JANUARY TDM

[recollecters]

TEST DRIVE

JANUARY TEST DRIVE The city of Recollé. A beautiful city with beautiful people. The place you call home. It's a wonderful home, isn't it? With everything you could possibly ever want right at your fingertips, why would you ever want to leave? In honor of this glorious city, the residents of Recollé are preparing for its annual Founder's Day celebration…you'll help out, won't you? I. Recollé Square is bustling with activity today and several residents are working together to pitch a large tent. Others are working together to decorate the fountain of the founders with flowers and streamers. Children and dogs run through the area and there's song in the air as everyone works together. Are you one of the people helping with the streamers? Or perhaps you're holding the ropes of the tent taunt so it doesn't blow away? Hey, maybe you're catering the whole event to feed those hard workers! The choices are endless…but you might want to catch those balloons that are starting to float away! II. Meanwhile in Chata, business is booming as everyone crowds the parking lot of Freshens trying to fight their way into the store. You really should have thought to buy your groceries much sooner. Everyone knows that Founder's Day is one of the best potluck days and, weather permitting, picnic days. Are you having any luck getting into the store? Is that the last rack of ribs? You better hurry and snag them! On the flipside, shop owners in Chata are busy setting up food stalls and merchandise tables in preparation of the main event. The smell of sweets and spices fills the air and you can't help but follow your nose to check it out. The vendors are all friendly and happy to give away samples of their goods in the hopes that you'll be back in a few days' time. Or maybe you're one of those vendors hoping to attract customers for Founder's Day. Do you have all of your supplies? Your permits? Is that teenager trying to steal apples from your produce stand? Everything's a little chaotic in the days before Founder's Day. III. The work doesn't stop there. Over in Tisse it's party central with flashing lights, sound tests, and a festive atmosphere that says the celebration's already started for several businesses. The line for Expressive is out the door with customers eager for their Founder's Day special. Be careful, you might have to finagle your way through the crowd. Throughout the day you may hear music and mic tests coming from the Atrium as the local schools work together during their dress rehearsal for the Founder's Day Pageant. You might even have an insider's look if you're one of the students in the pageant or one of the stage hands helping with last-minute set design, costume alteration or any of the other countless things that could go wrong. The employees at the boutiques inside the Towers are bustling as well, swapping their floor displays and handing out flyers and coupons to shoppers to encourage them to come back for their big sales. Maybe you are one of those employees and now you're dealing with some wicked papercuts, or maybe the smell of butter is seeping into your clothing as Flix opens its doors to an early marathon of historical films depicting the life and tales of the city. Tisse is most certainly the busiest of the districts today, but there's still so much to be done! IV. Most important of all, back in Tribunal Terrace residents will find Mayor Mayer out and about today which may seem unusual. The Mayor tends to stay inside City Hall keeping the city running from there, but today he's speaking with someone handling a large truck. People passing by may hear some scurrying from inside the truck, the sound of claws skittering on the metal floor, and…is that clucking? No, wait, now it's the sound of hoofs clomping and the whinny of a horse. What's going on in there? Maybe you should investigate and ask around. Employees working for the Mayor will only give you a strange look in response, and the Mayor himself is unavailable for commentary…but it can't just be your imagination, can it? Upon further examination and questioning residents will be told that these are horses for pony rides for the kids on Founder's Day, but that doesn't stop all of the weird noises. What on earth is going on? BONUS. Despite the festivities and the light-hearted mood of the city, it's still winter. Like all winters prior, it's chilly enough that you'll need a warm coat outside, but the storm season has passed. Instead, today in all districts there's a light flurry of snow falling, snowflakes gently twirling and landing on your shoulders and in your hair. It's not enough to stop the work, but it may send several people to crowd inside coffee shops for a hot drink or shops to take a break from the cold. Bet you weren't expecting that influx of business, were you? And later…much later, in fact, those carrying cell phones or tablets will feel a jolt from the device. A closer look will reveal that a new application has started to install itself on these devices, but you can't seem to open it right away. That's a bit odd, isn't it? It might be wise to check other devices in the city to see if the application's installed itself. Upon further investigation, though, you'll find only a handful of residents have the app installed. The app pops up on any public computer you may use but fades away the moment you log off. Strange, strange, strange. Once it fully loads on your device, you'll find that the app, Retrospec, appears to be a social media app with the option to friend people, share statuses, pictures, videos and more. Those sections are currently blocked out, however. Take some time to fill out your profile if you'd like; that portion of the application seems to be the only one that can be accessed currently. All other social media (Facebook, Twitter, and regular texting) are accessible, but the app itself stubbornly remains on your own profile page. 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 if both parties agree, and can also be used for bonus points for future item regains. (Additionally: we will not be allowing TDM threads to be used for memory regains.) Write as many or few prompts as you want, tag around, and have fun! As a reminder: as per our app rules, please try not to reference other characters in your threads or in your AUs if that character isn't being applied for! Our favorite example is as follows: if an Elsa from Frozen is being TDM'd, we ask that the player not reference her sister Anna by name unless an Anna is planning to TDM and be part of the same AU. Elsa can reference her younger sister in threads as much as she'd like if she has a sister in her AU, but we ask that names are not specified without having that character TDM'd and without the player's permission. Please also remember that posting to the TDM does not equate a reserve, which open on 1/18. The January 2017 TDM directory can be found here. The January 2017 Workshop can be found here. The mod questions comment is here. Our overflow post can be found here.

