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 feels the tap of their hands together, and she appreciates the gesture... but now, as she looks into the inside of the car, it's her turn to feel a little nervous. She hadn't really thought about what they would see, or if they would share a vision in the future car, but... If her heart is still in her chest somewhere, it's fluttering and thundering wildly.]

Yeah... let's go.

[Tifa stays close to him as they board the car, and she fights the urge to shut her eyes as it all comes into view. At first, it's just a regular train car lined with seats, but as soon as they both step on, it begins to shift. It ripples into a new place—a small, unfamiliar home that isn't their tree, but is filled with all of their things. Tifa recognizes her favourite apron hanging in the kitchen, Eustace's cloak on the hook near the door, and vines of starflowers lining the walls. It's quiet, and no one seems to be home yet, but it's warm with the sun filtering in through the windows.]

What's... all this...?

[It's not a treehouse, but a cottage... and a glance outside through the windows will show them that they are in the middle of the woods near the river.]

[Even if they were warned about what they would experience, the change in surroundings is unnerving, regardless of how calm and peaceful it is right now. But perhaps it is so, with their belongings in plain view, that makes it more discomforting. He can't help but be wary, wondering what they will see.]

It... Looks like our home, but in a different place.

[Why did they have to be gingerbread the want to keep a hold on her hand is high, but they can't...really...!!]

If this is the future... I suppose this is ours. But where—

[As if on cue, the sound of many dogs and voices can be heard outside. Most recognizable, but then there are smaller, higher pitched squeals of laughter that confuses him, and he glances at Tifa.]

[The footsteps and the voices—their voices—grow louder, the footsteps coming up to the door, and Tifa takes several paces back as if to make room for whatever is about to happen.

"What did I say about running?"

It's her own voice that calls from the other side, and there's a choir of barks and a child's laughter as well as the frantic pounding of small feet.

The door clicks, and the first to rush into the house are the corgis, all of them not gingerbread like she was expecting. Many of them are older now, but among the seven that she recognizes instantly, there are two more that she doesn't remember. Puppies, perhaps?

After the dogs, a young boy darts in after them, laughing. He looks no older than four or five years old with black hair, red eyes to match his mother, and a pair of black ears atop his head like his father. Following him is the vision of Tifa, slightly older now, and she carries a small bundle wrapped in a pink blanket in her arms... And Eustace will bring up the rear.]

This is our... [She's so stunned that she chokes on the word as it catches in her throat as her hand taps against Eustace's when she reaches for it out of instinct.] Family...?

Edited 2023-01-02 02:43 (UTC)

[Eustace himself is frozen when he sees the sight, immediately recognizing the pair of children from the petal he had caught from the tree during the Flower Festival, a time that felt so long ago. His eyes stare heavily at the young before they go to the bundle in Tifa's arms, his heart rate racing—before he's brought back by the touch of Tifa's hand against his and her own stunned voice.]

It's... It's like the petal...

[He can barely make out the words himself, still flummoxed by it all. He had no idea what they would see here, but this... It should be a happy sight, but it just brings a more painful, bittersweet feeling instead.

Because this future...

...

It's not... Can it even be possible...?]

The petal...?

[It clicks as soon as she says it, and the memory comes pouring back to the forefront of her mind. It was the same night he had that dream of the wolves, and he had shown it to her. It was faded back then, but clear enough that Tifa could get a clear picture of what it once clearly depicted.

An image of her and Eustace together, the dogs running circles around their feet, a young boy walking alongside them... and a smaller bundle wrapped securely in Tifa's arms that was unmistakably a young baby.

Tifa looks at him, and then at the scene again, catching just as her vision self sits at the table with a tired sigh, and she clutches the baby closer, folding the blanket back so that she can get a better look at the face, and it gives the two of them a glimpse too. White hair, and as she blinks her eyes open, she has bright blue eyes, white ears...

Her chest flutters and tightens, and she's not sure quite yet how to register everything.]

Eustace, she looks like... She looks like you...

[...This is going to be way too much for him, and even he's surprised by the overwhelming flux of emotions he has about it. There's something burning in his chest, tightening to the point that it makes it almost difficult for him to breathe, and in some ways he's glad he's a gingerbread so that Tifa can't see the full extent of his conflicted feelings. But there's still enough for her to get a sense.

