TDM #4

[fabulists]

fable test drive meme #4

// 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!

april showers & pretty flowers

// treacherous thunderstorm

Around this time of year, the weather in Fable can certainly get hectic. While magic can only do so much to tidy the remaining fallen leaves off the ground, there's nothing like a doozy of a downpour to really sweep everything fresh and new. With all of the new flowers that have been growing in Fable, a lot of rainwater is certainly needed to give them all a drink. The dragons and storm spirits have been brewing up a torrential downpour scheduled to fall all over Fable and beyond - along with some strong winds. Are you prepared for the occasion?

From cottage to cottage, roof tiles rattle and leaves are swept away. It is advised to not go outside during this storm period, and if you're caught in the rain, to take shelter immediately! If you can't reach your cottage in time, there are other village landmarks to take shelter beneath. The thunder is very loud and the wind is strong enough to knock someone off their feet. It might be best to keep close to people in this weather - going out alone could be very dangerous. And if you're cooped up inside with a friend or a stranger, why not get to know them to pass the time?

It is important to be wary of the lightning. If someone gets struck by lightning, they will not die - but they will experience an injury and a magical feedback loop which swaps their personality! The cure for this problem is rainwater tea - a remedy which is advertised throughout the town's message boards as a precaution for any unlucky residents. The affected person will be lightning charged, causing them to receive an electric shock every time their hands are near water, which will make brewing tea impossible. Someone who has struck will need to rely on another person to brew the tea for them. A lightning-shaped scar will mark the person who got struck wherever they were affected.

After the storm ceases, there may be property damage such as collapsed gates, fallen fences, missing roof tiles and even an injury or two! Oh no! As compensation for enduring such a hearty storm - the realm's overseer, Prism, provides brand new repairing tools to those who had taken damage.

// flowers of kanshi

After enduring such a horrendous downpour, you definitely feel the urge to get out of town. The residents of Fable gossip endlessly about how stunning the cherry blossoms are in Kanshi this time of year, and the fairies practically insist that you go.

Upon arrival, you can see that Kanshi has received quite a beating from the storm. The winds and rain have blown cherry blossom petals all over the place - in the streets, rivers, and they're covering the buildings. You can see all sorts of tiny magical creatures making their best efforts to clean up, part of you wonders why they aren't using magic.

You feel a tap on the shoulder, and realise that it's a tiny sakura dragon sitting perched on you.

"Hi," they say, "I hope it's not too much to ask, but ... could you help us out here?"

You did come here to relax, so you may be a little bit hesitant at first. Still, you'll allow the dragon to continue.

"Kanshi normally has a dusting of petals here and there, but this is just too much for us to deal with on our own. If you help us gather petals, we'll offer you free access to our hot springs and restaurants. We'll even use the petals to craft furniture for you."

That's not a bad suggestion. Besides, it would be difficult to enjoy a trip here with petals covering the place. Once you agree to the dragon's request, you are given a fishing net to catch petals on the ground, in the water and in the air.

// sakura springs

Finally! It's time to relax. The sakura dragons were true to their word - in addition to the furniture gifted in exchange for the petals you collected, you have access to all of Kanshi's most favoured attractions!

There are incredible restaurants with shiba inu chefs ready to tailor to your every desire! The dining can be enjoyed in outdoor cafés surrounded by flowers, evening restaurants - and even an izakaya (alcohol & food bar) with food and drink available all night. It seems that the residents of Kanshi are very grateful for all the effort taken to clean up their home. If you want to spend the night here, even, the owners of the ryokan (traditional inns) will be glad to accommodate any guests. There are many beautiful wonders all across Kanshi, but one of the most renowned attractions are the hot springs. These incredible buildings feature indoor pools, outdoor waterways and rivers to bathe in which rejuvenates and uplifts anyone who steps in these waters. It's no wonder that creatures travel from all over just to bathe in them!

For every thread you write, you will receive cherry blossom 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!

Let's see what the attractions of Kanshi have in store!

The Flower Cafés are sooooo cute! Situated outside, these charming cafés offer spectacular views of Kanshi's flower fields. All of the food and drinks arrive in incredibly charming pastel colours! (Even the savoury stuff!) Enjoying time in the café while surrounded by all of this pollen will cause a flower to bloom in your hair every time you smile! When they sprout, it's a very ticklish sensation - which might make you smile a lot. This ticklish pollen can be treated with a swim. Good thing there's a hot spring nearby!

