January 2024 Test Drive Meme: Our First!

[sweetmod]

Welcome to the Simulation: Our First Test Drive

Taken | Reserves | Application | Activity | TDM Questions | Premise | FAQ | Calendar Full Navigation Reserves open 01/27/2024 @ 12:00 AM EST Reserves close 01/31/2024 @ 11:59 PM EST Welcome to our Test Drive Meme! Our Test Drive Memes are considered game canon and are open to current players and prospective new players alike! It is completely optional to keep your TDM threads as canon to your character's experience in the game, so feel free to play around and enjoy the flexibility before applying! All TDM threads can be used for samples for your application and activity proofs. All TDMs come with an additional greeting message from Daisy in addition to her typical Welcome Message. This is her message for newbies for this month: "Hi there, Sweet Subjects! Congratulations on being the Very First Batch! That also means you're the first friends I've made for this whole project! Isn't that exciting? Unfortunately, I have to already apologize to you. You see, I wasn't expecting you quite so soon! My math was a little off and well...There are a few kinks in the system I'm working out. But don't worry! I'll take care of everything. You can trust me. After all, we are friends, and it would be very rude to not trust your friends! Why don't you just stay inside this little house while I fix things up? You'll be safe! P̴̥̾̉r̸̢̋́̓̀̏ó̵̧͖̈́̏̋͊̅̋̕͘b̵̛̺̞̦̳̙͒͘͜ä̸͓̗̯̺̰́̿̆͘͠b̶̭͔̯̆̒̐l̵̨̬̬̱̱̙͔̻̊̾́͠͝y̶̰̺̲̝͙͈̝͙̟̖͑̆̾̀̀͒͝!̶̱͚͙͉̠̓̒́̌̽̌̚͝ Remember: Don't open the door to strangers. Anyway! In the meantime, get to know your fellow Sweet Subjects! After all, you're going to be spending a lot of time together! Thank you for understanding! Good luck! Prompt One | Prompt Two

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Summary: 🌼 Content Warnings: Optional light alcohol, isolation, bad weather via thunderstorms, feeling of being watched and taunted, false information, mental manipulation, memory manipulation, memories or depictions of murder and torture 🌼 Characters wake up in an unfamiliar house during a thunderstorm. They hear Daisy's broadcast on the TV. There is a persistent knocking at the door, but you know you shouldn't open it. 🌼 Another character (or more) is in the house with you. Pictures of you both begin to take up the walls. Of memories you either really experienced or false memories. They increasingly become more violent. 🌼 A radio broadcast warns Sweet Acres residents about an escaped criminal. Paranoia grows between characters. Violence out of deluded "self-defense" may occur. 🌼 The true escape from this prompt is to just open the door. Outside, all is well and you realize the house was one giant mind fuck...Or hopefully, you realize. Your memories might be a little scrambled now. There is a knock at the door. You mustn't answer the door. It has been a long, long, long day, hasn't it? You don't even remember sitting on the couch and you certainly don't remember dozing off. But that strange broadcast certainly woke you up and now...You are here. In an unfamiliar house with outdated wallpaper and dirty carpet. The weather outside seems frightful. Torrential downpours with clashing thunder and flashes of lightning chase even the most persistent shadows in the house. Was the lady on the TV serious? Did you just have to wait in this lousy place for the storm to blow over? Or, wait, how did she word it? Wait while things finish configuration. Damn, your head is hurting and you could use a drink. Hopefully, the tacky yellow kitchen has a stocked fridge. Luckily for you, it's filled with fresh food and some fresh booze. There is a knock at the door. You mustn't answer the door. Unluckily for you, there is another person in this house with you. They might have woken up on the same couch as you or are bumping around upstairs. Either way, the freak in the polka-dot dress wasn't wrong: You're not alone here. When you and whoever else in this house finally join up, you will notice that the house seems to become a bit more lively. The pictures on the wall change to feature you or your companion. Some of the pictures are genuine from back in your homeworld, but others...Not so much. Others look like false memories of you with families you don't even remember or at a school you never attended, but they are all so real you can't help but think maybe Daisy is telling the truth after all. There is a heavier knock at the door. You mustn't answer the door. There is a radio in the house that suddenly begins to declare an emergency announcement: "At this time, we urge all residents of Sweet Acres to seek shelter immediately. The wind is picking up and we anticipate this storm to last the rest of the night - Oh? This just in: a convict has managed to break into Sweet Acres. We are told that they were last seen in...Oh, oh my...Whatever you do, make sure your doors and windows are locked. And remember: don't answer the door. And remember: don't trust strangers." A heavy booming knock lands three times at the front door. Let. Me. In. The pictures around the house begin to change. Now it shows you and whoever you're sharing the house with doing some...terrible things. Maybe some of it is true. Some of it may be completely false. Will it matter when the pictures seem so terrifyingly real? What happens when the TV glitches on and starts to play sketchy home videos of one of you doing something terrible? What happens when the radio starts to play terrifying audio of you confessing to an atrocious crime? What happens when the person you're stuck in the house with might just be the stranger the radio warned you about? Or will you have the sense to realize that something is very wrong here and that you're both being played a fool? The knocking at the door is only getting louder. So loud it cracks the door. The storm worsens. What should you do? The madness will only worsen the longer you stay. You may even be driven to defend yourself from each other, you may come to develop false memories of crimes you didn't commit. You may just... Decide to open that damn door already. It turns out, that's what you needed to do the entire time. Because the moment you do? You open the door and see a beautiful, sunny day outside. No rain. Not a single gray cloud. Certainly no horrifying stranger either. But now you're left with whatever you did or thought from the house. For some people, the terror may slip away as easily as the rain, but for some of you, you might be stuck with paranoia and suspicion. Welcome to Sweet Acres. back to top ⤴

