recollecters: (Default)
Recollé Mods ([personal profile] recollecters) wrote in [community profile] repeter2018-09-17 05:35 pm
Entry tags:

SEPTEMBER TDM

TEST DRIVE
SEPTEMBER TEST DRIVE - EVENT AND FOURTH WALL EDITION
The city of Recollé...

...or, at least, a good mimicry of the city. It's been a few weeks since you've found yourself in this digitized version of your beloved city. You've found yourself surrounded by NPC versions of your friends and family who aren't a part of the Retrospec project, you've encountered strange and new places, and the viruses continue to appear despite the fight you've put up.

On the evening of the 17th, things change again. No matter where you are, Alphas and Betas will hear the sound of loud clacking, something similar to fingers typing frantically on a keyboard. The dial-up sound rings out, echoing off of buildings and in your ears as a bright blue flash of code scrolls before your eyes.

Perhaps it doesn't make sense, but your handheld device might help. It beeps to alert you of a new message, screen lighting up as a navigation app appears and seems to stick. It appears to be an ordinary app like Google Maps or Waze, but the destination is pre-installed and your feet begin to move on their own accord.

I. - IN-GAME CHARACTERS ONLY
If you're strong enough, you might be able to break free of the mysterious hold that's dragging you across the city and out toward the outskirts of Tisse. It's hard to locate the source of the pull, but everyone will find that as they traverse the city they're all heading in one direction. The navigation app cheerfully blurts out instructions as your body operates on auto-pilot, causing you to stumble through the city and the other districts.

You'll find yourself colliding into another user, soon walking in front or behind them as everyone around you begins to form one solid line. The human chain forms steadily and…aren't you lucky? You get to hold hands! Single file, everyone. Maybe you lucked out and you're holding hands with a friend. If you're stuck between two strangers, well, maybe that's a little awkward but the chain is impossible to break.

You continue to move. Locked hand in hand with every user in the city, you'll have to help each other navigate, avoid obstacles, and make sure you don't lag behind. Viruses linger and will follow this mass of people, snapping at your heels and attempting to devour anything nearby. Can you fight without your hands? It may be time to find out.

The night sky is a bit cloudy and your only source of light is the moon and the glow of lights on buildings you pass by in all districts. The walk shouldn't take you long, but as you venture further away from the center of the city the sun begins to rise and obscures your vision a bit.

Has time sped up? Or are you simply walking further than you thought? What an interesting question.

II-A. - IN-GAME CHARACTERS ONLY
The navigation app leads the group through a long, winding journey that ends just beyond the furthest point of Tisse as the day breaks. As the app chimes, the air before you shimmers as a glass-walled building materializes. Unlike the other buildings in the city, it appears to be solid and smooth, lacking the pixelated quality a majority of the city has by now. The human chain breaks and you let go of your neighbor. You're now free to explore this place.

Stepping inside, you find rows and rows of glass cases and chambers off to the sides and in stacks. Accommodated with work stations and instruction manuals, you may find yourself drawn to these computers before the empty cases. While the manuals appear old and frayed, there are instructions one can follow to create the person of their dreams. Are you looking for someone athletic? Simply change the input for a higher muscle mass than your average model. What about someone funny? Copy and paste some knock-knock jokes to embed in their code. It's easy to create anything you desire. The book allows for anything, even those who aren't exactly human. As you code and build, the glass cases and chambers begin to fog up, smoke whirling around inside as something begins to grow and take shape.

Be careful! You may have a clear vision in mind of what you wish to create, but the programming may have other ideas…

…for those who don't wish to experiment for themselves, or those who are strong enough to shake off those urges, there are several other floors to explore. Unlike the cases downstairs, these ones are occupied and filled with finished models pre-labeled "Projected Example" or "Reboot". Perhaps these faces are familiar to you, or they're someone who looks interesting. A lost friend. Someone from your memories. Someone who you feel doesn't belong encased in glass at all. The possibilities seem endless when it comes to who you'll find inside, but as you continue to stare at the case before you…the glass cracks.

II-B. - TDM/FOURTH WALL CHARACTERS.

