{ 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

[menancia]

Perhaps Rinwell may yet find her way to us, although I'm not certain I should be wishing for such a thing.

[For all that he's come to appreciate what this place has to offer, it's not home, and none of them are here by choice. It feels strange and just a little wrong, to hope that someone else turn up here against their will— but as Kisara herself had said, an incomplete group didn't feel quite right.]

You may be pleasantly surprised when you see the house— we've kept it in reasonably good order, all things considered. Shionne has rather high standards of cleanliness, as do I. We've learned to do a fair bit for ourselves without you, but I'm certain you'll see things that could use improvement.

[His smile quirks to one side, teasing. He's not quite as hopeless as he had once been, at least. He's come a long, long way from not being able to dress himself properly.]

[sermom]

[Kisara nods. It does feel like a weird thing to ask for, though she's already starting to miss the mage's presence. It did make things lively, that's for sure.

She takes in his words about the house, mulling them over for a moment. Managing without her... well, that's good. She ignores the little twinge she feels, as she knows there was no harm meant, and it is good. They're friends, she's no one's nanny or mother. She's proud to see them developing more independence.

Still, she can't help selfishly hoping they're not too capable without her around. Just for a bit longer.]

I'm sure it'll be just fine. Though I hear you all are living in a tree.

[menancia]

[He laughs openly; it sounds so strange to hear it put so plainly and without context, but he imagines it must have been surprising for her to hear. Truly, it's not what he'd imagined for himself— or any of them— upon their arrival.]

It is not quite as it sounds, but yes. It is only a tree on the outside— within, the space adapts to suit the needs of those who live there, after a fashion. There is some practical construction involved, but this is a world of dreams. It would seem anything is possible.

[While others may have found themselves startled by what this world has to offer, he can only be curious, delightedly so.]

I will not pretend I do not miss home, that I do not long to see Elde Menancia once more... but this place is incredible in its own right.

[sermom]

[It's nice to hear him laugh. It was a rare thing back in their world, he was so often serious when stuck in a role he neither wanted nor enjoyed. Even during their journey together, he tried to stay composed more often than not- he and Shionne both. Maybe it's a Renan thing. Though until recent years (for her) and months (for all of them) they'd had little enough to laugh about. Things have changed, and she's glad of that.]

We'll get back there, I'm sure. We still have plenty to do. [More so for her than the others, it seems, but the work is definitely left undone. Probably will be for a long time. And she wants to see home again, too.] Until then, let's try to focus on what we can learn from this place.

[menancia]

[It is a welcome change, to have a reprieve from the burdens of home, both those he had shouldered as a Lord and those they had shared among them as a group, dedicated as they were to their cause. Though he would change nothing about their journey together, nor what they worked to achieve, it's true that having time away has been... refreshing, in its own right.]

That we do— I've not forgotten, even as I've occupied myself with other tasks here.

[Elde Menancia in particular has need of them both— they all have things they've left unfinished.]

In the meantime, I quite agree. If there is anything else I can answer for you, by all means, ask— but once you're done here, I would be more than happy to offer you a tour, should you like.

[sermom]

I'd love a tour, actually, and any insight you can offer as we go. I'm ready now if you are.

[She's just about finished her tea, so she takes her last sip and sets it aside, fetching her journal and the lantern. The idea of exploring this new place with a friend is much more appealing than reminiscing about what they can't have right now.]

probably good to fade soon but he is gonna show her the SIGHTS!

[menancia]

[His smile pulls wider as he nods in response, his own tea entirely forgotten— he does, after all, have much more important things to turn his attention to at the moment.]

I can think of nothing I'd like more.

[He carefully pushes himself away from the table before rising to his feet, circling to lay his hands against the back of her chair, as well. She may have once been his guard, but that does not mean he cannot show a bit of chivalry on his own.]

By the time we're finished, I've no doubt dinner will be waiting at home.

[Though perhaps he ought to send Shionne a note to that effect, just in case.]

woooo perfect! /o/

[sermom]

That sounds good to me.

[Though maybe if the tour pulls them in that direction she should... nudge him into stopping by early so she can cook something instead. If she has to experience Law's digestion problems firsthand after hearing about it all day she might flip a table.

She'll worry about that later, though. First, she has sights to see for the first time, and a friend to enjoy the company of. She can think of nothing better right now.]