recollecters: (Default)
Recollé Mods ([personal profile] recollecters) wrote in [community profile] repeter2018-01-17 08:44 pm
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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!
missingache: ([74] To admire)

[personal profile] missingache 2018-01-28 10:34 pm (UTC)(link)
You... don't seem like the thanking type.

[Sorry. Just calling it like he's seeing it.]

But you're welcome.
angealwings: (Smile)

[personal profile] angealwings 2018-01-28 10:37 pm (UTC)(link)
[ Angeal laughs, quietly. ] So if I pry a little more, you'll realize there's something even better?

[ Slight smirk as he settles in the car. ]

What if I bring raw steak and cook it for you?
hauntedsavior: (met your stare with blank expression)

[personal profile] hauntedsavior 2018-01-28 10:51 pm (UTC)(link)
[this is starting to sound more pseudoscientific as it goes on, but she's earned enough of Anna's trust for her not to completely dismiss all this stuff out of hand. as the line of thought grows a little more serious, Anna starts thinking more instead of talking quite as much.]

All right.

[they're changing the world one person at a time, but, well, literally. it's the kind of crap she'd see in a way too happy and upbeat corporate environment that's desperately trying to convince itself it's doing good. maybe not too far off? she guesses they'll see.]

So how much longer am I going to be normal before they start changing me, do you think? Or do they just get started immediately?
darin: (25)

[personal profile] darin 2018-01-28 11:04 pm (UTC)(link)
[ She doesn't watch nearly enough movies with white guys in them to understand that reference but she's offended anyway. ]

I don't know-- that really depends on what you do from here on out, doesn't it?

[ She's not putting the dang gun down! ]
darin: (20)

[personal profile] darin 2018-01-28 11:07 pm (UTC)(link)
Hey don-!

[ Despite her poor attempts at trying to get someone to touch the stupid thing she still balks when he does. She hadn't actually expected anyone to touch it.

She prepares for the worst but he seems.. fine? ]


Are you okay? Did it hurt?

[ And then despite everything-- ]

Jeez, don't do stupid stuff like that! You could've been electrocuted or something.

[ This is the only way she knows how to be concerned okay ]
darin: (26)

[personal profile] darin 2018-01-28 11:11 pm (UTC)(link)
[ A good question, one that makes her feel pretty stupid in fact. Why hadn't she noticed? ]

N-No, I haven't-- but I mean, I've been busy with a lot of stuff. So I guess this whole mess just slipped under my radar.

[ That's a solid excuse for ignorance right? ]

Well we can't just stay quarantined! People on the outside have to notice they haven't heard from any of us.
lienhearts: ([Neutral] This is not the man)

[personal profile] lienhearts 2018-01-28 11:13 pm (UTC)(link)
Don't think I've heard of it before. Where is it?
snippings: (14.)

[personal profile] snippings 2018-01-28 11:13 pm (UTC)(link)
Why don't we negotiate the terms of surrender? Just put the gun down and I'll...

[Ashla pauses, thinking for a second]

I don't know. What do you want?
liarboo: (Call me that!)

Agreed UvU

[personal profile] liarboo 2018-01-28 11:18 pm (UTC)(link)
He's either new to this or is a cocky bastard.

[He whispers back at her as he comes to a stop in front of where the guy is sitting, and he crouches down to peer through the branches.]

He can't see us, but the branches are clear enough here we can aim easy.
darin: (18)

[personal profile] darin 2018-01-28 11:22 pm (UTC)(link)
[ Hm, a chance to reconnect with a friend and tell her you've missed her. Wouldn't want to waste this right? ]

I mean, it's not really that hard to keep up with you. You're basically everywhere.

[ Thanks Maki it was useless. She looks anywhere but her phone screen. Okay, let's try this again. This time less grumpy, and a little more on the quiet side. ]

If you ever have time it would be nice to hear about it all in person instead of through other people. But only if you have time.

[ ... ]

I mean, we're both pretty busy.
darin: (23)

[personal profile] darin 2018-01-28 11:26 pm (UTC)(link)
[ Hey punk who you calling dramatic.