Where are you? The last thing you remember was a wavering, dizzy spell that forced your eyes closed as you fell unconscious. Upon awakening the glass walls around you are stifling and thick, white and blue smoke dances around your ankles as you blink away black spots impeding your vision. Trapped inside a glass case held behind glass walls, it becomes clear that you aren't where you're supposed to be. Any items you had on your person are missing and the palm of your hand burns intensely for ten seconds as a black tattoo forms.

Branded as either a "Projected Example" or "Reboot", it isn't easy to understand what these terms mean. Perhaps that isn't what's important though. Rather, what's important is breaking your way out of this glass case and figuring out where you are.

Shadowed figures can be seen walking the hallways just outside your case, sometimes alone or sometimes with a friend. It's hard to make out any of their features, but you can hear the muffled words being said. It's only when someone is close to your case that you find your strength. The glass begins to spider crack under the pressure of your hand, allowing you to push and punch as much as necessary to break free.

There's no shame in needing assistance, of course. Some cases are thicker than others, and as the glass begins to crack it becomes easier to be heard by those outside of your case. How will you escape? Who will you find on the other side of the glass? It's a mystery and one that will not be answered until you free yourself of your enclosure.

Breaking free is easy if you try and it gives you a full range of motion. The glass won't harm you, but sparkles adorn your skin as the sunlight shines through the windows around you. You're free to explore the floors of the building and check out the other glass cases nearby. Perhaps you'll even lend a hand and help others who are trapped.

How did you all get here? That's yet another mystery that doesn't seem to have an answer, but more importantly…how do you get out of the building? This place is huge.

III. - OTA

Lucky for you, this building seems to be a safe haven from the crazy world outside. Though several stories tall and filled with cases and equipment as far as the eye can see, nothing strange seems to be happening and navigating the building is almost a pleasant experience. The glass walls allow for plenty of late-summer sunshine to filter in, giving you and everyone you're with a path to follow.

This path, however, won't lead you to the front door. The front exit no longer exists and any attempts to reroute to it will send citizens on their way through the halls of the building again. Several doors and laboratories are found on the journey though you may not enter. Labeled areas such as "memory restoration", "accounting", "legal" and "resources", these areas are scattered and just beyond your reach.

As you venture through the building and exit out the back door, the sound of music hits you full-force. Bright lights, thick grass and the sounds of children laughing await you. The grounds are vast and empty of other people. While the area is large and sprawling, it's evident that several iconic pieces of this area are missing.

A large sign hangs overhead, greeting you and welcoming you to Rainbowland. Complete with a carousel, children's rides such as spinning tea cups, bumper cars, the hurricane and the octopus, and a midway full of games, this amusement park looks like the perfect place to spend an afternoon.

Along with the usual set-up, Rainbowland is host to a special event for the next week. Scattered throughout the grounds are banners and stalls proudly proclaiming "WELCOME TO RETROSPEC." Carnival food of all kinds can be found at these stalls with the Retrospec logo plastered on the side. Eat these foods at your own risk! Sweets will grant consumers super-speed, meats such as hot dogs and burgers kick in a boost of super-strength, fried foods will cause a consumer to move in slow motion and drinks may cause temporary invisibility. Weird, right?

The midway has a few strange surprises as well. While most games are easy to play (and free at that, why isn't anyone around to take tickets from park visitors?), there are certain games set up by Retrospec themselves that have equally strange prizes. Stuffed animals of a variety of creatures from other worlds line the shelves (some you may or may not recognize), along with glass dolls of you and people you know. The likeness of these prizes is a little too spot-on; dolls will spout a common catch-phrase and stuffed animals will feel as though they are breathing.

Finally, in addition to the Rainbowland rides, Retrospec has provided a wooden roller coaster and a large ferris wheel, both branded with their logo. For those who wish to feel the rush, the roller coaster reaches speeds of up to 60 miles per hour and comes with several hills and one full upside-down loop. Riders, however, will experience brief hallucinations after this loop; as the loop completes they'll find themselves seeing visions of a dark, underground river. The hallucination seems within reach almost as if the cart they're in will dive straight into the water. The ride ends with all riders unharmed, however.

