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

[The sudden gasp and slip of the cup from her hand surprises van Zieks enough to snap him out of his bitter spell, and he sets aside his own drink as he pulls a handkerchief out of his pocket. One or two tea stains are hardly a problem for his boots, given how much wine he's probably stepped in... so he kneels down himself to assist her with the cleaning. Frankly, it would be wrong of him to leave such a task for a lady to handle alone.]

Allow me.

[It seems uncharacteristic of her to be clumsy, almost—at least from what he's seen. She's young, certainly, but her words and movements have always seemed carefully measured to him. Even those impressive throws. So he has to ask:]

Are you alright?

[ He's... actually assisting her. Down on his knees. Something about the image just seems so fundamentally wrong, Susato shakes her head as if to shake herself into action. There's no way she can allow that, surely. ]

Yes! I am. I've got it. Really.

[ Without pushing him away too much, she finishes cleaning up her blunder and sits up again with relief. She finds herself chuckling a bit, mostly out of nervousness but partly an after-effect of the tea. ]

What was it Mr. Natsume said? "Always drink tea hot"?

[They'll just have to deal with aggressively being polite and helpful at each other for the duration; Barok's handkerchief ends up soaked in the spilled tea, and he leaves it to dry on the table. That done, he returns to his seat, sending her an inquisitive look.

Who?]

... Ah. Your jittery friend, with the moustache.

[Yes, yes, of course. Van Zieks returns to his own cup, which has perhaps unsurprisingly become chilled thanks to the moment of icy bitterness. He takes a sip, and lets himself recall that trial. The man did say that, didn't he? However:]

"There is nothing more refreshing than cold tea." [He glances at the remnants of her poor cup, and the spot where the liquid used to be.] ... Perhaps we should order you another.

Edited 2021-11-05 06:50 (UTC)

Ah. [ Good point... Susato puts in another order with the tea faeries, still kind of flabbergasted that Mr. Naruhodo isn't paying for this, but it's stopped bothering her too much.

Then she turns, shrugging. ]

I thought I should order you one too.

[ Perhaps this one won't heat or freeze up. ...Or maybe she should be trying to repeat that. Just, maybe without tea in her hand. ]

It is still so strange to me, how they don't collect payment.

My thanks.

[Similarly for Barok, it's extremely strange having no money to throw at people. He has to trade and barter services or something?? Bizarre! But the price of a cup of tea is hardly enough to register to him, so he can't say he feels like he owes these magical creatures.]

Perhaps they expect us to assist with the restoration of this village.

[ She can understand why he might struggle with the idea... work? Ha! But after hearing the tea faeries interact with other clients for long enough, she has to agree with him. ]

Perhaps, if we are here long enough... but I admit, I still expect to wake up any moment aboard that steamship.

The fact that it hasn't happened is... [ concerning. To say the least. ]

[Barok doesn't quite share the concern, even if he thinks this particular dream is strange in other ways.]

Dreams tend to seem longer in the moment than after we've awoken. We may recall little of it at that time.

[He's barely taking this seriously at all, somehow... ~~a mistake that will be rectified soon enough.~~]

[ So she might not even remember this place? ...Maybe that's for the best, but somehow a part of her is sad at the thought. Still, she manages a teasing chuckle. ]

So I may not even remember that I shared tea with the great Barok van Zieks? What a shame.

[He clears his throat, for the moment uncertain of what to say. The tea may have made him a tad more talkative, but it hasn't granted him the ability to respond well to affectionate teasing from someone who, until very recently, he had all but dismissed as his lesser.]

Yes... well.

[give him a minute.]

... It's likely few would believe such a story.

[ If there was ever proof she was in a dream, it was this, because she could swear he seemed just a little flustered. Which. Only amuses Susato more, if her smile is anything to go by, but no. She must remain composed. ]

Yes. You're probably right.

[ She spares him any further small talk, then. He has never seemed like the type, so for a while she just sips at the remainder of her tea, remaining quiet but oddly comfortable.

She thinks back on her time in Great Britain, and all they have accomplished, and suddenly the Naruhodo-shaped hole in her heart is even more evident.

Where in the world is he? ]

I just realized that in all this time, I still haven't found him. Mr. Naruhodo... [ She growls, as if cursing her under his breath. ] Forgive me, but I don't suppose you've run into him?

[The idea of Mr. Naruhodo also being here hadn't quite crossed his mind, but Miss Mikotoba is the first familiar face he's seen as of yet in this dream world. Perhaps she has the impression their usual proximity would somehow link them here as well?

... but he has to admit it is strange to see her without the man in black by her side.]

I have not. [But who knows.] If I do, I shall inform him his assistant is searching for him.

[ Because she was with him on the steamship, she simply assumes he was pulled into this world as well. A rather silly mistake, but she will learn her way soon enough. She bows her head in appreciation. ]

Thank you. Then I think I'd better keep looking... for his sake.

[ Like, before another murder happens. ]

Will you stay?

[... yeah, if he's here, he probably should have someone looking out to make sure he doesn't get in trouble. The man seems to be a magnet for it, among a number of other things.

He bows his head, both to answer her question and to wish her farewell.]

Until next we meet, Miss Mikotoba.

{ test drive #02 - november 2021 }

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