songerein | { test drive #03

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{ test drive #03 - january 2021 }

✵ TEST DRIVE MEME: JANUARY ✵
IMPORTANT! While anyone is welcome to participate in the TDM, our applications are closed to current players only. Our next public cycle won't be until March. Thus this TDM is an abbreviated version compared to our usual ones.

A reminder that our Test Drive Memes double as an Intro Log and threads can be carried over in-game. They are also required for samples. Refer to the Game Info for general information and feel free to toss any TDM related questions here. Reserves are open and Applications open on January 1st for current players only. Our application cycles are bi-monthly so the next cycle won't be until March.

I. WELCOME TO SONGEREIN

Upon "arriving" into Songerein, everyone is understandably confused. The first thought would be they must be in a dream, which makes sense since the last thing they might remember doing is falling asleep or losing some form of consciousness or awareness before opening their eyes and finding themselves in the Plaza of some strange town they've never seen before. But there are a lot of other people around, some that may look familiar but others so strange that it would be impossible for their own imagination to dream up. And they're all just as confused. Fortunately, a red tapir-like creature appears and introduces itself as Solei, one of the "keepers" of this place. It offers some explanation before letting everyone explore their new "home." [Reminder: Other people aside from the characters will also appear to act as filler NPCs so keep in mind that the initial group is at least double the size. Players are also free to be creative and come up with any kind of creature or animal their characters might encounter. The only limitations are they must be small to medium in size and not be overly aggressive as the creatures within the town are mostly passive, just wary of the new arrivals.]

A. Magic Journals. Everyone will find a journal stylized just for them on their person somewhere and it's the primary means of communication with everyone. The only limitation is that it's text only, but images can be magically imprinted on the page from the writer's mind. Might as well give it a whirl and see who all is out there.

B. Dreamotion Abilities. Although everyone maintains most of their original abilities while in Songerein, they are also capable of using special abilities based on dreamotion energy. From having their emotions affecting the environment to utilizing new abilities entirely, it's probably something that they should start familiarizing fairly quickly. Especially since all the emotional surprise and confusion may already be affecting things, such as random glass shattering or cracks forming at one's feet.

C. Exploring Town. The town of Reverein is small but still sizable, so walking around and to see what all there is might be a good idea. The town is empty of any other people and it's relatively safe aside from most of the buildings looking like they're about to collapse in on itself, but there are a few small fae and small wild critters who have made a few nests so just watch your step—or head. Some could venture out to the farmlands and beyond...but anyone who gets too close to the Wildlands will encounter a tapir who will tell them to go back for now. Be warned if anyone tries to ignore and push past them.

D. Dreambucks Cafe. As a way to welcome their new inhabitants as well as give them a nice, cool refreshment after all the work they will be doing, the tapirs will call everyone's attention to a certain cafe back at the Plaza. Called Dreambucks, it's a quaint little cafe staffed by friendly tea fairies and primarily serves tea and small cakes. Their teas and foods are quite special as the flavor will influence one's emotions and dreams—but in a good way! There are no harmful side effects and they are usually positive. Bolstering one's spirit; calming or relaxing nerves. The tea fairies want everyone to enjoy their time. Anyone can pick whichever table they want to take a break and meet some people. Or take a peek at what someone might be dreaming thanks to the teas.

There are three different types of teas available:

Raspberry Sparkler Tea. A sip of this will immediately make anyone feel lighter and more hopeful, with an additional effect of causing the drinker to sparkle as a result from those happier feelings.

Apple Cider. A drink filled with energetic cheer that will encourage drinkers to get out there and celebrate whatever is on their mind. There are milder versions available, so the range of celebratory cheer can vary.

Overcast Earl Grey. A more contemplative flavor, this tea is recommended for those who may have troubles or past mistakes weighing them down. A cup of this tea will help clear the mind to allow them to come to terms and begin to accept things, allowing them to take that needed step forward.

Although it doesn't always happen, sometimes the tea will be a strong enough influence that it will make the drinker daydream for a bit. Anyone nearby may notice their dream crystal lantern flicker and catch a brief glimpse of the daydream on it. Or perhaps those who want to try out their dream crystal lanterns are deliberately trying to see if their dreams are captured. Only daydreams influenced by the tea can be caught and even then it's just a brief glimpse, but it's still an interesting way to see how the dream crystal lanterns work.

Note: There is no currency in the world and everything served is free at this time. However it might not be immediately obvious and the fairies won't mind if customers repay in some way, be it helping out via cleaning and serving, giving gifts such as flowers or fruits, or something else.

II. LOCAL PROMPTS

Ugly sweaters are still being distributed and forced upon everyone during this time, though at a less frequent rate.

