//TESTDRIVE4.0.EXE

[reparator]

//TESTDRIVE4.0.EXE MOONFESTCON 2014 PART I: Embracing Lunacy It's that time of the season to praise the two moons of Cerealia. As they hang in the sky, looking harmless and moon-like, the robots and CERES staff have gathered together to prepare a fanciful celebration. It's primarily located in the Pleasure District where paper lanterns hang and where fireworks are starting to burst in the sky. Everyone is welcome to dress up and enjoy an evening of fantastic pleasures, platonic or otherwise. "Good evening! As always, I'm pleased you all can join me. Do enjoy all the beverages being passed around along with the many services we have to offer, all there for your pleasure. Take time to play in one of our many booths or just slip away and have a crazy evening. The moons bid it. Don't be shy."

//SCENARIOS.EXE PHASE I [ 1900 ] The festival begins promptly with a kick-off speech and a toast from Julius Vincere, encouraging everyone to celebrate beneath the two moons as they light the sky. The weather is crisp and beautiful, leaving them both in full view as their light cascades upon the festival. Around the district, there are several stands full of standard fair food (candy apples/corn dogs/ice cream/deep fried everything), games, and an assortment of many awkward prizes (if you're wondering what these are, do remember you're in the Pleasure District!). Also, there is alcohol everywhere, served to minors and adults alike. PHASE II [ 1945 ] The music is playing loudly beneath the noises of the festival. Anyone approaching the speakers will notice a strange buzzing noise that keeps wavering. Then, the sound changes abruptly to the sound of pained moaning hidden within the song. It grows more pronounced by the second until the lights in the Pleasure District flicker off for a brief second. When they return, there is someone crawling out of the speaker. Your eyes squint, and you can see them briefly, the faint outlines of their form as their screaming escalates, only everyone else seems to be deaf to it. Only you can hear it, and you wonder how and why no one else is reacting. Is it just you? Are you hallucinating? Better get used to that feeling in Cerealia. PHASE III [ 2000 ] Your friendly speaker friend up there doesn't seem to want to go away. (S)he keeps crawling out and disappearing throughout the evening, but it's easier to ignore as Julius takes to the stage. He has a special announcement for all. CERESdate (who sponsored this wonderful festival by the way) has agreed to set up all you vibrant, sexy Cerealia singles with some robot partners for the night. Want to escape? Too late. They're latching on and dragging you out to the dance floor to boogie down. Afterwards, they'll try and drag you to the nearby hotels for some extra loving. You are welcome to run at this point or comply happily. PHASE IV [ 2103 ] Have you escaped the overzealous sex robots? Good, good! Now, it's time for the real fun. The holograms turn from PG images of the stars and surrounding moons and planets to a few fun images of various robot couples caught in absolute bliss. You may spot a clown mask in there or two, reminiscent of those who were running around causing a bit of trouble earlier. The images continue to get distorted as the clowns look like they're stretching their necks out of the image and reaching out towards you. The moaning from before returns. Doesn't it get you in the mood? If it does and you'd like to find a partner for the night, a few CERESdate robots will be on hand to help fix you up with a partner, organic or otherwise. They're being quite insistent again because they want your credits. BONUS [ whyo'clock ] Have you ever been stalked by a condom-dispensing machine? Well, there's a first time for everything! These friendly contraptions are set up all over the Pleasure District, waiting for you to pass by before trailing after you very slowly. At first you don't notice. Every time you turn around, it stands stationery. But the moment you start to move, it just carefully rolls behind you. Watching. Waiting. [ Remember to apply proper warnings on threads with trigger-y or inappropriate material and do let a mod know if your thread careens off into maiming or canoodling so we can lock the meme. ]

//RUN.EXE Welcome to CEREALIA's fourth Test Drive Meme. For your convenience, we have compiled a post detailing everyone's arrival experience and a FAQ that should explain everything in more detail. Please read them thoroughly before playing. Thank you!

Comments

ciel phantomhive - kuroshitsuji (with a crau) - he's 13 and what is this

[cheats]

phase I

[ Ciel doesn't actually care for parties much at all, since he really only throws them when he has to, and even then, he's often a wallflower at his own parties. He'll make speeches, socialize where necessary, but the whole night, he'll think about how he'd rather be doing anything else and praying that no one asked him to dance. Luckily, this isn't that prompt, but after playing a game, he does win a prize, but being a delicate flower of a thirteen year old Victorian, he of course doesn't know what it is. ]

What is this supposed to be?

