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December-January 2024-2025 Test Drive Meme
December-January 2024-2025 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 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.
🦊 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: 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!
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!
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!
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.
One | Drakengard 3 | Myth
“Look, just try living for once. Work out the rest later, alright?”
And that had been the only command given, before One found herself suddenly falling. Panic briefly set in, before realizing again, she had no control in anything within this situation. Whatever magic the deity used had already overpowered One’s senses like never before. Yet the fox had also done the impossible: not make her wish to run away. There was something comforting in those sensations, luring her into making a near literal plunge to a new future. But still, though this new life would carry her soul, it would also be gaining the crushing guilt within as well. After all, she never meant to actually survive that fateful day, regardless who won their duel.
She landed onto the ground, shocked there was no pain, only the light from which she traveled on bursting and returning to the void. The former Intoner rose to her feet just as quickly, inspecting the area. Seemed like a forest, nothing beyond her current capabilities. There were still issues in need of her attention however, just as she felt the wind on her cheek, affirming she was alive. Only one way to tell for sure if that thing also came along for the ride.
She raised a hand into the air, staring out into the trees, pretending as if the one she hated more than anything was there in its place.
“Come forth…Abdiel!”
Nothing. She rarely used the mighty Angel, but the connection was always there, a card she only meant to play to baffle her enemies, wear them down. Still, this was a good sign, right? It meant she wasn’t fully connected to the Flower. She might even be normal. There might not be a reason to be afraid. She and Gabriel could–
Another thought stopped her, briefly making her eyes widen. In a panic, she spoke out again.
“Come forth, Gabriel!”
Nothing. There was no brilliant shine of light, no mighty beast tearing itself into this reality, not even the magical bond that once had been settled near her heart. Just pure silence. Composure broke for a moment, One struggling with this realization. Gabriel…Gabriella was now gone for good. Was she truly alone now? Her sisters were obviously not here, nor was her brother. The gravity of the situation was crushing her by the second.
She couldn’t help but give a dry chuckle, hand falling to her face, as if to quickly cover any of the tears that might have formed.
“I should be happy now, right? You’re finally free. Or is this another cruel joke?”
Anyone looking closer might spot something on One though, even as she covers her face, still laughing bitterly. That she might have a set of strange looking horns on her head.
The Gift Train:
It thankfully didn’t take One long to understand the device, at least someone went over the basics and she could do the math herself. Even back in her world, she was a quick learner. Many things were like a puzzle to her, and you just needed some tools to put it together. Not that some of the concepts didn’t impress her when she discovered them. To think communication had advanced by this much. Maybe if she had it earlier, perhaps she could have talked to her sisters a bit more…
Such thoughts were immediately shelved away for another time once the annoying ping went off. Really had to decide on a good volume setting that didn’t feel like someone was smacking her right on her head. Eyes quickly glossed over the words. Ah, perhaps this place celebrated the holidays too? Admittedly, she had missed out on it herself, too occupied in the library. Only her brother and Gabriella had ever given her gifts, or at least attempted to. A small smile did come with those memories, of burnt cookies she could hardly eat, and of the bones she could help craft into a more suitable weapon for her sibling. A small moment she could cherish.
Though as she thought about it more, being given details of those she must gift, it did raise another big concern. Just what details were being shared about her? Would it be something to worry about? Her mind quickly raced over the details to calm herself. Obviously physical characteristics would be the main focus. Any past details would be utterly useless in finding someone. That seemed true for the list she received. At best, others might know about the power of her song, but nothing else. Perhaps using her abilities would have been unlikely to avoid.
As she’s putting all the info together, someone might approach her. These would be the details they would receive:
- Has horns on her head
- Short blonde hair
- Usually alone
- Voice possesses magical qualities
- New arrival
- Major bookworm
Alternatively, she is now seeking your character out with the details given to her. Spotting them, she calmly approaches them, handing the gift.
“My apologies, but I lacked the funds to create a suitable package for your tastes.”
Truthfully, she’s not even sure how most of this stuff was made.
The Gift Train
Alas the descriptions haven't gone away from her relic yet, which means there's still another person to give a gift to. Her gaze eventually falls on a girl with short blonde hair, horns on her head, alone, not someone she recognizes which indicates she might be a new arrival. She strolls up with a small smile and wave at the girl.
"Sorry to interrupt, but I think I'm meant to give you something. That is if the rest of this matches you," she flips her relic around so the girl can see the full list and either confirm or deny that the next gift she's meant to give is for her.