A. Chestnuts Exploding on an Open Fire. With Christmas festivities winding down and the New Year coming up, residents are out taking on a more relaxed form of festive cheer. Small bonfires are constructed around town, with easy to roast snacks distributed to everyone. Marshmallows, s'mores, fish, meat, and whatever else can be used or brought. One particular treat that everyone is looking forward to are special chestnuts left by the Christmas Ents who passed through earlier in the month. There is more than enough to go around and when roasted they bring a warm, nostalgic taste that is sure to bring a smile to even the grumpiest scrooge. However, there are a few reddish brown colored chestnuts that were accidentally added into the many baskets. At first glance they don't seem that strange, just a slightly different color. But once they hit the open fire and in range of any level of excited cheer, the chestnuts start to crackle and explode like fireworks! And when one sets off, others follow. Chaos is quick to grow, which will only exacerbate the situation, so the 1) chestnuts need to be removed and resorted; 2) affected bonfires doused and rebuilt; 3) calm must be spread to help rebuild the festive cheer. Perhaps cooking the chestnuts in a calmer environment will be better.

B. Ugly Sweaters' Revenge. It's almost the end of December but ugly sweaters are still "in style," with everyone receiving new ones at least once a week if not more. But those who try to destroy them with malicious intent or throw them away will find retribution coming early. In the dead of night, all the discarded sweaters start to unravel and link together, winding and spinning until a giant, ten foot ball of yarn is rolling through the streets of Songerein. It seems to move with its own will and deliberately goes after those who scorned them to roll over and ensnare them into the ball to grow larger. However, although the ball has clear targets, it's a ball of yarn. Unintended casualties get caught up into the vengeful ball. So it's either help rescue or be rescued in this bizarre morning!

C. Gumdrops. The gumdrops are still roaming around, trying to take every last bit of fluff, love, and fight they can get. They are ready to snare any two people they think will fit their needs and will make sure the pair sticks together until the gumdrop is satisfied. White gumdrops seek fluffy emotions, pinkish reds prefer love and kisses, and bright red ones seek fighting spirit instead. For more information refer to the notes.

Flat | Top-Level Comments Only

[[OOC: His canon point is in the original movie, so no spoilers for No Way Home here!]]

A: Dreamotion Destruction

[Anyone out in the rustic plaza area of town today had best brace themselves, because something similar to an earthquake may be happening. Except... It's not really an earthquake. Tremors like a giant's footsteps cause the ground to shudder in a rhythmic, periodic sort of way. The source of it all is the weirdo with four long mechanical limbs protruding from his back. He's so extra that he doesn't use his normal human legs to walk, oh no, the two bottom tentacles are serving as legs instead, their jaws hitting the ground with such force that they leave a lasting impact. Otto Octavius is in a very foul mood and the dreamotion is picking up on it, making the damage even worse. Cracks form in tiles, dust and gravel rise up a bit... Surrounding buildings get caught in the tremors as well, and it's a good thing the town is mostly uninhabited. One of the tentacles swipes at a lamp post and sends it flying for no real reason other than, well, he can. It misses the fountain by only a few feet.

If your character is not in time to stop him at this point, they may instead catch a glimpse of him using his extra limbs to scale the side of a building. This too leads to quite a bit of property damage, with bricks crumbling under the tentacles' hold and windows shattering. Once he gets to the roof, he just... stays there, overlooking the town.]

B: Chestnut Caper

[The explosions of the fireworks have caught Otto's attention, and it didn't take him long to figure out just what's the cause. Anyone passing by the bonfires may spot him over by the chestnut baskets, all four tentacles reaching inside to carefully take out the reddish brown ones while leaving the normal ones in place. On first glance, it'd be easy to assume he's helping. A closer look, however, reveals that all the explosive chestnuts are being slipped into a big bag which has been slung around his shoulder. His ominous grin is probably another tip-off that he's up to no good.

Waste not, want not, right?]

C: Sweater Shenanigans

[Though Otto may have escaped the wrath of the sweater curse when he first arrived, the pixies managed to catch up to him eventually. Christmas attire got magicked onto him and he hates it. Not only is he himself wearing a terrible cardigan, each of his tentacles has been covered with something that looks like a very long leg warmer, red with white fluff around the edges. These limbs are mechanical, they don't need to be kept warm, this whole thing is ridiculous. And even that is not as insulting as the little santa hats strapped to the tentacles' would-be heads. He tried to remove the ensemble once. Then twice. Then he tried to destroy it. Now he's given up.

Anyone walking through the streets in the evening may overhear a quiet, entirely one-sided conversation coming from a sheltered alleyway. Otto is standing in the shadows, trying to reason with the tentacles, all four of whom are 'watching' him with open jaws. One of them has a scalpel-like knife protruding from the center. (Yep, this won't look weird at all.)]

I know that- I know...! What do you expect me to do about it? Hmm? You've seen what happens. [One of the tentacles clicks animatedly at him.] … Now you're just being childish.

[ This kid was observant enough to see the weird tentacle man stuffing the red exploding chestnuts into a large sack. He may as well ask before the weirdo gets away. ]

Hey, what's the giant sack for?

[Otto peers down at the kid from over his shoulder, but even as he does so, the tentacles continue their work. They don't need his attention. Very slowly, he raises an eyebrow.]

What do you think the purpose of the sack is?

Otto Octavius | Spider-Man 2

Chestnuts! Foiled again!

no subject

A

no subject

A

no subject

C

no subject

Hunter de Vil | 101 Dalmatian Street

gumdropfluff

no subject

#yarnball

no subject

yarnball

1/2

2/2

#dreamotionpowerfail

no subject

gumdrop fluff

no subject

#gumdropfluff