recollecters: (Default)
Recollé Mods ([personal profile] recollecters) wrote in [community profile] recolle2018-02-03 06:04 pm

CITY EVENT LOG

EVENT
The New Administration
Wait, what?
*[ooc: please be sure to read all mod notes at the bottom!]



The third is when everything seems to start with a bang. On the third day of February, several crashes and bangs are heard and the sound of creaky metal ripples through the air. Those who look outside will see a sight for sore eyes. The moon and the stars brighten the sky and the dome is nowhere to be seen.

Instead, anyone in Tisse will find yet another addition to the wonderful city of Recollé. At the very top of the Towers sits a penthouse with wide windows and an empty office building, soft lights glowing and illuminating the area.

The city goes silent after that, but at the top of the hour every single Retrospec user receives a text from a user named Zee Carlisle.

Nice city you've got here. They weren't kidding when they said I would fit right in. I've always wanted to live in a city like this.

Jo, Maury and the rest of the team have given you a little bit of a breakdown in preparation for our little project, but they recruited me to step in. Seems like a lot of you want a more personal experience here with us at Retrospec. So let's talk. Get to know each other. I'll go first.

Zee Carlisle, Hiring Manager. Nice to meet you, etc. I've been watching you for a while, Retrospecters. Kind of a unique group you've got going. I like it.

Here's the thing. We've been experiencing some problems out of our control for a while now. The director's been trying to keep things under wraps for the last year, but HR and R&D finally convinced the higher ups that we need help. So. You want the whole story? Here's your story.

The storms are getting worse. You might've noticed. Calls are down, mail's down, communication as a whole is down and isolating you into this teensy bubble of a city. It's why the dome went up, had to protect our resources and start isolating the sources. More areas and more people even outside of your little group here are being affected, but you guys are the only people who can help us. Some of you passed your assessments with flying colors and I've already sent messages. You'll leave for your assignments in the morning at 9am, congratulations.

As for the rest of you, welllll…consider this an interview.

You see...as a Hiring Manager, I'm looking for recruits for our new project. The Recollé Restoration Initiative (going forward known as the RRI) is a project we designed here to not only help us, but to help you help us help you. Make sense? Cool.

You may ask, "Why should we trust you?" which is a completely fair question to ask. And hey, you don't have to trust me or trust them. But I think you might be interested to know that you and I have more in common than you think.

As a user on the network, you can contact me via text, phone or email. I'll also have some office hours and more resources than you could ever dream of. But enough about me. Here's your first assignment.


I.

On the morning of the fourth, users going through their assessment period (i.e. those of you who are working inside the city) receive a diagram from Zee. In this diagram, a dot labelled "Recollé" sits in the center and in the four cardinal directions are different labelled dots. To the south is Pesgare. To the north is Magatus. To the east is Respatrum. And to the west is Bosuma.

Citizens will find that they are able to leave the city limits now and can explore the open areas leading to these four points. While they will not be able to visit them just yet, they will be instructed that they must work together to begin structuring paths, roads, or forms of transportation between the main city of Recollé and these four locations. Zee may take requests and provide items should users ask, but it's up to you to work together and start brainstorming the best ways to create maps and connect these points together.

But the best way to do that is to start exploring, right? Hit the road and grab a friend to begin getting a lay of the land. Southward leads residents to the beach while northward leads them through the forest, east and west giving way to desert and open field areas the further they travel. The expanse of directions seems endless, but eventually citizens will find that they will hit a point where they're unable to enter. An "ACCESS DENIED" notification will pop up on their phone, notifying them that they've reached the entry points of the special assignments volunteers have been sent on.

But even with restricted access, there's plenty to be done and plenty to take care of as part of the initiative. Flora in the area needs to be identified and the fauna may be a bit problematic if you aren't careful. Some of these plants and creatures may even look familiar to you, but many of them won't!

Off-roading and camping are encouraged and despite the fact it's February the weather seems to be amendable to these ventures. Clear as many of the monsters as possible to make way for the paths, report your findings to your hiring manager, and look out for each other as you start to shape the land.

II.

It's not just the outskirts of the city and open areas that need help. Some citizens who have lived here for a while may remember that February 3rd is traditionally known as Founder's Day, a holiday set up by the city to celebrate the foundation. In the days leading up to the third, banners, signs and all kinds of advertisements have gone up reminding everyone that this year is the 100th anniversary of the city's foundation. However, as the third approaches, Founder's Day comes and goes without any sort of large celebration. In fact, the annual parade is cancelled and instead citizens gather to discuss a more trying matter.

