folkmeme | February-March 2024 Test Drive Meme

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*tdm

February-March 2024 Test Drive Meme

February-March 2024 TDM

Introduction

[ TDM Questions ★ Jump to Comments ★ Full Navigation ]
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 canon items from homes 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.

[ Soon You'll Get Better ★ Netfox & Chill]

Soon You'll Get Better . ★

Content Warnings: Power Nullification, Potential Kidnapping, Potential Animal Spirit Harm

The island of Never Fade can no longer be seen in the sky from elsewhere in Folkmore, enclosed within a large purple tinted cloud. Within that cloud, the island is under water—a dreamy purple underwater that all Star Children can breath in if they breath and function in if they function on electricity, so on and so forth. It causes no more difficulties than reduced visibility and greater effort to walk. It's even possible to swim underneath the island, so long as Star Children make sure to make landfall before they get too exhausted and… well… fall.

Friendnapped

The purple water has streaks of silver shot throughout it. Beware, these silver streaks neutralize powers, canon and role abilities alike, for at least an hour. A neutralized Legend won't be able to sense others in danger. A neutralized Myth won't sense danger coming. A neutralized Familiar won't be able to shapeshift to help others. That may set of a danger alarm but not any spidey-sense. These silver streaks are harbingers of spirits recently returned to Folkmore thanks to donations at the Shattered Spoon Shrine: lonely sharks.

The source of the silver streaks in the water, these silver gray sharks swim up and gently bite people. These bites make people go instantly limp but otherwise don't do any damage. They won't even break the skin. Once limp, the lonely sharks take their ~~prey~~ new best friends down to a cave or grotto off the underside of Never Fade. These caves are full of silver water, saturated by the magic of lonely sharks, and the entrances are covered by a thin silver barrier that prevents Star Children from leaving. That means should a Star Child track down where someone is being kept, should they enter its home, they too will be trapped there.

Being held by the lonely sharks isn't the worst experience. These spirits will try to please their new friends, giving them their favorite foods and perhaps even an item from home. This may even be a weapon or magical item. Mind, the magic of these items will be neutralized in the shark's cave. It is possible to fight a lonely shark, even to kill one, but that will only be a temporary measure. Star Children will remain trapped and have to wait for the lonely shark to revive—with even more golden cracks than before. In the end, the only way to escape are hugs, cuddles, and other measures of friendship. Once all the golden cracks have thinned and disappeared, Star Children can leave.

Spread the Love

By the time mid-March comes around, most of the lonely sharks have been fully healed and no longer kidnap Star Children. Instead they swim the None of the Above tunnels below the island's surface, where they provide guidance to Star Children who ask them how to get somewhere. If Star Children have nowhere particular in mind, the lonely sharks encourage Star Children to make their way toward the Shattered Spoon Shrine.

The lonely sharks still create silver streaks in the water that neutralize powers, but they will accompany Star Children and warn them of some of the dangers. When voices call their names, the sharks will snuggle up against Star Children to provide comfort. They're devoted to helping Star Children reach the shrine. Once there, they will encourage the Star Children to donate Lore to one of the broken spoons there, each spoon representing spirits who have left, spirits who became shells of themselves from lack of lore, or ghosts.

Star Children who donate Lore will find their companion lonely shark presenting them with an item from home. This may even be a weapon or magical item. Mind, the magic will be neutralized until the Star Child has spent at least an hour away from the silvery water lonely sharks create. Lonely sharks will happily spend as much time with Star Children as they're willing but will show the way back to the surface either via LIM (Lavender Institute of the Mind) or the None of the Above tunnels.

Never Fade is underwater within a cloud.
Silver streaks in the water neutralize powers, both canon and Role based.
Lonely sharks kidnap Star Children and take them to caves on the underside of Never Fade.
Star Children who find those caves are trapped too.
Escape by hugs, cuddles, and being friends.
By the second month, most lonely sharks are healed and found in the tunnels.
Lonely sharks guide Star Children to the Shattered Spoon Shrine to donate Lore to help others.
Either when captive or once donating Lore, lonely sharks will give Star Children an item from home.

Netfox & Chill . ★

Content Warnings: Forced Relocation, Potential Secret Revelation, Potential Coerced Physical Intimacy

With the wide range of Star Children from many different worlds, sharing similarities, it's no surprise when moments of deja vu happen. That sense of the familiar with the new, the sense of something that happened before without quite being able to place it… or perhaps it being impossible. Regardless, when that connective moment happens, the Star Children involved are transported to a windmill home from the Cloud Colonies. They land together on a couch before a large television with all the makings of a movie night. There could be wine and cheese. There could be soda and popcorn. There could be tea or other hot beverages. There's a cozy blanket (only one). The movie has already been selected, and it starts playing.