[ The Bot Problem ]

Summary: 🌼 Content Warnings: Forced sexuality, optional sex, aphrodisiac style computer virus, dubious consent, hunted by machines, use of bombs, guns, and shrapnel. Possible character death or maiming 🌼 Sex Bots are spreading a virus to those that touch them that will cause player characters to go around flirting with others. They can either get rid of the "virus" by having sex or meeting someone who can hack it out of their system by asking grounding questions (or any other creative means a player may have). 🌼 Characters are hunted down by violent little metal boxes known as metal dogs. The metal dogs are extremely resilient but can be destroyed by extreme measures. These metal dogs are intent on killing and maiming characters and plants. You will notice that there are still some errors in the system as you go out and about exploring your new town. There will be an occasional glitch that opens up a screaming void of bottomless darkness before it blinks out of existence. Those are unsettling enough, but at least they don't seem harmless. The bots, on the other hand, are a different story. They glitch into the town, cracking through this carefully structured reality like breaking through a window. It seems like Daisy has a lot of work to do on the external firewalls of Sweet Acres! In the meantime, you're going to have to deal with her incompetence. The Sex Bots A lot of the bots can easily be mistaken for other residents in town. These are model-gorgeous women and men who almost seemed like caricatures of stereotypical beauty conventions. Big lips, huge hips, large muscles, chiseled jaws, perfect hair, pearly white teeth. These beauties flounce about and no matter who or what you are, if they look your way, they are immediately approaching you. "Hey, sexy. I'm single, horny, and lonely. I just turned 18 and I've got my daddy's credit card." "I've never seen a person more beautiful than you. I'm the CEO of at least three different six-figure income businesses. How about I take you on a night out in my Ferrari?" There isn't a single thought behind those eyes or in those smiles. If you have the thought to rely on your Daze, you can just block the Sex Bots and they will blink out of existence. Alternatively, you could probably just smash them out of existence with a good punch or the swing of a weapon...They will just vanish into a cloud of corrupt coding. But if you're a bit more gullible and still catching up on the strangeness of this place or can't figure out Daze, you might make the mistake of responding to one of these bots. The Bot will immediately scan you for all of your information and warp its features into something that you actually would find to be the ideal beauty. "This is better, right?" It's hard to deny...They even sound like the ideal beauty in your mind. A gentle hand on your arm and then they are leading you away. Except they aren't leading you anywhere. You watch helplessly as coding goes up your arm and begins to consume your body. You can't feel anything but a prickling sensation. The Bot vanishes, but you are left rewired. Now it is you with the dramatic features emphasizing your most attractive parts. Regardless of your personality, you suddenly feel the urge to walk up to just about anyone anywhere and flirt with them. Whether stupidly or sincerely. It's hard to remember yourself with the bot's virus wreaking havoc on your Daze. Worst case scenario? You wind up sleeping with someone because of this bizarre virus, but you will also ironically get it out of your system this way and feel completely normal after. Alternatively, you can find someone who is a bit more tech-savvy with the Daze and who might have an idea of how to hack into your system and get rid of the virus for you. This might involve some personal line of questioning, but hey, at least you're not walking around asking for sex from total strangers anymore! The Metal Dogs The Sex Bots are a dream compared to the other virus attacking the system of Sweet Acres. One will begin to see small metal robots trotting about, no bigger than a backpack, with lethal determination. These metal dogs scour their surroundings for anything organic or anything that doesn't belong in the space. This means they are actively ripping up plants and destroying trees, which is tragic enough, but just be glad they haven't seen you yet because it turns out that Daisy's Sweet Subjects are the metal dog's top priority. The moment they notice you, they will begin a neverending chase. These robots can catch up to a speeding car and resist an enormous amount of damage. They are waterproof and run on their own network completely disconnected from the Daze, so good luck trying to hack into them- it won't work. They can see just as well in the dark as the light and have sensors that allow them to pick up on body temperature as well as any vibrations you might make. They are not gentle creatures: their goal is to terminate all organic beings and Sweet Subjects in the area. If they catch you, they will immediately attempt to blow your head off with a small gun they can form. Alternatively, they will expel a shrapnel bomb if you catch them off guard. They also have paralyzing fog bombs. Metal dogs can be destroyed, however. With large explosions, armor-piercing weaponry, people with extreme super strength. Or you can get creative! Maybe you know a spell that can turn them into a stuffed animal or melt the metal. Maybe you have control over metal beings. There are ways to destroy these things. But don't worry. If worse comes to worse, Daisy is going around to destroy them for you. But do you really want to owe her your life? back to top ⤴