Breaking news hits the airwaves that Mayor Mayer, the entire city council, the head of police, the fire chief and other prominent figures of the city have disappeared overnight. As newscasters record TV footage in front of City Hall and the police station, Retrospec users will receive a new message.

Uh. Well, that was unexpected. I wasn't really counting on something like this coming up but let's roll with it and count it as part of your assessment. You want your city to keep running the way it did? Find your mayor and the others.

But hey...it's your city. What if you didn't?


Under your feet, blue pulses of light run under the streets and the sidewalks, energy thrumming beneath you as all lights lead back to the subway tunnels again. Will you be a hero and follow the lights to rescue these people? Or will you be a face of change and leave them to perish and redesign the city?

Those who do enter the tunnels will find that a new route has opened, a mouth to the left of the main entrance from the city. Unlike the other dirt-filled vine-and-rat-infested tunnels, this one is a sterile and bright silver path with floor to ceiling panels on one side of the tracks and floor to ceiling mirrors on the other. The path seems to stretch miles and miles under the city and the further you walk, the narrower the path becomes. The sound of wild animals echo through the tunnels from the other sides of the panels, and the mirrors to your left reflect skeletal forms of both people and animals alike. The closer you get to the end though, the louder the sounds grow and the panels to the right slide open to release several chimera-esque creatures who will do everything they can to guard the silver door at the end of the tunnel. These creatures can be defeated by normal means, and they will not hesitate to attack anyone who gets close.

Is it worth fighting to save these people? You decide. Those who defeat the creatures and find themselves at the silver door will receive yet another message.

Hang tight, I am grouping you with some of the others to finish this thing.


III.
Later on the fourth, no matter where you are, you may find something heavy resting in your pocket. A small colored stone shaped like a heart appears and even while tucked away safely it burns brightly. Holding it, the heart feels as though it's pulsating and you're flooded with an overwhelming sense of love for something special whether that's a person, an item, or an ideal. All users find themselves in possession of a stone, and soon another text comes through.

If you're anything like me, you're probably wondering what's up with the rocks. Had the techs run some tests on these. Don't freak out, but you might want to be careful with them? They're working as fast as they can but bits of your soul energy are tied directly to those stones. You break it or make it lose its shine, well, hard to say WHAT might happen.


Users who keep their stones on their person in their pockets or in a bag will find that whatever emotions they're dealing with will transfer to whomever they encounter. Feeling happy that the sun's back? Everyone around you will wear a smile. Stressed out that your loved ones volunteered for a mission and they're out who-knows-where? Everyone around you will pick up that same nervous energy. The stone's color will fade if you ignore these feelings and even worse, fissures may start to form if they continue to be ignored.

And though you may not know it yet, shattering the heart is the worst thing you could do: if the stone breaks, the thing that you love disappears from your mind completely. All memories and emotions associated with this heart will vanish without a second thought.

IV.
What's that smell in the air? Is it love? Close, it's cherry blossoms. It's a sickeningly sweet scent that occasionally blows through with the wind, strongest in the city and more faint the further you travel. However, citizens beware as invisible assailants appear to be on the prowl. Without warning, you may feel the prick of Cupid's arrow from behind. Though the effects only last two hours maximum, they're fairly inconvenient while on assignment. These effects include:

-Heart-shaped pupils
-A violent whirlwind of rose petals appearing any time you make eye contact with someone new
-Your emotions are intensified
-Your emotions are flipped. People you have a fondness for may now disgust you, or people you normally argue with may become your best friend


Inconvenient, yet manageable, right?

On February 14th though things become a bit harder. Yet another message comes through.

Hope you've been having an easier time with the residual effects than I am. You know what makes everything easier? Teamwork. And that's what today's assignment is all about. Happy Valentine's Day.


The first person that you see on this day may be a friend or a stranger, but soon you will find that a strangely magnetic force binds the two of you together. For the next 24 hours, you and your partner will be stuck together and must work together. Whether this is working on the road construction assignment, the rescue mission or just going about your everyday lives you'll have a built-in companion for the day. Who knows? You may even find yourself stuck with up to two additional people, too.

But what if you stray too far from your partner(s)? No worries. A red string will bind your hands together and ensure you're always connected, simply falling away once the 24 hours are up.

THE FUTURE.
So this is life now, isn't it? A year's gone by since Retrospec's impacted so many lives and it may feel as though you're nowhere closer to answering questions. Perhaps you're just starting your journey with the restoration company. Either way, your help is most appreciated and acknowledged. As you work toward the goals assigned to you, you will be rewarded. For an excellent show of teamwork, at the end of your assessment you will find yourself on the receiving end of a brand new memory or vision of a life lost. Some of you may also receive a ticket in the mail to pick up an item at the Retrospec mailbox by Wiffle-Waffle. A message will be sent not long after.