The Restaurants have no shortage of incredible food! Whether you would like to order off the set menu, a conveyor belt or destroy all-you-can eat, every option is available. The more food you consume, the more you will feel the urge to open up and talk about yourself. Even things you might not normally be so inclined to tell strangers...!

The Izakaya Bars are the perfect spots for any adults who love good food and good alcohol. There are no innocuous effects from the food and drink ... apart from the house special - cherry plum sake! It is everyone's favourite drink in Kanshi and all-time best seller. Consuming the sake will cause any of the following effects: giggles, excessive compliments, tingly sensations, increased stamina and the urge to overshare your thoughts.

The Hot Springs are beloved by all of Kanshi's locals and beyond. These huge, towering buildings are crafted with wood and feature private indoor pools, outdoor waterfall pools and smaller pools which are connected by streams. In order to allow guests to bathe in peace, the mythological & animal villagers of Kanshi have granted their guests from Fable to have an area all to themselves. They have also provided care packages to the guests! They contain a variety of scented bath salts to choose from. Each salt type has an (undisclosed) effect once in use. The Rose Scented Salts will make someone feel warm, friendly and affectionate. The Vanilla Bean Salts will make someone feel confident and talkative. Their mood will also be enhanced - whether it's a happy kind or melancholic kind. And the Warming Lavender Salts, surprisingly, will give someone the tail and ears of an animal!

over the rainbow

// a rainsplosion

You were likely more than aware of the intense storm that happened earlier. Just when you figure that everything is settled, you are interrupted by a group of frantic fairies flittering through Fable's village.

"Quick! Quick! Come with us! You've gotta see it!"

See what, exactly? Once you have the opportunity, you ask these excitable fae why they're in such a hurry.

"There's gonna be an explosion! A magic explosion!" ... Is that even safe?

"You know the storm? The huge storm? Well - a lot of it was magic, you know! The storm spirits created something magnificent to tidy up winter and blow everything away. And then the dragons and unicorns got involved, and they all started playing in the clouds and had a magic fight! This one cloud is so full of magic - it's going to explode! You've got to come and see it! Nothing bad will happen ... we think! But if it does, we'll fix the problem right up with our magic! Promise!"

Can you really trust the fairies to keep their promise...? But a magical explosion does sound pretty cool. Perhaps against your better judgement, you agree to go.

On the mountainside, you see it - a huge looming storm cloud flickering with rainbow colours and streaks of lightning. There are a few dragons flying nearby, with a heavy layer of anticipation in the air. You can hear laughter from the creatures, which might reassure you that you aren't in any real danger. And then--

The cloud EXPLODES with a fantastic BOOM!

You have to admit - it does look pretty incredible! Just as you take a moment to admire the rainbow explosion, the magical shockwaves blast out and phase through you which causes an immediate effect...! Uh oh?!

Depending on which colour of the magical rainbow blast hits you, a different effect will occur:

Being hit with the colour Red will cause you to kiss the person you see next! Oh, my!

Being hit with the colour Orange will transform you into a merperson! Which is great, except ... you can't see any water around here! Maybe someone can carry you to water.

Being hit with the colour Yellow will give you an animal ears and tail of your choice. So cute! But you also feel the urge to follow the instincts and behaviours of said animal to some degree, too.

Being hit with the colour Green will summon enemies for you to fight! Yikes! From the shadows, monsters manifested out of your worst fears will come to life before trying to attack you - you've been given a weapon to defend yourself, but it would be better if you battled them with another person!

Being hit with the colour Blue will make you spontaneously burst into tears. It seems like nothing can stop you from crying, either - but comfort from another will ease the pain.

Being hit with the colour Purple will cause all of your inner thoughts to hover above your head in a thought bubble. Let's hope you aren't thinking of anything too strange at the moment ...

In a standard fairytale way, all effects end at midnight. Those cheeky fairies didn't keep their promise after all!

Welcome to Fable's fourth 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

belle | once upon a time

[lucency]

thunderstorm;

[ Belle is nothing if not resourceful. Even if this whole thing was unexpected for her (although, suddenly waking up in new worlds isn't entirely out of the ordinary for her, and trust, it's been way worse), she adapts fairly quickly, and even if her cottage is bare, it's not long before there's a semblance of home. So, when she hears chatter via the message board about rainwater tea, she's quick to seek out a recipe. during the storm and for a bit too long after, anyone passing by will see a row of jars sitting toward the edge of her fence, filled to the brim with water. If they need one (or some company!), they're more than welcome to knock and ask. Anything to help, right?

