July 2022 Test Drive Meme

[folkie]

JULY 2022 TDM

INTRODUCTION

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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. You can choose to have your TDM thread be your introduction thread upon acceptance or start fresh. Each TDM will provide a scenario for how characters arrive in-game that particular month.

Playing 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 allowed to have in-game characters react to TDMs via the Network or make a log with the prompts. Current players are always encouraged to tag new people on the TDM!

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

[ Prompt One ★ Prompt Two]

Paper Rings

Content Warnings: Unwanted romantic/sexual attention from a monster, optional sexual themes, optional monster fights, giant insects in 'accidents' prompt.

YOU'RE THE ONE I WANT

Folkmore has many lakes and streams. You wake up suddenly beside one, the world coming into sharp focus the moment you do. It's sunny, and the sounds and sights are warmly nostalgic for the very idea of summer.

You can sit and relax a while. Maybe lounge in the shade. Let your mind drift, and relax. There's a few people around, some still sleeping and some awakening the same as you, but it's far from crowded here.

Suddenly a shadow falls over you. You turn and are greeted by a monster: it looks sort of like an avocado covered in kelp, with oversized hands and a huge mouth. It also looks like it's entirely made of rubber - even its eyes appear to be only painted on.

This monster waves its arms threateningly. “Gaaaaah!” it says. Its voice is muffled. “Gaahhhhhhhhh!”

Somehow this creature is a lot faster than it looks, and the next thing you know it has enfolded you in its embrace.

“You will be Greg’s bride!” the monster shouts, regardless of your gender identification. It looks at whoever happens to be in your general vicinity. “Who this?”

Struggling, you realise that Greg is stronger than any creature you’ve ever encountered before. You can’t seem to get it to let go of you, and it's rocking against you in such a way that it makes a sound like the soles of sneakers on a gym floor. On the plus side, it doesn’t have any genitals that you can see, so at least it’s not as bad as it could be? Still, desperate times call for desperate measures! “That’s my partner!” you claim before you can think about how stupid an idea that is.

“You bride? PROVE IT!"

Oh shit. Now you’re stuck - you and whatever innocent bystander you've dragged into this have to convince Greg that you're a couple! You could admit to something true about love or intimacy under the guise of it being about the other; Greg’s lie detecting abilities are good enough to call you out on untruths, but not good enough to know who you’re talking about.

Or you could just start making out, I guess. Whatever works.

If you're a terrible actor, Greg will abduct you and pull you beneath the water. You better hope your fake partner will try to rescue you!

If you manage to convince him that you're a couple, he will shed a tear from his unblinking eyes before either slinking away or flying into a murderous rage.

If you choose to fight Greg, either in the water or on land, you will find that he's pretty tough for a rubber monster. Any blows to his back or sides will land harmlessly, and the kelp on his body may grab whatever you hit him with. And that big goofy mouth of his hides rows of deathly sharp fangs!

However you get rid of Greg, once he's gone you will find a trunk shaped like a koi fish. Open it and you will find some canon items from home. Clothes or weapons, maybe. Lucky you!

I HATE ACCIDENTS, EXCEPT...

You don't necessarily have to complete the One I Want prompt to find these koi trunks! They seem to be dotted around Folkmore and you might find them just by virtue of exploration! The trunks seem to mysteriously know who is opening them so you won't find someone else's stuff by accident. There are also some unenchanted weapons sticking out of the ground in random places: basic swords, guns, shields, etc. They have no magic, but they're usable!

But be warned: the second you take one of these weapons, you'll have to use it.

As soon as you have pulled a weapon from the ground, a high whining buzz sounds, swelling in volume as somethings come barreling out of the sky at you. They are short humanoid creatures about three feet tall with the heads and wings of cicadas. They are also wearing human clothes - what sort depends on what part of Folkmore you're in. If you're in Wintermute they might be wearing cute sweaters, but if you're in Cruel Summer they might be dressed like your suburban dad on summer vacation. How cute! Except they have very sharp talons and the sound they make can incapacitate you. Better take them down fast!

Or run even faster.

