(no subject)

[recollecters]

EVENT

REVERTED. "Every moment is a fresh beginning." - T. S. Eliot Happy July, Retrospecters. Can you believe it's been nearly a year since the city was under attack and several of you were pulled and lost in Unreality? Time sure does fly, doesn't it? But don't fret. It seems as though the city is in for a real vacation this time...rest easy. THE BEGINNING Recollé has been fully restored thanks to the effort of the citizens working to paint the city back to life and breaking down the layers separating the city from most of its non-Retrospec users. The sky is painted multiple colors (a permanent fixture, it seems) and some buildings and plants are extraordinary but everything appears to be in solid, functional condition. All buildings are where they should be. The roads are safe. And everyone around you appears to be preparing for one of two celebrations... THE 4TH OF JULY With the 4th of July tomorrow, citizens of Recollé are preparing for their own celebration. Much like last year, the city will be preparing with a large gathering at Peach Beach, food trucks aplenty, discounts at several stores in Tisse and Enprise, and of course at 9pm sharp the beautiful and historical fireworks display will begin. Street vendors sell glowsticks and lemonade as everyone gathers to watch the show in the sky. This year, however, while the fireworks display still shows events of the city's history citizens may recognize a few new scenes added to the show. As they look up into the sky they'll notice scenes depicting several of the events that have happened over the last year ranging from the Retrospec bingo games to the nightmare fog to the mistletoe bats and more. This year will also include scenery and displays from the four regions around the city. Perhaps you recognize these events a little too well. Care to share the tale with your neighbor? TANABATA It seems as though this week is a non-stop celebration though. As the 4th of July ends, several members of the city are hard at work in preparation for Tanabata. Celebrated on Saturday, July 7th this year, residents are hard at work decorating areas in Tribunal Terrace and Chata with massive colorful streamers and moving in several bamboo plants. Stalls are set up and prepared and carnival games line the sidewalks for citizens to play. On the evening of the 7th, all are invited to attend the celebration and try Japanese cuisine, play a few games, and most importantly write a wish on a colored sheet of paper to hang on one of the bamboo trees. No matter how citizens choose to celebrate at this festival, for anyone who makes a wish and hangs it on the tree they will soon receive a Retrospec ticket in their mailbox. While your wish may take time to be granted, good fortune is upon you and a free gift has been provided. THE NPCS NPCs are back in the city and all is well. They are unaware of the layers they were caught between but they are grateful and happy to see you again! Professors will be lenient of students whose finals have been delayed, employers will inquire about your vacation time, and your friends and family may constantly badger you for time and attention. Isn't that nice? In addition, citizens of the city may now place calls to members outside of the city for up to five minutes. While that pesky growling problem still appears at the tail end of all conversations, citizens will be able to reach out to anyone in the world and speak for that length of time. Let's just hope your loved ones aren't too bothered by the previous radio silence. THE DREAMS What was that about resting easy? Perhaps you won't be able to as well as you'd like. Though everything appears to be fine, the moment you close your eyes beginning on July 3rd, you may find yourself plagued by strange, unusual dreams. As you dream you'll find yourself experiencing everything from wild scenarios set in space or on a pirate ship to everyday, mundane interactions. Your dreams will reflect who you are, but...maybe in a different light. Perhaps your siblings aren't related to you in your dreams, or perhaps your hair is a different color. Maybe you find yourself dreaming about a whole different lifestyle than the one you currently possess. Why, you could even be one of the lucky ones and dream about those memories you've been receiving since you've joined the app. Then again, you'll also find that you aren't dreaming alone. When you look, you may find that someone has joined you. It's easy to move in dreams and intrude on other people's dreams. You may choose to watch the scene play out or find yourself able to change scenarios within these dreams. Some of you will recognize what is and isn't real, but...what is real anymore? Aren't you curious what it all means? The moment you awake, however, these dreams will fade away and simply be dreams. THE QUESTS If you're looking for a way to pass the time and