Headliner

The movie is roughly based off one of the Star Children's lives, specifically for the Star Child that experience deja vu and triggered this experience. Regardless of the moment of deja vu, the plot of the movie is based off of some real or potential relationship—romantic or queer platonic—in their life. That Star Child can recognize some similarities immediately. If they had any doubts, they get a text message on their relic as the movie starts:

You need to get closer with your companion(s). You can either talk about what happened (or didn't) or not talk wink wink about it with them. The choice is yours (and theirs)! Have fun!

It's possible to ignore the message, at least for a while. The longer the movie plays, the more apparent it becomes that it's based off that Star Child. The starring character's clothes will change to resemble theirs. The cadence of their voice will shift to imitate theirs. Their facial features will shift. These changes will become more and more heavy handed as the movie goes on until even the most clueless companion will have real trouble not picking up on it. It may get harder and harder to distract them from talking about it! There's no pause button, and the only way to mute the movie is to *ahem* distract themselves from it until it becomes an indistinct background murmur.

Remake

If any Star Children thought this experience might have been a Valentine's Day prank, they'll be poorly mistaken come mid-March when it continues with a twist. The movie less closely resembles any one Star Child's life (whew?)… because it blends the lives of all those present together into a new story. One character is based off each Star Child, and it fits the other Star Child into the role of someone who was or could have been emotionally and/or physically intimate with them. If they had any doubts, each Star child gets a text message on their relic as the movie starts:

You need to get closer with your companion(s). You can either talk about what happened (or didn't) or not talk wink wink about it with them. The choice is yours (and theirs)! Have fun!

Not only does each Star Child have to decide what approach they want to take, but the other Star Child may pick up on what they're putting down! One Star Child may want to talk it out, but the other one desperately doesn't. Oh noes, how shall it be resolved? Well, the longer it takes, the more clearly the film demonstrates one way they could resolve it—a fictionalized ending, happy or sad or bittersweet or anything else, between the characters as they more closely resemble those watching them on the sofa. No one's free until they have a heart to heart or a something to something else. Any physical intimacy can do.

Experience a moment of deja vu and get transported to a cozy living room in a Cloud Colony windmill.
For the first month, the 'host' Star Child gets a text letting them know to get intimate—emotionally or physically.
For the second month, all Star Children get that text.
For the first month, the movie is based on the 'host' Star Child's experiences, what did or could have happened. As the movie progresses, it becomes more and more obvious that's the case.
For the second month, the movie is a story blending Star Children's experiences together. That too will become more obvious over time.
Some form of intimacy is the only way out!

Flat | Top-Level Comments Only

[He'd like to claim not to laugh at that, but... sorry, Fjord. A little chuff of laughter escapes before he can cover his mouth. That was very cute.]

Well, uh... solid effort. I imagine it would be hard to talk with a mouth so changed. I've heard it's possible, though, so don't give up.

[AKA keep practicing, AKA keep making those funny noises, he will try really hard not to laugh again.]

[Rude!!!

The grumbling going on? Not entirely unlike when Fjord might mutter under his breath in exasperation normally, especially combined with the flicker of ears as he carefully wobbled a bit closer to the firbolg-

So he could give a solid headbutt to one of his calves in response to that teasing.]

[Yeah that's Fjord alright. The headbutt is amusing, as is the wobbly walk, and it's pure instinct that has Caduceus crouching down to give the wolf a little scritch behind the ears, almost like a hair ruffle he'd throw at a little brother.]

It's fine, don't worry. You'll get there.

[Fjord hadn't really been expecting a response to that, honestly. Maybe a half-hearted swat in his direction, but Caduceus struck him as a chill sort which made him willing to express his annoyance at being teased in that way.

The sudden ruffle of fingers in fur though? That was surprising, and had him freezing utterly, said ears pricking up.

~~Okay not entirely still- that tail almost immediately going a mile a minute at the touch.~~]

[Oh, no. Oh no he did like that, didn't he. Caduceus has to give him another scritch, just a little one, not wanting to overstep too fast. (It's so hard to resist, though. The tail wag is too inviting. Too cute.)]

Maybe you could work on mastering how to walk on all fours, first? Talking might come easier when you feel steady.

[Is the tail going a bit faster? It is. And from that subtle little lean into the second scritch, Caduceus could have likely coaxed his poor unsuspecting buddy into a topple if he'd gone on any longer. As it was, Fjord seemed to catch up with himself when the firbolg stops, giving himself a shake that sends his ears flapping along with it.

A glance up at him as he huffs a snort that sounds agreeable before he turns his attention towards walking. Which.

