TDM #1

[beautifuldreamermods]

TDM #1

Welcome one and all to the very first test drive meme for Beautiful Dreamer! If you're unfamiliar with the game, then you can check out the navigation to get yourself up to speed on all the relevant info pages then check out the AU Planning meme to see what juicy ideas your fellow players are cooking up!

In order to not spoil the opening of the game for players, the overall TDM is not canon to Beautiful Dreamer though players are free to treat individual CR/threads on this post as canon to their characters if both players are happy to do so.

Dreamers on the TDM will have access to all of their starter powers as outlined on the powers page as well as two unique abiliites to play around with as you please.

Some prompts and location details have been provided below for you to play around with but please feel free to go hog wild and have fun!

YUMEMIGAOKA

It's a busy day just like any other in a town as big and bustling as Yumemigaoka. With the last days of winter finally at everyone's backs, spring has begun blooming in earnest and the cheery seasonal energy is pretty infectious. A number of events are taking place around the city, so why not take the time to look around and have fun?



⧖ The Tsubaki Department Store is beginning to hype up their upcoming Golden Week extravaganza with a number of small sales and promotions. Maybe this year you'll finally be able to snag that air fryer you've been eyeing?!

⧖ It's cherry blossom viewing season! Hina Flower Gardens are holding a free event with a number of special seasonal goodies and some absolutely beautiful scenery to take in.

⧖ Moon Bunny Market are organising a stamp rally all around the neighborhood, with prizes on the line if you manage to collect them all. Just find the right stalls and speak to the right people and you could win a tasty prize!

Of course, life doesn't grind to a halt just because it's nice and sunny outside. Now the city is getting busier and more touristy, the folks who keep things running are starting to get some pressure put on them! And if you happen to be a student, end of term exams are starting to loom on the horizon, with particular pressure put on those just about to graduate their respective schools... Not to mention with spring coming around, allergies are running riot!

Let's just hope you're not feeling too stressed. After all, with all this energy running rampant and regular life starting to really push down on everyone, who knows what those negative feelings could spawn...?!

THE DREAM SPHERE

The Dream Sphere might be a very different kind of place to Yumemigaoka but that doesn't mean it's any less busy. Spring has sprung over on this side, too, with iridescent flowers and colorful trees growing right out of the streets and buildings all over the Slumbering City and the sky above turning a particularly pretty shade of pale pink to match.

That makes it especially bizarre that it appears to be snowing all over the Dream Sphere, no matter where you go but on closer inspection this snow is actually cherry blossom petals raining endlessly down from the sky. How pretty! Of course, for those of you with allergies, maybe it's just rubbing salt on the wound. Your nose isn't itching, is it? Achoo!

Pretty or not though, if you're on this side then you've got work to do! With the Waking World starting to gear back up after winter, some of the associated stress is starting to funnel into the Dream Sphere and cause no small manner of trouble. Torments and Nightmares won't hunt themselves so be sure to properly scout out all the available locations of the Dream Sphere you can access just in case - maybe you'll find a new teammate to work with while you're out there!

In particular, it looks like trouble can be found...


⧖ In the Vale of Sorrow, it's still raining and pouring despite the change of season and that combined with the dusting of petals across everything has turned navigating the place into a real task, even for a fully prepared Dreamer. The ground is even more of a wet and soggy mulch than before and to make matters worse, a group of particularly nasty Torments are gathering and seem to be made out of bristling vines and piercing brambles... they're unusually quick and vicious even for Torments so you better act fast and deal with them ASAP!

⧖ In the Reverie Necropolis, the season of spring hardly seems to have touched the place. If the sky has changed at all, it's hidden behind the bone white clouds that hang low and every single petal that touches the ground immediately shrivels and dies once it lands. Once you actually enter the labyrinth, frantic whispers can be heard and the scratching of disembodied pencils scribbling over papers can be heard echoing up and down all the halls. The vibes are absolutely rancid, is what I'm saying – made even worse by the fact that when you stumble into one of the open caverns, you come across a Nightmare just about to manifest?! Better hope you're not alone, because you'll need some good strong teamwork to keep things from escalating any further!

code

Comments

Frill(Net) | "Dreamer Latticewing" | WEP

[my_name_is_frill]

a. FrillNet
>Topic: Weekly Bulletins
week of 4/1 - Original Poster: frill!

happy april! gratz, you all made it to another month, so let's celebrate! (｡･∀･)ﾉﾞ

now it's time to get down to business o((>ω< ))o

DREAM SPHERE ALERTS
-maybe skip out on patrol this week if you've got allergies... the cherry blossom petals that are EVERYWHERE lately irritate those something fierce! do allergy meds work in the dream sphere? somebody should experiment and let us know, for the sake of SCIENCE \(@^0^@)/

-the terrain in the vale is rouuuuugh right now. bring hiking boots if you can! there's some nasty plant-y torments hanging around rn and they tend to run in groups. fire-themed dreamers, now's your time to shine! and remember to thank your sentries for tanking all those nasty thorn attacks, they're real quick

-Getting serious for a moment, a Nightmare has manifested in the Necropolis. It's a powerful one, probably because of all the students stressed over exams. At least two Figments have gotten hit by this manifestation, so it's officially a priority target. Dreamer Latticewing has apparently been spotted in the area, so if you're lucky you could get some unexpected backup, but don't rely on it. just make sure to cap this guy before any DU nerds get to it so you can get the glory instead of those dweebs ผ(•̀_•́ผ)

(っ °Д °;)っ stay safe, everybuddy!

FORUM BUSINESS
since the latest nightmare has made it apparent that school stress is pretty dire right now, you have a few options to blow off steam so it doesn't affect your dreamer work!
1. be an adult and not have to worry about all this, oh how i envy you <(＿　＿)>
2. ditch like a normal person
3. if you absolutely HAVE TO study like some kind of geek, in my INCREDIBLE graciousness, i've put up a new topic where you can get help! you can find it in >Topic: study room for nerds. don't overuse it though, this is a site for dreamers, not a study group!!! it's there for emergencies, just in case

also, everyone going to promise high: you have my blessing and my encouragement to give dreamer union shills swirlies! i hear they're coming out in FORCE for some reason. and if you see ryoko-chan, prank her and send me the proof. i'll give you mod privileges for a day. this is a ONE TIME BOUNTY, first come first serve, not a harassment campaign! i just miss her :(

frill! out!

---------------------
b. dreamer latticewing
[In the dusty depths of the Reverie Necropolis, an apparition appears. Ethereal, ghostly... you'd be forgiven for thinking you're seeing things at first, given how she floats through a wall, a serene smile on her face even as she drifts past a tortured Figment, lying broken before a hulking Nightmare.

She doesn't even seem to notice you at first, simply holding out her arm and summoning four floating wings to her side, and leveling them at the Nightmare that's equally ignorant of her presence.

Then she opens fire, blue tendrils of light that almost look like jellyfish tentacles lashing out from the wings, and the fight is on. And unfortunately for you, you're caught in the middle of it.]

frillnet

[nmc0204]

[ a few days after the post goes up, from the boring ass shinonome username, as usual; ]

blatant abuse of power. descent into authoritarianism immanent. this is the end of frillnet as we know it.

