{ test drive #01 - august 2021 }

[dreamposts]

✵ TEST DRIVE MEME ✵
Reminder that our Test Drive Memes double as an Intro Log and threads can be carried over in-game. 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 open on August 25th and Applications open on September 1st. Our application cycles are bi-monthly so the next cycle won't be until November.

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 the initial group is 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 is empty of any other people and it's relatively safe aside from most of the buildings looking like they're about to collapse in on itself, but 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 anyone who gets too close to the Wildlands will encounter a tapir who will tell them to go back for now. Be warned if anyone tries to ignore and push past them.

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:

Rainy Morning. After drinking this tea, one might feel a little melancholic or nostalgic for something from their past. They might even have a short little daydream of a distant memory.

Summer Afternoon. This tea will make anyone feel more vigorous and joyful. So much so they might start shining like the summer sun itself! Any dreams influenced by the tea will be one of a happy occasion or a hopeful dream.

Autumn Evening. Brewed with special strong, herbal spices, this tea has a bit more of a kick to it, but it's also warm and is great for calming nerves while giving just enough of a confidence boost to get through whatever difficulties lie ahead. The dreams influenced by this tea will reflect when the drinker has been their bravest.

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. HOME IMPROVEMENTS

The entire town is in need of a massive fixer upper, but one of the first areas everyone will likely want to start is the residential area to figure out their new homes. Instead of houses, most of the homes are in the trees. Be it a treehouse or carved into the tree itself, various dwellings can be found. Unfortunately, there are some unwanted guests making a mess of things, so they will need to be cleared out.

A. Pest Control. One of the worst offenders are giant bugs of varying size of type with the biggest about the size of a large dog. Some are actually quite friendly and can be shooed or coaxed away to the forests just outside of town. Or who knows, someone might befriend them and make them into a new pet or house helper. The giant beetles could make for some interesting guard...bugs. Some, however, are more hostile as they find the fruits, leaves, flowers, and wood of the trees delicious. The biggest threats are the giant termites so they must definitely be eradicated or removed.

B. A Little Pruning. The trees themselves are a little...testy in large part of the bugs that have been chowing down on them. After the bugs are cleared they will calm down and become more passive, but until then everyone will also have to beware of wild swinging branches, rotten fruit falling, and roots suddenly springing up from the ground. Another way to appease the trees is cutting out some of the old, rotten wood and giving the trees some pruning, especially any vines that are choking some to death. Positive dreamotion energy will also help revitalize the area.

C. Tidying Up. Once the area is clear, the new residents can start cleaning up and repairing the different houses there. From repairing walkways connecting the trees, to the stairs and ladders that lead up to the treehouses, to decluttering and repairing the buildings, there's a plethora of work that needs to be done.

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 Spooky Forest and it first starts in a pumpkin patch before moving to a dark, fog filled forest.

A. Suddenly Pumpkins. The moment anyone enters the dream they will find themselves in a fenced in pumpkin patch and turned into a pumpkin. Since anything can happen while dreamwalking, the first exercise is to try and change back to their original form or have fun and just roll around as pumpkins. They can even try to change the pumpkin form, such as changing the size, the shape, color. Just watch out for the mice. They are feeling very artistic and will try to scribble whatever on any pumpkin around, but otherwise are harmless and easily scared off. The marker will remain even when turned to the normal, but should be easy enough to remove, right? The only way to leave the patch is to turn back to normal.

B. Festive Candy Hunt. At some point the tapirs come in and ask the dreamwalkers to try and change the spooky forest into something a little more festive. They are given free rein to change the environment in how they see fit. Of course, this means the dreamwalkers need to figure out how to focus their energy and imagination to make those changes. Perhaps starting small by adding decorations or changing the colors of the leaves is a good starting place. But there may be some difficulty as some rogue candy is messing things up and getting in the way. Capable of movement, they will dash, roll, and even fly to evade capture. They will also try and defend themselves using special "attacks" based on what they are. Chocolate will make melted chocolate puddles, taffy will make sticky traps, bubble gum will try and encase people in a sticky bubble—might want to avoid the giant jawbreaker as it's more of a bodybreaker. Fortunately once caught, the candy will change to its more normal form. Maybe altering the environment could work to their advantage. If successful in either decorating or catching the candy, there will be some kind of reward later.

