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!

Flat | Top-Level Comments Only

Done.

[he'll shake off a couple of them and throw them at passerbys that've been giving him the stinkeye for being a hog, reaching a hand out for his cocoa.]

Gimme~. And come sit in my lap, I'll bet you're pretty chilly, aren't you? I'll warm you up!

[ of course he's freezing, but at the mere suggestion, nazuna goes bright red and squeaks out a-- ] No way! [ like being firm with him is somehow going to make it so that he's not going to end up there anyway.

it's not going to happen. with a brief, sympathetic smile to the passerby (sorry he's like this) nazuna hands leo the cocoa mug, then scoots closer to him to get into his blanket nest. he has a feeling leo's just going to pull him right into his lap no matter what kind of protest he puts up, so he just gives up and lets him have his way on this thing, dropping down with a little "oof" noise and reaching for his own cocoa mug. ] You know the fastest way to warm up is to go outside and exercise, right?

[ ...not that he's really all that interested in it either, because it

[that would be correct, but he'll at least let nazuna settle into the blankets before he wraps his arm around his waist and pull him closer, nuzzling into the other's shoulder with a happy hum... that turns into a displeased whine. sips his cocoa before replying.]

No~. I mean, I don't really mind exercise, but it's waaaay too cold for anything but a snowball fight! And no one's here for that. They're here for... everything else. Hey, have you met the wolves here? They're pretty friendly for a bunch of wild animals.

[you'll never guess who pet the good boys.]

[ a snowball fight does actually sound kind of fun... nazuna mostly lets himself be manhandled, because it's not too bad, and he's pretty used to leo being leo, so he even lifts a hand to run it through his brown hair briefly, giving a little scritch. it's peaceful. it's nice.

it's totally ruined. nazuna chokes on his cocoa. ] Wait, what?! [ LEO ]

[no, go back to petting him?!]

They're fine, they're fine! I promise! They let me pet them and everything~. But I couldn't convince any of them to come back with me.

[sad.]

Because shey're wolves! [ the stutter slips out, because every time nazuna thinks he's prepared for leo to say something, he manages to surprise him... you'd think after years of this, he'd be used to this. ]

's still a wild animal! I shanged my mind, we're definitely not goin' outshide! [ why are you like this!!!!! ]

That's a good idea. We'll just sit here and cuddle and be warm~.

[his plan worked. he's back to cuddling nazuna, pleased as a cat that's got the cream ♪]

I don't think the cats I know would've liked to see a big dog wandering with me anyway~.

[ did he just get played. ]

[absolutely.]

[ ......whatever. you know what, if holding leo under the blankets is going to keep him from chasing wolves or attractive men or whatever other trouble he could find himself getting into, nazuna will be happy to oblige. in fact, he even leans back a little to make it easier for him to get as close as he wants.

nazuna sighs. ] You can't just adopt a wolf, anyway. Pets take responsibility. [ and a house that you stay in for more than a day or two at a time. ] Why don't you just come play with Tsuchin and Pierogi when he's off duty?

[ aka the open invitation that has long since been there to stay at the dorm is still around. ]

[good nazuna. leo helps himself to the warmth, the comfort of a body pressed to his, and makes a thoughtful noise like he always does when nazuna brings it up, that implied open invitation.]

Mm~. I like coming over, but staying in one place is still hard for me, Nazu. I play with them when I visit, don't I? It's fine, it's fine~.

[so another soft rejection, but at least it's not a hard no anymore. it'd be nice to stay someplace. he can acknowledge that. especially since he stays with kuro and flat more often than others and enjoys it.]

But if you're lonely, then I'll give it a little more thought ♪

That's not what I'm saying... [ nazuna's long since learned he can't keep leo pinned down. as much as sometimes, when he sees him wandering, he wants to drag him inside and make sure he's taking care of himself, give him a warm bed to sleep in that he knows is safe... it's impossible. he'd like leo to come to the dorms, but he's been thinking about offering him somewhere more permanent as soon as he graduates.

he's not sure he'll say yes, but. nazuna tries his best to be cognizant of leo's needs, even if it drives him crazy sometimes. maybe in a few months they can work something out, maybe, maybe. the thing that really matters is just making sure he's happy.

.......and, you know, he might regret this in a minute, but. nazuna huffs a little, his cheeks flushing red as he looks away from him. it's almost a pout. it's as tsundere as it could be, probably. ] ...maybe I am. [ baka!! ]

Oooh, a confession.