TIME OF MY LIFE

Content Warnings: Mood altering substances, optional alcohol use, optional suggestive themes.

I LIKE SHINY THINGS

Summer isn't all about getting bitten by mosquitoes out at the lake, or sweating your way up a mountain in uncomfortable hiking boots. For the less outdoorsy types, there's still plenty of fun to be had... and all within walking distance of an air conditioner when the weather gets too humid. Close to Epiphany, there appears a gem of a spa, nestled comfortably by a beautiful waterfall. The lobby is spacious and cool, with a distinctly mid-century modern sensibility. The gentleman working the front desk wears a crisp suit of burnt orange with a small golden fox pin on his lapel. He is more than happy to direct you to any of the spa amenities.

There are massage tables, hot tubs, and steam rooms. You can get yourself a manicure, pedicure, or facial. There's a full salon for anything you might want to do to your hair - maybe it's time for a kicky summer 'do? Any kind of pampering you're after, you can find it here! If you need to lie down, there are even some hotel rooms on the upper levels that you can rest in.

There is also a tea room - all soft pinks and sage greens, with plush chairs in sets of two or more around small round tables. You will be seated with someone else, as the tea room is designed to encourage conversation. The waiters in this delightful space are all flamingos - they move around the room with a sort of gangly grace, carrying trays on their backs or with their beaks. Unconventional, but they seem to have no problem understanding people's orders. Speaking of, what's on the menu? Seems every kind of tea has a different effect...

Black tea hypes you UP! Who wants to stay sitting around with a bunch of birds?! Let's go party!
Green tea brings a sense of great peace and mental clarity. You will find it easy to talk about emotional subjects without being overcome with feelings.
Oolong tea calms you and relaxes you deeply. You might even find yourself nodding off!
Milk tea inspires feelings of affection - whoever you're sitting with now seems like they could be your new best friend. (Or more?)

Spending time in the tea room really does encourage you to open up to other people one way or another, and all the other spa activities tend to put people in the mood to open up a little bit.

IN DIRTY DREAMS

If you tire of such relaxing pursuits but you still don't fancy wandering off into the woods, you could always poke around behind the spa, where there is a smaller separate building. If you listen you can hear loud music playing, carried faintly on the summer wind. Some kind of party? Why not check it out? Okay, so there's a big old 'STAFF ONLY' sign on the side of the building, but you could just wander in and come up with an excuse if someone spots you. Or sneak in through the bathroom window or something if you're that worried.

Once inside it becomes apparent that this building functions as a private club for the spa staff. The interior is dark and wood paneled, lit only by some old hanging lights with warm bulbs. At the far end is a bar, and beyond that the glow of a small kitchen. A few tables are scattered along the walls, but the bulk of the long room is taken up by a dancefloor.

And boy oh boy are people getting down.

The music is so loud that you don't have to be able to hear to feel the beat - it pounds through the floorboards like a pulse. It's a compelling rhythm that urges you to join the throng. Even if you lack any and all natural grace, the urge to dance is strong enough that you can cast off your reluctance. You can even find yourself a dance partner, although you might want to keep it a little more G-rated than some of the couples around.

If you tire, you can hit the bar. The bartender isn't checking any IDs, considering they think everyone present is a staff member. Just don't blow your cover!

Comments

[milonaire]

[ The gash across Greg's throat wasn't as effective as Milo had hoped it would be. He had been hoping for a one-hit kill, and then an easy meal after. But he can tell from the soggy, seaweed-y stench that he doesn't want his lips anywhere near Greg's rubbery blood.

Ah, well. Killing just for the sake of it, then. That's fine, too.

He's impressed by the punch his partner in crime gives Greg's bleeding wound— but then, any punch with an arm like that is bound to be impressive, isn't it? He'd very much like to know more about it, once this bother is taken care of.

Greg stumbles backwards when punched, but Milo doesn't give him any time to recover. He surges forward with an inhuman quickness, a swirl of black and grey mist in his wake, grabs a hold of Greg by the already injured neck, his other hand coming in low to lift him bodily off the ground and throw him as far as he can (which is pretty stinking far) back into the water. He bares his teeth in a pointless rage, like a caged animal, and then...

