songerein | { test drive #04

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{ test drive #04 - march 2022 }

✵ TEST DRIVE MEME: MARCH ✵
A reminder that our Test Drive Memes double as an Intro Log and threads can be carried over in-game, which means all content is forward dated to the first week of the app month. 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 March 1st. Our application cycles are bi-monthly so the next cycle won't be until May.

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 new groups are 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 has become more populated over time, but it's still relatively empty with many buildings still unoccupied and some still in disrepair and about to collapse in on itself. 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 having someone more experienced may be wise.

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:

Strawberries and Cream Tea. A sweet and flavorful tea that can provide soft, friendly feelings or have one acting especially sweet towards a friend. Or perhaps even towards a stranger who seems to need a little sweetness in their life.

Black Pomegranate Tea. A few sips of this will invoke melancholy over past loves. However, it doesn't need to be people—it could be anything at all: people, places, things, interests.

Coffee with White Chocolate Raspberry Cream. These bold and strong flavors will cause one to perform grand acts of affection (romantic or platonic) for anyone they see.

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

Although Valentine's may be over, there is still plenty of that "romance" in the air, especially with all the leftovers from the month. But it's not all hearts and rainbows.

A. Candy Roses. Candy roses are all the rage right now and once again confectioners are competing against each other in creating the best ones. This has led to many being handed out as samples. What makes them so special? The flavors will influence one's emotions on the positive, "loving" spectrum. However, some will have a softer, subtle effect while others may be more exaggerated.

Red. Red candy roses will induce ardent love towards the person within their vicinity. It causes them to immediately grab their hand and declare their love for all to hear.
Pink. Pink candy roses will cause the eater to be filled with so much joy they start frolicking with flowers everywhere around them, to the point that flowers will appear in their food, drink, whatever they touch.
White. White candy roses will cause the eater to be very honest about their feelings…about anything that comes to mind or they see. Positive or negative, they can only tell the truth. Some may be able to control it, but the impulse will be very strong.
Purple. Purple candy roses are a mystery flavor that will have a random emotional effect on the eater. They could be joyous, they could be so overwhelmed with passion they become depressed, they could become angry and possessive…it's a toss up wildcard.

All effects will last from ten minutes to half an hour.

B. Orc Chocolate Sculptor. As if not to be outdone by the candy roses, an area around the Central Plaza has been cleared away for a large orc who performs and creates magnificent sculptures made from pure chocolate. From buildings to animals to people, to making replicas of real food, to making large and miniature models of Reverein's streets, this orc can do it all. And he is inviting others to join in. All the tools and chocolate are provided, and should anyone be successful in their creation, it has the chance of becoming animated through dreamotion energy. It could behave as a result of the sculptor's emotions, or someone could try to channel dreamotion energy to make it move. Of course, things can get messy…watch out for chocolate being flung from some kids who snuck in!

C. Eris Arrows. No one knows where they came from, but winged, cherub-like creatures have appeared and are firing arrows at everyone. However, these have orange feathers and anyone struck by them will transform into a lindworm filled with anger and hate for the first thing they see. Clearly this isn't a good thing, and fortunately there are some love arrows still around that will help negate the effect. Otherwise, one will have to try and subdue them and push a lot of positive "love" dreamotion energy on them (can be platonic or romantic). It is also possible to take out the anti-cupids, but as they seem to be a form of noctaere, only dreamotion abilities will make significant damage to them. Similar to those turned into a lindworm, the love arows can also be used against them, as well as any other concentration of "love."