Novvy Rex / original

[kitri]

awake

(moon bunny market:)

<sub>[ Gratia is running back... and forth... and back... and forth...

Novvy had appointed himself at a bench where he can keep a reasonable eye on his kid's comings and goings, holding a tote with the few little things they've picked up so far, an ear out for calls of "Papa, papa, look what I found!" Akabeni was a little far to come for groceries, but that wasn't really the whole reason they were here. They needed vegetables, they both had the time off, it was a bea-u-tiful day and there were 'delicious prizes' or whatever... it'd be a great way to burn off all that energy and get an errand done while disguising it with fun. also he's weak to aesthetics, he kinda wants a new cute pen from that trendy stationary shop.

It was a great time right up until Gratia popped up empty handed and upset, because she dropped her favorite blue bunny plush somewhere.

Ah hell.

Wanna join a bunny hunt? ]</sub>

dreaming

(in the vale of sorrow:)

<sub>[ The scent of the rain has completely overtaken the perfume of the blossoms. Pink petals appear bone white, lain flat against the dark earth, wavering atop puddles, jostled over and again by the incessant raindrops.

The tiny ripples from Ballade's steps are barely visible among the tumult. It's an effort of immense concentration not to plunge past the (fake, not real) surface tension, but he breathes in deep through his nose, thinking, be like a petal, be like a petal...

There's a sound grating on his nerves that he chalks up to the wind, not yet well versed with identifying the source of that prickle down his spine. The Torments are creeping closer to the distracted Dreamer. He came here hunting, but hadn't found much of anything at all-- and then the opportunity to test what dream logic might let him get away with, athletically, seized him.

The rustling of the vines grows stronger and stronger, like scratching on the inside of his head. Ballade grits his teeth. He's thinking if he can just hold up a few seconds more, he'll stop and move on, capitulating to that growing bad vibe-- ]</sub>

awake!

[thezekeinator]

[Oh hey, it's that guy who's part of the DU. Zeke's done him a good turn once or twice in the waking world, on those occasions when Dreamer life and single fatherhood might threaten to conflict. Looks like another crisis is brewing!]

[Zeke plants one whomping huge boot on the back of the bench from behind, leaning in to grin broadly down at Gratia.] It seems like this day's short on a little Shining Justice. But never fear, the Zekenator's here!

Ben Kenobi | Dreamer Saber (WIP) | Star Wars

[trickyjedi]

-1: Department stores-

After turning his phone around to three different orientations, Ben still couldn't make sense of his map. He had a few things in his apartment that were breaking down and needed replacing, and the sale was as good an excuse as any to do it, but it seemed that this corner of Yumemigaoka was a labyrinth of madness. Nothing for it but to ask for help.

"Ah...terribly sorry to bother you. It seems I've gotten a bit turned around."

-2: Vale of Sorrow-

Ben scowled from the scant cover from the rain he had found under a largeish tree as a trickle of water finally found it's way through the branches and landed on the top of his head. He shifted over a step with a small sigh and resumed waiting until another drop found him there.

He was waiting for backup. Someone, possibly you, was supposed to be on the way, and the crowd of Torments lower down in the valley were more than he felt comfortable taking on by himself. They hadn't noticed him yet, but the combination of rain and mud was making him plenty miserable on their own.

When he heard someone coming, hopefully an ally, he grumbled out "About damn time you got here."

[darknesshotpot]

"You should know better than to expect anything out of me before noon," replied Ango, stifling a yawn behind his hand. Time in the Dream Sphere worked in weird ways, which meant that it was always Too Damned Early For This Shit. The gloomy weather wasn't helping matters, either. Ango's sunglasses were speckled with raindrops, so he paused to wipe them while squinting at the valley below. Masses of thorny vines writhed restlessly. "So we're supposed to fight those things? I dunno, man, they look naaasty."

Jun Gungjeon | tabletop OC

[anoceanofatma]

-1: 8am-

Whether you want to get the best spots for flower viewing parties, or the best way to do it is to get up early, and Jun is that most unnatural of creatures: A morning person.

He's wrapped up in his jacket sipping at a cup of organic, fair trade coffee, wandering around down town waiting for everything to start opening up and just enjoying the quietest time of the day with every sign of alertness and lucidity.

Anyone else up and about at this time of day?

-2: Necropolis-

Just as you were about to turn a corner something caught you around the waist, holding you back. Investigation revealed that it was some kind of pale glowing line of thread, looped around you and connected at both ends to Jun's fingertip. He held a dark blue staff in his other hand, so he held the finger up to his lips in a "be quiet" gesture.

"There's a big one starting to form in there." he explained, quietly. "We shouldn't move in until we have a plan of attack."

necropolis

[nmc0204]

[ The Necropolis always puts Glasswing on edge, moreso than anywhere else. She doesn't know why – maybe this is where she was born and the place brings back ghosts of memories she's not eager to recover. She's already creeping low to the ground when she spots Jun and hastily makes her way to his side – her movements are quick and quiet but her expression makes it clear she'd like to go in all guns blazing. ]

Well, do you have one?

Sakaguchi Ango | Dreamer Decadence | Bungou to Alchemist

[darknesshotpot]

I. Hina Flower Gardens

"Haha, suckers!" Ango pulled off the "disguise" he'd used for his sixth trip through the food line - a baseball cap and a pair of dark glasses - and opened his promotional Yumemigaoka Community Association reusable shopping bag to inspect the ill-gotten bounty within. After repeated visits to the Community Association's free snack table, Ango had amassed a large collection of seasonal cherry-blossom-viewing treats, each nestled in its own clear plastic container: plump pink sakura mochi wrapped in salted cherry tree leaves, tricolor hanami dango on wooden skewers, deep-fried pockets of inari sushi, and colorful futomaki rolls.

The best thing about cherry blossom season was that nobody paid any attention to a scruffy-looking middle-aged man camped out in a public park with several cans of convenience store beer. Around him, families held picnic parties beneath the blooming trees, and couples snuggled shyly on park benches. Ango spread his beer and free snacks on an old bath towel that he'd laid out in lieu of a blanket. The only thing missing from his cherry-blossom-viewing party were friends to share it with... but Ango had let his best friend die, so this was more than he deserved.

II. Reverie Necropolis

"...Figures I'd end up in a place like this." Ango had skipped the funeral, but he'd still found his way into a tomb. The Necropolis reminded him of the samurai graveyard he'd seen on a middle school field trip to Kamakura, with thousands of catacombs cut from the rock. The sounds of scratching and hushed voices echoed through the dimly lit caves, even though Ango had yet to encounter anyone else in the labyrinth. That, too, reminded him of middle school - pencils digging into paper, jeering whispers in the halls. Perhaps ironically, given that he'd gone on to become a writer, Ango had always hated school.

"Heeey, anybody here?" As much as he hated to admit it, he didn't want to be alone. Ango gripped his glass knives in each hand, wishing that the Dream Sphere had bestowed him with a larger and more intimidating weapon. Something like a machine gun would have been nice. Instead, he'd been given a pair of knives and an outfit that made him look like a ninja cosplayer about to perform at a children's birthday party. He looked like an anime hero, but he sure as hell didn't feel like one.

