songerein | { test drive #02

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{ test drive #02 - november 2021 }

✵ TEST DRIVE MEME: NOVEMBER ✵
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. Note: the TDM timeframe is the start of November, after the Halloween events. Refer to the Game Info for general information and feel free to toss any TDM related questions here. Reserves are open and Applications will open on November 1st. The next application cycle won't be until March, 2022.

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. 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.]

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 has filled in a bit, but it's still larger than the current population and 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...just be careful.

D. Dreambucks Café. There is a certain quaint little café back in the Plaza that is known for its refreshing and unique teas and drinks. Called Dreambucks, it's 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:

Caramel Delight. A caramel flavored tea with a few spices to add a little warmth to the taste. Just a few sips will make anyone want to find the nearest fireplace, grab a blanket, and settle in as they reminisce on happier moments.

Cranberry Cheer. A strong, flavorful cold juice that will renew one's vigor by leaps and bounds. ...And also make one leap and bound away through their day. Drinking this will inspire one to spread good tidings and festive feelings, be it left over from Halloween or some other seasonal festivity they may be familiar with. General good will to all is also an option.

Hazelnut Hot Chocolate. This warm drink can be topped with moon and star shaped marshmallows and is a perfect alternative for those who may prefer a more mellow drink. A drink of this will develop a want to share stories from nostalgic memories to riveting adventures to chilling horrors—whatever may be on their one or feel creative to make up.

Although it doesn't always happen, sometimes the drinks 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. CANDY CHAOS

Despite the dramatic events that occurred during the dreamscape and the after effects still waiting to be seen, some good things happened as a result of the Halloween festivities. Looking ahead to other holidays, a few people are trying their hand in making candies. After all, they all can't rely on the fae for everything and with new resources at their disposal, there's no excuse now.

A. Candy Mining. One morning a few friendly gnomes that dwell beneath the town pop up and announce that one of the caves has changed from normal rock crystals to candy rock crystals. More strangely, once mined they change color and flavor depending on the person's emotions or their last dream is at the time the candy rock crystal is removed. Ready to create something new, various candy makers send out requests for various "flavors" to experiment. People are welcome to try and create their own kind of candy or other crafts with the new candy rock crystals as well. However, the gnomes will warn that the candy rock crystals may explode if anyone who had strong nightmares or extreme emotions touch them, even after they are extracted. So take care!

B. Cotton Candy Sheep. A new type of sheep has been discovered (or introduced? Who is to say—) roaming just outside of the farmlands and it appears their wool is made out of cotton candy. While one might be wary of eating straight off the animal, it is said the wool is not only delicious, but could actually be used in clothing if processed correctly. Of course, that still needs to be tested so who knows if it's true. For now, some would like to herd them to the corrals, however they are fast and flighty creatures, capable of hopping several tens of feet into the air and float away. The best way to lure them is to create hard candy wind chimes as they are not only attracted to the sound, but also the taste. The sweeter and crunchier, the better.

C. Trick Candy. Halloween may be over, but the idea of using candy for silly pranks is eternal. One day there will be full "joke" shops around, but for now candy will be the focus. A contest is being held for anyone to not only learn how to make candy, but devise ways for them to turn into fun pranks. Turning one's tongue a different color is too basic, how about something that could change the entire body? Or hair if that's too difficult. Those not part of the creative process will also be exposed to the end products—and failures. Some taffy rope that's decided to slither around and tie people together, a giant jawbreaker expanding to the size of a large boulder rolling down the streets, people taste testing bubble gum now floating in the air—the possibilities are endless.

III. DREAMSCAPE TUTORIAL: HAUNTED TOY HOUSE

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 Haunted Toy House with everyone stuck in a life sized doll house filled with cursed toys.

A. Feeling a bit stiff. Upon entering the dreamscape, some dreamwalkers may find themselves looking a bit like a cursed toy, so hopefully no one mistakes them as an enemy. The form can vary from a wooden doll to a plush toy and always with some kind of corruption or missing piece. A truly ghastly appearance that would scare any child and spawn nightmares. While in this form, dreamwalkers may find their abilities a bit altered to fit the form.

B. House Traps. There are numerous rooms in this strange house, and some might even feel they are in a piece of Escher artwork instead with stairs going here and there and upside down. With it being a dreamscape, the concept of gravity is certainly otherworldly here. While some rooms are harmless, others are filled with traps. Spikes shooting down from ceilings; doors sealed shut as the walls close in; floors turning into black goop or disappearing completely. It's a giant maze and one has to wonder if that giant exit sign is real or another trap (it's another trap). Best way to disarm the traps and obstacles is using one's imagination and test out those dreamotion abilities.

C. Corrupt Toys. Inhabiting the house are several toys ready to pounce on their new "visitors." Fortunately they can be beaten back easily and can be "purified" to return to their original state. All it requires is a nice "injection" of positive dreamotion energy, though how that can happen varies. A healing spell, a smack from a weapon created from positive feelings, encouraging words—the toys just feel lonely and abandoned. Playing with them may also help turn them into allies. The more toys "purified," the less corrupt the house will be in turn. However, if more become corrupted instead, things will turn into even more of a dangerous nightmare and noctaere may start appearing.

Flat | Top-Level Comments Only

[ The Malice gurgled when Samus touched it, a few flakes of black ash-like substance rising up from its surface, but was otherwise unresponsive. ]

[ Zelda's attention was fixed solely on the orb of light in her hands, so much so that she didn't hear Samus enter the dilapidated building. The pulsing light from the orb slowed, then stopped complete, glowing steadily. A ripple shimmered over its surface and the orb began to change shape, like a ball of clay being worked on a potter's wheel. The sphere turned squat, bulging out at the sides, while a round ball the size of a cherry sprouted at the top. ]

[ Sweat glistened on Zelda's forehead as she concentrated on the orb, shaping it with her will. There was the head, the two wings. Little stick-like legs popped out of the bottom, like splintered toothpicks. All that was left was the tail. It was almost done. It was almost a bird! ]

[ A sudden motion in the periphery of Zelda's vision grabbed her attention and yanked it away from the bird-orb. The princess's eyes flicked momentarily to the source of the movement---a white, blue, and red humanoid shape---then went immediately back to the orb before she could get distracted. ]

[ But it was too late. The moment Zelda's eyes were back on the bird, its shape reverted immediately back to an orb, then turned from gold to red and exploded in her face, splattering her with Malice. ]

AUGH! Gods take this awful place!

[ Samus had just barely had enough time to react before the orb exploded. She could practically feel the shift in the air as the orb began to change colors and prepare to explode. Arm cannon immediately raised, back-stepping quickly, and shooting up at the globs that were threatening to splatter over her. Not all of them-- some still got on her. But she clearly got the bulk of it, while making sure to aim forward and up. Away from the sitting girl.

It might've been an overreaction, in hindsight. The globs didn't seem to be doing anything to her. Or the girl, for that matter. She seemed more... frustrated, than concerned. Just what was she doing?

Samus just looked down at her expectantly. Cannon lowered, arms lax. Expression indecipherable, but body language clear. Explain, please? ]

[ The orb exploded like an over filled water balloon, Malice splattering in all directions. The majority of Malice splashed right in Zelda's face, causing her to cough and sputter. Curse this place and its ridiculous magic! Emotions were a terrible source for magic power. ]

[ With obvious frustration, Zelda wiped the dripping Malice off her face. Previously, she had enough time to throw the orb away from her before it exploded, but this time the distraction caused Zelda to lose control over her magic much faster than before. ]

[ With her eyes clear of jam, Zelda was able to get a better look at the person who had interrupted her: a towering figure clad entirely in armor, with what looked like a miniature cannon where their right forearm should have been. They were conspicuously free of Malice splatter, save for a couple of tiny drops. The young princess, long hair sopping with Malice, was irrationally miffed by the sight. Not to mention that this person hadn't even apologized for interrupting Zelda's practice. ]

Didn't anyone ever tell you not to sneak up on people who are concentrating?