Comments

(brain) loading

[dead_tongue]

[Watching magic photos of someone's life is a trip. It's not the sort of thing he's experienced before, and he wonders if it's a trick of some sort. But why?

Iggy isn't sure if he believes that his whole life until now has been a simulation, or if this is, or what - he watched The Matrix, sure, but he thought Dark City was more stylish and anyway philosophy is for nerds.

What was the question?

Oh. Right.

If this pinkie pie twink is a deranged murderer.]

...I mean it was a bad haircut but not that bad.

[He endeavors to look sympathetic.]

Or do you mean, uh. The stabby part?

[kobes]

[Koby's up on his feet, snatching the framed photo off the wall, something instinctive in his chest prompting him -- hide it, hide it, don't let him see. It's a stupid instinct, because the stranger's already seen the most incriminating parts: the long braided hair, the ribbons, the uniform with a blazer and skirt.

Still, he feels better once the photo is set down hard on top of the TV, hands shaking a little.] Yes. [Koby's voice comes out sharper than he means.] Of course I meant the stabby part.

[dead_tongue]

Oh. I mean, she looked like she was a real bitch.

[Just going to keep playing it safe - he sure doesn't want to set the guy off. Iggy holds his hands up, palms out, as if to prove he's completely harmless.]

So, you know. If it did happen, is all I'm saying. But it didn't? So. Why would it show us that, then? You think someone is fucking with you?

[kobes]

She...did her best. [Koby keeps one hand on top of the face-down photo, like he's afraid it'll spring up and bite him.] I wouldn't have -- done something like that to her. I never --

[But he had. In that instance, scissors in hand, twelve years old with his entire being aching with how horrible he felt every second of every day, Koby had wanted to lash out. Maybe not that violently, but still.

Eyes very wide and not a little damp, Koby turns towards the stranger with a stricken, heartbroken expression.] Who would -- do something like that? Show us such...horrible things?

[dead_tongue]

Well. Intent counts for something.

[Oh. Those eyes. Iggy holds his arms out immediately.]

Oh, sweetie. C'mere.

And I don't know. It seems so cruel. I suppose... I suppose it has to be someone who wants to hurt us. To get a reaction.

[kobes]

[Koby looks -- thoroughly perplexed. He actually turns around partway, to see if the stranger is talking to someone behind him. Oh, bless.

But then he slowly shuffles a few steps forward, taking a shaky breath, then letting it out.] Well. They got one. Now what? What's the point? [There has to be one. Senseless cruelty just -- doesn't register. Not for Koby's chronic need for justice.]

[dead_tongue]

[The hug is there if you want it, Koby.]

Dunno.

[Iggy examines the photos. He finds one of himself as a child outside his family home, curly mop of hair and missing teeth. A dark shadow stands behind him. He frowns.

The next photo shows him apparently digging a grave in the woods. He taps it.]

This didn't happen, either. No way. Look at me, how could I haul a corpse?

cw: idek misgendering via magic photos

[kobes]

[He's been hugged exactly once in his life, so it doesn't register that that's what Iggy's trying to do. Still, he moves closer, unconsciously preferring the company of another person to the creepy TV clown.

The pictures get a thoughtful frown, eyes flicking between the smaller version of the stranger beside him and the real one. The shadow is noted quietly, filed away.] So it isn't just me. The pictures start out true, and then they get...strange.

[Another one for Koby, this one showing him the same age he is now, but...definitely not the same person. His hair is long, pink curls and loops all pinned up and back, and he's in a veil. And a white dress. And he looks thoroughly hollow, dead inside.] That...also never happened. [It could've, but it hadn't. He'd gotten out. He was himself, not -- that.

The next photo has the alternate universe version of Koby -- veiled and pale and tight-lipped -- talking to a version of Iggy, which definitely never happened. And then they're stabbing each other and -- well, there's a theme here, clearly.]

[dead_tongue]

[Okay, he's just gonna close the distance and give him a quick hug, then.]

Yeah.

[Iggy looks carefully at the photos, frowning. Then he looks back at Koby and grins.]

