{ 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

[angelbirth]

[ Satan follows Lucifer's gaze, understanding that Lucifer has probably reached some type of realization. ]

For about 6 months or so.

[ This confirms something for him. He'd heard stories of how things continue normally in the worlds they came from when someone arrives here, but he'd never had an opportunity to confirm it himself. Lucifer would have noticed if Satan and Mammon had been gone for hours, so there's no doubt he would have also noted if they'd been gone for months.

When Lucifer notes that he doesn't seem distressed, Satan clicks his tongue in mild irritation, immediately taking it as though Lucifer doubts his ability to fend for himself. ]

I've managed just fine. Mammon's here, too, but it's just the two of us.

[ He pauses briefly, still not sure if that's a good thing or a bad thing. It's not necessarily dangerous here. Usually. ]

You did just arrive, right?

[ The question isn't as straightforward as it might seem. What Satan really wants to know is whether Lucifer just ended up here or if Lucifer actually went looking for them. ]

[pridecometh]

Six months.

[ He breathes in through his nose slowly, but loudly enough to be heard. It is enough to keep his anger from tipping over. Lucifer can already feel his demonic form threatening to break free but he is somehow able to keep his cool. It probably has all to do with the fact that Satan looks well -- and Mammon also seemed to be all right. ]

Yes, I did happen to see Mammon earlier. [ And he lets out a sigh. At least, it is just the two of them. He rolls his shoulders to get some of the irritation out of them. ]

I did, yes. Some of these creatures happened to talk a bit about what is going on, and it -- it is something that I will digest on my own. [ Which is more that he will be furious about the situation elsewhere where he need not worry his brothers. ]

Mammon said you made a friend. [ So, onto the next topic -- and one that he is interested in. ]

[angelbirth]

[ Satan keeps his attention on Lucifer as though evaluating him, stuck in that awful place of knowing Lucifer so well but also not knowing everything about him. Lucifer's reaction, as cool and collected as it seems on the outside, serves to reaffirm Satan's theory about what goes on in everyone's home worlds. ]

You won't get anything too helpful out of the tapirs.

[ Although Lucifer has probably already figured that out. ]

Yes, I--wait, what?

[ Mammon said what? ]

Oh, did Mammon say that?

[ Satan smiles radiantly, but Lucifer will almost certainly know that he is irritated with Mammon for sharing that information, especially since he shared it with Lucifer. It's not something he particularly feels like denying, though, so: ]

If it's who I think it is, she's a Hylian woman who's fond of botany. We exchange research notes.

[ He also empathized with Zelda's desire to be her own person, to be "just Zelda," but he keeps that part to himself. Still smiling, he adds: ]

Mammon's gained a few acquaintances of his own. There's a budding friendship between Mammon and a deer demon named Alastor, who's doing a fantastic job of encouraging Mammon to behave himself.

[ This statement challenging the definition of "truth." Rather, Alastor terrifies Mammon as far as Satan knows, but he's all for encouraging Alastor to continue to torture him if Mammon's going to share things he has no business sharing. He then very blatantly changes the topic so that Lucifer hopefully won't pry into his business. ]

So, moving on, where do you plan on staying while you're here?

[pridecometh]

General information about our situation is not unhelpful, Satan.

[ It is his pointed reply to ensure that the demon doesn't disregard information because it doesn't hold all the answers. ]

Hm.

[ The thoughtful sound slips out as he stares at the bright smile. There are a lot of ways to interpret the smile. It might be that Mammon exaggerated and saw something that is not there. It could be that Satan did not want him to know. Or he's annoyed that Lucifer is asking after the relationships that he has.

Lucifer has let up a lot on his "monitoring" of Satan in the past centuries, but he does remember how he would attempt to be part of every part of Satan's life. His eyes shift to the side, as he wonders if he's bringing up those memories, before returning to looking at his smile.

His expression remains just as calm as ever, thoughtful even. ]

Have you uncovered anything worth sharing?

[ He decides to put it that way, like it's a casual report rather than concern and interest. ]

He didn't mention that to me. It's good to hear there is someone that's keeping him out of trouble. Especially since it sounds like he has been unsupervised for the past six months. [ Lucifer doesn't expect Satan to have to worry about his older brother; that matter should be left to other people. Satan should just live as happily as he can, as far as he is concerned. ]

Where? I intend to stay -- [ He hesitates. ] -- I'll live by myself. I'll just get a headache if I attempt to live nearby, anyway. [ Even though he says that Mammon should not be unsupervised, he doesn't want to fall into his old bad habits. When they fell to Devildom, he smothered everyone and attempted to control everything; he doesn't want to become that person again.

But also knows himself very well; so, he's putting distance between him and the temptation. ]

[angelbirth]

[ Satan positively bristles at the insinuation that he might be disregarding potentially helpful information. He doesn't argue against it because, as much as he hates to admit it, Lucifer is right. Information should not be so casually disregarded, no matter how small. Satan knows better than that, and his desire to record every new bit of knowledge was what pushed him to fill so many pages with his various research notes. Well, his research notes and copious amounts of cat doodles. ]

I've learned plenty while I've been here, and your arrival actually confirmed something for me. I've understood that our presence here is more like a dream version of ourselves and that our reality is pressing onward without us.

