songerein | { test drive #02

✵ 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

[It wasn't new to her, really- a number were curious as to what exactly the scales were like, and on such a guarded (and in the case of the xaela, enthusiastically aggressive, ~~Sadu~~) race it was hard to have the chance. To be fair, she wondered what his ears felt like.

Oh, the twirl was a dream and she bowed in kind; with no crowd or awaiting lords to impress, it was proper to show respect and appreciation for such a wonderful dance. It slowly bubbled into her consciousness that she had her own body back.]

Laying the heart bare, communication via the body... you can say so much more through dance than speaking. Thank you for sharing a little piece of joy with me.

[She looked around and the light in her eyes dimmed to normal. Flowers were growing through the floor and the windows were somehow less grimy, letting shafts of sunlight in.]

...A messy joy, it seems. Is this "dreamotion"...?

[He hadn't noticed the room around them change since they'd managed to get past the creepy dolls. Noticing the flowers now, he chuckled lightly.]

I never knew so much could be communicated through dancing. It was fun, nonetheless.

[Kneeling down to pick one of the flowers, he set it over her horn, tucked into her hair.]

It seems dreamotion can vary from person to person. Are you feeling any better now? [Now that she has her form back anyway.]

[Who knew joining a dance troupe could teach somebody so much about managing one's emotions and new ways to aid and inspire people? She merely started because she wanted to shake her tail feathers, but came away with some rather integral skills. Perhaps G'raha, too, could benefit from them. It's a self-confidence booster, if anythi-

...Or maybe he was incredibly bold and needed no such thing! She reached up to run her fingers over the ends of the newborn blossom, smirking up at him.]

Like a new daylily. ...Tell me, do you sweep everybody off their feet, Ser, or have I "dreamotioned" sprigs of catnip in my pockets?

[Tsk. Just so, isn't it? She even playfully checked her pockets for the little purple suckers.]

[The real shame was that this confidence was not obvious to him. Not until she teased him once more. This was his life now. He just had to accept it.]

Wha- I... That's--

[He needed to stop doing whatever he was doing. It just keeps backfiring on him.]

T-That's not my intention. [Gods. Do not actually pull out catnip or so help him.]

[Fortunately for him, she wasn't at the level to specify what exactly would grow from her emotional state. Yet. Her pockets were mercifully empty and, with a shrug, she patted them flat again.

Gods, he's cute. If she knew this was the new Scion she would have popped out of the Toll's kitchens and paid personal delivery visits to the Rising Stones more often. Shame on her.]

Of course, of course. Though, if it ever were to be your intention...

[Let's go in for the kill, shall we? She reached up and seized the length of his scarf, let it run through her fingers as she stepped away to examine the foyer further.]

...I've been in the market for a dance partner.

[Right. They were in a dreamscape right now with violent dolls. Perhaps that was enough... With that, let's check out these bookshelves, shall we? Maybe there's something interesting in here, like a hint on how to get out of here or why the dolls are like this. It'd be rain on the picnic if they found a way to open doors.]

[He's doomed. This is criminal, ma'am.]

I-I'll... keep that in mind.

[His head is spinning. Oh right, they were in a dollhouse. He'd completely forgotten by now with all of this flirting; unintentional or not. Time to redirect his attention to getting out.]

Has it gotten quiet out there? [Were the dolls still active?]

[That's weird. These books were all blank. She furrowed her brows. Maybe they were just for show. The point was the dolls and handling threats and perhaps cursed forms. The latter had been resolved, but the former-]

Hm?

[She paused, tuned in. Nothing but the rhythmic ticking of an old clock in another room. After returning the book, she crossed to the door they'd come in from. It creaked terribly as she eased it open and peered into the room beyond.]

You're right. Maybe if they've calmed down we can leave the manor.

[Well, no killer dolls has come after them yet and she was back to normal. It would probably be better for them to leave while they had the chance.]

Let us quit this place then. Shall we?

[Thankfully, getting out was a lot easier than getting in. It would be hard to miss the scattered weapons and dolls strewn about the room, but he paid it no mind as the left. He made sure to keep a close eye on behind them as they made their way, just in case any of them tried to mess with them.]

Yes, I've... had my fill of cursed places and things.

[Strange. Had they done something? There wasn't anyone else around, or maybe the other walkers had been sealed in different parts of the manor. She hoped they'd find their way out, because theirs seemed to be pushing open the front manor doors to the ceaseless light beyond.

Should others be trapped, she would come back for them. But for now, she was finished.]

{ test drive #02 - november 2021 }

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