Congrats, you passed. Come to my office in March if you're ready for harder assignments.

Welcome to [community profile] recolle's February event!

Please read these notes carefully!

Prompt I may be played with however you want! There is really no right or wrong answer, and as mentioned Zee can be reached at his inbox to provide you with any tools your character may ask for to connect the four points to the city. You are free to make up plant names and what effects they have on the eco systems as well and report these back to the NPC if you wish. As of right now, the only monsters roaming the grounds are those in the above bestiary though other earthly wildlife may be found.

Prompt II will require some coordination! If you complete a thread with someone in which you defeat the monsters and get to the silver door before 2/16 at 9pm EST, please hit up Zee's inbox! ICly (and oocly) your character will be put in contact with the small group of others who have worked toward this endeavor and given the next step to save these important NPCs.

Prompt III will have set consequences! If your character breaks their heart, they will lose memories and feelings associated with something they love. Breaking the stone is entirely optional, and there will possibly be a way to regain these memories later down the line as a reward for the future, but please keep this in mind!

The Future will only be applicable once you've met your freebie requirements for this log! Remember, the requirements for one free memory are 15 comments spread across at least two threads (min. 5 consecutive comments each) using these prompts. For the free 10-20 point item, one of these threads must be with a character you haven't threaded with before!

A mod-posted Retrospec post may go up if necessary to connect city players with group players, dependent on player action!

As always, you may also create your own logs or inbox threads based on these prompts. Any questions you have regarding this event may be directed to the mod comment here.

Happy anniversary, Recollé!
sharplydressed: (captains gonna captain)

i!

[personal profile] sharplydressed 2018-02-11 06:44 am (UTC)(link)
[Are they going to get to stab things together?? A true bonding experience! In any case, there's no hesitation before Kashuu answers her request.]

Sure, sure! It's way better to head out in groups or pairs, anyway. That way, someone can keep an eye on your back, y'know?

[So no ball monokumas can come by and roll them straight into the ground.]

I was gonna head south, but did you wanna go anywhere else?
livingimpaired: (Default)

[personal profile] livingimpaired 2018-02-11 07:00 am (UTC)(link)
[ He feels a sigh come out at seeing her so close to tears. I nearly made another one cry. I made a lot of people I've attempted to help cry. Kei understands that it is sometimes good to cry; tears are good to let flow so that the frustrations that have bubbled up have somewhere to go if words are lost. But he also recognizes that not everyone he helps should end up giving him the same brokenhearted expression.

His lips press together into a thin-line. He doesn't chase after the feelings that brought that involuntary smile. He doesn't chase after the feelings that start now. His morals rally and halts the venom spreading. For now.

Kei follows after Sakura with his hands tucked back into the pockets of his jacket. He feels the emptiness wash over himself. He reminds himself how he is not happy with her happiness, and he doesn't care if she's unhappy. There is an important distinction in why he words it this way to himself. One, it is truthful. Two, it allows him to not chase after the reasons why he doesn't care. The wording of it saves him.

If neither state matters to me, I should attempt to make her happy. It's a seal; it's a spell. He says things to himself in order to trick himself. But as soon as he becomes aware of the trick consciousnessly -- ]


I can only imagine how difficult it must be. I can understand how the events of it, like the events of any city, could feel dizzying. It makes one worry about their future, hm? Because I believe that we shall eventually step away from this ... separate world. I'm not saying that we will return to zero ... that the app will be deleted, but I believe eventually we will reach the end. I have no basis as to why I think this, but it is better than thinking it will be always like this, right?

[ Kei notices the tone of his words have changed. He doesn't feel the poison. His seal upon himself worked. ] It's only natural to worry about what will happen in the future. But ... are you enjoying your classes? Are you enjoying your time in school? I don't mean in just classes, but... the environment itself?
thesettingsun: smile blush (my strongest suit)

[personal profile] thesettingsun 2018-02-11 07:01 am (UTC)(link)
[Shuji already thinks ice cream is pretty great, so he doesn't even notice the emotion bleeding. Yet.]

Sounds good to me. It'll be my treat.
burningblossoms: (Pleased)

[personal profile] burningblossoms 2018-02-11 07:05 am (UTC)(link)
Oh that's just something from highschool. My friends and I ran a mystery solving club.

