songerein | { gingerbread town | test drive #09

Entry tags:

{ gingerbread town | test drive #09 - december 2022 }

GINGERBREAD TOWN

On Tuesday the 27th, with no warning whatsoever, everyone will awaken and find the entire town transformed into gingerbread and candy, from peppermint candy cane trees, to gumdrop bushes, to chocolate brick roads. They will also find themselves changed into one of the following forms: gingerbread figures, nutcrackers, or wooden figurines. It's a complete transformation—no costumes or partials this time! Although they can move and use most of their abilities, it's a bit hampered when it's also discovered that everything has shrunk down a bit in size. Not only that, but there is an indestructible magiglass dome over the town to prevent anyone from breaking in—or out. So if there is anyone who happened to be out of town at the time, they will not be changed and will be stuck outside. The Tree of Stories, the Observatory, and the Carnival park are excluded from the change and remain normal.

Fortunately a pair of gingerbread twins named "Hansel" and "Gretel" as well as the tapirs are there to help explain what happened. The town has been cursed by the witch who inhabited that suspicious house from the Dream Board, and everyone needs to band together to do two things to break out of curse: 1) gather enough dreamotion music notes to charge up the golden chocolate bell hanging at the Plaza and 2) break into the gingerbread house and destroy the witch.

————— ⊰∙∘☽༓☾∘∙⊱ —————
More 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 December and will remain in Songerein from the IC date of December 27 through 31. TDM only characters can only thread within this log. Anyone who apps in and is accepted will have their character count December 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 Sunday, December 25th and Applications will open on January 1st. Our application cycles are bi-monthly so the next cycle after won't be until March.

TDM Toplevel Link Directory (click to view; updated 12/30)

Adventure Time - Finn the Human
Adventure Time - Jake the Dog
Ai: The Somnium Files - Mizuki Okiura
Bleach - Riruka Dokugamine
Bunjou Stray Dogs - Ryunosuke Akutagawa
Chainsaw Man - Denji
Don't Starve Together - Wendy Carter
Fallout 3 - The Lone Wanderer
Final Fantasy XIII-2 - Noel Kreiss
Final Fantasy XIV - Y'shtola Rhul
Fire Emblem: Three Houses - Bernadetta von Varley
Forgotten Realms - Jarlaxle Baenre
Friends at the Table: COUNTER/Weight - Cassander Timaeus Berenice
Genshin Impact - Amber
Genshin Impact - Scaramouche
Granblue Fantasy - Lyria
Heroes of Olympus - Leo Valdez
Kingdom Hearts - Demyx
Kingdom Hearts - Riku
Persona 5 Strikers - Zenkichi Hasegawa
Pokemon Scarlet/Violet - Penny
Rage of Bahamut - Amira
Shadow Game Series - Enne Salta
South Park - Kenny McCormick
Spark the Electric Jester 1 & 3 - Spark
Splatoon 2: Octo Expansion - Agent 8
Tales of Zestiria - Sorey
Undertale - Flowey

THREAD SUBMISSIONS WILL BE IMPORTANT TO DETERMINE HOW THIS EVENT ENDS FOR JANUARY! We will request them during AC and TDM threads will count. For more information, refer to the Game Notes.

I. IN TOWN

There is a lot to process with everything changed and the appearance of Hansel and Gretel, but by now most people are used to needing to roll up their sleeves and get through the tasks needed to succeed. The giant bell at the Plaza helps serve as a reminder of what they need to do and many will be anxiously watching as the musical notes slowly gather into it. To gather enough notes for the bell, everyone will need to work together and utilize their current forms. Note: all prompts can be done by anyone, however some forms have an advantage over others. Musical notes will automatically appear and go to the bell when the objective is achieved. The gumdrops are also trapped in town and will still pull their "mistletoe" mischief.

A. Woodstock. Those turned into a wooden figure will find they have the least amount of changes appearance wise…but their legs and feet are stuck together, forcing them to hop and slide around. Fortunately they can control their movements and after some adjusting they will find it's not too strenuous to be hopping around everywhere. It can be tough to get up if they fall over, though.