Comments

romani archaman, fate/

[archaman]

ooc: Romani is a family doctor that doesn't seem to fit his position. au workshop can be found here! if you have a prompt in mind, throw it at me.

---

i. help

[ He's actually asked to help with decorations, but is stuck with entertaining kids instead. Adorned from head to toe in streamers, he's pretty exhausted with helping out. With an exasperated sigh, he lets the children go with their balloons securely tied to their wrists. With how little actual work he has done to set up the site, he may seem like a stranger to other volunteers and employees even if he walks behind the scenes to get some refreshments and snacks.

A. Don't mind that he kind of settles in this nice corner where it's hard to see him, especially when you're carrying a stack of items. If you bump into him, he'll make a yelp before falling over. A tragedy has happened. ]

My cake--!

[ B. He's still covered in streamers, but he's helping you--YES, YOU--with this injury you have. Festivities doesn't always come with fun times! Injuries happen. However, can you take a rainbow mummy treating your wound, seriously? ]

ii. grocery race

[ Romani has been trying to buy his living alone self some food instead of living on instant ramen for dinner today. Bad idea. Bad idea... He seldom buys groceries already due to his lack of free time, but this is even worse. He needs protein, any protein. Luckily, he's smart enough to not go all out with a cart, but a basket instead. It makes it easier for him to maneuver to the meat section despite the scramble of people fighting over the best cuts.

He's a simple, but also desperate man. That last package of chicken breasts? THAT'S HIS!! Ambitions, resolve, it all comes to him in an instant as he reaches for it, but slowly dissipates when he sees another hand on the package alongside his. Some might think this is out of a Shoujo manga, but he's imagining this like a horror.

All those inward monologues about how he won't give up this chicken becomes all talk as he can feel himself sweating. Nervous and a little fidgety, he turns to see who has their eye on the same prize. ]

Ah... Ha. We're in quite an unfortunate situation! [ Let him clear his throat. ] What are you planning to cook with this?

[ Yeah, he's drawing blanks on what to say and blurts out the first thing that comes to mind. Maybe flashing a smile will help? Have this smile! Please don't kill him. ]

virtual bonus (some technology anonymous sub-board)

THREAD TITLE: founder's day virus?

my phone shocked me today! it's making me wonder if there's a chance that it'll have a meltdown. burst into flames meltdown to be specific, like the Samsing Note 7.

i'm also curious if anyone has this strange social media app forcibly installed into their devices? i can't seem to uninstall it. i hope this isn't a friendless loser joke.

bonus

[clicked]

If that's the first thing that comes to mind when you get a social media app, it probably is.

[ Not that Fushimi. Isn't a friendless loser. He just doesn't go around proclaiming it on the internet like a nerd. Which he also is, but shut up. ]

Anyway, I'm archiving this thread if you had sharpie on your hands. [ because guess who's a mod ]

But I'm guessing that's not the case.

[ Fortunately, Fushimi isn't just here to throw shade. He likes being helpful. ... And he's kind of hoping this zap isn't a universal thing. ]

why are you siccing your yaoi hound at me

[archaman]

it isn't the first thing that comes to mind, but it's hard not to make that assumption from my experiences.

[ Okay. It actually is the first thing, but he isn't going to admit to it. It's not uncommon for his coworkers to install Tindr to his phone. ]

power abuse... i'm guessing this means you aren't a fellow victim, mod? while the app is digestible, the shock is what worries me the most.

because bullying transcends niche genres

[clicked]

Not power abuse. Just filtering content.

