songerein | Saving Christmas

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Saving Christmas

✵ SAVING CHRISTMAS ✵

As the sun sets and the moon rises on Christmas Eve, a strange sound of jingling bells is heard high in the sky as the snow suddenly begins to fall heavily upon the town. A heavy weight of sleep slowly overcomes everyone, and just as their eyes close they'll hear a loud, raging bellow—

That damn bastard!! I won't let you ruin—!

Before the words are finished, everyone will suddenly jolt awake and find themselves scattered in a strange looking town called Whoville. Although it looks as if it's supposed to be festive, none of that holiday cheer is evident. The town is completely ransacked with torn up decorations, broken gift boxes and toys. Even its colors seem faded, music distorted and muted.

All through the town the Whos stare listlessly at their hard work now ruined, some crying openly while others remain indoors in their grief. A brave few young souls try to help clean and bolster some cheer, chanting, "It's not too late, we can fix this! We can't let that Grinch get us down!" But many just shake their heads, their eyes dim. No one seems to have noticed the sudden arrival of new faces.

In the meanwhile, the tapirs appear to inform the Dreamwalkers that they are inside another large dreamscape similar to the one during Halloween. This time, however, an entity called "The Grinch" had suddenly appeared and attacked it, stealing all the presents and leaving everything to ruin as they see now. The tapirs point to a meter floating high in the sky, and although it's not rock bottom, it keeps wavering and lowering as time passes. The Dreamwalkers must help raise the meter to save the dreamscape from turning into a nightmare.

"But the big guy is really angry now," the tapirs chatter among themselves. "If they help fix things, maybe they'll gain a powerful ally!"

Dressed in Christmas themed attire, it will be up to the Dreamwalkers to try and restore the Christmas spirit before the day is ruined forever.

I. HELPING WHOVILLE

The town is an interesting looking place with its unique architecture, bright colors swirling and curving about that it make it look like it could be made of cake or candy instead. It's supposed to be adorned with all manner of Christmas decorations and lights, and yet all of it is missing and instead everything looks so drab and dreary, the colors faded and nary a carol sung. Its tree has also been stripped bare, the presents pilfered, and the much too big Christmas Star gone.

A. Gift Retrieval. The Grinch has scattered all of the presents and decorations throughout the surrounding forests and they need to be returned before Christmas is over. Dog sleds big enough to load up found presents are provided to be used, and the dogs will help track down presents. However, those who enter the forests should be cautious. While there aren't any huge threats, there are present mimics, monsters that pretend to be present boxes only to attack any who approach. They will also eat real presents, so be careful they don't reach the sled!

» BONUS: PRESENT DELIVERY. The last objective is to deliver the present to their rightful owners. However, it's possible the Grinch may have tampered the presents, and this will only be revealed upon opening. Players must RNG 0-5 to determine if the recipient likes the present or not.

» BONUS: SPECIAL PRESENTS. There are some special marked boxes that are guarded by present mimics. Get past them to retrieve the present. However, upon touching the box, it will disappear in a poof of orange and be replaced with a pumpkin pie that will help amplify one's dreamotion abilities if eaten.

B. Fixing Decorations. With broken ornaments and torn wreaths and ribbon everywhere, a massive cleanup is in order along with repairing and redecorating. While anyone good at crafts can help, positive emotions and dreamotion abilities will be key to help brighten everything from its current dreary atmosphere. Creative minds can help produce the necessary decorations while the athletic can figure out ways to bolster their skills to reach those high, hard to reach places. Another RNG for rating is here as the residents will judge their work.

» BONUS: JUDGMENT. Anyone can throw up decorations, but will it be to the residents' liking? Players must RNG 0-5 to determine what kind of rating their efforts receive.

» BONUS: CHRISTMAS STAR. The original Christmas star was smashed to bits so a new one is in order. Although anything can be used, the Whos do have some preferences on what can be used on the star, even if those materials may be hard to find. Rainbow crystals found in the forest will surely help give the start that glittery feeling; they prefer to have it gold; and it needs to illuminate on its own so some kind of light source is needed.

