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Mods ([personal profile] modblob) wrote in [community profile] redmarsshit2020-04-27 08:43 pm
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test drive meme: april 2020

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.

▶ SPECIAL NOTE: We're only a month off from the 1 year anniversary of the first TDM, and we received this request for a fancy dress ball, so we thought it would be funny fun to run with it! This TDM will only have one prompt/event, as the monthly log with a bit more plot-related stuff will be going up on Friday May 1st.

a. an invitation.

There are ears everywhere in Anchor. A maintenance bot here, a surveillance AI there. SINI, restlessly pacing the dark digital hallways as she watches over the things that still matter to her. It doesn't take long for word to get out about Starscream's expedition plans. It takes an even shorter time for that news to circulate amongst Anchor's robo-population.

They know when you're unhappy. They always know.

It's why residents will start waking up one fine day to find gorgeous clothes laid out for them to wear and an invitation to a formal dinner taking place down at the plaza at Anchor’s base. The clothes aren't particularly specific to a character's gender, species, or culture - it's all about what the bots think your character would like best. Even if they're wildly off the mark, the clothes are still made to fit and fashioned beautifully. The invitations are marked "TOMORROW, STARTING AT 6PM LOCAL TIME." A smaller note underneath instructs attendees to see the tailor bot adjacent to the spa if they are unsatisfied with their assigned clothing, and also that the spa bots are on high alert, prepared to beautify anyone who wants some extra pampering and a dash of makeup.

Just be careful. Some of the makeover bots are really fond of glitter.


b. quite the spread.

True to the word of the invitation, the plaza is closed off under large white tents and guarded by bots who encouragingly steer you elsewhere should you try to get inside. They're nice, polite, all the things they've been programmed to be whether they like it or not, but there will be no sneaking by them into the party area.

At 6pm on the dot the day after the clothes arrive, characters will find music playing on all levels of Anchor, broadcast from the musical robots who have been practicing ever since that first tiny party almost a year ago.

Invitations will be taken by a bot in an impeccably tailored suit, and characters will be welcomed onto the red carpet that curves around the edge of the park and into the area cordoned off for festivities. The flashbulbs and cheering of bots that line the carpet echo through Anchor, broadcast along with the music until it sounds like the entire place is full of faintly electronic cheering. Each arrival is greeted with a fresh wave of enthusiasm, their image projected larger than life against the interior of Anchor's dome.

The sides of the tents have been rolled up, revealing the absolutely decadent set-up within.

Rows upon rows of buffet tables laid out with the most extravagant and strange dishes for residents to try. All of it delicious, though not all of it will appeal to every palate. There are sweet dishes, savory, spicy, whatever you can imagine. Appetizers of a hundred different kinds. Fruit plates formed into works of art, showing places and events from around Anchor. There are spun sugar reindire. Tiny plates of hors d'oeuvres that depict the faces of residents, both current and former. One particularly large dish is sculpted in the shape of what looks like an explosion emanating from Anchor's base, near where the locked and flooded rooms were found.

There's a cake near the middle of it all, frosting painting an image of a young, smiling man. Anyone who's seen him will, after a moment, recognize the whole and handsome features of a much younger Creepy Joe - the words on the cake say LET'S CELEBRATE OUR OLDEST LIVING RESIDENT!

While most of the food is at least recognizably from the general stores and from the agricultural level, there are other plants and garnishes that look entirely foreign. If asked where they came from, the bots will simply insist they're part of Anchor’s available resources.

There is also a full-service bar, but...not manned by the usual bartender (for anyone who might ask, the other bots will kindly inform them that the usual bartender is on sabbatical for stress). Instead there's a freshly-built bot serving drinks of all kinds, taking requests for old favorites and mixing up new cocktails based on guests' stated tastes.

The only thing not on the menu is a tequila sunrise.

There's a table full of hookahs and little treats that have various light, pleasant effects. These range from simple mood lifts to treats that will leave characters blissed out and relaxed.


c. dance, our residents, dance!

After people have finished arriving, the band picks up and guests' attention is directed upward toward Anchor's dome, where there's a truly magnificent light show being projected with musical accompaniment. It's spectacular, haunting and beautiful...and it shows more than just lights. It also shows celestial bodies in motion across the planet's dusk-red sky, meteor showers, strange northern lights. The show itself is almost an hour long, and ends with words unfurling across the apex of the dome.


HAPPY +1 ANNIVERSARY ANCHOR #3, THE LONGEST RUNNING COLONY.

STAY HERE, STAY HAPPY!



The show fades away and the music picks up again, encouraging guests to dance.

Go on, dance.

It’s a party after all.


d. 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 to take out the toothy voids? 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.



nothinglikefather: made by peaked (040)

[personal profile] nothinglikefather 2020-05-24 01:27 pm (UTC)(link)
Jacob notices the change in the atmosphere. He had no idea what has changed, what he has done to upset things, and he frowns at Arthur, setting down his drink.