After the storm, however, Belle takes a peek out of her window and surveys the damage — and damage there is. A few broken fence posts isn't the worst, but they are somewhat out of Belle's wheelhouse. When she finds the tools, though, a new sense of determination falls over her, and she picks up that hammer and the nails with utmost confidence.

It's all easier said than done, though, as Belle quickly finds out when, crouching in the muddy grass, she slips, and her fence post slips, landing with a dull squish.

Other beams of the fence wobble. She may have made this worse. ]

rainsplosion;

[ How long are these flowers going to stay in her hair? Because Belle loves them. She never considered pink to be her color, but she's truly a fashion icon as she sips her iced tea, blossoms decorating her curls. The whole atmosphere is so delightful that she had no qualms following the fairies to the mountainside, even as she does register the risk of danger. Nothing like being on the front lines, right?

The display itself is astounding, and Belle watches it, awestruck, eyes wide as she watches the dance of the dragons, the flicker of the cloud, the beams of light —

The beams of light. The light heading right toward her.

Belle's surroundings blaze bright, vivid red, and instinctively, she lifts her arms over her eyes to cover herself. But it passes with a gust of wind before going calm and quiet.

She pauses. Checks her hands, turning her palms up and down. Takes a sip of her tea. It's fine, right?

Everyone begins to scatter, and with one last look to the sky, Belle assumes the display is over. With everyone so clustered together, it's hard to catch a glimpse at one person in particular until her shoulders bump with someone on the trail down. ]

Sorry. [ She looks at them, smiles politely. Everyone's so polite here. And then — wait.

She stops, heart leaping into her throat. Seemingly propelled by their own accord, her legs hurry after the person. ] Sorry, have we — [ And she is going in for the kill. The kiss, I mean. ]

wildcard;

[ open to other prompts if any catch your fancy!! if you have any questions, feel free to shoot me a dm ♥ ]

thunderstorm;

[veardant]

Careful!

[ he doesn't arrive in time to keep her from slipping, but he can at least snag ahold of the wobbling fence, to keep the entire thing from toppling over. once it's steady, tighnari crouches to offer a hand to the fallen woman. ]

It might be best to save this particular task for when the ground dries up a little, hmm?

[ he smiles, one tall, furred ear flicking. ]

[lucency]

I used to clean for a living. [ Something like that. ] I couldn't stand the idea of this place looking — dilapidated. [ Overall, it doesn't, though. The plants are fine, if a little waterlogged, the walkway is as tended as it can be. It's quaint, and she's got something of a complex about feeling useful. Belle smiles, however small, and takes his hand as she rises to her feet. ]

And I was just happy to see the sunshine.

[ She does tilt her head at the ears, but she doesn't want to be rude. ]

Storms like that, are they normal?

[veardant]

I prefer things neat, myself, so I can understand that. Still, best not to break your leg in the mud.

[ he's a doctor, but he doesn't want her to get hurt, regardless!! once she's safely on her feet, he returns her smile with one of his own, though he's soon shaking his head. ]

No, there hasn't been a storm like that here since I arrived. It seems we'll have quite a bit of work to do, once things dry up a little..

[ he glances toward his own cottage a little ways down the road, which has lost quite a few shingles, and the outdoor furniture is all a mess. ]

[lucency]

[ Belle wishes she'd been able to prepare, but she's used to a town and asphalt now, where things are somewhat more rooted. She can handle a cloud of dark magic, but maybe not what amounts to a hurricane. It's fine.

She takes a look in the same direction he does, grimacing at the beating it took. ]

Is that yours? Do you need some help? [ Once it dries, yes, of course, but she has trouble sometimes with that instinct that says action, now. ]

[veardant]

It's mine indeed, but don't worry - take care of your own place, first, I can manage a bit of knocked over furniture.

[ she's quite kind to offer, however, and he smiles, his long, bushy tail flicking. ]

I'm Tighnari. It's nice to meet a new neighbor, even under unpleasant circumstances.

[lucency]

Belle. I've — ah — seen enough natural disasters to see the upside. How it can bring people together.