He spins around on his heel and does a silly little victory dance. ]

Ooh, what teamwork! We should take this show on the road, you and I, don't you think?

[milonaire]

[ Milo shoots the woman a glare, offended that she seems not to be in on helping him after all. What is this? Play along with his scheme but not lift a finger when it actually counts?

Pathetic.

He sighs, and redirects his attention towards Greg. ]

No, afraid not. Not unless you were hoping for more of a Bridezilla.

[ It's a dated reference, sure, but Milo doesn't care. He bares his fangs once more and hisses, his fingernails now sharpened into claws swiping up in an attempt to sever the arm holding him hostage from Greg's body. ]

[oversleep]

_{[ Sunny allows himself to give Shuichi a cat-like head bump against his shoulder, his tail twitching. ]}

I don't want to. I'm sorry.

<sub>[ Since.. the secret is out he has no idea what he is doing. He peers at the Relic once Shuichi starts really looking at it and he can only look up at Shuichi with his cat features on full display and giving Shuichi a look like really.

Still. ]</sub>

I like cats. We should go.

[halsband]

[He hears the light running footsteps along the riverbank, but can't be bothered to release his hold on the creature's disgusting 'flesh'; too focused on getting it to let go and maybe he's panicking about it a little. A soft thunk sounds as the rock hits Greg directly in one of his creepy rubbery eyes and half bounces off like he were actually made of rubber. Maybe he is. It's pissed him off anyway, if not exactly done much damage. What follows are indignant complaints that he'd only been asking questions, what a rude girl. The thing's distracted enough to loosen his hold and Heine takes advantage of that window, twisting around to kick at it viciously while poor Greg rubs at his wide-open eye, and when he finally tears himself away completely, Heine picks up the rock and steps back to actually get a look at who threw it.

He almost drops it the moment he does. She doesn't look the same, and he can't immediately place why, because there's a level of shock that comes with seeing someone so familiar in this weird-ass place. Like it hadn't been real to him until now, until he sees that anxious expression and the scattered berries and basket.]

Nill.

[It's not a question, there's no doubt in his mind that it's her and not some illusion or whatever else this fox world might produce. For a moment, Greg is forgotten, but the creature apparently doesn't like being ignored and starts rambling about proving love or some shit. Heine's stopped listening, putting himself between the avocado monster and Nill like she had been the one in danger. The rock feels like a ridiculous substitute for a weapon in his hand, but he clutches it tightly, ready to turn and hurl it back at the thing should it make any moves. Staring a little awkwardly at Nill, he should be able to think of something better to say, but what comes out is:]

You dropped your mushrooms.

[dreamsofpeace]

Nico flinched. And maybe ducked a little. It wasn't the first time he'd heard gunfire in person but it was still loud and thus, startling. It took him a beat to realize that whoever'd fired was there to help, but it was all the incentive he needed to launch back into battle. It was almost a little ridiculous thinking of this as some kind of war, but it was. Man verse insect...things, just like all the bug repellent commercials always joked about with their tag lines.

He ducked low under one of the diving creatures, glancing over as the one that'd been shot toppled to the ground. This one toppled too, though not because it was injured, just because it couldn't turn in time to stop itself from tumbling across the ground. He ignored it, for now, swinging his batons at the ones aiming for his face, knocking them this way and that. There was a problem in that hitting them like he was served mostly to injure and concuss them--but maybe if enough of them were injured, they'd retreat.

"Thanks!" He called, suddenly realizing he should say something, especially since he was grateful not to be facing these creatures alone.

[fxckery]

[A man's gotta take his intellectual Vs where they come. When the competition doesn't have scurvy, they get pretty scarce on the ground.]

Big honkin' one. [See? Couth and An Intellect.] Can't miss it.

[Well, some people probably could. Some people could barely find their way out of a paper bag, let alone actually get somewhere.]

Bit hotter than here.

[dreamsofpeace]

[Oh. Well, at least he'd stumbled into someone who was both understanding and handsome. There could've been way worse outcomes.]

