{ once upon a fairytale }

[dreamposts]

ONCE UPON A FAIRYTALE

One night, a sweet melody fills the air around Reverein, causing everyone to fall into a deep, peaceful sleep, as if trying to soothe all from the stress of the past few months. However, there are those who are completely lulled by the beautiful music, silently slipping out of bed or off the floor or wherever they were sleeping and sleepwalk out of town to disappear into the woods. It will only be in the morning when everyone left will notice them gone.

Fortunately it's not too difficult to follow the trail. The music continues to play and there are music notes floating in the air to guide searchers deep into the Wildlands. When they approach a golden bridge crossing over a large, rainbow river, they are stopped by some local fae who had witnessed the strange changes. They will tell of how the forest has shifted and changed, with new structures and creatures suddenly inside. There is a strong magic over it, and they are wary of entering as those who have gone to investigate have yet to return. There are witnesses who have seen people inside, but they are acting…strange. And dressed strangely, too, with some looking as if they are in costumes. It's not Halloween, so what's going on?

Those brave enough to cross the bridge will find themselves suddenly changed into different clothes or costumes to match a fairytale character. Those who have had previous experiences in various story based dreamscapes may be somewhat familiar to this. It's completely random (ie, player choice) and a piece of sheet music will appear in front with the following words:

Deep within the forest your friends are stuck in play
Dreaming of a different life to live from day to day
Fear not, brave hero, for their lives are in no threat
But until the music ends will this spell continue yet

Find them in their role and play along
Be it through facing evil villains or singing a song
Perhaps you can remind of who they really are
Find pieces of their memories locked in a jar

Good luck to you, dear hero!
You've reached the final verse
Break this spell before the next new moon
Or this spell will be a cUrSe 😈

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 February and will remain in Songerein from the IC date of February 14th (however, the event itself ICly takes place February 25th through March 2nd). TDM only characters can only thread within this log. Anyone who apps in and is accepted will have their character count February 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 February 23rd and Applications will open on March 1st. Our application cycles are bi-monthly so the next cycle after won't be until May.

TDM Toplevel Link Directory (click to view)

Animorphs - Tobias
Final Fantasy VII - Tseng
Final Fantasy XIV - G'raha Tia
Final Fantasy XVI - Clive Rosfield
Granblue Fantasy Re:Link: Rackam
Hazbin Hotel - Husk
Hazbin Hotel - Lucifer Morningstar

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

"ENCHANTED" FOREST

All characters in the Enchanted Forest will be dressed in some kind of storybook, fairytale role, and they can be as generic or as specific as players want them to be. Heroes, villains, or an odd mix between are allowed.

The following prompts are more like "setting pieces" that players can utilize either for their sleepwalking character or for a general prompt for those helping out to get through. This is a non-exhaustive list and players are encouraged to be creative and add whatever they need. Sleepwalkers can create their own toplevels featuring their own story setup and/or tag into others. Players are also free to use NPCs who are also caught in the curse to help instead.

Finally, all original abilities are gone while in the Forest, including dreamotion. Instead, they will be replaced with abilities and skills based on the role the character is playing. This does mean you can cheat and choose a role that has abilities similar to the character's original set, but if you're willing to try and be completely creative, you can do so. You can be as open or as restrictive as you want, whatever works best for you.

(Note: The Love is in the Air bubbles are also in effect throughout this event. Because of the IC dates, the Dream Board can also be used as prompts as long as they are set before the event occurs.)

A. SLEEPWALKERS

Those affected by the spell will be called "sleepwalkers" and will be found at various parts of the Enchanted Forest that fits their fairytale character's role. They will be dressed as the character, be a protagonist or a villain, and a lot of creative liberties and freedom are allowed. Their role may also be a little strange and mixed up. Perhaps Red Riding Hood is part wolf, or Thumbelina is a fierce warrior princess ready to take down all the "giants."

