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redmarsshit2020-04-27 08:43 pm
modblob) wrote in redmarsshit2020-04-27 08:43 pm
Entry tags:
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 befunny 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.
▶ 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
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.
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.
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.
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.
Whatever the reason, the network is going strong, so feel free to include a post to it in your top-levels.
no subject
He lowers he eyes just for a heartbeat as if it will hide the pleasure that the compliment brings. It doesn't. There's very little that could diminish that smile.
"You aren't so bad yourself. That blue suits you. It really suits you." Charles is handsome all the time, whatever he chooses to wear, whatever form he's in. But something about that colour is perfect in him, and Jacob's hands move to smooth over his shoulders as they dance.
no subject
But if even he can find someone who looks at him the way Jacob does, he must be doing something right.
A little squeeze to his wrist and his steps become a little more sure, for a time. "Suits you, though. You could look like a real gentleman." That smirk shifts a little as he leans close to his ear in a warm murmur.
"If I didn't know better."
no subject
And while Jacob has had some luck in getting things tailored to suit his tastes, he hasn't been allowed to wear things just because he likes them. Assassins have to be more prepared than that. Charles probably has to be more mindful too, making sure he has what he needs and no more or less than that.
The city was different. This place is different.
"That leather jacket you had. The one you wore to the Carry Okay party. That looked good too." He offers, and there's a hint of desire in his words and on his lips as he says it.
"Real gentleman?" He repeats, before those lower wicked words send thrills through every nerve. "I've got a knighthood. Don't come more genteel than me." He moves closer, flush against Charles. "But I can still be a bad influence. We could leave early..."
no subject
There's a lot to see and do here, and the party won't always be here. These opportunities for comfort are always fleeting, and him?
Well. He's not going anywhere. Not for all the world.
"I know where you sleep, remember," he adds, with a chuckle, as the song starts to draw towards its ending notes. "But if you're tired of the party already..."
no subject
In truth, if given the opportunity, he would have stayed back in the quad. yes there is a chance to learn things here, to have a good time with free food, and the booze he's missed for what seems like months but he'd give all of that up if Charles had wanted to stay home.
"Normally it's under you." Jacob chuckles, hand moving from Charles' shoulder to the nape of his neck, the solid muscle strong under his fingers, hair dark and soft. "I could take a little break. There's bound to be a little quiet corner we could occupy for a little while, if you're hungry for something the bar isn't serving?"
no subject
"Mm. No rush. Just something to consider for later on," he replies almost innocently, before the song finally ends and he nods towards the edge of the dance floor. A guiding hand slips to the small of Jacob's back, pressing firmly as they walk.
"I don't plan on staying in this get-up all night, that's for damn sure."
no subject
But the hand on the small of his back is more than good enough to repel any regret about leaving the dance floor, and it spreads warmth through him.
"I can help with that." He offers, leaning back against that hand and against Charles' side, his Eagle Vision scanning the venue for a quiet corner.
"There's a little room behind the bar. If you want to... take that jacket off."
no subject
Something it was difficult at any point to convince Jacob of, but even more so in situations like these. Like a dog catching scent, he was now caught up in the idea, and Charles had admittedly known that would be the case the moment he uttered a word.
He isn't normally one for public displays, himself. Old instincts meant to shield him from hurt. But there are moments that a little boldness is allowed, perhaps meant for in fact, and instead of slipping off somewhere quiet he leans closer and catches the corner of Jacob's mouth in a brief kiss.
"We'll get there," he promises, and he means it. Jacob can look forward to that by evening's end, that's for damn sure.
no subject
He knows that it doesn't mean Charles doesn't want him. Charles doesn't demand his attention only when he wants him for something, he doesn't turn him on and off at will like Jacob is a tool, a machine. Charles cares for him, Charles looks after him. And that makes the prospect of waiting not just bearable, it makes his anticipate it far more.
"Well, I suppose you must have a few other names on your dance card. Can't monopolise you all night."
no subject
Keeping close, Charles lifts his head to glance around the party. He appreciates that it's not some grand hall, but a park set up with various tents. It makes it feel more open, less like some gilded cage they're all stuck in.
For a while, it's easy to think that maybe they're here by choice.
"Seems like your leg's doing better," he notes, arching an eyebrow as he looks back to Jacob.
no subject
But maybe if no one else needs Charles right now, they can just bask in each other's company a little while longer. Jacob would rather be here than anywhere else.
"Oh, someone bandaged it up for me." He says with dry amusement. "I wasn't going to bother but as it turns out, it helped it heal pretty well."
It's still going to leave a scar. Not a nasty one, just another to add to his collection.
no subject
Yes. He's giving him guff about it. Because often times Jacob will just swan off and leave things as they are, rather than trying to take care of them in progress. Most of the time it's fine, but...it's worrisome. He worries.
Surely he can't be faulted for that.
no subject
After all, how often are they hurt while defending friends, or those unable to fight for themselves? How often do they put their own needs aside for others? In Charles' case, every day. For Jacob, maybe less often, but if he's hurt it's because there are a few big bastards who want to see him hurt, if not dead, and giving them a taste of their own medicine is more pressing than finding bandages.
"Besides, it was just a scratch really. You're the one who ingested most of that plant." And his expression becomes more tender, fingers moving to brush Charles' hair back. "You have to be careful with yourself. It goes both ways."
no subject
"We're not just fighting for ourselves. Got to be careful. I will be, too."
If only to avoid the sad looks Jacob might turn his way, otherwise. For a deadly assassin, he might as well count 'guilt tripping' as one of his more effective weapons, and Charles couldn't even be certain he had the guile to do it on purpose.
no subject
But he won't raise that again, not here, but he leans in and rests his head briefly against Charles' shoulder again. "Good. You're too important to lose."
Thankfully, Charles doesn't say that. If he did, Jacob would scoff because his guilt-tripping only ever works on Charles. Maybe Angel on occasions.
no subject
It's a fear, and a valid one. He'd spent quite a while on his own for a while, after Angel, Connor, and Jacob had all vanished from the City. It was possible they'd be separated, that he knows.
But that wasn't the end. It wouldn't be. And one hand lifted, cradled gently against the back of Jacob's head, fingers threading faintly through his short, dark hair. "We managed to find each other on another world entirely. We'd find a way back to each other. Mm?"
no subject
He makes a soft noise, in mute agreement. They found each other. Somehow all of them ended up together again, and while he doesn't understand how that could have happened, he is more grateful for the fact than he can say.
"Hopefully we never have to again. Once was enough."