(he's not wrong though) ]


Old enough! And he's not a chicken.

[ She says that but she's not totally sure, she definitely sneaks a questioning look at the big yellow bird. ]

Anyway, I think it's pretty natural to be careful around strangers. It's not like I had any control who was on the other line-- I wasn't trying to call anyone.

darin: (20)

[personal profile] darin 2018-01-28 11:28 pm (UTC)(link)
[ That's a weird question, definitely catches Maki a little off guard. ]

I don't know, I don't think so.

[ Cue more confused frowning. ]

Why does it matter?
darin: (22)

[personal profile] darin 2018-01-28 11:30 pm (UTC)(link)
[ That's totally sus, Maki eyes the stranger carefully. ]

That depends--

[ And she eases her grip on the gun, lowering it just a bit. ]

What do you have to offer?
snippings: (06.)

[personal profile] snippings 2018-01-28 11:36 pm (UTC)(link)
Uh...

[Now she really does feel like she's getting mugged. While she could just draw her weapons, she'd likely be shot in the process.]

I guess I could buy you something? You like ice cream?
belligerentwarrior: (How's this make us lucky?)

[personal profile] belligerentwarrior 2018-01-29 12:16 am (UTC)(link)
Who knows? It hits everyone differently. I had nothin' but the memories for months. Once the first change happened, they've been coming around kinda regularly since. Some people had 'em not long from the get-go.

[Freya frowns briefly, casting a glance at Anna.] That's something I should warn you about. As much as I throw around the word "memories," they're a lot more than that. You experience every bit of what's goin' on, like you're living through. Sound, smell, touch, pain, emotion, you name it. Sometimes it's not too bad, but I haven't talked to many people that've had a good time of it.
embearass: tumblr: ryouhara (writes in full sentences)

[personal profile] embearass 2018-01-29 12:58 am (UTC)(link)
We're rather short-staffed, as not every officer is even capable of being down here.
superposition: (All men have secrets)

[personal profile] superposition 2018-01-29 01:09 am (UTC)(link)
[ew, Alex Jones. That seems to snap him out of it, at least. Michael takes a deep breath and lets out a long sigh, running a hand through his hair.]

Okay. Yeah. No. We can't... [Another sigh.] We can't jump to conclusions, but we also can't rule anything out just yet.

[He leans his head back, absently looking up at the evil clown in the sky, which is not a sentence anybody can say comfortably.]

What we need is hard data. Nothing about this makes sense, and the only thing I hate more than being confused is being compared to that ... brainless, raging radish. [He gives Kara a plaintive look.] By the way, please never do that again. That ... that killed part of my soul, I think. I felt it die. [taps at his heart.]
embracethedark: (A legacy)

magical name changing hand whoosh

[personal profile] embracethedark 2018-01-29 01:24 am (UTC)(link)
Ah, the Recolle University campus.

[She starts stuffing her things into her backpack even though it'd end up pretty cramped, and takes the other things from Nic gratefully after his assistance.]

I kind of... got turned around. I was trying to walk home from the library -- I'm used to taking the bus instead of walking home.
lowgrip: (because I found myself an)

[personal profile] lowgrip 2018-01-29 01:25 am (UTC)(link)
[Nic gives a grumbling sigh at that. Yeah, he's gotta pick his fights alright. Problem is, he's picked 'all of them' and that was kind of a principle of his. Let no fight go unfought! Really though, he thinks this one is a loss. Didn't mean he didn't make an attempt though.]

It just makes me anxious, is all.

[He pressed his lips together as he stared the woman down with his one remaining eye.]

Yeah, I'm gonna go out on a limb and say whatever you'd tell me I'd call bullshit on, but you know? Whatever, right? Fuckin got a huge dome over this damn city n everyone thinkin' it's some kinda damn eclipse, I dunno what the fuck is going on.

Probably never did. Ain't nothin' new. So. Whaddya propose, we just... sit this out? Wait for it to pass, like some kinda flu?
pronounces: starswirl (39.)

