February-March 2024 Test Drive Meme

[folkie]

February-March 2024 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 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!

Comments

[mayberaven]

[Perhaps it was easier in a way, to believe it from Rue because as they said, it was likely that they'd endured similar prejudices. If anyone knew how he felt, it would surely be an owlbear.

The idea of being free to be himself though alternately took his breath away and terrified him.]

Not... sure if it's better or worse, [Admitted in a rough, quiet tone. Should he be talking about this? Hell no! But at the same time... would it be so bad to talk about it for once, with someone who undoubtedly understood?] Bein' treated like... well. It's bad enough when it can just be excused as blind prejudice. Assuming I even know what myself is...

[What happens when he is himself, whatever that ends up being, only to find that it isn't good enough either?]

[ruevealing]

[It is a fear that Rue unfortunately understands. They lived under that dread for such a long time, and even when Hob appeared in their life and the conformity they'd been trapped under finally began to unravel, they still questioned it, still doubted, still felt they were better off with what they knew, instead of facing the unknown.

But now they know. It just took time. Fjord can get there too, the first step is always the most difficult.

Forgive Rue, but being a mother has become such a large part of their life, so it's only natural that they open their wings in offering for a hug, ready to mother the man a little.]

Come here.

[mayberaven]

[It was a strange thing. Normally, someone being so understanding, so kind to him would make him more suspicious, more likely to try and keep them at arm's length behind artifice and masks than anything. Because surely they were just trying to get one over on him.

But there was an almost uncomfortable sort of genuine air to Rue's compassion. Something that made it almost dangerously easy to allow it to wend past defenses at least a little. Encouraged the half-orc to open up even a small bit.

And it wasn't like he'd never experienced affection in his life. But it was always couched in more boisterous, casual sorts of efforts. A slap on the back, a rough pat to a shoulder or arm, rather than anything gentle or soft. So it took him a moment to register what it was Rue was offering, and there was a flash of surprise in his studying gaze. But whatever he saw in them, it just had him huffing a faint sigh, maybe a bit shakier than he would ever admit here or elsewhere, as he shifted gingerly to let the owlbear put wings around him. Rue might be amused at the delicacy of the motion, as if the half-orc were loathe to somehow be too rough, or hurt them on accident in the process.

It wouldn't hurt anything. And who would even believe them if they did tell anyone about this?]

[ruevealing]

[There is nothing amusing about such a delicate touch. If nothing else, Rue understands that entirely too, how important it was to move so gently around more delicate beings, how to touch without their talons getting in the way, how to hug without squishing completely.

So as the half-orc falls into their embrace, Rue returns that gentle touch as they engulf him completely in their wings, allowing the young man to simply be held. Nothing needs to be said, they can just have this moment of comfort together, for as long as he'll allow.]

[mayberaven]

[It wasn't even a strength concern in some ways- Fjord didn't measure up to the supposed 'ideal' for a half-orc in that respect. But even the idea that he might harm someone else on accident... well, it certainly never ended well for him, so he'd learned very quickly, from a very young age, that even in defense of himself, it was better, safer to stick to words.

But that was suddenly a concern so very far away as those warm feathery wings wrapped around him. The way they all but hid him from the outside world was a comfort he didn't realize he'd needed as some unknown tension in him eased as seconds ticked by, nothing else happening other than the faint tickle of feathers. And if after another couple moments, there was a cautious, light move of arms to return the embrace however tentatively, he didn't think Rue would begrudge him that in the moment.]

[ruevealing]

[Not in the slightest.

A gentle squeeze of their wings around the man, feathers tickling all over, but Rue's embrace not lessening in the slightest.]

You are not alone, dear. And here, with me, you are safe. Safe to let your guard down and to speak your mind, whatever it is that you need in this moment. It will not leave this room. I promise you.

[mayberaven]

[It was a gentle moment. Soft, and almost honey-sweet in just how kindly Rue was speaking, the light brush of feathers and the reassurance of that squeeze of wings.

But it seemed good things were not allowed to last in the moment. Safe to let your guard down-

Rue would certainly feel it when the tension all but slammed back into him, a faint stiffening of the spine, a slight draw up of shoulders. Like bracing for a blow, no matter physical or otherwise. But he still kept himself still a moment longer, the light rumble of a chuckle that followed holding no sign of that self-same tension.]

