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songerein2021-10-24 11:50 pm
dreamposts) wrote in songerein2021-10-24 11:50 pm
Entry tags:
{ 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.
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.
nag, nag, nag (lack of concern)
The realization of who this is ceases her in its grasp, and she slows considerably before stopping all together, in shock.]
J-Jude...? Huh?
[There's no mistaking it, bedhead and all. She's in awe watching him, now, gaining the lead from up above, though the sheep at least seems to be slowing down a little?
Oh. Right. He needs help.
Kicking back into gear, she chases after her friend, the wind chimes clanking together and producing a sound that the runaway sheep will find appealing.
Unbeknownst to her.
And even if she had been aware, she's too caught up in who's managed to find their way to this dream world.
In fact, the shock has yet to dissipate.]
Jude?!
... How the heck did you manage to get onto the back of that sheep???
[She asks incredulously. Hitting him with the real questions right off the bat as if this is the best time to do so. Alternatively, he could just let go instead of clinging uselessly like a ragdoll.
That said, he looks ridiculous. And her mind is already imagining every possible scenario for how this even occured. She's not worried though, the sheep are harmless, and she's maybe far too amused at this entire situation now. Already she can just see the headline- Cotton Candy Catastrophe! World-renowned Scientist Seen Clinging Cautiously As Sheep Soars Through The Sky!
She's totally going to write that down the moment she gets a chance. Prioritizing Jude's predicament should probably come first though. The gloating and reveling in his humiliation a close second.]
(concern INTENSIFIES)
bullyingt(r)ough love, grew up with it after all, but Alvin and Rowen would pick on him just for the fun of it, or for the sake of his personal growth, so would the "Adults" put it. Why do they always do it to him SIGH, don't think Jude hasn't noticed that he's the one most privy to their """well-intentioned life advice""".....But that's neither here or there. He has to blink a few times, can't really rub his eyes because his hands are busy with more important matters elsewhere, such as not subjecting himself to crushing gravity, a most harsh and unforgiving mistress. He also didn't let go before because the sheep was idly soaring a good twenty if not thirty feet above ground level, which isn't a very safe distance to hop down even for an Arte-attuned martial artist capable of far jumps, okay! It's just. It's complicated. Jude would rather not talk about it.
So naturally, of course, that's the first thing Leia asks. And as much as Jude is aware that it'd be the polite thing to answer her first despite his own predicament, that the sheep is finally slowing down and noticeably hovering its way to his childhood friend like some moth drawn to a flame is the far more fascinating phenomenon. She clearly has something that's attracting it; he's been on this fella for Maxwell knows how long, and it hasn't acted this way even remotely once since accosting him as a human backpack. There was the sound of wind chimes... That, maybe? Why's Leia carrying wind chimes? So many questions, so many questions...
--Right! Jude had been waiting for an opportunity, and he hasn't lost track of that despite all the twists and turns this exciting day has taken. It is so that once the sheep's dipped below an altitude of ten feet to the ground that he finally lets go, landing lightly on his feet by his friend's side.]
...It's a long story. [It is not. He Snap Pivot'd himself onto the sheep's back trying to catch it right when it was taking off. That's all there is to it.] Hey Leia, and thanks, you really bailed me out. I'm not sure what you have, but the sheep definitely came down because of you. Are you carrying a wind chime?
["Play it cool, Jude Mathis. Play it cool. If you act nonchalant about it, maybe your super nosy and energetic childhood friend won't drill you another dozen feet into the ground about every juicy detail pertaining to your misadventure just now."
...Haah, as if. This may be a dream world, but Jude isn't delusional, which he WOULD have to be if he genuinely believed himself to have any chance in escaping Leia's burning curiosity for even a second. She's a reporter too, for crying out loud! He stands no chance, it's beyond probability. So all he can do is stall with a sheepish greeting, a word of genuine gratitude, and an objective observation; won't take long for Leia to call him out, yes, but until then--! Besides, the sheep's casually made its way back to ground level now as well, joining them as a crowd of three while softly bleating at Leia and tilting its head towards wherever she's stored her wind chime candy. Baaah, baaaaaaaah...]
