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Recollé Mods ([personal profile] recollecters) wrote in [community profile] repeter2019-03-17 05:32 pm
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TEST DRIVE
MARCH TEST DRIVE
The city of Recollé...

...probably needs your help.

I.
Like most holidays, Mayor Mayer will come up with any excuse to hold a celebration and have fun in the city. Today for St. Patrick’s Day, the city seems to be awash with shades of green almost overnight. Green ribbons, lights, shamrocks and garland adorn every windowfront and street lamp. Corned beef and cabbage are the specialty at several of the hottest restaurants in the city. Shamrock shake season is back in action, and mint-flavored coffees are available at both A Good Bean and Expressive.

You could just celebrate with some fun and silly traditions today. Or you could slowly realize there’s a distinct hissing sound coming from somewhere near your feet. As you look down, a serpent winds itself around your ankles before slithering off down the street to follow someone else. One by one, several snakes of all shapes and sizes begin rising up from bushes and sewers and tall grass, taking up space on the sidewalks and the streets of the city. Traveling in packs, these snakes slowly start invading the city and turning up in places you may not anticipate, leaving you to have to fend them off and chase them out of city limits.

Mayor Mayer puts out an emergency alert, demanding all citizens work together to fight back against this snake epidemic. Will you work together to get rid of these creatures and release them back into the wild? Or will you find yourself overwhelmed and looking for a place to hide?

II.
At the beginning of the month, two large domes eclipsed the Recollé Art Museum and the Atrium, the city’s concert venue. The "Modern Living" display has been open for a few weeks, depicting life in the city of Recollé with art pieces and sculptures inspired by buildings and famous figureheads of the city including the police chief, the fire department, and Mayor Mayer. But even with that display at the frontmost portion of the museum, it’s the commotion further inside the museum that’s drawing in the crowds.

Word on the street is that people are beginning to see famous works of art run amuck through the city. At first, it seems like they’re just stories, but as you step out of the museum after an educational afternoon (or even if you happen to be in Appraassage), everywhere you look the art pieces begin to take on a life of their own, slipping out of the museum into the city. With these figures running around, the city continues to warp to their familiar backgrounds and create a new image of the city itself. Several citizens have been working to try and persuade these pieces back to the museum, but they could use an extra hand. Some of the art pieces are quite talkative and may even befriend some people! Others, however, seem to want to find replacements so they may spend more time outside of the museum, capturing an unwitting suspect to drag back toward their frames and lock them away.

Luckily, there’s a way to combat them after weeks of varying success. Should you encounter one of these works of art, a simple touch with a paintbrush will freeze them, plastering them to nearby objects for easy portability. Good luck getting them to hold still long enough to find a paintbrush though. You may need to work on the art of persuasion in order to send them back.

III.

The Atrium seems to be having trouble with their electricity issue still, the lighting issue still unsolved as employees look into the wiring and circuit breakers to bring back the power. As employees continue recruiting strangers off the street to try and locate the source of error, you’ll find yourself among these groups that are brought into the dark concert hall and sent on a mission to check the sockets of the building and ensure everything necessary is plugged in.

Even with a light source such as a cell phone or a flashlight, the light doesn’t spread too far as the sound of leathery wings flap somewhere above you. The sockets in the walls are filled with cords that are plugged in or places that spark with silver-white lights. Getting too close is dangerous, and should you lean too close to examine you’ll find yourself getting shocked and blown away from the wall.

A small, electric buzz fills your ears as a closed circuit overtakes you, rotating around your body and providing you with a light source and a dangerous kind of weapon. Electrically charged, anything or anyone you touch will run the risk of being shocked and burned. The lights are out in the wings, and somewhere up above you’ll hear the flapping again as a large, skeletal bat swoops down from the rafters to challenge you. This bat is in the same situation as you are, crackling with electric energy that can shock anything that gets close enough. It will be relentless, following you through the music hall until you find a way to escape, or you fight back and shock the creature into a state of confusion. Light returns to the bulbs above for every hit the monster takes, but that’s still pretty dangerous, isn’t it? Fighting fire with fire is a risky position to be in, but it looks like you don’t have much of a choice here.

IV.
There’s also something weird going on at the Recollé Zoo. A silver door stands out against the brick building, but as you approach it, the color shifts from silver to blue. Should you open this door, you’ll find yourself entering an area with a blast of snow hitting you straight in the face, a whirlwind temporarily blinding you as the door closes behind you. Inside an icy cave, you’ll find several small, egg-like structures with unborn creatures suspended in time. The mouth of the cave lies before you, ergo the exit from this weird region.

