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June-July 2025 Test Drive Meme
June-July 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:
Old wood creaks and groans, barely audible over a howl of wind. Wet droplets of rain hit faces and soak into clothing. Clouds overhead are a murky gray, blocking out the sun. Though summer weather is often somewhat temperamental, a true storm has now hit. Both newly arrived Star Children and veterans may find themselves in the midst of this situation quite abruptly, standing on the unsteady deck of an old, grand ship. Those who run to the nearest rail and peer overboard may be shocked to discover a stark absence of water below. Instead, the view just goes down… and down… The land of Folkmore lies far below, as this ship is flying through the storm, its sails struggling to hold under the force of whipping winds. There is no captain, there is no helmsman- there is no crew at all to be found, only fellow Star Children. And yet… the ship is still moving full speed ahead through the storm, as if it has a destination in mind.
A resounding boom echoes, and those with a keen gaze may just spot something whizzing past, missing the ship by a hair. Was that… a cannonball?
Just like that, a second vessel weaves its way out of a deck of gray clouds, pulling up side by side to the ship the Star Children are on. Lightning flashes, illuminating a whole bunch of sneers across the way, along with some eye patches, bandanas and goggles. Sky pirates are attacking! It's clear from their animalistic features that they're local spirits, but they're hardly as benevolent as those typically seen in Folkmore.
Ready yourselves, Star Children!
Those who wish to return fire will find several cannons lined along the ship's deck, ready to be used. These don't work just like any old artillery, though. In place of those unwieldy metal balls, one must load magic into these cannons. Lore, to be precise! It even says so on a small metal plaque, attached near the firing mechanism: "Connection is one's true ammunition." Find a fellow Star Child and start chatting! The more meaningful the conversation, the grander the magic ball one may blast at the pirates with the cannons.
Unfortunately, the cannons alone are not enough to fight off the pirates, as several of them swing their way aboard with ropes. (Or just fly, if they're bird spirits.) Star Children can head down into the armory below deck to grab a weapon. Yes, even weapons from home (or items that can be improvised weapons) are available, and may be kept after the fight is over. Star Children capable of flight may even be daring enough to make their way to the enemy's ship and deal some real damage over there.
The ship continues to shake and creak and bob in the storm, which may complicate the fight, but not all is lost. There, in the distance, up ahead… A beacon of light flickers, struggling to be seen through the thick clouds. What is that?
Old wood creaks and groans, barely audible over a howl of wind. Wet droplets of rain hit faces and soak into clothing. Clouds overhead are a murky gray, blocking out the sun. Though summer weather is often somewhat temperamental, a true storm has now hit. Both newly arrived Star Children and veterans may find themselves in the midst of this situation quite abruptly, standing on the unsteady deck of an old, grand ship. Those who run to the nearest rail and peer overboard may be shocked to discover a stark absence of water below. Instead, the view just goes down… and down… The land of Folkmore lies far below, as this ship is flying through the storm, its sails struggling to hold under the force of whipping winds. There is no captain, there is no helmsman- there is no crew at all to be found, only fellow Star Children. And yet… the ship is still moving full speed ahead through the storm, as if it has a destination in mind.
A resounding boom echoes, and those with a keen gaze may just spot something whizzing past, missing the ship by a hair. Was that… a cannonball?
Just like that, a second vessel weaves its way out of a deck of gray clouds, pulling up side by side to the ship the Star Children are on. Lightning flashes, illuminating a whole bunch of sneers across the way, along with some eye patches, bandanas and goggles. Sky pirates are attacking! It's clear from their animalistic features that they're local spirits, but they're hardly as benevolent as those typically seen in Folkmore.
Ready yourselves, Star Children!
Those who wish to return fire will find several cannons lined along the ship's deck, ready to be used. These don't work just like any old artillery, though. In place of those unwieldy metal balls, one must load magic into these cannons. Lore, to be precise! It even says so on a small metal plaque, attached near the firing mechanism: "Connection is one's true ammunition." Find a fellow Star Child and start chatting! The more meaningful the conversation, the grander the magic ball one may blast at the pirates with the cannons.
Unfortunately, the cannons alone are not enough to fight off the pirates, as several of them swing their way aboard with ropes. (Or just fly, if they're bird spirits.) Star Children can head down into the armory below deck to grab a weapon. Yes, even weapons from home (or items that can be improvised weapons) are available, and may be kept after the fight is over. Star Children capable of flight may even be daring enough to make their way to the enemy's ship and deal some real damage over there.