Yeah, I was-

[He was...what? How could he explain why he was here, especially if he hadn't come to dance? Not that he didn't like dancing, just that he'd never really tried. Who knew, he might enjoy it. That might not have been the point right now, though.]

-the place seemed a little shady. I was just checking things out.

[It was most of the truth, at least.]

[ausgebrannt]

[Well, so much for diplomacy there. Not that he tried it a lot, but he did put in a nominal effort at least. So, that exhausted, it's certainly spell time.]

I am. Brace yourself. You're likely to fall.

[At least there's water there, right? Hopefully? It's not a big enough fall to do much damage anyway, certainly preferable to being dragged off to Greg's lair. He casts the spell without any further ado, and this time when it hits Greg, the creature will find himself changed into a catfish.]

[beta]

[Normally, he'd keep his hands to himself, but Shuichi finds himself inclined to ruffle Sunny's hair when he's met with that cat-like bump. Not that Sunny is a cat, but he has a lot more in common with one than Shuichi's comfortable admitting. Doing so might mean getting stabbed, so his lips are sealed.

Sounds like the cat café is a go, but... Glancing down at Sunny, he catches that look he's giving him and his smile slants apologetic.]

But you just said... [No, never mind. Shuichi's gonna overlook that contradiction and start off in the direction of the cat café. It's clear they'd both benefit from the spending some time with soft, warm, non-judgmental, affectionate cats.] ...Well, let's get going, then. I wonder if they have any sphynx cats?

[He's always had a morbid fascination with them.]

1/2

[oversleep]

_{[ SHUICHI PETS ]}

2/2

[oversleep]

<sub>[ As Shuichi starts to walk, obviously he trails along with him and also pulls out his own Relic, maneuvering around to follow along with him and see what else could be on here. Technically, it's exploring, but he's not going to say that. Cat cafe first.

He hadn't been interested in scoping out the area. Not ever since he almost drowned in the lake here. Not since he relived painful memories in the camp fire's flame. Not ever since someone made a network post talking about.. how people were apparently fucking each other a lot at the campsite? Yeah, he just doesn't want to be involved in any of that. ]</sub>

... I appreciate you wanting to spend time with me.

Sorry for the delay! I was out of town

[xue_yang]

He looks the thing up and down, unsure exactly what they are or what to call them. But considering the things he has seen today, this seems right on course for how everything is going.

"And you thought that your appearance wouldn't effect me in the same way?"

It doesn't but that is mostly because Xue Yang is desensitized at this point by a lot of things. He wonders if this one is newer and that is why people would look at him strangely. He figures if he has been here for awhile no one would think twice about his appearance. But Xue Yang is also still trying to figure out this world works and what is considered normal.

[beta]

[He sees you, Sunny. His enjoyment of head pats doesn't elude Shuichi's notice and neither does Sunny's idle curiosity as they make their way to their destination, but... again, not saying anything. Opening his mouth and ruining a good thing isn't on the agenda.

Admittedly, it's calming here. Tranquil. Letting his guard down entirely and enjoying himself doesn't feel appropriate, all things considered, but... visiting a cat café can't hurt. If nothing else, he can justify this venture by considering it a favor for Sunny. Right, he's just doing this for Sunny...!!

Ah, but speaking of Sunny? Shuichi's eyes widen, surprised. He's thanking him...? For what?, he wants to ask, but Sunny just said why. It's just— hard to believe, but...]

...Y-yeah. You're welcome. [...] I should be the one thanking you. Up until now, I was beginning to feel pretty lonely.

[dreamedboy]

[Elijah was a nice name, if he was being honest. A nice name for an attractive boy, and Proko spent far too long rolling it over in his head as he watched the other boy. So long, in fact, that he almost lost his rhythm and nearly stepped on Elijah's foot. Nearly. He caught himself at the last second, smiling sheepishly.]

Me? Make excuses? Nah.

