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

[ No matter how many times Ori has seen other people transform into other creatures, it's still feels like a new experience each and every time - and each and every time, she has to wonder is that what I look like when I use Wild Shape?

Needless to say, while she hasn't found herself transforming into a reindeer this time around, she seems utterly perplexed when she comes across a reindeer with Eustace's voice. Which soon becomes Eustace who is now a reindeer instead of an erune who is also rubbing his antlers against a tree.

(But at least it seems like he can talk whilst in this form, unlike... someone else...) ]

Wait— Eustace? Are you okay?

[Damn...itchy...antlers...!!!!

There's a small grunt as he really can't help but continue to rub his antlers against this tree's branches, but hearing Ori's face startles him.]

Ori?

[Immediately he pulls his head back—only to find his antlers stuck on the branch.

AS IF THIS WASN'T A HUMILIATING ENOUGH.]

[ Her first impressions of Eustace were that he seemed to be quite the cool, stoic guy with a soft spot for dogs... which has so far held up. Except now he is a reindeer that is really struggling with his antlers, and Ori really can't help but bite down on her lip as her hands go up to her mouth to stifle a laugh.

And if that wasn't amusing enough, he turns his head and gets stuck. There's a choked back noise that comes out of her that certainly sounds like a tamped down laugh. ]

O-Oh, my... [ A moment, as she takes a deep breath so she doesn't end up having to laugh again. ] The antlers seem to be giving you trouble...

[ Still, though, she'll make her way over toward him. ]

[Yes, he is very much out of his element here. Whatever cool image he had is being completely shattered, but fortunately he doesn't really care how he's perceived. (Okay, maybe a little bit in this case.)

So he just sighs, giving her a weary look—or as much as one a reindeer can give (a literal side-eye).]

...Unfortunately. As if adjusting to the weight isn't difficult enough.

[Instead of resisting further, he'll wait as she approaches.]

Is it normal for antlers to itch?

[ She tilts her head at his question... is he asking her because... ]

Ah, yes— though horns and antlers are a little different, actually. I, um. Don't shed and regrow these every year.

[ Said as she's pointing to her head. Then she reaches over and tries to break the branch that Eustace's antlers are caught on. ]

[Different, yes, BUT MAYBE SHE MIGHT KNOW SOMETHING WHO KNOWS.]

So is that why they're itching? ...It's trying to shed and grow?

[That. Actually makes sense. He knew deer would grow out antlers and shed them, but didn't realize they could itch this badly. He now has great sympathy for them if this is true.

But this is a dreamscape why is this a thing, uuugh.

And he'll continue to be patient as she tries to break the branch... But he's feeling that itch again, so there might be a few impatient stamps and paws of a hoof and slight twitching of his head as he tries to endure.]]

[ She wears a sympathetic look on her face all the while. Ori isn't sure how the dreamotion shape-changing works, but if it's anything like the Wild Shapes she takes, the first time that it happens is... disorienting, to say the least. Although she's unsure whether her advice will necessarily help, she gives it regardless. ]

It helps to center yourself and remember that, even if your body is shaped and feels differently than usual in this animal form, you're still you.

[ And... there! She's managed to extricate Eustace's antlers from this mess of branches. ]

[Sweet freedom he immediately pulls back and shakes his head.]

Thanks...

[...So he's still him, huh?]

Strangely enough, walking on four legs isn't so difficult...but it feels...ungainly.

[Partly out of impatience and agitation, he demonstrates by walking around her. On the plus side, he doesn't trip over himself. But his movements are awkward as he tries to adjust his stride to something comfortable. Not to mention the weight of the antlers...and the change in vision perception...]

How difficult was it for you when you first transformed?

[ She's so sorry, but has to keep biting down on her lip, lest she really laugh at him, and that would be so mean!

His question, at least, distracts her enough from her amusement as she raises a hand to her chin in thought. ]

It definitely wasn't easy... I could only turn into small animals, at first, so there was a lot of things to get used to. Everything looks big and scary as a little mouse, you know?

