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songerein2022-02-15 12:03 am
dreamposts) wrote in songerein2022-02-15 12:03 am
{ 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.
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.
I-C
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.]
Get ready Sunshine Boy, he's not pulling any punches.
[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.
He's been ready for you, Hades. How long did he put up with you?
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.
Just a little bit too long, one should think. He stayed for the scraps.
[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.
Hope he doesn't mind sandwiches because that's all he has to offer.
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?]
He'll make do.
[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
... Then we should find a place to talk. Come with me.
[Gesturing to follow him, he just decided to head to his home. Any possible damage, he could worry about that. He'd rather risk damage to his home than the cafe and it was still chilly out to do this here.]
What do you remember last?
How industrious! ...tbf Emet has probably never cooked a day in his life.
[There's no gratitude in the words, only something dark and brooding, as a gathering storm upon a distant horizon. Now he's all but certain he doesn't like the sound of this. That the Exarch is even willing to talk, and in private no less, is most unusual. After all, in the past Emet-Selch had rather taken to inviting himself along to the party - here, well. The fact that he was approached first is not lost on him.]
[The casual flippancy is entirely gone from Emet-Selch's countenance, but he does, indeed, follow after in that heavily trudging way of his. So too do the shadows continue to drag at the ground behind him, roiling and unsettled. He recognizes the request of a placemarker for what it is, and he offers it with narrowed eyes.]
What do I remember last?
As a matter of fact, I'd just been having a rather engaging little conversation with our mutual friend at the summit of The Ladder. About how surprised I was to see the Eulmorians partaking of manual labor. Truly, a sight I never expected to witness after so long under Vauthry's rule.
A grad student learning to cook because his gf likes to cook /)//(\
I see... It seems that you're much further back than I had assumed.
[But any more information would have to wait until they reached their destination. Thankfully, they were not that much further. Reaching his home finally, G'raha invited him in.]
Do you want coffee or tea?
[No matter what their relationship may be, he's not a bad host. And it may help get through this long explanation. Heading towards his kitchen to grab options while he decides.]
How sappy and gross. (It's adorable though!)
[Emet-Selch makes no attempt at masking his displeasure and he most likely (and ironically) sounds much like an angry cat grumbling as he follows G'raha into his humble abode.]
[This is...entirely more domestic than he would like, but believe it or not, he's perfectly capable of playing nice. And he will. For now.]
[He makes himself comfortable in a chair, and don't mind him if he takes a moment to study his surroundings, carefully, and makes note of all exits and any personal effects he might glean additional (silent) information from.]
Coffee, if you please.
[Judging by the shadows under his eyes, Emet-Selch could certainly use it. He suspects this will be quite an involved tale, and he'd prefer not to doze off in the middle of its telling.]
They do like gross flirting, so you're not wrong
Following along the Ladder, we went after Vaulthry with the help of the talos. The Warrior was able to finish the last lightwarden.
[Taking a moment to pause, mostly because he's... not particularly fond of what happened next. It's going to come out eventually anyway, but the nightmare he had wasn't too far out of mind, unfortunately for him. Taking a sip of his own coffee before continuing.]
My plan was to take the light from the Warrior and out of the shard to save the First and my friends. [But that didn't go as planned, now did it?]
no subject
So Vauthry has been defeated.
[Emet-Selch is not so terribly surprised to hear this, even though he had a hand in the boy turning out the way he did. Vauthry, even with his considerable power, has ever been childish, prone to tantrums, pitiful really. Besides, he'd counted on this eventuality. With Hydaelyn's Chosen having defeated so many primals, so many sin eaters, it stood to reason that they would come out victorious once again and slay the final lightwarden. Yes, yes... just as planned. However!]
And just how is our dear hero anyway? You mentioned that the Warrior is the only one of you who can yet travel freely betwixt the Source and the First...
[Which, by his calculations, should be a bit...hmn. Emet-Selch takes a taste of his own coffee -- fairly certain that he need not worry overly much about its contents, but even then, well. He is after all an Ascian. Death is but a temporary inconvenience for him, and the heat and the bitterness of it helps to stir his overworked mind back to wakefulness. It's at some point during the next revelation that his eyes snap up immediately over the rim of his mug, and the corners of his mouth twist in displeasure.]
That would kill you.
[And that, Exarch, is not something he would be able to allow. Removing the light from the First would ruin everything. And yet. He is still here, and the Warrior, presumably, also remains alive. He's not entirely certain how that could possibly be. Unless...]
So you would play the part of the martyr, would you? A heroic sacrifice all for temporary salvation? Oh, I pity you and your short-sightedness, I really do.
no subject
[Circumstances he'll get into as he explains things, but that would be jumping places in the story. For what it's worth, Emet didn't have to worry about anything weird in the coffee. It wasn't G'raha's style to do something like that and he was drinking that same brew himself. That would be silly. Even if he had, Emet was an Ascian after all. It took a hell of a lot more than that to deal with him. He would know.
The snap was to be expected, as was his response. Good. Then he wouldn't have to straight up say it. He said nothing in response... yet. No, he just took a long sip of his coffee, expression serious, before setting it down.]
In retrospect, you're not wrong about it being temporary. However, I fully intended that to be the case. It was by my fumbling hand that put the Scion's lives at risk. It would be mine to not only save the first and rid it of lightwardens and sin eaters but also send them back safe and sound. I will have played my part. There is no need to feel pity.
