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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.



seaboard: (little voices left to rot and plot)

[personal profile] seaboard 2020-05-03 04:10 pm (UTC)(link)
Gilia knows better than to reveal her discontent at her circumstance.

But there is a flicker that comes two quickly that says it plainly: oh thank the Father-Sea. Finally someone who does things the way she expects. That she falls into it without hesitation. She takes his hand in both of hers, water-cool and gentle and bows her head over his knuckles with respect. Her skirt flaring and pooling about her stiffly with the heavy embroidery.

"I would be much obliged if you would consider me for such an invitation."
seaboard: (through another song)

2

[personal profile] seaboard 2020-05-03 04:19 pm (UTC)(link)
He looks to be like the Fire-Soldiers. They only came once a year, and she had cowered away from them, until she was no longer allowed to. Brawn and scarred, heat marred their flesh with such pride in their stance, their youthful exuberance that was their pact, to hold the flame in their own skin.

People just seem to talk to each other, and as she waits to get service, and when she finds herself next to him - she doesn't want to be rude, even if she is, to a word, scared witless of him. Even if all he was doing was drinking and minding his own business, seemingly.

But that would be rude to admit. Maybe - maybe he was very polite under that heaviness of his strength?

So waiting to be served, her delicate goblet in her fingers, she lowers her head in greeting, something of a curtsey and a bow. "G... Good evening. I trust the night treats you well?"
Edited 2020-05-03 16:20 (UTC)
nothinglikefather: made by peaked (080)

1b

[personal profile] nothinglikefather 2020-05-03 04:21 pm (UTC)(link)
Arthur isn't the only one pleased that Tequila Sunrises are nowhere in sight. He has no desire to drink one ever again, no matter how much he liked the first one he tried with Devi. Now he wants a beer, hoppy and amber and straight from the cast.

Or whatever they've got here.

He pats Arthur on the back as he approaches the man, glancing him up and down. The suit isn't exactly alien, men's fashion hasn't changed much between Jacob's time and the turn of the century, but it's very different to the suit Jacob was sent.

"Wetting your whistle? I'll drink to that." He says, settling next to him. "You seen the piles of food? Enough to feed us all for a week."
Edited 2020-05-03 16:21 (UTC)
seaboard: (coming for your aid)

wildcard about lightshow and not me fucking up

[personal profile] seaboard 2020-05-03 04:25 pm (UTC)(link)
Then he is in very good company if he hasn't. Because outside of the festival drums and the storms at sea, she has never seen anything like most of this. The lights are - simply - terrifying to her.

Gilia goes white in the absolute fearful surprise when the music starts and the light show begins, jumps in aghast as she feels trapped by it. Stumbling back and latching onto the first person that she runs into. Not in any small way, she is plainly put, terrified by everything she doesn't understand, not least of all what her family will think of her around all this decadence - and jumps behind him to put him between it and her, and buries her face into his back.

When the sound stops, she presses up on her toes to look over his shoulder wide-eyed like he was a castle ledge. Her terrified little whisper just for him to hear. "What is it?"
Edited 2020-05-04 05:57 (UTC)
seaboard: (isn't it odd?)

party pooper

[personal profile] seaboard 2020-05-03 04:36 pm (UTC)(link)
She never really like this many people, mot for extended periods of time. Because truth be told, she would rather be in the solar, making the best of the morning sunlight, stitching her brother's clothes up.

But that wasn't to be there, any more than it was here. They had been invited, and it would be so dreadfully rude to turn down an invitation, she could hear her Mother's lecture if she did. So she goes, and does her best for as long as she can, but she needs a break when everything is so painful new - because rather foolishly, she does take everything at face value. It is so very thoughtful for them to take such care of them. What an honour, too, no doubt.

Just - wanted a second, on this nice piece of railing in the half light to take off this very heavy headpiece.

When she finds herself suddenly with company, she yelps like a mouse someone didn't happen to notice on the floor. Oh, Spirits, what was a woman to do?

And she feels dreadfully exposed like this. She snatches up the hat, and holds it in front of the lower part of her face as she steps back from him, wide-eyed.

"Forgive me, I did not mean to intrude."
nothinglikefather: made by peaked (078)

Party Pooper

[personal profile] nothinglikefather 2020-05-03 04:37 pm (UTC)(link)
Jacob isn't exactly a fan of big parties. He's a fan of drinking, and the company of a select few. But as things go on, he retreats away from the noise and the music, and goes back to the upper levels where he can watch the party without having to be in the centre of it.

