MARCH EVENT LOG

[recollecters]

EVENT

RUMOR HAS IT In the age of modern technology, people keep in touch 24/7. It's hard to find a resident that doesn't own a cell phone, a tablet device, or a computer. It's even harder to find a resident that doesn't use their devices every single day. But the wonderful folks at Retrospec know just how important it is for you to stay in touch with your closest friends. Retrospec also knows how important it is to bond with your friends and learn all about them. Isn't that how friendships are made? Why would you ever hide something from your friends? That just won't do. After all, Retrospec is all about sharing... I. In all parts of the city, all residents with the Retrospec app will notice they have one unread notification. You can ignore the notification all you'd like, but you can't do much of anything else either. Do you have an important essay to finish typing for class tomorrow? Are you trying to search for reviews on the latest restaurant that opened in Tisse? That's too bad. Until you check out that notification your device (and subsequently all devices you try to use) will freeze up. When you finally get sick of being blocked from everything and open the notification, you'll find a video of…well, you. You don't recall anyone filming you, but that's not the most startling part. What's unsettling about this video is the narration over the audio revealing a deep, dark secret about you. The best part is that the video auto-loops so long as you have the app open, but even if the app is closed the video may very well appear on the newsfeed of all Retrospec members. The good news is that there is a way to delete the video! With a little work (and after suffering the embarrassment of having their auto-loop blast for all to hear), residents will be successful in deleting the video. Willingly showing it to another Retrospec user will allow the video to play as normal, but at the end a "DELETE" button will appear. On the other hand, Retrospec is still new and filled with little bugs and glitches. That video will be deleted but it might be sent out to the entire network as a private message. It might even go viral on the hottest streaming website. But don't worry, these things are happening to everyone. Will you embrace your secret? Or will you be one of the ones desperately trying to hide it? II. Those who aren't glued to their mobile devices will notice that spring is starting to roll in as snow melts away. Birds twitter to one another as they nest in the trees and the rooftops of several homes in the city. The flowers aren't blooming yet, but residents know they will be soon. Today's just like any other day…but it's strange. Nothing seems out of the ordinary, but it almost feels as though you're being watched. No matter where you turn, you can't shake the feeling that there's a pair of eyes following every step you take and every move you make. Occasionally, you'll hear the flash of a camera but you can't catch the culprit fast enough. Before you can duck into any of the buildings to escape, however, you'll find yourself ambushed by one, two, or maybe even three tabloids reporters complete with camera crew and microphones. The barrage of questions is dizzying, but it seems as though they want to question you about your secret that was publicized on Retrospec. Refusing to answer their questions will only make the reporters angry. Will you give them a full-spread report of your life? Will you run away and lead a pack of desperate paparazzi down the street? There must be a way to get rid of them once and for all! …you might need some extra help though. III. There's a nervous kind of energy in the air as residents carry on with their daily routines. Kids joke about their silly secrets. Adults hope their colleagues won't judge them for the things they've done in the past. It's not so bad though. Everyone has an embarrassing secret they have to live with. Oh well. Life goes on, and the city continues the way that it always has. For example, those in the Apprassage district will notice that the Recollé public library is hosting its semi-annual book swap. Residents can come trade their old books for new ones during the first week of March. The library will also be holding a bake sale with all proceeds going directly to the Recollé school district. Are you helping out at the sale? Are you perusing the stacks upon stacks of books to see what catches your eye? It's a great way to mingle with people and share stories. And speaking of sharing stories, residents may look up and notice that a few people leaving the sale have a piece of paper taped to their