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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!

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[If she wasn't pulling back any time soon, he wasn't going to either, content to just cuddle her close for however long they needed. If this hadn't been such an emotionally charged situation, he might have gotten embarrassed over holding her for this long, pressed to him as such, but any self-consciousness he had flew out the window the moment he saw her in this state. He wasn't going to let her deal with this alone, not if he can help it.

There's a painful lurch in his chest as she describes the what had happened, and even now, after finally witnessing it himself, it still made his blood run cold. Even if she had been rescued, then and now, the thought of her suffering like this, emotionally and physically, by something wearing her mother's face, frustrated him to no end.]

And this was the memory that the fog drew off of.

[It's not so much a question, but a statement, his breath fanning about her hair as he spoke. Still, something about the situation nagged at his mind, something similar to when she had used her Mirror Card for the first time around him, and it gave him pause.]

... that woman. The one you said looked like your mother. I don't...

[And he considers, for a moment, how to say it best that wouldn't upset her, or insult her mother's memory.]

... I don't think what you saw was really her. It felt like something else entirely. Something... not normal.

Something not natural?

[Others had been unsure, the same way she had, on if her mother would actually be capable of that. But others hadn't mentioned that. On it seeming unnatural somehow? Sakura isn't sure, but of course, that could be because she was obviously compromised, emotionally conflicted about something like this, concerning what seemed to be her mother. Someone she misses and would do anything to see again.

She does eventually pull back a little, if only to shift in looking to him, her gaze searching his as she asks.]

[His hold on her eases up as she shifts around to look at him, keeping his arms a little looser around her in case she wanted to get out of his grasp. A very small, selfish part of him wanted to keep holding her for a little longer, but he wasn't going to cling to her if she needed some space to herself. He can't help but brush a bit of wet hair away from her cheek as her green eyes look up at him in question, a needlessly doting action as he decides on how to phrase it. His teeth worry his bottom lip slightly, wondering if what he was going to say would make things any better, or just worse. It was obvious Sakura missed her mother, if how she clung to that thing was any indication, but... it wasn't fair for her to assume it was who she thought it was.]

Remember when you were training with Mirror that one time? When... I got worried about who you were fighting? [And nearly speared the wrong person like an idiot--] The double of you that Mirror made, it sort of... gave off a weird feeling. I don't know how to describe it, but it's kind of the same for when you use your other cards too.

[Of course, just saying IT GIVES ME A STRANGE FEELING isn't concrete reasoning, but--]

I only saw it for a second, before you fell, but... it had the same kind of sensation behind it. It's possible it could have been something else disguised as her.

When you got confused? Yes. I guess I didn't notice? Or at least, not with this.

[It was kind of hard to forget his encounter with Mirror. So of course Sakura gives a nod in confirming she remembers that, as one eye closes when he reaches to wipe some hair from her cheek. Water still drips from her hair, but she is wet enough anyway that her clothes are already soaked that she doesn't seem to notice, or mind at least.]

Something else in disguise though. I thought it was just the fog before. I mean. It can't really.....she's back in Japan, so.

[So of course that was impossible. Let alone her not looking any older than the photos Sakura has seen. It's just that part of her can't help but to be drawn to the figure anyway. In some childish desire of being embraced by her mother again at least once that she would actually remember.]

[The expression on her face as he brushes the hair away is surprisingly cute, and for a second, the pad of his thumb grazes softly over the swell of her cheek. There was no purpose to the action aside from gentle affection, not caring much about the dampness of her skin when he himself was so thoroughly drenched.

But her words get him to flinch back a little, cheeks flushing slightly as she brings up that particular detail.]

I-I wouldn't say I got confused...

[No, you totally got confused during that time, Xiaolang, stop being tsun over this-- but he frowns, another memory coming to mind as she mentioned not noticing the odd feelings. Perhaps it was something only his other self had, but...]

... have you gotten strange feelings in the past from certain things? I remember the other me talking to you about how a certain someone 'felt' different from a normal person, and you agreeing, so... maybe it's something Retrospec hasn't given you back yet.

