{ 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

[darkcharge]

[ Yeah not even death could do that. It really is people like Mira and Sora. Some of his other bonds had a hand in it all too. ]

You're worried about that more than yourself?

[ Well look. If Ventus isn't going to get rid of those little fears, then Vanitas is going to! ]

[brokenlight]

Yeah?

[Go Vanitas go.

Ventus looks like he’s giving Vanitas silent encouragement.

Go beat those fears.]

[darkcharge]

You suddenly turn monosyllabic or something? From what I recall you were oh so chatty right at the end.

[ Which is also kind of trying to figure out just what Ventus knows. And what he doesn't know... ]

[brokenlight]

Considering our last meeting, I figured you wouldn't care much about my thoughts or opinion.

[He blinks at him.

Might need to probe more if you want information, Vanitas.]

[darkcharge]

That implies I cared about your thoughts or opinions at all.

[ Just throwing that out there. Even "mellowed out" Vanitas is still somewhat hostile towards Ventus in particular. It's not like the guy actually wanted Vanitas around! ]

Though "last meeting" is oh so vague.

[brokenlight]

[Oh.

That has Ventus studying Vanitas a bit more intently now.

He did offer an olive branch back then....despite it being too late. But Vanitas also doesn't know what Ventus is feeling.

Then again, neither of them knew what they were feeling.]

It's been over a year since I've seen you. [He begins slowly.] At the Keyblade Graveyard.

[...Can that be more vague?]

[darkcharge]

Well isn't that convenient. Did your little guardians of Light ever find Sora and put him back together in that year?

[ But wait! How would Vanitas even know this? ]

[brokenlight]

. . . .

[That has Ventus pressing his lips together.]

How do you know what happened to Sora?

[darkcharge]

You could say... A little rabbit informed me of those circumstances.

[ A slight... Grin. Are we listening now, Venty-Wenty? ]

But that's how it is, hmm? It wouldn't be the first time he's given up something for you lot, huh?

[brokenlight]

[...He senses there's something behind that, but he's thinking.

If Vanitas knows about Sora, then...

Maybe...?]

Did you see him?

[He's definitely ignoring that jab. He already worries Sora got that self-sacrifice habit from him.]

[darkcharge]

[ Augh... Ventus isn't biting. At all. Lame. Augh whatever... ]

Obviously. Then requested that I didn't say anything to anyone else.

[ A brat. ]

[brokenlight]

[Sorry he's not as impulsive as he was before.]

...

[He seems to relax.]

...Thank you for being there for him, Vanitas.

[It saddens him that Sora didn't want people to know about him, but he's more relieved that Sora is okay. That's the most important part.]

[darkcharge]

What are you thanking me for? I could have been making the situation worse for him for all you know.

[ And, really, it had been the other way around. At first. ]

[brokenlight]

Maybe.

[Easy agreement.

still, his lips tilts up into a smile.]

[darkcharge]

[ Oh god. Don't smile at him. IT'S SO FREAKY. ]

Then why are you smiling...

[brokenlight]

[Blink.

Then he just grins at him, as if expecting to freak Vanitas out more.]

Because I want to.

[If he wants to be a pest, he'd try to hug him. But that will end in A) a punch to the face and B) a punch to the face.]

[darkcharge]

[ He might throw a real Unversed at your face if you keep this up Ventus. ]

Cut it out.

[ Again, strange that Vanitas isn't immediately resorting to violence regardless. ]

[brokenlight]

Why?

[He's just going to take this as a 'win'.

Ventus half looks like he wants to laugh, the other half continues to grin.]

I'm just smiling at you.

[Look, he's just thinking that if Vanitas and Sora met up, then Sora worked his friendship magic on Vanitas. Vanitas is still a jerk, but the fact he hasn't resorted to immediate violence is something. Even if Ventus is prepared in case Vanitas does end up doing something to him.]

[darkcharge]

[ Because it's going to continue to freak him out. That smiling. When there's no rason to smile at all. ​]

There's no reason to. So knock it off before I wipe it off.

[brokenlight]

It's just a smile.

[Wow, Vanitas.

Still...]

...It's good to see you again, Vanitas.

[Even if he doesn't know where they stand or what Vanitas thinks of him or what. But Ventus is relieved to see him. Happy that he seems to be doing okay, despite the way things happened between them. Even if Vanitas is still hostile toward him.]

[darkcharge]

It's a smile from you.

[ Which is weird! His... "Friends" might have smiled at him. Mira. Sora. But Ventus? He'd elaborate more on that but then Ven has to go and say that phrase.

It makes him pause. Vanitas frowns. ]

Why? If things would have gone your way, I would have just returned to you and have been forgotten.

[brokenlight]

[He shakes his head.]

I never wanted you to return to me, Vanitas. I just wanted you to be given the chance to be your own person and find a place you can call 'home'.

[And maybe be friends, but that's stretching it a little too thin.]

[darkcharge]

Tch. As if that is likely to happen now.

[ Although a lot of those words are what have been echoed to him by several different people. People that had come to matter, despite all of his intentions. Too bad Ventus has no idea that Van had been achieving this prior to this place. ]

For all you know, I might not have become a person that is "acceptable" by your standards. What then, hmmm? Would you and the great Master Aqua have dealt with me? Put me down?

[brokenlight]

You don't have to be a person acceptable by my standards, Vanitas. As long as you figure who you want to be.

[He stares at him.]

I don't want to fight you. And don't talk like you're some kind of rabid animal waiting to go on a rampage.

[You're better than that. At least, he thinks so.]

[darkcharge]

[ I don't want to fight you. Hmm... Fighting makes things so much easier. ]

You have a ways to go before I'll believe that. Not that I need your permission nor your blessing.

[ Which implies that there is a change, isn't there? That he's not quite so obsessed with joining again. ]