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.]

Flat | Top-Level Comments Only

You'll have to talk to the Forum about that. They're not exactly the easiest people to talk to though.

[Glancing over from what he was doing, he cocked his head off to the side curiously.]

Oh? Thank goodness. I guess that practice has been paying off then.

[And it was definitely a morale boost when someone who knows cooking thinks it's decent.]

[Forum. Got it. She could scold a bunch of grandpas no problem. Because they had to be grandpas... right?]

I should say so. This was a good choice, and you can do so many things with this sort of soup base. A touch of lime, and you have a cold cure.

[But this was ready after just a few minutes on the heat. She gave the sauce a nudge.]

So this is going onto the main event once it's finished roasting in there?

[She hunkered down into a crouch to peek through the little window. This was ready perhaps fifteen minutes ago, but she'd had her fair share of dry roasts before.]

It looks good, and eager to come out. You were awfully ambitious.

[An impish smile his way.]

I could say 'you really didn't need to go through all this trouble', but less than 100%'s not your style, is it? We're fairly alike that way.

[He couldn't exactly come out and say that he wanted to impress her. That was a bit embarrassing to just outright say. Going to pull it out if she hadn't already.]

Er... well... I just... thought you'd like a traditional meal, seeming as how much Starlight means to you. Any less seemed like a waste.

[But he did go a little too ambitious with the dinner. That much he'll admit to.]

I-In any case, everything should be about done now.

[She moved aside to let him handle it. She sought the sauce and readied the money shot, that lovely pour over the roast as it was given the chance to rest.]

I guess I do like Starlight a little bit. But only a little!

[But she would help gather the other implements to carry to the table.]

I apologize. It seems you've caught me at my worst: Exceedingly holly-jolly.

[With everything done and finishing touches put on, he set the table, gesturing for her to take a seat. He could take care of it from here. He was glad to have her help, but at the end of the day, it was meant to be for her. No sense in having her help prepare her own poorly kept surprise.

Bringing over a few glasses and a bottle of wine that he found, he set them on the table.]

This is your worst? [Pouring her a glass.] I have naught to fear then. There's nothing wrong with being happy.

[And if it brings her this much joy, then he was happy if she was.]

[Well all right. She had her seat and settled in, but seemed surprised all over again when he brought out the glasses and wine. Now, wasn't that the perfect accompaniment? A night like this definitely called for it.]

There really isn't. But I'm glad that even here, traditions like the ones I know can spread a positive vibration.

[She took the glass and gave the contents a swirl. Gotta let it breathe a little, but it did smell wonderful. Buttery, deep.]

Shall we toast to good vibes?

[He... might have been planning this for a while. At least since their conversation about it. ~~It definitely was not a date, what are you talking about?~~. Holding his own glass up]

If nothing else, if the food is terrible, this will help.

[Joking aside, he'll join her in the toast before taking a drink.]

I know it's not much, but Happy Starlight, Madhuri.

[~~Pssshhh a date? Nooo, this is a collaborative dinner between friendly work associates.~~ She toasted with a clink of glasses and drank. She knew that insisting he not bad-mouth his attempts at cooking would go nowhere, so she opted for an amused snort. She's sure it'll be fine. At least, nothing here looked like it'd kill them, and that's the perfect starting milestone.]

You've made my evening and I'm all aglow, so I'll have none of that 'it's not much' guff. Happy Starlight, G'raha Tia.

[Perhaps she'll tone things down for Valentione's, especially knowing this world had their answers for Starlight. But if there were anything like those caterpillars (slugs?) again, they'd probably be in for some trouble again.

But she'll tuck in. Gotta try everything while it's hot, right? He'd worked so hard on everything, and it'd be a waste to let it cool or go forgotten.]

Do they do things like this in Sharlayan? Any decoration, exchanges...?

[Full glad was he to hear that it had such an effect on her. He was relieved to know that she was happy with the arrangement. And then the way that she said his name. It seemed silly to feel his heart flutter. It was his name after all, but it was almost like when the Warrior of Light called out his name. To hear it for the first time in over 300 years in the First.

This was silly. It was just a name and yet... It felt nice.]

Thank goodness. [There's that sappy smile.] Mmm... From what I remember of my time there, it isn't often that they focus on things like Starlight. Too busy with their own projects to care, I assume. Sharlayan is a little boring compared to other locales for most people.

[And yet he still wants to make it a better place. He still appreciates it for what it is.]

[She had to avert her gaze briefly to her meal. There was the phrase 's smile that could light up a city block', but she needed to stop before she dreamotioned the lights to overload and pop. Thankfully she managed to get things to dim back to normal.]