[personal profile] pronounces 2018-01-29 01:26 am (UTC)(link)
[ kuro's--he's really warm, and he smells really good. those things haven't really changed. the last time he got this close to him was when they saw that stupid horror movie, when they bought tickets to an animated feature and kuro told him he could hold his hand in the real movie if he got scared. nazuna told him there was no way he'd get scared, and spent the entire movie clinging to his arm, face buried in his bicep, squeaking every time there was a jumpscare or a terrible fright. it had been embarrassing, but even years later, nazuna can recall the way his heart jumped when it had nothing to do with the film, when kuro laughed and he shoved him and felt as light as air. things had been simpler back then.

but they don't have to be complicated, at least not this second. for right now, nazuna can curl his small fingers in the back of his shirt and hold on tight. it doesn't have to be a long hug, but their talk can come later. he can apologize over ice cream, maybe, and they can stay out just a little too late like they used to, spend just a little time together.

its been almost ten years. there are a thousand things that have changed. nazuna has always been responsible, but with kuro, even when he was younger, he was able to forget that, just for a little while.

slowly, he pulls back, just a little, enough to tilt his head up to look at him properly. that smile hasn't faded even an inch, and nazuna feels that same giddy, airy feeling he felt the first time they took off down a hill on kuro's bike. ]


C'mon, c'mon, let's go! You made me start craving ice cream, and I'm hungry ~ ♫ [ teasing, light laughter, as nazuna ducks out of his arms--but he doesn't stay far away. the heavy i miss yous, the i'm sorry's... they can wait, just for a little longer. ]
lowgrip: (07)

[personal profile] lowgrip 2018-01-29 01:30 am (UTC)(link)
If I'm too somethin', then it ain't drunk at least. Not this time. Too fuckin' anxious for that.

[Or maybe... this is the perfect time to get wasted. He was going to go crazy if he didn't do something. That was obvious by how he started pacing as she spoke to him, the grip on the tire iron tightening until his knuckles turned white as he glared at the ground.]

Just thought it'd be better if I could tear it down, you know? Didn't look like anyone else was plannin' on doin' shit about it.
lowgrip: (f12)

I never saw a thing~ ;O

[personal profile] lowgrip 2018-01-29 01:35 am (UTC)(link)
Ah, guess that makes sense.

[He wondered for a moment if that meant she was from out of town, but decided not to ask her just yet, simply offering her the things he'd picked up from the ground before heading back across the street toward his motorcycle.

Nic picked up the helmet he'd left on the seat of the bike, waiting for her to follow him before putting it on her head for her.]


Safety first! Now, you just gotta hold on tight to me, you got it? Think you can do that?

[Heck yeah he was gonna drive fast. At least until he got close enough to need some more specific directions. He didn't exactly know his way around campus much yet. Not like he went, he just... knew some people.]
belligerentwarrior: (I could see it in her face)

[personal profile] belligerentwarrior 2018-01-29 01:46 am (UTC)(link)
[Freya remains after stepping out of the doorway. She tilts her head a little.]

Bet you there's a lotta stuff you haven't noticed, if you think hard about it. Guess you're one of Retrospec's lucky new members.
embracethedark: (all alone)

luckily they didn't even introduce themselves yet

[personal profile] embracethedark 2018-01-29 01:48 am (UTC)(link)
[Well, she'd been here for approaching four years now, so you'd think she'd have gotten used to navigating by now... but she was, perhaps, a teensy bit directionally challenged. It was too easy to get complacent when you mostly took transportation places.

She blinks and then smiles slightly when he deposits the helmet on her head, buckling it under her chin and nodding.]


I can handle it.

[A small pause.]

I'm Karin, by the way. Thank you again for all this...
lowgrip: (f18)

[personal profile] lowgrip 2018-01-29 01:53 am (UTC)(link)
[Nic gets on the motorcycle first before he turns his head back to look at her with a bit of a crooked grin.]

Nicolai, but my friends call me Nic. Not that you've gotta... I mean we just met, right?

[He laughed a little then before gesturing for her to climb on behind him with a hand.]

Don't worry about it. Seriously.