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

[dreamposts]

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.

1. 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.
   
   
2. 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.

1. 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!
   
   
2. 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.

1. 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.
   
   
2. 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) :

1. Regular chocolate: Makes the drinker nostalgic, particularly for something in their childhood.
   
2. Peppermint: Gives the drinker a spark of inspiration to work on something creative.
   
3. Caramel: Gives the drinker extra energy, making them unable to stay still without doing something.
   
4. Raspberry: Makes the drinker want to get back to nature by finding an outdoor activity to do.
   
5. 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.

Comments

[daemonise]

[Most of it is just Velvet's stubbornness to learn.

But she turns around to look at him, and if she could raise a brow, she would. It more twitches upward than anything, but even that looks like it's struggling to do something so simple.]

Really?

[Yeah, the train's neat and all, but that isn't what they're here for?? Yet, she feels compelled to ask:]

Why's that?

[rokubro]

Partially because this is something we've never seen before, but how would it even work? Could it even cross the ocean or would it just stay in one of the larger islands, like Lothringen to Hellawes if it crosses through Vortigern? Faster to get to those two by ship, but I guess for any settlements that are more inland, something like a train to transport things would be useful.

[daemonise]

Well, could always take the idea back with you.

[Assuming that he even remembers. But he does make some good points about transport.]

Seems like it would be a hassle to get these across the ocean. Build some rails from the bigger docks to take things inland, though. Faster than carriages, but more expensive to run, I bet. This thing's got a lot of frills.

[rokubro]

It's true that while weird, I do remember having some kind of strange dreams that resembled this place... Maybe a weird dream about a bunch of metal boxes on tracks will stick out. Not that I would be able to do much with it, anyway.

[He's a daemon swordsman not an engineer— Still, doesn't mean he can't find it fascinating.]

[daemonise]

[Nothing wrong with either of those things.]

There're plenty of people who could take your idea and run with it.

[She shrugs.

Not that it matters much to her anyway. She has a ship waiting for her back home to get around, and she doesn't mind the walking that much.]

Bet Eizen would love this.

[rokubro]

Oh man—

[He laughs.]

I'm not sure if he would love it or if he would try prove that ships are better. I can see it going both ways.

[Small. Pause.]

But maybe it's better if he's not around. Wouldn't want to test his luck around something like this.

[daemonise]

If there's any room for Eizen to talk about something for hours, then I'd call that love.

[She can hear it now—Eizen's long, long history on something like the power of steam-run things. And then an even longer history and explanation on how ships are so much better and more reliable, as Rokurou says.

It even draws a quiet, fond laugh out of her.]

But true. Last thing we need is for this thing to crash into a shopfront while we're trying to get these stupid notes.

[Velvet waves a dismissive hand.]

Hopefully our luck'll be better.

[As she looks into the car up ahead. Right now, as she props the door open with her foot, it looks like any other train car does... but she knows that as soon as they pass through, that will no longer be the case.]

[rokubro]

[Especially since once they step through, there's a strange fog that settles around them, enough to make them immediately go on their guard...before there's the sound of something being hit in a methodical, well practiced way, like a weapon against straw.]

...Just had to say it, huh?

[Yet as he speaks, he notices the rest of their surroundings change to something more like a forest...the bamboo trees very familiar to him.]

[daemonise]

Hmph. If what I've gotta say has any bearing on this, then I'm not the problem.

[She grumbles it as she lets him through first and follows behind him, and she's immediately met with confusion as the entire car shifts. The long lines of seats and the compartments are replaced by tall trees, and no longer does she hear the sounds of a train but rather, the sounds that belong in a forest.

Velvet is immediately on her guard as well, her bandaged hand tensing as best as a nutcracker's can, but she loosens up at the sound of something smacking against straw....]

What is that?

[rokubro]

[At first he hadn't been sure, as he takes a few steps forward and listens to the sound, he just grins a little strangely.]

Aaah. The old training ground. Guess this is a vision of a past. My past, anyway.

[And he'll just walk on forward, not really that bothered despite knowing what will happen next.]

[daemonise]

[He sounds less troubled about it than she feels about this. She feels like she's intruding on something she shouldn't be, even if she knows that he came into this willingly with her... It's one of those things where Velvet feels like she shouldn't be here regardless. That this isn't something she's supposed to see.

Because she wouldn't want anyone to see her own. Which is why there's a very obvious sigh of relief when it turns out to be his and not hers.

She follows after him silently, looking around the trees for any signs of where they could be.]

You know what's going on here?

[rokubro]

They said these cars could show memories of visions of the future, right?

[A small shrug.]

There aren't many places with these kinds of forests, and they surround the Rangetsu estate. So not hard to recognize.

[He talks with his usual nonchalance, as if giving her some kind of tour or backstory as he continues to walk towards the sound.]

Of course which memory... Well, not that it would matter. It's usually the same, anyway.

[And soon they'll reach the edge of the trees to reveal a small clearing where several practice targets are set up. In the middle of it is a young Rokurou who looks to be twelve or thirteen, two short blades in his hands as he dashes from one target to the next, deftly cutting into them all with speed and accuracy that would rival the average adult swordsman.]

[daemonise]

[She follows, listening to and watching him closely while he explains, but once they reach the clearing, the recognition is instant. The young boy darts from one target to another, cutting them much the same way she's familiar with now. She eyes him for a while, not saying much as she lets the sounds of his slicing fill the comfortable silence, but after a few more moments...]

