repeter | OCTOBER TDM

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OCTOBER TDM

TEST DRIVE

OCTOBER TEST DRIVE
The city of Recollé...

When the crypt doors creak, and the tombstones quake, spooks come out for a singing wake. Happy haunts materialize and begin to vocalize...grim grinning ghosts come out to socialize...

Every year during the Halloween season, the city of Recollé comes to life with plenty of fall activities for everyone. There's something to do in every district if one were to take a look.

What will you do today?

I.
Family fun seems to be the theme today over in Tribunal Terrace. Several tables are set up and in a semi-circle near Recollé Square with stacks of pumpkins, carving tools, paint and anything else you may need to create your own jack o'lantern. Other stations are set up for face-painting and games to win mini-sized candy bars including a ring toss, bowling, and bobbing for apples. Be careful with the apples though. They like to wiggle and jiggle with their happy little faces staring up out of the water.

...so maybe apple-bobbing is for the brave at heart. Are you the artsy type to carve a beautiful pumpkin? Are you helping to run the games (or even cheating to get more candy)? It's time to relax and let your creativity flow.

II.
Pumpkin-carving not your speed? Never fear, horror is here. Over in Tisse there's plenty to do for those looking for a little more adventure. Several coffee shops have harvest specials made with pumpkin, maple, and pecan flavors. Over at Flix a monster movie marathon and costume contest are taking place (with a prize of two free passes for the best monster costumes.) But the highlight of this district is the annual haunted funhouse.

Anyone daring enough will find the usual spooks and scares in a haunted house, jump scares and fog machines galore. But...the house certainly didn't look so big from the outside. How did you possibly get shuffled straight to the center? No worries. This hall of mirrors will guide you out safely...if the walls closing in don't crush you first. It's a race against time as the halls narrow, and if you're one of the lucky ones you'll escape and exit through the main doors.

For those not quite so lucky, the walls will stop just inches from crushing you completely before the floor drops open and you find yourself on a slide, falling through the dark and tumbling into an underground room filled with plastic skeletons, rubber spiders and more. There must be a way out, right? Hopefully you aren't alone and you can navigate the lair with a friend or two.

III.

Meanwhile, the rest of the city's usual hustle and bustle continues. The shopping districts are busy, students wander the sidewalks after class, and that oddly-shaped ghost appears right in the middle of the crowd.

Wait, what? You could have sworn that ghost wasn't there before. Maybe you don't even believe in ghosts. You may blink a few times to clear your vision, but the faint outline of the ghost remains as a few more of them pop up around the city. They won't speak, but they will cause some trouble for anyone who gets too close whether it's by playing pranks on passerbys, stealing items and running away, sitting on a person and applying a gravitational force so they can't move or other crafty, sneaky tactics.

Are the ghosts messing with you? Or are you going to find a way to mess with the ghosts?

IV.
As the sun begins to set, a strange sort of fog rolls in. Several citizens of the city may not even think it's unusual and others seem to capitalize on the weather. The Churchhill Downs Stables are hosting their annual haunted hayrides through Recollé Woods as soon as the sun sets. There are plenty of carts and chocobos saddled up and ready to go.

Once passengers are seated the chocobos begin to trot forward into the woods as a pre-recorded ghost tour of the city takes place. The stories range from silly ones about two ghost children who like to play hide and seek in these woods to scarier ones about a jilted lover chasing her husband off a cliff at the edge of ocean. For the most part they're a bit cheesy and in good fun, but something about this haunted ride seems a bit...off. Peering into the fog you may see something strange that follows you, be it a monster or a shadow or an object. You may hear things whispering your name and you may see your greatest fear manifest right out of the fog and chase your cart through the woods. Even worse, it seems to follow you right out of the woods and back into the city. No matter where you run or where you hide, the fears from the fog will track you down and they change for every single person in the city.

Will you run or will you fight? You may wish to be careful since the creatures will fight back.

