December-January 2024-2025 Test Drive Meme

[folkie]

December-January 2024-2025 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]

Murder on the Folkmore Express . ★

Content Warnings: hysical Entrapment, Fictional Crimes, Forced Engagement

Winter has come to Folkmore in full force, and with it, the desire for most to get to their destinations as fast as possible. The cold is bitter, after all, and nips at bare skin in most of the realm's regions. The public transport system becomes a safe haven for all; a perfect way to take a break in comfortable warmth as both spirits and Star Children alike travel along stretches of land. From the Cat Bus to the trains, to the submarines that lead to Tides, to even the hot air balloons which provide a beautiful sightseeing tour before touching down on Never Fade… There are more than enough public vehicles to board.

And this is exactly where newly arrived Star Children will find themselves: aboard one of the bigger public transportation methods. With a flash of light visible to all, their landing in this new realm is made known to all other passengers.

Something funny is going on, that much becomes clear within several seconds. Perhaps a nearby cat spirit will keel over dramatically in the middle of the train's aisle, pretending to have died. Perhaps a frog spirit will let out a loud croaking wail, proclaiming their precious wedding ring has been stolen just now. Or perhaps a timid little mouse will come up to Star Children, prattling on about how worried they are for their missing spouse. They are all acting, as is evident from their lack of skill in that department. They relish the opportunity to spin their little tales, their characterization often broken by mischievous smiles or hasty snickers into the palm of their paws. Once the stage is set and the story is out into the world, the spirits will look towards the nearest Star Children with clasped hands and hopeful gazes. 'Will you solve the mystery?' they seem to ask. Sometimes they'll even voice the question aloud.

One thing is for certain: Star Children have found themselves in their very own locked room whodunnit setup!

The puzzling scenarios have a wide range of possibilities. Perhaps someone vanished, with the questions being whether they've hidden themselves somewhere in the vehicle and why. Or maybe a mysterious spirit suffers from a sudden bout of amnesia. Who are they, and how did they lose their memories in the first place? Was that person lying on the floor poisoned? If so, how? What makes these mysteries extra difficult to crack is the very magic coursing through Folkmore. That heap of ash under a seat may be evidence, burnt to a crisp with fire magic. The 'dead' body may have been moved from the original crime scene through teleportation. Or the missing ring may have been enchanted to return to its original owner, which leads to the shocking reveal that the one reporting the crime was a thief all along. All cases range in difficulty level.

There is a catch. The transport will not stop until the conundrum is brought to a satisfactory conclusion. The train will pass by stations, the Cat Bus will keep sprinting, submarines will circle Tides indefinitely… And the doors will remain locked, with even teleportation powers null and void. Star Children cannot disembark until the mystery is solved. Better work together to find those clues!

• New Star Children arrive in one of Folkmore's public transport vehicles.
• Spirits will re-enact locked room mysteries for Star Children to solve.
• Cases range from murder mysteries to missing persons, to simple theft.
• The vehicle will not stop until the mystery is resolved!

The Gift Train . ★

Content Warnings: Potential Information Reveal, Item Alteration

A cheerful ding rings out from each Star Child's Relic. It's a modest grab for their attention, a sign that something lies in wait. Checking out the origin, the recipients will find that they've received a message from Jewelia, one of Thirteen's aspects. It reads as follows: "It is a time for giving and a time for sharing. A time for friendship and a time for caring. Seek out this Star Child, and exchange with them a modest gift. Should you succeed and make the trade, then watch it shift."

What follows is not a name, but a list with facts. For example, a certain Star Child's role, which region they currently live in, what color their hair is, who their best friend is… It's all trivial data which, when put together, should point the seeking Star Child towards one particular individual. That's only the first part of the challenge, of course! Should they take the next step, they must give whoever they hunted down a gift. This can range from a batch of homemade cookies to a knitted sweater, to even a neat rock they found! It doesn't matter how big or small the gift is, whether it was bought or made… The present needs to be exchanged for something else.

