July 2022 Test Drive Meme

[folkie]

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!

Comments

Peter Parker | MCU: Spider-Man Far From Home

[heyunderoos]

You're The One I Want; Spider-lad

[Waking up by a stream is weird. Very weird. Not the weirdest thing he's gone through, not even the top ten. Still weird. Peter just looks at the stream with mild interest, wondering if he has a head injury.

His idle pondering about head injuries is interrupted when something... bursts out of stream to tackle someone nearby, yelling about brides. Peter blinks in open confusion as he tries to figure out what he's seeing.

Unsurprisingly, Spider-Man, even out of costume has to do something. The teenager is jolted out of his reprieve, running over to try and grab onto the green... rubbery thing. How could this thing even fit in the stream!? Where did it come from!?

Why does it kinda smell like over-ripe avocados? The mysteries shall never cease.

Peter tries to yank on the monster's arm, heels digging into the dirt as he speaks.]

Woah, woah, hey! Stop that! Don't like kidnap people, Mr. Green Guy! You're being really weird right now!

I Hate Accidents, Except... [Muffled Spider noises]

[Finding a random comically sized sword sticking out of the ground is enough to make Peter pause in his idle exploration.

He looks around, seeing no one else is claiming this sword with a really cool blue handle. The engravings almost look like spiders. That seems pretty cool.]

I mean... I can look at it, right? It's just sitting out here after all.

[And lo, Peter Parker foolishly hefts the sword out of the ground. Peter admires the metal work on the handle, and doing what teenage boys do, swing it a little. How can he resist the call of swinging around a cool sword?

Then he hears the whizzing. He slows to a stop in his idle swinging to look up. He jolts backward in surprise, eyes going comically wide.]

Is this your sword, cause- uh- [It's more his spider-sense that keeps him from getting dinged as he awkwardly blocks a blow from talons of the beasts coming at him.

Peter is not used to using a sword, so his swings are comically off center, but he's very good about not being hit somehow. Actually hitting the creatures proves a futile effort. He also seems to be pulling his proverbial punches, trying to not actively hurt them.]

If you want it back, just ask!? Oh my god!

You're the one i want.

[waxpoetic]

Honestly, Greg, how many times must we go over this?

[From a distance, it may have seemed like Greg was grasping at a singular, solid figure. As Peter gets closer, however, he may want to rethink his approach - it isn't a humanoid that Greg is grasping at. Rather, it's a buzzing, writhing mass of insects that disperses around his hand the moment the avocado man tries to grab it.]

Consent is key. Honestly, it isn't that difficult a concept.

[The voice is... oddly buzzy, and seems to be coming from the entire mass at once as it scatters and swirls in the air around Greg.

At least, until Peter shows up. Both Greg and Gavotte's attention shifts to the poor spider-boy.]

There, see? Here's a young, probably handsome humanoid - try asking if he consents to be your bride.

[Sorry Pete. Gavotte is happy to turn the monster's attention onto you, if it gets Greg off of her back.]

betrayed by bees....

[heyunderoos]

Uh- no, no- I'm taken actually! [He tried to be helpful, now this is happening. Peter rapidly backs off, holding his palms up in surrender.

Greg responds in kind, demanding to know who.]

Uh, she's not here! But we're really happy, and I'm not ready for marriage, sir, I haven't finished highschool. I don't think this... um, person is either!

We're both just kinda really busy, you know! Life! Super busy!

[waxpoetic]

See, Greg? Not good enough for this young man, either.

[The voice comes from around Peter, as the swarm moves to his sides and back. It's hard to make out if this is a conscious movement or if this is just regular swarming.]

He's taken too. If you don't hurry up and find a bride soon, you might be the last single man left on the continent. Better run along.

[Is Greg buying this? Well, he seems like he needs a bit more convincing before he's willing to back off.]

Well if you must know, Greg, my partner and I experience sex all the time. [If that doesn't sound like a normal human way to talk about things, that's because she's not.] And I'm sure this young man does a great many things with this person he's too busy to marry. Kisses and dates and what have you.

