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…

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[ A future worth protecting... the sentence lingers in her ears for a moment, causing her gaze to follow the waves. She falls silent for a moment, considering the words, before silently nodding her head in agreement. ]

... It is. It's a beautiful world full of wonderful people. There's so much of it that I want to see, and new things I'm discovering every day. It's... wonderful.

[ As she turns her head towards the horizon, he watches her profile before doing the same. ]

Have you not traveled much?

Not until recently! I was... [ She pauses, considering her words. ] ... alone for a really long time, but now I'm not!

Now I get to see so much! So I'm very happy to be able to see this with you, Somnus.

[ A pause, then there's a quiet exhale through nose. ]

I take it that you are grateful this dream brought you here, then.

[ There's another pause, this one a little longer than the last. She allows her gaze to shift below her as she stares at her fingers, carefully intertwining them in and out. ]

Well... yes. I'm grateful that I've been able to meet so many new people, but... [ Lyria's voice drops, her weight shifting underneath her. ]

... There are people back home that I really, really miss.

[ His response is a soft silence accompanied by a patient glance-- much in the way elders so often do.

He will not ask her to elaborate, as she appears uncomfortable, but the unspoken offer stands: if she does wish to share more, he will listen. ]

[ Rather than the silence feeling awkward or uncomfortable, it feels welcoming. Enough that she could open up just a bit more... ]

There's... someone back home who I would really like to see again. We had a very special connection to each other, and it feels very lonely without them sometimes...

[ A beat. ] Ah! But I'm okay! I know I'm not alone and that I have a lot of friends here! It's just... [ Her shoulders tense a bit as she continues to speak, the edges of her voice beginning to crack. ] ... I wish they could see what I'm seeing now, too.

[ The reverberance of her voice harmonizes with the waves crashing upon the shore. Somnus' gaze falls from her to the edge of the seafoam as it crawls near their feet.

Softly, he concedes: ]

'Tis a cruel dream, to take you from your own Star.

But... we're not really gone, are we? Our other "selves" are back home and doing just fine! I know a part of me is still with my friends so... I know it's okay.

[ She'll smile softly despite the growing lump in her throat, before she suddenly tenses. ]

Ah, I'm so sorry! I didn't mean to sound like I am complaining! I'm sure to miss your world, too.

[ 'It's okay', she says, yet her voice seems to waver with homesickness. Somnus' mouth presses to a line, then a frown. She will have to endure his silence for a few moments more as a wave washes upon the shore.

His answer is thus, ]

Should there be no way to awaken, [ He pivots, pointing a shoulder at her, and continues to walk. ] one must accept no longer seeing that which is precious.

[ Silence once again befalls the two of as the air in her lungs hitches, causing no sound to come out. The words are as impactful as ice, and Lyria could feel a sharp chill run down her back and into her legs, preventing her from moving.

"One must accept no longer seeing that which is precious."

She knew this. Had steeled herself with the fact that somewhere, apart from her dreams, that she was together with her friends. Lyria knew that for the sake of other's happiness that she would find a way for those who wanted to stay here to do just that. Even if that meant...

It was the sounds of feet against the sand that broke her thoughts briefly as her head turned towards the sound.

This was a decision she had made. She would always seek happiness for others, as they had always done the same for her. ]

Yes, you're right...

[ She'll straighten her pose to fall back in line with Somnus, gaze distant as she stares at the rolling waves. ]

... Are you happy here?

[ This entire evening, has had no destination as he's walked along the shore, and he has only intermittently paused his stroll if he's happened upon a particular object buried within the sand. Being the judicious sort, most shells and stones have not been of interest to add to his collection.

As he resumes his stroll, it doesn't take long for one shell, in particular, to apparently catch his attention. Somnus pauses next to it, watching as the waves wash away sand from its ridges, allowing just enough time to pass for Lyria to rejoin him.

Then she asks a question.

His head turns in her direction, quietly taking her expression, her posture, and the despondent way with which she looks to the sea. It strikes him then and there, quite plainly, that although she asks in innocence, she suffers. ]

Child. [ It’s spoken as an informal title, but after a pause, he seems to reconsider his words, amending them to something more personable: ] Maiden Lyria.

[ His tone is lower, weighted, and he follows his address with patient silence, meaning to call her attention from the ocean back to him. Only once he has it does he continue. ]

Tell me, has anyone asked the same question of yourself?

[ Hearing her name does snap her out of the small trance she found herself in, and in that moment hazy eyes turn towards Somnus.

It wasn't a question she expected to be asked, much less have it turned on her instead. ]

If... I'm happy here? [ The sentence falls long and hard on her shoulders, and she physically deflates from the words. ]

Maybe not those exact words... but something very close to them. Eustace and Tifa are always looking out for me... and making sure that I don't feel sad and alone. It's because of the two of them that I am happy to be here.

[ Once more, "--I am happy--", and yet, she appears crestfallen. It is fair to sacrifice one's happiness for others, and he would be the last to dissuade her. But she is lying to herself if she renames the misery she shows as happiness.

Somnus lips press into a line, then curve into a frown. As he stoops forward a few inches, his cloak falls over his shoulders. ]

This dear friend, who yet remains upon your star... Would they believe your words?

[ ...

Her throat goes dry. Yet even as she tries to open her mouth- to find the words that were lost on her tongue- a chill of the wind picks up her hair and tosses it to the side. It's colder... far colder than it should be.

The wildlife that had walked along the shore with them began to grow restless as they jerked and snapped their claws together. There's a sudden tension in the air, Dark. Suffocating.

Lyria's eyes began to well up with tears. ]

Would they... believe...?

[ Her voice carries into the air, distant and longing. ]

Gran, would you—

[ The wind begins to pick up a little more, causing the creatures to turn their attention to the two of them. Their eyes darkened with that same tension and suddenly filled the air. ]

[ If not for the shift in the shore’s wind giving away how she feels, the distress is evident upon her face. She has her answer, then.

He places a hand upon her shoulder, and while his touch is icy as death, it is nonetheless solid, firm— a presence meant to ground her. ]

Focus, maiden. And breathe.

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{ summer beach episode 2023 }

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