As soon as the objects pass hands, they will evolve. They become nicer, or bigger, or tastier. The neat rock now shimmers like it's covered in eternal glitter. The knitted sweater now has a knitted hood to pull up over one's head. The cookies may take on a cutesy shape, or become more filling, with even a single bite enough to sate for a whole evening. The plain knife found in Folkmore becomes an engraved sword. This is the true power of sharing, and of paying good will forward.

Once an exchange is complete, each Star Child’s Relic will ding another time. A new list of facts appears, and they can repeat the process again. They have the option to give a new gift to their next match, or they can re-gift the item they were just given. There's no limitations to how much a single gift can upgrade, though objects will never become enchanted. They simply become nicer.

There's one more twist to this assignment: after three successful gift exchanges, the Relic plays an additional, cheerful little chime. A little victory note, almost. When the Star Child returns to their home afterwards, they'll find a small package waiting for them on their pillow (or whatever's close enough to a bed if they don't have one). Inside is a small item from their home world. It may even be a weapon or magical item. Just another reward for rising to the challenge!

• Star Children receive a message on their Relic: a list of facts leading them to another Star Child.
• When they find this Star Child and exchange a small gift with them, the gift will evolve into something nicer.
• If a Star Child succeeds in three successful exchanges, they will find a small item from home waiting for them in their home, atop their pillow.

Comments

Angel Devil | Chainsaw Man | Myth?

[idratherdie]

ᴍᴜʀᴅᴇʀ ᴏɴ ᴛʜᴇ ꜰᴏʟᴋᴍᴏʀᴇ ᴇxᴘʀᴇꜱꜱ:

...Swap seats with me?

[ The small soft voice of someone who sounded half asleep called out from the side of you. The soft glow of a dull halo glimmered lightly as dazzling crimson eyes, wide and full of youth, stared up through thick, sooty lashes. The Angel Devil looked every bit angelic as they stood there, no higher than 5 feet tall and wearing a suit that was a little too big for them, sleeves on the baggier side deliberately to cover their hands.

Tossing a look back towards the seat they had first taken upon boarding the train, and sighing deeply as the tiny mouse smirked then scampered away. Long, unruly strands of vibrant red hair tumbled over their shoulders as they obscured their face a little as they looked back at you. ]

They're giving me the creeps...

[ Angel was unbothered by their story. Someone had gone missing, they wanted them to follow the clues like crumbs but honestly? The Devil would rather die than have to put that much effort into solving a puzzle and the mouse is adamant they listen to their tale. Maybe switching seats would grant them a free pass? Maybe they were just targeting someone on that side of the train? Either way, the Angel Devil stood there, staring at you like a lost puppy, hoping you'll take pity and get them out of a bothersome situation. ]

ᴛʜᴇ ɢɪꜰᴛ ᴛʀᴀɪɴ:

Ugh ... How bothersome...

[ Reading the list of characteristics and facts, or well, speed reading them ( honestly even that feels like too much effort for them ) Angel rolls their eyes and slumps down on the public bench they were resting on. Swaying their feet as they were just short enough that they didn't quite hit the ground from where they were sitting. Long, brilliant white wings behind them fluttered now and then as they tipped their head over the back of the bench. Hair splayed around delicately as their halo caught the light. Blinking as someone passed them back.

Angel saw an opportunity and held their Relic towards the passerby. ]

Hey... Does this sound familiar to you?

[ It wasn't exactly how the little game was supposed to go down, but Angel wasn't about to put much effort into it, not unless the gift they could get was something they would find useful or tasty. ]

ᴡɪʟᴅᴄᴀʀᴅ:

[ ooc: Hoping to app Angel Devil this round so I would love for them to get some interactions with current players! 😇 Feel free to toss me a starter of your own if none of mine work for you! Happy to plot a little if needs be! Please note: Angel has a life-draining power that automatically happens upon skin-to-skin contact so just keep that in mind! ]

Murder on the Folkmore express

[a_darker_path]

Swapping seats isn't going to do anything. Until Thirteen gets what they want, we're stuck in this situation. [And he sounds less than thrilled over it, but he shifts to his feet after a moment.]

