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February-March 2024 Test Drive Meme
February-March 2024 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 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.
🦊 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: 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
Spread the Love
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 theirpreynew 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.
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
Remake
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!
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They need a moment. Then he whispers,] Since I’m not keeping secrets, I knew you were a legend because your eyes are changing colors with your moods. And those feathers we examined are too large for a regular owl. Too small for a giant owl.
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I— That…
[ Diluc’s breath catches in his throat. Kaeya whispering this news and leaning close makes him feel faint. He has no idea what to even say. ]
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[They needed a little help in that department. Now they have it.] I won’t ever try to hide it either. You have my word.
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That is, specifically, his physical attraction to Kaeya and the romantic impulses it gives rise to in him. ]
I… noticed. Your tail, er… talks… often.
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I’m glad I’m not a cat. I could just imagine how else it could give me away. [He looks at almost chokes on a laugh as Lisa the Ilama drops a coat over Diluc’s head. Eyes hidden. She wanders off.]
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And then suddenly a weight drops on his head and everything goes dark. Diluc rips the coat off and looks around alarmed. Of course it's the damn llama. He glares at her retreating form. That's definitely too much like Lisa. His eyes are still glowing pink, but not as brightly anymore. ]
Dogs are better understood than cats and wolves express themselves similarly. You're not much more fortunate.
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Now you have options unlike me. There is shaded eyewear you can put on that could obscure your shifting eyes.
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[ He gets up finally from the bar stool and puts the coat down onto the sofa by the pillow Lisa tried the eat. Then he returns to gather up their plates. ]
Do we all turn the same colors for the same emotions?
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The colors are different for everyone. I suppose it is an individual journey just like it is for familiars. [He looks at his fingers then up at Diluc.]
Some don’t get the eyes. Someone I know has wings he can’t use that give away his emotions. Big fiery looking things.
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[ And yes, he's aware that that sounds highly hypocritical of him, considering his penchant for throwing massive firebirds at hordes of hilichurls and Abyss Mages, but he can't imagine how much of a pain it would be if he had to deal with his birds' wings of fire attached to his back and they don't even grant him the ability to fly. ]
Well. If no one inherently knows what the colors mean, then I suppose it isn't a big concern.
[ He takes their plates to the sink and begins washing them. Kaeya cooked for them, the least he can do is clean up. ]
I prefer others know I mean what I say anyway.
[ It's just Kaeya he tends to hide from these days. Some things are too... sensitive for him to know. ]
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Only someone who knows you will start to figure out the puzzle. [He can’t let him entirely rest. Who would he be if he didn’t inspire Diluc to give him a look or adjust his internal thoughts. They play chess all the time without a board. His side of the board isn’t idle.]
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[ Diluc only pauses briefly in his actions when Kaeya utters what sounds rather ominous. He knows he’s saying it to get under his skin, but he also recognizes that it’s true. Diluc returns to scrubbing the dishes clean. ]
It seems you have a new game to play then. Aren’t you lucky.
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It’s the mutual understanding.
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Mutual understanding…
[ He decides to test his limits. ]
‘Rather complicated way to go about wanting to know what’s on someone’s mind.
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Diluc, we’re complicated people. Isn’t it nice to know some things don’t have to be said at all.
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…It has been a long time since I didn’t feel too complicated to be understood.
[ By you. ]
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[He grabs his tail to stop the hard wags.] And being a little easier to read isn’t so bad for me either.
[His wolf traits give him more credibility. It takes some burdens off his back.]
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You could ask if there was something you wanted to know that you didn’t understand. I think it only fair, considering you have allowed me to ask whatever I like.
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What are you thinking right now?
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…I was thinking about how the last time you were this open about what you wanted, it was on the beach on the archipelago. And before that… I can’t even remember.
[ The edges of his irises become tinted with blue-gray, the shine of the scarlet dimming a bit. ]
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And honesty is oddly a little easier when someone doesn’t expect it.] Sometimes Crepus and I kept some things back together. Or I would ignore a message someone wanted passed to you that I knew their intention was to upset you. I did pass those on to Father.
But the only real thing I never talked about at all was the thing I never said since I came to Mondstadt. Until that night.
[It feels oddly freeing to say it all. Like a chain he has unwound from around a collar that is fate.]
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That’s not what I mean. I… think I knew that already.
[ He frowns down into the mug, at the cider. It’s not like home’s. But it isn’t bad. ]
I mean, when we were boys… children. You didn’t like to ask for things. It took some time before you were comfortable doing that. Obviously, you stopped entirely after… that night.
On the beach that summer, you outright asked me to be nice to you and join you in looking for seashells. Like we used to. It was the first time you were just honest about what you wanted from me in years. And now… you’re not afraid to just say you want to know what I’m thinking.
It’s been a long time since we’ve been straightforward with each other. I suppose I’m just surprised and… grateful it’s even still possible.
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Flickering across his mind’s eye is the Wild hunt in all of its horrifying splendor. The woods at night flashing by and the glitter of moonlight on the water. He sees it in his dreams sometimes. And well.
What tore open all of the cages and chains he put himself in. A terrible event. He breathes in.] It’s not easy. But I thought about being as we were and I can’t do it.
[They skate up against that tragedy that broke something within. The words are there but he doesn’t want to say them. The wound is still so fresh and it hurts so much.]
…just saying things feels freeing. I couldn’t have done it before. But I can now.
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With a moment of brief hesitation, Diluc leans over and gently touches one of Kaeya’s lupine ears. He rubs his thumb into the base of the ear and runs his nails up along the back of it, through the fur.
He’s grateful. It’s easy to be honest himself when he isn’t trying to decipher Kaeya’s true meaning in the things he says. They feel… almost close again. ]
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Thump. His tail wags hard but he ignores it. He closes his eye. There is no need to say anything. They have both known loss. Maybe Diluc has figured out he has died here before.
Maybe he hasn’t. It doesn’t matter.]
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