Caroling. What better way to gain notes than making some? With movement a bit limited, singing and playing simple instruments may be the easiest way to help. The catch is the music must be filled with hopeful, cheerful dreamotion strong enough to form those notes, and the instruments can also be a problem. First they have to be found, and then some instruments may try to play music on their own—and it's not always the right genre.
Snowmen Mayhem. Snowmen can be found all over town, most of them built before the town changed. Now they are coming to life, wearing big, giant frowns as they slowly shamble around and chuck snowballs at everyone they see. Melting them or using physical force only makes them reform back into snowmen. The only way to stop them is to participate in the snowball fight until that frown turns into a smile to release a note! People could even just have a snowball fight around them and it would please the snowmen. Perhaps they just wanted to have fun, too…?

B. Gingerbread Run. Those made of gingerbread will find they are quite fast and even have the urge to run for whatever reason. However, although sturdy enough, they are still fragile and can break easily. Fortunately they can quickly repair themselves with an extra bit of dough and icing, but water is the greatest weakness. A few drops or even a brief dousing won't hurt them too badly (maybe make their icing a little runny), but they can't swim and submerged in water too long will make them very mushy.

Obstacle Course Marathon. Some streets are sectioned off to have a simple marathon for those who just can't help but feel restless and want to run, and notes can be released throughout the course. More like a cross country track, there are numerous "checkpoints" participants must pass through while shouting the famous line, "Run, run as fast as you can, you can't catch me I'm the gingerbread man!" Each checkpoint mimics the story of "The Gingerbread Man."
1. Avoid the "old ladies" swinging candy canes (non gingerbreads can take this role to help)
2. Outrun the plush pups and kittens (or just stay and play with them, also valid)
3. Climb up and over the makeshift marshmallow chocolate wall (don't let it melt!)
4. Use the "foxboat" (swan boats altered to look like foxes) to peddle across the river (don't sink!)
5. Dash through the finish line
Since it's designed as a group marathon, participants are encouraged to help each other. More notes gained, the better!
The Chase is On! Those who were not turned into gingerbread figures will feel a strange urge to chase those who are. They may be fully aware, or they may desire just a nibble of that delectable baked good. While punching the chasers in the face to try and knock some sense into them will be an option, those who are gingerbread will similarly have the urge to run, run, run! Passing over any type of water, including puddles, will end it. This chase can be long or short, and at the end of it whether the gingerbread is caught or escapes, a musical note will play and fly to the bell, freeing the two from the weird curse…until it happens again.

C. Nutcrackin' Around. Nutcrackers have a sturdier build compared to the general wooden population, with powerful jaws and already armed with a weapon—even if it might feel more like a toy. Their movements might feel a bit stiff, but they have their strength to make up for it.

Get Crackin'. Built to crack nuts, it's no surprise that Nutcrackers are assigned to crack through as many nuts and hard candies to try and find some notes hidden within. They have to go to the farm fields to find the right trees to harvest from, and anyone can assist in this. If they listen carefully, they might be able to hear the note ringing inside as a hint. But they also need to be careful—some nuts are actually cursed and once cracked open will cause the individual to brandish their weapons (or whatever they have on hand) to attack those nearby. Unfortunately there's no tell, so it's truly luck of the draw. Shove a jawbreaker in their mouth and they'll be back to normal. With a slightly damaged jaw, maybe.
Mouse Infestation. Large, toy wind-up mice are causing havoc around town. Although they are just oversized toys and don't attack, they're crashing into buildings and chasing people. Anyone can try to catch and slow them down, but a Nutcracker is the only one capable of inflicting enough damage to break the gears inside and stop it for good. Doing so will release a note.