Aha. Free-spirited and demanding, aren't you?
[Meanwhile the cotton candy sheep's still acting as if Jude doesn't exist, which seems to check out perfectly considering how it was casually yeeting him around on its back just earlier without a care in the world. Oof... But no one's hurt
and Leia's got a (mortifying) SCOOP, so that's a nice silver lining?]no subject
Spectacularly atrocious in most cases, but it's the thought that counts.But that really has nothing to do with anything at the moment.
Especially when the sheep practically stops in midair before turning around towards... her?
That's an unforeseen development. She stops running as the sheep steers towards her, slowly descending in all its (delicious) cotton candy majesty, before trotting over to her and bringing with it one Jude Mathis. Which is still a shock for her. Guess if Milla got here, then this shouldn't be that hard to digest. Truthfully, the shock probably has to do with still lingering feelings that she has. It's always nice to see him, but at the same time...
Well. It's complicated.
But a complication she can easily cast aside as she watches Jude finally get his feet on the ground. The image of him clinging desperately to the sheep forever seared into her mind- a gift that will keep on giving. And she sure does intend to get every detail she can.
Soon.
Because he succeeds in momentarily distracting her. Momentarily. He should know that doesn't tend to last for long. When Leia wants to know something, she intends to find out. What kind of reporter would she be if she didn't? Especially when it's something potentially humiliating about her childhood best friend. And for her, it's been months since she's gotten that kind of fix. She is long overdue.
A fix that will wait just a little longer, as she blinks in mild surprise at his words.]
Hm? O-Oh, you mean this? [she holds up the wind chime that she'd attached to the bag she's carrying, still not quite catching on.] It's a hard candy win-- h-hey!! [the sheep, seizing the opportunity, chomps down onto the candy and starts to eat it.] That's not for you!
[Mortified that her hard work is being devoured right before her eyes, she stares helplessly, her shoulders sagging. Dejected. At least... she has one more left. And the sheep happily bleats, munching on the candy like it couldn't be happier.
It's hard to watch, but her frustration instantly melts away.]
... Aww, I can't even get mad because it's so cute.
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It's Complicated, indeed.
In any case, Jude's eyebrows shoot up a bit at the candy wind chime. Uniqueness and novelty aside, why would you even make candy in that shape? Is it some sort of specialized goods? Do they have workshops to model candies specifically into this form? It's unusual, which makes it all the more curious. He's not left to his musings for long, however, as the sheep just proceeds to
CHOMP
onto the delicate-looking candy without giving either of them any opportunity to react. Wow. Talk about shameless...
More importantly, however, Leia's reaction hasn't gone amiss to him. Her exact type of dejection is instantly recognizable precisely because they've known each other for so long: it's not Leia-When-She-Was-Looking-Forward-To-Stuffing-Her-Face-With-A-Treat-Only-To-Be-Denied (usually because of an accident she herself had caused, but details). This is textbook Leia-When-She-Worked-Really-Hard-On-Something-Only-For-Her-Efforts-To-Be-Dashed dejection. And if that's the case... Wouldn't it mean she herself made that wind chime? It looks too elaborate for her who usually struggles with precision work of most kind, to be honest... Which is true no matter how rude it sounds, Jude is aware, at least he DOES have the common sense to keep that thought to himself. He also knows how hard Leia works better than most people, so it's more than plausible for her to succeed after many attempts.
Thus, the only logical conclusion he can draw is that Leia had managed to craft a nice looking hard candy wind chime, which the cotton candy sheep is evidently attracted to and the reason why it came down in the first place after floating around for so long. Leia really saved his bacon, only for the proof of her hard work to be promptly stolen. Man, he really owes her one, doesn't he? Jude may be Really Dense in some areas, but he's plenty sharp in others. Besides...
Look at her recovering so quickly already, not a hint of any grudge on her face as she watches the sheep happily snack away. That's Leia, alright - and that thought, he means it the fondest way he can.]
Yeah, that. Sorry about that. [He's scratching his cheek as he delivers the apology she is very much due, Leia's wind chime hard candy wouldn't have met this crunchy fate were it not for him.] I'll help you make more? I've never tried making candy before, but there has to be something I can do. I do owe you one.
