![[personal profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/user.png){kind=small}
![[community profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/community.png){kind=small}
Entry tags:
October-November 2025 Test Drive Meme
October-November 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: N/A
Drizzly Willow is where newly arrived Star Children touch down, touching down gently in the soft moss beside a grand lake, or a babbling brook. The leafy strands of weeping willow trees flow gently in the breeze. All would seem calm, and yet, something prickles the back of Star Children's necks. Goosebumps erupt along skin and a sense of unease settles in the pit of the stomach. Some sort of invisible tension pulsates through Willow, and the closer one comes to the border shared with Exile, the worse it gets. It's almost as if something foul is drifting in from the neighboring marsh lands, affecting Leshy and Talaria in particular. Still, if one were to cross this border and enter Exile proper, all the tension dissipates. If one were to ask Baba Yaga, the iteration of Thirteen who rules over these marshes, she'll smile mysteriously and shake her head before vanishing.
Curious.
Amrita, the one in charge of Willow, has a plan to be rid of these uncomfortable vibes infiltrating her domain. All along the border shared with Exile, within walking distance of both Leshy and Talaria, Amrita has set up communal gardens. Not only are there wide, open spaces of freshly dug soil, there are a few lavish greenhouses. The glass panes are all squeaky clean and any sunlight to pass through almost seems to be filtered, removing any harsh glare and leaving only a pleasant glow. A warmth, almost. Within these greenhouses, that nasty prickle wafting in from Exile cannot be felt at all.
Veteran Star Children, the ones who would normally have no reason to visit Willow, are extended an invitation through their Relic to help tend to the gardens. Not only will it cleanse the area of that curious tension and be a valuable learning experience regarding agriculture, a small reward may be in it for those who participate!
Step right up, dear children! Pick up a spade or a watering can, there are more than enough to go around. More importantly, there are seeds, sprouts and bulbs of all types of plants. Fruits, vegetables, grains, certain spices… And yes, even flowers. Greenhouses and fields are both available, though one may need to do a little research on which option would be best for which plant. Either ask a friend, or consult one of the few books on gardening on loan from Amrita Academy.
Getting these gardens up and running isn't as simple as planting a seed in the correct location and watering it, though. No, instructions from Amrita are quite clear: Once planted, the seed (or sprout or bulb) must be watered with a watering can that's been infused with Lore. Only then will the plant grow at supernatural speeds, poking up through the soil and transforming rapidly into its full potential. A large pumpkin, an apple tree, a colorful rhubarb… Or maybe a banana tree? Or a patch full of potatoes, ready for eating! For those curious about the reward Amrita mentioned, this is it: delicious, fresh, homegrown food. Anything grown here won't go bad for a good long while, either. All fruits of labor will retain their size and hardiness for a whole month, if not longer, so harvesting need not happen any time soon.
The more plants grown in these gardens, the more the strange tension from Exile will decrease, almost as if the air is being purified by the flora.
Watering with Lore-infused tools isn't as easy as it sounds, though. It never is, as veteran Star Children will be able to guess. With these gardens being communal, the focal point to get the watering cans powered up is talking to others about community. What makes a community, or even just a team? What does it take to feel accepted by others? Reminiscing about communities one has been a part of in the past works just as well, of course.
Drizzly Willow is where newly arrived Star Children touch down, touching down gently in the soft moss beside a grand lake, or a babbling brook. The leafy strands of weeping willow trees flow gently in the breeze. All would seem calm, and yet, something prickles the back of Star Children's necks. Goosebumps erupt along skin and a sense of unease settles in the pit of the stomach. Some sort of invisible tension pulsates through Willow, and the closer one comes to the border shared with Exile, the worse it gets. It's almost as if something foul is drifting in from the neighboring marsh lands, affecting Leshy and Talaria in particular. Still, if one were to cross this border and enter Exile proper, all the tension dissipates. If one were to ask Baba Yaga, the iteration of Thirteen who rules over these marshes, she'll smile mysteriously and shake her head before vanishing.
Curious.
Amrita, the one in charge of Willow, has a plan to be rid of these uncomfortable vibes infiltrating her domain. All along the border shared with Exile, within walking distance of both Leshy and Talaria, Amrita has set up communal gardens. Not only are there wide, open spaces of freshly dug soil, there are a few lavish greenhouses. The glass panes are all squeaky clean and any sunlight to pass through almost seems to be filtered, removing any harsh glare and leaving only a pleasant glow. A warmth, almost. Within these greenhouses, that nasty prickle wafting in from Exile cannot be felt at all.
