recollecters: (Default)
Recollé Mods ([personal profile] recollecters) wrote in [community profile] repeter2018-01-17 08:44 pm
Entry tags:

JANUARY 2018 TDM

TEST DRIVE
JANUARY TEST DRIVE
The city of Recollé...

What do you mean the city's behaving for once?

I.
The large opaque dome enveloping the entire city continues to stand tall and firm, though this may be the first time you've noticed the dome itself rather than believe it's simply an eclipse effect. Faintly reflective in appearance but blocking the outside world, the dome still allows the warmth of the weak winter sunlight to seep through. It isn't hard to breathe, and the flora and fauna seem to be responding just as naturally as always. But the city of Recollé is pitch black except for the light citizens shine themselves.

The dome stretches incredibly high over the city, but anyone who can get close enough to it will find that they can briefly see themselves in the surface. Upon touching the dome, it appears to be smooth and almost rubbery in texture despite a shell-like shield appearance. Soundproof and unable to provide clues to what's happening outside of the city the dome is also harmless for those who wish to touch it and examine it, causing it to bounce a few times under light impact. However, do be careful not to trigger its defense mode! Should anyone attempt to damage the dome itself, it will light up with a bright, sickening blue color for three seconds before delivering a shock to its attacker and rendering them unconscious for an hour. Perhaps you'll get lucky and you'll only deal with the too-hot-to-touch surface that self-activates when the dome is threatened, or the spikes that appear at the source of impact. The dome seems to have a temperament of its own. It may be best to treat it the way you want to be treated.

II.
Going about your normal day, the darkness seems endless aside from whatever light can be shed via flashlights, cell phones and interior lights inside buildings. However, as you wander the streets of the city, under your feet a swirl of yellow light appears before darting ahead, bouncing and bobbing its way over snow and concrete to create a clear path for you. It's a little convenient to have a guide to follow, but you're not the only one. Others around you are following their own lights and they all seem to gather right at the entrance of the old subway station. Perpetually under construction for as long as you can remember, the station appears to be wide open for anyone who ventures in.

The light will guide you for roughly twenty-five feet before it dies down again. You're allowed to turn back, of course. There's nothing stopping you...except for the vine that suddenly snakes along the ground and wraps around your ankle, hooking onto you and beginning to drag you further into the tunnels. Now would be a good time to start calling for help.

III.

Back in the city itself, it's hard to say who, exactly, is to blame for the first hit. People are minding their own business and moving on as if everything is perfectly natural as usual. However, in addition to the hustle and bustle small barrels appear on every street corner with an assortment of colored guns. The moment you step up to investigate one of these barrels it becomes a little more clear what, exactly, is happening here.

A bright red, green, or blue dot appears on your skin as the laser light hones in on you. Someone's decided to make you their next target in a city-wide game of laser tag and you have precisely ten seconds to run. For anyone tagged by the guns, a confetti-effect of red green and blue dots will appear all over you lasting for up to fifteen minutes before you're back in the game.

Will you grab your weapons and join the game? Or will you dodge as long as you can?

IV.
As the evening sets in, there's a smell in the air. It's not the usual winter-y scent of peppermint or warm soup or anything like that. No, you soon realize that the smell is buttered popcorn and now instead of the barrels of laser tag guns there are carts containing popcorn machines, bottles of soda, candy and more. These carts don't move and they do not seem to be manned by anybody so feel free to take as much as you'd like! At precisely 7pm, the street lights dim a little and the dome above you starts to...glow? It glows and a picture stretches all the way across the sky as a movie begins to play for your enjoyment. Maybe it's the first of the Galaxy Fights series, or it could be that crazy archaeologist turned fortune-hunter Kentucky Smith. The movies will rotate one after the other for the rest of the evening until 7am when the street lamps come on, but for now grab some blankets and a good seat. There's always time for a movie with some friends.

BONUS.
Of course communication to people outside of the city is still out of the question. Of course it is. There are absolutely no signs of that changing anytime soon no matter how many times you call or text or email. Snail mail is nearly impossible and don't even think about videochatting.