And when the boy runs up to Eustace to grab his leg and ask about when they can go out and check the traps, he pays close attention to his features as well.]

...The boy's like you.

[His voice and words sound so heavy as he watches them all gathered so happily. So...perfect.

...]

I need a minute.

[Without warning Eustace suddenly turns and steps away, a bit of frost lingering in the air in his place.]

[She doesn't need to see it. She can feel it in the air... that tightness, that buzz, the way the air chills around him ever so slightly. Tifa wants to look at him, but the longer she looks at them, watches the way the young boy that's apparently been named Arin pulls at Eustace's leg, the harder it becomes to take her eyes off of it. It's as if she's trying to take every piece of this in and memorize each detail, big and small...

It's the heaviness in his voice that draws her attention back, her eyes pulling away from that sweet, warm smile on Eustace's face... The kind that carries an amount of love she's never, ever seen before...

But then he's turning and stepping away, and Tifa opens her mouth to speak, to call out to him, but all that comes out is a small sound at first before she follows, passing through that cloud of frost that hovers where he once stood.

He'll hear her footsteps tapping behind her, and she leaves behind the scene where she can hear herself and Eustace both laughing about the face the baby, Sirra, makes, and she calls Eustace over to come look at how she's smiling in her sleep.

She knows that he said he needed a minute, but this is not something she wants to leave him alone after witnessing. Because she doesn't want to be alone, either. Her own heart aches as she hears the sleepy sounds of the baby and the boy's laughter, but... She pushes it all aside for him for now.]

Eustace...?

[When she catches up to him, Tifa stretches a hand out to touch him, but her hand hovers just short of reaching him.]

[He doesn't go too far, just out the "door" that leads them just outside of the house. There he stands with his eyes closed and fists clenched...as much as he can as a gingerbread, anyway. But he takes several breaths, listening to Tifa following him and knowing he's making her worry. For that, he feels even worse, but...]

...Sorry.

[Eventually Eustace is able to let out a small sigh before turning back to her, his expression still conflicted.]

I...

[Yet he can't figure out how to express himself. How he felt both elated yet so bitter and pained about seeing the next dream he has come to life in front of his very eyes. Even if he doesn't necessarily want to start a family right away, to not even have it in the cards... It's a bitter reminder of how temporary their lives currently are, let alone whether if it's even possible at all for them in this world.]

[As she comes up beside him, she gives a small shake of her head.]

No... it's alright.

[He doesn't need to explain himself, least of all to her. Tifa can understand what he's feeling, and in her own chest, it feels as though something is squeezing at her heart. She can still hear their voices behind them—Tifa asking Eustace to grab her a bottle from the fridge to feed the baby—that she's trying to tune out for now, but it's proving to be difficult...

She feels those ripples of emotions, too. The waves of happiness and then those more bittersweet feelings that follow, as if to drown it out, and it repeats over and over...]

I wasn't sure what to expect, but it wasn't this...

[She tries to talk to him, but her own voice has fallen quiet, even unsure, despite her efforts to remain steady for him.]

...Same.

[Again he tries to steel his mind, to steady himself before he reaches out to take her hand.]

...But...it's not really so bad.

[He looks around...and then back through the open door where they can see the four figures so happy together.]

It's beautiful.

[As painful as it is...there's no denying that in more ideal circumstances, in a world where they didn't have to worry about such complications, this is...really what he would have wanted. the kind of dream and future he wishes to one day have.]

[She feels his hand touch hers, and she wishes for nothing more right now than to hold it... To lace her fingers through his and be a strong presence for him, just as he is for her. It's not hard for Tifa to tell when he's trying, and this time is no different... but she, too, is doing the same.

Her gaze follows his back to the vision, and there's a beat of warmth that surges up between them to chase away any lingering frost that's followed him here.]

It is... [She can hear the sound of her voice breaking a bit under the pressure as her eyes land on the future Eustace again, and how he smiles when he scoops up the boy into his arms.] We look really happy.

[Content. Like a real family.]

You know, it's funny... This isn't something I've thought about much since the last time, but...

[Her free hand rests over her chest.]

Now that I'm seeing it like this...

[He moves closer to her, his hands changing so that he can move his arm to behind her back while keeping their hands in close contact as he hugs her.]

