songerein | { test drive #07

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{ test drive #07 - august 2022 }

✵ TEST DRIVE MEME: AUGUST ✵

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. Special note! Next month marks our first year anniversary and we'll be holding a special little event to celebrate. As such, this test drive is directly connected to its preparation.

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 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 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 as it continues to grow, so walking around and to see what all there is might be a good idea. Many shops and businesses are popping up all the time and most necessities can be found. Although gold coins have been introduced, bartering is still the main method of purchasing and many retailers will waive first time purchases for newcomers. The population is still much smaller than the town itself, so there are still plenty of homes and buildings that are free to claim, and some may still need a bit of cleaning and renovating. Venturing out of the town to the fields and the Wildlands beyond is fine, though many would recommend having an expert accompanying them when going to the Wildlands.

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 refreshing drinks and small cakes. Specializing in teas, their products 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:

Cloud Coffee. A cup of hot coffee with a cloud of sugar floating above it. The steam from the coffee melts the sugar, causing a subtly sweet "rain" of syrup to pour into the cup. Drinking the coffee brings whimsical and playful feelings, not unlike wanting to dance in the rain. (Thanks to dreammotion magic, the melted sugar does not make a huge mess of the cup like it would otherwise…)
Melon Soda. Bright green and fizzy, this drink tastes like late summer and makes one feel mellow and a bit lazy. Dreamers who come from worlds with things like school and summer vacation may recognize the sense of holding onto summer relaxation for as long as possible.
Peach Tea. Black tea brewed with dried peaches and other fruits to create a light and fruity flavor. Drinking this makes one feel like chatting, either with a friend or a stranger, about the “good old days.” Available hot or iced.

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: Although gold coins have been introduced, everything served is free for newcomers as a welcome gift. 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

It's never a dull moment in Reverein and in the surrounding areas. Whether it's fulfilling a job from the latest Dream Board or something else going on, there's always something to do. In this case, as Reverien approaches its first anniversary, locals and Dreamers alike are preparing for a Renaissance Faire sort of festival to celebrate! Currently dubbed "Dream Faire" (name pending, Faire for short), it won't be until later in the month, but there's a lot of work that needs to be done ahead of the festival itself, and there's no shortage of ways for new arrivals to help. Sponsored and funded by the leprechauns and their strangely vast amount of gold and treasure, everyone is ready to pull out all the stops!

A. Plaza Cleanup. Debris from all the wind from last month has built up in the Plaza, so the first order of business is to clean it up so that vendors can begin setting up their booths. Some of what needs to be cleaned out can be used to build booths: driftwood, bits of fabric, an especially cool looking rock, etc. Other items, however, may have traces of dreammotion energy in them that can have some surprising (if ultimately harmless) effects. One predominant effect is floating in the air and causing freak mini thunderstorms in the area. Be careful!

B. Bedazzlepalooza. The directions given for decorating ahead of the Faire is "MAKE IT SPARKLE," and people in town are taking that quite literally. It's a great way to show how far this once run down ghost town has turned into such a bustling, lively town! Items all over, large and small, are being coated entirely in gold and jewels. A magic device that shoots out small jewels and glitter to stick everywhere has been created to help. Perhaps one would like to join in making everything bright and shiny? Or perhaps someone was unfortunate enough to have a personal belonging (or entire self) become bedazzled by a zealous decorator.

Stop, Thief! Of course, having such a large amount of valuables out in the open like this attracts unsavory sorts who will try to gather whatever gold and jewels they can and run off. Keep them from getting away with their ill-gotten bounty!
Ornate Eggs. Beautifully decorated eggs are sometimes seen rolling loosely around, especially near high concentration of gold and jewelry. Many in particular can be seen rolling near the Bank of Leprechaun. Locals recognize these eggs from their holiday decorations the past winter and think someone must have lost a crate to try and use for decoration. Collect the eggs to either put away or to add to the decorations. Careful, some of them get strangely hot when moved away from the jewels and may even zap those around them. How strange.

