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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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[ Goro, if you keep wiggling your toes, he can't guarantee that they will go unscathed from this encounter. For now, Ren behaves to the best of his ability, though he does pinch his foot once in a while. ]

If I remember correctly, sometimes he said nothing at all. Stunned speechless.

[ A lot of times, really. ]

Shouldn't we just let other me spoil him?

No, he'll become bratty in that case.

[As if talking about a child,]

... Whatever works for them, I guess. We have what works for us -- and I'm sure there're words there too, there always are -- and they... are incredibly sappy.

[Which is. Weird to feel, even in dreams. Not bad, just weird. It makes him more awkwardly fumble with affection in this life, clumsy in his backsteps.

Goro's gonna lay on his back. Full trust to you, boyfriend.]

I'm glad your name is Ren, by the way.

So he isn't bratty already. That's a compliment.

[ Both of you are bratty fucks, but it's implied in the way his mouth curves. It's ironic? The massage continues, now working on his calves. It may seem weird, but it's good for you. ]

So that people don't think you're dating your brother? True brocon.

[ Snorts. His hand makes it to Goro's feet again, now tickling him. That faith was misplaced here. ]

[Rude. Doubly rude, with that comment, and-- triple rude when Ren starts to tickle his feet, a burst of laughter startling out as he naturally flinches away, though he can't go far with a hand on his calf. He can kick at the other with his free foot at least..!]

You-- You said you wouldn't! You t-traitor! [hhhhhhhh] I just think-- think it's-- a very nice name, [pl ease have mercy ren,] though I'm, I'm glad you don't sh--share it with him, yes!

[Because it's weird to date someone named Akira when your brother's name is Akira. Ren is so pleasant and cute. Very lovely. Akechi Ren. How ni He's Not Thinking That Way.]

But then you can have two Akira Akechis? Doesn't that sound nice?

[ Ren will continue to betray, letting himself get kicked (ow... that will leave a bruise), and even scale up Goro's body to dig into his sides. Yes, little mob son, cry and laugh under him more!! ]

We could be the double As.

[ what about him is pleasant and cute................ ]

[St t top he's gonna cry at this rate..... He'll be beyond red.... They'll have to make a new shade to describe his complextion, he's trying for air and getting little to it as he tries to push Ren away with his hands now.]

T-To think I said there was nothing I'd-- I'd change about you?! R-- Ren, stop, stop, I'm gonna-- I'll break up with you!

[Not over the names thing, over the tickling... or maybe it would be the names thing. Akira Akechi sounds terrible. Goro Kurusu wouldn't have been much better.]

Edited 2018-08-21 06:19 (UTC)

All right, all right.

[ Ren yields and the tickling stops as he just... plops onto Goro like he's a mattress. This is nice, too! Just using all of his weight to crush his boyfriend against the bed. ]

I would be too sad if you did.

[Ah, this. Is nice, actually, his giggling subsiding once he's freed... and trapped once more, though he doesn't feel too tense despite the situation. Goro is a little more worried about his lack of paranoia, fussy feelings set aside as they do, within the recent year, when it came to Ren...

Mm. He'll pet his boyfriend's head, just a little bit, turning his face away like it's nothing special at all.]

Of course you would be. [... Not meanly, just. Of course.] Anyone would be sad if I broke up with them.

[goro,]

[ ............................ ah.

So this is the same feeling Akira felt when he was somewhat annoyed with Goro. Ren usually never felt too slighted or dead inside when his boyfriend flashes some show of confidence and self-important, seeing that he actually lacks it, but...

This must be punished. Carefully, he weighs more onto Goro to crush and suffocate him. ]

You're a luxury a few can afford.

[wheeze,]

And somehow you managed to buy me out for more than a night. [haha] Suppose your parents are worth their reputation after all, their son stealing away such a pretty gem.

[He really might be relaxing a little too much, nerves starting to fray a bit at the thought, but he forces them to settle, settle. Like always. It's okay.]

... I'd... be sad too, maybe, if you did... [Hhhhhhhh.] I might've confessed so before, but... I relax a little more around you, even if it doesn't seem like it. Just a little though, so don't get a big head.

They’d be proud that I’ve snatched myself a fine young man.

[ He tries to imitate a purr, nuzzling into his hand like a kept cat. He stops trying to crush Goro and merely rests on him, letting him breathe with ease. There are a couple of shifts so he can get comfortable and listen to Goro’s heartbeat. ]

That’s surprising to hear after what I did, but I’m glad... To be honest, I was worried at first that being around me would be bad for you.

[Better, he can breathe now... His heartbeat's a little quick for someone relaxed, but Ren can pen that down as aftermath of antics. He'll continue to pet his faux-cat.]

I'm a gracious soul that gives second chances three times a month. ...Why, though? About being bad for me. It isn't as if I have much of an image to tarnish for dating someone of such rumors.

[ Yes, pet him. While his mind is worried over the thought of anything happening to Goro, he's physically comfortable and ready to fall asleep the longer the petting goes. ]

It's less that and more that my parents have a lot of enemies that might want to get their revenge no matter how petty and underhanded.

[Haha. Yeah.]

I suppose that explains why I always found my shoes untied during the night. And here I thought there was some occult work at hand.

[Really, it's just Belle. His sweetest darling who is the only one that gets his full affection.]

... You never had to worry about that, though. I'm twice as smart as they could ever be.