...I know. It's...different when something that should seem normal is not.

[When it's there, but out of reach.]

[She feels his arm circle around her back, and she takes the opportunity to lean against him. It isn't quite as easy to fit herself there like it usually is, but she makes do for now. Her response comes in a small, silent nod, and Tifa watches it all just a little bit longer. Arin and Eustace grab a bottle from the counter and the boy is carried over to her at the table with the baby, and all of the dogs have scattered, but there are a few that remain behind to lay at Tifa's feet.

"Can I try feeding her?" Arin asks, and Tifa sees herself smile as Eustace sets the boy down again so that he can rush over and help.

Her heart aches. She's never really thought of herself much of a mother—she was a caretaker for Marlene when Barret was busy with Avalanche business, but she was still his daughter. She enjoyed taking care of her and Marlene really did think of Tifa as a mother figure, but this...

This is different.

These children are, without a doubt, her own. Their own.]

Do you... wanna take a closer look?

[Can they?]

[Does he? He's not sure, but... He can't deny there is something tugging at his heart, a small flame of desire to see this "what if." Hell, whatever children they might or could have could look completely different, but...

As he looks at himself, looks at that smile and face he's never seen himself wear before, one that is filled with a different kind of love, joy, and devotion than he has to Tifa and others he's cared for so far...

He remembers what Nier had told him back at the wedding reception, how the words had pricked him in a bitter way. For as much as he wanted to eventually Rais a family of his own now that he found his mate, the reality was much harsher. Yet it still stuck to him, the strange idea of being a "father." The question of whether he could really be one, to live up to even a fraction of the legacy of his own, the fragments of his childhood that he manages to barely hold onto as the years pass by. And soon he would be thirty...

Could he really be good enough?

It's strange, but he even thought of Ronan, someone he considered first a mentor and, perhaps, something of a father figure who helped raise and look after him after taking him under his wing. He never thought of him often for personal problems, but now he wonders what the older Erune would say, what kind of advice or face Ronan would have if he could see him now.

So if he really looked at this children... Their faces would be forever burned into his memory, he knows it. Faces of a future that may never come to pass. Would he and Tifa end up mourning over something that cannot pass? Or...

"As long as you can get your mark—no matter what losses you have to endure—you just won't be stopped.

But then again, that's how you've been since I've known you."

The words Ronan had sighed as Eustace walked away that day when he went against his orders to save Lyria suddenly come to mind. The context was completely different, but the meaning behind them still hold true: once he makes a decision, he follows through until the end, no matter the cost. His methods may have tempered, but that part of him hasn't changed.

Tifa by his side is proof of that.

By now several moments of silence has passed before he finally looks back at her. There's a bit of clarity in his eyes, the blue icing once a bit muddied now brighter and firm. Inside the laughter and the voice of the boy playfully chiding his younger sister for spitting out the milk at him can be heard.]

...Let's go in.

[A future that may or may not come to pass...

A future he will try to make come true.

If he wants to do this, if he wants to firm up that resolve he needs to see it all. ]

[She's patient, waiting silently for him to gather his thoughts. Meanwhile, Tifa closes her eyes and listens to the laughter, that happiness that their other selves are feeling bubbling up into a warmth that spreads through the entire train car. Or perhaps it's her own... or both. Regardless of which it is, she feels it ripple around them, and it feels like that sun that's shining through the windows of the cottage is real, and bathing them in its warmth along with their future selves.

She wishes she could say that she was perfectly content right now... or even relieved that this is what the train is showing them and not something else. It could have chosen anything from her future, though she doesn't know what it holds, the possibilities are endless, especially on Gaia. The hunt for Sephiroth? The places they go on their journey after Midgar? Maybe even a few years down the road, if they win...

Honestly, even if this image is bittersweet, and even if it makes her heart ache with longing, it's easier to stomach than the vision of a future without him at all...

When Eustace finally speaks, it brings Tifa's train of thought to a grinding halt and she finally opens her eyes to look at him. They don't have to, and yet, she catches a glimpse of that determination in his eyes. Even if they are made of icing, it isn't hard for her to miss. She's seen it a hundred times before, and she knows that sound in his voice, too.]

I'm right here.