Or rather, he would watch the party, if the noise of breaking boxes didn't distract him. He didn't think he'd be the only one skipping out on the festivities, but he didn't think there'd be many who would use the opportunity and the darkness over the rest of the colony to do any exploring. Especially over these more well-travelled areas, where during a normal day there's a number of residents about.

He follows the source of the noise, his footsteps silent, and his vision changing to grey tones as he focuses on the figure in the labs. The place looks like a mess, but Jacob can't identify what the figure is searching for. Nothing glows, nothing sparkles enough for him to see the reason for all this destruction.

"Lost your invitation?" He asks. He's never subtle, despite all the assassin training and his sister's chiding. There's no point sneaking and spying when he can just thump people and find out what you want that way.
macaire: (Default)

[personal profile] macaire 2020-05-03 04:44 pm (UTC)(link)
The returned bow is not familiar, but it isn't too distant a relation to the curtsy he is used to, and therefore he accepts it with a gentle nod of the head.

"It would be my pleasure, my dear." He says, and while keeping one of her hands in his, leads her forward onto the dance floor. Thankfully, the music has a tempo not unlike the popular dances of his home. He had seen some of the wilder, gyrating dances earlier that evening, and had disliked them immensely. Thankfully, he had been far away from the dance floor at that point.

"This place is as unfamiliar to you as it is to me, I believe." He says, as his free hand rests in a suitably modest point of her back. "I don't think I have ever been to a place where everyone is a stranger."
aintyourbro: (rPGdNRC)

[personal profile] aintyourbro 2020-05-03 05:36 pm (UTC)(link)
He hears her before he sees her, his hand instinctively shooting up toward the hilt of his sword. He's quick to realize that it's just some fancy lady and not like, some kind of killer robot or whatever though, but then he's left with his hand awkwardly hovering in the air for a moment before he attempts to save it by running his fingers through his hair instead. Nailed it, she's totally convinced that he's not about to cleave her in half, right? Whatever.

"No, it's okay. Pretty sure you were here first, anyway."

Even if she wasn't, it's not like this area was private. Still, he takes a couple steps back of his own, his gaze falling on the massive headpiece she's holding. Is now a weird time to strike up a conversation? I mean, probably, but maybe she knows something about this place, who knows.

"That looks like it weighs a ton. Did the robots make you wear it?"
readytobe: (suspicion growing)

Mewtwo | Pokemon + Empatheias CRAU

[personal profile] readytobe 2020-05-03 05:41 pm (UTC)(link)
[network prompt - text, un: m2]

I have just arrived and urgently need answers to three questions.

What experiments and processes are currently underway in the bioscience laboratories here? The introduction video implied that it was quite busy, but it has clearly been some time since that was recorded.

Who is in charge of maintaining the radiation shield surrounding the colony?

And finally: what do you know of the term “Arehtei”?


[action prompt - party cat]

[Parties, whatever their dress code may be, are not normally Mewtwo’s style, but finding himself in an entirely new landscape warrants investigation. He’s been prowling around the colony for a few days, getting his bearings and assessing the available technology; now he needs to meet the locals.

(And, admittedly, he secretly thinks that the cape he’s been given is rather fetching.)

He knows that he isn’t good at being friendly, so he doesn’t try. Instead he lets his presence be strange and intimidating, declining food and drink in favor of watching the other partygoers. His curiosity does lead him over to the buffet table, but he’s mostly interested in that large...face...cake.

Hello, nearby person. Prepare to be interrogated by a telepathic cat-monster.
]

Who is this man?
aintyourbro: (8jupFEu)

[personal profile] aintyourbro 2020-05-03 06:00 pm (UTC)(link)
Honestly, Cloud had expected a lot more resistance while sneaking into this place than he'd encountered, which is to say like, any resistance. He'd run into a roomba or two, but there weren't any wall mounted turrets or guard bots ready to kick him out. There was nothing keeping him out of anywhere aside from a couple of locked doors that, from what he guessed, lead to maybe someone's private labs. Maybe he'd try to break into those later, but for now, he's focused on a computer screen. At least he is up until he hears a voice behind him, and he waists no time whipping around to find the source while pulling that massive sword off his back.