[and he's very keen on guns. love them. mmmmm yes.]

Are you sure it wasn’t ghosts?

[ Goro in the other dream seems unsettled by the supernatural—mostly ghosts and haunted areas. Not that he can blame him. He blinks slowly as he watches his boyfriend preen himself. It’s hard to speak with gravitas and convey how dangerous it really is... ]

They’re dangerous people, Goro. I’m sure they’re looking to get revenge.

[This one still isn't particular fond, from the look on his face, but. He isn't scared shitless of them. They're not real and the monsters to be afraid of are humans themselves, etc etc.

Goro glances off though, chewing on his lip idly. Usually a sign that there's something to be said that he is just... not gonna say it, at least fully.]

... Go to sleep, Ren. I knew how to protect myself long before-- before any of this began, really. And not just against dummies.

[ Real ghosts exist in this world, Goro. He won’t ask or try to drag that into the spotlight when he has other thoughts taking his attention. He’s quiet, then pushes himself up by the elbows, scooting up so he can hover right above Goro. His expression is blank like usual, but this time there’s a tinge of solemnity. ]

You’ll tell me eventually, right?

[ He isn’t daft enough to just accept everything Goro says, but he loves him enough not to force it out. ]

[...]

No. I won't.

[It's something Ren should know, really, that Goro has no intentions of ever talking about. Especially not to him, to someone it... really, really would matter to, and not just because of any feelings.]

Somethings are best enjoyed in ignorance, Ren. Our relationship is one of them.

[Though he does seem a little somber himself about this, as if resigned. His petting's stopped when Ren moved, but now his hand slowly slides down to shyly cup Ren's cheek, rubbing it gently.]

... Sorry.

[ Mm. Ren cups that hand and brushes his lips against the base of his thumb, solemn and pensive. It was the answer he dreaded, the one he wished would never come. He could take excuses that he needs more time or that there’s a better place to talk about it, however being left in the dark is enough to be a dealbreaker. Akira may be willing to touch it up, make Goro come around, but Ren wants them to be able to trust each other...

The other Goro seemed to be a little more open about it, too. It’s something he wishes they could achieve, a year of working towards it. ]

... We can’t keep going like this, Goro, but I’ll give you some time to reconsider.

[ Indefinitely, it means there will be an end if they keep playing this game. He looks reluctant... He does care for Goro deadly, not wanting to part like this, but he doesn’t want to settle. He already wears glasses—why does he have to be blind? Lowering his head, he plants a kiss on his forehead. ]

[Mm. He knew Ren wouldn't be happy about it, closing his eyes at the kiss and so he doesn't have to see that expression anymore, and... it really shouldn't matter, and maybe it wouldn't have a year ago, but at this point? No matter how Goro might dress it up, might deny it to Sena and to himself, but he cares far more for Ren and his opinion than he does most others.

He's terribly afraid of telling Ren the truth of his family, even though Ren's been so open about his... everything, really. And though there's guilt pinching at his heart, reluctant to the core not to open up, he-- there's just no way, right..?

... But this ending isn't something he wants either. Goro understands the teenage hitman in his memories quite well, struck by family ties and past obligations versus such a shining future with others that liked him, though they didn't know the extent of his crimes.]

It's not as if I'm telling you for no reason, Ren. [He can say this much.] It's safer for you to not know. It's... a dangerous thing, and I don't... want you to get hurt because of me.

[It makes him feel weak, but that's just how it is. Just how long can they play pretend? Ah, no, that's coming to a close, isn't it, if it continues like this.]

If I’m going to get hurt, I’m going to get hurt no matter what... And I think it would be better if I knew so we could handle it together.

[ It’s the truth. He doesn’t see how not knowing would keep him safe? Wouldn’t being close to Goro put him in any kind of danger? This stress and fear that holds his boyfriend is practically sneering at him, so he’s frustrated. He wants to be there for his boyfriend, to be by his side when everything weighs down on them, but instead he’s in this cage covered by a veil. Anger wells, but he placates it by nuzzling the crown of his head, leaving more kisses like it’ll dispel all the agitation and distress away.

Ren has already lived most of his life fabricating lies for his own family, denying others the chance to help him or let him rely on them. Only recently has he understood how all of those people felt, helpless and lost. His life is now out there for everyone to see, but his feelings and thoughts have only been splayed out for those close to him. As much as he can argue that he has put a lot on the line for this relationship, he’s preoccupied with the unsettling fact that Goro may be connected to a darker figures and history than his own. How do you help and protect someone when you don’t know what you’re fighting?

Carefully, he rolls off of him, but wraps his arms around his waist and snuggles closer. ]

We can talk about this more later. You should rest up.

[ He reassures him with a squeeze. ]

[Goro makes a half-hearted noise at the compromise of talking later, turning his head to nuzzle into Ren's hair. If he might lose Ren either way, then it's best to be honest, but... at least with one he might have a little more time, as strained as it could be. Maybe it would be fine though. Maybe.

Ah, who is he kidding, it wouldn't be at all, not when his father is the reason Ren's parents are in that situation in the first place, that the Amamiya laundry is aired out for all the see, that Ren has to deal with so much. He exhales his worries (he hates that he has them, but he'd gained them over the year) and curls his arm around Ren's shoulders, pressing an almost unnoticeable kiss to his crown.]

... Okay. Sleep well, Ren.

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