songerein | { when it snows }

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{ when it snows }

WHEN IT SNOWS

All items on this post will last/be available for the entire month! So timey wimey shenanigans are allowed.

More details on everything can be found here. We will request any thread submissions for certain prompts during A.

I. REVEREIN

II. DREAMS

COMMENTS

I. REVEREIN THAWED

After freeing the Ice Queen from the glass shard from her chest and clearing the dreamscape, the blizzard that affected not only Reverein but the Wildlands and beyond finally dissipates and soon everything returns to…mostly normal.

A. Glitter Snow. While the freezing sleet and ice of the blizzard is no more and a more gentle winter has entered Reverein, the fresh new snow that falls is not one one might want to stick their tongue out to try and catch a snowflake. Unless one likes the taste of glitter.

🎉 Good luck getting it out. Perhaps this wouldn't be so bad if the glitter melted like snow, but it does not. It sticks to everything everywhere and while some might like a splash of colors, others may not.
🔮 Dreamglobes. Some fae are passing out empty spherical glasses, suggesting those who are interested to collect some of the glitter snow into them and then set the snowglobe next to their bed before sleeping. Whatever dream they have will be captured into the glass and upon waking will create a physical representation of the dream to create a little special "dreamglobe." Hope it's a good one!
✨ Glitter Collector. There are a number of people and shops that actually want the free glitter and ask for anyone to collect as much as possible. Works well for those trying to clean up and not sure what to do with it. What kind of products will end up coming from them well.

B. Mari Lwyd and Family. Mari Lwyd has finally returned to Reverein, and she's bringing along some family she's found. However, they can be a bit of a handful. Some are friendlier than others while others are going to make full use of this glitter snow with pranks and mischief. But they all just intend to have a good time, something that everyone may be in need of after that blizzard.

💃 Little Pranksters. The young Lwydlings cannot sing or speak, but they love to dance around and make all manner of noise—they also bite if you're being a big fat party pooper in their presence, and are a lot more likely to pull a few harmless pranks than their dear older cousin Mari Lwyd is. Very quick, they have the same vanish-and-leave-you-with-bad-luck if harm is attempted on them. Have a dance off with them, or aid them in pranking those who are being big fat grumps/meanie-butts.
🔥 Bonfire. One of the merry friends looks like a very tall pile of long hair and arms, but with them they seem to be carrying a basket and filling it with sticks and other kindling. This is for giant bonfires! Help gather wood and kindling to make a great bonfire to welcome some warmth in this winter, and aid any lost to not wander in this cold.
🥜 Nurturing Gifts. There appears to be another skull-faced being wandering around with their own 'little one' in tow—and despite the horned and frightening appearance of the larger fur and hyde clad figure there are small gifts to be shared. An act of kindness rewards one with a bundle of magic beans that if nurtured and cared for will bear a great gift come spring. Great.

C. Hot Springs. The dragons are holding an open invitation to anyone who wishes to use their hot springs to warm up after that frigid blizzard. The dragons in particular will be practically living there, so hopefully others can squeeze in a spot. Rooms will be available for anyone who wishes to stay the night, and all amenities will be available: food, recreational games, etc. Just beware of the monkeys that have descended down from the mountain seeking warmth as well. They are prone to stealing things, particularly clothing—and wearing them.

D. Dream Board. This is the perfect time to do many of the Dream Board prompts, and while the full details are on the notes, here is the quick list of what they are:

Dream Board List:

⛄ Snowball Tonics: Transform into massive, different colored snowballs.
🔔 Bell Choir: Grab a bell and play for a concert!
🧣 Never-Ending Scarf: Help untangle the beautifully, extremely long crocheted scarf, dodge cats, and get the whole thing together in one place.
🍻 Keg Brawl: A game where one must carrying a keg of ale from one end of a field of ice to the other while avoiding the other team trying to stop you.
🐶 The Inugami. Help a pair of spirit dogs find each other.
🌠 Falling Stars. Make wishes upon the falling stars before they cause too much damage!

