redmarsshit | june 2020. welcome to the void.

june 2020. welcome to the void.

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. welcome to paradise.

What at first appears to be an odd glint in the sky over Anchor slowly broadens and brightens into a truly enormous...cruise ship? Yes, that's a cruise ship, and it's coming down to rest just outside of Anchor's exit doors. The ground shakes as it lands. A bubble forms over the ship and connects to Anchor's exit, and there's no two ways about it: the ship comes with its own radiation shield.

This sucker puts the Titanic to shame. Nearly as long as Anchor is wide, it's more like a floating city than the cruise ship it resembles. Little satellite ships hover and dart around it, occupied by alien lifeforms with too many arms to quite fit the Hawaiian print shirts that they're wearing.

The Daisy Darling Interdimensional Cruise Barge has come to Anchor.

b. anchors away!

And it's quite accessible to residents of Anchor. In fact, the people (of every shape, size, and coloration that can't be considered human) on board will be delighted to host the creatures they've been watching for the past few months as they orbited the planet. Not only will Anchorites find themselves accosted for photos, but they can also find figurines, keychains, and small novelty items of themselves in almost every knick-knack store on the promenade deck. The souvenir shops will also come heavily stocked with red shift-themed items, including toys and decorations featuring some of the monsters that have appeared from the wastes. You always wanted a slinky sand worm, didn't you?

Anyone who can sing, dance, play music, or otherwise perform will be encouraged to do so and showered with gifts - both useful and useless - by the vacationers. Have an instrument, or a good voice? Go busking! Sell your art, give lectures about your home worlds, teach salsa dancing. The vacationers are just waiting to give you money for helping them have a good time.

There's an alien casino, with machines both familiar and very very not. It's a rollicking place with neon signs, free-flowing drinks, and even more free-flowing money. You might not have any use for alien currency in Anchor itself, but it couldn't hurt to check out the shops with a little extra cash from the poker tables, could it? At one side is an all-you-can-eat buffet of everything under the sun, from alien fruit and vegetable platters to...is that a whole giant squid? I never knew they came in quite that color...

You can sneak around the casino without too much effort, stealing from pockets, tables, and platters, but that could get you caught and thrown in the brig, which. Well. We'll get to that, but you don't really want to go there.

The uppermost level of the ship is a beach and water park. There's sand, palm trees, a wave pool, water slides, and a lazy river with inner tubes big enough to support even the heftiest alien. Oh, and a regular old pool, over there. Where all the old aliens are hanging out and playing hover-shuffle-board. Swimming gear is required in this area, but not to worry! There’s an automated booth that will supply you with just the suit you need.

In addition to these places, there's a whole ship to explore, with all the amenities a weary traveler could want. A spa (manned by real (alien) people!), jacuzzis, restaurants that actually function with food the bold can actually eat, clothing stores (though not much of it is designed with humans in mind), deck chairs on sunny promenades, gardens full of alien flowers, and an enormous library filled with books that are checked out based on the honor system. So, y'know. Be honorable. Or something.

c. the first rule of daisy darling.

For those unentertained by the above-board offerings of the upper decks, there's the ship’s more hidden amenities. A fight club filled with creatures of every shape, size, and level of power. A drug den with everything from euphoria-inducing cigarettes to hallucination-causing body paints. A thriving black market, though the offerings are comparatively innocent - bootlegged episodes of Anchors Away, mostly. What's that? Oh, just the reality show of your lives over the past six months. Let's hope no one comes across any awkward vids showing things you don't want people to know about.

Attached to the fight club is the brig. Can you see where this is going? People who get caught breaking the rules on the Daisy Darling can expect to face the music by being put opposite some of the ships more powerful monsters, or its more powerful and reckless vacationers. Who wouldn't love to test themselves against a giant robot or an honest-to-god cowboy? Don't worry! If you get too badly hurt, there's a repair suite on the medical level that can fix up almost any injury. Just don't die before you get there.

If anyone asks about staying on board, escaping the planet with the ship, or tries to convince an alien to help them stow away, they'll be told it goes against both the prime directive and the Daisy's petting zoo rules. Try to stow away on your own? Well, if you're lucky, you'll get caught by a benevolent guard and booted back to Anchor. If you're unlucky, get those boxing gloves ready, because you're headed for the brig.

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 and tag team in the fight club? 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.

Flat | Top-Level Comments Only

Hopefully, no one teaches him of this superpower of his any time soon.

"He got to fight, that's what makes him the happiest." Other than that and being left alone with no conflicts affecting the school Yamamoto can't think what else would make Hibari happy.

In the end, they are such vast opposites in their outward personality that it may have been inevitable to end up that way.

"Me either, it'll be an adventure." It almost seems like a tame adventure in comparison to what can happen on a daily basis in their lives back home.