I

[kitri]

So there's Ango, enjoying the fruits of his totally above board labors.. when a dark cloud looms on the horizon, in the form of a slim man sidling up to stand with perfect posture by the edge of his "picnic blanket," whose perfectly-pressed collar stands extremely at odds with those dark circles under his eyes.

He's smiling.

"Hi, yes...'Scuse me. I have a little question."

That's not a very promising tone.

Morris Robotnik (Metal Sonic) | "Dream Metal" | Sonic the Hedgehog

[numetal]

[1]
[More often than not, what you're likely to see of Morris at the end of a school day is him hopping onto his bike and heading home the second school's out for the day. He never really makes the effort to interact with anyone, but it's usually less of a "lonely high school kid" vibe and more "how dare you speak to me" with how he brushes people off who do try to talk to him there.

Today, however, you'll spot him in one of those rare instances in the wild. With a Dad who barely takes care of himself and a brother who's more interested in goofing off, it's usually up to Morris to take care of things around the house. So when the Tsubaki Department Store is having a sale? He's here, browsing. He's gonna kick the ass of every housewife and stay at home dad in Yumemigaoka on the battlefield of discounted goods.

So watch as he snatches an electronic hand whisk out of the hands of an elderly woman, adamant in his refusal to give it back. He's carrying a basket with egg cartons (three dozen worth), meat and enough spices to kill a man, which he places his newfound spoils atop. SUPREME VICTORY.]

[2]
a.
[When it comes to the Vale of Sorrow, anyone remotely familiar with Dream Metal may already expect him to be uncooperative. He's not shy of killing the manifesting torments, far from it - it's just that he doesn't show any inclination of working in tandem with you, but rather in spite of you. Don't get in the way! You won't be harmed, but you will be pushed, shoved or even thrown aside if he feels you're only hindering him.]

b.

[Meanwhile, his approach in the Reverie Necropolis is a little different; he's experienced enough to know he can't solo a Nightmare, god knows he's tried, but the fact he has to buddy up with someone to do it never ceases to frustrate him despite that. Sword in hand, he grips the hilt with both hands and takes a stance towards the manifesting creature, almost as if you're about to get 0 acknowledgement but...]

...don't get in my way.

[Ouch.]

wildcard
[Up for anything tbh!! AU workshop top level is here, throw me a wildcard or discuss something beforehand there it's all good. Please be aware that in the real world Morris is mute and he is only able to speak in the dream sphere. He's also 5'2 IRL and 5'10 in the dream sphere cause he laments his twink status but don't tell anyone.]

2b

[thezekeinator]

[Dreamer Chaosbringer's never one to turn down a person in need! The goal of battling a Nightmare is way more important than a lesson in manners.]

[...but sometimes you can do both! So the statement finds Zeke with one hand on his head, rubbing at it dramatically as if the scene before him simply isn't plausible.]

You know this thing will jolly stomp you if you go at it alone, right?

Bai Lin | Dreamer Cloudwalker | OC

[fistsofchange]

-1: Moon Bunny Market-

-A-

Lin works at a local coffee shop, which advertises itself as being more environmentally conscious than the local starbucks equivalent. They have a stall at the market and, aside from selling coffee and frappes and such, are also giving out tiny samples in tiny cups. Lin is currently manning the booth, which is why she's wearing an apron and a head scarf to keep her hair out of the drinks.

She has on her best smile and her best customer service voice as she holds out a tray of tiny paper cups full of something decadent looking.

"Welcome to Cafe Terra, would you like to sample our double mocha salted caramel macchiato? There's also some cinnamon sprinkles on top!"

Her Japanese has a distinctly Chinese accent to it.

-B-

After a couple of hours of that even Lin's good cheer runs low. Fortunately, she gets breaks while someone else runs the booth. Right now she's sitting at a nearby handy picnic table, drinking water and kind of staring off into space, enjoying the pleasant weather. Be warned: this is Lin at her LEAST jaunty.

-2: Vale of Sorrow-

Cloudwalker doesn't mind the rain, though the flower petals getting stuck to her is kind of annoying. That's not as important as stopping these Torments before they can hurt anyone, though. Or worse, turn into a Nightmare!

She clenched her fist, which flickered with traces of electricity, but waited. She was with a more experienced Dreamer (you), and was doing her best to follow their lead. She was the student here, after all.

"We should go beat 'em up, right? Before they spread or start eating figments or something!"

2

[thezekeinator]

A most experience Dreamer indeed, mentoring her because the electricity humming through the sword he rather grandiosely called the Purple Lightning Dreamsmasher meant at least a vague hope he could teach her a trick or two with the power.

"We'd be lucky if they spread out. It's when they come together that Nightmares form."

Ryoko Shinonome | Dreamer Glasswing | 13 Sentinels: Aegis Rim

[nmc0204]

Yumemigaoka

[ It's very un-teenagery of her, but Ryoko's not too worried about tests around the corner. She studies well and she has a competitive streak that works as good motivation to get good grades and, uh, apart from fighting in the Dream Sphere she isn't really doing much else with her time, so studying is fine by her.

But today calls for a break so she's out and about around Yumemigaoka. In particular, she's hitting up the Moon Bunny Market stamp rally because winning at that seems like something that is both normal to want and possible to achieve. The place is pretty busy, though, so at any point you're at risk of hearing a polite "excuse me" and getting a not-so polite elbow in the side as Ryoko makes her way down the street with the distinctive march of a Girl On A Mission. ]

The Dream Sphere

[ She's beauty! She's grace! Dreamer Glasswing just fell on her face! The slippy muck underfoot in the Vale combined with her natural inclination to just bumrush in has combined in the most delightful way and sent her absolutely sprawling in the world's most perfect pratfall. It's objectively kind of hilarious.

Maybe hold your yucks for now though because the reason she actually goes over is the nasty group of vine-and-mulch Torments who immediately approach once they see she's down. In a flash of light, Glasswing summons her weapon – a glassy naginata – and struggles to her feet to take a slash at them. ]

Get back! [ She's got gritted teeth and looks determined enough to take one or two on her own, but... uh, hey, are there suddenly a bunch more Torments than there were just a moment ago, or...? ]

dream sphere. btw if any of this contradicts w how stuff works lemme know!! mayve missed something

[kitri]

_{[ Grace indeed. Ballade has a hand covering his mouth in mock-politesse. ]}

You know, I'm always happy to share tips on how to keep proper bal...

_{[ But it quickly becomes apparent now's not the time for a Little Comment (TM). There's absolutely a bunch more torments now than there were just a moment ago. ]}

Hold on, isn't this place supposed to be the bunny slope?! What is in the AIR today?

<sub>[ But complaining isn't going to strike down those Torments. Ballade taps his sandglass, where it rests clipped on a pearl chain around his waist. Light and sand is all that's left of it as soon as he touches it, and it slips past his fingers to fly away--

curiously, Ryoko's backup hasn't conjured anything all that weapon-y. What appears is.. some kind of old-timey clockwork contraption built to show the movements of the planets, glass moons and planets full of sand. It hangs in the air, parts yet to start spinning.