Once it's sorted, we'll be able to leave.

[idratherdie]

Thirteen? ...

[ Tipping their head aside, messy red hair spilling across their face as they looked up at the stranger with an innocent almost child-like expression. Their halo giving off a dull glow with their mood. ]

Annnd this is our problem, why?

[ Though, as they raise up from their seat, Angel perks up a little. Possibly getting ready to nab their chair or maybe trying to be sure they don't touch them as they move. ]

[a_darker_path]

They do these trials roughly every month. Different goals every time but it's supposed to help promote growth and connections to build your potential. [Geto shrugs.]

And you usually get something out of it. I've been here close to a year and participation is mandatory once you're in it.

[idratherdie]

... Really? Ugh.

[ The Devil sighs deeply, shoulders slumping and looking like they'd just been told the most devastating news.

Their halo dims and their wings flop behind them, dragging the floor as they almost melt into the seat the stranger stood up from. ]

What if you have no potential and don't want any?... What's so good about whatever you get out if it, anyway?...

[a_darker_path]

The fact you're here means you have it, whether you want it or not. You made the choice to come here, after all. [Geto glances at them. ]

Depends on the trial and reward. I don't know what this one is going to be yet.

[idratherdie]

[ Angel huffs out a disgruntled sigh, blowing up the long strands of hair were partly obscuring their face before pulling their knees up to their chest, wrapping arms around them and burying their face into them.

When next they spoke, it was muffled. ]

The fact I'm here is a joke... I don't know why I got on this train in the first place...

[ Peering up at the stranger as they looked down at them. ]

Well... When you find out, I'll give you your seat back.

ᴛʜᴇ ɢɪꜰᴛ ᴛʀᴀɪɴ

[woenesday]

[ Wednesday has absolutely no intention of actually looking at the Relic when it's shown to her as she passes by this person. They could be someone new, in all honesty she would hardly know. She's not quite social enough to remember all the people that live in this place. Not that them being new would greatly impact her desire to interact. Still, she does at least stop when they hold up the relic.

Doesn't look at it, but it should be small win that she stops at all. ]

No. It doesn't. [ She says about the thing she clearly has not even glanced at. ]

[idratherdie]

[ Kindred spirits it seems... Seeing as Angel had no interest in interacting with people here either. Honestly, they only took the deal and ended up in this place, to stop the fox from talking to them... Big mistake, they know that now but eh, it is what it is.

Blinking, lazily at the girl as she clearly didn't want to help them, the Devil sighed and looked back at their relic, only... ]

Hold on.

[ Tilting their head, halo glowing a tad brighter. Yup, long black pigtails and a moody demeanor were some of the hints listed. ]

It's kinda describing you, no?

[ Crossing their fingers with a sigh. It would be so much easier if it was describing them, that way they wouldn't have to work hard to find them. ]

[woenesday]

[ Well, now that the suggestion had been made that it might be about her she takes a slight bit of interest. She stares without blinking at the relic. Only to confirm if it is describing her. Her eyes narrow and she folds her arms tightly over her chest. ]

It's possible.

[ Yes, it very clearly is. ]

I have no interest in whatever Thirteen wants us to do together.

[ Because she doesn't do things with people. To them, maybe. But not with. If she can ignore the Fox's attempts to force socialization she will. ]

[idratherdie]

[ As she declared that she wasn't interested in whatever shenanigans they were supposed to engage in, Angel sighed and rubbed a hand over their face, groaning out an apathetic sound. ]

I mean. Not that I care or anything. But someone told me the best way to get this shit over and done with... Is to get this shit over and done with.

[ Wow, that was a lot of words for the Devil just then. How exhausting.

Tipping their head towards her, their halo glowed a dull light down across their angelic face with a red raised eyebrow, arched curiously. ]

I should... Probably read the rest of why I was s'posed to fine you, huh?