D. Candy Monsters. While the town is mostly safe, nightmare energy is seeping in from everyone's initial fears and chaos and absorbed into all the candy and delicious goods that make up the town. It makes them come to life to turn into aggressive and sometimes cute monsters made out of candy. Fortunately, they are not too difficult to fend off even with everyone changed into different forms, and dreamotion abilities are in full effect. Other creative ways to defeat them like dumping boiling water or freezing them can also be used.

II. TRAIN CARS

All aboard the Dreamer Express! The toy train has a simple track that circles around the town with the main station right at the Plaza. Anyone can hop on to either enjoy the ride or help get those notes.

A. Past, Present, Future. There are three particular cars that Hansel and Gretel will encourage most to go through because the notes in these cars will be the strongest. When going through either of the "Past," "Present," or "Future" cars, everyone will have a "Scrooge" experience and walk through either a happy or difficult memory or made up simulation of that set time period. The primary theme for each one is something that the individual can learn or reflect on. The experience can be done solo or with a partner. If with a partner, only one simulation will be active, but the other person's could begin after the first ends. Sometimes the memories will be passive like watching a movie and will only stimulate emotional reactions. However, the stronger the memory, the more realistic it will become, to the point that one will live through it all and must face and interact with whatever is there to get through. Once they reach the exit, the note will be granted.

B Unboxing. Most of the train cars are either passenger cars or boxcars filled with presents. A lot of presents. Guess where a lot of notes are hidden. While opening presents seems like a simple task, it can be tricky when some gifts are actually mimics that will pull unsuspecting individuals inside of them instead. Fortunately they are not too difficult to beat up and free the trapped prisoner.

C. Hot! Hot! Ooh, We Got It! There is a special car that's only purpose is to serve hot chocolate…as a musical number. Witness or perhaps even participate as servers dance around with extremely hot chocolate and somehow not spill a drop—or maybe someone gets scalded by an unfortunate spill. But when it's all done, anyone can enjoy some different flavors that can last for quite a while (ie as long as you want it) :

Regular chocolate: Makes the drinker nostalgic, particularly for something in their childhood.
Peppermint: Gives the drinker a spark of inspiration to work on something creative.
Caramel: Gives the drinker extra energy, making them unable to stay still without doing something.
Raspberry: Makes the drinker want to get back to nature by finding an outdoor activity to do.
Spicy (chili powder and cinnamon): Makes the drinker feel more amorous than usual.

III. WITCH'S HOUSE

Getting the notes is just one half of the equation. To completely beat the curse, the witch behind this needs to be defeated. But it won't be easy with everyone transformed and the witch quite powerful. The gingerbread house has a lot of traps inside, from sticky paper to snapping mouse traps to licorice that try to tie them down.

A. Breaking into the Gingerbread House. The witch's gingerbread house will be the biggest piece compared to everything else. The original defense mechanisms are in place and people can get sucked inside like before, however there is no easy way out. A little stealth can help gain an advantage especially as the battle begins by those who enter first.

B. Escape Routes. While some may try to let themselves get caught to get inside faster, having an escape route would be prudent. Since they are smaller in size, it'll be easier to sneak around the house and try to carve a piece out of it to make a hole, or maybe something from the windows or chimney. Multiple routes would be ideal, just be careful not to get caught!

C. Fighting the "Witch." For those expecting some creepy old woman, they will be in for a surprise. The "witch" is actually the oven itself, moving and operating as if it were alive. Rather, perhaps the oven is what the original witch of Hansel and Gretel has become as an eerie cackling can be heard when the doors open and fire flickers out. Regardless, despite its form the "witch" will be a difficult foe to defeat due to its sheer size and everyone still in smaller forms. Restrain it, try to douse the flames, but another effective way to stop it is to just fill its mouth with anything that can go inside, from candy and baked goods, to pots and pans. The more it consumes, the slower it moves. Time to over stuff the oven.

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[It's strange. After a few years of being separated from Kairi and Riku he thought that the ache to see them would go away somehow. He knew deep down that he would see them again someday so he always thought that as much as it hurts to think about them and miss them every single day that it would somehow stop hurting after a while. Being hopeful and optimistic that he would get to hug them to pieces one day was always enough for Sora.

