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!
dejerate: (How to unfold)

[personal profile] dejerate 2018-10-01 07:17 am (UTC)(link)
[This is. Yeah, kind of a downer. But then a lot of things they remember and that Retrospec makes them deal with kind of is. So this isn't that surprising. It takes a moment, but Yuu does try school his expression back to a smile at that. Because of course he prefers having Mika around too. Sure, he made tentative, mostly temporary sort of acquaintances and friends but with moving around so much, not many were close enough that they stayed in touch the same way he had managed with Mika.

They weren't here now like Mika was. So Yuu would try be strong. Would smile. For him.]


Yeah, course! And I like having you around too, Mika! This is definitely better than just calling or chatting to you.
allforyuu: (so can i help you all?)

[personal profile] allforyuu 2018-10-01 04:21 pm (UTC)(link)
[Mika can't resist that smile. He's never been able to. It makes him happy and relaxed to see it on Yuichiro's face, even if his friend looked somber just a moment ago.]

[He would do anything to protect that smile. Yuichiro struggled when they were children, so he deserves to have some happiness now.]


It's way better. Although the calls were nice too, but it's always better to be face to face.
dejerate: (How to unfold)

[personal profile] dejerate 2018-10-02 09:07 am (UTC)(link)
Definitely better!

[Even as a child, whatever Yuu felt, he felt intensely. Even now, that hasn't changed. He's always been grateful for Mika being a constant among the changes throughout his life since they had met. And this wasn't just that Yuu wasn't still upset, still working through things. But more that he tried to focus on the positives. On not wanting to worry or scare Mika too much if he could help it.]

Come on. Let's figure getting out of here, Mika.
allforyuu: (bright)

[personal profile] allforyuu 2018-10-02 10:08 am (UTC)(link)
Of course. Lead the way.

[Mika may not remember as much as Yuichiro does, but he's nevertheless hopelessly attached to him. The last thing he wants is to see him lose that passion, that smile.]

[Which is perhaps why he finally notices that it's a little forced. He leans in and whispers carefully.]


Yuu-chan?
dejerate: (Want)

[personal profile] dejerate 2018-10-02 10:31 am (UTC)(link)
Sure.

[He doesn't necessarily really know his way around much if any better than Mika, but even so. They need to move to be able to find some way back out. So he steps forwards, figuring to go back the direction they had come from, and leads Mika through the building. He glances when Mika says his name, whispering.]

Hm? What?
allforyuu: (glances)

[personal profile] allforyuu 2018-11-16 12:52 pm (UTC)(link)
You'd tell me if there was something bothering you, right?
dejerate: (Then go ahead)

[personal profile] dejerate 2018-11-17 08:47 am (UTC)(link)
Hm? Course I would.

[Mostly. Regarding most anything else about what they remember. Just neglecting to mention the part where he knows Mika's fate. How Mika survives Ferid's attack when they tried to escape. How the other was a vampire. He's....still not sure how to tell him. Even if he probably should. Since it'd be better for Mika to be prepared.

Guilt settles in his stomach, Yuu swallowing as he glances around.]
allforyuu: suspecting (gentle)

[personal profile] allforyuu 2018-11-17 12:55 pm (UTC)(link)
[Given that he's known his friend for years, Mika can't help but notice how guilty he looks. Especially when Yuichiro can't even look him in the eye.]

Good. I trust you.
dejerate: (I'll carry)

[personal profile] dejerate 2018-11-17 10:32 pm (UTC)(link)
And I trust you too, Mika. You know I do.

[Given how Mika is one of very few people he is still in contact with from his childhood and all. But Yuu never was the most subtle. Was always the type to end up wearing his guilt and emotions on his sleeve in spite of himself. Which isn't usually a bad thing necessarily, but. In moments like this, where he would prefer to keep something secret, at least for Mika's sake in giving him more time in being happier not knowing certain things, it's rough.]
allforyuu: (you don't need to go)

[personal profile] allforyuu 2018-11-18 12:05 pm (UTC)(link)
I do.

[Given that he does trust Yuu, it is all the more easy to simply take the guilty look as something that can be brushed off. He imagines that Yuichiro will tell him when he needs to. His friend wouldn't keep something from him that could hurt him.]

If you're ever in trouble, all you have to do is tell me. I'll try to help the best way I can.
dejerate: (That you're still)

[personal profile] dejerate 2018-11-20 08:47 am (UTC)(link)
Course. Course I would. Same way you would tell me. And I'd help you out. With...with whatever.

[With whatever Mika might need. Whatever might happen. Which, well. Yuu has a better idea on than Mika at this stage. So he can better prepare for it? As much as anyone can prepare for any of this nonsense, that is. With how the app is so unpredictable at times and one never knows what one might remember or get back next.]

If...If I do lose it, you'll stop me, right?

