recolle | JULY EVENT LOG

EVENT

SURF AND SUN
With the peak of summer upon the city of Recollé, many people are enjoying some time off to soak up the sun and hit the beach. Pops of green and blue sprinkle the city again though many people don't notice at all. Citizens remain as content as ever, complimenting one-another on their new tank-tops or asking for recommendations of the best ice cream flavors.

It's almost as if there's really nothing strange going on here.

I.
It's a pattern at this point. Those who have been a part of the Retrospec network for long enough have noticed that strange things usually begin on the third of any given month and perhaps some of you may be expecting it. But this time on the morning of the third, everything seems alarmingly normal.

Speaking of alarms, yours seems to be going off. "But I didn't set an alarm, it's summer", you might say, but it sounds strangely like the "wark!" of a Chocobo repeatedly. Some of you are able to turn off your alarms just fine, but others may not be so lucky. For a few selected citizens, disabling the alarm reveals a special pop-up notification from your friends at Retrospec.

A short message appears: B-I-N-G-O! Looking to collect some of your memories? Ready, set, go.

The message quickly dissolves and reveals an electronic 5x5 digital bingo card, each square filled in with an activity to complete. At the center is a prompt that hits almost a little too close to home, whether that be something you would do yourself or challenging you just a little to complete it. Shimmering just under the words of the center prompt, you can barely make out what appears to be a QR code before it promptly disappears.

Wait. Perhaps you may recall that someone once mentioned QR codes. Or maybe you're still learning how this network works and you're uncertain what it all means. There's only one way to find out, isn't there? Grab a friend (or even a stranger) and get ready to play in all districts of your beloved city.

Then again, maybe you really did get lucky and you weren't saddled with one of these cards, or perhaps you're the type to ignore silly games like this. There's plenty happening in the city elsewhere as everyone prepares for the big Fourth of July celebration. Tisse and Chata are bustling with people stocking up and hosting sales, not at all unlike the Founder's Day celebration. Everywhere you turn you may find yourself face to face with people offering samples or tempting you with the best deals around. Are you a shopper today? Or are you one of the employees counting down the minutes until your shift ends? It's just another day in the city of Recollé.

II.
Even though it's the middle of the summer, it's unusually warm for this time of year. A heatwave rolls through the city, but for some of you it's getting hotter than ever. It may be an ordinary day for you when it happens. Perhaps you're a student who's trying to enjoy their summer vacation. Maybe you're cramped up in an office all day desperately trying to soak in the air conditioning, or maybe you're running around trying to fill your bingo prompts. There's no telling where you will be when you come to realize a small item has made its way into your pocket or bag.

Upon inspection, you find a blue-colored fortune cookie, glowing as bright as the Retrospec logo. Some of you may throw it away, while others of you may accidentally break it or even open it out of curiosity. The moment the cookie is cracked, the glow stops and a puff of smoke emits into the air leaving behind a singular white strip of paper.

A short message: "Learn to walk a mile in someone else's shoes."

The heat intensifies for those who have read the fortune before a cool, calming breeze floats over you. Like the crash of a wave, you soon find yourself overwhelmed with a memory that isn't your own, or the feeling of power courses through your veins, the wind whispering a message of a power or memory obtained . Will you seek out who these memories and abilities belong to? Or will you keep them for yourself for a while? There's only one way to change back to the way you were, even if you don't know it just yet.

Yet even for those who aren't blessed with this fortune the heat's proving to be a bit much. The sun beats down intensely and everywhere you turn there are shops handing out cups of water to help keep everyone hydrated. There are several places you can duck into to borrow their AC, but all around the same time at 8pm on the 3rd, a rolling blackout hits the city. The lights go down and the air units stop working. It begins to have the effect of being cooler outside than it is inside (which you recognize as strange, but with the gray sky overhead it's hard to tell if this means rain or another sunset) and you feel the urge to go outside.

That's when it happens. As if on cue, the crickets begin to chirp and cicadas make their presence known. Fireflies begin to pop up in little groups, swirling around Retrospec users in synchronicity. Those off-network will remark how beautiful the bright creatures are, but don't find this behavior strange at all. However, the fireflies will follow users around the city all night long.

Will you focus on bringing the power back like you may have once before? Or will you enjoy the show? The fireflies will be with you no matter the choice.

III.
Down at Peach Beach a celebration's set up to take place over the course of the next two days. A stage sits on the sandy beach to host a variety of musical acts (including a few open mic hours) and food trucks are parked along the walkway. Some of you may notice that thanks to the fiasco during the food truck rally, several of the trucks have been stopped with parking boots. The boardwalk has a variety of games and specials to offer as well, fun prizes for anyone who plays along, buckets and pails prime for the taking to build sand castles and several carts selling Recollé's famous Peach Beach popsicles and ice cream parked along the docks. Best of all, the sun is high and the water's fine, the scent of the gray ocean wafts toward the sand.

