folkmeme | February-March 2024 Test Drive Meme

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*tdm

February-March 2024 Test Drive Meme

February-March 2024 TDM

Introduction

[ TDM Questions ★ Jump to Comments ★ Full Navigation ]
This Test Drive meme is open to all.
Welcome to Folkmore's monthly Test Drive Meme! Please feel free to test drive any and all characters regardless of your intent to apply or whether you have an invite or not.

All TDMs are game canon and work like "mini-events". For new players and characters, you can choose to have your TDM thread be your introduction thread upon acceptance or start fresh. Current players are also allowed to have in-game characters post to the TDM so long as they mark their top levels ‘Current Character.’

TDM threads can be used for spoon spending at any time by characters accepted into the game.

Playing and interacting with the TDMs will allow characters to immediately obtain canon items from homes especially weapons or other things they may have had on their person when they were pulled from their worlds! There will always be a prompt that provides some sort of "reward" to characters who complete certain tasks.

Current players are always encouraged to tag new people on the TDM!

🦊 New Star Children meet the Fox still in their worlds, and she brings them into the new realm of Folkmore. As you follow her, your body begins to change and new characteristics emerge. These may stay for a while, or perhaps they will hide away after. And during all of this, the Fox explains to you where you will be going: to Folkmore.

and then... you fall like a shooting star, falling to the land in a burst of starlight.

🦊 Experienced Star Children are already familiar with this time of the month. There are shooting stars all across the sky, and some fall to the land, which means the Fox has brought new arrivals. These newly arrived Star Children will face some tests, but Thirteen wants the more seasoned residents to participate as well.

Perhaps you follow the falling stars on your own, or perhaps the Fox simply teleports you there, but it appears you too will be part of this.

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

Soon You'll Get Better . ★

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

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

Friendnapped

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

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

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

Spread the Love

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

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

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

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

Netfox & Chill . ★

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

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

Headliner

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

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

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

Remake

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

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

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

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

Flat | Top-Level Comments Only

Oh, you know. Took down HYDRA, and a killer robot, got into a spot of trouble with the law. Then -

- Well, if I go back now, in two weeks for me, Thanos is coming.

[ So, that's cool. Thanks for that, Loki. ]

Any chance you can get the TVA to come arrest him?

[ It's weird to have this conversation when the two of them on screen are laughing together, leaning into each other maybe a little too much. ]

No, I don't believe I can. From what I can gather they only interfere in the timelines now if it seems something in a timeline will affect events in a parallel one. Thanos is...not the most dire threat in that regard.

[Loki frowns, looking down at his tie with the TVA print.

Another flash of green light and his clothes are back to the green tunic and trousers.]

If you do somehow return and remember your time here, can you pass a message along to Thor?

Guess that depends on what the message is.

[ He can't imagine why it isn't considered more grim that Thanos comes to kill half the universe. He imagines it's because the world is restored by the Avengers only, what was it, five years later? He doesn't know all this, he's only heard bits and pieces.

The TVA doesn't care about the collateral damage in the meantime, it seems.

Not like Steve does, anyway. Two friends, and who knows how many other lives, in the balance. Just a rounding error, to whoever's in charge. ]

[Loki turns to look at Steve, his demeanor all playfulness gone from him demeanor.]

Tell him to aim for the head.

That, I can do.

[ The conversation has soured on screen too, as a sudden rainpour falls. Apparently the Loki-alike has said something to upset the Steve, who runs off in anguish. ]

...Guessing there's a reason you couldn't tell him yourself?

I wouldn't be returning to a timeline. And even if I did, in most timelines I don't make it back to earth before the attack.

[After standing in the rain for a dramatic moment, not-Loki goes back to his small house. There's a beat of stillness before he starts trashing the inside of his own home.

It's uncomfortably familiar.]

[ Steve feels like he shouldn't be watching this intrusion on a private moment, and clears his throat as he looks away, politely. Despite what he thinks of Loki, he still wants to give him some basic respect. ]

You died.

Why didn't you warn us sooner? If we'd been ready...

[ Maybe he wouldn't have had to die. Maybe he and Earth could've stood against Thanos together. ]

[Loki gives a dismissive wave.]

No one would have believed me. [And Thanos would have found out. Then things would have been much worse. Not that any of that matters to this Loki anymore. His own timeline is long erased.]

And before you disagree, I have actually watched what happened when I tried to give warning. It seldom works out for Earth or myself.

[ He doesn't know if he believes Loki, but he doesn't really have another choice, does he? Still. He will just have to find a way to remember. ]

And it's that easy? If I just tell Thor?

