repeter | SEPTEMBER TDM

Entry tags:

! event,
! tdm

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

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!

Flat | Top-Level Comments Only

[It takes him a moment to realize how she might have interpreted his hestiancy and expression, and his cheeks flush as he shakes his head a bit too vigorously. He didn't want her to think he was reluctant to win her things! Far from that, honestly-- it was the toy he wasn't crazy about, not the idea of getting it for her.]

N-No, if you like it, I can get it for you! I'm more than happy to win you anything you want!

[And it's said with such earnestness that it's clear he wasn't just saying this to make her feel better. Sure, it wasn't obligatory for him to do it just because they were dating, but he wanted to do this for her, regardless. Her happiness was his happiness, after all, and it was times like these he could show off his skills a little and impress her a little in the process.

His eyes travel back over to the plush, however, a crease settling in his brow.]

But... don't you think it looks a bit familiar...?

It.....Kero-chan......?!

[Yeah. Now he mentions that and Sakura glances back to the stuffed toy in question. Though of course she isn't sure if Kero is just trapped there and trying to roll with the toy disguise or if this is just some strange coincidence that the toy looks like the Guardian.]

[It feels like something tense breaks free the moment she says that, something he wasn't even aware he was holding onto in the first place. It's all he can do but nod, briefly, turning his gaze over towards her, his hold on her loosening.]

... yeah.

So you remember him, then? Cerberus and... everything else, too?

[He shouldn't feel hopeful or relieved at any of that. After all, this means she was roped into this nonsense again, placed into whatever new danger or changes that came along with being involved with the app, but... he could talk to her about this again. He wouldn't have to feel so torn up about hiding this from her anymore.]

I think so. It's just here the past....couple of weeks or so? That I don't remember.

[She still feels strange and unsure about that. But otherwise she seems to remember everything else, including their being in Japan and all. Which is something of a relief in not forgetting everything. It must have been confusing for everyone else, but at least she remembered now and knew what was going on once more with the app.]

... That's because you lost the app during that time.

[His lips thin into a tight line as his eyes seek the ground, a pained look flitting across his features.]

At least... you did in the beginning of the month. I don't really know what happened after that. Where you went, or what might have happened to you...

[After a moment's deliberation, he steps back some, one of his hands seeking hers so he could take a hold of it.]

We can talk about it more when we walk around, though.

Unless... [He pauses, to consider, but if it was something Sakura liked--] ... did you want me to win that Cerberus plush back for you?

It's okay though. I mean, everything's fine now. It worked out. I'm back now.

[She doesn't even protest or try withdrawing her hand from his. Not after that expression of his before he'd stepped back. How worried he must have been. And, even if she doesn't remember it, how comforting it is to hold his hand like this anyway.]

Did I want you to -- ah. I mean, if I want it, I can do it! You don't have to.

[He doesn't look entirely convinced at her reassurances, only letting out a small noise in reply. It was fine now, for sure, but-- the fact that this even happened, that she disappeared without a trace and he couldn't do a thing about it... that wasn't fine. Not at all. And who knew how long she would be around for? Was it only for now? Was she going to vanish after today?

But the feel of her hand in his is a comfort to him too, a solid reminder that, for the moment, she was here. He couldn't get wrapped up in his worries like this, not when he wasn't aware of how much precious time they could have left together.

He can't help but blink as she, yet again, puts aside his offer to win her something, and his brow creases as his posture droops some. In a way, it's a very unintentional kicked puppy look, wondering if maybe he was coming on too strong with this after all.]

I know I don't have to, but... I want to, if it's something that makes you happy.

[A brief pause, before tentatively--]

Do you not want me to...?

T-that....I....

[Oh no. That expression. The way he asks if she doesn't want him to do this for her. Sakura can't help but to get flustered at that. Blinking and feeling her cheeks heat as she tries to shake it off by...literally shaking her head. How could she really say no to him like this?

