repeter | AUGUST TDM

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AUGUST TDM

TEST DRIVE

AUGUST TEST DRIVE
The city of Recollé.

...yeah. Yeah, it's just sort of a mess...

What will you do today?

I.
What the hell happened here? Perhaps you're new to the city, or perhaps you've finally started to notice just how bad the damage is to the beloved city of Recollé. The convention center is still crumbled in pieces and several local shops have boarded up windows and doors to prepare for reconstruction. Vendors on the street try to urge residents to purchase monster insurance for all of their home and vehicle needs. But the moment you step outside, you'll find yourself greeted by a member of the Recollé Restoration Committee as they thrust a hardhat into your hands and eagerly chatter about your new assignment.

Whether you find yourself in Tisse and assigned to haul pieces of stone around or you're placed over in Apprassage to pour cement, you'll find you aren't alone in these tasks. It's nice to meet your coworkers, isn't it?

II.
But really, what caused all of this? This is completely insane and while some of you may be willing to help rebuild the city, others might wish to solve the mystery. Poking around the various districts, NPCs will explain that monster attacks "sometimes just happen" which seems pretty strange in and of itself. Monsters shouldn't "just happen", should they? And where are these alleged monsters anyway?

Careful what you wish for, though. Exploring too much and straying off-task will lead to finding some things you may not want. These creatures will immediately hone in on new Retrospec users and begin to chase them, though they won't outright attack. While the smaller ones may be destroyed with a bit of effort, it might be wise to either cut your losses or find someone with a bit more experience to take on the larger creatures. Don't worry; there's bound to be someone to help.

III.
By now, you may have heard the rumors from some of your fellow Retrospec users that several members of the network have disappeared. You may even hear the rumors that those members are lost in "unreality" and that the city itself is a bit...unstable. But they're just rumors, right?

Everything seems fine as you go about your day (monsters notwithstanding.) However, any time you pass from one district to another suddenly a list of names scrolls past your line of vision . As the list comes to a halt and lands on one name, you may recognize it as a friend or a stranger. If you're lucky, you may get a holographic video connecting you to someone still in the city. If you're even luckier, you may find someone speaking up inside your head due to a telepathic connection. Go ahead and say hi. You just might get some answers from those who have been lost and those you haven't met yet.

IV.
As the night begins to set upon the city, a warm sleepy feeling rolls through. Whatever you're doing, it's hard to fight off the urge to curl up under a shaded tree and take a nap. After some time it's nearly impossible to ignore any longer and no matter where you are, you'll instantly fall asleep. Strangely, even

The place that you wake up, however, may look very familiar to you. You've seen this place before. In fact, you've lived through this very scene before. Maybe it's the little league game you scored your first home run, or maybe it's your high school prom. These are your memories played back to you, and glancing back you may find that again you aren't alone. Any Retrospec user has the ability to pass through these pockets of time and can stumble right into your memories. The memory pockets can appear no matter where a person is, and they'll be able to view and interact with the memories they see. Take a walk through your childhood neighborhood. Sit through the nightmare of your college entrance exams. These memories are yours as you've lived them. However, try not to change anything about the past. Memories can be quite tricky if meddled with too much.

BONUS.
While the makers of Retrospec are a bit scattered and busy at the moment, it seems as though they have failsafes to keep their systems up and running. The latest update push operates on its own and begins to download to your device. Your profile remains the same as always (your name and your photo), but it appears you won't have access to it until you apply one of the brand new filters to your picture. Seems easy, right?

Maybe you should have given this a second thought. As soon as the filter's applied to your photo, you might find that people are stopping and staring at you as you go about your day. They may or may not comment, but what's evident is that something's going on that you're unaware of. A quick glance in your phone's camera, a storefront window or a mirror will reveal all. That fun filter's now applied itself to your face with no hope of coming off for a while. Have fun!

Welcome to the

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 continuity's sake, for the first time we will be stating that the TDM is dated IC 8/17! This is all in one day. Potential applicants/characters on the TDM will revert back to NPC status on 8/18 and will not remember the events of the TDM until the mod-posted Retrospec post goes up 9/1.

Members of Group 2, since the TDM can be considered game-canon, prompts III and IV are open for you to tag around to new players while stuck in your locations outside of the city!

For Prompt III, members of Group 2 may telepathically connect to someone even if there's a video option, but their faces and surroundings will be obscured! Other members of the game + potential applicants may use video if they wish.

For Prompt IV, please remember these are memories from your AU and not your canon! Should characters deviate from these "memories" too much, they will find themselves thrown back to the beginning of the memory to start over!

