JANUARY 2018 TDM

[recollecters]

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 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!

Comments

[idealest]

[ ... Sena's questions are valid. However, Sakichi must ensure the total safety of his carrier bag. He's in service to the recipients of the mail in his bag first, the rest of Recolle second. ]

I don't hear questions as reassurances. Empty your bag or receive fire.

[ After all, Sena could easily be hiding a laser gun in his own bag, to be used on Sakichi when his back is turned. ]

[adoringpast]

[ YEAH UH he'd rather the fuck not. his actual gun will raise more questions than answers, especially when someone like sakichi is not on the app as far as sena knows. ]

That's a breach of privacy? You don't have the right to look into my bag as if I'm some wanted criminal unless you're a goddamn cop. But yeah, sure, shoot me down with your stupid laser gun if you don't believe me. I'll wait.

[idealest]

[ ... zap

weeooweeoo confetti flutters gently onto sena and just keeps on fluttering

And so the security of Sakichi's mission is ensured. For now... Sakichi stands and straightens his peaked cap. ]

You're mouthy.

[adoringpast]

[ he's just... this icon right now. totally unimpressed with the confetti and everything. ]

And you're terrible with your job. Did they force you into this in the middle of your rounds or something?

[idealest]

[ Why does this person feel the need to compulsively insult Sakichi...? Truly, a mystery. ]

No, sir. My participation is as voluntary as it is necessary. I can't allow myself to get rained on with confetti. It would inconvenience the residents.

[ He would get confetti all over people's lawns and in their mailboxes, and that's just plain dastardly. ]

[adoringpast]

[ it's not you; it's just him being a cactus as usual, with pointier spikes since he's actually armed. ]

I mean you could just run for it if you're being targetted by one of those players. But I figure that most mailmen are already experienced in that. Running, that is.

[ do mailmen still get chased by dogs in this day and age, even ]

[idealest]

[ they sure do, mailmen are even trained to have one or even two cans of dog mace on them at all times :') ]

I believe running would ultimately be futile, sir. I make many stops by nature, and laser guns don't run out of ammo. Even a small child could tag me if they were persistent enough.

[ so he has to destroy the children before they destroy him ig ]

These are uncertain times. I have even seen an unarmed man with a broken leg targeted.

[adoringpast]

[ destroying children... he can relate to that ngl ]

They'd target the wounded? What is this, Battle Royale? Is there even a prize for winning this stupid game?

[idealest]

None that I know. I can't say I understand it myself.

[ This is coming from a guy taking the game more seriously than like 90% of the population...

Anyway! Sakichi nods stoically at Sena. ]

Thank you for surrendering peacefully, sir. I'll leave you be.

[ He turns to leave. HE'S A PEOPLE PERSON, THIS SAKICHI FELLOW. ]