repeter | MARCH TEST DRIVE

Entry tags:

! tdm

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

☆ o1.

[ Guess who has never been on a ferry before? It's this girl! Sure, ferry rides aren't the most exciting thing in the world, but when you've lived most of your life in a small town, even the most mundane things can be fun! And so, with her arms draped over the railing, her strawberry blond hair blowing behind her, Penny is out to enjoy the sights.

It's a three hour ride, there isn't much else to do right?

Maybe you're out getting some fresh air. Perhaps you're trying to avoid some talkative stranger striking up conversation. Regardless, the small woman glances over at you with an exuberant smile. ]

[ She has a bit of an accent, but it's hard to place where from. ]

☆ o3.

[ She may not teach drama, but that doesn't mean that Penny isn't going to help with the spring production. She's been in a few school plays herself—usually because her school was so small, they needed everyone that they could get. But she has a personal stake in this production, since it seems like at least a few of her students are taking part.

One would think she would be better suited for something less manual labor focused, given her size and stature. But instead, Penny can be found hauling around props, or with a hammer in her hand ready to build. Anything that she can get her hands into, she's helping with. Someone tell this tiny teacher to tone it down maybe? ]

☆ o4.

[ Going to the St. Patrick's Day parade seemed like a good idea at the time, and at first it was. All of the sights, the music, the people... There are so many people here? That is what finally gets to Penny, and regardless of how charmed she is by all of the festivities, so many bodies packed close together... it's too much, she needs some air.

Pushing through the crowd, she manages to get away from the epicenter to a more open space, but not without knocking into someone in the process. ]

[ Uh oh, she isn't wearing any green. Hopefully this stranger will let her off with a pass. ]

☆ BONUS.

Hello? I think you have the wrong number.

[ She doesn't remember installing this app. What? ]

Edited 2018-03-19 07:04 (UTC)

Oh! You're probably right.
Sorry about that!

[ . . . who was he trying to reach, though, he wonders. ]

Maybe you can tell me what this app is? I don't remember putting it on my phone.

[ Because of course she's going to try to have a conversation with someone who contacted her by mistake. Of course. ]

Which app?

Oh!
Is it Retrospec?
The one with the kind of blue spiraly thing?

Yes! I'm not sure how it got on my phone.

It's just kind of like that. It's a hassle. lol

Anyway um. It's a social networking app, basically. But only people who've been affected by unreality or whatever can use it. That makes it so you notice all the strange things that happen around here, and it also causes you to gradually regain memories and characteristics of a former lifetime.

I know it sounds fake. Sorry!

[ This message goes marked as Seen for a few minutes before she begins typing a response. ]

Let's say I believe all of that is true. What do you mean by former lifetimes?
Is that something like reincarnation?

[ Did she accidentally download some kind of weird AR game? She's pretty sure she did. ]

(no subject)

floret - 2018-03-26 05:34 (UTC) - Expand

(no subject)

rememberher - 2018-03-27 04:22 (UTC) - Expand

(no subject)

floret - 2018-03-27 06:39 (UTC) - Expand

[Fortunately for Penny, Jun is the type that is totally cool with striking up conversations with random people! Especially such a cutie~]

It's pretty awesome, yeah!

[Taking a deeeep breath of that ocean air, Jun let out a happy sigh, turning to look back at her with a grin.]

I can't get enough of the sea air, either. It kinda reminds me of my home town!

[He'd be the last one to talk about an accent, since he's clearly got one himself. Still, her's is super cute.]

[ He's in good company, then! It's the best way to meet interesting people, especially when you're on a trip to a new place!

Tilting her head toward Jun, her expression turns a little more curious. ]

Where are you from? Somewhere around here?

[ That would kind of make sense, right? Except she can't quite place his accent. Hmm. ]

Nahhh, I'm from Japan! My home town-- well, city-- was on the coast, so this scent's pretty ...nostalgic, I think is the word?

[His gaze turned back towards the water, tracing the waves with his eyes]

Not exactly homesick, but not totally happy, y'know? That somewhere in between.

[Now, to ask her a question...]

Have you been near the ocean before?

[ Oh! That must be where his accent is from, and that's why she wouldn't necessarily recognize it. Listening closely, she nods quietly. ]

I know what you mean. It's hard, being away from what you know and what's comfortable, but there's something nice about it too. All of the new experiences, and the people you meet too. It's kind of fun.

[ Letting her arms rest on the railing, she turns toward the water, her gaze lingering as she silently shakes her head. ]

This my first time. It's a lot bigger than I thought it would be. It looks like it goes on forever.

[ A beat, and a sheepish smile cast back at him. ]

But why wouldn't it be! It's the ocean, right?

