June-July 2025 Test Drive Meme

[folkie]

June-July 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]

Pirates of the Loreibbean . ★

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?

• 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.

So Said the Lighthouse Keeper. ★

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.

• 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).

Comments

[grabaslice]

Well, I would've found you sooner if she was at least a little sympathetic. [Don't make it sad, you sad bitch-]

You really trust me to fly around, Dee? We both know that'd be a mess.

[notapancake]

Uh huh. [X to doubt that.]

Well, I wouldn't trust you with a jetpack. But something you have complete control over that's attached to your body? [...]

Yeah, it'd be a mess. But it'd be hilarious to see.

[grabaslice]

C'mon, let me believe we'd have found each other sooner... [He grumps back.]

You say that, but you'd have to help mop my ass back up. I wouldn't want to freak out Casey if I took a spill.

[notapancake]

It's not like I was wandering about lost before we ran into each other. [He's trying to not laugh here.]

Well of course I would, I can't put all the responsibility of taking care of you on Junior.

[grabaslice]

For all I know, you could've been, or picking a fight with the fox. [He can see Donnie challenging a god to a fight.]

I already worry the poor kid enough. Now you're gonna get worried about too.

[notapancake]

[... Okay he can't dispute the fist fighting god part, because he totally would fight god in a Denny's parking lot.]

I know, but we're good enough to make sure he doesn't worry as much?

[grabaslice]

[Watch out jesus, Donnie will gun you down next. No hugging your way out of this one.]

Casey's afraid we'll disappear. [He is not unaware of that much.] He's going to try to take on our problems as his own.

[notapancake]

He does know that if we have a choice we're not going to leave him right? [Which is something he will tell Casey himself when he finds the kid, as to taking on their problems... Ugh.]

That's not happening.

[grabaslice]

He probably does know, yeah, Dee. It doesn't... make that kind of fear go away. [Leonardo can at least understand the inclination. He's trying to not worry about Donnie disappearing.]

Casey is just like his mom, tenacious and not about to let go. So, we're in for it. [The sentiment is sighed, but still fond.]

[notapancake]

... Point. [He could try to argue it, but emotions are still not his strong suit.]

Sigh, at least Cassandra... Actually no, I don't think she ever knew when to give up. [Also fond, if somewhat annoyed???]

[grabaslice]

We'll reassure Casey. Make sure he feels secure as we can make him feel. [Game plan? Parent teenager. Great plan.]

He's grown into that trait, too. Good, but- [He makes an awkward gesture at their current predicament. Casey wants to care for them, return the favor, but, neither man wants to burden him.] y'know.

[Good ending there, turtle boy.]

[notapancake]

[He nods at Leo's plan. Parent the child? Parent the child. This cannot go badly at all!]

Yeah, I know. [There has to be like, a good middle ground eventually? Where Casey feels he's useful to his turtle dad and uncle, while neither of the grown men feel like they're a burden to Casey either. Although... In Donnie's case he doesn't want to put Casey in a situation like they were, with Splinter.

But noooooot saying that to Leo.]

[grabaslice]

[Leonardo still hasn't come to the conclusion Donnie has about their dad. Not in a way he's aware of.]

Even if this isn't forever, I'm excited to see him grow up. [He laughs a little.] Even if the younger turtles aren't a big fan of me for being around.

[notapancake]

[Probably helps that in his teens Donnie got some very good wake up calls concerning their father. (Like being compared to him, or having him lie about wanting to hang out with him.)]

Mm, same and... [A little laugh of his own.] If they don't like you, they're going to loathe me.

[grabaslice]

I'm trying to remember what we even did at his age that we could show him. Poor kid already ate wasabi straight on its own. [He laughs, fondly at the thought.]

We'll give them space. Maybe they'll get less... irritated at our presence.

[notapancake]

... Sports, I remember that much. [The one thing that Donnie sucked at, he remembers.]

Good plan, and uh... Probably best if I stay away from my younger self, if he's here.

[grabaslice]

Could we even do sports at this point? I'd probably eat it on a skateboard. [He hasn't thought about skateboarding in... such a long time.]

He's definitely here. Gave me a piece of his mind. [He sighs a little.] Fair enough.

[notapancake]

I mean, we can try? [As he absently scratches at his cheek now.] You could always relearn while Casey learns how, if he even wants to.

[Why yes, implying that all sports will be done with Leo.]

... Oh, nice then. [Sharp exhale.] Probably for the best if I don't cross his path.

[grabaslice]

If I could even keep up. [He laughs a little at the thought.] I know he wants to probably do lab stuff with you. [Okay, he's assuming, but, Casey is a bright kid. Why wouldn't he want to do nerd stuff?] He's going to a tech school, you know.

[He's had time to digest the conversation with the teenaged Donnie. He still isn't sure what to think about it. Beyond keep a wide berth. He's done enough to hurt these kids. Caused enough problems.] We can stick together, let them stick together.

[He opens his mouth then closes it, brow ridges pinching together.] I don't ever want them to truly understand what you and I had to do. What choices we had to make.

[The sound of another cannonball loading in earns a huff from Leo.] Terrible connection, but alright.

[notapancake]

Huh... I don't know what we could do? [It hurts to admit, but Donnie hasn't done lab work for fun in ages. Everything at some point was done to help keep the rebellion alive.] And that's good, he deserves to learn whatever he wants.

[Too bad he hasn't had his run in with Lil Leo just yet.] We be we, right?

[Of course Leo brings up protecting the younger turtles from ever understanding their lives. Donnie just nods and then that cannonball happens.]

Wow. Really?

[grabaslice]

He's into little robots. You two could try something like that? [Leonardo is not a tech guy, but he's aware of some of the things Casey is doing.]

We be we, as always. Even if we apparently are just getting cannonballs from-comparing notes. [He snorts a little, gesturing at the cannon.] Better start shooting, we got plenty.

[notapancake]

Hm, I mean that's something... Might be a good change of pace from the last robot I built. [Which would be Raph, Raph was the last robot he built.]

Right, right... We should shift our aim a little, to do more damage. [Cause while hitting the same part will work, the payout of damage will decrease due to their being less ship to hit.]

[grabaslice]

Pretty sure, together, you two brainiacs can cook up something.

I'm thinking the mast, or the base of it. Might cause some distraction. [He motions at the mast. The sails are easily catching the wind, giving the ship direction and ability to keep course.]

[notapancake]

[Leo, do you want another Spider-Bot situation, only worse because Donnie will equip anything they build with some kind of weapon of destruction.]

Base would be best, collapse it in one go. If you move the cannon, I'll eyeball the angles.

[grabaslice]

Gotcha. [He's glad to step up, using one hand to direct the cannon physically. He's still keeping his twin steady on his feet.] Close, or a couple more degrees a certain way?