repeter | JANUARY TDM

Entry tags:

! tdm

JANUARY TDM - OVERFLOW

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 overflow post! You may use this post to post new top-levels if you didn't post to the original TDM (found here) or link your original top-level to continue threading.

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.

Flat | Top-Level Comments Only

[ Continuations to my top level and other threads will be going here. Feel free to join in whenever you please. ]

[ Cornernotes of amusement tweak at her lips. ] Believe me, it’s very personal. I wouldn't have it any other way.

[ Aranea doesn’t let the other blonde go immediately. She’s not completely unaware of social cues and this perception means that she's at least mediocre at navigating their waters. Fingers slide to retrieve a flat, silver container from her black, leather purse. She flips it open, takes out a business card with her number, along with the name and address of her official workplace, Styx, and holds it out to her as a peace offering. ]

Feel free to call me if you ever need a favor.

O...kay? Cool. [Her brow furrowed in puzzlement, Arlene takes the card between her thumb and forefinger, holding it a little out from her body like she expects it to bite. A minute ago she thought she was getting mugged, and now her would-be assailant is inviting her to... a tattoo shop? The transition is enough to make a girl dizzy.

But hey, she's totally fine with people owing her favors. Could come in handy. She slips the card into her coat pocket.]

Uh. By the way, my name's Arlene.

[ Aranea takes note of the whiplash, but she continues her onslaught of confused signals without pressing the breaks. She wonders if the girl will ever stop by, but it’s no skin off her back either way. ]

Mine’s Aranea. [ Uttering her name out loud in addition to the business card for pronunciation purposes, Aranea turns around, weight balanced on the tip of her heel. It isn’t a comfortable movement, but hey, it’s dramatic. The gesture is made for some sheer, maddening point. ]

Drop by sometime to collect your reward, Arlene. [ She sends a wink in her direction, before her movements signal a departure. ]

Aranea. [She repeats the unusual name to herself. It's not pronounced the way she expected it would be.]

Yeah, sure... see you around.

[Now it's a reward? For what, not actually decking her when she could have? Kind of sketchy... but really intriguing.

With a halfhearted wave at her, Arlene rejoins the group.]

[ The gaggle of girls happens to be crowding around a boy in his late teens— if he'd done anything, he wouldn't have noticed for all the chatter in his ears, but he does start when Aranea's hand lands on his shoulder. He blinks politely up at her, mouth open in mid-conversation, but before he can ask her to repeat the question, one of the girls besides him moves to slap Aranea's hand away, snapping coldly at her, "Don't talk to him like that!" ]

Hey, there's no need to be like that. [ Still with no idea what the problem is, Ryoji puts on a smile and holds his hand out to Aranea. ] We're going down to Eleven. Care to join us?

[ Clearly. Clearly she did all of that to get his attention and join his posse. ]

[ Attentions drift from the woman that snaps back at her, launching a defense for the admittedly handsome teenage boy. Handsome enough to warrant a harem of girls? Far be it for Aranea to judge. Withdrawing her offending hand, if only due to the fact she’d rather not have a fate that involves her hair being pulled from its roots, she muses with a hint of painted-on coyishness in his direction. ]

Been like this since before you were born, loverboy. [ She doesn’t have one on her, at least not in the very moment, but you can practically hear the rattling cane. ] May not be a need, but as they say, old habits die hard.

[ Aranea idly contemplates the offer. About to let a refrain of thanks, but no thanks roll from her lips, she gets a feeling that she's not really wanted by the rest of the group, and she’s always found twisted pleasure in eliciting someone else’s hysterics and making them uncomfortable. Call it a talent. ] Sure. You seem like a smart kid — maybe you can help me solve a mystery.

[ The other girls frown and pout, one even mumbling something about how they don't need that old hag, before she catches Ryoji's eyes and turns hers down against his encouraging smile. ]

Beauty is eternal, you know, and habits are all part of one's charm.

[ The conviction in his voice doesn't quite reach them, but the girls reluctantly turn their noses away from Aranea, set on ignoring her. But not without trying to wall Ryoji in; three's a crowd, and they're reaching four and five and six now with Aranea here. It's hard though, because he walks up front, pulling away from time to time with his long strides and attention to the walk sign lights, and none of his girl friends are quite so bold as to bodily insert herself between him and Aranea. ]

So, what's this about a mystery? The night makes the perfect setting for film noir: a seductive femme fatale at my side, and... hm, does that make me the doomed hero?

[ As they stride through the crowded streets of Tisse to Cabin Eleven, she proves entirely unaffected by the sense of tension and malaise that has grown since her begrudging acceptance into their group. ]

You’re cute. Wish I could say I was investigating a mystery born from an alleyway or a casino, something to bite my teeth through. [ A small sigh, she’s almost disappointed. ] Instead, the culprit appears to be my phone.

[ Since their run-in, Aranea’s managed to rub a couple brain cells together and comes to the conclusion that he isn’t exactly the man she needs to be looking into. Glancing at the screen of her otherwise matte black phone, she languidly tilts it in his direction. A loading page pops up displaying the Retrospec logo. She allows the girls take a look as well. The younger generation should already be in the know as far as weird technology-related phenomena goes. ]

Ever heard of Retrospec?

[ If only the setting allowed for heroics, but it seems that he won't be taking any bullets for the dames today. Instead, he looks almost disappointed that the mystery revolves around a cell phone; he has little knowledge in tech support, and the name isn't familiar to him either, but a quick Google usually narrows things down. Before he runs into a stop sign for keeping his eyes on the screen instead of the road, he detaches himself from the other girls besides Aranea. ]

Could all of you go on ahead and reserve us seats? We'll be right behind you; I want to look this up first, but I don't want to block the sidewalk while on my phone either.

[ With some breathing space, he turns his attention back to his phone. Upon unlocking the screen with a swipe of his thumb, barely a second passes before the Retrospec logo blinks up at him, and then a profile page like he's filled out many times in the past whenever a social media site falls out of favor and another replaces it. ]

Here it is too... I've never heard of it, to be honest, but it looks like a normal social networking site. It probably just came with a phone update, like those default apps pre-loaded on devices.

[ Nothing Aranea asks for deals directly in heroics, not even the mundane. Of course, opportunities can always be fetched from the mouth of justice, nearly always in diametric opposition. She takes note of both his lack of interest and his answer after his… friends? go forth to the bar to save them seats. This is good, as it allows him to more easily to ask him whatever the hell she wants. Admittedly, he’s piquing her curiosity. ]

Huh, a default app. [ She then shrugs. The truth, or whatever may end up being the truth, isn’t nearly as alarming as the surprise notification, at least to her. ] Sounds like I asked the right person. Three minutes in, and you already have got this all figured out.

[ Folding her arms underneath her chest, Aranea leans back to regard him with more scrutiny. It’s become easier, slightly away from the suffocation of crowds. The question she asks him next is admittedly... a touch bizarre, but her mind's a strange one. ]

Say, are you hanging out with all those girls for free?

Edited 2017-01-28 19:03 (UTC)

[ A smoky haze fogs up her vision and wafts in and around her nostrils. Maintaining a straight face and fighting against the urge to close her eyes, Aranea keeps her veneer of calm cool amid her characteristic arrogance and haughtiness. Brought together by her worst intentions and his best intentions for the community, the pair continues their relationship by engaging in bad habits and consumptive secrets. ]

Is that what you’re wishing for? Some fucking bad small talk at a diner over cups of cheap black coffee and a dozen doughnuts?

[ Casting a definitive look of pure exasperation over her shoulder, a crease between her eyebrows, she grips her whiskey glass from the upper rim before taking another long sip, as if his suggestion for a normal conversation (the one she just took considerable creative license with for her own twisted amusement) offends her sensibilities.

Aranea sighs, under the weight of her own futile struggles. ]

Fine, be my guest. Hit me with your best shot. Find anythin' good in today's Standard, guv?

Edited 2017-01-19 04:40 (UTC)

Though I am rather curious as to what Ardyn Izunia’s vengeance tastes like…

[ Aranea tilts her head backwards, chin jutting forward as she regards Ardyn with a hooded stare. She wasn’t naive to think that he was that great of a person, but he was better than he gave himself credit for. But, maybe this is just her bias after being surrounded with grime. ]

Even I'm not sadistic enough to inflict a special surprise on a tattoo virgin. You’ll have to pick your own poison, professor.

[meanwhile there is actual talk of this being a thing that happens, prepare yourself aranea

But for now, he reflects the same look back at her, though is own stare is laced with skepticism. He brings up a hand to rub at the stubble of his chin, an idle sort of gesture.]

No? Not even a helpful suggestion? So much for customer service.

Oh no. [ Horror, corrupted by her own humor, denotes her refrain. That horror will be purified if and when she ever hears that the university’s terrible two have joined together in inked union. Eyes widen and arched brows inch up her forehead.

Then Aranea places a slender hand on her chin, mirroring his motion, so she can join him in appearing utterly ridiculious. Because — why not? ]

Don’t tell me you’re actually beginning to take this seriously.

[ Her hand sweeps down the length of her neck, because she can’t look that stupid for that long. Her shoulder shrugs, as if she’s giving in. ]

I can give you suggestions alright, I’d just have to know a bit more about you as a person. What’s beneath the surface. [ … A pause, because Aranea’s squinting and giving this some actual thought. ] As a rule, professors are giant nerds, so normally I suggest runes. Some made-up fantasy bullshit so none of the fellow nerds can call 'em out on it. Not really sure if you’re into that though.

[Hardly any offense is taken at the mirrored gesture; didn't you know that reflecting body language back, jokingly or otherwise, is a way of building understanding, Aranea? He thinks of saying that much, but lets it go for now. Instead, Ardyn straightens the scarf around his neck, looking up in only half-mock consideration.]

