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June-July 2024 Test Drive Meme
June-July 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: Ghosts, Potential Violence, Potential Death
Summer has hit. It's hot, and nowhere is it hotter than Cruel Summer. Naturally, new Star Children arrive in Cruel Summer with no indication of which direction to go to escape, unless they're so lucky as to arrive near the Selkie River. The water provides a break, and a selkie skin will protect Star Children from the heat. Though beware the cruelty of leaving a selkie without their skin. Along with the heat, Star Children can hear whispers and the echoes of screams throughout Cruel Summer. There's no obvious source of the noises. Not the normal creatures. Not anything anyone can see.
Whether new or old Star Child, anyone lost, overheated, in need of a rest, or anything else will find a friendly spirit will find them in the sands, rock, or shores of Cruel Summer. They'll guide the way toward the huts found in Cruel Summer. These huts have changed; the huts are bigger and grow together, making them one interconnected twisting winding empty town. No one appears to live there. The wooden town is in disrepair, varying from building to building. Even so, they are cool inside, a welcome break from the summer heat.
No matter how one entered, even through the swinging doors to the saloon, that exit disappears behind Star Children. There's no turning back. The only way out is to explore the way through the buildings. This fact continues to be true building to building as exits continue to vanish. The abandoned town isn't as empty as it first seems. As Star Children explore the branching paths through the wooden structures, they see ghosts of spirits going through the paces of their lives. They're familiar to these spaces and interact with missing objects that sometimes shimmer in spirit energy.
Spirit Children may interrupt these routines to try to talk with the ghosts. Some ghostly spirits are friendly. They may interact with Star Children as though they're someone else, someone the spirits used to know. Others, like the bartender, may treat them like a new customer. Other ghosts are determined to stick to their routines and, should Star Children continue to interrupt, will attack those who disturb them.
These spirits may kill Star Children when they attack. Normal weapons won't hurt them. There are revolvers, shotguns, iron pokers, hunting knives, and other plain weapons around to grab in self-defense. Salt bullets and iron will dispel ghosts. These weapons may be grabbed at any time. However, doing so attracts the creatures in Cruel Summer. A blood red worm spitting yellow acid may break through the floor to eat or spray Star Children. An enormous coyote may leap through the window. Whether attracted by the use of weapons or passing by, any dangerous creature found in Cruel Summer seems agitated when they come near these structures and will attack them and anyone inside. They will focus especially on anyone with a stolen selkie skin.
Should Star Children die, whether to ghosts or creatures, they will not immediately return to life.Do not pass go. Instead they will haunt the ghost town for one week in the room where they were killed. Other Star Children may recognize them and work to snap them out of their routines. Yet nothing will free the Star Children's spirits before the week is through. At the end of the week, they'll come to, alive, in their bodies in the room they died in. Best get through and out of the ghost town before dying again!
A constant through these scenes are the spirits' spoons, visible somewhere in each scene. The ghost spoons are whole. Once free of the ghost town, Star Children may choose to travel to the Shattered Spoon Shrine in Never Fade to search for the broken fragments of any of these spoons. They are in such small pieces, however, that no Star Child may feed them enough Lore alone to bring the spirit back. Two or more Star Children may spend time in the Shrine creating and feeding Lore toward the spoons to heal them. It just may be enough to bring someone back.
Summer has hit. It's hot, and nowhere is it hotter than Cruel Summer. Naturally, new Star Children arrive in Cruel Summer with no indication of which direction to go to escape, unless they're so lucky as to arrive near the Selkie River. The water provides a break, and a selkie skin will protect Star Children from the heat. Though beware the cruelty of leaving a selkie without their skin. Along with the heat, Star Children can hear whispers and the echoes of screams throughout Cruel Summer. There's no obvious source of the noises. Not the normal creatures. Not anything anyone can see.
Whether new or old Star Child, anyone lost, overheated, in need of a rest, or anything else will find a friendly spirit will find them in the sands, rock, or shores of Cruel Summer. They'll guide the way toward the huts found in Cruel Summer. These huts have changed; the huts are bigger and grow together, making them one interconnected twisting winding empty town. No one appears to live there. The wooden town is in disrepair, varying from building to building. Even so, they are cool inside, a welcome break from the summer heat.
No matter how one entered, even through the swinging doors to the saloon, that exit disappears behind Star Children. There's no turning back. The only way out is to explore the way through the buildings. This fact continues to be true building to building as exits continue to vanish. The abandoned town isn't as empty as it first seems. As Star Children explore the branching paths through the wooden structures, they see ghosts of spirits going through the paces of their lives. They're familiar to these spaces and interact with missing objects that sometimes shimmer in spirit energy.