[of loneliness, but nazuna's blush is cute and leo likes the look of it. he buries more into nazuna's shoulder and eyes him from the side, one hand playing idly with the other's clothes. hm.]

Like I said, I'll give it more thought, but no promises~. Mayday'd like me to stick around more than a few days too, right? Let's hang out for three, maybe four~. Would that be fine? I can last that long before my feet itch again!

[before he feels lowkey like a burden again, but that!!! is not an issue to bring up!!!! in the middle of the day anyway.]

I'm only doing this 'cause we're friends, you know~.

[ jeez... embarrassing. he ends up blushing even more when he gets closer like that--you'd think after so many years he'd be used to this, but does one ever get used to leo suzakura? ] It's not a confeshsion, don't be like sat!!

[ definitely not a chance!! god.

the conversation feels light in comparison to the actual topic, but, he'll take it. three or four days isn't that much of a difference, but it's better than going for days at a time with no contact at all.

he takes the second to compose himself, so he doesn't end up stuttering his way through his actual answer. ] Maychin'd be really happy. [ and so would i, but he's not saying that.

he is, instead, reaching over to pinch his cheek and tug it gently. ] If we're friends, you can at least text me once in a while and let me know you're okay! [ okay mom ]

[beeeeeh~.]

Ye~s, Mama, your little Leochin hears you loud and clear..~ I'll text you, so stop worrying so much! In return, don't make sad faces when I leave! Seriously, you're a pain when it comes to that.

[it makes him feel a little guilty? nazuna's a natural worrywart so it's mostly fine, but there's little pangs of guilt attached at the same time.]

If you'll text me, then I'll stop worrying! [ no he won't.

he lets go of his cheek, though--just to briefly press his hand to it in apology, and maybe also tied into that worry. leo might be a vagabond ruffian gremlin who steals blankets and flirts too much, but he's one of nazuna's most important friends. he needs someone to look out for him, and nazuna might complain about it, but he's more than happy to be the one for the job.

so, his hand stays for a moment before he lets it drop again, settling them back in his lap. for the most part, he's pretty comfortable, even with the closeness, and he reaches for his hot chocolate to take a sip, and a moment to pull the conversation away from something so heavy. a good topic.

...hey, wait. ] --And stop calling me that!

[hahahaha he finally noticed.

but importantly, it pushes off any lingering heat in leo's cheek from the touch and he giggles like the little gremlin he is, poking nazuna's side.]

Nope~. Nazu's Mama through and through~. He feeds me and takes care of me and scolds me when I've done wrong~. That's what a proper mom does, right?

[... they're not all as strict and overbearing as his actual one, right..?]

I'm not a girl! [ though, leo does have a point... that's all stuff he does all the time...

he has a different way to quantify it, though: ] I'm no one's mom, I'm niichan! There's a big differe--unya!! [ and the pokes make him giggle and squeak, which is even more embarrassing!! he smacks at leo's wrist, squirming away from it (but not going too far...it seems he's pretty content where he's ended up settled.) ] Why do you hafta be sho difficult!!

[ whining... ]

'Cause it's fun being difficult.

[SIMPLE ANSWER FROM A STARTLINGLY SIMPLE BOY.]

Want me to call you Papa instead~? Niichan's cute though, but I can't call you that since I'm a niichan too~.

[ nazuna definitely gives him a look at that. he's not sure if it's better or worse that he's so honest.

besides. he does have a point, and nazuna frowns a little, ready to defend his title. ] It's in my name, so it makes more sense, and I'm older than you, anyway!

[ he has a distinct feeling there's no winning this battle, but his pride has to stick up at least a little.... ]

I'm taller than you.

[so there!!!!]

[ immediately starts trying to get out of his lap ]

[NO...... he's clinging to nazuna!!!!]

Don't leave me! Naaaazuuuuuu, you and I both know the centimeter doesn't matter! I'm teasing, I'm teasing!

It doesh too matter!!! Shut up, don't take your height for granted!!

[ UGHHHH SQUIRMS!!! it takes him a few minutes to finally settle down again, and he is pouting, for sure, though he'll claim he's definitely not. ] I hope your little brother's way taller than you, so you can see what it feels like.

[ HMPH ]

[GASP.]

He can't! There's no way my precious little Tsuka-tan can be taller than me! I won't allow it! I'll tie cinderblocks to his wrists to stop his growth! I won't let him drink milk! It's wrong if the younger brother is taller than the older, how dare you curse me like that, Nazu! Grrrr!

[time for tickling.]

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