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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!
no subject
Tch. What nonsense.
[Yeah, that covers it quite well.]
Now what makes it think that someone's potential lies with how many others you tolerate around you. [The look on his face is obviously an annoyed one] The idea of having to entertain some idiot day in day out because of whatever potential is ridiculous.
[The annoying expression disappears for a moment when he gazes at the screen. This isn't his story anymore and the little boy looks unmistakenly like someone from Khaenri'ah.]
Oh?
no subject
But there is a lot to see and explore. If one wants to.
[He says while watching his companion. He knows exactly what is likely on the screen. At this point he is resigned.
On the screen that very same boy is left at the Dawn Winery. Time passes and he and the young heir wander the grounds together. Kaeya doesn’t look. His wolf tail thumps hard against the couch.] Go ahead and say it if you want to.
no subject
Hmn. I do not think there are many other options, not?
[Yet he doesn't really look forward to bonding or friendships. He isn't good at it and other people should be aware that he isn't fun to be around with either.]
Hmn? Now I do not think Khaenri'ah is some sort of forbidden word. Yet, there aren't many of you left.
no subject
I have no plans to ask about your thing. Your business is your own. [His claws click on the table.] Anyway,
[The claws stop tapping.] There are not a lot of options so far, no. Some things about this world don’t add up.
Ruins in the underside of a floating island that are quite curious. The fact dragons exist and seem entirely outside the control of our benefactor.
Things like that.
no subject
Tsk. It doesn't matter either way. If the question isn't interesting enough I simply do not answer it. [Still, this conversation is interesting enough to keep his attention.]
Then it is safe to say this lies outside of Teyvat? [That could mean that the sky wasn't fake and that...] Is the Traveler here?
no subject
Several realms connect to this one via at least one way. And the laws of those realms are entirely different from our own. You’ll see people here that might vanish and return but not remember you.
no subject
[That last sentence makes him chuckle a little. Wanderer knows first hand that Teyvat has some laws that oddly align with what the other is telling right now. The stars are fake and, yes, it is completely possible to mess around with someone's existence and the memories tied to that.]
Heh. I do not think I have a problem with that. [But would he bring the memories made here back to Teyvat? If there is a way back to begin with?] Do you?
no subject
[He says as a stall. Because his mind is flipping through the pages of memory. But the answer is. He isn’t. He’s tired of it and angry. Because Diluc keeps vanishing and it was here he was free to make a decision that will shape his way forward. And the decisions he made here…he knows there are no going back from. They set him on a road back to the place where people dream of dreaming. To where he was cut off as long as he wanders far from it.
Back to where…he gently closes that mental door. Not here.
He lifts his head, smiling casually. ] Then you’ll do fine. This place will remind you of things during trials. If you’re used to being uncomfortable, well. You’re more equipped for it than most.
no subject
Are you sure of that? [Wanderer cocks his head and somewhere along the way he wishes Lesser Lord Kusanali was here.] The Traveler I know is female. Perhaps there is no connection between this realm and ours at all. They exist on their own and maybe they each have their own separate pathways. [More fake stars, more fake skies. How stupid and useless.]
Heh. We'll see. [Wanderer chuckles.] I have had worse.
no subject
[The screen shifts. Wanderer once again opening the door. But the scene beyond it is a river bank in the dark. Vast waves of water cut down armored figures like a God’s rage has suddenly made manifest. The water slices through the army like they are made of paper.
Just out of range, a fallen body with red hair turns to stardust. A dark blue stoat pulls itself out of the river. Its side is iced over, holding a horrible wound closed. It limps to something on the ground and wraps around it. The thing turns out to be a greyed out vision.]
It’s certainly a time here. [Kaeya whispers. His hands are clenched. He snorts and gets up.] I think the door should be open now.
no subject
You have been here longer. Have I been correct? Or do you think there is a difference?
[He's still not sure if he should work on some sort of escape or just see how this pans out.]
Hmn. So it seems.
no subject
[Kaeya walks towards the door just as the screen returns to the campfire and his people weeping. He forces his face to seem unaffected. Just a knight. But he isn’t. And he feels that weight a little more every day.]
I think I’m correct. I’ve been here for two years. But, I’m uncovering all I didn’t know about our reality. I’m willing to account for new information and adjust my view.
[He nods to the screen. Where the clan of Alberich teaches his child self how to write Teyvatan.] I’m after the truth.
no subject
But does that tapestry represent a multitude of realities weaved together? [Are there versions of him who defied fate? One who did become a god? One who did manage to save the people of Tatarasuna? Or is it all the same? The idea that there is a reality where he has been able to save those humans...is somewhat comforting.] Each thread representing a different path set in an identical reality.
[The truth.]
How long have you lived?
[He knows the Jester has lived longer than he himself so its acceptable to believe that people from Khaenri'ah have quite an impressive lifespan.]
no subject
Young as he is. He is seeking the truths that his father didn’t tell him. The obligations placed on his shoulder won’t let him go.]
I think the tapestry is both. Us in various realities we could have been in but also the same reality with different paths. I have experienced seeing both here during a trial. I’ve been this age in some and thousands of years old in others. Or undead in a path where different choices were made.
no subject
[And now he leads the Fatui Harbingers...but that is something Wanderer might tell later on.]
You truly think this place can change fate? That all we have to do is envision the universe as a tapestry? [It is hard to think of a version of himself who has been granted a happy life alongside the humans of Tatarasuna. Or one who has been able to save them.] Heh. That sounds nice, but I do not think it is possible... Maybe only in this dreamscape the Fox has created.
[Where he is 'good' and wears a halo.]
no subject
[But this harbinger has given him a horrible clue. He sets his hands on his hips. A mage of the king. The captain of the guard. Two ancient beings…]
Now then, a mage of the late king. I’m getting a rather interesting picture of things in light of that. I assume I’m the only Alberich you’ve met.
[Where is going on within the clan now. What doesn’t he know.]
no subject
[And living in some sort of dream, being considered a good guy is just amusing. Maybe he would remember and be able to tell the tale to Lesser Lord Kusanali.]
I think it is safe to say that, yes. [He nods slowly.] All I can say is that he is a rather vengeful man. [Then he cocks his head a little to the right.] Aren't you? [He pauses.] Somewhat upset about what has happened in the past?