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April-May 2024 Test Drive Meme
April-May 2024 TDM
Introduction
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.
🦊 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.
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 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.
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 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.
no subject
There's a distinct possibility, but I'd say that we don't have to assume a thing. We can discover the truth with a few simple questions.
[the power of deduction~]
What was the date when you left?
no subject
Oh how wrong you are, Mai.]
Ah! Okay yeah, that makes sense! It's February 2012. [Or something like that lmao] How about for you, Akechi-kun?
no subject
[No further questions necessary.]
I also arrived from February, but from 2017. [Akechi continues to look forward, but his eyes slide to the side to gaze down at the girl hanging off of his arm.]
So technically, you must be about three years my senior in my Tokyo.
no subject
I guess so, that's how the math works out, but still... you're from a future Tokyo! Amazing...
[Technically that makes her his senpai, but right now, right here, she is still younger than Akechi-kun, so it feels weird to think about it like that. Especially when he is so much more knowledgeable than she is.]
no subject
Inside, the train is warm enough that he can unwind the wool scarf from his neck and peel off the thick winter coat that was given to him earlier, leaving his thinner jacket beneath.]
Have you had a chance to check out the Relic you arrived with?
no subject
She takes off her own winter jacket, leaving her in her lighter hoodie and school uniform. It was warm enough back in a February Tokyo, but not for Wintermute.
His question makes her pause before she nods and pulls it out. Her Relic is... CUTE™. It's pastel rainbows and sparkles with cute charms of super cute ghosts hanging off it, opening it, the swivel stick is a paw print and the buttons are all different colors with hearts and stars.]
I looked at it some... it is a lot like a game system from back home but seems to work more like a phone? I messed with it for a bit. I think you can text and make calls on it.
no subject
Correct. It acts as any smartphone would, with access to this place's version of the internet and a public network that anyone is capable of accessing.
[Akechi slips his own relic out, a boring, matte black against all of Mai's color, and flips it around to show her through the most recent network posts with a scroll.]
Most of these conversations are nothing but pointless filler, but it could prove very useful in gathering more intel on this place and the other star children Thirteen has brought in.
no subject
Looking at his matte black relic, all Mai can think about is how it needs something more. Not much, but maybe.. maybe a charm. She will have to look for something befitting a detective!
She opens the network too and starts to look at it.]
So it's like a dashboard. Makes sense. I suppose it would be one way to gather information, there's too many people to talk to everyone.
[Information gathering... that wasn't her specialty, it makes her miss Yasuhara-kun. He would get along with Akechi-kun.]
Mm... Ah! The date on this! It's May here? Uwah, my birthday isn't too far from now.
no subject
From what I've already witnessed in the last few hours, people either don't know or don't care their conversations are openly public. I have a feeling many might be more liberal with the information they share if it's over the network versus in-person.
[That little shift in topic draws a few slow blinks out of Akechi. He looks away, out at the rolling landscape as the train speeds along, thoughtful before he answers.]
I suppose mine is rather close too.
no subject
Putting away her relic, she looks up at him and sees the shift in tone. Oh, was his birthday a lonely thing too?]
When is it?
[Maybe she can make it less lonely for him.]
no subject
[It's immediate and sharper than he's spoken to her before, Akechi letting the words hang heavy in the air before he exhales, settling back further against his seat.]
June 2nd. [A beat, because he knows from years worth of playing polite that he should inquire right back but he also really doesn't care.
But still, even a worthless question about him is in pursuit in some knowledge, even if that knowledge means nothing in the end. Maybe she's building her own profile against him, playing dumb until she has enough evidence to prove just how worthless he is. Akechi doubts it, but he'd honestly be more impressed with that than this pitiable show of friendship.
Either way, seeing his sharp edges will either scare Mai away completely or she'll be just as furiously endearing as Sumire-san. So with another slow, suffering sigh, Akechi poses her question back.]
And yours?
no subject
Something about his birthday is a sore subject and she can't help but wonder why, wonder how. Who hurt you, Akechi-kun? Yet, she feels a pain in her heart for him, her heart telling her that he needs her. No... not her but friendship, genuine friendship and care. Like a wounded animal he's cornered and probably in some way deep down frightened and lashing out.
