TDM #3

[fabulists]

fable test drive meme #3

// away with the fairies

In your land, there may be stories of the Fae taking people away. Perhaps you haven't heard of the Fae at all, or perhaps you are more familiar with them than others. No matter how well acquainted you are with the Fae, everyone around you has experienced the same fate tonight: Being taken by them. Partially, at least. For they did not want to kidnap anyone from their home and take them away from the life they knew. In a small jar of fairy dust, part of your soul was taken in the night and brought to a magical village by the name of Fable.

On arrival, the Fae release you from the jar before waving their magic wands, and materialise this taken little part of you into a brand new you. From here onwards, your new life begins, shared among all sorts of magical creatures. Here, you will be allowed to grow, thrive and enjoy the bounties provided to you by these mysterious and wonderful creatures. In exchange, they ask for a share of the magical fruit that you grow in your garden, donated to their dragon overseer in exchange for rewards. After a briefing on your new life, you understand things as best as you possibly can. Now, it's time to settle into a brand new cottagecore life.

Welcome to Fable.

// arrival

Now that you are a resident of Fable, you have a brand new cottage, a garden, and a few tools to use! There's not an awful lot in your cottage, though: Just a cardboard box, a lamp, a cassette tape and a single bed. Fear not, though! By participating in friendly tasks, your cottage will look great in no time.

Something sparkly catches your attention before you realise it's a message board, advertising an array of tasks for bonus fruit. Did this thing appear out of nowhere just now? That must be the case, since you can swear it wasn't there a second ago. The board may inspire you to go out there and mingle. It seems that the monthly tasks are geared towards friendliness to welcome this new season!

picnic party

// spring fling

At long last, the snow covering Fable has finally melted! While Spring hasn't made its full appearance yet, there are definitely tell-tale signs of its approach thanks to the greener grass and the days feeling longer. Some of the anthropomorphic animals who live in the neighbouring region of Limerick - such as rabbits, birds, sheep, fawns, mice and squirrels - have gathered in Fable to introduce an incredibly sweet welcome to the warmer weather.

The woodland animals, who work together like you would imagine them doing in a Disney movie, have arranged a picnic! They've got plenty of baskets, cups, blankets, plates and cutlery to give out - not to mention food created by both themselves and their Faerie friends! (They wash their paws, promise.) Just be careful on which you choose to eat, because consuming fairy dust can do strange things to Fable residents.

// let's have a picnic!

There's an incredible flow of magic in the air that fills you with the urge to get out there and enjoy the sun with some company. It's a beautiful day for a picnic! Fable has an assortment of hills and fields to lay down a blanket and relax on. Some of the more quiet spots can found be down by the river or under the willow trees. Inside of the basket gifted to you by the animals, you will find plates, cups, cutlery and freshly picked flowers!

There's plenty of food to go around for all dietary requirements! The animals and fairies have certainly gone all-out - so there's no need to feel guilty for stacking your plate high. The food prepared by the animals cause zero effects, but the food prepared by the Fae is cooked with magic and fairy dust which might cause some interesting changes to happen! Choose wisely!

// springtime celebrations

Across Fable while the weather is beautiful and bright, there are assorted outdoor activities available to participate in, especially while the picnics are on!

Near the areas where people are dining and socialising, there are swinging seats that fit two people, an assortment of musical instruments laid out for people to play, outdoor grills and ovens in case anyone wants to cook or bake some goodies for their picnics, and arts and crafts supplies!

For participating in any of these tasks, you will receive flowers or shrubs for your garden and pieces of outdoor furniture for your cottage! Feel free to leave a comment here to redeem these once you've written 5 tags in your thread! Since our TDMs are considered game canon, if you choose to app, these rewards will cross over with you when you join the game! Woohoo!

If you choose to partake in some Faerie food, you may find yourself feeling quite interesting!

The flower cupcakes look rather nice, don't they? The icing is in the shape of a flower! These sweet treats will make you feel extremely brave and sociable! You can't recall ever wanting to talk and mingle so much!

The flower punch is being served in several flavours, topped off with flowers floating in your drink for decoration. With every sip you take, no matter the flavour, you will want to share happy thoughts and feelings! Be warned, though: If you drink too many glasses, you'll feel a lot of sad feelings come to surface - ones you that might be trying to fend off or forget about. Comfort from another person is the remedy, however!