The "script" and story may also be twisted up, so it will be up to those trying to help them to try and play along to get a hint on how to save them by finding their memories locked in jars, which are hidden somewhere within their vicinity. Once found, it can only be opened by the sleepwalker, and it will help "wake" them up back to their original self. However, this is a temporary measure until the whole spell is broken.

(Note: To help players find your scenario, please comment to this Sleepwalker Scenario Directory thread here.)

B. FIND THE FLUTE

While some are trying to help those affected, others are focused more on the curse and breaking it. There are bubble-like music notes that appear here and there, and popping them will reveal a piece of sheet music that will have a bar or two of lyrics that will give a hint to where the flute may be hiding. It's different for everyone, and sometimes it can be straightforward and sometimes it's not. However, should anyone sing the piece, music notes will appear and form a trail to lead them right to the flute (the notes will visibly reflect how good or poorly it's sung).

There are multiple instances of the flute and it can be found anywhere within the Forest. Sometimes it's easy to see, others will be hidden or guarded by a creature. It could even be in the hands of a sleepwalker. (Note: as mentioned in the Dream Notes, at least 10 different flute instances must be destroyed for the spell to be broken. If we do not receive enough submissions, the curse will continue with a Part Two in March.)

C. DARK WOODS

There are portions of the forest that are visibly darker. Not only is it denser with more trees, but gray clouds hang over it, further blocking sunlight from it. It's so dark in some places it almost feels like night and lanterns or other sources of light will be needed. Beware of the creatures that lurk. Some are friendly, others like to appear with random rhymes and riddles, and then there are the dangerous ones that are feeling a bit hungry. Be careful of the fruit that hang from some trees, as they can either be poisonous or just have a strange effect on those who eat it.

Deep, deep in the dark woods there is a mysterious fog that will quickly disorient anyone who are caught in it. This is known as the haunted section of the woods, so beware of spirits and ghosts that might wander through.

D. BRIDGES

There is a strange amount of bridges scattered around the Forest, and some of them aren't even crossing over any rivers—just empty ditches or even large chasms. The types will also vary, from fancy bricks to wooden bridges suspended by something that isn't very discernable (the ropes disappear into the sky…??). However, they all have one thing in common: trolls. Some are friendly and will let people pass after answering a few questions. Others will require a bribe. And some will force fights and other annoying challenges. Even then, the bridges themselves may be a bit wobbly, especially those wooden ones, or things like goblins may still pop out to try and steal from them. But perhaps some goats will help?

E. COTTAGES

And all other manner of houses, some of which may be made out of food, straw, sticks, or brick instead of wood. Some of these may be empty, others may already have an occupant. There could be people, could be animals; friendly or hostile. Just be careful of the beds—they can be quite comfortable and some may even be drawn to sleep in them…and need a little smooch to awaken. Those tempted by the food may find it delicious, but they may turn into a grumpy bear always complaining about the temperatures of the food and never satisfied. Baking a few goodies may also help those affected nearby.

Watch out for wolves and young, blond girls. They seem to like breaking into these places.

F. SWAMPS

Deeper within the Forest are pockets of swampland that house all manner of dangerous creatures, such as the will-o-wisps that like to lead wanderers astray, and those looking for a trusty steed? Avoid the horses here—they are kelpies that will waste no time in taking them into the murky waters. As it is a favorite spot for witch ingredients, it is more likely for someone to encounter one and suffer some kind of strange curse here, especially those involving animal transformations with frogs as a favorite. Don't forget the ogres—they don't like to be disturbed.

G. CASTLES

There are at least one or two castles deep within the Forest, though they are a lot smaller than their real counterparts. Some are just a single tower that needs to be climbed up to help whoever is trapped up there. While there could be fair damsels that need rescuing, there are also treasures that could be found and taken instead. Or perhaps one wants to conquer the castle instead and be its king or queen. However, like everything else here, there are curses and enchantments everywhere. The cutlery may not be so keen on intruders, and one may feel the need to sing and dance a musical number more often than not.

