songerein | { haunted carnival | test drive #08

Entry tags:

{ haunted carnival | test drive #08 - october 2022 }

HAUNTED CARNIVAL

Full details on everything can be found here, but an important reminder that this event log doubles as our Test Drive Meme and information can be found in this section.

This means any outside characters participating in the log are canonly logged as appearing in Songerein in October and will remain in Songerein from the IC date of October 25 through 31 (this log is forward dated to the 25th). However, outside characters can only thread within this log, so for those seriously considering the game, you are welcome to use non-festival prompts for your toplevels. Anyone who apps in and is accepted will have their character count October as their first time in the game without any disruption, so all content will carry over. Those who do not apply will disappear which should not seem too unusual as people randomly disappear already, however players in game can choose to retcon and pretend a character was never there to begin with if it would be easier; or even think their presence was just a dream.

IMPORTANT! All outside characters MUST have "TDM" in their subject line, even if you might not app. This will help people differentiate those who are already in the game and those who are not.

TDM threads are required for samples. Refer to the Game Info for general information and feel free to toss any questions here. Reserves will open Tuesday, October 25th and Applications will open on November 1st. Our application cycles are bi-monthly so the next cycle after won't be until January.

TDM Toplevel Link Directory (click to view; updated 10/28)

American McGee's Alice - Alice Liddell
Avatar: The Last Airbender - Azula
BlazBlue - Noel Vermillion
Case Study of Vanitas - Vanitas
Dangan Ronpa - Chiaki Nanami
Devil May Cry - Lady
Final Fantasy VII - Cloud Strife
Genshin Impact - Albedo
Genshin Impact - Eula Lawrence
Genshin Impact - Kaeya
Genshin Impact - Razor
Great Ace Attorney - Ryunosuke Naruhodo
Helluva Boss - Blitzø
Helluva Boss - Octavia
Jujutsu Kaisen - Fushiguro Megumi
Kaze Hikaru - Okita Souji
Library of Ruina - Angela
Mikagura School Suite - Yuto Akama
My Hero Academia - Bakugo Katsuki
Octopath Traveler - Ophilia
Original Character - Kate Galloway (Jigoku CRAU)
Original Character - Marie Daenthelm
Original Character - Pauline Bonheur
Persona 3 - Ken Amada
Promare - Lio Fotia
Shadow Hearts: Covenant - Yuri Hyuga
Tales of Berseria - Magilou
Tales of Berseria - Rokurou Rangetsu
Tales of Berseria - Velvet Crowe
Tales of Hearts - Chalcedony Akerman
Tales of Hearts - Hisui Hearts (Aefenglom CRAU)
Tales of the Rays - Baldr
Touken Ranbu - Hizen Tadahiro
Touken Ranbu - Ichimonji Norimune
Transformers IDW - Soundwave
Your Wings and Mine - Shealtiel

I. CARNIVAL FUN

The moment a guest enters the carnival grounds, there is a high chance (read: optional) they will find themselves changed in some way to fit the spooky, haunted atmosphere. Instead of just wearing a vampire costume, the character will actually turn into one. Of course, how much of a transformation varies between complete to partial changes. It should be noted that this is only a cosmetic and ability change—no matter what someone changes into, they won't have any personality changes…unless one of the carnival attendants cast a small enchantment to make it so. Of course this is by chance as well (read: optional).

A. Haunted Food. While there is some standard fare carnival food around, the Haunted Carnival has some unique items with even more interesting effects:

Caramel Apples: Tart green apples dipped in caramel and decorated with chocolate to look like they’re covered in spiders and spider webs. Eating one of these will have the dreamer feeling crafty and industrious, just like spiders themselves often are. Also, the idea of eating bugs (or even other spiders?!) suddenly seems strangely appealing…
Cherry Blood Popcorn: Popcorn drenched in cherry syrup and decorated with candy bones. The combination of sugar and dreamotion energy leaves the eater feeling giddy and cheerful, somewhat in contrast to the gruesome appearance of the treat itself.
Funnel "Brain" Cakes: Funnel cakes colored to look like brains when served. Comes in regular or zombie brain varieties. Eating one makes you feel lethargic and hungry, like the only thing that matters is your next snack fix, but you’re not willing to do much more than shamble toward it.
Mummies in a Blanket: Small hot dogs wrapped in biscuit dough and decorated to look like mummies. After eating this, you may or may not want to wrap yourself into a blanket and take a nap—ideally somewhere dark and spooky.