It's... kind of you to offer. [A subtle shift, as he drew back in a wordless sign that the hug was done. Slowly so as not to be rudely yanking away in any manner that might make the moment memorable, and perhaps more reluctantly than he'd ever admit in words.

'Letting your guard down, revealing yourself, can get you killed by your own crew for nothing.' Vandran's words echoing in his thoughts, and so at a loss in such an unfamiliar place, he'd cling to the one familiar mainstay he had.]

Perhaps we should... try and sort out what's expected of us here? Can't say I'm especially thrilled with being trapped anyplace. Never been one to stay in one place like that long, makes me antsy. [With the half-smile and friendly, apologetic tone of that altogether reasonable excuse, the mask was quickly slipping back in place in a way Rue would surely recognize after so much experience with artifice.]

[ruevealing]

[All he has to do is tug out of their arms and Rue lets him go without hesitation, their paws touching gently at the man's shoulders before they pull away completely, still smiling, still comfortable and casual.

It was just a much needed hug. If Rue read anything further into that shared moment of comfort, there isn't a single hint of it on their face or in their posture. If he is ready to move along without acknowledging it, Rue is happy to oblige.]

I suppose you are right! As comfortable a trap as this is for Thirteen, I really would like to return to my family. The last thing either of us want is them deciding to knock down the walls here just to save me.

[But also, wouldn't that be so incredible to watch?]

I wonder what the purpose of this trial is meant to me. Usually there is a reason for why she picks what she does.

[mayberaven]

[Fjord wasn't stupid, he was keenly aware that no matter how well he masked it, somehow Rue was perceptive enough to pick up on his mood under the mask. Likely from experience with similarly hiding themselves if what they'd spoken of briefly before had been any clue. But they willingly released the hug, accepted the excuse and subject shift without hesitation, and the half-orc felt a sudden rush of gratitude for the owlbear's tact.

Their comment about their family's potential rescue attempts just earned faint smile, and a low, quiet chuckle.]

Sounds like it'd be quite the show.

[A brief glance at the screen showed that at least the torment hadn't continued-Fjord had been allowed to separate from the other children, found a spot a ways down the beach where he almost couldn't see the others to perch on some of the rocks there, frowning out at the waves as the wind picked up a bit.]

Well what usually satisfies the requirements? Maybe if we start from there we might think of somethin' and it'd probably help improve my baseline knowhow for this stuff if it's gonna keep happenin' here.

[ruevealing]

[In the movie, there might be a little figure some distance away on the beach, mossy-green and round, watching something drift away further and further from the shore.]

Well, [Rue continues on without even noticing.] In one of the last, we were required to share a wrongdoing of ours that Thirteen picked out for us and to apologize for it. Needless to say, it was an utter waste of time.

[mayberaven]

[That got a faint huff from Fjord, nose wrinkling slightly at the idea of that.] Forcin' people to apologize like that's not worth a thing. And that's if the so-called 'wrongdoing' is even somethin' that needs an apology in the first place.

[It took Fjord a moment to notice the shift in the film himself- about the same time that the small half-orc roused from his sulk enough to notice the item bobbing in the waves, which put the little green figure just in his line of sight.

Definitely not one of the children he'd come here with, which is probably what had him gingerly picking his way from his little perch and padding over to the feathered figure to see if they were okay.]

Rue... [A light gesture towards the screen.] That's definitely not what happened.

[ruevealing]

[Fjord immediately hitting Rue's 'I KNOW I WAS RIGHT' button. For the first time in this whole exchange of utter calm and sweetness, a fire absolutely lights up in the owlbear's heart-shaped expression.]

I know! My so-called crime was utterly ridiculous! And the fact I had to fake an apology makes it even worse! What an absolute mess it was. And another thing -

[But thankfully, they are cut off before they can really get into their tirade over detention, just in time to see the little owlbear worriedly watching their pretty hat float away in the water.

Oh. That snaps Rue's beak shut immediately.] ...I suppose not.

[mayberaven]

[That fire lighting in the owlbear in response to his agreement? It's both surprising for how gentle and mild-mannered Rue had come across, and incredibly charming at the same time, earning a wry smile from the half-orc in response.

