songerein | { summer beach episode 2023 }

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{ summer beach episode 2023 }

SUMMER BEACH EPISODE

Thanks to the Dreamsortium's aggressive advertising in town and around the Wildlands, the Forever Dreams resort's grand opening is a bustling and lively one with both dreamers and local fae alike coming by. Even the dragons from Dragefjell are coming down to enjoy luxurious sunbathing.

Just remember, only the first night is free! After that, one must either pay or help fulfill some "odd jobs" around the resort for the Dreamsortium.

More details on everything can be found here.

I. FOREVER DREAMS RESORT

A. Resort Amenities. Everyone will have a room to stay in, though there are also camping options for those who might want to stay outdoors.

🧑‍🍳Outdoor Dining. There are outdoor kitchen patios that are available for guests who would like to prepare their own food, however while the resort will provide with some ingredients, guests will have to bring their own. Perfect for those who try their hand at fishing and want to enjoy their catch. Just beware of the sea gulls that will try to pilfer anything left unattended.
♨️Spa and Massage. Need a break? Relax those sore muscles? The resort boasts only the best and have a special spa for those who can gather and relax with a drink and snack. They have also hired friendly dragons and orcs who specialize in providing the best massage possible.
🦀 Crab Shuffleboard. There are some shuffleboard courts setup that are said to be more unusual than normal, which is quickly revealed by the usual round "discs" used for play. The discs work well enough regardless…until at some point legs appear to reveal they are strange little crabs! They are sturdy little ones so some consider their traveling as part of the game, but others might want to catch them. (Note, they are not normal crabs and are Karka hatchlings.)

B. Animal Control. Unfortunately the construction agitated and displaced a few of the local creatures in the area, and while most have just moved on, others are less willing to leave their original habitats. Some are making it work, while others are hostile. Perhaps creating a newer, better habitat will make them more willing? Or figure out ways to coexist.

🐍Sea Snakes. Completely harmless, these aquatic snakes would nest in the tall seaweed that grows near the beach by the resort. Most of them were able to be relocated in other places, but there are some patches that haven't been moved because of their nests. By now the eggs have hatched, but the babies are still hiding out. Help move them to a safer location!
🦦Seaweed Otters. The otters prefer the clams that can be found in the shallows which is why they can be found lounging about. They're cute and friendly, but also mischievous, stealing other food and toys from beach goers. Although relatively harmless, it's dangerous for them. Good news, the same types of clams can be found further down. Catch the otters and guide them towards the new location. Alternatively, have them try different foods from other areas of the beach to encourage them to move elsewhere.
🦉Pineapple Owls. Pineapples are popular to serve, but harvesting them has been difficult. There are some owls that are dive bombing those who try. It doesn't help their eggs look like small pineapples! Help locate the affected trees to mark them and find empty trees to safely harvest from.
🦀Karka. KARKA ROOOOOLLL. Appearing by the coves on the edge of the Wasteland, these giant, monstrous creatures have a tough outer shell that is difficult to penetrate and requires using a special acidic solvent that somehow the Dreamsortium are able to prepare quickly. They appear to be very agitated and while they mostly stay where they are, some will come close to the resort to attack. Maybe returning some of those "little crabs" from the shuffleboard courts would help…

C. Beach Fun. There are some casual fun beachside activities that everyone can partake in! For those who didn't bring their own, towels and beach chairs are available to rent.

🤿Snorkeling. Grab your gear and do some snorkeling in the clear shallows around the resort! Might make a new finny friend or two.
🐚 Shell Collecting. There are a number of beautiful shells, and they say the large conch shells will whisper a dreamy tune that could help one sleep. There are also contests and requests to collect certain shells.
🏐 Games. Various games are set up, such as beach volleyball, watermelon smashing, water balloons and water guns, and the return of the fruit slicer, where one must slice a barrage of fruit with only dreamotion.
🍈Melon Dodgeball. A new game that's becoming an explosive hit is a dodgeball game using special melons. These melons are sensitive to the temperament and dreamotion of the players, so the more tense and energetic they are, the more likely they will explode and splatter their target instead. Still counts as out!
🐢 Boating. The turtle shell boats are back! Toting large clams shells big enough for two people, these giant sea turtles will happily pull people for either a relaxing cruise, or a fast paced ride through the water. Small sailboats are also available to rent.

