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

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! ]

[crackedchrysalis]

If you had nothing else to do, maybe, but for those who live very busy lives, it could be very useful. I barely have time to sit, let alone stand in the kitchen for that long.

[Is she proud of this fact? Annoyed by it? That way she says it makes it hard to tell, but she has the same tone of expectation.]

behold, the most hyperobservant catholic in japan

[darcangel]

Then you must allow yourself some time to rest. If you push your body too hard, it will fail just when you need it most, and that would be dreadfully sad!

[ DREADFULLY!!

Jeannette is quite the hard worker, especially since deciding to save Domremy Apartments and joining the DU, but she rests on the Lord's Day! It is good for her body AND her soul!!!!!!!!! ]

[crackedchrysalis]

[The reaction is kind of...weird. Instead of laughing or commiserating, she's acting like Koharu just said she goes days without sleep. Which yes, she does, but she isn't looking to someone else to judge her for that. It's been like that since she was young, she's too busy for sleep. Energy drinks may as well be her best friend.

But she doesn't snap at her or laugh. Instead, she just turns up the charm.]

How thoughtful of you to be so concerned. Truly, it warms my heart. Thank you.

[darcangel]

[ ...ah! Jeannette's cheeks color a little. ]

Not at all. It was the merest thing....

[ you've made her day, or at least her hour ]

[crackedchrysalis]

[Koharu definitely notices that reaction. Because she always notices. Her body language softens just a bit more, her smile a bit sweeter.]

Of course it is. It is always wonderful to see people who care so deeply for others. If only more people were so considerate.

[darcangel]

You are the kind one....

[ Blush. Blush.

Then, snap back to herself! ]

So you must show yourself the same kindness.

[crackedchrysalis]

[The blush is wonderful. That rush of getting a reaction and knowing she has someone else's undivided attention. She reaches out to take the girl's hand, holding it between hers.]

How could I refuse such a request that is so insistent?

[darcangel]

You should accept because it makes good sense, not because of my tone.

[ Jeannette gets her other hand in on this holding action too, cupping it over the back of one of Koharu's. ] But I am glad.

[ Her fingers tighten, a little. As if holding something precious. Her smile all but exudes a gentle, warm light. ] Truly.....

[crackedchrysalis]

[Obviously, this girl is a bit oblivious as she doesn't even seem to notice Koharu's light flirting, but oh well.]

Words can be said any which way, but conviction is what compels the masses. [She lightly pats her hand before finally letting go.] Which you happen to have mountains of, I think.

II

[thezekeinator]

[Today's partner is one Dreamer Chaosbringer, who is allegedly a capable and established Dreamer who does his best to look out for newer and younger recruits. Whether she believes scuttlebutt or actual appearance is up to her, because she's got an eyepatched skirt-wearing guy currently covered in muddy cherry blossoms after an earlier venture out to the Vale.]

Might get into a fight? We'd better take up position here.

[crackedchrysalis]

[If stuck between choosing, Koharu would like to say that both areas are dreadful and who could want to go to either on their own? But here she is, looking out to the best of her ability into the dim lighting.]

Take up a position where? I can't fly in here very well.

[She's staying close to him. She's not afraid per se, not after the times she's been here on her own, but she is wary. On edge. You never know when a Nightmare will appear. There's a scuttling sound, like claws scrapping quickly against stone. She spins her body, her bracelet ready.]

[thezekeinator]

Better here than in a smaller tunnel. I don't think we can retreat to a better position.

[Thanks in large part to a total lack of better positions anywhere nearby!]

[Zeke pulls the Purple Lightning Dreamsmasher off his back, the sword crackling with electricity as its edges lock into position.]

Back to me, try to avoid jumping. I'll keep our area clear.

[There is one significant advantage to being a tall guy in the Dreamer Union: a lot of his fellow Dreamer are shorter.]

[crackedchrysalis]

[Koharu likes to think of herself as taller than average, but against this guy she is most definitely short. Her wings on the other hand stick out behind her quite a bit. She is moving cautiously, trying to keep her back to him without hindering them, so they can increase their range of vision, but the scraping sound happens again, in the dim shadows of the room. Her holds her bracelet out, the cocoon shimmering as she increased the energy she was channeling into it.

And then it all goes silent. That is a greater concern to her than she thought.]

If I threw some bombs do you think it would flush it out?

[thezekeinator]

Most likely. Good thinking! [Zeke nods, shifting slightly to the side so his body and his blade are both out of the way.] Do that and when it shows itself I'll engage it.