But of course these have their own guardians, with the dragons being a favored choice. Wizards and other sorcerers are also common tenants, and they will gladly use their magic to expel anyone who tries to get in.

Comments

[wwtd]

[ wow yeah who is this?? it was cute tho. wendyoribell does her best not to drop brc in alarm. they swerve and dip and veer because she's not used to cargo in her new form. ]

Eh? M-marry?! No, BRC, I'm saving you!!

[ HOPE... FULLY???? that sure is a tree ahead of them and she's busy explaining ]

Your crows found me and when I saw you weren't with them, I got worried--!!

[cawpatrol]

BRC? Who is that? I am Thumbelina Cookie!

[ Speaking of the crows, at least they're paying attention to what's ahead!

TREE!!! They all grab onto Hiyori and try to encourage her to move aside!!! ]

[wwtd]

Wh--

[ I mean she's not about to tell her "brc you can't change your name" but why??

is this something to do with the change of the forest? the riddle? the music?

hah still a cookie tho, at least..... ]

GAH! [ thank you, crows!! she zips to the side and just barely misses the tree with a big sigh. don't call her George of the jungle forest. NOT TODAY.

once deemed a safe enough distance, hiyori lands them on some branches and sets brc down. they're the same size!! being part fairy and all. ]

You introduced yourself to me as Black Raisin Cookie months ago and we've been friends since. [ or she considers them as such, anyway. ] Do you remember me? I-I know I look different, but it's me, Hiyori. Do you remember your crows?

[cawpatrol]

I... I think you must have mistaken me for someone else. I have no idea who you are... or who your little friends are.

[ All five crows give sad little caws :( ]

[wwtd]

[ definitely not!! she could never mistake tiny cookie friend for someone else. nobody else is like her.

hiyori's expression goes slack and disappointment sweeps through her. no idea who she is. no, more importantly, how can she forget her crows? they mean everything to her!

stepping forward, she grips brc's arms. right, the riddle. find her memories in a jar. ]

I'm Hiyori. Your friend. And these are your crows. They don't have names, but they're your precious companions. I know you know them. Somewhere, deep down, you know.

[ she has to. play along, hiyori. right. she lets go of her arms and steps back and offers a hand instead. ]

... Thumbelina Cookie, right? Is it okay to call you Lina? I promise I won't let anybody marry you if you don't want to be.

[cawpatrol]

[ Yeaaah, the demanding to be someone she isn't while grappling here isn't exactly endearing Hiyori to her. Did she accidentally gain another suitor? ]

I... um... I just want to go home to my mother. I was taken from the windowsill, and I'm ever so tired of running...

[ Four of the crows hover around, concerned. But one crow seems distracted by something nearby, and flits away... ]

[wwtd]

[ memories are a bit of a sore spot with her. after losing her own once and now the threat of it happening here, she's a bit panic-stricken.

holding it together.

but seeing the uncomfortable look on brc's face and hearing that she was taken and tired of running draws her away from the fears she never talks to anyone about. ]

Okay. Let's find a way back home to your mother.

[ the crow darting off catches her attention. she glances in that direction before her next question to brc as she alights to the next branch below, slowly making her way downtown. ]

What is your mother like?

[cawpatrol]

She's very kind and sweet... but she's also all alone. I'm all she has. She must be terribly frightened and worried about me...

[ On the ground, the crow is nudging a strange, glowing jar in the ground. Whatever could this be? ]

[wwtd]

Then we better get you back to her quickly.

[ if brc-- er, thumbelina cookie needs help getting down to the next branch, hiyori is there to offer a hand. otherwise, she squints to look more closely at where that wayward crow flew.

a soft light emanating would make anyone curious. but!! helping thumbelina comes first. it's slow going, from one branch to the next, but they make it to the soft earth again without any accidents. ]

... So, can I ask why so many people want to marry you...?