On the other hand, it seems as though the powerlines above are beginning to spark, pulsing in patterns of a bright blue color visible to the naked eye. What's up with that? Trying to get a closer look will only reveal a thick, crackling sort of energy that is surely not dangerous in the slightest and is nothing to worry about.

The energy won't leave the powerlines at all, but instead the next time you use your phone for anything a song activates instead. It's loud and it can't be shut down, but once it ends you may find yourself in a video chat with a fellow Retrospec user. Say hi!

Welcome to the [community profile] recolle test drive meme! All characters will be begin in-game AU'd as Recollé residents. You may use any of the above prompts for ideas or make up your own depicting your Recollé AU! Prompts do not have to be set in the districts listed above. You can review our list of locations for what's available. Please note that TDM threads can be used as samples, can be kept as game canon, and can also be used for bonus points for future item regains. Share a few minor details of your AU, tag around, and have fun!

For current players, please remember that TDM threads can only be used for bonus points, not regains.

Please note: you will need a reserve to apply, and current characters must have full AC posted at the time of their reservation.

Your January TDM directory is here, and your AU workshop is here! Our mod questions thread for this TDM is over here!
ascatic: (88)

[personal profile] ascatic 2018-01-25 09:14 pm (UTC)(link)
Give me a chance to explain myself, please!

[ okay. he's able to slow her with some talking. the last worst case scenario would be to actually SHOOT her, but. no. he'll have to do something drastic. ]

Look. I'll disarm myself. Watch out, okay?

[ but hopefully Leon's able to be loud enough for her to hear as he tosses his gun out from where he hides, the barrel providing just enough cover. hopefully it doesn't go off. hopefully it doesn't hit her! actually, he's thinking maybe he should've just slid it across the ground instead... oopsies. ]
spiritoso: (10)

[personal profile] spiritoso 2018-01-25 09:17 pm (UTC)(link)
[ Kaede looks where he's pointing, and she's a little surprised to see others that she's fairly sure aren't on the network hanging around. This is weird...

But she looks back at him and shakes her head. ]


No, actually... I came by here earlier this month and decided to check it out again, in case something changed.
liarboo: (Usopp a gift to you!)

[personal profile] liarboo 2018-01-25 09:49 pm (UTC)(link)
[He looks reassured.

For a moment.]


You're not helping!
liarboo: (with a charming extra tooth?)

[personal profile] liarboo 2018-01-25 09:59 pm (UTC)(link)
[He had more to say on this subject, both because he had been scared of being hit by an arrow and because it was easier to think about shooting arrows than monster vines right now.]

Where are we going...??

[He rasps out, looking over his shoulder in case anything was following.]
chaoticwhimsy: (The point is!)

[personal profile] chaoticwhimsy 2018-01-25 10:04 pm (UTC)(link)
She used to be in the system too, so she knows what it's like. I don't think you have to worry too much.

[Was she teasing? It could be hard to tell with her sometimes.]

So far, not too monsterish to me though.
belligerentwarrior: (Believe in Lady Luck now?)

[personal profile] belligerentwarrior 2018-01-25 10:54 pm (UTC)(link)
[Freya regards her quietly, one hand propped on her hip and the other holding the gun at her side, and tilts her head just slightly.]

And that involves hidin' out in an alley, coughin' up a lung, huh?
floret: (spring-street storefront daisies)

[personal profile] floret 2018-01-25 11:09 pm (UTC)(link)
[ He's not even a little impressed (by this astonishing degree of shortness)?? Throw him a bone here, man. ]

You're so sweet to say so! [ To think he's worth more than that, even with a liver that Nic knows is in mint condition...! He just might swoon. ] But that sounds a little bit like something a person who was planning on taking me to his place to cut my liver out would say...

Anyway... I do have homework, and the MCAT is in like three days. I don't know if that qualifies as something "better," though.