She can't. So she just gives a nod at that kicked puppy expression of his. Just wanting to cheer him up from looking like that.]

Um. I mean. O-okay.....go ahead.

[Had Xiaolang been a more manipulative boy, he'd have a dangerous sort of weapon in his hands, utilizing that expression of his to get what he wanted. Instead, he's mostly confused as her cheeks light up to an adorable pink, watching her fluster before him. Was he embarrassing her by all of this? That wasn't his intention, he just wanted to win her something to make her smile...

But then she nods, stuttering out her reply, and his face clears a little. So she did want him to do it, then? He still has his Doubts on the matter, but he's already pressed her enough about it, so--

He gives her hand a small squeeze, a brilliant smile lighting up his face.]

Alright. It shouldn't take long, promise!

[He lets go of hold on her and turns to the booth, looking to see if anyone was manning it.]

You haven't seen anyone running this, have you...?

A-alright!

[Just one or two games shouldn't take too long at all. So Sakura isn't so worried on the time. More that she then starts to glance around when he mentions the booth. The vendor running it. She hadn't even noticed if someone was there or not, simply spotting the familiar soft toy.]

Eh? They're not here? But then where....?

[Maybe they went on a break to the bathroom or to get something to eat?]

[A slight frown crosses his features as he scans the booth for any signs of life, but to no avail.]

... I don't know. Even if one of them had to take a break, there has to be someone here. They can't exactly leave this unattended.

[His attention falls to the balls nearby, ready to be thrown into the hoops, and the cheers of other people nearby winning their own prizes. Should he just go for it? But if he wins and the person wasn't here, then getting the toy would be kind of difficult...]

Maybe we should come back later? Or should we wait here?

I'm not sure. But if there's nobody here, there might be someone coming back soon? I don't imagine they would just leave this without anyone to help run it and keep an eye on things.

[Unless this was another unusual thing with Retrospec again somehow. It does unnerve Sakura a little, wondering if playing would be alright if they left the money in exchange for paying or something. She wouldn't want anyone to get in trouble.]

[He's quiet as he mulls over the options, feeling equally uneasy about it. He wanted to win Sakura the toy, but not at the expense of causing trouble for anyone else involved...

Finally, he steps away from the booth, coming to his decision. He doesn't look entirely thrilled with it-- he was looking forward to winning her that doll, after all-- but there was no telling when the owner was going to return.]

Let's check something else out in the meantime, then. I'm sure the toy will still be here whenever we get back.

[His eyes search the grounds, falling upon the large Retrospec-endorsed ferris wheel nearby, and nods towards it.]

Do you want to go see it? It wasn't here last time, at least not from what I remember.

Right. If we just give them a few minutes they might be back later after have have a look at something else.

[It seems a compromise. In not forgetting about the prizes here but giving the vendor a chance to come back from their break. Or so Sakura assumes at least. Still, it is something to distract themselves while they wait in hoping someone would be back to run the game. She glances when he nods to the ferris wheel, clapping her hands together.]

Oh! Yes! Let's go ride that and then we can come back and check here again!

[Her enthusiastic reaction to the ferris wheel draws a fond, gentle smile from him, warming his heart to see her infectious energy and zest again. When she was missing, it had felt like an eternity, but now that Sakura was here again, it was like she never left. How did he manage for so long without seeing her like this?

He holds out his hand for her to grab, without really thinking about it, his smile lighting up just a little more.]

Let's go, then!

[Thankfully, the ferris wheel was fairly close to where they were, making the walk a short one, but Xiaolang's expression dims a little as something comes back to mind.]

Ah... you said... you wanted to be filled in on some things? What was it that you wanted to know?

[It doesn't take much encouragement for her to beam, turning to start heading over to the ferris wheel. It might be simple, the ride circling to take them up to a higher view and then back down again, but it was still fun, still something to share together. Besides, she doesn't have Fly at the moment to experience those heights without rides like this at the moment.