BONUS.
With only a few short weeks left until the end of October, Retrospec's Halloween Mode is in full swing and popping up on new users' devices. Retrospec users will find their application decked out in cheerful Halloween colors, and their userpics in a randomized (work safe) costume. However, there's always a trick to each treat and this time the seasonal mode can't be turned off for new users. Notifications chime with zombie groans, a rousing game of Candy Crush must be played and beaten before you can use your device again, and the new Trick or Treat function has a few upgrades. When a user enables this function, they will be met with the phrase "Trick or Treat?" Users who select "treat" will get one virtual candy! Yay! The catch though is that they will also find themselves in a costume representing that specific candy.

Should a user pick "trick", however, they will find all sorts of harmless but unpleasant things happening to them including but not limited to pranks, being splashed by vehicles driving through puddles of water, being unable to speak in anything but rhymes and other such things. None of these effects last over ten minutes, but the game will show up periodically over and over again and even giving you the option to play the game with others.

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 current players, TDM threads will not count toward your Trick or Treat freebie! Additionally, please remember that TDM threads can only be used for bonus points, not regains.

Please note: you will need a reserve to apply, and current characters must have full AC posted at the time of their reservation.

Your October 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

One should be proud of what they are!

[ Which is why he doesn't understand why the poor don't like to be named as such. Ah, well! Such is life for those that have meager means! ]

A single knife? No. I usually have that be a concern for the kitchen staff. I suppose if I really wanted a knife that there would be no reason to stop with one. I should just buy a factory that produces knives ... then I shall always have one readily available to be sent to me. [ He pauses in his clicking on the phone as he thinks that maybe he should make that purchase first. But Fitzgerald stops when he's asked about his doing a background check on his companion. ]

It is very important to me, old sport. When something interests me, I'd like to know everything that I can about it. The fact that you are someone that looks familiar to me is more than enough reason to find out why. [ Ping. He looks at his phone. Oh! ] So that's what it is! How about that? Indeed, how about that! You write stories! Horror stories!

My wife read them. You should attempt to get married. I highly recommend it! [ His smile is genuine. ] Zelda makes me exceptionally happy despite our occasional arguments. Anyway, my wife read one of your stories. It was given to her as a joke and she decided to read it out of -- [ A wave of his hand. ] She loved it and wanted more. That was before she got distracted by owning a dress line. Either way, she still loves your works.

So, how much are you? I'd love to be able to provide her with stories that she was truly engaged in.

It would be easier to just buy a knife from a store. [What is wrong with you? is the unsaid line added to the end of that. This man...really doesn't understand how normal life works, does he...?]

[But at the mention of horror stories, Howard's expression instantly sours. Oh. Of course.]

I only wrote a few of those for experimentation. That's not what I usually write, you know. I'm researching shipwrecks, I'm hardly some...horror writer. I don't understand why people like them.

[He feels like Arthur Conan Doyle, who just wants people to shut up about his fictional stuff to pay attention to what he really cares about.]

How much am I? [Is he hearing this right? Howard tosses the apple to the ground, folding his arms with a peeved look.] What, you want to commission me for more stories...?

[This is bizarre. Exceptionally so. Some rich CEO is asking to buy him to write fictional works? What is the world coming to?]

That's just this knife. What if I need another one? [ Like, come on. Think of the future! The future where he needs a knife and can have it brought to him post haste 'cause he owns a knife factory. ]

She found it quite frightening, and really, that's all that matters to me.

[ He smiles brightly as they get to the heart of the matter. ] Indeed, I want to commission you to write more horror stories for my wife. I suppose other people can have them when she gets tired of them. But until then, you can write just for her. How about it? It certainly will pay better than your current job.

[ Lifting up his cellphone, he shakes it a little at him to indicate that he will pay handsomely for those stories. Money solves all problems! ]

You just buy another knife.

[This isn't rocket science, Fitzgerald??]

...I'm not interested in money. And I said, that's not my specialty. [He's growing more irritated - his nails are digging into his arms. That's not his forte, what, he'll just write more for cash?]

Besides, they're all very...personal. I can't just come up with them on a whim, you know.

That's a waste.

