recolle | (no subject)

Entry tags:

(no subject)

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

[Oh no...he sees that photo and gives a sympathetic look up to him. He knows full well what it's like to lose your parent, and to have this photo pop up...

He reaches over and slips his hand into Eren's free one, giving it a reassuring squeeze]

Yeah, you do. Though I like your style more.

They didn’t have much style back then . . .

[ even if all these ancient clothes were all the rage back during that time. eren says it with a slightly forced smile, before he dislikes the feeling on his lips and lets it relax. if anything, it’s ten times more genuine when he stops to think about the compliment and gives the smile a second, more successful shot. the hold is returned with a thankful squeeze, already dragging elliot’s hand into his lap, pulling the takoyaki to them so they could share. ]

i can’t tell you when was the last time I saw a picture of him. I don’t remember.

I don't know, top hats are pretty stylish.

[He catches that first forced smile, and it bothers him, until it's followed up by one that's more genuine. He relaxes a little, using his free hand to reach out for some takoyaki]

Really? Did your mom not keep many pictures?

A lot of them. I was the one that didn’t keep any.

[ he likes to remember, sure, but pictures just— made him angry. there are just some things that are hard to let go, they never found their suspect. after a pause, eren asks an important question to break the ice he keeps feeling is growing in sheets. for him, not for elliot. ]

Would you see me in a top hat?

[ he’d look pretty weird in a top hat. ]

Oh...

[it sounds like maybe it was a personal issue. Sure, he could point out that he bet his mom would love to give him a photo if he asked, but surely Eren already knew that.

And if Eren seems determined to break the ice sheets, Elliot won't stop him]

Haha, well...it's hard to picture, I admit. You're very good looking, but maybe not in a...dapper way?

[ eren pauses and stares at elliot because he’s trying to picture himself dapper. like, with a suit, and a tie, and a top hat.

and it’s just really weird. enough that eren’s lips go from flattened to squiggles that want to hold back a snerk. ]

I’d look like I’d need to break free. [ DAPPERWEAR WOULD TRAP HIM, LIKE TRYING TO PUT CLOTHES ON DOGS. they were meant to be free. thankful for the breather from tenseness, eren’s arm slinks around elliot’s neck and pulls him. ] Thanks for being honest. And going along.

[ eren would hold up the picture one more time for them both to look at. it took him long enough to admit that he was gone. imagine having a photo of him . . . ]

It’s not that I don’t want to see him. I don’t think I was ready for it. [ he waves the photo around. ] With his other family, even.

[He gives a soft giggle at Eren's description. He could picture it. Eren would be so uncomfortable in formal clothing like that. As he gets pulled in, he'll wrap one of his arms around the back of Eren's waist in a half hug.] Yeah...a more casual look suits you better.

[And he doesn't think there's a need to thank him. Of course he'd be honest with Eren.

He looks up at that photo with him]

Yeah....it did come out of left field. [At a festival no less] That's not your dad from this life though.

[ eren’s not sure how to answer that, and it shows when he looks like he’s about to say something, then holds his breath. it wasn’t under the same circumstance, but . . . they’re still the same people down different paths. he’s come to terms with that much. ]

We’re the same . . . Somewhere. [ but he doesn’t suffer with the fact, only expressing it like one would mention any random fact. he’s staring though, a bit too much in that very regain-y way, to the point that he isn’t even looking at the photo anymore. just somewhere else. you remind me of your mother, eren. but underneath those eyes . . . ]

—I have my father’s fangs.

[ fun fact??? ]

[????

Well, that sure is a random fact]

Uh...fangs...?

[Did he mean his canines or is Eren about to reveal he's a vampire titan....]

[ he can explain . . . he looks slightly confused at the very confusion that’s given to him, as if it were just heard and made obvious— but he blink more through his stare, fumbling through his words to start speaking properly again. ]

Figuratively— Someone told me that, once.

Figurative fangs...

[Trying to figure it out....]

Well, I guess you do bite yourself a lot.

[ eren laughs, his hand somewhere in elliot’s hair. ]

By the way I was looking at the Instructor and the way he said it . . . I think he meant, [ he tries to think up a gesture, before he settles a fist hitting his palm. ] aggressive. Or angry.

[ hateful, perhaps. ]

He wasn’t wrong.

Oh....

Well, I didn't know your father...but you are pretty hot-tempered sometimes.

I don’t remember seeing him angry here. A little naggy. And a perfectionist. [ clover got the bulk of that and eren leeched off of it too so it works . . . eren shrugs. ] He had a reason for it then, though.

I would’ve liked it if you knew him.