III. DREAMSCAPE TUTORIAL

To help everyone understand their dreamwalking abilities, the tapirs will ask anyone who is willing to gather around the Dream Swings in the Central Plaza. There anyone is invited to sit in the chairs or hammocks and focus on their dream crystal lanterns to enter a special dreamscape made just for them. Those watching might find the sight of everyone suddenly turning into a colorful ball of light and disappearing alarming, but that's just the normal process of entering a dream. When someone leaves the dream, they will briefly reappear as that light before returning to their original form. The theme for this dreamscape is Three Little Pigs in Candyland. For this dreamscape exercise, the tapirs have created a fascinating environment that is basically Candyland. It's a good thing this is all a dream so that anyone who has a sweet tooth can eat to their heart's content and not get a cavity. However, even if this is a dream made of candy, there are still some threats to the dreamwalkers…especially since they will be turned into either pigs or wolves. Free exploration is allowed, but there are a couple of "objectives" or "exercises" they should try to work on their dreamotion abilities.

A. Three Little Pigs. As a fun twist to the dreamscape, dreamwalkers may be turned into anthropomorphic pigs. They can walk on their hind legs, use their forelegs as arms, speak, wear clothes if they feel comfortable about…but they are otherwise very much a pig and will not be able to transform out. They can add to their appearance, such as adding wings, horns, hair—anything that might help bring back some of their individual characteristic. They don't have to work together, but the main "plotline" of this story is to build houses to withstand the big bad wolves.

B. Big Bad Wolves. The other option for dreamwalkers is they may be turned into anthropomorphic wolves. Like the pigs, they can walk on their hind legs, use their forelegs as arms, speak, wear clothes, etc, but they will look more wolf than "person." Their goal is to destroy the houses…by eating them, although they will find they have a powerful set of lungs that will allow them to try and blow them down. Of course, those who want to help the pigs instead are allowed. Might even be a good idea considering what else is out there.

C. Candy Houses. The pigs are to build the strongest house as possible, but they can only use one type of the following material: pixy stix (straw), licorice (sticks), and jolly ranchers (bricks). Other materials such as icing, gum, and other things can be used, and dreamotion energy will be key in helping to strengthen and decorate them, but it must be made with one type of building material. Or cheat, who is actually paying attention—

D. Evil Hansel and Gretel. Although the "Big Bad Wolves" are supposed to the main antagonists, noctaere in the form of Hansel and Gretel appear and try to not only eat the houses, but also will try to turn the dreamwalkers into candy…to later consume. That would be bad, so perhaps teamwork between the pigs and the wolves will be necessary to beat them back. Fortunately they aren't too difficult to eliminate, and upon defeat they will burst into sprinkles.

Flat | Top-Level Comments Only

I-C. TALK OF THE TOWN.

[Yes, well, he has the general idea of it he supposes. But by what phenomenon was he summoned to such a whimsical place? That is the part which truly interests him, for worlds are not wont to clash of their own accord. No, there is almost always some higher, if unknown, power at work. But Emet-Selch just smiles, perhaps disarmingly, and speaks out loud for the benefit of anyone in the immediate vicinity. His tone is so highly affected, so carefully pronounced, that one might think him rather... eccentric to say the least. They would not be wrong.]

Oh, how terribly interesting! Even I could not have predicted this outcome. But what am I to make of it? Do we now find ourselves in a world inside of a dream? Or perhaps a dream inside of a world?

[Although he can hardly say that this quaint town is something his own mind would have conjured up without some manner of outside assistance, it's a pleasant enough change of pace from the light-razed expanse of the First. But as ingenious as this all is... (ugh) finding a foothold in this realm enough to influence it will certainly require a great deal of long, painstaking, tedious work. Work which he hardly needs... But. As a side project, mayhap?]

[At length he sighs all whilst slouching dramatically, and after a prolonged moment seems to pick himself back up again (in as much as one can when they stand about as if their back is in danger of breaking in twain beneath some profound burden).]

Wellll, who am I to complain? One way or another, I did so want to return to my rest. Although whether this venture indeed proves restful or not is another matter altogether, now, isn't it?

II-B. A WORLD OF PURE IMAGINATION.

Yes, yes. Now, step aside you lot. Unless you're willing to risk your noses falling off.

[What a bother. But perhaps endearing himself to the locals is not the most pointless thing he could do with his time, and he grows weary of these children and their unending curiosity. ("What's that on your forehead?", "Are you a king?", "Why is your hair turning white?" "Is that makeup?"). Ah, to be so young and foolish.]

