recollecters: (Default)
Recollé Mods ([personal profile] recollecters) wrote in [community profile] repeter2017-04-16 09:01 pm

APRIL TDM

TEST DRIVE
APRIL TEST DRIVE
The city of Recollé. A beautiful city you've called home for quite some time. While things can be a little weird, isn't that true of all homes? It's fully spring now, and there are flowers to be found everywhere. April's showers are a familiarity as well, the occasional downpour or drizzle keeping you on your toes.

What will you do today?

I.
April showers bring May flowers, right? Well, there are already plenty of flowers to be had, but that part of the old rhyme being true doesn't save you from the first part of it. While the weather forecasters do their best, their success rate for predicting the rain seems to be about fifty-fifty. Unfortunately, sometimes when they do predict the rain happening, they misjudge how bad it's going to be. Was the sky was clear when you last looked outside? It may not be quite so clear now. Hope you remembered to bring an umbrella today.

But it's not so bad, really! Maybe if you forgot to prepare, someone will share their umbrella with you. Not in the mood to talk to anyone? You can probably find some thrifty umbrella vendors on the streets of Tisse. When in doubt, there are always some loaner umbrellas scattered around in Apprassage at the Recollé Library as well. The library asks that you return any of the mismatched loaners found at the door, but it's not like the system is that strongly enforced. Well, other than the library stamp on the umbrellas, that is.

If you find yourself in Chata today, you could always buy a magazine off the street corners to hold overhead. If you look like you may buy something, vendors don't seem to mind if you idle under their awnings. Check out the latest fashions coming this spring while you wait it out. It looks like buckles are in, but some of the high fashion clothes look a little odder than usual. The hot, new dresses range from large like a billowing tarp to appearing more like an artfully arranged handkerchief than anything else. Fashion sure is weird sometimes.

II.
Recollé Square in Tribunal Terrace boasts a huge assortment of flower gardens scattered throughout the district, though they all appear to be whatever citizens felt like planting at the time. In fact, only flowers in Apprassage seem to match, especially around the University. Today, while the rain's stopped, a large group of people seem to be taking advantage of Recollé Square's mismatching for flower picking, crown and wreath weaving, and bouquet arranging. The activities seem to be loosely led by the city's PTA and some of the other socialite groups from around town. Then again, for long-standing citizens of the city this isn't unusual either. You seem to remember that this is an annual sort of thing even though there isn't actually a name for the event.

Some booths are set up around the park to swap seeds, flowers and food for cash or gossip, the guidelines a little more loose outside of the business districts. It seems as though lot of families are picnicking this weekend. There's even some kind of contest going on for the best flower crown - though usually the city tends to collectively pick a kid for the winner, so your best artistic talents might not get you the admiration you crave.

In addition, there's the most accurately judged flower-growing contest if you've been waiting for this day for a year or more, but that event tends to have the same people involved every year and the majority of Recollé isn't too heavily invested in it. They're here for the picnics and flower crowns, and it seems about the same as it always does. This year, though, there do seem to be more flowers than ever...and for that matter, they're a lot bigger than usual, too.

III.
Despite some of the fashion fiascos the magazines are displaying, maybe you should spend some time shopping this week. It may come as a surprise to you that your clothes haven't been fitting properly as of late. Those skinny jeans are just a hair too loose, and your favorite shirt seems baggier than it used to be. The problem, however, is that every shop you go to seems to stock clothes with the same issues. You're down a size or two or three, or maybe they're just marking everything down wrong. And surely you don't have the time or money to replace your entire wardrobe...will you take your chances? Complain to the store's manager? Or maybe you're an unfortunate soul who has to try and explain the unexplainable. Maybe offering a coupon will appease shoppers today.

IV.
Apparently walking around your neighborhood isn't quite as safe as it used to be - or it isn't safe if you want to trust your eyes. One second the little old lady who lives at the corner appears to be walking her pitbull just as she has every day for the last several years. The next, the pitbull is gone and she's walking a rather angry-looking caterpillar. Blink and you'll miss it, but as time goes on you'll see more and more of these larger-than-life insects wandering around. No matter how hard you try to explain it, the only other people who seem to see this as the least bit weird are people with the Retrospec app.

