SEPTEMBER TDM

[recollecters]

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 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!

Comments

"syaoran" li | tsubasa: reservoir chronicle | projected example

[excavated]

☯ ii.

[ Some people might notice that the person behind this particular glass might look rather familiar, even though there are slight differences-- he's taller, lankier, and has a lot of leg to spare, so when he finds himself kicking his way out of the glass but while he might be athletic he's still actually injured, showing in how he's patched up with bandages around the circumference of his head, his left cheek and even diagonally over his left shoulder and over his chest, visible even through the plain white robes.

But to "Syaoran" here, the whole situation feels many degrees of familiarity-- being stuck in something like that, waking up in clothes that were given to him-- it's kind of spooky, to be honest, and not in a good way.

But this is a different situation. Glancing around him, he knows almost immediately that this isn't the world he was in before. Which, truthfully, isn't much of a surprise, but it's still strange. That doesn't matter right now, though. What matters is figuring out one of two things.

Which means that he's going to be exploring, barefoot, wandering slowly and carefully around the building with caution, knowing that glass is dangerous. If he finds someone, he tries to ask, his tone polite: ]

Excuse me, you don't happen to know where I am, do you—?

☯ iv-a.

[ Viruses.

Of course, fighting monsters isn't something new for "Syaoran", and it's obvious in the way he carries himself. Of course, these are creatures that he's never seen before, so he has to be careful; especially when it's concerning a lot of other people in the area.

Hence why he points with his two fingers towards one in hopes of aiming properly as he calls out the two words for his spell: ]

Raitei Shourai!!

[ --and lightning comes out of them, although some of the viruses might be a little quick to dodge them and perhaps you might get hit by accident? Although that's definitely not the plan here.

He's trying his best. ]

☯ iv-b.

[ A quest?

Well, "Syaoran" isn't exactly the type of person to say no to accepting a quest, he's managed to actually take on a bunch of them. He's collecting them all. Maybe if he does these, he'll find out why, exactly, he's here and what he's meant to do before he can move onto the next world.

After all. There are no coincidences in this world. That rang true for this as well, or so he thinks.

Hence why you might find him petting dogs pretty happily, searching for bananas - or a person with red hair - and well... fishing! Amongst other crazy tasks. Maybe you can give him a task, just as long as it's reasonable. He's here for all your fetch quests.

The problem is this: when he ends up doing the fishing, he's not exactly sure what to do with them?? He doesn't have any neighbors, so who does he sell these to??? HELP. ]

☯ wildcard

[ Want to play something completely different? Just hit me up either here or at endlesseight and I'll be here for you! ]

The rustiest? I'm still finishing my reread but. iv-a

[featherings]

Syaoran-kun?!

[Be careful? Though it isn't as if this is really anything new. Considering how often they needed to fight their way in some situations in the various worlds and situations they ended up in with their travels back home. For her feathers. For her memories. Especially when he was still healing up. Not that that made him any less determined to keep protecting her even in this strange place. Against these -- oversized bugs?

She stays behind him like he had instructed, but it still ends up with the bug maneuvering to dodge and getting closer to her. Which probably is not good.

....

For the bug that is.]

eyyyy also major trc end spoilers

[excavated]

[ Being careful wasn't exactly a strong suit of his — it probably didn't help that he was very aware of the fact that the person behind him wasn't his Sakura. But even though he was aware of this all to much, that didn't change a single thing in the slightest bit. He would help her. Because the person behind him... ] It's okay, Sakura-hime. Just stay close to me. [ He calls her by the title to distance himself-- all too aware that revealing who he was could possibly cause her pain in the future. And he doesn't want that. They've already gone through so much. He couldn't possibly go through anything worse. Using his two fingers, he calls out another spell, pouring all his concentration and energy into it. ] Fuuka Shourai! [ He puts the whirlwind barrier close to Sakura in order to protect her before going in to kick the bug closest to the princess, demolishing it before turning his head over his shoulder. ] Are you alright?

[featherings]

Wh -- that was close. But you should be careful too. You're still healing....

[So of course she's fretting. Whether or not he is 'her' Syaoran or not, that would never change. Sakura would still fret and fuss over anyone that was injured, let alone Syaoran. Still, at least for the moment, it appears the bug is gone.]

I know we need to explore to find our way around here. To figure out this place, but. Are we really sure there is a feather here? I suppose, we just have to keep going, even if we can't find the others so far.

[excavated]

It's fine. [ He tugs his lips into what seems to be a forced, but sad smile. Even if this is the Sakura from back then, it doesn't change what he has to do. They haven't run into the other three in their group yet-- Fai-san, Kurogane-san or even Mokona. It's a surprise that they can even understand the citizens of this world, but it might be because their languages are so close to each other that it just simply works. The bug is gone at least, so they can relax for a moment. But he still keeps his guard up, regardless. ] It's not hurting as much as it was earlier, so even I can do this much, princess. I don't know if there's a feather in this country, but if there is... I'll do my best to get it back for you. [ It's the least he can do. He owes her one. ] We'll figure something out, even if we're separated from the others.