Maybe they could indulge in that tirade later, as for now the film had definitely shifted, Fjord watching as their younger selves interacted- the half-orc child looking from the little owlbear and their worried face, and the hat bobbing in the waves before he offered a crooked grin, all enthusiasm and shy friendliness as he gave a light illustrative thump to his chest.

'I can get that for you, easy! Wait right here!' Without hesitation, he was off like a shot- floundering a bit once he got to the water, but definitely earnest in his awkward swimming/paddling towards the lost hat.

Fjord, despite everything, couldn't help a low, wry chuckle at the sight.]

Lucky for that hat, if it was just a year earlier there's no way I'd be able to get out that far. At least as old as I'm guessin' I am there. Any older and Grankton'd have me divin' for salvage with the older kids. [Because sending children diving for ocean salvage was absolutely responsible and safe child-minding, right?]

[ruevealing]

[Rue, on the other hand, is not nearly as open to speaking about their child self. They appear visibly uncomfortable. They had been embarrassed enough at their close family seeing their younger self through their mindscape back in January, so the idea of a near stranger seeing it? It hits a little too close to some old trauma and insecurities the owlbear still refuses to acknowledge.

So they sit next to the man, unable to really watch the scene take place, only listening and focusing almost fully on Fjord instead.

Particularly at the mention of salvaging, which leaves worry pinching at their feathery brow.]

Was that something they made you children do? [The very idea is horrifying. They can not imagine someone only just a touch older than the half-orc in the movie would be getting put through such difficult physical labor. Just trying to imagine Casey or Hunter in such a position leaves their stomach in knots!] Salvage beneath the water?

[mayberaven]

[With what Rue had mentioned before, he's not entirely surprised that they seem to not want to pay much attention to their child self. So for the moment he doesn't mention it, or the unease breaching the surface in the owlbear, lets the topic shift to what he said.]

I mean... Grankton was a shit minder, and greed definitely won out over givin' a toss about a bunch of orphans. But yeah... you can see some of the busted masts just out past where they are now- bad weather brings ships down, we got sent in because we're smaller and could get into places the older divers couldn't, [And they would be able to see out deeper in the water, past where the young half-orc had managed to catch up with the lost hat, a couple broken bits of mast just visible above the waterline.] Beat gettin' loaned out to the Myriad. That wasn't somethin' you wanted mixin' up in if you wanted any sort of above board life.

Salvagin' wasn't too bad though. Hard work to be sure, but y'didn't have to talk to anyone, didn't have to be around anyone... almost peaceful.

[ruevealing]

[Even now that the man isn't wrapped up in their arms, Rue still rests a paw against Fjord's hand while he speaks, listening to every word in their quiet growing horror.

Not that they can boast a perfectly happy, well-adjusted, normal childhood, but how is it that every single individual Rue meets in this place has been left so traumatized by the adults in their lives, still so hurt even today? Fjord draws their attention back to the film playing out on the screen - where little Rue is waiting on tippy-toes on the shore for their hat to be retrieved - to the sunken ships decorating the horizon.

Sending children out to do that man's dirty work, just for a profit.]

And what of your life after that? [And even in the heaviness of the subject, Rue can't help the small smile in their eyes, teasing.] When you grew?

[mayberaven]

[He might tell himself that he didn't need it, but the soft warmth of the paw settled against his hand was a comfort. Not that he drew attention to it, as he was watching the half-orc child making his way back towards shore with his prize. Granted a bit more awkwardly with a clumsy one-armed sort of paddle, but that was off-set by the clear enthusiasm all but radiating from him at having rescued little Rue's hat.]

Oh I was out of there, first chance I got! [He glanced towards Rue, offering a crooked grin in response to their little tease.] Captain of a merchant ship came through roundabout when I was gettin' to the age I'd be put out anyways lookin' for crew, so I signed up.

[ruevealing]

[The sign of that grin, of the ease that's slipped into his posture since they began speaking, it eases Rue into following along, some of the lingering tension in their shoulders just dissipating.]

Oh! You worked out on a ship? Whatever was that like? I have always wondered. It looks so romanticized in movies.

[mayberaven]

There's movies about ships?

[It's not entirely surprising. Plenty of drama on the right ship, even without getting into the interpersonal drama that tends to crop up on longer stretches at sea.]

It's... well, can't say I know what the movies show but assumin' the ship's run right, it's a good life. Work's hard, there's no gettin' around that, but you're not in it alone. And... sailors aren't typically as quick to judge based on looks. Get all sorts out there.