But as you can imagine, not all went as planned. You couldn't allow it.
[His explanation so far had been fairly calm thus far, but that last bit held a small amount of bitterness to it.]
You shot me before I could finish and took me with you to the Tempest. From there, I know naught what the others did exactly. All I know is that you and I spent some quality time in the Tempest before the others arrived.
no subject
[Well that doesn't sound very promising, now does it? Perhaps, then, there is yet hope that his own plan has not completely gone to ruin. Though, something doesn't seem quite right about that either. Emet-Selch takes great pains to bring his expression back to something vaguely resembling neutrality. After all, there's clearly quite more to this little tale or else the Exarch wouldn't have found it necessary to bring him into his own home.]
[Ah, and it seems he was entirely correct. Emet-Selch makes note of the way his host's tone shifts, and he considers the rest of the telling, shifting it over in his mind like a particularly interesting specimen. But, yes. He begins to see how the puzzle fits together. If the Exarch attempted to absorb all of that light, and his attempts were interrupted midway through, the recoil of all that light-aspected aether would have flowed - nay, fairly surged backwards into the source from whence it came. Oh, poor weary wanderer... He himself can barely comprehend the strain all that power must have had on such a fragmented, mortal existence. It's a wonder they were even able to survive it.]
...No, you're right. That does rather sound like something I would do. And well can I imagine it. After all, noble as you are, someone of your considerable talent is of no use to me dead, and merely observing as one takes all of that light - all of my long, hard work - out of the First is not something I'd easily allow.
But then I've never lied to any of you lot about that.
[And yet. The Tempest of all places? What-- oh.]
Still, look at it this way. I did you a favor. Surely that counts for something?
[And the frown returns as he take a long, stabilizing sip to distract from this odd feeling of dread, as if he's about to have a rug swept out from underneath his feet - one he didn't even realize he was standing on. Yes, he'd always hoped to find a way to encourage the Warrior to be a little more open-minded about his own way of thinking, but why would he invite the entire party along? Short of a rescue attempt (likely), that all sounds entirely too troublesome.]
Though, setting all of that aside, I am rather curious about our private engagement in the Tempest. To be perfectly honest, I'm almost surprised at my own hospitality...
no subject
A favor he says... In a manner of speaking, he wasn't wrong. G'raha would have died as planned. He would have never been able to go on the adventure afterward, though painful as it was at times. Taking that into consideration, mayhap Emet did unknowingly do him a favor? Not because it gave him a chance to live, but because he couldn't help but think of what would have happened if he hadn't been there. The levitation spell, Palika Stand, and Ultima Thule... How would those have played out differently had he not been there? He will stand by his mindset of "I didn't make that much of a difference", but Ultima Thule might not have been successful at the end if they were down a Scion.
Pushing those thoughts aside for another time though.]
There's not much to talk about. We had a pleasant chat while you waited for our dear friend to show up as the monstrosity that you were hoping for.
[There had been some fights here and there. After all, he came out worse for wear than he went in.]
You made some inquiries about my knowledge, but that's no fun to share my secrets with someone I hardly know.
[Needless to say, just as Emet was more likely to be tight-lipped about oversharing knowledge, G'raha wasn't too keen to show his hand too soon. He knew better than that.]
no subject
[He'll set that aside, for now. After all, such magicks can only avail him so much within the current realm they find themselves in. More peculiarly, and perhaps more concerningly, is the implication that they have already guessed at his plan.]
And here we are again by your account, having yet another pleasant chat. But if I may gauge your words, I think...
[And here he pauses, his fingers tightening around his mug. The coffee within has begun to take on several rather acrid properties - like something boiling and threatening to burn.]
I suspect I should be quite displeased with the outcome. You mean to tell me that my "hopes" were in vain. But that leaves one very simple question, doesn't it? If you didn't take it, and if they didn't transform into a sin eater, then where did all of that light go to, I wonder?
no subject
[depending on what it was, of course. That would be for another time.]
...If I recall correctly, you've mentioned something about seeing the distinct colors of each person's soul, correct? Mayhap you had noticed that our dear friend was not alone? Along with another who matched the color of someone you're familiar with.
[G'raha did not know the details, just what had been explained to him about Ardbert.]
I was thanks to another similar soul who quelled the light.
no subject
[Spoken in that light, almost mocking tone of his, Emet-Selch's words are entirely noncommittal. Nevertheless, he has no doubt their respective areas of expertise could prove quite mutually beneficial. Cooperation, of course, is key.]
[Although, in the next moment, cooperation is very much the furthest thing from his mind. And it's here, in this instant, that his guise begins to fracture. He has, he will admit, taken quite an interest in the Warrior's soul. The color the Exarch speaks of, a resolute and radiant shade of amber; unmistakable, fearless. Truly the soul of a traveler and one who craves adventure, one who would draw comrades to their side... it is indeed familiar to him. In fact, he doubts he ever would forget it. It is the color of a friend and colleague, and... yes, and. The color of one who betrayed them. Left the Convocation in their - in the very star's - deepest time of need, without ever looking back.]
[Even still.]
[Emet-Selch sits back in his chair, and his jaw tightens as he deliberates what he knows of Hydaelyn's champion. Behind his eyes a storm rages. What is left of his coffee evaporates.]
[How? Who?]
[Even after all of that!]
...then it was him. The disgraced and fallen Hero of the First.
[But it should not be possible.]
[No.]
[No, it cannot be possible!]