repeter | 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

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!

Flat | Top-Level Comments Only

[ staring wistfully at his cup... ]

I may need something stronger to drink. Or at least my favorite one.

[ with that, he sniffs. ]

I don't know what my happiness end game is, and because of that, I will continue to do what I do best: serve the community with the highest quality tea possible. I want to keep my friends close, and ensure that my cafe stays a safe place for those who need it...

I was told that many who have the application, are also capable fighters. I have yet to develop that kind of sense, but violence feels wrong. No matter what.

[ Well, that is something that Kei understands. He also doesn't know what his endgame is -- if there is even a chance that he could be truly happy. ]

And that is more than enough. I am, of course, speaking as someone who just recently got this application, but I think that some stable point is always worth maintaining. Especially if it is for others, Leon. If, indeed, everyone receives new memories, if we are all stumbling deciding who we really are... it's nice to be able to have a place to drink and feel comfortable. There is a lot of worth in safe havens.

... you are also right in thinking that violence is wrong. I also believe that violence isn't right.

Your words comfort me, much like the food that you serve. It's been a while since I've had your tofu, so it would be nice to head over there when things are less... severe.

[ because like most occurrences, the effects tend to wear off over time. hence his assumption that the dome and the darkness will eventually lessen and he will be able to go about his days per normal. ]

But do you think it serves a purpose, at times? While I don't agree with it, if it means defending those who cannot defend themselves...

If I cannot say a few comforting words now and again, I believe I failed as a human being. [ Canned laughter inserted here. ] Please. There is a place here that surely misses you.

[ A low hum. ] But I think that what you say is a slippery slope. If we say it is to defend others, we could use that to justify a great many of things... including murder. [ Closing his eyes, he thinks. ] I don't know if it serves a purpose, but I will say that if a person is willing to use violence that they should think of all the consequences that will come later.

[ A soft smile. ] And not just the self-satisfying ones, either. Indeed, sometimes, there are people that cannot be talked down and cannot be reasoned with... indeed, there are those that are simply violent and need to be fought against with all our might. But we have to admit somewhere along the line that we failed and find a way to solve the next problem differently.

[ Mmn. ] Because, eventually, those "capable fighters" become nothing more than people who only think of blood when trouble comes. Is that not so?

I... [ that cup of tea is slowly placed on the nearby table, as he slides his elbows down onto it as well while he ponders the meaning of Kei's words, thoughtfully chewing on his bottom lip while staring off into space. ]

... I would assume, if I were one who could defend others readily with a sword or a gun or the like, I would do it with the idea in mind that it is, unfortunately, a natural thing that happens at times. And this place, from what I am slowly understanding, is not as natural as we think.

[ his tea cannot answer for him, sadly. ]

So. I want to believe that those fighters I know have been trained to not treat it as sport or to wield it immediately. There is a kindness in hearts that cannot be swayed or turned, so... if I can remember that, maybe I can maintain one too, if needed.

[ then he claps his hands. ]

If not, then I will hope good food and drink will ground me.

As unnatural a world that we find ourselves, we shouldn't use that as an excuse to forget our morals and our good sense. [ He lightly points to the sky, indicating the dome, and so he understands partially what is meant by Leon's words of "not as natural." ]

I mean little disrespect to the fighters that you know. If anything, I think of the hot-blooded youths that I know. They believe themselves to be nothing more than hammers to nails, you see? They've forgotten that they're more than just strength against a force. It makes me a little sad... because in it, they lose a little piece of themselves in the violence.

That is also what I mean by saying that they should think of all the consequences. They should think of what is lost of themselves each time they have to fight. And so I give these words to you... good food and drink will hopefully ground you and remind you not just of the kindness that you hold inside you, but of your other senses, too.

That is why we're here, then. To be a reason that morals and proper senses will be needed more than ever, and to be a steady reminder that there is good out there. No matter how much bad exists, right?

[ why does he feel about 100000 years older all of a sudden tbh ]

But I hope that those things will do the trick. Otherwise, I may need assistance from a friendly face.

That is the dream.

[ So he says. He can live up to those expectations, probably. ]

I shall attempt to look friendly for you, too, of course.

You don't need to attempt. I find that you do a good enough job of providing the kind of comfort that I need out of someone without needing to put on false airs.

[ just like now, to be honest. ]

The real dream will be to balance two selves into one whole. Or, two selves into two wholes. I don't know which it'll be, but... I am confident things will be okay.

I appreciate those kind words.

[ A thoughtful hum and nod. ]

If it makes you feel any better, every person is one or two different people. I'm not the same as I am with you as I am privately, for example. So, you needn't think of it as so difficult to balance all these pieces of yourself... it's not a task. You are still you... because you define yourself.

JANUARY 2018 TDM

spends a thousand years reading the tag

i'm so sorry

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