[woenesday]

They were not lying.

[ That is to say they're correct, the fastest way to end these things is to just do what the Fox wants. As much as that pains Wednesday to admit that, it is the most logical plan of action if they both want to move on with their day.

The look on her face doesn't shift from general unblinking apathy at the question. ]

Go ahead.

[idratherdie]

[ Wednesday isn't the first person they've interacted with who keeps an apathetic expression when talking to them, Aki used to be the same way. Straight-faced, cold, and blunt. In a way, it's refreshing, familiar to be around.

They finish reading their relic before shaking their head and looking perplexed. ]

It says we're to exchange gifts?

The Gift Train

[untitledshuos]

[ For his part, Jedao finds tracking people down from clues to be great fun. The main difficulty with his current quarry is that he's certain they are new to Folkmore. All the more reason to learn more about them—he means, give them a gift. A welcome gift. The promise of transformation (or of seeing someone's face upon eating one) makes his gift easy to select.

He's tracking down someone either a Legend or with those features all on their own right when someone calls his attention. Jedao notes the short stature, the white wings... Why could it be?

He reads the person's list and grins. ]

Why yes, it's me.

[idratherdie]

[ Wait, they actually enjoy putting that sort of effort into something? What, are they crazy!? Angel often comments that they would rather die than put in a day's work on anything. Honestly, people were so strange...

Still, as they came over to where the Devil was sitting, curious and grinning like a Cheshire Cat, Angel was thankful. It seemed they were doing all the hard work for them instead! ]

Huh- It is? Really? ... What are the chances.

[ Turning their relic to their face, the light of their halo illuminating it as they slowly read the description and then looked back at the stranger. ]

So... We win? I don't play games often. No- I dunno why I said that, I don't play games period. Is it over now?

[untitledshuos]

[ With Thirteen pulling the strings, the chances rise notably. That said, Jedao's been searching for his target, which placed him in this area. It shows that his work, done from what clues he was given, pays off. He still has it.

After all, it's not so often one gets provided an excuse to track someone down from the barest of clues. ]

We've nearly won. It isn't over until we exchange presents and see what happens to them.

[ For his part, Jedao pulls a small package out of his pocket. In fact the small rectangle is wrapped in plain black paper and wrapped in a gold ribbon. Nothing particularly special about it, even less the item within (at least when he set it there). He holds it out. ]

May you have a very good whatever holiday you celebrate in winter.

[idratherdie]

[ What did the list say about his target? Small, large white wings, halo, suit, probably asleep? Then again, Angel stands out like a sore thumb, don't they? This guy on the other hand, as the Devil looks over their relic to see the description clearly started what they looked like. Nice, looks like they won't have to put any more effort in. ]

Do we have to? I wasn't actually expecting to find anyone so...

[ They should feel bad when they see that little gift being handed over to them, but they don't really understand the notion of gift given. Seeing as no one has ever given them a gift before... ]

It's for me? What is it? Just put it on the seat beside me.

[ Angel pulled their hands up in the end of their sleeves and tucked their hands into their pockets. They didn't want to touch this person and drain any of their life by accident after all. ]

What's a holiday?

[ Tilting their head aside, some of that pretty red hair tumbling over a shoulder, a curious expression over their angelic face. ]

Ah... I'm s'posed to give you a gift too, huh? Crap... Um...

[ As if Angel bothered to actually read what was expected of them. Maybe they could give them a sword or axe or something? ]

Do you like weapons?

[untitledshuos]

We cannot win the game without exchanging gifts. Personally, I enjoy winning games.

[ Jedao doesn't make it about the gift. Honestly, he'd enjoy the process no matter what gift his target gifts him. He takes greater pleasure in having someone new to track down from a series of clues. Gifts are a little bonus, and seeing as how they track down strangers, he doesn't expect it to be tailored to him or especially nice. Simply something given.

