songerein | { test drive #04

✵ 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

[ There's no one here, and that's for the best. There's a cloaked man sitting on the porch of an empty house, his hood pulled down to obscure his face. The dark aura seems to be emanating from him, unintelligible whispers much like spirits becoming audible the closer one gets to his resting place.

Miss Christine flicks her free tail horizontally, as if to say 'wait here', then pads over to the man and climbs into his lap. She nudges him with her nose, and he stirs, taking the device from her and.... putting it around his neck.

Almost instantly the air begins to clear; the darkness retreating to hide within the man's shadow. ]

Meow, [ says the cat, her two tails now free to tickle her owner and bring him out of his dreams. ]

(Hello darkness, his old friend. Despite all of his white, he's quite familiar with the dark and while there are warning bells ringing in his head, he presses forward until he can't anymore. Or rather, until he's told to stop because knowing himself, he would easily press forward without much further thought if left on his own...

Tsurumaru is deeply curious now that he sees the man that he can only assume is the source of the darkness. As he waits for this curious cat to tend to her companion, he can only experience the dark; see it, feel it, hear it. Focus on the man and the cat instead of the other places his heart and mind could go right now.

Then instantly, the air seems to clear, confirming what Tsurumaru had suspected. This man is the darkness. Interesting. He knew this was no ordinary cat but he's still surprised.

And he waits patiently, watching the cat and companion to see what happens next. After all, his cute new friend didn't tell him he could come closer yet~ )

[ This world is a place where dreams can come true. But dreams come in pairs: light and darkness, good and evil, hope and despair; where there is the brightest day, there must also be the darkest night.

He is the shadow behind the mirror, the illusion behind the curtain; trapped in an endless nightmare which has now become his reality. Dreams are not good.

Someone is speaking. Someone is laughing. The audience applauds. The curtains rise; crimson and obsidian interweave into accompaniment. The stage is set, and you must return to where you belong. Never forget the purpose of your existence. Ỳ̯̲̣ͅͅọ̩͈̠͈u̪̞ ͈̳m͎u͕̩͟ͅs̴̤̭̳̣t̲̘̖̪̘̝ ̫̼̀s̹̘̲̤̟̯̣ị̻̪n͙̟̥̲̖̗͍g͘.̳̹͕̳̱̞

—— No! You can't!

A feathered paw presses something cold into his hands. His fingers find the familiar crisscrossing grooves of blue light; an anchor in the boundless dark. He remembers who he is, and he knows what he must do. ]

Miss Christine...?

[ The chorus falls silent, the music fades, and he can hear himself once again. The shadows spilling out of his form quickly gather beneath his feet, as if they were never there at all...

Miss Christine gives him a pointed meow, as if to say: 'You big dummy!' ]

... My apologies, for making you worry.

[ His voice is hoarse, as if the device has restrained him in more ways than one. The surroundings come back to him in sharp relief, and... ah. They have a guest.

Satisfied, Miss Christine moves to perch on his shoulder, and he rises to his feet. ]

Thank you for your help.

[ Miss Christine doesn't bring people to him without good reason. He can guess at why Tsuru is here. ]

(He's hearing something he shouldn't but one can't exactly turn off their ears. He takes in the experience and combined with the darkness, thre's just this sense of dread that wells within him... And all he can do is force it back down. Shove it down to the bottom of his heart, clasp a lid tight over it, and leave only the calm.

When the man looks up at Tsurumaru, there he is, in all of his white, and with that air of unnatural but carefully perfected calm. He waves one hand lightly in the air, brushing off the thanks,)

It was nothing.

(He's casual.)

I had fun and was even surprised.

[ That's... a lie, isn't it? He's sure no one will find any shred of joy in his crimson nightmares. This darkness is his prison, and should be his alone... ]

Are you hurt?

[ This is addressed to Tsuru. No visible injuries, but he can't be sure if the stranger ever heard him sing. ]

(He holds out his arms to show himself to him. Nothing wrong. In fact, his appearance is perfect.)

All in one piece. And how are you? You must be... ah, what was it? Miss Christine's companion.

(Because he is her companion, not the other way around.)

[ Truly...? Phantom sighs in relief. He should try to not doubt his senses, given that it's the surest way to fall back into nightmare again.]

Yes, she is a dear friend of mine.

[ Not exactly pet and owner. They're friends, despite the difference in species. ]

Who might you be?

Tsurumaru Kuninaga. I've only recently arrived here but I'm quite renowned where I'm from.

(Just casually brags about himself. No big deal. He's very proud of himself, you now?)

How lucky it was for us to meet.

(And get him that collar that seemed to help.)

[ If that's how Tsuru thinks of himself, Phantom wouldn't begrudge himself for it. Tsuru hasn't shown any fear or disgust at what just happened, and he went so far as to help Miss Christine. Those are both positives to him. ]

I am Phantom.

[ This is perhaps obviously not his real name, but his codename is his life now. ]

Aye. I would not be awake if you were not here.

(When you have friends like candlestick cutter, any name is possible.)

Good morning, Phantom.

(Is it even morning? It's the thought that counts.)

Have you been asleep this entire time?

[ Phantom doesn't reply immediately. If it were anyone else, he would have tried to deflect the topic, but Tsuru already saw his nightmares. There wasn't a point in avoidance. ]

No... I was elsewhere. Then, I was here, but in that dream. And now I am awake.

[ ?? maybe tsuru can understand him ]

Here and there but not.

(He doesn't completely get it but at this point he really is just vibing and rolling with the developments in this world. A world of dreams where you can go to dreams within a dream. Everything checks out.)

And how are you feeling now?

Well enough.

[ He's never going to recover but it's fine. As if sensing his thoughts, Miss Christine paps his cheek with a paw. ]

I don't suppose you would know the purpose for which we have been brought here?

Good.

(Just, "good." He isn't going to push it! He just accepts it as is,)

Hmm... To help make the world or something along those lines. (He wobbles his hand in the air vaguely. He isn't fussed with the details.) It sounds fantastic, don't you think?

(As in... like a fantasy.)

I'm surprised. It isn't my nature "to make."

(Usually he's the one being made. Hm.)

[ A world made out of dreams which invited a man who only has nightmares. This seems illogical, even reckless to him. A dream world, in which one can dream again, adding yet another layer to the labyrinth that is his reality.

Phantom sighs. ]

Neither is it mine.

{ test drive #04 - march 2022 }

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