But- When he sees the shape of a boy (a nutcracker boy) Sora feels this painful rush of hope and uncertainty that he almost grabs at his chest.]

Riku?!

[The fading memories will be blurry and strange- Maybe Riku will think the image of Sora is still talking somehow. Still leaving everyone behind to find Kairi. And never coming back...]

Riku!

[But this Sora is here! Here and apparently changed into some sort of toy-shaped Sora. Like an action figure that was just unwrapped from a gift! And he's looking at Riku with wide eyes and like he's about to start running at him at full force.]

Riku, that better really be you?!

[Watch out, he's coming right at Riku!!]

[that's not the way the memory ended. Sora had never looked back or called out to him like that. he would know -- he thought about that memory so much, had gone over it a million times to see if he could have done anything to save his best friend, that every look and inflection was seared into his mind.]

Sora??

[he sounds almost frantic, opening the door again. but the scene is in suspended animation, with Sora having his back turned to his friends.

not there.

Sora calling his name again, and something in his chest warms immediately. he knows that's Sora. he knows that's the real Sora. it's undeniable. he would never forget how the proximity to him felt like due north.]

Sora?!

[he turns finally to face him, and sees the boy for just a minute.

Sora.

his brain fries. after a year of not seeing his best friend, of waiting, hoping -- he found him on the first try. it feels like it might be too good to be true, and he doesn't get out of the way of his incoming friend as he makes his way to him.

so. yanno. he's gotta seem at least a little cocky here.]

C'mon, can't you tell it's me? If you can't, we're really in trouble.

[because he can tell that that's Sora.

but we're not going to talk about the fact that his voice cracks a little as he speaks that last sentence, or the fact that his wooden eyes are burning.]

[Meanwhile, Sora is having a lot of the same thoughts rushing around in his head. As he rushes his way over to his best friend he feels this bursting feeling in his lungs. Almost like he's sure that his heart is going to thump and explode into bits at any given second. He feels a little choked up and his eyes water and sting.

This has to be real. It's not a dream this time. Right? He has to check.]

I don't know! Look at you, you're all...?!

[Riku has transformed into some weird wooden nutcracker version of himself and if Sora wasn't so desperate to get to the boy he might have tried to describe that better. But for the moment he's too busy literally launching himself at Riku with arms wide. Here comes the tackle-hug of a lifetime.]

You!! You're all you and you're all hard and blocky for some reason!?

[Says Sora who is also hard and blocky right now. He's a plastic toy!]

Riku!!

[god, his eyes burn as he feels Sora tackle him. he puts his arms on his back, fighting the urge to not let him go ever, but not wanting to seem like the total sap that he definitely is. he's still gotta be...cool...for Sora, he supposes, even if he feels like he might fall to pieces right now.

it'd be completely different if Sora hadn't left the way he did and was gone for so long.]

...Have you looked at yourself lately? You're made of plastic.

[there's amusement in his voice though, because he would expect some nonsense like this out of the boy.

he's. going to start looking Sora over more now, trying to make sure his best friend is okay. see if anything is out of place on Sora...]

You're...okay, right?

[he sounds quiet as he asks, feeling the emotion boiling inside of him again. he swears he's not going to let himself get emotional about this!!]

[He thought for a fraction of a second that when he collided with Riku's body, the taller boy would somehow vanish on him. Into a big puff of dream smoke like so many times before in his dreams. Wisping out of his fingers before he could even say another word. But instead, his body collides with something solid. Something that isn't dream smoke or wisps and Sora instantly wraps his arms around the other boy and gives an earnest squeeze. Despite how his shoulders are trembling.]

This isn't the first time I've been a toy, you know. And the look is pretty funny on you too.

[His voice is an octave weaker than it would usually be. His eyes glisten with tears he's barely holding back. When Riku looks him over Sora does the same thing. It's so funny seeing him as a nutcracker but at the same time, he can tell it's Riku. Those same serious but gentle green eyes. The same grounded and earthy tone of his voice.

