MARCH TEST DRIVE

[recollecters]

TEST DRIVE

MARCH TEST DRIVE The city of Recollé... To infinity...and beyond! I. Wake up, get up, get out there, Retrospecters! Today's a new day and with the roads in place thanks to the efforts of Retrospec users, several locations may be explored. With Pesgare three hours south by boat, Respatrum an hour east and underground, Bosuma two hours west through the Recollé Woods and Magatus seven hours north from the city, visitors may come and go to explore the regions and their points of interest. The travel may take some time and the scenery will change around you as you go. Those same monsters from before continue to lurk just outside of the city and on the path to these locations and wild flora sprawls over various pathways. Take some time to study them if you'd like. And speaking of study, along the way you'll find various road signs and warnings along the way including giant man-eating frogs, fire-breathing horses, severe flood warnings and more. In addition you will find large directories in the middle of the road pointing you in the directions of the four locations. However, you'll also find these helpful guys who just want to do a good job and will get to work on these new roads! But wait, shouldn't they be working on some of the unfinished pathways and not the main ones? How do you stop these crazy things anyway? You may have to find a way to subdue the jackhammers or direct them to a new location. Good luck getting them to listen over the noise. II. Then again, with these pathways open now you may find yourself already in one of these new districts and very, very far away from your home. One minute maybe you're driving along, listening to your favorite road trip playlist as you prepare for Spring Break and the next you'll realize a wrong turn has lead you straight into the heart of a snowy mountain. Has this forest always been here? This seaside village is way too crowded! No matter which of the areas you end up in, it will be up to you to find your way out and back without a map on-hand. There's a good chance you can find strangers or maybe even some friends in these regions to fill you in, but there's always something going on to distract from your main goal. In Pesgare, you may find yourself in the midst of a heavy rain shower. While some of you may be prepared and have an umbrella on hand, others will notice that the rain is an iridescent color that falls and curves in arcs. Getting soaked by the rain may invoke a strange desire to cause a scene and yell dramatically at whoever is close by (and perhaps even belt it out if you're unfortunately unlucky.) In Respatrum, the sound of loud cheering and applause draws your attention to a large stadium. In the center of the ring is a man with a red cape, waving it in front of a burning, burly bull. A final flourish sends the bull back into its pen, raring and ready to go the next round. But wait! Without warning, the organizer of the bull fights grabs you by the shoulders and hands you a cape, shoving you straight into the ring with the crowd roaring above you and the bull bursting out of its cage. What a rush! In Bosuma, the creatures of the forest appear to be out and around including rabbits, squirrels, giant woodpeckers and rainbow-colored deer that aren't afraid to approach people. In fact, all of the creatures appear content to welcome these newcomers and show them around the forest. At night, several large, blooming flowers begin to glow in various neon colors. Colored pollen also appears to be falling from the flowers, leaving a mist over you that sweeps over you like a soft waterfall. Depending on the color though, you may find yourself feeling a little different... And finally, what's going in Magatus? Why it's sports! A winter sports competition is going on at the mountain looming above the Magatus ski lodge and the snow is fresh and perfect! However, landing on the slope is probably a bad idea, isn't it? Hope you're ready for a slippery ride down the mountain! III. Back in the city itself, life goes back to normal and several citizens are preparing for spring. The Recollé Community Center has gathered together to start cleaning up the local parks and community areas to plant brand new flowers to brighten up the city. Are you good with a shovel? Come join them in rehousing potted plants, picking up garbage and dead shrubbery from winter's harsh temperatures and more. If planting's not your style, over at Recollé High School several citizens are working together to prepare for the musical production Villainous, as put on by the high school's drama club! Sets still need to be built, costumes need to be finished and advertisements need to be distributed! For you artistic types out there, the drama club would love your support and time to get them ready as the premiere draws closer and closer. IV. Those of you who have lived here for years know that Mayor Mayer loves holidays. He does his best to never miss a celebration of any kind and while sometimes his efforts are smaller and more personal, this year he seizes the opportunity to celebrate an entire weekend dedicated to St. Patrick's Day! Though the holiday is on 3/17, festivities extend to 3/18 for two days of fun. What does this mean? It means that everywhere you go you'll find discounted prices for anyone wearing green, carts selling corned beef sandwiches and cabbage salads, and for those of legal age bars are specializing in green beer and green mixed drinks for miles. Seabiscuit the chocobo rides proudly through the city with the mayor dressed as a leprechaun, encouraging citizens to hunt for his pot of gold that he's hidden somewhere in the city! A series of clues will lead players onward and spreading out through locations such as Expressive, the Towers, Freshens and more. With luck, citizens playing along will find small golden coins emblazoned with a chocobo portrait! Unfortunately, something seems to be in the air and surrounding these coins. Unknown to the mayor, those who pick up these coins will find themselves hit with the overwhelming urge to find someone not wearing green and pinch them as tradition. Whether you're doing the pinching or you're a walking target, the coins' power over you will only wear off when the deed is done. As for the mayor? Anyone who collects more than 10 coins will find that they're eligible for a prize of $50 which can be collected at city hall. Happy pinching hunting! BONUS. The nice thing is that if you're in the city or if you're in one of the new regions, your phone works. Where would we be without technology? It's nice to be in constant connection with your friends and loved ones with the ability to check emails, social updates, maps and more. However, the internet can sometimes be a strange place and you will find yourself receiving a message from a Retrospec user named Zee Carlisle. Hey newbies, how's it going? You're probably pretty confused, aren't you? I think I can fix that. It's all the text says before you find yourself redirected to a private chat with another Retrospec user. Don't be shy now! Say hi and ask all of the questions you need! 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 March TDM directory is here, and your AU workshop is here! Our mod questions thread for this TDM is over here!