[The compliment made him feel warm though, and his smile brightened. He'd come a long way from being aloof and friendless like he'd been in his freshman year at Aglionby, but sometimes he wondered if he'd learned how to be charismatic on his own or if K had rubbed off on him. Maybe he'd actually been charismatic from the start and had only needed a gentle push to discover it about himself.

Charismatic or not though, some days he still felt horribly alone. He tried not to dwell on it, didn't think about all of the things that set him apart from other people, but it was hard. It was probably part of why it was so easy for him to lavish attention on anyone who caught his eye though; he knew how much it sucked to be alone and everyone deserved to feel special to someone.]

You're just a good teacher.

[oversleep]

You shouldn't feel lonely.

_{[ Hmm. He's already seeing Shuichi in some kind of light. He's got some troubling past, it seems like, and he sounds a lot like Sunny with some of the things he's been saying. But Sunny doesn't smile like this. Sunny didn't find himself attractive like he was beginning to notice about Shuichi. Shuichi has more manners and grace than he's ever had and he can tell that about him even though they just met. That's his perception at least. ]}

You use your strength to smile and you have big eyelashes.

_{[ He doesn't state his explanation as to why Shuichi shouldn't feel lonely because he sometimes sucks at irl conversations, but. It's mostly he notices appeal about Shuichi from his point of view, so he should have a lot of friends. ]}

Are you disliked back home, Shuichi?

[dreamforger]

[Kavinsky pushed himself up, swinging his legs around the bench that he'd been dreaming on, so that he can face Adam properly. He nods distantly at the answer; he'd been hoping Ronan might have turned up with Parrish, but that was a fraught thought, and it was also nice to not have to deal with Gansey. It didn't quite balance out, but it wasn't all bad, at least. Parrish himself was a wildcard- the sort of boy that Kavinsky could see himself pulling under his wing if he hadn't fallen into Gansey's sway before he'd ended up on his radar.]

Proko's here, too. But he's the only one from home that I've seen until you.

[He answers the question easy, and honestly- because it's not like there's much to be gained in lying about it. Even if he does briefly consider trying to play the whole just the two of us angle to pull Parrish in a little closer- but it wouldn't last, and the fallout would cancel any possible gain, he was sure.]

Doesn't make you a stranger, though.

[He tips his head with a slight lift of an eyebrow. It's an attempt at offering something like friendship in the way that he'd never had the opportunity for back in Henrietta. And he still doesn't entirely trust this place, regardless of the lavish spa. And he's hoping that this strange place is reason enough to more or less work together this time.]

You get a place yet?

[beta]

[Oh, Sunny absolutely paints him in a much too favorable light, but Shuichi won't complain. It's nice to be thought of as someone with value, someone who can contribute to the world and enrich other's lives, but that someone isn't him. As of late, he's given up on the notion of ever becoming such a noble person.

All he can do is hurt people. People rely upon a detective to suss out the truth, but what good is that truth when it ultimately leads to death and despair? Ain't no lashes big enough to catch all these sad boy tears.

Still... he understands that Sunny is trying to be supportive. He should be appreciative, but... It's hard. Hard to see himself as anyone worth praising. Sunny's question is met with a quiet sigh, Shuichi shaking his head while his eyes remain on the path ahead.]

I wonder. Back home, they called me the "Ultimate Detective," but in a killing game, you can't solve a crime without finding the culprit. What are you supposed to do when that culprit is your friend?

[Ah, but he's not answering Sunny's question, just placing more burdens upon his new friend's shoulders. That's about all Shuichi can do for any of his friends, really. Hurt them. Burden them.]

My friends like me until I solve the crimes in which they're the culprit. All that waits for them after that is punishment.

[nosiness]

Ah...no. Japan's halfway across the planet, on another continent. Brooklyn's in America though. But a few thousand miles away. America's kind of a big place.

[She knows all that stuff! And she's already kinda starting to sketch out a basic map for Vex, just to be nice.

She nods along with the woman's explanations. Okay. Time was wonky, and she definitely gets how a couple of weeks could make a difference. Her life had been upended in a single night, after all.]

That sounds...kind of outlandish, but then, I guess the Fox can do what it wants. If it can bring us here, why not time travel.