[ Well. She certainly didn't seem like she was in any real trouble, did she. Certainly not enough trouble that she didn't have the time to be a brat. Duly noted.

Samus looked at her for a few more seconds. Silent, lax, visor continuing to hide her expression. In a way, it almost looked like she was... disappointed. But no, that wasn't it. Disappointment implied expectations. She ultimately chose not to engage the question. ]

What were you doing.

[ Her voice was low, curt, but clearly feminine. The armor hid it well, but there was no mistaking the voice. ]

Edited 2021-10-27 03:30 (UTC)

Practicing. [ Zelda's tone was similarly curt when Samus finally responded. She was unusual, this fully-armored feminine-sounding person. While Samus had been staring her down, Zelda realized that they were probably one of the newly arrived dreamwalkers, the ones that the tapirs had shouted about in a panic to the residents of Riverein. Suddenly finding oneself in an unfamiliar world was an excusable reason for rudeness. ]

[ Zelda drew in a deep breath, then let it out slowly, taking a moment to calm down. ] I'm... not very good with this place's magic, so I was trying to practice. [ This time, her tone was calm and level. ]

[ Zelda uncrossed her legs and pushed herself to her feet. ] You've just arrived, haven't you? I think I'd remember armor like that if I'd seen it before.

Edited 2021-10-27 14:29 (UTC)

[ This place's magic. That was the part Samus latched on to. She wasn't unfamiliar with magic-- her missions often led to encounters where the lines between technology and mysticism got exceedingly blurred. ~~Like I dunno, Chozo ghosts?~~ But she'd never really flat out believed magic to be real. Just unexplained technology. Chozo technology often came off like magic, given how advanced it was.

But then again, this was a dreamscape. Perhaps magic was real here. She would have to adjust her expectations, going forward. ]

Magic.

[ She rolled the word around in her mouth. Sounding it out like it was something she'd never even said before. Her head tilted slightly, inspecting the globs on the girl, the floor, the walls. Her magic resulted in this? ]

I did. [ She said, still looking at the walls. Before finally, settling her visor on Zelda. ] How long have you been practicing today.

Edited 2021-10-27 14:49 (UTC)

[ The way Samus said the word "magic" almost sounded skeptical to Zelda. She couldn't understand why, unless Samus came from a world that didn't have magic. That seemed almost impossible to imagine. Magic was as common a part of Hyrule as the earth, water, and sky. A world without magic... why, that would be like a world without plants, or air, or people. Could such a place even exist? ]

[ Zelda looked up at the sky to check the position of the sun. ] A couple of hours or so. [ Having realized how long she had been sitting on the floor, Zelda suddenly noticed how stiff she was. She reached out to stretch her limbs. ] Why do you ask?

Take a break.

[ There was really no reason why Samus should've felt the need to help this girl. She'd been a brat earlier, and it was more than obvious she didn't want unsolicited advice. But it was also obvious that she was frustrated, that she was trying to improve. And for a brief moment, Samus reflected back on her training with the Federation. That need to prove herself. That streak of insubordination. That blatant disregard for following orders she didn't agree with. She could see some of that here.

For a moment, she wondered if this was how Adam felt when they first met. ]

Assuming this requires concentration, you won't be able to concentrate if you're fixated on your failures. Take a break. Try again later. Don't be discouraged.

[ Zelda had been subconsciously steeling herself to receive criticism for her many failed efforts to successfully manifest a bird using dreamotion magic. So when Samus responded with actual helpful advice instead, Zelda didn't know quite how to take it. She stared at Samus, momentarily dumbstruck, as the words bounced around in her mind. Samus wasn't annoyed? Impatient? Disappointed? Zelda was so accustomed to being criticized by her father for every time she failed to awaken her sealing magic that Zelda had long since stopped expecting any other reaction. Failure and criticism always went hand in hand for the princess; to hear anything else was completely unexpected. ]

Thank you. [ Zelda's voice was a mix of incredulous and genuine gratitude. ] I think I will take a break. That's a good idea.