bring a little adventure to your life, a new feature on the Retrospec app is the quest hotline! By submitting a request, Retrospec will generate a new task for you to accomplish either in the city or around one of the four regions. While Retrospec cannot claim that all tasks will be exciting, all tasks given are important to the functionality of the city. Or perhaps you're interested in exploring Mementos or Tartarus...? Just what are these new places anyway? Strange. Happy questing! THE REGIONS Travel is available once more for the regions outside of the city, though do watch out for the common monsters that still linger between districts. It will take three hours by boat southward to Pesgare, an hour underground eastward to Respatrum, two hours west via horseback to Bosuma and seven hours via driving north to Magatus. Depending on where you travel though you may find some surprises waiting for you. Fishing season is at its prime in Pesgare and it's the perfect place for a seaside getaway this summer. The region remains untouched and stable, and the economy is thriving once more thanks to the repairs after their tsunami and the work of Retrospec users. In Respatrum, the workers in the mines don't seem to mind the heat and continue crafting and creating. Anyone who ventures into these parts will be put to work, but may be rewarded with small tokens and hospitality from the natives of this region. Bosuma, however, is a little different. The Swamp Witch is nowhere to be found though the forest is alit with bright, blooming flowers, strange multicolored animals and friendly natives from a nearby village in the woods. Monsters lurk the deeper parts of the woods, but one would actively have to go looking for them. But should one linger in this region for too long, they may soon discover that they'll start to see things...not just things, but people. Vivid, life-like forms of people you've seen in your memories will appear before you even if you're unaware of who they are. They seem to beckon you to come closer, happy to see you and encouraging you to explore the forest further. Some of these forms may engage in combat if the relationship you remember is a hostile one. Should you follow or fight them, however, you will soon find yourself lost in the woods and it may take days to return to the city. Do keep sight of what's real, won't you? Finally, over in Magatus, for anyone who has ventured there before they may be expecting the snowy mountains and ski lodge. However, it's summer! Snow isn't fit for the summer and as residents approach the region they'll come to find that the ice-capped mountains have been replaced with cliffs, sand dunes and a desert-esque climate. The iced-over lake is now perfect for swimming and further exploration will lead you to a path in the mountains that's the perfect height for cliff-jumping into waters below. This is the perfect region for you outdoorsy, camping types. Just be careful of the scorpions and rattlesnakes out there. THE CITY It's summer vacation everywhere. How are you spending your days? Maybe it isn't such a bad idea to listen to Joanne and plan your days with fun and exciting ventures. Parties and meetings and spending time with your friends...it sounds nice, doesn't it? Even if some of you may notice your friends seem...off. The city is peaceful. Everything seems to be calm and safe, so much that you may not even notice the difference at first. It all begins in mid-July though. One moment you're sitting in a café and the next you realize you're wearing an apron and you feel as though you should be working behind the counter. One moment you're sitting in your bedroom and the next you look up and notice that the items on your wall have changed. These little hallucinations are minimal and only last a few moments, but they will begin to increase as the month goes on and leading straight into August. But hey. It's probably nothing to worry about. Welcome to recolle's July log! The information above provides loose guidelines of things occurring this month, so please feel free to make your own prompts based on these. You are also free to create your own logs and inbox threads. Regarding Tanabata! If you would like to claim a free 10-20 point item, please head to the regains page and submit as normal! Please indicate that it is a Tanabata freebie. Characters are free to travel to one of the four regions this month (Pesgare, Respatrum, Bosuma, Magatus), but keep in mind the effects/changes as listed above. As a reminder, you may qualify for an additional freebie this month by threading out a dream sequence with at least one person experiencing a new AU! This thread must be at least five consecutive comments from you. Any questions you have regarding this event may be directed to the mod comment here. Be sure to review the mods' question thread on the plotting post for important information as well!