Spirit Children may interrupt these routines to try to talk with the ghosts. Some ghostly spirits are friendly. They may interact with Star Children as though they're someone else, someone the spirits used to know. Others, like the bartender, may treat them like a new customer. Other ghosts are determined to stick to their routines and, should Star Children continue to interrupt, will attack those who disturb them.
These spirits may kill Star Children when they attack. Normal weapons won't hurt them. There are revolvers, shotguns, iron pokers, hunting knives, and other plain weapons around to grab in self-defense. Salt bullets and iron will dispel ghosts. These weapons may be grabbed at any time. However, doing so attracts the creatures in Cruel Summer. A blood red worm spitting yellow acid may break through the floor to eat or spray Star Children. An enormous coyote may leap through the window. Whether attracted by the use of weapons or passing by, any dangerous creature found in Cruel Summer seems agitated when they come near these structures and will attack them and anyone inside. They will focus especially on anyone with a stolen selkie skin.
Should Star Children die, whether to ghosts or creatures, they will not immediately return to life.
A constant through these scenes are the spirits' spoons, visible somewhere in each scene. The ghost spoons are whole. Once free of the ghost town, Star Children may choose to travel to the Shattered Spoon Shrine in Never Fade to search for the broken fragments of any of these spoons. They are in such small pieces, however, that no Star Child may feed them enough Lore alone to bring the spirit back. Two or more Star Children may spend time in the Shrine creating and feeding Lore toward the spoons to heal them. It just may be enough to bring someone back.
- Whispers, echoes of screams, etc become common throughout Cruel Summer
- Huts become bigger, interconnected, growing together. Anyone lost, overheated, in need of something in Cruel Summer gets a friendly spirit redirecting them to these buildings
- Buildings will still be in some state of disrepair, but like a whole twisting winding town
- Insides are a cool respite
supernatural ghost spirit air conditioning - Only way out is through, no turning back, as the exits disappear behind you
- Many are friendly, but some are not. One can attempt to talk to them, but how interactive they are varies
- Occasionally other creatures from Cruel Summer may burst in and attack
- If a Star Child dies, rather than return to life immediately, they stay a ghost for about a week, part of the tour
Content Warnings: Fire, Coerced Confessions
Fire! Fire across the realm! For the second half of June, wildfire burns everywhere. While it doesn’t hurt Star Children, it can reduce everything else to ash: homes, businesses, gardens, spirits. The local spirits will be in a panic and beg Star Children for help from small ice mice in Wintermute to fennec foxes in Cruel Summer. How can Star Children help? Confessions. Anything the person they are with doesn’t know. The more earnest and meaningful the better.
When wildfire erupts and spreads, Star Children may stand in or in front of an area they want to protect and confess something to another Star Child who happens to be nearby. Their neighbor? Their partner? A stranger lost in a new land? These confessions simply need to be something the other person doesn’t know to protect structures and spirits. Memories related to the confession will show in the fire. The fire will fuel these memories until they run out of energy, dying down to embers. At least in that place at that time.
Should something start to burn before someone confesses, multiple confessions are necessary to catch the wildfire’s attention and distract it from the fuel source it is feeding on. Two or more Star Children will need to make confessions whose memories are shared in the flames. Water powers can also help quell the flames, but confessions are necessary in the end.
Once July hits, the wildfires are mostly gone, only sparking up here and there on occasion. In their stead are embers. They spark in the air like fireflies and fly around Folkmore, attracted to Star Children. These embers land on Star Children and make them glow. There’s no pain. In fact, the embers provide sparks of insight into memories, situations, and other emotional dilemmas that Star Children haven’t previously understood. Talking the issue over with another Star Children provides further emotional clarity.
Spirits are welcoming to both embers and Star Children. Confessionshelp Folkmore grow as well. Gardens bloom in beautiful displays. Crops grow healthy and joyful. It’s even possible to hear humming from some of the vegetables and fruits. The land grows with the Star Children. Anyone who lacks a green thumb can work their way around that with confessions! Save that dying plant and grow those tomatoes.
One time that a Star Child confesses, either to wildfire or to embers, they will find a jeweled box shaped like a flame. The peak of the flame comes off to reveal the insides. Within, there is an item from home. It may even be a weapon or magical item. Larger more meaningful confessions are more likely to receive weapons. These items may even be larger than should fit in the box or its entrance. Whether the box should only hold a single ring or fill the palm of one’s hand, these items fit. Star Children also can keep the jeweled box, and this one item from home can be stored within the box. Other items too large to fit the box will not enter it. Only the one from the box.
Fire! Fire across the realm! For the second half of June, wildfire burns everywhere. While it doesn’t hurt Star Children, it can reduce everything else to ash: homes, businesses, gardens, spirits. The local spirits will be in a panic and beg Star Children for help from small ice mice in Wintermute to fennec foxes in Cruel Summer. How can Star Children help? Confessions. Anything the person they are with doesn’t know. The more earnest and meaningful the better.