C. A Little Frightening. While traversing through the forests, any small, minor kind of fear will manifest and chase them around. For example if one is afraid of spiders, a small group or one large spider will suddenly appear. If one hates cleaning, a bunch of brooms and brushes will start harassing them. It's not enough to induce full blown nightmares, and no one can actually be harmed, but it's enough to give anyone a fright and need help getting rid of them. Thinking of more pleasant ideas that counter the fears, like fluffy clouds or cute plushies, can help disperse them. If the fears worsen instead, a small noctaere will form. The tapirs warn that they are creaturn born from nightmare energy, and if too many appear and grow bigger the dreamscape could turn into a nightmare. So what a great opportunity for the dreamwalkers to test out their new dreamotion abilities! Especially since their original abilities aren't even useful while dreaming. The noctaere are quite weak, so a few hits can easily disperse them, but there might be a few that will take a bit more teamwork. This is especially so since everyone's abilities will be weak as well.

Comments

[lonelysmiles]

Have you tried waking up yet? I thought about trying, but I'd hate to miss out on such a lovely diversion!

[whitefeather]

You don't have to worry about missing out on anything. I've already pinched myself, and I'm still here. What I was talking about was a little more specific.

[Sigh- it's typical. Years and years and years and years of boredom, and two interesting things happen at once, both back home and here. And it's not like he can take his eye off the former.]

You'll have to enjoy yourself enough for both of us, I'm afraid.

[lonelysmiles]

Ah, but where's the fun in a new venture without someone to enjoy it with?! Watching others flounder to adapt alone gets so boring after the first thousand times you've seen it!

This place is guaranteed to be a grand show!

[whitefeather]

[Alastor is certainly a man of taste, it seems. Even if his own inclinations are more toward the 'watching them work together and it inevitably fall apart' side of things nowadays, he has to agree- observing humans operate is best done with company.

...this really is a shame.]

Sounds tantalising!
How's this. Until I'm picked up, we'll spend some time together.

[lonelysmiles]

Sounds marvelous! Where shall I meet you?

[Yay for someone with similar tastes in watching others try and fail!]

[whitefeather]

[Hm. Finding any sort of landmark in what he views as trees, trees and more trees is kind of... awkward. And yeah, he's sure missing urban life especially keenly right about now simply for the fact there's so many landmarks there and here? Not the case. At all.]

There's a small clearing to the west of the town, just before you hit the caves. You'll know it because of the rocks- it's kind of like a fairy circle. I'd estimate it's about a half kilometer from the tea shop.

Work for you?

[lonelysmiles]

Even if it doesn't, I'll get in a lovely stroll! I'll see you eventually!

[And that'll be the last message. After a while, Yoshiya will hear the sound of tinny jazz as if played through an old-fashioned radio. This is accompanied by humming that also is surrounded by radio static.]

[And there he is: a seven foot tall demon with deer traits heading his way.]

[whitefeather]

[That kind of optimism certainly makes him smile. But nothing's written down, because of course- they're done. The book's closed- and he waits.

And while it's a case of hearing Alastor before he sees him, he's impressed by ...well, both sight and sound actually. There's vague disappointment, sure. That someone so interesting wasn't human- but that's a disappointment he's used to. It's a fool's optimism to hope- a bad habit formed three years ago, yet not entirely eradicated.

...And the disappointment is quite easily overcome.
Simply because honestly, his line of work meant he didn't typically associate with demons all that much. They existed. Of course he knew that. They're the counterparts of angels, and one step higher a lifeform than he. And while his side of the fence has him quite used to dealing with angels (One should be coming for him shortly, after all) demons are something new.

There's hardly any animosity, of course. No sides, no divisions, no good and no evil. Those are human constructs. If anything, all of them were part of the same machine. And there's such thing as professional courtesy.

So.
He takes a few steps toward Alastor.]

How charming.

[Directed at the music, of course.]

[lonelysmiles]

[Alastor expected a bit of disappointment at not seeing the human tremble in fear, but instead he's just delighted by it. Then again, after ninety years of dealing with people fleeing or freezing at the sight of him, it's refreshing to not be feared on sight!]

Why, thank you! Good to see you're a man of good taste! Ha ha!

[There's canned audience laughter which joins in his own. He sounds like a 1930s radio host...which he was in life.]

So much of modern music is so dull and formulaic! Manufactured to be just what the mindless masses want!

[He bows and extends his hand.]

