songerein | { frozen nightmare }

Entry tags:

{ frozen nightmare }

FROZEN NIGHTMARE

On the morning after Christmas, December 26th, everyone will awaken to dark clouds that have come in overnight, or how the snow keeps falling and falling and falling throughout the entire day…and the next until it's less snow and now a blizzard of sleet and hail, threatening to freeze over not only Reverein, but to the lands beyond, including Dragefjell, dragon island. Everyone is forced to take shelter inside, and while some dare to go out, it's dangerous.

On the fourth day, before people really start going mad, strange messages written in frost will appear on their windows:

hElp
mAd
qUeEn
Not ominous at all. Nor is how everyone will suddenly fall asleep and awaken in a strange dreamscape, with a young man floating in front of them. Well, what looks like a young man. He's a bit… Fragmented, his entire body made of shards of ice. He will be the one to help explain the situation: his name is Jack Frost, and the Ice Queen has succumbed to some nightmare he can't wake her from. He needs their help to figure out the cause of her nightmares and free her. They must traverse through a strange candy land to reach the ice mountain the Ice Queen is currently in. Unfortunately, he doesn't have enough power left to do more than appear like this, so it's up to the Dreamwalkers to save the day. Again.

More details on everything can be found here. As a reminder, events double as our TDMs and information can be found here. Any outside characters participating in the log are canonly logged as appearing in Songerein in December and will remain in Songerein from anytime in December. TDM only characters can only thread within this log. Anyone who apps in and is accepted will have their character count December as their first time in the game without any disruption, so all content will carry over. Those who do not apply will disappear which should not seem too unusual, however players in game can choose to retcon and pretend a character was never there to begin with if it would be easier; or even think their presence was just a dream.

IMPORTANT! All outside characters MUST have "TDM" in their subject line, even if you might not app. This will help people differentiate those who are already in the game and those who are not.

TDM threads are required for samples. Refer to the Game Info for general information and feel free to toss any questions here. Reserves will open December 25th and Applications will open on January 1st. Our application cycles are bi-monthly so the next cycle after won't be until March.

TDM Toplevel Link Directory (click to view)

Ace Attorney - Simon Keyes
Amazing Digital Circus - Pomni
Final Fantasy XIV - Hermes
Genshin Impact - Furina de Fontaine
Genshin Impact - Nahida
Genshin Impact - Paimon
In Stars and Time - Siffrin
Legend of Zelda: Link Between Worlds - Ravio
Legend of Zelda: Ocarina of Time - Malon
Legend of Zelda: Skyward Sword - Fi
Legend of Zelda: Tears of the Kingdom - Mineru
Legend of Zelda: Tears of the Kingdom - Purah
Limbus Company - Dante
Miraculous Ladybug - Gabriel Agreste
Undertale - Frisk

We will request any thread submissions for certain prompts during AC and TDM threads will count. For more information, refer to the Game Notes.

I. REVEREIN

A. Stuck Indoors. Upon waking, anyone who looks out the window will see that everything outside is frozen solid. There was a terrible blizzard the night before, and it left Reverein an icy wonderland. It's beautiful, but freezing cold and potentially deadly. But the real challenge will be trying to prevent cabin fever as the days go on. Perhaps some games over the journals could help stave off boredom. There will also be shelters quickly made for those who need better living arrangements, and various games and food will be provided for those in need as well.

B. Outdoor Help. Due to the sudden nature of the blizzard, not everyone was able to find shelter, especially those who were out in the Wildlands which have also been hit by the blizzard. Those able may need to try and help rescue those caught outside.

⛑️ Rescue efforts. Not everyone made it out of the blizzard safely, either entirely by coincidence or due to sheer stubbornness. These people are stuck outside frozen and need help being taken to safety. Thaw them out and bring them inside!
🐿️ Animal help. There are little critters, too–ones that didn't get back to their own homes in time. Don't overlook the littlest residents of Reverein, because they need help, too.
⛄ Snowman aid. The snowmen that popped up during the previous weeks will help assist those who may need it. For a brief time they can create a little barrier around the individual, stopping some of the cold, and will even hop over to give anyone stuck their own scarves, mittens, and hats should they have any.

