songerein | { test drive #01

Entry tags:

-tdm

{ test drive #01 - august 2021 }

✵ 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.

Flat | Top-Level Comments Only

It's not any normal dream. Look.

[Steve raises a hand to pull on his own cheek, only managing a slight tug before he releases himself with a small wince. Okay, that actually hurt a little, but he's trying to prove a point here!!] They always said that you can't feel pain in dreams and I sure felt that one.

[Flawless logic here. But hey, either way, it looks like Ferran is willing to give this a try, so Steve offers the cup to him again with a small smile.]

I'm sure.

[Ferran watches the man try to make his point, but his own experiences have told him that the idea of never feeling pain in dreams is bullshit.]

Whoever said that was lying to you.

[He does, however, take the tea, even if he isn't drinking from the cup just yet.]

... it isn't normal, though. [On that point he can agree.]

So, what's the weird stuff to you? Gonna tell me that you normally can use dreamotion energy in your regular dreams?

[He hasn't had much practice with that bit yet. He honestly doesn't know where to start when it comes to that, expect maybe forming a round shield. It's what Captain Carter uses and that seems easier than trying to recreate the Hydra Stomper here. Plus, there's always somethin' nice about being able to protect someone.]

Usually I'm not this lucid when it comes to dreams, so formin' stuff or using some sort of energy never occurred to me.

["Dreamotion" energy. He wonders if those fairy creatures came up with the name. Couldn't they have picked something a little more elegant? But for a lucid dreamer, Ferran would imagine modifying the surroundings would be no problem at all, whatever they called the process. That's not really the part he finds strange.]

... the people. [He pauses, staring down into the tea.] They're too distinct... or not familiar enough.

[Not to mention if it were really just a dream of his, he'd expect Zekarion to have made an appearance already.]

[Huh. Guess that's fair. Steve can definitely say that people in his dreams aren't usually this clear.]

So.

[He begins, almost wanting to nudge Ferran, but he feels like they're not close enough where he can get away with that. However, he doesn't stop himself from teasing Ferran just slightly. A little levity never hurt anyone.]

I'm the weird part of it?

[Ferran's expression doesn't change, but he does turn his eyes to the smirking stranger. A funny guy, huh.]

And getting weirder.

[... he takes a cautious sip of the tea.]

Would you believe me if I told you that I piloted an iron suit back home?

[But hey! Success! Mr. I Do Not Trust Fairies is taking a step forward by drinking the tea. Maybe just a small sip, but it's something. Judging by the stupid grin on Steve's face, he's pleased.

At least he knows enough not to rub it in.]

I at least double my size.

A mecha pilot, huh...?

[It doesn't seem to faze him. No, yeah, that's relatively believable. A little bit cool, honestly. After a brief moment of narrowing his eyes in contemplation at the tea, he takes another sip.]

I'm a magical boy.

[A magic boy, huh? That honestly sounds real neat. He just imagines this guy casting all sorts of spells, creating fire and water out of thin air with a magical flourish (or something). It may sound unbelievable, but look where he's at now.

Both at home and this world.]

So you're like Merlin, without the big beard. [Maybe a young Merlin then.] Then this sort of thing, with the dream energy, it's not all that different to you?

[Neat? More like it feels like his life is a joke, honestly. But unlike his peers, he's not the element-slinging sort.]

More like Lancelot.

[You know, the guy who frequently lost his shit and betrayed King Arthur. That kind of thing.]

I've seen things like it. Just not an entire place made of it... [A furrow comes to his brow.] I think...

[Steve's eyebrow sharply raises at that comparison. On one hand, Lancelot's known for being one of the strongest knights, but also... yep. And honestly, when he thinks of magic, he thinks of Merlin, not Lancelot, so this is sure something. He almost feels awkward for a moment, rubbing the back of his head before nodding.

They'll just, move on.]

You think? [He looks at Ferran with both concern and curiosity.] Have gaps in your memory? Feel like it'd be hard to normally forget about a place like this.

I...

[He brings a hand to his forehead, closing his eyes and trying to push through the fog. But the more he tries, the more a headache threatens to emerge, and he gives up.]

I don't know... [He sighs.] Wouldn't be the first time I couldn't remember something.

[That's pretty worrying!! Steve's concerned frown only deepens when he watches Ferran struggle through something, possibly a headache. He doesn't know much about memory loss, but...]

