{ test drive #04 - march 2022 }

[dreamposts]

✵ 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.

Comments

[servantofeternity]

[ There's usually tells to when someone's being genuine and when they were just playing it up - especially since she did it a lot back home - so that made it easier to pick up on what this man was doing. Yet she didn't even remotely find it insulting, but quite the opposite.

A hand came to her mouth, as if to try and stifle the small laugh that escaped her. Not that she made much of an actual effort to actually hide it or anything. ]

My, you certainly have a way with words, don't you?

[ There's a very little pause before continuing. She may not be a 'fashion' expert but she'd been around long enough to have a good idea of what tended to look good on people and what didn't. ]

I'd go so far as to suggest going with one that uses more reds which would bring out your complexion a bit better. You could still have some black in there but don't make that the main focus or you'll keep looking as washed out as you do at the moment.

[recreator]

[Indeed, he's playing it up, and making no true effort to hide that fact. The laughter is equally noticed (and in fact it's a gesture he's more or less used to - one which fleetingly reminds him of an old friend). Better to keep things whimsically lighthearted for as long as one can, otherwise conversations become deathly monotonous - and he's had more than his share of those.]

Ah, how kind of you to take notice. Indeed do I fancy myself a connoisseur of both the spoken and written word. Such a woefully underappreciated form of expression. But what can one expect in an age where men are all too quick to run off to war with another?

[As for her advice, he manages to look mildly insulted before at last he shrugs, his lips curling into an "you caught me" sort of smile.]

Well, I can't deny it. Yes. I have an aversion to the sun, you see. It's bad for my health. Though I daresay if I dressed in shades of red, I'd stand out like a beacon.

[servantofeternity]

[ Had she known he was thinking that way? Yae would have corrected him in that there's no way she'd let any conversation turn 'monotonous' as long as she was involved. Especially since it was hard to say how much longer she'd be forced to be awfully blunt with her words here, and she was truly enjoying speaking with him now that she knew how eloquent with words he happened to be. ]

I have to say, it's quite a pleasant surprise to find someone so likeminded as myself as far as that form of expression goes. Truly underappreciated, indeed.

[ After all, Yae had started a Publishing company that ran light novels and was the chief editor so she appreciated the written word quite a lot. ]

I see. Perhaps maybe just on special occasions you could change it up and it wouldn't draw as much as attention, though... I admit you made me quite curious with that comment of yours.

[ Now that she's able to take a second to look him over in a non-scrutinizing manner, something else's become quite obvious to her as well. ]

Your condition wouldn't possibly be tied to your status as an inhuman being, would it?

[recreator]

[And had he known she would have responded thus, Emet-Selch would be at least a little happy to hear it. Worthwhile conversation has become something of a rarity these days, and a part of him (buried deep but genuine) would no doubt appreciate the chance to discuss any number of literary topics at exhaustive (and engaging) length.]

Isn't it? Then perhaps we should meet again for a proper discussion of the subject, at such a time when you are not feeling quite so... candid.

[Oh, he's had a bit of an inkling for a while now. It's the sweets which are to blame, correct? But setting less important things aside (his aesthetic, not the former)... Emet-Selch's expression remains quite neutral as she looks him over a second time, and his lips quirk slightly into an amused smile when she voices her theory about what manner of being he is.]

Mmn... no. Not quite. But I'm nevertheless pleased to see you have a keen eye beyond mere matters of fashion. You would, however, be mostly correct in your deduction that I am indeed, as you say, "inhuman".

[The matter of his pure-blooded Garlean body aside (for even that could reasonably appear inhuman, what with its telltale "eye" set like a pearl in the center of his forehead), Emet-Selch's undying soul is what truly gives him away: it is ancient, powerful, and shrouded in darkness not entirely his own.]

[servantofeternity]

Of course. That sounds like a lovely idea. How could I say no to the prospect of intelligent conversation over some tea?

[ Yae crossed her arms over her chest even as she nodded, exhaling a soft sigh. She'd thought that maybe something was off when people were offering things for free, but it appeared a nice gesture so she didn't think much of it until she had tried to speak with someone else.

From the 'eye' in his forehead to that unnatural, ancient feeling about him and the odd darkness that clung to his very essence as an individual? Yae truly was becoming even more intrigued with this man. ]

Mostly correct? Color me intrigued. Perhaps you could do me the favor of explaining that all to me at a later time?

[recreator]

[Well that is a rather fine idea, and one he should be pleased to facilitate. Who could possibly turn down a hot cup of tea? ...Though if it too proves to be magicked, he may well have to decline out of an abundance of caution. Can't have himself spilling all of his secrets, now can he?]

Indeed, how could one not? And yes, perhaps I might - if I feel so inclined.

[A light shrug. Emet-Selch will make no promises on that one, but if he finds in her an ally or a useful pawn, or even simply someone whose company is appreciated rather than merely tolerated, he may very well see fit to explain his situation at length. It's quite a story.]

I've heard it said that magicked journals are the preferred method of communication in this world. Simply pick up a quill whenever the fancy strikes you. After all, intelligent conversation is so hard to come by.

Oh, yes-- and you may call me Emet-Selch.

In the meantime I suppose I will be selling my services for a more appropriate wardrobe.

[Which should certainly be... a sight to behold. Mayhap there will be one amongst the fae folk who enjoys a sharp tongue and a copious amount of snide commentary.]

[servantofeternity]

[ As it stood, she too was a fairly secretive individual so of course she'd be much more cautious with the teas next time as well.

She's also quite interested in how he answered, which was telling all in itself to that he must be one of the types who wanted to keep information about themselves close to their chest. Something which was precisely why she didn't at all look bothered by his words or pushed it beyond that, still gauging this man even now. ]

Hmm. I suppose only time will tell if you ever feel such an inclination, won't it?

[ The way it stood, was that she was the type of woman who observed the world around her. It would take a lot of work to make someone like her to be a mere 'pawn', better off as an ally over anything else but it only made everything more intriguing.

Strong willed people truly were fascinating, though she held enough respect for the man to not push his limits today. ]

It truly is. Quite a shame, really. [ A soft laugh escaped her at that. ] Give it a bit of time and keep an eye out in your journal, then. I assure you it won't take long before I get a message to you about that.

[ That being mostly in that she didn't have her duties as Guuji of the Grand Narukami Shrine or anything like that. So this meant that she had all the time in the world and time to kill, and so she'd seek him out once she got settled in appropriately. ]

It's a pleasure to meet you, Emet-Selch. [ Let it be said that she still could be courteous, no matter the situation. ] I'm Yae Miko.

[ It's barely telling, but there's the subtle widening of her eyes for second before she'd laughed softly. Amusement clear on her face more than it'd been beforehand, but there's nothing negative in such a thing. ]

Good luck in your endeavors. Hopefully by the time we meet again, you will have managed to achieve that, and I look forwards to seeing the results.

Good luck with your app, friend! And do call on him anytime.

[recreator]

Yes, quite right. After all, when one has the luxury of time, one also has the pleasure of waiting until exactly the right moment before revealing their secrets. A practice I highly recommend.

[And that makes two of them. Observers. In as much as Emet-Selch himself would claim, though perhaps not nearly as accurate by practice alone.]

Charmed, I'm sure. Very well, then. I shall look forward to our next correspondence.

[He offers what may perhaps be a courteous bow, or what may perhaps not. Either way he stoops only slightly, a hand folded there before him until he rises again but trace seconds later.]

Until we meet again.

[And thus does he turn on his heel, offering a whimsical wave of his hand as he saunters off in that heavy-shouldered way of his.]