fablecottage | TDM #1

Entry tags:

!tdm

TDM #1

fable test drive meme #1

// 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 magical creatures from all walks of life. 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, in order for their dragon overseer to reclaim his own magic and find his missing siblings. 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. Fortunately, though, it seems that your kitchen is stocked with ingredients. Enough to make a pie, at least! Most of the village shops are currently closed due to the bad weather, so it seems like socialising with your neighbours might be your best shot at finding something to do.

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. Perhaps the board will urge you to find some fellow people who are in a similar situation as you. The cold weather might inspire you to go fishing in the river canals, have a snowball fight, make warm drinks for people, get active in the kitchen or go sledding!

Or, just ... do whatever you want! This is your magical home now, might as well make the most of it!

snowfolk!

// do you wanna build a snowman?

While wandering through the village, you suddenly hear a voice appear out of nowhere. "Help ..." The voice speaks, rather ominously, which might alarm you. "Turn around ..." It says again, which may send shivers down your spine that aren't related to the cold. "Now, come closer. No, closer. Closer!" Jeez! You know this place is filled with magical creatures, but what on earth is taunting you at the moment? You can't see anything! There's just a Snowman in front of you.

"Hello." Wait, did that Snowman just--? "I am a Snowman." He did. He talked to you.

"I am lonely. Please build me some friends." Well, it's not like you have anything better to do ... "I will give you a reward if you do. Come to me when you have built, and I will give you a reward." Seems simple enough. You almost walk away to get started, until--

"HOLD IT!" He yells, very loudly for a Snowman. "You must use teamwork to build a Snowperson. The best Snowpeople are made with friends. Find a friend and build a Snowperson for me. Thank you."

Well, there you have it! You have been tasked with finding someone to build a Snowperson with. And of course, because these Snowfolk are magic, they're going to be quite particular about how they want to be built. They may berate you and act fussy during the process. You must divide the work between you and your acquaintance in order to complete your Snowperson. Get creative with hats, scarves, shapes, face designs - and whatever else you think the Snowperson should have!

Your final result will produce either an immaculate (or terrible) Snowtyke, Snowboy, Snowmam or Snowman who will reward you both with a random piece of winter furniture and an extra surprise!

Once you both feel satisfied with your Snowperson,
Please reply to this thread here in order to claim the rewards! Have fun!

the aurora ball

// ballad of the northern lights

In Finnish mythology, it is believed that the Northern Lights (Revontulet) are the creation of a fox who runs across the night sky. In Fable, this very same fox is the one responsible for the Northern Lights of their skies - and while he spends a lot of his time away from the realm to decorate the skies of many other places, he returns every Winter for a fantastic show (and incredible party!)

To celebrate his return, Fable's residents gather in Skáld to host a ball and have a big party beneath the lights. And you have been invited! No need to worry about travel - with your magical invitation, you can be poofed there in an instant! In an act of generosity, the Fox of the Northern Lights has temporarily given you a dose of his magic in order for you to join in the fun! While the party is ongoing, you will have a glowing pair of aurora wings which allow flight, a dazzling new outfit, an immunity to the cold, and the ability to create aurora streaks in the sky!

// the aurora ball

The moment you accept the invitation and arrive in Skáld, the magical effects from the Aurora Fox will activate! Shimmering sparkles will envelope you before you find yourself wearing a brand new outfit and accessories for the evening, and they really are very sparkly! Your floating aurora wings spawn behind you in any colour, and just like that, you're ready for the party! Don't worry about the outfit you were wearing prior to this, it has been transported back to your wardrobe in your cottage. With magic, of course!

The party runs for a few days, and it's a lot bigger than you imagined. Just how many mythological creatures are attending? You and the otherwordly attendees will be staying in a nearby wooden lodge that has been upscaled with magic in order to accommodate its large guests. The lodge has spacious rooms, complimentary meals, and even a heated outdoor pool!

The party itself takes place on a mountain adjacent to the lodge with an outdoor ballroom, Troll DJs playing through the night (with both upbeat and slow music), a bonfire, a food buffet and a bar!

Fancy a drink? There are cocktails and mocktails being served all night by the Troll bartenders! Who knew Trolls were so good at mixing drinks? Cocktails and mocktails are exactly the same in taste, except mocktails don't have any alcohol in them. If your character doesn't like to drink, they can still enjoy the tasty beverage without getting drunk!

Regardless of alcohol content, however, each drink will have a funny effect on the person consuming it.
Pink Pixie will make people feel more flirty and sensual, Minty Manticore will make people hyperactive and chatty, Blue Bunyip will give them a case of the blues by inspiring a little bit of sadness, and Purple Pegasus will make them sentimental and emotional.

Welcome to Fable's first 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!

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Flat | Top-Level Comments Only

I think that's a great idea, but do we have enough ingredients for that?

[She saw that slight flicker of expression, pausing her work to turn to him.]

Is something amiss?

[His gaze lifted briefly, but was back on the task with a shake of his head. He went for a butter knife and went to start cutting the butter.]

