{ test drive #02 - november 2021 }

[dreamposts]

✵ 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.

Comments

[burnbrighter]

[ There is definitely something going on between the other two that Thoma is not privy to - they clearly know each other, and Diluc looks like he'd rather be literally anywhere else. ]

Ahaha, hey now... [ Said as he moves to get between the two men, his hands raised. ] Let's not forget what happens when things get too tense.

[ The last thing they need is another surge of negative emotions to bring the nightmare back. Okay, one of them might not mind it so much, but Thoma would rather avoid another fight. ]

How about we just work on getting out of here?

[marmoris]

[ Well, isn't someone a little bit touchy.

Not that it's surprising, but still, Childe can't help a smirk. He barely has to exist in Diluc's presence and he sets him on edge! What a privilege. He's right, of course. They aren't allies, and more than likely next time their weapons are drawn, they will be pointed at one another. It's what Childe would prefer, at least.

But he isn't going to needlessly provoke the man. Not right now, anyway. Instead, he steps back and away, shrugging without an ounce of weight on his shoulders. ]

No complaints here. You said something about playing with the toys?

[ Ha! His siblings would get a kick out of that. ]

[disdelusioned]

[It takes a few deep breaths, but Diluc manages to get his temper back under control. Thoma's right--getting worked up is going to work against them here. He really hates this dreamotion thing and how it seems hellbent on turning everything back on him like this. At least Childe gets the hint and backs off, even if the smirk he's wearing makes Diluc want to punch him.

The reminder of the toys seems to attract one to Diluc's ankle, a small stuffed dog chewing on the heel of his boot. Right, they still need to deal with them. Defeating the nightmare has only brought them back to baseline.

Diluc tries to encourage it to stop biting with a nudge of his foot, which of course doesn't actually help anything. The toy mistakes it for a game instead, letting go for just long enough to run in a circle around his leg and pounce on his foot again.

He sighs.]

[burnbrighter]

[ The tension bleeds away and Thoma lets out the breath he didn’t realize he’d been holding, stepping away from the other two for the time being. ]

That’s right. Some of them just want to be played with. Even the ones I’ve had to fight has been more like… play fighting.

[ His attention is drawn downward at around the same moment Diluc’s is, though when he lays eyes on the small stuffed dog, he doesn’t try to shoo it away. He lights up, and so does the room, incidentally. Warm, golden light fills the once dark corners like someone went and lit lamps made of soft spring sunshine. If Thoma notices, he doesn’t seem to realize he’s the cause. ]

How cute! Hey little fella, do you wanna play?

[ He is absolutely just gonna play with this toy dog for a while, like it’s no different from the real thing. Don’t mind him. ]

[marmoris]

[ Hey, Childe can't blame it. Even if it is just a toy, it's pretty cute, and now that he knows he's better off not smashing them up, he can lean into it. Given his younger siblings, this is hardly the first time he's had to play with toys.

While Thoma busies himself with the dog, Childe picks up an action figure that's missing an arm, and weighs it between his hands like its a precious, invaluable thing. ]

Wow! You know, I had one a lot like this when I was a kid. A hand-painted posable Fatui agent...

[ He gives the toy a little high-five before turning back to the others. ]

Maybe he'd like to take a ride on your pup! A steed fit for a knight. What do you say?

[disdelusioned]

...

[Diluc watches the two other men embrace the task the dream has given them, Thoma happily treating the plush dog as a real one and Childe leaning into the nostalgia of the whole thing. (Although honestly, a poseable Fatui agent? Why is Snezhnaya like this?) The effect their play has on the room is obvious, light and warmth filling the once-dark corners. Just as the nightmare had picked up on his own negativity, the dream is being molded by the positivity of their play.

Diluc is terse and repressed and feeling rather awkward about having to play with toys, having severed his relationship with his own childhood rather pointedly. But he's not made of stone, and it ends up being much easier than he expects to just go along with the palpable happiness that's flooding the room.

He kneels onto the ground, holding a hand out for a rather ragged stuffed bird to hop over and investigate. After a few tentative pecks, it hops onto his hand and makes its way to his wrist, where it perches proudly. Diluc can't help himself--he smiles, and the room lights up just a bit more.]

If it's to be knights and steeds, then allow this magnificent bird to act as your scout.

[The bird preens at being called magnificent. It's loved!

The three of them play, which is all the toys really wanted. The dreamscape settles and normalizes around them, leaving them unbothered until the dream ends and they find themselves back Central Plaza.]