[ Zelda took a step like she was about to walk away when an idea struck her and made her pause. ] Would you like me to show you around? Since you're new here and everything.

[ Samus nodded once the girl said she was taking a break. It may not have been the world's most amazing advice, but better to say it than to not. Maybe she needed to hear it. Whatever the case, Samus had begun turning around, prepared to hear out the way she came--

--Until the girl offered to show her around. Samus mid-turn, stopping. Glancing over her shoulder, back at the blonde. Weighting it in her head for a moment... before nodding again. This time, in response to what she said.

She could do with some context from someone who lived here. ]

[ Zelda waited for a moment to see if Samus had anything to else to say, but apparently that nod was it. ] All right, then. We're close to the plaza, so I think we should start there.

[ Without waiting to hear if Samus would have any objections (they didn't seem to be the talkative sort), Zelda picked her way out of the collapsed building, past the armored figure, and out to the connecting alleyway. ] You probably woke up in the plaza, I assume. That's where all of us woke up at first. I imagine one of the little tapirs was there to greet you and explain what this place is, so I'll probably end up repeating some of that.

[ Zelda spoke as she lead Samus back to the plaza. She paused here and for a moment to give Samus a place to interject if they felt like it, but didn't let the silence linger. It reminded Zelda of when Link was first assigned as her knight, shadowing the princess wherever she went but speaking nary a word to her. ]

[ Samus nodded, falling into step behind the girl. Her footsteps relatively light, even while wearing what looked like full armor. She was grateful that this girl was taking some time out of her day to give Samus a tour, even if she ended up repeating some of the things the tapir said. Just the act of being guided to the different parts of town would go a long way to help Samus familiarize herself with the setting.

But there was something the girl said that Samus wanted to address. ]

You said this is where all of you woke up at first. What do you mean by that?

The other dreamwalkers. [ Zelda weaved through the narrow alleyways with the ease of someone who had grown up in a tightly clustered city like this. ] You saw that there were others with you in the plaza when you woke up, correct? Not city folk, but other strangers who looked confused and out of sorts.

[ Zelda turned a corner and the alleyway suddenly opened up to reveal the plaza, the heart of Reverein. She stepped out into the sunlight. ] That same thing happened around two months ago to a different group of people, myself included. I believe we were the first to arrive here. The city was much like you see it now, largely destroyed, but back then it was empty, save for the fairies.

[ Dreamwalker.

Samus wrote it off when she first heard it. Something flowery and poetic to give their arrival more meaning than it might've actually had. Those were her thoughts when she first heard it, back when she wasn't aware of the nature of this place. But now? Now she realized just how literal the term was.

She didn't like the idea of being stuck in some kind of shared dream, but a term to denote who else was in the same situation would come in handy. However, she had to wonder if the existence of dreamwalkers meant there had to be "dream natives". Or perhaps she was reading too much into it. Something for later. ]

It was empty? [ She'll just ignore the mention of fairies for now. It was a dream world, after all. ] What changed in those two months?

Empty of people. [ Zelda clarified the statement as she lead Samus towards the fountain. It gave a good view of the plaza so Zelda could explain more about the nature of this dream world and point out some of the newly repaired buildings. ]

It seems that some sort of... [ Calamity. ] ...disaster befell this place at some point and left it devoid of the people who constructed this city. We don't know much about what happened, and if the fairies know, they aren't keen to share. All the people living in the city now awoke here unexpectedly two months ago. Or, rather, we awoke as dreams.

[ Zelda sat down on the edge of the fountain, pinching her nose. She hadn't ever considered how to succinctly explain the nature of Songerein. Everyone in the city had arrived at the same time and learned about it together. Zelda never considered that there might someday be others arriving. ]

I'm sure Solei explained about your new dream body. [ Zelda wasn't cognizant enough to retain the tapir's explanation when she first awoke. ] The you that is standing here right now is, quite literally, a dream version of your true self. The real you is slumbering back in your own world. Some sort of... strange force-- [ She waved her hand in an exasperated motion. The princess was still frustrated by the many unknown factors in their arrival in Songerein. ] --capable of crossing time and space, summoned a dream version of yourself to this world while you slept.