As for the ferris wheel? It's just a ferris wheel, several stories high with bright blue, encased cars to give riders a bird's eye view of the entire city and protect them inside. As you reach the top, the car will come to a gentle stop and the view from the window will change. Instead of the beloved city of Recollé, the landscape below is different. Perhaps it's a landscape you recognize, or it's an area of a battle-ridden world. Perhaps you see your friend's high school that they've seen in their memories or islands from another life. Every view is different, but by the time you reach the ground again you're back in Recollé.

It's a carnival and it's fun, but several things that don't belong to Rainbowland seem off. Those with a keen eye and who have been around for a while may come to realize one important factor; the symbol is drawn inaccurately. The Retrospec symbol is missing a few loops and the particular shade of blue used is too dark to match.

A counterfeit Retrospec...is it possible?

Maybe it's best just to stick with what Rainbowland itself has to offer.

IV. - OTA
So maybe carnivals aren't your thing. No matter! You can leave Rainbowland whenever you'd like and make your way back to the city.

On the other hand the city and areas around it may not be as you remember it. "Projected Examples" might not recognize this place at all, but "Reboot" will recognize that the pixelation of buildings, the NPC status of people they may know and the glitches that occur aren't normal by any standards. Exploring the city will allow all visitors to ride the trains and visit the various locations Alphas and Betas have access to, create and travel through the digital scape of half-constructed concepts, and they'll find they're even more susceptible to being attacked by bug-like viruses. These viruses will follow newcomers, snapping and biting to try and devour them. Defeating one will generate two more, and while they aren't as prominent in the digital scape you may find yourself with your hands full.

There is no way to reach the outside regions of Pesgare, Respatrum, Bosuma and Magatus at this time, but there's plenty in the city to keep you on your toes. Visitors may have to find lodging for the next few weeks whether that's with friends or strangers, but at least all of the buildings remain standing.

And if that doesn't keep you busy enough, the NPC citizens of Recollé are happy to provide you with jobs. If you choose to speak to any of these people, they'll go off of their pre-assigned dialogue and provide you with a small quest.

"Find ten bananas and deliver them to someone with red hair."
"Pet every dog that you see."
"Catch three fish from the ocean and sell them to a neighbor."

Some of these quests may not even make sense, but they'll be assigned nevertheless. Upon completion of each quest taken on, a triumphant sound will play from overhead and a banner will appear displaying your new title. Deliver those bananas? "Gone Bananas" will flash over your head. How about those fish? "So Long and Thanks For..." will linger for a while.

Too bad no one told you those banners won't go away. When you're alone the title will be hidden, but as you speak to more people in the city the banner reappears, hovering over your head for the entire length of the conversation. The titles will change as you complete new tasks, but it appears as though they're permanent now. Congratulations!

BONUS. - OTA
Everyone will be equip with a handheld device much like a cell phone but downgraded. Containing only a drawing application, the game of Snake, the Retrospec app and the navigation app to lead you back to that glass building, it's...pretty useless. Technology in the city is hit and miss in its pixelated state, but perhaps it's better to ask the Retrospec network what the next step is.

While Alphas and Betas are still posting as their A/B IDs, "Projected Examples" and "Reboots" will find that all posts and comments are tagged as their status and their name. Examples and Reboots will also find that a "Welcome to Retrospec" guide pops up, giving them only a brief moment to read the guidelines before a bright flash appears, snapping their photo for their profile and connecting them to someone new on the network.

Whether you're sending or receiving messages, a string of colored text, numbers and code will leave or enter your device. These devices also need to be charged constantly, so be careful when taking them out of the house! You'd hate to get cut off at the worst possible moment, wouldn't you?

Welcome to the [community profile] recolle test drive meme, fourth wall event, and September event part two! Please review these instructions for this particular event! As we are combining a few different options here, we want to ensure players know what options are available. Thank you!

All characters who are TDMing 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!

Since this is a special event, the TDM is tied with a fourth wall event as well! For players who are fourth-walling characters (canon versions, different canon AUs, CRAU, versions from other games, etc), please label your top-level as "Projected Example." Players who are TDMing to app will fall under "Reboot" and we ask that you label your top-level as such! And finally, characters in-game are not required to label their top-levels with anything. This way, it's easier for your gamemates to know who's TDMing, who's just playing around, and who's already in-game.