Well, it couldn't possibly be boring when the folk I've met from there seem to be so full-hearted, kind and curious, even if you and Miss Alisaie have been away for a while.

[If he was expecting harsh critique on the food, he was sorely mistaken. She seemed to be tucking into it well enough, even if it was particularly clear that mistakes were made. Things too well done here, a flavor or two lacking there... really, everybody had to begin somewhere.]

Either way, I hope I am pulling you away from your projects tonight. Besides, I enjoy hearing your stories... there's a passion in how you tell them. Makes the ears perk.

[She lifted her hands to her head and wiggled both pointers in mimic. She won't even begin to explain how auri horns pick up sound.]

...As it were.

[As long as she wasn't complaining about it, he'll count his flaws as a small victory anyway. He knew it wouldn't be perfect necessarily, but he did at least try his best and practice ahead of time.]

You're too kind.

My research can wait for the time being. This is more important.

[It's a holiday after all. He hadn't notice how animated his ears -- or tail for that matter -- had been during this. It was easy to forget when you were used to them. Now painfully aware, his ears drooped in embarrassment, but he made no effort to acknowledge it vocally.]

R-right... W-well... If... there's anything else you'd like to know, feel free to ask.

[Oh no, they were drooping... she hadn't meant to make fun or anything! But he did seem to be fairly easy to read if you just looked at those fuzzy red beacons of his.

She considered her question over her wine. Really, she'd had the occasional cocktail since she arrived here, so it was nice to have something simpler every once in a while. Perhaps tomorrow she'll have a chilled glass in a bubble bath.]

Maybe you're a history buff, but... what about faerie tales? Were there any you liked most?

[Surely he read some self-indulgent books between how aether beat through the star like blood through the heart, the history of ancient civilizations...]

I always craved a fantastical story, from the day I learned to read and write. I feel I get to know a man best by knowing what fanciful tales stir his heart.

[He knew it was nothing of the sort. He was pretty easy to read in most situations.]

Faerie tales... Hmm...

[He had read plenty of things that were not related to history, but there were none that particularly came to mind.]

I can't say I've particularly read a lot of faerie tales, but I do enjoy reading about grand adventures. [Surprise surprise.] Though, I'm certain Feo Ul would be happy enough to regale me of tales about the pixies.

I guess I mostly like reading about things from different perspectives. I couldn't exactly leave the Crystarium often [He can blame himself for that] so it was one way to experience life outside of being the Crystal Exarch.

A way to see the world when you yourself could not. That's one way of getting around being stuck inside.

[She paused, knit her eyebrows briefly. He was turning into crystal in that dream with little Lyna. His image was red slowly swallowed in blue in her omens, like a corruption. Perhaps getting out and away from the tower made it worse, or caused him pain.]

It's no wonder you've a love for adventure, especially now that you're not... well, crystallizing. You get to go as far as you'd like.

That's how I feel, too. Most of my kind sticks to their tribe. It's mostly Raen auri- the ones with white scales and horns- that you tend to see trekking all over the world. The elders were very against my leaving, but... helping to save the world was too big of an adventure to ignore.

So I joined the... [She made a face.] ...Crystal Braves. Oops.

[He lingered on that train of thought. There was a time when the crystal started to take over his body that he'd intended to hide the spread underneath his robes the best he could for a while. Once it spread past his arm and up to his neck and cheek, it became much more difficult to do so. There really hadn't been a point to keep attempting to hide it.

It felt strange to get used to at first, but over time came to deal with it; Though he'd be lying if he said he wasn't worried about how fast it was spreading over time. He knew it was the outcome eventually, but knowing that fact was inevitable wasn't always soothing.

Reflecting on her story a bit, he thoughtfully stored that information away. Any information about her was interesting enough to him. Though the Crystal Braves had been after his time while he slumbered, he was more than aware of the chain of events.]

... My condolences. For what it's worth, young Commander Alphinaud meant well.

[But she shared about herself, so he should return the favor, especially because she'd already seen his dream about the Crystarium.]

'Tis true. Binding myself to the Crystal Tower retrained my movements and made me feel weaker the further away I was. It was the only way to ensure that I could continue to safeguard the tower and the people of the First from an unfortunate end. Spend too much time in one place and you start to grow attached.

In regards to your involvement, there wasn't much you could do about the fallout, but I'm sure you truly meant the best for Eorzea. You're not the kind of person to hide an ulterior motive.

[There was so much left to learn about her, but he could say that without certainty of doubt.]