back. It's not clear where this paper came from. You're fairly sure you didn't see anyone wandering around taping signs to people's backs. The poor sap in front of you appears to be oblivious, but upon closer inspection you may find that this paper reveals another secret about themselves. Will you alert them about this note, or will you let them walk around advertising their secret for the entire city? Think wisely; you might have your own secret taped to you, too. IV. Isn't technology supposed to make things easier? That no longer seems to be the case as a power surge blows through all districts in the city. Appliances start to act up. Lightbulbs burn out. Electronic billboards deliver scrambled messages. Toilets back up, audio feedback blows out the eardrums of performers at the Atrium, toasters catch on fire, everything that could possibly go wrong seems to be going wrong. Are you stuck at work trying to calm down an entire store? Are you forced to go into a lockdown at school until they figure out what's wrong with the lights? It all comes to a head though starting the night of March 4th. Street lamps are bright and shining on the streets of all districts. Tisse is just as crowded and loud as ever with live music and parties. Employees in Chata go through their nightly procedures to close shop for the evening. It all happens so fast, but one minute everything seems to be functioning and the next the city plunges into a complete blackout. All lights and sounds cease to exist. Are you out in the city? Maybe you were fortunate enough to be at home already, but it's never a bad idea to check on your neighbors. Mayor Mayer seems to be sleeping through the crisis. It's up to residents to work together to solve these issues and try to bring their power back. Groups can link up and search for any knocked-down power lines in the city (and will most likely find them in Apprassage.) There are several emergency generators scattered in the city, but it's best to take a buddy before wandering in the dark. Residents can also create emergency response teams to hand out supplies and direct other citizens to safe zones as the generators begin to kick in. There are no limits to how people can help. In fact...there may even be some residents who have a few unique ideas. BONUS. Okay. So your secret's out. No big deal, right? It's out and you've embraced it and life can move on. If only it were that easy though. Over the course of the month of March, several residents may start to experience other tricks of memory. For instance, maybe you order your favorite coffee drink only to discover it doesn't taste quite the same. A trip to the movies might surprise you when the trailer for the next big feature stars someone who looks a little like you. Your favorite song on the radio might get interrupted by a conversation between two people discussing, well, you. Look around. You may find you're not the only one second-guessing yourself. Then again, some people just want answers. For those who are sick of Retrospec butting into their lives, you're more than welcome to head back to their offices in Tisse. Getting in won't be easy. In front of the door is a large monitor-type device and an interactive screen. If you want to step into their headquarters, looks like you'll have to grab a friend and play along. With the success of a fully completed puzzle, the door will unlock and allow characters to step into the lobby. This time, instead of being completely empty, there are a handful of large glass tubes mounted to the walls. Inside these tubes are colored stones of varying amounts, though it's obvious some are more full than others. The doors in the halls will still be locked, vents and windows will be unable to open, and--huh. Didn't there used to be an elevator? Where'd that go? There's a large sign that says "DO NOT TOUCH" in front of the tubes, but for anyone who blatantly ignores the sign, they'll be hit with an overwhelming sense of homesickness that will drive them out of the building and to wherever they consider home. But on their way there, they'll find themselves at the mercy of those pesky reporters again, this time asking for details about the story they created with the Retrospec building's new security measure. Welcome to recolle's March's event! As a reminder, 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 and be as creative as you'd like. As a note, memories in prompts I and II are from your Recollé AU. However, memories from prompt III may hint at a canon memory that your character has recovered! Any questions you have regarding this event may be directed to the mod comment here.