Re: The Gift Train
Her eye twitched a bit. Of course her song was mentioned. Still, not enough details like she feared before. Things wouldn't go immediately for the worst at least. Standing back straight, she gave the other woman a friendly smile.
"It would appear so. Coupled with my earlier trip, it does make me wonder if the fox can read our minds."
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"Given some of the things that happen here, I would wager it's safe to say she can." Which has been a bit of a sore spot for her; that she herself is telepathic but can't keep the Fox out. "It's not much of a gift, but I hope you like sweets." What she presents is a small box of cat shaped cookies in a variety of flavors. At least with a variety there's some hope at least one will be enjoyed.
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She loved her brother, she really did...but those cookies did a number on her senses and took days to recover from. At least they shared them together. Realizing a small possible error in her words though, considering this a gift, she swiftly corrected herself.
"Of course, I don't mean to sound ungrateful and am thankful for the gift. It's just that my natural senses are...a tad more extreme then others, if that makes sense?"
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"It makes a lot of sense actually. I have several friends with gifts that make their senses much more extreme than others." She's curious what she might be that makes her senses more extreme but it seems just a tad bit rude to ask that directly.
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Kind of like how it was right now. One raised a brow. Come to think of it, no one was questioning her ability that was displayed for all to see. Her curiosity grew. Rather than stand out in her world, she seemed to have blended in.
"I take it then there are others with abilities of their own here as well? I admit, such beings are a rarity to meet."
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And heavens knows sometimes she needs conversation starters. Sometimes she's better at socializing than others. She gives a nod at the question.
"There are are a lot of people here with all different sorts of abilities. Really, it's one of the better parts of this place, feeling more normal than out of the ordinary."
Arrival
Ammy sets down the apple she was carrying down in front of the girl and rolls it over towards her feet with her nose.
It won't necessarily fix anything, of course. It's not as though she's proclaimed herself hungry, and that's the beginning, middle, and end of her woes. But Ammy chooses this as a gentle means of announcing her presence and intentions while the girl appears to be trying to push away and mask her tears.
Re: Arrival
Thoughts were finally interrupted when something touched her feet. Quickly, she rubbed away any lingering tears in her eyes, glaring out into the forest...before her gaze softened at the sight of a wolf. Yet this one, it looked quite strange. On top of being smaller than the usual breed she fought before, she had strange markings. Was she similar to the fox? There was a certain sense of divinity she could feel from the mysterious canine.
Eyes lowered, down enough to see what hit her foot. An apple? Now she was confused. She lowered herself onto both knees, before picking up the fruit, and staring back at her new companion with confusion.
"Did you...are you trying to comfort me?"
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It's the best manner of hello that Amaterasu can likely give.
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"You have my thanks, noble wolf. I have quite a lot to process in my arrival here..."
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"You're certainly unique," she spoke softly, truthfully. "Are those...wings on your legs? Or is it part your fur?"
It was a bit hard to tell, even for her eyes.
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But that being said, Ammy certainly isn't shy about pawing at her until she gets those requested belly rubs.
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"Don't worry. I have to pay you back for that apple, don't I?"
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Gift Train
Zero began stalking about the train, grabbing another silverware knife from an undefended table as she did. It wasn't long until she spotted someone in the distance that looked so much like her 'sister'... the one she had the most vivid memories of killing. Zero adjusted her grip on the knife as she approached, but ended up calling out from about half a room away.
"One! Here's your 'gift!'" Without even waiting for One to turn around, Zero threw the knife her sister. Zero knew that it would be about as damaging as a rock would be to a dragon, but it wasn't about dealing damage at this point. It was about inflicting some kind of pain. Of course, Zero hadn't accounted for the knife bending and reforming itself into a full fledged sword mid flight, not that she was complaining.
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But more importantly now, catching it was going to hurt. Couldn't let another take the blow though by accident. She wished though that was her first thought, protecting another. Instead it was venomous, a desire to murder her older sister. Things were only made worse when she spotted her eye, rage taking over in full now. It was bad enough One had to haunt her here, but the Flower did too!?
Both hands caught the blade, the tip inches away from striking the same spot she got her with last time. Cuts formed along her palms, blood hitting the floor as a result. So her durability was lessened? Maybe it was because of the flower. Some things clearly remained though, and if they did, she might still have the edge over One. Taking the handle of the new sword in her hand, she walked towards One, murder in her eyes, more bits of blood occasionally falling to the ground thanks to her iron grip. She knew too this wasn't going to be enough to kill Zero. But she desperately wanted nothing more than payback, the words of the fox and others now falling to deaf ears.