It's Riku. Riku's here.]

I'm okay. [Sora nods. There's so much packed into those two words.] Are you okay? You're... you're really here, Riku.

[oh god if Sora starts crying that'll be it for him. at least that's what he thinks, even though he'd stood there while Sora cried so many times, but this time it felt different. he didn't stay away because he thought he had to this time, it's because he physically couldn't stay with the boy.

focus, Riku...

he huffs, trying to force nonchalance back into his attitude.]

I guess I was due for a change.

[Sora's okay, though. that's all that mattered. at least he says he's okay...

Sora has a history of hiding things though, so Riku looks a little doubtful as he keeps looking Sora over. if he were flesh and blood instead of being a toy, it'd make it that much easier to see, but he had to take his word for it.

which he's still not sure about either.

even though he's absolutely not fine, Riku knows he's gotta answer Sora before he starts to worry even more.]

I'm okay, too. [.........white lies!!! he's okay physically, anyway. that's what was important.] And I'm here. You can't go running off without me this time.

[his normally light tone cracks slightly at the end of the sentence, but he's going to pretend to not notice. even if Sora notices, it definitely didn't happen.]

[Riku, as always, has it right on the money. Sora always hides away his more negative emotions. He denies his sadness so much but it's the only way he's been able to keep it together these last few years. Desperately missing Riku and Kairi hurts more than he can say. So it's always been better to just bury it behind a smile.

But Riku is right here. Telling Sora the same sort of reassurance he always does even if Sora can already tell that Riku seems... tired? Relieved? But like he's just holding in some sort of exhaustion. Is Riku sleeping? Has he been sleeping enough?

So many questions...!! He barely knows where to start.

So-!!! he punches Riku's arm!! That's a good place to start.]

Then you! Better stick around, you big dummy!!

[The same old Sora even if he might seem just a little bit older looking than before. It's still the same Sora that starts to tear up while he lets out a sheepish laugh to try and choke it back.]

Riku. I've really missed you. I've got so much to tell you.

[hello?????

Riku moves back slightly, playfully offended at the way that Sora just randomly punches him like that.]

Whoa, whoa! I'm not going anywhere without you.

[he almost wants to say you left me first, but he feels like it might be a little touchy to say here.

this time, he doesn't have weird keyblade master obligations to attend to, or weird self loathing. well. the self loathing will probably always be there in some shape or form, but he knows better than let it drive him away from Sora.

mostly because Sora gets in a lot of trouble without him.

he puts a hand on the boy's shoulder, shaking his head. it's kind of hard for him to see huge physical changes, but he wonders what he'd look like if he wasn't...like this.]

Yeah, you do. [Sora's got some explaining to do!!] Why don't we go sit down somewhere and catch up?

[Goodness the amount of trouble Sora has been in without Riku around over the years they've been apart. It seems almost overwhelming the mountain of things he wants to tell Riku about. So, forgive him and his knee-jerk reaction.

There's an apology somewhere on Sora's lips too. Important things he wants to say. It's all swimming around in his head! He brings his arms up to rub away tears from his eyes as he quickly and very adamantly nods.]

Yeah. But... Something tells me we're gonna need more than just one sit-down to catch up on everything.

[there's almost a part of Riku that wants to brush away Sora's tears too, but he stops himself as he squeezes Sora's shoulder instead and lets the other hand fall back to his side.

someone must be cutting onions in here somewhere because his eyes are stinging too--but Rikus don't cry.]

We have as long as it takes to catch up. [he's not sure how to get home yet, but.] When I figure out how to go home, you're coming with me, whether you like it or not.

[Kairi's waiting for them.]

[It's okay to cry sometimes! Even Rikus!! But Sora is also trying his best to hold back his tears. But at least they're happy tears.

He sniffles on the spot and then grabs Riku again so he can attempt to wrap an arm around his shoulders so they can walk (stop being so tall riku). Riku might be reserving his touch but Sora sure isn't.]