[ Like if he owns the knife-making factory then he'll never have to buy another knife! ]

You're not interested in money? [ He steps back, actually looking surprised. But he soon starts to laugh as he decides that the asking price just hasn't been established. ] Well, then, when you come up with them, they'll be bought by me. How does that sound? [ Writers! ]

Now, what's a good and reasonable price for a one-of-the-kind horror novel for my wife? She'd hate it if I were to act like they weren't anything. Shall we say ten thousand dollars? [ He offers with a bright smile. Oh, but maybe he should give something for goodwill? The poor are so focused on making good on claims. So he pulls his watch off of his wrist to hand it over to Howard. ]

Here you are. Consider it a down payment. It's real gold, real diamonds! I think it'll spruce your outfit up quite well, old sport! [ And cement their deal. ]

[Ten thousand dollars. And a golden watch. What? He must be hearing things. Its ridiculous, its asinine, its-]

...You're pulling my leg, aren't you? This is all just some big joke to you.

[He's had his fair share of people in his life who have ridiculed him completely. He understands he's hardly normal. He understands that his experiences seem bizarre to others. Howard's upper lip curls - it's very rare to see him in any expression besides his usual grumpy look, but this time, he actually looks fairly livid.]

I don't need your worthless offerings. [He actually, without warning, knocks the watch from the other's hand, before stepping back with a scowl.]

I'm leaving. I-I'm not going to deal with this. [He turns, aiming on getting away from this strange man.]

[Ugh. It just all sounds too good to be true.]

[ ... what? ]

Hey. You.

[ Fitzgerald is not a tall man in comparison to the good writer. But he does stamp his foot down as he steps forward. This is for his darling wife. When it comes to her, he will do anything. It doesn't matter the cost. A small bit of joy brought to her life is all that he needs. That is hardly worthless. ]

At what point did I say that I was joking? This offer is completely real. If you wish to be so difficult, why don't I just buy up the university that you work at instead? No, maybe not. [ Well, that's a lot more difficult. If anything, he could just simply donate an asinine amount of money to the university and achieve the same results. Owning a university itself is a pain. But a donation will work well enough -- and ensure that Fitzgerald's wishes are heard. ]

I am Fitzgerald. I am telling you that this is absolute truth and that my wife wants your stories. It doesn't matter the price or what needs to be done. They'll be mine. So your personal writings, your soul... it doesn't matter to me what you view it as, but it can be bought. [ He leans up, not quite able to get in his face. ] All that comes next is how much dignity that you wish to have? So, let's make things friendly, Howard!

[ Bending down, he picks up his watch to hold it out to the man. ] What do you say?

Edited 2017-10-20 05:38 (UTC)

Then buy it. I got the position by accident. It's hardly like I care.

[He says, shooting a glare over his shoulder. What, the man is still continuing this whole thing? This is getting really annoying, very quickly. He's already nervous from the apples, and now this man is really intent on getting him to write stories he really, really doesn't want to write.]

[He turns back to Fitzgerald and stares down at him.]

...Find me something worth offering to me, and maybe I'll talk. Not your watch. Not your money.

[Tch.]

Hm? Tell me. I'm waiting.

[ What?

His eyes widen a little as he actually sees it on the man's face. Howard doesn't care if he loses his job; he isn't afraid of the amount of money that Fitzgerald can just throw around with ease. Is it because he's never encountered it? Fitzgerald wonders if a show of force would be necessary. Buying up everything and everyone around the writer until his life essentially was owned by Fitzgerald without having been given a cent himself!

But he doesn't like how he's stared down. He decides that he'll attempt to play the game first. His charm returns with a bright, cheerful smile as his tone shifts from threatening to friendly. ]

Something worth offering to you. [ What did Howard say? ] A shipwreck, then? How about I gift you one of those? You're wanting to research them, aren't you? Well, what if I allow you the means to search one at the bottom of the ocean? A trip via submarine. Is that not a worthwhile offering? You can research all you like, but what about seeing one with your own eyes?

Not half a bad idea.

[Is this it? Is this the offering that will make Howard agree to write horror stories for Fitzgerald's wife? Is this the deal of a lifetime?]

[Howard suddenly lets out a noise that sounds like the mixture of a snort and a laugh.]