D. Special Businesses. Some of the local businesses are putting up stalls on the beach!

🍷 At Day's End.Two days a week during the month of July, At Day's End will have a booth available at the beach resort! The bar and winery's offerings include a number of fine drinks and cocktails designed with summer in mind, such as: the Champagne-like Dew of the Ether; the luck-changing, naturally cold Azure Omen; the floral and sweet Divine Retribution, available with or without alcohol; and the minty and light fruit punch, Dawn in the Wildlands. Other drinks will also be available at the beach stall, though in limited quantities compared to the town's location.

Much like the services provided to patrons of the establishment proper, van Zieks will be available to provide cooling through his personal dreamotion abilities, though in exchange for passing out pamphlets or helping him serve drinks. He can't do anything about sunburns, though, you're on your own there.

🌸Wild Harvest. There is nothing unusual about the Wild Harvest's stall, and at a glance, it is exactly as you'd expect. There are flowers for the taking, set decoratively inside a vase beside a stack of fliers for any new dreamers who don't know about the establishment yet. A list of names that seems to be a sign-up for something called You Be the Chef also sits in front of whichever staff member may be running the booth, and if asked, they'll happily speak about the contest.

There is a grill set up with sticks of freshly grilled kebabs, also for the taking to sample, and nearby, a wooden-looking slide of sorts has been set up. Those who have visited the Harvest in recent weeks will know this is for the nagashi somen, or flowing noodles, for anyone who'd like to "catch" them. Chopsticks are provided, as well as the complementary dipping sauce.

In addition, as a dessert, there is also a station set up with cups of shaved ice for passersby to create their own Summer Dreams. Various toppings, condensed milk, slices of fruit and fruity syrups are provided. Even emoji-fruit with positive emotions are used! And if patrons are unable to infuse their sample with their own positive dreamotion, the staff is more than happy to assist.

II. ATLANTIS

At some point during the grand opening, some merfolk will surface and wave at the beachgoers. With reassurance from the Dreamsortium, anyone who wishes to visit the underwater city Atlantis may do so and will be given a special potion that will allow them to transform into some kind of merfolk or aquatic creature. They can last for several hours and will automatically bring them back to the surface before it wears out. Enjoy~ And beware the sirens.

A. Around Atlantis. The city is vast at the bottom of the ocean with so many things to see and do, with numerous shops opening their doors and the locals curious to meet their land based neighbors. So much so, perhaps another visit will be in order. For now, here are some highlights, and for those less inclined to try the potion, they could try and figure out a different way down there. Surely someone with enough dreamotion talents can come up with an idea?

🎣 Jellyfish Hunting. A favorite game of the Atlantians, there are special schools of jellyfish that swim around the city that come in a total of five different colors: blue, pink, yellow, green, and orange. If one catches at least one of each jellyfish, a small chest of jewels will be given as a prize. The jellyfish are friendly and harmless, though they might still try to sting out of defense.
🍴 Look at this Stuff. A young mermaid has been watching the "landdwellers" for a while now and has started to create her own collection of items only found on land. She asks any visitor she encounters whether they have or could find some trinket to add to her collection.
✨ Glowing Coral. The city is filled with beautiful, large coral patches and large reef gardens, especially just outside the city. Of particular note are special coral that sing, and one particular group of merfolk request some help in harvesting these to be used for everyday purposes in the city. Visitors are welcome to gather some for themselves—with careful moderation of course. As long as they are cut properly and kept in sea water, the coral will continue to thrive and potentially grow.

B. Temple of Saudade and Hiraeth. An ancient temple that is partially submerged just outside of Atlantis, and there is an indiscernible melody or song that can be heard faintly throughout the temple. The merfolk are still excavating it to find what all is within it, but it's a difficult endeavor due to the effects of the temple. It has a large amount of dreamotion energy and there are certain areas where people can become trapped in an illusory vision of a memory or unrealized dream with a very strong emotional tie to the individual. This will make the individual more emotionally reactive and must be calmed and talked out of their illusion. If the emotion is strong enough, whatever the character is seeing or wishing to be real will form.