Veteran Star Children, the ones who would normally have no reason to visit Willow, are extended an invitation through their Relic to help tend to the gardens. Not only will it cleanse the area of that curious tension and be a valuable learning experience regarding agriculture, a small reward may be in it for those who participate!
Step right up, dear children! Pick up a spade or a watering can, there are more than enough to go around. More importantly, there are seeds, sprouts and bulbs of all types of plants. Fruits, vegetables, grains, certain spices… And yes, even flowers. Greenhouses and fields are both available, though one may need to do a little research on which option would be best for which plant. Either ask a friend, or consult one of the few books on gardening on loan from Amrita Academy.
Getting these gardens up and running isn't as simple as planting a seed in the correct location and watering it, though. No, instructions from Amrita are quite clear: Once planted, the seed (or sprout or bulb) must be watered with a watering can that's been infused with Lore. Only then will the plant grow at supernatural speeds, poking up through the soil and transforming rapidly into its full potential. A large pumpkin, an apple tree, a colorful rhubarb… Or maybe a banana tree? Or a patch full of potatoes, ready for eating! For those curious about the reward Amrita mentioned, this is it: delicious, fresh, homegrown food. Anything grown here won't go bad for a good long while, either. All fruits of labor will retain their size and hardiness for a whole month, if not longer, so harvesting need not happen any time soon.
The more plants grown in these gardens, the more the strange tension from Exile will decrease, almost as if the air is being purified by the flora.
Watering with Lore-infused tools isn't as easy as it sounds, though. It never is, as veteran Star Children will be able to guess. With these gardens being communal, the focal point to get the watering cans powered up is talking to others about community. What makes a community, or even just a team? What does it take to feel accepted by others? Reminiscing about communities one has been a part of in the past works just as well, of course.
- New Star Children land in Willow. Veteran Star Children are sent an invitation by Amrita (Willow's Thirteen) to come tend to gardens.
- Amrita has set up several communal gardens, fields and greenhouses near Talaria and Leshy with all the necessities to get started.
- Special watering cans powered by Lore can have plants grow to full size immediately. In order to invoke this Lore, Star Children must have conversations about the concept of community.
- Meanwhile, a strange, uncomfortable tension seems to be seeping out from Exile. The plants from the gardens absorb this tension to cleanse it. When entering Exile itself, the tension can no longer be felt.
Content Warnings: Violence
After a few successful days of gardening, the outer rim of Willow is decked out with lush fields and fully-populated greenhouses. The assortment also includes a few patches that play host to huge pumpkins, rutabagas, turnips and other such big roots and gourds, perfect for carving in this fall season. And wouldn't you know it, there's tables nearby with carving kits, all set up and ready to go. From the child-friendly kind to the extra sharp tools for skilled adults, there's a kit for every preference. Star Children who look upon these kits feel a strange inclination to use them, even when they normally wouldn't bother with this.
They take hold of a small saw, a paring knife or even a gutting spoon and get to work on carving a pumpkin, or any other root vegetable that strikes their fancy. The mood becomes intense, like it's a competition. A battle with great stakes. A sour tang is in the air. Chunks of pumpkin begin to fill up the little waste buckets.
But wait! Any pumpkin (or other gourd or root vegetable) that's received a finished face comes to life. It grows until it's larger than the average Star Child, thick roots and vines springing to life along its bottom to serve as limbs. Whatever emotion its expression was originally meant to convey makes no difference; the newly born plant creature is angry. Like Frankenstein, being the creators of these monstrosities does not shield Star Children from hatred and hostility, making them instant targets. Vines attempt to wrap around arms and legs to keep Star Children in place, and don't you regret putting so many sharp angles in their mouths now? If given the chance, these plant monstrosities will attempt to 'eat' whoever they get a hold of. They won't get very far, since they don't have a digestive system, but being forcibly pulled into an enormous, wet pumpkin maw is still not a good time.
As if sensing the need for them, weapons begin to sprout from the ground nearby, similar to ripe carrots. Swords, pitchforks, spears… Even weapons a Star Child may recognize from home. These are free for the taking, and will be a helpful asset when fighting the overgrown, living gourds.
Squash those squashes!