And finally, the filters provided in the bonus are just examples and you can swap in any others you want.

Your August 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

Yeah...I can see why you wanted to do that...

[Convince him to stay home that is. It would've been bad and Elliot would've been upset about it. Especially since it's too late in the year to transfer to a different school somewhere else, not without having to wait until the spring semester. But on the other hand...it wouldn't have been an unreasonable request. This place really did seem dangerous right now. There were wrecked buildings, and monsters running around. Actual real life monsters, which was hard to wrap his head around despite actually seeing one.

And here Elliot was in the middle of it now, after blindly waltzing into it.]

Sorry big brother. The one time I tried to be spontaneous and this happens. Maybe it's destiny .... orrrr probably just bad luck, eheh.

[He tries to keep his tone light, but he can't fully hide the notes of anxiety mixed among the words. I'll be sure to keep you safe, Carlos says. He knows Carlos means it. It's not the first time Carlos has promised that, not at all. He's been protecting Elliot for as long as he can remember. So hearing that promise now...it's reassuring, comforting. It's still easy for Elliot to believe that no matter what, his brother could keep him safe.]

Yeah, I know. You always look after me...

[But at the same, among the comforting feelings, there's the nagging tugs of worry and guilt that have been growing as Elliot's gotten older. Carlos would keep him safe...but who would keep Carlos safe? Who makes sure Carlos is okay? It felt like it was supposed to be him, he was his brother, but...well, he'd probably get squashed like a bug if he tried. Some Craig he was.

He pulls away from the hug the same time Carlos does. He bends down to pick up his violin case, his most prized possession, before he looks back up at Carlos (who is still quite a bit taller than him) and gives him a small smile.]

Good thinking, sleep sounds pretty good right now. [Though...] Have you eaten yet? I could order something- my treat of course!

[He still had some money he saved up for the trip leftover. Maybe he couldn't protect his brother from monsters, but he can at least make sure he gets a good meal, right?]

I would say that it is just bad luck. [ While it may be a joke, he doesn't like the idea of Elliot even joking that it is his destiny to be in this sort of situation. And what situation is that? Insane one that barely makes sense and on the "losing side." He clenches his jaw for a second -- like he wants to find someone to take this frustration out on. But it isn't any single person. It is something much bigger and so he has to remain calm. For now. ]

It is what big brothers are supposed to do. But more than that, you are important to me. [ His little brother is the sunshine in his life, and he just wants to do everything he can for him. Carlos had wanted him to just think about studying and bettering his skill at the violin. He wants Elliot to chase after his dreams and not worry about anything -- money, anything that he wants. Just live a life that is easy and happy. Something that he believes is attainable if Carlos just works harder and be better.

And he picks up the suitcase and heads toward the taxi. He laughs a little about the offer of food. Shouldn't all that money be spent on something better? ]

And what is that? You come to a city and you want to get me food? Is that how anything works? You had a rough time. So don't worry about that. I will order anything that you like and you can repay me by playing some of your violin.

[ Because hearing it does put him at ease. It is something that Elliot loves, has been working hard to make a reality, and that is all that he needs to keep going. It is real good that their uncle and aunt is supporting this as well. Yeah. This could all work. Even with the monsters. ]

[He'll catch that jaw clench at his little remark, that flash of frustration in his brother's eyes. He knows Carlos well enough that it's not directed at him. He's probably just stressed out about this situation, he concludes. He couldn't blame him, not really.

But ugh bro, way to evade his attempt to help you by dangling the thing he loves doing the most. Elliot couldn't say no to playing his violin for his brother. That's just impossible.]

Well, you are the one putting me up on short notice, so it's polite to offer something. [He follows after his brother to the taxi. When he gets in, he keeps his violin case with him. His clothes and books can go into the trunk for all he cares, but there's no way he's trusting anything in this city enough to let his most cherished possession out of his sight] But...okay, fine. Think I got a couple newer pieces I've been working on that I could show you. Hopefully they're good enough to cover food...

[He tries to make it sound casual, like it's nothing special. But it's easy to tell from how he's biting back a smile that he's excited at the idea of playing for his brother. He usually only gets to do that at holidays, and he always loved doing it. Carlos was his favorite audience.]

-- And I'll make breakfast too, okay? My specialty omelets.

[Which are admittedly really good. Just don't let him make the coffee, or it'll turn out so bad even Carlos might falter slightly in his love.]

