you the moment you show your face, it's GOOP FESTIVAL DAY! What? You've never heard of it? Preposterous, everyone knows about the Goop Festival, it's one of the most anticipated holidays in Anchor! Haven't you been preparing for this for a week now?

The Goop Festival is a harvest celebration, in particular, a celebration of the sap-producing trees that grow wild in the Park, thick around the edges of the south side of the lake. The bots have been hard at work setting up the festival grounds in the shade of the trees in the balmy fall temperatures. There are spiles tapped into trees with buckets placed underneath that are already half-full of a thick, viscous, amber-colored sap. The bots have also set up troughs of shaved ice with long sticks nearby, with which they will demonstrate for excited residents (you are excited, right?) how to cool the sap in the ice and wrap it around the stick to make it a sort of taffy candy. That's not the only sweet surprise waiting, either.

A long table set up in the grass is loaded down with all sorts of delicious sap-related goodies, ranging from cupcakes with thick globs of sap-flavored frosting to sap-flavored jerky to sap sugar candies, and just about anything else you can imagine. There are a wide variety of offerings that would taste good coated, flavored, or glazed with the sap, which tastes sort of like a caramelized toffee. Another table is laid out that has row upon row of cups, each half-full of the sap, heated lightly to a thinner consistency and served similarly to hot chocolate - at least, if hot chocolate gave you a floaty, happy, hazy sort of feeling. Everything made with this sap does, actually, with the cups of pure sap having a stronger effect and items with less sap content having barely any effect at all.

Does this not sound like your cup of weird tree sap? Too bad. This is the GOOP FESTIVAL, and everything is shut down for this lovely paid vacation day. Spa? Locked down. Kitchens? Locked. Bar? Nope, totally shut down and the server bots are all down at the park. VR Gaming? Too bad, the computers are all shut down. Even roaming the halls and trying to stay out of the way won't help much...be prepared to be dragged down to the park to participate in this mandatory festival! Isn't it exciting?


b. familiar ground.

Every year in Anchor near the end of October, there's a very strange interaction between the protective dome over the city and seasonal radiation surges that happen in the wastelands. Some complicated combination of refraction and reflection means that for the last few days of the month, residents will experience some of the more benign effects of the red shift inside the city.

Did we say benign? Because while there may not be any dangerous radiation to melt your skin off, there are some mind-bending dangers. Characters experiencing the shift will find the world becomes distorted, warped, impossible to navigate; they are enveloped in auditory and visual hallucinations, and can become so disoriented that they can't even recognize people they've known for years. And characters will find that the citywide shift brings in slivers of other universes, little slices of places characters have never seen before...or places so familiar they make the heart beat hard with joy or fear.

And just like in the wastelands, the things that show up in these shifts are all too real. Characters may find themselves walking through a door into a scene straight from home, or from someone else's home. Whether it's a favorite place to share with a new friend, or the nightmare landscape you almost died in, complete with the monster that almost killed you, be careful. Everything you experience here is real, and if you die in the shift, you die for real.

Of course, the city has its own safety measures in place - residents experiencing the hallucinations and appearances of items and places from other worlds may find themselves locked down in the room they're in, trapped with the otherworldly effects of the shift.


c. the virus.

A few weeks ago, people in Anchor started getting a case of the sniffles. While some of the earliest cases might be clearing up, there are still a few people suffering, or people freshly infected by those who were sick earlier, including some of the new arrivals who may not even be feeling it yet.

Which may make the cause of some unexpected 'glitches' around the city a little unclear. Residents who are feeling the effects of the illness, or who are infected but not showing symptoms yet (or anymore) will find that their access to certain parts of the city are restricted. Suddenly, automatic doors aren't opening for them, as if they were ghosts, particularly when they try to access anything that may facilitate transmission of the virus. Suddenly, only some of the residents of the city will find they can't get into half of the MedBay, or the spa, the kitchens, the VR or games rooms, the bar...anywhere people gather or eat or sit close together.

Residents may put together that it's related to the illness some of them have been experiencing over the past few weeks, but it might take a while, since these safety and security measures are affecting people who are showing no symptoms yet. Be prepared for a few days of paranoia while seemingly perfectly healthy people are locked out of common areas. What does the computer know that residents don't? Are these people security risks? Is it a system glitch? What could be going on?


c. the network.