[ He turns it over in his hands with an irritated expression, because yeah, the real purpose is so far from his mind that it never occurs to him at all... ]

What a terrible prize. It should have been candy. [ not that you would have wanted the candy here, ciel ]

phase III

[ There are few things that Ciel hates more than dancing, which is what he had been pointedly trying to avoid all night, thank you, but no. No, that would be far too easy, too simple. He tried to make a valiant escape as soon as one of the robot partners had narrowed in on him, but alas, all for naught, because it does manage to latch on.

Ciel, being a scrawny thirteen year old, is powerless to resist being dragged to the dance floor, but as this isn't a real person, he also doesn't feel bad about throwing a fit. He's kicking and trying to push it away, but he will definitely need help... ]

Damn it!! Let me go! I absolutely refuse to dance with— with anyone!!

[ Even digging in his heels, he's just dragged along, so please help this nerd child. ]

bonus

[ At this point, Ciel knows what is happening here. This is the worst, most uncouth, absolutely terrible place for someone of his stature to be, and he is trying to escape the district. His face is absolutely beet red at this point, half from embarrassment and half from fury, the latter of which is because he's made an embarrassing friend. So eventually, he'll stop and just screech at the machine... ]

Stop following me!! What in the hell is wrong with this place?!

[ and he will promptly bolt, like a winner... and the machine will chase him, of course, so enjoy this ridiculous scene. ]

tapdances in to phase i

[normcore]

[ That is not a question she is willing to answer this kid in a non-scientific manner, so she mulls over the question until she can think of a proper answer for it. She stares at him for a few seconds during the pause.

With the sensitive Victorian nose that Ciel has, he can probably get that the one thing that smells like a greasy vat of meat... is her. ]

I don't think it really matters. There are probably more important things to worry about. Like what the deal with this Julius Vincere guy is.

[cheats]

[ Ciel smells something in the air, and he briefly looks around confused before he realizes oh. It's this girl. She must be quite a lowborn young woman, which is why he (rudely) takes a half step away, but he'll at least hold a conversation. ]

Well, yes...

[ He makes an upset, huffy noise, since he's still not sure what to do with this shitty prize. And in his view, it's this Vincere person is still better than Crocs, probably. ]

This is a ridiculous celebration in every way, so I'd like to ask him myself, but I haven't seen him since that moronic announcement.

[normcore]

[ She notices that step back, but she's stopped caring about the reason for her stupid nickname a long time ago so it doesn't bother her. Marcie shrugs, looking over at the podium where he stood not that long ago. ]

Interdimensional travel used in hyperspace theories isn't exactly new, but it's one that hasn't been practiced at all. There aren't many ways to successfully pull it off without ripping a hole into the space-time continuum and divulging that information could do a lot of damage. He might just wanna keep a lid on it.

On the other hand, some guys just like being mysterious. They think it makes them look cooler.

[cheats]

[ He listens to her seriously at first, but it's also not long at all before his expression falls into one of mild disbelief, actually looking almost offended, because how dare you use words he doesn't understand. It takes him a moment to formulate a response as a result, but he manages a careful response. ]

...What are you talking about? I've scarcely understood anything you've just said.

[ are you a demon, they do that ]

phase i...

[foetida]

[Yeah, Nanami...has no idea what these prizes are either. But she's not about to admit that to Crazy Almost Mass Murderer And More Importantly Competition For Oz's BFF.]

Isn't it obvious? Though I guess I shouldn't be surprised that a little kid like you doesn't know what they are.

[cheats]

[ Ciel makes a dismissive noise, and then, of course, points his prize at her. Perhaps that's its purpose? A pointing device? That's kind of weird, but it at least works well enough for that. ]

Nonsense. You can't say that to me, since we both know very well that we're the same age. [ even though you look older because you're a Utena, but. ] What is it, then?

[foetida]

[Sniffs and flips her hair.] Maturity has nothing to do with physical age.

[And then without missing a beat because SHE WAS PREPARED FOR THIS BLUFF] It's clearly meant to be a fashion accessory. Obviously for poor people, otherwise they wouldn't be handing them out for free.

