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

[oversleep]

It... it's a lot.

<sub>[ You're overstimulating him!! And true to his cat-like nature, he wants to bring his claws out and scratch him, but he settles for something else by just reaching up and taking Shuichi by the wrist, removing the hand from his head.

His tail is going nuts, though, twitching all around. ]</sub>

[beta]

[...Oh. Say no more, fam. Shuichi promptly releases Sunny from his gropy hands and returns them to his sides where they belong.]

Ah, I'm sorry, Sunny. I got carried away...

[You don't say??]

It's just— I haven't pet a cat in so long. I almost forgot how soft they are...

[depressing............]

[oversleep]

<sub>[ Now that he's not enjoying and receiving too much of it, he looks extremely calm and flushed from all the petting........... i see...

SUNNY is HAPPY. ]</sub>

[beta]

[Geez, that blush sure is infectious. The tips of Shuichi's ears twitch, his cheeks painfully red, and... well, they were doing something, weren't they? He's itching to get an move on and leave his embarrassment behind, but first! Another apology!!]

I really am sorry... I shouldn't have gotten so carried away. Um... Sunny?

[SAY SOMETHING]

[oversleep]

_{[ His eyes open and his lips are turned upward in what appears to be a small but genuine smile. ]}

... It's okay. It just felt like a lot at once.

_{[ He's starting to walk again, also feeling rather comfortable now that he's not feeling too much of those nice sensations. Now he really knows how cats feel when they suddenly attack a human when they've had too much touching. ]}

Do petting animals bring you comfort?

[beta]

[That smile's going to stick with him, thin and slight as it is. After the hell Shuichi's been through, a smile like that shines brighter than any sun.

Yeah... when those little grey clouds part, what's left behind is a brilliant smile. Sunny really does live up to his name, but Shuichi knows better than to praise him too openly. He'd be inclined to deny it, wouldn't he? For now, Shuichi pockets that knowledge and keeps it all to himself.

Resuming their walk, Shuichi offers a little smile of his own.]

Yeah... Animals are pure, you know? No matter who you are or what you've done, animals don't care. They'll love you regardless, right? It'd be hard not to find that comforting.

[oversleep]

<sub>[ Sunny notices a slight discomfort in his jaw and relaxes his smile, allowing his face to return neutral. The muscles around his mouth were weak from barely twisting into anything that resembled a smile.

He understands what Shuichi is saying, though. ]</sub>

Animals are better than people.

_{[ ... ah. Cynical little thing, isn't he? ]}

[beta]

Well...

[...He can't necessarily disagree with that, however:]

Some people can lift your spirits just as well, but they're hard to find. I met someone like that at the Academy. They find you when you least expect it.

[And when you need them most, as was the case with Shuichi. He didn't know how badly he needed a friend until he found one.]

[oversleep]

_{[ Sunny supposed he felt that way about his friends, but he was also well aware of how awful humanity could be, and it was just easy to have a dark outlook on life when you pretty much hated yourself. ]}

I hope you find someone like that here. I have made some friends while being here, and I’ll cherish them forever.

[beta]

Anything is possible, I suppose.

[He's not saying he's lost faith in humanity or anything as widely sweeping and dramatic as that, but... He'll need a little time. That's all.]

It's a relief you've made some friends here. [Ruh roh, that sounds bad. Quick addendum:] Oh, not like I don't think you could or anything! I'm just glad for you.

[oversleep]

_{[ Shuichi is right and he should say it. Sunny watches him for the longest time. ]}

… I don’t understand why they like me either. It’s okay.

that icon?????

[beta]

[That look is so, so damning and he doubts Sunny even realizes it. Looks like those are the reason Shuichi wears this hat, but... he can't afford to clam up and say nothing. He can't continue to hurt his friends.

Swallowing heavily, he forces eye contact and firmly shakes his head.]

No, Sunny... I didn't mean it like that. In fact, it's pretty clear to me why people like you. There's more to like than not.

[So please, don't look at him like that. It hurts far too much.

do you have a problem with it

[oversleep]

<sub>[ This whole exchange with Shuichi has been very strange. Maybe it’s because, like Kaneki, Sunny can pinpoint similarities between him and Shuichi. It’s like being on the same self loathing and depressive wave length. The look he gives the other teenager next is silent doubt, his thin eyebrows pulling together and creasing his forehead slightly.

That’s not what he has convinced himself over the span of four years. He’s convinced himself that he is a waste of space with no potential. Every day was getting harder to live. The worst part was Sunny had no idea why he felt this way. Losing Mari was hard, but it was a suicide. Sunny can’t help but think he had some role in her ending her life. Maybe if he was a better person she would have lived. ]</sub>

…

_{[ Just wait. I’ll probably hurt you too somehow. ]}

what are you gonna do if i say yes

[beta]

[Sunny doesn't believe him... but it isn't because he'd chosen the wrong words, Shuichi tells himself. It's not because he's unable to help anyone. If he believes that, he'll clam up again, fail to help a friend in need. And if he fails another friend, he... can't imagine what he'll do with himself then.

He can't. He won't. They aren't far from their destination, but taking Sunny's hand, Shuichi reroutes them for a little detour. He parks them on a nearby bench, scrounges up his courage, and pulls his hat off his head. Sitting it on his lap, he looks Sunny dead in the eye, ignoring every cell in his body that screams at him to look away. Run. Hide. This time, he won't heed the call of cowardice.]

Look at me, Sunny. Please.

asmr of me beating your ass… also this is very gay of shuichi

[oversleep]

<sub>[ Oh. Well. This is embarrassing. He feels anxiety bubble up inside his body at being suddenly taken held of by the hand and then positioned on a bench. He complies, looking at Shuichi with utmost attentiveness. His eyes are wide, though, and he’s nervous that maybe he’s done something to upset his new friend.