[ Even though now it's one of her go-to Wild Shapes, especially when she has to hide in a friend's pocket. ]

[EVEN IF SHE'S TRYING TO HIDE IT HE CAN SENSE IT.]

Yet I imagine moving around wasn't as difficult.

[Walking, walking, turning—and a sudden curse under his breath when he misjudges the distance and ends up entangling his antlers in branches. Again.]

[ She's not laughing at him— just with him!! Even though he's not laughing at all. ]

I guess if you think about it like moving around on your arms and legs as a person, then it becomes a little easier...

[ She's smiling as she watches him walk along, though. See? He's already getting the hang of it— or not. ]

Oh, deer.

[ Ori will... catch up to help him get unstuck again... ]

[Did she just pun she punned.

Just. Going to stand here. Clearly stewing and and muttering under his breath.]

Perhaps this was a mistake and I would be better off back at the factory...

[ Look, let her have this one!!

She immediately looks so sorry at his reaction. Look at this face. She feels very bad please forgive her! ]

No, no! I'm sorry. Here, you're almost free again, see?

[ Said as she untangles yet another branch from his antlers. ]

I promise I can be more helpful. These kinds of accidents are bound to happen when you start out, so please don't feel bad for not getting used to it right away! Actually, I think it's pretty incredible that you managed to turn into something like a reindeer right away!

[STILL CLEARLY NOT HAPPY HERE.

...But fine, she has a point. He shouldn't give up just yet, not without a bit more concerted effort. So just a small sigh as he moves his head away once he's free.]

I had a little experience in transforming into another creature in a previous dreamshift, but it still took a few tries.

[ This the exact moment in which Oriphi becomes determined to leave Eustace a very thoughtful holiday gift after this whole Grinch thing is sorted out. She was already going to gift him, anyway, but now she simply must do a good job of it! Maybe he'll forgive her, that way!!

Ori takes a brief moment to look around and preemptively move any more potentially problematic branches out of the way before she looks back over to Deer-stace with a curious look on her face. ]

Oh! Really? Are you talking about the haunted dollhouse?

[—Eh?]

The haunted dollhouse?

Oh, um...

[ She folds her arms and tilts her head in thought... ]

When I first arrived, the tapirs told us that we could practice in a dreamscape, so I gave it a try... when I went in, it was like being in a spooky dollhouse, and I turned into a felt doll!

[...Ah. He nods a little in understanding.]

I see. There was a similar exercise when I first arrived but it was different. Regardless, what I was referring to was an incident that occurred before your arrival. We were sent into dreamscape similar to this, but it was Halloween themed. There I had turned into a vampire of sorts.

[ Her brows go up. ]

A vampire?! Does that mean you had to... um, feed?

[ Did he have to bite someone!!! Scary! ]

[He understands her concern and just shakes his head.]

Fortunately not.

[...All right, one incident comes to mind and it's a good thing he's a reindeer so she can't see the odd flicker of change in his expression before it returns to normal.]

Instead I had strong urges to pet anything dog-like. From normal dogs to werewolves.

[ The brief change in his expression is indeed undetectable to Ori, so instead she quirks a brow and tilts her head at him. ]

A vampire who has strong urges to pet dogs instead of feeding for blood... That sounds better, don't you think?

[ Then she thinks about it a bit more, especially the werewolf bit, and— ]

Oh, you didn't accidentally pet werewolves, did you?

[ She can't imagine they would be very happy with that?! ]

[....Ah... Ha...hahaha............................

If she's never seen a reindeer give her a flat, dry look, she's getting it now!!]

Unfortunately. Anyone that had any kind of dog-like qualities, even if it were just ears and a tails, I had an uncontrollable impulse to go up to them and pet them. Many times it happened before I even realized it.

I see...

[ While that is awkward, Ori just. Side-eyes him. ]

Then did you have an urge to pet yourself, too...?

[DON'T SIDE-EYE HIM HE COULDN'T HELP IT]

...You're not the first one to ask that, but no, I did not.

[Not sure if for the better or not.]

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. ]

Saving Christmas

i'm so sorry

/but it's beautiful/

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