Need to get hold of someone, call for help, ask the city at large a question? Need to warn a friend not to leave their apartment unless they want to be forcibly press-ganged into the Goop Festival? Maybe you need to hold your sat phone up to whatever crazy thing you're seeing and send out a recording to double-check if your eyes are deceiving you and what you're looking at is real?

Whatever the reason, the network is going strong, so feel free to include a post to it in your top-levels.


Mod Note: The "familiar ground" prompt will be active between October 29th and October 31st; "the virus" prompt will be active until the next introductory mingle, which will be kicking off the second part of the illness plot.


numerouno: (CXIII)

Scaramouche | Samurai Jack | currently in-game

[personal profile] numerouno 2019-10-26 03:12 am (UTC)(link)

A. Don't Be A Sap


"Goop Festival", [he echoes flatly.] Really?

[One of the bots that corralled them all into the park tries to take his forearm and urge him forward to get a closer look at the... 'festival'. Scaramouche easily takes it back.] Hey, hands off, babe. [He makes a point of brushing off the imaginary flakes of rust as he watches the bot move toward their next victim.] Keep walkin'...

[Once they're out of earshot, he says to himself in a low voice:] Time to cut out. [What he needs is a distraction. An accomplice would be even better. Bringing his forefinger to his chin, he scans the area for one.]


Wildcard


[ooc: Want to run into Scaramouche somewhere else or have a plot idea? Shoot me a message at [plurk.com profile] onthelam or on Discord, or PM this journal.]
Edited 2019-10-26 10:41 (UTC)
kaballin: (At Ease)

[personal profile] kaballin 2019-10-27 06:49 am (UTC)(link)
[It's almost like he needs a henchman.]

The name made me think this was going to be something completely different. Disappointing.

[Kabal has a few jars of the sap to try later since he's kind of noticing that the people here are acting a bit drunk. Which is promising.]

numerouno: (CV)

[personal profile] numerouno 2019-10-31 12:35 am (UTC)(link)
[Scaramouche's eyes grow wide, his expression smoothing out into something friendly.]

Yeah, I'm skipping out on it, babe. [He peers over at the jars the man has collected.] If those robots could learn to live a little...
kaballin: (Stare Down)

[personal profile] kaballin 2019-11-02 04:15 am (UTC)(link)
They're robots, they're not really living at all.

[He says to the robot in front of him.]

Wanna try it? Seems to be alcoholic.
numerouno: (LXXXVIII)

[personal profile] numerouno 2019-11-05 03:14 am (UTC)(link)
[Was that supposed to be a crack...?]

Sure!

[He extends an expectant hand, boasting a radiant smile. Scaramouche has an idea.]
kaballin: (You gonna fight me?)

[personal profile] kaballin 2019-11-05 05:03 am (UTC)(link)
[He hands it over with a shrug. He can always get more.]

If you're planning on dousing me with this, I'd recommend against it. You've got the same smile I do when I'm about to decapitate someone.
numerouno: (XXI)

[personal profile] numerouno 2019-11-07 04:09 am (UTC)(link)
[Scaramouche takes the jar. He looks scandalized for all of one second before his grin slides back into place.]

Relax, babe. [His smile turns crooked as he looks pointedly at one of the bot-brains standing close by.] I've got a better idea.
kaballin: (Ready to fight)

[personal profile] kaballin 2019-11-07 06:34 am (UTC)(link)
Not following your thought process but I'm along for the ride. Have at.
numerouno: (III)

[personal profile] numerouno 2019-11-17 05:55 am (UTC)(link)
Watch and learn.

[He strolls on over to the nearest bot.]

Babe, you've gotta try this.

[The bot in question brings their hands up and shakes their head. Scaramouche steps closer, holding up the jar of sap.]

What's the matter? Don't you wanna know what they're waiting in line for?

[Not all robots come with the ability to drink; he knows that. But whether these ones can imbibe or not doesn't make a difference to him. If they can, that's great. If they can't, that usually means their parts won't mix well with liquids. Either way, a little sap tasting could give him the diversion he needs.]
kaballin: (Speed Freak)

[personal profile] kaballin 2019-11-17 09:39 pm (UTC)(link)
[There's something about this guy that reminds him a used car salesman mixed with one of those Las Vegas Elvis impersonators. It's exactly the kind of charm mixed with ego that seemed to be attracted to Black Dragon. Though admittedly Scaramouche is a far better dresser than any of them.