When wildfire erupts and spreads, Star Children may stand in or in front of an area they want to protect and confess something to another Star Child who happens to be nearby. Their neighbor? Their partner? A stranger lost in a new land? These confessions simply need to be something the other person doesn’t know to protect structures and spirits. Memories related to the confession will show in the fire. The fire will fuel these memories until they run out of energy, dying down to embers. At least in that place at that time.
Should something start to burn before someone confesses, multiple confessions are necessary to catch the wildfire’s attention and distract it from the fuel source it is feeding on. Two or more Star Children will need to make confessions whose memories are shared in the flames. Water powers can also help quell the flames, but confessions are necessary in the end.
Once July hits, the wildfires are mostly gone, only sparking up here and there on occasion. In their stead are embers. They spark in the air like fireflies and fly around Folkmore, attracted to Star Children. These embers land on Star Children and make them glow. There’s no pain. In fact, the embers provide sparks of insight into memories, situations, and other emotional dilemmas that Star Children haven’t previously understood. Talking the issue over with another Star Children provides further emotional clarity.
Spirits are welcoming to both embers and Star Children. Confessions
One time that a Star Child confesses, either to wildfire or to embers, they will find a jeweled box shaped like a flame. The peak of the flame comes off to reveal the insides. Within, there is an item from home. It may even be a weapon or magical item. Larger more meaningful confessions are more likely to receive weapons. These items may even be larger than should fit in the box or its entrance. Whether the box should only hold a single ring or fill the palm of one’s hand, these items fit. Star Children also can keep the jeweled box, and this one item from home can be stored within the box. Other items too large to fit the box will not enter it. Only the one from the box.
- Last two weeks of June, wildfire burns across Folkmore. After that, they are rare.
- Confessions can protect or rescue buildings, land areas, and spirits.
- Come July, embers spark across Folkmore like fireflies. They provide insight for Star Children. Talking helps.
- Confessions help the land grow.
- Confessions reveal a jeweled box containing an item from home.
c - i tripped and here i am again
His own confession, though... he fumbles for a moment, but the flames are still big and erratic and starting to spread again, so he blurts out,]
I-I'm from a future that doesn't exist anymore!
[The flames spark and sputter, a neighbouring fire shifting to reveal Casey in the midst of a ruined landscape of wreckage and bones, being thrown through a glowing white portal and landing in the middle of Times Square at night.]
catches you!
For now, she needs to save the Red Pandas' house! It's only just down the street from Satori Hills, which is already dangerously too close for her comfort.
She sees him in the fire and--
Not important right now.]
Um! My best friend here thought I was in love with him because I made him cake for his birthday and turned me down and honestly I was offended.
[The fire shows Akechi-kun sitting her down to reject her. But the fire is also sparking and dying down]
uwu my hero
Poor Mai, though. Rejected without even intending to "confess". Who the heck is that guy? (He's only seen Akechi via the network, too...)
Oh, right. Confessions. Still more, huh.]
I... was adopted and raised by giant mutant turtles!
[They're getting there...!]
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Still! Right now wasn't the time to be amazed by the turtle people and instead stop the fire first.]
Um, oh uh... [She was struggling to know what to say. What to confess next. She hates this, she doesn't mind saying these things but she rather say it because she wants to, not because she's forced to. Frustrated tears spring to her eyes.]
Sometimes I'm terrified of sleeping because I don't want to have visions!
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....
Dammit, he's gotta step up.]
My... biggest fear has always been to get infected and turn into a- a Krang zombie. I get nightmares...
[The flames spark dramatically in response, revealing an image of a mutated version of himself, with extra eyes, long claws and tentacled limbs, pulsating an unnatural pale pink. It fizzles out as the creature lunges forward, the flames dying further.]
cw: vision of murder/blood
She reaches forward and puts a hand on his, sympathy evident on her face.]
When I dream of people's deaths, it's usually as if it's happening to me... I've experienced death countless times now and I still have nightmares...
[She squeezes her eyes shut, tears flowing freely now, not wanting to see the vision of herself strapped down on a table and having her throat sliced open, the gouts of blood and voiceless screaming. The fire was almost gone, the neighborhood almost saved. Yet she doesn't feel great about it.]
no subject
He squeezes her hand sympathetically, and bows his head. He'll say it again... what's one more confession? Even if this one is still the hardest.]
I closed a portal to lock away a mass-murdering alien... but someone important to me was locked in there with him. I knew he'd be killed, but I still...
[The flames burst with one final vision - his hand pulling a cylindrical artifact off a pedestal suspended in a fleshy Krang web, the scene exploding with light as a portal in the sky is snapped shut around the Technodrome, destroying it and locking away a monster. As the vision fades, so too does the fire, fizzling down to embers.