C. Delivering Heat. While dreamotion can help keep the hearths warm, there are more efficient ways to keep the heat through fire cores. Orkili has also sent word that they will send heating devices, and the dragons will also make the flight down to help replenish stocks so everyone can stay warm for as long as this mysterious blizzard lasts. Now the question is, how to deliver everything.

🎿 Braving the cold. The most direct way to try and get anywhere is to venture outside, but that can be a risk in itself. Those who try should bundle up! Those who can use either ice dreamotion to control the cold, or fire to help generate heat, will be best suited for this.
🚧 Tunnel system. The gnomes will try to clear some entrances to allow anyone stuck outside or trying to travel around a way to do so safely through the crystal tunnels that sprawl beneath Reverein. However, other creatures have also fled to the warmer caverns so beware. Some are just as frightened and will be harmless, but others will be aggressive for the same reasons.
⛏️ Stuck sandworm. The Orkilins were already working to create a connection between Orkili and Reverein via underground tunnel system. The blizzard has hastened this endeavor, which unfortunately means a rushed job that leads to the sandworm crashing through one of the crystal walls and becoming stuck, with the gnomes not happy. Help dig it out! In the meantime, others can work to deliver the heating devices it carries to those who need it.
🐉 Thawing dragons. Unfortunately, even the mighty dragons will succumb to the might of the blizzard, their wings freezing over as they try to fly down. Since they can't really burn themselves, they'll need someone else to use their dreamotion or some other means to help them out. However, they may be grateful enough to just stay around and help keep things warm with their dragon flame along with the fire cores they carry.

D. Ice Elementals. As the sun sets, a rumble disturbs the quiet of the snow that blankets Reverein. Two enormous ice elementals have appeared on opposite sides of the city, and they are determined to smash their way through the town. They stand five stories tall, icy blocks of fists can send anyone and anything flying, and their frigid breath can leave people encased in ice in seconds. They're tough, but not impossible to take down, especially with a group. Party up and beat these things back!

🔥 Flamethrowers. The Orkilins that arrived to help already had some flamethrowers packed to help get rid of the snow, and they are now allowing those facing the elementals to use it against them. The power will increase by those who are capable of using fire dreamotion.
🧊 Ice against ice. Those who can use ice dreamotion can try to manipulate or control either the ice elementals themselves or their attacks. It will only be a brief time, less than a minute, but even that much might be enough to provide openings!
🦵 Aim for the knees! Due to their towering size, aiming low may serve better than trying to go high. Destroy their legs, and they will topple over. However, they can slowly regenerate, so act fast!

II. CANDYLAND

Welcome to Candyland! Everything here is wintry and sweet, and so is everyone else. Upon awakening in this dreamscape, everyone will find themselves transformed to match. Perhaps drastically changed into a unicorn in any combination of colors and sparkles, or part of the winter landscape as an ice sprite, with forms varying from cute pixies to elegant fairies to blocky ice creatures. Some may find themselves mostly the same, but made out of candy. All abilities can be called upon and new ones based on their form can be developed. But those who usually use weapons may find them changed to match their form and setting. Those who turned into unicorns, well—horns and hooves count as weapons, right?

The Ugly Get-Along sweaters from town will also appear inside, which may make crossing through Candyland and the mountain ahead a bit more…interesting. But everyone must hurry through to reach the Ice Queen.

(Note: Players do not have to strictly follow die rolls and can select specific prompts or locations if they wish, but it is otherwise encouraged for more silliness and fun!)

A. Playing the Game. Traversal through Candyland is akin to a board game with some changes. Dreamwalkers must roll a large gummy die to determine what color square they must move to. (Number corresponds to position on the list, ie 1 = red, 2 = orange, etc). Simple enough, but there's a catch–each color space has an effect, and they are unfortunately at the whims of the board. Only after the effect is enacted can they roll again and keep moving forward. The effects will be strongest on the square and can last for a little while even after moving from the square. (Note: rolls are going to mostly be for the individual character for ease of meeting others on the board, however the die may randomly decide to be used for the group for a few turns.)