He kicks away a Torment that's getting a little too bold, but uh, buddy, any minute now with that proper weapon-- ]</sub>

This is a little...too many... for how I normally do it... Listen, I don't have any high hopes here after earlier, but how about it-- do you know how to dance? No questions, just answer!

Shu Amiguchi | Dreamer name pending | 13 Sentinels Aegis Rim

[breezyplayboy]

Yumemigaoka

[Cherry blossom season is upon the city, and Shu is thriving. He is humming an American pop tune to himself as he rolls up to Hina Flower Garden on his motorbike. He parks it politely out of the way and locks up his helmet with it, shaking out his fluffy hair. Under a plain but perfectly fitted black jacket, he's wearing a sakura pink button-down with flower cufflinks. Real men wear pink.]

[He has a vague, contented-cat sort of smile on his face as he wanders the park. His serenity perks up into the excitement that only teenage boys get about food as he spots the stand.]

Ohh, free treats?

Slumbering City

[As still very much a novice, Shu didn't plan to go anywhere more intense than the Vale, but even that is starting to look like more than he bargained for. The trip here covered him with fluffy flower petals, all stuck in his hair, and he thought it was kind of charming at first. Now, he's covered in petals and soaked.]

[His Dreamer clothes do not do him any favors here- Glistening glassy silver armor as gauntlets, shin guards, and armored boots. He sinks right into the mulch up to his ankles. His hourglass is set into one of his gauntlets, and he gives it a little spin, bringing up his shield, with square shaped blue gemstones in it, almost like pixels.]

I have a bad feeling about this-

[He says, just in time for a very thorny torment to thwack against his hastily lifted shield and a bunch more of it's nasty little friends to swarm in.]

yumemigaoka

[kitri]

Yu-p. Free treats.

<sub>[ Novvy's manning the snack station, extremely temporarily.

Listen, he's worked with the sweet lassie that's supposed to be here right now before, and she'd been stranded for hours without a chance to so much as walk ten steps away from her post. As she'd been handing him his little container of colorful sugarbomb, he'd asked her how she was holding up.

She'd looked him dead in the eyes and said. Absolutely. Nothing.

Novvy gets a couple extra sticks of dango, she gets five minutes precisely or he's taking it out on her hide, it's equality. ]</sub>

I would recommend these. _{[ he is steering you AWAY from his dango. ]}

Aira Harune | Dreamer Aurora | Pretty Rhythm

[dreamgoeson]

a.) frillnet; un: aurorarising: Hi there! It's Aira. 。.:☆:･'(⌒―⌒*)))

Be careful out there - the post about there being a lot of Torments out there was right. Stay safe, and thank you, Sentries! You're the best. (´｡• ω •｡`) ♡

b.) the dream sphere;

[Aira knows being out here on her own is a bad idea, but she wants to at least clear out some of the smaller Torments. She's floating through the Vale of Sorrow, her wings letting her hover just a little off the ground. She's holding her own for now, but backup is always appreciated.]

un: Jehamne

[darcangel]

what sweet litl faces

how did u mak them?

Obi | Dreamer Errant? | Snow White with the Red Hair

[kninja]

Waking World
a. Moon Bunny Market

Ahh, let's see, which am I still missing...

[That's probably not an uncommon question to overhear with the stamp rally going on, but does one usually hear it coming from above? A glance upwards reveals a leg dangling off the edge of one of those lovely, traditional Akabeni roofs. The leg appears to be attached to a man in his early twenties with close-cropped hair and narrow eyes. Those become obvious when he peers down to see who's passing beneath him.]

Oh. [Instead of looking embarrassed to be caught literally off (and some feet above) the beaten path, he grins widely.] Hey, are you doing the stamp rally, too? Whatcha looking for?

b. Hina Flower Gardens

[Though he didn't bring a picnic blanket--no real point, when he's a flower-viewing party of one--Obi came to the gardens prepared. He's got a bento, a pack of beer, and a primo spot beneath a blossoming tree. Depending on your point of view, he snagged it either by arriving nice and early or alarmingly late last night, and it's almost a shame such a great spot's gone to a single person.

Especially when he seems to be wasting it napping. He's just lying there on his back, hands folded beneath his head, front lightly sprinkled with petals, as though he hasn't a care in the world.]

Dream Sphere
c. Reflection Glades

[Hang on, this wasn't listed as a trouble spot on the TDM, and that's the point.

This Dreamer either hasn't been around long or hasn't much shown his face. He's not showing much of it now, either: his costume's scarf is wound in such a way to cover his mouth and nose, and a headwrap covers his forehead. In the Dream Sphere, his hair is a multi-shaded, cloudy color, and his clothes are also various shades of grey. His eyes, however, are a sharp, clear gold, not the ambiguous amber-brown of his waking self. He's gathered that much checking his reflection in the perfect, glasslike lakes around here.

The glade would be a perfect nap spot, if he could sleep while Dreaming. Since he can't, the rookie Dreamer has been using his trips to the Dream Sphere to practice his moves. He summons and dismisses his kunai, summons them again and throws them whistling through the air, runs and flips and leaps to see how far, how high he can go.

Eventually, he finds himself at the edge of one of the melodically burbling brooks. He shades his eyes, gauging the distance across the water, takes half a step back, swings his arms behind him, dashes--

--And blinks across to the other side without transition.]

Oho! [He laughs, delighted and surprised, and steadies his footing. Bracing his hands on his knees, he looks back the way he came.] Well, well, isn't that a neat trick?

d. Reverie Necropolis

[This is no place for a Novice Dreamer, but Errant's always been comfortable with darker environments. He creeps soundlessly through the labyrinth, skin prickling with the familiar sense of danger. That sense intensifies at the mouth of an opening and he stops there, uncertain.]

e. Wildcard

((Friends, I am down for whatever! Hit me up on Plurk at asherdashery or on Discord at asherdashery#5061 if you want to hash out something else. Cheers!))

d

[aretaic]

[It seems Obi is not alone. As he skulks outside the entrance another young man, this one riding on some kind of lion-like dream beast, approaches the entrance. He doesn't seem to notice the other Dreamer, but he doesn't look at all concerned about going into such a dangerous place either.]

Jeannette (Jeanne d'Arc) | Symphogear XDU | Dreamer La Pucelle (Saver)

[darcangel]

[ yumemigaoka i. ]

Excuse me. Is it true, what these signs say?

[ Jeannette has walked up to someone in the department store. She points to the racks of women's clothing, which are all emblazoned with SPRING CLEANING SALE! tags. There's - there's more clothing here, in this one store, than she's pretty sure are in all the closets in Domremy, and the fabrics are all so colorful and delightful to the touch, and, and, on top of this embarrassing bounty of riches merely existing --

Her cheeks are flushed and her eyes are shining. ]

Is everything here truly fifty per cent off??

[ yumemigaoka ii. ]

This.....? No, this. Kyaa--

[ Jeannette yelps as she accidentally blinds herself with her smartphone camera's flash. That was NOT what she'd meant to do, and she had it facing the wrong way, too!

She frowns at the screen, then sighs. Stares, wistfully, up at the fluttery cherry blossoms beneath which she sits. ]

I merely wished to share this beauty with Milady Angel......

[ dream sphere ]

What is the meaning of this?!

[ So Dreamer La Pucelle just tried to Leeroy Jenkins a horde of thorn monsters. Dreamer La Pucelle is a Saver. It was not going well. Fortunately, another Dreamer came along to bail her out and transport her out of there, but.....

Well. La Pucelle rarely loses her temper, but if there's one thing she cannot abide - ]

In God's name, the place was had!

[ - It's being forced to retreat!

Also, for the record, she's covered in mud and cuts and may actually have a piece of thorny vine still wrapped around one forearm. DETAILS. ]

dreamsphere

[aretaic]

[And here's the Sentinel that saved her ass]

If you foolishly throw yourself at them again, I will not save you.

Sara Midorikawa | Kiratto Prichan | Dreamer Reverb (Sentry)

[pritarist]

[ yumemigaoka ]

[ While a little young for this, Sara is manning the stamp rally booth for the local art gallery. The gallery often features her parents' work, so if they think she can be of assistance drawing a crowd and getting people excited about art, she's happy to provide.

So she's sitting here with her distinctive butterfly-shaped guitar, strumming out an improvised tune and a melody to match. ]

Spring has sprung~
A new season - begun~
And what could be more fun
Than trying art with some ooooooone~

[ If you approach, she'll put down the guitar and smile - sharp and cool. ]

Hey. Here for the rally? We've got a discount on tickets, too. Don't miss it.

[ Dear god she just winked.

.....Incidentally the (crowded) art gallery's visitors, currently, seem to primarily be middle- and high-school girls. FOR SOME REASON. ]

[ Dream Sphere ]

Cherry blossoms....everywhere....

[ Dreamer Reverb stands with a hand up to catch a few fluttering petals. ]

Falling softly........gently.....

.....fluffily.....

Ehehh.....!

[ She snorts. Or was it a sniff? Maybe even rocker chicks get allergies! Her eyes sure seem to be losing their focus.... ]

[nmc0204]

Yes – the rally, I mean. I'm just here for a stamp.

[ Ryoko looks quite possibly the most serious anybody has ever looked about a stamp rally which is how you know this is going to be a normal and above board social interaction. ]

You don't have to sell me on the tickets. I'm really not interested.

[ THE ENTIRELY WRONG THING TO SAY IN THIS SITUATION ]

Misato Katsuragi | Neon Genesis Evangelion | Dreamer Hollow

[spielhaus]

i. school daze

[ Maybe she's your home room teacher. Maybe she advises your athletic club or coaches you or something. Or maybe she's just in the right place at the right time to wander by a young person slacking off at school. Katsuragi-sensei has a reputation for being kind and supportive, even if she's also kind of a stickler for the rules and even, as some would say, control freak. She's standing at the school gate as the day begins, greeting students and casting a critical eye for any uniform violations or other misbehavior. A reminder of "Tuck that shirt in," or "No running in the halls!" is often the interaction she has with those who aren't her students.

Of course, as a teacher at the Promised Morning Private Academy she's also someone that students can come to for consultation on Dreamer activities or more mundane stuff, like post-graudation university of vocational school plans. Or if they're having trouble at home. ]

ii. Tsubaki Department Store

[ With Golden Week coming up and the local department store all set with every kind of deal one could imagine, the ever-thrifty Misato is roaming the aisles in search of something important--and it's only when confronted with someone else possibly aiming for the same gadget she is that she comes out of shopping mode, eyes narrowed. ]

Hoi. I saw it first.

[ She gestures at the lone coffee maker sitting forlornly on the shelf, marked down precipitously from it's usual cost. ]

iii. wildcard

[ Happy to do Dream Sphere stuff, but my brain isn't firing on all cylinders today, so you get mundane prompts. Hit me up for anything else! ]

2

[saynotobugs]

You're gonna pick a fight over a coffeemaker?

[Says the woman who's still reaching for it.]

Yamato Hotsuin | Devil Survivor 2

[aretaic]

Moon Bunny Market

[So what reason could an obnoxiously rich teenager have to join in a sale event? Surely anything here he could buy normally and he wouldn't stoop to such a silly promotion?

Of course, he's not here for the promotion at all. No stamps or anything like that. In fact, he seems to be trying to avoid attention? But if you recognize him and follow you might catch him elbowing his way through the crowd to a... takoyaki stand???]

3 servings.

[That's a lot of food. Does he have friends he's going to share that wi- oh, never mind he's going right to eating them.]

Vale of Sorrow, mentorship

[Ugh, gross. This place is almost impossible to travel through. But if you were hoping for any sympathy from Yamato, you're not getting it as he... coasts by, standing on the back of his summoned dream beast, arms crossed]

The target goal is 15 torments. Do not disappoint.

mentorship

[kitri]

FiftEE-- _{[ Ballade slaps a hand over his mouth, closes his eyes, takes a deep breath. A week. He's been at this a week. Maybe fifteen is just nothing when you really know what you're doing! He does feel like there's so much that just hasn't clicked yet in his head about this, which means improvement is absolutely possible, right? ]}

...Yeah, boss, okay. _{[ good grief. taking orders from an infant. it's like working fast food all over again. ]} You seeing any from up high, though? Down here with the mortals, it's all the non-trying-to-rip-you-up kind of foliage. Hey, if you don't wanna make it too easy on me, we can play hot and cold with it.

Odile Cygnia/Inuyama | Original

[atratus]

a. Waking World - Tsubaki Department Store

[ An air fryer is a bit too advanced for Odile, but they are looking at kitchenware, currently examining a hefty frying pan on sale, lifting it by the handle a few times to get a sense of its weight and feel. Their basket is full of other grocery items, as well as a pretty decent sized pot they already picked out. Lost in their own head they start talking out loud. ]

Hmm... it should work well but...

[ They take a look at the price on the handle and wince. Even on sale, it's a bit hard to swallow budget wise. ]

I won't be able to stop at that cute bakery later if I get it... but if I don't get it now I'm going to miss out on the better price... hmm...

[ The pitfalls of insisting on living on your own to make your commute shorter but also feeling too guilty to ask your parents for a bit more than they're already giving you, even though you know they'd say yes if you asked. ]


b. Dreamsphere - Vale of Sorrow

[ Dreamer Cygnet looks out at the Vale, clutching their harp weapon close as they feel the chill of the rain. They can see the Torments deeper in the valley, and can tell the ground is going to be difficult to traverse.

And they're not sure if they're ready. ]

M... Maybe I should turn back for today...

a

[kninja]

Hmm, well, that’s a piece of cookware you’ll probably use a lot. Pro’lly pay for itself in a couple of weeks, unless you don’t cook at all.

[S-sorry, Odile, about the nosy stranger leaning over from a few feet away to look at whatever they’re looking at. He nods, as if he’s some old sage dispensing valuable wisdom. Valuable budgetary wisdom.]

Unless there’s something you absolutely gotta get at the cute bakery?

Ingo | Pokemon

[offtracks]

a. yumemigaoka - trains

[There is a guy riding on the Yumemigaoka subway!

He's sitting quietly, occasionally standing if things get crowded and it seems like someone else needs the seat more, but anyone who rides multiple times or for some distance might notice that he just...doesn't seem like he's inclined to get off at any point. He's just chilling as the train goes back and forth along its line. He's actually working on a knitting project?

