August-September 2024 Test Drive Meme

[folkie]

August-September 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 a canon item from home, 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]

Scavengers Survive . ★

Content Warnings: Potential Wilderness Survival, Potential Death

New Star Children arrive in Amrita Academy, the largest school in Folkmore. They might arrive in the medical wing, or they could arrive in areas of the school that don't look like a school at all: forests with animals to hunt or gather, including for their medicinal properties; rocky crags with climbing routes; fields full of growing grains; meadows with sheep covered in soft wool; lakes and rivers with unusual denizens. It's like a miniature of Folkmore all in one school.

A fox with a clipped ear and a few scars greets each Star Child upon arrival. She explains that while things can be summoned with Lore, the best survivors learn to scavenge and to find what they need. New Star Children haven't earned much Lore yet, so that surely applies to them double. In fact, as befits a survival school, there are items that will help Star Children survive hidden all around and immediately outside the school. Star Children are directed to make a list on their Relic of everything they think they need to survive. Once made, the list cannot be changed. They will be more likely to find those items than others (though it will not be impossible).

Race, jog, or stroll around the expansive school in search of these items: clothes, bags, first aid kits, tents, survival supplies, etc. They might be harder to find than expected as they will be miniature and in little cubes aka survival squares (a misnomer). These cubes may be tucked away above, below, beside, or inside something. They also may float against a rock face or in the air among tree branches. The most likely locations are those densest in Lore. The longer Star Children explore, the more they will realize that these cubes are best and most easily obtained by working together. In fact, they will try to dodge and avoid the grip of a Star Child more than ten feet away from any other Star Child. Perhaps that's because two Star Children interacting are creating Lore and a Lore dense location? Once two Star Children touch the cube at the same time, the cube will disappear, and the item inside will grow to full size. Congratulations on being one step closer to survival. Remember to share.

Come mid-September, few cubes will remain inside the school. Star Children will have to check the perimeter of the school to find more survival squares. That task grows exponentially harder as the cubes are in the molasses-thick moat of concentrated Lore surrounding the school. Should anyone dip their spoon in the moat, in the Lorasses if you will, they will find that it tastes sweet, a rich spicy sweetness. Amazing! Less amazing? It is impossible to get past the moat of Lorasses. No matter how strong a swimmer or oarsman, it is impossible to make headway through or atop the Lorasses. Anyone attempting to fly across the moat will find themselves slapped by a giant sticky slappy hand rising like a goliath from the depths with perfect aim. Star Children can find themselves slapped anywhere from the shore to the center of the school. Star Children are free to get creative with ways to dig the survival squares out of the Lorasses, but beware! They'll have difficulty freeing themselves on their own from the sticky substance, should they fall in.

Since Star Children are likely to find themselves in sticky situations quite literally, they may be pleased to know that Amrita Academy has showers available for use. Unfortunately, due to one student's experiment, the shampoo is all made of beer. That's right, beer. It's good for one's hair! Or so the study should demonstrate. Be sure to fill out a feedback card outside the locker rooms.

• All new Star Children arrive in Amrita Academy.
• Star Children are greeted by a fox who prompts them to write a list of what they need to survive. These lists cannot be changed once made.
• Star Children search for tiny cubes with survival supplies, especially ones on their lists.
• Star Children must work together to catch & open the cubes.
• Come mid-September, Amrita Academy is surrounded by a Lore-rich molasses moat—Lorasses. Thou shalt not pass.
• Once the moat arrives, most cubes are in the moat. Shower to get clean afterward with beer for shampoo.

This is Our Get Along Shirt . ★

Content Warnings: Forced Close Contact, Coerced Behavior

It can be stressful to arrive in a new place among strangers and strange things. It can be even more stressful, sometimes, to be among people one knows. The fact remains that in Folkmore, no one is an island. The Shattered Spoon Shrine is a testament to that. Interact or perish. Those interactions usually don't even have to be positive. An emotionally charged argument generates Lore same as a touching reunion. However, Amrita's iteration has taken charge of Folkmore this month. She values cooperation and connection.

