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!

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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.

[darcangel]

Pressing an attack is not foolish. It is the only way to win.

[ ....but she's being ungrateful, isn't she. Deep breaths. Even if they disagree strategically, he risked himself over concerns for her safety. She will have a perfectly rational conversation about this.

A perfectly rational, brief conversation, to not lose the momentum, before she attacks again! ]

[aretaic]

As a Saver you should be aware of your purpose.

[He hisses, but if she charges off he simply crosses his arms and watches.]

[darcangel]

[ Oh, was that the problem? Good, since it's fixed now. She smiles. ]

Then since I am not on my own any more, will you help me protect everyone?

yume i

[numetal]

[The teenager she approaches doesn't respond right away; it's not that he didn't hear her, as he does look her way when she addresses him at first, but he stares in silence for just long enough that it could be borderline uncomfortable for the average person...

She's still here. Dang.

Well, since he's mute, he'll just offer a nod and then point upwards. There's another huge sign advertising the BIG SALE!!! that should get the message across hanging from the ceiling.]

[darcangel]

Hm?

[ Her eyes follow the pointing finger, and she nods slowly. ]

I see....so, the unbelievable is true!

[ She bursts into a smile. ] Isn't this amazing? Now everyone who needs clothes can get twice as many. Thank you very much for showing me.

[ oh, but she did bother him, and "thank you" isn't enough gratitude, so - ] Is there anything I can do for you?

[numetal]

[What's with this sunny disposition? He suddenly feels like he needs a pair of sunglasses just to face her.

Still, if she's offering he's going to put her to work - Morris holds out the empty basket in his hand towards her, expecting her to carry it.]

[catalytical]

Huh?

Asuna looks up from her own shopping as it registers that someone's addressing her.

Oh. The clothes? [Asuna looks from the rack being pointed at back to Jeanette, seeking clarification. Clearly this stranger's from out of town, if not out of country. So it's better to be polite.] I'm pretty sure this entire section is just stuff for their special Spring Clearance. So unless something's been put into the wrong place accidentally, it should all be half off.

[A pause, as she debates saying anything, but then this stranger is so cute. Asuna can't help but want to aid her.]

Are you new to Yumemigaoka?

[darcangel]

Yes. My name is Jeanne d'Arc [ just like half the population of her village, but why should she introduce herself as anything else? it's her name ], and I have come from France to work for the Dreamer Union.

[ She sticks out her hand. ] You have done me a great favor. May I have your name?

yume ii

[howlmyrage]

[ Alter, on the other side of the phone, reaches over and presses "send," the photograph of Jeannette being blinded by her own flash photography, hopefully with a funny face. ]

And now you can share this beauty with her!

[ She'll probably like it more anyway. ]

[darcangel]

Wha...

[ aaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaa

perishing internally

and slightly externally, tears bead in her eyes as she panics ]

You sent it!

[ She sounds shocked. ABSOLUTELY SHOCKED. She has known you all your life, and yet. She is still shocked. ]

[howlmyrage]

Technically, you sent it.

[ See, it says "Jeanette" at the top of the totally-not-LINE/Whatsapp/Telegram window. ]

Don't worry about it, it's a good photo.

[ Mostly because it's very silly. ]

dream sphere. also thank u jeannette for letting me establish he has two separate VAs

[kitri]

Listen, kiddo, it was run, or we were both gonna get popped and put out on the bench for who knows how long.

_{[ two Savers, no time for him to ramp up, and Ballade's still getting the hang of fighting groups... nuh-uh, wasn't happening. this'd be the first time La Pucelle's seen this particular Dreamer - while she won't recognize his voice, there's something... very, naggingly familiar about that face. ]}

Now sit down. I dunno if we can get dream-infections or not, but either way, all those cuts have got to sting, right? Let's take care of that first, plan sweet vengeance later.

gee novvy how come you get TWO voice actors

[darcangel]

[ Yes, she knows him from somewhere...."blue" is the association she's making, though she can't place why.

Still, he has his facts incorrect, and she shall fix that. ]

I do not seek vengeance. I seek victory.

[ An important distinction for sure!!! ]

cuz i couldn't resist giving ballade the english kadaj voice dammit!!!

[kitri]

Then we'll get victory on the Torments that coincidentally sent us packing, later. That one with the speckled petals was pretty distinctive, right? We'll definitely be able to find it again.