[ The suitcase put in the trunk; he just shakes his head about the idea of putting up with Elliot. Like it ever feels like he is just putting up with his little brother. The trunk lid closes like he is closing the subject on having to have anything offered to him. ]

What are you saying? They'll be more than enough to cover food. [ Obviously. He settles down in the backseat as he thinks more about what he's going to do. Like how is he going to explain the way that he lives? He frowns a little bit. All the money he has -- it's sent back for Elliot, or held off to give to those people that he's adopted. Money may not buy happiness, but it makes things easier when a person doesn't have to worry about it, and can focus on what makes them happy. ]

Breakfast? Well. I guess that'll be all right. [ He hopes he has something for Elliot to use to make breakfast. ]

Okay! [Elliot smiles, satisfied.] It should be good, I hope!

[Well Carlos from where I'm sitting you have two options: the first it to be honest and just resign yourself to your little brother fretting. Or second, find someone whose out of town right now with a more furnished apartment, break into that apartment, and pretend you live there.

Both options have pros and cons.

With both of them in, the taxi starts up again. Elliot takes a moment to look out of the window as they drive. He can't help but feel a little sad, looking at this city. There's damage all over the place: broken windows, boarded up shops, rubble. But what was sadder still was that Elliot could tell that underneath the damage, there laid a town that was clearly loved by its residents. All over the place there were flower boxes, colorful murals, cleaned up streets. Were it not for the monster problem...this would probably be a really nice city. Just what happened here...?

But, he's tired enough that he doesn't want to dwell on that too long. So after a minute or two, he'll pull away from looking at the window and focus on his brother again. Hope that gave you enough time to think Carlos]

So...where do you live? I have your address from all the stuff you'd send us, but that doesn't tell me a lot...

[ Hold on. He's thinking on his options. Thought process is as follows:

Elliot has enough to worry about coming to this city; he shouldn't have to worry about Carlos, too; his small apartment where he ensures he can live in shoebox-like conditions means he can buy his little brother anything he likes be it a new violin or textbooks or really almost anything; putting like that will just make Elliot feel like he's putting Carlos out when it makes him happy to spoil his little brother; maybe if he says that the money doesn't all go to Elliot but to others in need? No. Elliot definitely will feel guilty, won't he?

Carlos stares ahead for a time before he realizes that a good few minutes have passed since Elliot has asked his question and he realized that he's being an asked a question. ]

Oh. I guess that it doesn't really say what kind of place that it is, huh? [ Right. The hotel could still work.But what could the reason be? "I'm getting new carpet in?" No, Carlos isn't the kind to care about something like that. "Fumigating?" But wouldn't the whole apartment be out then? And wouldn't that be something I should have mentioned right away? No. I don't need to worry about it. Things are crazy enough that a little thing like that could be forgotten. Probably. ]

Right. I forgot. They're fumigating the apartment right now. Landlord worried about [ Why the fuck did you have to elaborate? ] bugs. [ If it wasn't to himself, he would be slow-clapping right now. He closes his eyes before continuing. ] In any case, we'll be going to a hotel for now. [ A laugh. ] I'm so used to going straight home that I just said to go there without uh, thinking.

[ A little louder to the driver. ] So, please change directions, if you could. [ You fucking idiot. You didn't make reservations at a hotel. If you were fumigating already then you'd have a hotel room. Oh my god. His expression crumbles for a second. ] No, we're still going to a hotel. It's fine.

Edited 2017-08-25 01:08 (UTC)

[DAMMIT CARLOS.

That was a long pause before Carlos answered, to the point that it's a little worrying. He was just about ready to call his brother again or maybe poke him lightly, before he snaps out of his whatever far-off thoughts he was in and answers.

Which......it's Carlos's lucky day! While Elliot is giving a bit of a concerned look at his older brother, he completely buys the lie. Carlos's odd behavior can be explained by just how stressful today's been after all.]

Oh really? That's a pain....how long's that supposed to take?

[ Yeah, how long? He closes his eyes as he doesn't like the tone that he's taking with himself. There's also some guilt about outright lying to his little brother rather than casually not explaining what he's doing with his life. Look, I buy all right clothes so that people don't get any ideas when they see me. Somehow, that makes it even worse. ]

Few days. [ Long enough for housing to be handled, anyway. ] We'll just go to another room for now. I only got a room with one bed, after all, and a couch is no place for my poor back. [ Ha-ha. Fake laugh to cover up how well he's figured out his lies. This all sounds about right? ]

Anyway... why don't you tell me what you're more excited about? Beyond... not running into any more monsters... ever.

[Elliot frowns, a little worried. He's not sure how much his brother makes, enough to send Elliot a decent amount of money, sure. But...hotels were expensive. ]

Y-You don't have to get another hotel room just for me, Carlos. That's too expensive. I'll take the couch, it's fine.