Though he's mostly keeping to himself, he's pretty aware of his surroundings. If he spots someone who seems a bit turned around - maybe someone new to the city, or just a stressed student who's boarded the wrong train, he clears his throat.]

Excuse me! Do you need some assistance?

b. yumemigaoka - hina flower gardens

[Among the booths at the garden fair, there is a booth for the Shinju Wildlife Sanctuary! Judging from the posters, it looks like they also do rescue and rehabilitation work for injured wildlife! Most of these are released back into the wild, but those who cannot be for whatever reason are kept in a small park and occasionally used for educational purposes - which is probably why the guy manning the booth is holding a fairly large snake!

Upon being approached, he says:]

Hello! Are you interested in learning more about our animals?

[HEY YOU WANNA HOLD A BIG SNAKE]

c. dream sphere - vale of sorrow

[While Ingo's amnesia makes it unclear if he'd been a Dreamer before the Nightmare attack, or only awoke then, it's been several years since that incident in any case. He's learned, or relearned, that his abilities make him a decent scout! He's currently navigating the muck in the Vale by riding one of his summoned constructs, which has taken the form of a large hippopotamus-like beast made of polished tiger's eye and obsidian. The construct is doing its best to stamp on any Torments that appear, but they are only constructs - nowhere near as powerful as an actual Dreamer - and so he's perched on its back wielding his sickles against any who get close enough. They're particularly suited for these plant-like Torments!

But, of course, some assistance never goes amiss! Upon spotting another Dreamer, the hippo-beast gives a roar and charges in their direction!]

dream sphere

[nmc0204]

[ . . . OH THAT'S NOT GOOD AT ALL ]

What–

[ It takes a good amount of effort for Glasswing to not act on her immediate instinct, which was to just pop straight back into the waking world and absolutely refuse to deal with this. She spots Ingo atop the thing at the last minute and figures that it... probably isn't some new horrible strain of micro-Nightmare but still. She plasters herself to the nearest wall, looking very much like a cat whose owner has just pulled out the Travel Jail. ]

What is that?!

Akane Shinjo | SSSS Gridman | Dreamer Tiga

[kaijumaker]

A. Shopping

[Akane had been out looking for something very particular, and thus far she had been very successful with her bag filled with action figures and items related to a very particular series. She happily skipped through the shopping complex, her eyes closed, and a smile on her face until, without looking, SMACK! She fell over and her bag of loot spilled all over the floor. After recovering, she looks up at whoever she had run into.]

Sorry about that...[She looks around only to see her toys spread across the ground.] Oh no! [She then scrambled, without thinking to put them back into her bag.]

B. Network

It's time for Akane's weekly TokuRec! Today's Rec is Redman from 1975! It's so cheesy, and the suits look like they were rotting from the inside, but its sooo funny! So give it a try.

A

[crackedchrysalis]

Hey--[Koharu just manages to stand on her feet, but she drops the bag she was carry and there's a distinct crack when it hits the ground. She quickly picks it up and looks into it, but she can already smell the distinct scent of the perfume she'd just bought, bursting out of the now damp box the no doubt broken bottle was held in.]

You're lucky I didn't have anything else in this bag.

Ayako Takeda | OC | Dreamer Flare

[singmyself]

-1-

[ Wherever there's a school in Japan, some things are simply mandatory to have nearby. One of those things is a river with grassy slopes on either side, with a small bridge crossing it. There's no avoiding it.

It's around sunset, well after school has let out, so there aren't a lot of people around. If you're crossing the bridge at this hour, though, you might find an unusual sight: That unapproachable third-year honor student, Ayako Takeda. She's leaning against the railing... from the far side, looming precariously over the edge and the river below. Fortunately, falling from this height wouldn't injure much more than her dignity.

As she looks up, she's got a cigarette between two fingers. It doesn't match her image at all. ]

Don't tell anyone you saw me here, OK?


-2-

[ Reverie Necropolis. To be frank, this place sucks ass.

Dreamer Flare agreed to patrol this area, but began to regret it pretty quickly. Even before seeing any hostilities, the constant scratching of phantom pencils makes the place feel like a school in hell.

The manifesting Nightmare snaps Flare out of her funk, though. The best shot at dealing with this would be to destroy it before it finishes forming. Flames ripple and expand at her feet, preparing to strike it down--

--and she freezes up. The flames disperse, and the chance for a pre-emptive strike passes. The nightmare is complete. ]

Shit...!

[ Ayako curses herself as she runs for it. A dozen impossibly long arms emerge from the cave as the creature drags itself into the open.

Why? Why can't she use her powers? Why does she always freeze up at the last second? What the hell is holding her back? Why is she still so weak?!

All questions that will have to wait until there's not a nightmare chasing her. Are there any other Dreamers in the area who can back her up? ]

1

[whatiswargoodfor]

[ Meow had felt a little like an outlaw herself when she grabbed her hoodie from Miyao's locker and hustling from shadow to shadow in pursuit of Ayako after school let out. Guilt crept up her spine the whole time - what was she doing, scuttling after Ayako like she was some kind of criminal? - but something had been... off, recently. It was her duty to investigate to make sure her sister was okay!

(Ayako been "off" for a long time, but only now did Meow have the courage to confront it.)

Peeking out from behind a conveniently placed tree, Meow gasps when she sees Ayako with a cigarette. Said gasp escalates into an, ] Eep! [when Ayako sees her back, and she ducks behind her tree again in a panic.]

Koharu Uehara | Original | Dreamer Papilia

[crackedchrysalis]

I. YUMEMIGAOKA - Tsubaki Department Store
[Koharu walks through the store like sales are nothing and she could drop thousands of yen on anything she wants without a second thought. Because she can. Between her own work as a model and actress and her parents money, Koharu never has to worry about silly little things such as money. Her weekly allowance is more than some people make in a month. It's about the only thing her parents give her consistently and she makes good use of it.

So the fact that the air fryer she wants happens to be on sake is a happy coincidence she will take advantage of. She could have ordered it online and had it delivered, but she was already out and about and she could always make more expensive purchases if she wanted to go along with the useful necessity of the air fryer. Not that she had any intentions of telling anyone the air fryer wasn't a frivolous whim of fancy for the day. Which she shall proclaim to anyone around her--especially those who might recognize her as the girl from that shampoo advertising campaign from a few months back. Some of her best work yet, really.]

Oh how cute. It has a smart feature to text when it's done! It must be my lucky day. The retail price is certainly reasonable, but the bargain makes it worth it, I'd say.

[She will find a way to make conversation, doesn't matter if you wanted it or not.]


II. DREAMSCAPE - Reverie Necropolis
[It's expected, considering all the people flitting about worried and stressed about finals and the like, that part of the Dreamscape would be impacted and further soiled by all of that negativity. The fact it smells so badly and the torches wreak of bad vibes only lends her to find everything utterly repulsive.

Why did she have to be here of all places? No matter. She is a Dreamer and that comes with expectations. Ones she will exceed, obviously. She at least hopes the other people with her are competent and useful in a fight.]

