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

[She gives him a confused look.]

Wot're ya talkin' about now? Wot kinda dee is gonna go around bein' all nice to-

[Gina pauses as it hits her.]

Wait. ...Me?

[She's learning! That's good news, especially if they're going to be working together in the future.]

Is that not your intent? [After calling herself an inspector and all.] Or have I mistaken your ambition?

You ain't mistaken anytin'! [She calls back, with conviction.]

'Course I'm gonna be there for 'em and 'elp 'em out 'owever I can!! ...I... might not be ready for me own apprentice, but I'll do everytin' I can to 'elp 'em onto better paths!

[The energy she faces his question with is well and good, but is her determination enough? Doubtless the girl has been challenged here by whatever dreams she's faced—and she's dealt with no shortage of difficulty in the past—but has she considered the problems she's likely to encounter in the future, on this "better path"?

His gaze on her is as intent as any with which he'd face an opponent in the courtroom.]

What of those you cannot help? Those who refuse the option?

[That question does strike at Gina's confidence. Because it is something she's worried about. Some of her old friends are really set in their ways and against any kind of authority - even if it's Gina.]

I... I dunno... [She admits for a moment, before she steels herself.] All I do know is, I ain't gonna give up on 'em easily. I can't just abandon 'em to bein' stuck in the streets like that. There's gotta be a way to 'elp the 'ole lot of 'em.

You will face disappointment.

[Says the face of disappointment himself. Has there ever been a man who looks more a cynic than Barok van Zieks? He gestures towards the children in her vision with a sweep of his arm.]

You will be met with insurmountable obstacles. People who question your motives and methods. Even those you seek to help may despise you... and you shall continue to see death and tragedy touch those who least deserve it, despite your every effort.

[But she's expressed her conviction more than once, now. He will question the core of her dreams no longer; only the path she takes to reach them.]

You must be ready to accept that... and continue forward nonetheless.

Disappointment? An't being questioned for who I am? [She pauses and gives a bitter smile.]

...Yeah. I got me some experience there. So I'm ready to deal wiv it in spades. [Now she deigns to look back towards the prosecutor.]

I don't think the world needs any more tragedy in the least. But don't you worry, Mr. Reaper. I ain't gonna step pressin' on wiv me path, no matter wot.

[She thinks she's ready, does she...?]

Then I shall follow your progress with interest.

[And perhaps, if he sees her stumble, provide what assistance he can. But he's not going to admit to that outright just yet.]

... but if we are to reach such a point, we must first dispel this unpleasant sorcery.

[Has Gina reflected enough for the magic to grant them some progress? Or will the car perhaps turn to a reenactment of Van Zieks's own history first, two of his own mentors appearing behind him?]

[She hopes she's ready. She has to be, even if she doesn't have to face those friends of hers here in this world.

She turns towards Van Zeiks, ready to give him a smirk and a playful comment - only for her breath to immediately leave her with a startled noise. Because the train has moved on, and two figures have now appeared with Van Zeiks.

Gina will never get used to Gregson suddenly appearing like that. So relatively young, so full of life.]

[The noise draws van Zieks's attention towards the two, but before he can even turn to see, there's a warm, familiar hand on his shoulder. He nearly jumps out of his skin and looks nearly as startled as Gina as he glances from his brother to the inspector, his face paling. After all, he is in fact seeing ghosts.]

Y-you...

[His jaw clenches before anything else comes out, but the two act as if he hasn't just regarded them with an obviously unpleasant reaction. They simply express their pride in his accomplishments and confidence in his new career in the judiciary, just the way they did back then: Klint straightforward and warm, Gregson clearly in good humor.

For once, he's speechless. What is he even supposed to say to two of the very figures that darkened that apparently bright future?]

[She feels like she's been hit by the train instead of riding on it. She stares at the scene unfolding before her. It's a lot just to get used to just seeing Gregson that she can barely process anything else happening in this scene, between the presence of Barok's brother and the things they're saying to him.

Blinking back tears, she tries... tries to summon words to speak.]

