【EVENT】 New Year's Wishful Dreaming

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Wishful Dreaming Event

On the Eve of the New Year, the city of Starsand is surprisingly quiet. For a place so eager to throw parties, you might think that the streets would be full of life. But instead, Starsand’s streets are quiet and it’s citizens shutting down shops early. In this city, the last night of the year is contemplative and quiet. Citizens might make their last shrine visits, but it’s uncommon to see them out past 11.

They say that it’s important to fall asleep before the New Year, because you want to treasure your first dream of the New Year. Supposedly it’s lucky and prophetic. If you write it down and remember it, that dream can even guide you to your greatest desire. And rumors are always good ideas in Starsand.

Sleep comes easy on this night. Characters will find themselves getting drowsy by 4am at the latest. When they do fall asleep, they fall into a deep and elaborate dream.

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OOC NOTES

The first dream of the New Year will show characters their wishes come true. They will get to enjoy the life they long for. But strangely, they may find other Fallen Stars wandering into their dreams. These encounters may shake them out of their dreamlike state and make them aware that the dream is just that: A dream. If the dreamer denies their dream or has doubts, then the dreamscape will fall apart into a nightmare before both dreamer and visitor wake up.

It is possible to have multiple dreams: Characters must wake between dreams, even if just briefly, then fall back asleep in order to change their dream. There can be multiple visitors before the dream ends for good.

On the morning of January 1st, all characters who had a dream will find a prismatic crystal clenched in the palm of their hands. The crystal will reflect the contents of their dream, so long as they hold the same wish. If they change wishes or lose faith, then the crystal will turn black and melt into Rumor goo.

NPC characters may reply to dreams with clues. Please indicate which characters you want to receive clues by putting a “*” in their toplevel title. You may request clues for up to 3 characters. Thank you for your help!

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Comments

[fallenwishingstar]

Don't give me hope, you weakling.

[But-]

I... have never seen a world like this. I've never seen much of anything. I've only stayed in one place, waiting for a change. So...

Anything. Anything interesting.

[tapformana]

[She frowns for a moment. What does that mean?]

... What's wrong? Are you all right? Why would you not want hope...?

[But back to normal, quickly enough!]

Hm... Well, if you want a change, why don't we start with equipment? If you want to go on an adventure, it's good to have good armor to start!

[fallenwishingstar]

Because I don't want to leave this dream disappointed, that's why. What's the point of going through all of this trouble if I'm going to end up sad?

[...]

Adventures... Wait. What do you mean by that? Do you not just stay in this city?

[tapformana]

Dream...?

... Even if you end up sad, that doesn't make the good not worth it. And... You don't have to leave it disappointed. Even if you leave, you can make the name yours, and keep it for yourself.

[She shakes her head.]

Nope! I'm an adventurer, so I go around all over the place. I want to see more and more and more of the world, you know? It's a whole, wide world out there, I don't want to stay cooped up in one room. I want to see everything this beautiful world has to offer!

[... Wait. One room?]

[fallenwishingstar]

I don't want it.

[She replies curtly. Firmly.

With a tremble in her voice.]

Is that so... Mm. I suppose I can relate to that.

Even if the city was the safest place for a spirit, it wasn't where I wanted to be either. But I could never imagine a world outside of that city either... so I stayed put. Where it was safe... and where I was in control of my misery.

[tapformana]

Then what should I call you?

[Hm. She holds out a hand.]

I think... it's better to take a risk to try to be happy. I don't think you should have to be miserable. So... why don't you come with me? We'll get you all geared up, and then we can get some good food, and then we can go on an adventure together!

[fallenwishingstar]

Nothing.

[She looks down at Tap's hand, a frown darkening her expression. With a defiant huff, she does take the other girl's offered hand.

But the Rumor's hand feels like nothing. There's no weight, no heat; nothing.]

Fine. Only until I get tired of ignoring reality through wasteful fun. How does one begin?

[tapformana]

Hm...

Okay, then, Nothing! Let's go!

[Is she being willfully obtuse? A little. But she doesn't want anyone to go without a name. That feels too sad.

But at the same time, of course there's no weight or heat. This is a game....

It's real, though.

Hm?

Well, whatever.]

First, let's go get you some gear! What kind of weapons do you want to use? Or, or do you use magic? You look pretty magical!

[fallenwishingstar]

... Annoying. [She sighs.

But doesn't argue any further. Her red eyes watch Tap's face, until she is led along to find gear.]

I don't know.

I've never existed before. It didn't matter what I was anyway. No one would acknowledge it. I suppose if you're the only one to look at me, you can decide. Your opinion is all that shapes me anyway.

[tapformana]

Hm...

[She frowns again.]

... If you want me to decide for you, then I can. But I want you to be happy. What do you want to be? I don't want to make you into something that you don't like.

[fallenwishingstar]

... I don't know.

I've never let myself think about it. I'm afraid to want something that cannot become reality.

What are you?

[tapformana]

If you want it, it can be. Wanting something is the first step towards making it real, after all.

[Tap smiles, encouraging.]

I'm a Dualist! It means I use twin swords of different elements. But before that, I was a Dancer, so I still do a lot of dancing, too! People call me the Dancing Dualist, 'cause I do both at the same time!

[fallenwishingstar]

... That isn't true.

That sounds dangerous. Are you trying to get yourself killed?

[tapformana]

It's true. I can promise you, it's true.

It's not dangerous! Well... I mean, it's a little dangerous, but no more dangerous than any other way of fighting monsters. And I like it!

[fallenwishingstar]

Monsters?

Your ideal world consists of fighting monsters? Why? I can understand adventures, but monsters?

[tapformana]

[Ideal... world? Something is nagging at her mind...]

... But that's just how things are. Ever since the world was destroyed, a hundred years ago.

[fallenwishingstar]

Destroyed?

Do you hate the world or something?

[tapformana]

Of course not! I love the world! And besides, that was a hundred years ago!

[fallenwishingstar]

... I see.

I guess a reality that old is likely to seep into even an unreality like this one. My own world has been destroyed over and over, so I'm used to it as well. It's not like I knew a world that was 'whole' anyway.

But to your point:

I don't know the difference between those two anyway. You had might as well choose for me.

[tapformana]

I don't get it, but...

[She nods, squeezing the girl's hand lightly.]

I think we'll gear you up as an Explorer. So you can go wherever you want to go!

[fallenwishingstar]

Explorer...

Is that safe? Won't I get hurt if I go far from town?

[tapformana]

There's safe places. And I can protect you if you don't want to fight!

[fallenwishingstar]

... You'd protect me?

I see.

I... will take you up... on that. If I can see a bit further...

[tapformana]

Then let's get you some gear, and we'll go!

[that's right

it's time for a SHOPPING MONTAGE as we try to get cute adventuring gear for rumor-chan]

[fallenwishingstar]

[In the middle of shopping, the shadowy girl pauses to admire her ability to touch some leather. Even if she cannot feel it, it's strange to be able to touch it.]

... It is a dream, but I still cannot feel anything. I don't know what it would be like to feel, so maybe I cannot imagine it.

How stupid.