DREAM WORLD LOOKING SWEETER THAN NORMAL

By: Roman

Residents are becoming enamoured by the appearance and aesthetic of the dream world in the past few days.

If you’ve traveled out in the dream world lately, you may have noticed that things are looking particularly sweet. In fact, things are even smelling sweet as well.

The dream world has been decorated for the Valentine’s season and many areas have been repainted accordingly. From the various colors of red, pink, violet, and white, Valentine’s is in full swing. Places like the Cafe are no stranger to holiday related makeovers.

“The Cafe usually gets a makeover for a lot of holidays. Christmas, Halloween, and yes, Valentine’s,” Artisan, a barista at the Cafe said, “When this place gets a makeover, we also change up our menu. We have pastries like heart-shaped cookies, strawberry cupcakes, and more for Valentine’s.”

“The Cafe has pastries, but we have pizza!” Brie, a chef at the Parlor said, “Our wonderful and delicious sweet candied pizza returns! We put those cute little sweetheart candies as a topping for Valentine’s. It’s very sweet!”

Some areas, like the Arcade, are also decorated for the holiday. For context, the Arcade typically does not get a makeover for Valentine’s.

“Oh wow, the Arcade got a makeover!” Gerald, a frequent Arcade goer, told me, “They renamed it the Starlight Heartcade! That’s pretty clever.”

“They put up neon signs for Valentine’s here,” Skylar, a worker at the Arcade said, “Actually, it was my idea to do that. I think the neon signs are cool. Maybe we should adopt that idea after Valentine’s is over.”

In addition to regular dimensions, some seasonal areas have also returned. McSweetie’s, the famous 1950s style restaurant stand, has returned too. During Winter Storm Genesis last November, the surrounding area was buried in snow and had been stuck in snow since. Luckily, DPF officers were quick to dig the area out of the snow, and things are back to normal.

“Our officers were quickly deployed once it was our on radars and were dispatched to dig the area out of the excess snow,” Dimension Patrol Unit chief Matías stated, “Within three days of being dispatched, the area was cleared of the snow. Power was also restored- thanks to DPEC- and roads are now accessible to and from the area. A great job for all our officers and DPEC workers.”

With McSweetie’s back, residents are looking forward to their delicious treats.

“The service here is quick as it was in the fifties,” Hugo, a resident from the District who visited McSweetie’s said to me, “Their treats are also still quite delicious. It was worth the trip!”

“I always loved their shakes and they didn’t disappoint,” Jessica, a resident from the rural dream world told me, “I’m curious to try ‘Val’s Treat’ though. I wonder what it is?”

The Valentine’s season in the dream world is expected to last for about two weeks or so. McSweetie’s should also be open from now until at least the end of the month. To all of our readers, we wish you a lovely and happy Valentine’s Day!

COUNCIL REPORTEDLY PRESSURING DIA TO REVERSE DECISION

By: Porter

It appears that we finally have an idea of how the Council of the dream world is reacting to the recent decision made by the Detective Investigation Agency.

If you recall, DIA chief detective Tsukanai Daiki dropped Lucid on all criminal charges in his ongoing investigation back on January 26. This decision sent shockwaves across the dream world, but the Council remained largely silent. There was speculation as to how the Council may have reacted following the decision, which called upon the body to pardon Lucid complteely.

Now, there are various sources indicating that the Council is finally responding in private. Sources within the DIA are telling the Tribune that various members of the Council are privately pressuring chief Daiki to reverse his decision and reimpose all charges on Lucid. The Council has yet to come out publicly, and perhaps rightfully so, but if the rumors are true, it’s an indication that the Council is not ready to simply sweep Lucid’s case under the rug.

In 1930, Lucid was found unanimously guilty by the Council for breaking several rules. In those nearly one hundred years, the membership of the Council has remained the same. Yet, if some- not all- members of the Council are pressuring the chief to reverse this decision, this could be an internal issue they don’t want to publicly show.

“I think the Council is divided on this issue now compared to 95 years ago,” Brevard, a legal analyst tells me, “The Council is known to typically stick together on very big issues. Since this pertains to Lucid, divisions within the Council would make them look ‘weak’ to the public.”

When asked which council-members could be on the fence, Brevard tells me that it’s hard to say.