B-boss.... Boss... Wot're ya doin'...

[There's a bit of a wariness, too. After all, the last time she saw Gregson was in that carnival attraction where he said such horrible things to her. Now, it's chilling seeing them lavish Barok with compliments like that.]

[Klint keeps his hand where it is, almost as if to quell his brother's dismay. But with the photo opportunity in the memory complete, the two turn to speak conversationally. Though unacknowledged verbally, their gaze and position seem to include the young apprentice detective, as well—and her mentor has a more general sentiment to express, even as he addresses the late prosecutor.

If we're leavin' the law to this lot eventually, London'll be alright, eh?

They watch Barok expectantly; he has a part to play in this recollection, after all, however different his scowling, scarred face is from back then. His voice isn't the same as ten years ago, either; there's undeniably an undertone of bitterness.]

"I won't let you down."

[She's trembling as the scene continues. Just watching them continue to talk and live and breath. And that last comment cuts right through her, eliciting a soft gasp a renewal of the tears that stain her cheeks.

It's hard to focus on Barok now in the face of all this. She follows her comment with some words that sound more sincere... if much quieter and weaker, on a shaky breath.]

...M-me neither...

[I'm certain you'll make all of us proud, his brother answers in kind.

For his own part, Barok would rather watch the poor girl suffer through her own grief than meet the gaze of the two phantoms, himself. His hand rests over the shape of the carved badge still present despite their toylike forms, but slowly tightens almost to a fist.]

Do you believe their sentiment was genuine... Miss Lestrade?

[Gina tries to tug on her hat, but her current one doesn't quite move as easily due to being attached on her head. Instead, she just shrinks back and bows her head while responding softly.]

...Y-yeah. Yeah, I do. They mighta 'ad a 'ole lotta secrets, b-but... but I think they're 'onest on this one. That's 'ow I feel.

[She hesitates a moment before adding-]

But... you really knew the lot of 'em better than me. Does... does it feel real to you?

[Van Zieks shakes his head, though not to answer in the negative; it's to express his frustration as he lets out a disgruntled breath.]

... perhaps my view has been tainted. I find it difficult to consider them without the knowledge of their crimes. However...

[He can admit he's a cynical old grouch. He's improved in some ways, but in others... he feels as pessimistic as ever.]

That they once believed it, I would struggle to doubt. Even later—it is possible they thought with their actions they might be paving the way forward for us, in some fashion.

[As little as Barok might want to use a road drenched in blood.]

[Honestly, she can't blame him for answering like that. As much as she tries to cling to the positive when it comes to Gregson, the shadow of his crimes is always lurking there. And for Van Zeiks, it must be like a weight coming from both of them, with the impact it's had on his own life.]

'E did. [She answers weakly.] The boss, that is, at the very end. ...'E left me a note, y'know. The boss said all kind o' things in it, like 'ow... somehow, me 'eart got 'im thinkin' that 'e should be true to 'imself. An'... after 'is last job, 'e was gonna take me somewhere else to focus on trainin' me. I think that cove wanted to break free from the Reaper... [She lowers her head, balling a wooden fist.] But why'd 'e 'ave to go an' try that last lousy job!

[Van Zieks is silent for a moment. Gregon's death was as much a tragedy as it was the culmination of his own actions. The man hasn't been blameless for a long time, but even so... it is nonetheless regretful that he wasn't allowed a chance to atone. But such paths are not always open to those tied up in the sort of crimes they were.]

... he would have been afforded no such escape.

[After seeing what happened to the rest of those the former Chief Justice used? That much is clear to Barok.]

Stronghart would not have let a man with such dangerous information live outside of his control. Whatever the inspector may have hoped, it's improbable he was unaware. In the same manner, outright refusing the Reaper's orders would only bring the man's wrath down upon him... and those he held dear.

