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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.



towhatmatters: (→05)

[personal profile] towhatmatters 2020-06-01 07:03 pm (UTC)(link)
"That's the spirit."

He grins, and pours whiskey for both of them. Get smashed and then smash some bottles? Sounds like a great plan.

"More whiskey!"
nothinglikefather: made by peaked (068)

[personal profile] nothinglikefather 2020-06-01 08:58 pm (UTC)(link)
Jacob will toast to that, and then raise the glass to his mouth, knocking it back while watching Arthur, making sure he keeps pace with him, and slams the glass back down on the table as fast as he can, trying to beat the cowboy.

And trying to ignore the burn of much stronger booze running down his throat. Jesus.
aintyourbro: (Cold Stroganoff)

[personal profile] aintyourbro 2020-06-02 01:26 am (UTC)(link)
Cloud isn't planning on being here when they get back, and he's already turned to head for the exit. He pauses though, since this lady is still talking to him and he doesn't want to be too rude, especially not after she'd helped him out. So, he pauses and turns back in her direction, giving her a small shrug.

"Nope. Not here, anyway, but from what I've heard there's no way to just leave."
aintyourbro: (Clam Stram)

[personal profile] aintyourbro 2020-06-02 01:32 am (UTC)(link)
He doesn't look thrilled at all by the concept of attending this party, and he huffs softly while glancing off in the general direction that the robots had retreated.

"Yeah, that's not a bad idea, I guess. Maybe I'll stop in for a little bit. This isn't a regular thing, is it? The parties?"

One party he can deal with, but more than that? Nnnnope.
aintyourbro: (QcbVRx3)

[personal profile] aintyourbro 2020-06-02 02:42 am (UTC)(link)
"You didn't do anything wrong," he insists, standing still for as long as she needs to collect herself. That much he can't screw up, he's totally got this.

"what's your brother like? If you don't mind me asking." Maybe a little small talk would help? He doesn't know, he's just winging it here.
fishermansweater: (Default)

bar

[personal profile] fishermansweater 2020-06-02 11:29 am (UTC)(link)
As much as Finnick is a man to dress for an occasion, he didn't survive the arena twice by being impractical. Which is to say, he appreciates the desire to wear boots instead of heels, and can think of at least three women he's close to who'd take the boots instead of fancy shoes if given the opportunity.

"Nice shoes," is the closest he comes to outright saying it, but his wide smile says that he's not being sarcastic as he leans onto the bar next to Rey. The shoes aren't the only thing nice about the outfit but Finnick, used as he is to being unquestionably one of the most attractive people in any room he's in, is well aware that there are often more important things to comment on.

"Least someone's got the right shoes if we wind up needing to fight off the one that hasn't heard of any spirit other than tequila."
Edited 2020-06-02 11:31 (UTC)
fishermansweater: (And he's alive again)

a.

[personal profile] fishermansweater 2020-06-02 11:51 am (UTC)(link)
[ He can't not laugh. Not at her, as such, more at the idea of there being anybody anywhere who could even make that comment to him. He's been getting used to the idea that people here either haven't heard of him or at least pretend not to have, but sometimes it strikes him all over again. Not so long ago, that ordeal had been his daily life. And he'd made himself the person the cameras were all over.

Johanna would have thought the comment was hilarious. ]


Sorry.

[ He says it with an easy, apologetic smile. ]

Never thought anyone'd say that to me. I've been showing off in front of cameras since I was a kid.

towhatmatters: (→19)

[personal profile] towhatmatters 2020-06-02 06:51 pm (UTC)(link)
The bartender eagerly brings over another bottle, as Arthur empties his own glass, then proceeds to empty the first bottle by pouring them both another.

It's been quite some time since he's been able to do this, indulge in it. Enjoy good drink and good company, and probably make mistakes afterwards. He'd been too sick back home, and before this party there wasn't actually any good booze in Anchor.

So he downs the next glass just as eagerly.
nothinglikefather: made by peaked (012)

[personal profile] nothinglikefather 2020-06-02 08:54 pm (UTC)(link)
Jacob has always been a bit of a drinker, sometimes for good reasons, sometimes for bad, but mostly it's because that's just what you do. He prefers to do it with people than alone, a social creature through and through.

Keeping up with Arthur isn't really a chore, even if he'd not choose whiskey himself.

"We were going to start brewing this stuff ourselves, you know. Bloody sick of tequila."
abheirrant: (❧ he felt that (how unusual))

[personal profile] abheirrant 2020-06-03 07:08 am (UTC)(link)
I suppose going through the front it is, then.

[He finally takes a step forward, hoping she will lead the rest.]

You look radiant, by the way.
abheirrant: (❧ i lost myself)

[personal profile] abheirrant 2020-06-03 07:14 am (UTC)(link)
Kabal removes his mask so casually so he can drink; Carlisle, on the other hand, keeps adjusting his scarf, afraid it will fall just enough to reveal his missing nose and decayed jawline. He's not sure he believes any of what Kabal says, but something about the man's tone tells Carlisle it's closer to fact than fiction. Maybe it's how Kabal describes these 'dictator' sorts as anything but pleasant, charitable fellows, but rather as beings of ostentatious avarice.

"Were you punished by any of them?" he asks, casting Kabal a sideways glance. "Do you know how mad they get first-hand, or is it hearsay?"
numerouno: (IX)

[personal profile] numerouno 2020-06-03 12:23 pm (UTC)(link)
Scaramouche automatically shows the bar bot his drink; a paper umbrella and two slices of fruit are slipped into the glass.

"When you live on the road, you see a lot of bars."