Wordlessly, he waits for an explanation. ]</sub>

shh no one tell shuichi how gay this is

[beta]

[Listen, the embarrassment cuts both ways, but Shuichi refuses to sit idly by when his friends are in need and he's within his means to help them. He may not sound very confident, might not speak with much impact, but he means every word he says. That has to count for something. Anything.]

You're amazing... okay? Please believe me. We've only just met, but I can tell why people like you. I think anyone would be able to.

...I don't want you to look at me like you don't believe me. It's too much.

[It hurts too much.]

1/2

[oversleep]

<sub>[ At first, that powerful feeling of anxiety washes over him. Of course he did something wrong. Of course Shuichi is mad at him. This is what he gets for leaving his house. This is what he gets for trying to make friends.. and he had been getting along with Shuichi rather well.. rather fast. It was alarming.

But then Shuichi further explains himself and starts off with a compliment he’s never heard anyone say in his entire life. You’re amazing. He’s amazing? What is amazing about him? He doesn’t know. He’s told himself over and over how weak and pathetic he is. He has no talents or special powers or anything cool. Just an overactive imagination and a passion for art and books.

Those wide eyes darken and his eyebrow quirks inward again, once again disbelieving what Shuichi is saying… ]</sub>

2/2

[oversleep]

<sub>[ But then he realizes that he’s giving Shuichi the same look he just gave him; the look he shouldn’t give him, and he tries desperately to shift his expression to something else. What does he even do?

He doesn’t know what to do other than puff up his cheeks and relax his eyebrows so he looks like a little chipmunk.. something the complete opposite of what he was doing.

The embarrassment of the compliment and whatever the fuck he’s doing now starts to set in and he feels the tips of his ears burn. ]</sub>

…

[beta]

[It's clear enough he's confused Sunny. Ah... Not looking at him at all is worse than giving him "that" look, Shuichi finds, and he flounders a moment in silence, gripping his hat tight in his hands. He can't shut down and give up here, but— what does he say? How does he fix this?

...He'll need to explain what the issue is if Sunny's to understand why that look effects him so— why the way he looks at him is so very important. Talking about it just highlights the silliness of this little hat, and he's struck with the kneejerk urge to do away with it entirely. Regardless, he owes Sunny an explanation, so—]

...This hat is my way of avoiding people. When someone's angry or mad or disappointed, I get so overwhelmed that I can't look them in the eye. That's why I said what I said. I just... don't want you to look at me like a liar.

[oversleep]

<sub>[ Sunny relaxes his face to something stoic and neutral now that he's got Shuichi talking again. It's true, though, he did think Shuichi was a liar for calling him amazing and really anything else that might reinforce some positivity about himself. It's just because he lacks any self worth; he never believes anyone anytime they praise him for anything.

However, he understands Shuichi entirely when he explains himself. He's not been in a weirdass murder school where friends are accusing others of murder, but he's gotten looks of disappointment from his older sister plenty of times, and he know how much it hurt to see things like that. ]</sub>

Okay, Shuichi. I'll try my best.

_{[ No promises, only cause he lacks all confidence in himself. A moment of silent passes before he looks up at him again. Those eyelashes... 1... 2... 3... ]}

I see more of your face without the hat and it's nice.

[beta]

[There. That look suits Sunny much better, though truly, Sunny looks best when he wears a smile tight on his lips. Shuichi can't bring himself to say that — he's embarrassed himself enough for one day and milk tea can only do so much — but he's thankful his words have reached him.

Each passing day makes it all the more apparent that all he's been doing up until this point is hiding. Comments like that may make Shuichi flush and fluster and divert his attention to the floor, but what does he stand to gain by hiding? How can he hope to sway the hearts and minds of his friends if he can't even meet their gaze?

So maybe he isn't strong enough to endure such forthright compliments, but he won't get there if he doesn't start now. Biting his lip, Shuichi thrusts his hat into Sunny's hands, crossing his arms stiffly over his chest.]

I'm not going to hide anymore. Sunny... Please, do me a favor and throw that hat away. I can't keep running away from my fears.

[oversleep]

<sub>[ 4… 5… 6… oh… Shuichi is suddenly talking again, and he sounds very determined. Sunny can only watch and listen like he’s been doing, his hollow, dark eyes growing at the desperation in Shuichi’s voice. Silently, he’s cheering him on. Ganbatte yo, Shuichi!!

What he doesn’t expect is the hat to get thrown in his hands, which he almost drops it, but after some fumbling with his hands, he has it. The way Shuichi talks might would hype someone else up, but it fails to do anything to Sunny. He’s already accepted at this point he is going to endlessly run from his fears and repressed memories.

Shuichi may notice a bit of stars in his eyes when he finishes talking, but then he looks down at the hat. His little cat ears disappear as he examines the hat. It’s supposed to help you hide from things that scare you? After a moment, he puts the hat on his head and looks back up at Shuichi, tugging on the bill and mimicking him. ]</sub>

I’ll keep it.

_{[ I can’t face my fears anyway. ]}

1/2

[beta]

[Oh... Sunny looks pretty cute with that hat on... Putting aside the fact that he just mimicked him (embarrassing), he—]

[beta]

You shouldn't be hiding either, Sunny...

[He doesn't have the heart to take his hat back when Sunny looks so cute in it...!]

[oversleep]

_{[ It’s like Shuichi read his mind about what he was thinking. His lips purse together and he pulls the bill of the hat down until it hits the bridge of his nose, completely concealing his eyes. ]}

I can if I want.
It is safest that way.

_{[ Ah… ]}