'Cause in this scenario. You still die.

I hope it will be. If the timing holds the same as with other timelines, you won't have much time to talk to him before the pivotal moment. Something short is your best chance.

[Loki heaves a heavy sigh.]

Technically it isn't 'me'. It's a variant of me.

Don't you care what happens to the variant of you?

'Cause I care a great deal about the other Steve Rogers out there.

[ There's one here, even, and they're like brothers.

In the film, the Steve gets sent off to war, and it's unclear whether or not he'll survive. Maybe that was what their conflict was about. ]

It's impossible to care about all of them. He knows what he's risking when he confronts Thanos. And there are a few who survive it. Just not many.

[Letters arrive at Not-Loki's home, clearly from Not-Steve. They all go unopened, but not thrown away. They are stored in a wooden box by Not-Loki's bed until one day they stop coming all together.]

If you know all this, then you've already seen the ending of this timeline, too, right?

[ The one they're in right now, he means.

He doesn't know if he wants his questions answered, but he has several.

Meanwhile, it seems that a few years have passed on the screen, with the war raging on. The letters stop coming for a year, or two. And then, one more. ]

[Loki shakes his head.]

It seems this place is outside our little cluster of timelines.

[Partway through the first year the letters are opened and read. Then reread. The second Not-Loki starts sending letters of his own. Many of them are returned unopened, but some aren't, giving him hope. Finally he gets an official-looking letter back. He stares at it, unopened on the table. Like it holds something terrible.]

Huh.

Then what happened after Thanos?

[ He may just be testing Loki a little, because all of it sounds so far-fetched.

Meanwhile, the letter's contents aren't anything - well, terrible. But they do ask for the on-screen Loki's help. One last plea, and if gone unanswered, then the Steve will leave him alone. But he is a Captain now, with a lot of money, and he's broken his engagement to a woman who is perfectly lovely - titled, but penniless.

He'd have to give up his pension, and be dishonorably discharged, and they'd need to find some sort of supplementary income, but they could abscond to France. And if Loki should want to take that chance and seek that adventure, then he should come to the train at fourteen o clock on Saturday. And Steve will have a ticket for him. ]

Depends on the timeline. In most of them it works out in the end. Better if Thor doesn't try to show that monster any mercy.

[The timing is tight. Not-Loki rushes around, throwing essentials into a couple of worn bags before dashing out the door.]

Wait a minute... [Loki's attention is suddenly caught by the movie again as his on-screen counterpart makes it to the train station breathless and flush from running, just as the clock strikes the hour. He scans the crowd frantically, finally finding Not-Steve in the crowd.]

Is this a- [The two lock eyes and run to each other, slamming together in a passionate kiss.

On the couch, Loki can't contain his laughter.]

[ Steve looks at the screen and then covers his eyes as if he's his own parent trying to stop he, also the child, from watching something scandalous on screen. He has no idea what this is meant to be from Thirteen, other than utterly embarrassing.

The tips of his ears are bright red. ]

We really need to find a way to get this turned off.

[ On the screen, the Steve who's come back from war has grown out his beard, and has gotten a few promotions apparently, because he's a decorated officer. He drags the Loki onto the train, where they have to abscond to Paris. Together, to start life anew. ]

It doesn't even make sense that no one saw them. On the platform. This movie's full of holes.

I highly doubt this film's usual audience would care all that much.

[Loki's giggles die down as the credits start to roll. The ending (which would have been completely expected had either of them been paying attention) seems odd to him, but he can't deny that it broken the tension in the room rather effectively.]

How do we know when we have sufficiently unburdened ourselves of our "baggage", as it were? Do you think there are sequels we'll be forced to sit through?

[ He groans. ]

Loki, if you say that, you know there will be.

[ Just as he finishes saying that, the screen turns back on, and starts playing a new film. Only he's sure it's a sequel, even if it's just an establishing shot. It's of Paris, after all. ]

You know, this wouldn't even be an issue if you didn't try to take over my planet.

Tell that to the maniac who gave me an army and an infinity stone. [It's not something that is going to end this sooner, but sometimes the spite just slips out.]

I would, but I'm told I should tell Thor to kill him right away instead.

And no offense, but I'd rather get that handled with than to tell him any of my qualms with him.

A good instinct, but tell me: Based on what you know of Thanos, does he seem like the type of man to take "No" for an answer?

Funny, Loki. I thought you were the most stubborn man in the universe. Guess maybe I'll have to take that title.

At least I have something of a survival instinct.

Well, I've been doing just fine without one.

February-March 2024 Test Drive Meme

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