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

My dear inspector, is it not true that people toil to make beautiful food and still enjoy devouring it? That, perhaps, the presentation adds to the culinary delight?

[ He’s fully aware that the concept of fine dining might be lost on the ex-guttersnipe, so he conjures a more concrete example. ]

Would Miss Susato’s charming maki rolls taste half as delicious if they were untidy heaps of rumpled nori, rice and fish?

Sholmes?!

[She's surprised to suddenly see him here! But only for a moment. Because once one applies any amount of thought to the matter, Sholmes unexpectedly showing up somewhere is actually very expected behavior for him.

He is onto something. As someone who's grown up on the streets off of whatever she could get her hands on, she's naturally very skeptical of such large amounts of an edible material being used for anything other than being immediately used to feed everyone.

Still, she pokes at her chin as she considers his point.]

...I dunno... It sounds gross when ya put it like that. But I got faith in Sooze's cookin', an' you should too. O' course it'd still taste great!

[ Of course he'd have a hard time getting his point across. Who wouldn't have their idea of food skewed after spending so much time with a man who ate fish and chips from a greasy old newspaper. Not that Sholmes hasn't stooped to eating strange and terrible things in a fit of famished desperation, but he operates under the strict delusion that he has standards. ]

Yes, well. Arranging food into a more pleasing shape doesn't preclude eating it. Answer me this: would you rather eat an uninspiring bar of chocolate, or [ He sweeps his arm towards ] ... a dashing chocolate Sholmes?

[Gina's ready for the great detective's next argument. She shifts her eyes over towards a chocolate statue that she didn't pay much mind to - and immediately staggers back in horror, her hat flapping over his face.]

W-wot in the world?! [She thought Sholmes could look annoying sometimes, but at least he still looks human! Not like this... this! She's stunned as she stares it down and points at it.]

Alright, I'm changin' me answer! Wotever that is, it can go to waste!

[She's not sure if she'd eat a chocolate Sholmes if she was paid!!]

Madam Inspector, you leave me with no choice but to throw down the gauntlet: set aside your compunctions and put me to shame with your sculptural talents!

[ He takes up a chisel and offers it--handle first--with a flourish. ]

Any subject will do; follow your artistic bliss.

[ Sholmes gives it 50-50 odds whether she'll rise to the challenge. He's banking on some amount of inherited disdain from her late mentor, combined with stubborn confidence, but the young woman is still very much a wildcard. ]

[And here she is, looking baffled now that she's been roped into this situation by Sholmes! That detective, he's always up to something.]

W-wot?! Me...?

[She lowers the chisel as she glowers at Sholmes.]

You must be outta your mind! I ain't some bloomin' artist! [Still, she pauses for a moment as she thinks about Sholmes's abomination. It can't be that hard to make something better than that... right?]

...But I bet I can still carve somefin' that'll blow yours outta the water! You'll see! [Now she looks towards the chocolate with determination! ...As she tries to think of what to carve. And how!]

[ For all of his apparent bumbling, the first rule of Herlock Sholmes is that there's always some ulterior motive. And Sholmes can't fault the girl for a bit of leery skepticism--a healthy habit for a detective, and surely well-ingrained by a life on the streets. ]

I know, I've set the bar quite high. Quite intimidating to stand in the shadow of such greatness. [ There is something intimidating about the chocolate Sholmes, but that's probably more to do with the hollow, pained expression, as if it's tormented by the burden of its own existence. ]

What about Chief Inspector Toby? The dog would look quite handsome in chocolate.

[She doesn't seem to notice that she's ended up doing just what Sholmes wants her to do. She's too determined to prove herself and show that great detective up! Then maybe he'll call her a great-er detective!]

I know I don't wanna stand anywhere near its shadow, I can agree with that much. [She says with a firm nod. ...And she does seem to take to his suggestion quickly. Sholmes gets a few points for using his Actual Official Title, too!]

O' course! It'll be a stunnin' replica of the Chief Inspector 'imself! 'e can't be around to see it, but that's alright. I'll just tell 'im about it later!

[She heard that dogs and chocolates don't mix, and she doesn't want to take any chances. In any case, now she has her subject! From here, it's just a matter of... actually doing the carving. She has no idea what she's doing, but she starts to just chip away at pieces of the chocolate experimentally.]

[ While Gina gets to work, Sholmes half-sits on the edge of the nearest table and begins packing tobacco into his pipe. ]

The pooch hasn't followed you here? [ He asks this idly, wondering if the various animals he's spied have a physical analogue somewhere. Do animals have a subconscious to split? Do they even dream? Then again, he's watched Wagahai's tongue lap at something in her sleep: food, milk, or maybe her own furry self. So it can't be out of the question. ]

A shame. I would have liked to put his remarkable nose to work here. All manner of mysteries to sniff out! [ He strikes a match, the pipe contents flare briefly, then reduce to a smokey smolder with a few practiced puffs. ]

Oi! Don't count 'im out just yet, Sholmes. [She frees a finger to waggle as she shakes her head, while she continues her work.]