Comments

[keystaff]

4th of July:

Wow! Look at the fireworks! They're so pretty!

[She probably has a glowstick and a drink she sips as she watches, which she probably almost spills as she points, gasping at the fireworks. At how familiar some of them look at she points them out to others sitting near.]

That one looks like....?

Tanabata:

[Sakura wears a pink yukata while she explores, trying some of the games and enjoying the food she nibbles as she wanders. She seems to be enjoying herself, though she does seem more thoughtful and pauses when she comes to the tree. To the wishes hanging from it. Debating on what to put for her own.]

What I would wish for....?

Dreams:

[ooc: All her canon regains are here if anyone wants to see other options as well.]

AU: Mistlebats

[Well, it sure is one thing to dream sweet dreams. Even if said dream might involve....well. her first kiss with Xiaolang due to the mistlebats interfering and forcing their hand. At least in this memory they are older than they were in canon with their confession?]

Canon: Illusion

[There is the image of a young woman with long grey hair. Sakura, in some strange costume with...bat wings? Asks if it is really her, if it is really her mother, arms outstretched and approaching for a hug. Embraces the other. She doesn't necessarily register the soft toy? calling her name, so wrapped up and overwhelmed by the moment that she is.

Sakura then falls, submerged in the water and reaching out as if to ask her mother why, to seem to indicate her being unable to breathe. Before her eyes close and she passes out, she feels, sees a hand, an arm reaching down for her.]

Canon: Judgement:

[A tall man with long white hair and wings like an angel stands with a talking, winged lion. The man speaks first.]

If one chosen by the advocate cannot defeat the Judge....

[The lion continues, explaining the situation.]

...Then anyone who has had anything to do with the Clow Cards will lose the memory of the one they love the most.

[Sakura sits sprawled on the ground in her red and yellow 'sun' outfit, obviously horrified at the idea from the stricken expression on her face, her wide eyes.]

illusion dream

[cardcaptured]

[It's not an oddity for Xiaolang to see Sakura in his dreams-- he was a young boy in love, after all, and thinking about her before bed was one of the few things that helped him get any rest these days. So it wasn't a huge surprise to see her there, even if she was dressed sort of weirdly and younger than he's used to.

No, what was strange was the other woman there, who had more than a passing resemblance to Sakura-- and if their current conversation was anything to go by, it wasn't a mere coincidence. He hangs back at first, unsure whether to let his presence known, not wanting to intrude on this personal moment between them. There was something off about this, though, something that was tugging at his senses, but he couldn't quite put his finger on what. He knew her mother had passed away years ago, but maybe that wasn't true in their other life, if this was one of those memories...

But his voice nearly echoes the stuffed creature's cry of her name as he sees her plummet below, dragged in by the mother who might not have been her mother after all. Heart lurching in his chest, fear icing every nerve in his body (no, not again, even if this was a dream, he wasn't losing someone dear to him again), he makes a running dash towards the railing, vaulting over it and into the lake below. It was a struggle, trying to see her underwater in the murky dark, but a small glow of light (a random reflection of light? or something else entirely?) illuminates her before she sinks any further down.

Stretching out a hand to grab hers, he drags Sakura to him, keeping a safe hold around her waist with one arm as he breaks them to the surface of the water. Taking a few deep gasps of air, he then peers over at her face, worry increasing ten-fold when she didn't seem to stir. This wasn't good. This wasn't good at all.

Thankfully, the shore was nearby, and he makes his way over, taking care to settle Sakura safely upon dry ground once they reach it. Crouching over her, he sweeps some wet strands of hair out of her face, patting her cheek carefully but insistently to try to rouse her.]

Sakura?

[The concern was leaking into his voice, the feel of her clammy skin not soothing any of his fears, and he can't help but bite his lip. Dream? No, this was more of a nightmare.]

SAKURA!

[keystaff]

[The voice, the feeling of his palm at her cheek help her stir. He hadn't been in that memory. At least, not before. But here he was. There she had been, again, faced with that. Almost drowning all over again. Mostly, she had tried to avoid thinking about this. About October. Not wanting to think her mother -- any mother could do that. Could drown their child. Her shoulders hunch and she tenses as she coughs, trying to get in a breath now she isn't underwater anymore.

Sakura was more than a little confused and disoriented with it all, once she does open her eyes, blinking up at him, at their surroundings. ]

Xiaolang-kun....? What....?

[cardcaptured]

[His nerves start fray the longer he gets no response, a choked noise escaping his throat, his mind trying to think of ways to revive her. There was CPR, but he was only vaguely aware of how to do it, and he didn't want to botch it and possibly make her condition worse, somehow...

But then she starts to stir under his touch, and a frissure of relief breaks through the worry. He pulls his hand away from her face as she starts to cough, moving it instead around her back and between her shoulder blades, rubbing gently to soothe her and encourage airflow. He had questions, so many questions, some he might already have the answer to, but it wasn't right to bombard her with them when she just regained consciousness. There was only one that had to be asked right now, as he struggles to keep his voice and breathing even.]

Are you alright?

[It still comes out a bit breathless, as his eyes search hers, ignoring the water dripping into his face and blurring his vision. It seemed like a dumb thing to ask-- she nearly drowned, of course she wasn't okay-- but that was the point. If she was hurting anywhere, or cold, or in any sort of discomfort, he would do whatever he could to help.]

[keystaff]

I....thought I saw.....?

