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

[argone]

Couldn't tell you. But they are brilliant.

Just sit tight, I gotta drive, chica.

[maidofmistakes]

Okay. Yeah, it's probably really bad to text and drive. I'll just wait here.

[argone]

[And roughly ten minutes later, give or take a couple, Big-K is striding up to Little=K with a self-assured grin. She's always glad to see the teen, figuring that the poor thing deserved a better hand than she'd been dealt, and she'd be lying if she said she hadn't decided to stick around Recolle to make sure that happened.]

Hey. You got a place to watch picked out, Little-K?

[May as well attempt the nickname, see how well it sticks.]

[maidofmistakes]

[The younger Kara laughs a little, nervously, and rubs the back of her head.]

I think most of the streets downtown are getting packed. We'd probably get in trouble if we tried a roof or something...

[argone]

Would we?

[Kara nods towards an alley between two office buildings, an alley with a fire escape.]

Who says anyone has to know? It's not illegal since we'll be on a public building. Think you're up for the climb?

[maidofmistakes]

[She gulps.] Are you sure? Well... if you say it's okay.

[argone]

Yep! Trust me, I used to do this all the time when I was a kid.

[She had a rebellious streak at that age, and honestly who's going to care?

Slipping snacks into her purse and swinging a backpack stuffed with a blanket over one shoulder, Kara heads in and grips the ladder, quickly clambering up to the roof. Stopping every so often to make sure the other girl is okay.]

[maidofmistakes]

[Takes a deep breath and grips the ladder, slowly forcing herself up the steps. She swallows hard.]

I'm just kind of scared. Or, uh. Really scared.

[argone]

[Karen-Kara stops mid step and spins, stooping to get closer and offering a hand.]

That's okay, Kara. But I promise, absolutely positively promise, that this is okay. You can trust me, it's perfectly fine. You aren't going to get into any trouble.

[Putting on her best smile, she thumps her chest with her other hand.]

Trust me. I'm a doctor.

[...of Biology.]

[maidofmistakes]

[Her head fills with glares and forms and "poor fits," Luna getting booted out of another home every time their paths cross again, usually for delinquency. Kara following not long after, even if she tries to be good.

But she takes a deep breath and grabs the other Kara's hand to pull herself up.]

Okay.

[argone]

[Karen has no idea what Kara's been through, but she feels something's amiss. Tugging the girl up, she deposits her gently on the metal grating.]

There. Not so scary, eh?

[This time taking more care, she moves to the next rung and starts up, prepared to make the same offer of help up. Luckily it's only 3 flights to the roof.]

I'm right here with you, Kara. And I'm going nowhere.

[maidofmistakes]

[Kara takes a deep breath. She continues to follow up, sparing a glance at the ground every so often with a gulp.]

You really used to do this all the time? I mean, sneaking around and stuff.

[argone]

[Karen looks back with a wry grin.]

Heck yeah. Not a lot to do in Midvale, after all. That old town was basically drying up and poking around the carcasses of abandoned businesses was fun.

[Small town that it was.]

Never broke any laws though, or did anything that hurt anyone though, so if you're going to take up urban exploration keep that in mind.

[maidofmistakes]

I don't think I'd ever have the guts, to be honest. I kind of don't want to... [She shakes her head.] Anyway! How's it been? Being in the city now.

[argone]

[Karen will let that slide, not wanting to discourage the other, instead just offering a hand up the last set of stairs.]

City life's nice. Suits me just fine, having a research position. Work's perfect and there's plenty of nice people around town.

[Granted she's been living here for a couple of years, and only just realized Kara was too. But details.]

What about you?

[maidofmistakes]

I think it's okay. I mean... people seem nice so far! Some of them, anyway..

[She takes the hand and climbs up the rest of the stairs.]

Whoa. [shiver] It's definitely a good view, huh?

[argone]

[Karen grins, giving Kara a little nod and laying out blankets on the flat roof tiles.]

Definitely. And we've missed about twenty minutes of the first act. But you ready for a movie?

[maidofmistakes]

Sure! [She plops down and looks up.] You like this one?

[argone]

Yeah.

[Plunking down beside Kara, she slips an arm around her, pulling her in for a quick one armed hug.]

I do. Was a favorite of mine as a kid. When I was about your age.

[maidofmistakes]

[She laughs a little and smiles.]

It's been a long time, hasn't it? To tell you the truth, I'm still not sure I'll stay at this one, either.

[argone]

Oh no, you kids all grow up so quick. You'll be...what? Twelve by this time next year?

[maidofmistakes]

[laughs] Actually... I'm fifteen. Just, that's kind of the problem. People like you better when you're younger. I mean, in general, not these specific people or anything.

[argone]

I was kidding. I know you're fifteen.

[Karen's expression dampens just a little at the comment about being liked, and she tugs the littler blonde closer.]

I...know things have been kinda hard for you, Kara. I do. But you know what? Things are going to get better. I know it's not really my place to pry, about anything, but if you need something...anything, please come to me.

I don't think I have any right to say this, but I missed you. [Kara was one of the wedges between her and her parents. She'd never agreed with their feelings about the foster not working out.]

I am in a place where I can help, now. So please, if there's something that's not right, let me fix it.

[maidofmistakes]

Sorry. [She sulks a little, but leans against Karen.] I didn't want to make this about me or anything. Especially when you're already being so nice about it. Don't worry, okay?

[argone]

I'm not. Just putting it out there.

[She rocks from side to side, deliberately jostling Kara.]

You okay with me calling you Little K? Didn't think to ask earlier.