Be careful on your way out of the cave, however. Even briefly nudging one of these eggs will cause it to splinter and crack, the creature hatching from the ice and beating its small fists against the ice-eggs next to them. It’s a chain reaction as these little monsters awaken one by one, freeing their brethren and swarming the area. Rushing for the mouth of the cave, you may see them disappear into the snow and dive down, hiding in wait and ready for attack as they trip you up, cause you to fall on your face and temporarily freeze your limbs. You’ll have to fight your way through these groups out into the snow and all the way back to the other exit hidden among the tundra. A silver door can be found on top of a snowy hill, but the journey forward is a long and treacherous one.

Better move fast. The snow shifts beneath your feet and you’ll find yourself sinking down the further you go. Hope you dressed warmly.

BONUS.
The new app on your phone won’t leave you alone no matter how many times you quit it. Retrospec is desperate for your attention, blinking and flashing until you open the new message waiting for you. Upon opening it, however, it might not be the message you were expecting to see.

Hey, welcome, sorry this is so last minute but we’re in the middle of an operation right now. I think this was already in the works before the rest of the team disappeared but I’m doing damage control to get you up to speed. Some of the others might be able to explain it better than I can though. Post to the forum, ask around, and forward all other questions to my office.

Z.


The message disappears just as quickly as it came, presenting you with a directory of people to reach out to. However, all of the names seem to be missing, leaving you with a list of randomly generated letters and numbers. Take your chance and click a name. Maybe you’ll get lucky and find someone helpful.

Welcome to the [community profile] recolle test drive meme! All characters will be begin in-game AU'd as Recollé residents. You may use any of the above prompts for ideas or make up your own depicting your Recollé AU! Prompts do not have to be set in the districts listed above. You can review our list of locations for what's available. Please note that TDM threads can be used as samples, can be kept as game canon, 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!

For current players, threads on the TDM can be used for bonus points but also memory regains. Players may also earn one (1) freebie memory regain by turning in a thread of 5+ comments with a character who's TDMing.

Friendly reminder that current players must have full, passing AC before submitting a reservation or an application.

Your March 2019 AU workshop is here! Our mod questions thread for this TDM is over here!
halfvampire: (☽ 14)

[personal profile] halfvampire 2019-03-22 09:34 pm (UTC)(link)
Oh dear.

[oh my god]

It certainly doesn't sound like a very fun experience...
undiningaffection: (Although these scars)

[personal profile] undiningaffection 2019-03-22 11:32 pm (UTC)(link)
So this is just the beginning, huh? [She sighs, putting a hand to her forehead.] Well, I did tell my agent moving here would be a nice change of pace, and this certainly qualifies.

[She turns her attention back to the artwork and purses her lips as she thinks. They're too big and awkward to just carry, and the museum would probably be mad if they were damaged, bad behavior or not. Looking around, she catches sight of one of the nearby storefronts and snaps her fingers.]

I have an idea. I'll be right back!

[A few minutes later, Asuna is waving back to the store keeper, wheeling a handcart behind her.] We'll have it back in just a little while!

[She rolls it back over by Yuuki, looking at the cart and art a moment.] I told them if they let me borrow this, I'd come back and take pictures later. [A smug little smirk crosses her lips.] I may not be fast or handy with a sword, but I guess you could say I've got my own super powers.
undiningaffection: ([RL] is all I need)

[personal profile] undiningaffection 2019-03-22 11:36 pm (UTC)(link)
I've done some acting, though nothing too exciting.

[She doesn't want to brag about it and, on the off chance she's talking to a fan, she really doesn't want to start answering questions.]

Fair enough!
undiningaffection: ([RL] Making a point)

[personal profile] undiningaffection 2019-03-22 11:41 pm (UTC)(link)
[Okay, that's good information to have. They just need to--

[Wait. Wait. Did he just say he'd die if he ran out of magic? For a moment she looks angry again, though there's concern mingled into the expression as well.]


You... [Deep breath again.] You'll need to be more careful then. Hopefully we can find a way out quickly, but we'll need to handle things more strategically so you don't run the risk of getting hurt.

[She glances over her shoulder, where a few of the monsters are still eying them.] We should move out of here. This cave might've been their home after all. And if we can find something along the way I can use to fight with, that will help. I've had some fencing training because of my job, so I can be useful.

[Finally, her expression softens into a smile.] And since it looks like we're traveling companions, at least for a little while... I'm Asami.
flametheif40: http://magiicons.tumblr.com/ (disappointed/indiffrent)

[personal profile] flametheif40 2019-03-23 12:22 am (UTC)(link)
It was...

"life changing"


[That's an understatement]

I swear it's not all "I'm going to die! Oh, thank G-d I'm alive, I'm so grateful now"

November was basically a giant party if you don't mind the ghosts constantly trying to talk to you it was pretty good.

December, Santa took one of us hostage and put him in a milk dunk tank for REALLY being on the naughty list.