However, for those who venture into the gray ocean you may notice that it takes a little longer than usual to cross the sand to the water, the distance stretching before you. The water's clear as ever and refreshing from the sun, though the waves appear choppier than you recall from the past. Perhaps that doesn't bother you. Perhaps you're a great swimmer or you tell yourself the waves aren't nearly as intimidating as they look. Several citizens are out there surfing and sailing. How bad can it be?

Do be careful if you venture further and further from the shore though; after a certain point far enough from the shore, adventurers may find themselves face to face with large, unidentifiable shadows under the water, a slick slide of something brushing against limbs in a gentle caress before the shadows retreat. Walking further will reveal a drastic dip in the ocean floor and you may sink under, the water strangely clear for being gray. Whatever touched you swims out of sight before you can get a close look, but it's clear its multiple fins and limbs propel itself forward and away.

Following it seems to be futile. The waves grow rougher and should you travel too far, the water will carry you back to the shore almost as if it's protecting you from harm.

Weird, isn't it?

IV.
But life goes on even aside from the weird ongoings of Retrospec. Life goes on, the world keeps turning, and the mayor still loves holidays. The Fourth of July is no exception and the city is bustling with activity.

Much like the day prior, the shopping district and the beach seem to be where many residents gather. Several others enjoy the day in Hollingberry field with friends and family, barbecuing and playing games together. Those with bingo cards will receive another sound of alarm, a startled wark! from their device before there is a flash revealing that one day has gone by since the game began. Those who harbor a power or memory that isn't their own feel the impact a little more heavily, urging them to find their match.

However, the world seems to stop as dusk settles around the city. Citizens hustle and scramble to pick the best viewing points for the annual fireworks show. Street vendors sell glow rings and popcorn and sparklers for anyone who wishes to play with the lights. The Mayor sits atop Seabiscuit in Recollé Square with an ice cream cone in hand, anticipating the time the bursts of color will appear.

At 9pm sharp, the first boom begins. Displayed across the sky appears the history of the city in pops of shimmering color, pictures painted across the dark tapestry above among the stars. With most of the city distracted though, now may be the perfect time to do some last-minute sale shopping or cross off a few things on your lists without question. It may even be the perfect time to sneak away from the crowds and get up to some mischief.

BONUS.
It's quiet around the Retrospec building, but the doors unlock for anyone who ventures toward them. They have been locked tight since the first part of May, but you can't help but observe that this seems to happen periodically. A pattern? Maybe, but who are you to look a gift Chocobo in the mouth?

For those brave enough to enter the building, they will find that rooms that were previously accessible are no longer available. Doors are missing, the elevator refuses to work, and the secretary's desk appears to be as clear of evidence as always. However, soft lights adorn the handrail of the stairs beckoning characters toward the second floor.

There appears to be only one room upstairs and the door is ajar. Is it a trap? Possibly, but further investigation shows that it was simply a careless action. Inside this room is another desk, a laptop seated on its table-top and the room itself not much bigger than a walk-in closet. Scattered around are books on biology and genetics, notes about evolution and hybrid animals. Comic books and horror movies sit in a neat pile in a corner near a small TV, screen frozen on a large monster of some sort. A table in the back is home to a few fossilized items in jars, along with empty coffee cups and house plants. In another corner is a clothing rack with a handful of costumes and a sewing machine sits on the floor nearby. Tacked on the wall is a reminder of the dates of the Recollé ReConvention.

What is all of this? A note on the desk reveals that all of this belongs to someone named Maurice and that "he better work harder or he will not receive his school credit."

But what's an intern doing with all of this research? What a great question.

Welcome to

recolle's July event! 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 based on the ongoings of the city! 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, while you are more than free to use this log to play with the bingo cards and regains swap these are in effect all month! You are free to make your own posts all month long as well and these will qualify for your bingo cards. With regards to the regains swap, as per our notes how your characters switch back is up to you! This could be anything from a hug, a synchronized dance, a duel, etc. Be creative! There is no right or wrong answer.

Please see our monthly plotting post/event sign-ups posts here and here.

Any questions you have regarding this event may be directed to the mod comment here.

Flat | Top-Level Comments Only

[It's the sign that catches Tatsuo's eye first, and then he sees who set up the table. He grins and swings by to compliment Dante on his enterprise.]

Now that is how you play a game. Granted, I normally don't condone breaking and entering, but in this instance, it's been warranted.

[He pulls his wallet from the pocket of his shorts and extracts a $10.]

So I will take one of those lemonades. If only so I can black out my bingo card and give Jim the proverbial middle finger.

[As he hands the money over, he notices the change in Dante's eyes and his eyebrows hitch slightly.]

Damn, when did that happen?

[Finally! Somebody who understands what type of a game he's playing. Tatsuo is rapidly making his way onto Dante's shortlist of cops he actually likes, and he smirks, leaning back in his chair.]

Is it really breaking and entering if they left the front doors unlocked to a public building?

[Obviously Retrospec thinks it is, considering he'd been bodily thrown out of the building the last time he snuck in... but who cares what Retrospec thinks? Not him, that's for sure.