Whether or not I take it seriously is always the question, isn't it? Regardless, the notion is a novel one, enough to be knocking around in my head for the time being.

[But at her words, he can't help but laugh. Even though he's pretty certain she didn't mean it as a joke.]

Does that mean you consider me a "giant nerd", Aranea? Honestly, I'd prefer something that would have even the slightest modicum of meaning. [A soft little hum escapes him as he decides on his next words.] Would it surprise you if I admitted that certain imagery has already been clawing at my mind?

Don’t consider you much of anything besides whatever you are now — [ Her pointer finger gestures from his head to toe. ] and the fact that you were my defense attorney. Puts you in the same category as my good old parole officer, actually.

[ While Aranea makes this attempt at humor, there’s no doubting that she’s also being rather serious and quite frank with this blasé assessment. It helps that she’s pretty sure they’re on the same page in regards to their entertaining relationship, though from her vantage point, it was sometimes quite awkward. ]

Is the world nearing the end days? [ A quick shake of her head. ] No, I’m not surprised, Ardyn. You’re not some kind of tightwad. Tell me what you’re thinking and maybe I can help you.

[Well, that’s hardly flattering, to be considered in the same category as a parole officer, but Ardyn isn’t surprised. He can only imagine that his presence might spike some semblance of awkwardness in their conversations given her past. Though, honestly, it’s mostly one-sided.

Still, he sets that all aside for the sake of focusing on her question. He parses words together, a brief moment of silence passing between them in the meanwhile. And when he speaks, there’s more than just fleeting flippancy in his tone; there’s something that belies a strange… consideration, despite his admission sounding a bit… well. Impulsive, probably.]

I’m thinking a demon.

[Straight to the point, then, he appears to have decided. Whether or not he explains further — or how he explains it — depends upon her reaction.]

[ As he’s taking a moment to draw his response, Aranea produces her tin of cigarettes. She takes one out for herself, eyes meandering over the crowd, and back to Ardyn. ]

Any ideas beyond that? [ She draws breath in her concentration, searching for the lighter in one of her pockets. ] Drop by Styx sometime, we have a few demon designs. Or, I can always sketch one for you.

Dare I trust your artistic talents, Aranea? [He pokes and prods a little with his words, though the teasing is good-natured. He'd help you with that lighter, by the way, but he's not much of a smoker himself.]

If you draw something up, I would like to see it. My idea is a vague one, admittedly. Like an image caught behind a thick fog.

[A lingering, a nagging. A terrible, annoying thing he couldn't quite put a finger on.]

Trust me, Ardyn. The greater your risk, the greater your reward.

[ Somehow, Aranea manages to light the end of the cigarette on her own. She would appreciate the thought if she knew, though, Ardyn. An elderly woman casts a look as she catches a whiff of the second hand smoke. She finds the nearest building — okay, it’s not quite ten feet, but fuck it.

Her curious gaze then prods at him. Is the professor okay? Ah, well. If he wasn't, at least he was finding a standard way to cope. ]

Sounds like a nightmare. [ Another drag of the cigarette. ] I like it. I’ll text you when I'm done. Did you change your number?

[If the smoke wafts delicately in his direction, Ardyn doesn't complain about it. Sure, secondhand smoke was something that he shouldn't be indulging himself in, but he's barely bothered. If asked, he'd say jokingly that he lives life quite dangerously, don't you know. It's right up there with jaywalking and driving slightly over the speed limit.

A nightmare? Maybe it was, or maybe Ardyn was just being overly dramatic as usual. Still, he gives no indication of which may be true, merely responding to her question and little else.]

Heavens, no. You can't imagine all the trouble I'd put myself through if I changed my number. [Updating all of his contacts, everything with his current work number printed/posted on it... Just imagine the headache.] It's been the same for years. [In other words, she should have it.]

Good. You know… I remember when I actually knew your number by heart. [ Basically, because she didn’t want to save his number for awhile, and sometimes she’d try and ignore his calls at the same time. A grand display of maturity. Looking back, she feels sorry for him.

Aranea audibly exhales, if only for the effect. ] Really takes me back.

[ She begins to make her final departure, but before Aranea finally leaves, she raises her hand and waves it. Peering over her shoulder, she makes a very minor nod. ]

I’ll be in touch.

[ Before her Ducati cuts clean through the night, snarling along the way, she folds up the test into a neat square and tucks it away. She meets Elizabeth’s blue eyes with a barely-there smile. ]

No questions, just a request — stay safe out there. The night breeds perverts and sickos, especially on university campuses.

Flat | Top-Level Comments Only

JANUARY TDM - OVERFLOW

aranea highwind | ffxv

gettin' personal with arlene

no subject

no subject

no subject

bonus

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

time to play buddy cops, bigby!

tattoo musings with ardyn

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

the end to a beginning with elizabeth