MARCH TEST DRIVE

[recollecters]

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!

Comments

The Doctor | Doctor Who

[guitar_hero]

III. [if anyone asks he'll say he volunteered. And he did. That a boss of his is part of the PTA helps the cover story. He doesn't necessarily need a cover story. But it helps. There's something somewhat familiar about a school setting that's comforting in a way he can't describe.

This however is not comforting and he looks at the fliers with a critical eye]

Is this really the best you can do? Where's the passion? The creativity? Even Grandmothers would decide oh maybe not I'll just pop round the corner and watch something more interesting like the grass growing. Who is in charge of this?


IV. [he hates this holiday. He really does. It's a harassment charge waiting to happen but because it's a tradition, no one seems to mind it. Also he just wants to go out and get a cup of coffee to help with his monster hangover and trying to dodge sadistic fingers is the last thing he wants to worry about.

He casts a wary eye on whomever is next to him]

If you pinch me I will tie your ass into so much fucking litigation it will take three generations to sort it out. [because he is done]


Bonus:

Oh, great, a fucking dating service. I'm not interested unless you know how to motivate lazy bastards into doing what they're paid for. Then we can talk.

[possiblegirl]

IV

Oh, c'mon, Doctor. Would you really sue me just for one little pinch?

[she might be slightly giggly about this]

[guitar_hero]

Doctor Wh--

[but then his senses kick in and John scrambles back on pure instinct, would have probably gone right into the street if he hadn't run into one of the steel rubbish bins blocking the way]

Christ

Who--

Who are--

I know that face. [pointing a shaking finger at her] Like a gremlin. Eyes as big as dinner plates. Slightly too stubby nose.

Who the hell are you?


[it has to be someone attached to some repressed memory or some horseshit like that because he feels like he's having a double heart attack]

[possiblegirl]

[Clara's eyes widen in horror, but she makes herself stay outwardly calm. One hand outstretched towards him. What's happened to him?!

A cautious step. ]

Of course you know me.

Clara, Doctor. Your friend. We've known each other quite some time.

Did you hit your head?

[guitar_hero]

[there's something about her that unsettles him in a way he can't define. A bright hard feeling that he definitely should not be having. He edges around the rubbish bin, taking another step back, holding up a hand.]

I'm not a Doctor. Maybe you need a Doctor. Stop acting like you know me because I have no idea who the hell--

[he stops because their is an earsplitting screech of tires and he slams startled hands down on the hood of the car that nearly ran him over]

The hell is wrong with you?! I'm trying to walk here!

[possiblegirl]

[Oh, to hell with it. She darts forward, grabs his wrist, and will gather him back up onto the footpath where he's safe if he'll let her.

Well. For a given value of 'safe', anyway. She's not particularly certain the Doctor has ever been safe in any of his lives. She pushes down a horrible, horrible thought about how she's managed to be here to help the Doctor save himself from traffic, and how she. Wasn't. There. For Danny.]

You'd do better if you weren't trying to walk in front of cars!

Bonus

[quiet_storm]

[Okay, for a spam text this one was almost interesting. Cloud could almost believe that some other hapless person had really been tricked into this chat. A hapless person who didn't waste time being polite. He had to admire that.]


That what the "getting paid" part is supposed to be for?

This can't be a dating service. Dating doesn't help with being confused. It makes it worse.

Bonus

[guitar_hero]

You would think. But when you work with people of a certain paygrade they think they should get money just for getting their asses out of bed in the morning.

[it's not entirely fun]

And don't be ridiculous. Everything is a fucking dating service unless it's fambook or bumblr. Might as well tell me your stats and get it over with.

Bonus

[quiet_storm]

[Hey, Cloud was one of these people of a certain paygrade!]


Or maybe they figure they've earned their pay for dealing with you.

No offense, but you don't exactly sound like the datable type.

My whats?

[guitar_hero]

Dealing with me? Let me tell you a little something about celebrity. Everyone thinks that it's about the celebrity. Oh, look, they say, I'm rich and famous and my face is on the telly-- surely I don't have to give a damn anymore. But when you're famous it's not about you or your fucking face plastered on a fifty foot billboard. You are not getting paid to fart around and indulge in narcissistic fantasies where you're the goddamn king or queen of the world. No. You're getting paid by the people that want to see your face. Hear your voice. Read your asinine natterings on twitter.