Comments

[glacian]

I. [Gentiana never been one for the limelight. She's a woman of unique and sometimes simple tastes who likes playing the role of the voyeur. One of her favorite hobbies is 'people watching' but never does she take well to being watched. That's why when this "video" of her surfaces upon her Facebook wall featuring her in some of her intimate moments, Gentiana is furious.

While it's nothing too risque, the video does feature the scantily-clad Gentiana in naught else but a sheer white lacy robe and matching intimates within the safety of her loft apartment in Chata. The narration starts as the following once Gentiana is seen with her back turned towards the viewers.]

As gentle as snow but colder than arctic frost, Gentiana Illyria is a woman of otherworldly grace that fringes on divine. She's a beautiful "lie", a construct of what we would assume a perfection to be. While she insists that her presence is mundane at best, there's nothing truly normal about this poetic author.

[While it's literally just a video of Gentiana fixing her hair, it certainly feels a tad too perverse. Like who could be watching her from the shadows like this? It just feels wrong and Gentiana is livid.]

Gentiana Illyria 3/3 near Chata

Invasion of privacy? I will be taking legal actions against Retrospec and every affiliate linked with this company.

II. [It's not like Gentiana to be nervous, ever.

She's typically confident and surefooted but today she walks with hesitance as she glances over her shoulder every so often. A strange sense of fear overwhelms Gentiana as she walks towards the college campus. She has a class that starts at noon that she's already late for thanks for the video of her in her négligé being posted all over her Facebook. The poor woman is still quite sour about all that and it shows in her annoyed expression. Gentiana never thought she would feel so harassed and bothered today.]

Someone is near-- [The woman mutters as she ducks behind a few nearby trees.] What stalks me...? And why?

[Gentiana is dressed somewhat casually today with just a prim and proper white blouse, moderately length black skirt and matching white and black heels. She honestly dislikes the coming of Spring but she seems comfortable enough without else but a black shawl to protect her from the chill in the air. Too bad she's not wearing a pair of sneakers because the urge to just run towards the university is there.

Someone is definitely chasing her and they're armed with cameras and microphones.]

Wildcard. (OoC: Pitch any idea and I'll comply!)

I

[standalonehuman]

[Togusa is no prude, and he doesn't get embarrassed easily, not just by revealing clothing. But the video feels like an intrusion. It's different when it's someone he knows, someone he...rather likes although they're still figuring out what is happening on that front.]

[He is still blushing fiercely but he has to calm his own outrage to reach out to Gentiana. She's hurting.]

Hitori Togusa Gentiana. Are you all right?
Hitori Togusa We're definitely going to continue to pursue this company.

[glacian]

[It takes a moment for Gentiana to respond. She's so angry now, almost to the point of tears. If there's one thing Gentiana takes seriously, it's her privacy.]

Gentiana Illyria My fury is colder than Winter's chill
Gentiana Illyria They will know remorse.
Gentiana Illyria How do we make them fall?

[standalonehuman]

[There is a deep urge to ask where Gentiana is and go to her, but she probably feels vulnerable right now. She might not be up to a face to face interaction after this.]

Hitori Togusa We start searching the public records, the permits to that building, the registration for this app, until we can get a damn NAME.
Hitori Togusa And then we know where your fury should go. There has to be a person who's doing this.

[glacian]

[In all truth, Gentiana could use a friend right now. She feels betrayed and vulnerable, two emotions that she doesn't know how to handle. This is the first time she ever felt so exposed, so raw. The poor woman doesn't feel safe here and she's hastily gathering her things as she texts.]

Gentiana Illyria There's nothing known about this company other than their logo.
Gentiana Illyria It always struck me as odd that there's no mention of their CEO or shareholders.
Gentiana Illyria They just suddenly now exist...

[She pauses briefly before writing the following.]

Gentiana Illyria They're like ghosts within the night.

[standalonehuman]

Hitori Togusa No matter how hard you try to hide yourself, there's always a way to find out who they are.
Hitori Togusa There's always a core concept at the center of your behavior, even on the net where people think they can hide. Something that you can't quite separate from yourself. You are still you.
Hitori Togusa And that's how we can catch them.
Hitori Togusa The whole idea of a ghost, a part of you that makes up you existing even after life.

[But they're getting off track.]

Hitori Togusa I can swear that we'll pursue them and take these guys down, but I know that doesn't solve any problems right now.
Hitori Togusa For right this second, Gentiana, is there anything I can do to help you?

[glacian]

Gentiana Illyria Existing even after life?

[A thoughtful hum escapes Gentiana as she questions that thought. Death is considered the end of Life but is it truly an end to something as wondrous as life itself? Somehow Gentiana just knows it's not, almost as if she conquered the limitations of life in a past existence. Such a strange thought. She feels quite odd here thinking about her own alleged mortality when that video of her claims otherwise.

Gentiana cannot help but feel somewhat anxious now. Something terrible is about to unfold.

She sits there upon the futon for a few moments before suddenly texting Hitori back. Hopefully he's free today.]

Gentiana Illyria Would it be too much to ask if we could meet in person?
Gentiana Illyria It feels as if I'm being watched.

[standalonehuman]

Hitori Togusa Not at all, Gentiana. I'd be glad to meet up, if you're up for it.

[Relief, that there is something that he can do, and that he can see with his own eyes how Gentiana is doing. He's always preferred in-person interaction to things over the net.]

Hitori Togusa I can come meet you, if it's not too presumptuous?

