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.

Flat | Top-Level Comments Only

[It's one thing to be woken up in the morning by the dogs barging into the room barking or leaping up on the bed, which rarely happens these days, but it's a whole other to be woken up like this on this particular day. If they sleep in a little too late, it typically involves Clover pawing at their faces and walking all over them until one of them awakens for her breakfast and even then, Eria is good about it. So, it is a bit strange to have a number of them rushing into the room, and so early too, with them barking at the two of them like there's something wrong.

Tifa is the first to stir when one of the corgis hops up and nudges her with their nose, and she simply grumbles something and turns over to drop her head on Eustace's shoulder, making a face when she feels her arm a little stiff. Really stiff, actually... She must have slept funny, but she thinks nothing further of it at first as she shakes him.]

Hey. It's your turn this morning.

[She checked on them the last time they barged in like this.

Except... something feels... off. And not just her incredibly stiff limbs. The sheets feel different, and the house smells different, but she's far too tired to put it all together just yet...]

Edited 2022-12-21 01:27 (UTC)

[There's just a low grunt as Eustace frowns, first trying to ignore the sound of the dogs before having to turn his head at one of them licking him.

...Except.

Why did their tongue feel rough and dry?

And why does everything suddenly smell so...sweet, as if someone had started baking a million cookies and opened their window to let the smell in? His frown deepens as he tries to reach out and shove the dog away, but even that feels strange, until finally—

"DAD DAD HELP WE TURNED INTO TREATS AND IDRIS TRIED TO BITE IVAN'S LEG OFF HELP"

The fuck is he hearing—

Eyes opening he's about to scold them for talking nonsense when he stiffens.]

...What...

[Staring at what he expected to find his dogs, he sees dog sized cookies bouncing around in front of him instead. It's then he notices his arms...and then when he slowly turns his head...]

———!?!? Tifa??

[There's just a startled almost panicked sound before he shouts at her.

What the hell.

What the hell.

WHY DO THE ALL LOOK LIKE COOKIES!?!?]

[She's mumbling again, waving him off as the dogs' barks grow more aggressive and desperate, and she's about to roll over and go back to sleep when she's caught off guard by his shouting, and the frightened way that he calls to her. Slowly, Tifa opens her eyes, her brow meant to crinkle with a sleepy frown. She's ready to tell him to go see what they want so that he can come back to bed with her, but as her vision very slowly corrects itself...

...

....

Why does Eustace look so strange? And why are the dogs—

Wait. Why are the dogs running around like that?

Her brain snaps awake then, and Tifa lifts herself up on the bed to take a better look around. First at each of the dogs, and then they stop on Eustace, and she lets out a startled noise.]

Eustace!? What... happened to you!?

[WHY DOES EVERYONE LOOK LIKE COOKIES!?!?!???

Her eyes begin to dart around the room.]

And the dogs... And the house!?

[Why are the bedsheets made of... what is that? Rainbow sour candy strips!? Never mind EVERYTHING ELSE???]

I don't—

[He's already a man of few words, but he's really rendered speechless like this.]

...

This has to be a dream.

[Given the other situations they've been in—NOT IMPOSSIBLE AND THE MOST LOGICAL. But this is the first time they've had their house and the dogs with them.]

[Tifa watches in utter horror and confusion as one of the dogs—it's so hard to tell which one it is like this—hops along the bed. How are they even moving with those stubby little legs of theirs!? She reaches out to touch their nose, and it's sticky, with a little dab of icing coming off to cling to her hand instead. She looks down at herself at the gingerbread limbs that have replaced her real ones, and pulls the sheets closer—or rather, the candy—before looking up at Eustace with the same horrified expression.

She's felt vulnerable in the past, but this is... nothing like that. She's never been a freaking cookie before...! And she's not even sure how to feel right now.]

I don't think it is...

[Her icing brows crinkle.]

Is it like this outside too?

[Please check, hubby. SHE DOESN'T WANT TO GET UP....... for reasons.....]

[This is insane. His instinct to protect his family is super high right now, but he has no idea what to do??? At the very least everyone seems healthy and in one—]

Idris, quit it!

[Ivan was growling and snapping at the younger corgi who was licking his tail, clearly ready for another test chomp. Upon closer inspection, little teet marks can definitely be seen in the icing covering Ivan's tail.