"What?"

He really doesn't know what he said to earn that disapproval.
towhatmatters: (→21)

[personal profile] towhatmatters 2020-05-24 04:51 pm (UTC)(link)
He scoffs quietly, shaking his head.

"We got food predicting the future now? This just gets better and better."

Meaning, he'd place his money on 'happened before', but this is a really weird way of telling them about it. Why not just ... tell them? And who even planned this?
towhatmatters: (→21)

[personal profile] towhatmatters 2020-05-24 05:01 pm (UTC)(link)
He's not angry or upset, or even particularly offended. However, if Jacob is going to go and call him old, well ...

"I'll drink you under the table, boy."
nothinglikefather: made by peaked (040)

[personal profile] nothinglikefather 2020-05-24 05:20 pm (UTC)(link)
"Sure you would try." Jacob chuckles, "But you're ahead of me on the hard stuff already."

He nods towards the whiskey. "That stuff can't be doing much for your aim. You sure you don't want to switch to something lighter? Like beer? Or neat vodka?"
writtendestiny: (041)

[personal profile] writtendestiny 2020-05-24 06:43 pm (UTC)(link)
[It's easy enough for him to get that smile out of her. Mostly because he's a complete doofus, she thinks he's adorable, and it doesn't take much attention from him to move her to smiling.

There's a small flutter in the pit of her stomach when he does, in fact, ask her to dance. She dismisses it as nerves and huffs out a soft breath, pressing her lips together as she looks out at the room.
]

Mmm... fine. I suppose I've done more difficult things.
writtendestiny: (079)

[personal profile] writtendestiny 2020-05-24 11:10 pm (UTC)(link)
... I'm used to having attention on me. [She admits after a grudging pause.]

It doesn't mean that I like it.

[But she can deal with it, not flinching as the cameras flash and the cheering starts up.]

I looked for another way in. There isn't one.
lelalacula: (uncomfortable +4.)

[personal profile] lelalacula 2020-05-25 03:51 am (UTC)(link)
Of course I understand what you're saying. I was just making my boundaries clear. No medical information, nothing that violates confidentiality. Anything else, I'd be willing to discuss.
numerouno: do not take (CXXVII)

[personal profile] numerouno 2020-05-25 05:40 am (UTC)(link)
Somebody enters stage right. It's his favorite Julie in Anchor! (The only Julie in Anchor.) His menu is ignored, his face going blank as he listens to the update. Scaramouche gives her a smile of true appreciation--big, wide, and dazzling.

"Keep up the good work, babe. He'll be filling the lake in no time." He drops the menu on the counter. "Did you know, babe," he continues, turning in his stool, "that the reindeer drink tequila?"
numerouno: (CXIX)

[personal profile] numerouno 2020-05-25 06:15 am (UTC)(link)
"Make a mess if you want, babe! What're you worried about?"

His gaze flicks down to his menu for just a second longer. Once he's given the bot his order, he turns again to look at the man with an untroubled smile, offering him the list without hesitation.
nothinglikefather: made by peaked (010)

[personal profile] nothinglikefather 2020-05-25 07:32 am (UTC)(link)
He pauses a moment, taking the menu. What is he worried about? He doubts anyone else is going to hold back on having a good time. Why should he?

After all, its only one night.

So he glances over the list and then grins one of his charming little grins. "I'll have what you're having."
numerouno: do not take (CXXVIII)

3

[personal profile] numerouno 2020-05-25 12:24 pm (UTC)(link)
The smoke is the first thing to draw his eye; then he sees the broad set of well-clad shoulders standing in front of it. Who should Scaramouche find starting a table fire but Kabal.

He joins the mercenary at his side with a chemical-blue cocktail in hand, watching the fire spread from one decadent dessert to the next.

"You going to put that out or wait and see what happens?"
redwinekindofgirl: (043)

best way to meet tbh

[personal profile] redwinekindofgirl 2020-05-25 02:07 pm (UTC)(link)
Noted.

[She smirks at him, taking another pull a few moments after he does and letting the smoke out slowly.]

Mm... yeah. Been here for months. I dunno. I lost count somewhere.

[Or... stopped counting, more like, when there didn't seem to be much of a point in keeping track anymore. She shrugs one shoulder and puffs a wisp of hair out of her face.]

Just a hunch, but you're used to weird shit happening to you, huh?
redwinekindofgirl: (020)

[personal profile] redwinekindofgirl 2020-05-25 02:15 pm (UTC)(link)
[Oh, okay...

She used to have a penpal, but she was never this formal with them.
]

Think everything is either lost or hidden or locked down. There's one guy here who was here way before us, and a computer program that knows way more than its letting on.

