songerein | { summer beach episode 2023 }

Entry tags:

{ 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

[Are ghosts real??? They can't be. Yet he stands there completely stupefied, staring at the shattered glass and then at the weird... transparent... thing that he'd aimed for, floating behind her.]

Broke a window.

[Unless she's asking about whatever it is they're both looking at? Because that he has no idea. Ghosts aren't real.

Bet Miri would think this is awesome, though.

That aside? He's so not paying for that window. Kazuki can deal with it.]

[ She definitely is asking about the not-ghost they are both looking at, but like, his answer is valid one so she can't really say anything. There is that window, which they've probably only just replaced recently within the last couple weeks, so that really is unfortunate; but she is far more fascinated by the translucent figure.

...

......She approaches casually, and... reaches a hand out to touch it, hesitating at the last moment. Then closes the distance, watching as her finger grazes through before jumping back.

...

...... ]

Has it been following me?

Not sure. Heard a noise a couple of minutes ago coming from this direction.

[Was it coming from that thing? Whatever it is. He watches her reach out to touch it, but makes no move himself to come closer. Mostly curious. It doesn't seem dangerous, it's sort of just floating there as if frozen in place and staring at them, occasionally looking them over. Probably just as curious about them as they are of it.]

Is that a ghost?

[You know, the things that don't actually exist and you only see in games or movies. Rei's not gotten to see much of this place since he's arrived, having shut himself in at home as he would normally. This place isn't like anything he's experienced, except maybe in video games, yet he doesn't seem as alarmed as most would taking in everything here for the first time. Actually it's kind of neat?]

[ Susato... would agree with that assessment. It's equal parts fascinating and sort of terrifying all at once. She feels like maybe she imagined the face, though, as it's not so obvious... Maybe it's just a really freaking weird dream-boulder?

Susato tilts her head as she hums, reaching her hand out once more, and after a moment, she can feel it warming the air around her. A flame eventually appears from that hand, causing the image of the ghost to warp, like an illusion being dispelled. The unsettling face becomes more clear; darker browns line the boom where it blends seamlessly with the earth, as well as red roots that appear to grow from nowhere.

She gasps, dropping her hand, but everything remains. ]

S, Some kind of mischievous spirit! But it's... still not moving. [ Okay. Is it dangerous or not?? ]

[Having never seen a ghost outside of media before, he's not really sure what he expected one to look like, but definitely not... that. Whatever that face shifts into. It's creepy, but Rei stands his ground. Doesn't really feel fear, merely caution- he's seen much worse from things far more real.

However.]

Back up a little. Just in case.

[Because clearly it can't be struck with anything, or attacked, but who knows what it is capable of, and it's generally not a good idea to be practically on top of an enemy that you don't know anything about. Rei creeps a little closer, though, mostly to not spook the ghost-thing, just in case he needs to pull her out of the way.]

[ Susato is naturally inclined to comply when someone tells her what to do, especially when it makes sense. She does take a step back, and they're no denying that it is unsettling, though her nerves seem to eventually settle over time. It's kinda like she is just waiting for it to do something, but when it doesn't, the glint of all the broke shards from the broken window eventually catch her eye. ]

Ah! Someone might get hurt if I leave things like this...

[ She scurries over, bending down slightly. But before she can even touch the ground, she already knows this won't work. She needs to get their broom.

Before that can happen, the rumbling starts up again. Dirt shakes loose from the creature as the ground shakes from its movement. ]

[What is she doing?? Rei watches in confusion as she remains near it to clean up broken glass. He fails to see the importance of doing so when there's a ghost right beside her. Does this girl have no sense of self preservation? No urgency? He blinks, totally mystified.

Then the rumbling starts the second her back is to it, confirming that is the sound he heard earlier.]

Watch out!

[Not sure what to expect, hence the need to act immediately, he closes the short distance between them with incredible speed, grabbing her arm and yanking her closer to him. Moving back. At least with her beside him he can move her out of the way, though he's hoping she is able to take care of herself in this situation. It's not often he rescues people, he's solely used to kill targets on missions, so he's not really... needed to protect anyone before. Save for his partner on occasion. Feels weird. Like the instinct is there, he'd protect Miri, and his... family, with his life, but he barely knows this girl and he just acted without thinking.]

Let's go. Leave the mess for whoever works there.

[Probably better they leave the scene before the owner comes out to find the broken window anyway.]

But—

[ It happens before Susato can do much to react, leaving her in a literal whirlwind as she is pulled toward him. She can feel her back land against him with a thud, and she is left awkwardly resisting as she straightens herself. This doesn't last long either, however, and while there had been a moment of peace where the ghost had stopped to change direction, the rumbling continues as it draws close once more.