_{[ so their shelter, due to being in the veil of sorrow, errs more on the side of 'pathetic, ramshackle cabin embodying a deep loneliness' than anything else, but it's still got a tap that runs in a weak trickle, so it won't be too much of a big deal getting the mud out of those cuts. ]}

UPDATE!!!! I CHANGED THE AU, PLEASE LOOK HERE FOR NEW PROMPTS!!!

[darcangel]

[ Matsuba Shopping District ]

Oh, take caaaare--!!

[ A girl on a bicycle is careening down the hill, a bundle of baguettes bouncing in her handlebar basket. When she sees that there's a person in her path, she twists her body - and the handlebars - to steer the bike out of the way....

.....and comes to a skidding stop, leaving a dust trail behind her, a foot to the side of the near-obstacle. Once she's fully come to a halt, she steadies her bike and looks over the pedestrian with concern. ]

I am so very sorry! Are you unhurt...?

[ "Good morning, Jeannette!" calls one of the greengrocers. "More bike tricks? Nice one!" ]

A potential injury is no laughing matter, sir.

[ Promised Morning Private Academy ]

Hah.....

[ Jeannette, looking over her most recent Japanese test, sighs. Then, fixing her posture, she clasps her hands in front of herself and closes her eyes, concentrating.

Is she....

Is she praying?

Is she praying over her test?

Is she praying over a test where - oh, wow, god, Jeannette, you are really bad at remembering kanji, huh..... ]

[ Dreamer Union HQ ]

Are you the novice? I am glad you came.

[ What had you expected from your mentor, new Dreamer? If it was anything other than "a teenaged girl with curly blonde hair clapping you on the shoulder like an old war buddy", I'm afraid you're bound to be disappointed. ]

The more Dreamers we have together, the better it will be!

[ ....or maybe you're not her novice, and are in the wrong place at the wrong time....

Will you tell her? ]

[meteorman]

[This is not divine intervention, probably, because a truly loving God would not send Ford Pines. But unfortunately he's who's here! With twelve PhDs it was pretty much impossible for him to escape getting tangled up in the school somehow. So he audits classes, and he tutors. Which subject? All of them. 12 PhDs.

And sometimes he helps with grading because he's very speedy at it, which is why he's here now seeing a girl straight-up praying in the middle of class.]

I know it looks bad but I don't think it's at the 'needing forgiveness' level yet.

[darcangel]

I am not asking forgiveness.

[ She says, matter-of-fact, concentration unbroken. ]

I am seeking guidance.

Promised Morning.

[brainstormed]

[...God as her witness, Valeria feels like praying, too. For her poor sanity. Why? Because she's witnessing something absolutely mindblowing. A girl who presumably has the same talents as Val, who's been here longer, and is probably not a foreigner praying over a failed test. And oh, lord is that a bad test.

Praying.

Over.

Schoolwork.]

...You know it's said that God helps those who help themselves, yes? Studying is taking initiative and claiming agency for your own academic success.

[darcangel]

I know this well.

[ Still praying. ]

If I work hard, and apply myself, God will grant me understanding. Understanding has not come, so my work must not yet please Him.

May He correct my path.

(Makes bike bell sounds)

[lonelyrollingstar]

A-aahhh!!!

[I don’t have any icons for his human form on this journal at the moment so please just imagine a very short and very unassuming-looking brunette with his hands up over his face, cowering. He definitely thought he was about to get NANACA CRASH’d there for a second.]

Eh?

Eh???

[Slowly, he lowers his arms just slightly.]

I’m— I’m fine. Sorry, I was… I should’ve been paying more attention.

[darcangel]

No, the fault is mine. Do not blame yourself.

[ Flipping down her kickstand, she dismounts to give him a more thorough once-over. You're truly unhurt? The surprise is all that ails you? She would feel the wretchedest girl on Earth if she injured you and didn't make amends!

But luckily, all seems well. She exhales. ]

....You are all right. Thanks be to God....

[ Her eyes turn to heaven, as apparently yes, we are being thanks to God right now. ]

shopping district

[howlmyrage]

[ Alter has, thankfully for everyone involved, not been hit by the bicycle. Unfortunately for Jeannette, she has snatched a baguette from her basket. ]

If you plan to make a career in extreme sports you could get a bike with real brakes.

[ She points the long loaf of bread dramatically at the other Jeanne like it's some kind of baton, clearly unhappy about almost having to dive out of the way. ]

[darcangel]

[ Jeannette does NOT plan to make a career in extreme sports, so responding to that comment seems silly. More importantly, her baguette has been confiscated.

This does her a Concern, for: ]

....Did you skip breakfast again?