test drive meme: december 2019

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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. santapocalypse.

As the suns set over the unforgiving landscape around Anchor, a bright light flares in the sky, streaking low and fast across the horizon, throwing off flares of green, white, and red.

The impact...is not explosive. Just another flare of light, and then smoke to mark where the object went down. Whatever it was, it didn't come from the redshift. It came from within the planet's atmosphere, such as it is, and landed barely a few steps outside the city.

Characters who choose to investigate will find something strange at the bottom of the pillar of smoke. They'll find a small ship, one that seems to have been cobbled together with pieces of a dozen different ships from a dozen different universes. The cockpit is busted wide open, a red jacket caught on a piece of glass, with no other sign of the pilot. Except for, y'know, the red ringing the broken glass, but we'll just ignore that, shall we?

Scattered all around the vehicle, some of them scorched on the outside but otherwise unharmed, are boxes, boxes, boxes. None are bigger than a shoebox, and all wrapped beautifully with bows on top. Characters who start opening them will find box after box containing nonsense items that might be valuable to someone, but maybe not anyone here. But if they open enough, eventually they'll find something inside that could only be intended for them, it’s so specific, odd, or precious. Any other box they open after that will be empty.

Those that dare enter will find the ship appears larger on the inside. And it also seems to be mostly made of hallways. Hallways that lead nowhere, hallways that, from time to time, are filled with an ominous...jingling.

The source of that jingling is the reindire.

Twisted, monstrous creatures with talons in place of hooves, they will hunt whoever enters the ship through its halls and even back across the wasteland should characters attempt to run. Most of them can be calmed, even tamed. Eaten, if hunting for venison is your character's jam (have at, SSSSs).

Only one cannot be reasoned with, or easily defeated.

The largest of all the reindire, one with fangs and wings and a lust for blood. And a big red nose that shoots lasers. You wouldn't want it following you back to Anchor, would you? Best to defeat it out in the sands, where it can't do any real harm.

b. keep calm & carry on.

As characters have worked on improving the city, they've knocked a few loose screws back into place and rewired a few polarities that needed reversing and now, a new area has opened up. It announces itself with a loud screech as the bulkheads that kept it blocked off open up. The new space is huge, at first seemingly empty.

This space does what the VR rooms can't. It reads minds.

It won't show scenes from home, no, but it will create a facsimile of a place that your character would find most relaxing. And this isn't the simple visual experience of the VR rooms. This is full-sensory immersion. Characters will see, yes, but also be able to touch, smell, even taste what's on the air in their surroundings. If there is fruit, they can pick and eat it - it won't satisfy them, but they'll be able to taste what's there. If there's water, they'll be able to swim it in, and will even feel wet until they climb back onto the shore or out of the pool.

Some lucky souls will even get Anchor's therapy AI chiming in to their scenes, with suggestions like, "Talk to your anxiety the way you would to a friend. Ask it where it comes from, see what it’s doing for you, and redirect it into healthy self-expression." Or, "Have you tried yoga?" or, occasionally, "I think you really really need a nap."

The focus of the room is to help characters relax. Those rolling blackouts that have been happening around Anchor ever since the room opened up? They’re probably nothing to worry about. Right?

c. the network.

Need to get hold of someone, call for help, ask the city at large a question? Need to ask a friend to back you up on the reindire hunt? 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.

Navigation.

Comments

A

[nockturnal]

"If it is nearby, it has not yet been recovered."

There is another exploring the wreckage, though he has not seen fit to open any of the gifts. In fact, he toes one away from his foot with a look of cool disdain, before nodding to the shredded metal that might allow entry from another point into the ship.

"But something remains inside. Alive."

That, to his mind, should be the greater concern. Particularly if whatever it is happens to be a threat to their base. That's why he's got a bow at the ready, even now.

[mustact]

When he turns to look at the strange, his gaze is immediately drawn to the bow. It's only for a moment, but he doesn't often see one, so he can't help but be intrigued. The man is clearly not one of his people, and the bow seems ... advanced. Different from what he's familiar with.

"Something?" he repeats, hoping for clarification, but knowing that Hanzo very likely doesn't know more.