[It's a dangerous proposition that has far too high probability for her to prank him and/or take advantage of him in some way, he is quite aware, but that's not important right now. She already caught him in an embarrassing situation, so that ship has long sailed. How much worse can it get, right? Right?]
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Especially when the sheep began eating the wind chime she worked so very hard on. It took her so many tries to get it right! And the sheep did eat the better looking of the pair she had. The gift won't look as nice, but the effort behind it should come across.
And that's why Jude's offer is shot down almost immediately. And Leia, not being the greatest at hiding things, stumbles over her words, wildy waving her hands, because she can't very well admit to why she made it.]
Uh, n-no!! It's fine! Don't worry! I have an extra one. I mean, it's not as nice looking as the other one was, but it'll do.
[It's important that she made it. Because it's a gift. If someone else makes it, then the right feelings wouldn't come across!
... Not that she's trying to convey any particular feelings other than gratitude. That's all.
Her slightly flustered reply is punctuated by the sharp, loud crunches as the sheep, continuing to ignore the both of them, fills up on its delicious treat after flying for spirits knows how long.]
2/2
Anyhow, you can totally make it up to me by giving me all the juicy details of this little adventure you had. I think that's fair! Never took you for the sheep herding type.
[She saw the opening and she took it, grinning mercilessly in the process because, oh man, this is bound to be good. Especially with how guilty he feels over her losing the candy she made. He better spill.]
1/2
He wants to insist. Surely there are means for him to help her while keeping the final product hers? Double check the measurements, warm her when the timer's up or things are at the right temperature, things like that? There's plenty of ways he could assist her without touching anything with his own two hands, which would keep all the hard work hers, right? May be loopholey of a tactic, but sometimes, you have to resort to that sort of thing to get results. Jude was starting to learn that firsthand, interacting with less-than-generous Elympion businessmen interested in marketing the fruits of his research.
But Leia said no, quite insistently at that, and Jude knows how to pick his battles (sometimes). He'll just have to tuck that away for later, but candy making, huh? That's kinda cute. Wonder who she's making it for?]
Alright then. Can you just tell me where you were making them? I'm kinda curious, so I'd like to take a look myself later.
[Totally innocent and plausible motive, right?
(...This sheep sure is brazen...)]
no subject
There's nothing "juicy" about what happened. I was just trying to catch one, because one of the local Spirits asked me to. [They're not exactly Spirits but kinda close, right?] Turns out it caught me in the end, I guess...
[Leia is like a dog with a bone. She is not going to let go, not even the truth can placate her. He can already feel it, help]
no subject
Thankfully, Jude doesn't ask for an explanation, and it's left at that. Though, heading back there isn't a bad idea. She hasn't seen Jude in a while, and it'd be nice to catch up. And, of course, give him a hard time- her favourite hobby. There's no telling how long he'll be here (she's no stranger to watching people she cares about coming and going) and she intends to make the most of it. Sorry, Jude, you will not be spared today.
In actuality, the one with all the juicy details here is Leia. She's been on this little adventure for about eight months now- which is definitely why she's not the least bit fazed by anything. Hard candy wind chimes, cotton candy sheep, talking furniture, possessions, candy golems, Alvin turning into a frog, Julius and Ludger being alive, fairy tales becoming reality... she has a lot of stories to write. And she's been keeping a journal of everything so far. It's hardly newsworthy here, but back home? It'd definitely garner a lot of interest.
... She's probably going to end up talking his ear off, honestly. You know, after she finishes grilling him. What are childhood friends for, after all?
The sheep continues casually munching on the wind chime, and she looks back at it and Jude.]
Actually, why don't we just head back there? They did ask you to catch this little guy, so we should probably bring him back home.
[Then his worst fears are quickly confirmed.]
And while we're on our way there, you can tell me whatever details you're leaving out. Like how long you were trapped up there before I saved you.