Oh! No, no. All is well. I was reminded of something from... long ago. Living among my tribe as a child was a lesson in ensuring equality. Less arguing among the children when nobody got something bigger than the others', things like that.

[Tsubaki was silent for a moment, looking at him thoughtfully. They had been through a lot together thus far, but she knew nothing of his childhood beyond what he told her about Sharlayan. Honestly though? She had no room to talk. She intentionally kept from talking about her own past more than necessary. How could she begin to mention such a thing, when she went through lengths to avoid talking about her own?

Honestly, just going back to her village willingly after the Scions "disbanded" was hard enough. Even after everything, they still weren't happy with her coming by.

Looking back to the worms to finish washing them off...]

Ah, I see. I'm sorry to hear you had to learn the hard way. But the children now are better for it.

[He smiled at her, if briefly.]

What's in the past has passed. I am a man grown, and have seen fit to continually honor the chance they gave me. The adventures I've had since and the people I've met... I will forever treasure them. And you.

[He paused, quietly cleared his throat and went to get the bowl for the flour.]

Well, in any case... think nothing of it.

[It was a good thing she was facing away from him while cleaning the worms because she lingered on that last bit for a little longer than she should have. Lightly clearing her own voice.]

It may not be the adventure I promised, and certainly not Ishgard, but we can think of this vacation as an adventure of sorts. And we have all the time in the world to check everything out. I say we take advantage of this respite.

[With the worms finished, she set the bucket of dirt off to the side and washed away any remaining mud. Once done, she set the fresh bowl of worms near him.]

But first, we have some hungry children to feed. What would you like me to do next?

[He relaxed. That was nice to see: She of all people needed the most rest out of all of them. He grabbed a book and opened it to a pie recipe.]

Well, let's see here... "cut the fat into the flour until a coarse meal forms. Add only enough cold water until you have a cohesive dough."

Ahh, I think I remember that much- I tried my hands at scones for a tea party Lyna wished to have when she had a 'fancy princess party' phase. ...Another secret you must never divulge outside of this room for the sake of my life, of course.

[He clapped his hands together to clear off the flour before he went to seek a couple of forks for said fat-cutting. He set those on the counter.]

What sort of spices do you think would go good with the, er, choice of meat?

[Tsubaki was learning more and more about Lyna today. Things that she had no doubt that she'd be embarrassed about hearing he talked. Lyna really sounded like a cute child.]

How long did this Fancy Princess phase last, pray tell? [She even had a princess phase, huh?] Your secrets are safe with me.

Hm... That is... [Huh...] do birds normally eat spices? What would they even like? I guess we could ask them what they'd want it to taste like. I'd rather we get it right the first time and make it to their liking.

Only a couple of years, all told, but a blink when compared to the lifespan of the viera. I once tried to invite her to a tea party and she insisted she was 'too old' for that. I was rather shaken!

[He laughed fondly. Oh, it really did feel like a blink, as he himself remained for over a century. He wondered how many non-viera got to see their long-eared friends and family grow up.

In answer to her question, he shrugged. He set to work cutting the butter into the flour.]

Well... I recall their mother spoke of a stew she made the other day, containing frogs and various ingredients I couldn't imagine an everyday sparrow would normally consume.

[She couldn't help but let out a small chuckle in response.]

Kids are tough, or so I can only assume. I wouldn't know myself. I just know how I was when I was a kid. My parents probably had their work cut out for them.

[She meant this in gest, but the topic was still sore enough to cause her expression to become more somber. She then focused her attention on the pie instead.]

Frogs, huh...

[What an interesting diet...]

Should we catch some if that's the case?

[He smiled helplessly.]

A handy idea for the next time I'm minding the sparrowlings for certain, but I think for now our foraging days are behind us.

[He checked the flour. The book said a coarse meal... this looked to be the case. A little water, then...? He tried a touch and rolled up his sleeves before he set to kneading.]

This might be a touch more than we need... I think I've something less for sparrows we can put into a pie for the two of us.

...Ah, if- if you'd like to stay for dinner, of course...!

Mayhap that's for the best today?

[She managed to bounce back with a faint smile at least. She's keeping herself busy by following the next step. But should she tease him or...? Nah... Not right now.]

Well now, how can I resist when you went through the trouble of making extra? I suppose I could stay for dinner when you asked so politely.

[Maybe a little bit of flirting as her tail swayed slightly, jewelery jingling with the movement. She was tempted to do a little more, but that would probably be too forward.]

[...Oh! She said yes! He was momentarily pink as he bowed his head.]

How could I possibly turn you away, especially after all you've done, my friend?

[This recipe, at least, he knew how to make. It was essentially a gravy with vegetables and some sort of meat in a pie shell. With the... strange filling ready to go, they were most of the way toward the hardest part of dinner: Waiting for it all to cook.]

Now, I'll go fill two pies and get them baking. In the meantime...

[He folded his arms and stood straighter as he regarded her with a faint smirk.]

You, too, must pass wing inspection.

Edited 2023-02-07 22:22 (UTC)

[Somehow they had managed to bake a few pies for their feathered friends. Whether or not they would be any good was up in the air until it finished cooking, though. Taking notice of his reaction, she cocked her head slightly to the side in curiosity until she heard what followed. Flashing a light pink herself, she considered just how she should respond to that.]