[ Sure! Let's go with that! Belle returns his smile, and it's always great to find community after not-great events. However, his tail catches her eye, and his ears, and she bites her lip, because she doesn't want to ask.

But she's gonna ask. ]

I'm not trying to be rude, but recently, I've seen quite a few people with... [ She gestures to her own general head, ear area, not exactly sure how to proceed. ] Well. More than I'm used to, anyway. Is it magic, or...?

[ A long, long pause. ]

Not that it's bad! I just — didn't know if I missed anything.

[veardant]

Well.. I suppose that's a nice way of looking at it.

[ he'd still, you know, rather be without the disasters to begin with, but he appreciates the optimism.

and oh man, here we go!! she pantomimes his tall ears, and tighnari's brows lift, but after a moment, he's smiling. ]

Magic? No, nothing like that, it's only simple biology.

[ lifting a hand, he rubs at the back of one long ear. ]

I was born with them, of course, as were my parents before me.

[lucency]

Oh! [ She's a little embarrassed, but honestly, that's delightful. Where do you get if you don't ask? Absolutely nowhere. ] Where I'm from, people can shift between forms, but they're usually one or the other.

[ Look, her Disney marketing vehicle canon turned the the head mouse into an old man, okay, and she's not gonna get into her sparkly-scaly ex or that dwarves are inexplicably hatched from eggs.

Belle tries to wipe the hammer off on the hem of her shirt, nodding her head to her cottage. ]

Would you like to come in? I'd be happy to make some tea — or I was able to collect some rainwater, if you know anyone who needs it.

[veardant]

That's not so uncommon here, either. Not so long ago I learned how to take the shape of a fox.

[ a full-on fox, not just a man-fox the way he is now. also, DWARVES HATCHED FROM EGGS... ouat is really a time. ]

Oh - are you sure? I wouldn't want to impose. Though, actually -

[ a thoughtful pause, as tighnari glances back toward his cottage. ]

Give me about fifteen minutes, I'll be back, and we can enjoy some tea.

[lucency]

[ Hold up, she suddenly desperately wants to learn how to shapeshift. What lovely future tea conversation! In the meantime, she ushers him along, takes an opportunity to change out of muddy clothes, and she's gonna use some of that rainwater to brew a couple of those handy teabags she acquired — floral flavored, because she can commit to a seasonal theme. ]

[veardant]

[ tighnari is not gone long. he returns to his cottage, and puts together a small basket of goods. bread baked fresh this morning, some packets of herbal tea, a small tin of coffee, a book on the fae, and another small tin, this one filled with a light cream. there. that's a fine little housewarming basket, he thinks.

soon enough he is back! and knocking on the door. ]

[lucency]

[ She grabs the door, and, well, if that isn't the sweetest damn thing she's ever seen! Belle's careful not to make assumptions, though, even though she grins as she ushers Tighnari inside, where he'll find two steaming mugs on the small table. Belle shuffles over and removes the teabags, because she is a stickler for proper steeping time! ]

There's sugar and milk as well! I wasn't sure how you take yours.

[veardant]

[ the tea smells lovely, and tighnari steps over the threshold with a smile, careful to pull the door shut behind him, lest the storm decide it wants to kick up again. approaching the table, he sets down the basket. ]

Milk? I've never tried milk in tea, before.

[lucency]

[ She's surprised, but no, that's great, because Belle's secondary, less-talked about hobby is trying and getting others to try food things for the first time! She grins and fills a small creamer, placing it closer to him along with one of the teacups and sugar dish. She gestures to the chair. ]

Sit!

[ Setting about stirring her own tea, Belle can't help but peer at the basket. ] What's this?

[veardant]

[ he sits! ]

Oh, it's for you. Some bread and tea, a book on the fae, to help you familiarize yourself with them. They're mostly harmless, but they can certainly be.. problematic.

[ he takes up the creamer, then pauses. ]

How much should I put in?

[lucency]

As much as you'd like! With tea, I find it's always best to think with your heart.

[ As with all matters, but that's just Belle's brand.

Attention turned back to the basket, and — yes!! Belle excitedly peeks and picks through the basket. She shuffles back over to her cabinet, pulling a plate and a knife before plucking the bread out, setting it in the middle of the table for them to share. She's also sure to grab the book. ]

Thank you. Really, this is all so helpful.

You've — had run-ins with the fae, I assume? They're a bit different where I'm from, but do you think they caused the storm?