“You could give me a million morphs and I couldn’t guess how members of the Council are reacting to this decision,” he explained, “Council-member Cornelius is typically known to be the strictest in decisions, so I believe he may be the one pressuring the chief. In contrast, council-member Shafira is known to be more lenient on decisions, so perhaps she is fine with the decision of the chief. And then council-member Zhang is typically seen as the deciding vote because he's typically in the middle so it's hard to imagine how he feels. Again, this is mere speculation. I don’t know what they’re thinking in private.”

The DPF has not come forward regarding these rumors and the chief of the DIA has been quiet about it. The Tribune reached out to the office of the chief of the DIA, but did not get any comment. It’s unclear if chief Tsukanai will oblige with the Council or ignore their demands.

“The chief can obey and reinstate those charges if he’s pressured enough, but it’d be a blow to Lucid,” Brevard tells me, “However, if he were to ignore their pressure, it’s unclear what the Council would do. There is the possibility that they could just let it go, but there is also the possibility that he could be terminated from his job entirely.”

The Director of the DPF, who is and has been Nikolaos Ferekides, has the power to fire and terminate chiefs within the DPF. However, the Council also has this power too. While they cannot fire the Director, they can override any decision he makes.

“The Council can ask director Ferekides to fire the DIA chief, but if the director doesn’t want to, then the Council can simply vote to terminate the chief,” Brevard tells me, “This would be a very dramatic turn of events. We haven’t seen something this dramatic since probably Lucid’s trial.”

Should the Council fire chief Daiki, the position will likely land onto whoever is the first person that the DIA chief wrote down as nominee to succeed him. It’s not known who this person is, but it’s possible we may know soon if the Council chooses to take this dramatic route.

“Time will tell, as the saying goes,” Brevard said, “This may be a rocky road we’re approaching within the next few weeks. Let’s just see how it unfolds.”

This is a developing story. Stay with the Subliminal Tribune for the latest information as it develops.

Q/A: Ask the main cast

For Valentine’s, do you prefer cards, plushies, flowers, or candy?

By: Prez Entz

Almoral: I definitely love plushies! Flowers are cool too! Cards are nice! Candy is sweet! I guess I like all of them! Whatever floats your boat! What do you think Lucid likes?

Cirrus: Cards have always been my go-to! Simple, but affirming!

Dylan: Candy FTW!!! 

Eliazar: I prefer cards, though I have given flowers on a few occasions before.

Epsilon: I like cards, especially the funny ones that Dylan buys.

Figment: Candy! I love candy! I especially love the sour candy!

Finnegan: I love getting flowers! I’ve gotten anonymous flowers in my mailbox at work for several years now! I now know who they were from…

Kodia: I love plush animals! Plush bears to be exact. They’re so cute!

Lucid: Any kind of gift is appreciated, but if I had to choose, I would say candy.

M3-0W: Cards for sure! I can keep them forever in my memory!

Nate: I really like plushies! You’re never too old for them!

Porter: I love candy on Valentine’s Day! Milk chocolate candy is very good!

Telly: Cards are old-fashioned, but still my preferred gift for Valentine’s!

For Valentine’s, do you prefer staying in or going out?

By: Ennor Owt

Almoral: Who stays in on Valentine’s Day??? I LOVE going out!!!

Cirrus: There’s nothing like going out on a stroll for Valentine’s Day!

Dylan: I love staying in and watching romance movies for Valentine’s! Of course, after our outdoors date of course!

Eliazar: Well most years I’ve been indoors, but I switched up and look forward to going out on Valentine’s Day.

Epsilon: I take Dylan out on a date for Valentine’s Day, but then we go back and watch movies at home.

Figment: Well I can’t really go anywhere, so I have to stay in!

Finnegan: I’ve always been indoors for Valentine’s Day, haha, but I’m looking forward to going out!

Kodia: As a forest ranger, the wilderness is beautiful every single day, even on Valentine’s Day! It’s a great day to go out and explore!

Lucid: I prefer to stay indoors for Valentine’s Day, but if I am able to travel publicly now, then I suppose I can try going out.

M3-0W: I love exploring the dream world on Valentine’s Day! There’s a lot to see and hear!

Nate: Um, considering the circumstances, most of mine have been indoors…but maybe that’ll change soon and I can spend them out somewhere? I hope so!

Porter: Even on Valentine’s Day, there are scoops out there waiting to be written. I have to be out and about!

Telly: I’m going out! I love seeing what people are up to on holidays. It certainly beats being at home staring at TV screens for hours!