[It's really nothing important. What is important is watching Jude squirm. What kind of reporter would she be if she gave up that easily? Get with it, Jude!]
no subject
At least he's a good listener and has patience in spades, and while he may not have been flung through as many otherworldly adventures as Leia had, after crossing the Schism and accompanying Ludger on his journey, Jude's got enough extraordinary experiences under his regular belt to keep more than just an open mind to whatever she may have to say. It'll take some adjusting, certainly, but he's always been flexible and adaptable. The catching up will admittedly be rather one-sided; it hasn't been THAT long ago since he last got in touch with Leia back home, even if it was just through their GHS. They've both got busy lives, after all, and have goals important to them that they were quite determined in seeing through. Now, however...]
You were on your way back though, weren't you? I don't want to interrupt your plans for the day, Leia, but if you're sure it's okay, then I'll come with you. [As if he doesn't know how willing Leia was to drop everything in order to torment him, sigh (internal). It IS nevertheless reassuring to have familiar company, so this is a sacrifice he's
used towilling to make, especially when she seems to know her way around already.]...It wasn't that long... [Mumbled almost petulantly as he drops his head, trudging alongside his childhood friend and the happily eating sheep like a sad dog.] Half an hour, maybe? [It was more than half an hour. Jude isn't the lying type, buuuuuuuuut... To his excuse, it was hard to keep track of time up there, alright,]
no subject
Plus... there's no telling how long Jude will be here for. Not only can her friend wait a few hours, he doesn't even know she's stopping by to begin with. So this works out!
Yep! It's been decided! It's time for some good ol' fashioned catching up amongst friends! She immediately cuts in, super loud as always and overly enthusiastic.]
Heck yeah, I'm sure! I haven't seen or heard from you in eight whole months, and I got a ton of things to tell you! [plus just... spending any amount of time with Jude, alone, is always nice. mostly.] Besides, you're better off coming with me in case you try your hand at sheep herding again.
[And she just had to go there, of course. Never mind the things she's gotten up to here that were equally, if not more, embarrassing. As if she's spilling any of that, though!
With that, she moves behind him and places her hands on the back of his shoulders, gently pushing him forward.]
Now, c'mon, get the lead out!
[The sheep couldn't care less, of course. It just happily follows along in the hopes of more candy.]
no subject
In any case, now that he's here... Leia sure is going to drag him all over the place, isn't she? Especially so when they don't have their previous jobs anymore, things are bound to become lively with the sudden influx of free time and proximity. But more importantly:]
Eight months? You've been here for that long, Leia? [THAT revelation has his back straightening and his eyes widening, and she just tossed it out so casually! That's a long stretch of time, but suppose it does explain her burst of enthusiasm that did seem to feel even more intense than usual, contrasted to what he was used to before. A lot can happen in eight months, he knows very well firsthand considering how massive of an impact the past two years of his life had been on his own character. Yet as far as he was previously aware of, Leia was doing fine as a reporter and never went missing for any stretch of time. Suppose this lends reassuring credence to this world indeed being a dream world, and they don't have to worry about the flow of time back home? But in that case, hmm...
--Wait, no. He shouldn't get distracted about the possibilities, and even if they're interesting, he can theorize about it later on his own time. Right now, he's with Leia, and she apparently hasn't heard from him for eight months. That's... worrisome, frankly, so he's focusing on that first.]
I already said I'll come with you, and I've learned my lesson. [He's very much letting himself get pushed, but isn't whining or complaining and doesn't seem to mind much
for once. Even the jab at his sheep misadventure is glossed over, in favor of far more important matters:] Were you here by yourself? Do you live with friends or alone? Have you been eating well?[She sure LOOKS fine, but he can't help it. What do you mean these are questions a mother would ask, he's just Concerned for her!]
no subject
In fact she has a lot to tell him. Except maybe not everything. But one thing in particular she's been keeping quiet about because she knows the second she says it, Jude will gravitate towards that.
The second she mentions how long she's been here, however, he wastes absolutely no time acting like he's some sort of parental figure. Wow. Missed you, Jude, but didn't miss this nagging! Not even a little. Leia groans, annoyed.]
