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repeter2018-03-17 08:46 pm
recollecters) wrote in repeter2018-03-17 08:46 pm
Entry tags:
MARCH TEST DRIVE
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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 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! |
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[Nothing Kei said is actually incorrect, but Heigo's still amused by how confidently he used the process of elimination to determine Heigo's reason for playing roles and wearing masks. He's even a bit impressed that Kei was able to eliminate egoism right off the bat, given that haughtiness and snobbery play a large part in his public veneer (and, if he's honest, have their part in his true self as well.)]
It isn't so much out of an urge to hide, either, or fear that I can't be accepted as I am. More that I want to keep my options open at all times, as much as possible, and only ever being my truest self would limit that. [He shrugs idly.] Authenticity isn't worth the constant struggle when people will still interpret me however they see fit.
[Heigo's words are a tricky blend of truth and misdirection, but one thing is very obvious - he doesn't believe any of this as casually as he wants it to appear. Some of these beliefs are laced with bitter unhappiness that could only have come from negative experience.]
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You wish to see every route that could be available to you so that you can choose the most favorable one. [ Kei lowers his shoulders and returns his expression to a neutral one. He sips again at his drink, hums soft around the rim of the glass. ] Indeed. No matter how honest that we are... someone will come to see our actions as being different than what they are intended. [ He thinks of how his friends call him "kind," and that they are lucky to have met him. But well, everyone wants to believe their friends wish the best. ]
Again, you are speaking to a stranger. You can be as authentic as you like. I have no reason to judge you when my own personality is what it is.
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Apparently he's been sipping steadily at his beer while listening to Kei speak, because he's already emptied the glass. Since he's being as authentic as he likes without fear of repercussions, he goes against his stated goal to avoid getting drunk and orders another.
It's attractive, the idea of being completely himself just for an evening, but it's also kind of a conundrum - he's not sure he knows his authentic self anymore.]
I also spend a lot of time living up to ideals and expectations that don't fit me because I can't stand the thought of being seen as a disappointment. Anything else - an asshole, a pathological liar, an egotist - but not a disappointment. [He certainly looks more like his authentic self the more he speaks, in that he appears less harried and tense and more exhausted and deeply, deeply sad.] Then I take out my bitterness about that on people who don't deserve it at all, but usually shoulder the blame anyway.
That's probably the most authentic thing I've ever told anyone.
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[ Kei feels pleased with his decision to talk to this man. His indulgence has paid off in finding someone enthralling. He closes his eyes as he takes an actual drink of his scotch. Letting out a soft ah, he sets it down on the counter again. ] You're really interesting. I truly mean that, because ... you had to have disappointed someone once. Is that not so? You disappointed someone that you did not wish to, and decided never again.
[ It is his opinion -- he doesn't know how true it is. Perhaps, Heigo simply hates disappointment in general and never experienced it before. But that's impossible, isn't it? Because there is at least one person that Heigo must be disappointing, and that is himself. Is that not so? ]
Regardless, of what anyone says about you... that level of dedication is more than worth the drinks I have bought for you.
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Still, he can't deny that Kei looks genuinely pleased with the revelation, which is the last reaction Heigo would ever expect. Should he be encouraged by that fact, or alarmed?]
I've disappointed a lot of people. Like you said, it'd be impossible not to. When I can, I just try to... choose the best way to do that, too.
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[ Kei repeats, sounding further impressed. The idea that Heigo would rather be hated than disappoint honestly fascinates him. He doesn't care if he disappoints anyone -- the expectations that anyone place on him can never be fulfilled completely. It's only a poor game that he's playing yet people buy it. He turns his face away so that he can chuckle to himself. Yet this person would rather be hated. ]
I apologize. I was actually laughing about myself, if I am honest. I'm a person that is constantly disappointing others in some small way. They don't ever fully realize it, of course, but it's happening. [ He smiles, but allows his expression to slip to something more contemplative as he realizes a smile may not be appreciated right now. ] So I honestly appreciate someone who cares so much about other's expectations to want to uphold them in such a large way.
You're an admirable person, Heigo Miyake.
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The reason must be hidden in what he says about himself, Heigo thinks. Does he wish he could be just as malleable but find it impossible? Imagining himself as an ideal only makes everything stranger.]
I don't know what to say. Thanks don't feel appropriate somehow.