The ship continues to shake and creak and bob in the storm, which may complicate the fight, but not all is lost. There, in the distance, up ahead… A beacon of light flickers, struggling to be seen through the thick clouds. What is that?
- Star Children (new and old) find themselves aboard a grand wooden ship, flying through a storm. Yes, literally flying!
- Sky pirates attack! They're just the local spirits, but a rowdy bunch nonetheless.
- Use conversation to load up a cannon with Lore energy, then blast it at the pirate ship.
- Alternatively, grab a weapon (possibly from home) from your ship's armory and start swashbuckling.
- Star Children can keep one (1) weapon/item from home and other basic weapons.
Content Warnings:
Other Star Children, both new and old, may find themselves drawn to the floating island of Never Fade. Up here, in the clouds, the storm rages just as fierce, and the native spirits all share the same worry: the lighthouse is broken. Indeed, up on the highest hill of Never Fade stands a towering white spire, its beacon dimmed. 'A ship is coming in at any moment', the spirits all whisper. 'And there's reports of pirates in the area, too. What will we do?'
The goats which are quite common in Never Fade join forces to guide Star Children up the hill towards the lighthouse. And if not guiding, then dragging, chompers clenched around the fabric of sleeves or pant legs as they pull. The rain does not slow, but the wind thankfully blows uphill. Best to just go along with it, so you can go take shelter from the storm inside the enormous spire building, because the goats won't leave you alone otherwise.
Just outside the lighthouse stands a very curious cat. It's so large, it's almost the size of a pony, and its fur is black. No, white. … No, it's black, isn't it? (It really depends on what mood it's in.) Karma the cat peers up at any approaching Star Children with knowing eyes. It dashes inside the lighthouse for a second, then reappears with an envelope in its mouth, holding it out for the newcomer to take. Careful- the paper might get wet in the rain! Come stand under the awning or inside the house as you read:
"The lighthouse keeper is on vacation. Please help! The beacon needs to be charged. We need positive energy to power the light, and negative energy to rotate the lens. Be nice or be mean, both are good! :)"
Are you up for the task, Star Children? Then stay in the lighthouse's near vicinity, or go right on up to the beacon, and do as Karma asked: Either compliment your fellows, or insult them. Share fond memories with one another, or commiserate on how terrible this situation is. Both pleasant conversation and nasty confrontation will do the job. Before long, the light springs to life and the great glass lens begins to rotate around it, a majestic beam of light revolving outward from the spire, piercing the dark clouds.
Those who wait around will see it: that great big wooden ship which comes flying towards Never Fade's docks to make port there. … Is that a hole in its side? And a cutlass sticking out of the mast? Confusion may make way for relief, as all the Star Children aboard disembark, surely bursting with a great tale to tell. Elated spirits bring out the hot soup, bread and all other hearty comfort foods to celebrate the successful arrival. Time to celebrate! Or raid the armory for a free weapon from home, if you haven't gotten one yet- with an emphasis on one, because Karma the cat will attack anyone who got greedy, be it now or during the earlier voyage.
Other Star Children, both new and old, may find themselves drawn to the floating island of Never Fade. Up here, in the clouds, the storm rages just as fierce, and the native spirits all share the same worry: the lighthouse is broken. Indeed, up on the highest hill of Never Fade stands a towering white spire, its beacon dimmed. 'A ship is coming in at any moment', the spirits all whisper. 'And there's reports of pirates in the area, too. What will we do?'
The goats which are quite common in Never Fade join forces to guide Star Children up the hill towards the lighthouse. And if not guiding, then dragging, chompers clenched around the fabric of sleeves or pant legs as they pull. The rain does not slow, but the wind thankfully blows uphill. Best to just go along with it, so you can go take shelter from the storm inside the enormous spire building, because the goats won't leave you alone otherwise.