[He's much shorter than Carlos, so he'd be able to relax on a couch easy. Besides, he's the one that asked Carlos for a place to stay last minute, it's only fair.]

Haha, not running into any monsters is a good start. Well... [He has to think a little, it's been a long day.] I'm looking forward to music classes the most, of course. The university's got a strong music program, I can't wait to learn from them.

Oh, and I'm excited about seeing you more, of course. [He gives a little nod] I mean, I know both of us are going to be pretty busy, but...

[It'll still be easier, than living in different cities.]

What good is having you in the city if I can't spoil you once and awhile? [ Or all the time? ]

I'll do what I can about those monsters, too. [ It's his duty, right? His duty to look after the people. And he has more reason to try to see if he can make the streets safer now that his brother's here. ] I'm glad that you're looking forward to them so much. I think that'll be good for you. I'm going to come to every concert that you have.

[ He laughs. ] It'll be great to see you more, too. I also want to hear that you've made a lot of friends, you know. And whatever trouble happens to come your way. [ Settling back against the seat of the cab a little more, he smiles. Right. Elliot will be busy and hopefully that busy will be related to living a happy life. That's all that he's ever wanted. ]

[He sighs, slightly blushing in embarrassment.] F-fine, okay. Just don't make yourself go broke over me, okay?

[Haha you're years too late on that one Elliot.

And aw jeez that wasn't supposed to be a request for Carlos to take care of the monsters. He opens his mouth to protest, but...chickens out of it at the last moment.]

Just...just be careful, Big Bro. [Telling Carlos not to fight the monsters to protect people would be pointless. Protecting people is what Carlos was all about, and he knows very well his brother is a lot more stubborn than he is. And he's been fine so far so...maybe it'll be fine? Man...] Ehehe, I'll save you a seat at every concert. Even if I get Hamilton-level famous!

[Elliot's not really sure how he'd get famous...not when he's not even sure how he's going to get away getting a music major in the first place. But when he was around Carlos, it was easier to believe it was possible.]

You will! At least, I'll introduce you to all my law-abiding friends. ♪ [Definitely just teasing on that one.]

Of course. What kind of person do you think that I am? [ Fake laughing to cover up real broke situation that he is in. ]

And I will be. I made a promise to myself, after all. [ The promise that he'd make sure to not have Elliot suffer any other loss. He realizes that's kind of an impossible thing, but he'll still try. He has to try, right? ] I am holding you to that! It's a verbal agreement so it's not going to be broken.

[ Carlos gives him a side-glance before letting his arm drop so that he could pull his brother into a half hug. ] Eh? What was that? You going to become some delinquent?

Uh...the kind of guy who'll definitely give away your kidney someday if you haven't already...? [Like really Elliot would not be surprised if Carlos mentioned doing that one day. Casual organ donation seems like a very Carlos thing to do.]

[Ah right, the promise. He remembers that. Kind of impossible to keep, but Elliot still appreciates the sentiment. He smiles] Okay! Keep to your promise, and I promise there'll be a seat for you every concert.

[And he's pulled into a half hug! Being the stupid self-conscious teenager he is, he turns slightly red and glances to see if the taxi driver is looking- but nope the taxi driver don't give a fuck. Okay. Whew. Brother hugging him won't make him less cool in front of this stranger he will never see again]

Eheh, maybe! I've already jaywalked in empty streets and I knew a guy in high school who sold pot! [...] A-at least...he said he did? I never actually took him up on it...

[....Yeah. The world's safe from delinquent Elliot]

If I'm giving my kidney to anyone, it is going to be you. [ Ah. These jokes are getting dangerously close to the truth. He smiles bright though so that Elliot won't worry. Carlos even realizes that if he jokes too much about it that he'll end up worrying the person he doesn't want to worry most.

Though, he does pause to look at Elliot's face at the comment of someone in high school that was doing that sort of thing. ] Well. It seems like I've failed you as an older brother. You've fallen into the rough crowd of people. [ And pauses to give him a soft noogie before letting him go. ]

Anyway, I have faith in you. I believe that you'll make a good start here.

Ahaha...thanks? I'll try to make sure you don't have to do that... [Carlos you're too late he already worries about you.]

- Nooo! Not the noogie! [He squawks and immediately starts fixing his hair with his hand when Carlos him go.] Thanks...I'll try not to let you down.