[cawpatrol]

Oh, they all say I'm ever so beautiful, and that I have a lovely singing voice! But I don't know about that... even if is true, I don't wish to marry any of them. How could I possibly marry a frog, or a bug, or a mole? I'm not any of those things!

[ The lone crow begins struggling to move the jar around. It's a bit heavy, but they're very determined to bring it over! ]

[wwtd]

[ hiyori agrees with the former, to some extent. brc is cute. not only because she's a tiny cute cookie but because through her rough exterior, she's kind and gentle on the inside. i daresay doughy soft center. ]

Even if it's true, they are kinda shallow reasons to marry someone. [ she slants a small smile at her. ] You should marry for love. After getting to know someone well. You realize that there's nobody else in the world you would rather spend the rest of your life with because you just want to stay at their side. They make you happy. They make you a better you...

Most importantly, you both need to feel the same. Right?

[ p-poor crow. they'll get there! soon? ]

And if your mother is anything like my mother, she would probably want to meet your partner long before you get married.

[cawpatrol]

[ The other crows seem to realize what their sibling is doing, and fly over to try and help. Carrying the jar is much easier for five Raisin Crows instead of one! ]

Yes, you're right. That's the way true love should be. But I don't think I need to find mine for a long time... Right now, there is nothing more precious to me than spending time with my mother. How could I marry anyone who was so awful to her as to steal me away from her? And I couldn't have my wedding without her there!

[ She's... almost angry! But not quite there. This BRC really can't achieve the kind of anger BRC tends to have. ]

[wwtd]

[ team work makes the dream work

hiyori opens her mouth to say "we don't find it, it just finds us" before deciding better of it. she bites her lip and mentally shoos the face that appears in her mind with a quiet sigh.

as if he didn't spend enough time in her head already. ]

I understand. [ she smiles but it's a bit sad ] Spending time with family is precious. You two sound close.

[ deep breaths, hiyori. she punches an open palm. ]

Right! If anybody tries anything now, they have to go through me fir-- eh? What are they doing?

[ FINALLY. notices the crows carrying something over. hiyori puts her hands out. ]

A jar? [

. . .

GASP. ] A JAR. You guys found one?! [ she starts to beam, almost tearing up. ] Incredible! That's great! You're great!!

[cawpatrol]

[ The crows all make pleased cawing noises at the praise. Why thank you, Hiyori! They gently place the jar in her hands, and flitter all around the two girls.

This!BRC just blinks, confused why everyone suddenly looks so jolly and excited. ]

... Do you really like jars? Is it something special to you?

[wwtd]

[ hiyori is trying to scritch each of the crows beneath their beaks in reward when she remembers what she's supposed to be doing. ]

Oh, uh, not particularly. I mean, they are handy for storing whatever we want!

[ she could open the jar right now. let the memory escape and find brc. or however it works. but they're not her memories. besides, she's aware that there are some memories that people could sometimes be better off without. brc was a part of a war. maybe she's happier as thumbelina.

in the end, though, it's not her choice to make. all she can do is support whatever the decision is.

she holds the jar toward her. ]

Here. I think a memory of yours could be in this jar. Of your old life. If you open it, it'll come back to you. You'll remember. That's what the riddle suggests, anyway.

[ her hands lower slightly and she drops her gaze. ]

You don't have to. Whatever you choose, B-- Thumbelina, I just... I still want to be friends.

[cawpatrol]

[ Thumbelina is still very confused by what Hiyori means... but she also looks so despondent! She frowns, but then holds out her arm. ]

We can be friends, no matter what happens... but if this makes you happy, I'll open this jar. It doesn't look dangerous...

[ It's a little difficult to jiggle open a jar with one hand, but she manages, and once it's open, the golden light envelopes her! She cries out, startled, and falls backwards, as memories come back to her... ]

... Pure Vanilla Cookie... come back, Pure Vanilla Cookie! Pure Vanilla Cookie!

[ She shouts out the name of her beloved friend, reaching forward... only to blink slowly... ]

Wha... W-where am I? ... And... And what is this ridiculous outfit I'm wearing?!