"That's a good way to get yourself killed," he says, totally ignoring the question for now. If Jacob wasn't half way across the room, he might have caught a buster sword to the chops. Or not, someone not afraid to announce their presence like that was either an idiot, or skilled enough to gain the upper hand in this sort of situation.
latiosite: (Default)

text | chief (action later but lazy for now)

[personal profile] latiosite 2020-05-03 06:26 pm (UTC)(link)
I am afraid I've only just arrived myself so I cannot offer any explanation to the first two of your inquiries.

However, I am aligned with Sosyne and have some familiarity with the other Arehtei. What is it that you would like to discuss or know?
readytobe: (you're in my way you better watch out)

O hai

[personal profile] readytobe 2020-05-03 06:37 pm (UTC)(link)
[Aha! A clue!! from this mysterious stranger he definitely doesn’t know.]

If you are familiar with the Arehtei, then I assume you have also arrived here from Verens? I am searching for others who were trapped in that world as I was.

What do you last remember of it?
latiosite: (Default)

pls of course she'd be here for her favorite cat

[personal profile] latiosite 2020-05-03 06:41 pm (UTC)(link)
I have, yes. Although I had returned home for some time prior to arriving here. I do not know if that information matters to you.

I was in the home I shared with my partner and pokemon. It was not a particularly exciting day or anything out of the normal, even for that city.
theweakhavepurpose: (Aftermath)

[personal profile] theweakhavepurpose 2020-05-03 07:01 pm (UTC)(link)
The wolf couldn't care less about what's going on. Drugged, tortured, trained for nothing but the hunt, anything else is an afterthought, even with Pratt's constant attempts to bring her back to something more normal. A work in progress, much like himself. The Deputy always looks a little on edge, as if worried the food might be poisoned or that he's about to be attacked. This is about as "relaxed" as Pratt can get and it still needs some practice.

"They're programmed to have feelings anyway. Talk to them, you'll see what I mean. Angel said it was some sort of AI but thats.. beyond my time." The fact he can work his roomba is a minor miracle. Sure he's addicted to his phone, and can LASO Halo Reach, but that doesn't mean he knows how either of those things actually work.

"A soul? I .. " He swallows hard, looking suddenly more nervous. "No clue. Does it matter?"
theweakhavepurpose: (Unsure)

[personal profile] theweakhavepurpose 2020-05-03 07:12 pm (UTC)(link)
[Who better to chat with than the most neurotic, nervous mess in the entire town? That's sure to go well.

Pratt is surreptitiously gathering up food (all vegetables) on a plate when he's suddenly aware of something else nearby. Something watching silently. Whatever he expected when he turned to look was not this bipedal.. cat(?) thing? Kangaroo dragon?

In good news he doesn't drop his plate, but he is most definitely staring.
]
nothinglikefather: made by peaked (Default)

[personal profile] nothinglikefather 2020-05-03 07:18 pm (UTC)(link)
Whatever security was once here probably stopped working due to neglect a long time ago, or was disconnected by the people who arrived before. Jacob doesn't really care. The best sort of security is some big guys on the door and a few on the roof with guns as far as he's concerned, but he's also pretty good at avoiding that.

The big sword, when it's aimed at him, only makes him raise an eyebrow. "Compensating?"

"And I'm not the one sneaking around in the dark. Don't start telling me what's likely to get me killed around here." He moves forwards, or rather, moves in an arc that's out of reach of the sword's blade, watching the other watch him.

"What are you looking for, Cinderella?"
macaire: (Default)

[personal profile] macaire 2020-05-03 07:29 pm (UTC)(link)
That simply does not make sense. "They are programmed to have responses? They do not feel intuitively? Does that not seem hollow to you?"

But perhaps it is the norm. These machines have responses learned by rote, like schoolboys clearing the succession of kings. The feelings they have are nothing more.

Still, something to puzzle over another time. The man's sudden nerves pique his interest, but his demeanor does not change. He remains coolly detached.

"A great deal. A soul is the very thing that makes us unique. Do you not believe so?"
theweakhavepurpose: (Considering)

[personal profile] theweakhavepurpose 2020-05-03 07:46 pm (UTC)(link)
"Yeah it's hollow, they're robots." To him that explains everything. They're not really aware, just programmed that way. Still, he'd feel bad if he had to kill one, or even shut it down for maintenance or something. He is a pack animal that will bond with anything that lets him.