After a few successful days of gardening, the outer rim of Willow is decked out with lush fields and fully-populated greenhouses. The assortment also includes a few patches that play host to huge pumpkins, rutabagas, turnips and other such big roots and gourds, perfect for carving in this fall season. And wouldn't you know it, there's tables nearby with carving kits, all set up and ready to go. From the child-friendly kind to the extra sharp tools for skilled adults, there's a kit for every preference. Star Children who look upon these kits feel a strange inclination to use them, even when they normally wouldn't bother with this.
They take hold of a small saw, a paring knife or even a gutting spoon and get to work on carving a pumpkin, or any other root vegetable that strikes their fancy. The mood becomes intense, like it's a competition. A battle with great stakes. A sour tang is in the air. Chunks of pumpkin begin to fill up the little waste buckets.
But wait! Any pumpkin (or other gourd or root vegetable) that's received a finished face comes to life. It grows until it's larger than the average Star Child, thick roots and vines springing to life along its bottom to serve as limbs. Whatever emotion its expression was originally meant to convey makes no difference; the newly born plant creature is angry. Like Frankenstein, being the creators of these monstrosities does not shield Star Children from hatred and hostility, making them instant targets. Vines attempt to wrap around arms and legs to keep Star Children in place, and don't you regret putting so many sharp angles in their mouths now? If given the chance, these plant monstrosities will attempt to 'eat' whoever they get a hold of. They won't get very far, since they don't have a digestive system, but being forcibly pulled into an enormous, wet pumpkin maw is still not a good time.
As if sensing the need for them, weapons begin to sprout from the ground nearby, similar to ripe carrots. Swords, pitchforks, spears… Even weapons a Star Child may recognize from home. These are free for the taking, and will be a helpful asset when fighting the overgrown, living gourds.
Squash those squashes!
- Willow's communal gardens soon hold patches with huge pumpkins, other gourds and root vegetables. Tables with carving kits appear near them.
- Star Children who look upon these kits feel a strange inclination to use them
- Any pumpkin (or other gourd or root vegetable) that's received a finished face comes to life and attacks.
- The living plants can't actually digest anyone, but they will try to 'eat' Star Children by stuffing them into their mouths anyway.
- Weapons (local and from home) sprout from the ground to help fight the plants off.
V
[Edwin may be in the hold of a monster, but he's also grabbed and gotten the attention of a a different one. The three meter tall, alien woman whips around, surprised as she feels the man's hands around her ankle. As the gourd looks up (and up, and up), Mitsuko bears her fangs at the creature, her eyes narrowing into slits.
She only just catches Edwin looking at her and her gaze flicks to him. She frowns but before she can really say anything... oof, there he goes.]
Let him go, you threeblesome pest! [Mitsuko snarls as she runs after Edwin. She extends her claws and slashes at the vines, hoping to free Edwin before he's shoved into the creature's mouth.]
no subject
His leg is a mere arms-length away from meeting the jagged jaws of the gourd's awful gnashing teeth when it screeches in distaste at having one of its tendrils severed by those claws and stumbles backwards a little, pausing in its efforts of tugging Edwin closer and conveniently giving him just enough time to open the book in his hand and flick to a page that will prove useful, with the kind of speed that makes it obvious he's either very familiar with doing this, or very familiar with this book specifically. ]
Minuantur qui ad malum fortitudinem suam adhibent!
[ When he throws out a hand and casts the spell, he doesn't quite clock on to the reason he'd opted to cast it until it starts to take effect. The creature gulps as if taking in the Latin like a sick child swallowing foul-tasting medicine-- and then, in a matter of moments, it starts to shrink. The vines grow weak and useless as the monster becomes smaller and smaller and smaller, letting out an angry hiss of frustration even as it tries once more to drag someone — anyone — toward its hungry mouth, that sounds like the air being let out of a balloon. Smaller it goes, until it's about the size of a leaf itself, and surely won't do anyone a jot of harm since its tendrils are now no more a threat than a spiderweb. And, speaking of spiders, Edwin sits promptly upright and catches the tiny beast in an upturned plant-pot. Exhaling, he looks up (and up) at his quasi-rescuer, only realising then that her size had been the initial inspiration for his counter; size is certainly an advantage. ]
You are awfully quick on the uptake. Thank you for your assistance. [ He's being earnest, but still the apology comes out somewhat wooden — either because Edwin isn't very used to saying thank you in this manner, or because he's never met a giant woman before. Or both. ]
no subject
But it seems there's no need to, especially when Edwin tosses his spell forward. Mitsuko watches as the pumpkin shrivels, and she slowly relaxes her animal-like stance as she sees how harmless it's become.]