C. Costuming. No good Faire is without its costumes! Madame Blackbird and other clothiers around town are hard at work putting those costumes together and the theme will be fairytale fantasy. As a result, there are many commissions available for gathering unique materials that can be woven into cloth or used to decorate jewelry and accessories from the Wildlands and beyond. Glistening scales from rainbow fish, shedded wings of pixies and dragonflies, hide of a minotaur, threads from the ghoul worms, flowers overflowing with nectar to attract butterflies so they can stay on the clothes—some will be easier to find than others.

Modeling. For those less inclined to leave town in search of bits and baubles, tailors also need willing (or less-than-willing) models for their costumes. Just stand outside the shop in full costume and try to convince passers-by to come in and have one made, maybe even get into the character or theme of the costume. Hopefully it's not too hot as the heat is still ongoing. While the theme is consistent, with all the different cultures there are various different…interpretations, some quite stylish, others not so. That medieval knight may look more like a Roman gladiator, or that princess is fully decked out in jewelry…mostly jewelry with little fabric (oh my). In addition, some may find themselves stuck in their outfits and will need assistance in changing out of them.

D. Faire Food Preparations. It's going to be a grand feast, one that will outdo the town's first feast the fae had provided them when they first arrived. But in order to do that, the chefs will need special ingredients and foods.

The Great ~~Emu~~ Turkey Leg War. Turkey legs are a popular item at these kinds of events, and a farmer on the outskirts of town who raises turkeys has offered to provide the animals. For obvious reasons, the turkeys themselves are not terribly fond of this plan and have escaped. Some of them even found little army helmets to put on their heads as they scampered off. The farmer has put out a request to catch the animals and bring them back alive (please and thank you). Dreamers are free to take the request or to join the turkeys in their fight against becoming future food.
Fairy Tale Fruits and Veggies. Other farms that are focused on produce have also requested help in harvesting crops ahead of the festival. These commissions include, but are not limited to:
- Beefsteak tomatoes that are comically large in size (might take a few people to lift them). If one cuts into them, will it be a tomato or will it have meat inside…?
- Dragonfruit that may or may not shoot a tiny puff of fire at whoever is attempting to pick it.
- Starfruit that will glitter and float away if left unattended for too long.
- Corn that asks you for the hottest gossip (for its ears to listen to, you see).
Players are also encouraged to come up with their own strange and silly fruits and vegetables in their prompts.

III. DREAMSCAPE TUTORIAL

Instead of being created by the Tapirs, the Bank of Leprechaun is sponsoring a special "dreamscape dive." After extensive research, a special dreamscape has been created to find special treasures that can be found and brought out of the dreamscape to add to the Faire. There are a few challenges dreamwalkers will have to get through, but they assure everyone it's completely "safe" and it'll be good practice for exercising one's dreamotion abilities. And should anyone hear strange roars, the ground rumbling, or strange large shadows…don't worry it's fine.

A. Up the Beanstalk. Upon entering the dreamscape, everyone will find themselves at the bottom of what looks to be a large beanstalk growing against an even larger cliffside. The location of the treasure is in a castle gilded completely in gold situated near the top, and the only way is up. Flying is one way to do it should anyone be capable, but there are large leaves and vines that can serve as pathways. Perhaps one can try to use dreamotion to make the leaves move as a kind of elevator. Not too many threats on the way to the top, except maybe giant flies that buzz around. They won't attack, but the drafts from their wings could easily knock someone off balance. Maybe one could try hitching a ride to fly up.

B. Sticky Hands. Once at the top, a few leprechauns are there waiting in front of the giant steps to help guide everyone inside through a small, opening crack by the giant doors. Of course they're not going in, just giving some instructions and warnings. One big one is the fact that once anyone enters the castle, their hands will become super sticky. For anything non-treasure, it will take some force but they can pry their hands apart. However, the moment they touch any kind of treasure or artifact within the castle, the item will be stuck until they exit the dreamscape via finding a shining crystal and using any kind of dreamotion to activate it. Fortunately they are commonly found…after clearing the trap.

C. Clearing Traps. It's going to start feeling like a real castle raid. Treasure is found quite easily as there are many rooms and chambers filled to the brim with rare gems, jewelry, accessories, ornate weapons, gilded tomes, mirrors, and other artifacts one might expect to find in a treasure trove. However, there is only one way in and the moment anything is picked up, the path changes. Floors suddenly disappear, one door becoming four, tiles lit up into different colors, walls closing in, arrows flying from all directions, mannequins wielding fire and—the classic boulder run. Without hands it'll be more difficult to deal with, but dreamotion will be very effective and can be used to get past the traps. Once cleared, the shining crystal will appear and once activated they will wake up with the item in their arms. Turn it in or keep it!

It's not like these treasures belonged to anyone…right?

Flat | Top-Level Comments Only

[Loki was wandering, although he had no intention of picking produce. Especially not when it realized it all would talk back.]

I mean, I've never encountered talking carrots before, but I'd suggest more they're not very intelligent, since they only seem capable of repeating what one says in a mocking tone.

[He gives a wink in Yoshizawa's direction, and a nod to the carrots. He's baiting them, and hoping she'll realize he's not speaking about her.]

[ Yoshizawa catches the wink, and an amused smile catches her lips in return, the girl stifling a giggle as she looks between the black-haired man and the carrots. Naturally, the vegetables in question are repeating his words, but now that they're using someone's words to insult themselves, it actually seems funny somehow, and there's another laugh, this one less stifled than the one before it. ]

You're right; they don't seem to be very clever after all. I'm a little disappointed in them, honestly!

[ The repetition of her words lacks the punch it seemed to have previously, and she can't help now but to feel relieved. Her smile bright and warm now, she mouths a "thank you!" to him. ]

[Loki's smile was sly, and genuine in his appreciation that the other picked up quickly on the game.]

Oh I'm very disappointed in them. They can't even mock someone right. Truly, what piteous creatures.

[ This time, the giggle escapes before she can stop it, because where her words were repeated with a lack of punch, his are said in a much smaller voice than she expected of the carrots. Part of her wonders if they have enough cognizance to learn from this, but she's not exactly eager to test them. Instead, she grins brightly back at the man. ]

Personally, I'm a little surprised at how quickly they've given up. I thought they might have had more fight in them!

Best to put them out of their misery then, and gather them up.

[Not that Loki made a move to do any such thing. He wasn't the one gathering the produce. And indeed, as the carrots repeated his words they did sound rather defeated.]

[ Yoshizawa gives him a firm nod, and then proceeds to crouch down, gathering the carrots one after the other and placing them in the basket, until she has the amount requested of her. Only then does she straighten up, offering him another smile.

She is sure that when she speaks to him, the carrots will repeat her, but she no longer minds, now that the job is done. Besides, she knows how to defeat them now. ]

Thank you so much!

Oh it's no trouble. Really if they're going to mock, they should learn to do it better.

[Loki was amused more than anything, and just as glad that he also didn't have to do the work.]

I'm sure that's true. But still, I was stuck until you came along, so I really am very grateful.

[ She dips into a brief bow. ]

My name is Yoshizawa. It's a pleasure to meet you!

[Loki dips his head and smiles.]
Well met Ms. Yoshizawa. I am Loki, of Asgard.

[ For a moment, his name provokes a spark of fear, one that writes itself very evidently across her face.

And yet... he does not look like the Loki of which she knows.

Could he possibly be... ]

The... the god?

[ If her guess is accurate, then the fear probably has no reason to disappear anytime soon. ]

[Loki raises an eyebrow. This is the first time here that his name has brought that reaction. It's not an unfamiliar one, but Loki wouldn't say he missed it either.]

God of Mischief, yes.

[ Despite the fact that he's helped her, she can't help but be a little on edge. All the stories she knows tend to paint Loki as a malignant deity, and her association with the Persona of the same name does little to help in that regard.

And yet, this man - this god - has been nothing but nice to her. (If somewhat mischievous to the carrots. Although she can't say they didn't have that coming!) ]

I... I see. [ And then, after a beat: ] I'm so sorry for my rudeness... Where I'm from... um, you see...

Allow me to guess.

[Loki's smile remained, and only had a hint of teeth to it.]

Where you're from, I'm regarded as the 'bad guy'. Not to be trusted nor liked. Betrayer and general nuisance. I am of course, putting this all politely. So you wonder why I would help with your chore too. Am I correct?

That's... that's one way of putting it, yes.

[ Of course, it's somewhat more complicated than that. Where she's from, there are many stories with 'bad guys' - but only one of them made a pact with Akechi and supported him in all the things he was doing.

But also... she's forgiven Akechi, hasn't she? And none of that serves to make this Loki's actions any clearer. ]

Will you, um, tell me about it?

"About what I said regarding who I am? or about why I helped you?" Loki's grin was still friendly, with only a hint of teeth behind it.

The question takes her aback for a moment, even if by rights it shouldn't. After all, kind to her or not, he is known for his mischief.

It takes her a moment, but she manages a small smile.

"I, um... the second question, I suppose. I would never have expected you to help, from what I know of you..."

Then, she realizes how rude that sounds, and color floods her cheeks. She's not doing herself any favors at all in this conversation.

"I. Um. I'm so sorry!"

Loki laughed, and it was with genuine amusement. "It amused me." Simple as that really.

It... amused him.

She's not sure how she feels about that, but she figures she's been rude enough for now. She doesn't want to cause any problems, especially so shortly after arriving, especially with someone as infamous as he.

Yoshizawa nods. "Um. I see! Well... thank you very much!"

"Child," Said with a teasing tone and a sly smile. "I can tell you have more questions. I will allow you to throw rudeness out the window, though I may not answer your questions--but you can ask."

An embarrassed flush comes to Yoshizawa's face in response to that, but she sighs and nods, acknowledging that she's been caught out in her curiosity.

The difficulty now is that he has given her permission to be rude— and yet she herself struggles with the idea nonetheless, never liking to be rude to anyone at all, much less a god in the flesh.

She frowns, bows her head as she mulls it over.

"I guess... Um, I suppose I was wondering how much of it is true? The things they say."

After all, she does know that the words spoken of someone are sometimes exaggerated.

"That would depend on what they say. Tell me what you have heard them say--and while I can't promise I'll answer, we both will have it out in the open then at least so we know what framework we're talking about. Yes?" The slyness in his manner and tone remained, seemed a bit inherent to him. But For all that, it was not malicious--Loki was genuinely amused by this line, and encouraging her to think cleverly. He was curious what she had to say, and may actually even answer if it amused him to.

Well... no she feels like she's in a very difficult spot. Despite the permission given for her to be rude, it still feels incredibly wrong to say much in the way of the things spoken of him, as some of what she has heard is truly terrible. But if anything, at least right now, he seems amused... and while that is definitely a nerve-wracking thing all of its own, he at least isn't angry.

She frowns, drops her gaze a little.

"There are stories of... of... well, I suppose you said it yourself: mischief. Of causing problems just for your own enjoyment. Doing... um, doing what you like without care for others."

"Ah, but sometimes in those same stories I am doing what I please to aid others as well. Think of it as enlightened self-interest." With an indulgent smile. "Also they are stories--and stories, can evolve. So you are not wrong, but you are not wholly right either."

Enlightened self-interest. She can't help but think that such a phrase could be well applied to a group of people she knows; it's enough to make her smile in return, the expression genuine and warm.

"That actually makes a lot of sense. Um... thank you! For explaining it to me."

In this case, Loki had most certainly been doing what he wanted out of enlightened self-interest. Amusement and to help someone being made-fun of. Badly. As in unskillfully being made fun of.

He inclined his head at the thanks, waiting to see if there were more questions.

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feale - 2022-10-02 04:39 (UTC) - Expand

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{ test drive #07 - august 2022 }

III--Local Prompts--Fruits and Veggies.

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