Purportedly, everyone who has been summoned here is tasked with restoring this world. How we are to do that remains muddy at best. Simply our presence here seems to be causing the world to change. Buildings are restored by surprise when they had been damaged before. New species of plants and animals appear as if from nowhere.

[ Zelda took in a deep breath and exhaled. ] I suppose I've less answered your question and more provided you with a dozen more.

[ A world devoid of life after a disaster. That hit closer to home than it should've. Thoughts of K-2L, Zebes, and SR-388 entering her mind, if only for a moment. Samus brushing it off as quickly as it came, unwilling to let the thoughts take root. It wasn't important right now.

No, it was the mention of a strange force that made Samus narrow her eyes. Something she'd already suspected, confirmed by at least two sources now. It wasn't dissimilar to Phazon, something capable of splitting a planet into two different planes of existence. But clearly this was at a much larger scale. ]

You've answered plenty.

[ Her voice was curt, but there was a strength to it. A confidence that made it clear she knew more now than she did before. She knew the metaphysical aspect of this world was a confirmed fact-- or at least, it was treated as such. She knew some strange force was behind it, potentially some energy source with a will of its own, akin to Phazon. Now all she needed to find out was why, and how.

Why did this world need restoration, and how was this being achieved. ]

The tapir. Is it a native?

[ It's hard to get a read on how Samus is taking this explanation. Their tone and body language don't really give anything away. ]

Yes. There are other tapirs as well, as you're sure to see around town eventually. The proper name for them is "dream eaters," but I don't quite know if they consume dreams literally or in a metaphorical sense. There are others here who seem to have such creatures in their home worlds. Asura told me they are called "Yumekui" in his world.

There are many other native creatures here as well. [ Zelda pointed across the plaza towards Dreambucks, which is currently abuzz with patrons. ] That café is staffed by tea fairies, for example. There are other varieties of fae around the city as well, and more in the farmlands and wilderness outside of town. There are also plenty of dangerous creatures even further beyond.

[ Samus was growing less and less fond of the terminology in this place. Words like dreamwalker, dreamotion, and dream eaters leaving a sour taste in her mouth. It all read like some kind of storybook, like something a bunch of children would come up with. Which wasn't inherently a bad thing, but what it wasn't was helpful.

It felt like something larger was at play. Like all these explanations and terminology were born from trying to make sense of a world that already existed. This didn't sound like anyone knew the origin of any of this. And that's what put Samus on edge.

The idea that everyone was running blind, and there might've been no real explanation. ]

I see.

[ Samus decided to focus on her original point of intrigue. The strange force the girl mentioned. It was most likely connected to this Dreamotion energy, if Samus had to guess. The magic the girl showed certainly backed up Solei's claims that Dreamotion had multiple applications. She had to wonder, then...

Could she tap into that herself? ]

... Thank you. You've given me a lot to think about.

[ Zelda looked over at Samus curiously. That sounded rather like a goodbye or something. ]

You're welcome. [ There was kind of an uncertain inflection to her words. ] There's still plenty more to see, if you'd like. The city is fairly sizeable and this is only the plaza.

I'd like to ask you something first.

[ It was sudden, but the thought had rooted itself in her mind. If Dreamotion powered this world, and this girl could use magic as a result, then it stood to reason Samus could tap into this. She glanced down at her left hand, bringing the hand up to look down at it. Fingers curling and uncurling, her thoughts drifting to her last battle on ZDR, and the revelations that came with.

No, she didn't need to tap into that. She was perfectly happy keeping that side of her dormant. But perhaps... ]

Your... magic. Is it powered by Dreamotion?