[But he grows quiet as she muses about her mother, over what could possibly be disguising itself as her. It's clear the subject was depressing her, and while he hadn't had the same attachment to his own deceased parent-- at least, not to the extent of chasing after his ghost-- he could understand why it could be so heartbreaking. A chance to possibly see her mother again, and it winds up being something taking advantage of her instead. It wasn't fair to her.]

... I'm sorry.

[He's quiet again for a moment, before adding--]

It might not be my place to say, as I know very little about her, but... I can't see your mother being the sort of person who would do such a thing to you. I'm sure your mother didn't approve of whatever this thing was using your memory of her against you.

[Before he can go on further, though, an involuntary shiver trembles through his body, surprising him. The body heat was working, to a certain degree, but the fact remained that they were both still in very wet clothing that was cooling quickly in the night air around them. But was there any place for them to fix that within a dream?]

Maybe. I'm not sure if I remember anything like that yet at least. But....you're not the first to say that either. That she wouldn't do that.

[And at least from what Sakura has been told about her mother, that is probably true. Which is in part of what makes this all the more confusing and conflicting for her. But Sakura finds it harder to try forget about that when it comes back up like this. Had thought she had moved on from it after all these months. Only for it to happen again like this.

She notices the shiver, her own almost having subsided but still feeling a bit of the chill from the dampness of her clothes and hair.]

Then they're probably right.

[This poor girl needed some sort of a resolution for this, and unfortunately, Xiaolang couldn't exactly provide one for her. Not when there was no way to contact her mother, and when he knew so little about her...

But another small tremor pulses through his body, and it's clear that the longer they stayed out here, the more likely they were going to get sick. Granted, they WERE in a dream, so it seemed unlikely, but he wasn't going to take any chances. Hopefully they could maybe change the scenery somehow, and get to a warmer place, or at least somewhere with a change of clothing.]

Sakura. [His voice is patient and gentle as his eyes fall upon hers, searching for anything that could be off.] We're going to catch a cold if we stay like this. Do you think you'll be able to walk?

[Not that he wouldn't carry her in his arms or on his back if she couldn't-- but he didn't want to make any assumptions or smother her with too much of his worrying.]

A cold? Ah, I don't want you to get sick.

[Not because he jumped in after her. To save her from drowning. That'd be a heck of a way to repay him for this. Still, she shifts them, in making to stand. Hugging herself from the chill as she moves, feels the wind pick up a little more.]

But I don't think I'm hurt or anything. So it should be okay.

[He shakes his head at her concerns, untangling his limbs from around her as he shifts to move as well.]

I'll be alright. I'm much more worried about you. You nearly drowned.

[And that was much more deserving of his concern than any possible cold he'd might get. Not that he wanted to get sick, of course, but he'd take that over Sakura being hurt any day. He keeps a careful eye on her as she makes her way to her feet, watching for any weakness, hands hovering at a safe distance to help her if she needed it.

It's not until she's properly standing that he follows suit, fighting off another shiver himself as he does so. But her comfort came before his, and with that in mind, he carefully settles an arm around her shoulders, as a way to warm her and a means of support. It did seem a little forward of him, though, so his cheeks flush before he says, bashfully:]

... I-I'm sorry. If I had something dry, I'd give that to you instead. I hope this can help, just a little.

I'm okay. Or, I will be.

[This...this was just a dream? A memory? It wasn't real. It had already happened. Or at least, the nearly drowning had. Still, she doesn't seem to think much if anything of him wrapping that arm around her shoulders. Simply gives a nod in understanding. This was enough. It would have to be. Even in a dream.

She can't help leaning into him a little more. For that warmth. Even if they were both wet. Still both damp and cold.]

It's alright. Thanks.

[His lips purse at that, not entirely convinced on that end. Yes, this wasn't technically real, but there could be things that could carry over into the waking world. Maybe nothing like a cold, but if she had trouble breathing, or weakness in her limbs...]

Don't push yourself if you're feeling off in any way, though. Just let me know, and I'll take care of it for you.

[But he can't help but blush even further as she thanks him and nestles into his hold, feeling his heart spike up a beat. Gently, he shifts her over to his side a bit more, keeping his arm around her secure so she cuddle closer to him if she needed to. He's quiet as they begin to walk, surveying the surroundings, though he can't help but frown as he starts to notice the obvious.]