[It's a quiet, simple reminder, but one that she hopes will help. Tifa can tell that he's nervous, and she doesn't want him to think that he's alone in feeling that way.

So, with a gentle tap of his hand, she lets him lead her back into the cottage proper so that they can go at his pace, but even as they walk through this new, unfamiliar home, there is only one thing that Tifa can look at, and it's the baby in her arms. She hasn't gotten a good enough look at her yet, but as they get closer, she can feel the butterflies awaken in her stomach, and she stops as they get closer, taking in a shaky breath that turns into a nervous laugh.]

... Thought I would be more ready myself.

[He quietly leads them in, but when he feels Tifa hesitate, he immediately stops and looks at her, his grip somehow tightening as best as it can.]

Neither am I.

[Just being honest. But he's calm.]

...But if this is our only chance... I'd rather take it.

[To put a face, a voice, a name—to put it all for this new resolve that's beginning to burn. No matter how painful it is.]

Yeah...

[He's right.

Their only chance, though... Those words burn right into the deepest part of her heart, into the place where it hurts the most. It's a bit alarming how much it does, but if he is going to be strong about it, then it only stands to reason that she should, too. After all, this is one of however many different possibilities that exist, isn't it?

That's why it's showing them this, right...?

...

Tifa's feet begin to move again, and he'll feel her own grip on his hand tightening in that funny way it does in this form, but it's to let him know that she's ready.

It's all a bit surreal as she approaches... herself, blissfully unaware of her own presence as she laughs and wipes away the bubbles of milk that sputter up from the baby's tiny little mouth and looks up at Eustace and the boy with a smile. It's something so simple, but seeing herself so happy, smiling like that... It feels so unreal. Like it's an unreachable dream that she still wants to reach out and touch...

But as soon as the baby comes into her full view, Tifa feels her heart almost stop, and her breath suddenly catches in her throat.]

Eustace... [His name spills out of her in an uncontrolled sigh, and she pauses again, like she's afraid that moving any closer will shatter this dream.] She's so... She's so beautiful...

[She looks just like him. Even more so now that she has a proper look...]

...Mm.

[He, too, almost finds it too difficult to speak as he looks down at the small infant. It's so strange. It's not even his child. Not...directly. Yet he feels that strong desire to protect regardless. And soon the young boy shoves his face in with a rattle toy to try and get his little sister's attention, making faces at her.

Seeing the young girl starting to be upset, he watches himself pull the boy back with a light scolding for crowding her. It seems the little one is tired, so it may be due to a nap...]

...Looks like they'll be a handful.

[Naptime after feeding time, Tifa reminds them.

And on the other side of all of this, her gingerbread hand falls from Eustace's as she stands behind herself and looks down at the baby nestled safely in the blanket. Seeing the way her little face twists like she's about to cry before the bottle is placed in her mouth again. Her little hands as they stretch outside of the blanket, reaching upward to touch her mother's face... Her face, and how she so willingly allows it, those tiny fingers grabbing at her nose...

It's in that moment, as laughter rings out through the room and the young boy whines about wanting to make his sister laugh as Eustace scolds him, that Tifa realizes how badly she wants this.

Seeing it in the petal had been one thing. It was a faded image then, but the sentiment was there... but seeing this all right in front of her like this, so close that she could reach out and touch it all, makes her understand what that tugging at her heart means. What that ache and yearning is for...

This is a happiness unlike anything else she will ever experience, and to have it be right there, within her grasp, and yet still feel so far away...

Tifa never really thought about having a family before. She was far too young, too busy to do much else but worry about the bar, and it was never something that even occurred to her in passing. She was okay with what she had at the time—she had friends, a better place to live, and a good-paying job that kept her occupied that she didn't think she needed much else. Tifa never did ask for much anyway, but it wasn't until she met Eustace that all of that had started to change.

It wasn't until they had promised each other to spend the rest of their days here together that her whole world had started to tip on its axis. She had started wishing for more, wanting more, and finding ways to take it. Tifa found a happiness that she hadn't ever known before, and all she wanted was to find a way to hold onto it, and make him happy in return.

And now... this.

It's a difficult thing for someone like her to piece together, but when she finally does as she watches the children, watches Eustace, it all begins to make so much more sense. She had said before that she wanted this, but she never knew just how much until she saw it all with her own two eyes. And seeing it, it's all a bit overwhelming.

