April-May 2024 Test Drive Meme

[folkie]

April-May 2024 TDM

Introduction

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This Test Drive meme is open to all.
Welcome to Folkmore's monthly Test Drive Meme! Please feel free to test drive any and all characters regardless of your intent to apply or whether you have an invite or not.

All TDMs are game canon and work like "mini-events". For new players and characters, you can choose to have your TDM thread be your introduction thread upon acceptance or start fresh. Current players are also allowed to have in-game characters post to the TDM so long as they mark their top levels ‘Current Character.’

TDM threads can be used for spoon spending at any time by characters accepted into the game.

Playing and interacting with the TDMs will allow characters to immediately obtain canon items from homes especially weapons or other things they may have had on their person when they were pulled from their worlds! There will always be a prompt that provides some sort of "reward" to characters who complete certain tasks.

Current players are always encouraged to tag new people on the TDM!


🦊 New Star Children meet the Fox still in their worlds, and she brings them into the new realm of Folkmore. As you follow her, your body begins to change and new characteristics emerge. These may stay for a while, or perhaps they will hide away after. And during all of this, the Fox explains to you where you will be going: to Folkmore.

and then... you fall like a shooting star, falling to the land in a burst of starlight.


🦊 Experienced Star Children are already familiar with this time of the month. There are shooting stars all across the sky, and some fall to the land, which means the Fox has brought new arrivals. These newly arrived Star Children will face some tests, but Thirteen wants the more seasoned residents to participate as well.

Perhaps you follow the falling stars on your own, or perhaps the Fox simply teleports you there, but it appears you too will be part of this.

[ Prompt One ★ Prompt Two]

Lost & Found . ★

Content Warnings: Forced Relocation, Forced Sharing, Potential Violence & Harm

New Star Children arrive in Wintermute. Not at the hot springs, the school, or anywhere else near civilization. They arrive in the middle of white, snowy nowhere. The good news is that Wintermute is no longer dark twenty-four seven. There is enough light to avoid crevasses, blocked up wells, and other dangerous features of the landscape. Further, no one is expected to figure out how to get out of there on their own.

Usually Thoth finds the lost travelers in the cold expanse of Wintermute. However, she's busy exploring the multiverse for new and interesting ideas for technology. Not to fret! She hasn't abandoned ye who've entered here. There's a new emergency lost and found network:

The Wandering Dog food carts are now open twenty-four seven! The dogs work in shifts, but the food remains as delicious as ever. When a Star Child gets lost in Wintermute, another Star Child will happen to be buying food from a Wandering Dog somewhere in Folkmore. One such lucky unlucky Star Child gets transported to the School of Thoth. Specifically, to where the mechanical sled dogs hang out. They receive a warm winter coat over whatever they were wearing and another one on hand for whoever they are rescuing. Then it's off across the snow! Don't worry, non-mushing experts, the dogs know what they're doing and lead the sled right to the designated lost Star Child.

The rescuee gets to lay in the sled for the ride back, wrapped up warm and cozy in their new winter coat (it may be spring, but it's always cold in Wintermute). The sled dogs bring Star Children back to the hot springs, so that they can warm up even more. Alternatively, Star Children can explore the Cutting Edge, the School of Thoth, or something else in Wintermute. However, the Star Children cannot part ways or leave Wintermute immediately.

The sled dogs, yes the whole team, will stay with the pair to enforce this. They may surround the pair like a pack, cuddle pile on top of them, or lay around the edges of a hot spring. No matter how long it takes to realize the dogs are doing this and that there's a reason for it, Star Children will eventually find instructions in one of the dogs' collars: Share something that other people have refused to listen to you about. Everyone ought to be listened to.

Only once both Star Children have shared something with each other will the dogs let them part ways and see, perhaps, the rest of Folkmore.

On the walk to Akhlut Station, Star Children will see plain weapons sticking out of the snow: swords, guns, knives. These are simple, non-magical practical weapons. Experienced Star Children may know to suspect such free offerings, but nothing immediately happens upon picking one up. However, once on the train, the train will be attacked by frost spirits. These icy spirits must either be hacked to pieces until they can no longer reform or melted with fire. Innocent passengers who didn't pick up a weapon may be forced to get involved, but the frost spirits will be most focused on those who picked up weapons.