What does this mean for Star Children? It's time to get along.

When Star Children fight—physically, vocally, emotionally—they get stuck together in a magical t-shirt. This plain white t-shirt has 'This is our get along shirt' written on it on both sides, one in each Star Child's handwriting. (If a Star Child does not have handwriting, Thirteen will invent a handwriting she feels best represents them). The shirt works exactly as written on the tin. Until the two Star Children can get along, they will be stuck together in the shirt. Getting along can look a few different ways. It could be working through the reason they were fighting. It could be cooperating to accomplish something else. It could be helping someone else together. It could be large or small. Somehow, Star Children will have to get along to accomplish something.

The shirt will disappear, leaving them standing next to each other, only to reappear duplicated in each of their hands, perfectly sized to fit each individual. Should they so choose, either can be used for a repeat performance, with both of them trapped inside again. While the same condition will apply—they must get along to get out of the shirt—the shirt will now make it easier for them to work it out. Note: only the two people who originally wore the shirt can put it back on. No one else can wear these shirts.

One time only, a Star Child's cooperative escape will have an additional prize: their souvenir t-shirt will be wrapped around an item from either their home universe or their partner's. That's right, getting along can get a Star Child something from another universe.

• When Star Children get in a fight of any kind, not just physical, they get stuck together in a magical t-shirt.
• The shirt says “This is our get along shirt” front and back in characters’ own handwriting (or imagined handwriting).
• As written on the tin, Star Children are stuck until they figure out how to get along
• When they separate, both partners will get a copy of the t-shirt that fits them. They can choose to get back into said t-shirt together to figure out how to get along easier in the future.
• One time only, Star Children receive an item from their home universe or their partner’s.

Comments

Donatello - Rise of the TMNT: Farewell - Undecided

[soft_shelled]

[OOC: As a note, I'm playing Donatello after the events of the comic Farewell. The fandom census is that is takes place in 2024, for the present era, which would make him around 20 years old. It also ends with two pretty big spoilers. I will avoid mentioning said spoilers in my threads though unless you're okay with them/will mark for it in that case.]

Scavenging - Making a List
[One fox was fine, even if the first one wasn't too helpful, the second one telling him about Lore and survival and such was only a little better. It's taking everything in Donatello to not try to take the Relic apart, really what is stopping him is that he doesn't have any tools to do so.

So a list he shall make, just sitting down in the middle of whatever area he is in, Relic in hand and brow knitted in thought trying to recall things from almost six years ago and involving Todd.]

Scavenging - Cubes
I am not made for this at all.

[Donatello grumbles to himself, as he has taken to looking around the school grounds, as much as one could call them that, for supplies. Unaware that he should be looking for cubes, not actual... You know, food, water, or shelter. Of course, this means he might be, at any point, found trying to climb a tree. Badly. Actually climbing anything is done poorly on his part, he is not the most athletically inclined turtle, after all.

Also maybe getting annoyed by the cubes that seem to be darting out of his grasp? That's weird and he wants to get one dammit.]

Wildcard
[I can't think of anything for the get along shirts prompts, but am open to playing with it. Or really anything else.]

Cubes

[ironypoisoned]

[ Isn't that his favorite employee trying to climb a tree? Tony watches Donnie clamor and struggle his way up to the next branch with a look of amusement on his face. ]

I think this marks the first time I've seen a turtle climb a tree. [ He says mirthfully, amusement clear in his eyes. ] You need a boost, kid? [ He's willing, even if he's hardly tall enough to be that much of a boost. ]

[soft_shelled]

[Oh okay, that's someone talking to him. It's only by chance, and years of ninja training, that Donnie doesn't slip and end up ass over tea kettle on the ground, as he manages to catch himself on the higher branch to keep himself steady.

He squints down at Tony, wondering who the hell is the guy being all familiar with him, before jumping down from the tree. Landing in a crouch before standing at his almost 5'9" height.]

No, I'm fine. But I'm not some "kid".

Cubes! Spoilers A-OK

[licensetocrane]

Oh, man. Did they pick the wrong turtle for this job.