[She chuckled quietly. The memory had come rushing along as if she'd experienced it but the night before.]

I always knew that he meant well, just... got into things a little far above his head. I remember my squadmates joking about their Commander needing their swaddling cloths washed, too, but I really wasn't too much older than he was when I enlisted, all told. I felt a little offended. I could kill things several times bigger and heavier than my entire squad- that was my rite of passage into womanhood in the Steppe, for crying out loud!

Needless to say, when they all turned on me the night of the banquet, I was no longer a Brave. Worked at Costa del Sol and the Gold Saucer for a while to hide out. Gods, maybe I ought to apologize to the guy for technically deserting.

[Oof, that wasn't a good story. Here we was, being a big damn hero while she blasted a bunch of jerks with a Holy spell stun and ran for her life.]

Not one of my finest moments, I suppose... but I take it your decision to bind yourself to the tower was no easy one. You more than likely didn't know what it'd do to you... not when it'd granted you a gift: Why your eyes match now, when they didn't when I'd first seen you during those expeditions.

It couldn't have been easy. You seem to have come out of it unscathed, at the very least. Though it may be hard to see at times, these trials only serve to make us stronger as an individual.

[That last bit took him by surprise. Sure he hadn't made it a point to hide what was so special about his eyes, but he had no idea that she knew of that. How much had he simply missed her before that she would know? He felt a little ashamed that he hadn't noticed her sooner.]

'Tis true that I knew naught of what the future held for me. All I knew was the future is where my destiny lied. It seems crazy having said that way. I could have never have guessed that this is where searching for answers would lead me.

[Reaching for the side of his face hear his eye unknowingly]

I was once shunned for it you know... People thought it strange enough, I suppose. All I know is that I have had this Royal Eye passed down to me from my father and I wanted answers. And those answers led me here. Now I have both eyes, I'm able to control the Crystal Tower with it and its secrets, and it's led me to become the Crystal Exarch.

It's funny how life works out. I never would have guessed this to be my path forward. And yet... there are plenty of mistakes that I have made that I would love to take back and rewrite history. Even so, even with my regrets, I couldn't imagine myself walking this path much differently than I already have.

[Gods, she hoped she was stronger for her experiences. But it seemed to make her more cautious than anything else...

Shunned? Strange... she hadn't seen many miqo'te that didn't have heterochromia and figured it was par for the course. Though, now that she thought about it, she hadn't met any of his kind that had red eyes of any sort. Yellow, blue, green... not red.]

If it's any consolation, I find your eyes quite striking. It's hard to look away from them.

[She lay her cheek against a hand.]

You became an Archon, ran a city, and even became a Scion all while technically owning quite a bit of real estate. Haha, your detractors can go suck an egg! The important thing is what you do going forward, at any rate.

I wonder what someone would answer if, let's say five years from now in jolly old Eorzea, I asked what G'raha Tia is up to...? Surely you've got some irons on the fire, or intend to.

[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?]

Mm... maybe it's kind of silly, but...

[She shrugged.]

Something like what I have here, maybe? A cottage, a garden, a place I can retire to once I've finished what needs doing for a time. Um, home, I guess...

Yeah, that's a good way of putting it. I wouldn't mind a feeling of 'home' in my future, be it a person or a place. Preferably both, if I'm feeling a little covetous.

Hmmm... [Reflecting on her answer for a moment.] That does sound nice. I hadn't considered what it would be like to settle down. I spent most of my time with some sort of mission or goal in mind. It's not a bad goal to have. After all, eventually things will settle down and we can really consider it.

I guess I just never thought I'd have the chance to have something like that for myself.

Hah! That's true. I suppose I thought rather far ahead, but the years ahead of me still have adventures to be found, battles to be won... recipes to be cooked.

The New World, for instance, demands to be investigated. Thavnair recipes too, I hear, are out of this world...

Of course, it'd be serious Scion business. I'd need other Scions to accompany me.

I assure you that there will more than likely be plenty of adventures to take on. When that time comes, I'm sure there will be a few Scions interested in accompanying you.

[Him being one, but that's probably obvious without even saying it.]

[She laughed.]

Oh, I can feel Y'shtola's judgmental aura, sipping tea as she wonders what use an aetherologist would be when eating spicy food...

The aura, it burns! But Ser Urianger can come in with the block, such pontification to make an excuse for a lunch break. It's the perfect ruse.

Well, it will be something to look forward to. There are still some loose ends to be dealt with back home, but this reprieve is relaxing enough. Unplanned, of course, but there will be more than enough things to do once we are able to wake up from this dream world.

Saving Christmas

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