[ Mio, the most green person around, passing on pinching someone? Of course, she's not going to miss on that chance, but even more so when she's bumped into and even apologized to. ]

Aha, it's fine, but... you've made a mistake in not wearing green today! ☆

[ Sorry, but she's getting pinched. ]

[ Mio, that's cheating...

Not only does Penny jump when she bumps into someone, but she does when her student pinches her, "eep"ing in surprise. Penny turns quickly, trying her best to look cross, but the startled giggle in her voice gives her away. ]

H-hey! I didn't think it was that big a deal!

[ Whoops. ]

[ So after an event earlier in the month Nat's been more scarce but on the second day of festivities even if it's only four days later, with a green scarf, she makes an attempt to be on the town. But- ]

You're completely not forgiven!

[ . . . Said in a no doubt familiar baby bird voice with a warm sarcasm. The red eyes (formerly hazel, thanks Retrospec) of Penny's childhood friend look at her with some amusement. She did get pushed back a little, but she didn't fall over or anything, so... ]

[ Penny would know that voice even in a crowd, and turning around quickly, she puts her hands up both as a gesture of apology, but to prepare for the incoming hug either woman was likely to give in response. ]

Natalia!

[ ...Were her eyes always that color? It's been a while, but she could have sworn... Blinking quickly a few times, Penny tries to brush off that sudden look of surprise with a smile. ]

You could have said something first before sneaking up on me like that! I would have been more careful!

[ And if Natalia doesn't first, Penny will move in to embrace her friend. ]

[ Natalia isn't opposed to hugs, especially with friends, but... Penny is probably quicker to it than her, in this instance. The other woman grins and meets that embrace with one of her own, squeezing herself gently into the other. ]

Maybe you just weren't looking at all! It's been a while though! How did I see Dia before you?

[ Penny is always quicker to that sort of thing than others, and it feels like it's been forever! She'll hold the hug as long as Natalia does, only stepping back once she does. ]

I was looking!

[ No she wasn't. ]

I've been busy teaching; I'm surprised she didn't say anything to you! How have you been? You look— [ Different. ] great!

[ She does look different. Red eyes replaced hazel. She has a more distinct musculature to her (it's not bulging or anything, but she's clearly got tighter and stronger definition on her arms and legs). But the face and general build is unchanged beyond aging, depending how long it's been.

... Well, for now. Her new tattoo on her chest isn't exposed through this scarf and top.

She laughs though, brushing back some hair once she breaks the hug to take a step back. ]

If that's the case, then I'm really faking it well! [ It's said wit ha little giggle though, so it's clearly in good humor. Or at least, she'd present it as such. ] I am too though - are you living with her, or have grown up in the world, off to your own horizons?

[ She should give it a pass, and normally she would... if she was the only thing that Penny noticed was different. Honestly, it's been nagging at her, but pointing things out when it seems like no one else finds them odd, doesn't that sound kind of crazy? Like there's something wrong with her.

That thought doesn't quite sit right, and even as Natalia tries to play the mood off, there's something there that Penny isn't picking up on. She's faking it?

What is she missing..? ]

No, I've got my own place, just outside of downtown.

[ But that's suddenly not what is important here, and as the older woman's expression softens, her voice does as well. ]

Hey, is everything okay? Did something happen?

1/2

nachetanya - 2018-03-27 06:03 (UTC) - Expand

(no subject)

nachetanya - 2018-03-27 06:05 (UTC) - Expand

[this is apparently not gonna be the first nor the last time he gets connected to someone randomly on the network]

yeeeeah... i don't think you're talking to the person you think you're talking to anymore
hey penny what's up it's prompto

Prompto? How do you know about that?

[ ??? ]

you texted me first! so i'm assuming you got connected to me instead
also it's kind of happened before with everyone's phones at one point

I got a message from someone named Zee on this app. I don't know how they got my number
I'm not even sure how this app got on my phone

What do you mean it's happened before? Did you get a message from him too?

zee's the new person in charge or whatever
they keep us posted on what's going on every month

...

it sounds kinda abstract but you'll get the hang of it soon enough
i mean idk if i have the hang of it but it isn't as jarring after a while

and i did get my texts get sent to a bunch of random people once
made for awkward times
oh and before you ask nope you can't remove the app
tried but no luck

Flat | Top-Level Comments Only

MARCH TEST DRIVE

Serah Farron (Penny Rose) | Final Fantasy XIII

bonus

bonus

1/2

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

(no subject)

(no subject)

(no subject)

1!

no subject

no subject

no subject

4

no subject

no subject

assuming they haven't seen each other in a while, hope that's ok!

totally seems logical to me !!

no subject

no subject

no subject

1/2

(no subject)

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject