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

[ There has been that. ]

Signal? You'd need a phone to even test that. Do you have one?

Not any more...

[She sighs. Fidgets. All he wanted was cake and she's gone and made it awkward.]

I couldn't find it anywhere when I woke up. I was hoping that someone else might have had a little more luck than me, though. You don't have one either?

I don't.

[ Is this supposed to be a concern? It certainly seems to be for her. And that's a thing that needs address. ]

You know...

[ He picks up one of the untouched cake pieces on his table and reaches over, sliding it onto her table in front of her, then flashes a warm grin. ]

These sorts of things were meant to be enjoyed with the mouth more than the eyes. Try and taste it. Go on.

Oh...

[Aya needs that phone to live!]

Sorry.

[It's what it represents as much as anything. A link back to her home, to where she belongs: her friends, the rest of the unit, her family. Mom's going to be worried sick when she doesn't go home, she's going to be so mad...

[She starts when he pushes one of the plates of cake over to her.]

But... it's your cake, isn't it? I can't take your cake from you.

[It does look good though... oh, dear.]

Edited 2021-08-26 23:36 (UTC)

[ Why is she apologizing? Is she one of those over-thinking types? ]

Silly-- I gave it to you. That makes it yours. Eat.

T-thank you.

[That would be a fair assessment, yes.

[She looks down at the cake, and can't be sure she isn't blushing. Takes a cautious forkful from the very tip. It's strange how very self-conscious it should be making her feel - as if he might want some kind of feedback, or a score out of five.]

Have you tried this one yet?

[ She's cute, the way she stutters and blushes and seems so ... timid? All about a slice of cake. It was cake! Life didn't get any better than free cake. Someone needed to teach her the meaning of gusto. ]

Of course! I've tried all of them. Twice now. [ He winks. See: stack of empty plates. ] Delicious, isn't it?

[Whoops, you caught her with a fork in her mouth.

[Aya colors. Divests herself of the fork. Chews and swallows and tries to tell herself there's no earthly way she can be doing this wrong so he can't possibly mind it (but do boys like it when girls eat cake too enthusiastically in front of them? please send help).]

Ah, yes, it's good...

[Are there crumbs on her lips? Quick, napkin.

[Aya dabs at her mouth. Feels that maybe she should be contributing a little more to this conversation. Come on, Maruyama, you've done meet-and-greets, they just don't usually consist of boys watching you eat cake.]

Do you have a favourite?

[ He just grins seeing that little spark of it-- gusto-- as she starts into the cake. That's right! Dig into it--

Or not? Marui furrows his brow and he's got a sneaking suspicion what this is about just because what else would make someone so quickly pull back, that wasn't natural at all. That was an immediate act of self-restraint, like being excited over it wasn't allowed or something.

And that makes him wonder what happened to her to make her think enjoying herself was a bad thing. ]

I love everything! [ He says. It's the truth, after all. ] Although... I think if I had to choose, peach tart is the best. And you?

I love chocolate.

[She smiles, shyly.]

Strawberries, too. Though I probably eat too many sweets as it is. I really do have to be more careful. Just once every so often shouldn't hurt, but...

[She takes another forkful of the cake.]

Well. I need to make sure I don't say exactly the same thing tomorrow. Chisato-chan would not be happy if she caught me. The minute she turns her back, I'm ignoring my diet and talking with boys.

Edited 2021-08-27 02:09 (UTC)

[ Marui spares a moment to enthusiastically down another bite of his own cake-- he's been so distracted talking he's falling behind! And it's gotta be easier for her to enjoy it if she's not the only one chowing down, right? Lead by example and all.

That smile is seriously adorable... ]

Odds are better than even she isn't even here to fuss at you. And if she is, I will have her know-- [ he wags his cleaned fork at her ] there is no such thing as too many sweets.

Anyway... I suppose I can always work it off? There's got to be somewhere here to do things like that. Though it's going to be sort of ridiculous if I end up, oh... dancing in the woods, or something? I think that might be too fairy-tale even for here.

[She takes another forkful of cake.]

Do you do anything like that? Sports, or...? I noticed your jersey, so I wondered.

Edited 2021-08-30 00:26 (UTC)

Yeah-- tennis, mostly. I'm good at everything, though.

[ He eats another forkful too. ]

It's a great way to burn off energy. You play anything? Not work-- play.

Oh, no, the others play all the instru--oh. You meant sports? I'm no good at sports... unless dancing counts? I've been a cheerleader, though! At our sports festival. Lots of girls wanted to do it, so I was really happy when I got picked.

I do like to keep busy, though. It's going to be strange, waking up here tomorrow and not having any lessons or practices to go to.

[ Don't think he didn't notice that initial interpretation. ]

Oh? Have you ever really tried playing a sport? When you tell me you're no good at something, and then that you need some practices to fill your day with, the answer is obvious.

Oh, um... I haven't really had time?

[She says it like it's an awkward confession.]

I'm an idol, and I've wanted to be one since I was little, so I suppose everything I did was geared more towards that? And now I have that, and my schoolwork, and my part-time job... so I'm not sure if I'd be able to really focus on any sports the way I ought to, if I wasn't going to let my club down.

[ Marui finishes off his cake slice and sets the empty plate down along with all the others. ]

What? You don't want to? [ The question is frank, just seeking clarity. ]

[He's finished already...

[Gosh, she's only taken a couple of forkfuls. Is this a boy thing? She's not really that used to... well, to anything much about boys, if she's honest.]

Um... well, I don't think it would suit me? I'm afraid I can't really think of any sports I really enjoy. Unless dancing counts.

[ Marui shrugs and picks up his next cake saucer. ]

You like dancing, then? I don't think that counts as a sport, but it's certainly fun.

It is! You like it, too? I know sometimes people feel self-conscious about it... that's a little sad, isn't it? So long as you're enjoying yourself, you can't really be doing it wrong.

What about music? What kind of music do you like?

Things I can dance to. [ He winks. ] What kind of music do you make?

Well, I'm an idol... so, pop music. It's all supposed to make people feel happy first. We do sing slower things, sometimes, but I think I prefer singing songs that sparkle. And they've all got dances, of course.

Edited 2021-09-01 01:32 (UTC)

That's great! It sounds fun, singing and dancing up on a stage.

Oh, it is...! I love it. Even if it's still sort of scary when I'm waiting, it's always been worth it.

[Well. Except--

[It got better.]

It's all I've ever wanted to do, so I'm really happy I got the chance to. Do you have something like that, too?

Edited 2021-09-01 01:51 (UTC)

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volleygenius - 2021-09-01 02:15 (UTC) - Expand

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{ test drive #01 - august 2021 }

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