repeter | MAY TDM

Entry tags:

! tdm

MAY TDM

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!

Flat | Top-Level Comments Only

Mm, this and that person, no one who really matters...

[... except sena does matter a bit, in a way, leo just. doesn't want to share with miai. sena, or his slight importance.

he glances over at the other, a little taller than he would be usually on account of being on a lip of the building, and pauses when he feels the edge he's looking for, keeping miai firmly held in place.]

It's just the same kinda rules that say no shoplifting and stuff~. I think we should loot a bit while the merch's invisible for the most part, but no one agreed with me. They didn't want a spot on their records, cowards~. Stay a moment, 'kay?

[because he's gotta let go of miai's hand to properly jump the gap between this building and the next, rolling to a stop and finding the lip of it again so he can hold out his arms for miai. though smaller he is, he is absolutely ready to catch miai.]

( uooo, when leo makes it across he claps, quiet but enthusiastic. )

You might have a future as an acrobat, you know that?

( feeling the edge where the building ends and sky begins, he steps back a step or two before making the jump himself. it's not as easy to gauge the distance, what with a good portion of the landing being invisible, but he's had at least enough practice to be able to make a good enough guess to land just a step in front of leo, and safely fwump into his arms without pancaking him flat- and that fwump he turns into a spin, and that spin he turns into a dance, just the two of them on the rooftop. )

If you wanted to shoplift, ( he continues, as though this were a normal beat of conversation ) you should have told me before I spent money on groceries. Had your eye on something lately? Or is it just for the thrill of it?

( he pulls back, though not very far, so they can continue their stroll. )

Edited 2018-05-19 21:47 (UTC)

[miai doesn't make anything easy, leo can't help but think to himself. this is why he only stays with him every so often. because miai does things like this that leo wants to fall back into more than anything, card through his hair and kiss him while they have their short dance--

and then it's done and miai's just a bit too far to justify anything, chest warm and clawing at his insides; leo grins it off and swing their hands, shifting the groceries on his other arm and pushing his hair back to fix it from the jump.]

Thrill. I've got money, you know? I just like seeing what I can get away with. I don't think I could get away with groceries though, and definitely can't steal from Freshens~. I have a friend that works there, I gave my word I wouldn't.

Now you're making me feel awfully boring and adult, thinking about stealing groceries and all.

( watch out leo before you know it he's gonna suggest they steal their tax forms and do them early........... laughing, he matches leo's swing of their arms, lacing their fingers together so their hands don't come undone without any thought. it's not a conscious action; simply instinctively, intimately, logical. )

But if you're going to steal, shouldn't it be something worth stealing? If it's too small, I can't imagine there's much thrill in it ... But nothing too big, or you might as well become a phantom thief ... which sounds fun in its own right ♪

[easy, easy, as it always is. relax.]

Small things are easy to pocket, babe, and it depends on the sort of thing you're taking~. A pack of gum has a different feel than something like, say... Some kinda jewelry, you know? They're both small, but they've got different values and consequences. So there's a thrill. ♪

[at least they're talking about stealing things up here and not where anyone can hear them? that's good. nazuna would scold the living shit out of him, kuro'd be disappointed, tsukasa... will never know!!! haha.]

Hey, hey, what kind of thing would you want to steal? Big, small, it doesn't matter, I'll get it for you~.

If you put it like that, I don't think I can argue. I don't know if I want anything stealable in particular, though . . .

( he makes a thoughtful sound, trusting entirely leo's confidence - or challenge - that he wouldn't get caught. really, the things he likes come from leo's heart- his songs, for example. but miai is rarely one to reject any sort of offer, no matter what it may be. )

Why don't you pick something you think I'd like? You know I'm not the sort to care about the worth. In exchange . . . why don't I get you something, too? ♪

'Kay~. That sounds good to me, pretty Tenshi. ♪ I can't wait to see what you get for me, provided you don't get caught~.

[sincerely so. miai's always been good at getting things for him, whether because they're things that leo likes or because they're interesting and fun, and miai always seemed happy with what leo had gotten him...

oh, there's another lip, he only found this out because it's the one he carelessly steps off of and jerks back with a hooooooo sort of exhale.]

Too close~. Just like before, okay?

[with him going over first and then catch miai.]

( fortunate they're holding hands despite all that messy baggage, because the second he feels leo sinking, before he even sees it his grip is even tighter and he's pulling leo back- in tandem with leo jerking back himself, miai stumbles; but it's much better than leo slipping off.

(worse came to worst, at least they would've gone down together? better than going off alone.) )

Careful, careful . . . Too bad there's no net underneath.

( referring, of course, to the sort of nets often placed beneath a tightrope. they ought to set some up, he thinks- though, people probably weren't supposed to be walking on the roofs, anyway. )

Hmmm~mm . . . Why don't I go ahead first, this time? I'm sure I can figure it out. I'd like to try catching you as well ♪

[leo squints up at him with a thoughtful hum, then squeezes his hand and lets it go. at least he knows his heart's pounding hard because of near death and nothing else.]

