folkooc | July 2022 Test Drive Meme

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*tdm

July 2022 Test Drive Meme

JULY 2022 TDM

INTRODUCTION

[ TDM Questions ★ Jump to Comments ★ Full Navigation ]
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!

Flat | Top-Level Comments Only

Don't mind if I do.

[Snatching whatever tea Yukari's already had on the table, he's going to drink out of the other man's cup. Loudly slurping. He sets the cup back down with a pointed thud.]

Quiet enough for you?

[Well, that warrants a blink of surprise from Yukari. How distasteful, not beautiful at all. Yukari will surely need a new cup. But he also needs to nip this man's behaviour in the bud.

And Yukari lets out an amused chuckle.]

Oh, my, I'm flattered. I didn't know you enjoyed indirect kissing. I suppose I can appreciate your style of flirting.

[He absolutely doesn't. But if Jiro is here to start a fight, then Yukari will gladly oblige. Without his blade this time, of course. This place is too beautiful to have a direct challenge in.]

[At that, Jiro finally removes his foot from the table.]

I'm not flirting with you, old man.

[He leans on his forearms, glare fixed on Yukari across the table.]

But I will kick your ass for that.

[It's definitely a threat, but he's smiling.]

Well, then. I suppose I have no choice but to accept.

[Not that he minds in the slightest.]

But I will only do so outside.

[He stands up and motions a hand toward the doors.]

After you, Brash-chan.

[Jiro moves right for the door, lightly shoving past one of the flamingo waiters on his way out.]

Can't keep up on your withered old legs, eh, pops? Outside's fine. I'd fuck this place up.

[He doesn't intend to use any powers unless he needs to, but he currently has no assessment of this guy's skills in general.]

[Outside they go. Yukari makes sure to grab his sword from the front desk on his way out. Jiro continues to comment on Yukari's age. Must all haughty children behave like this? Yukari doesn't have a wrinkle to his name, thank you very much. But he chalks it up to small dog syndrome. This boy's young and got a thing to prove. Nothing he hasn't seen before, so he'll let it slide.

Yukari makes sure to give an elegant stance, hand on the handle of his sword. He has an amused smile on his face, like this is a game he's played a thousand times before.]

Well, will you make the first move, or shall I?

[Yukari may not be old old, but Jiro is absolutely going to keep that up, for lack of better things to be insulting about at present. Though, now he has more scoff at after the way the man carries himself.]

What the fuck is this, a duel? You sword guys are all the same, high and mighty with your posing and shit. Just come at me and I'll show you what I got.

[He slams his fist into his opposite palm. The plan here is simply to watch Yukari make one move and dodge it, but analyze his style and momentum, then strike the weak point if he uncovers any. Jiro may be overconfident and shameless in his provocations, but he can back that up most of the time.]

[Yukari tsks, but is fine with going first.

With a lot of flourish, Yukari charges, and fast, at Jiro, swinging his sword at full intensity as it comes down. It's not a lot, but hopefully it'll be enough to gauge just how much actual enjoyment he'll get out of this.]

Oh, forgive me. I do have other means of combat. My sword is just preferred. If you were looking for something else, I suppose I don't mind lowering my skills for you.

[Every bit meant to be an insult. Do you need easy mode, Jiro?]

[Jiro's eyes aren't on the sword, but Yukari's arm and wrist, looking for something that telegraphs enough to anticipate the trajectory and ready to take the blow when it comes. He blocks the blade with his hands, one on either of side of it. The material of his gloves, and his jumpsuit, looks like some kind of kevlar, but it was created with a lot of perks, one being a resistance to blades of standard metals in his world. A sword from home wouldn't cut through to his palms, and he's hoping for the same here, but willing to deal with lacerations later if he's been too careless and made poor assumptions.]

Oi, just because I don't use a weapon doesn't mean my skill level's shit!

[He says that, but Jiro rarely uses said skills or any of his extensive martial arts training with flair, preferring to just brawl like a heathen. And it's why he moves to kick Yukari in the stomach while keeping the blade at bay.]

[The sword itself isn't the problem, so Jiro has nothing to worry about at the present second. Yukari's quick to retract the blade and dance away from the kick.]

Well, then, I certainly hope that means you won't disappoint.

[A teasing shrug; his expectations of Jiro certainly aren't high. The problem with hotheaded people tends to be that they're all talk. He readies himself with another swish of his blade, and then he attacks from the side this time, giving multiple swings.]

[It might be clear early on that Jiro isn't one to dodge so much as block. He manages to follow the line of the sword's strike pretty well and still find a couple of openings to throw a punch or make any other moves towards blunt force impact with whatever's convenient; an elbow, a knee.]

You gonna keep dancing around like that, or actually try to stab me?

[Everything that Jiro throws, Yukari artfully dodges. He's fast to move and efficient at dodging things much more dangerous than an elbow or a knee. With his last jump back, he can't help but smile at Jiro's request.]

Oh? Is that what you want?

[Well, Jiro hasn't been particularly impressive to Yukari yet, but if that's what he wants, who is Yukari to deny such?

Yukari holds his sword out and it begins to glow purple around the blade. Yukari picks up his pace and moves even faster, slashing just as quickly towards Jiro's middle. And whether Jiro is able to stop it or not, Yukari's going to go ahead and give a strong blast of purple electricity to Jiro as well.]