[Stop blushing again, Hitori.]

[glacian]

Gentiana Illyria That you may. I've sent my address as an attachment a moment ago.

[She would've giggled if she seen his face. Hitori has a habit of wearing his emotions upon his face.]

Gentiana Illyria I'll put on a pot of tea for us. I hope you enjoy green tea.

II - We're doing both because I feel like it

[standalonehuman]

Togusa has noticed the increased activity of the press this week. Don't you people have anything better to do? Like looking into where these leaks are coming from? It disgusts Togusa, but seeing Gentiana trying to be subtle about ditching them gets his ire up like nothing else.

Togusa heads directly over to her, speaking up before he gets too close, so as to not startle her. He's likely to get clocked if he does. "Gentiana."

Togusa moves to get between the reporters and her. Not that she really needs a rescue, but he isn't going to leave her on her own. Gentiana gets a quick smile, before the reporters get the most angry glare that Togusa can muster. "Disperse. Now."

Fine by me!

[glacian]

There's actually a hint of fear lingering upon Gentiana's usually placid expression. It feels so strange to see something akin to dread upon her, especially since Gentiana is normally so confident. She peeks around the tree a few times only to duck every time the press comes too near. A groan of frustration nearly escapes the poor woman until someone dares to approach. If he hadn't said her name, she would've fled.

"Hitori."A sigh of relief nearly escapes Gentiana once her green gaze rests upon him. "Thank the stars..." She's a little out of breath. The poor woman was subconsciously holding her breath the entire time. "There's too many of them." She whispers once he comes a little closer. "They chase but why? There's no rhyme or reason here."

Gentiana all but hides behind the detective in hopes that the paparazzi take their leave. She feels oddly silly here, as if their roles should be replaced. The more this scene unfolds, a strange sense of deja vu suddenly overwhelms her. She isn't supposed be cowering in fear. No. She is to walk ahead of him, proud an stern. Her gaze narrows as she gently places her hand upon Togusa's shoulder. Gentiana calmly pushes him aside and glares malveolently at her pursuers with utmost disgust.

"O' foolish knaves, you'll find naught else but death."

Between the officer's fierce glower an Gentiana's less than friendly warning, the reporters start to slowly rethink their tactics. However, one brave fool dares to ask Gentiana the following---

"Is that man your lover?"

Re: Fine by me!

[standalonehuman]

There's something that breaks Togusa's heart a little to see Gentiana so- afraid. He even hesitates to think that word in reference to her, but it is unfortunately the accurate one, and it makes Togusa even more angry at the situation that it's done this to her.

But his feelings of protectiveness quickly dial back when Gentiana pushes in front of him and stands her ground. Togusa's first thought was correct: she doesn't need a protector, but rather someone to stand at her side so she isn't alone. There's a strange feeling in his heart just then when he looks at her in surprise. A wave of admiration, but something more, like he's looking at a force of nature, rather than a mere human woman. Amazing.

But, frankly, Togusa also needs someone to be standing here with him, so he does not reach out and break that last reporter's nose. He looks at the man, and he just visualizes it, dropping the man to the ground for his impudent question. It gives Togusa enough of an intimidating look that the reporter balks and takes a shuffle back.

"I know really well what members of the press are and are not allowed to do, and this is crossing the line into harassment! So get out of here, before I arrest every one of you." Togusa gets an odd smile on his face. "It's gonna take a really long time to process everybody, but I've got all day. Do you?" A threat worse than death: police inconvenience.

[glacian]

Gentiana's eyes narrow ever so slightly once the reporters ask that question. While she is certainly sweet on Togusa, she's not about to announce her feelings to these nosy strangers. This is not the tabloids and she's not a celebrity in any sense of the word. Even if she was, Gentiana wouldn't humor any of them by answering. She glances over at the detective and gives him an apologetic smile.

"Seems that the vultures are fearful now." Gentiana says with a humorless chuckle. Her gaze returns to the reluctant reporter who earned Togusa's scorn briefly before glancing towards the university main building. They're not too far away from it. All they need to do is cross the courtyard and past the parking lot to reach inside. Inside there they could escape the reporters and the cameras that follow. The reporters in question aren't interested in getting arrested but they're not about to back down yet. That's why Gentiana starts casually slipping out of her heels now.