C. Sirens. While not targeting the visitors swimming through Atlantis, there are sirens and other hostile fae that dwell in the ocean depths that don't take too kindly to the visitors. Stray too far from the safety of Atlantis or drift too deep into the shadows and they may appear to either harass or downright attack. Their songs are not as effective while someone is in merfolk/aquatic creature form, but they do have some effect to at least try and lure them for attention. Those who are afflicted with nightmares or have more nightmare energy will also be more susceptible.

❄️ Christmas Carols!? One siren in particular may be familiar to those from around Christmas. Called "Sirenia Caviary," she is one of the more "friendlier" sirens, but her voice wails through the waters as she is suffering from writer's block. Help her come up with new Christmas songs and the sirens may look more favorably on everyone.
🍌 Treasured Bananas. One reason why the sirens are hostile towards outsiders is due to a recent "plunder" of their precious chest of bananas. Seasalted Bananas are a delicacy and hard to come by since bananas are not found underwater. Bring some bananas to the sirens and their mood may improve.
♻️ Underwater Cleanup. Another reason for the sirens' hostility is the amount of trash and litter that has accrued both during the construction of the resort and the large influx of visitors thanks to it. While it wouldn't be enough to make them as friendly as their Atlantian cousins, clearing out some of that trash would at least make them less inclined to attack and chase upon sight. The collector in Atlantis might also find some use out of the items.

D. Thieves. There are some suspicious individuals (pirates) that appear around Atlantis trying to steal various treasures and items from the city and from the temple. Try to stop and catch them–but even if they are caught, they somehow escape. There is always an odd "click" and "buzz" sound before they disappear in black smoke that has a hint of nightmare energy in them…

Flat | Top-Level Comments Only

I know, darling. But what I said to you after you changed back is no less true: You won't forget her or your father or anyone else from your home any time soon. It takes a long, long time to do so.

[And now that they're in private.]

But I have to say that I owe you my most sincere apologies, Miss Mei. I hadn't realized until that moment why you were so insistent I remember my home. That certainly hadn't helped you one bit.

[ At that, she jerks - she whips her head around, her tears now very obvious, even if water is making them float up instead of down. ]

No! Alastor, that wasn't your fault! I... I should have said something back then!

[As she turns around, she gets a good view of Alastor. From the waist down was a shark tail that was as red as his hair. However, he wasn't covered in his typical dress shirt, coat, bowtie, and gloves above the waist.]

[Instead, she gets to see his heavily-scarred skin pulled tight over his skeleton, some of those scars bearing a faint silvery-white sheen. His claws are a ragged and unkempt. The way the water tugs at his hair reveals an X-shaped scar in the middle of his forehead, the mark typically hidden beneath his bangs.]

[Alastor's tail starts to curl up towards his body, but he forces the instinct to try to cover himself down. She's already seen, after all.]

[Instead, he nods his head.] True. You should have. But two people can be wrong at the same time, my dear. I never once stopped to consider how young you are and how being so far from home might affect you.

You've handled Reverein remarkably well. Why, I'm not certain I would've been able to do the same were I pulled here at your age!

[ All of that "extra information" his body provides is one hell of a way to distract her from the illusion - behind her, the thing that's supposed to be her mom begins to waver and fade, since the power over her is doing the same. ]

... I don't think turning into a Noctare is handling anything well, especially when it was my fault to begin with...

Darling, I would've gone noctaere in less than a month had I been in your position.

Besides, many of the adults have had the same lapse, myself included. Anyone of any age can become overwhelmed. It's just here in Reverein, it has more tangible consequences.

[ Mei doesn't say anything right away...

But you know what is a consequence of trying to help her? A hug! And that's what's gunna happen right here and now, with her hugging him tightly. ]

[As usual, Alastor stiffens up for a moment. Then he awkwardly pats her on the back.]

[He hopes it's the right thing to do. He never was much good at comfort.]

[ After a long moment, she mumbles into his chest without looking up. ]

... Is it gone?

[He glances towards the illusion which finishes fading out of existence.]

It is.

... You're always saving me, Alastor.

[ She still isn't letting go. ]

What can I say? This world may have been a good influence on me in some ways! Fortunate that Vox isn't here to attempt to record some of it!

[The name is spoken with pure venom. Stupid bastard television...]