'Kay~. Be careful yourself, alright? Circus experience or not, it's still a hell of a drop, and not even you could stick that landing if you fell between. Overshooting is better than coming up short.

[just so he knows. woo him, favored ex.]

( it's fine, if he dies, he won't even know he failed! it's truly a win/win situation )

Got it ♪ I'll do what I can. I don't want to embarrass myself in front of Shishi, either.

( jovial and easy-going, like they weren't talking about actual death here. but, he was used to it. even on the tightrope, a net didn't guarantee a safe fall. you could always die on the net, or miss it in full; there was no such thing as a guarantee.

so, this wasn't all that different.

testing the balance of his weight with the groceries in hand he backs up a bit before he makes his leap- landing with relative grace on the other side. though not an acrobat, no one in the circus could stop him from trying just about every act there was to offer- but the narration digresses; unfortunately, he survives.

he spins back around and waves happily to leo, quite proud of his very first Invisible Roof Jump, and carefully toes his way closer to the ledge, opening his arms wide for leo once he's settled. )

I'm all yours ♪ If you make it across safe, ( besides the lovely reward of Living, ) why don't I carry you for awhile? This next roof seems awfully long.

( a guess based on the vague splotches of color in the proceeding path. . . or maybe he's just saying that because he thinks it's fun. )

[he applauds greatly when miai makes it across (and reminds him why he calls him "tenshi", angel, because he does so with such effortless grace and beauty), and tests the edge himself as he listens to the other's offer.]

Like I'm some sweet maiden..~ I'll let you have it this time, Tenshi, but are you sure? My weight and the groceries?

[isnt that much.]

( miai flexes!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

he has no particular muscle to speak of. )

Look, look, aren't I impressive? ♪

( miai speak for "i wanna do it so i'm gonna do it or just die trying," it seems, )

So~o impressive, pretty boy, get ready..♪

[because he'll adjust the bag on his hand before taking a flying leap off the roof, hooking onto miai with a gleeful laugh, carry him or die trying i guess.]

( oof!!!! he stumbles and spins from the impact with a laugh of his own, and manages, at least, to stay upright despite leo's weight, locking his arms under leo to support him. he's really feeling those groceries, but this is far more fun than being sensible. )

Ah... ♪ When my cute Alexander was just a cub, I'd hold him just like this. ( half-burying his face against leo (well, in part since leo is clinging onto him), he starts onward. ) He did almost bite my fingers off a few times, though . . . so I suppose I ought to be careful with this cute Shishi, hm?

( as of now, his strides are fairly confident for someone carrying Way Too Much, but he at least wants to try to make it to the end of this roof. )

Edited 2018-05-21 14:24 (UTC)

[so~o unfair, he wants to say, but instead he laughs and nuzzles miai, reaching a bit to bite his neck gently.]

That's right~. After all, I'm not as sweet as your Alex-tan, you know~.

[that big cat loves miai than most people, or at least respect him to that extent, leo knows.]

If you're not careful, I'll bite you up just like I used to..♪ You won't leave unmarked, I can promise that. ♪

( he's feelin the wobble in his legs, but leo's so cute... he's gotta stay strong )

Hmmm... ♪ And what if I said I wouldn't mind that? ♪

Don't drop me and I'll reward you, how's that? ♪

[with bites? something else? it's open to interpretation, but from leo's tone it's something miai'll like.]

Oh? What's this? Perhaps this is the first time ever in history, that a lion tamer's been tamed by a lion?

( shifting leo in his arms, he holds him just a bit closer, his weight slanted inward. the roof is long but narrow, and so they ought to be careful- but this is miai, and he's with leo, so he can't help but want to show off. he slips back onto his heels, and now they're crossing the length of the roof with with a spin- slow though and drooping, at an amiable pace; as he lets the inertia carry them further along than his strength alone might, it feels a little like a waltz.

a small laugh escapes his lips; he's enjoying himself, as he ever is. )

I wonder if I told you? We were working on a dance routine for me and the animals, a little like this. Well, I wouldn't carry them - you're special, in that regard - but, I can't help but miss it. I can't say any of us were particularly good dancers, though... ♪

Guess I'll help you practice, then~. Giving up a chance to dance with an angel's a sin itself, you know?

[leo wraps his arms around him tighter, leaning into him carefully to not throw off their little dance, and presses their cheeks together to hide his stupid smile. he likes this. the closeness, the flirting, he always, always likes this, it's a warm feeling to be looked at by miai.]

That way, when you go back, you'll be able to dance with them without issue. ♪ You'll impress the animals and they'll bow without being told, that's how dazzling you'll be. ♪

Hmmm...?