• New Star Children arrive in remote areas of Wintermute.
• Star Children buying food from The Wandering Dog get teleported to the School of Thoth to rescue people with a team of sled dogs.
• Star Children get amazing new winter coats!
• Star Children cannot part ways until they share something others have refused to listen to! The dogs enforce this.
• Simple, non-magical weapons stick out of the snow on the way to the train station.
• Anyone who picks up one of those weapons will see their train get attacked by frost spirits.

No Dumb Ideas . ★

Content Warnings: Potential Forced Participation, Potential Harm

Thoth has been listening to any and all ideas people have had around science in the last few months. Whether they were shower thoughts or a discussion between scientific colleagues or anywhere in between, she's made her list and built every one as an experiment. On a human scale. A human test subject scale. Because every idea has merit. That's right: Thoth believes in you.

Posters saying Thoth Needs You! go up around Folkmore. They offer a reward for participating in an experiment. Simply tear off a piece of paper from the bottom of the poster, and at some point in the future, you're in. Now, there might be a little hiccup here or there. These posters are experimental too! So some Star Children who don't tear off a slip might get pulled into an experiment as well. (Who said Thirteen ought to recruit for her trials? Thoth listened… or she tried.) Oh well, at least it's all in the name of science!

Perhaps Star Children need to sing Baby It's Cold Outside to convince the other to stay (it really will be cold outside). Perhaps they have a choice of spinners, buttons, levers, or other devices to interact with. Perhaps they make their way through a maze. Perhaps they try a new contraption. Perhaps they even recognize their own idea come to life! There's a multitude of new tech to try, and it has not been safety tested.

Nothing will explode. Probably. Maybe. Okay, some experiments are definitely going to have explosions. How about pressing that button anyway and finding out if it's this one?

Once Star Children survive the experiment—and they will, Thoth may be a loose cannon of a scientist, but she's ensured that much—they will emerge from one of the School of Thoth's laboratories. Togo, the grey wolf mascot, waits on the other side with an item for each test subject: an item from home. This may even be a weapon or magical item.

No one is left to the cold to fend for themselves. One of the nearby classrooms has been set up as a first aid center. Dog spirits of all sizes, from the smallest Maltipoo spirit to the largest Great Dane spirit, staff a healing clinic and will treat any injuries Star Children received in the experiments (or already sported). They offer hot lemonade—lemon juice, molasses, and hot water—to everyone to warm their soul. Injured Star Children can find a corner to rest by themselves or company with which to discuss their experiments.

• Thoth has built experiments to bring Star Children’s ideas to life.
• Pick a paper tab off a Thoth Needs You! poster to participate. Or don’t. A mishap may bring Star Children there regardless.
• Do science! Be a human experiment! Maybe experience explosions!
• Togo, the Thoth mascot, will have an item from home for every Star Child who participates.
• Dog spirits man (dog?) a first aid center in a nearby classroom.

Comments

[amurderofcrow]

From what I've deduced so far, the fox assigns specific roles to those who enter Folkmore, and each of the three roles possess unique traits shared only among themselves. To me, you fit the role of a Legend with your wings and halo, while a Myth would instead have some form of horn and a tail.

[Oh look, there goes one, which Akechi points to with a gloved finger, over to an obvious Myth strolling by.]

The last one is a touch more nebulous in physical changes, but it's fairly simple to eliminate the other two and land on Familiar as the last remaining.

[psychicdreams]

[Was he an investigator?! How was he so good at this?! It was almost like taking to Yasuhara or Naru when they got going about things they researched... Mai looks at him with eyes that practically sparkle. For him to not only point this all out to her, but also graciously explain it without making her feel stupid (unlike a certain narcissist she knows), makes her immediately take to him.]

Wow! Amazing, are you like a detective or something?

[Wait, she doesn't even know his name- She hasn't introduced herself!]

Ah! I'm sorry, I'm Taniyama Mai.