Alastor! Pleasure to meet you, sir! Quite a pleasure!

[whitefeather]

[He has to laugh about the little comment about modern-day music.]

Mhm. It's not just that either. Music, film, TV... most things aren't conceived to invent trends anymore. More like bleed what's popular dry. Culture's dying, and all that. Or died a while back and keeps getting regurgitated.

[Kind of why Shibuya, despite its problems, does have a place in his heart. It's unique.

But oh, He loves this. His eyes brighten, considerably, as the stock audience laughter is played in perfect timing to Alastor's own laugh- and the way that he speaks (...Transatlantic American? That's a throwback!) is likewise Not Boring In The Slightest. It's refreshing, even! ...To someone used to modern-day Japanese and all of the formalities that went along with that.

His hand promptly meets Alastor's clawed one again, without any fear.]

Likewise. I'm called Yoshiya Kiryu... but I'm known as Joshua.

[With all the implications of that name. But! Since Alastor seems to think him human, such descriptors hardly matter.]

You can call me by that, if you want.

[And as he pulls his hand back...]

So! My guy's taking longer than expected, so I think it's only fair I get to have some fun. The first thing on the list?

[lonelysmiles]

Not a fan of the picture shows myself! Particularly that mindless drivel called "television"! I always assumed good taste died when people became glued to the blasted things! It certainly explains why so many coming down lack creativity! As if eternity isn't already eternity enough!

[And he's going to place one hand behind his back, summoning his microphone stand to idly twirl it as he speaks. He's practically bouncing on his toes, giving brief glimpses of the deer prints on the bottoms of his shoes.]

Well, if you've no other preference, I'll call you "Yoshiya". I prefer a true name over a false one even if you're more commonly known as the other! [He tsk's.] Mother chose "Alastor" for me, and I'd never throw away that gift! I don't understand why so many other sinners do the moment they arrive!

As for the list, well, there's so much that let's see where our feet take us! [And he's going to quickly step up beside Yoshiya and grab him in a tight side hug with his free hand, making a sweeping gesture with his microphone stand to take in the world around them.] It's been ages since I've seen anything up top! Can't waste a moment of this weekend pass, can we?!

[whitefeather]

[A gentle laugh follows the little rant.]

It's possible, mister.

[Well, this guy certainly seems the kids nowadays type. But it's not like he's got the luxury of disagreement- most of his Games, after all, don't exactly have winners of the recently dead who participate. It got disconcerting to watch them- to watch failure after failure- erasure after erasure- so much potential scrapped. But.

But then there was one boy.
Less on that.

Alastor's too entertaining for him to dwell. He takes note of a series of details. His attire, movements, tone of voice, cadence even- not to mention the gigantic radio- indicates he's from the past. Far from the past, actually. He'd have seen upheavals, wars, the American Great Depression, war... and the very worst of human nature. Explains a lot.

That, and it's actually quite impressive he's still around. (Not like he knew all that much about Hell, but where he's from? The recently dead aren't the only ones at the risk of erasure, so if Hell's situation is similar, he's powerful. It's not like he's thinking anything but amiable thoughts, but it's still good to know.)

The deer prints in particular... are quite unexplained. But he's little reason to ask about them. What could be said? He's used to ...strange characteristics. But ah, a name comes.]

Alastor, hm? [Greek origin. He who doesn't forget- later fashioned to be avenger, persecutor, tormentor. ...And according to some translations, one who suffers from divine vengeance. That sounds about right.] ...It suits you.

[And then he's grabbed! His eyes widen, faintly- but his expression hardly shifts. It's surprising, sure- as used to his own company (read: painfully isolated) as he is, Alastor's certainly a lot all at once- but it's kind of fun.]

Mhm. So, I've noticed a tea house so far. The tea's drugged, of course- [Fairies were the serving staff, after all.] and just so you know- listening in on people talking about their feelings isn't really my thing. So! Until something comes up, I've got a few questions.

[Chiefly...]

I don't know why you'd want to see anything in their world. It's kind of boring, don't you think?

[lonelysmiles]

[Ah, someone else who keeps his cards close to his chest. Very interesting! This Yoshiya is proving to be quite entertaining in his own right?]

[In response to the last question, Alastor chuckles.]

Why does anyone do anything? Sheer absolute boredom!

[He runs his hands down his face.]