Huh...well you got the perfectionist tendencies for sure.

[He puts a hand on Eren's arm] I would've like to known him too.

[ eren smiles in a way that could probably melt butter itself. he appreciates it, the same way eren would’ve liked to know elliot’s actual parents, they seemed . . . really great compared to the shithole he used to be with. at least matt’s pretty great.

but maybe, enough about this. elliot’s helped him enough already. eren finally takes the picture and pockets it— photographs weren’t new to him in the memories now, it’s not even as much of a surprised as it could’ve been. ]

We still have a date to enjoy.

[ he’ll take elliot’s hand and the little snack they had earlier to take with them— and the festival was still lively! they’re given papers to write down a wish, invited to the evening fireworks, and— there’re a lot of cute things to buy in the stalls. masks for children, plants and ingredients to cook. hm. ]

[Elliot watches him, and can't help but smile a little when he sees that Eren's cheered up. Good. That's what he wanted to see. He'll take that hand and give him a squeeze right back.]

That's right. We still got a lot to see. Maybe we can check out the games next.

[Eren getting a chance to show off as a way to flirt always cheers him up after all.]

[ have we mentioned how much eren likes this sort of flirting

there’s a lot of scooping when it comes to game booths: goldfish, super ball, toy and yo-yo scooping are the very many challenges that don’t require too many skill, just patience. of course, there’s the ring toss and gun shooting (with rifles and cork bullets), what eren seems to eye with more interest. it falls under his skull set and he would love to flawlessly take out elliot’s prize choice.

there’s also a spot for suikawari, splitting watermelons blindfolded. eren’s probably the kind of guy that could do it with his hands. or his thighs. ]

See anything you’d want to win?

Hmmm...

[Truthfully he doesn't care that much about the prizes specifically. It was more about having fun and giving Eren a chance to flirt. And he knows which games are up Eren's alley, so he makes a show of looking around before he points to a penguin stuffed animal that's hanging above the shooting gallery]

That's pretty cute.

[ yes . . . . it is time.

time for flirt extraordinaire, eren jaeger, to pump out his love devices and make the music man swoon. loosening his sleeves, eren eyes one of the rifles and pays the minimum. the game is a lovely mix of traditional carnival games with a touch of the japanese festival. he’s got an entire minute to hit all the targets, moving or otherwise. on his feet and taking the mock weapon, eren gets ready, holds the rifle up and presses it to his shoulder. ]

I’ll get you more than that.

[ and when the ringer sounds, the targets move, and eren begins his massacre. both eyes open, he shoots each one with precision, waiting on the right time for the pop up ones and, okay, showing off, chips one away the minute it jumps back into aim.

he’s also flexing ]

[You know, Elliot isn't all that into shooting. But he is into how intensely and passionately Eren is trying to win this thing. There's something really attractive about the focus and determination he's got going on. He watches, pumping his fists as he says encouraging things]

Go Eren! You're doing great!

[ flexing while shooting intensifies

or rather, everything about eren intensifies. he finishes shooting every single mark under the time limit, getting a chance to go for the bonus round: all targets fling back up. how many could he get in a ten second count down?

the answer is a lot. he picks up the pace and trades bulls eye precision for agility, still successfully getting each mark and only leaving two or so behind when the buzzer rings. what do they get? either one super choice for one of those massive plushies, or, two mediums. he asks for the penguin. ]

There’s still one more.

[ he is stronk, he win two ]

[Eren is so impressive. He watches in awe, and once it's finished? He'll step back close to him and hug one of his arms with one of his own]

That was incredible Eren!

[And oh penguin! He'll take it and give a quick hug. Hello new friend]

Hehe, well is there one you like?

[ fyi, his bicep immediately goes stiff once they’re hugged. he will impress and woo him, unconsciously or not, until the end of his days. he came, he rip, he conquer. eren smiles proudly, his chest sticks out a little— of course he wants to court and flirt, like a bird flashing its plumage around to the one he’s set on, and he was ready as ever to do more. maybe break some watermelons.

but as he stares out into the racks of prizes, eren’s smile falls just a little and he stares for . . . a very long time, fit for the regain of a memory. a memory that’s a little strained and not all that pleasant, he’s drifting away from his friends, but—

right. the prize. eren finally points to a polar bear. ]

A match?

[that is some long staring. Elliot keeps holding on but wonders if he's really that indecisive about the prize he wants. Sure, none of them are hot wheels but surely it can't be that hard to choose from them.

but just as he's about to say something, Eren speaks up. Elliot's surprised by the choice but in a happy way]

Aww it's cute! [A nod] Perfect.