II. SHATTERED DREAMS

Although the Dreamwalkers were successful in removing the strange glass shard in the Ice Queen's chest and ended the nightmare dreamscape that caused the blizzard, the Ice Queen still has yet to awaken. Jack Frost has taken her to Orkili to try and purify her with the pods, yet it only caused an adverse reaction, prompting the Orkilins and Jack Frost to ask for help from the Dreamwalkers once more. Isolated in a separate room where neither dreamotion nor nightmare energy can enter, those who are willing to investigate the Ice Queen's dream will be able to freely dreamwalk, with the warning that she seems sensitive to positive dreamotion so everyone should take caution when using it.

In the meantime, there are some other happenings going around in Orkili, including investigation into some nightmare crystals.

A. Piecing it Together. Those who enter the Ice Queen's dream will find themselves free floating in a dark void with large reflective glass-like shards with blurred, fogged scenes reflecting on their surface. They float aimlessly through the space, and a closer inspection will reveal that these shards can fit together and likely form a larger image. The goal is to now try and put the pieces together, though it's not as easy as it might seem.

🪞 Nightmare manipulation. For whatever reason, those who either have high nightmare resistance or can control nightmare energy will be able to move and be around the shards with very little effect to them.

💥 Too much of a good thing. Because the shards are dark and clearly exude nightmare energy, there will be those who will try to use positive types of dreamotion to purify the shards. Some dreamotion will be safe to use and will help clear up the image on the surface. However, too much focus will have a negative feedback where the dreamers are pushed back with a freezing gale and the shard they are focusing on will crack and break into smaller pieces. Nightmare energy can help mend the cracks, so it's better to try and use both at the same time.

💔 Blurred visions. As the surface of the shards clear up, various scenes of different themes can be seen, both good and bad. Love, heartbreak, hatred, anger, joy, jealousy, loneliness, fulfillment, family, abandonment. Those who experienced the ice mirrors in the previous dreamscape will feel a strong familiarity with these larger shards, except these are clearly towards the Ice Queen herself.

This is where we want players to come up with any scene that the Ice Queen may have experienced that could be reflected on the shard! We'll request submissions and piece together a story based on player input. Don't worry about any contradictions, we'll work it all in one way or another. The only constant is that Jack Frost and the Ice Queen do have a close, romantic relationship, which is why Jack is very worried about her.

B. Unwanted Intruder. While in the dream, a grotesque looking noctaere will appear and try to attack and consume the shards. Should it succeed, the Ice Queen will receive physical damage that everyone will be able to hear and feel inside the dream. The void will contort and turn more like sludge. Attempts to use dreamotion will only worsen it, but those who can control or absorb nightmare energy will take it away from the Ice Queen. How it affects them however, will vary between dizziness to momentary lapse in judgment and may need to leave the dreamscape.

Those monitoring outside the dream will witness the Ice Queen scream and her skin blackening as if charred by fire. Same thing applies here: those who try to use dreamotion to heal her will only worsen it, but those who use nightmare energy to either draw it out into some other container or absorb it themselves will be able to pull it out of the Ice Queen. Those who absorb the nightmare energy will have similar varying effects, from just light dizziness to becoming more irritable and hostile. Attempts to try and directly pull out the nightmare energy otherwise will be unsuccessful—it will only work when the noctaere has consumed a shard and caused the physical side effects.

No one will turn noctaere through this method because not enough nightmare energy will have accumulated.

As for the noctaere, it will sometimes appear outside the dream, and those who encounter it or deliberately try to hunt it down either within or outside the dream will find both dreamotion and nightmare based attacks effective against it. However, it's a very tough and difficult foe, so while it can be damaged, it cannot be defeated at this time. Those who investigated the claw marks from a few months ago will notice it leaves behind the same claw marks. Those who witnessed it will also find it familiar and can safely say it's the same.

I. REVEREIN

II. DREAMS

COMMENTS

Flat | Top-Level Comments Only

[She's going to give that stupid fairy a stern talking to later... She's been doing that to them the past few days and has only gotten more frustrated since. Then again, she's the one who's also been cleaning up after all the patrons who leave glitter everywhere since she's the most equipped for it, but...]

