Entry tags:
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!

Rogue | Marvel 616 | Familiar
[When she finds herself in this new dimension, Rogue's first order of business? To get her bearings and search for familiar allies. The fact that she's wearing her primarily green uniform has her sticking out like a sore thumb, but Rogue's used to that.
She probably shouldn't draw any more attention to herself by flying, but that's exactly what she's doing. Keeping the sun to her back for cover, Rogue quietly swoops back down to ground level when she spies a person, landing softly behind them. A half-assed attempt to fix her wild hair follows out of habit.
It's only then that she clears her throat and otherwise announces her arrival.]
Hey there sugah.
[She drawls pleasantly, her voice Deep South and full of thick honey.]
friendnapped
[Eventually, the purple haze clinging to what maps indicate as a floating island beacons her interest.
There's only a moment of hesitancy due to her all too recent experiences with the Terrigen mists, and then she disappears into the purple haze.
The last thing she remembers was the feeling of falling and floating at the same time. Then, darkness. When she wakes to find herself trapped in the grotto without any of her abilities, Rogue can't help but feel a suffocating weight of fear.]
Out of the fire an' into the fryin' pan ah guess. [She drawls to no one in particular, taking a few more long, yoga breaths in order to calm herself. Time to work on an exit strategy.
Even with the shark's kindness, she finds herself unable to completely relax and focus around the creature, much to its dismay. How it was able to bring her piping hot beignets and a large pot of gumbo that she could swear was Remy's family recipe, she would never know. When in doubt, she assumes magic or a strong telepath is to blame.
As if to answer her question, the shark's next gift is a red and purple helmet, still splattered and marred by Wade's blood. Seeing it again with the memory so fresh in her mind pulls her back to it, to the brutality and betrayal of it. To anyone else that might be in the cave, she's very intently zoned out on the helmet.
Eventually, she tugs it over her wild mane of curls, alive in their own right with the humidity. And when nothing disappears, she exhales loudly and stares at the shark, her jaw set and brow knit in consideration.]
Don't tell me ah got to kiss you to get out of here.
[Usually, that's not so great for the recipient, but given she hasn't been able to fly or punch her way out since arriving to the cave, she has a feeling that her mutation's also dampened by the magic.]
wildcard
[Is there another scenario that you'd like to try with our characters? Shoot this account a PM and I'll be happy to work something else out.]
Arrival
Howdy. [ Cobb's accent isn't quite as heavy but it has a similar lilt as hers. ] Welcome to Folkmore. I take it you just met the fox and crashed down from the sky?
[ Given the condition of her hair and all, Cobb's confident in that assumption. ]
Come on, then, let's get you settled. [ Without waiting for much of a response he motions for her to follow him. ]
no subject
Well aren't you a one man welcomin' committee.
[And she certainly hopes that this kindness is genuine. She's had a hell of a time these last couple days and really could do with a respite.]
You do this every time a new person crashes on down? Or did ah just get lucky?
no subject
[ He offers her his right hand. It's gunmetal grey and actual metal. That's why he hasn't bothered with a glove on that hand. He can't feel the cold anyway. ]
We're not far from where I live so I suppose it's just good aim on your part. We won't have to stand in the cold while I help you figure out what you want to do.
[ Folks always need a few minutes to wrap their brain around what's happened to them. ]
no subject
[She takes his hand with her gloved one, it's firm, but within normal human strength ranges. Something she's dialed in long ago to keep from accidentally crushing the hands of others unintentionally. What she feels is clearly not the usual flesh and bone, and she makes a mental note to take at it peek later.]
Ah appreciate that. The cold's not exactly my favorite, even when ah'm dressed appropriately.
[While she's covered in head to tow, it's not exactly winter gear.]
Well, ah'd love a glass of good bourbon, but aside from that it'd be helpful to know if ah need to be in civilian mode or Avenger mode.
[She could also go for a very long nap, but that's tabled until she has a better idea of the reality of Folkmore.]
no subject
At the moment, we're between Trials. Shouldn't be anythin' too threatenin' around. Don't expect any trouble until a month or so from now.