[cheats]

[ Ciel looks at his prize doubtfully, since he's not sure how it would be fashionable at all, but... It's an explanation he accepts. God... He shrugs, then hands it off to Nanami. ]

You have it, then. You seem like a fashionable person, and I don't care for such things at all.

phase i.......

[sewayaku]

[ Zara is no stranger to parties, either - granted, he's usually more behind the scenes, and in recent years, he very rarely attended any at all, being more busy with his stewarding job, but he still knows enough. That said, the parties he's attended never had such... exciting prizes. He stands there wide-eyed in shock (and slight embarrassment, if the color on his cheeks means anything) when he sees them, though it quickly dives straight into disgust when he sees them being handed out to minors.

"Minors" being "Ciel" in this case. Though he's loath to touch them at all, he's swift to walk up behind Ciel and pluck the toys from his hands unceremoniously. ]

Please excuse me, young man, but I don't believe these are intended for you, [ he says in a gentle, but clearly strained, voice. Not with Ciel, but with... management. Let's say management. ] How old are you, exactly?

[cheats]

[ When his prize is plucked out of his hands, Ciel makes a soft, upset sort of noise, since, hey, even if he doesn't know what it is, it's his! He turns to look at the thief with an angry expression, but as he looks up, his frown shifts from angry to confusion.

It's the elegant tailcoat he notices first, the careful arrangement of clothing, but at least it's not all in a dark crow's black. However, as his eyes travel up, they stop and become quite firmly fixated on the ears. He had a dream like this once, actually, where Sebastian had become the white rabbit, but... This was too strange. It's hard for him to pull his eyes away from the rabbit ears, but he manages, though it comes with an irritated noise as he puts a hand on his hip. ]

Thirteen.

[ He answers easily, since he had become so used to the bracelets in the amusement park that he hadn't quite gotten used to the fact he could lie about it again. ]

What household do you serve, exactly?

[ He asks it directly, but in a cool, neutral sort of way. It's clear that this thirteen year old recognizes exactly what Zara is dressed as, and from the way he carries himself, it's not difficult to assume that it's because he has servants tending to him normally. ]

[sewayaku]

[ that was considerably easier than he'd been hoping, and he's grateful, setting aside the fact that he's holding someone else's vibrators in his hands. He just sort of... awkwardly sticks them in a pocket for now and tries to forget about them. He'll look for a trash can later.

Ciel's curious gaze is something he's already become used to, and he schools his face into a patient, friendly smile. His kind wasn't common here - not that they were common back home anymore, either - but he didn't mind educating others on his race. Zara is fully prepared to explain things when the boy sidelines him with a completely different question.

Well. That's fine, too. It's a better topic than sex toys. ]

Why, the Galland household. My name is Zara Skeens - steward of Lord Edgar's estate. [ a small nod. ] You seem like you might belong to a fine house, yourself. Hm?

[cheats]

[ The way that he looks at Zara is still full of open suspicion, and yet, it's also not for the reasons he would expect. Really, no one would be able to guess the real reason, since it's just Ciel's very unique biases, but after spending time with Sebastian, Ciel doesn't exactly trust butlers. The words are polite, and the smile is kind, but Sebastian was able to do just the same thing.

That, and being pointed out as a noble, makes Ciel draw himself up, and though he's still a short young man, there's definitely the noble's air about him rather than the flustered, confused brat. ]

I've not heard of the Galland household, though that's not unreasonable in a place like this.

[ He frowns lightly, since he's reminded of his discovery that Oz was a nobleman, and one of higher status than he is, but. ]

I am the Earl of Phantomhive.

bonus!

[harepiece]

[Oz has spent most of evening wandering around in confusion, looking for familiar faces and being occasionally distracted by the fireworks and food because at least he understands those things!! By the time he's figured out what's what, though, someone he actually recognize does pass by...

At warp speeds, being tailed by a rogue condom machine.]

Oh—! Ciel!! Hey, wait up!

[Now being tailed by a rogue condom machine and the right arm of shonen exodia, who comes zooming over from whatever booth he had been near, two candy apples in hand.]

[cheats]

It won't— leave me— alone!!

[ The pauses come regularly as he breathes hard, since physical activity is not a strong point of Ciel's... But luckily, being a shithead is, so he doubles back to meet Oz and hide behind him, hoping that the very rude machine will make Oz a target instead. ]

You deal with it!!