Is weird. He almost faceplants because he's so used to just using his hind legs so scrunches a little awkwardly before he's forced to stumble. Another attempt, focusing on his front legs means he forgets about the back at first which undoes the scrunching, but just has him stretching a little awkwardly, like watching a furry slinky.

He'll get it! It's just... weird. He'd probably have a bit easier time if he leaned into the instincts that came with the form, but when has Fjord ever been sensible like that?]

[Caduceus watches him struggle with it a bit, wanting to give him time to make a solid effort at it. And it... does not appear to be going well, unfortunately. (Harder than it looks? Yeah, harder than it looks. Caduceus isn't exactly angelic grace in the sky with his bug wings, he can relate to a degree. Anyway.)

He straightens up and walks past Fjord, turning around and facing the poor bow-legged wolf.]

I find it easier to get somewhere if I've got a destination in mind. Focus on me, and walk this way. Don't think about what foot's going where, just think about where you want to be.

[The ears are a good barometer of mood as the attempt progresses, and Fjord gets more into his own head over how foolish he undoubtedly looks in front of someone else. Especially someone who claims to know him. Just lowering bit by bit with each failed stumble, the huffs and grumbles slipping from him shading a bit more frustrated in kind, the tail moving again but in more of a lash than a wag, close to his legs.

Then Caduceus is moving, stepping into his line of sight and offering advice. The firbolg with his ridiculous perception would likely see the way the wolf glances about, like if he wasn't about to pitch onto his face, he'd have already fucked off in utter embarrassment to continue this mess somewhere private. But the advice was sensible. Logical. Enough so that Fjord whuffed a low breath, before gathering himself again. Trying once more to sort himself back to standing normally. Which he manages this time, before trying to do as Caduceus suggested. Focusing on him, rather than the awkwardness of four legs under him, and the strange feel of the balance. And while he stumbled still along the way, he was making much steadier progress this time. Trying not to rush out of some attempt to get this over with faster, certainly awkward and clumsy about it, but making his way closer to the cleric, ears lifting from their backwards tilt ever so slightly as he did.]

[There you go, buddy. Caduceus smiles, visibly pleased by Fjord's success, simple and small it might seem to others. He did well, put one foot in front of the other step by step, and didn't give up. That's really all Caduceus could have asked for.

As Fjord comes closer, Caduceus begins to take slow steps backwards, walking them further down the path. He's doing so well already, no reason to stop the journey now. The shift in the wolf's body language is heartening, of course- it's good to see him cheering up, even through baby steps. Fjord not knowing who he is hasn't made him care any less. He only wants the best for his friend.]

[Fjord doesn't quite notice at first. Not really, focused as he was on not focusing too hard on what his legs were doing. It was touch and go- he'd be reminded of them, stumble and trip a bit before he was able to pull his attention back to the fuzzy firbolg before him. But his steps were growing more certain, a cautious sort of step, ears lifting a bit more from half-mast, head even lifting a bit from what only was now apparent had been an uncertain sort of hunch.

Even picking up to something almost like a trot, for all the steps weren't entirely steady just yet, it was more like a pup than the absolute blunder of so short a while ago. Not that Fjord realized it just yet, yellow eyes fixed intently on Caduceus for the moment.]

[Caduceus keeps it up for as long as he thinks he can get away with it, still visibly pleased. Fjord's doing great, look at that progress! Almost walking like a real boy. A good boy. Wolf. Whatever. He'll be doing it like normal in no time, at this rate.

Now, the downside of walking backwards is you kind of can't see where you're going, and that means what happens eventually was inevitable: he veers just enough off the path for one foot to catch on a stone just large enough to tilt him off-balance, and he finds himself tumbling backwards and right on his butt, where he sits flummoxed for a moment before just. Laughing. Oh, that was silly.]

I should probably rethink this method. [Worth it, though.]

[Fjord really bombs his perception roll, so Caduceus was doing pretty well in keeping his attention. At least until he catches the uneven bit of path and goes ass over teakettle onto the ground. That startles the wolf, ears pricking, stopping in his tracks to observe and make sure the firbolg wasn't actually hurt.

But that whuff of air as he trotted to close the space sounded suspiciously like laughter. Especially combined with the lazy sway of his tail as he gave another headbutt, this time to a now-in-reach shoulder, though the light bounce of front paws on the movement illustrated more amusement than anything.

And the brief rumble and head toss after were all playful canine reproach. Yeah, gotta watch where you're going!]

[Okay, this one's your fault, Fjord. You got up close, now when he pets you, you really can't blame him!]