...Ugh.

He's rub his brows if he wasn't sure he'd wipe it away.

But all right, he needs to remain calm and figure what the hell is going on.]

We shouldn't discard the possibility this is some strange dreamscape just yet. But wait here...

[And. Pushing away the candy sheets??? To... Try and get out of bed. Which ends up being him turning and falling to the ground because now the hell does one move as a gingerbread?? Immediately the dogs circle around him whining—]

Idris!!

[This dog nibbling on his ear!!!

Anyway, time to push up and stand... And wobble a little. He feels so... thin. This can't be real.]

[She'd like to think they've been here long enough and have experienced enough dreamscapes to be able to tell what is and isn't one anymore, but he is right. They shouldn't discard the idea just yet...

Not that she has much time to think about it at all, because the moment he tumbles over—]

Eustace—!

[Tifa tries to move to help him but the second she tries to move a muscle, she topples over and falls flat on her face on the bed before she's spitting out... is this cotton candy that the bed is made of!? Some of the pink icing that dots her cheeks smudges a bit, and she's almost afraid to try wiping it away......

So instead, slowly, she scoots to look over the edge of the bed with a struggling groan, still clutching the candy close to her, and watches as he stands, a tiny gingerbread hand reaching out to help steady him.]

... Are you alright?

[...This would be adorable if it wasn't also partly horrifying.]

Yes... It didn't really hurt.

[NOT SURE HOW TO FEEL ABOUT THIS AT ALL.]

Watch out for Idris... He keeps wanting to try and taste everyone.

[The young corgi just gives an innocent face.

Which is very not convincing when he licks his lips, a little bit of licorice coming out as his tongue.

...

So... So weird...]

Just wait here... Dream or curse, it's better if you stay with the dogs while I check outside.

[Wait.

He needs to put on a shirt...?? ??? CAN HE EVEN TELL IF HE'S WEARING CLOTHES??? WILL CLOTHES EVEN WORK ANYMORE WITH THIS???

There will be a solid few seconds as he stands there with a very conflicted expression before he just grabs his cape that always draped on the nearby hook and uses that instead. Except his cape is made out of thin taffy. Ugh...]

[Small white spots appear in her eyes to convey the twinkle of worry as she looks him over before she's turning to the corgis. All seven of them, and quietly, she mutters under her breath—]

Which one's Idris...

[He seems to have heard that because the smallest of the cookie dogs barks up from the floor next to the bed before hopping up to sniff at Tifa... but her eyes are back on Eustace again, watching him as he...

Oh... Dear god...

The pink circles on her cheeks grow bigger and she shuffles back so that the candy is covering her up more properly when she realizes... ARE THEY NAKED? Do gingerbread cookies wear clothes? Or do they just wear icing!? She opens her mouth to ask, but she's far too embarrassed to say it out loud—especially in front of the dogs—and he's already grabbed his cloak anyway.

Still, she's going to try getting up anyway and... maybe get dressed? She doesn't know... and honestly? She's a little afraid of the state her clothes are going to be in when she opens the closet, if the taffy around Eustace's shoulders is any indication. It's a bit of a struggle to get out of bed, all while keeping the sugar close. She has to scoot off carefully, and the Rhonnie, Bri, and Aerona have stepped in to help (don't look, boys!!) but even with their nudges, it's not easy.

She's going to try and stand anyway when she gets there... but like Eustace, she wobbles, the stiffness in her limbs surprising.]

Ah... [She catches herself with a hand on the wall for support. But before Eustace leaves, she calls out after him.] Please be careful...!

[As she looks with dread to the closet......]

I should say the same to you.

[He looks back at her with the same worry before glancing at the dogs with her. They just bark and hop up, letting him know it'll be okay.

...Come to think of it, if these are the corgis... Where are Eria and Clover?

That answer comes immediately when he opens the door and a black blur rushes past him into the room and the entire hallway leading towards the living room is covered in white frosted icing???

...

Sigh.

As if trekking through snow, he carefully makes his way through where he finds a white cookie Eria throwing a tantrum and covering everything in frosting.

...

This is gonna take a bit.]

Edited 2022-12-23 04:30 (UTC)

[The black blur that dashes into the room startles her, and after a few moments of staring, she finally realizes that it's Clover... who is now sitting on the bed shaking her paw and spraying the area around her with sprinkles.

Shiva's candied tits, what in the world is happening...

With a tired sigh and the candy wrapped around herself now, she shuffles along, groaning at the way things won't quite move in the exact way she'd like them to and how all of this feels just a little too real for it to be a dream...

But those are questions better asked later with Eustace. For now, she needs to worry about getting dressed. Supposedly. She's still not quite sure...

For now, she'll reach for another one of Eustace's cloaks hanging neatly on his rack so that she has something to easily wrap around herself. He had said to wait with the dogs here, but...

It's been some time since he's left by the time she makes it over there, and with the toffee cape secured, she waddles towards the bedroom door with the dogs in tow. She doesn't leave it, but she peeks out to see with the dogs all comically lined up underneath her to poke their noses out, and what she sees fills her with a very sudden, very deep sense of dread.]

Eustace? What is going on!? Is that—

[WHY IS THERE ICING???? EVERYWHERE?

Idris leaps out to run through it as if it were snow, barking at her to follow because LOOK MOM!!!!

And she watches in horror as Eria looks like she's about to give herself a mighty shake. With a horrified gasp, Tifa tries to run forward—]

Wait!

[—and falls forward right into the icing. Splat!]

[Eustace had tried to calm Eria down, but all she did was growl and whine and howl and was JUST NOT HAVING IT. After getting sprayed for the third time, Eustace just decided to leave her and do as he was going to, which was check outside.

Opening the door, he could see that everything had been turned into some kind of candy wonderland, with the treehouses an assortment of gingerbread or candy canes or some assortment and mix of candy and gingerbread. Stepping out onto the landing, he couldn't see too far, but judging from how other people were freaking out and running around near their own homes, he could only assume they weren't the only ones. However, it wasn't just the candy... It looked like some people were made of...wood...? Why was that one person(??) chasing that gingerbread—

It's then that he hears Tifa's voice and he "quickly" turns back around. Realizing he must have taken longer than expected, he tries to hurry in only to see Tifa just as she faceplants right into the icing.]

Tifa!

[He tries to rush in, but he almost slips on the newly formed layer of icing. Feeling rather pissed, right now, he shouts at Eria with much more force and anger than before.]

Eria, control yourself!

[It's enough to spark a sudden rise in temperature, some of that icing starting to melt. Eria does whine a little from the sudden reprimand, but seeing Tifa on the floor... Okay, she feels a little sorry and tries to help Tifa up as Eustace continues to struggle as well.]

[There's just a long, massively tired sigh from where she lays in the icing before the cookie wolf is helping her get to her feet, and when she lifts her head, small gumdrops line the corners of her eyes when she feels them welling up under the sudden and overwhelming confusion. Forget the part where she is pretty sure she's naked and lying in icing wrapped up in one of Eustace's cloaks... she's a cookie.

They're all cookies...!

Tifa gives the wolf a small pat on the head with a small thanks before she's rising to her feet, and her hands clutch at the cape a little tighter as she looks around at the room first and then at Eustace.]

The whole town's like this, huh?

[Judging by his reaction.

She's just... going to slowly and carefully waddle her way over to him with an arm outstretched when she's close enough to reach.]

Not just cookies. Candy as well. It was a little difficult to make out from the landing, but there are some who have turned into wooden figures, too.

[A small grunt as he continues to make his way towards her until he reaches her at last.]

You might be right. This seems much more than just a dreamscape, it feels like a curse or some large scale spell gone wrong.

[Hopefully he has some semblance of balance left in his gingery legs because the moment they reach one another, she falls against him, clutching to him as best as she can...]

Should we go outside? See if anyone needs help?

[Alternatively......

She pauses to look around the room and at all the dogs who dart and slide around on the icing, and her icing lips turn down into a weary expression as she looks up at him.]

We should probably get this cleaned up, too... Before it dries. What's all this even from?

[Fortunately he does, or at least enough to only wobble a bit before keeping them steady. He looks down at her with a helpless sigh, wanting to brush back her hair... But it's not there!! He does notice how she's wearing one of his cloaks so in the end he can only pat her back.]

