MAY TDM

[recollecters]

TEST DRIVE

MAY TEST DRIVE The city of Recollé... ...well. Good luck! I. You might've noticed by now that some things in this dear city of yours are a little...weird. Most of the buildings and landmarks around you are only partially visible and the world appears to be covered in all kinds of strange colors. As you step out the door today, you can't quite shake off the feeling that you're being followed. Every time you turn your head, nothing appears to be in your line of vision but the creeping sensation won't go away. However, with one final well-timed turn you catch it out of the corner of your eye: a large paintbrush dripping in your favorite color, floating in mid-air. The brush doesn't seem to go away no matter how long you look at it, but one of two things happens here. For those of you who grab the brush, you'll find yourself suddenly yanked forward as the brush guides you to a nearby building, bush, or busy sidewalk, the colored paint splattering everywhere but leaving behind a black finish instead of the original color. The brush has a mind of its own as it brings you right next to a friend or a stranger to get to work. They must have a brush, too. For those of you who ignore the brush, however...well...it doesn't like being ignored. As you turn away the brush zips forward and begins to paint your face. And your arms. And your clothes? Hopefully someone will come by and try to help soon! II. With that exciting chain of events out of the way, it's time to get to work! It's not hard to notice what it is you're supposed to do now. Certain members of the city have paintbrushes similar to yours and only those with brushes can restore the city as it was. Individually painting the area will highlight all items in black, but pairing up with someone else's color will allow for a bit of color to attach. Blending the brushes together will generate new, bright colors that will stick! Two reds can paint an object red while a red and a blue can change an object to purple. Of course, you're free to go at it alone. There's nothing stopping you from embarking on this journey with your own two hands. On the other hand the longer you work by yourself, the higher your risks become of unearthing something you may not want. One minute you might be painting a garden bench back into existence when suddenly a sound alerts you that something's wrong. The object seems to warp right in front of you, sprouting teeth, eyes, and even sometimes limbs. Non-stationary objects such as vehicles, animals, postal boxes and more will begin to chase painters around all five districts of the city. Stationary objects will do anything to grab you in their grasp and stop your hard work. The only way to soothe these objects is to mix up a new color and douse them with paint, but that just might be a little harder than it looks while you're on the move. III. The strange thing is that even with a large portion of the city invisible to the naked eye, by now everyone around you has accepted that this is just how things will go. If you talk to your family or friends or teachers or co-workers who are without a paintbrush, they'll simply tell you that even though it started a few weeks ago there are other things in the city to worry about. They'll tell tales of people with powers and weird physical changes that shouldn't be possible and they'll point out the thinning monsters that are roaming the city and cleaning up the stray paint. Despite this, life is expected to go on as normal. Classes are still in session and your employers expect you to be at work on time. Grocery stores are up and running and if you can find them several of your favorite businesses are still open as well. Maybe today you're in class procrastinating on a school project, or perhaps you're staring out the window at your boring job waiting for the next time you can catch a break. If you're brave enough, you might be one of those who wanders the half-missing aisles of Freshens because your family still insists on their cookout this weekend. This appears to be the new norm...so what are you doing today in the lovely "city" of Recollé? IV. Several citizens have been using their brushes to expand their horizons and paint beyond the limits of the city, working to recreate the roads to go back to other regions. While this will require far more work and dedication, some of the paths are outlined and cleared. Granted, with the revival of the roads comes the revival of a few other creatures including monsters of varying breeds. Have you ever fought a monster before? No? Well now's your chance! Some of these monsters are easy to take down but others will hunt and attack. While the paint brushes won't do much to deter the creatures themselves, they're useful to paint new hiding spots until you come up with a plan of attack. That counts, doesn't it? Good luck out there. BONUS. Perhaps the strangest thing of all is that your phone works. It's fully functional, colored and solid without having to repaint it into existence. Being able to send texts and check maps are vital tools in the restructure of the city, but at the same time it comes with something you may not want. The Retrospec app appears on your phone and even without setting up a profile you'll find yourself receiving a message from a Retrospec user named Zee Carlisle. Bad timing, this was really bad timing! Hey newbies, sorry, we are a little swamped with the stabilization process right now but let me kick you to some people who can help out. 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. Finally, please remember that this will be the last application month until September! Your May TDM directory is here, and your AU workshop is here! Our mod questions thread for this TDM is over here!

Comments

Basch fon Ronsenburg | ffxii

[royaldifficulties]

I. All the green-- wait, no, it comes out Black, anyway. Paint it Black? That doesn't seem to fit the mood, either.

The blond stocky man was working hard at the task that seemed to be assigned. There was a focus to his motions, and it maybe took him a little too long to notice that there was somebody watching him. Only then did he stop and look up.

"May I help you?"

Yes, he could see the brush they were holding. But he hadn't gotten to the part of mixing paint, yet.

III. Water u doing, little thing?

Bart nearly tripped on one of the small... creatures? moving underfoot, and he was frowning down at it when he noticed that its skirts were brushing off the paint and.

"No, no no no. You do not do this." And he reached down to pluck it off the sidewalk. "We need to see where we go, don't you understand that? What are you, anyway..."

Confused pianist is confused. What is happening...


Bonus.

Are you somebody who can "help out"?


ooc: Or wildcard. AU notes here.

Bonus

[heroofdreams]

[Zack's not even sure how he got here. But hey, if he can help out, he definitely will.]

Sure! What do you need help with? I'll do whatever I can!

[royaldifficulties]

[ Sorry, Zack, confused man asking the hard questions. ]

Do you know why most things are white?

[heroofdreams]

Why most things are white... huh.