[Yeah, it's exactly what it sounds like.]

My partner had it painted up like the van from those old cartoons.
livingimpaired: (Default)

[personal profile] livingimpaired 2018-02-11 07:15 am (UTC)(link)
[ He breathes out a small sigh of relief. Ai would understand why that would be frightening. Their feelings are filled with apathy but if they turned that apathy into a knife -- it is as he said to her; neither one of them is an enemy of society and so society cannot do anything to them. But if they decided to become enemies of humanity --

His hands tighten on the cart, but he feels saved by her words. Kei did not realize that he started to break out in a cold sweat. He only notices it when his collar feels slightly damp. It seems his attempt to not worry Ai only did the opposite. ]


You don't think that, huh? ... thank you. [ A beat. ] And you wish for me to be happy? That's-- that's very kind of you. I'm sorry for saying such troubling things in the middle of a grocery store. No, that's not right. The place where I said it was wrong, but I'm relieved that I said it to you. [ Because his actions were becoming clouded to him. He couldn't tell if he was doing anything "good" or if it was actually harmful. ]

I should have just spoken honestly in the beginning. It isn't like me to hide anything. [ Something that is as much of a pro as it is a con. ] Sorry. I'd say it was to protect your feelings, and I'm certainly I said that much to myself. [ He takes in a deep breath. ] You're going to make a good foster mother, Ai. A sudden statement, but I believe it.
saburai: (serious ♙ to mold the mind and body)

[personal profile] saburai 2018-02-11 07:17 am (UTC)(link)
Certainly so, when the risks are that high. If the exact consequences were known, it would be a much easier choice to make.

[ Whether hypothetically or in the particular case she's thinking of. ]

I'm sure there are people who would try anyway if they had the chance. Some are willing to take that kind of gamble.
thisloveisjustice: (Default)

iii

[personal profile] thisloveisjustice 2018-02-11 07:17 am (UTC)(link)
[One of those people he crosses paths with is Tatsuo, who returns his wave and changes direction so he can come talk to Tatsuma.]

Hey! Glad to see you're still city-side.

[Just... don't... mind the disgustingly desperate feelings of love emanating from his heartstone. Sorry...]
drydrown: those plates are totally relevant and useful (CAST ♡ mimura said what now)

[personal profile] drydrown 2018-02-11 07:22 am (UTC)(link)
[And that gets another of those quiet, noncommittal things; ah, screw it all - ]

To be frank, I'd be lying if I said I weren't one of them.
argone: <user name=cupcakegraphics> (Fam)

[personal profile] argone 2018-02-11 07:30 am (UTC)(link)
[She just smiles around the lip of her own cup...tapping a finger at one side.]

Don't even worry about it. It's coffee. Least I can do.
argone: <user name=cupcakegraphics> (Joyful)

[personal profile] argone 2018-02-11 07:32 am (UTC)(link)
[She shrugs, gesturing towards one of the nearby campus buildings.]

People really are a puzzle. That's why I work here. Always wanted to solve the puzzle.

[Drawing herself up a little straighter...]

Nothing wrong with having a simpler emotion tied to a magic rock, though. It's hardly the only driving force in my life. I imagine it's the same with you and food.
customcup: (against the weight)

[personal profile] customcup 2018-02-11 07:51 am (UTC)(link)
[Shit, she looks embarrassed. Wait, does that mean the red eyes are natural?]

No, not the red, you just, uh... hearts. Heart eyes.

[Mm. There you go. True eloquence.]

I think it's the storm again.
livingimpaired: (Default)

[personal profile] livingimpaired 2018-02-11 07:57 am (UTC)(link)
Ah, I don't think I'll be able to taste anything for awhile.

[ Yet he sounds fairly pleased about it -- the fact he burned his mouth so bad. He sits up involuntarily, never enjoying to be slumped over. It is then that he happens to catch sight of someone walking by, but no sudden explosion of rose petals follows. Kei pauses, lightly tapping his knuckles against the glass, before turning to look around.

And the area does not explode into petals. ]


Well... that solves that mystery. [ He breathes out a sigh. ] It isn't permanent, but it may come around, again. I have no idea what triggers it, but it is over for now.
idealest: (by someone who should know)

[personal profile] idealest 2018-02-11 08:17 am (UTC)(link)
[ Sakichi will carry her corpse back. It's the least he can do. ]

... I would say that's a long time. I'm appalled you had to endure so much without my notice.
leaveittomother: (12)

[personal profile] leaveittomother 2018-02-11 08:18 am (UTC)(link)
[If they turned that apathy against others there would be trouble, yes, but was there a reason to? He had his business. She had hers and now Luna. It would be troublesome to throw that all away. No. They were already on the sideline as it was.