[ When the fox gets bored and whatever games she wants to play with them pop up again. ]
You can relax but if you're an Avenger they've got a compound here I can take you to. Steve might be there. Not sure who hangs around there during the day to be honest.
[ There's a handful of Avengers around. Cobb knows them decently well. He knows Steve real well so he'd be the first one he'd go to. ]
It's a farther walk but we can get there.
no subject
Well, first she needs to determine whether she's dead first. Then comes the plan making.
Outwardly, Rogue appears relieved that there are other Avengers here. It's not untrue. At the mention of Rogers, however, there's a slight tension in her jaw before she shakes her head, hair obscuring her face somewhat.]
If there's no danger or hurry, ah can swing by later. Besides, ah just saw Steve back home.
[She casually omits the fact that Steve's positively livid with her for not handing over Xavier's brain with the Red Skull. That's a bridge that'll get crossed when it's necessary.]
Besides, a closer place is better. [But more importantly, if there are Avengers here then maybe...] Speakin' of Avengers, are any of the X-Men here? That you know 'bout.
no subject
Might not be the same Steve. This place can grab folks from different times and different universes. [ It's always worth pointing that out because it gets confusing real fast. ] There folks from my galaxy from a lot of different times.
[ He shakes his head at her question. ] Never heard of 'em. If they are I haven't spoken to 'em.
[ They come up to a small cabin with a little stable built on one side. There's a unicorn hanging out in the stable which doesn't seem strange given Cobb does nothing more than pat the animal on the neck as he passes.
He climbs the steps and opens the door, signaling Rogue to wait. ] Mando! You decent? [ When he gets no response he nods and motions for her to come inside. ] Must be out right now. Come on in.
no subject
Well that just spices things up. [There's a wryness to her voice. She remembers when Hank brought the original five X-Men to the future in an attempt to help matters.] How's that goin' for you and the folks from your galaxy?
[It is frustrating to hear that there are Avengers here, but no X-Men. Not that she wishes them to be stuck here instead of helping people at home, but friendly faces are always nice to have around. She'll hold out hope that he just hasn't met them yet.
The unicorn earns a lift of an eyebrow, and she absently thinks of Wade, which has her a little sad. Better to focus on the situation at hand.]
Nice little spot you got here. Looks cozy. [She waits at his request, filing the name away for later. Once he gives the go ahead, she follows Cobb inside.] Friend from home?
no subject
[ The home is a two bedroom cabin with only a few personal touches like the stable next to the cabin and a collection of windchimes and suncatchers made from scrap. ]
Yeah, Mando and I have worked together back home. [ Cobb makes his way to the kitchen to put on a pot of caf to warm them up and he also gets down a bottle of whiskey remembering her earlier comment about bourbon. ] He's not always in the mood for company though.
[ He could explain the whole business about helmets and Mandalorians but Cobb figures he can leave it simple for now. ] Make yourself comfortable. You need somethin' to eat all?
no subject
[She can't help but take in the space, attention lingering on the handmade chimes and catchers, a smile curling at her lips. Sorry Cobb, she's about to interject and derail the conversation a bit by gesturing to the objects.] Y'all make these yourselves?
[The mutant herself likes to tinker and worked as a mechanic for a spell. She's no Tony Stark or Beast, but she can hold her own with repairing a vehicle or welding parts.]
Ah've got friends like that. Hell, sometimes ah can be like that. We all need space in varyin' doses. [Some are introverts by nature and others have a bit avoidant attachment styles, preferring to keep folks at arms length.]
Need? Not really. But ah won't be a rude guest if you're offerin' anythin'. [She also doesn't want to stress his resources if that's an issue.] Bathroom is where?
[Please let there be indoor plumbing.]
no subject
He looks at a few of the trinkets and baubles around as he pours the whiskey before he starts the caf. ] I like to keep my hands busy. Makin' things from scrap is a good way to pass the time.
[ That they're kinda pretty things doesn't bother Cobb any. He wouldn't call himself an artist at all but what he makes has a certain junk aesthetic. ]
Down that hall. Second door on your right. [ He waves in the general direction. ]
no subject
It's liable that it'll be like that for her and anyone from her necks of the woods that got pulled here.]