He sets the wrapped Kel ration bar on the bench besides the potentially germophobic target. Leaving a good amount of space between them, Jedao sits as well, leaning sideways so that he faces the other person. It's not how the bench was meant to be sat on, but he hardly cares. ]

I used to collect weapons back in the day, as it happens.

[ Guns primarily, but it hardly matters when he didn't have the time or purpose to use most of them. It was something to do with his money, and he appreciates a good weapon. ]

A holiday is a special day on the calendar. Less or no work is done for most people. There are festivities that might have food, music, special items. It all depends on the holiday and the culture. Are there any special or unique days where you come from?

[idratherdie]

How come?

[ It was a simple question, Angel didn't really understand what was fun about games. They'd never played any. They enjoyed it when Aki would buy them ice cream or ramen back home, but they didn't consider that those things in themselves could be considered gifts.

As they sit down beside them, and after setting the pretty wrapped box between them, Angel turns to face them. Sitting sidelong on the bench now too, curling their legs up, crossed underneath them as they cautiously reached out and plucked it up, holding it to their ear and giving it a little shake before bringing it to their face to sniff at it. ]

Why'd you collect them? They're too heavy for me. Mostly, anyway. Hey, is this edible? Smells kinda like food.

[ As they decided they could smell something worth eating, the glow of their halo changed from dull to a tad brighter, even if their expression and tone of voice didn't really change all that much to meet their mood, their halo did. ]

Less or no work? That sounds like heaven~ But, Devil's don't get festivities and holidays. I think Japan on the whole has them? I've just never experienced one.

[ Looking over the stranger for a moment as they concentrated on what weapon to give them. Something small and easy to make, maybe just 2 or 3 years' worth of gathered lifespan? ]

Murder on the Folkmore Express!

[goongal]

[Unfortunately, they're seated next to a particularly energetic woman, sporting her own sort of angel-esque wings, who already seems to be very into the game.]

I'm not suspicious!! [That's her initial, overly defensive remark. But then she winds down as she realizes what the stranger asked.]

Is that so? Or... is that exactly what the true culprit would say? Switching seats could be part of your alibi! Are you setting me up for the fall?

[idratherdie]

[ Angel stares at her, unblinking with eyelids halfmast. Letting out a slight huff of a sigh through their nose before tilting their head aside. Tendrils of that long, pretty, if not a little unkempth hair over their shoulders as their halo dims in colour. ]

... Fine. You got me. T'was I. The culprit.

[ Voice monotone and with absoultly no conviction behind their words, Angel was happy to say anything even if it wasn't the truth, to just get this over with already. ]

[goongal]

[Casey freezes in place. Because she did not expect that! She just stares blankly for a moment as she processes that.]

R-really? You... confess it? Just like that? You're the... true culprit?

[After a beat, some energy returns to her as she carries on-]

Or is that just what they want us to think! Maybe you're a red herring, set up by the true true mastermind! Yes, that's got to be it!

[idratherdie]

[ Good. That seemed to settle her down- No... No wait. No, it didn't... ]

Who's 'they'? And why are you calling me a red fish?

[ How did they end up in this situation? Angel doesn't have the energy to keep up with her! ]

I dunno why I said that. I'm obviously not the killer. But you should totally go and find them.

[goongal]

I thought it was obvious! They are the true mastermind behind this case! And yes that is a fish, but don't you know anything about mysteries? A red herring also means a false suspect, who throws the inspector off the real trail!

[She balls a fist in determination.]

I totally will find the real killer! And you will help me, to atone for your past herring-hood!

sorry this is so late! my tdm threads got lost in my inbox! D:

[idratherdie]

No.

[ They answer with a wide stare and a shrug. They honestly don't seem to know much about whatever is going on here, mystery or not. ]

Oh, so... You think I'm deliberately trying to throw you off the case? Gosh, that doesn't sound like me... Far too much effort. I'd rather just hand myself in if I was the killer or tell you where they were so this could end sooner rather than later.

[ They're being honest. ]

--Wait, I will? Oh man....