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

[physix]

Close, but not quite! I'm from Saturn.
You know, that planet with rings?

It's kinda chilly up there.

Do you like the weather on earth, human?

[dirtdevil]

[ ah. he knows exactly what's going on here. he rolls his eyes and stabs a wrapper on the ground. ]

That hungover, huh?

[ sad. ]

[sabishii]

[ That's extremely rude?! How dare. But if Kei was looking to startle him he will be sorely disappointed, though with their history he's probably used to Kongo not reacting like a normal person usually would. They were both strange in their own ways, probably why they had attracted one another so easily and why even now they are good friends because of it.

His eyes will open then and there's the faint beginnings of a smile on his features as he looks up to see Kei. ]

If I had known you were free I would have asked you to join me. [ Oh, there are ants. Hm. Well he'll just take out a piece of the sandwich in his cooler and give it to them before he groggily gets to his feet. ]

Thank you for waking me. [ You know he really has to get better about where he takes his naps. But he'll cross that bridge another day. ]

[informantic]

[In complete contrast to Atsushi's careful sip, Heigo takes a long swallow of his coffee and immediately lets out a sigh of relief, as if the caffeine's already started its work.]

I never have time to nurse hot drinks, especially not when I tend to need something with a real kick the most. So - [He holds up the can and makes a voila gesture at it with his free hand.] - this garbage is my fuel.

[Retrospec? Why does that sound familiar? He feels around in his pockets and is rather amazed to find that 1. he didn't lose his phone in the bullfighting ring, and 2. he does have an app by that name. He's got a message on that app, in fact.]

Zee Carlisle? [His brows pulled together with apprehension, Heigo looks back up at Atsushi.] I don't know anything about this... what is it?

[sabishii]

[ Oh no, Dia please?! How is he to ignore his children when they ask him things like that. He might try to smile there and then, turning to look back at Dia with a curious glance. Those birds still perched atop his shoulders for another good photo. ]

Is this sufficient?

[meowchanics]

Oh, you know. So easy to get distracted by the beauty of the natural world in weather like this.

[Sigmund has to hunch his shoulders and neck a little to fit his head under the umbrella, something he will undoubtedly regret later, but not right now. Is he going to sneeze again? Is he? Is he... okay, no. After about fifty years of indecision, he lowers his arm.]

But I'm fine, I swear. Sorry about that. Chances are it's just a little further out.

[guitar_hero]

Just a bit. [he digs the heels of his hands against his eyes and sits on a nearby bench] Feel like my head is going to split open like a fucking egg and there's not even going to be anything else to hatch it.

[he really shouldn't've indulged so much]

Didn't mean to disturb the litter patrol.

Tibarn | Fire Emblem

[hawkking]

II: Resparatum

[Tibarn instantly laughs with delight.]

[He probably REALLY shouldn't, but it's so exciting!] Toro, toro!! [He calls, taunting the bull and waving the cape in the wind where the flashy movement will draw attention. Honestly you'd think he'd been doing this his whole life instead of just dropped into it by fate.]

II Magatus:

[Continuing with the thrill-seeking sports scene, Tibarn is attempting to do some VERY EXTREME!!!1!1! snow flips on a snowboard, but he's clearly taking it well, laughing each time he falls, and getting back up to try again, flashing smiles all around.]

And now to go even bigger!! [Given his last landing... might wanna talk him out of that for your OWN safety...]

III: Gardening

[Okay, so the thing about being Native American is -- well it's two-fold. The first one is that he's ex-army because he's a man, and farming/homesteading is for people who can sit still longer than two seconds without getting bored and wanting to take a nap. But in spite of that, the second thing is that at planting and harvest, you are not given choices about pitching in. Not if you don't want to face the shame, disappointment, ostracization, and general pressure from your family who doesn't ever let things go, GAWD. It's not all terrible, but ffs if he wanted to be a farmer, he'd have stayed on the reservation!! And planting flowers, well it's just a reminder of certain fallen medics. So Tibarn works fairly silently, listening, as always, but a LOT more grumpy looking than normal. Sometimes he'd rather be getting maced by cops than the other side of the activism coin...]

IV:

[Tibarn doesn't get this holiday. At all. There's a lot of Irish crossover with Natives, but leprechauns, gold? Puh-lease.]

[He's always wearing green though, an accident of his pirate coat that is so damn cool he won't take it off even to go to the opera. Not that he would do that, who would do that? Not him... Nope. But he has no desire to keep this for himself. And his participation is mostly because it's more reminiscent of other traditions, or of Easter Egg hunts. Now that is a pagan holiday he gets.]

You want any help with that? [Friendly grin all the same as he literally offers a hand.]

[rhapsodist]

Thank you, but no. It's already sore from doing what I am doing, I would rather not aggravate it further.

[Andrew didn't need to apologize, he already had previously even though it seemed like he had been missing something.]

[rhapsodist]

It's not that it isn't widely celebrated.

[He looked up and leaned his chin on his hand, the cast was good for something.]

It's just not about Irish culture and heritage specifically but more about Saint Patrick himself. Or it should be, in any case.

3.

[hawkking]

Yeah. No. Me neither.

[DOUR FACE.] Let's just go with yes.