Ah get that. A mahself like workin' on motorcycles and the like. This seems soothin' in it's own way, an' you have a finished piece.
[The mutant offers him a smile before dipping off to use the facilites.
When she returns, she's wiping slightly damp hands on her pants with her gloves tucked under her arm. Instead of leaving them there now that they're indoors, she tugs them back on with a bit of a face on the left hand. It wasn't as dry as she wanted. Oh well.
Drawing a deep inhale of the caf brewing, she sighs, relaxing a little bit more as she joins him in the kitchen, leaning her hip against the counter.]
So what sage wisdom can you impart as a seasoned resident of this place?
Friendnapped
But then she speaks and while he knows it's not directed at him, Bucky takes it as an opening to strike up a conversation with her:]
As tempting as the offer is, I'm sure how it'll help us get out of here, [he offers with a thin but amused smile.]
no subject
It's rude, but she stares. First at his arm, then at the shield, and then more specifically at the blood before she returns to his face, regarding him thoughtfully as the shock fades. It more or less leaves recognition and then some interest.]
Ah'm not so sure you're up to such a task besides. Wouldn't want you gettin' hurt down here with nothin' but a magical shark for first aid.
[She drawls smoothly, buying herself a bit of time before it finally clicks. He's not the same Barnes she last saw in Pleasant Hill, a super-villain prison of SHIELD's masquerading as a cute little suburbia. His arm was different and it's odd to see him without the mask.
Regardless, she pulls the helmet back off and shakes her hair free, curl bouncing everywhere before settling out of her face.]
no subject
He watches just as intently when she pulls the helmet off her head and both eyebrows twitch up slightly: she's beautiful, and it pains him that he can't remember who she is, since she's obviously met him before.
But still, the faint smile on his lips turns into a more obvious smirk at her words of caution:]
I'm more durable than I look, [he offers, before giving the shark a pointed nod:], besides, with everything it brought us up, I wouldn't be surprised if it could bring in a defibrillator, in case you're that good at kissing and manages to stop my heart, or something.
[Oi. He really needs to brush up on his flirting techniques. He's clearly rustier than he remembered.]
no subject
There is a bit of a smile at his flirtation attempt, but Rogue also appears apologetic. She glances over to the shark at his nod, and the creature seems delighted at the prospect of extra friendliness. Or is it agreeing that it will fetch them a defibrillator? Difficult to say.
Wait, it's not difficult to say. Realization dawns on her and she starts tugging off her gloves.] Sugah ah put the first boy ah ever kissed in a coma due to mah mutation. [She crawls over to the water's edge while explaining.] Ah pull life force with mah skin. Powers, abilities, thoughts... [He gets a pointed look at that, just before she reaches out to touch the shark.
But to her obvious shock, nothing happens. Well, the shark nuzzles into her hand, demanding more pets, but there's no pull.]
Ah don't... Ah can't... [Don't mind her staring at her hand in shock while she processes this clarification.]
no subject
Mutation? [Why does he feel like he's read something about this in either HYDRA's or SHIELD's files when he was the Winter Soldier? Still, whatever she's describing doesn't sound like something he wants either of them to go through:]
Trust me, doll, you don't want in your head what's in mine.
[ He watches as she inches closer to the shark, and he moves closer as well, readying himself to get her out of harm's way if the creature decides to bite her. But instead, it nuzzles her hand happily, swimming closer to the both of them, however, it's her reaction that catches most of his attention and he frowns at the way she looks at her hand:]
What's wrong?
no subject
He's probably right about not wanting to experience his memories, but they'd honestly be a palate cleanser compared to the Red Skull being in her mind. Even Wade's was a breath of fresh air in relation to the Red Skull, and that's speaking volumes itself. At the end of the day, she's a big girl.
In the moment, Rogue doesn't notice that he moves closer, arranging himself to protect her, which she'd find sweet if her attentions weren't already consumed with a potential meltdown.]