Oh, do you not have the Retrospec app? Think again. The sound of chirping crickets will follow you until the next time you look at your mobile device or a public computer, prompting you to accept a profile and upload a user picture. Congratulations! It seems as though you've been selected to be a new tester!

...it's going to be one of those days.

BONUS.
While the Retrospec app only infrequently has posts from the company itself - and those have thus far proven to be universally useless - this month there is an onslaught of updates. At least once per day there's a picture of a new type of flower or insect, along with a "fun fact" about whatever the company has posted.

Did you know, for example, that wasps feeding on fermenting juice have been known to get "drunk' and pass out? Ancient civilizations burned aster leaves to ward off evil spirits. Ticks can grow from the size of a grain of rice to the size of a marble. Roses are related to apples, raspberries, cherries, peaches, plums, nectarines, pears and almonds. Houseflies find sugar with their feet, which are 10 million times more sensitive than human tongues. Praying mantises prey on other insects, and perhaps you'd better watch your step.

Wait, what?

As usual, any attempt to get the company to reply about the increasingly disturbing information they're sending out is useless. The daily facts grow less and less useful and eventually seem to be nothing but fun facts about how flowers and bugs could kill you or one another. Kind of unfortunate for you, if this is your first time getting any messages whatsoever from the app. How do you unsubscribe? Good luck figuring it out.

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! The April 2017 TDM directory can be found here. The April 2017 Workshop can be found here. The mod questions comment is here.
botamochi: commissioned, dnt (pic#11234842)

[personal profile] botamochi 2017-04-18 02:48 am (UTC)(link)
isn't that your real name?

[ sorry, not sorry. ]

i'll think about it once my pomeranian turns into a bumblebee. that's pretty reasonable, if you ask me.
skald: (neljä)

[personal profile] skald 2017-04-18 02:48 am (UTC)(link)
Like a giant... beetle?

[She tries to see it, out of politeness. Maybe if he saw the dog from a strange angle...?]

Do you think it was the reflection of something? The sun hitting the street in a weird way? That happens to me sometimes too, if I look at something for just a second and then look away.
scythegun: (OKAY ⇝ "regaey" is yeager backwards)

oh my god this is wonderful

[personal profile] scythegun 2017-04-18 02:50 am (UTC)(link)
[Aaaaand there goes Blanche, which isn't a surprise. Honestly, Jaeger doesn't mind her at all, but she can be a bit much sometimes. Like right now, for example. Listen to her go, oh man. She is just intentionally trampling all over his beloved language, isn't she. Look at her go.]

My, you really are fired up about those books, aren't you? Here, let me see them.

[He holds out a hand expectantly for the books. Not like he can read a word of French but he just wants to look like he's totally got this. He'll probably let her keep the books since he doesn't recognize them, which means he's probably had them in this shop for quite some time.]
destage: (STARE ♡ Holy shit we're dolls)

[personal profile] destage 2017-04-18 02:50 am (UTC)(link)
Exactly! If everyone stays calm, they'll be able to get their points across easily. And even if they don't agree at the end, at least they won't have torn each other's eyes out to get to that point...

[Still, looking around...well, so far it seems like there's still only real flowers and seeds, and it's a little bit frustrating.]

I wouldn't have been so fond of music if it'd been shoved at me repeatedly, for example. Sometimes being subtle is the best way to do it!
sivard: (☁ with what i've become)

[personal profile] sivard 2017-04-18 02:51 am (UTC)(link)
[Look, it wasn't a serious suggestion. Fortunately, the lady didn't hear Jeager's quip. Unfortunately, a woman nearby did and she lets out a gasp and whispers to her friend.

Zaveid, naturally, doesn't notice.]


C'mon, I've never been rude to a lady.
flowrite: (trc278)

[personal profile] flowrite 2017-04-18 02:51 am (UTC)(link)
Nothing wrong with that! It's a beautiful day.

[Fai's pretty sure there's more to the story than just getting some fresh air, but it's not actually his business and he's not going to pry.

...now, continue to pester the poor guy? That he might do. At least long enough to satisfy his own need to be friendly and mother take care of people. Even strangers.]


Well, I could show you? Although if it's not your thing I don't suppose you'd be interested in that. Would you be interested in coffee?
sotenbori: (this is perfectly undercover)

[personal profile] sotenbori 2017-04-18 02:51 am (UTC)(link)
Yeah, 'cause they pay you shit where you're working.