... can we actually go anywhere from here?

[As far as he can tell, the setting seems to fade the further they head out, making any plans to find a place with warmer clothing a bit more complicated.]

I'll be okay, Xiaolang-kun.

[She's just grateful for his support in the meantime. Dream or whatever this is. Still, that....is a good question. Sakura glances around,. If this was some dream then they -- she would have some sort of control? Right? She bites her lower lip, closing her eyes for a moment as she thinks of home.]

Home....

[He looks almost chastened at her insistence, head dipping a just a little with a slight frown. He really was becoming a mother hen when it came to fretting over her, and he really shouldn't smother her like this, but--]

... I know. But when it comes to you, I can't help but worry.

[Not that Sakura wasn't a capable girl on her own, and able to do much more than he could ever do, but every bit of his being wanted to keep her safe and happy no matter what. Before he can dwell on that any further, though, something materializes in front of them, and all around them, nearly stopping him in his tracks. The setting looks familiar, much more so than the lake he had dragged her out of, and it takes a few seconds of glancing around before it sticks.]

This is-- How did we get here so quickly?

[DREAM MAGIC PROBABLY, but going from nothing to the Marlowe's place so fast was a bit disorienting.]

I worry about you too. And all my friends and family.

[Just. Probably not quite to the same extent, considering their relationship now. That and, well. Sakura tries to be optimistic in wanting to believe everyone could usually take care of themselves. More or less.

Sakura shifts then, to pause in her walking when they arrive.]

Because it's a dream? I guess?

[His cheeks color a little, though he's at a loss of how to explain it better to her. It wasn't just the simple concern one would have for their loved ones-- it was something a little bit more, something a bit deeper. There were times when all he could think about was her, and what he could best do to make sure no harm ever came in her direction. Again, he knew full well Sakura was no delicate flower-- she was a strong and sturdy girl, with more abilities than he could shake a sword at, and she could very much protect herself when he couldn't. But... despite all of that, he still wanted to look after her, and care for her, during the times she possibly couldn't.

But before he can verbalize any of that, she pauses in her steps, causing him to bring his walk to a full stop as well. His brow furrows at her obvious enough answer, though he makes a small noise of agreement.]

... probably. I guess since this is your dream, you have control of what can happen in it.

[And at that, he slides his arm off of her shoulders, only to settle his hand in the center of her back and give her a gentle press forward.]

You should probably go to your room to change, now that you're here.

[Never mind that them being in Sakura's house meant that Xiaolang probably didn't have any clothing options to change into himself, unless he went and raided Derek or Noah's wardrobes, but--]

[At the least, considering the situation, it's easy enough for her to be distracted from Xiaolang's protectiveness, from his being so focused on her and trying to explain himself. Focusing instead on getting them somewhere warm and dry. Somewhere to change clothes.]

I guess that makes sense? In some strange way. But what about you? If I change and then get you back to your place to change?

[Well. Noah would probably be the one closest to his size but even then, Noah's clothes would still be too big. And her clothes might be a little small with some measurements. So she isn't sure that would work. The best she can think of is for her to change as quick as she can and then get him back home to his place. Maybe then he would wake up and be alright.]

[There's a small flush in his cheeks as she brings up that very good point, realizing he hadn't thought of his end of the equation for this. He had been more intent on getting her warm and dry instead of himself, as she had gone through a much greater trauma than he did. Shaking his head slightly, he urges her forward once more, so she wouldn't get too caught up in worrying about him instead of changing.]

I'll be fine. I don't want you rushing or pushing yourself any further than you already have. Get yourself changed and relax, and I'll figure out something in the meantime.

[Because even if Noah's clothes were on the larger side, the t-shirts should still fit him comfortably, and he could probably roll up the pants to a certain extent to make it work. It's not like Noah was in the dream to say something about it, anyway.]

A-alright.

[She gives a nod though, figuring if she changes quickly then they could make sure he was sorted. Sakura waits till he is out of sight before changing into some dry clothes, throwing her wet ones in the hamper with her dirty washing to be dealt with later.]

Alright, I'm ready. [She calls out and opens her door, checking on Xiaolang.]