A slice of fruit pie still carries that warm feeling over from Winter! With all sorts of fruit flavours to try, there are pie slices for all tastes. Eating one will inspire you to compliment someone! That warmth from within is flowing right out, so much that you can't resist saying all these nice words.

A slice of cake will overwhelm you with the incredible taste of perfectly balanced vanilla extract and lemon zest! It will also make you incredibly affectionate. Depending on how big the slice is that you eat, it might make you feel very affectionate indeed. (Winky emoji.)

flittens

// purrfect gardening

The sunny weather looks so nice and refreshing that you may feel inclined to go out of your cottage and visit your garden. Except ... your garden is looking pretty barren at the moment, isn't it? You have your fruit trees, plenty of soil plots and fresh green grass, but no flowers.

While contemplating how empty your cottage garden is, you notice something appear beside you.

"Mrrrrrrrp?"

Oh. It's a cat. Actually, wait, it's ... several cats?! Where are they all coming from!? All of them have fairy wings in an assortment of different colours, and it looks as though they're very interested in you for some reason. The cats nuzzle your legs and around your ankles, which inadvertently causes the fairy dust in their fur to rub off on you. The shimmering sparkles coming off the kittens may not give you a second thought, until you move one of your feet to notice that there are flowers growing behind you when you walk!

"Mew! Can you make the flowers grow faster, please?" Did that cat just talk?! Actually, if you've been here for a while, this won't be a surprise at all. These purring kitties are all rubbing by your feet still.

"That Winter lasted for too long ... your gardens are so empty! Please grow some flowers for us to play in ... pretty pleeeeeeease?"

Against your better judgement, you decide to listen to the kitties. They are pretty cute and convincing, after all. But whether you know it or not, there are special qualities to these flowers...!

After a briefing from the Flittens, you understand that all of Fable's cat fairy population have been visiting the Fable residents to request big flowering gardens to play in. It's a win/win situation, though - since your garden will no longer be barren and empty!

The flower that grows is one that matches you entirely! Whether it's the colour of the flower, your personality or the flower's meaning - the flower that grows is an essence of who you are.

The Flittens have a very important requirement for you once you have grown flowers in your own garden: They want you to visit your neighbours and grow flowers in their gardens too! According to the Flittens, it's "boring" to play around in the same type of flower. They want big, colourful gardens to frolic and play in!

Flowers grow when you walk around barefoot on grass, or handle soil with your hands. When you feel happy, they will sprout and grow all around you! Maybe even in your hair if you're feeling extra happy.

The second important thing to note about these flowers is that their pollen has magical properties! When you have a neighbour visit and they grow their flowers in your garden, inhaling the pollen of these flowers will heighten your interest in them! Their flowers you grow smell so sweet - the aroma is very inviting! You're curious to learn more about where they're from, who they are, and you may even feel inclined to invite them to dinner or offer them tea from your cottage. The longer you stay in their presence, the stronger the pollen's effect! Just how much are you going to learn about this person?

After 24 hours, the flower growing magic will be over, but you'll wake up the next day with a bright beautiful garden and hopefully a new friend or two...!?

Welcome to Fable's third TDM!
We're excited to have you here, and hope you enjoy the prompts!
To familiarise yourself with the setting, please take a look at the arrivals & premise page!
We would also appreciate it if you could have a look at the rules as well.
As a general note, the TDMs are considered game canon!
Which means all rewards for fruit & furniture can be used in the game if you apply!

New arrivals have a cottage, a network device, the clothes on their back and a single item from home.
To view the locations, NPCs and more information about the game, please visit our full navigation!

If you have any questions that you have not seen answered in the FAQ, please ask in the FAQ post. Thank you!

(CODE)

Comments

[neunkugeln]

[She is still incredulous—so incredulous that she can't even bring herself to yell anymore. So, this is the equivalent of simply keysmashing angrily in response in someone's head...]

I should be asking you that question. I know his status, I know where he is, but so should you. YOU WERE THERE.

[If she wasn't totally suspicious before, she is now, and she's going to turn it back around on him... and yes, she's going to yell. Again.]

Are you just fishing for information now!? All these things that you should already know!? You must be crazy if you think I'm going to tell anyone until you prove to me who you are!

[How long can they go around in circles for before one of them finally budges...]

[flamekthunder]

[So far she passed that test—guarding the info rather than freely answering, that's more proof that she's genuine. However, it's still not enough. So rather than be upset, he continues to remain calm, still studying her like he would an enemy.]