[But, again, even having experienced that in October, her mother had passed when she was so young. That was impossible, wasn't it? And yet she could still feel that warmth from the embrace. Or imagine she did. She's not sure if the dampness at her face, her cheeks is from the water or from tears, as she tries to focus on her breathing again. Once she coughed up the water she had inadvertently swallowed.

She shakes her head, shivering as she raises her arms a little to sort of hug herself across her stomach.]

[cardcaptured]

[The heart-breaking sight of tears upon her face, mingling with the water there, and the shiver beneath the palm of his hand is more than enough to push him into action. Not sparing a second, he uses the hand on her back to press her forward into his arms, wrapping them firmly around her body to cuddle her closer into his own. Had he not jumped into the lake himself, he would have gladly given her the shirt off of his back to keep her warm, as scant as it may be. But he was about as sopping wet as she was, so the best method to keep her from catching cold was to share his body heat with her-- whatever amount he had to offer her, anyway.

Not that he was hugging her for entirely practical reasons, either. He had some sort of idea what was going on now, and if it was what he thought it was, he wanted to be there for her as much as he could. He absolutely refused to have her look this way, without doing what he could to comfort and support her as much as he was able.]

I'm here. [His voice is soft, so soft, near her ear--] You're safe.

[He'll ask the other questions once he was sure she was feeling a bit more secure. Right now, he was content to hold her close and attempt to calm her the best he could.]

[keystaff]

[It takes a while. For her to somewhat calm down. For her to warm enough to stop shivering. It's instinctive for her to return the embrace, if perhaps a little looser than the hold he has on her in supporting her. Her eyes close as her chin and cheek rests against his shoulder. Against his neck.

His voice is reassuring. Somehow helping her feel like it was alright, or it would be, even after her close call there. She wasn't alone. She could breathe again. She wasn't drowning.]

I thought I saw....her. Again. My mother.

Tanabata

[blondferret]

[Derek is of course at the Tanabata festival because Tatsuo invited him Because he needed to spy on his precious sister and make sure she was always safe. He's walking around in a green yukata he borrowed from Tatsuo and he has a green transformers mask strapped to the side of his head. He sees his sister near the wishing tree and doesn't see Xiaolang near her... where's the brat? Wasn't she suppose to be here with him? Derek looks around at the stands and buys a few sticks of dango before pulling his down to cover his face and walking over tho his sister.

Without saying anything he taps her on the shoulder and offers her the small tray the dango are in. Now the question is... will she take it or shy away from the questionable masked figure offering her food?]

[keystaff]

H-hoeeee?

[Well. The mask certainly takes her by surprise, when she turns at the touch to her shoulder to see who it was. Only to be confronted with the mask and all. Still, she then seems a little sheepish, noticing the food.]

Eh? Oh, I just had a snack. But thanks for offering?

[blondferret]

[OK, Derek approved of her reaction so far. She wasn't accepting it, good. But what would happen if he offered it a second time? Still not speaking, Derek offers Sakura the dango again, tilting his head to the side a bit.]

[What will you do Sakura hmmm?]

[keystaff]

Ah, no thanks. I just said I already ate. You have it.

[Really. She'd already had a snack so she wasn't too terribly hungry yet so soon. Of course she assumes this is probably someone she knows under the mask to be offering her something, to offer her food, but even so. Maybe someone else might like some if this person had ended up with too much?]

[blondferret]

[Derek grins behind his mask. It's good to see that his little sister has some self awareness. Using his other hand he lifts the mask and sets it on the top of his head. Grinning he holds the dango out the Sakura.]

Nah, you can share it with the brat when he gets back. My treat. Where is he anyway? I thought you came here with him?

[keystaff]

H-hoeeee? Onii-chan! But um. Xiaolang-kun must still be at the shrine. He said he'd message me when he finishes work there.

[She explains after an initial start that it's her brother just messing with her. Sakura does give a small pout before she seems to brighten at being handed the snacks though. That at least somewhat makes up for it. A little. She reaches to take the food from him.]

judgement dream because i'm cruel

[promisedyou]

This...

[Her voice stops mid-sentence, because all of it seems cruel. It seems all too cruel to be real, but at the same time, considering the other dreams that she's seen the last couple of days, it has to be.

But she can't really say anything more than that one word.

She doesn't feel like she should talk to Sakura, either, not after being so cruel to the person she cared about the most.]

