Recollé Mods (![[personal profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/user.png)
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repeter2018-01-17 08:44 pm
recollecters) wrote in repeter2018-01-17 08:44 pm
Entry tags:
JANUARY 2018 TDM
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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! |
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[ If he were, he'd not be here alone - there'd be squads of backup, floodlights, and he'd be able to keep on going and see what happened...
... or he'd be stuck in an office pushing paper as all this was happening. No use wasting time dreaming. ]
Not that I expect you to know how things are down here normally, but let me know if you see or hear or feel or smell something weird?
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[He shoved his hands into his pockets after straightening the strap of his messenger bag. He should be back at the shop anyway, restoring the books that he needed to get to and organize the new books that had been donated. He shouldn't be down here, investigating weird things as though he knew how to fight back.]
So, what have you been up to? You actually enjoy being a bouncer?
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[ It wasn't an argument to try to get them to turn back, he knew quite well that Gen had a point about the whole getting out, but he didn't point another option that was maybe less horrible, it'd feel strange.
He almost looks back towards his friend, though he keeps his eyes on the road. Barely. ]
Well, there are upsides. Like making sure people who behave like asses get shown outside and not let in.
[ And anyone who ever knew Andrew would know how that was likely a big plus. ]
no subject
[There's a reason he stays away from the horror genre of, well, anything. It's not that he'll jump or cling or anything of the sort. He just has an imagination and the last thing he wants is the stress of paranoia to things that might go bump in the night.]
Sounds like an annoying thing to do every night, to be quite honest. I give you kudos for putting up with it.
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[ Zack will ask later, 'aren't you curious?' Andrew doesn't put it in quite those terms but... Yes. He's very curious. Not knowing the truth sits wrong with him, even if the truth may turn out to be less than pleasant. Or the opposite of it.
But he sighs, and gives a small hum. Walks a little in silence, then, so, so quietly, a question that might not ever get asked outside of the echoing darkness. ]
What would you have me do?
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[Genesis always finishes his books unless he truly wasn't enjoying them.]
Nothing. I'm not here to judge you on your current profession, Andy. You do what you want or enjoy or both. Speaking of which, here.
[He pulled out a worn book from his book, handing it to his friend. It was worn, but looked well put together. As it should, Genesis took special care to restore it as it was special to his friend. Not that he wouldn't were Andrew just a mere client.]
All finished.
no subject
[ Quietly. Not even remotely angry, just quiet.
Then his breath hitched, before he could even point out that it was Gen who was asking into his job. He didn't look away from his line of sight, but he didn't have to, either. The book was from his dad, and ]
Thanks, Gen. I... Could you hold on to it a little longer - until we're out of here?
[ He kind of needed both his hands, just now.
Andrew walked a little more in the terse darkness, before saying, ]
I'm looking at getting beyond that high school diploma, you know. Just so that showing problematic customers out of the place for the night isn't what I'll be stuck with.
[ Something that was not at all an option, back when he finished school. But that was then. This is now. ]
no subject
He made a soft noise of surprise when Andrew spoke of going to college.]
Yeah? Sounds good, what degree will you be aiming for?
[Genesis had his own degree, a Masters in Library Science. And he was proud of it even if it was because he couldn’t get into the armed forces like his friends. His health hadn’t been the greatest then, so he used his time to further his education. Granted, he didn’t think he’d fall into restoring and repairing books but it also gained him his own bookstore. So he wasn’t complaining at all about his different path in life.]
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I don't know. I keep thinking I've picked something and then I realize it doesn't seem right.
[ He allowed himself the briefest sideways look at Gen. ]
Think I'd make a good veterinarian?
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[Genesis firmly believed that it was never too late to go back to school. But still, medicine tended to take a long time but if Angeal was willing and able then why not?]
Not going to lie, thought you'd get into photography. You still have that old camera?
no subject
[ Andrew's breath caught, briefly, then he shook his head. ]
Of course I do. It's working, still, too, even if getting film for it can be interesting, at times. But...
Photography would be something for me. Not worth spending time and money to get education on.
[ Worth that? Would be something for others. Don't ask him, that made sense inside his head. ]
no subject
[After all, plenty of others got a degree and then never used it.]
Well, even if you don't pursue it, you should keep up the hobby. I always liked your photos.
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[ Just, quietly. And he focused getting them out, instead of the places that thought led him to.
Then his shoulders relaxed, just a little. ]
Really? [ Not doubting. Only genuine surprise, if faint. ] For a while I thought I was irritating everyone.
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[He offered a small smile.]
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no subject
[He may be 30 years old, but insecurities take awhile to get rid of. Granted, it's not like he looked terrible. But he was on the thin side, unable to exercise to the fullest so walks and light swimming was all he could do to at least have some muscle on him. But Genesis was aware of his rather androgynous looks and generally took care to at least look good, but it also had gotten him a fair amount of teasing growing up. Win some, lose some.]
I'm sure you could find a way, though.
no subject
He doesn't look over at Genesis, but the words are still very clear and meant to be heard. ]
You are beautiful.
[ He really does not want to start an argument. But he can't let that statement stand, either. Hopefully, there'll be the stairs to get out of this place soon enough for Genesis not fight him on this. ]
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Thank you.
[He can take a compliment, even if he doesn't quite believe it himself. A lot has changed since their high school days, it seemed Andrew had a lot to learn.]
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With them approaching a better-lit area, he allows himself a quick look at Genesis, and.
Smiles. Perhaps Gen will even believe it, one day. Because that's certainly what Andrew thinks. But not all things get to be done all at once, and having it at least accepted is good enough. For the moment. ]
We're almost out of here. Going back to the bookstore, or directly to your place?
no subject
[He could afford to keep the store closed for the day. Besides, with the weird blackout, there wasn’t much reading to be done. Artificial light got so boring, maybe he should invest in a sun lamp.]
no subject
[ Andrew turns off the flashlight, tucking it away, then reaches squeeze Gen's arm, a little above the elbow, for just the briefest moment before they're fully in sight of other people. ]
Want me to come with, or pass by later?