If you're the real thing...

[He just needs to study her reaction on this. One thing that only the real Ilsa would understand and would leave a fake confused. A very personal "question" that would reveal everything.]

February. Claudia's Chocolat's Sale.

[Just four words.

And yet he recites them with the calmness of one who knows he has the upper hand. Not even an Otherwordly Being would be able to pull this memory out to manipulate.]

[neunkugeln]

[...

...

Those four words, although spoken so calmly, hit her like four large bricks to the face.

Slowly, she lowers her gun, but her darkened scowl never leaves her. If anything, it only grows deeper, angrier.]

... How do you know about that?

[Even the real Eustace—if this were all fabricated somehow—shouldn't know about what happened that day.

Oh shit, wait—

She raises her guns again.]

NOTHING HAPPENED.

[flamekthunder]

[And there it is.

The confirmation he needed and immediately all the tension from his side disappears, his gun lowering.

Even if he knows Ilsa is now ready to pull the trigger on him—]

It was hard to miss the giant stack of boxes...

[...Does she really want him to continue?]

[neunkugeln]

[She really does look like she's about to pull the trigger on him as her face grows from a shade of rosy pink to a deep red.]

They were on sale.

[Don't you dare go any further, Eustace. Do not say another word or so help her—

But underneath that panicked flush, she scoffs as she slightly lowers her gun. Two can play at this game and if he's going to bring up that Claudia sale, then...]

Remember when that dog you went to pet ran away from you?

[YES, she knows she's being very petty but so is he!]

[flamekthunder]

[Hngk.

He knew she would return the serve, but that doesn't mean it still stings. So there is flash of discomfort and low click of his tongue before he roughly holsters Flamek.]

So we're both our true selves.

[Pettiness aside... His arms cross over his chest as he continues to stare at Ilsa. Although no longer hostile, there is still doubt and disbelief in his eyes.]

You really only remember the events from Moon Silver? Nothing after that?

[neunkugeln]

[She keeps her hold on Nybeth a little longer, even after he holsters his weapon, her eyes narrowing at Eustace...

...

Before she slowly lowers her arms to her sides with a frustrated sigh.]

That is what I said. But why is that so surprising? You were there, too.

[flamekthunder]

I was...

[His gaze hardens on her.]

Over a year ago.

[or however long it was because thanks Cygames and making time a fake construct for their events]

[neunkugeln]

Huh!?

[Her face twists with a mix of confusion and outrage, and she finally slips Nybeth away.

She's not sure what to believe anymore. This is all so absurd that she doesn't know if she should laugh or scream. Here she was just wanting to bring her neighbour a pretty orchid that she grew in her garden, but now that the effects of the cupcakes have started to wear off—Eustace pointing his gun at her was like a splash of cold water to the face—she's starting to realize how ridiculous all of this is.

Her fingers rub at her temple.]

But we left him in the infirmary just... [She shakes her head.] So what is the last thing you remember, if not that?

[flamekthunder]

[He lets out a long, low breath. He knows how ridiculous this sounds—he's certain he would be the same if the roles were reversed.]

...If I were to say just the last thing, it won't make any sense. In fact... So much happened that it will be difficult to keep things brief. The Foe, Society—all of it is not what we believed. Alandus was just the first hint of the truth behind everything.

Everything has been resolved now, but it wasn't easy.

[neunkugeln]

Well.

[She clicks her tongue.]

Good thing we have nothing but time. I would just be spending it delivering flowers to the other houses on the block anyway.

[She shoots a pointed look to the orchids that are sitting on his table.]

You had better take care of them.

[flamekthunder]

[...—Really.

He looks at the orchids and closes his eyes briefly with a quiet exhale.]

Fine.

[He looks at her again.]

I don't really have another chair... But we can make do.

[Yes, he fully intends to jsut have them talk in here. Because where would they go? Nothing crosses his mind.]

[neunkugeln]

Here? This drab place?

[She laughs. What a simple man... but it feels like such a very Eustace thing to do that his suggestion dispels any doubt that was left from her mind that she fully relaxes.]

There is a whole town at our disposal, and I intend to take advantage of it. Let's go find a grill and eat outside. There are plenty of blankets or chairs to sit on there so you don't have to stand.

[flamekthunder]

[...What. He looks at her a little more suspiciously. Well, not quite "suspicious."]