[Stop him from hurting anyone.]
allforyuu: suspecting (red eyed from crying)

[personal profile] allforyuu 2018-11-21 12:19 pm (UTC)(link)
[Mika's soft expression slowly sobers into a sort of grim determination. He understands why Yuichiro asks. If something happened out of his control, it would break his friend's heart. Mika's not about to let that happen, if there is any way for him to prevent it. He nods weakly, placing his hand against Yuichiro's arm.]

...Of course. You have my word.
dejerate: (Hope)

[personal profile] dejerate 2018-11-25 03:05 am (UTC)(link)
Alright. Good. I mean, I don't want to have to ask, but....

[If he does lose control. Someone would have to stop him. Someone would have to do something. To stop him hurting others, or worse. So having some sort of tentative plan in place is probably best. Or so he figures, at least, in talking to Mika about it.]
allforyuu: by cupcake_graphics (And all who died)

[personal profile] allforyuu 2018-11-25 01:58 pm (UTC)(link)
Yuu-chan, you don't have to ask. Of course I'll...

[He looks down. It's not something he wants to do, but he understands how Yuichiro wants to prevent innocents from getting hurt at all costs.]

But let's try to not make it come to that.
dejerate: (Always been)

[personal profile] dejerate 2018-11-27 09:38 am (UTC)(link)
I'm not hoping it does happen, but....there's the chance.

[And he doesn't want to ignore that. To pretend it isn't possible or won't be possible, if and when he gets the actual demon Ashuramaru back with the weapon itself the demon was sealed inside. Yuu is more concerned with others, of what he might do to anyone else around, to Mika, than more being concerned for himself in this scenario.]
allforyuu: by cupcake_graphics (talking)

[personal profile] allforyuu 2018-11-27 10:40 am (UTC)(link)
[Mika watches him soberly, but even though he looks sad at the thought there's also a kind of bleak determination on his face as well. ]

Will you be able to warn me?
dejerate: (The death)

[personal profile] dejerate 2018-11-28 09:16 am (UTC)(link)
I don't know. Hopefully.

[Might depend how fast it happens. If he gets any sort of warning at all that he is losing control. If he could tell that was what was happening. Especially when he hasn't actually experienced it. At least not outside of remembering that time with the girl with the wings.]
allforyuu: (Did you hear that?)

[personal profile] allforyuu 2018-11-28 06:40 pm (UTC)(link)
[Mika is quiet for a moment, as if he processes the thought. There are too many things they don't know yet. They both need to learn more about demons if they're going to contain them.]

I hate the thought of you getting hurt.
dejerate: (We were all swept away)

[personal profile] dejerate 2018-11-29 09:18 am (UTC)(link)
Me? I was more worrying about you and everyone else.

[Because in that memory he has, with the salt and spear and all, that was powerful. And he's not sure if he could control it, or even learn to. If he lost control and hurt anyone, if he hurt Mika....he's not sure what he would do.]
allforyuu: (Interested)

[personal profile] allforyuu 2018-11-29 12:27 pm (UTC)(link)
[Mika's shoulders lowers just a bit, as if the answer charms him. Yuichiro has such a big heart. It makes no sense that he'd remember such a dark past.]

That is why I have to worry about you. You worry about everyone but yourself.
dejerate: (The heartsick)

[personal profile] dejerate 2018-11-30 10:47 am (UTC)(link)
Course I do. I don't want to....to hurt you or anyone else because I lose it.

[He doesn't want to think of it. Isn't sure he could live with himself if it did actually happen. If he would even remember it later. If anyone would have the heart to tell him once he did come to again.]
allforyuu: by cupcake_graphics (uncomfortable)

[personal profile] allforyuu 2018-11-30 11:03 am (UTC)(link)
[Mika looks down. He understands what Yuichiro means, but the task ahead of him is difficult. They need to prepare well otherwise it will end badly.]

We should get some rope. Is rope strong enough? Maybe chains work better.
dejerate: (What would you sacrifice)

[personal profile] dejerate 2018-12-01 09:38 am (UTC)(link)
Chains. I remember chains, not rope.

[Which. Yeah, might be concerning out of context, but. If they were to help restrain him, to keep him from hurting anyone, then it'd be worth it. Even if it might seem odd to anyone else who has no idea about this.]
allforyuu: suspecting (looking like an 11 year old)

[personal profile] allforyuu 2018-12-01 10:52 am (UTC)(link)
[Mika presses his lips together for a moment, as if he considers asking about Yuichiro's memory of the chains. Given that he hasn't dared sharing that with him yet, Mika imagines that it's a bit of a sore spot.]

....How am I supposed to know when you're yourself again?
dejerate: (Nobody told you)

[personal profile] dejerate 2018-12-01 10:34 pm (UTC)(link)
Well, in my memory I had these weird black wings. And when Ashuramaru took over, there were those markings....

[That and his eyes. His behaviour being so different. Mika would probably be able to tell if and when it did happen. And when Yuu would come back to himself. Especially if he passes out when it happens.]

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