Good to know not much has changed.

[Is that a touch of amusement in her voice? Only a little, but it's there.]

[rokubro]

Hey, I'd hope I've at least improved from what you see now. It may look good, but I'm cringing at the mistakes I made back there.

[Of course, he knows that's not what she means. And his eyes, while following his younger self, has drifted to a different part of the clearing.]

[daemonise]

Just a little. He's faster.

[She points to the younger Rokurou, that ghost of a smile playing a little more at her lips before she's following his gaze, and amusement fades into curiosity, and she steps up right to his side.]

Something out there?

[rokubro]

[Just a scoff.....but yeah okay, he was a bit faster when he was younger. Hard to deny the benefits of being smaller for that. At her question, however, his expression turns....strangely calm. Not a peaceful one, but heavy, like an observer who knows some ill turn of events is about to happen and has resigned themselves to just be that—an observer.]

Yeah. And should be coming in three...two...one...

[And as if on cue, there's a loud voice and a laugh as his oldest brother appears.

"Hey, little brother, out here training on your own again? Looks like you actually improved. Took you how long, a week?"

Immediately the younger Rokurou stiffens and glares at him, but there's a mixed feeling that's being made more evident, perhaps because of the nature of this world. It's clear he's irritated...but there's a slight swell of pride and hope as well.

And Rokurou himself...just watches while leaning against a tree, arms crossed. Silent. No clear emotion easily to be found yet.]

[daemonise]

[For Velvet, there's a clear flicker of something across her face as soon as she turns and that familiarity hits. He looks significantly younger, but there's no mistaking that annoying voice.

A foot stomps forward and she looks like she's fighting back an urge to strike the asshole down, but a single look back at Rokurou next to her and, seeing his lack of emotion, it gives her pause.]

Is that who I think it is?

[It's gotta be. She wouldn't have had such a reaction to him if it weren't. That, or all of the Rokurou brothers look the same.]

[rokubro]

Yeeeeeeep.

[A long, low drawl as he watches his brother continue to laugh and poke fun at his younger self, already pointing out all his mistakes. In fairness, his brother does also point out where he improved...but like usual, they're backhanded compliments, egging him on and never feeling like real praise.]

My older brother, Shigure. Or at this point in time, he's just Ichirou. It was a little different back then...but not by much.

[It wouldn't be much longer after this that that drive to beat his brother and resentment would fester and grow in the coming years, turning into unbridled hatred until it reaches its peak and he loses it and becomes a daemon. But right now, at this point in time... There's still a glimmer of respect and admiration. That want, that need of recognition.]

[daemonise]

[She visibly relaxes, her fist unfurling from itself to relax at her side as she continues to watch the two of them.]

So, he's always been a jerk.

[Didn't take much for her to understand that. Even she can tell that the things he says could be better, and that's a hell of a lot coming from someone like her. For a moment, she thinks back to her own brother... how she might have done it if she were in his shoes...

But she forces herself to quickly shake the thought away, and whatever lukewarm expression is replaced with another frown.]

How long ago was this?

[rokubro]

Let's see... Think I was twelve? Thirteen? Something like that. Young enough to still want to follow in dear brother's footsteps.

[A small, harsh laugh. But while he's clearly cynical, his usual bite that she would have been more accustomed to isn't around. He just continues to stare at the memory with some reflection instead.]

[daemonise]

[She is definitely not accustomed to that lack of bite... that edge in his voice that she was used to hearing now dulled into something more reflective, and though still cynical, there's something... different about it.

Velvet doesn't question it for now, but she recalls the conversation the two of them had in the hot springs... and it doesn't take much more than that to piece it together. This Rokurou standing in front of her is, like the younger counterpart in the distance, from another time... One that she's not familiar with, and one she still has to see for herself...

And for a moment, she's caught between wanting to ask and not wanting to know.

There's something gentle underneath the usual bitterness of her tone—subtle, but noticeable.]

Can't exactly say I blame you. Doesn't take much to suddenly see family in a whole different light.

[rokubro]

[Truthfully, he still has mixed feelings. The hatred for his brother will always remain, but even then he had always respected his skill. And while it had been warped over the years...at least in the beginning and perhaps even now, a part of him had still wanted to receive some kind of acknowledgement of his own skills. Seeing his younger self before things had become so twisted is just reminding of old memories he hadn't thought of for so long. His old self he had long regarded as weak and foolish.

...Sigh.]

Heh, yeah, you had that, too. Funny how the two daemons of the group had brother issues, huh?

[daemonise]

[She scoffs openly at his comment. What a strange thing to "bond" over.]

Funny how they're the ones to blame for it, too.

[Velvet motions to Rokurou with a small cant of her head.]

You became one to best him, didn't you?

[rokubro]

Ah...yeah.

[He looks over at where his brother is taunting his younger self into a fight.]

...But I couldn't really do it all by myself. The rest of you helped fight him first. Only at the end for the final duel did I finish him off.

[daemonise]

[Couldn't do it all by himself...

The words stick to her, oddly enough, and rather than shake them off, she finds herself reflecting on them a little. She recalls the things she had said, the conversations that were had that are still fresh in her mind. The way they all continue to stick by her regardless of...

Velvet stops that thought right in its tracks and looks up at the younger Rokurou with a cant of her head. Despite the potential heaviness of her question, her voice remains calm and quiet.]

Was it worth it?