She pauses while waiting in the line for the ride then when he asks that.]

I guess. Mostly what I missed. There was something about bugs and some of us going missing? Or anything else you remembered from Japan?

[The ride was simple, it's true, but most of the fun came from who you were with. Of course, unlike Sakura, Xiaolang didn't have something like Fly at his disposal to get views quite like these, so it was a rare time indeed when he did.

For all the people at the amusement park right now, the line didn't seem to be all that long, looking as though it was due another rotation or two before they had their chance to get on. It gave them plenty of time to talk, although the line of conversation wasn't exactly one he was thrilled with. Still, he said he would tell her about it, and he always kept his word.]

There's... quite a bit you missed.

[He bites his lip for a moment, wondering where to start with all of this.]

It doesn't look like it here, or inside of the building, but... everything beyond this place is pixelated right now. Near the beginning of the month, we were all sucked into our phones and wound up in a digital version of the city, and anyone who wasn't on the app before became sort of like... minor characters in a video game or something. They can only say a few words, and they look really blocky and strange, but...

... those who have had the app, and lost it at some point... they went missing. Fai, and Iwai, Noah, Quinn and Minako... they all vanished.

['And so did you', but that was obvious enough that he didn't feel the need to say it. It was too painful, anyway.]

None of us knew where you guys had went... at least, not until now.

As for the bugs... I don't know if anyone knows where they came from, but they seem to be intent on damaging the city, or anyone who has the app. They're not normal bugs, I can tell you that much. A lot of us have been fighting them off, but there's not much we can do until we can find the source of them.

[And, of course, there ARE things he's remembered from his past life too, but he'll leave it at that for now. This seemed enough for her to unpack for the time being.]

Disappeared? So that's why....

[Why he had been so relieved to see her again. This wasn't necessarily just that something strange also had consequences for others without the app, but. It's not like she can do anything about that now. And she was back so that had to mean the others were as well, right?]

Wait, the others are....?!

[Were Fai and the others still in that building? Sakura can't help but to turn back to glance to the building.]

But there's no bugs here at least.

[His expression grows bittersweet as she connects the dots, eyes glancing away from her, his smile half-hearted and forced.]

... yeah.

[He wasn't going to go further into that, though. About how worried he was, how badly he missed her, how everything seemed to lose meaning without her there... it would only upset her, and he didn't want that, not a single bit. It wasn't her fault that this had all happened, after all, so there was no need for her to feel bad about it.

But his gaze can't help but follow hers as she glances at the building, and he shakes his head at her unfinished question.]

I didn't see them when I was in there earlier. I looked around, but I didn't recognize anyone else in the tanks. It's possible they may have gotten out on their own, or had someone else help them, like you did.

[His eyes sweep the area at the mention of bugs though, and he can't help but let out at sigh.]

Anyway, we're lucky they haven't gotten in here, but there's still something odd about it. With all of the people here, you'd think this is where they'd go to first.

Oh.....then I guess we just have to wait out here till they find us?

[If he didn't see them in there while looking for her. It's likely she has just missed them among the crowds. Still, she shifts then, giving a shrug at being unsure why there aren't bugs around here. She focuses on the other question then, as they are let forward to sit in the carriage of the ferris wheel.]

And what about anything else? I mean, anything else you remembered from Japan?

Probably. There's a good chance we'll run into them, if Fai is looking for us. That is, if he hasn't found your brother first...

[Considering what a mother hen Fai is, anyway. The games and rides seemed to be his thing, but he'd probably make it a priority to track down his kids first and foremost.

He blinks for a moment as they're ushered to the carriage of the ferris wheel, not realizing how much time they had killed by talking. It was their turn already? He lets Sakura go in first, waiting for her to sit down before settling onto the seat next to her. Her question has him frown a bit in thought, however, digging through his memory and what he might have gotten back since she had dropped off the app. Neither of them were all that great, but... he had promised to be upfront with her about these things, and so he was going to honor that. Even if recalling one of them left him feeling more than a bit unsettled.]