It's my job to make sure that they understand that and don't disappoint the dreams of Little Timmy Whoever who looked up to their shit for brains face and doesn't really need to know that their hobbies include shooting heroine in the bathroom at the local strip club.

You sound like a prejudiced fuck and stats. S t a t s. There, I spelled it twice for you. But on the other hand, never mind. I'm not sure I care enough.

[quiet_storm]

[Okay, maybe that wasn't the "certain paygrade" Cloud thought they were talking about. He was thinking minimum wage.]


Is that what rich people are like?

Prejudiced against what? If you're really clear that you're not interested, why would anyone think they can change your mind?

I don't know what kind of stats a dating app would use. I'm pretty sure I don't want to know.

Re: The Doctor | Doctor Who

[ritmodobrasil]

[Ze simple grins, keeping pace with his 'boss'. He wasn't familiar with the strange holiday, but any holiday that demanded parties and celebration he was all for!]

Come on, signor! It is a party day, we should be celebrating with the locales! Getting ah, into the swing of things, sim?

[He didn't understand the pinching thing but he wasn't going to waste one on John of all people. Not when there were so many prettier things around!]

[guitar_hero]

And what if someone gets a fucking picture of it hm? Or you end up pinching the wrong ass and get hit with a harassment suit? There's a fine line between lovable playboy and arrogant sod whose reputation is going straight down the shitter.

Be a slobbering drunken idiot all you like, because it's not like I can stop you. But for the love of any god you prefer, keep your hands to yourself. No one deserves that side of you.

[ritmodobrasil]

Ah, I still do not understand why there is pinching, but everything else? Oba! Come on!

[And he is grabbing John's hand to start for the crowd.]

No drinking then, but there can always be dancing! Though I am not sure if this holiday fits for a samba.

Do you likeh to samba?

[guitar_hero]

No hand holding! [he yanks his hand away] That's just what I'm talking about. Don't presume to touch someone unless they say, yes it's okay to grab my fucking tweenage bffs going to the mall. Drinking is fine but you're on your own if you get shit faced. I'm on the clock. I hate the samba unless it's someone else doing it but if you want to make an idiot of yourself go ahead.

[he shoves his hands in his pockets to prevent further shenanigans of this nature]

[ritmodobrasil]

[Ze blinks but still gives him a grin.]

Ah, sim. Is it because of your age? Because I am sure that will not really holding you back.

But, if you are tired, I can walk or do a slow waltz.

[Seeing a chance he puts his arm through John's.]

Ah! See? I knew you were a gentleman! Offering your arm to a friend!

[He shouts that rather loudly over the crowd. Making sure several people heard.]

Coming now? Sim! Ah! Brava!

bonus

[floret]

[ Huh... Jamie doesn't remember swiping right on this guy, but it's whatever. ]

Well, I only have experience as a shift manager, but... maybe it's a morale problem?

bonus

[guitar_hero]

Might as well call it open mating season. Relationships are not the solution to every fucking problem no matter what the movies tell you. Sometimes it is okay to be alone.

[he's alone for most of the time when he isn't dealing with the crock of shit that is his work and he's healthy and well adjusted]

[floret]

Oh...
You're probably right, but to be honest, I wasn't going to suggest that relationships would solve the problem with motivation.
That's not something you tried with them, is it?
[ It seems like kind of a weird thing for a manager to get involved with, but he's not up on corporate philosophy!! ]

[guitar_hero]

No. [in fact he's never tried one] relationships just get in the way.

[floret]

Of what?
Specifically.

IV

[hawkking]

[Pinches. Gently. Because you don't fuck with the elderly. They might break.]

I don't get this tradition.

[guitar_hero]

[glances at his arm, back up at the man] I suppose you fucking enjoyed that. [because he didn't]

[hawkking]

[LAUGHS!] Not really. Like I said I don't get this tradition. I don't suppose you know the history of it?

[guitar_hero]

An idiot decided he wanted to get away with sexual harassment and call it a holiday. Thank you for not pinching my arse I suppose. [tips back his beer which is green, because of course it is]

Want one? They don't taste any different. Or rather when it's this bad who can tell.