Well, I was going to suggest a little wind to get it off with either Mirabelle or Idris's help but looks like she took care of that herself.

[There's an apologetic look about her as she brushes a little clump of glitter away from Ferran's back.]

There's a bathroom upstairs if you want to use that, though. No magic in there, I promise.

[He lets out a sigh as Tifa helps with his half-sodden coat. Dumb snow. (Dumb fairies.)]

The bathroom's fine.

[Magic he has only so much problem with—which might be evidenced by how he conjures a thick brush in his hand out of nowhere before they head upstairs, and... sorry, but he's going to go ahead and start working with it to shove the mess off of him and onto the floor as he heads up the stairs. Unfortunately, his spite for the Fae has overpowered his desire to be polite to the cafe's owners, and petty revenge is the name of the game.]

Dream worlds, I swear... [he mutters.] I'm guessing Idris is another dog, huh.

[He's met several of their pets, but not all, he's sure—and the names are another thing.]

[It's a good thing that Tifa takes no offense to it.]

He is. The youngest one, actually. But he can conjure up winds like no one else can.

[And he most definitely heard his name from the other end of the café where he'd been rolling around on his back for a customer. He hops to his feet and trots on over, tongue hanging out of his mouth.]

Ah, and here he is. The star himself.

So that's why.

[Ferran supposes wind powers are one sort that's less likely to be immediately dangerous. He still doesn't know whether or not he trusts all of them—on the one hand, they are fae-like, but on the other... dogs...

Truly the internal struggle of all time. He manages not to immediately turn around and start brushing Idris instead. Rather, the air around him starts to glimmer with red sparkles, and at least he can blame that on the glitter even if it happens to not be true.]

It looks like he's pretty popular, huh. [He'd spotted that initial movement out of the corner of his eye.] Do you get a lot of people coming here just for one or two of them?

Not really. Most people are just happy to see any one of them that they can, and the dogs love the attention. So... it's a win for everyone involved.

[Idris stops in front of Ferran and plops his round bum on the ground, tail wagging while he stares up at him expectantly...waiting....waiting.....waiting.....

Tifa just shakes her head at him, drawing out a whine.]

But why don't you get cleaned up? I'll grab you something to eat in the meantime. There's a hair dryer in the bathroom upstairs under the sink that should do the trick just as well.

No dedicated fans yet, then...

[Listen, Idris. Just—give him a second to consider, and maybe after he's less glitterized.

Ferran is clearly a little surprised by Tifa's offer by his pause and the change in his expression, as well as his initial protest.]

Oh, you don't... [But he cuts himself off before he finishes the statement. Just accept the kindness, Ferran! It's your birthday! So, he lets out a brief breath before continuing.]

Thanks a lot. I appreciate it.

[He will be using that dryer, and even if he can't get all the glitter of his clothes and skin, by god, his hair will be pristine. (Just to be ruined again shortly, he's sure, as these things go. But the appropriate effort has been made.)

He makes his way back down stairs after fifteen minutes or so, with his mostly-dried coat in one arm; he still has his brush, and if Idris is visible in his path he clicks his tongue at him and subtly motions with a beckoning curl of his fingers.]

[Tifa hears the door open from upstairs and is in the middle of preparing a plate for Ferran, entirely missing the little exchange that seems to occur between him and Idris, whose ears perk up the moment he hears the clicking of his tongue. He wastes no time in running over, glancing over at Tifa to make sure she isn't watching before he starts to wag his tail eagerly...

Treat!?!? Pets!?!?!? Quick, before mom looks over here!!!]

[Ferran kneels once the corgi is solidly in petting range; he has no treats right now, but he does have a brush, so enjoy your thorough brushies, Idris. Maybe he'll even get a significant amount of that glitter off in the process.

He mutters low enough not to be heard, though he doesn't care all that much whether he is or not.]

The sneaky type, huh? [A little teasing, a little accusatory:] Do you get in trouble a lot?