B. FUN AND GAMES. Mixed in with the food vendors are several booths advertising a variety of carnival games, including but not limited to the ones below.. The prizes you win may or may not be cursed. Best of luck!

NERF Gun Shooting Gallery: Use dreamotion to shoot foam darts from a gun at various ghostly and ghouly targets lined up on a platform. Advanced players may want to try their hand at making the guns shoot other objects. Water? Fire? Glitter bombs? The only limit is one’s imagination.
Ring Toss: A series of witch hats are lined up, and the objective is to toss rings on the hats for points. Did something just peek up from under one of the hats? It’s probably nothing to worry about.
Potion Bottles: A variation of the milk bottles game wherein you throw balls to knock over flasks and beakers filled with strangely-colored liquid. In most cases, the spilled potion is totally harmless. Once in a while, however, it may have some interesting effects on the player and/or the booth itself.
Slime Pit: There’s a giant pit of slime with a sign next to it: prizes within for those willing to get a bit messy! Said prizes range from giant candy bars to random silly toys to skeletal limbs…? Oh that belongs to the skeleton having fun in the pit, they might want it back.

II. ATTRACTIONS

A. Hall of Mirrors. A classic maze of mirrors that are usually filled with special effects to make one's reflection look distorted. In the beginning the distortions are more humorous, making one look super skinny or extremely curvy. However, the deeper one goes, the reflections begin to look a bit…strange. The mirrors begin to reflect the "worst" side of an individual, but in a more embarrassing manner. When they first wake up in the morning, having a bad hair day, dressed poorly, being lazy on the couch—mostly benign things that would be embarrassing to show others. But there are some that may reveal one's darker self they wish to hide from others and are forced to face—especially when the reflections will step out and follow the original until the end of the maze. They won't do anything, just follow silently like a shadow, but even that may be taxing for anyone, especially if others see. The reflection must either be pushed back into an empty mirror, or it will disappear on its own when exiting the building.

B. Wild Carousel. The creatures on this carousel are not just colorful painted steeds but are more frightening in nature and looking more undead than living. Skeletal horses, direwolves, fanged deer with bloody horns. What makes this ride truly terrifying, however, is that the creatures are alive, restrained only by the pole stuck through them. But there are times when they manage to break free, causing havoc as they run through the park. The only good news is they don't attack, instead aiming for the carnival food as if hungry. Either hang on or help capture them back!

C. Cirque du Souleil. Near the center of the carnival is a large circus tent, and it boasts a variety of shows that are death defying, terrorific, and guaranteed to make everyone scream in fright and awe. The usual acts are available to see: acrobatics, musical performances, theatrical skits, and using ghostly steeds to ride through the large arena. But what makes this circus unique is that all the performers are capable of separating their soul from their physical body, similar to astral projecting or dreamwalking outside of dreams and being visible to all. And now they're asking for volunteer pairs to either participate in a more simple act such as an acrobatic stunt on the swings or tight rope…or eat a special candy that will allow them to have an out of body experience via dreamwalking outside. The only "flaw" is their dreamwalking form will tend to float up to the top of the tent, so their partner who hasn't eaten the candy has to tether them via dreamotion to get through some simple obstacles. No worries, the professionals will help return the soul if they get lost.

D. Spinning Bumper Cups. A combination of the classic bumper cars and spinning cups rides, this attraction has its riders in skull shaped bumper cars that will randomly spin. Riders have the ability to fire off "pumpkin bombs" at the others, which will splatter pumpkin goop to slow down their car. It will also make the car spin for a few rotations. Dreamotion will also help boost the speed, stabilize a spinning car faster, and make the pumpkin bombs more explosive. Just be careful—the barrier around the arena is made of bones and therefore quite brittle. It's not unusual to see a car spin out and lose control driving through the carnival grounds. Stop the runaway car and bring it back! Or shoot people with pumpkin bombs.