Ah, I see. And what must I do to pass, ser? Feel free to check me over, lest I forgot something.

[And with that, she spread her arms out slightly.]

[His arms eased as he stepped closer, and the smirk was gone. Instead his gaze had turned rather serious as he took her left hand, drawing it in for inspection. With a hum he smoothed his thumb over her knuckles and kept an idle thought to himself... he paused as if to give some thought before his gaze lifted to hers.]

...Meticulous. The left passes.

[They lowered again as he took the right. His expression softened as he tipped it to check the palm, before giving a small nod.]

Hm. You involve yourself in such dirty work much of the time, yet this inspector sees a right that matches the left. Flying colors.

[He chuckled briefly, but then cleared his throat as he fought to catch himself. Quietly, he stepped back and composed himself.]

Well...! Your cooperation is much appreciated. We'll give these all a half of a bell to bake and see how they all turn out.

[With the touch of his hand examining her own, there was a part of her that felt a little disappointed that he had to let it go so soon. Flushing a light red in realization of these thoughts, she lightly shook it off, focusing on the matter at hand.]

I'm relieved to have passed the test, ser. Now all there is left to do is to wait.

[The children's pies had to be getting close to done by now.]

[She wasn't alone in the disappointment. But as it was, they had things that needed to be done and she likely had things she needed to get back to after this detour to see him. He hoped she liked what he'd made.]

The hardest part, I would say. I'll bring them out when they're done. Please make yourself at home.

[He would follow through on his promise later, after all, handling the cooling, slicing the.... uh.... unconventional pies as well as the ones more suited for their own consumption before placing them on the table.]

[Make yourself at home, he said, but in truth, she wasn't sure how to. So she simply sat down next to the children while they waited for the pies to cook. Conversing and playing with them a little, they settled down once their dinner was ready. They seemed to be enjoying it with no real complaints. That was good. This was certainly a first for both of them to make something so unconventional. She was glad that the children approved of their attempt.

All this time and she hadn't been aware of her own hunger until she saw their own come out. Thankfully for them, it was nothing so strange. And despite neither of them having a lot of experience, her pie was perfectly fine.]

I'd say we should call this a success. Thank you for the meal.

[It was nice to sit down to a table of so many people and enjoy a meal together. The birds were tucking in fine, much to his relief, but it was further bolstered when Tsubaki seemed to enjoy hers.]

I must agree- our neighbors have been quite generous in helping me to learn some basics, before one of them gave me that cookbook to aid in my endeavors.

[He briefly fidgeted with his fork.]

...It isn't often that I've had to prepare for more than just myself. I can see why some find joy in it. This little cottage feels warmer for it.

Hmm... [A thought came to mind just then.] What if we helped learn to cook together? I know the basics, but it's nothing special. This would be an excellent time to start learning more. And what better than with a dear friend?

I understand what you mean. I've only cooked for myself before.

[His ears perked.]

Of- of course...! I'm ever open to new knowledge, clearly, but I'm honestly rather excited that I can learn alongside someone that inspires me so.

[Ah, the 'pleasure' of their line of work: A lot of meal prep on one's lonesome. There was a necessity in it, of course, but he would never forget sitting together in Sharlayan before... well, everything...]

Hah... Though I do believe pie may have been a few steps ahead of what one may consider the basics. I wouldn't mind something like a soup against the cold weather.

[He had said it before to her, but it still made her a little sheepish to hear him use the "I" word. It was nice to hear.]

Mayhap you're right... Well I would like to think that we're a step ahead then. We have plenty of time to try all sorts of recipes together.

[Thrilled, his smile warmed.]

Looking forward to it already! Perhaps in doing so, we will literally enjoy the fruits of our labor as well.

[He couldn't help looking out his window. The trees were there, but not signs yet of any fruit. He rubbed his chin.]

...The things I'd read on orchards and gardening so far seem rather straightforward, at least. But fruit powered by merriment... I had the thought that it sounded rather like dynamis.

Hmmm... What kinds of food can you make with oranges?

[She's mostly joking because she's not sure if the fruits they grow can be used for anything but to help Prism, but there was nothing said about not growing other crops. She paused for a moment to consider his theory.]

It does sound about right. Hopefully good Dynamis.

[And then she paused once again.]

Doesn`t this fall seem... familiar? Not so much the cottages and all that but... Saving a dragon's family I mean...

[He smirked at her with the joke, but made a note to try baking her an orange cake sometime as a little surprise. If Prism was alright with it, at any rate.]

Ah, greatly. More and more, I get the feeling of deja vu here. 'Tis as if many of the stories I read as a boy have come to life!

I can only hope I'm not too old for a little wonder.

[She still couldn't shake the irony of their purpose for being here, but his response was enough for her to focus on something else for the time being. Letting out a small chuckle...]

Don't be silly. Of course you're never too old for a little wonder. Or a lot. If anyone deserves it, it's you. After everything we've been through, I am more than happy to help give you the opportunity to see much and more of this world and of our own.

TDM #1

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