Possibly for the best Charlie isn't here either. With dreamotion, everyone in the near vicinity would be blinded by her enthusiasm and belief that there is some plausibility to her "redemption" crusade!

[ Now she looks up at him, blinking slowly. She can practically hear the quotes around that word, and... ]

But if this world's had a good influence on you, then doesn't that mean you have reached redemption?

Darling, do you see a halo anywhere? [Alastor is very amused.] I haven't given up my vices, just found other ways to indulge without incurring the wrath of our neighbors. Besides, two years of good behavior hardly makes up for over a hundred of sin.

[He clears his throat.]

However, Miss Mei, I do have to ask that you stop hugging me please. I'm not the biggest fan of extended physical contact, especially when I'm not fully decent.

Not fully decent?

[ It takes her a few seconds to understand that, before she turns bright red - POOFing up some panda ears - and finally letting go. ]

Gah! That's right! Mermen are always shirtless! At least mermaids get bras!

Yes. Thank you for noticing.

[Alastor's tail once more tries to bend and twist its way into providing some cover, but, again, she's already seen all of the scars and his emaciated body. There's nothing left to hide.]

[ ... Well, this is awkward. ]

Maybe we should get out of here, before something tries to trap us both.

An excellent idea, my dear!

[The faint sound of static not originating from Alastor made his ears twitch. A faint voice half-lost in the static.]