"No matter where I go, you always follow, don't you, dear sister?" One didn't bother to hide the venom in her voice, her mask of politeness dropped in full for the boiling rage held within. "I doubt anyone here would rush to your defense this time. But if you wish to start this all over again, fine."
She couldn't grant Zero the gift of death with this blade. But One knew damn well she could make this hurt like hell.
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"Of course I will. You really think the universe would let a stuck up bitch like you just brainwash people around you to form your little utopia of stupidity without sending someone to put you in your place?" Zero never really cared about the people of their world, One knew that, but Zero just wanted to piss One off. As she talked, she reached behind her back, taking another knife she'd pocketed from where she hid it. It wouldn't hold up to a sword, but who knows, it might make One scream at least.
"And if I remember correctly, the one time you actually beat me, you had to have your other sisters to back you up, corrupted your dragon into a demon, and then Mikhail still beat its ass. I could do this with one arm tied behind my back." Without waiting for a retort, Zero lunged forward, swiping the knife at One's arm.
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Indeed, she couldn't retort, growling as she backed away slightly to avoid the knife. The moment it passed, she retaliated, the blade swinging low and up, aiming for her head. Seemed fitting, given how One died and where Zero aimed before.
"...wait is this real?" Spoke up one passenger. "Looks like real blood but uh...should we leave?"
"For fucks sake, yes!" One had shouted the command almost instantly when her ears picked it up, not bothering to hide her annoyance. She really wasn't sure how to make this more obvious until her or Zero began cutting into each other.
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"God fucking dammit that hurt..." The only time she took her eye off One was to glance around the room now that they were alone. She reaches for the knife as she struggles to her feet on shaky legs. "Always the stubborn bitch, right up to the end. Couldn't just make this easy for either of us could you?"
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"You ruined any chance of that when you spurned our love," she spoke, still gripping tightly to the sword, ignoring her own pain in her hands. Hadn't healed yet. This wasn't a good sign. But she needed to stay strong. "And in case you haven't noticed, YOU are the one who brought the flower here, not I. Then again, why do you even care about the world? You just want to hurt me, and this blade is proof enough of that fact!"
She felt no guilt about hurting Zero, especially that flower. It was hurt? Good. Let it feel the wrath of her attacks too. If she could, she'd rip it off and stomp it back into the earth. But for now, she pressed on, pressing forward with a thrust from her sword, aiming for Zero's shoulder this time. Had to try and limit any offense her sister could produce. A killing blow from a regular sword like this, albeit the curve elegant with a white handle, would hardly be enough.
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Zero never really was sure how much the other Intoners knew about her before they splintered off. Really just came down to what the flower let them know, and Zero had never really cared to ask. Still, whether or not her sisters were even capable of love, or had at one point cared for her was not a thought Zero ever entertained. It was easier that way. They all had to die, after all. Love just complicated things.
"Oh you think I want this parasite in my eye? When you're here because I tried to rip it out!? And here I thought you were the smart one." This time when Zero lunged, her cloak shifted just enough to show off the reason she wasn't throwing haymakers or dual wielding. Her cloak bent just below Zero's shoulder. The arm simply wasn't there, nor was the gauntlet she'd used as a prosthetic.
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Piercing the cloak and watching it move, the answer was very clear. Of course. Zero had a prosthetic. If their weapons didn't come with them on arrival, the same held true for objects such that. Definitely annoying for both of them in this case.
One was forced to move to the side to dodge, the revelation causing a momentary lapse in judgment. Soon she felt her back slam into a door of the train, on the side of all places. It shook, loosened. Someone clearly didn't lock this up properly. Given the festivities happening, surely someone could have--
An idea then formed. This would hurt both of them if it worked. And if not...well, clearly this fight was all about pain. A smug smirk crossed One’s features, blade lowered, taunting Zero.
"You know damn well what I mean. Even if you did want to save the world, all you're capable is destroying it. The fact the flower is still here is proof of your incessant need to fail and screw up at every corner. Is it any wonder that you needed the help of some random woman to sweep in and save your pathetic hide?"
She might have been enjoying this a bit too much. But she needed Zero pissed like never before. And there was only one other way now.
"The Flower is our enemy. I won't deny that. And I won't even deny my own shortcomings. But you're the only one who is making the world worse by your mere presence. Then again, what should I expect from a sister who abandons everything she could love, even her dragon? I expect nothing less from the sad little girl known as Rose."
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CW: Blood and lots of it
Cw: suicidal thoughts
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