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

[frivolities]

I'm not, but my brother has a habit of bringing home strays. One of them is really into video games.

[ She gives an appreciative nod. ]

Impressive. As tenacious as these things are, I'd have expected it to take more than that. [ God damn it she does kind of like this girl. ] I wonder...

[ Pastry half-eaten, Okuni delicately sets it back on the plate to pull out her brush, still wiggling away, and stares at it thoughtfully. She'd tried to toss it after it painted her face, and gotten nowhere. Maybe now that they're indoors...

Without any warning, she turns and throws it at the cafe window with all her might. It gives a loud crack and clatters to the floor lifelessly. Triumphantly, Okuni spins back around in her chair to go back to her treat. ]

What do you know? You can knock them out.

[drizzle]

[Okay, her explanation will get an amused smile, finding it to be...sweet and maybe a little weird. Was he into being an older brother figure?]

He sounds like an interesting guy. Or not, he just found the world's greatest cat.

[She'll begin to take bites of the remaining pastry the other girl didn't take. A nod will be given in agreement over her own surprise over the lack of defense the paint brushes had. When she decides to get up and throw it out the cafe window, Ava will rise from her seat, just enough to take a peek at the distance, but...

Okay, that loud crack was pretty easy to overhear. A whistle will be given. Color her impress by the other girl's resolve and courage.]

That's one way to ask for a break. [Hopefully the sentient creature will consider it an accident too; if they return to life again or get replaced or whatever other plausible scenario.] What are you going to do with your newfound freedom?

[frivolities]

[ That brings a fond smile to her face. She adores her brother, but “interesting” is a bit of an understatement. ]

It’s a little of both.

[ Well, if Ava’s taking the rest of that pastry, she’ll just pluck a different one off of the plate. ]

Enjoy our lunch, of course. [ Because apparently it’s not just yours anymore, sorry. You offered once and you can’t take that back now. ] It’s what that thing deserves for painting my face.

[ Most of it’s been washed off already, but there might be a little bit she missed in her hair. ]

[drizzle]

Good plan! I could use the company.

[Taking over her lunch or not, Ava didn't mind it in the slightest. She rarely got chances to eat with others all due to her hectic schedule. It'll be a good opportunity! In not just meeting someone new, but making an ally with someone with the app to boot. Plus, it was pleasant company and helpful in keeping her mind preoccupied.

Just to prove it: she'll offer whatever plates are left with food. Now if it was done to keep her around or offer as a reward of sorts will be left unclear. She just likes sharing.]

Let me know if there is anything else you're in the mood for. I'll buy. [As for the mention of the attacking paint brush, Ava will notice the little bit of paint left in her hair.] I'd vote for burning it, but your method is just as good! Although, I think you missed a spot. [Pointing to more or less the area.] There's still some on your hair.

[frivolities]

[ It’s almost disappointing that she doesn’t argue at all - Okuni could use the entertainment right about now, to be honest - but at the same time, does she really want to start something when she’s already hungry? She really just wants the food. That’s enough to stick around for now. ]

You’ll buy?

[ DOUBT…

But she… wasn’t really planning on paying if she could help it anyway, so if you’re offering… Her eyes settle on the paper menu left standing to the side of the table, and she picks it up to scan the options idly while they chat. ]

Burning it is a good idea, too. We should try that later.

[ What a face she makes when told there’s still paint in her hair, though - pure, utter disgust mars her features as she sets the menu back down and immediately fishes out a compact mirror to see for herself with a tsk. ]

It might be a nice color, but that doesn’t mean I want it in my hair. Just who do these brushes think they are?

[drizzle]

Of course! I'm a woman of my word. Promise there's no strings attached!

[There is clearly no suspicion on Ava's part over the reason the other woman was being apprehensive other than finding it difficult to accept a complete stranger would pay for their meal without asking anything in return. If Ava were in her shoes, she'd be slightly suspicious, at first, but most likely would accept the invitation depending on the other person's behavior and whatnot.

Right now, she simply wants the company to help her forget about the irrational aspects of their current situation; even if it's just for a little moment.]

As long as any of them don't "wake" back up, then it could be a good way of testing their durability. I mean, I don't know much about magic or the supernatural, but they should have some power, right? [Then noticing the other girl's reaction over the left over paint, a weak smile will appear upon realizing.] Other than being used to paint on us, that is. [A short pause.] If it helps, the color suits you very well. Maybe you should consider it as one of those single cool highlights?

[frivolities]

[ mmmmm yeah she’s still unsure about that. But they both came here for food, so they might as well get it. And it’s not like she’s hurting for money, so even if the other girl backs out of her offer, it won’t hurt Okuni’s wallet. Besides, there’s one thing on the menu that’s caught her eye, so she points it out. ]

This one.

[ It looks like a tea cake? Apparently she’s not into eating healthy like her tablemate. ]

If they can be knocked out, then I’m sure they’ll wake up again sooner or later. At least this way they’re less likely to drag us all around the city.

[ And the paint in her hair isn’t coming out. That’s… lovely. She’ll just have to try again later when she finds the house, but for now she’ll give Ava a small, appreciative smile. ]

Do you think so? It is my favorite, but I never thought to color my hair like this.