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

[Ah. The realization dawns across Tifa's face, clear as day.]

Another case of the cursed food, I see.

[Clearly, this isn't the first time that this has happened, if her expression is any indication of that, or the way she casually laughs it off as Just Another Day Ending in Y. With his permission, she moves beside him and begins to scoop up some of the hair that's cascading across the ground into her arms, sighing under a breath about how heavy it actually is. She's careful not to tug or pull too much, but it might start to prove difficult the more she picks up.]

My last experience with the food was candy and it turned me into a dog. What was it this time?

Gauging by your response, I'm assuming cursed food is a common occurrence here.

[She's doing just fine. He doesn't particularly feel any tugging. He just appreciates the help.]

That explains a lot. The root of the problem was also due to candy on my end. About how long do the effects normally last?

Wish I could say it wasn't, but I'm starting to think it might be...

[It was a one-time thing with the curse, and before that, the food just came alive and walked around, so... Something's definitely up with the food here, that's for sure.

She motions for G'raha to take a seat on a nearby bench, with all of his hair tucked into her arms. Not so neatly, it's tangled to hell, so she'll have to find a way to get those out first...]

The candy curse had to be reversed by the kids who cast it, but... I'd say give it a day and things should be back to normal. [She leans forward into his view, and raises a finger.] Take that with a grain of salt. I've never seen cursed hair until today.

[ ... ]

What did you end up eating anyway? So I know to avoid it.

[Following her motion, he took a seat nearby.]

I suppose there are worse things that could have happened. [Longer hair seemed harmless enough at least.] Nothing to do but wait it out and hope it passes quickly.

A caramel I believe. Is there aught I could do to help? [He'd feel bad if she did all of the work.]

No, just sit back.

[She's experienced with long hair, and he shouldn't trouble himself more than this world already has for him. Tifa is careful as she lays it all out, spinning it into a neat little pile on the bench next to him, giggling to herself at just how long it is and how stupid these curses are.

One day, they'll figure out an immediate cure... One day...]

We could try cutting it... [Ah, but... There's a low noise in the back of her throat.] Oh, unless it'll just get shorter when the curse is gone.

[Yeah, saying that out loud, the idea seemed better in her head, so scratch that. Instead, she gets to work on combing the tangles out, and that's when he'll start to feel a few firm tugs.]

Let me know if it starts to pull too much.

[Followed by a few mighty pulls for some particularly stubborn knots. Jeeze, the least they could have done was make it so it was combed through!!!]

[Alright. He'll just do as she says obediently.]

I'm sure I can manage for however long it lasts. It'll eventually turn back to normal, gauging off of what you've said.

[Not that shorter hair was the worst thing in the world, but he'd rather avoid it. He does feel the tugs, but they don't particularly bother him.]

My thanks for your assistance. How remiss of me not to introduce myself sooner. My name is G'raha Tia.

Tifa Lockhart.

[With most of the troublesome knots out, she's already started working on getting his hair out of the way. How she'll manage, she isn't sure, but braiding it is a good start. Her hands are gentle as they work their way through, combing each thick bundle of hair before she braids them together. It'll be several sets of smaller ones all coming together into one big one at the base of his neck—that's the easiest way to go about it with this much hair.

It won't be long before she tucks something into the braid—a yellow lily that she's plucked from the ground that had just blossomed at her feet. This brings back memories of doing Marlene's hair...]

So, you're new around here, aren't you?

[She'd remember someone like him around, for sure. Not many people who have ears and eyes like that naturally.]

It's a pleasure to meet you, Mistress Tifa. I arrived but a few hours ago.

[The lily will be a nice touch. He was simply just going to braid it all to get it out of the way. If it looks better than a basic braid, that was all the better.]

[Her eyes go wide before she breaks into a laugh, amused but surprised.]

Whoa! Just Tifa's fine. No need to be so formal!

[Then again, they all come from such different walks of life that maybe that's something normal where he's from?

The ears haven't escaped her notice either, and while it's nothing new to her, she always finds herself more curious than maybe is polite to be about them. And as she continues to slide more of his hair into the giant braid, she taps the end of one.]

You know, not the first time I've seen someone with these.

Ah, my apologies.

[He'll remember that. Although, at this point, maybe he is better just foregoing formalities at this point? This place seemed to have different values when it comes to addressing people.]

