repeter | MARCH TEST DRIVE

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MARCH TEST DRIVE

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!

Threaded | Top-Level Comments Only

I'm not sure how it works, but that's what happens. If I try talk to my brother about any of this, he doesn't understand. But now you have the app, so you'll know what is going on. Only now you're involved too.

There are a lot of things that actually do exist, apparently, outside of fairy tales, fantasy or scifi books, and video games. [ You're forgetting animanga, Andrew, but oh well. ] But I don't *think* everybody runs in all of them. Or even many of them. So you could be fine with not really asking.

I'll believe it when I see it.

the best advice i can give you is to expect the unexpected

oh sure
check out my stuff at promptography
it's uh...

[mostly animals and his pets, selfies, pictures of his friends, and the pretentious angled picture of scenery with some inspiring quote of sorts.]

i have actual portfolios from school though

--you're not giving me crap about 'rabbit food' this time?

[prompto's having an out of body experience, but he quickly recovers]

Which says a lot considering how crappy your food choices are!

[he has been trying to curb cloud's bad eating habits]

[Cloud laughs and shakes his head.]

How well does that work? Giving you crap? It just makes you not buy my frozen french fries and bottled gravy when you go to the grocery store.

I just told you I'm not at the name-telling stage, didn't I?

[ Wink!! ... Mia may or may not know and be frustrated with Natalia's standards. Going on a date (or three) is not the same as dating, and she'll go on a date with who seems fun, who it seems like she might have chemistry with, whatever. In the same vein, unless she's serious enough about someone that she's willing to introduce them to other people as someone she's dating, she doesn't tell her friends/family their names for the most part. There's a few exceptions in some friends who she may or may not have blurry lines with or someone who is really recurring but...

Yeah no, this apparently is an instance she intends to (teasingly) leave Mia out of the loop. ]

[Don't mind Heigo if he winces a bit at the firm grip, because he's... kind of a wuss. He's got the solid handshake of a professional and everything, but he's not built for having his hand crushed by overeager drunk people.

Oh. Oh jeez, this is the professor he consulted for a handful of his stories? Heigo almost doesn't want to believe it, but now he remembers the meandering tone all too well and realizes the man in front of him couldn't be anyone else.]

Of course - Dr. Klim. Pleasure to meet you in person. We've discussed some of your areas of particular interest before - [Shit, goddamnit, but he did that under his pseudonym. Well, Klim's very drunk, so maybe he won't remember Heigo confirming his identity as Ango Sakaguchi?] - for - various reasons.

[Excellent cover, Heigo.]

[This conversation is so strange. Normally Heigo would write off talk like this as subtle mockery, the kind his more intelligent school-age bullies sometimes used to lure him into believing he could be accepted - but that's the thing, he's seen that trick so many times that he knows Kei is doing no such thing. For whatever reason, he sincerely admires Heigo's wobbly spine and inability to assert his true self.

The reason must be hidden in what he says about himself, Heigo thinks. Does he wish he could be just as malleable but find it impossible? Imagining himself as an ideal only makes everything stranger.]

I don't know what to say. Thanks don't feel appropriate somehow.

[ She looks behind her at him at that, and she sighs. ]

I'm not mad. You need to learn to watch your words. [ Or Clover's just too sensitive and too touchy. ] I'm not that kind of irresponsible person who would wander off without telling anyone, if I were traveling with a group. You should know I'm in charge of watching over a group of college students.

[ She means she's an RA, but she's being extra pretentious because she feels insulted. ]

[ And in the midst of her playing cute he starts with his mouthwash. Swishing back and forth and lifting a brow of interest when she mentions pancakes, nodding his head in an overly exaggerated way before leaning over the sink once more. ]

How am I supposed to say no to such a pretty face like that?

[ Ah, his heart is racing. Three years in and the fact that he can say something so embarrassing and it come without stumbling over his words still feels so refreshing. He really can't help himself from closing the distance between them to place a gentle kiss to her temple. ]

I'm done in here so I'll go get started in the kitchen, 'kay? It shouldn't take me long to whip up some pancakes!

[ Leaving the bathroom behind he heads to the kitchen, where he starts by laying out everything necessary before actually cooking. ]

It'd be like a cheer up party! It didn't work out, but it will next time!

[ Makes sense, right?? ]

—I don't mean it like that! There's more going on at the station then dealing with fires, y'know? It's fun hanging out with the guys, working out together, playing games... we've started feeding a stray cat recently and he's the cutest lil furball!

[Ugh. Why do some friends insist on being so handsy?? It's not the natural order of things and yet Heigo ends up looking like the weirdo when he's left flustered, turning his head sharply away after being booped on the nose and sending his shamrocks into another flurry of movement. At least the dumb things will probably take attention away from his flushed face.]

Well, if I'm going to enjoy myself any more than this tonight, you're buying.

[It could help, after all. John's presence is always Extremely Loud and Incredibly Close, and since that seems to go double for his drunk self, Heigo suddenly finds the idea of some liquid assistance to loosen the hell up very appealing.]

it's a good thing that my job requires me to be like that constantly

though it shouldn't be that bad right?? it's just uhhhhhhhhhhhh
chatting... app...

I see.