🟥 Combat alert! Here come the cherry bats–fight them off!
🟧 People can suddenly hear all unfiltered thoughts and they can't lie about them.
🟨 Oops! The first thing they touch is now stuck to them and can't be removed until either the next yellow square or until the end of the game.
🟩 Time for a little nap. No one's in a hurry, right? Go on, just lie down on that marshmallow bed and close those weary eyes for five minutes. (Or longer.)
🟦 They must eat five random flavors of jelly beans from a jar of every flavor possible. Pick a winner and see how well they do.
🟪 Everyone is suddenly slimed, causing their movements and speech to be sluggish as if in slow motion. This effect will last for a few squares.

B. Special Locations. Sometimes the die will suddenly shake and turn completely pink and change to an eight sided die. Players must now roll again and see which location they will be ported to. Each location will provide some kind of item or bonus that can be helpful for dealing with the frigid threats and dangers of the ice mountain. (IMPORTANT: A character can potentially go through all locations, but they are limited to two items or buffs gained. They can swap what they have as they progress, but they will still only end with two rewards gained from the locations.)

🌳 Gingerbread Plum Trees. Where Plumpy sits eating plums from his gingerbread trees. Help him collect some plums and in return he will let them take a small basket. Give these plums to anyone who is starting to freeze and they will immediately start to thaw.
🍬 Peppermint Forest. A snowy thicket of peppermint candy canes. Mr. Mint will ask those who arrive to help chop down the canes and will let them have one or two to turn into durable weapons to fight against the monsters of the mountain. Mr. Mint will also give them a handful of special peppermints that will help re-energize those who may be sluggish from the cold.
🏰 Licorice Castle. A black and red licorice castle with licorice bats. Help Lord Licorice clear the bats and he will reward with both red and black pieces of licorice. Red will burn for a long time, making it useful as a torch. Black is a risky one to eat due to its taste, but it will help warm one's belly—or give fire breath.
⛰️ Gumdrop Mountains. A shortcut to bring players closer to the mountains. Jolly will help guide them through and tell those who make it to mine all the gum drops they can, as they can be used as destructive explosives that can break through ice and walls.
🥜 Peanut Brittle House. A cottage made of peanut brittle with peanut plants growing outside. Gramma Nutt needs part of her house repaired by using a bucket of peanut butter and smearing chopped nuts over the broken patches. In return, she will give peanut brittle bombs that will explode and make everything sticky.
🍭 Lollipop Woods. A forest of rainbow lollipops resembling trees and easy to get lost in. Guide Princess Lolly out of this confusing forest by finding and following the swirling lollipops. Upon reaching the exit, Lolly will give them a special lollipop wand that will conjure a set of swirling portals that will allow those who go through to cross over short distances.
🍨 Ice Cream Sea. A bubbly ice cream sea where Queen Frostine resides. To pass through, they must build ice cream float boats or else swim through the sticky sea. At least it's tasty, and traversing through either by boat or swim will grant everyone an ice resistance buff that will last for half an hour upon entering the mountain. It has a long cooldown before it activates again.
🍯 Molasses Swamp. A swamp of molasses with brown popsicle plants guarded by Gloppy. Those who end up here will end up having to trudge through the sticky swamp, but collecting some could be useful to help slow or even trap hostile foes in the mountain.

Bonus: Liopleurodon. At random times, a strange creature will appear in the space Dreamwalkers are trying to get onto. It will only move if they can create a candy made of dreamotion and feed it. They have three attempts, and if they fail or the taste is not to its liking, the liopleurodon will knock them with its tail back several spaces or to a random location. If they are successful, however, then it will send them ahead several spaces. (Players will roll again to determine what space or location to use next.)

III. FROZEN MOUNTAIN

Should they manage to reach the end of the board, they will find themselves staring up a giant mountain. From the distance it looked like any other mountain, but closer inspection reveals that it, too, was once made of candy. However, it's all frozen over and instead of sweet, delicious delights, monstrous creatures lurk within its halls…including music that just continuously plays.

