repeter | 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

[ Clover is the true saint we deserve—sure enough if the rabbit could talk it would be thanking her by now.

Christian lifts his head almost immediately, expression going from childlike curiosity to surprise; eyes wide and jaw dropping almost immediately, as if he had gotten caught doing something he shouldn't.

Which, ultimately, he did. ]

Oooooh! You'll give me one? [ Meat sounds good but a granola bar is more accessible. So he stands up on his feet, the corners of his mouth moving up into a smile. ] Thanks! I'm starving~ You're a real lifesaver, miss!

[ Yeah, she saved that rabbit's life, so she can't disagree there. She tries to make a discreet shooing motion at the rabbit to run, but she's not understood. ]

I'll even give you two.

[ She holds up two Clif Bars. All for Christian. ]

I hope it can tide you over until you can sit down for an actual meal.

Yahoooooooooooooooooo! [ HE'S BELTING ]

Lady Luck has taken a shine on me today! Thank you!

[ He happily accepts the bars provided by Clover, grinning ear to ear as his giddiness begins to mildly subside by the time he opens the first one. ]

Oh yeah, speaking of... [ He pauses, expression leaning to something a tad more bashful. ] Do you... happen to know where we are? I think I may have gotten too excited and strayed off of the path, haha.

[ Loud. He's very loud. And also ~~an idiot~~ without a reliable sense of direction. It's a relief that he's so quickly distracted from the rabbit. There are only so many solutions and distractions she can think of. ]

I do. Do you need assistance getting out of the forest? Fortunately, we don't have too far to walk. It's about a mile or so. That way.

[ She points. ]

[ In the midst of her explanation he's still munching away, blinking thrice as he looks towards the direction she points to. ]

I think my compass might be a little messed up, haha... [ HE doesn't even have a fucking compass.

However, that is close! Maybe he would have gotten there if she hadn't appeared. (Hint: He wouldn't.) ] That's not far at all, perfect! Let's get a move on before it starts getting dark~

[ Would he even know how to use a compass? she wonders. She's also 98% sure he doesn't have a compass.

She sighs and sets out in the (alleged) right direction, looking back to make sure he's following. ]

I doubt magnetic poles work differently here, but... [ That's not that important.] Were you out here for a specific purpose?

[ LISTEN.......... no. ]

Hm... it's a little embarrassing, actually. [ As if pretending that he's not lost and needing the guidance of a small girl isn't embarrassing enough? Albeit he doesn't find her help or guidance actually humiliating. ] It's for my girlfriend...

[ did firefighting 101 fail him or did he fail firefighting 101 (not that you need a compass to fight fires)

Any normal and sweet and helpful girl would think Christian is sweet and adorable... his affection for his girlfriend is pure, but something small and dark within Clover twists (it's envy). She clamps down on it.

She chooses to be business-like instead and bumps up her walking pace. ]

That's not embarrassing. [ A nice, proper answer. ] What are you trying to find for your girlfriend in a foreign forest?

A place to eat! [ He says with a beaming smile, but is quick to catch on that leaving it without specifics sounds a little off. It's not like there's a diner in the middle of a forest. ]

I thought it'd be nice if we went out on a picnic, just somewhere away from the city for a little bit. She works super hard and a break from all the hustle and bustle might help her relax.

[ His words end with a short hum, giving the girl a quick glance. ]

And what are you doing here? Are you lost on a field trip, or...

[ y i k e s ]

[ Does Christian want to die young?

Clover's expression darkens, and she misses a beat in her pace. When she next speaks, the warmth in her voice drops several degrees, almost nonexistent. ]

Are you forgetting who's leading you out of this forest? You'd find a better spot in the woods outside Recollé proper. A large group reported fighting monsters in Bosuma last month.

[ She doesn't spare a glance at him. ]

Ah—

[ He freezes.

It's evident that he must have stepped on her toes, even if it was done completely on accident. ] H-Hey, I didn't mean it like that! I just thought that... you look young, y'know? I didn't mean to insult you.

[ But he'll actually take her advice to heart. Especially if it the safety of Mia is on the line. ]

Come on, don't be mad... [ He's walking behind her, but he looks more like a defeated dog. ]

[ 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. ]

[ So... she's mad. But not wrong. ]

R-Right, I'll check myself from now on... But wow, you've got all that responsibility on your shoulders? [ What did he say about checking himself? Cause he's not, reaching out to lightly ruffle her hair with a light head pat. ] That's really impressive~ I bet you do a great job.

[ Drawing his hand back he goes back to normal conversation, as if he didn't just like, pat her head: ]

What are you going to school for?

[ If she didn't want to ~~seem~~ be mature, she'd swat his hand then and there. Don't ruffle her hair likes she's 10? That crosses the line into condescending for Clover. ]

I'm applying for veterinarian programs.

[ She's definitely not treating this like a normal conversation anymore, her words more curt than conversational or polite. ]

[ Ugh. ]

's that right? That your dream job?

Yes. I can't imagine myself doing anything else. Animals deserve all the help they can get.

[ She says it like it's fact. ]

MARCH TEST DRIVE

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