This time it is Susato who yanks his hand, pulling him forward as they are forced to leave the Harvest behind. ]

But I work there!

[Was not expecting to be jerked forward by this small girl, but it wouldn't be the first time that's happened. Just that this one is taller. Older.

He's quick on his feet and takes over without needing to be dragged, though he has to slow his pace as to not leave her behind.]

Then you can clean it later.

[That should have come out as an apology, but he fails in that department. In any case, the focus is on moving away from the ghost as opposed to the broken window. That glass isn't going anywhere.

... And neither is that rumbling noise as it seems to be following them.]

[ If there was an apology in there, she didn't hear one, but it's probably not important right now. She will be offended later, if she remembers. In the meantime, she shouldn't be surprised that he passed her so easily (she's definitely more brain than brawn), but at least he's considerate enough to slow down and allow her to keep up.

They continue weaving in and out of the trees of the residential area. Susato can be heard panting as they turn a corner around a particulary large tree that is big enough to hide them both. She stumbles on its roots, barely able to catch herself in the final seconds as something from her magical kimono sleeves ~~of hammerspace~~ goes clattering to the ground before them.

It looks like some sort of old-school polaroid camera.

Meanwhile, the noise of the ghost chasing seems to slow since they disappeared from its sight. ]

[They slow down as the noise becomes more distant, but not before Rei hears something heavy clatter to the ground. He whips around, reflexes sharp and senses focused on his surroundings... only to find a camera on the ground.

At first he wonders why she'd have a camera. Conducting surveillance, maybe? Scouting? But then sees it's an old polaroid. Not exactly the kind you'd use for either of those.

She hadn't been holding that before, had she? He doesn't recall, and she's not holding anything to carry it in. Fairly certain he would've noticed it because it's not common to see such an old model.]

Did you drop this?

[Voice the usual nonchalant tone, he's also barely worked up a sweat from all that running. He holds the camera for her to take. One thing he's sure of is that it doesn't belong to him.]

[ Susato had seen the camera fall, but had given it no mind as she caught her breath. Once Rei offers it, however, she accepts, trying to sneak a peak behind them to see if they're still being followed. ]

Yes, thank you. My apologies, I am not normally so clumsy.

[ Honestly, kind of embarrassing. ]

Someone gave it to me earlier for a request on the Dream board about round spirits. Now that I think of it, my new friend probably fits the description...

[Rei doesn't think twice about the clumsiness and makes no remark about it. Instead he's turning his head, looking around to make sure they haven't been followed.

The rumbling is distant, for now, but they should probably keeping moving. Though it's... difficult trying to pinpoint which direction it's coming from anymore since it sounds like it could be anywhere.

Then he glances at Susato as she looks over the camera.]

Ghosts are into photography?

[Round spirits? Unless there are more than one type of ghost it sounds like that's what these things are, but...

A camera?]

No—?

[ Susato cuts herself off when she perceives the sound getting closer, the rustling of leaves under its roots. There is a pause as she also looks around them with a certain alertness. The creature seems to be looking for them. Or her. ]

Some of them might be, but I think we are meant to obtain a photograph of it... Something about "capturing its essence."

P, Perhaps there is a clearing where we can lure it and see what happens... [ There's probably something special about the camera, yeah? ]

[Capturing its essence? Rei grumbles a little, thinking this sounds familiar, then quickly remembers why it does.]

Sounds like a video game.

[The ghosts didn't look like the one that's chasing them- or rather, her, but hard to deny the connection when the camera is similar.

But okay, that's easy enough. He'd offer to try and get that picture, but it's her camera. Meanwhile, he's continuing to focus on trying to pick up where the sound is coming from. He's a trained assassin, yet this thing is eluding his senses.]

Dunno where we are, so lead the way--

[No sooner than he finishes that sentence does the rumbling get a bit louder, surrounding them, and a sudden torrent of water comes crashing down on top of them.]

[ She gives an obedient nod, because between the two of them, why shouldn't she lead the way? Yet before she can so much turn, or perhaps just as she does, the torrent of water comes out of nowhere. It seems into her clothing her hair, her everything, causing her to shiver uncomfortably before she lets out a— ]

Aaahhh!!!

[ ...

This.

This was not the beach water she wanted. ]

Edited 2023-07-23 02:44 (UTC)

[ There seems to be a faint laughter echoing all around them, but all she can manage to ask, while sighing, is, ]

What's a video game...

[ Her answer comes when another torrent follows from overhead, this time heavier, stickier, and A LOT more...green. ]

[There's no time to recover from the water being dumped on him before he gets thoroughly slimed. It's especially gross because the water is making it easier for the slime to spread all down his clothes and get into all sorts of places it doesn't need to be getting into.

This is so. Not great.

Disgusting.