Comments

[devoid]

[She tends to have a pretty good memory for her customers, so at the very least she'll recognize him from the bar! The ski on his wrist nearly gets her to crack a smile - there's one tugging on the corner of her mouth, anyway but as usual, she remains kind of stone-faced.]

...That doesn't seem right. Everyone else has theirs on their feet. But maybe you want to try going downhill head first?

[Actually that sounds fun??]

[espansivo]

A bean Gatling gun..! Wow, that sounds awesome! I want something that cool too~. Sign me up!

[he'll regret wanting to when he doesn't get a gatling gun for his trouble. he's so attached to this.]

Have you shot anyone with it?

[softballcat]

Oh shit!

[May... still doesn't help, but she's trying to keep up with what's going on by running around to where the bull is closest, making sure to keep Pierogi's leash with her. She resorts to just climbing up on the edge and pulling herself up, watching from there.]

Hang on, Leo!

[strayknight]

[Oh he is in for a wild ride.]

The other me shot his 'brother'. [Which he didn't mind with the memories he got about the other boy.]

Here, no. No one will let me. They all panicked when I said I got it~

[It was fun to watch.]

[servileness]

I doubt violence will solve this problem, but Retrospec's hiring manager does have an office with office hours.

I'm fond of Tsukasa. He's earnest and genuinely tries his best. He's made a few friends from what I've seen.

[littlestbaskerville]

[While she was young she does try to be a little independent. Though his sudden shift of attitude does get her attention and she stares for a moment.

When he seems to be nicer she tilts her head.]

...wait so we're getting sweets? [Now he was speaking her language and she starts to loosen up a little.]

Mama and Papa will be okay for a little while, if we get sweets!

[Before Leo can object she grabs his hand and tugs.]

[meowchanics]

...meh, was worth a shot.

[Getting her to smile or getting her to roll down a mountain with skis on her arms? Either or, honestly. She never struck Sigmund as dumb enough to fall for it.]

Alright, your foot goes here -

[And at last he starts strapping the ski on like a normal person. Or slightly slower, just in case Brooke actually cares to watch. Each time he glances over, she's not the easiest to read.]

[devoid]

[For a moment that does get her to smile, but it's gone in a flash. Brooke's never been very good at showing emotion for too long.

She follows Sigmund's instructions, which are easy enough since he's showing her how to do it. It doesn't take her long to figure it out though, and pretty soon she's got her skiis on like a normal person.]

Huh. That was surprisingly easy. Moving seems like it's going to be harder, though.

[She looks absolutely ready to go. She's totally going to land on her ass.]

Estelle (Stella Harries) | Tales of Vesperia

[resolvetochoose]

III

[ Every good play needs POSTERS - exposure so that everyone knows where and when to come. There aren't a lot of ways she really feels able to help, but this is definitely one of them. So she's taking these posters and putting them up everywhere and she does mean everywhere.

Whether it's the hallways of Recolle High School, or different bulletin boards in any of the various stores or civic buildings that have them around town... Or hell, even on some abandoned building sides, she can be found making sure that everyone knows about the upcoming play.

Feel free to approach, question her intense dedication to the play's advertising, observe her admiring her handiwork, or run into her accidentally while she's carrying an armful of posters. ]

IV

[ Well that pinch probably hurt a bit. Not too much, Stella's not the strongest of people, but it was definitely a solid pinch of someone who meant to do it.

Or did she? If you turn to see Stella she seems almost shocked at what she's done. Maybe even mildly horrified, and absolutely embarrassed. ]

Ah, um-! Y-you weren't wearing green!

Bonus

Is this some kind of smartphone thing?