[nockturnal]

"Man, beast...or otherwise." There's no telling, though the damage appears to have come from something corporeal. Whatever small comfort that might be.

"There is movement. Which is more than can be said for the pilot." Dark eyes travel towards the stranger, though there is no reprimand in them. It is honorable enough that he would seek out a survivor, if there was one.

"You will find little remains of them, whoever they were."

[mustact]

He takes a deep breath, and looks back at the cracked glass for a moment.

"I suppose you're right."

Instead, he moves to join Hanzo, and takes out Claw from its holster. When he doesn't know just what the threat is, it's best to bring that, as he knows it's powerful.

[nockturnal]

Hanzo cocks his head to take note of the weapon. It appears advanced enough to be from his own time and place. That's of use, at least. Perhaps so too is the man who wields such a weapon.

"We should determine if it is a threat or not, before it has the opportunity to discover Anchor." One eyebrow arches. "Will you come?"

[mustact]

He raises an eyebrow in turn.

"That is why I am currently holding a weapon," he says, as he lifts the gun a little.

[nockturnal]

"You could intend to hunt alone," he points out coolly, fixing the other man with a decidedly neutral expression.

Without another word -- and the implication that the other man does intend to follow -- Hanzo starts to make his way into the ship proper. All the while, he watches for shadows, listens for that sinister scrape of metal.

[mustact]

All he gives in response to that is a sound of acknowledgement, because that certainly isn't an incorrect conclusion. Often, he does hunt alone. Given he has no idea what they're dealing with here, he figures not being alone is better.

Which he probably wouldn't have done a few years ago. Perhaps he really has gotten wiser.

He follows, lighter on his feet than most would expect from his size, and watches Hanzo curiously. That's not to say he isn't paying attention to the rest of his surroundings, of course, it's just that everything about this man is ... interesting. The bow, his manner, the way he moves. Wonder what it is he carries on his shoulders.

[nockturnal]

He moves, in point of fact, like an assassin.

Light-footed, crouching low and moving with little hindrance, taking to the corners and shadows of the hall by instinct and listening carefully before continuing on. Further ahead, there is the distant echo of movement and jingling, but it seems a long way off.

There is one brief glance behind to take note of Connor's position -- and stance, in a brief once-over of his own -- before Hanzo presses swiftly onward, taking point on pursuing whatever lies within.

[mustact]

While he doesn't crouch down as low as Hanzo, he is very careful to stop when Hanzo does, trusting him to make judgments about anything up front while he instead listens behind, every now and then throwing a glance over his shoulder. That's not to say he isn't listening for sounds or watching for movements ahead himself, as well. After all, he doesn't know this man.

However, it doesn't take too long for him to be distracted from the rear flank by the sound of distant jingling bouncing its way through the hallway. He frowns deeply, puzzled, and focuses his gaze forward.

[nockturnal]

Eventually, the distance closes. The noise becomes louder as they approach a corner, and there's the scrape of talons against metal as the thing snuffs loudly, searching for...what? Others of its kind? Prey? It's impossible to tell.

Hanzo once again silently reaches up a hand to signal to Connor that yes, it is almost certainly within range. They need to position themselves well for the surprise attack.

It won't be long before the creature realizes it is not alone.

[mustact]

What concerns Ratonhnhaké:ton, more than anything, is whether or not it is a threat. From what Hanzo had said, it seemed neither of them knows for certain. The best way to go about finding that out, however ... He's not quite sure. It sounds like an animal, but that doesn't necessarily mean anything. Could be something like Angel, or like Charles.

He moves very little, moving up slightly to stand by Hanzo's side but not enough to potentially get spotted by the creature, as he watches Hanzo closely to either follow suit, or perhaps stop him if he does something rash.

[nockturnal]

He's not prone to rash action as a rule, thankfully. He intends to observe before he attacks, and quietly as he can he slips forward to peer down the next hall...

The creature is shaking its head furiously, perhaps caught on something in the torrent of gift boxes that seem strewn about the place. But its back is to them. Quietly, Hanzo lifts his bow, taking aim at the base of the creature's skull. With luck, he can put it down swiftly and silently.