Well, perhaps not as much as I would like. To speak truthfulthree, I still don't know what's going on. I just did what I was told. [Mitsuko giggles, a surprisingly high yet gravelly cackle, as she looks from Edwin to the pot.]
Neat bit of magic there. It was quite effective. For a second or three, I thought you made it so small so you could pop it in your mouth as revenge.
no subject
He glances at the pot when she does, watching how it vibrates ever so slightly whenever the little creature beneath the terracotta presumably bangs its vinelike arms against the interior. When she mentions putting the thing in his mouth, however, he looks back at her with a deep crease between his eyebrows. ]
What an odd thing to say. [ He doesn't sound particularly judgemental, though, rather more like he's stating a fact and is kind of bemused by it. ] I would need to have been eaten in the first place to warrant taking out such revenge. Though, I wouldn't be capable of doing so even if I wanted to. I'm a ghost, you see. I cannot eat anything, it simply falls right out again.
[ Another glance at the pot as it gives a more considerable shake. ]
That, and this spell is, unfortunately, quite temporary. More a pause than a solution, I'm afraid.
no subject
The Myth gives another high-pitched laugh at that, her ears wiggling in amusement.] I don't know... I think an attempted bite is just as good as a real one, but maybe I've been here for a moment or three too long. Though... [She tilts her head, as if to signal a change in her demeanor to something more serious.] How strange though... You can't eat but you can still be grabbed? What a mythreeious circumstance.
[She wants to ask more but Mitsuko turns to the pot when Edwin does.]
Well, it is small. Shall we just squish it into three million pieces and call it a day?
no subject
Be my guest. Normally I would prefer to study the magic that overtook the creature in the first place, but without any of my reference books or tools, I think it would be a fools' errand. [ He glances around. ] And something about this place tells me that it won't be too amenable to handing out answers without some proper effort being paid...
[ Tricksy Fox, and all. He hums in thought, then snaps his attention back to his new companion. If he can't find anything out about the place he's in, he might as well get to know the locals. ]
Have you been here long, Miss...? [ He wonders if her name will have a three pun in it, too. Because yes, he's picked up on that habit of hers rather quickly. ]
no subject
My name is Mitsuko. Hiramori Mitsuko. [Her first name is literally 'Third Child' in Japanese.] I've been here for nearly... a year and a half. So relativethree long but perhaps only a third of the time others have spent here.
And how about you? [She asks as she looks around for a tablecloth or something she can wipe the mess off with.] Are you new or have I just not seen you around?
no subject
When he sees her searching around for a handkerchief, he reaches into the breast pocket of his coat on impulse, only to find it as empty as all his other pockets are and, sighing an irritated sigh, he starts to look around for something to help her. Off to one side, there's a folded square of gingham fabric that might have been intended to be a table cloth or perhaps a fabric shade to limit intense sunlight through the glass of a greenhouse to avoid the leaves of more delicate plants burning. He's about to apologise for the size of it until he remembers his companion's impressive height, and promptly shuts his mouth again as he hands it to her. ]
Edwin Payne. Dead Boy Detective. [ He gives a curt, polite, but very archaic nod of his head in greeting. ] And yes, quite new; I have only been here a few hours.
[ Now, he doesn't know enough Japanese to know the meaning behind her name, but he's familiar enough with the cadence to recognise the language, and adds it to the little portfolio he's creating in his mind of her. And, in the building of that portfolio comes more curiosities, and more questions. ]
Are you a giant, Miss Hiramori?
no subject
Ah, thank you. I apthreeciate it. [She smiles, showing all of her needle-like teeth as she does so, when Edwin hands her the table cloth. She wipes the slurry off, making sure to get any mess out from under her claws too.]
What a very on-the-nose title. [Considering he's a ghost calling himself a dead boy.] Wow, you are new. You picked up things thrice as quickly as I did though - you handled that pumpkin as if it was your 9 to 3.
[Mitsuko laughs and shakes her head.] I suppose I would be to a human but I'm not. I'm a 3 Meter Alien from the Three Meter Planet. Some people call us Flatwoods Monster Aliens - it's normal to be this tall there.
no subject
The title is designed in such a way that it answers — without the need for elaboration — the most commonly asked questions when we- when I meet someone new: I am dead, and I am a detective. Those two points should also explain why pumpkin monsters aren't exactly far outside the realm of my experience. I often deal with circumstances the living would find dreadfully strange and unimaginable. Though, typically, I have a little help in the field from my partner. But he does not seem to be here right now.