[amurderofcrow]

Ah, something like that! A student detective, naturally, I was a bit too young to hold down a proper career. But it was my hope to join officially once I graduated.

[But, you know, dying a few months short of graduation really cuts into that plan. Also like, the criminal activity.]

Goro Akechi. It's a pleasure to meet you, Taniyama-san.

[psychicdreams]

Oh wow! That's really impressive! Well, I bet you'll make a great detective if you're able to pick up on all that so easily. This place has had my head spinning since I arrived.

[She means it sincerely, not shying away from showing just how impressed she is with him.]

And the pleasure is mine, Akechi-senpai, you can call me Mai is you like. Most people do.

[amurderofcrow]

Then please, Akechi is just fine.

[Oh, that sincerity is so brilliant it almost hurts. But for an attention-starved boy, Akechi will gobble it all down, bless her.]

I imagine there's more to be discovered the longer we're here, so it wouldn't hurt to have each other's backs while we both find our footing. In exchange, I'd be happy to answer any other questions you might have. Anything I can't answer yet, I'll put all of my talents towards uncovering for you.

[psychicdreams]

[Look at that! They are both attention starved individuals.

She looks a little startled by the offer, it was so generous. Oddly, her instincts were telling her this wasn't something to take lightly - like when Naru's being kind to her. It was something worth noting.

Her smile is bright.]

I would be glad to have your back! I know, I'd feel so much better knowing you have mine too. Plus, if we run into anything... paranormal or ghost related, I can help with that! The spirits here are strange, but my job back home has me working with the paranormal a lot, so when it comes to that, I know a few things.

[amurderofcrow]

[oh fuck, she's a tarot girlie]

Ghosts and the paranormal, you say? That sounds fascinating. Do you mind if I ask about your job? One that works so closely in hand with the paranormal sounds like nothing I've ever heard of.

[psychicdreams]

[Excuse you! She doesn't know what Tarot is.]

I don't mind at all! I'm an assistant paranormal investigator, people come to us to investigate their situation and find out the truth of the matter, be it paranormal or not, because sometimes people think the lights flickering means ghost and it's just a faulty breaker. And sometimes it's a poltergeist.

[amurderofcrow]

[akechi voice: sounds fake]

Oh wow! That really sounds incredible, Mai. But I have to ask, how many times have you really come into contact with poltergeist instead of a faulty electrical line?

[psychicdreams]

Hmm. [She takes the question super serious.]

A few times now, though not all the spirits we've dealt with were poltergeists. My boss only takes the cases that really seem like they're real or are concerning. [Or she pesters him about.] He's picky.

[amurderofcrow]

[just gonna jot this down mentally, in cause it ever comes into practice somewhere]

Well, with my natural talent towards deduction and your paranormal expertise, I have no doubt we'll have a step up on trying to keep afloat in this place.

[psychicdreams]

If I'm honest, I'm surprised you believe me, most law enforcement doesn't. [But she seems thoroughly pleased that he in fact does.]

And totally! With our powers combined, we got this place handled together!

[She smiles brightly because in her book they are friends now! She grabs his arm in a hug and looks up at him with just pure joy.]

[amurderofcrow]

[ARCANA IMMEDIATELY REVERSED DONT TOUCH HIM]

Ah! [Akechi has been harassed by fans enough to know exactly how this goes. May as well play along for the ease of the moment.] You're stronger than you look, Mai!

Though I have no interest in participating in these experimental trials myself, it would put us both at a severe disadvantage if we did not learn all we can from what is going on around us. Care to join my investigation of this Thoth individual?

[psychicdreams]

[Mai, who has a paranormally strong intuition picks up on his discomfort and lets go, it's not unlike Lin-san who also didn't like to be touched too. He was much more polite about it than Lin-san or Naru would be, so she laughs it off while rubbing the back of her head.]

It's from helping to lug around all the equipment we use.

[He had a good point though, she also didn't want to participate in the experimental trials, but she would like to know more about all this.]

I would love to! And... You can be honest with me when you don't like something, Akechi-kun. There's nothing wrong with setting boundaries for your own comfort. [She gives him a warm smile.]