Toby's been with me since I got to this city, 'e just ain't 'ere right now. It don't seem right to bring 'im over 'round all these chocolates 'e can't eat. So I got someone else keepin' an eye on him while I take a butcher's at all this!

[Gina barely understands the dream stuff herself, so she doesn't ponder anything about Toby's presence here in the slightest. It's just like being in a new town, just with a bunch of strange and unreal things about.]

O' course, if ya ever wanna put 'is sniffer to use, you'll have to run it by me first!

Naturally! I would never expect to requisition the services of an esteemed Scotland Yard official without submitting the proper forms ... in triplicate!

[ He raises his hand to flick his spent match to the ground, but the presiding orc catches sight and shakes his head disapprovingly. Sholmes offers a weak smile and deposits it in one of his empty vials instead.

After a few moments spent silent smoking, Sholmes speaks up again: ]

What's the last thing you remember before arriving here, Inspector?

[That response gets a chuckle out of her, and the she just tries to focus on her work while ignoring his smoke. Slowly she starts trying to cave out ears on the thing, though they come out somewhat oddly shaped. Still, she'll stick with this to show Sholmes some true art!

At her question, she frowns and pauses for a moment, before working more silently, her hat lowered slightly.]

Now that's a popular question in these parts. The last thing I remember... it was about a week or so after that whole big mess of a trial. ...Found a letter that Gregson left behind for me.

[ Sholmes has some hard lessons to learn about smoking in public spaces, but until then, he continues to puff away.

The response elicits a long, exhale. So they're at least temporally aligned. That makes things easier. But it also stings to be reminded of his own massive failure. Not that he could have done much to keep Gregson from his fate, short of hogtying the man and dumping him in a safehouse. Next time.

Well. At least the inspector had the forethought to plan for the worst, even if it was only to jot a note to his protege. ]

I see. I hope it provided some solace. [ He glances down at the smoke lazily drifting from his pipe. ] I must say, the whole affair ruined my taste for fish and chips.

[It just seems normal for adults like Sholmes to smoke, and it's only somewhat annoying, so she'll just let him be.

She's quiet for a moment, her carving slowing to a stop in the wake of his words. The wounds are raw, and she isn't keen on being vulnerable around others. Especially Sholmes... she feels like he'll analyze her from twenty different angles! But she keeps her eyes trained on her chocolate as she continues speaking.]

...Yeah. It was nice. [She says that quietly. It brought just about as much solace as something could bring when he was gone. It helped her to face his wrongdoing, at least, knowing that he truly cared and was planning to change things.

After a moment, she talks a little more.]

If I'm 'onest? ...I wanna eat 'em even more now. Gotta taste all the ones 'e can't.

Quite so. [ Whether or not she sees it, he cracks a small smile. He's always known she was made of tough stuff, but the young lady still manages to exceed expectations.

But this isn't the time or the place to keep picking at fresh wounds. Sholmes shifts the subject back to the matter at hand. ]

Well, in any case, that proves our timelines are aligned. I'm compiling some early observations about this, ah--shall we say--situation. [ He waves his pipe at the surroundings, leaving a trail of wispy smoke. ] Perhaps we can combine our investigative efforts, Inspector?

[She really does appreciate him not picking at the wounds and keeping her from acting soft. She won't actually vocalize it, but it is appreciated! As she continues her work, the ears keep on coming out misshappen... and she accidentally made a third one too. Oh well, she'll just keep on moving along!

Timelines aligning... more nonsense in Gina's ears. But it's a welcome diversion from the sad stuff, at least. And it gets a smirk back on her face.]

Well, well, Sholmes 'imself beggin' to work the top new inspector eh? ...Fine. I don't mind workin' with a great dee on this case. [Now she glances at him, to waggle a finger at him.] Just make sure when you pass word along to Iris, that you don't take the credit for a single one o' me deeds!

[ Sholmes is already impressed by her level of novice craftsmanship. He never tried carving a feature more than once (and it clearly shows in his results.) ]

I can pass along the most unbiased and accurate report, but it's entirely out of my hands when it comes to Iris' retelling. [ Sholmes has a feeling Gregson's letter didn't include any advice about how to appease "Her Ladyship." ] A word of warning: be sure to remain in her good graces, unless you want all of Randst's readership to hear that you bungled a case.

[ Not that Gina has anything to worry about; Iris likes her entirely too much to slander her reputation in print. ]

[Gina welcomes his warning with a smirk.]

I 'ear ya loud and clear, but I got a feelin' that ain't somefin' I really got to worry over. [She waves a hand dismissively.]

I doubt I can get on 'er bad side even if I tried. An' trust me, I did try! [She says that with a soft laugh as she thinks of Iris and her determination to befriend the street urchin. When Gina was reluctant to befriend her and when she tried to convince everyone she wasn't worth trusting, Iris always remained doggedly determined to see the best in Gina. It was infuriating, and touching. She almost wants to see Iris write something bad about her, just to see what it would be like!]