[personal profile] compendiem 2018-01-25 11:09 pm (UTC)(link)
[ Lin doesn't shoot down this suggestion as quickly, so that gives Minato a little more confidence that it'll actually hold. The problem is the same here, though: ownership of a gun. Minato has a gun, but it doesn't fire bullets; he does, however, have something of a downgrade: ]

It's not a gun, but I've got a bow. Could do a hundred meters, maybe.

[personal profile] compendiem 2018-01-25 11:36 pm (UTC)(link)
[ Joining a rebellion isn't exactly a milestone in many people's lives, like graduation or getting a job, so take your time, Makoto... The volume of the movie is turned up high enough that the entire city can hear no matter where you've set up camp to watch, so it makes for difficulty sleeping too. Instead, Minato draws his knees up so he can lean forward and rest his chin on them, watching the fighter pilots flit around the screen. ]

I liked the space battles when I was younger. They were flashy and-

[ An explosion takes place on the screen, washing the city with momentary light. Down goes the shell of a Y-wing. ]

...Rebellion's tough. You're always outnumbered, so every person matters.

[personal profile] compendiem 2018-01-25 11:59 pm (UTC)(link)
Uh.

[ He stops short, right in the middle of the path. The entire reason he was here was to play vigilante for those who had wandered into the subway and don't want to get strangled, but apart from that, he hasn't been paying much attention to where he's going. ]

To find an exit...? Maybe.

[ Uncertain. But more certain: subways have multiple exits, and they'll probably be able to find one that isn't blocked off, as long as they wander long enough. ]
beneathmoonlight: (Flowers)

[personal profile] beneathmoonlight 2018-01-26 12:22 am (UTC)(link)
Do you think I’ll see you around the city some more? Maybe at the bakery I work at?
hauntedsavior: (the voice of sympathy)

[personal profile] hauntedsavior 2018-01-26 12:48 am (UTC)(link)
I just smoke more around the holidays, is all.

[yeah, like that explains everything. there's a line of logic in her head, but she's not inclined to articulate it. don't worry, it makes sense to her.]

Look, I was trying to catch my breath. Are you gonna shoot me or were you just gunning for my pride?
belligerentwarrior: (Took you long enough)

[personal profile] belligerentwarrior 2018-01-26 01:11 am (UTC)(link)
[She snorts quietly, but Freya looks amused instead of annoyed.]

I was just bein' a concerned civilian. If skulking in alleys helps you get home faster than just, you know, going home, more power to you. A little light show's not gonna hurt you.
thebeastwithout: (Grin)

[personal profile] thebeastwithout 2018-01-26 01:15 am (UTC)(link)
[no problem!
gar logs on to his burner youtube account]


lick the dome again! :3

[and cleverly disguises his typing]
Edited 2018-01-26 01:15 (UTC)
thebeastwithout: (Grin)

[personal profile] thebeastwithout 2018-01-26 01:17 am (UTC)(link)
...Wow.

[Gar stares for a few moments longer before he starts to grin.]

I'm kinda torn between thinking you could be the coolest human being in this lame city and thinking I should start dialing 911 now, but I can probably do both.

How do you make rockets? I wanna see!
adoringpast: (doubt maybe?)

[personal profile] adoringpast 2018-01-26 01:19 am (UTC)(link)
[ UM NO BUT ]

Is it that weird? I'm not about to swing a sharp object at anything that looks remotely out of place anything soon but you never know when you get attacked at night. And the subway has a ton of weird things going on inside it.
activatingcombatmode: <user name=sefirot> (1)

[personal profile] activatingcombatmode 2018-01-26 01:21 am (UTC)(link)
[Sometimes, Andrew just makes it too easy.

He remembers all those times the older man has looked out for him. Going so far as to drag his ass out of bed at five in the morning for a mission briefing after he'd done something as stupid as getting too drunk with friends the previous night before. But also better times like training with Zack until his bones ached.]


Hell yeah. Tacos and burritos, here we come.

[Come on, mom-friend. Get in his car. They're getting tacos.]
maskreant: (pic#11531625)

[personal profile] maskreant 2018-01-26 01:29 am (UTC)(link)
Welcome to Recolle. It's usually not so dark here.