He pours a cup of lemonade for Tatsuo, setting it on the side of the table. But just as he's about to stand up to walk around the table, accepting Tatsuo's payment... the other man's making mention of his eyes.

Tatsuo will probably notice the change in Dante's expression; the amusement disappears, replaced by a flat deadpan.]

Just today. Apparently Retrospec's decided that we haven't had to deal with enough shit this month.

Dirk Strider's walking around with blue eyes now instead.

[Oh Tatsuo notices.]

They switched your eye color? That's... new...

[And boy does Tatsuo NOT like the implications.]

Seriously though, they go around switching the weird eye colors they give people, where does that stop?

Oh, just wait. They're probably gearing up for a full game of musical memories here in a couple months. We're just the beta testers, after all.

[He mad.]

Fucking hell, I really hope not.

[But what's to stop Retrospec from doing that, when they can already do so much? Shrink everyone in the city. Distort the perception of two colors. The damned chocobos.]

It's bad enough I'm seeing other-me's memories. I don't exactly want someone else seeing them.

[He lets out an aggravated sound.]

Guess we just have to find a way to beat them at their own game.

You're telling me. [Dante scowls, shaking his head.] Dirk lucked out, all I remember is some technicolor acid trip. But he didn't tell me what he'd remembered...

[And frankly, he really hates the idea of someone being in his shoes, feeling the fear and anger and frustration and hopelessness he's experienced through these memories. It's too personal to have somebody else experiencing those emotions in his stead.]

Anyways, why do you think I set this stand up? [How he's coming around to the front side of the table, where Tatsuo can get his slap.] I knew people were gonna come after me for that card spot anyways, so I figured I'd beat them to the punch instead.

Though, that still doesn't mean we have to play by their rules. I wasn't originally going to do that spot, but I'm reconsidering trying to fill the whole card.

[Rather than aiming for Dante's face, because he considers that an insult no matter whether the person says it's okay or not, he gives Dante a hearty slap on the back. It's not like his bingo card says he has to slap the person across the face after all. Tatsuo doesn't hit as hard as he can, but's not a light slap either.]

Try to not get yourself wiped. You've clearly caught their attention, you and the other buglers.

[Dante's not expecting the slap to the back--he actually has to take a step forward to check his balance, looking a little bit bewildered. But quickly enough it's wiped away, replaced by what might be an almost sheepish-looking smirk (is that even possible? How does he manage that).]

I'd caught their attention way before this. The last time I broke in we tried to stay overnight to see if we could catch any employees coming in or leaving.

I woke up at 3AM because something grabbed me and threw me out of the building. The other guy wound up locked inside until six because they locked the doors against me coming back in.

[It's a rather solid plan. Break in, hide, wait to see who comes in to work. Use that information as leverage. A good old-fashioned stakeout.]

Something rather than someone?

[That gets an eyebrow raise out of Tatsuo. He doesn't think Dante used that word carelessly.]

You make it sound like they have some sort of automated security system.

[He holds up a hand, cautioning Tatsuo.]

I don't know for certain. Like I said, it was 3AM. But I didn't see the shape of anyone in the dark, and aside from that, I'm a pretty tall guy. It'd take more than one person to get me up that fast. I barely had a chance to even try and fight back before I was on my ass outside.

I don't think it's an automated system, though. Like I said, the other guy I was with was left alone.

That so-called company keeps getting weirder and weirder.

[Seriously. Why eject one intruder but lock the other inside? It makes no damned sense. And Dante's right, he's a good five inches taller than Tatsuo, and even when Tatsuo is surprised, he's not easy to toss. What the hell could have tossed Dante out so easily?]

But you're probably going to go poke around in there again next chance you get, aren't you?

Obviously.

[He's apparently either got a reputation, or he gives off enough of an aura to make that readily apparent. Either way, Dante can't help but be amused by it.]

Don't forget the lemonade.

[Well, between sliding the ~secret society~ meetings into the Fight Club and the fact he admitted himself he's poked around the Retrospec building more than once, yes Dante has a bit of a reputation. Not that that's a bad thing.]

Oh no, certainly can't forget the lemonade.

[He hands over the money and picks up the glass, taking a swig.]

By the way, what other fun shit did you get on your bingo card?

[Honestly, Dante's glad for that fact. That sort of a reputation is the sort he wants people to get from him! And after all of these memories he's been getting back, turning everything upside down... it's nice to be reaffirmed like that.

He pulls out his phone to answer Tatsuo's question, pulling up a screencap of the bingo card.]

A lot of stupid stuff. But as far as Retrospec goes, this all feels pretty tame. I'm not looking forward to singing Rick Astley for a bunch of people.

Oh? You got the rick roll caroling too?

[Tatsuo chuckles and then gets an idea]

Hey. We should put a group together. The more people who do it, the less stupid you look individually.

[[overflow!]]

JULY EVENT LOG

iii

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject