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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!

Flat | Top-Level Comments Only

[He sees the pain in her eyes and seems to cry for her]

Then fate....fate is kind to you...Your spared his death...

and your love still goes on...

So now you know its serious, you can do something about it now...

This isn't the end!

I was lucky.

[If she wasn't lucky, then... there's no way she'd be able to atone in the way she did now. There's absolutely no way.]

I'm actually already cured, and it might not be the end, but I can't forgive myself for what I've done.

Then there is nothing more for you to worry about!

Your cured!

So you two can still love each other...

you were sick and now your better...

If you can't, he surely could...

I can't preach about self forgivness...

but, maybe with time, with his love...you could forgive yourself....

I think there's plenty to worry about, considering everything that involves the application. Even if I am cured, it's still...

[There's blood on her hands now, as Mio. Not as Shion. She can't just simply wipe herself clean just because her boyfriend made the decision to forgive her.]

I can probably move forward. But I won't forgive myself. Not even if he loves me. That's the price for murdering someone I cared about so deeply. It's a scar on my back that I can't just simply remove. Because it is something that is unforgivable.

I mean between you and him...your body may have commited the act, but your mind and heart weren't in it...

Scars fade with time don't they? You can't keep blaming yourself like this...

[Considering he blames himself for his mom's death, yeah, not exactly leading by example buddy...]

He has found a way to forgive you, so it is not unforgivable...

Mm... I guess. But not all scars fade. Some stay there forever. They linger. I hurt so many people. Not just him. I can't just simply forgive myself so easily just because he loves me.

[Her fingers curl into tight balled fists, fingers digging into the skin.]

I can't forgive myself until those who were close to him understand what happened. No, that's not it... maybe I want their forgiveness. In spite of me knowing that I don't deserve it.

I would know about scars like that...

It's heavy and unfair to try to lift yourself...

But you don't have to! He loves you! he forgives you! If there is anyone who has the right to hold it against you its him! Not the others!

Look, I don't know him, but anyone would say I love you with his last breath, and would forgive instantly...surely, would he not help you lift this heavy burden? And help with these damn nightmares that have made their way to your soul?!

Maybe you're right.

[Her tone keeps its somber tone to the point where she swings her arms behind her back, laughing a little.]

But he had family, you know. Even if it was for a short time, I took him away from those he loved. And those who loved him. I can't just be selfish...

[He dries his tears and sighs loudly]

It's better then losing someone forever...they can either chose to love the fact he is alive or they hate...you shouldn't have to suffer if they chose hate over love.

Isn't it selfish of your to inflict this upon yourself?

Not the nightmare, I know you can't help it, as much as I can't help mine...

But, how you feel about it...I think can...

[He sighs loudly, gut spilling time...]

My nightmare, is seeing my mother shot in front of my eyes...and holding her as she dies...

I didn't shoot the gun, but, long story short...its my fault we were there...

I used to think that fate hunted me for that...but...

Lately, after talking to some people I would have never met...

I kinda feel better about it...

and I treasure their names now...

You, Li-Na, Tatsuo, Dereck, Mr and Ms Matthews, Natalia, Amanda...

I would have never met them if things didn't turn out they way they did...

and maybe it will always hurt to remember my mom, maybe it should...

But maybe I can see it, feel that pain, and remember that I've met some people I rather like now...and who knows who else I might meet, you promised to introduce me to your sister, so that's at least one more good person I will get to meet

And I think you could do the same...maybe this will always hurt you...maybe it should...but between the two of you, couldn't this just make your love that much stronger? and those that would stay beside you, wouldn't those friendships just grow stronger from this?

I don't know about that. But I have to. If I don't, I won't be able to atone for my sins.

[She heaves a deep breath before shaking her head. But then he mentions a familiar name - Li-Na - and that causes her to pause. Because of their conversation on Retrospec.

That's not the only thing that makes her breath still, though. It's the mention of her sister.]

I can't introduce you to her anymore, anyway. So forget that I said anything about my sister. But I guess it would make things stronger... but, it just feels like something out of some stupid novel.

[He smiles trying to be positive for her ]

If it was going to break, it would have broke then...it the kind of love you would hear about in stories and figure that would never happen, but well...here you are in the middle of one. So this one could have a happy ending.

What's stooping you?

"A happy ending", huh... I just don't feel like I don't deserve a happy ending like that.

Maybe not, Maybe none of us do...

But are you going to let one event, in which you had NO control over, dictate your entire future? weather you are even going to try to pursue happiness?

If you say things like "I don't deserve a happy ending", then your going to believe it, eventually, regardless of weather you do or not

and...I would hate to see my new friend this sad forever...