I remembered a few things, but nothing specifically about the cards or anything like that. I'm not sure what was behind it, but... there were these strings controlling me, like a puppet, trying to make me...

[His eyes shadow a bit, the image of his sword nearly flaying her in two, his arm moving against his will, strong in his mind. He didn't really want to say it, but...]

... trying to make me attack you. We figured out where the strings were, and you were going to cut them, but... you seemed to be having trouble with your key, for whatever reason. I'm not sure what wound up happening after that.

There was also something else, when I was a bit older, but... it was just me talking with that one girl. Tomoyo, I think? She was mentioning how you had a lot of people around to support you, no matter what, but I wasn't sure what it was in the context to.

[Or why he felt so guilty afterwards, but... he wasn't going to bring that up until he figured it out.]

I guess we'll see. We can keep an eye out. Maybe when the ferris wheel gets higher we can try keep an eye out.

[For all that sometimes Fai could be akin to an oversized child himself in his personality and such, he was responsible enough to make sure he at least could try keep track of his adopted children. Sakura sits and fidgets with her skirt as she listens, glancing to him once they were in and ready for the ride.]

String? You mean like a thread....? That was....

[Wait. Wait, she had been having trouble because.....Sakura raises a hand to her head, biting her lip.]

Clow-san. He said something about my staff having a new power? From my own power, not his magic?

[Though well. Tomoyo had seemed rather close to her from what she could remember, so that made sense.]

I'm sure he'll be easy to spot once we get a better view of the park. He's not all that hard to miss.

[Because even without his eyepatch now, his height and bright blond hair would be a dead-giveaway. There weren't many people in Recolle who looked quite like him, after all. Of course, it was going to be a little bit yet before they reached a proper height to see him, what with the carriage making it's slow descent upward as more passengers are let in below.

He nods at her question, recalling the dripping wet strands that had ensnared the boy in his memories.]

Yeah. There were a number of them around me, but we weren't able to tell at first since they were almost invisible. I used some sort of... water ability, to reveal them, but...

[His eye is drawn to the shift in her expression, however, the hand to her head, and immediately he tenses. Did she remember something? Already? His hand reaches over to gently settle on top of her free one, a quiet form of support, and his brow creases as the words sink in.]

Wasn't the power you were using always your own, though? It's why they said you were stronger than him, wasn't it? Stronger than Clow? I thought the only thing of his that you were using was his cards.

Right!

[As tall, lanky and blonde as he was, not to mention his clothes, Fai should stand out well enough if he is close enough for them to spot him. Once they do get high enough to, at least.

But she doesn't mind if the ride is slower, considering some of the other rides, and given they did have stuff to discuss together. It seems a decent chance to do so now, without others potentially eavesdropping or anything.]

I'm....not sure on the details exactly. I know the cards were his. And that I eventually get more powerful? But. I'm sure we'll remember more to figure it out?

[Honestly, it was better this than the rollercoaster, as that would have been impossible to hold any sort of conversation on. Height aside, this was a much more peaceful and quiet ride, and it was... nice, really, to be up here with just Sakura. It was romantic, even.

... although romance wasn't on the forefront of his mind at this moment, instead trying sift through his memories to see if anything clicked. It was annoying having these things come to them without any order or context behind them. His hand comes to his chin, fingers lingering near his lips in thought.]

... probably. Though the pieces aren't always fitting together...

In the memory, though... it was hard to see, but your key looked a little different. It looked more like a star with wings than a... bird thing. [Or whatever that shape was. He frowns a bit, because now that he mentions the shape of the key...]

There was something else I had remembered too, a while ago. You-- the other you-- she was trying to do something to a couple of the cards, that needed a lot of energy and I-- the other me, he wound up helping you with it. I'm not sure what was going on, but... your staff looked different there, too. It had huge wings and a star and a moon on it.

Do you think it evolves when you get more powerful?

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