Unlike Susato, the only noise he makes is a grunt, like he's completely resigned to anything terrible happening and regrets stepping foot out of the house.

And if he ever manages to find his house, he wonders how many showers he's going to need to completely clean himself.

He makes a low mumble in his throat before he finally mutters.]

Gross.

[For now he settles for wiping his face off so he can see and hear. But his mind whips back to the question she asked because...

What?

She's from Japan. Even if you've never played any of the systems, people know what they are or have heard of them. Did he not hear her correctly? Possible with all this slime.]

... You've never heard of video games?

[Maybe this isn't all that important right now. But she asked.]

[ There's some sort of internal panic, and it's not just because she can now feel the slime running down her back. She bites down another noise that threatens to escape as she considers: should she know what that is?

...But it's hard to think like his. ]

W, Well, I have heard of "video," and I know what games are...

[ Surely she can figure it out!!!

...Uh. Only then she can feel those creepy eyes on her, and they aren't Rei's. Much like a creepy ghost, its form seems to materialize out of nowhere a short distance away, with the face that looks a little offended at how easily it has been forgotten. ]

What? Don't look at us like that. This is all your doing!

[ Isn't it supposed to stay frozen when she looks at it?? Curiously, it doesn't seem to be moving, but there is a sudden popping noise from above them that makes her jump.

...followed by confetti. Yay. ]

[Ah. Yes. Confetti. Miri plays with this stuff. Usually inoffensive, but with the way it clings to the slime coating his body... he can see why Kazuki complains about it being messy.

Not that he'd ever give Kazuki the satisfaction of saying that out loud.

He glances over at Susato, who is wearing the very same slime and confetti mess that he is. She looks as terrible as he feels.]

Think it's mad at us. [his gaze traces over to the floating menace a distance behind her.] Try the camera?

[Either he could with her standing still... Or maybe she has to do it. They weren't exactly given a gaming manual for this shit. Right now it's just floating there with its creepy, unblinking gaze that doesn't seem to focus on either of them, with its mouth in something akin to a pout, like Miri when she loses in Morio Kart.]

[ Not to worry, she feels just as terrible. She is just masking it with her indignation, but the reminder does help. Her anger melts, and if this were a video game, Rei might be able to imagine the ! that appeared overhead.

Right, the camera. Was it damaged? Can she still use it? She turns it over, slightly worried. Meanwhile, the expression on the ghost creature seems to have gone from annoyed to nervous. It would appear they have the right idea, and in fact, she can almost see it squirming, as if it is struggling to get free.

... ]

Let's see... It has been a while, so...

[ Ugh. All this goop is so distracting... uncomfortable! Susato shoves a lock of her hair out of her face, and eventually...

Click! There's a bright flash aimed right at the pesky spirit. ]

[While the overall gross feeling from everything clinging to his body is acknowledged, Rei is able to ignore it for the most part. He's undergone a tremendous amount of... "training," and a lot of that dulled his emotions and rewired his brain in a way that he can easily ignore pain and discomfort. Might seem convenient for most, but the process was anything but humane.

For the moment, he remains perfectly still, eyes on the ghost and occasionally flicking to Susato as she holds up the camera. He's readying himself for a counter attack should anything fail or he needs to act quickly. Much to his shock the camera goes off and the ghost disperses into a smoky substance that is then funneled directly into the camera.

Huh.]

Can't believe that actually worked. [warily eyes the camera though...] Not gonna come out, is it?

[It all really did happen just like in that one video game... However, no matter how ridiculous this place is, it's not a video game.]

[ Susato watches in awe as the spirit is sucked back into the camera. A light wind kicks up from the whole ordeal, and just as things are quiet, she turns over the camera, as if to see where it went: a question which is then answered with a loud whirring noise as a paper photo is spit out.

She is still stunned, having nearly dropped the camera just now. Seeing the photo saunter to the ground, however, she quickly reaches for it manages to catch it before it reaches the ground.

...

...... Hm. Now turning over the picture, too. ]

Should we burn it to make sure?

[ ...... ]

I'm glad I wasn't in that picture.

[Burn it, shoot it, stab it. Whatever. So long as the job is done. Gun isn't an option since he accidentally left that back at the house when he stumbled outside in a hunger-induced stupor. Not to mention he's limited on ammo. Which he'll have to figure out before long...

He does have something else on him, even though he stopped smoking because of Miri, he still carries it around.]

Gotta lighter.

[Says as he reaches into his jacket pocket, where it usually sits. He pulls it out and...

slime pours out of it when he flips the lid.]

... Or not.

[Just going to pocket that, as he doesn't quite want to toss it. Then he looks at Susato.]

Could use my knife.

{ summer beach episode 2023 }

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

1/3

2/3

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

(no subject)

(no subject)

🎀