Ugh, and there it is! Classic Jude chiming in with his trademark nagging. Look, are you forgetting that I live, alone, in Elympios? I'm perfectly capable of taking care of myself.
Seriously...
[If he was expecting her to appreciate any of that, or think of it any other way, he's sorely mistaken.
However. She trails off, that fight in her dying off fairly quick because, well, guess the cat's out of the bag. While she tries not to seem visibly saddened, Jude will feel her stop pushing him forward as Leia just stops, as if confronting something she had been ignoring. Her tone considerably softer than earlier.]
But... to answer a couple of your questions, no, I wasn't alone. Alvin was with me the entire time, and we lived together, up until the other day. Then he just left. [vanished. here one day, gone the next. she still doesn't know why, or how. but it bothered her- maybe a little less now after talking about it with Marui. anyway, that aside, not really wanting to get into it again, there is some good news.] And there's someone else. I was going to save this as a surprise for later, but...
Milla is here.
[She meant to tell him about Milla first thing. She was going to, but... Jude tends to get super fixated the second her name comes up. As he should, of course, and Leia would eagerly encourage it, most of the time. She's their biggest supporter, after all! Guess she was being a little selfish keeping Jude to herself for a little while.]
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So he's mildly frowning as he cranes his neck and tries glancing back to get a look at her, even as she continues shoving him forward.]
I doubt it's the same thing, and you probably do too. Even if you know this place better and are used to it, it doesn't change the fact that it's a different world entirely.
[His nosy nature may have started as a means to be acknowledged and valued, but Jude's no longer that sheltered and inexperienced boy. It didn't matter if his concern annoyed Leia and made it almost seem as if they were fighting, he's not looking for her approval and it's just How They Are. Childhood Friend Things, not everyone would understand.
...But then, she stops shoving to elaborate, and that has his steps stall in turn. Alvin was with her? It does alleviate his worry, the fruit seller's mellow and flexible nature was well suited to play along with Leia's enthusiastic and explosive energy. But then he just left? Suppose that's not too hard to imagine, logically makes sense that if people can end up here so suddenly, then they can also vanish the same way. Losing someone is never easy, however, especially partings with no warnings. He knows it all too well personally, and speaking of which--]
no subject
His rational mind crashes to a halt, resulting in a blank stare for a few seconds. Leia sure called it (of course she would): he really is far too taken with the Lord of Spirits, but at least unlike before, he's learned to be healthier with his
obsession devotion worshipfixation....
......
--Ah, right. Focus; focus. He turns in earnest now, so that he can face her properly, eye to eye.]
Thanks for telling me, Leia. So you lived here with Alvin for the past seven months... Do we know what happens to people who are gone?
[Of course, Milla is as good as the world to him. But the world they both cherished had so much more than just each other in it, never mind the fact that they're not even in that world any longer. Leia sure did drop that bombshell on him just like that, huh? It's another piece of extraordinary news on top of an already extraordinary day filled with nothing but incredible things he's new to, maybe some of that did end up in helping cushion the impact of this particular revelation.
Doesn't change what's in front of him in this very moment, though. If it's supposed to be good news, then why did she look so sad, the moment prior? Leia's always been quick to shift between moods, gets depressed just as easily as she hypes herself back up all over again. Jude may be willing to quickly dismiss some of her antics, but others...
She really got close with Alvin during that time, didn't she?]
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In any case, he's asked, and she simply sighs, sadness ebbing away, shoulders drooping, resigning herself to giving him at least a little explanation. What she can't help with is explaining to him why Alvin's departure upsets her as much as it does. Because not even she really knows. He's like her partner in crime, and she thought they'd see this little adventure to the end.]
Ah, well, actually, it's a little more complicated than that. We both were in some other world kinda similar to this one? Only more developed. Then most of the people there got brought over to this one. So we've only been here, in Reverein, for two whole months. As for what happens when people leave, outside of returning home, I don't know. I'm not sure if they get a warning either, like the last world, or if it's sudden.
[That's it, that's the gist of what she knows. But she knows he will keep right on worrying, so she quickly adds:]
Honestly, I'm fine, Jude. Don't worry. And Milla is still here... although she can be difficult to keep track of. [she manages a small smile.] Not surprising, right?