He's attractive enough when he's not trying. His fan club back home is testament to that.

"Yeah." Not a Hibari from his world, but still very much a Hibari. Most of the Guardians share that same kind of passion for a challenge and battle, though. It's not odd.

"It'd still be fun to stowaway." Which he's definitely done before, but it's been a while. "Or to at least explore some..." where they aren't supposed to. Gokudera wants to check out every inch of this space cruise ship.

"Ah, but I don't want to piss off an alien." Which he still feels a little bit guilty for grabbing whoever/whatever that was in the water earlier.

What would the Tenth do? Probably just relax. Gokudera's going to do just that and enjoy the sound of the water and the warmth of the sand.

Fan club? What is Gokudera talking about, the girls are just really nice, he doesn't know it's his fan club. Besides, he is not the only Guardian with a fan club of giggling girls behind him at home.

Nope, to them it is natural, they wouldn't be who and what they are if it wasn't. Regular teenagers are not something they could be, they are a different breed that exceeds their years in many ways.

"Yeah, maybe we can explore before it's gone?" Or before they make their way to Anchor to find a way to turn it into a home for the two friends.

"I think they throw you in the brig on a ship, maybe we shouldn't risk it?" Would aliens have a brig, that does not sound like a good idea, maybe it is better to not do anything to piss any more aliens off. He'd rather not have sudden screeching and teeth again thanks.

The girls are annoying and noisy. Gokudera definitely doesn't find them or their attention nice. The gifts aren't bad, but he's completely baffled by their attention. At least with Yamamoto it makes sense. He's part of a sports team! Girls go for those kind of guys.

If the constant eagerness to fight and train weren't enough to make them weird, there's also the mafia superpowers. That's definitely not something any other teenager can claim.

"Sure. But I think I might stay here for a bit." If only he could sunbathe here, he'd love to. Instead, it seems Gokudera is about to fall asleep. "I'll get some milk later..."

"Mmmhm, so then just what isn't locked up... that should be fine."

They are nice Gokudera, they give them gifts and are always smiling, what's so bad about that? Then again, beyond thinking it's nice how they give him gifts he never thinks of any of the girls, ever. Maybe that's it, most people see him and like him for the cheerful jock, maybe he'll think about someone when they see him as more.

Nope, they got a lock on overpowered teenagers doing jobs way above their age level and they do it like bosses.

"Okay," Yamamoto hops up, trotting over to his clothes he dresses, not caring much about the sand, it washes out. He sees Gokudera being to doze, there is a bit of worry because well Gokudera is paler than Yamamoto, quietly he releases Kojiro, the sparrow understanding what his partner wants he takes flight, he'll use the rain flames to negate any negative effects and of course the sparrow makes a good sentry. He thinks he'll take a short run with Jiro down the beach, letting Gokudera have a few moments to rest. He won't be gone long and he is bound to take a seat there next to his friend when he does return. Ten minute tops, if only because he won't leave his friend sleeping in a strange place without someone having his back.

Obviously they get in the way of him protecting the Tenth! It's like they're trying to make his life difficult with the way they swarm! Confessions outside of the classroom are even more uncomfortable, and he remembers always turning them down. There's just no one he respects more than the Tenth, and he does not have enough time to begin to focus on girls. If getting a relationship were to ever come up, he'd just want to work on getting his boss Sasagawa-chan's attention. She seems nice and comfortable with the idea of her brother in the mafia, and it's not like she could avoid being in the mafia.

Gokudera hears Yamamoto get up and move, but doesn't pay too much attention. He's comfortable and well armed, and completely capable of taking care of himself. Except that as he's dozing, some alien child comes up and starts to bury his legs in the sand. Maybe he noticed and was too tickled with the strange company, or maybe Gokudera is actually asleep. If the little bit of drool at the corner of his mouth means anything, it's a safe assumption that Gokudera is completely oblivious. That sand is piled on and shaped like a fish tail, and the kid pats it on before they run off to collect some shells or rocks, or whatever else would make this human look silly.

His legs feel heavy. Did someone put a blanket on him? How nice...

Yamamoto knows Tsuna likes Ryohei's sister, Yamamoto would be on board with a plan to get the two of them together. They would make a good couple after all, since anyone who gets close to any of them is bound to be connected to the family and she is already part of said family. Gokudera has the right idea. And the swordsman is going to remain blissfully unaware that the rest of the girls are anything more than friendly.

His run takes him longer than he thought, working through this while his feet dig into sand is cathartic and by the time he and Jiro make it back Gokudera has been turned into a fish. Yamamoto would laugh except he sees how peaceful Gokudera looks and for a moment he just stands there smiling down at the other. When he sees the alien child approaching with shells in his hands the swordsman has to cover his mouth to not life, he searches at his feet, finding one he gets the idea of what the kid wants to do and begins to help him with a finger to his lips. Indicating they should not wake Gokudera up yet.