Edited (that doesn't go there) 2023-02-01 08:18 (UTC)

[His response takes on the form of a pill that is painful and hard to swallow. And yet, it's one that she cannot counter. During that trial, she saw it herself. The power that Stronghard held, to pit Gregson and Jigoku against each other like that. Would Gregson really have been able to sneak both of them out of the country under that man's nose...? Gina's not sure she would have agreed to run away from London regardless, but the sentiment still hits her. That he wanted to whisk her away from the true Reaper.

Her head sinks for a moment as she considers everything.]

...Y-yeah. You're... yer right about that. It wouldn't've been so easy. Dunno wot the boss was thinkin' wiv all that...

[And then her eyes cast up towards him, somewhat watery.]

So by takin' on that last job... 'E- 'e was... thinkin' o' me, was 'e...?

[Those he holds dear... She's not sure how she feels about it. Touched by the lengths he'd go through to look out for her - and guilty that she had an influence in that mess that ended the man's life.]

[Van Zieks has little doubt the outcome would have been unaffected, whether Gina was ever involved or not. But could he have prevented such an outcome, looked into the inspector's actions more quickly, discovered the true plot before the murder? But then... what would he have done with such knowledge? As the face of the Reaper, would he have been believed, or would he too have been crushed by Stronghart's power?

He lets out a brief, tired sigh, chin dipping close to his chest.]

However little it may have changed his actions, it was a nobler purpose than what he had taken upon himself ten years ago.

[People do horrible things for good reasons all the time, Barok is well aware, having played his own part. It doesn't change the nature of those actions, but motive must always be considered and acknowledged.]

For him to leave you with such sentiments... he clearly believed in your potential. In you.

[It's hard to think of what ifs. If Gina had never come into Gregson's life, would he still be alive today? But without her around, would he still be inspired to be better...? Gina isn't sure what to make of anything.

All she can do is look to Van Zeiks and find what comfort she can in his words.]

...Y-yeah. I s'pose 'e must've. [She lets out a hint of a chuckle, managing a light smile.]

An' that's just one more reason why I wanna... prove 'im right. An' be every bit the great detective 'e wanted me to be.

[Presented with her mentor's faults and virtues both, the girl still endeavors to strive for greatness for his sake, as well as her own. Perhaps in some ways it's fortunate that she was witness to the full truth of the man so soon, however unpleasant the outcome, and however painful it may be to recognize it.

If only he had been given that chance, as a younger man. He wonders how it would have changed him.

With a slow exhale from the prosecutor, the two ghostly figures vanish, leaving nothing behind but the musical notes the dreamwalkers were promised for their efforts. After a moment, he opens his eyes and turns his gaze towards the magical manifestations as they depart.]

... We are done here.

[As much as she hates when phantoms of the past appear like this, it also feels bad when they disappear. Like they're fading away all over again. Even with the chiming of the music notes, it's like an aching silence that's left in their wake, broken only by Van Zeiks's words.

She softly nods and adjusts her hat while looking away, trying to locate the exit.]

...Yeah. I reckon we are. [Uneasily, she tries to look towards him.]

Th-the both of us, we... we're movin' along. [Without them and in their shadows, while seeking to do better.]

[Unfortunately, van Zieks seems to avoid her gaze. It's easy to blame that on his attention turning towards the car's door, however.

Moving along, she says. Has he moved on? Will he maintain momentum in the future, or will he, in the absence of the memories from this place, be caught in another spiral of bitterness and struggle? It's difficult to tell. He's been here so long, it's almost hard to consider how he felt at the time. How the experiences here have changed him.

He doesn't end up addressing the remark. He simply gestures towards the exit with a glance in her direction.]

After you, Miss Lestrade.

[The lack of eye contact is fair, after what they just experienced. But she does try to hold to what she said. At the end of the day, both of them are still there while the others are gone. All they can do is keep moving along in their lives, and striving for the better heights they've been talking about.

Turning her gaze towards the exit, she nods softly.]

Right then. Thanks.

[It feels like the time for sentiment has passed. Now it's time to move along physically, and leave this car at its designated place, in the past.]

Flat | Top-Level Comments Only

{ gingerbread town | test drive #09 - december 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