C. Christmas Carols. Carolers are doing their best, but everyone is stumbling over their verses and instruments are out of tune. A bit of positive reinforcement and Christmas cheer will help sort things out. Those who are musically inclined can lead the way by singing and even creating new songs to help inspire others.

» BONUS: A SPECIAL CHRISTMAS CAROL. In the designated thread, a new carol will be composed by the dreamwalkers. Each one will supply their own verse in response to the previous (click here for example). The thread is only for the verses, but there will be another thread where players can go ham for their characters to comment on the song as it goes on. Anyone can participate multiple times but must wait for another comment to be made first.

II. SANTA'S TOY FACTORY

Just beyond Whoville with just the Winter Forest to separate them is one of Santa's toy factories. It, too, has been attacked and smoke rises from the damaged buildings. With machines malfunctioning, toys are running rampant and everything is chaotic. If not fixed soon, there will not be enough toys for Santa to deliver.

A. Elf Rescue. The Grinch not only stole the presents and destroyed the toys, but they also sabotaged the machines running the factor. Now elves are trapped inside and are in desperate need of rescuing as toys malfunction and start to turn on them. The machines are even trying to box up the elves as gifts instead! Behaving similar to the present mimics, boxes, wrapping paper, and ribbon bounce around in search of anything to wrap up. Dreamwalkers must venture in to try to turn off the machines and rescue the elves without getting turned into a present themselves. The more elves rescued, the more allies gained to fix the factory and more favor earned from Santa.

B. Reindeer Games. The reindeer have been scattered all over and the only way to bring them back is to attract them with fun and games. In order to do so, dreamwalkers will transform into reindeer and will have additional abilities granted to them, such as flying and manipulating snow. As for what kind of games, they can choose from any of the following:

Ring Racing. High up in the air is a flying course with rings made of magical frost. Racers must pass through each ring to count, but they must fly quickly. As soon as they approach, the ring will start to contract, and if too late it will close and the racer will be disqualified.
Sleigh Pulling. This is a contest of strength! Sleighs will be piled high with presents and, if not enough presents are available, large rocks to weigh it down. Each reindeer must then try and pull their sleigh down a simple straight lane to the finish line. Just beware, rogue toys will appear on the track and will need to be dealt with somehow. There are no restrictions—each reindeer can use whatever ability or skill they can think of to help pull the overloaded sleigh. The contest can be 1v1 or 2v2.
Robot Reindeer. All the excitement does attract many of the reindeer back, but unexpected guests arrive as well—and they're not friendly. Sent by the Grinch, robotic reindeer will suddenly descend from the skies to ruin the festivities. It will be up to the dreamwalkers in their reindeer form to fight back against them—or try to convert them to help out instead.

C. Gingerbread Army. Giant gingerbread men occasionally appear and try to smash through the toy factory, hampering rescue efforts. Fortunately, they are only made of gingerbread and easy to fall apart. Unfortunately, they will not only regrow lost parts but grow from severed parts. Their weak point is the glowing gumdrop located among the many gumdrops on the body, and destroying it will destroy the gingerbread completely.

[Mod Note: Details can be read and questions can be asked on the Event Details post. Submit all special threads and ratings to the Event Thread Submissions form.]

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Oh...

[ She almost looks disappointed. ~~It would've been so funny if he had...~~ ]

Well! That's good, though. I mean, that you didn't pet yourself. Petting everyone else, though... I hope I don't end up having to do something like that.

[ It's bad enough that she's had to kiss her friends when those gumdrop fae were running amok. ]

[And with Ferran of the complete opposite mind, they have come to an impasse.]

And risk you getting injured? [He's not good backup like this, staff or no, and he knows it. He shakes his head.] Absolutely not worth it. Just because some weird dream gnomes who'll stop existing in a couple days asked us to solve their problems doesn't mean we should suffer for it.