If that's supposed to be our wedding photo, then it sucks - I'd definitely be the one in a dress.

Hey. C'mon. Let's not look at the creepy fucking pictures anymore. Come sit on the ugly couch with me, huh?

I'm Iggy.

[kobes]

[Koby makes a soft, gently startled sound, like a cat woken out of a nap.] What's -- that for?

[There's definite anxiety in Koby's expression, like he's waiting for the questions -- or the accusations. Some sort of pointing and shouting and accusation. He's not expecting the joke, or the kindness, the reassurance. He trails along after the man -- Iggy, apparently.]

Um, Koby. Why -- would you be in a dress? Dresses are terrible. [That much about Koby is stereotypical -- he haaaates dresses.]

[dead_tongue]

Uh, because you were upset? Are you okay? I'm sorry, I thought you were cool with it.

[Iggy walks to the living room and flops onto the indeed very ugly couch - floral, looking very grandma-y. The television in front of them is silent and dark.]

Uh, because I look super cute? Plus I feel like wedding dresses can be extra in a way suits can't. God, if I ever get married it's going to be insane.

[kobes]

I-It's all right. I mean, yes. I'm cool. [He'd sort of expected Iggy to suddenly backpedal, say the gesture had been some sort of a mistake. The fact that he hadn't is kinda nice.

Koby settles on the other end of the couch, brow furrowing in slight confusion.] Why would you want it to be insane? Aren't weddings stressful enough?

[dead_tongue]

Insane as in ridiculously over the top. So, yeah, I'm sure it would be stressful, but also so cool.

[A dramatic sigh.]

A huge spectacle dedicated to my undying love! Nobody could ever forget it. 'He had his problems,' they'd say, 'but his love was real.'

Plus I like parties. ...I guess it's gauche to do drugs at your own wedding? Hm. Well. Moot point anyway, I'm single and apparently in a series of simulations.

[kobes]

And that's...appealing to you. [Koby's trying hard to understand, but judging by his furrowed brow, he can't wrap his mind around it. Seeking out chaos? Couldn't be him.] I guess if it's your wedding, you're allowed to do drugs? If you want?

[A thoughtful pause.] I'm also single. Does that...make a difference? Is that why we're here?

[dead_tongue]

Yeah! That's a good point - I will absolutely be fucked up at the reception, then.

Oh wow. Do you think? Maybe this is like... she said it's a simulation, the creepy clown? For education for others or some shit?

What if we're on a dating reality show? But it's horror themed?

[kobes]

...that sounds like a terrible place to find love. [Koby says this very seriously, like he's at all a romantic. Which he isn't. Not really. But still.]

There's nothing romantic about having your worse memories brought out for everyone to see.

[dead_tongue]

Right?! Unless fear makes you horny. Are you horny?

[Iggy muses on that and then nods.] You're right. Although we doubt know which are real and which aren't unless we tell each other.

Oh my god, is this forced bonding?

[kobes]

[Firmly:] I have never been less horny.

[Koby makes a face, looking back towards the photos with a shudder.] I'd rather...not relive all of that. Can't we bond some other way? Tell each other our...greatest hopes and dreams or something?

[dead_tongue]

Okay. Good. I'm not that horny, either.

Yes! Yes, let's do that! [Very earnestly!]

What's your greatest dream?

[kobes]

[Koby answers promptly, earnestly, all big eyes and leaning forward slightly, so heartfelt it's sort of gutwrenching.]

To help people who can't help themselves. To keep them safe.

Now you.

[dead_tongue]

[Iggy can hardly believe it. After all this time - a kindred spirit.

He leans forward too.]

To help people. To give them love, and hope, and inspiration.

[kobes]

[Koby sits up a little taller, a flicker of something desperately hopeful in his face. He'd begun to think that the other people who wanted the same thing he did were few and far between -- that the world was actually full of horrible, selfish, terrible people. Maybe it is. But honestly that just makes finding someone like him so much more wonderful.]

Really? [Eager, soft:] How?

[dead_tongue]

[Iggy beams.] Sex and death and art. I used to work with the grieving. Now I fuck and I paint.

You?

[kobes]

...oh. [That's clearly not what Koby had anticipated, the lawful good little virgin he is. Then again, his way hasn't exactly helped a lot of people, so...] Does that work?

I...joined the Marines because I thought they wanted to help and protect people, but. [Koby raises and lowers his shoulders, hugging his knees to his chest.] I think I was wrong about that.

[dead_tongue]

I like to think so! I mean, I'm not solving world hunger, but on a personal level I've found that I wind up doing a lot of talking and processing with people through sex.

Oh, wow. Wow, the Marines? That's hardcore. And you're so... twinky!

[Immediately, Iggy pats Koby's shoulder.] Sweetie. It's okay to be wrong. And you know what? When it comes to joining the military especially? They lie to you on purpose.