First one!

[thegreatmysterio]

[First it's waking up in the stream, waterlogged and very unhappy. Now it's a goddamn fish monster tackling him and hollering about brides when Quentin just wants to dry off and not feel like a drowned cat. He's already working his way up to full-on hissing and spitting as he claws at the monster's chest demanding to be let go when somebody else tries to get involved in this mess.

And his luck just gets worse, because of fucking course, Peter Parker is that person.]

Yeah, see? The kid's got the right idea, don't you- [Oh god, how the fuck can he even explain them knowing each other, maybe-] son!

Haha bastard man

[heyunderoos]

[Realizing he's rescuing Quentin Beck immediately sets Peter's teeth on edge, but by fuck he has to try.

He can't help but make a face at 'son'. It would be so easy to just walk away. Instead, he tries to make his tone plaintive.]

Please, sir, he's- my uh, dad. You can't just run off with him! He owes like- a lot of child support!

[Greg just squints at them, suspicious, his grip tight on Beck.]

bastard hours, activate!

[thegreatmysterio]

[Oh thank fuck the kid can roll with a plan. Other hand, now he has to sell this. Blegh. Time to reach for some shared bullshit to shore this up.]

Excuse me, maybe I should have taken you in the divorce then! Did your father's attitude really rub off on you this badly? Tony was always such a bad influence, I swear, he's already making plenty of money without me adding to it. He drowns you in presents anyway, trying to make up for lost time while I have to work my ass off-

[There's enough truth in there, even if it's based purely on Quentin's opinion, for Greg's squinting to lighten a little. His grip is still firm, though, even as Quentin tries to twist out of it and gives Peter a very pointed look. If they can use someone they both have in common as the fake 'other parent' here, things will go SO much more smoothly.

Roll with it, Peter.]

i hate accidents, except...

[pursuitofcappiness]

[ Steve is out on the town and thinking that yeah, he should probably start carrying his shield around. ]

Kid, run!

[ Steve will try to hold them off with some hand-to-hand, but there's a lot of them. He also notices that the kid is pretty good at punching, which is weird. Lousy at swordsmanship, so he's not sure why he's trying to wield that thing. ]

If you hand me that thing, I can bait them away.

[heyunderoos]

[Peter double takes when he realizes it's Captain America is here with him. Last he heard from the rumor mill Steve was on the moon or something.

Honestly, Peter has no idea anymore.]

Uh- working on it!

[He swings the sword more clumsily to look less like he has super strength and somehow loses his grip.

The irony will occur to Peter later, for now, he releases a strangled sound as the sword just flies. And lands heavily in the dirt ahead of them.]

I did not mean to do that!

[pursuitofcappiness]

[ Steve, who does not know that Peter Parker is Spider-Man, thinks it's just some lost kid, and then goes to retrieve the sword. Good thing he runs fast. ]

Just run!

[ He grabs the sword and starts fighting with the creatures, clearly not pretending like he isn't Captain America, managing to hit them all back without actually drawing blood. Blunt force still hurts a lot, but hey, he's just using the sword like he usually does with his shield, just without the throwing part.

It's really annoying without the throwing part.

On the bright side, it does seem like the creatures are just interested in the sword, and might leave Peter alone. ]

i hate accidents, except...

[ooting]

[Anya's also just running around Exploring, and the problem with any small child is that the second they see something vaguely shiny, something in their brains engages immediately and will not disengage until they get their hands on it. Anya's no exception, and when she catches sight of a cool-looking shield with a dog on it, she gasps.]

Doggy! [She scampers up and lifts it. Some of the beasts previously engaged with Peter whip around now to this tiny little pink-haired child, who is just now looking up and freezing up, as anyone who is in way over their heads combat-wise would.]

Oh no.

[heyunderoos]

[His own predicament is forgotten pretty promptly when Peter realizes a little very pink haired girl has scampered up to the array of weapons just out and about.