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But he's no longer that clingy boy today, and while they share the same goal in the end, his path is different than hers. He knows it as he knows himself, now. So... "Sorry", Leia, but she won't distract him that easily with the mere mention of Milla's name. Thus he's wholly focused on her and what she says, attentive and thoughtful as she goes on.
Leia and Alvin have world hopped twice. Was the one before this place also a dream world? He's curious, but it's not of immediate import. Neither were missing from back home as far as he knew, so it does seem like their adventures in this dream world and whatever world they were in previously didn't impact anything in the Prime Dimension. That she's implying the other world was more developed... This one is more basic? It's definitely more Rieze Maxia than Elympios, is that what she means? But again, more curious details he can save for later. The two do sound related though, if supposedly a good chunk of the populace from the previous place were all brought to this one, Alvin and Leia included. Disappearing without warning also checks out considering how people get here without one, something he's already experienced himself. Besides, while Alvin may have done something like up and leave without a word in the past, he's changed a great deal since too, and he certainly wouldn't abandon Leia of all people on purpose after everything they've been through
unless he really wants to be punched by Jude again....Does give him a general overview of what Leia may have been through, but it's so vague that it almost feels like nothing at all. You don't just gloss over 8 whole months like this, especially not in new worlds governed by laws completely different from what they were used to. He's still got plenty of questions, and Leia's explanation only created more. But this isn't a good time to entertain every last one of his thoughts and theories, so he'll get to that later, after catching up with her.]
...Right.
[Basically, "ok fine I'll take your explanation at face value for now, but don't you think this is the last we'll be talking about it" 8|a]
That's Milla, alright. [The Lord of Spirits does w/e tf she pleases and no one stops her, don't they both know that far too well. He imagines she must be just as curious in her own way to be in a place like this, wouldn't surprise him the least bit if she's been all over already. So he returns Leia's smile with a faint one of his own, motoring right on:]
So how's life been like here, for you?
[There, he's switching the topic onto something else: asking straight up for her to talk about herself. Better? :v]
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It sucks not knowing.
But also... maybe there really is no reason. And what if he's home now, feeling terrible that he's not with her. That's also painful to think about.
The only thing she knows is that, however or why it happened, she doesn't blame him. Rather, if someone is at fault, it's probably her.
So, she just prefers to distract herself. And she tells herself that, whenever she gets back home, that she's going to make him buy her lunch for an entire month straight to make it up to her. And he's getting blasted with every frog meme she can find.
Now...
The unfortunate part is that Jude didn't take the bait. Which, one would think, would make her happy because here's a guy she's crushed on for half her life wanting to give her his undivided attention instead of running off to be with someone he's fallen for (at least in her mind). But instead, this means... he is giving her his undivided attention. And drilling her for details that he's probably going to have kittens over if he knew half of what she's gotten into.
Yeah, Jude. Just wait till they get back to the farm. She's going to grill the owner for any more details about his little sheep herding blunder and embarrass him in front of everyone. Poor guy's digging his own grave.
Speaking of which, they need to start moving, so she holds out a piece of the broken wind chime and starts walking as she wastes no time answering the question he settles on throwing at her. Her enthusiasm has fully returned, and she finds herself just naturally rambling away...]
Super busy! Except when it's not. That's the thing, with this world and the last, sometimes it seems like there's too much to do, and then there are days when you can't find enough to tide you over. But I've gotten to meet all sorts of wonderful people, and I've had a lot of fun adventures. I've been trapped in a fairy tale, then I met a witch that specialized in making potions, hunted gummy fish in a lake, took down a golem made entirely out of candy corn, and I got into my first bar fight! Then there was the time Alvin and I nearly made off with this poor guy's dog, that was actually a foot rest, because we assumed he was the one that turned all the people and pets in his castle into furniture and was holding them captive. Turns out it was just a curse, and we got cornered by angry furniture and forced to dance together.
[Did Jude's poor brain handle even half of that? Because she just rattles all of it off like it's the most natural thing.]