It's time to make a run for it.

"Forget it." She mutters once she places her shoes within her black leather purse. "Rapid dogs know nothing of reason." In just that instance, Gentiana reaches for the detective's hand and takes off running. While running barefoot against the dewy grass is comfortable enough, having bare skin hit against pavement does hurt quite a bit. However, Gentiana doesn't dare slow as she tugs Togusa along.

[standalonehuman]

Standard procedure with reporters: give them nothing. Normally, Togusa is far more genial with the press, but this doesn't count as press work.

Thankfully, Togusa is quick on the uptake. As soon as he sees Gentiana start to lose the heels, he knows where this is going. He hesitates just long enough to give the reporters a cheeky smirk. 'Sorry, kids.'

Togusa's hand wraps around Gentiana's cool grip, and he is running along with her. She is only pulling him along for an instant, before he catches right up to her side. There's a thrill, almost an exhiliration that they can just get away with this. He knows right where they're going, remembers the way to the English department. Despite the situation, a part of him wants to laugh, in an almost childish way.

They make it to the building, and Togusa barely lags behind, as if shielding her from the press, even though they have out-stripped the few who dared to follow by a lot. He slams the stairwell door shut behind them, and as the echo dies away, the two of them are left in a sudden quiet.

Togusa leans back against the door, breathing a little heavily, heart pounding for more than one reason. He is reluctant to let go of Gentiana's hand instantly, holding on for maybe a few seconds longer than is really prudent. "I....Are you all right?" He looks up at Gentiana with a mixture of concern and still that lightly impressed look.

[glacian]

Gentiana is quick. Running across the parking lot barefoot isn't a feat for the faint of heart. The concrete under her feet rubs the skin raw with every step but she doesn't care. The only damn thing Gentiana cares about is getting away from those awful leechers hounding Hitori and her. What business is of theirs if they're dating or not. It's no one's business, it never was.

Gentiana can't help but sigh in relief once they reach indoors. She's done with being in the lime light and even more feed up about being stalked on her way to work. The silence that falls between them is oddly comforting. Gentiana isn't breathing heavily at all but she does take in the luxury of holding Togusa's hand. His fingers are slightly calloused and hard but they feel so warm. It sort of makes her smile some. She likes the feel of his palms against hers but abruptly this moment ends once he reluctantly let's go.

Her smile fades at the loss of his warmth and her green eyes stare at him with muted confusion. Did she do something wrong? She likes holding his hand. It's a new sense of comfort for her. "I'm fine." She answers with her smile renewed by his concern. Gentiana is oddly not used to people being concerned about her. Most people just tend to pass her by or ignore the poor woman outside of her writing.

"I apologize for my hastiness. I just..." She trails off with a deep sigh. "It was too much."

[standalonehuman]

Now Togusa gives in to that urge to laugh, and the boyish grin he shoots Gentiana is all pleased. "There is zero need to apologize. I should thank you for getting me out of there before I started throwing punches. Not that you needed me to, but..." he reaches out to take her hand again, giving in to that urge to make sure she knows he's still there. A slight reassuring squeeze; he thinks it's a better end to his sentence than any words he might give.

"It's no burden to be there for you. If you need someone, please call on me. I know what it's like to not want to trouble the people around you, but then who do you turn to when you actually are in trouble?" He shakes his head a little. "You have someone."

Maybe it's overstepping a line, but Togusa wants to put that out there anyway. What's happening in this city is so confusing, so incomprehensible, but they're all going through it together. There's no way any of them can burden this all themselves.

[glacian]

A look of true happiness fills her gaze once he claims her hand again. Gentiana doesn't quite know what to do with herself right now. She's feels so strangely calm now, almost as if the day just begun anew. This is a surreal feeling, something far too magical to describe but she feels it deep within the reaches of her heart. It takes a moment for this odd sensation to wash away but once it does, she replies quietly.

"I thank you, truly." Gentiana manages to say in a low whisper. Her voice has a slightly airy aspect to it, almost as if her thoughts are lost elsewhere now. "I'm grateful to not be alone. It's all so unpredictable now, almost as if my halcyon days have abruptly faded into obscurity." She focuses her green gaze upon Togusa with a look of clear worry upon her face.