I will be sure to remember that, Tifa. [Seemed weird, but he'll adjust.] These?

[It took him a moment to realize what she was referring to. Ears flinching in response.]

Ah, yes. Miqo'tes are a fairly common sight back in Eorzea, but I've come to realize that they don't seem to be here. It seems I stick out like a sore thumb here.

You think so?

[The light sing-song in Tifa's voice implies that she doesn't agree. She continues to braid his hair, folding in the ends of it now. She's gotten pretty good at this, so at least it doesn't take too long to clean up!]

Then I guess you haven't met enough people around here. There're a few others with ears a lot like yours. One with a tail, too. Back in the last world I was in, I met a girl with rabbit ears. I'd say you'll fit in just fine here.

[Besides, the ears and tail are really cute.]

Is that so? That is comforting to hear. I have not had the chance to talk to many people just yet.

[But the mention of another world has caught his interest.]

The last world? Have you been to a place like this before?

[She notices that pique of interest, and Tifa laughs gently as she bends down to pick up another flower so she can twist it into his hair.]

Not my own world, but another one, yeah. A place called Avalon. Pretty different from this place, actually.

[Now that she thinks about it, they have a lot of differences. This one likes to tease her with its enchantments and curses.]

One day, I woke up, and I was here. [Or she fell asleep and then woke up inside her dream? Eh, details.] Not sure why it decided to pick me up from there and not from Gaia, considering the others but... who knows how the universe decides anything?

Time travel can be quite unpredictable. [Spoken as if he's experienced this.] Though I suppose, this isn't quite the same. I'm assuming Gaia is the star you hail from.

We face the unknown when dealing with something beyond our scope of knowledge. Anything could happen and though we may not entirely be prepared, the only way we can know is to make whatever preparations we can in anticipation. Even so, I shan't shy away from an adventure, even if I may not know the outcome.

[A long a nerdy way of saying that he's excited to see what happens here. Adventure time!! Ignore the tail swaying around, Tifa. Everything is fine.]

Edited 2021-11-15 02:25 (UTC)

Mm-hm, [in response to his question, her amusement all too obvious at the way his tail sways, and his voice is laced with clear intrigue and wonder at the thought of traveling to other worlds. It's not all it was cracked up to be for her, but she knows there are others who thrive on that kind of adventure.]

You're in luck, I think. Pretty sure our dream lanterns'll allow us to enter just about any dream, so if you ever wanted to visit Gaia sometime, I bet I could arrange something.

[She would happily take him somewhere nice that isn't Midgar. The Gold Saucer, maybe? Can she do that?]

[Being bound by fate often made you restless for something new and exciting. This was just his first chance to act on it without more important duties or titles holding him back.]

I would be most glad to see what it's like.

[Is it anything like the one he knows of? Rather... has heard about. He hasn't actually seen it for himself yet.]

[Much as she hates it, Midgar might be a spectacle to behold in the architectural sense. If there's one thing Shinra could do, it was build impressive cityscapes... at the cost of everything else.]

Well then, I guess you'd better keep an eye on that lantern of yours for anything that might come up.

[Because who knows, she might just dream herself back home for a while...!

At any rate, she finishes the braid with one last gentle tug, and tucks his hair away so that it secures itself.]

... There! This should hold long enough for the curse to wear off. Might've gone a bit overboard on the flowers, though...

I will be sure to do so.

[With the braid done, now he can admire her handiwork. Shaking his head lightly with a smile.]

It's lovely. Thank you. It reminds me a little bit of Il Mheg.

[What little he's seen for himself anyway. He didn't venture far from the Tower if he didn't have a good enough reason to do so. Eternal life had its limits, after all.]

[Whatever or wherever this Il Mheg place is, it sounds pretty!]

You'll have to tell me about it sometime. And I'll hold you to that! For now, we should worry about finding a cure to the curse. Can't braid your hair like this every day.

Another time perhaps. My hopes are that it'll simply change back in time, but this will certainly help get around easier.

But I think I've kept you long enough. Pray don't let me keep you from whatever it is you were doing prior to this. Thank you for your help.

Flat | Top-Level Comments Only

{ test drive #02 - november 2021 }

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we can prob push this to a wrap!

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