[keystaff]

I thought it meant a disaster like an Earthquake or something. Not....not like that. I don't want to forget. I don't want anyone else to forget!

[She'd been trying to forget. To just hope that she passed the test, the Judgement in proving herself worthy, to prevent it from happening. She had to. In order not to break from the worry, the potential guilt of it. The fear of it happening. As much as Xiaolang and Fai had tried to reassure her about it.]

[promisedyou]

[Maybe she should say something. To be reassuring for once. That maybe she could make the attempt to be a good person and help out, like a good older sister figure. But the words are all caught up in her throat, out of fear that she might say the wrong words and disappoint. That she just simply wouldn't be adequate enough to give the 'right answer'. But she can't keep quiet, either, because that's wrong, too. So she tries to pull herself together, taking a breath through her lips as she crouches down a bit to her height so she can look at Sakura directly in the eyes with a serious look on her face.] If you don't want that... then you just have to try your best to stop it from happening, right? [And then, her lips curve into a soft smile; one that's trying its hardest not to break into a million pieces as she speaks.] I think if it's someone like you, you can do it. Forgetting your loved ones... is painful. [She knows it all too well. More than anyone else.]

[keystaff]

You think so? I mean. I -- I have to try.

[She has to do something. Something to stop this. To get through this Judgement of Yue's in order to stop this Disaster from happening. To spare everyone from forgetting. To stop herself forgetting her most precious person. Xiaolang. Syaoran.

And if Mio believed in her. If others trusted her to pull this off. Then that helped Sakura be a little more confident. A little more reassured.]

[promisedyou]

I wouldn't lie about something like that.

[She's glad that the reassurance is working, to say the least, as she finds herself swallowing nervously.]

Trying is the important part.

[keystaff]

I can't just....let this happen. So that's why I have to try. Even if, if I don't manage, it means....

[Means forgetting. Means others forgetting too. Sakura can't just sit back and let that happen. Even if she is terrified of the prospect. But that is just why she has to try do something to stop this. To pass Yue's Judgement. Her grip on her staff tightens even as she bites her lip before looking determined.]

I'll do my best.

canon: judgement

[me_matey]

-Oh everything about this dude seemed to make Satsuki's blood boil. The cold regard he had for Sakura, the tone of his words, that stoic look in his eyes. He seemed like the kind who liked to think he was above others. And if there was one thing Captain May, May Sfondi, and Satsuki Hojo all unilaterally despised, it was that kind of attitude.

In her full ring gear, though, Satsuki isn't about to let their challenge stand, even if she didn't really understand it at all. Namely, this looked like a handicap match... Well. It was her turn to tag in.-

Two on one doesn't sound like a fair match, no matter the stipulation! -She called, dashing up and stopping beside Sakura, offering her a hand to help her up.-

If you think Satsuki Hojo, the Pirate Queen, is going to let that stand, you've got another thing coming, jabroni! -Why... was she talking like she was cutting a promo in the ring?-

[keystaff]

A match? Eh?

[Sakura blinks, pausing as she then glances up to the other, surprised by the sudden appearance but also from the title, from the way she seemed to consider this as both Yue and Keroberos being up against Sakura. Sakura does take the offered hand though, in getting back up to her feet.]

I'm still....not quite sure what to expect here, but. I can't just let this Disaster happen. I'm not about to just let myself forget. Or all the others.

[me_matey]

-Satsuki's grip was firm, but also held within it warmth and pride, her smile at Sakura shining before she turned her gaze back to the winged man.-

Ready to do this, Sakura? I've got your back. Always.

[keystaff]

I can't let myself -- I can't let everyone else forget. I'm ready.

[However she was supposed to defeat Yue, she's not sure. But still. She has to try. Has to do something. And with Satsuki, she has some support. Assuming that is allowed. Which it isn't, since Kero isn't actually participating in the fight, merely explaining, supporting Sakura.]

[me_matey]

I'll be in your corner, girl. Go get'em! -Satsuki wasn't going to fight Sakura's battle for her, but to be her cheerleader and coach? She could manage that.-

[keystaff]

[Renewed with confidence, the dream itself then seems to fade in her starting to undertake Yue's Judgement of her. Of her ability and knowledge of the cards and their alignments, in how they responded to her. How she used them.

It's thanks to the support of her friends that Sakura manages to do this. That she gets back up. With the dream ending there, unclear on if she succeeds or not.]