Ah should be pullin' life force from the shark. [It's very clear that's not what's happening. She touches the shark again, as though the result might change. It doesn't, and her hand immediately moves to rest in her lap as she sits back onto her heels heavily. Even when she tries to float, nothing happens.]
Mah powers ain't workin' here. [Her powers might be a bit of a curse, but they're her.
To try and put a pin in the mental doom spiral she feels herself slipping towards, an earlier thought pops in her head and a wry huff of a laugh leaves her lips.] No need for a defibrillator then.
[Yes let's focus on the kissing conversation instead of how something is messing with her powers so soon after she'd just escaped the clutches of that fucking Nazi in her head.]
no subject
His train of thoughts is cut short by how dismayed she sounds, and he frowns before reaching for a grapefruit-sized rock with his flesh hand. He would normally be able to crush the rock easily, but he closes his hand as hard as he can and nothing happens. He’s lost the Super Soldier strength.]
It’s not just you. Serum’s not working either.
[It’s strange to think that he’s vulnerable again. His own mental spiral is halted when he hears her bitter laughter, and he looks back at her with an amused smile, giving him an almost boyish charm that’s often hidden under grumpier faces:]
Come on, doll, I wouldn’t discount your talent for kissing just yet. We still might need that defibrillator.
[It’s a terrible attempt at making her smile: he can see how the lost of her powers is rattling her. But despite his words, he doesn’t move closer, choosing to sit down beside her instead. Whether she’s being serious or not, it clearly is on her to make a move.]
no subject
Not that Rogue feels fantastic about the shark magic, but there's a different sort of weight and pain that comes from a collar.]
Damn. Looks like we got to find another way out.
[Or another way to spend their time in captivity. She won't pretend that the thought hadn't already crossed her mind the moment she found out she could touch, especially since she knows him more than most she's met here. Not that it's a high bar, but it's something.
The boyish charm combined with his pure cheese game has her revisiting the option she's set aside as inappropriate earlier. She hums low in consideration as she considers his features. They're good, handsome features, familiar in a way. Losing herself in them would be quite the distraction, if she can touch him.
Tentatively, she tugs her other glove and slides her bare hand over towards his normal one, brushing her fingertips against the side of his hand. She shudders and exhales at the contact, lips parting in surprise and... Something more intense.
And before she can slide down that looming rabbit hole, her hand lifts to touch his jaw and smooth into his hair.]
C'mere sugah. Let's see if ah still got the talent.
[And if he doesn't go for it, she'll pull him down into kiss, light at first, testing the waters.]
no subject
It's inevitable, his breath hitches when her hand glides over his cheek and into his hair, and his eyes close on their own, a shiver running down his spine, and Bucky can't believe he forgot how much he likes a woman's hand in his hair. She doesn't have to ask him twice, and blue eyes flutter open a brief moment to catch her green ones and he leans in just as she pulls him closer for a kiss.
The press of his lips is just as light as hers, soft and shy almost. But then he kisses her a second time, and a third time, each time gaining confidence, as if he's remembering a long lost forgotten skill. And maybe he is. His flesh hand comes up to gently cup her face, his head tilting to one side so he can deepen the kiss. His tongue runs on her lower lip, begging for access to her mouth and when she lets him in, he groans at the taste of her, drinking her in eagerly.
So touch-starved that he is, his vibranium arm wraps around her waist and he picks her up so that she can straddle his waist, never breaking the kiss but forgetting that this had been all for a jest, and forgetting that a shark had been the reason for it.]
no subject
There's no complaint whatsoever when he pulls her into his lap, her hips settling comfortably on his before she rolls them in a slow circle, resulting in a deep rumble in her chest, as though even her moans have a twang. The hand in his hair massages his scalp down to his neck, wanting to feel all the textures of this intimacy she's rarely allowed, of him.
Honestly, she's trying her best not to lose herself entirely into him since she actually can, but it's difficult. He feels right against her, something she'll later dismiss as rooted in her own issues, touch starved as she remains.
Her other hand steadies herself on his shoulder, but soon slides down his vibranium arm behind her, overlapping his hand with hers and directing it south to her ass with a groan. It deserves attention as well she's decided even as her tongue curls along with his to taste him.]