Transformations will remain, so this trek may prove challenging to some. Utilize the bonus buffs and items gained from the game to get through!

A. Don't Freeze. Forget about Jack Frost nipping at their noses, the chill from the mountain will constantly threaten to freeze everyone inside. They must work hard to keep warm, using dreamotion, positive thoughts, and other means to do so. Otherwise they risk freezing into a frozen statue and must be dethawed or they'll be kicked out of the dreamscape. Jack Frost will help by trying to drop random items that can be used for warmth: coats, gloves, scarves, blankets, torches, pocket heaters, hot water bottles. Hey, he's an ice spirit he can only do so much.

B. Monsters. There are numerous monsters and aggressive creatures that lurk through the halls of this frigid mountain. Fire is definitely the way to go, but any candy buffs and items received from the Candyland game will also drive them away. They apparently don't like sweets.

❄️ Ice elementals. Coming in all shapes and sizes, they will cast freezing magic and those caught in it will slowly start to freeze up. Gum drop bombs will destroy these quick, with the licorice, plums, and peppermints aiding those frozen. Those who are Ice sprites may be able to sneak past without being noticed.
🐻 Yetis. These large creatures will hurl giant snowballs. Counter with the peanut brittle bombs to hinder their movements. Those who are made of candy will deter yetis as they are not a fan of candy and will run away in fright.
🐐 Five-horned mountain goats. These goats will charge at anything they see and those horns are not something you want to get maimed with. Molasses will be great to slow them down. Those who are unicorns may find themselves with an admirer instead as the goats will find them quite lovely and enchanting.
🐍 Ice snake. One look from these white snakes will instantly freeze any caught in their gaze. The eyes on the ice surface will also cast the curse. Any of the Candyland items will be good against these, especially if they can cover the eyes, or use the lollipop portals to try and skip over them. Plums will be needed to rescue anyone caught. There is no transformation advantage.

C. Ice Mirrors. Made from frozen ice, the mirrors will reflect twisted visions of loss and abandonment. Loved ones suddenly leaving; homes in ruin or desolation; their own reflection in an empty void. Yet rather than despair, there will be a strange feeling of acceptance as the cold begins to wrap around them, as if it's better to be alone than to have things around them. Not only must the affected be pulled back, but the mirrors must be destroyed. Doing so will release a golden colored light that will fill a crystal chalice that will just mysteriously appear and disappear. The more lights captured, the fuller it will get.

🪞 Mirror effects. Those who stare into the ice for too long will be drawn towards it, and should they touch the surface they will begin to freeze over. They must be pulled back and warmed up both physically and convincing them of good things from their lives.
💥 Destroy the mirrors. Break the mirrors in any way possible. Dreamotion and Candyland items, especially gum drop bombs will work.

D. Ice Queen. Those who make it through the mountain halls and the mirrors will find the throne room where the Ice Queen sits. Right in the middle of her chest is a giant shard of glass stained black, the nightmare energy palpable even from the entrance. That's clearly the problem, and the solution? The crystal chalice will appear and Jack's voice will be heard urging them to somehow pour it over that shard. Getting there will, of course, be a challenge as the Queen herself will stir upon hearing Jack's voice and start shrieking like a banshee, creating an ice storm within the room and summoning beasts that must be fought. Physical attacks will be effective, but dreamotion and anything based on positive, warm emotions and ideas will also help, especially to stave off the intense nightmare energy that will be around. The lollipop portals will also be useful in traversing through the room, even if cast in mid-air.

Flat | Top-Level Comments Only

I know that feeling.

[He continues to keep his head pressed against hers, eyes closed.]

You remember, don't you...? Those times I thought it better if you left me and be with someone else. Someone...who wouldn't hurt or put you in danger.

[It feels so long ago, but it had only been over a year. Over a year when they were tested with the greatest challenge they could ever face.]

And that was my own thoughts. This... This was just from those mirrors.

I do. I remember.

[And she doesn't want to. Those were some of the worst days of their lives together. Of her life.

She shakes her head, shivering again and burying her face further until her voice is completely muffled, as is the light sob that escapes her, making her chest tighten.]

I don't think that...