[nosiness]

Unfortunately, probably not. I just followed the fox into the woods, and then started wandering. I found a little treasure chest, opened it, and then those things started chasing me.

[And that's been her whole day so far.]

It's a lot to take in. But hey, at least we're not alone in the woods anymore, right?

i like shiny things

[beta]

[What could be better than a hot bath after a long day? A hot tub doesn't provide quite the same experience that soaking in an onsen does, but he's in no position to complain. Rather, he wouldn't be, but there's a— monster in the hot tub?!]

Ack—!

[Please pardon the loud, undignified scream. Please also pardon the sound of Shuichi slipping and landing hard on the floor with another startled squawk. First there's a monster in the lake, now there are monsters in the hot tubs... Is no body of water safe?]

[forleaving]

[Adam nodded slowly. He didn't know Prokopenko so the boy being here didn't mean much to him besides the fact that at least three people from Henrietta had been taken and brought to this place. At least there was a friendly face around for Kavinsky.

Doesn't it? Adam started to say, but stopped himself He didn't really know Kavinsky, either, and he wasn't especially fond of him, but that was all based on what he'd heard and how Kavinsky had treated others, not Adam himself. He frowned, worrying his lower lip between his teeth for a moment.]

I suppose not.

[There was generally safety in numbers but- could he trust Kavinsky?]

Not yet. I'm not sure I like the idea of things being given to us for free.

[Nothing was ever free. Adam had put in enough hard work during his life to be well aware of that.]

There's a lot about this place that doesn't add up.

[nosiness]

Wait. Hold on.

[Her eyes go wide at the mention of phones, specifically mobile phones.]

...people can afford those things? I've seen them in movies, and I saw one in a tech magazine once. I think it cost almost five thousand dollars.

[And here's one, just pulled casually out of a pocket. It looks nothing like a phone, but it's still amazing.]

I guess technology comes a long way in the future. Uh...what year is it for you, Poppy?

[oversleep]

<sub>[ Those unblinking, dark voids that are Sunny’s eyes once again drill holes into Shuichi’s soul as the boy starts to open up to him. Whoa… he didn’t realize this guy came from some.. kidnapped world where people got offed? Shuichi’s emotion earlier makes a lot more sense now.

Sunny can’t imagine any of his friends killing someone else (hah), but he knows for certain he wouldn’t be able to turn them in no matter what his title is.

Unfortunately, he can’t be very sympathetic. Life sucks and then you die. But, he doesn’t like seeing Shuichi sad. Strange.. they just met. ]</sub>

You are doing your job.
Others shouldn’t be bad.

_{[ While he agrees with that, he also hates jobs and titles and things of the sort. He has already accepted he’s a waste of space and won’t make a difference in the world. He would rather give up a title and cowardly not get involved if it meant he didn't have to be responsible for his friends fate. ]}

[dissonyance]

Perhaps you are some illusion. A trick of something from home that would give me pause. It is better to confirm those things now rather than later...

[ before he trusts konoe. or even remotely cares about him, because that has gone very well for those who he pays attention to. ]

... if and when things go sour. Would you disagree? The unknown can be far more dangerous than the known.

[richspoiledrotten]

[Elijah can't help laughing a little- a bit sharp, but not cruel- at the way that Proko almost steps on his foot, and he stops short himself even as the other boy catches himself. But it's easy to pick up on the next beat, smiling softly as he looks up at him. He can't help thinking about kissing him, but he knows that he's getting ahead of himself.

If he isn't careful, he's gonna be the one tripping over his feet next.]

This isn't really teaching; I think you just needed some encouragement. And maybe a boy to put his hands on you.

[He smirks, winks a little bit teasingly, letting his hands slide a little bit further up along his sides. Less about guiding him as they moved together, and more just to touch. Elijah was always a little bit touch-starved, lonely without his friends. He didn't have many friends, but those he did have, he'd fight anything for. And being without them-- It was hard in a way he wouldn't have known how to talk about anyway.

Dancing was a better answer. Kissing would be even better than that.]