Even if I had no control over it, it doesn't change the fact that I was punished for it. I'm all alone where I am. My parents practically abandoned me. Maybe they want to disown me for what I did. Because they won't understand. No, rather, I guess they simply can't.

My sister-- the person who used to be my sister-- became someone else entirely different. She's not even my sister anymore.

I've lost so much, but that's all a part of my punishment. Not having a happy ending is a part of that, too. [There's a pause, and then-] You consider me a friend? You barely even know me.

Weather or not they understand, that doesn't change the truth, which is you had no control over it. You got here to get better right?

[He stops for a moment]

wait...your sister changed? and isn't your sister anymore? My older brother changed too like that, hopefully they will turn back soon.

You didn't listen to other people about your sickness, THAT is what YOU did. So are all the people around you upset? Of course, but I don't think they would want to rob you of happiness just because of that.

[He practically laughs ]

So what if I barley know you? You seem like a good person to me, and we are getting along alright so far. That's enough for me to call you friend.

You DO know your talking to someone who has had everything taken away from them yeah?

If everything gets taken away, it hurts like hell...but...it doesn't stay that way forever, I'm sort of learning that right now...so even if things look bleek, there is a light at the end of the tunnel...

at least I'm assuming its a light and not someone screwing with me using a flashlight

[He says the last part jokingly trying to lighten the mood a bit ]

[She tugs on her arm, looking a little bit uncomfortable as her gaze drops. She doesn't look at him-- she finds it pretty difficult, in fact.]

Yeah. It doesn't make any sense, but at the same them, it feels like something got ripped out of my chest at the realization that I've lost something precious to me. We're twins, after all. We're one half of a whole... and losing that is like losing yourself.

[At least, that's what she feels. What she's always felt, even if she never voiced it.]

"A good person", huh... I don't know about that.

[He looks around a little nervously]

Why not? Unless you lied about being a clean goodie two shoes, and even then, I'm basing it relative to me, and THIS doesn't make you a bad person.

Maybe a bit careless, but not bad.

It's that possible to be so close to someone that they become a part of you?

Of course I'm not a good person. The way I acted is all a lie, anyway.

[She sighs out a heavy breath, resting her hand on her chin a little thoughtfully.]

I wouldn't say it's not impossible, but... I wasn't really close to my sister. Even so, she still means a lot to me. We were together when we were born, after all.

[Al tilts his head to the side]

And all of this is an act too? Cause if anything else, this proves your a good person deep down.

[Blinks a bit processing that]

Would it be as bad if you two were a year or two apart? Or is it just basically growing up together that is important?

Who knows?

[She smiles, a little more gently than the last.]

No, it's... definitely different than that. Like there's a different connection between just regular siblings than twins.

[He smiles back and then laughs heart fully, then takes a deep breath, believing it to be dark humor]

I guess we may never know...

Hmmm, I suppose that would make sense. But you think even with Retrospec messing around...something among siblings would remain...

[Unfortunately, it isn't dark humor in the slightest bit, but if he wants to think that way, she doesn't mind. Or rather... how can she bring herself to even care? But her smile fades as she lifts her head up to the false night sky, staring up at the glittering stars above her face.]

You would think that, wouldn't you? But whether it's Retrospec, or someone else's meddling... [It's at those words that she speaks with gritted teet that she finds her hand subconsciously forming a tight fist, knuckles whitening.] They don't really care about us at all. It's all "the ends justify the means"; as long as they get whatever they're planning done... we don't really matter as people. In the end, we're probably just guinea pigs to their little project.

[He nods his head slowly and sighs, massaging his temples thinking about it for a moment]

I don't know about these people and I have yet to really benefit from whatever they are doing. Without seeing the bigger picture, I can't say one way or the other. If it's for a good enough reason, our suffering might be worth it.

Though I don't remember being asked about this, nor do I see us getting paid for our sorrows.

It's not like we can go to war with Retrospec, could we?

I've been her for a while and I haven't benefited from anything they've done. Even if they say that it's for a good reason, whether it's for 'restoring our worlds' or 'restoring our souls', I don't care about any of that. It's not like I have a world to go back to.

[She can't help but shrug her shoulders.] Even if we did, it's not exactly a good idea to do that now since we're in the line of fire from whoever's been attacking Retrospec.

[He takes a deep breath, then shrugs]

People attacking Retrospec...Geez, like we are in the middle of a war, and we don't even know the sides...

Not that I could really fight at the moment, but it would be nice to at least know who to cheer for.

[suddenly what Mio 1st said clicks ]

wait, "restoring our world" or our souls?

You lost me...