[Honestly? Tifa doesn't know what she would do without him. She had been without him before, thought that that was it, and she hated it. Sure, she could pick herself up and keep living, but how much of it would really be that if he were not there with her anymore? How would she really feel if he had left her? Or if she let him leave?]

The thought of it... it scares me...

[And the way her arms tighten around him say so much more than what her voice can manage.]

Edited 2023-12-29 00:14 (UTC)

...I know.

[If he could hug her tighter he would. Just as tight as the way her voice makes his heart constrict to the point it's suffocating.]

Not having you...it scares me, too. I don't want to be in a world or life with you, Tifa.

[He's lived that life. Lived for so long on his own and thought he was fine, prepared to even die alone if that was what came to it. It was Gran and Lyria who helped pull him out back into the open... And it was Tifa who closed that final hole with her love.

Could he live without her?

...Yeah, he could. But he wouldn't be living. He would always feel that emptiness, that missing piece. All he would be doing is moving to the beat of the world and would never be the same again. Maybe he would just revert back to his old ways and seek solitude instead. Or maybe the silence he once sought would now be too great, too painful that he no longer wants it.

He doesn't know.

And he doesn't want to find out.]

[She should be relieved to hear that... and maybe in some parts, she is. Glad to know that she isn't alone in feeling that way, glad to know that he still wants her and would never leave her. But it still breaks her heart nonetheless that this is something that they both can even be scared of still.

It just makes the fight to remain in this world together that much more important.

Still leaning against him, using him for the strength and support he so often and so freely gives, her fingers trail a line down the length of that long neck, and over his back where the wounds still try to heal over.

She doesn't touch them, but she can feel where it's tender, marred, and still warm from the blood.]

... That isn't why you did this, is it?

...No.

[He at least wasn't that far gone.]

It was an attempt to shock you back, but when you didn't react at all...

[A small sigh.]

After that, I just didn't care as I dealt with the mirrors.

Eustace...

[His name rides out of her on a sad sigh. A sad, guilty sigh.]

I saw... It was like I knew, but couldn't do anything. Like I really was frozen, and all I could do was watch, almost like... I wasn't even really there. Watching from someplace else, almost.

[Her voice keeps breaking, confusion lacing it as she tries to piece together exactly what she was feeling at the time.]

Edited 2023-12-29 04:11 (UTC)

...Don't think about it anymore. At least...not until we get back.

[There's a hint of frustration and distress in his voice as he once again nuzzles her close.]

...I hate how I can't do anything for you like this.

[She lifts her head, bumps her forehead against his nose before pressing a light kiss to it.]

... I know. Pretty as you are, I really hate it, too.

[She wants his arms to envelop her. Wants his warmth to wrap around her. She just wants to kiss him and never stop, even after those horrible feelings and visions have gone.]

I know we've got places to be, and that we should keep moving, but... Can we... stay here a while?

Yeah.

[A low hum and sigh as he continues to press his head against hers.]

Think it would be better for both of us.

[But he's also ready to slice a certain ice queen's neck after all this.]

[She slowly lowers herself back into the bed of icy blue starflowers again, that last surge of adrenaline finally giving way to the exhaustion underneath.

Her voice is quiet as she leans against him.]

I'm cold...

[A plea for closeness as her eyes slowly begin to close, her breathing slowing as those images bleed back in, painting themselves against the insides of her eyelids, and her face twists in an effort to fight it.]

Don't leave me, okay...? If I fall asleep?

[She had forgotten all about that fear, and maybe one day, she will finally face it, but she's far too weak-willed to do it right now...]

I won't.

[He tries to create more warmth around them, using his dreamotion to spread across the floor and warm the starflowers.]

I'll always be with you...I promise.

[She lets herself smile, a sad one, but a smile nonetheless, and when her hand fumbles around to reach for his instinctively and she realizes—]

Ah... right... Almost forgot.

[Her fingers clench, opening and closing, before they settle on resting over him instead.]

... Will you be okay?

[She's still worried about those cuts of his... :(]

Yeah, I'll be fine. I told you, they're healing... Guess that's one good thing about being a unicorn.