Might be some things that some people know, but there's some selfish fucks in this place who think its worth hoarding stuff and info for a price. Like they can take it with them or something.
redwinekindofgirl: (056)

[personal profile] redwinekindofgirl 2020-05-25 02:23 pm (UTC)(link)
"Oh, good."

Because you never know if someone's disappeared and been replaced by someone else, or if something weird is going on. Not really something you ever get used to.

"You didn't tell me your name, or anything. I got it from your brother."
redwinekindofgirl: (052)

[personal profile] redwinekindofgirl 2020-05-25 03:12 pm (UTC)(link)
She shrugs, watching the bots as they trundle away.

"Sure, but they'll be back."

They'll be back, and they'll probably track him down and try and force him into something else if he doesn't find a really good place to hide. Sometimes she'd like to find whoever programmed the things and give them a good smack in the head.

"Got anywhere to go?"
vosseeker: (seventeen.)

[personal profile] vosseeker 2020-05-25 04:15 pm (UTC)(link)
Starscream offers a non-committal shrug, his wings rising and falling with the motion, light catching the glyphs in glittering gold paint on the metal.

"I've interrogated plenty of mechs in my time. Breaking the mind is always more effective than breaking the body."

(This is dinner conversation for him.)
vosseeker: (thirty-three.)

[personal profile] vosseeker 2020-05-25 04:20 pm (UTC)(link)
"Invited?" Starscream echoes. "This whole affair has been put on for our benefit — all parts of it. You didn't need a separate invitation to eat, did you? Or do you mean you have no accompaniment?"

Because he is absolutely not above plucking some poor passerby up from the ground, depositing them next to Gilia and emphatically threatening them to dance with her.
redwinekindofgirl: (039)

[personal profile] redwinekindofgirl 2020-05-25 04:30 pm (UTC)(link)
The best Julie in Anchor, thank you very much. Her smirk widens into a grin when he smiles at her like that, then she laughs.

"I heard a rumour," the young woman says, resting her chin on one hand and pulling her drink towards her with the other.

"Haven't seen it yet, though."
writtendestiny: (009)

[personal profile] writtendestiny 2020-05-25 04:31 pm (UTC)(link)
"I've seen stranger things."

She peers again at the 'explosion' in front of them, leaning down a little for a closer look. Maybe she ought to take some pictures before it all gets ruined.

"And Anchor isn't really forthcoming with things it might be useful for us to know."
towhatmatters: (→22)

[personal profile] towhatmatters 2020-05-25 04:40 pm (UTC)(link)
Cloud? Interesting name. Never heard it before.

"Arthur. It's a pleasure." Or something like it. "Party would probably give you an opportunity to meet people. Pretty sure you can ask the robots to give you something you won't hate."
vosseeker: (twenty-seven.)

[personal profile] vosseeker 2020-05-25 07:47 pm (UTC)(link)
Rey's body language is clearly unfriendly, even though Starscream didn't think his comment warranted such a reaction. Then again, he's no stranger to people reacting negatively to him on pretty much a daily basis back home, and he's never let that stop him before.

"'New'," he repeated skeptically. "Seems an overreaction for just that."
mustact: (→68)

[personal profile] mustact 2020-05-25 07:48 pm (UTC)(link)
He reads that meaning into it, too. He wonders when, how many times. How long she'd known she liked him.

"I am?"

Distracting from what, exactly? The dance? He supposes they're not doing much but swaying to the music, but it's nice.
arcadedragon: (Overthinking)

[personal profile] arcadedragon 2020-05-25 10:14 pm (UTC)(link)
"Parties should be fun, where you can do as you wish with .. with reckless abandon!" He is the expert on parties and you should trust his judgement here Hanzo.

He shrugs as he takes a sip of his drink. Actually make that several sips. "No one would come if I put it together. But if it's part of the towns doing, then they will. And I could not have gathered so much food."

arcadedragon: (Young Sparrow)

[personal profile] arcadedragon 2020-05-25 10:17 pm (UTC)(link)
Hopefully they don't find out it's poisoned much, much later, because that would definitely ruin how much he's enjoying it now. "Where did they get so much food? I've not seen the kitchens stocked with all this."

And he's in there a lot. Cooking. Eating. Poking around. More eating.

"I am probably doing this wrong. These little plates are probably for small foods, and the bigger ones for main courses. But I still do not understand the forks."
circumitus: sometimes there's whiskey. (everything isnt always sunshine)

[personal profile] circumitus 2020-05-25 11:22 pm (UTC)(link)
Giving him a pointed look, Rey snags another mini pastry from the buffet before popping it into her mouth. She's tried this kind a while ago, but the sight of metal and sass has somewhat soured her mood.

"You're an overreaction," she resorts indignantly. She doesn't care it if it doesn't make any sense.

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