[He makes sure to give her a wide enough berth to respect her modesty and her privacy, heading straight over to Noah's room the moment she stepped into her own. It felt a bit invasive, digging through the other boy's clothing like this, but as far as he knew, they were the only ones here at the moment. And it's not like Noah hadn't dug through their stuff at home, either...

By the time Sakura's done changing, he's just about done as well, donning the smallest and simplest things he could find in the dresser. That just so happened to be a spare band T-shirt and a pair of drawstring lounge shorts, the string tied as tight as it could go and the 'shorts' still reaching to about his shins. Still, it was better than wet pajamas, anyway, which he's trying to collect into his arms once she calls out.

He exits the door to Noah's room, tugging on the shirt a bit (kind of needless since it's already baggy on him), eyes searching for her.]

I am too.

It doesn't look too weird on me or anything does it...?

Hm? No. I mean, it is a little bigger. But that's fine to just get you home in and you can bring them back next time you come over?

[Barely anyone would probably see him anyway. In this dream, but also with her being able to use Fly to avoid most people's notice up in the air while they walked or drove. She hands him a spare plastic bag for his wet clothes, before gesturing back outside.]

I'll get you home.

[He deposits the soggy clothes into the plastic bag she gives to him, but he stops short as she makes that offer. Logically, he probably should head back, and hope that being in familiar territory would snap him out of his dream, but--

His hand twists a little in his shirt, his mouth moving before his brain can intercept it.]

I'd rather stay here, actually.

[It takes him a moment to realize what he just said, and he shakes his head a little, frowning.]

I-I mean-- you've been through a lot already, and I'd be more comfortable if you rested up and took care of yourself instead of making yourself go out there for my sake. Besides, this is a dream, so-- I don't think it's going to matter if I'm here or at home when I wake up. I just...

[And he straightens his shoulders some, mouth setting in a straight line.]

I want to be here if you wind up needing anything else. If... you want me to be, anyway.

You want to stay? I guess it isn't like you haven't stayed over before. And it is a little later now. And if it is just a dream, you'd probably still just wake up in your bed in the morning.

[As far as she figures. However this was supposed to work. It wasn't like she had done this before or anything so she was just guessing on that. Still, it doesn't take long for her to figure getting bed ready, and offering to help him set something up as well.]

[He nods in agreement, a little more than relieved that she hadn't insisted on him leaving. He would, if she had wanted him to go, but it was the best for both of them, in his opinion, if he stuck around.]

Yeah. I doubt we're actually physically traveling through these dreams, so it doesn't really matter where I end up being. Derek and Noah don't seem to be here either, so I don't think it'll be really inconveniencing anyone.

[Although if Derek was around, he wouldn't bother asking to stay, anyway, because the older man would probably try to skin him alive at the very idea. He's quiet as he helps her with her own bed stuff, although he blinks a little at her offer to set his up as well.]

Um... I-I'm fine with just a pillow and blanket for the floor, if that's okay with you. I mean, I'm not really going to be sleeping here, so it doesn't make much of a difference.

[Granted, they shared a pillow nest together the first time he slept over, so sleeping next to her wasn't a new thing to him, but... sharing an actual bed with her made him feel incredibly shy, for whatever reason.]

A-alright then. I guess that's true. Or, I hope so.

[That Derek and Noah wouldn't actually wake up to find her boyfriend camping out in her room with them having been clueless on Xiaolang having been staying over at all. That probably wouldn't go down well. At all. Not for him anyway.]

I have a spare pillow. And there should be another blanket or two in the wardrobe....

[She passes him one of the two pillows on her bed, then goes to the wardrobe to reach and find a spare blanket for him.]

[Nope! Not well in the slightest!! But if Xiaolang had managed to rummage through Noah's dressers and get changed in his room, all without the other boy noticing, then it was a pretty safe bet that he wasn't actually here. That, or a very, very sound sleeper...

He accepts the pillow with a small thanks, setting it onto the floor near her bed, though he glances up as he sees her travel to the wardrobe for the blankets.]

Ah-- do you need any help with that?

[She really should be resting, and not hunting for things for him, so he wanted to assist her as much as he can on that front so she didn't need to do any more work.]

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