[ It doesn't particularly seem like Lucifer specifically came looking for the two of them, and so surely the "real" version of himself and Mammon are carrying on like normal back in the Devildom. And, Satan supposes, so is the real version of Lucifer at this point. ]

Anyway, I'm not sure how helpful most of it will be, but I've documented just about everything from flora and fauna to the various types of dreamshifts that occur here. The reading material here has been... limited... for the most part, so I've had to make do.

[ In all fairness, Satan feels like Mammon has been well-behaved for the most part. He would never tell Mammon that, but Mammon has been fairly reliable, especially through the last month or so. If Mammon hadn't shared information that Satan would have preferred to share on his own terms, Satan would almost feel bad for suggesting Mammon and Alastor were friends. Almost.

When Lucifer says he plans to live alone, Satan's lips form a tight frown, brow slightly furrowed in irritation. It sounds as if he finds the two of them too troublesome to live with. Granted, Satan knows he can't take offense to such an idea, but still. The expression lingers only briefly before Satan reminds himself not to jump to conclusions, something he has been trying to work on, and so his expression shifts to a slightly more neutral one. ]

I'll obviously leave that decision up to you. However, I think you should know that Mammon will be upset if you stay somewhere too far away.

[ This time, he isn't trying to throw Mammon under the bus - he's genuine in his words. ]

He keeps sneaking into my room every now and then and I think he's checking to make sure I'm still here. I think he's afraid I'll ditch him and leave him here by himself.

[pridecometh]

In a way, that means we need not worry about what will transpire in the real world. I trust in myself to keep everything going smoothly. [ A sigh follows. ] It merely is troublesome to be unable to wake.

[ Lucifer believes that Mammon and Satan came to the same conclusion as he did. They most likely trust in themselves, too; certain situations could not have been solved without them so he really need not worry about what is going on in the waking world. ]

Any information is good. [ He repeats himself. ] You've done well. Furthermore, it sounds like few have attempted to do what you are doing. This is a great service to everyone, even after you wake from this place.

[ It may not have been Satan's intention, but Lucifer praises him all the same for what has been accomplished in his time whilst "trapped."

His head cants to the side as he notes the irritated look that he is given when he says that he intends to live alone. The two of them have lived six months without him; with how controlling he can be, he would rather not take their independence from them inadvertently or by his own desire to do "what is best" for them.

But his expression softens. ]

Is that so? [ He lets out a long sigh. ] In that case, I'll stay close at hand for the both of you to be able to reach me. [ Like with Mammon, he decides to take Satan's advice without too much fuss. It's concessions to his own pride and relatively cemented decisions of what he intended to do. ]

Thank you for telling me about Mammon's concerns, Satan. [ A beat. ] I may have done something else if I had not known.

[angelbirth]

[ It feels good to be recognized for his hard work. Although he appreciates Lucifer's words greatly, he doesn't dare say so aloud. Even so, Satan still expects Lucifer to understand that he's quite receptive to the praise. ]

I'll gather everything up so you can read it.

[ Mostly everything. There is one particular notebook that he has no intention of sharing because he would rather Lucifer keep the praise coming instead of threatening to string Satan up. Besides, it's not like anything inside that notebook would hurt Lucifer. Satan was only curious about how potent of a poison he could make and may or may not have used Mammon as a guinea pig without his knowledge, but it's fine because he was also researching the antidote. R e g a r d l e s s, Satan will be sure to keep that notebook somewhere else. ]

Mammon will be happy to hear that.

[ Satan shifts his weight to one leg, his shoulders shrugging in an effort to give off the impression that he doesn't care where Lucifer stays. But he does care, and he hates that he cares, so he'd rather just pretend like he doesn't care. As suffocating as Lucifer can be, even Satan has to admit--privately, to himself--that Lucifer is a strong pillar of support who can solve just about any problem. ]

By the way... Lord Diavolo isn't here, just in case you were wondering. If you can remind yourself that things are most likely fine at home, you can almost consider it a vacation.

[ He means for his words to be comforting, although whether they actually are is another story. ]

[pridecometh]

Thank you.

[ His gives a sharp nod, pleased to be able to read over Satan's notes. It will be sure to have a wealth of information that will be quite useful to him in some aspect. ]

Yes, I suppose that he will be, but I suspect that he is going to protest loudly about me living close to him at the same time. [ Because just like him, Mammon can be a little clumsy with his feelings. He imagines that his little brother will complain about it before exasperatingly agreeing that he'll accept Lucifer's decision as a means to save face from something. ]

Even if Lord Diavolo isn't here, I still am representing him in some way.

[ So, he really can't view it as a vacation. There have only been a few times when he has thought of himself actually relaxing. It is when literally all eyes were no longer on him save Yuki's. The idea of being perceived by others means to put on his best look and face; it's difficult not to think like that after a few centuries.

A slight pause. ] But you can view it as a vacation. [ This is his own burden, so to speak; he will not be scolding or lecturing Mammon or Satan to act as he believes they should. Yet, even as he thinks that, a cold shiver runs up his spine. ]

Though, try not to get too wild.