The bugs seem intent on ignoring her until she picks up a shield. Then the shift is obvious.

Peter just throws the sword in his grasp at the bugs still lingering around him, setting them back from Anya for a moment longer as the teen takes off shockingly fast to run towards the girl. The teenage boy is followed closely by a gaggle of bugs making a direct line towards Anya.]

Drop the shield! Just throw it!

[ooting]

[If Anya were literally anyone else, she'd throw the shield with all her might and make some cool quip about bug infestations. Unfortunately for Peter, Anya is not anyone else, so she just gives a terrified shriek and does the exact opposite of what he asks her to, clinging tighter to the shield and using it to try and block any blows as she runs flat-out for cover.]

No! It has a cool doggy!

[...It's not even that well-done a rendition.]

I Hate Accidents, Except...

[ironism]

( tony's officially at the point where he's no longer surprised at seeing a familiar face in folkmore. so when he sees peter parker fighting some kind of a creature with a weapon that he'd recklessly pulled out of the ground, he actually just watches for a moment, scrutinizing his skills and lack of swordsmanship. it's only when there's more than a few of the pesky things trying to fight peter at once, that tony activates the wrist watch gauntlet on his right hand, takes aim and blasts the creatures back. )

I thought I told you to stay out of trouble. What are you doing here, kid? Also, I'd put that back where it belongs. ( like, seriously? this isn't fao schwarz or toys “r” us. )

I'd apologize for the angst, but is inevitable

[heyunderoos]

[The sound of a repulsor blast immediately makes Peter's heart sink. Nostalgia and grief bending together uncomfortably tight in his chest. He hasn't heard Mr. Stark's voice in a long time.

He has to be imagining this. All of this, right?

His distraction means he absolutely loses grip of the sword while he's midswing, just sending it sailing through the air and into the nearby stream. The plunk of it breaking the waters surface and sinking feels oddly loud. The swarm need a second to redirect, but zip after the sword.

Peter's own voice is quiet. He's completely lost focus on the bugs.]

Tony-?

♥

[ironism]

( when the sword gets flung away by accident, tony raises his eyebrows slightly, but okay, that'll do. he flashes peter a grin. )

Hi. How are you? What's with the long face? You okay? ( he's thinking peter's likely just arrived. he's probably going through shock. folkmore's a lot to deal with. it's a good thing he's here. ) Do you want to sit down? You need a minute? ( he's moved closer now, his eyes scanning the kid for any visible injuries. the last time he saw peter was when he'd dropped him off back at his apartment after that airport fiasco with the avengers in germany. )

You're The One I Want; Spider-lad

[gravity_grrl]

[Usually, back home, it's Roxy's sister that is prone to getting kidnapped by monsters, super villains, and aliens. It sounds dumb but it's something that Roxy's always been a little jealous about, it's just yet another example of how much more attractive her sister is compared to her.
However, when the large, rubbery avocado monster grabs her and starts declaring Roxy as its bride she suddenly realizes that maybe she was wrong and this type of attention isn't all it's cracked up to be.]

OMG ARE YOU HUMPING ME?!! HELP! A GIANT AVACADO IS TRYING TO MATE WITH ME!!

[Luckily it seems like someone has heard her yelling and is trying to help, although it doesn't really seem to be working. Greg jostles her in his arms and looks down at the young man who has come to her aid.]

Who this?

[Shit. Uh...uh...]

That's my boyfriend, Greg! And if you don't put me down he's gonna KICK YOUR ASS!! Right, babe?

[She gives Peter a pointed stare.]

[heyunderoos]

[Peter's eyes go a bit big at the new title and pointed stare. Well. He signed up for helping her. This can only go well. His voice is a bit meeker than he intends it to be when he speaks.]

Uh, I'd really rather not to, but if I have to. [Greg just stares at Peter with his rubbery painted eyes, unmoved.]

Look, can you put her down, please? She's not interested in this! You can't just kidnap people to marry! [He manages a bit more conviction here, eyebrows pinching together as he squares his shoulders.]