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That's more Leia's shtick.He wouldn't bring it up again unless it's affecting her in the long term, and she's far too good at springing back to let it show. Suppose time will tell, whether what she does is healing or self-destructive...In the meanwhile, he's following along, though his steps are more mechanical and he's not quite watching where he's going. Even though he should really be paying more attention to the landscape, especially as a new arrival.
...
......
.........
Where does he even start??
No really, like
w h A T]
Bar fight?! [Jude feels sorry. For every single individual whose ass got kicked by Leia, miscreant or not, because that's the only way it could've played out as far as he's concerned.] Did you get billed for property damage?
[yes out of everything she's said he's starting with this one,]
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Or, maybe, just any details in general. If she can. Namely, because she's not the greatest liar.
She does appreciate that he thinks she won. How she wishes that were the case. Truth is, Alvin was right. She never stood a chance, but that didn't mean she should have given up. She's no quitter.
Still, Jude's fixation earns him a flat glare. Because, wow, Jude. Just wow.]
Seriously?? I mention cursed furniture and that's what you focus on?
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Does Leia realize, that her non-answer actually tells him a LOT more? A victorious Leia would waste no time bragging to him all about how she'd trashed the competition, she does like to talk about herself and how she conquers challenges after all. The fact that she's immediately deflecting, it's basically the same as saying the other outcome aloud, only makes sense right? If you eliminate the impossible (aka Leia NOT bragging if she won), then the only other possibility left was, well...
...
And thankfully, thankfully, Jude isn't dense enough to push it. So it didn't go well, huh... Guess he'll just have to tuck that bit of revelation to the back of his mind for later, he's not really interested in aggroing Leia (any further) right now (or ever, tbh).]
It was easiest thing to follow along, what about it? [Sigh...] I was going to ask about the witch and what sort of potions she made next, but fine. So... a curse turned people and other animals into furniture?
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Still. She knows that Jude knows, and that only makes it all the more frustrating. But at least he isn't nagging her. Guess miracles really do exist.]
Never mind! The point is I said all these super cool, impossible things, and you went right for the most normal sounding one! I'm just trying to prepare you because that's the sorta stuff you'll find here- curses, witches, weird animals, candy that gets pissed off and turns itself into a giant monster. You may also be forced to fight sometimes, too.
[That last part? She knows how Jude feels on that particular subject.]</small
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bloodher extroversion he can follow, yeah?]They do sound pretty crazy, but it's still difficult to imagine it all just because you said so. I--["got carted off by a cotton candy sheep so I got a taste of it already", he almost went right on, but stops himself the last moment and ends up just giving the sheep still following them an awkward glance.
...Motoring on with a faint clearing of his throat,] --ahem, I mean, there's supposedly dreamscapes we can enter where surreal and illogical things can also happen, right? I've heard about it in passing, but that's all so far. Are what we can encounter there comparable to what you're describing?
[...To Jude's credit, he manages to swallow a grimace and just gives a sigh instead. No he does NOT like it, but he won't shy away either, if he really has to. Their journeys hard fought across not just two but countless other fractured worlds were ample testament.] ...Thanks for the warning.
[He sounds very lacking in enthusiasm.]
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Though, there are some similarities between the two worlds she's been in, some more glaringly obvious than others. While some aren't at all.]
Those dreamscape things aren't messing around. There's only been one so far, but it was a real doozy. Hard to say how comparable it is to the Realm's Drafts, though, but I think they're pretty similar in that a lot of weird stuff happens- more so than usual, at least. And not all of it is good. So I'm serious when I say you're gonna need to be prepared. No chance I'm letting you keep your nose buried in books the whole time you're here!
[That's right. She should probably launch sneak attacks on Jude just to keep him on his feet. It's going to be fun!
... The sheep, as if siding with Leia, turns its head and opens its mouth, wide, to take a giant CHOMP at Jude's coat.]
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Realm's Drafts? I don't think I've heard of that one just yet. And... well, can I get a better idea of what's happened here the past two months first, before we move on to the practical part? Dreamotion sounds like it's pretty important, so of course I'm not opposed to learning it. Is there a library here actually, speaking of boo--
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