E. Ferris Wheel. Ah, the ferris wheel, a gentle ride that elevates one high in the air to allow them to see the sights below, in this case the entire carnival grounds and the surrounding areas like the bordering forests, the Observatory, and the edge of Reverein. However, as with everything in this carnival, the ride is not always so gentle. There are times when the entire ride accelerates to a faster pace, causing the (fortunately) enclosed cabins to rock dangerously as it rotates around. There are times when it keeps going, not letting anyone off until three rotations. And then there are times when the top half of the cabin disappears, exposing the riders to the cooler winds. Fortunately handle bars will appear they can hold onto, but no seat belts. Enjoy the view?

F. Other Rides. There are plenty of rides and attractions at the carnival, too many to list all of them here. A roller coaster, tower drop, gravitron, bungee jumps, pendulum ship—whatever one might think exists, it's there in all its twisted nightmare glory. One thing they all have in common is the more fear and thrill and screams generated, the faster they go. Just hope the ride doesn't stall and get stuck…

III. HAUNTING CLUES

Although the main purpose for these prompts is to find the clues, anyone is free to use them for general use and not focus on getting the clue. For those who do participate, we'll be asking for thread during our Activity Check! Those who are TDMing regardless of application can also have their threads counted by commenting to this thread and following the directions.

#1. Haunted Dollhouse. There is a special building called the Haunted Dollhouse. It's similar to a haunted house, however this attraction is filled with moving porcelain dolls that will try to scare and chase those who enter (it's quite likely some members of the newly added Porcelain Town have volunteered to help). Sometimes, those who enter are cursed into a doll and are now vulnerable. They are also not always able to move on their own will. This is not great as sometimes the dolls kind of…malfunction and will actually become aggressive. The weapons they wield are also not props, so that's a problem. However, they are small and can only inflict minor wounds and can be easily taken out.

The main clue here is "Villains!' I shrieked. 'Dissemble no more! I admit the deed! Tear up the planks! Here, here! It is the beating of his hideous heart!" To help both those who have turned into dolls as well as get the clue, everyone has to find the right place where some candied hearts are hidden. Fortunately the "blood trail" (it's raspberry syrup) will help lead them to the right place.

#2. Abandoned House. A little away from the main attractions there is a run down house surrounded by trees…and a lot of ravens. A raven with red eyes will guide those who dare or wish to face a lost loved one to the house. Inside it's just filled with faceless busts and empty paintings, but soon they are filled with the images of those lost ones. It could be a person, pet, thing, but they are there, just staring. Only the eyes and mouths move, and what the person hears are their insecurities and fears related to how they lost whatever they see. Anyone else will either see the original blanks or their own personalized images.

The main clue is "And the Raven, never flitting, still is sitting, still is sitting // On the pallid bust of Pallas just above my chamber door // Back into the chamber turning, all my soul within me burning // Shall be lifted – nevermore". To get out of this house, they have to first look for the bust that has the red eyed raven on it. This will be tricky as there will be many ravens with different colored eyes. Once they do, there will be a small picture frame. They must manifest one or more of the images they are seeing and capture it into the frame. This is simply done by waving it like a net, but the manifestation can move around. This can be as easy or difficult as a player wants, and how affected the character is from what they see and hear can also be a factor. The more affected they are, the easier it is to manifest but difficult to capture. The less affected, it will be more difficult to manifest as they have to tap into that raw fear, but will be easier to capture.

#3. Hay Bale Maze. Just outside of the circus tent is a large hay bale maze with the hay…looking as if it's seen much better days. It's filled with spooks that like to jump scare maze goers or bodiless limbs that reach out to grab, but aside from that it's harmless. Except for one particular figure.

The main clue is "Who dares?" he demanded hoarsely of the courtiers who stood near him --"who dares insult us with this blasphemous mockery? Seize him and unmask him --that we may know whom we have to hang at sunrise, from the battlements!" There is a red clad figure wearing a skull mask. He will randomly bust through the hay walls and engage maze goers into a fight. Those who are incapable will flee in terror while the figure will chase, which will be a pretty good clue as to where he is. Once engaged, any weapon and dreamotion can be used at their disposal and the challenge is to just simply best him in a fight (not to the death). Striking the figure even once will earn a victory and the skull mask will be granted.