Just outside the lighthouse stands a very curious cat. It's so large, it's almost the size of a pony, and its fur is black. No, white. … No, it's black, isn't it? (It really depends on what mood it's in.) Karma the cat peers up at any approaching Star Children with knowing eyes. It dashes inside the lighthouse for a second, then reappears with an envelope in its mouth, holding it out for the newcomer to take. Careful- the paper might get wet in the rain! Come stand under the awning or inside the house as you read:
"The lighthouse keeper is on vacation. Please help! The beacon needs to be charged. We need positive energy to power the light, and negative energy to rotate the lens. Be nice or be mean, both are good! :)"
Are you up for the task, Star Children? Then stay in the lighthouse's near vicinity, or go right on up to the beacon, and do as Karma asked: Either compliment your fellows, or insult them. Share fond memories with one another, or commiserate on how terrible this situation is. Both pleasant conversation and nasty confrontation will do the job. Before long, the light springs to life and the great glass lens begins to rotate around it, a majestic beam of light revolving outward from the spire, piercing the dark clouds.
Those who wait around will see it: that great big wooden ship which comes flying towards Never Fade's docks to make port there. … Is that a hole in its side? And a cutlass sticking out of the mast? Confusion may make way for relief, as all the Star Children aboard disembark, surely bursting with a great tale to tell. Elated spirits bring out the hot soup, bread and all other hearty comfort foods to celebrate the successful arrival. Time to celebrate! Or raid the armory for a free weapon from home, if you haven't gotten one yet- with an emphasis on one, because Karma the cat will attack anyone who got greedy, be it now or during the earlier voyage.
- Star Children who weren't taken to the ship may instead have been drawn to Never Fade, where the storm rages just as fiercely.
- Goats guide Star Children towards the lighthouse, which is broken. Karma the cat awaits them there.
- In order to get the lighthouse beacon working again, it must be charged with both positive and negative energy. Engage in either pleasant or hostile conversation with a fellow Star Child to help out!
- Once the lighthouse is up and running, the ship from the first prompt will dock at Never Fade, uniting all the Star Children for a great celebration.
- The ship's armory is still available for a free weapon (possibly from home), but anyone who got greedy and tried to take more than one will be confronted by Karma. Literally. (And lose the additional items).
we're going to need more pockets captain!
After all, the sky pirates trying to get onto the ship are not standing around letting them talk to one another either. They swarm like bees, going after the taller Leo first, given his katana at the ready. It made sense, as the offensive nature of the weapon was more deadly than his own defensive sai, but the quick flash of the parry draws his eyes.
To what are very familiar colors at the hilt.
It makes him swallow hard, but Raph pushes the questions down to flick his sai around into proper holds, squaring down his shoulders and narrowing his eyes at the pirates rounding around to decide who to go after. "On it." He scans the crowd to determine who to possibly go after first, before frowning when one tries to beeline past him to the stairs he originally came from. He hooks his foot on their ankle, tripping them up before slamming the handle end of his sai into their head to knock them out.
"I don't suppose you got any bright ideas, big bro?"
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Best he can tell it utilizes both of their strengths. Raph is fast, light on his feet from the looks of it. Leonardo was a heavier hitter after decades of fighting.
Working together was going to get them much farther than trying to work separately.
He side steps another swing of a blade, taking a swipe at the spirit pirate with enough force to stagger the spirit backwards. He steps forward to try and force them further away with another few swings of his blade.
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The tease comes easily enough. This might not be HIS Leonardo, but he's used to the back and forth between himself and his brother, so while this one's significantly older, he can't help it. "Hard and fast it is."
He doesn't need to be told twice. With Leo swiping his blade to keep the crowd at bay, Raph's already moving, using his smaller size to duck it as he throws himself into the fray. Rather than stick to fist fighting, the shorter turtle utilizes his own strength to land strikes with the handles of his sai, the impacts hard enough to wind the first spirit before he's a flash of red and green - moving to the next target.
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Leonardo had judged correctly, this Raphael was quick on his feet. Not tanky in the way the red eared slider was used to for his eldest brother, but there was no harm in that either. He was learning very quickly to expect the unexpected here.
He trails along behind easily enough, cleaning up the stunned opponents. Downing them is easy. Leonardo either disarms them, or forces the pirates to flee. He's heavier, slower and can overpower the opponents Raphael has done a number on. The teenager is doing more of the work.
The pirates didn't seem particularly inclined to stick around after being bested, which made the numbers dwindle at least.
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It doesn't take long for a good amount of them to turn tail, especially with Leo clearing up his leftovers, letting Raph bounce on his toes with sai ready to swipe as it's obvious that he's in his element here.