[The energy here still feels foreign to him, but it is malleable and pliant, and when Emet-Selch looks inward it seems to respond to him - a bit slowly, but agreeably. And so he points at the nearest block of chocolate, conjuring up thoughts of something pleasant and familiar, and at last he's pulled it taut - this feeling - and releases it with a crisp snap of thumb and index finger held aloft over his head.]

[And thus do the outer layers of the chocolate begin to shave away, like a fruit being peeled, to reveal a miniature sculpture of a winged "horse". At length, and with much baited breath, it begins to rock forward and back, kicking up its six legs as it takes to the air, swooping over the children's heads and beyond the reach of their stubby grasping fingers. And, ah--he's off the hook at last. Just as planned.]

How easily distracted they are. And such a waste.

[The comment is for no one in particular, but he may have caught someone watching him, if but for a moment. Perhaps it was you.]

After all, chocolate was considered a priceless commodity and a privilege of the elite, once upon a time. Oh, how the masses would weep to see it used thus.

XIV. WILDCARD.

((OOC: Have at it! Emet-Selch can readily be found strolling throughout the town and the surrounding area in the coming days as he gathers his bearings and takes time to observe the peoples and the overall culture of this place. He is highly intrigued regarding the use and capabilities of dreamotion energy. There is also a high chance that he may introduce himself as Solus zos Galvus.))

((Of note, he walks in an unhurried manner, bowed slightly forward as if he has back trouble. Feel free to make note of his third eye, if you like (it's not a true eye, but a pearl-like protrusion in the center of his forehead). For anyone who can see or sense souls, his is a deep purple color. His essence is one of power and magic, and one might feel the influence of an ancient darkness still weighing heavily upon him. Permission posts to come!))

[G'raha had just been doing a few errands regarding his research when he thought he'd heard a familiar voice. With an arm full of papers, he turned towards the direction of the voice before stopping to view the familiar man.

Of all the people to come here from back home... He was a little hesitant to call out to him just yet. Though G'raha looked somewhat different from his time as the Exarch, his bright red ears and tail were easy enough to catch. No crystals to be found beyond his dreamotion, but being the only Miqo'te here was enough to stand out.]

Well, it seems that makes two of us.

[Finally speaking out to him, eventually Emet-Selch would see him around. May as well get it over with.]

[Yes, Emet-Selch tilts his head over one shoulder upon being addressed, and oh. Ohh...]

[It's not so much the voice nor the tell-tale characteristics of his race, no it is that soul of his that ultimately gives his identity away. Bright, promising, enigmatic... Yes, he recognizes that color. He has spied it many times before, standing vigil within the confines of The Ocular at the heart of The Crystarium. A beacon of hope for the peoples who gathered together at the foot of that crystalline tower, that relic of an ancient civilization with which Emet-Selch is quite intimately acquainted himself.]

[Ah, but now he sees more clearly. Those eyes. How very interesting.]

[Emet-Selch's smile twists in (seemingly mocking) amusement as he lifts a lazy hand by way of greeting.]

Ah, Exarch! I almost didn't recognize you without your cowl. To be fair, I really must congratulate you on finally conquering your stage fright. That first step is always the most difficult one, after all.

[And here the smile wanes as he turns to face him more fully.]

Though I daresay you've earned your rest almost as much as I have.

[Honestly, G'raha couldn't have expected anything different from him. Emet-Selch had come to bother him a number of times in the Ocular while the others were doing their thing. Most of the time, he just ignored his presence. After all, like as not, Emet-Selch was not going to leave simply because he told him to. No. It was a rather complicated relationship -- if you could even call it that -- between them. G'raha was uncertain of how to feel seeing him again. For all that time that he worked tirelessly to forestall the eighth umbral calamity, Emet-Selch hadn't necessarily interfered. Strange from someone who wanted the rejoining. And then there was that time he shot him and took him with him to the tempest.