Both. First let's get a hold of things here... And this is all Eria's doing. She was trying to make it snow.

[And instead. Icing.]

Edited 2022-12-24 03:01 (UTC)

I see...

[She shoots Eria a glance, but any chance of it being scolding at all is lost in her expression.

But before she even thinks about letting go of him to start cleaning up—how are they even going to do that!?—she looks down at herself, and then at him, and the pink dots on her cheeks grow bigger again.]

... Um... [Her voice is small, and her little icing brows knit together.] I... do we... have to get dressed... or...?

[THIS IS SO WEIRD.]

[...

....

..................

H.... HM......... ]

...It would... Be better.

[Ahem ahem.]

Have you checked the closet...?

No, I... I wasn't sure what I'd find, so I didn't...

[She was too nervous to look. Even the toffee cloaks are a bit too difficult to wear properly, which is why she's partly using him for coverage, so she figured the rest of their clothes would be the same.]

We can go check... but... have you... ever had a gingerbread man cookie before?

A couple of times... Usually they just have the dots as "buttons" and that's it.

[...]

Why, do you think we need to draw our clothes on?

[She visibly flinches a little when he suggests it, even if it had been her initial idea from the beginning.]

That was my first thought, yeah... considering what we are now. But... let's go check first. See what we can find, yeah?

[And she's slowly reaching for his hand, except without fingers, it's more like a little tap of them together, and there's a sharp pang of disappointment in her chest(??) at not being able to properly hold his.]

And then... [A sigh.] We can get to work cleaning the rest of this up before we go. Should take the dogs with us, too. Come on...

[Tifa starts to move her feet, one in front of the other, and she looks back at Eustace with an embarrassed smile at how silly she feels before leading the way back into their bedroom with the dogs dashing past her and darting circles around them, narrowly missing their feet.]

[...Drawing...clothes... ....With candy and icing??? ... ...It's... .......Definitely something weird to think about ~~not the kind of food play he'd think about—~~ He is also disappointed when she tries to hold his hand and at best they can just touch like mittens.

If this is a curse, this is the shittiest one he's had to deal with—and he's dealt with a lot.

But he'll hobble right alongside her, reaching out to help keep her steady when needed. The flood of half-melted icing is definitely not doing them any favors, but they somehow manage to reach the room and head to the closet. Inside...yep, their clothes have been "candified" in various ways. Some look as if they were designed on a thin sheet and would just stick onto them.]

...Well. I guess we should try and see if it works.

Guess this is better than nothing, but... are these even going to stay on?

[Tifa pulls out one of his shirts, and it looks like it's made of colourful candy wrap that crinkles loudly when she touches it, and rather than the simpler pieces, this one is bright green and decorated with candy canes on almost every inch. She does suppose that this is a good alternative to icing which could easily rub off.......

She holds it up to his chest as if checking to see if it'll fit and tips her head with scrutiny, and maybe a hint of amusement beneath the concern. This is what the world comes up with for him!?]

Mm. Doesn't suit you...

[Meanwhile, her "clothes" are no better with the patterns that decorate them, but at least she wouldn't mind it so much. And pulling the closet door further open, some gumdrops and tubes of icing tumble out onto the floor. Ah, that's how.]

[He is just FROWNING.]

I'd prefer those ugly sweaters from last year...

[A very grumpy mutter before he tries to find something to his liking.]

Why is there so much candy on it...

[And he's still not sure how to use any of this.]

Guess that's the theme for this year...

[She hates it, too.

Seeing his frown, it makes her frown in turn, and she feels a little bad. None of this is her fault, or his, or anyone else's in this house, but having him so upset and grumpy... She knows that all he wants to do is protect them, and to be able to turn them all back, and she knows that awful, helpless feeling. She feels it in the pit of her stomach, and his grimace and muttering break her little gingerbread heart.

Which is why she clears her own worries away so that she can offer him a contrite, crooked smile and a hand on his arm before she's looking further into the closet for something.

It isn't much better, but...

Tifa pulls out what looks like a tin foil shirt and a matching coat, but it's vibrant red with a snowflake pattern on it.]

How about this...?

[She's trying!]

closed to eustace. ✨

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