The robot doesn't seem to want to try it and Kabal folds his arms.
]

If you robot types aren't gonna try it, why should we? Seems like a solid offer here. He even got it in a jar for you.
numerouno: (XV)

[personal profile] numerouno 2019-11-21 10:50 am (UTC)(link)
[Would you look at that? The goon caught on. Faster than he expected, too. Scaramouche listens to the mercenary's contribution, lightly nodding along in agreement.]

Don't you see? [He shrugs his arms and shakes his head.] This cat thinks he's better than us.

[He says it with confected disappointment, but the smile that keeps getting wider and wider tells a different story.

The serving bot turns his head a few inches to look between the two of them. He takes a rigid step back. He's got the right idea.]
kaballin: (Stare Down)

[personal profile] kaballin 2019-11-23 07:11 pm (UTC)(link)
Well that's just hurtful. And here we've been nothing but kind and nice.

[Sure. That's what they've been doing. Definitely.]

Getting the real sense that all this hospitality is a sham and they don't like us very much.

[He sounds ever so offended. But no time to dwell on that because in an instant he rushes the poor serving bot and grabs it by the throat, holding it a few inches off the ground while it struggles. Kabal isn't entirely sure what Scaramouche is getting at here, but he definitely wants in on it. Maybe pouring goop on these guys will make them malfunction. Maybe they'll get drunken robots. Who knows?

Well time to find out.
]
numerouno: (XX)

[personal profile] numerouno 2019-11-24 06:36 am (UTC)(link)
[The mercenary takes the initiative like a good mercenary should and collars the bot without needing to be told. Scaramouche closes the distance between them, leering down at the struggling bot.]

Take it easy, babe. [He playfully pretends to chide the muscleman; the banter continues.] What do you think: do we treat him to a sample anyway?

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birdical: (💋 (that looks so unique))

🐦 + 🤖 = 🎉

[personal profile] birdical 2019-10-27 08:47 am (UTC)(link)
[As Scaramouche scans the park, someone else across the area locks eyes with him through the trees and festivities, her gaze sharp, focused. Maybe she wasn't looking for an accomplice like he was, but she certainly is looking for company, and it seems like she found it. Offering him a smile from a distance, she makes her way over, her purple hair and tall stature doing little to hide her approach.

As it turns out, she's not even the tallest one there -- she tips her head upwards as she gets closer, keeping her eyes on Scaramouche's face, utterly delighted to find someone larger than she is.]


I was thinking I was the tallest one in this place, but I am clearly in the wrong.
Edited 2019-10-27 08:48 (UTC)
numerouno: do not take (CXXVIII)

burningelmo.gif

[personal profile] numerouno 2019-10-30 01:58 am (UTC)(link)
[Scaramouche hasn't been looking for long when he notices someone gawking at him from across the park.]

Huh?

[The woman smiles when their eyes meet; that's the polite thing to do when you've been caught. Back on Earth, someone staring at him like that is after something. It could be his time, his blades, his money... and when he doesn't feel like parting with those things, they occasionally start taking an interest in his life.

But this isn't Earth.

She doesn't take her eyes off him and he returns the favor. He's frowning as she makes her way over to him, his head tilting downward in kind so he doesn't lose this staring contest they've got going. And then she talks. His face brightens with a genial smile.]


Yeah? Well, that's too bad. But hey, you're closer to the top than everyone else-- [he leans down a little]-- right, babe?
birdical: (💋 (find a little in me))

[personal profile] birdical 2019-10-30 07:46 am (UTC)(link)
[He draws closer to her, and Elleru's smile widens -- such a nice change to how standoffish some of the uprights have been so far.]

So close I can almost reach you.

[She drags her fingers along his scarf, noting the texture of the fabric, wondering where she can get one. If there's one thing she loves about uprights (and there are many things she loves about uprights, even strange, metal ones like this fellow), it's their sense of style. Her people identify themselves with markings and tattoos, but to do so with clothing is such a creative solution. How clever the uprights can be.

She pulls her hand back slightly before extending it again, this time for a polite shake.]