Isn't that like... when all colours are reflected back off the light spectrum or something? I don't know, I can't say I paid all that much attention to the colour part of art class.

[Would you believe he's actually not trying to be a smartass?]

[royaldifficulties]

[ Yes, he does believe it. That is a reasonable explanation for whiteness. Usually.

Not like this. ]

So, in a few words, you don't know what's happening out here, either.

[heroofdreams]

Noooot particularly, no.

But hey, how bad can it be? I mean, it might be a bit inconvenient, but stuff shows back up when you paint it. If we work together, I think everything will be back to normal real soon. We'll definitely need lots of help, though.

Did you get a magic paintbrush by chance? They kind of follow you around or something.

I

[standalonehuman]

For a split second, Togusa’s heart seems to leap in his chest when he comes up behind Bart. The man has a striking resemblance to one of Togusa’s superior officers. He’s in police uniform as he comes up, back ramrod-straight as he thinks he is approaching someone he greatly respects. “Sir-“

An instant too late, he sees the differences, realizes his mistake. He cannot backpedal fast enough. “Uh- I mean. Sorry. Thought you were- someone else.”

[royaldifficulties]

Bart blinks slightly, then straightens up some. He's been in the USA for most of his lifetime, but childhood habits die hard still.

"It must be the light. It is a little strange." But the man's expression is almost stricken, and Bart blinks. "Are you all right?"

[standalonehuman]

Togusa shakes his head more vigorously, holding out a hand. “No no, I’m all right. The guy I thought you were, one of my commanding officers.” He offers a smile. This guy even almost sounds like him. “Nothing’s wrong. But,” slowly, “do you have a cousin or something named Noah?”

Tucked into the back of Togusa’s belt, as if it’s just another piece of equipment, is an identical paintbrush, slowly dripping silver shiny paint that turns black whenever it hits the white blankness.

[royaldifficulties]

Bart freezes. He actually freezes, blue eyes going very, very wide.

"You did just say Noah, didn't you?"

Excuse him while his brain processes that maybe he has been in the same city as his brother for years and not have known it.

"I... have not seen him in a very long time, but I have a twin called Noah."

It has been years since he believed enough to use the present tense when talking about having a twin.

OOC: I threw a dart into the wind, I didn’t know you had worked that out, I am so sorry!

[standalonehuman]

“Twin!?” Togusa blurts the word out in surprise before he can stop himself. He is able to bite down on his second reaction, and instead looks down, a little embarrassed. Take a second. Togusa has once again stepped straight into family issues by speaking too hastily. But is it such a surprise that workaholic Noah Gabranth has gotten estranged from even close family?

“Yes,” when Togusa finds his voice again. “Detective Gabranth, he’s one of the people I report to.” Togusa reaches for his paintbrush, holds it up loosely. “He’s been involved with this mess, in and out, and I’d hoped he suddenly remembered.” There is an ever-expanding file Togusa is collating not just for his own benefit, but to report any updates to Gabranth if and when he comes back.

“I’m sorry, if that brought up unpleasantries.”

Bonus

[beneathmoonlight]

Oh! Hello!

Maybe I can. What did you need help with?

[royaldifficulties]

Thank you. Do you have any idea what is going on?

[ He's guessing not, but one can always hope, right? ]

[beneathmoonlight]

About the lack of color?

No, but apparently something happened to cause it, and retrospec is aware of it.

They never tell us much, unfortunately.

[royaldifficulties]

Is that reassuring? That they're aware of it.

[ Because Bart is not persuaded. ]

[beneathmoonlight]

Well, they have better tools to deal with it than we do, I think.

Of course a few people, myself included, have been trying to repaint the town to make things visible.

bonus

[floret]

[ Huh. Jamie doesn't remember swiping right on this guy, but it is true that sometimes his eyes kind of glaze over and he's gone through dozens of profiles before he comes back to his senses...
Still, it's kind of a weird way to start a conversation, but he's not here to judge. ]

Jamie Doh
I mean
I guess it depends on what that's a euphemism for? lol

sonatehusan JAMIE

[royaldifficulties]

[ Wh-- ]

What does this Zee person usually use euphemisms for?

[ Hopefully not too much of a record scratch... ]

O w O

[floret]

?
Are you borrowing someone else's euphemism?

/cackles

[royaldifficulties]

If people on authorized apps are prone to euphemisms, then I suppose so.

[floret]

"Authorized"?...
Oh! Did you link your account on here with your Facebook or something? That's so bold!

III

[mincingminuet]

Penelope could not help but notice what was going on. An older guy, probably late thirties, early forties was dealing with one of those little...critters. They were something of an annoyance, she had to admit. So, she figured stepping would be good. Reaching down to pluck up another with her hands, and telekinetically grab another with her technick, she glared at them.

"He's right. You little weirdos really need to just go back to wherever you came from. Do you remember the thrashing I gave you last time?"

[royaldifficulties]

Annnd here was the app newbie just staring. He had been trying to cope calmly with the whole situation, and, for the most part, he had succeeded.

But... this was not unforeseen consequences, or something akin to a natural disaster. This was, from what he could tell, somebody someone was doing willingly. From a distance.

His jaw dropped a little, slack, and he stared at the thing suspended in midair.

"You are doing that, are you not? On purpose?"

[mincingminuet]

Penelope's hand waved and pulled the caught creature closer, holding it up so he can see there's no wires.

"I am. It's just to teach him a lesson in not being a rude little thing. I'm not going to hurt him."

Not that the little thing knows that...

[royaldifficulties]

"I understand well why. It is the how that..."

Bart just clamped his mouth shut, hand tightening over the handle of the brush, though not around the creature so much.

"I'm sorry. The world just seems to have gone crazy overnight."