We even got to visit a place from our memories.
dereban: ❥ all icons are my own unless otherwise denoted. (Default)

[personal profile] dereban 2019-03-23 01:42 am (UTC)(link)
Also fair. Do you enjoy acting, though?
flametheif40: http://magiicons.tumblr.com/ (Default)

[personal profile] flametheif40 2019-03-23 01:46 am (UTC)(link)
[Al smiles back softly, is she worried because she needs him to live for now? Or because she actually cares?

He rather believe the second, but he doesn't think he is worth the fuss, so the first one works. He extends a hand to shake.
]

Al, and don't worry, I get sore and tired when I'm low on magic. Recharging isn't hard, I can rest, or absorb another source of fire.

It's nice to meet you, I think this is the 2nd most awkward meeting I've ever had.

and I'm good friends with number one, hopefully, we get to be good friends too.

[Al actually looks outside and notices the blizzard]

Oh, we might just be half a day north of the city...

that's strange, if this was a shortcut, this should be a two-way door and, no monsters.

There might be an abandoned town nearby, and hopefully, the buses are still coming, or the door that I went through earlier this month might be there.

If anything else, it's shelter and we can probably loot some things.
halfvampire: (☽ 04)

[personal profile] halfvampire 2019-03-23 02:32 am (UTC)(link)
It sounds like strange things are always happening. How do you get used to it?
flametheif40: http://magiicons.tumblr.com/ (Default)

[personal profile] flametheif40 2019-03-23 02:45 am (UTC)(link)
I honestly have no idea.

For me, I just go "why not", shrug and just deal with whatever.

Does it want to kill me? Fire tends to scare or deal with most things that want to kill me.

A talking cat that's asking for a pick me up to shoot his slingshot in the middle of a carnival?

Why not, at least it's not trying to kill me and you don't meet a talking cat every day.


[Even if Al is trying to take up creative writing, he couldn't make all this shit up even if he tried.]
Edited 2019-03-23 02:46 (UTC)
halfvampire: (☽ 05)

[personal profile] halfvampire 2019-03-23 03:15 am (UTC)(link)
That's possibly the best way to look at it. I suppose I'll try the same. Take it one day at a time, and deal with what's directly in front of me.

Once again, thank you so much for all the information and advice. I truly don't know where I would be without your assistance.
flametheif40: http://magiicons.tumblr.com/ (Default)

[personal profile] flametheif40 2019-03-23 08:32 am (UTC)(link)
Hope it actually helps. :)

Just give yourself time and the crazy shit will kinda make sense, just about whatever you might go through on the app, chances are one of us has gone through something similar or at least understand.

Anything else I can try to help with?

I know I gave you a lot, and as much as I want to keep talking, you probably need time to actually sit with it.
halfvampire: (☽ 06)

[personal profile] halfvampire 2019-03-23 05:15 pm (UTC)(link)
I believe you're right, for now I'll need to read everything over and think about it all, but I do appreciate all the help!

Oh, of course, how silly of me - I've completely forgotten to introduce myself. My name is Adrian, it's been a pleasure talking to you!
flametheif40: http://magiicons.tumblr.com/ (Default)

[personal profile] flametheif40 2019-03-23 06:41 pm (UTC)(link)
0_0

I knew I forgot something, my name is Al

Nice to meet you.
halfvampire: (☽ 05)

[personal profile] halfvampire 2019-03-23 07:43 pm (UTC)(link)
It's fine, we did get absorbed in talking!

Once again, thank you for everything. I'll have a lot to sort through and think about tonight, but I really do appreciate having as much knowledge about the situation as I can get!
undiningaffection: ([RL] feel lonely)

[personal profile] undiningaffection 2019-03-24 03:42 am (UTC)(link)
I've been doing it since I was little, and I'm pretty decent at it. And it pays the bills.

[A brief pause before a second message comes through.]

None of which is an answer to your question. I sort of got pushed into it at a young age, and I'm not sure HOW I feel about it sometimes. It's just what I do.
dereban: ❥ all icons are my own unless otherwise denoted. (Default)

[personal profile] dereban 2019-03-24 04:15 am (UTC)(link)
I apologize if I'm stepping on any toes, but saying it like that kind of... sad, honestly?

Like doing something for the sake of simply doing it. Instead of doing it for yourself. But then again, who am I to judge another person's lifestyle?
undiningaffection: ([RL] Thinking)

[personal profile] undiningaffection 2019-03-24 04:16 am (UTC)(link)
[She shakes his hand, even manages something approaching a smile. She's still a little too panicked and weirded out to come across as cheerful, but it looks like the anger has abated for now. Progress?]

I'm scared that a more awkward meeting than this is even possible. But it would be nice to have a few more friends here in the city, no matter how strange the circumstances are.