#4. Musical Catacombs. For a bit more lighthearted fun, there is an underground catacombs that is filled with tombs. Some of them have actual skeletons and ghosts sleeping in them, but they won't harm anyone if bothered. Just be a bit cranky, maybe throw a bone. At someone's head. Down here it's quite lively, filled with music, dancing, and a lot of alcohol. Minors will only get sparkling juice.

The main clue is "'Ha! ha! ha! — he! he! he! — a very good joke, indeed — an excellent jest. We will have many a rich laugh about it at the palazzo — he! he! he! — over our wine — he! he! he!' // 'The Amontillado!' I said." One of the games is a dancing game where the tombs will light up a certain color and participants have to properly hit the correct corresponding floor panel (basically a music rhythm/DDR themed game). Should they make a perfect score, one of the tombs will open and have a crusty wine bottle in it. It has competitor and co-op mode.

Flat | Top-Level Comments Only

[Eustace only takes a few steps in silence before he finally answers.]

Rather than strength... I've had twenty years. Their voices used to haunt me, and I blamed myself a lot in the first few.

Survivor's guilt.

[He just speaks calmly, as if telling any other story.]

But I had someone to point out how I was wrong and redirect it to something else. It still took a long time...and I still hear those voices. But I remind myself that's not their thoughts but my own guilt.

I've also witnessed others in similar positions of yourself handle the guilt of losing their subordinates, taking that responsibility. I can't say I understand completely, but I can see the similarities between you and them.

[ Trahearne's gaze drops to the floor, taking in what Eustace tells him. A small part of him is touched--he knows his friend isn't much to talk about himself, so for him to offer a brief glimpse into his past like this is an honor. ]

I'm so sorry, Eustace. Twenty years is a long time. I hope...things are easier for you now.

[ His wounds are still fresh, just barely beginning to scar in comparison. And it's only because he was lucky enough to have found himself here in Songerein that he's getting the chance to heal. Would he have spent oblivion in pain if not?

But Eustace is right, in a way. Trahearne understood the weight of his role and the weight of the lives of his soldiers, and only now with the time to reflect, he sees the cracks in the mirror. The face on the other side telling him these things is still himself. ]

Thank you.

[ It should, he thinks, prepare him for what comes next.

Trahearne flings open the door at the end of the hallway, revealing a room mostly bare. Besides the rich blue of the wallpaper on the wall, the only other decoration in here is the life-size marble statue of the Pact Commander, regal features perfectly preserved in stone. On his shoulder is perched the red-eyed raven.

Trahearne smiles. He had his own raven, didn't he? It looks so...natural. ]

They are. [Of course, when he redirected his emotions, it ended up with him closing himself off and focus on revenge, but he's also passed that point now. Calmer. More at peace.] Now I only feel contempt towards anything that tries to take advantage of my past and corrupt their image.

They deserve better than this mockery.

[And it's because of that that when he hears the voice and the images, he can ignore it. Sometimes it still pricks at him, and had this been a few years ago, likely affected him more. But not now.

Once they're through the door, he remains at Trahearne's side. For him...for a very real moment, it actually flickers as Tifa. One of the reasons why he wanted to avoid entering this place is the uncertainty of whether it would include her or not, and it seems his suspicions are right. However, although he feels that hot prick, he just closes eyes and shakes his head. She's alive now, it doesn't matter.

And he has to keep his wits about him for Trahearne.

So after that momentary distraction, he turns away from the statue to up the raven, staring at it before looking back at Trahearne. At least they finally managed to find it... But how is Trahearne doing?]

[ Maybe one day...Trahearne will be able to face these horrors with the same calm. If only he could afford the mental luxury of contempt, but now, he only finds self-loathing. And he thinks himself pathetic for falling for it, every time.

Most of his apprehensions melt away, though, as he stands before the statue. Deep down he knows it's just an image. Eustace can't see it. He knows it won't be long before this realm uses him against him--again. But he still can't help the little spark of joy in his chest.

And so when Eustace looks over, he'll see him smiling, a nostalgic hue on his face. ]

He had his own raven. He said her name was Beep. [ He steps forward, chuckling a bit at the memory. ] I thought it was an odd name. When I asked why he named her that, he--

[ "I hate you."