Fire, brimstone, and eternal torment for the sins I committed in life gets so dull after the first few decades! I must have walked every inch of the Pride Ring a dozen times over by now!

At the very least, the change in scenery will provide me with a few hours of entertainment! Perhaps even give me some ideas to help liven the place up a bit!

[whitefeather]

[So Hell's just as much of a crapshoot as the world of the living- even with neat little features like fire, brimstone, and torment. Wonderful.]

It's not my business, but it kind of sounds like you need to change it, you know. Take it over- run things your way. That could be quite the adventure.

[It's not like he's got any idea how Hell works- or even if the whole taking out the boss makes you the boss rule that applies in the Underground even applies. But if it were him? Yep. Win or lose, it's a way out.]

As for here... a good start would be a change of theme. The whole "nature is healing" Thing's getting old.

[lonelysmiles]

Thought about it. But if I even have the power to do so, I won't. [He rolls his eyes.] I don't keep territory. It's fun at first but then you have the everyday tedium of managing it all! No no no no, I prefer sticking to my broadcasts and going wherever I please!

[His microphone stand disappears as he folds his hands behind his back.]

Now a change in scenery, here? Well, that certainly sounds interesting! I'm sure I'll get bored of all the green like I got bored of all the red of Hell sooner or later! But I'm more interested in what's beyond this idyllic little town!

[whitefeather]

[A soft, quiet laugh follows the answer. He can understand that. Better than most, actually... since, well. If it were him was something he actually did. In his neck of the woods, of course. And yes. With it came admin work. And in his case, getting chewed out for not doing it.]

Mm, I guess. And, I suppose challengers are too few and far between to break it up enough.

[Goodbye, microphone. And since he doesn't have a dapper demon attachment any longer, he walks forward a few paces.]

There was a series of caves around here... a little further on.

[He turns as he walks- almost playfully.]

I'm sure someone like you isn't afraid of the dark... right? Who knows. They might lead somewhere fun.

[lonelysmiles]

Oh, there's plenty of challengers. What else is there to do in Hell but to indulge in your vices and try to scrape together as much power as you can before the annual Cleanse?

[He grins at the comment about being afraid of the dark.]

Oh, I'm certainly not afraid of a few shadows! It'd make my life so much more difficult if I was!

[And if Yoshiya looks, he'll notice that Alastor is currently casting no shadow at all. An ice cold claw will tap on his shoulder to reveal Alastor's shadow existing entirely on its own in three-dimensional space.]

[It grins and mutely laughs before returning to its master.]

Perhaps those caves will give us a hint to that little town's own shadows!

[whitefeather]

The Cleanse? Sounds foreboding.

[Other than that little event, Hell and the Underground certainly have their similarities. Sans the vices, of course. That's never really been his style. His Reapers? ...Possibly. Not like he cared either way. As long as they got their jobs done, their time was their own to spend on what they wanted.

But yes. He's certainly looking. That's an interesting trick. As he's tapped he does shiver, just briefly- but it's more temperature-related than anything else. Even when he was alive, ...He was... not exactly one to get spooked, and the thing seems harmless enough so it gets a little wave as it retreats to rejoin Alastor.

But back to the caves..]

Perhaps! Either way, I've got another reason for wanting to take a look. Barring unforeseen circumstances, it's probably more viable to shack up there than in one of those treehouses. I've got to be honest- the lack of water, electricity, and pretty much everything in those things means that if the weather changes, it'll be pretty miserable.

[And.]

...Not to mention, I'm not exactly the living-in-a-community type.

[Obvious, right?]

[lonelysmiles]

Basic population control. [Alastor gives a dismissive wave of the hand.] Hell's horrendously overpopulated, so the angels come down once a year to massacre whoever crosses their path. [He gives a wistful sigh.] Ah, the screams used to be so amusing, but that, too, has gotten so very dull. And the leftovers aren't even edible!

[He listens to Yoshiya's complaints, chuckling.]

Not one to guide others to the Promised Land, are you?

[Yes, he knows the Biblical origins of your nickname.]

[whitefeather]

Hm.

[Now that's interesting. On their end, they get a Purification. Essentially, each Underground was a means of determining the worth of deceased humans as part of the Higher Plane's greater plan to make the human race a little less awful. A large part of that was the Game Joshua oversaw. But with any environment dealing with processing humans into something worthwhile came issues. Humans in themselves are issues. ​

...And yeah. Not many were capable of being anything but problems. So they lost the Game- and were erased from existence.