[Idris barks, whether it's in answer or in response to the brush, but he looks happy as a clam either way for the attention.

Tifa, on the other hand, sneaks up with a plate in one hand, and a cup of something in the other.]

He's not sucking up to you too much, is he?

[He lets out a mild chuckle, actually looking semi-content for once.]

I think he'd argue he's sucking up exactly the right amount.

[He only follows through with another couple of brush strokes before he reaches down to scoop Idris up into his arms so he can step towards the nearest seat. He doesn't want Tifa to be standing around with that waiting for him for ages when she's already gone through the trouble of getting it in the first place.]

What did you make?

Just thought you could use a little bit of cake after the rough day you've had.

[She gives him a wink and sets it down at the table, as well as some of her homemade hot chocolate to go along with it, and already, Idris is drooling at the sight of the food while he chills in Ferran's arms.]

It's strawberry shortcake, so I hope you like it.

[Ferran offers her a smile that might not be bright exactly, but it's certainly close to it compared to her past interactions with him.]

It looks fantastic. Thank you. [He glances down at Idris, running the brush through the fur of his back before he notices that drool.]

Don't look too excited, the chocolate is only for me.

[He will set the brush aside and offer half a strawberry to hopefully occupy the dog as he reaches over for a sip of the drink. Ahh, perfect. He could melt into the chair, really.]

This is a much better experience than I've gotten in any other restaurant on my birthday. Usually there's a lot of embarrassing singing involved...

[That's not a suggestion, by the way!!!!]

[Tifa slides the other chair out opposite him and takes a seat, reaching into her apron and revealing a small dog treat that she sets down for Idris for when he's done with his strawberry.]

We can definitely change that.

[Is he sure that isn't a suggestion?]

I promise you the dogs all love to sing. Or... we can get the fish out back in the pond to do it, if you're so inclined.

[oh please god no. A look of preemptive mortification freezes his face, eyes slightly wide and mouth caught halfway between a smile and frown. He holds his free hand up helplessly in surrender.]

If this is about the glitter on the floor, I'm really sorry, but can you threaten me with something that won't make me shrivel into a husk?

[He vaguely remembers some incident with singing fish, but—he pauses and blinks.]

Wait, what do you mean the dogs sing?

[Be careful what you wish for, Ferran, because Idris's tail is wagging wildly. Did someone say sing—!?

Tifa presses a finger to her lips.]

Don't say that out loud, unless you want an actual demonstration.

... You didn't hear it from me, but it's just a lot of howling. Only one who's musically inclined is Melody, and—

[Idris gives her a sharp bark.]

Noted.

[Ferran puts down his drink and then proceeds to put his hands over Idris's ears, although he knows it's not going to actually do anything. The adults are talking now. He won't be saying the word sing again, though... just in case.]

Is that in a "best of the worst" way, or an actually talented way? [...] And did the name come first, or...?

The name actually came after we learned. Though, it happened pretty early.

[Tifa lowers her voice so that a particular pup doesn't hear and draw any more attention to his table. She knows what that's like—]

In a... "she's getting there" way. [Tifa makes paw motions with her hands.] She can make music with her paws. Maybe not a happy birthday song, but something fun. I'll spare you the embarrassment today though, but don't think I'm letting you off the hook next time you visit.

[After a bit of enthusiastic ruffling of Idris's ears, Ferran lets go now that the topic has moved one, though he keeps his eyes on Tifa as she replies. He lets out an exasperated sigh and leans back in his chair, though it's obvious he's not too put off by the prospect thanks to the pull at the corners of his lips.]

I appreciate the warning... I think. I guess my luck can only hold out for so long.

[And even with the demonstration, Ferran really can't imagine what she means by music with paws. That's sure to be... something.]

Nope. Not around these pups.

[She reaches over and gives a ruffle to Idris's ears as well.]

At any rate... I hope that today only goes up from here... now that you're not covered in glitter. I'll pack you some treats to take home.

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{ when it snows }

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think we can wrap this up 💜