[harepiece]

[That seems to catch him by surprise since he had just been intending on matching Ciel's pace (not difficult.....) and showing him down some of the back alleys he's already explored. BUT NO. No, Ciel has to make him a sacrifice again, wow!!

As soon as his dumb facebook friend is behind him, he's immediately raising both hands like the machine is going to be warded off by dual-wielded candy apples.]

Why me?! I don't know how to deal with it!! [AND LO now that they're actually facing the machine, it of course stops moving. Oz isn't moving yet, either...]

...What does it want?

bonus

[changeably]

[Cynbel is definitely enjoying the scene, but he knows better than to let that show as Ciel moves in his direction. If Ciel's so inclined, he just happens to be standing at the entrance to an alley that is too narrow for overly attached vending machines, if he needs a place to hide.]

It seems to be a right of passage for new arrivals to be chased by rogue machines around here. It's an unfortunate practice!

[Because really, this is just embarrassing for everyone around.]

[cheats]

[ Yeah, as soon as the red hair catches his eye, Ciel narrows in on that alley and abruptly changes directions so that he can run inside it instead. The machine follows, but stops a foot or so short of the entrance, thankfully. Ciel, meanwhile, puts his arm up against the wall of the alley as he leans forward to catch his breath. ]

What in the hell is wrong with this place!? That's disgusting!

[changeably]

Shoo, shoo, you annoying thing.

[He waves at the vending machine for a moment, trying to encourage it to leave, before he turns to face Ciel. This boy must be rich, with how nice his clothing looks... Cynbel might be a bit jealous, actually.]

But this isn't so bad. You ought to count yourself lucky you missed last week, when they encouraged us to murder each other for lights during a blackout filled with spiders!

[Because that is SUPER COMFORTING to hear, right... Right.]

I

[sunshade]

[ ....squints at the mystery prize for a moment ]

By the shape, I'm guessing it's some sort of device you affix to your ears.

[cheats]

[ Unfortunately, because it's Patchouli, Ciel trusts her judgement completely, so he gives them an appraising look before he simply sighs. ]

Well, if that is the case, then they're perfectly useless to me. Loath as I am to admit it, it's too big for my ears.

[sunshade]

[ Double-unfortunate for both of these nerds is that she's going off a resemblance to wrap-around earbuds that she's seen maybe once, twice in her lifetime? 'They're cordless?' She sincerely believes it's something innocuous. ]

May I see them? I do wonder why they'd pass out such things anyway. [ technology!!!! ]

Phase ii

[mermaiding]

[She'd help,if she wasn't too busy laughing at him. But it's all fun and games until she gets targeted too, where Ciel then becomes the closest way out.]

Switch, switch! [She waves her hand in a shooing motion towards the robot dragging Ciel, stepping in quickly to grab at his shoulder.] Will take him. Find someone else.

[The robot seems reluctant, but at least it stopped dragging him. Oona makes a frustrated noise and frowns down at Ciel (well, "down" considering her human form is only a good inch or two taller than him whoops).]

Tell it you will go with me.

[cheats]

I, er—

[ Ciel looks between the robot and Oona with a half-reluctant expression, since with all his struggling, he hadn't expected anyone to come to his aid, for one, and two, he hadn't expected it to be a girl. Now he is faced with the sudden, alarming prospect of having to dance with a girl, and furthermore, a girl that is not his fiancee that will overlook his lack of skill.

For a moment, it seems like he'll choose the robot, even.

But after his hesitation, he looks up to the robot, then motions towards Oona vaguely. ]

I'll... go. With her.

[ It can't come out more awkward if he tried, and yet, the robot seems to accept, and let's him go only to give Ciel a friendly shove her way. He's startled by it, and glowers back at the robot, but he turns his attention to her quickly. ]

Thank you? [ Do you actually want to dance, he wonders, but he's also afraid to ask... ]

[mermaiding]

[She steadies her hands on Ciel's shoulders a moment to make sure he doesn't crash into her or anything, before turning her head to shoo away her own robot with one hand. It takes the 'rejection' equally well, off to find another victim.

Oone rolls her eyes and looks at him, eyeing him to make sure there's no lasting damage.] Did not do it for you. [And then, as if aware of how rude that was (especially when he'd really been a lifesaver for her as well), she looks a tad embarrassed and adds awkwardly.] You are welcome.

[She looks at where the robot had grabbed and been dragging him.] Your wrist. No damage?