He is getting something thrown at him for this he can almost bet, but if that mischievous smile of his says anything with its boyish charm, he does not mind.

If Gokudera is going to sleep this deeply, he'll likely end up with a sandcastle around him. The alien child is stacking shells, accessorizing the tail, and then actually placing them as high as possible on Gokudera's chest.

The teen makes a soft, mumbled remark and wipes at his face, knocking the stack of small rocks and shells over. It's not loud, but it's not easy to ignore, and slowly, his eyes open. Ugh... why does he feel so heavy?

"Wh-what's going on?" He yawns and moves to sit, then notices that it's a bit difficult because WOAH WHEN DID THIS HAPPEN?! "Ack! Go away!" He waves his hand and the young alien scampers off, making a very happy sound. It's probably a laugh, and Gokudera looks over at Yamamoto, picks up a shell, and throws it nice and hard almost point-black at his forehead.

Yamamoto struggles hard to keep from chuckling in fear of waking Gokudera before they are finished with their masterpiece here. Then Gokudera wakes up and Yamamoto laughs his heart out, waving at the kid as he scampers off.

It's too good, Gokudera's expression, especially when he finds himself stuck. It only serves to make Yamamoto laugh harder. It is reflex and that he expected it from the start, when the shell flies at him he reaches up and catches it, it stings a little but does not stop his mirth.

"Your face, amazing.." He is so amused, really what a lovely mermaid Gokudera is.

Gokudera quickly gathers up as many of those seashells around him as he can and starts to rapid-fire throw them at Yamamoto, aiming for whatever and as fast as he can swing his hand.

"Go away or help me out of this, idiot!"

"Sorry, but you should see yourself."

Oh, training is it? He bumps his sword from his shoulder, unwrapping it as he goes he stances. Bring on the shells, he never takes it from bamboo. That may be why he ends up with more than a few shells finding a mark here and there. For the most part, however, Yamamoto is Yamamoto and dodges here and there, knocking shells away and laughing as if it's all fun and games.

However, there is definitely a dog digging out Gokudera's legs, see, he thought of his friend too. He won't leave him trapped in the sand.

"Tch!" Yamamoto should have taken a photo or something with his communicator if it was so funny. Gokudera's just grateful he's wearing clothes, so the sand layered on him is not sticking to his skin.

Of course the baseball idiot's reflexes are incredible even at dodging seashells. Gokudera grumbles once his hands are empty, then presses against the sand around him to pull himself out. "Good boy," he says softly to the akita as one leg slides out, then the other.

Damn, why did he not think of that, too late now since the other is free from the sand. Next time, if he can get away with burying Gokudera in sand a second time of course. He is bound to try should the opportunity arise.

When the shells stop flying he has a little cut beneath the edges of one of his bandages. Other than that he is no worse for wear and still grinning as he swings Shigure Kintoki back over his shoulder, using his fingers to knock some loose sand and small shells free. Jiro grins up at the praise, clearly as happy go lucky as his boy.

"The mermaid is free!" Yamamoto chokes now that Gokudera is free he should have picked a better word but he is having a be lame moment okay.

Too bad so sad!

Gokudera doesn't pay any damage he could have caused much mind. The dog is helping him, so of course, that's where his attention is pointed. Fluffy smiley dog, you are getting an ear rub before Gokudera's back to acting irritated.

"Tch! That's Merman to you!" But honestly... who just lets their child pile sand on a stranger?

Edited 2020-07-05 04:19 (UTC)

There will come another chance, he has faith!

Neither does Yamamoto honestly, it was all in good fun and he enjoyed it. Meanwhile, that pup will lean into the ear rub with a woof toward his boy as if to say ha or just get his attention because he can.

"Merman. It sounds like a comic book character." The word gets another laugh from Yamamoto. Who knows, but lucky for Yamamoto and the kid, he found the two people guaranteed not to hurt him on the beach, right?

Nope the moment is gone forever. Merman Gokudera is so rare that it's just going to have to be a tall tale Yamamoto tells the rest of the family. No one will believe him.

"Sh!" Gokudera grins and extends his other hand to rub both ears and that is some thick fur! He wonders if Jiro is secretly very thin under it all... he's probably light. "You want something?" He rubs down the dog's sides, sending fur about and chuckling at how he kind of looks like a toasted marshmallow.

"No. Don't you know anything about merfolk? Mermaids are maidens, and mermen are men."

Get your facts straight, Yamamoto!

Oh yes, they will! Or at least Ryohei, maybe Tsuna, Hibari well Yamamoto probably won't bother to tell him. It's not like he would care and Lambo would turn it into a nickname. The only one who may not tease him is Chrome and he knows it.