Thank you. I'd like to keep my kidneys. [ PSYCHE. HE'S GOT TWO. HE'S FINE. ]

You never do. [ And he offers yet another smile. It isn't a few seconds later that the taxi stops. Carlos looks at where they are and is confused. Oh. Right. The hotel. ]

I'll quickly explain the situation to the front desk. Just wait here. [ He opens the door to get out. When did he get so good at lying to his little brother? Should he feel bad about this? No, this is to protect Elliot. So it's fine. ] I'm not sure how they'd feel with me suddenly bringing someone in without some sort of explanation.

[YEAH WELL MAKE SURE TO KEEP BOTH BRO OK.

Elliot glances at the hotel and then back at Carlos. He's a little confused how him going in with Carlos would be bad, but you know, he's always let his aunt or uncle take care of these things the few times he's been to a hotel - so he's got no basis to doubt Carlos. LIE SUCCESSFUL.]

Uh, okay? I'll wait here.

[Which here he will stay! He'll just, hold onto his violin case and glance out the window with a mild nervousness in the meantime.

[ Okay. So this is the situation. Your brother has faced monsters, dealing with some insane nonsense at his university and can't rely on his brother to tell him the truth. His hands hold out as he decides to stop his moral conscience's roll. And what do you think we should do? Worry him more when he's come to this city? He'll realize this is how I've always lived and end up feeling guilty about the past.

Right. Besides, I don't know when things are going to get settled for Elliot. So, I don't want him to have to stay in my apartment. It's fine for me... ah, I should have called someone to stay with them, maybe. But that's putting up two people, isn't it? Things are crazy enough. Carlos nods before he buys the hotel room. He makes some small talk about his brother moving into the city and the like with the person.

He returns with a bright smile. ] All handled. You might be staying here for a few days so a two bed hotel room will work great for us. I'll downsize when you finally are back to the dorms. [ Carlos is quick to add so that his brother won't fret. ] Ah, right. Thank you for waiting, too. [ So he says to the taxi driver before looking at what he owes. There isn't any hesitation to giving the money over. Hesitation means that he thinks this is troublesome, right? ]

So, let's head to our new room and -- [ Emergency. Emergency. You forgot that if you've been staying here that you'd have clothes and the like at the hotel already. You have nothing here. What are you going to do? ] -- get you something to eat.

[Elliot meanwhile had sat in the taxi car the whole time, waiting for his brother while feeling a liiiitttle nervous about how well things will go. Today really hasn't been his lucky day.

So, it's a bit of a relief when Carlos comes back with a smile and reassurances that everything is fine. He still feels a little guilty about making Carlos dish out this sort of cash at this moment, but he'll just...have to find some way to make it up to him. Even if Carlos kept insisting otherwise.]

Oh, good. I'm glad it worked out, I was worried. [He'll scoot out of the taxi car, giving the driver a polite thank you as he gets out, and moves to grab his suitcase from the trunk. He's still unaware of the panic going on in Carlos's head.] Yeah...I guess I am getting pretty hungry.

There isn't anything to worry about.

[ So he says while waving his hand dismissively. Don't worry, he's only screaming on the inside as he tries to figure how to explain why he isn't moving all the things from one room to the other. Ha-ha-ha.

And he takes the suitcase out of the trunk. Taking in a deep breath, he's sure he can come up with something -- and leads Elliot back to the hotel. ] I'm surprised that you're not famished after everything that you've gone through. So, what is it that you're most hungry for?

[Come on Carlos, it's okay maybe he won't notice your complete lack of personal luggage.

Haha no I'm lying he'd totally notice. Get working on that lie bro.

He'll follow along with Carlos, holding his violin case at his side.] Hmmm. Well, I'd be happy with anything. Buuut...I'll admit, a hamburger sounds really good right now.

They probably have something like that with room service.

[ Or if not, he's going to find the nearest restaurant. Do not underestimate him, world.

At least, he doesn't have to have an awkward conversation with the front desk in front of Elliot. One trouble down. And the hotel itself isn't too bad. Certainly not a Ritz, but it's a pretty big step up from where he's living. Carlos can't look at Elliot as he has to admit that a low-rate Super 8 motel is probably only slight margins better than where he's living. But it's easy rent; the rest can go to looking acceptable and to people that need it more than him. ]

I really can't wait to hear your violin. I hope you'll still play even though the venue isn't my apartment.

I hope so!

[Carlos it's a miracle Elliot did not grow up to be a spoiled brat.

He walks down the hallways, looking around. It's not unlike the hotels he's been to during family vacations. The halls are pretty quiet though. Something about monsters not being a big draw for tourists. Weird. ]

Ahaha...don't worry, it should be fine to play here. It's not that late.

Flat | Top-Level Comments Only

AUGUST TDM

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