[The crackle of electricity zips over more than just Zeke's sword; it runs in small traces over his body, concentrating itself slowly over his boots. The power of Mobility will see him across such a short distance, and that seems the best way to keep the beast occupied while Koharu gets to strut her stuff and get some experience!]

[crackedchrysalis]

[Is it really experience when she's going out of her way to do things wrong? She knows this isn't how she should be using her power, but it's effective enough and gets to let her shine. So much more interesting than having to stay back and defend, really.

And so she focuses on her bracelet letting the kaleidoscopic colors of the cocoon charm dangling from it swirl and brighten until she leaps forward and spins around, wings fluttering behind her.]

Prismatic Dream Dissolution!

[The cocoon bursts and tiny flickering rainbow butterflies emerge and fly away into the darkness. They glow and shimmer in the dim lighting and then almost seem to fade--right before they make contact and little explosions start going over all around them.]

[thezekeinator]

[Being not familiar with her tricks, Zeke's easy enough to fool. The idea that someone would be doing it wrong is pretty far from his mind. That's just madness, isn't it?]

[When the flickers and bursts erupt, they reveal some rather ugly Torments -- not enough to clump up into a Nightmare, most likely, but rather big and uncomfortable fellows born out of a fear of pop-quizzes and parental disappointment.]

[Zeke crosses the distance in an almost-literal flash, sparks of electricity left behind in the air as he charges over to swing his sword into the midst of the Torments. Pay attention, chums! You've got a problem to deal with!]

department store;

[traceofeffort]

[Lisa's already got a basket, trying not to go too hard on the sale and... mostly doing okay? There's a bag of sugar, some eggs, and also a bottle of that exact shampoo brand, among other things. When she hears the comment, her eyes drift to the air fryer as she walks past it.]

A smart air fryer? Man, they'll make anything run without you. Not that I wouldn't appreciate being able to set it and forget it, but give me that for, like, a toaster oven. Or an oven oven.

[She looks over at the source of the voice, and her eyes widen briefly as she very carefully doesn't look down at the bottle of shampoo. The twitch is probably noticeable though.] You... ah, sorry. I'm over here rambling about completely different appliances. [Smooth, Lisa. She probably thinks you're weird now.]

[crackedchrysalis]

[The reaction is certainly noticed, but Koharu acts like it's nothing. She even gives an airy little laugh.]

Oh, no, I fully agree with you. I would prefer if all of my appliances worked this way! Although, I think I would prefer a toaster that never over toasts the bread. Ever. It should have sensors to recognize how browned the toast is and pop before it gets too dark. True perfection.

[traceofeffort]

[A sharp breath.] That would be amazing, I'll take one. Or two. Science really can find new and exciting ways to make our lives better!

[A beat.] Until some grump comes along and says they like their toast burnt to a crisp, at least. It'd happen, for sure.

[crackedchrysalis]

Ugh. Those kind of people do ruin anything fun and new.

[Her nose wrinkles.]

Technology is a wonderful thing and some people can't embrace it. I, for one, would not hesitate.

[To prove her point she turns to another shelf and picks up a box, holding up up for the other girl to see.]

Like have you seen this recipe tablet? You can access thousands of recipes on it and program it with different personality types and voices to read them through an app! Isn't that amazing and cute at the same time? And it has a built in timer!

[traceofeffort]

I mean, I can understand people that didn't grow up with technology not wanting so much of it - feels like letting someone else run your life. But for people that have always had it, it's just new shiny stuff, right?

[Lisa nods at the presented tablet.] Yeah, like, that's something that's easy for a lot of people to use. I don't know that I want a computer telling me how to bake my cookies, though, no matter who it sounds like. Show me the recipe, sure, but we'll stop there, thanks. Or, well, I say that, but is that too extreme? Or am I just not adventurous enough?

[crackedchrysalis]

If I want to bake a specific cake, I'm going to follow the recipe. If I change anything, then it's not the same cake anymore.

[Spoken as someone who has spent too much time obsessively following recipes and videos on the internet to get the exact look and design displayed.]

Now, if I wanted to make my own cake, why would I both with this at all? I'll do whatever I want. So I'd say you're being more adventurous.

[traceofeffort]

I dunno, maybe I can see somewhere for improvement. Or maybe I want to cut something out I know someone’s allergic to? Other than that, gimme somewhere to start and I’ll just go for it. Cooking’s more fun when you can try stuff and see what sticks, right? [A beat.] Well, as long as you don’t make anyone sick. I like to think I’m not that bad anymore. That’s what I need, a machine I stick a cookie in and test if I’m going to kill someone with it. But I don’t think that exists yet.