[ the crows cheer! Mama's home! ]

[wwtd]

[ she can't deny opening it would make her happy, but will it make brc happy?

that golden light is so bright hiyori winces, but that sound of crying out-- ]

BRC!

[ as she falls back, hiyori lunges forward. and when she comes to, hiyori is clutching her hand and looking anxious and emotional for the loss she felt in the shout of that name.

NEVERMIND THE OUTFIT. ]

... I thought it was cute. [ she helps brc back onto her cookie feet. ]

We're in a magical forest. It's that time of month again that weird things happen...

[ a beat and she stoops down to pick up the empty jar. ]

You lost your memory. Are you... how are you feeling?

[cawpatrol]

[ She still staggers, trying to combine her memories of home and her memories of this place. ]

I... this place... this place is Reverein... you're Hiyori... and I... I... I...

[ She falls to her knees! A hand to her face! ]

... I'M SO EMBARRASSED! W-why were all those creatures trying to marry me?! Why did I just keep running away?! What were all those things I was saying?!

[ She's never been so mortified in all her life! She feels like she'll never stop blushing! Her dignity, her precious dignity! She'll, uh, get to all the worrisome stuff like why she was calling PVC's name and not having a mom, but... the shame must come first.

Some of the crows just happily sit on her, while others nuzzle Hiyori in gratitude. ]

1/2

[wwtd]

[ AS SHAME DOES.

hiyori panics. she's NEVER SEEN BRC LIKE THIS. she's quick to drop to her knees too, though. ]

Wh, i-it's okay!! [ WAVES HER HANDS. ] D-don't be embarrassed, it's not like you had control over any of it!

[ h-haha. brc is cute when she's blushing, though. ]

[wwtd]

[ the crows nuzzling her get pats to their head. she's relieved, too, but she doesn't think she'll get that desperate cry of her friend's (?) name out of her head for a while.

being small and brc-sized for the moment, it's easy to wrap her arms around brc's shoulders and hug her. something she's been wanting to do... for a while.

THERE IS A VERY LOUD SNIFF OVER HER SHOULDER. ]

[cawpatrol]

[ She makes an undignified "ughhhh" moan, hoping they can never discuss this moment again. However, she is very grateful for the hug, as it's the first one she's been able to actually HAVE since she first arrived, due to her size. So she leans into it, taking in the warmth.

... Though it takes her a few seconds to realize something's amiss. ]

... Hiyori! You're... my size?! Or am I your size? Is this... more of this place's magic?

[wwtd]

[ leaning into it gets hiyori to tighten her arms a bit.

since she's not making any moves to let go as FAT GHIBLI TEARS LEAK OFF HER FACE. ]

I'm your size! [ said through her tears. ] When I came into the forest I turned into a tiny fairy!!

[ so, yeah, magic. ]

[cawpatrol]

I-I see...

[ She's not really sure this is worth sobbing over... at this rate, those tears are going to make her dough soggy! Still, with her blush still on, she awkwardly pats Hiyori on the back. Pat-pat. ]

I'm still confused as to what's going on... but it appears I owe you a debt once more. You got me to safety, and restored me to my true self. I am truly grateful for this... and for the opportunity to be with a companion at my own size.

[wwtd]

[ it isn't the transformation she's crying over. it's a combination of things.

after the pats, hiyori leans back and wipes at her messy face with the heel of her palm with a shake of her head.

no debts. hiyori is honestly just glad she's back to herself. although, she would have been friends with thumbelina too (she said she would) her friendship with brc is important to her.

that last bit about "a companion her own size" makes her smile. brc has made it no secret that her size bothers her. ]

Hehe, me too. I get to see things a bit more from your perspective.

[cawpatrol]

[ With that, she looks out to the distance. ]

... I knew this place could change our physical form, but to completely remove and warp my memories... That burns me more than the oven ever could. I'd rather be stuck with my disadvantage of size than ever go through that again...