Yeah, you can laugh at me if you like. [Somehow was able to decipher the noise and that particular bit of body language. Chew on that one, wolfman.] You try walking backwards next time.

[Excuse you, he has done nothing do not blame your choices on him!

But keep petting, that's... actually real nice. Pay no attention to that slightly firmer press into a hand in response because to be fair, Fjord didn't even realize he was doing it.

At the suggestion though, he snorted, grumbled, and pawed lightly at the air in Caduceus' direction because as if, he was barely sorting out walking forward just yet!]

[Wow, uh. He was going to get back to his feet and keep going, rather than press his luck, but if Fjord has no objections... just gonna keep petting him, then. He's got pretty nice fur, turns out. More coarse and shaggy than Caduceus' own, of course, since wolves need to be more suited for the environment without clothes, but still very nice. Like petting a full head of freshly-dyed hair, still a little stiff from the lichen.

He can sort of guess at Fjord's intention with the gesture. (Sort of.)]

I think you're doing very well. A bit more practice and I'll bet you can run.

[Normally? Fjord would've regained his personal space by now. And he'd intended to do just that once he'd caught up with the moment a bit better, but found himself a little loathe to move from under the stroke of a hand over fur.

If called on it, he's absolutely blaming it on wolf brain or instincts or whatever, but really, it was just nice.

He was a bit tempted to just hang out for a moment or two longer and just enjoy it, but Caduceus spoke up, and it would be weird if he didn't react, right? So he shook lightly from his reverie and turned his head to lightly catch a sleeve between teeth and give it a light, illustrative tug. Well? Come on then, might as well get some more of that practice in now, right?]

[omg Fjord no, his lacey embroidery-]

Alright, alright, I'm getting up.

[Caduceus chuckles again, gently shooing Fjord away from his clothes and pushing himself back to his feet. He rests his hands on his hips, looking expectant. Well? Where to, fearless wolfy leader?]

[Holes are part of lace stuff right? It's fine!

Once Caduceus is moving, Fjord releases the fabric either way, backing up to give the firbolg space. Ears pricking at that expectant stance, head tilting ever so slightly.

How should he know which way to go, he's new here-

Oh wait. Wait a damn minute what was that?

Caduceus would see the ears swivel first, nose already twitching as his wolf buddy clearly caught the scent of something interesting. Gaze turning immediately in that direction, tail lofting a few inches as he started off in that direction.

Did he know what it was? Nope. Did it smell good? Hell yeah, he was starving and it smelled delicious.]

[He'll just... check it later...

Caduceus quietly watches the shift in Fjord's body language, curious at first, but when the wolf heads in that direction he quirks a brow and follows.]

Now what's got your attention?

[Hopefully it's not someone's goat. He doesn't know how strong those animal instincts are yet.]

[Caduceus and his question are rewarded with a look back. Both to make sure the firbolg was still coming, and to try and answer which once again? Resolved into truly ridiculous canine noises in response.

Here was hoping it wasn't a goat. Here was hoping it was a food cart or something instead!]

I'm following, don't worry.

[And trying not to laugh again at those noises, one hand resting over his mouth. That's... incredibly funny. Who knew dog noises could be so comedic? They missed out with giving Nugget away, it seems. But he's fine to follow Fjord's nose on this one.]

[Thankfully, neither of them have to worry- it is indeed a food cart that comes into view when Fjord turns a corner. And thankfully there's no line at the moment so no hapless customers to startle when the wolf starts pacing in front of the counter with soft little whuffs and whines, looking between the counter he can just about get his nose up to and Caduceus.]

[Yeah he doesn't need Speak With Animals to decipher that.]

Hmm. I assume you want something meaty? [He looks amused.] I'm a vegetarian, you know. [Or, well. He doesn't anymore.] I don't normally buy meat. How about I work my way down the menu and you make some noise when I reach what you want?

[He'll do just that. Pick your poison, pupper.]

[He'll keep that in mind for future information. For now though he's letting Caduceus go down the list, head tilting this way and that as he considered the options.

Admittedly he doesn't know what a lot of it is, so when he hears something vaguely familiar- (though he's not sure what shawarma is, chicken is a safe bet) he bounces against his front paws with a wuff of confirmation.

That please, he would like that, he's half-starved here!]

[Caduceus doesn't have the foggiest idea of what shawarma is either, but it's easy enough to purchase, so after a few minutes a wrapped chicken shawarma is indeed handed to him, and he offers his thanks to the cart owner and leads them a little bit away to not block the cart from future customers. He finds a nice rock to park on, unwrap the order, and offer it to Fjord.]

Credit where credit is due, it smells delicious.

[If only there wasn't chicken! Oh well, it's good for dogs.]

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