If I may give some praise to you in this confusing time?
You're a good young man.
You really worry about others honestly.
I believe that you'll do just fine, even with the strange things that you will soon encounter.

Why not?

[ His head gives a small tilt. ] Why would not "thank you" be appropriate? I'm finding the way that you live and interact with others to be admirable. It means that there is someone in this world that believes you are doing things worth esteem. [ His wry smile makes a reappearance as he finally looks away from Heigo so that he could take another drink. He settles on the chair, crossing his ankles, and smiles warmly into the scotch that is almost gone. Like he's appreciating something precious. ]

But you don't take pride in what it is that you're doing? [ His dull gaze lifts up to settle on his face as he sets his glass back down on the counter. He flicks his index finger against the glass, but the high-pitched ping is drowned out by all the conversation around them. ]

There's nothing wrong with how you are living, because the way you are living makes you feel safe and content, is that not so? [ Or is the fear of disappointment so strong that you cannot even breath, Heigo Miyake? His smile curls just a little as he dips his chin down to hide the sharpness of it. ]

[Someone believes he's doing things worthy of esteem - that's the opposite of disappointment, really. If Kei had any form of attachment to Heigo, his admiration might even become pride.

So why does his gut suddenly feel like knotted iron? Why do Kei's words feel barbed despite him giving no indication of double meaning?]

I think that's enough authenticity for one conversation. [Meaning: he's not gonna answer any of those questions, thank you very much. But he will say one more thing on the topic -] You're right. Thanking you does make perfect sense, so thank you.

[Then comes his sharp detour onto another topic, as well as his attempt to turn the focus back on Kei.] What's your motivation, then? Your real motivation, the one that drives everything you do and makes every choice for you.

That's fair.

[ He gives a small nod as he relents, deciding that he has gathered enough information from Heigo. The shape of the man's soul is something that he's seen a little of, and he's found it to be something of interest. It is something that he may wish to see more of, even. To Kei, it doesn't matter if the man is part of the app or not, and so he doesn't even check. An interesting person is an interesting person -- is that not so? ]

You're welcome. [ A soft hum. My motivation? ] It is the desire to "do good." I realize that sounds very self-righteous and self-sacrificing, but it is neither of those things. If I could put it into words, I would say that it is placing others before myself without any desire of a reward. In fact, I don't want any reward for my actions because "doing good" does not make me happy.

Indeed, the righteous and the sacrificing can feel something positive in doing for others, but it does not make me happy or unhappy. [ Interlacing his fingers, he rests his hands in his lap as he explains. ] So why do it, right? Because I once lived my life not caring. I live my teenage years not caring about other people and their wants or their wishes or their feelings. Because it didn't mean anything to me. [ He lifts and lowers his shoulders in a dismissive way. ]

It was an immature and thoughtless decision from someone still too young to understand the world. But I lived that way and lived completely alone. I say alone not in terms of people that knew me or people that cared about me, but alone as in my own self. Nothing anyone said or did mattered to me. [ He breathes out slow. ] So I decided that my reasons for doing things should be to "do good." To reward the kindness of society and humanity by giving something back to it, regardless of how it makes me feel.

--that's still fucking disgusting.

[prompto can't help laughing, feeling giddy] Tell ya what. Let's meet in the middle. We can go to Kenny Crow's and we order one of their huge milkshakes to share!

yeah
chatting app

if you're here next month i'll clue you in on everything else this app does yeah?
no need to worry otherwise

[Well, it's official. With that speech, the strange feeling in Heigo's gut turns from apprehension to pure, icy dread, and he still has no idea why he's reacting this way. The idea of a person with no moral compass and no real preference for how they impact the world isn't that chilling, for God's sake. Kei's even proven himself equally admirable, if not much more so, by choosing self-sacrifice without any ability to reap the benefits.

But Heigo can still feel cold sweat beading on his brow regardless.]

The way you say that... does anything make you happy?

Yeah, anytime! [He waves airily to disperse the mostly-imagined flattery.] Heh, funny that a writer should call themselves... well, in this day and age, maybe all of you guys are cogs in the less abstract kind of machine. It's a big club, and membership is free.

Not really.

[ He adds in a small shake of his head. ] That isn't to say that I don't take enjoyment out of a few choice things, but enjoyment and happiness are two different experiences. I've never really experienced happiness as others have. There has never been a moment in my life when I felt elated or pure joy.

[ But he doesn't sound upset or troubled about this; for Kei, this is how things are and he had accepted it as his lot in life. ] I recall people being excited and almost trembling about something coming up in their life. The sort of joy that radiates off of them in a way that makes others happy just looking at them. I've never had an experience like that, myself. [ No, he has felt excitement like that, but it came with the cost of guilt and disgust at his own feelings. He cannot call that pure joy; he cannot call it happiness if he feels sick moments after. ]

But I don't besmirch others for their happiness. It tires me out, of course, but I don't mind it. I would rather they be as happy as they can be. Seeing everyone happy, it means nothing to me, but it means the world to them, right?

[That really would be meeting in the middle, considering that Cloud would much rather have an entire "huge" milkshake to himself, but whatever. He can always get more ice cream.]

Maybe. It will have to be one of the good flavors, though.

Threaded | Top-Level Comments Only

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MARCH TEST DRIVE

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