( he feels a little flushed dizzy; he missed this, he misses this, he always does. he wonders, every time, how he could ever tire of this? and despite everything, despite everything, he's never found an answer.

with their cheeks pressed together, leo's jaw, his ears, his neck are all wide open. it's not quite a kiss - not yet, anyway - but as they turn he lets his face turn a little bit closer, his lips pressing just barely light against the skin, his words just a bit nearer to leo's ear. )

I wonder, aren't you the one who deserves a reward, then? You're such a wonderful lion, helping me out so much . . . ♪

( and as they flirt, they're almost there; just a little bit further now )

[a shiver runs through him and his chest aches a bit, yearns in a familiar way. this is how miai (un?)intentionally pulls him in every time, and it's only the thought of the inevitable end of the honeymoon periods they cycle endlessly through each time that keeps him from asking for more at this point.

barely, mind, barely. skinship is fine, commitment is always harder.]

It's not like I'd say no to that..~ After all, your rewards are my fa~vorite, Tenshi. I love them [and you] so much, spoil me. ♪

[nuzzling into him more now, filling his nose with miai's familiar scent and letting what little guard he has around the other fall flat.]

You know it's worth your while.

( fortunately, there's enough of the edge of this roof still splattered with color that miai can see it a long time coming, and he doesn't have to test for the lip by sending them both careening down. the pace of their dance starts to slow, and gravity, unkindly, wastes no time hitting him full force with their weight once again. )

Mmm~mm... I know. You always are.

( worth his while, that is.
(and that much is true, even if he loses, somehow, his senses at times, and wanders away, and yet... shouldn't he, this time, be better?)

he hums, as if unaffected by the physics of things, as if his legs were a palanquin and there they were inside, close like this. if it weren't for the groceries, he might have liked to carry leo like this a little longer, have him soft against him for a time indefinite. )

But, I think I'd like my reward first. ( he says this intentionally childish ) Not for me, mind- I think my legs will appreciate it more.

( he sails forward at a slowing pace until finally, finally, they've reached the end of the roof- and miai doesn't let leo down so much as he sinks down to the ground with barely some grace. it's nothing so dramatic as a collapse, but he gladly flops down on the half-colored rooftop, holding leo still who's mostly on top of him. he'll be your cushion bae )

Ya~yyy, praise me... ♪

( he does look kind of tired out, but that doesn't stop him from grinning cheeky up at leo. reward please!!! )

[leo's gaze is half-lidded when they land, fondness evident in his own grin, and he wonders how bad it'd be to throw caution into the wind again, to stop dancing around it and just ask miai out once more--

but that's not right, especially now with how retrospec is, though it seems miai's thankfully aware of it..? at the moment, anyway; he recalls a time where things were normal despite their oddity again, so maybe it's like that. what would it be like, to have an aware miai? to share more than just a space for a time? are they connected by memories, too?

he tosses the thoughts away as he stretches across miai instead, tangling his fingers in the other's dark hair and kissing his cheek softly.]

Got anywhere to be later? Or can this Shishi of yours keep to his word and leave a few marks? ♪ Is that reward enough?

[though he's fine with just relaxing too, apparently, considering how comfortable he makes himself on miai and setting their groceries aside for the moment, gently carding through his hair.]

Maybe you'd like a massage instead..? I'm not that good at them, but your lovely legs did carry us this far.

Nowhere that'd mind a few bruises.

( well. he has work. but. as if he wouldn't go to work with hickeys, or hasn't before; and if it gets bad enough, he'll just use makeup, whatever. he's not ashamed and he doesn't care.

it's so easy, though. leo on top him, kissing his cheek; it's just muscle memory, it's just comfortable, putting his hands on leo's neck, his face, so naturally pressing kisses to leo's jaw and his neck in return. he doesn't even have to think; it's simply a decision, one of which he's always been conscious- he just has to do better this time. even if they don't date, it doesn't matter. he just has to be decent, this time around. it can't be hard- not that hard. )

Mmm... My legs are tired, but I prefer you up here. I like it when I can see you up close. You're so pretty, Leo.

( he lets his head fall back against the ground, relaxing. affectionately, he brushes his thumb against leo's cheek. )

Ahh ... I want to say that's reward enough, but I'll admit I'm a little greedy... ♪

[each bit of affection is something he craves, not just from miai but from everyone he comes across, but unlike the people he tries to fill the hole in his heart with it actually sticks; he'd noticed it with nazuna too, and with some of the memories he'd gotten back. it's nice, it's easy and familiar, and leo's grin widens pleasantly at the compliment he's so accustomed to, shifting so he can cage an arm around miai's head instead.]

You know I have a hard time saying no to you, Miai~. [in that special inflection he'd liked to use, more my than a proper mi, leaning his cheek into the touch.] Haha, no, it's more like I can't ever say no to you, not when you're like this. ♪

[there's other people he has trouble saying no to in his life now, besides miai and his little brother. it's hard to refuse kuro, to refuse nazuna; the first is due to an understanding at the core of their beings, and the second--

leo doesn't really want to think of the second, not right now, it draws heavy realization against his chest and he's not about that at the moment. he wants to kiss miai against a half-painted building and that be that.

so he does. first on his cheeks, then down his jawline, and dipping back up to his lip; a well-traveled trail, but miai does like having him close. a thousand melodies in his mind and all he wants to do is this.

he huffs playfully, mumbling against the other.]

I swear, you're only so greedy 'cause I did my best to spoil you back then...

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