"That'll teach 'em to mess with innocent people," he states, eyes scanning for anyone else who might need help before glancing back at the bigger turtle. "You still good?"
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This was Raph, but... not the one he knew, that much left Leonardo feeling less unsure of where he stood or what he should say. The lingering guilt he carried didn't need to surface. They were merely strangers with a passing connection and that was more reassuring than it probably should be.
"I'm more than fine." He says easily back, smiling down at Raphael. "Tired, but, not done yet."
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This Leo wasn't his brother, per se, but kind of having one nearby helps with the strangeness of everything around him. He wasn't expecting to be on a ship in the middle of nowhere, but he's not about to back down from protecting others if need be.
After all, he did recognize his own colors on a sword handle and...well there's enough of a hint there to figure out what THAT might mean. He's said it himself before - another Raphael like him would potentially have the same thoughts of protecting the brothers with disregard for himself.
He doesn't ask about it though, nodding. "Awesome. There might be more work to be done around here. Though...I have no idea where this ship's going or anything. You?"
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"Not a clue to be honest. I woke up here and there were cannonballs falling onto the ship." Fighting isn't a new thing by a long shot to Leonardo. He can guess no turtle in their family, no matter the time or place could avoid fighting. He hoped most at least avoided war directly where they could.
"Heard a few mixed things in passing at least. Following after a fox proved to make this an interesting day already."
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He does take notice of the way the bigger turtle leans against the mast of the ship. It's subtle but still there. Weariness from fighting. He knows it well enough himself but he finds himself inching closer to the older turtle out of habit to protect.
"Kind of a rude awakening, to be honest. You'd think that people would let someone rest. Didja get nicked or anything?"
The mention of following a fox makes him refocus though. "...wait, did it like...talk at you about being like, some sort of different person?"
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The way the teenager inches over makes Leonardo smile a little, a touch of amusement taking away a little bit of the weariness from his face. "Far as I can tell, nothing new." He absently touches at his plastron plates where the waist band of his pants settle. Tentative fingers checking for a gouge he keeps expecting to find. The wound he had was closed on his way here, which still keeps surprising him.
"It gave me a speech alright, but to be honest, I lost track faster than I'd like. Reaching my full potential sounds... nice? Not sure what that entails."
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He can't help but come over to check in. This might not be one of his brothers, but it's still a brother in some way, and ultimately he's going to do what he does best: sentinel and help if he has to. "I don't have most of my gear but I can make something work if you need it." But he nods when Leonardo tells him that there's nothing new and he moves on from it.
"Huh. It did the same to me. I thought I was dreaming though--then I was here? It's...strange and doesn't make any sense."
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"If I find something wrong, I'll tell you. Can't help others if you're hurt." He is unreasonably reasonable, terrible.
He side steps his own death casually, not wanting to alarm Raph. Some things are better left unsaid. "Its very dream logic, isn't it-? It's real enough. Usually a dream drifts off after too long in one place."
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How dare he be reasonable! Raph isn't exactly used to it, but it's a welcomed change than fighting with his brother. His lips curl a bit at the edges, a ghost of a smile that pops up like a secret. "Alright, cool. Just holler if there's anything."
The fact that both he and Leo have spoken with this fox is too similar to not correlate the information, his brows furrowing as he ponders it. "I...guess. Everything got weird after it though--like eating one of Mikey's dishes before bed--and like I felt like I was falling. I don't know what to think about it but this feels...I don't want to say wrong but like... m'not supposed to be here either???"
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He nods in kind, more than fine to be honest. Not like he could hide much in the way of injury to begin with.
"I'm starting to think you're not the only one feeling that way. Everyone here, as far as I can tell seems just as disoriented. I know the fox spoke quite a bit, but, I didn't take in enough. Might be my old age, or being on my feet all day." He can joke at least a little bit.
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He doesn't press. This Leo's clearly seen his share of battles, decades more given the age difference now, but instead focuses on the invisible elephant on the ship.
"At least I know it's not just me and that this weirdness has popped up for other people as well. The gist I got from that fox was basically 'you'll figure it out' before getting dropped into this space." A laugh. "C'mon man, you just need ta rest it out and you'll be fine."
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He winks a little, "Got you to laugh though. So the old jokes won't be going anywhere yet." This is less complicated than handling his own brothers. Less emotional turmoil at least. "We all have specific roles apparently. Haven't wrapped my head around that just yet."