[The whole situation is far afield of anything she dealt with in her career, but she closes her eyes and thinks about it from a different perspective, the side of herself that's been playing video games for years.]

This almost seems like a trap. But if not, I'd be willing to bet there's another exit hidden away somewhere. [She shoves her hands into the pockets of her hoodie.] I've always done well in the cold, but this might be pushing it, especially a journey that long. Maybe there's cold weather gear in that town, even something to protect us. If that's where we are, of course.

[Excuse her while she douses any positive thoughts with a bucket full of pessimism.]
undiningaffection: ([RL] even with)

[personal profile] undiningaffection 2019-03-24 05:11 am (UTC)(link)
It's okay. If I didn't want something judging, I shouldn't have said anything, right?[There's a crying laughing emoji at the end. It's a miracle she's gone this long before using one.]

I'm not sure what I'd rather be doing, so I should probably figure that out first. Maybe moving here will help me find that answer.
flametheif40: http://magiicons.tumblr.com/ (come on)

[personal profile] flametheif40 2019-03-24 05:24 am (UTC)(link)
[Al just smiles widely, she seems to be adjusting now and that is going to be helpful. Sides, it's clear now she is new to the app and she is open to friendship, even with all of this crap going down.]

She didn't see me shirtless in the first ten seconds, but it is still quite the story, I'll let you be the judge of how awkward it is later. But I think you would agree that it's at least as awkward as this.

[Trying to be a bit lighthearted to lift the mood a little.]

Seems like trying to find shelter that's not here is the plan.

I could set myself on fire, make the trip easier and if we can find places to rest along the way that would be grand.

Long shot, but it's probably better than staying here or going back down to look for another door since their mother might come back.

[With that, he closes his eyes and changes back, it's a small fading effect to him being his normal, non-muscular, clothed self. Jeans and a jacket he zips up and puts the hood over his head.]
dereban: ❥ all icons are my own unless otherwise denoted. (Default)

[personal profile] dereban 2019-03-24 06:08 am (UTC)(link)
Haha, it's fine.

I know somebody myself that doesn't know what to do with their life, but I think that maybe a change of pace would at least give you some self discovery. Whether it means realizing that what you're doing now is what you're really enjoying or if you want to do something else completely different.
undiningaffection: ([RL] Smug)

[personal profile] undiningaffection 2019-03-24 07:15 am (UTC)(link)
If you've been through something like this twice, then you have rotten luck. [Oh look, there it is! It's a wry smile, prefacing a sarcastic comment, but a smile nonetheless.] If your luck's that bad, maybe I should just try my luck going solo.

That's our best bet. I don't think I like the idea of you using up your power so recklessly though. If the mother comes back... and thank you for putting that thought in my head... better we have a way to fight her.

[She pulls a magazine from her satchel and rolls it up, hopefully before he can see the picture of a couple of girls in fair costumes, including one with blue hair who might look a little... familiar.] Maybe you could just light this on fire and we could use that? I mean, that would work... right?

[It works in the movies!]

I'm ready if you are.
sleepingknight: ([Smile] Will surely reach)

[personal profile] sleepingknight 2019-03-24 07:19 am (UTC)(link)
Huh?

[She watches curiously as Asuna runs off, though that curious look becomes a grin once she sees the handcart.]

Perfect! That'll make this a cinch!

[She'll go fetch the pieces! Luckily, her fairy body gives her strength and speed, and whisking the fairies is easy peasy.]
undiningaffection: ([RL] The sky I have)

[personal profile] undiningaffection 2019-03-24 07:19 am (UTC)(link)
From everything you shared about this city, I suspect I'll be forced into self discovery whether I like it or not. Maybe I'll find the thing that really makes me happy. If nothing else, maybe I'll have some great material I can turn into a pilot script to shop around.

Ugh. That sounds so disgustingly Hollywood. I feel dirty now.
undiningaffection: (Within a guideless haze)

[personal profile] undiningaffection 2019-03-24 07:38 am (UTC)(link)
[Once the cargo's loaded, she takes hold of one side of the handle, scooting over to let Yuuki take the other. Given what she's seen so far, the other girl probably doesn't need her help, but it's a good excuse to chat.]

Is turning into a fairy the strangest thing that's happened? Because if that's the worst this app can throw at you, it doesn't seem too bad.

[She's clearly tempting fate, isn't she?]
sleepingknight: ([Thinking] but I have no regrets)

[personal profile] sleepingknight 2019-03-24 07:51 am (UTC)(link)
[Yuuki hums thoughtfully at that, dropping another frozen fairy onto the cart.]

It's probably the strangest... But it wasn't the worst thing to happen.

[Her words are slow and particular.]

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