The words pierce like a lance through his chest, and he freezes in place. The smile melts away, a lock of shock and sadness replacing it. ]

[At first there's a bit of relief at seeing Trahearne's expression. Whoever it is, it must be someone close to him...and they must not be dead at least or he would be filled with more pain. But then that expression falls away, and he can only guess that whatever he heard, it was what he feared most.]

Trahearne.

[ "I'm so glad I got to be the one to kill you."
"I'm going to be a much better marshal than you ever were. Thanks for the opportunity."
"Gods, all you ever did was talk. Did you ever hear yourself? I hated every moment I worked under you."

Eustace's voice falls on deaf ears. Trahearne only stares up at the statue as it glowers down at him from its pedestal.

His throat constricts. It's different this time, and not because of who's talking. This isn't his guilt finding a voice through another. This is a nightmare.

His head droops, tears spilling from his eyes as he blinks. And as his eyes cast to the floor, he sees a small picture frame has somehow manifested in his hands. But he's much too distraught to think about how that happened at the moment. ]

[Dammit—]

Trahearne!

[A rough grab of his shoulders as he gives him a hard shake.]

Snap out of it, it's not real!

[ "You know, I had plenty of opportunity. I should've just--"

Luckily, Trahearne never gets to hear the end of that sentence. Eustace grabs him and the voice falls silent; he whips his head to look at him, distress, but a hint of gratitude in his eyes. ]

...It's not real. [ He says this more to solidify the facts to himself than anything else. ] It's not real.

[ He lifts the frame to look at it better, and tries to calm himself with a shaky breath. ] We...have a job to do.

[He studies Trahearne with a hard look before his eyes go to the mirror.]

What do you need to do?

[Since he never planned on coming in he didn't pay too much attention to the actual directions and didn't have time to listen when he followed Trahearne.]

I need to capture what I see.

[ He rubs his hand over his eyes, forcefully trying to keep himself composed. He scrubs at his face, hoping it will keep the voice from talking to him. ]

I only need to--

[ He swipes the frame at the air in front of him, and for a brief moment, the image of his commander with a raven on his shoulder flickers on it, but fizzles out. He huffs a frustrated sigh and swipes a couple of more times, but it's the same result each time.

Frustrated, through gritted teeth, he mutters, ] It's not working.

[Eustace watches Trahearne's attempts before reaching out to put a firm but steady hand over his.]

Calm down. Don't think of what you see as the real thing. Think of it as something that's mocking the true memories you have of them. Think of rather than doing this out of fear, you want to get rid of it so it no longer disrespects them.

[ The hand steadies Trahearne, keeps him grounded. But it also gives another opportunity for his commander--a cruel facsimile of his commander--to speak again.

"I'm going take credit for everything you did. I deserve it more than you."

He turns a pleading eye up to the statue, and it stares hard back down at him. Trahearne has never seen the other man look at him this way before...but he almost believes it. The image sears itself into his memory. ]

...I don't know. [ He strength in his arms vanishes, and the hand holding the frame comes to hang limply at his side. ] I never knew what he was thinking. This could very well be the truth.

[ He knows Eustace can't hear, but the way his proverbial heart shatters is rather clear on his countenance. Maybe he can't do this... ]

[This...is going to be difficult. He can only do so much, and he isn't the best person for this kind of thing to begin with.]

Then tell me what he was like from the time you spent with him.

[ This is going to be difficult. Trahearne's rational side desperately fights for dominance in the face of his weakness. Eustace's presence is helping, and he's eternally grateful that his friend is here to keep him on track.

He'll owe him after this, if he can get through without breaking.

But this is good. He'll concentrate on his memories and not the statue in front of him. He breathes to center himself before speaking. ]

He was determined. Unstoppable. He cared not for the odds of success, only that success was possible. [ As he thinks for a moment longer, a small smile starts to grow on his face. ] But he did care for the world and all the people in it. Deeply. He always encouraged me, pushed me to do my best, and was always there to ensure I received the accolades he believed I earned...

[ And as he thinks back on his memories, it becomes evident that what Eustace said was right. As usual. His expression grows serious once again as he turns to look at the erune.

He can do this. ]

[Eustace watches him—and he listens. Even if this is for Trahearne's benefit and he doesn't actually mean to pry into her personal affairs, the more he knows about whatever he's seeing, the more he can help push Trahearne forward. So when he sees it working, there is some relief. Since he had no idea, he wasn't sure if it would somehow go completely opposite.