[ She doesn't remember hearing about anything like this before but she swears, she misses her flip phone already. ]

Sephiroth | Final Fantasy 7: Crisis Core

[sanephiroth]

I.
Look. One can be a 5-dan kendoka and still be driven into a tree by an oversized angry elephant, okay. Thankfully the elephant didn't actually see where he ran off to so it isn't trying to ram the tree down. It is still annoyingly hanging around being angry though.

With a sigh, Zephyr prepares for a long wait. This sucks.

His long black hair is hanging down the branch that he's sitting on though. Probably unusual enough to be distracting. Or perhaps you're a fellow avoider of elephants?


II. Respatrum
Finally making it to the underground tunnels, Zephyr has to wonder why he even bothered to come out for shopping today when he's handed a cape and shoved into the ring. At first the flourishes were sloppy (he'd only seen it done once after all), but then he started to get the hang of it and began to just taunt the bull for fun.

There's even a smile on his face by the fourth time and he almost loathed to lead the bull back into its pen.

But shopping must be done. Once he is able to walk out of the ring, he looks down at himself and frowns as he pats at his singed jacket and pants. Well, he probably shouldn't have been wearing a favorite traveling to Respatrum.

Alternatively, check out the marketplace with him? Maybe climb/jump up to a few cliffside shops?

III. Planting
All right. All right. He'll try to be a good citizen and help with preparations for spring (he's in the rehousing potted plants corner). He doesn't have to like it though.

At least, he would get around to it if every hair tie he tries to use doesn't break. He's gone through half a dozen by now, evident by the pile around his feet. Help this increasingly agitated model.

IV.
After experiencing one pinch in the course of a morning, Zephyr only has one thing to say to anyone coming near him.

"Pinch me and die."

Bonus
a. (￢_￢)
b. I'll bite. What don't I know?


((OOC: Please bear with his difficult persona. He'll warm up!! Feel free to go brackets. I'll match.
You can hit me up at coulsonlives. AU workshop is here))

III

[angealwings]

Thanks, Gen.

[ It was soothing work, planting, and Andrew possibly looked more at peace than he usually did - generally since coming back to the city, and specifically the last few weeks.

He busied himself settling the flower in the bed, hands careful and fingers thorough, his attention mostly there, but also... ]

How're you feeling?

[ Quietly, but they had been at this for a while and it was a deeply ingrained habit to check. ]

III.

[angealwings]

Andrew likes the work with plants. He always did.

But the familiar figure catches his attention as Zephyr's irritation rises, so, after paying attention for a moment to see what the problem is - definitely not the plants - he slips out of the park for ten minutes and is back with a large white hair clip. Which he offers to the kendoka by holding it out to him, not close enough to be in his bubble but where he can see it.

"Maybe try this, just for the time being?"

Not quite Zephyr's style, but it could do the job.

I

[sanephiroth]

[Why is he even... Zephyr pauses and stares at the sleeping man. It takes a while but eventually he decides he probably won't be able to live with himself if there's 'man gets eaten by fauna' headlines splashing across the news tomorrow. He steps over and nudges Kongo's shoulder with the end of his bokken]

Wake up.

[sanephiroth]

He looks over as the seventh hair tie snaps. (He can be stubborn, okay.) And grudgingly accepts it, using it to successfully clip his hair back. He lets out a breath to ease the earlier annoyance.

"Thank you." And crouches down to pick up the pile of hair ties to dump in the nearest open bag of trash. "This normally doesn't happen."

[angealwings]

"I could guess. It's all right, there are days for everything." Andrew, of all things, looks calm and almost serene, which is different from the usual slightly frowning focus with which he does things. He's got comfortable, worn clothes on, and his arms have dirt on them up to past the elbow - the hands with which he handled things are clean, though.

"You got the actual work under control? Or can you use a hand?"

IV

[sanephiroth]

[Zephyr is looking to escape the festivities by entering The Open Book. He's not wearing any green, mostly black and red, so he pauses at the door to peer at Genesis suspiciously]

Is pinching allowed?

Edward Elric l Fullmetal Alchemist

[chrysology]

I:

[Sure, Ed could do with some exploring. Or. You know. Maybe he just got on the wrong bus. Either way. He ends up elsewhere outside Recolle itself. Probably Respatrum or Pesgare. He doesn't really seem to much appreciate the heat of Respatrum at the very least, grumbling about it in his t-shirt, hoodie, jeans and sneakers. But he does check out the marketplace, curious, while he is there at least.

Or on Pesgare perhaps he is checking out the marketplace there, or trying (and possibly failing?) to figure the languages, since there are so many spoken here.