[Jiro anticipates the sword, though it glances off the fabric of his suit more than he'd like. It's the electricity that throws him, unaccustomed to abilities of that sort or even the potential for them. His tactical gear is insulated, but as the electricity flows through, he can feel it as a muted tingly sensation across his skin at first; not a typical voltage that may have been accounted for. The clunky watch at his left wrist sparks a little, on the verge of shorting out, and as it does so, Jiro appears to blink out of existence for half a second. Accidental activation of his invisibility cloaking. It's impossible for him to assess the power levels in that one streak of purple electricity, but it's fucking shit up and messing with all the electronic bits in his clothing. A crackling noise like static sounds from the chest plate. Tendrils of black smoke start to rise, but not from the device, from Jiro's body. The smoke thickens and gathers around his mouth, his hands, and curls up from his hair. It soon forms too-long catlike ears there, and sharp claws from his fingertips, a shadowy tail appendage snaking out behind him.]

Shitfuck.

[Any aggression Jiro's had during this fight should be shut down quickly to offset an influx of barely-controlled demon aura, something he's well-aware of, but he's not the kind of person who backs down even when he should. Especially when he should. He curls his clawed fist and pulls back, but has the sense not to immediately punch Yukari in the face without warning, because the man might be closer to human despite the weird electricity powers.]

We going all out here? Because I will fucking end you.

[It sounds little less threatening than his earlier taunts, and not particularly mocking, because he's unsure if he would actually kill this guy with one punch, putting a hole right through him.]

[Watching Jiro temporarily flux out of existence, if only for just a second, definitely catches Yukari's attention. And the black tendrils only intrigue him further. Yukari's eyes widen in awe. It's amazing, to say the least.

Yukari can't help but smile.]

Ah, by all means. I would be delighted to see what you can do.

[Yukari's stance changes, more serious now. More enticed. Like a cat that found the perfect plaything. Another charge, with Yukari striking to pierce right down the middle. But he's watching closely, to see what Jiro's move will be.]

[Despite his change in appearance and clearly some additional level of power behind it, Jiro doesn't shift from simple punches. He counters the electrified sword with his fist. There's a sharp pain that comes with the energy, and his hand goes a little numb. He can't tell if he's managed to crack the blade, his fingers, or nothing at all.]

[With the energy channelling through it, Yukari's blade withstands the blows exceptionally well. And when Yukari speaks, his voice is filled with humour.]

Oh? Is punching all you have? I had quite expected more.

[He still gracefully dodges any throws his way. After all, these are simple punches, and easy to avoid. He also doesn't look like he's trying very hard to dodge these.

Another strike is thrown, slashing for Jiro's throat this time.]

Didn't you promise to end me? I'm afraid you won't get very far if that's all you have.

Ah, fuck!

[He's bleeding and that's... fine. This is all he has, if Yukari is pretty much not affected by all the demon energy. Otherwise, Jiro's an average ninja boy.]

Fucking shit.

[The smoke starts to recede slowly; he's damaging his organs using it, and it's proven to be useless.]

[Oh? Just like that, it's over? At least, as the black rescinds from Jiro, that's how it seems to be.

Yukari lowers his sword, and tilts his head, giving a click of his tongue.]

What is all of that if it does nothing for you? I don't think you're a strain, let alone a King.

[The glow diminishes from the sword, and Yukari slides it back into its sheath.]

I thought it would defend you, at least.

[Maybe he vastly overestimated the reason whatever that power was that emerged after all.]

Edited 2022-08-03 18:59 (UTC)

Shut up, the fuck you talking about kings for...

[He didn't expect to go from someone very overpowered in his own world to ineffective so quickly. Guy doesn't even have a scratch on him, what the actual fuck.]

Should have, guess you lucked out.

[Well, that answers that question, then.

Yukari tilts his head and frowns in disapproval.]

Luck is not so beautiful. I mastered my skills carefully. That includes my Auras.

[He says it plain and simply, matter-of-factly. He's not bragging, it's just the truth.]

Well, you asked for everything I had. I won't say I'm not disappointed.

[He looks Jiro over, debating how much he cares if this man might bleed out. But some sort of curiosity wins.]

If you want medical attention, I do know first aid. But in return, I want to see what you can truly do, the next time we face off. That is, if you think you can do better.

Edited 2022-08-03 19:17 (UTC)

I didn't see any skill. Seen better swordwork from a teenage boy. Whatever the fuck that "Auras" shit is, it's just more powerful. That's fucking luck.

[It's mocking and dismissive, and Jiro wipes the blood from his neck with his fingers, unconcerned. It will stop bleeding eventually.]

Nah, you're no fun with your dodging and prancing around. I don't have time for that bullshit.

[Yukari can't help the amusement that appears on his face. An airy chuckle escape from him.]

Brash children are all alike. Seems like you're just fine, then.

[He gives a bit of a mock-shrug.]

Well, if we both have better things to do, I suppose I'll leave you to yours.

Just a scratch.

[Despite losing and continuing to make fun of Yukari any chance he gets, Jiro at least looks satisfied with this encounter.]

Yeah, got lots of shit to do. See you around.]

Flat | Top-Level Comments Only

July 2022 Test Drive Meme

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I love your child so much. Thank you <3

/)_(\ he's a terror