Shrugging at his response, it was meant to antagonize him, but he chose not to react accordingly. To be honest, there had been plenty of times that he had missed his cowl. It was a lot easier to hide beyond one when you felt uncertain or uncomfortable, but that was in the past now.]

Ah, my thanks. I shed that persona quite a while ago. Now I'm just a novice Scion named G'raha Tia. The Crystal Exarch has played out his role to completion, after all.

As unflappable as ever, I see.

[Not that he has come to expect anything less. The Exarch always did manage to keep a cool head around him, despite all of his verbal prodding and unexpected visits. Quite a mystery this one always seemed to be, but enough to earn him at least a tiny fraction of Emet-Selch's respect. Most are much easier to manipulate, in his experience.]

[But alas, Emet-Selch will have no answers regarding their private time together in the Tempest nor any acts of intentional violence against the Exarch. But yes, the rest is mostly true. One cannot blame him for keeping his eggs in more than one basket, and perhaps as a result Emet-Selch was not merely biding his time in idleness but instead waiting for them to properly incubate.]

[However.]

[Identity and occupational changes aside, there is one small detail which immediately raises a red flag. "A while ago." Time travel, perhaps?]

Though, you will have to forgive me, but I don't recall receiving word of your retirement. When exactly was this again? I must have misplaced the invitation.

[Time travel in a sense, though not the same way he had done once before. Memories here were funny that way. To Emet-Selch's credit, it had been after they faced off with him; Though it was not so simple.]

Long enough, it seems. I haven't been back to the First in a while now. The Scions had safely returned from the First back to the Source. The only person able to go back and forth now is our mutual friend. The only thing you'll find left of me back at the Crystarium is a crystal statue of me.

[But did he dare tell him about the Final Days on the Source?]

Edited 2022-02-18 21:03 (UTC)

Well, I don't much like the sound of that.

[If the Exarch has left the First--but then he wouldn't, would he? Not unless he was certain that his precious Crystarium was safe from the oncoming calamity. Likewise, the Scions don't strike him as the sort to flee before their good work is done. They're far too charming for that. No, something must have gone wrong, some proverbial wrench in all of his carefully and painstakingly laid plans.]

[And here Emet-Selch frowns, truly, looking most vexed. Vexed enough, it seems, for shadows to begin gathering behind him where none should be.]

[Ah, ah yes... Of course. Their mutual friend. And if they may yet wander freely, it would mean that the First was not destroyed, that another Rejoining has not happened, and that he must start again. Oh, he does so hate to hear of effort wasted.]

The way you tell it, our dear hero has been far busier than I would have imagined. But may I suggest that you cease being coy with me and explain everything?

Now.

[Dream or not, those claims have rather large implications and Emet-Selch would hear them. Not that he's in an ideal position to be making threats at the moment, but. Let's just say he isn't a stranger to improvisation if he requires a velvet glove or an iron fist.]

He has been learning to cook here, though

crystalized_hope - 2022-02-21 15:44 (UTC) - Expand

How industrious! ...tbf Emet has probably never cooked a day in his life.

recreator - 2022-02-21 17:00 (UTC) - Expand

A grad student learning to cook because his gf likes to cook /)//(\

crystalized_hope - 2022-02-21 17:31 (UTC) - Expand

How sappy and gross. (It's adorable though!)

recreator - 2022-02-21 20:11 (UTC) - Expand

They do like gross flirting, so you're not wrong

crystalized_hope - 2022-02-21 20:24 (UTC) - Expand

Emet-Selch | Final Fantasy XIV

I-C

Get ready Sunshine Boy, he's not pulling any punches.

He's been ready for you, Hades. How long did he put up with you?

Just a little bit too long, one should think. He stayed for the scraps.

Hope he doesn't mind sandwiches because that's all he has to offer.

He'll make do.

ii-b!

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II-B

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II-B

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too bee!

Or not 2B. That is indeed the question.