I would love a chance to get home, Riku! It's uh, it's been a while.

[That's an understatement... But he still hasn't given up hope!]

But first things first, we might be stuck in this world for a long while yet. I've been here for about? Uh, a year and a bit?

[Riku will stop being tall when Sora stops being so short.

he lets Sora lead him, thinking it over.]

Yeah, you've been gone about a year back at home.

[lbr Riku would be the kind of person who'd know the exact days he's been putting up Lost Sora signs--

but it's not like he's unprepared to be gone for a while. he's not entirely sure how to get back after all -- and the directions had been admittedly kind of vague to begin with.]

You might as well at least give me a summary of this place.

A whole year?!

[... But Sora has been gone for a lot longer than that. For a second he's not sure how to tell Riku that part. All the things he wants to tell Riku... How is he going to react? Okay- He needs a minute to figure out how he'll summarize everything.

For now, he decides to joke about it a little more.]

Is that why you look so tired? It looks like you haven't gotten a wink, Riku! I bet you were worried the whole time, right? You're a worry wart.

[He doesn't know how right he is...]

[well damn son way to tell your bestie he needs some beauty sleep--

...but Riku's not going to tell him anything. even though it's apparently written all over his face if even Sora notices, but Sora didn't really give him an easy way to shift out of this line of conversation.

time to make a joke out of it.]

Can you blame me? I have to look after you, of all people.

[he has his hands so full just looking after his best friend, but he wouldn't have it any other way.]

I think you're the reason why my hair is this color.

[He loves Riku and will not hesitate to tell him to his face that he looks like garbage no matter how long they've been apart.

Sora snorts a bit at the joke. And he does smile at his best friend before he looks down.]

Sorry, Riku.

[He says that softly. Knowing how much those two words encompass. But they'll get into that soon, right?]

Uh, anyway! You wanted the summary on this place, right? I'll start there! This place is a dream world! Actually, it's a lot like the dream worlds we visited once on our mastery exams. Since we're stuck here everyone's been doing their best to make it a great place to live. We've built a whole town and we're finding new stuff about this world every day. We've even got a whole island full of dragons now.

[He grins!! Dragons, dude!!]

Everything here is about dreams. We can dream up whole adventures or make things out of magic made from our dreams too.

[Riku's about to tell Sora not to apologize, that he doesn't have anything to apologize for, when Sora changes the subject again. he bites the side of his mouth as he tries not to interject and bring it back up...but he supposes there will be time for that kind of conversation eventually.

at least, he hopes so.

but it's not long until he gets swept away with Sora's enthusiasm, and he smiles a bit as he listens. in terms of how Sora is acting, it's almost like they hadn't been apart at all.

he pushes back the lump in his throat and clears it before replying.]

Dragons and dreams, huh...sounds like something you'd come up with.

[he probably wouldn't believe it if he wasn't seeing it.

but then there's another matter he's gotta bring up:]

Tell me we won't always look like this.

[There are certain things that Sora has to say sorry for. All the worry and recklessness and everything in between. He's matured enough to know that parts of things are Sora's fault. And the last thing he ever wanted to do was to worry Riku or Kairi about anything. But try as he might to always do the right thing it seems he can't avoid giving someone that bit of worried pain.]

I promise we won't always look like this! When we get back to town? I'll show you everything.

[But Sora latches onto the normalcy of them talking. Sora continues to babble on about the world they're stuck in including all the dreams that they tend to jump into and out of. He tells Riku about dream magic and how the town has grown since he's been here and everything in between. Including telling Riku about Naminé, Roxas and Vanitas and how they all share a big complex together. How he has to meet Kor Meteor! And how Sora wants Riku to stay there too! Even if he has to explain a bit more about Vanitas... That will come in time.

In the end, the two of them have so much to catch up on. And it will take time. Time that they now hopefully have.]

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{ gingerbread town | test drive #09 - december 2022 }

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