[featherings]

If you're sure. [She bites her lip, knowing he was the type to try hide things from her to keep her from worrying. She just has no idea at the moment to the extent this goes, far beyond trying to stop her fretting over his injuries.

Still, she gives a nod.]

All we can do is keep looking. For them and the feather. If there is one here.

ii

[whitesnowrabbit]

[ Have a familiar face "Syaoran", though it wouldn't be the first time that he's come across Yukito in his world travels so perhaps it isn't much of a surprise. Yuki is making sure that everyone manages to escape their glass cases before leaving the building so when one particular and familiar face breaks out on his own, all of his attention is on the teen.

Though mostly he's worried about all of those bandages and the fact that "Syaoran" is walking about without shoes on. ]

This is the city Recollé. [ It doesn't seem as if that should be the major concern right now. Yuki reaches out to gently place a hand on "Syaoran's" shoulder. ] What happened? How did you get hurt?

[ Even if he knows that this isn't Xiaolang, the boy could be a near identical twin if not for the fact that "Syaoran" is clearly a bit older than his neighbor. ]

[excavated]

[ It's kind of ironic, though, that even if "Syaoran" might have looked older, experienced so much pain for a lifetime— they're actually the same age. Hearing the city's name is nice, even though it raises much more questions that expected; this Yukito is definitely decisively different than the one he knows from back home or even his memories.

But when he reaches out to place a hand on his shoulder, he can't help but flinch a little bit, even as he asks the question.

Because the answer doesn't exactly come too easily, and it shows in his downcast eyes. ]

It's... a long story. [ One that, judging by how his voice is so tight, he doesn't really feel like telling. ] I'm fine, though. I've recovered well enough.

[whitesnowrabbit]

[ People say eyes are the windows to the soul and it's obvious that "Syaoran" isn't the same as Xiaolang in that manner. Whether or not this boy is related to his neighbor, Yuki can't just leave him to fend for himself even if he's able to defend himself to a point.

Yuki doesn't miss the way the boy flinches and so his touch is extremely light - it also doesn't linger for very long because something about it makes "Syaoran" a bit uncomfortable.

The teen is also lucky that this is Yuki he's dealing with and not Touya because he accepts the fact that "Syaoran" doesn't want to talk about it because Yuki of any world lets him have privacy.

Instead he just smiles softly. ] I see.

[ Moving on then: ] What's your name? You can call me Yukito.

[excavated]

[ Even though this Yukito is different than the one that he knows, he can still tell that they're also very similar. That's not necessarily a bad thing, of course. It's the exact opposite, in fact-- it makes him relax his shoulders as he tries his best to smile himself. It's a bit sad, however. ] It's Syaoran. [ He does a short bow from the waist up -- the name is pronounced pretty similar to Xiaolang, though. ] It's a pleasure to meet you, Yukito-san.

[whitesnowrabbit]

[ Seeing the way the young teen relaxes is nice, he's glad for it despite their current situation. Syaoran might be a long way from home but Yuki's determined to help him no matter what. Not just because he looks like Xiaolang. Yuki knows what it was like coming to Recollé for the first time and waking up in the glass case likely hadn't helped matters. ]

Nice to meet you, Syaoran. [ His head bobs in a return greeting. ] I'm sorry, I have to ask if you're related to Xiaolang? The two of you could be brothers.

[ More like twins... or clones (or whatever other madness Clamp can throw at them.) ]

ii.

[oniipeach]

A building.

[ ... no, really. What did you expect out of Touya?

That said... ]

The hallway that way is clear of glass.

[ When did he even look down to see the absence of shoes.

He'd comment about Leon being displeased about walking barefoot outside of the house, but as Leon is somehow less of a favorite person than Xiaolang, he won't. ]

[excavated]

You don't know where this place is, either?

[ "Syaoran", on the other hand, doesn't seem to be the least bit bothered about not wearing shoes and is actually entirely thankful that he's being pointed out over there. ]

... but thanks.

[oniipeach]

Going by the faces I'm seeing, I'm guessing still in the city, [ it doesn't occur to him yet that he's asked of a more global location, ] but looking outside isn't particularly helpful in determining where exactly.

[ Seeing as looking outside shows about twenty feet of nicely grassy area and nothing beyond that somehow. ]

[excavated]

In the city...?

[ He can't help but give him a rather curious look, as if to say go on, but realizes that he shouldn't assume that he'd understand the expression. Might as well actually ask. ]

What city, exactly? [ He needs more information. ] This is my first time being in this country, so I don't know the names of the places here just yet.

[ "Syaoran" is extremely used to travel, it seems, but he knows nothing about this place at all whatsoever, and that's... pretty concerning. Especially given where he woke up in. ]

But I think that if we can get out of here, at least, I could find more about this building, at least.

iv-a /STICKS LEGGY OUT

[cardcaptured]

[Even if his Sakura is back now, safe and sound and thankfully not a data ghost, Xiaolang's still going to be fighting hard against the viruses. After all, not everyone in this city happened to have powers, and he wanted to do his part in keeping other people safe-- a sentiment "Syaoran" probably knew all too well.