[He gently bumps his face against hers, as if encouraging her to rest her hand more firmly against him.]

One good thing...

[The rest, she's sort of done with.

And she will oblige, but not only will she do so, but she will guide his head down to hers, all the way until they're nuzzled close, and she can feel his warmth bleeding into her cold, rosy cheeks. As close as they can possibly get for now.]

... But I want my husband back. So, let's get that ice queen. [A pause.] After you rest a little, too.

[A low hum as the closest way he can kiss her is press his muzzle against her cheek, still feeling bitter about it.]

...When we're done with this... I'll make up for it and remind you why you can never leave.

[It's his voice and his words that make her shiver, Tifa forgetting for a split second that he is still in this form with him so close to her ear. It's been a while since she's so desperately wanted to wake up from a dream before and go right back into their own bed—

She sighs his name quietly, lamenting about it, and gives the side of his face a light caress.]

As soon as we're back... I could use the reminder. And I think you could, too.

Mm.

[A low hum before he closes his eyes and sighs.]

Go ahead and rest. I'll be here.

["I'll be here."

Words that stick with her as she closes her eyes... words that she clings onto as she lets herself slowly relax against him and the starflowers. She doesn't want to fall asleep, nor does she think she should given her condition, but with his warmth so easily bleeding into her, it's hard not to feel it coming over her. She just hopes that what she sees when she finally surrenders to it won't be the same images reflecting in the mirrors.

Rather, she hopes that it's him there with his arms ready to catch her, rather than his back turned to her.

And as she curls up closer to him, she sleepily murmurs against his head.]

... Love you.

[The words carry so much more meaning than just that.

Thank you. For always being ready to catch her. For grabbing her hand and pulling her out of her darker, most fearful moments. For being her light in the dark.

For always being here.]

I love you, too.

[A quiet murmur against her ear as he continues to brush and nuzzle her, his breath warm as he continues to try keep that cold at bay. And though his eyes are closed, he listens to her breath, to her pulse. Waits for her to sleep to come to her before his eyes slowly open.

And in those cold blue eyes are the sparks of a raging ire that slowly manifests beneath them, a heat that seeps into the cold, hard rock and spreads out to slowly melt the ice that had threatened to creep in. He had held it in, not wanting to alarm her, but the truth is Eustace is furious.

Really... How dare this place instill such a terrible thought into Tifa's head. Make her believe that she deserved to be left behind, to poke at one of her major insecurities that he knew about. And all while he could no nothing more than just press his head against her, nothing more than just try to keep the cold at bay as the heat formed both from his love and rage curls around them, some of those starflowers blackening and withering from the more negative intensity of his emotions.

Already he feels the magic and anger starting to channel towards his horn, lightning crackling around it before he reins it in. He may not have his weapon, but he knows—this horn is all he needs. Whether or not this Ice Queen or whoever was suffering from some nightmare or what, he was going to "purify" her with everything he had. Whatever it would take to wake them all up and return home.

So he lays there, guarding his beloved wife and unaware of the chalice that appears to absorb the golden light that shimmers around them. Even if he had, he wouldn't have cared. Whatever its purpose matters not to him, not when he has his own goal in mind.

By the time she awakens, his wounds will have mostly completely healed, and together they head to the Ice Queen's chambers. Already many have begun to fight with some progress. Chips can already been seen on the glass shard, and there is that continuous call to use the chalice. At first they'll work together and with others to try and get through, Eustace sharing both the plums and portals he had collected on the way up.

But at some point, perhaps close to the end, Eustace will release a concentrated version of Flamek's ultimate attack, a giant beam of lightning erupting form his horn to blast through the waves of beasts and wind to create a clear path straight towards the Ice Queen and creating a large crack in that shard. From there there should have been plenty of an opening for others to finish the job.

And after....when it's all over, when they've returned from that dreamscape, Eustace will be the first to grab Tifa and hold her close to him, relishing being able to hold her in his arms again and giving her everything he couldn't before.

Because no. He will never, ever let her feel she will be left alone again.]

Flat | Top-Level Comments Only

{ frozen nightmare }

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~fin