It makes her heart ache for him, but not out of pity, he's not someone pitiable. He's too strong for that.
She's dealt with harsher though, so she doesn't flinch at his words. Instead she becomes more resolute, more sure of the fact she was going to be here for this boy. ]
July 3rd! [She smiles.] And it matters because you're my friend.
no subject
Hm.
[Because how does one normally react to such an enthusiastic offer of friendship?]
You should be more careful, Mai-san. Trusting people you've only just met will get you into trouble one day.
no subject
Maybe, but listening to my heart hasn't led me wrong yet. Maybe it will one day, but I believe everyone deserves a chance, everyone carries pain and sadness, even hatred, I have seen so many spirits and people turned vicious because of it...
But perhaps... if they had someone that cared, who listened, maybe they wouldn't have.
[She sighs, then smiles at him, her expression a little self conscious.]
no subject
Instead he rolls his eyes and returns to looking out the window. If nothing else, it's nice to see the deep snow of Wintermute is behind them. Already, the shining of the sun is warming him up from the inside out. For awhile, he thought the chill within him would be permanent.]
I'm not a charity case. [He doesn't need anyone to listen to his hurt or hold his hand while he cries or squeeze him with hugs until he remembers how nice being cared for actually feels. Akechi is self-aware enough to know he isn't fine, but after his life, he really shouldn't be allowed to be fine anyway. He's managing and that is enough.]
But do what you like. I will be fully honest with you, I'm not interested in making friends with anyone in this place, but I wouldn't completely mind someone to share my ongoing theories and new findings with.
no subject
She doesn't see it as being a charity case, she doesn't see him as being one. Yet, what's wrong with giving without expectation of receiving? What's wrong with looking at someone and feeling their pain with them?]
Ah, I didn't think of you as one, besides I already said it's okay if you don't feel the same, Akechi-kun, [She's not deterred at all from thinking of him as her friend] and I would be glad to share what I find and things with you too! Besides, it was fun learning from you today and getting to be a detective.
no subject
Akechi is quiet then, grumpily staring out the window as the thick forest of Willow slowly turns into the dry, desert heat of Cruel Summer, until it's simply impossible to keep staring out at the too bright sand any longer.]
Do you plan to follow me to Epiphany?
no subject
When they fall into silence, she looks out the window and read posts on her Relic, she is both gathering information and learning about the people here. It's honestly fascinating to learn more about Folkmore and the other starchildren here. So many worlds, so many differences...]
Nn, if you don't mind it. [She looks up at him.] I thought maybe if you are open to it, we could be neighbors, at least until we both get used to this place.
cw: murder I GUESS
[Mind, he means.]
I only wanted to know what your plans were. As far as living somewhere in close proximity to one another, it makes sense. That way we end up observing the same group of people, before we expand outside of that community.
[And you know, Akechi's worked along with the police enough to know how often young women are on the receiving end of unwanted attention. So being close enough that he can make the body disappear is a bonus.]
no subject
Besides, she's a teenage girl living all by herself, she would feel more at ease knowing her neighbor.]
That makes sense! I hadn't thought of it that way, but having a starting point and expanding out as you go is smart.
no subject
It's just logical thinking. Since we don't have a true control group, we have to set our own parameters for this experiment, one of which will be the various communities around Folkmore.
no subject
Just logical thinking he says to the girl who thinks almost exclusively emotionally.]
I suppose that makes sense, maybe the different communities react differently because of their proximity to the different aspects of Thirteen?
no subject
Exactly my thoughts. I'm most interested in Thirteen and these different iterations of herself and what that means for all of us trapped here. It could very well go nowhere, but I'd rather exhaust all avenues than ignore a potential lead.
[The train begins to slow, an announcement about Epiphany being the next stop, the windows reflecting a more modern cityscape compared to the thick forests and snow banks and blinding deserts of before.]
This is our stop.
no subject
Putting her relic away, she grabs her bag and the winter coat and stands up.]
A little rainy, but Epiphany looks nice. [She looks out the window before exiting the train with Akechi-kun.]
Much more like home than the other places we passed.
no subject
One step a time.]
Keep close. I won't waste the afternoon looking for you if you wander off. There's a station attendant, I'll get whatever information I can out of him.
Wrap up!
(no subject)