//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

[sewayaku]

[ unfortunately, Zara is only difficult when he has good reason to be (or when it'll get his young lady riled up, but that's obviously not the case here.) He winces a little at Ciel's reaction. Maybe he should have been even more vague - but it was difficult to straddle the line between 'informative but polite' and 'inciting even more uncomfortable questions.'

Either way, he's left with a flustered little boy. The rabbit raises his hands in a placating manner, looking sympathetic. ]

You're completely correct! It's entirely inappropriate, especially for a festival with children attending. I've given up trying to understand their reasoning, at this point... [ maybe all people from the future are like this? god, he hopes not. ] Perhaps I'll try speaking with the management.

[cheats]

It's inappropriate in any context!

[ He shouts, because Ciel is... Ciel... He doesn't do much quietly when he's riled up, which he certainly is now. ]

How dare they do such a thing! You— You should speak to the management, yes!

[sewayaku]

[ fair enough. Zara nods, although he still needs to do something about that shouting... ]

I will, then. Once I learn where to find them... [ because lol he still doesn't know where anything is and he also has the vague notion that "management" might be an intangible being, based on his understanding of how this simulation thing works. but. ] But for the time being, please relax, Earl Phantomhive. And maybe try to avoid the game booths.

[cheats]

[ He makes an upset, uncomfortable noise with a scowl, but it's at least quick to soften as he lapses into a thoughtful silence. He looks up at Zara, and though he still has a hard, commanding tone, the look on his face is at least (more moe) softer, with hints of red still around his ears. ]

...Don't mention this to anyone, by the way.

[ Because people will make fun of him and he doesn't know how to deal with that other than arson. ]

[sewayaku]

[ poor thing. Maybe he shouldn't have told him -- but no, then things would have just been worse later. Possibly with someone less understanding than himself. Subject aside, that face Ciel is making is adorable, so Zara can't help but give in. He smiles, one eyebrow raised. ]

Understood. [ not that he has anyone to tell, anyway... he lets a moment pass, then continues, expression somewhat apologetic. ] ... This is a terrible first meeting, but I wonder if I could ask you something. Do you know this place well? This... world.

[ which still sounds strange, but seems like the best term he can use. ]

[cheats]

[ Ciel frowns, since he finds that smile minutely irritating, but it's only because that same sort of smile tend to be terribly condescending when used by other butlers that Ciel knows, but he'll hardly say anything about that. The change of topic is appreciated, since it's one that's more, well, comfortable, to put it simply. Ciel turns to walk away, motioning lightly for Zara to follow, but this is also because he doesn't want to see these game stalls again in his life... ]

Scarcely at all, I am afraid. I just arrived here earlier today myself, so I am still learning.

[ He makes a dismissive noise, but then shrugs. ]

The very idea of it is completely preposterous though, don't you think?

[sewayaku]

[ neither does he.. he won't complain. Zara folds his hands neatly in front of himself and follows slightly behind him and to the side, not wanting to overstep his boundaries.

Sounds like he won't be able to ask about where Fiona is... Too bad. (He's doing a good job of hiding it, but he's deathly worried about her right now.) ]

It is. For the moment, I'm taking it with a grain of salt... It's a bit much to process all at once.

[cheats]

[ This gait and distance is familiar to Ciel, so despite himself, he relaxes visibly. It's not exactly like speaking to Sebastian (this person was probably better, since Sebastian wasn't a high standard), but it's enough. ]

Quite. The idea of a whole world being destroyed... How ridiculous. As if we're supposed to believe that.

[ He scoffs openly with a shake of his head. ]

But so long as the intentions remain benign, it's not terrible, I suppose.

WOW so mean to sebastian ciel

[sewayaku]

[ he nods in agreement. It is ridiculous. For his own sanity, he has to believe it's ridiculous. If something had happened to Fiona in an instant before he was even aware of it - if he hadn't been able to save her - if she was --

No, it's ridiculous. He refuses to think about it. The peaceful smile on his face flickers a bit with a darker concern, but only for a second or two. ]

We'll see about that. In my opinion, this isn't a stellar first impression of what they have to offer us.

he deserves it!!

[cheats]

It's a terrible one.

[ Ugh... Ugh!! He's still scandalized that he touched something so gross at all, so his expression turns a bit more sour. ]

I hope it isn't like this all the time... It's just a party, so hopefully that means it'll be done with soon.