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Recollé Mods ([personal profile] recollecters) wrote in [community profile] repeter2018-03-17 08:46 pm
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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 [community profile] 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!

[personal profile] informantic 2018-03-19 07:04 pm (UTC)(link)
[Looking for a way out, looking for a way out... there are no obvious ways out, that's for sure... they'll just have to force a way out somehow. Maybe if -]

Don't you even know how to use that thing?! [The sharp clang of Kashuu's sword against the bull's horn is hard to miss and impossible to ignore, since it seems to spell the end of their chances at victory. If this isn't a time for drastic measures, what is?] Okay, I think - I think I have an idea, but you'll have to distract that bull for a long time if I'm going to make it happen. Can you do that and stay in one piece?

[Heigo sheds his suit jacket and pulls the broad, flat metal pin from his tie, examining the release gate once more while he waits for Kashuu's answer. He's certainly written about all sorts of lockpicking techniques, but can he pull one off with a gate that huge and heavy? He won't know until he tries.]
sharplydressed: (this time i'm serious!)

[personal profile] sharplydressed 2018-03-19 07:30 pm (UTC)(link)
Of course I can!

[SOME ACTUAL INDIGNATION which really doesn't have any place in a life-or-death bullfight, but his little sword spirit soul is offended...!!

The bull sure doesn't care, though, and is immediately pulling back to go in for another strike. Kashuu blocks that one, too, but even with his enhanced strength it's pretty hard to stand toe-to-toe against something like This.]


I'll buy you all the time you need, so don't worry about it— Just do whatever you gotta do!

[He's still gonna do it, though. He's gonna beat this bull. Or at the very least, make sure it doesn't skewer Heigo while he works on an escape method. It seems very determined to make some nice kebabs out of them! Rude, honestly.]

[personal profile] informantic 2018-03-20 12:54 am (UTC)(link)
[Heigo's much more appreciative than he'll ever let on about Kashuu's ability to keep up banter in this situation, which includes the huffiness in his voice as he asserts his swordsmanship skill. Both of them should probably be melting down with panic at this point, or at least Heigo definitely should, but Kashuu's questionably casual priorities have a soothing effect that Heigo can't quite explain.

Not that he has time to explain, so he just sprints off toward one of the four enormous gates at each compass point of the ring. The locks are built right into the massive doors, which makes Heigo's job much more difficult, but something as simple as a padlock would hardly work to restrain massive flaming bulls. He works his tie pin into a shape that'll slide between the doors, then runs it down the length of the seam until he hits resistance.

There. The actual, physical bolt. If he can weaken or move that bolt enough and then they're able to use the bull's strength and heat against it...]


It's going to work, I'm almost certain! How are you holding up, Kashuu?
sharplydressed: (war)

[personal profile] sharplydressed 2018-03-20 04:03 am (UTC)(link)
[There's more sharp, metallic clanging coming from within the arena, but judging by the wild cheers of the crowd and the lack of vaguely alarmed and/or disturbed "OOOH" noises, he's alive and well!

He's even tried to go on the offensive against the bull, but unsurprisingly, molten cow and metal aren't a friendly combination. One burn too many and he's deciding he'd rather not risk any permanent damage trying to cut through its rocky hide.]


Just another day in paradise over here—!

[The bull lets out whatever sound demonic bulls make, and Kashuu whacks it across the forehead with his sheath before darting away to another corner of the arena.]

[personal profile] informantic 2018-03-20 06:11 pm (UTC)(link)
[Heigo's doing everything he can to block out the noise from the ring when he doesn't specifically need to hear Kashuu's answers, because it's much too stressful to listen when he can't see what's going on. One worst-case scenario popping into his head and taking firm enough hold to slow his work is all it would take to doom Kashuu and then himself. He can deal with the delayed reaction panic later.

He's already being slowed down enough by sweat from his long, loose fringe dripping into his eyes and onto his glasses. Why does he wear his hair this long when it's a bother in any style but his severely slicked back usual, anyway? It's too saturated with sweat and now-useless gel to blow up and off his face, even. When it gets too frustrating to handle, he takes off his tie as well and secures it out of his face with a classic salaryman necktie headband.

Oh, Kashuu will never let him hear the end of this. But - !]


Got it! Throw something to distract the hellbeast and run this way! [It'll take awhile to swing the massive gate closed again behind them, so Kashuu will need a pretty hefty head start to keep them from just trapping the bull in a smaller space with them.]
sharplydressed: (naptime for babies)

[personal profile] sharplydressed 2018-03-23 07:13 am (UTC)(link)
[Throw something to distract the hellbeast and run?? Tragically, he isn't carrying a lot with him... Just his sword, which he certainly can't throw. That leaves very few options. Shoes? No, he needs those to run. One heel on and one heel off would definitely kill him. Scarf? It's red, but it's also one of his regained items and he can't bear the thought of letting it go, somehow.

So after a second of flustered panic, he darts to the left. The bull dutifully follows him, but Kashuu has juuust enough time to wiggle his way out of his (very nicely tailored!!) jacket, flinging it over the demon's head.]


I'll never forgive you for this, jerk!!

[He appears to be talking to the bull and not Heigo, at least...

AND THEN HE'S RUNNING. Running at speeds that are definitely not normal for an average human, but hey, at least that means he'll be over on the right side of the ring with enough time for them to escape from the angry-ass bull burning through his coat in the distance.]


Go, go, go--! Let's get this thing shut!

[personal profile] informantic 2018-03-29 05:59 pm (UTC)(link)
[Okay, even in mortal danger, there's no way Heigo's about to miss Kashuu's superhuman sprint toward the gate. Being an author makes him far too hyper-observant not to pick up on a massive aberration from the expected norm - at least in people, unlike the massive aberrations from every single normal day that he's been ignoring since he left the house this morning.

This is different, though. This is a person who suddenly seems to defy logic, not just some part of his surroundings, so he can't just let it slide. At least not once they're safe.

Heigo takes one side of the gate with an exaggerated wave to Kashuu so that he'll know to take the other - with the very last sliver of energy left in his body, he hauls his side closed so slowly and jerkily that they only just manage to get the doors closed and secured before the bull slams into them. The harsh ring and grate of horns against metal will never, ever leave Heigo's memory, he knows that already.]


Kashuu... [He's slumped against his side of the door, slowly sliding downward as his knees give out bit by bit, drenched in sweat from head to foot and struggling to catch his breath.] ... what just happened out there?