[ A fact that is putting him entirely on edge, but is somewhat soothed by having a conversation that isn't going as terribly as it usually does when he's left to his own devices. Perhaps he's better at this than he remembers being. Just then, the mention of that monster name makes a lightbulb flick on in one of the far recesses of Edwin's mind, and he inhales as memory comes rushing back. ]
I believe I've heard of a cryptid with such a name in my world, though it's largely unfounded and terribly researched. But your place of origin does explain your perchance for threes, I see... What a fascinating world you must live in.
no subject
Is your partner also a dead boy detective? [She tilts her head, not unlike a curious animal.] And you solve mysthrees together?
[Mitsuko chuckles.] I suppose so. I moved almost three years ago though, to Earth. I live in the alien part of Japan at the moment... But it is quite the curiousithree that you also know that name. It wouldn't happen to look like this, would it?
[Mitsuko smooths a patch of dirt down and then draws the familiar spade head of her Flatwoods Monster Suit.]
no subject
Yes, exactly the same...[ He says with a nod, unable to resist walking in a little circle around her, admiring the suit, fascinated by its craftsmanship. I recall the shape now. ] I always thought it so unique, so difficult to explain away by anything natural — or even or supernatural, to my knowledge.
[ He comes to a stop before her again, his hands flexing a little at his sides like he's trying not to use them for something. He wants to take notes, sketch it, write something about this experience on the off chance he gets back to his own world with the knowledge of what he's seen, for further study. But, without his trusty journal or anything to write with, he simply stands there vibrating with the want. ]
And.. yes, Charles is also a detective, and a ghost. We have been best friends and working together for thirty years, and I'm certain he'd be just as impressed with this revelation as I am.
no subject
Most Three Meter Aliens can shapeshift, though we can't change our height. I've always preferred having a suit. A lot of the things humans call Urban Myths or Mysthrees are really aliens... At least where I'm from.
[She almost asks about Edwin's vibrating, at first thinking something's wrong, before she gets distracted by talks of Charles.] Ah, I see. Well, hopefully you'll get to work together for three hundred years more, whether you go back or he comes here. There are certain mysthreeious things in Folkmore, as you can tell. I'm hardly the strangest.
no subject
His eyes are wide, his cheeks a little flush with spectral excitement, and his mouth almost a smile but not quite as he breathes an awe-struck: ] Fascinating... Perhaps not the strangest, but you truly are a marvel, Miss Mitsuko.
[ He clears his throat, regaining some semblance of formality. He smiles properly this time, and there isn't a trace of doubt in what he says next. ]
Ah- Yes, I hope so, too. We have very recently been given permission to stay on Earth and complete our detective duties rather than go to our respective afterlives, so I daresay that three hundred years will only be the beginning of our time together. I'm sure that if he gets the chance to follow me here, he will do so without a moment's hesitation. We are very rarely content to be separated against our will.
no subject
At his forthright words, Mitsuko is a little stunned. However, she smiles and cups one of her cheeks with her clawed, three-pronged hand (rather expertly not cutting herself with the suit's weird shape), at somewhat at a lost of how to react to that but blushing.] Ah, just Mitsuko is fine. No need for formalithrees with little old me.
[Thankfully, there's a nice moment for Mitsuko to compose herself. Right. Back to Charles...]
Well... I hope that he does indeed come. He seems inthreeguing. The Fox hasn't brought anyone I know in the last year and a half but I know a few people that have friends or even siblings from their worlds. It could go either way but I'd quite like to meet him.
no subject
It's nice to think about, though it does make Edwin miss him considerably. ]
That's a shame. Being alone can be difficult.
[ Can, he says, because before he met Charles he would have been quite content to be here alone. Things change. ]
When he follows me here, I will certainly ensure the two of you meet. In the meantime, I shall have to get my bearings when it comes to the geography of this place. I expect I shall have to find some place to live, even if the concept of living is somewhat lost on me.
[ His mouth twitches, the only sign that makes it clear that was Edwin's attempt at a joke, albeit a rather morbid one. ]
Sorry for the delay, RL has been rough
In any case, Mitsuko is all smiles. She completely misses the joke and claps her hands together, trying to be helpful as always.]
Well, you'll be spoiled for choice. There are a surprisingthree number of locations and free housing you can live in. If not a home, then at least a dorm in one of the many academies we have here. Go explore and see all the threemendous choices.