Glancing around the aisle she shifts her cart a little so they were closer. A gesture of support.]


We're a rare breed, Kei, even if we're different. That aside, we've known each other for a while and you've been a good friend to me. [Those were things that were uncommon for Ai, after all, even in this life. She couldn't judge him but she could feel sympathy.]

I don't blame you. [Even if it wasn't to protect her feelings.] Feelings are difficult things to grasp, after all. [At that statement she blinks.] Ah, well..

[She stumbles a little at that.] I do hope so. [She shouldn't let him change the subject.]
customcup: (houses rotting from the inside out)

[personal profile] customcup 2018-02-11 08:28 am (UTC)(link)
Yeah, definitely. I care about a lot more stuff than food.

[Even if he does feel pretty aimless in comparison to her.]

You work at Recolle U? I graduated from there two semesters ago.

[Recently enough he's still counting the time by semesters.]

Gladio, by the way. Teaching or "other"?
toobigtohandle: (this is fine)

[personal profile] toobigtohandle 2018-02-11 09:15 am (UTC)(link)
Jirou, behind you!

[Kenta barely manages to block the strike from a tail with his blade, but that leaves his other side open for some claws, and he drops down to one knee.]

"The warriors of the present world... aren't half bad, either...!"
idealest: (struck from a great height)

[personal profile] idealest 2018-02-11 09:34 am (UTC)(link)
Ah.

[ He glances again at their maps, upside-down, trying to gauge how much hostile area there might be and how best to tackle the problem. ]

I've only been issued one magazine of ammo. What nature of monster have you seen? Do you think it would take much to neutralize them?
toobigtohandle: (heh?)

[personal profile] toobigtohandle 2018-02-11 09:42 am (UTC)(link)
I don't know. Looks like there's infighting within Retrospec. I have never been very interested in what they do among themselves. I just want them to stop interfering with my life.

And I find it absolutely appalling that they dare ask for help now after screwing with us for so long and basically throwing all of this at us without any kind of support, supposedly because they're busy behind the scenes and everything would collapse if they told us things.

[That is really grating. The lack of communication and the expectation that they will do something anyway because who wouldn't in a life or death situation.

Kenta looks a little hesitant at the offer, though.]


No offense, but... can you fight?
hauntedsavior: (met your stare with blank expression)

[personal profile] hauntedsavior 2018-02-11 10:22 am (UTC)(link)
Shit. Sorry to hear that.

[just because her voice sounds about the same to her ears when she says that doesn't mean it's remotely something she would say, and she recognizes that. the genuine customer service attitude is supposed to stay at work.]

Take your time getting back into it. I'm mostly in the woods these days anyway. Got a bunch of stuff to look into there that I didn't think was a thing until lately. You know how it is.

[does he? she has no idea what she's trying to convey. all she knows is she isn't slick.]
flowrite: (131)

[personal profile] flowrite 2018-02-11 11:41 am (UTC)(link)
[At just about the same time that Iwai asks his first question, Fai's looking back over his shoulder to catch sight of his boyfriend, who surely pulled him back to the bed. Who is... not even remotely close enough to have done so. A faint sense of worry solidifies into a feeling of dread in the pit of his stomach at that second question: "what the hell is that?"

They've both been on Retrospec long enough to know that's not usually a good question to have to ask.

Fai stands up and spins all at the same time, ready to run to Iwai or grab his boyfriend and bolt or... whatever the current situation calls for. Except there's nothing there between them except... a bit of red thread? And now Fai's echoing Iwai's question in his own head. What the hell?]


What is that?
sakeplz: (Getting The Hair Did)

[personal profile] sakeplz 2018-02-11 12:33 pm (UTC)(link)
[Why did you meet his eyes? Why did you do the thing, Kashuu???]

Wooooow. So pretty!

[BECAUSE THAT'S A NORMAL REACTION TO A VIOLENT STORM OF ROSES PETALS RIGHT???]
sakeplz: (You Just Had To Sober Him)

[personal profile] sakeplz 2018-02-11 12:36 pm (UTC)(link)
Kenta!

[Jirou is furious now and starts slicing random. Of course he finds it kind of hilarious that random hits work rather well but like hell is he letting Kenta get hit again. It means taking a blow himself but he doesn't care.

He's breathing heavy, not feeling drunk, and he's pissed.

Finally the last one falls and he goes to Kenta's side.]


You're hurt. We need to get you to a hospital...