He's in the midst of cornering a few bugs himself, his thunder talisman out and at the ready, when it seems like the words leave his mouth before he even gets them out. His Japanese was still limited, but even he knew that was how to say his spell in that language, so how...?

Before he can ponder it further, a strike of lightning smites the bugs closest to him, and he nearly flattens himself to a wall to avoid it. Just who in the hell was doing this? His head pokes around the building, trying to find the culprit (and maybe loudly protest that he HAD this, thank you--), when the sight has him dropping his sword in shock. The clatter of metal on the ground echoes throughout the area as he stares at what could only be his twin... albeit older, taller, and probably infinitely cooler looking.]

... what...?

[Real good first impression there, child]

also sticks leggy way out far and a fuckton of trc spoilers, too

[excavated]

Are you alri—— [ When he hears the voice and the clattering of metal, it causes him to pause in the slightest bit, his brown eyes widening in surprise, his lips moving, as if to form words. No, not a word, a name. ] Syao... [ His feet move, walking closer, completely stunned. ] ...ran?

tsubasa you're like 70% leg stop

[cardcaptured]

[It's instinct on Xiaolang's end to move a step back or two once "Syaoran" starts moving closer, a feeling of unease settling upon him. This certainly wasn't the first time seeing himself from an outside point of view (and if he hadn't just been using his magic, he would have sworn he might have swapped bodies again), but it was another thing entirely to see himself like... this. Like some sort of vision of the future, except probably not a very good future, considering the bandages wrapped around this older boy's form.

But the way the other boy says his name, using the same sort of pronunciation that Sakura uses, that the people in his memories use-- it draws him up short. Why would he be calling out to himself by his own name? And why that way, when he would know better than anyone else how to say it correctly? Slowly, he nods his own head, eyes quietly trained upon the stunned doppelganger making his way over toward him, posture guarded and tense. How else was he supposed to answer this?]

it's not my fault that clamp gave him too much leg

[excavated]

[ Xiaolang nods, and that's enough for his heart to twist in his chest. Maybe he's not the Syaoran that he knows. And maybe it should honestly be very strange that he's doing this. But he can't help himself. It doesn't matter which Syaoran it is, whether it's his past self, his father's past self, or the Syaoran who knew that Sakura that helped his mother. He just didn't think that he'd be able to see another Syaoran-- no, Xiaolang -- so soon. It feels almost too soon. But the again, this can't be a coincidence. After all, there are no coincidences in this world. If he had to see this boy... there's definitely a reason for it. He knows it. So instead of saying anything comprehensible, he immediately, surprisingly, runs to pull him in for a hug. It doesn't matter the reasoning. This is something only he can do. ]

at least he's not a dorito yet.... probably....

[cardcaptured]

[When he sees the other boy start to make a break for him, he has half a mind to run, unsure of what his double's intentions were, but something keeps him routed to the spot. Maybe it was because if this boy was too injured to be a threat to him, or that if he was anything like he was himself, he'd be able to pick up any ill-intentions... probably.

But he doesn't expect the sudden embrace, nearly knocking him off his feet, squeezing a startled yelp out of him. The arms around him are warm and strong, filled with something bittersweet that he couldn't exactly name. But one thing he was sure of: if this boy was 'him', or at least some sort of older version, something drastic must have happened to drive him to this. These sorts of hugs weren't something he gave out just for the hell of it.

... he also wasn't used to receiving hugs like this, for that matter. A flush of color starts to bloom on his face as he tries to (carefully) wedge his arms between 'Syaoran's' chest and his, not really breaking the hold, but at least putting some sort of space between them.]

W--What-- What are you--?

[Wait, no, more important question--]

Who are you?!

II

[blondferret]

[Derek shrugs. He's looking around the building himself.]

Some Retrospec building I suppose.

[Derek gets a good look at the guy he's talking to.]

You look really familiar. Do I know you? What's your name?

[excavated]

Retrospec?

[ Confusion settles in his voice, and he raises a brow for a moment... at least, until he asks those two questions. ]

No, we've never met. But my name is Syaoran.

[blondferret]

Retrospec is the worse app and company ever. You're life will never be the same. But... did you say... Syaoran? You know... I know a kid whose name sound almost the same, Xiaolang. He looks like you too, just... shorter.

[Derek lowers his hand to indicate Xiaolang's height.]

[excavated]

Xiaolang... that's how my name is pronounced in Chinese. [ He answer that calmly, but the fact that they look alike and is shorter... could it possibly be—? But anyway, there's something that Derek mentioned that makes him curious. ] Worst application-- you mean, like a phone application? [ He's traveled through many worlds to know at least this much. ] Why exactly are they the worst application and company ever? And how would it change my life? [ He needs to know as much information as he possibly can if he wants to figure out why he ended up in this country. ]

[blondferret]

Chinese? Well the kid is from Hong Kong... you know him?

[Derek shoves his hands into his pockets as he continues to talk to this guy who look a lot like a kid he knows.]

And yeah, a phone app. It's made by this company and when you get it, it's just like any other social media app. However, you also start getting memories of someone that looks like you, possibility from another world or dimension or something. And if they have any kind of special abilities, you will start to get them too, like you are turning into them.