"Not anymore." He shakes his head, going back to piling his plate up. "We're not any better, or different. Worse in a lot of ways."
macaire: (Default)

[personal profile] macaire 2020-05-03 07:54 pm (UTC)(link)
You can not kill what is not alive. It serves a purpose and if it can not do so, then it should be scrapped or remade into something capable. But Magnus does not air such opinions. He is here for information and information alone.

"Different? Than the machines?" He glances to one, piling more food onto the groaning table. "I think we are very much different, from the little I have observed. But you must think very little of your fellow man to say as much."
aintyourbro: (oR0N7vL)

[personal profile] aintyourbro 2020-05-03 08:53 pm (UTC)(link)
Ah yes, a dick joke. All things considered, it's a bit surprising that Cloud hasn't heard more of them in response to his giant fuckoff sword. Either way he's only mildly annoyed by it, responding with a huff and a slight narrowing of his eyes as he tightens his grip on the hilt.

"That depends, you in charge here?"

He has no idea who Cinderella is, so he's just gonna not address that part. He does keep his eyes locked on this guy, though, following his path with the end of his blade.
nothinglikefather: made by peaked (Default)

[personal profile] nothinglikefather 2020-05-03 09:01 pm (UTC)(link)
With a sword like that in tow, a few dick jokes have got to be par the course and if Cinderella couldn't just roll with them, then he doesn't deserve the sword in the first place.

"Do I look like a mad scientist to you?" Jacob asks. He is, after all, in a suit right now. Not a lab coat. But maybe even mad scientists take those off sometimes. "Truth is, no one is really in charge here. You can think of it as a democracy. Or a bloody mess. I know which one it looks like to me."

He continues to move, watching the sword. It doesn't shake, doesn't wobble. Even though Cinderella has been holding it up for a good minute or so. Impressive.

"You know how to use that butter knife?"
gh0stamidstthec0mbat: (:))

[personal profile] gh0stamidstthec0mbat 2020-05-03 09:10 pm (UTC)(link)
Zer0 hadn't received the flashy, fancy intro as everyone else had, as he had deliberately shown up invisible in order to avoid it and totally sneaked in early just because the robots didn't want anyone to do exactly that. Fuck you robots, you're not Zer0's boss. Also he's just used to being sneaky, and while it might not be necessary to be stealthy right now, old assassin-y habits die hard.

Still, it's somewhat entertaining when someone else comes in and shit just pops off, so he gives this flashily dressed robo-bro a little golf clap once his introduction is complete.

"Way to ham it up. / I don't get the point of this, / but it's fun to watch."
aintyourbro: (Can't Stop)

[personal profile] aintyourbro 2020-05-03 09:23 pm (UTC)(link)
You know what suck my entire buster sword.

For all Cloud knows, all the mad scientists are off at the party wearing fancy suits too. You could all be mad scientists, he doesn't know.

"You don't carry a weapon if you don't know how to use it," he scoffs, but since this guy seems more interested in giving him a hard time than outright attacking him, he lowers his blade a bit. Besides, he seems willing enough to give up at least some information, so Cloud's just going to roll with this momentum he's got going.

"I'm trying to find a way out. The video that played when I got here said there wasn't one, but I wanted to confirm it for myself. Thought I'd see what your scientists had found out."
kaballin: (Retribution)

Re: 2

[personal profile] kaballin 2020-05-03 11:43 pm (UTC)(link)
That sure is one hell of a getup. Fancy fluffery that is probably going to unravel if she turns her head too quickly. He'd almost laugh but the bow kind of catches him off guard.

Okay then.

"Better with booze." His eyes flick over her seeing dollar signs in literally every crevice of what she's wearing. Last he'd checked gold was at $287 an ounce and pearls at about $300 a strand so..this is a lot. Kabal is an idiot in a lot of ways but measuring monetary value in things is not one of them.

Unfortunately she happens to be wearing his potential payday, and killing her to take it right here in the middle of a party is probably not the brightest idea. Alas.

"That thing on your head looks heavy as hell."

Charming.
seaboard: (but will not lift you)

[personal profile] seaboard 2020-05-04 04:44 am (UTC)(link)
She is woefully unaware of everything he might be thinking - and is quite sure he would never think anything of the sort. After all, she's never wanted to steal from anyone. Why would he? Simple logic.

"It is, in its way." A safe topic, and she settles more visibly releaved he hasn't thrown an axe at a wall or whatever takes his fancy. She's not really sure what Soldiers do in their spare time.

"But it is a familiar one. So I cannot complain overmuch."

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