I have the same problem -- both app and shock. I guess they didn't want to bother with advertising. We're probably safe until their next update.

If I can override the app's settings and remove the shock, I'll put up a patch here.

You might want to fill out your profile and make yourself sound cool in the meantime.

[archaman]

thank you, i really appreciate it! even though you're a little mean, you're a lot more resourceful than the other moderators and volunteers.

[ UGH... His pride. ]

maybe more than "a little" mean. is this why they call you the "rabid mod"?

ii.

[threnodeity]

[Congratulations, Roman. You're going toe-to-toe with a high school girl. She's far from timid, however. There's a confidence emanating from her that promises to fight you tooth and nail for this choice package of poultry bosoms. Rose fixes him with a look that could be described as a cat sizing up a mouse.]

What an interesting approach. Would you be willing to relinquish your claim if I give a satisfactory answer?

[archaman]

[ There's a shaky chuckle at that. He feels bad, but he has his mind set to making dinner tonight. While he might not be the most reliable as a first impression, he's at least diligent when he puts his mind to it.

Let him slightly drag the package to his side. ]

Unless that dish will win you Iron Cook, I don't think I'll be letting this chicken go so easily.

[ She hasn't yelled at him yet, so we're good! ]

[threnodeity]

[Yelling is the language one uses to ruin their voice. Rose prefers softer and more subtle methods to get what she wants. When Roman starts dragging the chicken to his side, Rose stops him by pressing down one well-manicured finger.]

Shouldn't the same logic apply to you? A chicken as fine as this should only go to the best chef.

[archaman]

[ One manicured nail shouldn't stop him from yanking the meat and running to the cashier, but it does. His expression flickers back to nervous, but it's okay. He has this.

Do you think he didn't come here prepared?! He has eaten plenty of things! You can even call him a foodie, so he would know many dishes. Not only that, he remembers a dish his mother made with chicken-- ]

I'm planning to make old-fashioned chicken fricassee. Of course I would also need 3 tablespoons all-purpose flour, 1 teaspoon paprika, 1 teaspoon poultry seasoning, 1/2 teaspoon salt, 1/2 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper, 2 teaspoons butter, 1 1/2 cups chopped onion, 1/2 cup chopped celery, 3 garlic cloves, minced, 1 cup lower-sodium chicken broth, 1/4 cup dry white wine, 2 cups (3-inch) julienne-cut carrot, and 1/4 cup chopped fresh parsley.

[ He thinks he has the recipe list down, but... He definitely messed up. He knows instantly he messed up. There's a pause before he corrects himself. ]

And these chicken breasts!

i-a

[notbunaga]

[Yeah she wasn't really paying attention. She only came to the festival because her friend asked her to come see her, but was so painfully vague it's become a serious hassle trying to locate her. Nobu was in the middle of trying to text her again when she just sorta...walked into Roman.

She looks to the fallen cake on the floor first, before recognising the voice of its owner.]

You shouldn't stay still when there's so much going on, Doc. That's how stuff like this happens.

[she knows it was her fault but totally unapologetic over here]

[archaman]

I thought this was a safe place! Not that many people cross this area to decorate...

[ While it's nice to see someone he actually knows and holds a secret with, it's hard to smile when his delicious cake is on the floor. There's quite a sulky expression plastered on his face as he looms over it.

There's no point in demanding an apology. He's used to this. ]

I wasn't expecting to see you though, Akinobu. Not that it's a bad thing, I'm glad! But I thought these types of events were out of your league. You do look a little out of place.

[ Cause she's rich? Like actually came from a rich family, so... ]

Did you come with a friend?

[notbunaga]

[There's no value to being from a rich family if you're purposefully avoiding contact with your rich family ok.

She's poor af.]

Something like that. Yuuko sent a text asking me to come meet her here, but she didn't specify where exactly she's at...noone from her class knows where she is either.

[Not that that's unusual, so she doesn't seem concerned? Yuuko's like a damn ghost sometimes but she's always just somewhere, fine, being lonely.]

You haven't seen her anywhere, have you?

[archaman]

Ah... So you two are friends! Like peas in a pod, I should have known. To answer your question, I haven't seen her, but she shouldn't be too far.

[ He nervously laughs, but also wryly. Suddenly he feels tired, but his cheerful disposition doesn't change. Rubbing his neck, he picks himself up and focuses on scouting the area instead of mourning over his cake.