[He pokes the present again, but only for emphasis, now that it's apparently failed to reveal itself as a monster.]

Besides, they're kind of missing the point with these fetch quests, if you ask me.

[He glances at her and catches the sparks of flames at her fingertips and he grins even with all that glitter stuck to his face. He then lifts a hand like he's going to fistbump the air.]

Yeah, let's do this together and get rid of this hunk of junk for good.

[The power of teamwork!! Sora will look up at the busted up mimic and ice magic sparks harder at his hands. Giving her a second to charge up!]

Ready?!

[ She would be correct to assume that he can carry far more than the average man, or average large-suit-of-armor, for that matter. Somnus piles the presents on the sled and takes the robes in hand, beginning to pull the entire thing back to the village. ]

If there are, I entrust you to defend.

[ ooc: end thread here? ]

[She doesn't think it dismissive at all. Honestly, Tifa doesn't mind telling stories about her world, or reminiscing about it, as much as it makes her miss home. For all of its faults, there were still pieces of it that were beautiful, and things she's held onto after all these years.]

I wish I could show you.

[Maybe one day, she will, but for now, she'll have to just talk about them.]

I remember I'd always look up at them from my window when I was young. Our town was pretty far away from a lot of things, so they were always so easy to see. They were always so bright... even on the cloudy nights!

[ ... ]

A lot of worlds have stories behind their stars, you know. I think... that they're all the people who have returned to the Planet. The brightest ones being the ones reaching out to you... [Immediately, Tifa shakes her head with a laugh.] It's silly, I know.

[While Hans doesn't voice his excitement like Sora, he does raise his sword once more as those gifts start to spring from the machine. Strange how boxes are their opponents right now, but they are an actual nuisance.]

...They seem rather normal. We can just destroy all of them just in case, however.

[Look if little children don't get presents because they froze it and sliced it to bits, it's not his problem. They'll surely find something else to be glad about, like not dying or saving Christmas for the future because they destroyed these mimics.]

[ She speaks of her homeworld and of the stars, and she laughs and smiles, yet no other flower blooms upon the garland. Perhaps the topic is too bittersweet to be productive.

A soft sound of air flows across metal-- what's perhaps the equivalent of a thoughtful exhale. In his metal-padded palm, he holds the edge of the decoration and turns it over. ]

'Tis not foolish to seek hope in the Light. [ As he speaks, his voice a hollow rumble. Whether his next words are meant to be encouraging or cautionary is lost to the metallic accent of the armor. ] ...But do not forget, Maiden: those lost are closer to thy heart than the stars shall ever be.

[He looks thoughtful at that.

Then:]

In that case, then let's not waste time. We gotta help the elves.

Even if they do, we just gotta be proud of it.

[Ven grins and takes the lights.]

[He gives a nod after giving Kor a cursory glance over to make sure he's telling the truth]

Then let's work on saving this factory.

Hmm.

[He looks up at the tree thoughtfully.]

Yeah, that'll work.

Haha! Really? Okay.

[Well then??? Hop on?? Sora is going to crouch so Ventus can climb on his shoulders! Hopefully, he doesn't biff it.]

[Despite her reassurances, Vigil finds himself burying one of his hands in his face, still both embarrassed and rude to do something like this to someone that's been only kind thus far.]

I ah, I'm the chief prison warder back home.

[As he says this, however, the cuffs begin to break apart on the ground, as Vigil forces the lie from his throat. He's been telling everyone that he's still employed, even though he really doesn't have to worry about social standing here. It's just... what if Evie does come here and she finds out about everything?]

I've handcuffed many people since the start of my tenure there.

[The warning is appreciated as Zhao looks up, seems to abandon his saber for a moment and flips backwards on his hands. He begins to kick the flying present with gleeful abandon, leaning on his back and spinning around. When he's done, he flips back to his feet, blinking away the head rush.]

Well. That was something. Got any more?