In terms of the creatures he might encounter. Well. There's the Bouncywild, who probably has Ed yelling and trying to chase after it, after the thing attacked with the slingshot. Or maybe he is yelling at the Stormbird, yelling and shaking his fits, going on about how the bird should 'get back down here' and stop being a coward by flying around out of reach. Or something like that.]

IV:

So we just collect how many coins?

[As many as they can find or -- ? Because he figures it might be kind of fun and a decent way to potentially explore more of Recolle. Some he might not have been to in a while. He's more thinking this might be more for the kids, but it couldn't hurt to play along too. See where the coins lead him, so to speak.]

Bonus:

Zee? Who? [Ed frowns, pouting as he glares at his phone. Wondering who this 'Zee' was and what was going on. He doesn't think he remembers downloading this 'Retrospec'?]

Newbies to what? What is this and who is 'Zee'? What don't I know, to be confused about? How this thing got on my phone in the first place? Because I didn't download this. I'm just going to delete this thing, screw it.

III-B

[digthefuzz]

Yo!

[It'll be a familiar face she approaches. Kurt recognizes his classmate and reaches for the flier without any hesitation.]

Oh man, a school play? Totes! I'm sure the young'ns will put on a rad show! [Maybe by attending, he'll add some celebrity exposure!]

IV!

[digthefuzz]

Yowch! [Kurt practically hops when pinched! That really hurt... He was afraid something like this would happen when he set foot outside dressed like this today. He rubs at the spot that had been pinched while he faces her sheepishly.]

S-sorry! My green boxers are in the wash, okay? [That... doesn't have to be your green clothing...]

Rapunzel l Tangled {Solana Evans}

[soligenous]

I:

[Yes, there were signs, warnings. That really didn't do much if anything to stop the curious Solana. Who....is currently admiring the adorable Dragonfly Bunny Spirits. Her hands are clasped in front of her at her chest as she talks about how cute they were.

Or maybe she found a Ditto imitating one. It's kind of hard to tell? Either way. She still thinks they are the most adorable thing.]

III:

Alright! Poster time! I've got this!

[She is the artistic type, after all. So it wasn't really a surprise when she offered to help do the posters for the drama club. Except. Well. She's in the library intending to plan something out to paint later in the evening, only to end up glaring and pouting and frowning at the decidedly still blank page in front of her.]

Ugh. Artist block, now is hardly the time!

Bonus:

Confused? Yes. Um, what is this app? How did this 'Retrospec' get on my phone? I'm not sure I remember downloading it? It's not a virus or something, is it?

i

[livingimpaired]

Well, well, well.

[ Kei shouldn't be surprised to see Kongo napping, but he is. His gaze slips to the various bunnies that have decided to investigate the man. He understands it -- Kongo has always had the sort of calm that draws others to him. It's a sense of "safety" even if a person does not know they are searching for it. Tucking his hands into his pockets, he steps forward.

That is enough to cause the bunnies to immediately scatter. He smiles wryly after them. Even if Kongo is a warm presence, they know better than to get drunk on it. His own aura has always been stifling and heavy -- but it feels like it is getting more so, lately. But that's not a rabbit that I am going to chase, either.

Kneeling down, he looks at the food that he brought and reaches out like he may steal it. It only lasts a second before his hand lifts to snap his fingers in front of Kongo's face; probably equally if not a little more rude. ]

I am always impressed with your ability to sleep anywhere, Kongo. That means that you feel safe and comfortable no matter what, hm? [ Kei isn't even one-hundred percent certain that Howard can just collapse anywhere for a quick nap. Truly, it is an ability to leave one in awe and fear. ] Your sloth may also end up being your downfall, you know.

[ A pause. ] Ants.

ice fairy;

[complementing]

[Someone saw that.]

Ain, are you okay?

[Minako is waddling towards the door to the ice rink on her own skates, a crease of concern between her brows.]

iii

[livingimpaired]

[ Kei volunteers, because of course, he does. When such opportunities come up, he always agrees to them. People seem to think it is for altruistic reasons but the real reasons --

-- his train of thought ends as a young woman walks by him just as he is kneeling down to pick up a piece of trash, and promptly standing on it. His head tilts at it as he looks up at her. ]

A question I ask myself right now.

[eldain]

[ You know, this is quite embarrassing. Good thing it's only Minako who saw him mess up, and not someone else...

Ain shakes his head, running his fingers through his hair and combing his braid back in place. ]

I'm fine. [ THAT WAS EMBARRASSING. ] Forget you saw that.

[disclosures]

[She completely misses the fact she's standing on garbage that somebody else is trying to pick up.

Why?

The guy she's been watching this entire time has finally looked up and waved at her. She waves back with all the enthusiasm of a teenager who can't believe her crush is finally paying attention to her.]

Hi!! It's good to see you!!!

[Like he could possibly hear her at this distance.]