[mustact]

Maybe not as a rule, but if you ask Ratonhnhaké:ton, this one is very much a rash action. He turns his head to look sharply at Hanzo, and tries to keep his voice as quiet as possible as he speaks. If the creature hears them and is dangerous, well ... At least Hanzo has his bow ready.

"Do you know that it's hostile?

[nockturnal]

"You have seen the creature, have you not?"

Nothing that looks that way means them any sort of goodwill. At best, it's a dangerous animal lost and afraid and backed into a corner with small, squishy humans all around it. At worst, the thing might decide to actively start hunting them.

He's not taking that chance. But he stills long enough for Ratonhnhaké:ton to make his remarks on the matter, holding back from firing just for the moment.

[mustact]

He gives it a second or two, waiting to see if Hanzo will follow that up with anything, but when nothing comes, he frowns deeply in confusion.

"I fail to see what difference that makes."

[nockturnal]

"It is a danger. Better deal with it now rather than have it attack later," he replies, still in hushed tones but with a frown threatening on his lips. If you strike first, you stand to gain an advantage. If you wait until the creature decides to make a move, you deserve whatever pain comes as a result.

What is there to be confused about?

[mustact]

"You cannot tell only by looking at it."

Well.

This conversation has gone on long enough, and Hanzo seems determined to write this creature off as a threat immediately. Ratonhnhaké:ton doesn't agree with it, and he's not about to sit by and let something potentially harmless and innocent get killed for no reason.

And so, he stands, and moves out into the hallway in front of the reindire, trying not to do so too fast or too loudly. A frightened animal might attack even if they're not usually hostile, so if he seems nonthreatening, there's a smaller risk it will react badly.

[nockturnal]

What is he doing?

He doesn't say it out loud, lest the creature be alerted too swiftly, but he keeps his bow nocked as he watches the man approach. If he is attacked, Hanzo can land a strike to the thing's eye, perhaps distract it.

If not, the fool's made his choice already. It won't be his fault if he is wounded or killed as a result.

[mustact]

The reindire doesn't seem particularly friendly, as it immediately gives a threatening roar as it turns towards Ratonhnhaké:ton. However, while he is ready to fire if necessary, even that isn't enough to him. The creature is likely to be stressed, especially since it seems this vessel crashed. Surely it doesn't deserve to die for that. Perhaps they shouldn't have gone in her at all and, instead, let things settle for a few days. Observe.

Instead, he pointedly moves into a spot that's meant to block Hanzo's line of sight and keeps his gaze directed to the floor. The reindire rushes at him, but only a couple of steps before it stops again, breathing harshly.

[nockturnal]

It's try to bluff him back.

Hanzo recognizes the behavior. If it meant to kill him, it could have done. Instead it seems to be trying to scare him back out of its territory, the space it sees as belonging to it. Slowly, he eases the tension in his arm as it lowers by some degree, waiting to see what comes of it.

He's still a fool. But perhaps he won't pay for it with his life, if this continues on.

[mustact]

Ratonhnhaké:ton does take a few steps back, as the reindire prepares to make another rush at him. This time it gets closer, but turns around abruptly to run back down the corridor. Slowly, Ratonhnhaké:ton straightens to actually watch it, trying to decide if it's worth trying to calm it down or best to leave. He doesn't normally try to interact with wild animals. If he's not hunting them, he leaves them alone.

"They may only want to be left alone," he says quietly, and takes another step back, so that he only needs to take a step to the side to be back inside the corridor where Hanzo is.

[nockturnal]

"You are suggesting we simply...leave them here."

They could. The chances that they all move as one to break into the complex are less than them minding themselves out here, hunting...whatever they eat. Whatever survives the radiation and is foolish enough to encroach on their territory.

[mustact]

"It does not seem different from any other other animal defending its territory."

Best leave it.

So he steps back into the corridor, and starts quietly walking the way they came. The reindire is clearly agitated, as it gives a roar of warning, but it doesn't seem like it will follow him.

[nockturnal]

Finally, the bow lowers. Hanzo considers pursuing the kill, but the man does appear to be correct. It is not a threat so long as it is left to its own devices.

With a grunt, he turns to follow, though keeping an ear out in case it decides to charge them anyway.

"How did you know it would not attack you?"