For Prompt III, any characters who choose to ride the ferris wheel will be able to see the landscape of any canonical world once they're at the top. It doesn't matter if they would recognize it or not, but the image will be brief until the car moves again! Likewise, stuffed animals won from the Retrospec midway games can be creatures your character would recognize from their memories or from other canons they may or may not recognize. Use your best judgment!

Prompt IV may be used to create new scenarios and threads based on the prompts from Part One of September's Event! Please feel free to read the prompts in event log one and create your own scenarios for your top-levels. Additionally, you are free to make up your own silly/serious fetch-quests and titles that would be rewarded to your characters.

While normally we do not allow this, please remember that current players may earn one freebie by threading with someone who is TDMing! This thread must contain 5 consecutive comments from you to be eligible. In addition, all players may use any threads accrued in this event for bonus points.

As a special note, we will also allow current players to use a thread from this Fourth Wall/TDM/Event for their AC proofs! As this ties into a game-event, we are making an exception. However, your other proof(s) (at least ten comments) must come from sources outside of this log. Likewise, as this is an event log instead of just a standard TDM, you may use this log to trigger regains as normal.

Please note: you will need a reserve to apply, and current characters must have full AC posted at the time of their reservation.

Your September TDM directory is here, and your AU workshop is here! Our mod questions thread for this TDM is over here!
p_mortem: (ash all over)

[personal profile] p_mortem 2018-09-23 07:49 pm (UTC)(link)
It's a legit story. [ He doesn't remember anything about it, but he's sure it's something they could look up, if Al hadn't done so already. ]

I don't remember anything about the "Fog Troop" either, but that sounds like... quiet the school club. Fighting teachers.

[ Al is living every high school student's dream, it seems, who've ever wished they could throttle their teachers for assigning too much homework or writing impossible exam questions. ]
p_mortem: (till i see sunlight again)

[personal profile] p_mortem 2018-09-23 08:00 pm (UTC)(link)
[ He was going more for Jamie running towards the glass case from the other side of the room to build up momentum before he drives his elbow into the glass, but Jamie's suggestion sounds much safer- they can save Minato's as a backup plan.

Minato's shoes happen to have extra padding in them to give him the illusion of another inch of height, so with the protection it allots, it's an idea that might actually work; he holds his hands up in a sort of "wait I got it" or "hold on for a second" or "double high five" gesture.

He points to his shoes and nods. Let him try first, because if Jamie does it, Minato sort of has nowhere to escape the shrapnel. ]
flametheif40: http://magiicons.tumblr.com/ (happy laugh)

The roof was on fire! plz forgive me....

[personal profile] flametheif40 2018-09-23 08:01 pm (UTC)(link)
[Al laughs]

That would be a school club I want to join! I would want to fight my math teacher.

I should say, mentor, I set the roof on fire...and I didn't need any water...cause when he kicked my ass the fire died out.

I should look that story up, maybe it might help with some memories, like how to recharge my Magoi faster.
p_mortem: (burn my dread)

[personal profile] p_mortem 2018-09-23 08:06 pm (UTC)(link)
Still?

[ HE SOUNDS DISAPPOINTED

someday, he'll have his futuristic flying cars and universal wi-fi... But in the meanwhile, he's glad he hasn't lost too much time being kept in stasis or whatever inside this glass case.

He rubs at the back of his hand absently, remembering the numbered that used to be branded there, but he frowns when the pain doesn't disappear. He turns his hand over, to stare at his palm. ]


"Projected Example"... [ Okay... The hands go back in his pockets; he'll deal with things one at a time. ] There was that countdown on people's hands before- I must have missed it when it hit zero. What happened?
p_mortem: (windless night)

[personal profile] p_mortem 2018-09-23 08:21 pm (UTC)(link)
[ There are killer bugs outside but he's standing here eating a sandwich, that's fine, this is great and he'll continue ignoring the rest of the world. ]

Yeah, thanks. [ He takes the sandwich, and takes a bite before anything else. Priorities. ]

...You're still eating alright, even though you don't have to?

[ On the account of being dead? He doesn't have to eat, right? ]
p_mortem: (ash all over)

[personal profile] p_mortem 2018-09-23 08:26 pm (UTC)(link)
[ The pogo hammer is almost ridiculous enough to make Minato crack a smile, but he valiantly holds it in as he takes the claw hammer in his hands. ]

Isn't this just a regular hammer...?

[ Claw hammer, his ass. But maybe it has some sort of magical Homestuck bc that isn't immediately apparent, and he's prepared to give John the benefit of the doubt; he's been surprised more than once already. ]
drydrown: the magna carta's a nice suggestion (HAUGHTY ♡ judging like john marshall)

[personal profile] drydrown 2018-09-23 08:36 pm (UTC)(link)
...Of course we are. At this point I'm not even going to bother being surprised.
p_mortem: (till i see sunlight again)

[personal profile] p_mortem 2018-09-23 08:44 pm (UTC)(link)
[ That's such a strange feeling, blocky fur, but Minato crouches down for a second to pet the cat until he inevitably circles around him and stops just out of arm's reach, as cats wont to do. ]

They're all busy, huh? The city seemed emptier than usual.

[ He straightens up, and catches up to Lucy in the kitchen. Of course, it might only seem empty because he had tunnel vision trying to find shelter, but he hadn't run into as many people as he thought he'd be doing while avoiding crowds on the street. Maybe they're all locked up in that building he woke up in? ]

What's wrong with the city...? It wasn't like this yesterday.

[ Of course, he wasn't there yesterday. Or much of the month before. ]
monya: (16)

[personal profile] monya 2018-09-23 08:53 pm (UTC)(link)
No! No, no, no. No throwing. Don't throw me, I've got... let me use this.

[ he's not going to wiggle again, because he doesn't want to give Lucy any reason to toss him into a stack of milk bottles or through a hoop or into some balloons. nope. instead, with his paws somehow holding onto the slingshot, he fires a practice round into one of the balloons which easily pops. ]

Okay! I got one. Hold me steady, and I'll definitely hit eight more.
fiddlestick: (fuq what)

[personal profile] fiddlestick 2018-09-23 08:54 pm (UTC)(link)
[ITS OKAY I UNDERSTAND. He'll squeeze the doll so it makes those sayings and--]

Wow! That does sound like her!

It's almost uncanny.
long_live_the_queen: (are you talking about my hat)

[personal profile] long_live_the_queen 2018-09-23 08:58 pm (UTC)(link)
[Okay. No throwing. Though Lucy was still quietly thinking about it. Wouldn't it be more efficient? And he could just grab the prizes off the shelves while he was there.

But outwardly she humors him, holding the cat(?) still like he asked.
]
reaquila: (I'm a good kid who did nothing wrong)

[personal profile] reaquila 2018-09-23 09:07 pm (UTC)(link)
Sometimes. Didn't eat much when I got tossed into prison. I've been trying to go out more and have better meals.

[He can tell that Minato's worried so he tries to reassure him somehow.]

It's fun to eat with friends.

[MINATO'S A GOOD TOMODACHI.]
floret: (i had no right)

[personal profile] floret 2018-09-23 09:07 pm (UTC)(link)
[ hell yeah, double high five!

He nods vigorously and scurries around to the side of whatever nearby object seems best capable of shielding him from flying glass. Will This Work?? ]
long_live_the_queen: (tiny possessive creature)

[personal profile] long_live_the_queen 2018-09-23 09:12 pm (UTC)(link)
...I guess.

[That was one way to put what happened to Minako. Pen and Freya were at least still here, if not Right Now here.

Lucy stopped suddenly near the fridge.
]

...you do remember.

[She turned just a little, enough to see that Minato was still there and hadn't vanished.]

It's just...Retrospec's bullshit as usual.

[Lucy was hopeful, even though she knew she needed to stop that; if he did remember, then he'd know what Retrospec did. If he didn't, this was going to be...less than pleasant.]
p_mortem: (bleeding swords)

[personal profile] p_mortem 2018-09-23 09:12 pm (UTC)(link)
[ That works perfectly.

Minato waits until Jamie's safely behind cover and then stares down at his legs. Out of all the ways he'd learned how to fight, whether it's with a weapon or with his bare fists, he'd never learned how to do a proper kick...

Can't be too hard.

He locks his knees, brings one foot back, and drives it straight forward like a golf swing, the glass shattering on impact so that his newfound superhuman strength surprises him too. ]
incandescentfaith: (Cold Fire)

[personal profile] incandescentfaith 2018-09-23 09:16 pm (UTC)(link)
Absolutely. That's their job.