[gravity_grrl]

[Roxy sighs, of course she had to pick the one nice, overly polite boy to have come pose as her fake boyfriend, he's about as convincing as Greg's googly eyes.]

You two...together? Prove it!

[Greg demands, obviously not buying Peter's attempts either and Roxy smacks at Greg's arms.]

Fine! I will! [Shit. Uh...] He's my boyfriend and we're totally in love because he's the one person who doesn't thinks I'm worthless. He doesn't care that I'm basically trailer trash, or a slut, or any of the other awful things people think about me! He's sweet and kind and always has my back and urm...he fucks me better than anyone else ever has!!

[She probably didn't have to add that last part in but she needs this to be realistic. Greg looks at her, making a thoughtful humming noise and then looks at Peter.]

This true?

You're The One I Want; Spider-lad

[phantomthot]

[this has to be payback for her getting out of her damsel scenario. has to be.

making matters worse is, her powers aren't working. figures.

so she uses her other power: an extremely loud mouth and an eensy bit of an entitlement complex, given that she was her planet's prodigy and totally skipped dimensions to go to a more interesting dimension the first chance she got, ooops? and no, it's not this one.

so she's using her second power: her voice.

which is currently yelling along with Peter] Hey! Heeeeeeey! Hey!! I'll have you know that I happen to be royalty and I will not be...green globule monster-handed this way! Unhand me this second!

[then she yells to Peter] Thaaaaank you! Don't let it take me away, I'm delicate and easily bruised!

[heyunderoos]

[Greg seems wholly unimpressed with Peter's attempt to intervene, trying to keep a grip on Tinya. Peter is discovering this rubber monster looking guy is definitely strong as he yanks on its arm and doesn't get very far.]

Hey, hey! Can you not, uh, green avocado man?!

["Why you care!?" Greg demands loudly.]

Because- [Peter looks at Tinya, his expression a touch apologetic.] we're best friends! You can't just kidnap someone's best friend! We were going to go shopping together! I needed to help her find a really cool tiara.

[Peter really hopes Tinya goes with him on this.]

[phantomthot]

[she attempts to screech directly in Greg's ear and when that doesn't work, she resumes kicking and screaming and pounding what she can reach of Greg with her fists.

and yay, help!] What he said! He's very important, too, and you need to listen to him!

[well, she was going to go with "he's my boyfriend," but she supposes that'll work?] Yes, he is my absolutely and positively one hundred percent best friend! And that was exactly our plan for today, a crown of roses simply isn't enough anymore! It's passé! So unhand me this instant! I need to go shopping!

I Hate Accidents, Except...

[intemperant]

[approximately five meters away, there's a Japanese young woman who is just. judging as he swings around the sword. judging so hard.

honestly, they ought to pay her for every time she rescues someone from a similar situation. a bounty of sorts. she supposes it's worth asking about, they seem to get paid for literally saying hello.

granted, for her that's a far greater challenge.

so without a word, she draws her sword and runs into the fray. she actually does know what she's doing. granted, it's not the Sacred Sword of Ise, never that, never again. but what she has is acceptable for now.

she slips in so that she has her back to his back and is being far less concerned about not hurting her opponents]

...they won't listen to you.

[heyunderoos]

[Peter never claimed to be a sword guy. Nor would he ever want to pick up a sword again. It went from fun to stressful in nanoseconds and he isn't a fan.

Peter startles a little at the feeling of her back against his, but looks over his shoulder at her the best he can. She hadn't set off his spider-sense, so she didn't intend to hurt him.]

Uh, I was starting to get that feeling. Not great! Kind of wish they would!

[intemperant]

[she'd been trained since she was eight, since she was first taken in by Ise and had it explained who and what she was.

she knows that was the fate her mother tried to save her from, but mother was dead. it was just her and she was tired of living on the streets. so to be taken in, given a purpose, it seemed like the answer she'd been seeking.

and she glances back at him, violet eyes calmly assessing him]

There are frequently such creatures. They're a test of sorts.