[It's coloured with fondness! April leans against the tree beneath, peering up after him.] Wanna swap out?

[And then Mayhem's teleporting up to the branch above, squinting down at Donnie in curiosity. Dude, there's something off about you.]

thumbs up

[soft_shelled]

[Hearing April's voice is only mildly surprising, considering before the whole Fox thing he had just seen her when... Don't dwell on that, Donatello. It's Mayhem, who is to Donnie's memory looking a little different as well, popping up above him that startles him.

So with a slight sound of surprise, and doing his best to keep his balance and not fall out of a damned tree, that he catches himself. Giving the yokai above him a dirty look before looking down at April and he would say something about April changing her clothes but! Quickly thinking on it, perhaps she got here before him or something like that so don't say the stupid thing.]

That would be pointless, as I am already up here, April.

[licensetocrane]

Okay, your funeral! Just thought it'd been a while, crammed in that lab of yours.

[Cheerfully. She's more than happy to continue her tree-lean and let him do all the climbing. Honestly, it's just good to see Donnie outside again. Even if she wouldn't have expected him to be all the way out here.]

[soft_shelled]

... I haven't been in my lab since I don't have one here.

[Yeah, tree climbing for supplies or shelter material is on hold now. As he's giving April an incredulous look from above.]

[licensetocrane]

[He's not the only one. April's staring back up at him with utter confusion.]

Boy, you have two. You're probably gonna have three real soon. You feelin' okay?

cubes

[soloacts]

Need some help? [A voice calls from the ground, watching the turtle-man attempt to climb the tree in front of her after one of the cubes. Gwen will smile at him from the ground whenever he does look her way. This would be a lot easier if she had her webshooters. The perils of trying to keep hold of her secret identity.

Still, she's got other means of getting at these cubes. She's certainly a better climber than he appears to be, for one thing.]

[soft_shelled]

[he was so focused on the cube, which is moving further along a branch above him, that Gwen talking to him catches him off guard. He missteps and only barely manages to not end up falling out of the tree by the mere fact he grabbed the branch above him. Although he is in a pretty precarious situation, the spot on the branch he is on is not very thick, as he glances down at her.]

No, I'm just fine.

[He rolls his eyes and the sarcasm on his voice isn't very hard to miss.]

[soloacts]

[She winces when it looks like he might fall, moving and ready to catch him despite the fact that she looks like she'd have no hope of not getting crushed under his shell. But she is quite a bit stronger than she looks.]

Oh? [Gwen can hear that sarcasm, mister. She crosses her arms, eyebrow lifting.] I guess I'll leave it to you then. [She moves to a tree just next to the one he's on, to lean against it, taking great interest in her nails.]

[soft_shelled]

[If he was the type he'd brag about his mad ninja skills, but he'd rather brag about his smarts instead. Which really in this situation? He is not being very smart.

Not that he'll admit that. Also there is barely any branch for that cube to be on!]

If I need your assistance, I will let you know. [The tree branches are too close for him to just use his jetpack, which would make this so much easier really.]

[soloacts]

[Boys. Seems like they're dumb, no matter the species and no matter how 'smart' they are.] Whatever you say, pal. I'm sure you've got it handled. You're like grace in motion up there.

[Have some heavy sarcasm right back. Although, she is watching more than she's letting on. She doesn't actually want him to fall.]

scavenging; im also down w spoilers we do what we want

[supersmashbro]

[ Any brother sitting on the ground making a supply list is, per Hamato law, downgraded from mutant turtle to sitting duck.

Especially if that brother is Donnie here lately, but that's just life. Ebbs and flows of bullying charts, etc etc etc. Which is more to say: ]

SURVIVAL CHECK!

[ Raph is literally chucking a dirt clod at the back of Donnie's head for no good reason. That's what you get for doing the thing you're supposed to be doing right now in this situation, nerd! ]

heheheheh

[soft_shelled]

[Perhaps it's because of Raph's shouting that Donnie happens to turn his head at just the wrong time, as the clod of dirt hits him. Not in the back of his head, oh no, but smack dab right in the face.