[he feels like this bears repeating, although he's most certainly dropped that hint more than once in the last year.]

Okay, okay, I'll call a cab. [he takes a cursory glance over at the pizza place at the alleged offenders definitely complete with scowl like i will find you in a back alley if you continue staring at her like this but then he pulls out his phone and calls a cab (and not, like an uber??? are you 23 or 53 majima jeez) and gives them their address, blah blah blah]

They said, like, 10 minutes.
scythegun: (NEUTRAL ⇝ this ain't a scene)

[personal profile] scythegun 2017-04-18 02:52 am (UTC)(link)
[Ah yes, that's exactly the kind of subtle chaos he likes. Jaeger settles a bit and lowers his voice back to a more appropriate range to continue the conversation now that he's gotten some attention.]

Never, Zaveid? I find that a bit hard to believe~!

[It sounds like good-natured teasing... but is it??]
destage: (WHY ♡ Everything was a mistake)

[personal profile] destage 2017-04-18 02:53 am (UTC)(link)
...I usually boy make-up that can handle sweat..?

[She. She figures that was obvious. Like, some of it fares better than others, but her make up is prepared for just about anything.

...She's not sure if that laughter is a good thing though, oh god. Did she do something wrong.]
sivard: (☁ think about what you're not)

[personal profile] sivard 2017-04-18 02:54 am (UTC)(link)
[He rubs at his head, staring at the woman and her dog in bewilderment.]

It must've been something like that. That's the damndest thing, I could've sworn it had six legs.
gundies: (pic#11152903)

this is what: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qA2tFWUcU5o

[personal profile] gundies 2017-04-18 02:54 am (UTC)(link)
Don't discriminate. One-Tit-Terra works the morning shift. Maybe it's an homage to her.

[ But, unlike the other smucks she works with — Panty is friendly and immediately towards Jack with a smirk. This fucker is loaded and he knows how to have a good time. ]

I got fired a few weeks ago. They didn't like that I was offering freebies for cute guys. [ A wink. ] No, actually, Stocking's fatass ate a fucking bucket of Dippin' Dots. I'm guilty by association.

[ IT'S A HORRIBLE LIFE. ]
scythegun: (REALIZE ⇝ estelle's the princess?)

[personal profile] scythegun 2017-04-18 02:54 am (UTC)(link)
Ja, ja, very true! Though I'd hate to imagine what you'd be doing if it didn't involve music!

[Sayaka's very passionate about her music, he's learned that much from talking with her. You don't get in the way of someone's passions, regardless of what those passions are!!

...It looks like we're not going to have any luck though and Jaeger sighs.]


Oh dear, it seems like there isn't any place here that's selling fake flowers! You may have better luck elsewhere, I'm afraid!
vitis: (b)

[personal profile] vitis 2017-04-18 02:55 am (UTC)(link)
Ha, makes no difference to me.

[ well— it does, in that he can't afford anything more expensive than the two for three dollars menu at mcdonalds and wouldn't know what to do with himself at a las vegas buffet, but that's beside the point: it's what he's accustomed to.

anyway, he tucks his hands behind his head, tilting his chin towards the store's exit as an invitation.
]

So, where you got in mind?
frisyr: (ansikte)

[personal profile] frisyr 2017-04-18 02:57 am (UTC)(link)
[ Wow okay, this is going to be worse than he thought, as she shifts around and then his finger catches in one of the books, but he pretends not to notice. He also pretends not to notice that they're sinking a bit, because-- ]

Yeah I am! How could you tell? Are you also Swedish?

[ She doesn't sound Swedish... ]
doublesmall: (i get a little bit genghis khan)

bonus

[personal profile] doublesmall 2017-04-18 02:57 am (UTC)(link)
female mantises must only behead their mates when they're being pedantic as fuck

and nobody in the world could blame them

if people are dumb enough to believe this shit just let them, come on
sotenbori: (essence of ass-kicking tbh)

text;

[personal profile] sotenbori 2017-04-18 02:58 am (UTC)(link)
you're not making it better!!
frisyr: (skuldra)

[personal profile] frisyr 2017-04-18 02:59 am (UTC)(link)
[ The dog is still a bit shaky from the cold, fur a bit damp and standing up in little clumps. ]

I did. Just over there. Hiding underneath a box.