You may call me Elleru. Now you tell me your name.
numerouno: (IX)

[personal profile] numerouno 2019-10-31 02:34 am (UTC)(link)
[Oh. Scaramouche's face melts into something bordering on slightly bashful as her hand traces along his scarf. Then she pulls it away and extends it to him for a handshake. Snapping back to his wide-eyed, happy-go-lucky expression like nothing happened, he stands at his full height and lightly takes her hand in his, his grasp cold and firm. He gives it a single, short shake.]

You may call me-- [one more shake]-- Scaramouche. [And he lets the hand slip away. Leaning closer again:] What's your story, baby? You new in town?
birdical: (💋 (to find the way to crash on through))

[personal profile] birdical 2019-11-07 01:12 am (UTC)(link)
[Oh, his hand is much colder than she expected, though she supposes she would have known it would be, given he seems to be covered in metal. Is it elaborate armor? No, he seems more like he's simply made that way, like some sort of mechanical man. Did uprights make him? Or gods? How did he come to be?

She reddens just a little at his question, trying to keep her excitement manageable. She will find out more about him, she's sure of it. She must be patient.]


I am, relatively speaking. [Her R had a little roll there, her accent quite thick.] Perhaps that is why I have not yet seen you. Or were you hiding from me?
numerouno: (XXVI)

[personal profile] numerouno 2019-11-07 02:40 am (UTC)(link)
Hide from you, doll? Never.

[He doesn't frequent the bottom levels of the compound nearly as much as the others here do; when he does go down to them, it's usually in the early hours. He works alone. Some might think it gets lonely, but they couldn't be further from the truth. Scaramouche is always in good company, babe.]

Say, are you diggin' this scene?

[He throws a glance at the 'festival'.]
birdical: (💋 (let me hear it one more time then))

[personal profile] birdical 2019-11-09 02:13 am (UTC)(link)
[She follows his glance to the people and the robots and the sap-covered trees.]

It is not bad. I would think it would be livelier for a party, but perhaps I have misunderstood what a festival is in this place.
numerouno: (XVII)

[personal profile] numerouno 2019-11-15 11:46 pm (UTC)(link)
[He jerks a thumb over his shoulder at the bot attendants around the park perimeter, hiding his mouth from them with an open hand and replying to her in a low voice, close to a stage whisper:]

Between you and me, these folks wouldn't know a party if it hit them in the face.

[He tilts away from her, standing tall again.]

Let's make our own fun! Whattaya say, babe?
birdical: (💋 (and who would ever think))

[personal profile] birdical 2019-11-23 01:53 am (UTC)(link)
[Oh, that does sound fun. She doesn't quite understand some of his gestures, but his liveliness is a breath of fresh air.]

What is it you have in mind, Scaramouche? [There's that accent again.]
numerouno: (CXIX)

[personal profile] numerouno 2019-11-25 06:34 am (UTC)(link)
[Accent or no accent, Scaramouche loves it when people say his name back to him. So few who do know the name live long enough to sing it. His marks had the habit of getting creative with their name-calling, but it wasn't the same thing.

He offers Elleru his best approximation of a saccharine smile. The smile of a sweet-talker.]


First, we fall out. No one's having fun with these squares around.

[He could clear this entire floor in one jump and get moving again. But what kind of self-respecting assassin tips his hand like that? No one in Anchor knows what he's capable of and he intends to keep it that way. For as long as possible, anyhow.

Besides... he's starting to like this number.]
Edited 2019-11-25 06:42 (UTC)
birdical: (💋 (all the blindness was taken away))

[personal profile] birdical 2019-11-27 07:22 am (UTC)(link)
[Unfortunately, something is lost in translation; her head tilts, one ear flicking in confusion.]

'Fall out'? Have a falling out?

[That can't be right, given the context. She tries again.]

You mean to leave?
numerouno: do not take (CXXVII)

[personal profile] numerouno 2019-11-28 05:35 am (UTC)(link)
That's right, babe. We've gotta make a break for it.

[He turns around to face the bots, saying (whether to Elleru, or to himself, is anybody's guess):]

But we don't want them following us, do we?

[The more time they spend down here, the more time any rats will have to wander the halls of Anchor undetected. Is he the only one who's thought of that?]

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