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[ His head gives a small tilt. ] Why would not "thank you" be appropriate? I'm finding the way that you live and interact with others to be admirable. It means that there is someone in this world that believes you are doing things worth esteem. [ His wry smile makes a reappearance as he finally looks away from Heigo so that he could take another drink. He settles on the chair, crossing his ankles, and smiles warmly into the scotch that is almost gone. Like he's appreciating something precious. ]
But you don't take pride in what it is that you're doing? [ His dull gaze lifts up to settle on his face as he sets his glass back down on the counter. He flicks his index finger against the glass, but the high-pitched ping is drowned out by all the conversation around them. ]
There's nothing wrong with how you are living, because the way you are living makes you feel safe and content, is that not so? [ Or is the fear of disappointment so strong that you cannot even breath, Heigo Miyake? His smile curls just a little as he dips his chin down to hide the sharpness of it. ]
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So why does his gut suddenly feel like knotted iron? Why do Kei's words feel barbed despite him giving no indication of double meaning?]
I think that's enough authenticity for one conversation. [Meaning: he's not gonna answer any of those questions, thank you very much. But he will say one more thing on the topic -] You're right. Thanking you does make perfect sense, so thank you.
[Then comes his sharp detour onto another topic, as well as his attempt to turn the focus back on Kei.] What's your motivation, then? Your real motivation, the one that drives everything you do and makes every choice for you.
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[ He gives a small nod as he relents, deciding that he has gathered enough information from Heigo. The shape of the man's soul is something that he's seen a little of, and he's found it to be something of interest. It is something that he may wish to see more of, even. To Kei, it doesn't matter if the man is part of the app or not, and so he doesn't even check. An interesting person is an interesting person -- is that not so? ]
You're welcome. [ A soft hum. My motivation? ] It is the desire to "do good." I realize that sounds very self-righteous and self-sacrificing, but it is neither of those things. If I could put it into words, I would say that it is placing others before myself without any desire of a reward. In fact, I don't want any reward for my actions because "doing good" does not make me happy.
Indeed, the righteous and the sacrificing can feel something positive in doing for others, but it does not make me happy or unhappy. [ Interlacing his fingers, he rests his hands in his lap as he explains. ] So why do it, right? Because I once lived my life not caring. I live my teenage years not caring about other people and their wants or their wishes or their feelings. Because it didn't mean anything to me. [ He lifts and lowers his shoulders in a dismissive way. ]
It was an immature and thoughtless decision from someone still too young to understand the world. But I lived that way and lived completely alone. I say alone not in terms of people that knew me or people that cared about me, but alone as in my own self. Nothing anyone said or did mattered to me. [ He breathes out slow. ] So I decided that my reasons for doing things should be to "do good." To reward the kindness of society and humanity by giving something back to it, regardless of how it makes me feel.
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But Heigo can still feel cold sweat beading on his brow regardless.]
The way you say that... does anything make you happy?
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[ He adds in a small shake of his head. ] That isn't to say that I don't take enjoyment out of a few choice things, but enjoyment and happiness are two different experiences. I've never really experienced happiness as others have. There has never been a moment in my life when I felt elated or pure joy.
[ But he doesn't sound upset or troubled about this; for Kei, this is how things are and he had accepted it as his lot in life. ] I recall people being excited and almost trembling about something coming up in their life. The sort of joy that radiates off of them in a way that makes others happy just looking at them. I've never had an experience like that, myself. [ No, he has felt excitement like that, but it came with the cost of guilt and disgust at his own feelings. He cannot call that pure joy; he cannot call it happiness if he feels sick moments after. ]
But I don't besmirch others for their happiness. It tires me out, of course, but I don't mind it. I would rather they be as happy as they can be. Seeing everyone happy, it means nothing to me, but it means the world to them, right?
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Now I understand your admiration. To you, I must look like someone who's capable of finding my own happiness, but has chosen not to make that my priority. Right?
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Not at all. [ He is quick to correct Heigo, however. ] You are happy as you are, or else there would be no point in doing what you're doing. In some small way, you're experiencing a little bit of happiness. Your priority is still your own happiness, because you're focusing on avoiding the disappointment of others. The disappointment of others is an unhappy situation for you, so everything else in some small way is relief and joy.
So I admire you because you're living a life that is adhering to your wishes yet doesn't hurt anyone, and still gathering happiness in it. I admire you because you've chosen a very difficult path to follow yet continue to follow it without complaint. You don't look distraught or sad. You've chosen this for yourself and are confident in it. How could I not find that admirable?