When an Underground's problems could spread to other ones, an angel with an Executor rank descends from the Higher Plane to... well, loosen up the screws. Total event collapse- the Underground tied to an area, and of course, the real thing getting nuked far beyond oblivion- more like the Never Actually Existed side of things.

It was something he wanted, once. Something he was prepared to undertake- if anything, so it wouldn't spread.

But then, they surprised him. His reapers. Some humans. That boy.
They'd actually proved him wrong.

He'd been pretty jovial. Animated, even- for the entirety of the time Alastor had been around. But his expression suddenly grows sullen, his eyes distant, contemplative.

But.

Alastor might have (playfully) just called him out. So his smile soon returns.]

Please. I'm off the clock. Besides... I like to do things at arm's length. So! What about you? Does Hell have any structure, beside demons pretty much doing what they want?

[lonelysmiles]

Oh, it has structure of course! What place doesn't have at least some form of loose organization to all the chaos?!

[And going to start walking, trusting his new companion to follow. Alastor can hold perfectly still when he wants to. He just doesn't want to right now.]

The question is are you wondering about the organization of Hell itself or the damned trapped within it?

And...[He grins.]...when are you planning to tell me more about at least whom you're waiting for?

[whitefeather]

The structure mostly. From what you've mentioned about the people, they don't seem all that interesting. [What could be said. The sin and vice thing is... kind of like baseball. Fun to actually play, he's sure, but kind of boring to hear about or observe.] Or have I overlooked something?

[He's overtaken- and of course, providing they're making their way to the caves- he's got no issue with following along. And as they should spy one of many entranceways...]

There's not all that much to tell. We work together, and have for a long time. Sometimes, I find myself in little situations like this... and he comes to get me.

[And sometimes, this associate makes an earnest attempt at his existence. ...When he needs it. But back to the caves! And a vague curiosity..]

Over there. There's a light coming from inside. You can see it, right?

Heyo. Sorry for the delay. Got sick there.

[lonelysmiles]

Oh, the exact players rarely change if you don't count my little shakeup when I first arrived. [Alastor waves a hand flippantly.] I wanted to know if you wanted the physical structure or the social one of Hell.

[His ears swivel forward as he looks towards the light.]

I can! Let's see what's waiting for us, hmm?!

[And his mic stand is once more back as he twirls it between his fingers.]

And you make it sound like you and your associate have been together for quite some time!

No problem! Glad you're feeling better!

[whitefeather]

Mhm~

[There's a vague musical quality to his acknowledgment of Alastor's latter statement- the faintest allusion of something cheerful. Yet he says nothing else on that matter.

He moves his gaze to the demon- fortunately just in time to see his ears swivel forward. Oddly enough, that's... adorable. Even with the sharp, pointed teeth- the inhuman eyes, the corpselike skin, the microphone that seems alive... He really is just like a deer.

And it's cute.]

If you've the inclination, I'll take both. It's not like I get to see the other side of things... so it's pretty interesting to me even if you're over it.

[So much more interesting than humans, anyway. As per Alastor's direction he starts to move closer to the caves- still displaying absolutely no reservation about the prospect of wandering around in the dark with someone literally of hell.

As he sets foot into the mouth of the cave, it's as he expected. dim, vaguely musty smelling, dotted with a few tiny mushroom clusters in the corners and the distant sound of dripping water, but most interestingly a passageway... where the light appears to be coming from.

Said passageway is large enough, wide enough, to not offer any problems, so...]

How charming. Shall we?

LOL Yoshiya called Alastor "cute" XD

[lonelysmiles]

I'd be happy to share so long as you're willing to share some of what your side of the fence is like!

["The other side of things" had Alastor starting to piece together that there's something potentially angelic to the other's world. How fascinating!]

And we shall!

[With no fear of the dark, Alastor walks into the cave, periodically picking his way carefully over mold-slick rock. It's been a long, long time since he's seen and dealt with so much greenery. The last thing he wants to do is embarrass himself by slipping and falling from something so mundane.]

[His ears keep swiveling about, taking in the sounds of the caves as his eyes glow like red incandescent lightbulbs. However, they're not bright enough to cast much light around the area.]

[He gives a sniff of the air to confirm what his ears are telling him.]

A lot of water up ahead. We may have found an underground river or lake!