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Raph snickers, keeping his ears open for any other spirits who might be thinking of going after them, but for the most part, relaxes enough to let this Leonardo take a breather. "You know you're opening yourself up to all the old jabs. You sure you wanna do that?"
The mention of roles makes him fold his arms across his chest and sigh again. "Sounds like it. But it's like...I have one back home too. Who's going to keep the rest of them outta trouble?"
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He huffs a little, "You wouldn't be the first, not the last either. Mikey loves calling me old when he gets the chance. Mr. Master of the mystic arts is still a goof."
Leonardo thinks things over, "Far as I remember, this is... another version of us. The real one is back home? Little over my head personally."
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"Donnie's got like...the biggest crush on April. Won't give it up when it's pretty clear she just wants to be friends, but then again I think she leads him on. It's frustrating." Because it is. It makes him annoyed because two people he cares about are doing this crap to one another.
The fact that this Leo calls Splinter "Pops" is enough to make him BLINK at him. That was...certainly new. "I...don't know those names, so they might be people from your world only?" As well as the mention of Mikey being a master of anything. "...he can pay attention long enough to master something?" That doesn't sound like Mikey at all.
"That's impossible--we're right here????" And it's making his head hurt and he looks away, frustrated. "...this is crazy..."
time to make Raph's day actually, lmao
Clearly, this Raph had a different relationship to Splinter than Leonardo did, given that reaction. "Seems like it. I'll spare you their complicated relationship." He huffs a little at the description. A touch of amusement rising to the surface. Not that it lasts. "Mikey can-" He stalls for a second, expression becoming briefly distant. Logically, he knew Mikey was gone, but it was starting to hit him. Settle over him. He was alone. His brothers were gone. All of them. "Mikey could, be flighty, but, he was the strongest mystic warrior any mutant, man or yokai had met."
He shrugs a little, wishing he had a better explanation. "Magic is a trouble when it wants to be."
I'd apologize for him but he still tries to be a good boy
Everything about what Leo is telling him now seems so vastly different than his own, it's almost surreal. He tries not to brood about it but given everything that's gone on in the last few hours, it's a bit difficult to let it go. Yet even now, this Leo starts to explain things again, but Raph can see that it's not easy for the older brother to do so.
Especially when he says "was."
Green eyes flick to the sheathed katana at Leon's back and his throat closes up tight for a moment or two, not really sure what to say. He's observant enough (someone has to be with his team) and here he is complaining to an older brother who clearly has gone through Raph's worst nightmare.
"...i'm sorry..." It comes out small and delicate. Like it's hard to say, but he still says it, his eyes dropping to the ground.
He isn't the best at this, but he tries.
I was trying to cheer his ass up with leadership, and made it worse, LMAO
He pushes back off the mast, forcing himself to stay steady. He's tired. Leonardo wants to take a nap, but... that has never been in the cards. He had to keep moving. There was no other option.
"Not on you, Raph. Never on you." He reaches out to pat his flesh hand against the younger turtle's shoulder. Wanting to offer some comfort where he could. "Didn't mean to make this so sad. I owe you a slice, yeah?"
*slaps carapace* this baby is extra sensitive sometimes it'll jumpscare you
He considers what to say or do now, hearing the footfalls and lifting his head when the older turtle comes and tries to comfort HIM.
"Yeah but you--" it comes out in a rush, before he clacks his mouth shut and swallows hard. It's obvious that Leo doesn't want to talk about it. The hurt's going to be there. Raph doesn't even know when it happened - it could have been *recent* for all he knows. "...s'not your fault, Leo..."
But he reaches up and curls his broad hand against Leo's on his shoulder, squeezing it to reassure him that he's okay. "...this place better have pizza so I can take you up on that, big bro."
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He hums a little, "I'm sure it has to have something similar at least. Better than living off rations." He manages a teasing smile as he adds, "Been near a decade since I've had pizza. I've got catching up to do."
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"I'm probably half getting it the sayin' wrong but...Master Splinter said often that so long as we try and do our best, that's all that matters."
He's not sure if that's very reassuring now but once again, he tries.
It doesn't last long before he gets a smile, returning it, before the shock of rations makes him make a face. "Oh shell no, we definitely gotta find something for you. A decade? We gotta find an all you can eat place for SURE."
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