Which isn't to say he is a cocktail connoisseur--he isn't. But what's the point of denying it now? 'Cocktail connoisseur'... He likes the sound of it.
nothinglikefather: made by peaked (037)

[personal profile] nothinglikefather 2020-06-03 04:07 pm (UTC)(link)
"When you live in London, you see a lot of pubs. But cocktails? Not really on the menu. But you can get a decent pint in most of them." Which isn't to be sniffed at either, when beer is probably the most easily accessible, and frankly the cheapest drink around.

"So do all bars where you're from do cocktails? Typically? I thought that was only fancy places."
towhatmatters: (→15)

[personal profile] towhatmatters 2020-06-03 07:38 pm (UTC)(link)
"Should probably still do it. Maybe they'll bring back the tequila."

Maybe it's just for tonight that they get treated to something else. Since it's apparently some sort of special occasion, it wouldn't surprise him. He does wonder who exactly arranged this, and with what supplies. Was all this made through what is growing on the Agricultural levels?

Ugh. Thinking too much. Not drunk enough yet.

He pours again.
nothinglikefather: made by peaked (028)

[personal profile] nothinglikefather 2020-06-03 08:28 pm (UTC)(link)
"I hope not. I might liberate some bottles before the end of tonight. Tuck them away somewhere safe to enjoy later." Charles will appreciate that, when they have a tough day. And it might work as a currency in the future too, if any of them are as desperate for proper alcohol as he had been.

"If we do, you going to be an official taster?"

The third glass goes down more easily than the first two, and he gestures for another.
numerouno: (CXX)

[personal profile] numerouno 2020-06-04 04:00 am (UTC)(link)
'London.' Should he know where that is?

"You gotta know where to look."

He takes an understated sip of his drink. It's a lie; only cities can offer that level of luxury.
nothinglikefather: made by peaked (Default)

[personal profile] nothinglikefather 2020-06-04 08:15 am (UTC)(link)
"Capital city, pub on every street corner." Jacob supplies, when he realises that it's likely the metal man doesn't come from the same world he does, or even one like it.

The idea of knowing where to look for a bar amuses him though, because Jacob can always find a drink.

"I'm pretty sure we don't have cocktails where I'm from. Mixing alcohol together? Not really something people in my time do. We just drink it as is, mostly."
numerouno: (XVII)

[personal profile] numerouno 2020-06-04 10:35 am (UTC)(link)
"Who's keeping the guard out of danger? You?"

He pulls his teasing grin away, straightening in his seat and waving a hand around as he goes on.

"Let them have their fun. That'll teach that rookie not to play hooky."
towhatmatters: (→15)

[personal profile] towhatmatters 2020-06-04 03:08 pm (UTC)(link)
"Not sure about that, but I guess once you've met them you don't need to attend more."

Arthur's not the type to force anyone, anyway. Not that he knows about everyone else in Anchor. Maybe they would insist on Cloud coming to more parties.
towhatmatters: (→03)

[personal profile] towhatmatters 2020-06-06 09:12 am (UTC)(link)
Oh, he'll pour. He'll pour until Jacob tells him to stop or either of them need to give up. Wouldn't do for them to pass out before they could do any shooting, and the idea is growing on him.

"Sure. Better make sure you don't screw it up. Ah, but--" He turns a little on the bar stool. "Is Charles helping?"
nothinglikefather: made by peaked (Default)

[personal profile] nothinglikefather 2020-06-06 09:28 am (UTC)(link)
Jacob drains the glass, and gestures for another. He can drink, and he can drink, and he can drink. At some point he'll probably collapse, but not yet.

And not when Arthur mentions Charles.

Jacob can't help the pull of his muscles into a smile, the way his mood lifts even higher as he thinks about Arthur's friend. It might be obvious to those who know about Charles and Jacob, hell it might be obvious to those that don't, but an excuse to talk about Charles is one he'll grab with both hands.

Part of him knows that Arthur doesn't know. He should be subtle. He shouldn't wax poetic about Charles' calm and gentle method of mentoring. He shouldn't sigh dreamily about how Charles offers his asstance at the drop of a hat, how he's always willing to do everything he can for people, without reward and often without thanks.

He has to fight that back, because the whiskey tells him to talk about Charles to anyone willing to listen.

"Yeah. Charles is- Charles helps. But he doesn't know about whiskey. He thinks we're just doing bear. Beer. He thinks we're brewing beers. It's gonna be a surprise."
circumitus: and you don't even notice. (staring problems)

[personal profile] circumitus 2020-06-06 06:55 pm (UTC)(link)
Is that what they call peacocking? Seems Finnick is taking the word pretty literally. Rey opens her mouth at first to address the subject of her footwear, until he mentions that dreaded beverage.

"We don't drink tequila," Rey replies in a distant, empty tone, mimicking a thousand-yard-stare that may or may not be exaggerated. "Not since... the incident."

Theatrics aside, tequila really is a one-way shot to a bad time for everyone involved. Herself included.
towhatmatters: (→19)

[personal profile] towhatmatters 2020-06-07 01:42 pm (UTC)(link)
The smile is very obvious, but Arthur doesn't think much of it. Charles is a very good person, reliable and kind. Anyone who is reasonable would be happy to know him.

More whiskey!

"I'm sure that'll be a pleasant surprise."
nothinglikefather: made by peaked (012)

[personal profile] nothinglikefather 2020-06-07 02:47 pm (UTC)(link)
"If we don't make a pigs ear out of it." Jacob slurs, before he says, before slapping Arthur on the shoulder. "Which is where you come in, cowboy."

writtendestiny: (027)

[personal profile] writtendestiny 2020-06-08 07:11 pm (UTC)(link)
"Mm... you probably would have noticed." And then she gives him a quick sidelong look, because hey, maybe not..?

"No one's seen her, but I think she's been here for as long as Joe has. She doesn't like it when he's mistreated."

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