[meowchanics]

At this time of year? 6, maybe 7/10.
Then again, it's not as if "the weather on Earth" is the same the whole planet over.
As Ms. Akane Kurashiki should've already known, if she wasn't [drumroll please] spacing out.

[Hey, he doesn't forget names that quickly.]

[sabishii]

[ Listen Kashuu let him sleep where he wants?! But at the voice he'll open his eyes to one lone young man over him. ]

It was too peaceful not to take a break and rest. I haven't been asleep for long, have I?

[rhapsodist]

I do, yes.

[It wasn't the biggest bookstore, but it was large enough to have several rows of books and enough room for a sitting area. Cozy but comfortable, which is how Genesis wanted it.]

[dirtdevil]

[ it doesn't take him terribly long to begin wondering if this guy with the gigantic dog is following him. he has no idea why someone would follow him, but he's headed back to the retirement home to return his grandma's dog, so the closer they get to his destination, the weirder it gets.

once the building's in sight, he finally stops and turns around to get a look at his stalker (and his stalker's huge-ass dog). ]

Can I help you?

[ he should probably be at least a little intimidated, but for some reason he's not—he's just irritated. take a picture, Eren, it'll last longer. (especially if you hide it in your basement.) ]

Bonus

[hawkking]

You should give me the iPod instead. Recycling.

[beneathmoonlight]

[Atsushi lets out a soft, airy laugh.]

Whatever works.

[Atsushi is kind of amazed that Heigo’s phone didn’t get smashed or lost either, and it’s apparent from his reaction that he hasn’t noticed the app yet.]

Zee is an employee at a company called retrospec. They’re...kind of mysterious. The app is like a social media app, but it also allows you to notice things that you might’ve missed before. Like the strange detours outside of the city.

[He’s a bit hesitant to say this next part, but Heigo deserves to know.]

It...also seems to have something to do with regaining memories and appearance changes...

[sabishii]

[ He really doesn't seem all that alarmed, well, not outwardly at least? He wasn't exactly expecting the mist nor the sudden woman rushing over towards him in concern. He'll cough a little before he shakes his head. ]

I'm fine. It doesn't seem to have any irregular or peculiar effects that some poisons have on contact with respiratory tracts.

[ Oh that just all came out of his mouth? He doesn't really know why but he feels like he knows a lot more than he normally should... ]

I don't feel any different, aside from a strange sense of...knowledge in many areas I've never studied before.

i'm doing whatever i want

[axeswing]

[ It's not often that Christian has a day off, but when he does he typically focuses most, if not all, of his attention on Mia. In his opinion it's only fair considering that she's so patient with him and his work, albeit it being necessary. And despite there being some exhaustion lingering in his system he doesn't want to sit in bed and do nothing, so what does he do?

Well, first off, he's waking up to her playing Evanescence at full volume, so it's only logical that he join her while he's brushing his teeth?? Totally using his brush as a microphone, by the way. ]

I wanna lift you up into the light that you deseeeeeeerve!

Neuro Nougami (Nero Nordquist) | Majin Tantei Nougami Neuro

[mysterygourmet]

ii

[Drawn to Pesgare by the promise of fresh seafood, Nero should have anticipated the rain... but didn't, and of course everyone is sold out of umbrellas shortly after the rain starts. But look, he's not about to let his fine suit get drenched in the rain. Loitering under a marketplace canopy (and just look at these rain spatters hitting his shoes, this is completely unacceptable), he taps his foot on the ground and calls out brightly to the first passerby with an umbrella:]

Excuse me! I seem to have been been caught unawares by this terrible storm! [It's... just regular rain...] Surely you wouldn't mind escorting me back to my vehicle in this inclement weather?

[How can you say no to that smile? And with any luck they'll recognize his face -- being a TV personality has had its perks.]

iv

[Maybe you're not wearing green. Maybe you are, but it's not a particularly large amount. Maybe, no, more like very definitely, some asshole comes up and pinches you HARD.

Maybe there's a hint of a smirk before the expression on Nero's face becomes a more apologetic smile the exact moment you turn around. He's accessorized with a light green scarf that matches his eyes for today only, to best avoid becoming the victim of fellow pinchers.]

Ah, my apologies! It seems to be horribly contagious today, doesn't it?


bonus

Newbies? Hm. You have two minutes to explain yourself before I report your unauthorized app installation to the authorities.

[eldain]

No.

[eldain]

I find that hard to believe, frankly speaking.

Do you have proof?

[eldain]

How long has this been happening?

[eldain]

[ He takes her hands in his own, slender fingers with neatly manicured nails. ]

Sure, I can do that. Just take it easy for now.

[ Since he's supporting her, she can slowly skate forward for a bit. ]

[vitis]

[ ... thankfully john is currently not imbibing anything, or he would've sputtered with only thinly-veiled embarrassment at the comment. as it stands, though...



he powers through it with only a slight stiffening of his expression. it's time. ]

Which do you think makes me look nicer? The cute headband—

[ john tips his head forward, lifting a finger to point at the shamrocks that bounce with the motion. ]

—Orrrr my nice sticker?

[ clapping that same hand over his sparkly shamrock. ]