This would entail some confidential and sensitive information... You want to discuss this out in public?

[Not that it actually matters...what the hell would the fairies here do with the giant bag of laundry he's about to air?? But Eustace is still Eustace and protocol is always first in his mind.]

[neunkugeln]

[She gives him a dry look.]

Do you really think anyone would be interested in listening to all of that while they are out picnicking?

[Because she sure as hell wouldn't be if she were anyone else but herself. She would want to enjoy her time out instead. Maybe even find someplace quieter where two people weren't dumbfounded about their futures. Of course, it doesn't matter—this is all just some weird dream, right?

Right?]

If that is the thing you are worried about most between us, then you may need to reassess.

[Being overheard is the last of her worries anyway. She's much more worried about the fact that he claims he's supposedly from the future???

At any rate, she's already moving towards the door where the flitten that's been waiting for her darts around in greeting, rubbing its face up against her hand that she offers to it.]

We can find a quiet corner somewhere.

[flamekthunder]

[He still eyes her for a moment before he sighs and starts to follow.]

All right.

[...]

But we're staying away from the music.

[neunkugeln]

Mm. That's fine. I'm not interested in the music either. Too noisy.

[Though, the image of Eustace getting an instrument foisted on him certainly would have been quite the sight to see. Does he even know how to play any...?

The flitten follows behind Ilsa as she leaves the house and wanders down the front yard, though it occasionally regards Eustace with a growing curiosity as they head to the field that is just down the road where the animals had set up several seating areas for picnics.

As promised, she manages to find a spot that's set well away from the others, and it's equipped with not just a grill and one of those cute swings, but there is a station nearby offering the assortment of foods and sweets that they've been handing out...

For later, she reminds herself as she turns back to Eustace.]

See? Quiet.

[flamekthunder]

[Eustace will just follow Ilsa, letting her take the lead as he only gives passing glances at the picnic. Hopefully none of them remember him from earlier...... But as she promised, they reach a quiet spot that even has to approve of.]

...All right.

[He looks over the grill and the other assortment of food they have.]

Do you want anything?

[WELL. IT'S THERE. And as she said this was going to be a long talk. Might as well get comfortable he supposes...]

[neunkugeln]

Are you offering to grill me something?

[She would have just been happy with a slice of cake, a cupcake, or some pie, but there is always room for dessert. So, after a moment of pondering...]

I can't remember the last time I had a good burger...

[flamekthunder]

Hm... Looks like there are some patties.

[Well he had some practice with these grills earlier, so he knows how to work it. Helps that it's not too much different from back home. So he turns on the gas, fire crackling before it lowers and he waits for it to heat up, preparing the ingredients so he can just put them on the grill when ready.]

Any sides? Toppings? There's an assortment of vegetables as well.

[neunkugeln]

Mm. Some fresh lettuce and tomato?

[Simple. Clean. To the point. She doesn't need fix-ins, but...]

Grilled vegetables on the side would be nice. I could slice them for you first.

[As she's already reaching for the knife that's set aside with the rest of the utensils near the grill, as well as the big, red tomato that's there.]

And you?

[flamekthunder]

I'll do the same.

[Easier than trying to do something special for the both of them.

As he waits for the temperature to rise, patties ready to go, he glances over at her.]

Can't remember the last time I saw you cook.

[neunkugeln]

Anything can happen in a dream world.

[Or whatever this place is.

Ilsa slowly gets to work slicing the tomato with intense precision, the fruit just supple enough under her fingers as the knife goes through it. All of the fruits here are almost too perfect... which makes her wonder again what kind of place this really is.

She cuts up four thinner slices for the burgers, and then finishes up the rest of it as chunks for him to grill on the side with the other vegetables.]

That said, I don't think you've ever seen me cook. Unless that's something you're about to tell me.

[flamekthunder]

There was at least once, wasn't there...?

[A nice hot sizzle as the grill is finally hot enough to put on the patties, the fragrance of the light seasoning he added in spreading as the meat begins to cook.]

Back when we were training and we had to do rotations once.

[neunkugeln]

[...?]

Oh. I suppose you're right.

[She had completely forgotten about those rotations, but it was where she learned to cook a lot of the things she knows now. Most of it is simple, but over time, it's easy to take one's skills and hone them to make better, tastier things... like cupcakes...]

I didn't think you remembered those days.