[It wasn't as hard to watch the film now that the focus wasn't on misery, the young half-orc making it back to shore to happily dart across the sand back towards little Rue, positively beaming. A bit muted once he realized the water had left the hat a bit bedraggled, but he seemed undeterred regardless.

'Here- we can sit on the rocks and lay it out to dry in the sun. Shouldn't take too long!' Invited with a smile, offering out a hand to the little owlbear in invitation.]

It was... the first time I felt like I was comfortable with my place in the world.

[ruevealing]

There are so many! I will have to show you sometime. And you can tell me all of the details that they've got wrong.

[The little Rue on screen is quiet, but nods along with the offer, hesitant before they accept his hand. Anything to save their darling hat!]

I understand that feeling. That is how I felt coming here, to Folkmore. To look around and see more who look like me than not, it has meant everything to me. Even the humans who approach me here, none of them have fear in their eyes. Some hardly even seem to care for my wild shape. I have never known freedom like that before.

[mayberaven]

Sounds like it'd be fun to me. Feel free to make a list and we'll pick through 'em, yeah?

[Young Fjord had clambered over these rocks so much he could do it in his sleep, but with the small owlbear's paw in his grasp he took it a bit more slowly, making sure not to pick any of the spots where the rocks wiggled too much or were too slippery or treacherous. Just finding a nice flat spot to settle down, laying the hat out carefully in the sun, and finding a pair of smaller stones to pin the brim so that it wasn't carried off by the wind again.

Watching the little half-orc smile at Rue and gesture to the spot next to him in invitation, Fjord couldn't help but feel a stab of envy at the idea of making a friend that young. Would it have changed anything? Likely not. But... maybe it would have been easier to bear, to not be so painfully alone.]

I'm glad to hear you got that... feel like everyone should, really. Especially folk that come across as nice as you.

[ruevealing]

[Bless the tiny half-orc, because the little owlbear is still new to walking on two feet instead of four, a little wobbly and unsteady already, lacking all of the grace their older self does.

And at the same time, Rue's paw curls around his hand, squeezing it encouragingly.]

Well, I'm glad that you will be here to enjoy it with me. And whatever happens, you won't have to face any of it alone, now that you and I are friends.

[mayberaven]

[Young Fjord has apparently decided that they're friends now, just chattering idly to the other child as he's gently setting the hat to rights- making sure flowers aren't bent any strange way, straightening out the trailing ribbons on the flat rock so they won't be all rumpled when they dry before settling back beside the little owlbear. A wild difference to him from the withdrawn, silent child of before and the half-orc child with a big crooked grin as he points out a fin flashing through the water a bit of a ways out.]

Y'know... [A faint, almost sheepish huff from Fjord as he turns his hand lightly to give a gentle squeeze in response.] Feels silly, knowin' that's just... me, but... can't help feelin' a little envious. Watchin' him make a friend back then and all. 'Specially with such a sweet kid.

[Brows lifting as he turns his gaze to consider Rue.] Delightful as you grew up, should've come as no surprise that you were one adorable kid.

[ruevealing]

[They know he means the comment kindly, but it's a difficult one to hear, even now, thousands of years later and realms away from their former court. It reminds Rue too much of the scrutiny they were under while they were the fae's pet, the comments of how cute and darling and adorable they were, all while treating them like an animal.]

Thank you.

[A gentle shake of their shoulders, ruffling up their feathers and shaking those unpleasant memories off of them.]

Well! Perhaps we should attempt to leave and see what happens. Perhaps friendship was what Thirteen was looking for today.

[mayberaven]

[Fjord doesn't miss the tension of that shift, but doesn't know Rue well enough to tie it specifically to his words. It still causes a subtle pinch of brows in a brief expression of quiet concern that smooths away quickly enough as he offers a smile instead, and slips his hand from their paw, though not without a gently reassuring sort of pat to the back of it.]

Think it'll be that easy? [As if this wasn't just a little emotionally harrowing. The half-orc stood, crossing the room to try the door with a soft sound of triumph when he found the handle turning easily under his hand. Pulling the door open, he turned towards his owlbear companion with a bow, and and a sweep of an arm towards the door.]

After you! Let's get you back home safe and sound before your kids send out the rescue party, yeah?