Nope, the toasted marshmallow is just happy to be out, about, and petted. He is as happy and calm as his owner. There is little doubt that the pair reflect each other as a furry head bumps itself into Gokudera's leg, wiggling in happiness at sides being rubbed. He is light enough for Yamamoto to carry him on his shoulders and head when needed. But solid enough to be a good battle companion.

"Really? I never read anything about mermaids. Makes sense."

Never! Okay, maybe, someday. For now, he is going to stand there with a derpy smile and a sparrow landing on top of his head. So yeah. There.

Lambo would probably do his best to recreate a mermaid Gokudera. They could believe Yamamoto, but Gokudera will vehemently deny it.

"You saved me!" Gokudera says, voice lilting affectionately as he stops rubbing and pats Jiro gently. The dog feels like a pillow and isn't as excitable as most. Toasted marshmallow dog-shaped pillow! Honestly, Gokudera loves animals too much. He's almost cooing before he stands up and brushes the sand from his pants.

"I don't know if they're real... but I bet if they are, they're smart enough to stay away from humans." Maybe there are alien mermaids in the water? Gokudera seems a bit excited.

This would be the best thing to catch on camera, bombs and grenades are bound to be involved. What a lively group.

Jiro never says no to affection and boy oh boy does Gokudera give good affection. Yamamoto is no slacker in that department either but the pup will just enjoy the attentions of Gokudera as if he needs them, not just enjoys them. Yamamoto smiles watching the two of them, his friend and his companion both happy does the same for him. It's moments like these they fight for and it's a nice reminder to have. Who doesn't love animals? Only a monster wouldn't, even Hibari likes animals. Small ones, that are not cats, probably dogs and more feathered or hedgehoggy but still.

He turns his head to look over his shoulder at the water behind him, a thoughtful expression on his face as he muses "Good thing we didn't grab any by the tail while we were out there." Though his eyes say that would be pretty amazing, if maybe a little dangerous.

It would happen and be complete Vongola antics.

He's not much of a dog person, but this guy isn't too eager or invasive. That, and Gokudera's the one earning that attention. His Uri gets along (tolerates) both the dog and sparrow. So they are a reflection of himself. Why Uri was so drawn to Hibari, Gokudera will never understand. The kitten is so cute! Kind of stupid... but definitely cute. With a smile, he stops petting the box weapon and stretches. Yikes that sand did not feel good.

"Or get our tails grabbed," Gokudera says with a shrug.

A thing of beauty.

Dogs are the best in Yamamoto's opinion, though he is fairly fond of birds too and cats. For Yamamoto animals are like people, he does not find many he can't find some way to like or get along with. The pup is content to let Gokudera stop, he plops down on the sand, never mind that he may be leaning a little into the bomber's leg, it's there after all, watching Yamamoto as if amused with what comes next.

"Eh, our tail?" He may be too relaxed, the sharper side of his brain sleeping, content, feeling safe, who knows but as it stands he turns his head and hips, attempting to check and make sure he did not sprout a tail since being on Anchor. It would be up there with the strangest things to happen today but not unexpected? It's an anything can happen kind of day.

Edited (my copy and paste skills failed me again.....) 2020-07-05 16:05 (UTC)

There's the comfort of being support for those around you, and then there's the comfort of literally supporting a dog with your leg. It's nice, and he's not inclined to move away.

"Or ankles. Whatever. Just mean I'm happy a mermaid didn't swim up and try to grab either of us." Maybe the water they were in was too shallow for mermaids. Gokudera chuckles at watching Yamamoto checking himself for a tail. He wasn't being literal!

Good thing for Gokudera then, Jiro is more than happy to stay that way, looking in between the two and content to just be out and about. Dogs really can be as simple as Yamamoto, couple pats on the head and they don't ask for much.

"Oh.." He looks relieved, then he chuckles at himself "I thought maybe something weird in the water made me grow a tail. I'm glad." Maybe a tail could be kind of cool but he doesn't think he'd want a fishy one. Maybe one like Jiro's or a really super long one that could be used as a sword. Excuse him, he'll be over here in imagination land now.

It's nice to not have to deal with the demands on his own box weapon. Uri is... for the most part, napping in his box and quiet as ever. Once Gokudera lets the kitten out, it'll want to go everywhere and explore everything, so he'll let it out in smaller spaces first.

"I'm sure if you suddenly had a tail, you'd know." He'd hope he'd be able to feel something like that.

"Probably, unless it was really small." That had not occurred to him, he is going to brush his hands back there to be sure. It may not be that he believes it so much as it is fun to let go and be goofy. The world gets serious enough as it is and he is enjoying himself, checking for this hypothetical tail.

Then he gives a thumbs up.

"All clear."

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