[Spinning around, she drops a hand onto Usagi's shoulder and gives it a confident, controlled squeeze.]

Everything will be fine, okay? Just trust me. I know people who can make this right.
p_mortem: (dreamless dorm)

[personal profile] p_mortem 2018-09-23 09:18 pm (UTC)(link)
[ The affirmation of friendship makes him smile faintly, before he can stop himself, and he tries to hide it by bending over the sandwich instead of looking at Nanashi.

He carefully removes the crust from the sandwich bread and holds it out to him. ]


You're a good friend. I'll share this with you.
long_live_the_queen: (half turn)

[personal profile] long_live_the_queen 2018-09-23 09:18 pm (UTC)(link)
[Even though they were running, Lucy still found the time and space to shrug. She...really didn't have an answer. Something in her head? The horns? There was always a soft hum in her mind when her vectors were active, but she rarely noticed it nowadays unless she focused on it.]

I don't know. I just...do.

[maybe she's a magician]
servileness: (0.34 sec)

[personal profile] servileness 2018-09-23 09:22 pm (UTC)(link)
[ Clover sidesteps it gracefully, not even watching where it bounces and rolls across the ground. She'll find gloves to pick it up later since she's sure Violet won't touch it if she doesn't want it. ]

It's the principle of the thing. You shouldn't be in there, rifling through trash.
floret: ('cause it's spring everywhere)

[personal profile] floret 2018-09-23 09:25 pm (UTC)(link)
[ what


the


shit??!!

ok well putting that aside, Minato is free!! Jamie rushes forward, equal parts heedless of the danger and confident that his Vans will protect him. ]


Minato, that was amazing!!
Are you okay? Are you hurt?
Ahh, I've been so worried!

[ So worried that he's actually just going to kind of... give him a big hug... without even asking first. ]
floret: (eight co-defendants)

[personal profile] floret 2018-09-23 09:32 pm (UTC)(link)
Oh, definitely.
See, um, the way things usually are
or were
Is that I have one roommate, and one cat, and we live in an apartment.
But then for the last two months, I had a different past or whatever, so I was living in a different place, and I didn't have any cats at all...
And then on the first of the month, it was like, FWIP
And I was back in my apartment with my roommate and my cat and also another cat.
But now that you mention it, maybe there were always two cats and I just had my memories about it altered? Apparently it doesn't take anything at all for my memories to change, and there's literally no way for me to even be aware when it's happening.
p_mortem: (i still live)

[personal profile] p_mortem 2018-09-23 09:39 pm (UTC)(link)
[ Is it remembering when he admits he doesn't remember Recollé being like this, with the pixelation and the bugs and unsettling lack of people? He knows Retrospec, though, and while his memories seem muddled and parts of them missing- like trying to grasp for remnants of a dream that happened so long ago- he remembers enough. ]

But it seems a little worse than that, doesn't it? I was just texting Zee a while ago, about how things were going badly, and it being hard to reach anybody in the company. Is he still working on things?
floret: (cast its cold eye?)

III

[personal profile] floret 2018-09-23 09:41 pm (UTC)(link)
Oh!
Wow, thanks!

[ Jamie accepts the plush gratefully... then looks from it to the dude who offered it to him... then, more quizzically, back to the plush (and then, eventually, back to the dude). ]

...Did you make it yourself?
floret: (but i don't have to go there)

iii.

[personal profile] floret 2018-09-23 09:47 pm (UTC)(link)
[ honestly, Jamie's impressed by anyone who can get the puck above the halfway mark... ]

You can do it! You were so close that time!!
long_live_the_queen: (no don't open that)

[personal profile] long_live_the_queen 2018-09-23 09:49 pm (UTC)(link)
[Lucy's shoulders lost some of their tension anyway, and she unfroze from her spot near the fridge. She opened it--Minato said he wanted orange juice. But before she could grab it, Lucy stopped again. Zee was...she wouldn't say she liked him, that was a little beyond what she could feel for anyone working for Retrospec. But she had disliked him slightly less than some others.

She shook her head, and her answer was simple.
]

He's dead.