...But I can't do that. I almost drowned as a child, you know. [Goodness, even the thought of going near the ocean makes his heart almost skip a beat.] I'd rather stay far away from the water if I can help it. And you want to send me down in a submarine? Really?

[He shakes his head.]

If you thought tempting me to write stories was hard...if there's one thing I will never do, in my lifetime, it's go to the bottom of the ocean. I'd rather die first.

Edited 2017-10-20 11:12 (UTC)

Making it difficult, hm? I could just have it be raised out of the ocean, then. [ Fitzgerald says like it is as easy as plucking an apple out of the barrel. Indeed, that is how he views it. Money can do more than anything. ]

Or I cohld do you one better. [ He peeks at his phone and gives a small nod. ] Your friend, John, could be living a very comfortable life without concern. Indeed, one need only deposit a hefty sum into his account and his worries will fade away.

So. I offer your friend's class to be raised to one where he can live comfortably and happy. Or a ship from the ocean. I think those are reasonable offers. Don't you?

How do you know about-

[He stops himself before he finishes the sentence. For the first time in this conversation, Howard's expression falters. Now that's a bit of a weak spot.]

[After a few seconds, his eyebrows furrow together, mouth drawn up in a serious frown.]

...You'd have to ask John if he wants something like that. I'm not responsible for his fate or his future. He is. [He can't even imagine what John would think, suddenly discovering cash in his account.] And I don't want a ship raised out of the ocean. It has to stay there. You'd lose so much evidence in the process, too...just the idea of it makes my skin crawl...

[Howard truly is a devil when it comes to deals. He won't just take anything. He's picky. Too picky.]

...You really are determined to buy me out, aren't you?

I am!

[ His cheer is back as he steps forward. He reaches out to fix the good writer's tie and makes a soft tsking sound. ]

I am Fitzgerald. [ He says again, like that answers everything, with a smile. ] My wife's happiness means the world to me and your stories make her happy. As such, I am very determined to buy you out, old sport.

[ A step back. ] I will get you better suits, too. A man of your caliber and worth are deserving of better clothes.

My name's not "old sport".

[Who even says stuff like that?]

I don't need your clothes. I'm fine with the way I dress. [Better clothes sounds like too much effort, anyways. He peers down at his tie, before lifting a hand up to loosen it back to the way it was. Sorry, Fitzgerald.]

Anyways, what's stopping me from just writing terrible stories? I'm sure your wife wouldn't like that.

[ His shoulders give a shrug that says "tomato, toh-mah-to". ]

If you say so. I don't like disrupting the creative process. [ A frown that the tie is now loosened but he lets that go. ]

What is stopping you? Common sense. You do not look like you are a fool, Howard. So I know you will make something good.

And you're the one who wants to pay me to write something I care very little about. Talk about common sense.

[If he had been asked to write stuff about shipwrecks, he'd be on it in a heartbeat. This? He already feels the loathing that comes with being forced to do something he doesn't want to do.]

And what if I say no? Are you going to give me that option, at least?

You have a talent even if you hate it, Howard. Unfortunate for you. Common sense says you should drain what you are good at until the well is dry. You will end up far richer in doing so, and find a better life than what you had.

[ He returns to his easy smile and takes a second to muse over the question. What if the good writer says no? ]

I am afraid that a good businessman never comes into negotiations thinking that "no" is possible. But I suppose if you say so, you say so. I respect how you made my wife happy with your writings and so I will be willing to let you have that option.

However, it is as you said, John and everyone else you know are living their own lives and making their own decisions. They, too, have a right to say "no." But I would rather not have to go the long way around. Nor do I think you want them bothered because I gave you the opiton to not work for me.

Well, I guess I'm fine with never being rich, then.

[He says, like he can't even see how that's a problem. Honestly, the more this man talks, the more Howard feels like he wants to dig in his heels and just refuse everything he's being told.]

[That last part makes him frown. John...?]

...They can take care of themselves. I'm sure they will have their own answers for you. But like I said, I'm open to your offer if you give me something I truly want. [A shake of his head.]

Ah, you're truly as stubborn as me, aren't you...?

Flat | Top-Level Comments Only

OCTOBER TDM

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