[ His climb slows as he gets to the top, waiting for her to show herself. With finger on the trigger, he waits by the last corner, knowing full well she is possible waiting for him to turn it. ]

I do move around a lot, so there's a chance we may have met before.

[ Right after, he slides out and swivels towards her as fast as he can. ]
ascertaining: (26)

[personal profile] ascertaining 2018-01-26 01:42 am (UTC)(link)
It's a start. But asking you to be the one to fire it might put you in direct danger, don't you think? I'm not sure that would be a fair request.

[Getting zapped by the ticked off wall was not terribly enjoyable. Lin would recommend against it, as experiences go. That said, in order to figure this out, some risks are likely going to be necessary.

They usually are.]

[personal profile] compendiem 2018-01-26 01:44 am (UTC)(link)
Do you know how to fire an arrow?

[ If it's only the two of them involved, logic dictates that the one to who knows how to do it, should be the one to do it. He's curious as to what will happen too, zapping aside, so he's willing to take the risks in seeing it through. ]
odasaku: (11)

[personal profile] odasaku 2018-01-26 01:48 am (UTC)(link)
Because I'm trying to help.

[ clearly???? ]
taishou: © ʟɪᴠᴇʙɪᴛᴇs (Default)

[personal profile] taishou 2018-01-26 02:12 am (UTC)(link)
[ At least Kuro doesn't have as much shit to deal with. He just walks - more like jogs, really - until he sees the familiar campus. It's warmer in the lobby where the security is, where he's kept from going up to find Nazuna himself, but he's fine with waiting. After all, they were apart for so long, now. What's a few more minutes.

He doesn't bother with his phone after he shoots him the text. Instead, he pops it into his jacket pocket and pulls his hat off again, contemplative and a little jittery in the pit of his chest. It doesn't show on his face, really, but his fingers flex in nervous fists in his jacket pockets as he rocks back and forth on his heels like he's fourteen all over again.

And then he hears someone coming down the stairs, and Kuro turns to look towards them, perking up. Seeing Nazuna is - surreal, really. Almost nothing has changed about him, physically. His hair, sure, and his odd eyes, but he's not any taller, his build isn't really any different. But his eyes are lit up, and that long hair is long gone, kept to one, uneven side.

It looks great. Nazuna looks great.

That comment surprises a bark of a laugh out of him, though, sudden and deep from his chest as he ducks his head down - body following it a little, out of habit - as if he's actually embarrassed. He isn't, but it's a good chance to compose himself.
]

It's not like I had any control over it, y'know! Not vertically, anyways.
hauntedsavior: (turned your back on affinity)

[personal profile] hauntedsavior 2018-01-26 02:26 am (UTC)(link)
[at least this other woman doesn't sound angry. and despite herself, Anna's kind of slipping more into the nicer tone she uses with customer service—or when she's just trying to be pleasant to somebody in general, for whatever reason.]

If someone hits me with one of those things, everybody else will think I'm actually playing. [her gun is for self-defense and nothing else.] And I'm really not in the mood to get turned into a walking light show right now when I'm still trying to figure out where all this crap even came from.
belligerentwarrior: (Come on then)

[personal profile] belligerentwarrior 2018-01-26 02:42 am (UTC)(link)
Right. You're too proud to get hit. You're on the look out for other players. You're toting one of those things around. [A gesture.] Sounds like I need to reconsider what "not actually playing" means.

[She chuckles.] Doubt you'll believe me if I told you they didn't really come from anywhere.
hauntedsavior: (analyze your apathy)

[personal profile] hauntedsavior 2018-01-26 02:54 am (UTC)(link)
[she levels a glare, but knows when she's being correctly called out, so it's not a very intense one. maybe she is playing, but she doesn't have to let anybody else know that.]

What, is it like the "eclipse" thing? [air quotes.] Has the city always had barrels of toy guns lying around and I've just been too stupid to see them until a couple days ago?
Edited 2018-01-26 03:00 (UTC)