Eustace will hear a sob escape her, and she skirts her gaze away, turning her head as tiny gumdrop tears begin to well up beneath her red icing eyes...]

[His eyes had been transfixed by it all, but when he hears Tifa's sob, immediately his heart sinks, as if the sound alone was a bullet that pierces through the steady yet fragile wall he had to tried to keep up. Face contorting, he immediately turns to take her into his arms, hugging her close as he closes his eyes, teeth clenched as he tries to keep himself steady for her.

But...it's much more difficult than he anticipated. Although not enough to cry, he shares in her profound sadness.

So he'll hold her for a few moments before he hoarsely whispers close to her.]

I'll find a way to make it happen.

[Tifa lets him take her into his arms. She doesn't fight it, but instead, traps him with hers as well, holding onto him as tight as her brittle cookie arms will let her. She doesn't cry out loud, but he will hear her sniffle quietly and he'll feel her shoulders shake with those tiny sobs as she buries her face in his chest, embarrassed that she had this reaction to it at all. She should be happy, should she not? And she is... she is over the moon right now at seeing this, but there is that small part of her that aches for it, aches so much that it isn’t so small anymore.

His words have her lifting her gaze, the gumdrops stuck to her face like tears as more build up in her eyes.]

... Huh?

[She pauses to wipe some of them away, but that doesn't stop them by much.]

How...? I thought this was impossible...?

[It should be, given their circumstances. If it were, they would have had at least one by now.]

...Mm.

[A small, quiet nod as he tries to brush away some of those gumdrops.]

It seems that way given how we're not permanent members of this world...and even if it were, it wouldn't be wise because of what could happen if one or both of us left...

...But we already want to stay in this world. We already know other fae and animals can produce offspring. So if we did find a way to stay...would it really be so impossible still...?

[Of course, he can't say for certain. He has no idea how they would tether themselves to this world as the tapirs had suggested, nor would it would all entail. Perhaps it wouldn't change anything in terms of their biological function. Or maybe it could.

...Either way...]

...We can at least look into it and try. And if we can't... We'll just find some other way to raise a family.

[Adoption being the most obvious.]

Regardless... Whatever the form it is... This...

[He glances around the house, the dogs, him, Tifa, the children—]

...I want all of this with you.

[That hopeful part of her holds onto his every word. The part that believes in him so, so much also wants to believe that he would find a way to give them both all of this, and the conviction in his voice and in his eyes when she brings herself to meet his gaze makes her trust that he could do anything.]

Me too... I want all of this, too... Someday.

[She says it without a second thought, the words dropping out of her so fast and with so much certainty that she leaves no room for doubt.]

It doesn't have to be right now, but... knowing that we could one day...

[Tifa wants to enjoy their new, married life together first. Though not much has changed in their day to day, her feelings for him have certainly taken on a new colour. They've deepened considerably, and she wants to explore them before diving into anything else, but this thought will always be in the back of her mind. This vision, this dream, whatever it is that they're standing in the middle of will always be there now that she's seen it, and now that her heart has longed for it.

In between sniffles, she lets out a laugh.]

I never really imagined myself with a family before, to be honest...

[He softly nods.]

Yes...one day.

[He, too, wants to spend time with just her, enjoy their life together.]

But to have something to look forward to... I want to give you that.

[More of a certainty than just a sad what if dream.]

And it's something I didn't really think much of, either... [A small, rueful laugh.] Then again... I didn't think I would ever be here, either.

[As far as she's concerned, he's already given her so, so much to look forward to that she feels like she can't ask for much more than that. A life filled with love, to love and be loved in a way she never really knew was possible, a means to do the things she never could do before... She thinks, for a moment, to the café that she wants to open, and to the home that he continues to expand as their family grows, and there's a fond thump of her heart as she thinks about what he might do if they were to let it grow even more...

With children of their own...

Her hand brushes against his cheek, and she hates how she can't feel the proper warmth of his skin against her fingertips...]

Really? [She's not at all surprised, but she pretends to be. The two of them are similar in more ways than they know.] I think you'd make a great dad...

[And Tifa doesn't need a train car to tell her that, but it's nice to have that sentiment confirmed.]

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