Feel like that's somethin' you should go to a doctor for.

[...That's a pretty dumb comment, even Steve realizes that. He stops himself from outwardly cringing and just hurries to reassure Ferran in some manner.]

Although, maybe this place will help jog those missing memories. Familiarity of a situation and all.

[... yeah, the remark is a little embarrassing. For one, where is he going to find a doctor in a dream world? And anyway, he's pretty sure his memories aren't going to come back with the help of medicine.

He doesn't rub it in or anything, though. He just waits until Steve has said something else to reply.]

... maybe. [If the situation is similar, it's bound to trigger something at some point, surely? But it's not like he understands the nature of his apparent amnesia.] I'll worry about that later.

[For now, he'll finish off the tea that's starting to grow cold.]

[He doesn't have much else to say about Ferran's missing memories. Usually somethin' like that isn't connected to anything good, but... he'll just have to help whenever that time comes.]

Just make sure you aren't alone when that happens.

[But! He moves on, with Steve giving Ferran a slightly know it all smirk as he drinks the rest of the tea.]

So. Liked the drink, didn't you?

[Ferran finds himself mildly annoyed by the concern, but he understands where it must be coming from, so he's willing to let it go without comment.

And then he finds himself more than mildly annoyed by the smirk on the man's face. His brow furrows.]

I was thirsty. [He offers the cup back for Steve to... do whatever with it. Give it back to the fairies, break it on the ground, whatever. He doesn't want to be responsible.] I still don't trust it.

[He takes the cup, mostly because it's clear that Ferran doesn't want it anymore. This isn't much of a big deal to him, especially as he senses that the other man's mood has dropped a bit. His smirk falters, but he keeps up some level of optimism around him.]

Luckily, there's more than tea to offer around here... and you can't go wrong with a glass of water. You still need to eat something too.

[Optimism, he can handle; being smug about assuming things about Ferran's feelings is another. But it's easy enough to let go if it's not rubbed in, and so his aggravation fades. Unfortunately, he can't argue against the idea that he should, in some sense, eat something—even if this is just a dream with no danger of physical harm, the sensation of hunger isn't something he wants to suffer through. His eyes turn away, and his head lowers slightly.]

...

[The sound he makes is barely audible, a begrudging grunt that isn't even voiced.]

We'll find somethin' good. Worst case, you're gonna have to suffer through some of my cooking.

[He'll think of something to make, he's resourceful. Maybe they can find fruit or something-- catch a fish at a lake. He considers making food from dreamotion energy, but that seems really dangerous.]

[Ferran folds his arms in protest of both the idea that he couldn't cook something himself with the right resources, and the uncertainty of what he could use here without being indebted to some suspicious magical thing.]

... what exactly would you be cooking with?

[Right, there's probably no stove or oven here, given the lack of electricity, but they can still do something!! Steve isn't too worried about that aspect of their survival in this dream world.]

We can still make pots and other utensils, then we just gotta get a fire going. It'd be like camping. Can't be any worse than some of the rations I've eaten.

[Ferran winces visibly, hands gripping his arms a little tighter. That sounds like a disaster waiting to happen... and does this place even have a way to easily put out a fire?]

I'd—rather not, thank you.

[The fact that his manners have suddenly emerged after an entire conversation of curt and dismissive responses would probably be notable even without the uncomfortable look on his face.]

Hey-- sorry.

[Ferran's reaction is hard to miss. So, no fire, or no camping. He's willing to place his bet on the fire bit. Being afraid of fire isn't unheard of, not in the least. It's clear the younger man is carrying a lot of baggage. Knowing this, he's glad that there isn't any kind of war here, not that he can see.]

Sure, no fire. Or I can make it in the distance and bring the food to you, I don't mind.

Don't bother with it.

[And we're back to being blunt. He shakes his head to dismiss the idea.]

I'll figure something out.

[Steve's not entirely sure about that and it's clear in his expression that he's really not happy with Ferran's answer, but he leaves the topic for the time being. Who knows, maybe he'll just show up on Ferran's doorstep with food in his hand!! A sort of 'just in the neighborhood and wanted to give food out' type of deal.

Of course, that will involve finding a place to live at in the first place, but future things.]

As long as you're not gonna tell me that the extent of your cooking is makin' sandwiches...

{ test drive #01 - august 2021 }

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