You would think people would try to avoid such terrible sleeping habits. Nightmares and bad dreams aren't going to help them pass those tests.

[She keeps her wings clenched tight, trying to avoid even brushing them against the walls. They aren't much use within the labyrinth of the necropolis until she reaches one of the larger rooms. The lighting is even worse in the larger room than in the tunnel, but at least she's not as enclosed. She gives a sigh of relief only to cough at taking in a deeper breath of the gross odors around them.]

How foul. Next thing we know we might--

[A crackling sound echoes around them and she stops speaking. Something definitely is out there in the dark.]

{OOC: Koharu's physical appearance matches in our world and the Dreamscape, which might be something people notice, and it is very intentional on her part.}

I

[darcangel]

It texts you? Would you not already be in the kitchen?

[ The d'Arcs' kitchen is very low-tech. A watched pot never boils, but an unattended pot could cause no matter of distress! ]

Ei Sekigahara | Dreamer Gladiolus | 13 Sentinels: Aegis Rim

[considergun]

i. tsubaki department store

[ The sale caught his eye, but it wasn't really what he was here for. Not originally, anyway. Ei has his wallet at the ready -- the intent had been to take advantage of the sales for the sake of getting some supplies for school or at home. Except now?

Now he's staring at a very detailed model kit of a motorbike.

... ]

They'll really sell anything, won't they? What a waste of money.

[ He's thinking about it. ]

ii. hina flower gardens

[ There's no getting around it. Ei looks awkward here. He just doesn't really fit into the #aesthetic of the flower gardens. His ever-present frown isn't helping matters.

(He's actually having a good time. It's hard to tell.)

He keeps getting handed things, though. So here's one grumpy looking student in his dark uniform, pink petals stuck in his hair, a plethora of promotional items in his arms. No one's given him a promotional cherry blossom bag yet...

The newest item he's received is some cherry blossom tea, sitting at the very top of the pile. ]

I wonder if this helps with headaches.

iii. reverie necropolis

[ When it comes to the Dream Sphere, Ei always makes sure to be extra careful. He travels the labyrinth in a manner that's maybe too slow for some, but he likes to be methodical here. His hand is moving across the wall of the labyrinth; it grounds him, reminds him where he is. It helps him keep track of where he's going.

And, most importantly, it removes the temptation of stopping and putting his head in his hands, to try to block out the noise. It wouldn't work, nor would it be a good use of his time.

He just pushes through, keeps walking. And then, there it is. The Nightmare, just starting to form. He's not stepping out into the cavern yet, keeping himself hidden for now. Watching.

Time to do some risk assessment here. ]

teens be shopping

[nmc0204]

[ Her new room at her dad's house is... nice enough. She still feels weirdly like a guest in there, but that's more her own fault than anything to do with the room. Oddly, it's helped that there hadn't been many personal touches to it before she moved in so it feels less like she's occupying somebody else's space.

She's here mostly to actually buy some of her own things to fill it out and mostly because she doesn't have anything better to do until school picks up again. She comes wheeling back with the cart just in time to overhear and promptly peers around him to follow his gaze.

Hmmmmmmmm. ]

If people keep buying it, they'll keep selling it.

[ She turns her gaze from the model kit to Ei. Her eyes...... are just seeing right through him..... ]

Miyu Kobayashi | OC

[dreamwith]

1. SHE BLINDED YOU WITH SCIENCE!!!!!
[The Kobayashi dreamer clinic specializes in healthcare for dreamers!...well, primarily (exclusively) in a psychiatric sense. Come and let it all out to your DocAdviser local-clinics-near-you #1 rated medical center!*

*if you count "no reviews" as "no bad reviews"]

a. for patients
[The clinic itself isn't in the best shape; it's all she could really afford after coming to Yumemigaoka and her "just a little elbow grease" mantra is less a solution and more an excuse to not have to spend more money on upkeep, given she can't exactly afford it. However, it is clean and the chair she's got for you isn't backbreakingly busted so that's gotta count for something.]

What can I do ya' for?

b. for.......volunteers......
[Her real desire is to study dreams, dreamers and everything related to them, so it's the R&D side to her dreamer clinic that she desperately needs you magicky guys and gals to sign up for on the side. Currently left by yourself in the aforementioned clinic, Miyu returns with a bag of ghost peppers.]

Alright, so, I'm gonna make you eat one of these and then we're gonna put you to sleep. Then you just tell me if it had any effect on your time in that dreamer place you go to. Like if it's full of fire?

2. HANDS OFF THE BLENDER

[Given her low income status, don't be surprised she's desperate for deals. Caught up in the thrill of bargain hunting, she (provided you are an adult) retaliates in trying to reclaim a discounted piece of kitchenware the only way she sees appropriate.]

MIYU PUNCH!!!!!!

[At least she isn't that strong but she is going to punch you.

If you're a minor then assume you just saw her punch a guy instead.]

(au workshop thread is over here)

HANDS OFF THE BLENDER

[discretion]

[Franz watches in horror as he sees this stranger just clock a stranger for a blender.]

Hey - you can't just - whoa whoa whoa -

[Without thinking of it, he puts himself between Miyu and the other person before another blow can land. Fortunately, it seems the blender guy is content to leave with the appliance.]

I'm not sure what about that blender inspired a random act of violence, but have you tried just asking if they have another in stock?

Franz d'Epinay | Gankutsuou: The Count of Monte Cristo | Dreamer Baron

[discretion]

Yumemigaoka
1. Tsubaki Department Store

[Franz squints at a sign nearby a display of colorfully printed silks.]

Uhm, pardon me-- are these cravats? Ascots? Scarves? [He looks a bit apologetic. It's not like he can hide that he's a foreigner, though he speaks Japanese well enough.] I was just thinking this one was a good color... [He points to a light silk scarf of sky blue.]

2. Hina Flower Garden

[For a long moment, Franz simply finds a bench to sit on and watches the scenery and the people drifting through the gardens. He unwraps a sakura manju and takes a bite.]

Hm... not bad.

The Dream Sphere
Vale of Sorrow

[As a Dreamer, Franz's hair has gone a strawberry blonde color, flowing down to shoulder length and drifting as if beneath water, his eyes a burnished sunset gold. Dreamer Baron is dressed in a flowing seafoam colored cassock, with a pale pink tunic of silk beneath, and boots and gloves of pale sky blue. His musketeer's hat is a lavender color, with a crystalline feather the shape of waves decorating one side. The details are all glass and bubble-like, and his sword appears as mother-of-pearl, with the crash of waves and smell of sea as her summons it.]

Hup!

[Dreamer Baron has little concept of his powers aside from using his sword, so he's going to use it to slash at the brambles. As he rushes forward, his foot gets stuck in the mulch!]

Vale of Sorrow

[darcangel]

Take care!

[ A barrage of.....doves made of light, flapping and cooing...?? soars over Baron's head, colliding with the brambles and exploding on impact. A hand is offered to him, to help him steady himself.

This sure is a magical girl who's showed up. She's got her own sword - glittering blue and red crystal, nearly broadsword-sized though she supports it one-handed - in her free hand. ]

Are you harmed?