[amurderofcrow]

[It's subtle, but Akechi's surprise shows in the slight widening of his eyes. Considering how infrequently he associates with other teens, he's quite used to mostly interacting with adults who are far too self-centered to ever look outside of themselves for even a moment and fangirls who lack all sense of reason. So he isn't used to being seen to this extent, as himself, instead of as someone who can do things for others.

Maybe there is some truth to her claims of paranormal skill.]

Thank you. [simply] I'll admit, I'm out of practice connecting with anyone my age, but I suppose there's no time like the present to reeducate myself.

[psychicdreams]

[She subtle surprise but doesn't make mention of it, still smiling warmly at him. He reminds her of Naru in a lot of ways if he was more polite and friendly, unlike that narcissist.

Still, the fact he opens up as says that much to her? She's glad to have met him and become friends.]

Is it from all your time working as a detective? I can see that taking you away from your time with friends. Well, don't worry! I'll help you however I can, that's what being friends is for, right?

[amurderofcrow]

[Unexpected and unwanted touch might be one thing, but if it's his own choice, Akechi can handle it without stiffening up. So he offers her his arm, just like a detective prince might, before walking off towards the place the signs instructed.]

It's true. I spent most of my time after school and on the weekends with adults. There was never much time for anything else. It was impossible to not feel a little envious of the others my age who had nothing to do but loiter at the shopping mall or the movie theater all afternoon.

[only half a lie, really]

To think you would call me a friend already, Mai-san. I'm honored.

[psychicdreams]

I understand what you mean, I've always had to work afterschool or on the weekends and sometimes I wish I could go to movies and the shopping mall and have fun. But I like my work, I like helping people. [Mai takes his arm when he offers it and walks along side him. This was a good sign really!]

It's a little fast, I know. [She rubs the back of her head] I'm not offended if you need more time before you consider me the same, but I think it's good to have someone you can rely on in a new place like this. Right?

[She doesn't want to feel alone, she doesn't like feeling alone. And when she isn't sure her other friends are here... well, it was nice to have a new friend.]

[amurderofcrow]

[Akechi hums in quiet affirmation, but goes quiet for a few long, lingering moments as they walk.]

There's a few others from back home that I've run into in this place. But one in particular... It's strange.

[psychicdreams]

[She wants to go on about how he has friends here, how that's lucky and how she has no one as of yet, but then he continues and it makes her hesitate and think. He didn't say friends, he said people. And he says one is strange.]

Strange how?

[amurderofcrow]

[Hey, when it comes to number of friends here in Folkmore, they are on even grounds.]

Certainly you've figured out that the people here all come from different kinds of worlds, correct? What if I told you they came from all different times as well?

[psychicdreams]

[Luckily, while Mai isn't always the sharpest tool in the shed, she does absorb things when people explain things to her. The fox mentioned different worlds at least.

But she straight up gasps genuinely at the idea of people being from different times.]

Really?! But... how is that possible? Wait, being from different worlds is one thing, but are you suggesting people can be from the same world at different times?

[amurderofcrow]

[Good, she keeps up well enough, as long as he explains himself. That's already better than some of the Phantom Thieves trying to follow him.]

I'm not merely suggesting it. It is fact that I've experienced firsthand. A - [hmmmmmmmmmm friend hardly feels appropriate] An associate of mine from home is two hundred and nineteen days in the past from when I've arrived. I know seven months of his future that he has yet to experience.

[psychicdreams]

[Just remember small steps with her and she will keep up.

Also that was a big number, thank you for simplifying it down to months. That would have been disastrous to hope she could do that math.]

Seven months? Wow... Did you tell him the future? Does he even know that you're from so far into his future?

[She feels like her head is spinning.]

I'm not sure I would want to know my future.. what if I screw it up by knowing it?

[amurderofcrow]

[It shouldn't surprise him that that is her focus. It was Ren's as well.]

Yes, I was straightforward with him about when I was from and about a few of the events he had yet to experience. Considering our status here in Folkmore, knowing the immediate future back in Japan hardly seemed like it would alter a thing.