[ Oh no, Majima. Oh no. The dog.

It hiccups.
]

Do you recognize him?
skald: (kaksi)

[personal profile] skald 2017-04-18 03:03 am (UTC)(link)
[She pats his elbow consolingly, even though they're perfect strangers, because that's the sort of touchy-feely she is.]

Don't beat yourself up over it. Seeing things out of the corner of your eye is perfectly norm-- [she happens to glance over at the lady and the dog, and of course, for a split second, the lady is walking a giant beetle.] whaaaaaaat is that.
pascaline: (pic#11298598)

i aim to please

[personal profile] pascaline 2017-04-18 03:03 am (UTC)(link)
[Man, he isn't even acknowledging all her deeply thought out and nuanced questions about the languages of the world. What a jerk boss she has.]

Aye aye, cap'n. [The books are heavy enough that she has to lift them with both hands to pass them over to Jaeger - there's about five of them, thick volumes that look like they're from the 1940s at latest. If he opens them up he'll just see the occasional equation with paragraphs and paragraphs of theorizing and explaining, all in French. Even for his store, they're uniquely unmarketable.]

I haven't read French textbooks since I was a kid, so it's pretty nostalgic! I only glanced through 'em, but they're totally like the stuff I read back when I was a lil' Blanche, like eleven or twelve. A Bla. [Even without any knowledge of French, the equations are clearly college level at minimum. What even is Blanche.]
sotenbori: (forgot yuki's vinegar again)

[personal profile] sotenbori 2017-04-18 03:04 am (UTC)(link)
[hiding under a box...oh no....]

No, I've never seen him before.

[oh no]
scythegun: (GREETING ⇝ guten tag motherfuckers)

you absolutely succeed

[personal profile] scythegun 2017-04-18 03:07 am (UTC)(link)
[...Wow, okay, he'll take them one at a time. Why are they so huge. Where did he even get these?? Why did he think these were a good idea, oh man. Okay uh... hmm. Yep, even if he could read French these would probably go right over his head and no one else is going to want them. But he'll still look them over like he's considering while she goes on because... well, it's Blanche. This is what she does. It's usually kind of funny to listen to her go on, anyway.]

Goodness, you must have been very advanced as a little Bla!

[Here you go, take this first book back.]

You're welcome to keep these; I have little interest in them and I'm sure you'll give them a loving home, ja?
sotenbori: (damn that lady in the tiger sweater)

[personal profile] sotenbori 2017-04-18 03:09 am (UTC)(link)
["or dear" is right -- text books definitely aren't cheap.]

Oh shit. [think, majima, think] Do you have a blow-dryer at home? You might be able to fix it with one.

[hopefully?? mostly he just wants to give this poor guy peace of mind. and, since this guy is obviously super cold, he takes off his jacket and hands it over. fixing one problem at a time, that's how to handle this situation, right?]
skald: (kolmekymmentäyhdeksän)

[personal profile] skald 2017-04-18 03:10 am (UTC)(link)
Oh, no, I'm Finnish! [she says cheerfully, switching immediately to Swedish even as she adjusts her arm a little more, trying to catch the one book dropping dangerously close to the tear in the bag.] --whoops, hold on one second-- I recognized your accent! Sorry, is that strange to bring up? I just got a little excited--

[She breaks off suddenly as there is a much louder, much faster tearing sound, instinctively shoving her bag against one of the outdoor book racks, finally bracing her misshapen backpack against something to forestall the inevitable.]

Er, sorry. How much was that bag? [she nods at it with her chin, because it's not like she has the hands for anything else.]
botamochi: commissioned, dnt (pic#11234848)

[personal profile] botamochi 2017-04-18 03:10 am (UTC)(link)
[ Sorry... He had a pretty bad week. He'll chipper up once he gets enough rest. It doesn't take long, maybe five minutes, before Takumi reappears to set Leo's hefty mug of cappuccino. It's placed on the bakery's special coaster, ready for its fated person.

Takumi's smile is a lot more natural this time before he takes a seat across from Leon. A good chunk of the customers that were here have left already, giving them good opportunity to catch up.
]

It's been a while, huh. Things have been pretty busy lately--aside from today. [ At least work-wise. ] So... What books did you buy, Leo?

[ He's curious!! ]