And yeah, he doesn't feel good about any of this, either. He won't let go of her hand until she does.]
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Her heart breaks for him--]
I'm so sorry, that's a horrible burden to bear... [She wipes at her eyes as she looks around them to see the fires gone and the spirits giving these two traumatized Star Children room.
Mai won't let go of his hand, both wanting to offer comfort and take some for herself. These are things she's not really admitted to anyone, about her trauma, about her struggles. She's always kept those to herself beneath a smile...]
Sorry... I shouldn't have dragged you into this...
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He sniffs, unable to be even remotely subtle, and lifts his free, gloved hand to wipe at his eyes.]
It's okay. It's worth it... we helped save this place. That's more important than whatever I've got to say. [He won't say it's more important than her secrets- that isn't his right to decide. He does add, however,] I'm sorry, for you too. All of that must've been so hard to deal with...
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While she accepts his sorry, she still shakes her head and wipes at her eyes with her free hand, trying to clear the tears that are still falling. ]
It was worth it... It was more important too, I just... I don't like that Thirteen forces it like this... Of course my hurts are less important than lives and livelihoods, but we shouldn't be forced to share it like this...
[She hiccups a little.]
Thank you for helping me..
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I don't like it either, but I don't regret doing it. Don't worry about it. [Feels weird to be thanked for admitting and bearing witness to terrible things, anyway.] Um... maybe we should sit down for a minute. Even if it's... less important... it still hurts.
[They should take a breather while they can- while things are peaceful here.]
no subject
[She hiccups again and then he's suggesting they sit and really that's an amazing idea.]
Nn. [She nods and still holding his hand starts to walk to the nearby park where they can sit on a bench and breathe. For the short walk, she's quiet, but once they reach it, she gives a big sigh as she sits and wipes at her eyes some more.]
That sucked.
no subject
It... sure did suck. [He pauses, glancing over at her worriedly.] Do you want to talk about it?
[All of that stuff was pretty intense. He wouldn't blame her if she'd rather he just forget everything he heard, though.]
no subject
I... have visions related to dead people... Most often reliving their worst moments that caused them to linger or their actual death. I usually have it as if it's happening to me. It... always very real.
[For the moment she hesitates, holding his hand still. It helps to have the contact, yeah.]
I help them pass on with the information usually... I'm grateful to be able to help, but... [She shakes her head. Helping people makes them worth it but... she's left to live with the memories. The actual physical sensations of dying...]
no subject
Even if it helps, there's no way it would be easy to endure it. Especially if you have to go through it personally, all on your own. You're so strong, to be carrying that all the time and still be so cheerful otherwise.
no subject
Still, she finds it within her heart to smile genuinely at him and his care, a thank you in her expression as well as her words.]
Yeah.. I am grateful for my ability, it's hard sometimes, it hurts, but it's helped me help so many people, it's a burden I can bear.
[She takes a deep breath and gives him a concerned look.]
Do you want to talk about it too? You don't have to just because I did.
no subject
At her question, he looks uncertain, weighing his options, before finally shaking his head.]
It's okay... not like it's a secret or anything. [Well, most of it isn't a secret.] I'm from Earth, but... it's a future timeline. Over twenty years ago aliens invaded and destroyed the world. I grew up in a resistance group, the last survivors. These aliens, they can infect people, with just a touch. They mutate them into monsters, dangerous zombies that follow their every order. The people are... trapped in their own minds, they can't stop themselves from hurting others. [He trails off, then adds weakly,] I thought, that would be the worst way to end up. Worse than dying.
no subject
You're not wrong, turning into a person trapped in your own body as you hurt others sounds like a nightmare. [She's seen people possessed like that, where they became like monsters. She pauses.] The fact you survived something so horrible, such difficult trials, yet are kind enough to want to help the people by sharing that trauma... you're the strong one.
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I never thought of it as trauma until I came here, really... it was just... normal. That was life. I want to be kind, though. I should be. I was raised by heroes.
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She gets it, because she didn't think of her own trauma that way either, but she can't deny it either. It's something that lingers and hurts, like a wound that won't heal right.]
And you are kind, helping me stop that fire was a very heroic act, especially since we both had to sacrifice something of ourselves to make it happen. Not to say I'm a hero, but... Well, I suppose if I'm saying you are I can't deny myself either.
[She gives him a smile.]
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[The area is still hot and somewhat smouldering, but the fire is gone, the buildings haven't collapsed, and those who live and work here are alive and able to pick up the pieces. That counts for so much.]
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[she gives his hand another squeeze.]
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[Sensei told him he was proud. He can never doubt that, now. He's heard it firsthand.]
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[She gives his hand one final squeeze before taking her hand back.]
Again, thank you for the help. I know I couldn't have done that alone.
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