Ĺ̸̰̤̫͔͖̼̠̪̼̅̔̔͐͘͘ą̵̧̱̼̫̘͈̮̲̬͍̘̮̟̟̽͐̇̓́͂̈́̃͂̀̂̿̈́̈̕͜͝͝ḑ̷̛̺̲̟̤̝̩̝͉̳̣̗͔͒̆̉̈́̀͊̌͜͠͝ͅi̴̢͕̦̺͕̠͓̍́̆̈́̀̕͝ḙ̶̡̼̝̝̭͙͇̮̽s̷̖̠̦͓̎͊͊͠ ̵̛̮̪̺͐̋̋̒̔́̔̂̇͜a̷̳͑͛̇͛͊́̆͆̓́̒̋͊͌͋̒͠ͅņ̶̛̠̱̺̗̮͎̤̥̟̉́́̀̂͐̔ͅd̸̬͙̺̟̣͍͇͙̗̘̥̖͖̣̪̘̅̋͂͐͑̂͋̆̕̚͜͝ ̵͖͖̬͑̐̋̋̿́̃̽͊͋̅͘͠͠͝͝g̷̨͙̲͕̝͎̟̤̓̽̋͂̔̃̈́̂̈͊̃͠e̷̡̡̛̠͍͇͓͎̬͍͉̭̝̯̘̝̊̃́̓́̈͋̋̔̂́͘͠ͅṅ̷̡̛̥̣̰͓̭̠̤̞̣̰̻̹͆̈͊̇͂̌̈͆́̉t̶̡͕̠̥̺̻̰̝̮͕̘̘̯͕͇́͋̆̓̈́̀͘̕͠͝l̴̲͌̏̈́̈́̊͌̒̀͋̔ē̴̠̺̹̠͖̥̙͙̖͎̳̫̐̓̈́̈͗͠m̴̡͎̯̖̞͔̦̬͕̻̥̯̖͕͍̮̍́̉̐̂̿̓̂̏͒̕͜͠͠e̶͓̟̤̪͈͖̙̞͋̔͠ͅņ̴̢͓̱̪̽́͂̈́̔̓̉̍͑̈́͒͆̕͘ͅ,̴͚͚̈̅͊̚͠͠ ̸̛̻̘̯͉͛́̈͑͌̑̋̑̕Į̷͙̣͇̳͇̺͖̎̈́͗̓̓͆̀̽̀̈́͆̔̿͋̑͘͘͜ ̷̢̧̛̛̥̙̬͐̏́̋̊̋̏̚̚͠ͅṟ̷̢̻̳͍̂̉̏̽͆̾̈́͂̾̀̌͛̓̍͘͝e̷̛͈̜͆̄̿́͒̾͂̋͒͋̓̕g̴̻̲̼̀̉́̆̂̾̔͒̽͒̄͝r̶̢͍̯̱͈̹̣̦̗̞̹̤͛̅̑̇ȩ̵̪̥͖̖̳̜͙̥͆̄̾̋̇̓́̀̓͝t̶̘̥͍̼̒̔̆̓ ̵͎̼͂͛͛͛̆t̶̙̮̑̅͊͂̇͒͗͆̆͌́͘̕͝͠ͅo̸̢̨̤͙̟̖̩̺̪̮̞̟̬͎̖͓̦͌̀͐͛ ̸̨̟̯̱̼̳̟̻̣͖͇͓͔͙̹̥̽̋̐̋́̽̌̈́̇̂͜͠͠ĭ̵̢̡̥̘̬̭͈̳͕̩̪̮͉̉̍̐̊̀̅͆̈́̂̔̚͘͜͝͝n̴̢̯̺̯̲̫̥̱̮͙̮̝͇̒ͅf̵͉̭͎̙̦̠̓̔͗̎͐̈́̈́̚͘ơ̶͈̍̓͒̅̒͌̔̿̃͑̂̃̒͘r̵͖͇̰̽̌̆͒̈́̾̾͛̐̀͋̈m̶̡͈̞͑̔̎̽̿͋͊̈́̋͝ ̵͎͙͍̫̝͚͍̝̞̦̫̑͐͌̽͒̈́͜͜ẏ̸̨̛̙̝̟͉̹̘̤̤͙̍̾͐̿͊̿̀̐̓͠ͅͅo̶̲͎͍̳͆̉͑̈́̃̔̿͌̄̅ů̵̟̱̞̌̾͂͊̒̄ ̵̜́͊̏̐̑̈́͋͘t̸̨̧̨͓̪̟̭͕͇̭̥̏̈́̽͆̏͂͛̒̈̐̂h̶̡̛̛̬̳̖̹̲̞̪̞̠̳̭̀͋͂͊͛͛̎͆̐̚ǎ̶̧̨̭̠̻͓̬̥̖̬̜͖̳̟̭̀͆̈́̔͆̅̄͂̾͒̐͌̚͜͜ť̸̼͇͊͊́̅̅̇̑͊͗̌̅̑͘͝ ̶̡̛͇̺̣̙̮̙͒̋͌̀̌͐̏̈́̇͘͜͝͝ͅA̷̯̹̼̥̺̘͖̿̀̽̾̽̅̀͑̉̑̒̄̑̃͛̏͝l̵̠͖͋͆̆̍̈́a̷̡̻͉̜͇͓̜̯̥̻͔̭̯̥͚̩̽̽̔͋͐̅͗̃̄̕͘s̵͕͕̯̮̦̹̭̜͍̳͕͆͌͆̒̏̆̅͐͋̃̓͑̉̈́̀́̚ţ̶̛̫̫̜͓͑̽́̐̀͐̑̄͆͝o̶͖̰͖̝̜̜̅̀́̅͊́͗̈́̅̂̕͝͝ͅͅr̶̡̈́̐̀͆̀̐͋̆̇͒̅̈́̃̾̃̈́ ̴̫̹̜̳̱͙͙̻̓̔-̴̡̢͍̤̟̩̦̳̬̪̖͚̼̬͙͎̮̀͒̂̇̽͂̈͐͆̔͝͠-̶̢̼̳̯͈͔̟̱͇̮̲͖͉͉͓̲̀̒̄̄͌́͑͋̿̐̅̒̄̕͝

[Alastor's ears twitched again, and there was a squeal of a disrupted radio signal before the message went silent.]

Sooner rather than later would be best, I think.

Edited (Glitchy text can be annoying to work with sometimes) 2023-07-25 19:33 (UTC)

[ Oh that is some HORROR MOVIE SHIT right there. Mei's eyes nearly pop out of her skull, and she's already swimming as fast as her hands and fins will take her! ]

I don't know what that was and I don't wanna find out! This time last year I had to outrace a shark, and this is somehow scarier!

[Alastor chuckles and lazily swims behind her, giving the impression of being carefree and unbothered by the strange message.]

[She didn't need to know that it was the memory of the announcement his station had put out to announce his death to his beloved listeners.]

Flat | Top-Level Comments Only

{ summer beach episode 2023 }

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