[ Zelda bristled at the word 'magic.' It wasn't on purpose---Samus asking questions about dreamotion magic was neither offensive nor unexpected---it just happened whenever the subject came up. Especially since touring Reverein with Samus had sufficiently distracted Zelda from her dreamotion magic failures earlier. ]

It is, yes. [ Her tone was unintentionally short. ] As we are dream-versions of ourselves living inside a dream world, we are not able to access our usual magics; presumably, those remain with our real bodies in our own worlds. However, we are able to use magic powered by the energy of this world, dreamotion. I theorize that the reason is because we ourselves are likely composed of dreamotion energy, but I cannot yet confirm that.

So it's not magic.

[ The words left Samus' mouth before she could rein them in. But hearing them out loud, it was like a switch had been flipped for her. She glanced back down at her hand, once more flexing her fingers. If this girl was right, and everything was made up of Dreamotion, including their bodies...

Then the principles of Dreamotion and the principles of Aeion should be similar. An energy source that powers an entire ecosystem. Permeated into everything, capable of enhancing the body. Giving one new abilities that push the limits of human capacity. Of metroid capacity...

She closed her fist, tight. A moment of silence, of focus... as her shoulder pads began to pulse. Green lights becoming blue. Pulsing faster, and faster, and faster--

Until Samus gasped out loud, composure dropping for a moment. Dropping to one knee, out of breath, as the lights flickered out. Back to their steady green, Samus wide-eyed under the helmet. Her display showed the suit hadn't been upgraded for Aeion compatibility, and yet... one glance at her HUD made it clear what just happened.

Upgrading suit for Aeion compatibility. ]

Edited 2021-11-08 18:27 (UTC)

[ Zelda was in the middle of preparing a retort about how dreamotion was magic when, all of the sudden, the lights on Samus's armor started flashing. Zelda hurriedly scooted away from where she was sitting on the edge of the fountain, putting several feet between herself the lights that began to strobe faster and faster. She stared at Samus in panic, mind racing with frantic thoughts about shouting for help or running away before something dangerous happened. Zelda was paralyzed, unable to look away. ]

[ When Samus collapsed, all thoughts of self preservation disappeared and Zelda leapt up. She dashed over the the kneeling figure, dropping to her hands and knees on the ground and looking up at the woman behind the green visor. ]

Hey! [ Zelda suddenly realized that she didn't even know this person's name yet. ] Are you all right? Are you hurt? What happened?

[ She hadn't expected that to work. Which was why it didn't work.

Samus grunted, trying to regain some of her composure. Her left hand pressed against the ground, as she propped her right knee up, resting her arm cannon on it. Aeion came naturally to her, but she'd gone into that little experiment expecting it to be a dud. After all, she was expecting to use abilities her suit told her she lost.

But that was the trick, wasn't it. This Dreamotion energy, it could be just about anything, couldn't it? All she had to do was allow herself to believe it. Have faith and focus. ]

I'm alright. [ Her voice was a little breathless, but otherwise, she mostly regained her composure. ] Doing a little testing of my own. I think you're onto something...

[ She closed her eyes again. This time, taking a slow steady breath. Head tilted down, as she closed her eyes. Focusing once again, the lights on her suit once more strobing blue.

Activating Scan Pulse
This time, the lights went off faster. A light blue wave pulsing out of Samus, rushing over the environment, but affecting nothing. No force, no wind, no anything. Just light blue particulates floating through the air, the residuals of the blue pulse. And suddenly, Samus spoke up: ]

There are thirty-seven people around us. Majority in the cafe. Nine looking in our direction. None hostile.

Edited 2021-11-08 20:27 (UTC)

[ Worry was written clearly across Zelda's face and "I'm alright" did little to erase it. Samus sounded a little strained, and Zelda suspected that she was one of those people who would say "I'm alright" even when missing a limb. ]

[ The strobing lights made Zelda flinch when they started up again, but this time she held her ground. Her gaze flicked rapidly between Samus's face and the lights on her armor. Zelda tensed with nervous anticipation, waiting... and then gasped at the flash of blue light that pulsed from the armor. Her gaze was too slow to follow it as it lit across the plaza. ]

[ At the sound of Samus's voice, Zelda looked up at her again, incredulous this time. ] Is that what you did just now? You... counted them?

{ test drive #02 - november 2021 }

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