"Hitori." There's a certain level of reverence in her tone that's mildly startling. She's commanding for his full attention with just a gentle whisper. "Despite all that may transpire; I'm grateful to have...met you." Her words are oddly cryptic but there's a certain level of urgency in her tone that cannot be ignored.

"This very may be the calm before the storm."

i

[tearable]

[ That's absolutely catches her attention when she's scrolling through her feed. She thought it was some... some promotional video but it was far too NSFW. There's hesitance in the status update, one that leaves her rewriting her comment a few times before finally settling on something worthwhile. ]

Elizabeth Wolf Miss... I'm so sorry. This is disgusting! How could this application do that...? I know a good lawyer if you truly want to seek retribution.

[glacian]

[While Gentiana can't exactly show it over the phone but Elizabeth's words do comfort. It helps cement her rage with this app and the company that sponsors it a little better.]

Gentiana Illyria May I ask for their name? Your lawyer companion.
Gentiana Illyria I truly believe this was foul play. A phone just doesn't suddenly start recording like this.

[tearable]

Elizabeth Wolf Ardyn Izunia — can offer you the best advice possible even if he might not be willing to open a case himself.
Elizabeth Wolf I haven't seen something of this nature yet and I surely hope this isn't a persistent issue... that puts all the women here at risk.

[glacian]

Gentiana Illyria Ardyn?

[The moment passes before Gentiana forms a reply. She should've known that Elizabeth would mention him. Despite her general dislike of him, Ardyn is probably the best lawyer they have available here. There's others but Ardyn is one of the few to experience the Retrospec app personally.]

Gentiana Illyria It may take some convincing but I can convince him to assist me.
Gentiana Illyria My hope is that no other woman shall face a similiar humiliation likened to my own. I would never wish such upon another.

[tearable]

Elizabeth Wolf I take it the name may be familiar? He's a colleague of mine at the University. Fair grader and could only hope that translate in a courtroom. If there's ever such a case of ... THIS... happening again, surely you and the others will be able to pull this as evidence. I hope.

II

[daemonized]

[It's been a strange past few days. Retrospec has made the lives of many far more interesting than necessary, and Ardyn had been no exception to the rule. He had not (yet), however, been victim to the equivalent of the paparazzi -- though he had seen the various individuals toting cameras, invading personal spaces, and more or less being a pain to all they came across.

Ardyn is quite ready to see if one of them even so much steps onto campus grounds. He's a mind to call security on them immediately.

But for now, he's also walking towards the campus. Passing by a couple of trees and-- oop. Someone bumps into him.]

Ms. Illyria. [He breathes out, easily shifting his weight to catch his balance. He looks at her, smiling with his usual assuredness, though it begins to waver a bit when he notes her... confusion? Irritation?]

Are we in a hurry today? [Was she trying to hide behind that tree?]

[glacian]

[The muted rage within her eyes is telling. Just a moment ago, Gentiana was on route towards the campus only to get heckled by reporters and paparazzi alike. Her quiet mundane life been turned upside down for reasons unknown and she's in the foulest of moods. The rage in her quells some once Ardyn acknowleges her but not by much. Those bright green eyes glitter dangerously in the light but her smile remains just a pleasant as always.

She's like a beautifully sharpened blade, majestic but deadly.]

Mister Izunia. [Her smile is weak but still present.] My apologies for my haste but I do believe we have some unwelcomed visitors on campus.

[She makes sure to keep her voice low for now.]

[daemonized]

[That anger just simmering under the surface is not difficult for a man like Ardyn to note. If nothing else, her usual calmness appears to accentuate it tenfold -- indeed, much like a beautifully sharpened blade, and one must be careful how one handles it.

Ardyn doesn't even have to glance out into the distance to know what she's talking about.]

Do we now? [He is all an air of casualness, if only because the idea also appears to rub him the wrong way. But where Gentiana reacts with rage, Ardyn's patronization merely dials up to eleven; not directed at her, but rather at their unwelcome guests.] Well, in that case, I believe it's all a matter of calling campus security, wouldn't you say?