Now aside from the expected "ow" at getting dirt in the face, Donnie reaches up with a hand to wipe off his face before tucking his Relic away into his battle shell and getting up. Which, and this will probably surprise Raph, means his almost 5'9" height will be noticeable as he finally says something.]

By Einstein's equation, why the hell did you do that?!

[supersmashbro]

[ GOTTEM. Check: sadly failed, alas. Raph will have to keep preparing his little brothers for the tests of the world, obviously. ]

I told you why before I even threw it. [ Psh. Pshaw, even. This height change, though, does bring Raph some sudden (if belated) pause. He holds his hand at Donnie's-head-height and brings it to his plastron for the comparison point.

Is there another glamour thing going on already? Making people look different? ]

What's with the growth spurt, brainiac? You were definitely shorter this mornin'. I oughta know.

[ He is the growth measurer. The measurer of growth. (He's not, he just decided he is for the purpose of being offended about this.) ]

[soft_shelled]

[He's about to say that what Raph did was stupid, and that Raph is stupid, but stops himself. Perhaps at some point since the Krang invasion he'd been told by a brother, let's face it was Dr. Feelings aka Mikey, that calling his brothers dumb and stupid was not a good thing. So he presses his hands together and takes a deep breath.

Mostly because of what Raph asks.]

Raph-a-la. I haven't grown since I was 19, that's been almost a year now.

scavenging - ive read it :B

[apuckalypse]

[Casey's perched in one of Amrita's foresty tree areas, playing with the HUD on his mask and scanning through some old files for reference. Survival is one thing he has droves of experience in, after all, and a whole collection of notes to refer back to for it. It's because of this - his wearing the mask - that Donatello being Not The Usual One is immediately apparent. They look similar but the stats and vitals are not the same, especially the height.

So here's Casey, half-hanging off a branch to peer down at him in confusion.]

...You're different.

[The heck?? He's not Uncle Tello, either. (Casey is also different. Still very much mid-teenager.)]

:3

[soft_shelled]

[And here Donatello though he found a spot where no one would bother him. Although he's not as annoyed by the familiar voice of Casey Jones Jr. Who he is going to look up at and squint at. Taking in that yes, the Casey he's looking at is much different from the Casey he saw last.

Younger sounding, and a little shorter? Hard to tell with him up in a branch.]

I could say the same about you, Casey.

[apuckalypse]

[Don't give this kid false hope, he's short forever.

Casey blinks beneath the mask, surprised, but not by a lot.]

I wondered. Are... you from the future?

[Which would still be the past...? If he knows him as Casey, but not the same Casey- ahhh, time travel continues to be confusing!]

[soft_shelled]

[Well short compared to his turtle family, yes.

As to the question, that's a weird one?]

Don't know, what was the last thing that happened to you?

[Donatello might be a little uncomfortable with saying what recently happened to him, especially if what Casey is thinking is right. He really doesn't want to be the one to tell anyone about Splinter.]

Scavenging - Cubes /doesn't mind spoilers if they come up

[goongal]

Come now! As a ninja, shouldn't you... well, be better at this?

[The familiar voice comes from a branch of the tree that Donnie's trying to climb. Casey is standing there after having spent some time hopping from tree to tree. She looks down at him with a disappointed shake of her head.]

[soft_shelled]

[He looks up, almost losing his balance at the same time, to see one Casey Jones Sr. And he can't help but make a face at her and her comment.]

I'm doing my best, Jones.

[Just his best sucks when he doesn't use tech of some kind.]

[goongal]

[She crouches down while she awaits him, while the cube rests on another branch.]

My apologies. I just did not expect your best to be so... not-best! [She shakes her head.] I will simply have to help you improve. You know, if we were still enemies, I could have cut you down several times over while you struggled like this!

[soft_shelled]

I am fine, you don't need to help me...

[And he can't help but roll his eyes at her saying she could cut him down.]

I don't know, you didn't cut me down all that well when we fought on the train years ago.