The thing is... a lot of girls look like Yuuko from the back. HMM. ]

Where would I be if I was Yuuko... [ BEAMS. ] The food stands should be ready by now, so we should start there! She never seems to stop stuffing her face!

[ You don't say that about young girls, but it's okay. He's a doctor and an adult. ]

bonus

[potentite]

My friend and mes phones did this too! Hes so mad. Tech never beats him! But hes getting his asskicked by this. Its funny.

Anyway if he cant solve it probably no one can... We should just get used to the app. It cant be that bad? Unless youre a friendless loser i guess...

Oh but neither of our phones have exploded yet so its okay so far?

[archaman]

woah. that sounds pretty entertaining. i wish there was a live stream so i can watch his reaction.

if something like that is happening, this must be somewhat serious? i've read some conspiracy theories about invasive apps. it's morbidly interesting, but creepy! hopefully, this isn't one of them. maybe we'll find a solution soon since rabid mod said they're looking into it.

you're right. that's something to be glad about, though we should take extra precautions. no one would want to have their pants on fire.

[potentite]

I would record it but hes weird about appearing online...

Whoa wait really? Is this like something from a creepypasta then? Actually now that youve mentioned it it kind of sounds like one... Nothing horrible has happened yet though has it? Except the phones thing i guess. Hmm... Thats a little scary.

ii.

[furtherforward]

[Romani's question is greeted with a heavy pause from the tall teen at his side, one that grows heavier and heavier with each second as though he possesses a supernatural quality to alter the very atmosphere. Akira turns to face the doctor with the creaking slide of stiff muscles to mark his action – once again, a quality that seems too alien to belong to a human. He stares down at him with bottomless, dark eyes.]

Isn't that obvious?

[Akira gives the package a nice tug, indicating that he fully intends to take it right out of Romani's hands.]

I'm cooking this. Now let go.

[His impression is clear: nobody is more deserving in this entire store than he is for what he came for, and that chicken has belonged to him since it hatched. End of story. Akira continues with his staring contest for added effect. Worst of all, he doesn't blink even once.]

[archaman]

[ Oh God. The tension gives him the shivers as his eyes widen. This doesn't look good; this really doesn't look good. His smiles doesn't fall, but there's some uncertainty in his eyes. What to do... What to do!

He isn't the most athletic person, so-- ]

I see... Well, it does look like you're adamant about this chicken, so I guess I'll let you have it.

[ A nervous chuckle as he retracts his hand, feigning innocence to the best of his ability. He may be a doctor, but he's also human. Evil stirs in every living soul when desire is in their hearts. ]

Look! There's a sale on scallops!

[ Even if Akira doesn't look, Romani is off with this chicken and goes to hide in the crowd of people or the aisles. He's going to hope that the kid gives up.... Please don't look or follow him. ]

[furtherforward]

[The temptation of Scallops On Sale doesn't turn Akira's head, but the outburst itself manages to distract him. He puzzles over Romani's declaration for that brief second, wondering why a guy who accepts defeat would mention a sale on scallops out of nowhere... but it's a second too late for him to realize that it's intended to be a distraction. That man standing next to him managed to get away with the goods.

Akira can only gawk down at the empty space in his hand where there was once chicken.]

—Whaaat?!

[He really misjudged him! He didn't expect a guy with a nervous demeanor like his to pull such a stunt, but maybe it was all just an act?! He gnashes his teeth and prepares to give chase like a beast after prey he can't even spot anymore, but... no. He sucks in a breath of air through his teeth to cool his head.

There's a better plan, one inspired by the doctor himself. Akira straightens his posture and cups a hand around his mouth to project his voice over the entire meat department.]

"Filet Mignon? SEVENTY PERCENT OFF?! No way! I must be dreaming! I'm going to have a barbecue!"

[If his "thief" is going to use the crowd to his advantage, he'll just have to turn it against him! Shoppers fighting for the ribs or lamenting the price of shrimp perk up, and even the skeptical wonder if the voice they heard speaks the truth when they see the movement of other shoppers. Akira grins and readies himself to evade the crowd, who push and shove their way past him toward the "sale" that he spoke of. Like a fish trying to swim upstream, surely this stampede of shoppers will pull Romani back to him and slow his advance. He scans the crowd for that bright hair he saw just before, ready to lunge for him as soon as he sees him.]