[ It's fine!! She's got this!! At the very least, he is right, so as they keep up their leisurely pace, she keeps a look out, though it would certainly help if they knew what they were looking for. ]

Do you suppose the crystals could be buried in the snow? [ Or even the dirt? ] Maybe if we ask nicely, the dogs could help us look.

I suppose we could start up a game and see if anyone else arrives.

Do you have a preference?

[Ira looks from the sleighs to the hoops suspended overhead. Is there a way to get up there?]

Three...

[ The flame flares a little harder, and if she waits much longer, she fears it'll burst, so she doesn't drag it out too much. ]

Two.

One...

Hyaah! [ She releases the flame, and it meets Sora's ice in a super fancy explosion of friendship and light! There is smoke, and immediately shields her face to react, fearing more of the glitter.

Did they do it...? ]

Probably two or three more and that should do it, yes. Really, as long as it looks okay from the ground, that will be enough.

[He hopes at least.]

[ Apparently, chivalry isn't dead. Susato smiles, and it's equally in response to the gesture as it is the warmth that was coming from inside. As her extremities warmed, starting with the tips of her fingers, she realized fully just how cold she had been.

She looks around, with the place filled with all the suffocating atmosphere of working on a holiday, surrounded by Christmas music.

She frowns, her relief slowly being snuffed out, but at least it looks like she's found one of the things they're looking for. In the far corner, there is a small stand holding various brochures that looks like they could be maps. In fact, the place could almost pass for a visitor's center of sorts, in addition to a post office.

Without thinking, she walks over to see if the dream will throw her another curveball or not. ]

You're right. We should do our best regardless.

Sure!

Hm... well, I can't fly yet. Why not sleigh pulling?

[He's not doing a flying race until her gets that down to pat.]

[He closed the door behind them quickly, just to help keep that warmth in; did a little of a full body shake, ears flicking back before he was pushing further within.

It felt and seemed so dull inside, even more so with others beginning to try and bring cheer back to the town itself through redecorating. The people even seemed a little- listless? There because they had to be, cleaning up some mess themselves as if something had certainly gotten inside during the entire 'rampage' that was doing its damnedest to wipe out holiday cheer.

76 moved and helped right a few overturned pieces of furniture just because he couldn't stand to see some tiredly struggle.

There were pamphlets, advertising various light and decorating contests that seemed to be an annual thing. Highlights for certain areas- what could be expected, really, to be found for anyone looking for a quick spotlight of the place. A few pamphlets and papers were still scattered on a tabletop as if only recently picked back up and organized. Simple maps- with street names, at the very least.]

[He would be right to think so.

There's a hint of melancholy on Tifa's face as she talks of home, having to remember the way Nibelheim looked at night. How the lights cast a warm glow over the town, and above it, a greenish blue hue would splash across the sky among the stars. It was from all the mako in the air, she was sure, but it didn't make it any less beautiful to look at.

Those memories feel so far away now though, and as cherished as they are, it's bittersweet.

His words, however, provoke another flower to bloom, its petals white and blue, with green leaves sprouting on either side.]

That's true. I guess our memories of them are what keep them close.

[She thinks of the people she has lost, and although it slows the blossoms along the garland, it brings life to them, nonetheless.]

You're very wise, you know. Has anyone ever told you that?

Oh! Well then, that makes complete sense.

[Hook, line and sinker. She folded her arms to push the cold away from her middle as best as she could.]

Perhaps you can cuff that terrible Grinch and we can give this town the help it needs, eh? But first, we should finish decorating this cottage for the poor family waiting for us inside.

[It had certainly been an adjustment, though he hadn't spent much time looking at them himself. Now it just felt normal after so long. He paused to consider her thoughts and an appropriate answer to her question.]

I haven't really thought about it. Aside from doing what needs to be done back home, I figured I would just do whatever my actions take me. [Any direction his adventures led him.] If anything, I would like to see various locations for myself, rather than merely just read about them. There are plenty of people I'd like to meet as well.

But how about you? What do you see yourself doing in five years? [It can't be all about him, after all, right?]

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Saving Christmas

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