Cynthia | Dreamer Platinum | Pokémon

[platinumdreamer]

[ -Yumemigaoka Aquarium- ]

[ As part of the Golden Week celebrations, Yumemigaoka Aquarium, and indeed the rest of the city's Botanical and Zoological Society were running a promotion. Throughout the week, the Aquarium and other locations would have reduced admission for students, as well as even further reduced admission for anyone attending as couples.

That wasn't all. The aquarium had debuted two new exhibits for Golden Week: a new otter habitat, and the green turtle habitat as well. Though Cynthia was the director of the entire aquarium, she had a very hands-on management style, and was on hand to provide any lectures or answer any questions about the animals. This was all in addition to the many other sections of the aquarium, which featured both freshwater and ocean creatures.

And of course, in the afternoon, there was the Aquarium's live nurse shark show. It coincided with their feeding, with Cynthia herself overseeing and providing narration. The sharks would respond to colors and positive reinforcement; and while they didn't do tricks like one would expect dolphins to do, they did display coordinated swimming to underwater targets and even allowing divers to pet their underbellies.

Aside from all this, Cynthia would be moving around the aquarium to get a sense of the crowd, and even approach someone in attendance from time to time. ]

Hello, there. How are you enjoying the aquarium?

[ -Dream Sphere- ]

[ With Torments running around in greater numbers, of course Dreamer Platinum was on hand to help deal with Torments. Though she was fascinated by the rain of sakura blossom petals and wanted to look further into the matter, she had a job to do, and was determined to see it done.

That didn't stop some of this from being a teachable moment, however. She came to a small group of the bristling Torments who were running rampant in the Vale of Sorrow, keeping her distance from now. Instead of acting, she'd turn to any younger Dreamers before moving in, and asking a question: ]

Hm, and how would you approach this situation? Directly hand-to-hand, or attacking from a range?

[ Things are different in the Reverie Necropolis. The whispering and sense of foreboding that permeates this place creates a sense of unease even for an experienced Dreamer like Platinum. Her movements are cautious, at least until she reaches the great cavern and comes across the manifesting Nightmare. Immediately, she's going to take charge, calling out with an order to any other Dreamers nearby. ]

We have to subdue this Nightmare before it can manifest! Move in and attack, but avoid direct contact! We have no idea what powers this thing has!

dream sphere - reverie necropolis

[darcangel]

Whatever its powers, the day will be ours!

[ Dreamer La Pucelle prays over her sword. ]

Let those who prove themselves faithful servants of God have their sins pardoned, have their souls blessed -

[ She raises the sword and charges. ]

May this devout prayer reach Thee!

[ Dreamer Platinum will feel a warm swell of encouragement and fighting spirit rise within her. If the opposite of Nightmares is power to believe in yourself and your dreams, she now has that in spades. ]

Detective Grimoire (Daryl Walsh) | Detective Grimoire series | Mundane

[grimnoire]

..::|| Shopping ||::..

Daryl wasn't exactly a stranger to sales. But these ones seem much more chaotic than what he's used to. There's a small part of him that wants to opt-out, in all honesty. Department stores are rather large spaces with already large numbers of people. This seemed to be more overwhelming. But still, he'll try his hand at it. He could certainly use some new things for his apartment.

He manages to get a few new outfits, and now he's on his way to electronics to try and get a toaster. But as he finds his way to it, he finds himself eyeing a toaster oven as well. And he can't seem to reach much of a decision on which to get.

"Does the oven really toast, though? It seems to have the feature. But the spaces are very different from the one on the toaster." He stares back and forth between them, before he blinks wide-eyed with something of a realisation. "Can I... Can I use my oven to toast bread?"

He seems taken aback by the very idea. And is it worth wasting power to heat it in the oven, if he can? Would it cost less to get a smaller option, or to just use a little more electricity?

He's definitely unsure now. Help.


..::|| Stamp Collecting ||::..

You know, he'd always wanted to win prises when he was in grade school. He was never lucky enough to be the one to get that far. Even when he tried his best at the fundraisers. His classes never got the pizza parties. He never got enough tickets at the arcades.

But now! Now he just has to collect all of the stamps to get a prise! He's absolutely confident he can do this! Finally, there will be fruits to his labour!

...Except, he can't seem to find the stall to one of them. Did he get turned around somehow? Maybe he somehow didn't see one. This is way more of an easter egg hunt than he thought it would be.

If you're holding a stamp card, too, he's going to beeline his way right over to you.

"Excuse me. I'm looking for one of the stamps. Can we compare our cards? Maybe we can help each other out."

Look. He's serious about this prise. He has to give childhood-him some sort of victory. Even if he's an adult now.


..::|| Interrogation ||::..

He's on a bench in the park, scribbling down notes, drinking thoughtfully from his paper cup of coffee, clearly absorbed in solving whatever-he's-got in front of him. A thoughtful hum, and for a moment, he forgets that his pen isn't his coffee and tries to take a sip from it, before jolting out of his reverie when what hits his tongue is plastic, and not a warm, bitter drink.

He looks at his pen suspiciously for a second, as if it were somehow switched for his coffee, before looking down beside him on the bench to find the familiar cup.

He gives a sigh.

"I'm not much further from where I started." In fact, if he's honest with himself, he hasn't gotten any further at all. But he doesn't want to be honest with himself, so he'll just keep that thought where it is.

He looks around the park briefly, catching sight of you.

"Hey, excuse me," he calls and waves you down. "I have a few questions, if you don't mind. Can you tell me what you know about the Dreamer situation?"

Shopping

[silverstorm]

"The toaster oven is much more versatile."

The stranger who approaches him is lugging around an enormous cart; the kind that is the size of a door and feeds entire families. His only reason for being in the electronic section seems to be a replacement phone cable, held in his hand, while the rest of his purchases are far more food-oriented.

Bags of flour that should last months, enough sugar to send anyone glancing at it into a sugar crash in just under five seconds, fresh lumps of butter wrapped in foil, never-ending cartons of eggs and no less than three different types of milk are the easiest things to find, and only the tip of the massive iceberg. Carrots and apples and pears accompany the mix; brightly coloured citrus fruits and a pop of red maraschino cherries in a jar, five different types of extracts, from pure (real) vanilla to oranges, and even little pink silicone candy molds to make bunny shapes.

Brooding over this confectionery shop in the making, Cadeyrn's dark hair and darker style seems an entire clash of cultures. Ears pierced twice over, and an industrial running through his right ear is only balanced by the lip piercing that is off centered to the left side, and clicks lightly between his teeth as he watches his companion in turn.

"It can also replace a full oven if you take one big enough. Pies and roasts; so long as you know their sizes, they can be cooked in it." He seems to consider the options and ranges offered, his eyes narrowed and silver as he checks both the prices and the size of the offered machines.

"A bit of a hassle to clean though; but give it a scrub once a week, and most of them have a movable plate at the bottom-- cover it up with aluminum foil, and change it regularly when something drops on it, and you're good."

That was... a lot more than what was asked, but the stranger finally settles on one, pointing at the machine with a hand bearing two rings-- index and pinky. A leather band wraps around his wrist, half-hidden in the thickness of a black hoodie with the anatomically accurate bones of a skeleton.

"That one would be big enough."