1a

[magusdeflowers]

[ Merritt definitely wasn't paying attention very well. Being airheaded once in a while is one thing, but not generally recommended when you have a job you were to be doing-- carting boxes of party favors and also such little things from this tent to the other or whatever he was told. He'd figure it out eventually.

Cutting through the back of one place seemed like a great idea, until you note the not-so-small man huddled up in the corner like a hamster hoarding seeds. But that's neither here nor there.

What is here and there, though, are now: 1. boxes, 2. Merritt, and 3. Romani's goddamn cake.

Merritt kind of rolls onto his back at the sound of his voice, eyes closed. ]

I seem to have died~. Doctor, dispose of my corpse, and also my new coat that you got cake on.

[archaman]

You can at least wash your coat. What about my cake?

[ Romani doesn't even look at Meritt. Instead, he's on the floor like a pitiful hobo, staring at his wasted cake on the dirty ground. Eyes filled with longing, there's nothing in the world that matters aside from this cake that never had the chance to be loved.

Of course there's more cake, but he was committed to this one. There's a sigh as he closes his eyes, then lets out a weary sigh. ]

You can just rot here.

[ Because he knows you rolled the limited SSR last week. He isn't projecting. Nope. ]

[magusdeflowers]

Excuse me, this needs to be dry-cleaned.

[ A bit sulkily, pushing himself up onto his hands to watch Romani with an expression that quickly turns into an unabashed smirk. This guy. ]

Ah, how rude! I'm pretty sure that's a violation of the hippocratic oath, or something. All for a piece of cake.

ii

[dereasoned]

[Astraeus "Asto" McSurname was the 14 year old scion of some moderately wealthy family, and had been raised with more money than sense. After the untimely death of his birth parents he was pampered and spoiled by his aunt and uncle and basically they had everything covered. Asto tried, but...they were like no, no, we got this covered. And normally that worked out great, but his aunt and uncle were away on a business trip. Which meant that Asto had to feed himself.

Somehow.

And normally this wouldn't be a problem because he had more money than sense and thus could eat out every single meal, and, in fact, had been banned from the kitchen by his aforementioned guardians.

But they were gone.

Which meant that he could cook. And he didn't know how to cook! But that's okay! For he is Asto! And no man is as daring or as senseless than he!

He didn't expect someone else would be trying to grab the same breasts as him, but, you know, he's okay with this. In fact, if it wasn't for the fact that the breasts were firmly wrapped away he'd suggest that they open it up right then and there and they can each grab one...especially since the other guy didn't seem to be having much luck either. He's not a chick magnet, huh? Well, that's okay. This fowl turn of events wasn't that bad. They could think of something.]

Hahaha! I don't know!

[This was said utterly sincerely.] I thought I'd just toss everything in and see how it came out! It might not be too good, but nothing's too inedible for one such as I, Asto!

[In this AU Asto might also be putting in a lot of time into an MMO where his character is named Black Rider, despite having dyed his hair pink.]

[archaman]

[ how could you do this to me, Red. Romani is startled that it's someone so young--a boy? A boy that looks like he probably can't cook for himself (then admitted so). Luckily, Romani isn't as unfortunate where he doesn't know how to? So he's... a little discouraged especially with that juvenile type of speech.

However, he doesn't let go of this chicken. ]

Asto... Usually, I would say I would cook you a meal, but I don't think it would be appropriate. What about you let me have this chicken and I'll buy you one instead?

[ That's better than inviting some random boy to his place for food. Also not weird, right? Quietly drags this chicken closer to him. His determination fazes out at the thought of stealing produce from a teenager, so instead he'll figure something out for the both of them.

The chicken can stay in his fridge for another night. ]

My name is Romani Archaman, by the way. Pleased to meet you.

[dereasoned]

[Because I saw my chance and decided to wing it. And yes, it would be weird if he was invited over to eat Romani's seasoned cock, assuming the chicken was a rooster and not a hen.

Anyway, Asto looked at Romani.] Oh... [And then looked really sympathetically at Romani.] I get it! You're that type of guy, aren't you?

[The lonely type who cries alone into their Cup o' Noodles at 2AM while watching reruns of a show, all alone in his small apartment, his noisy neighbors above him doing the stickystickyhothot, raiding alone in Land of Battleart assuming he can afford a computer and an internet connection in the first place. It's okay, buddy.

You're not alone.

Asto understands.

Asto is even letting go of the chicken. This is pity chicken. Asto understands. Got your back.] Anyway, you probably need this more than I do. Imagine if someone else was fighting you for the chicken, ha ha!