Thus with a small nod of his head he reaches over and takes the hand holding the mirror and lifts it up to him.]

Take it down.

[There's nothing more than Eustace needs to say to try and encourage him. He can see it in Trahearne's eyes. Even if there may still be some fear and hesitance, he believes the sylvari can do it. And maybe some of that belief and encouragement will transmit through the warmth in the air, a gentle wind as if to push the sylvari's back as Eustace steps away.]

[ Trahearne's eyes follow as Eustace grabs his hand, and then dart back up to his face. The command elicits a firm nod in turn, and Trahearne gently frees the hand holding the frame. He steps forward, holding the frame up, staring up in defiance at the statue.

While he may never know exactly what his commander thought or felt, he knows one thing for certain--the man cared deeply. He would not have stuck with him into the depths of Orr if he didn't have at least a little faith in Trahearne. He would not have said "No!" the way he did when Trahearne asked him to kill him if he truly hated him.

He speaks before the statue can say anything else. ]

You are not him, and I will not let you use his image against me like this again. [ This is the second time? He has a sinking feeling he might actually break if there was a third time.

With a steeled resolve and a quick swipe of his arm, he moves the frame through the air. He watches patiently as the image manifests: the man he knew in life with a raven perching proudly on his shoulder. There's a determined little smile on the man's face, an element that had been completely absent on the statue. Maybe this was closer to the real thing.

The image sticks. Trahearne holds it away from him slightly to let Eustace see, if he so chooses. ]

[While Eustace has faith in Trahearne, he still maintains some wariness in case it's still too much for the sylvari, something that would be understandable given how difficult this may be for him. Even for him, seeing that image of Tifa...it pricks at him, but at least now he has the fortitude to ignore it, his hand unknowingly reaching for the top center of his chest where their charms rest warmly against his skin. It's enough to calm him.

And when he watches Trahearne succeed, there is a genuine if light smile. He'll even take a moment to look at the image to see this mystery man, but not too long. Instead his focus shifts to Trahearne.]

...Well done.

Thank you, Eustace.

[ Trahearne gives a small, sincere smile in turn. Genuinely. Though there is a sense of agitation about him, lingering from the words that, admittedly, will continue to haunt him for the days to come, they still made it through. And they got their clue (does he have to turn this in...?).

He places a firm hand on Eustace's shoulder. ]

I could not have done this without you. You're a good friend.

[A small shake of his head.]

It's only natural. You've already done the same for me.

[He glances back at the image reflected for himself before he turns back towards the door.]

Now let's head out before something else appears.

[ Trahearne nods slightly in return. He whirls on his heel, not giving the statue any more opportunity to speak to him. ]

Yes. We're done here.

[ As they backtrack, he can't help but look down at the image in the mirror...for an extended period of time... Long enough that it might be weird. Sorry, Eustace.

Eventually, though, his head snaps up to look at his friend, a curious expression on his face. ]

Did you see someone?

[He notices how Trahearne is staring at the picture. ...Seems to be more than if just a close comrade or friend....ah. Something comes to mind, but he doesn't say anything.

There is instead a notable stretch of silence before he answers.]

Yes.

[ Trahearne waits patiently in the silence, which speaks more than any answer itself.

His gaze drops back to the picture, settling on the man. Someone singular, someone just as important-- ]

...Was it Tifa?

[His eyes close briefly in silence before he answers again.]

Yes.

[Another quiet, short answer.]

[ He nods in understanding. He thought so.

His thumb absently brushes over the man's face. ]

I'm sorry. I know you have both been through so much together.

[ He looks up at Eustace again, a sympathetic look on his face. ]

But I doubt that made this any easier.

[All right suspicions confirmed—]

...Yes and no.

[He glances away.]

Had this happened last month or earlier it would have been much worse, however... We have a stronger standing in our relationship, so I could more easily face it and know that it wasn't real... And remembering that whatever words or thoughts it tries to pull, it doesn't matter.

I made my decisions and I will no longer waver like I once did. That is my resolve.

{ haunted carnival | test drive #08 - october 2022 }

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

(no subject)

(no subject)

(no subject)

(no subject)

(no subject)

(no subject)

wrapped and shipped