You're quite lucky, madam inspector. [ He gives a smokey snort. ]

I don't recall precisely how I earned her wrath, but she once wrote that I smacked my head upon a beam and fell down a set of cellar stairs. [ He seems to have forgotten this actually did happen, but maybe the cruelty lies in the fact that Iris didn't edit it out. ] Me! The hero and titular character! Her beloved Hurley! Reduced to nothing more than ... cheap physical comedy!

[ He sighs, exhaling his momentary anguish. ] She'll be delighted to write about all of this, though. Quite a departure from the standard Sholmes adventure.

[ He eyes the orc suspiciously. ] I do wonder what sort of dastardly crimes the fae denizens are capable of. Kidnapping and tooth theft are their bread and butter, if I had to wager a guess.

I dunno, Sholmes. Sounds like somefin' that would happen to you.

[She lays that out to him honestly and with a hint of a smirk. That sounds pretty par for the course for the great detective as she knows him! And she knows him to be both a disaster and a genius. Sometimes it feels like getting to properly understand him is a bigger mystery than the actual cases he tries to solve!

Her smile grows and becomes more nostalgic as he talks more about Iris. Gina may not have been in this world long, but Sholmes's presence does help to illuminate Iris's absence. She's starting to miss her little friend already!]

Yeah... This place feels like it'll fill a 'ole book series! [She continues working on the sculpture, now trying to make some eyes! And she chuckles as he thinks about the crime life.]

Ain't that stuff from fairy tales? I wouldn't count on that if I was you! In a world o' dreams, I bet they got more creative kinds o' crime goin' on! [Or at least, that's her guess!]

Indeed! That's exactly the extravagant suspicion I like to see, Miss Lestrade! We mustn't rule anything out!

And in what devious ways might a criminal cover his tracks in such a malleable realm? [ The way his face lights up, one might guess that he's not just thinking about criminals; what kinds of patently irresponsible things can he get up to? ]

Inspector Toby will need to expand his senses beyond the olfactory. The pooch may very well need to open his third eye. Tell me: how familiar is he with chakras? Auras? How active is his pineal gland?

[She feels like an authority now! Pausing her carving, she folds her arms together for a moment in thought.]

Let's see! If it's like a dream, there's gotta be all kinds o' ways. I bet a cove'd be able to pick a pocket wivout even touchin' it! An' make their footprints go off in all kinda o' confusin' ways... They might even 'ave you runnin' in circles!

[But the rest of what he has to say goes over her head, and she raises her eyebrow.]

Alright, Sholmes. What're ya goin' on about now? You know as well as me that Toby's only got the two eyes! I dunno all that stuff. Chakras... that some kinda onion? I ain't fed 'im any o' those yet!

Not onions, no, and please do refrain from feeding those to Toby. They wreak utter havoc on the canine constitution.

[ He taps his pipe to his lower lip. ] No, if a dream criminal can easily confound our traditional senses in the ways that you speculate, we must identify other damning evidence he might leave in his wake. Some spiritual essence? Residue of the energy that the tapir mentioned?

[ He waves a hand to the chocolate dog in progress. ] Perhaps Inspector Toby can become attuned to this?

Gonna 'ave to make a note o' that. [She remarks quickly as he explains that about onions. Ever since she's started taking care of Toby, she's been trying to keep track of what he can and can't have. Because it seems like there's a lot of things out there that are bad for dogs! ...Hence Toby's absence right now. But onions are one thing she hasn't check up on yet, so she'll have to make sure she remembers that.

Then she ponders, trying to go detective mode as she theorizes with the man.]

Yeah... all that 'dream energy' stuff I keep gettin' told about. I bet coves leave somefin' like that behind, no matter 'ow 'ard they try. And Chief Inspector Toby's nose is so keen, I'm sure 'e can sniff that out too! I'll start testin' how well 'e does with that as soon as I can!

[But first, she has something else to work on! Cheerier now at the thought of Toby helping them to take down dream criminals, she works on the carving's eyes!]

[ For a while, Sholmes mulls over the idea of dream forensics and half-watches Gina's progress. Finally he returns to idle chatter: ]

You've quite the knack for this. Maybe you should consider a change of occupation. I'm certain the well-to-do would pay a handsome sum for a custom chocolate sculpture. [ With his celebrity, he's been invited to a few society galas, complete with ridiculous displays of wealth: towering cakes, ice sculptures, exotic foods. Some chocolate extravagance would fit right in. ]

And if that wasn't enough, maybe this would even grant you entry into their lavish estates, brimming with shiny, pocket-sized baubles. You know, the kind that would never be missed. [ No, he's not condoning anything, though he has helped himself to a few things at a client's house. Mostly of the edible variety. ]

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