October 2022 Test Drive Meme

[folkie]

OCTOBER 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]

SHINING

Content Warnings: Possible insanity via freezing. Temporary nullification of abilities.

COLD AS YOU

You were falling...

The world snaps into place all at once; you are laying on the ground, surrounded on all sides by towering bushes that stretch up towards a beautiful sunset sky. The bushes were clearly flowered at one point, but now the flowers have died and all that remains are browning leaves that are beginning to fall. On the chill air you can sometimes hear the sound of music, too faint to completely determine.

As you stand, you are filled with an intense desire to find someone. You might have an idea of who, but chances are you do not - you just know that somewhere ahead of you is someone that you need to reach. Whether they are friend or lover or enemy remains to be seen.

You wander the maze. If you're the impatient type and you have the ability, you might try to fly out but you will simply be vaulted right back down if you do. Something clearly expects you to play by rules which were never actually explained. As you move through the twisting passages of nature, you will notice that there is a frost creeping along the branches on either side of you. This frost brings a deep chill with it, and it encourages you to move faster, to find that nameless person now now now! If you take a very long time to wander the maze you may very well be on the verge of freezing and half mad with the desire to find someone. If you try to force your way through the bushes, the frost will crawl over your limbs and inspire both the freezing and near madness at once.

When you find your Person, the cold evaporates. The air suddenly feels merely crisp, and the leaves on the bushes seem more vibrant. The two of you now can focus on finding the way out - so much easier now - but any sense of urgency will have passed and you may just walk for hours, talking and sharing things about yourselves.

It is possible to solve the maze alone, but it is much easier (and more pleasant!) with someone else.

KEEP YOUR BRITTLE HEART WARM

When you exit the hedge maze you will find a stunning display of lights: hundreds of candles and lanterns decorate the ground and hang from trees, illuminating a clear path over a gently sloping hill. When you crest the hill you can look down and see a beautiful hot spring sprawled out below. It too is lit up by hundreds of lights, all of them glowing under the late autumn sky as it darkens towards night. There are changing rooms where you can stash your clothes (yes, there are bathing suits for the very shy) and bathing stations to ensure that you are clean before entering.

The water of the springs soothes madness and heals physical injuries or any frostbite that may have been sustained in the maze. It also relaxes you, making you perhaps more likely to open up to anybody else present.

The hot spring is staffed by many mice. They don't speak, but they squeak to one another in such a way that it sounds like they are singing - high lilting chants that seem to promise that everything will be okay. They are happy enough to band together to bring you towels or hot tea. The spring is open 24/7, always with lights to fight the cold and darkness of winter.

HIGH STRANGENESS

Content Warnings: Monster sighting, optional violence.

GLITCH

Folkmore has trains and of course the cat bus, but it also has roads, mostly utilized by horses and bicycles. Maybe you're looking for the convivence store, or maybe you just like walking. However it happens, you find yourself on a lonely road at dusk. It is unusually quiet, almost as if the world is holding its breath.

Suddenly you hear the sound of wings. A man-sized creature soars above you, something with huge red glowing eyes. It drops something at your feet: a walkie-talkie. The creature lands some distance away, staring at you, and a thought arises unbidden in your mind:

Help them.

The walkie crackles and you can hear someone speaking, asking if anyone is there. It is another Star Child, brought into this trial as well. They are in danger somewhere nearby; maybe stuck on the edge of a cliff, or trapped on a rope bridge - whatever it is, they need someone else to help them get to safety. If they have any powers, they have been temporarily nullified, but if the rescuer has powers they remain intact. That's where you come in! Using the walkie you must communicate with one another so that the rescuer can reach the person in trouble in time!

But what if you don't make it in time? Or decide that you're not the hero type? Well. The rescue-ee will suffer a terrible fate... for a few seconds. Then the entire world fuzzes and resets, but this time the roles have been reversed. Both parties will remember what has already happened, so if you just ran off into the woods with no intent of helping the first time you miiiight get your just desserts! This process will repeat over and over, people switching sides every time, until someone is finally rescued or the sun rises. Whichever comes first!

If you do succeed at a rescue, you will hear the rustle of huge wings once more. This time you don't see the mysterious creature, but you will find a mystery trunk. Inside you will each find some of your canon clothes and a canon item. Looks like teamwork is rewarded! Nearby, there will also be some unenchanted weapons sticking out of the ground: basic swords, guns, shields, etc.

BAD OMEN

You don't necessarily have to have completed the rescue trial to get some goodies, though! Those aforementioned weapons are scattered all over Folkmore. But if you just go to grab any of them you'd better be prepared to fight; after all, nothing comes for free!

As soon as you have pulled a weapon out of the ground, a tall, man in a black suit and hat will appear from seemingly nowhere and attack you. He has no weapons but he is extremely strong. He's also just really creepy - his face looks like it might be fake, somehow. The only way he can be killed is with a wound to the heart - any other supposedly mortal injury will result in another man in black appearing. It is possible for someone with no combat training to beat these creatures, but they really might appreciate a little help from someone with more experience!

The good news is that they won't mess up your clothes any, as none of these creatures bleed. Because that is totally normal.

Good luck!

Comments

kaedahara kazuha 🍁 genshin impact

[mapleleaves]

|| cold as you.

( upon arriving, Kazuha opened his eyes to see a curtain of autumn leaves towering over him where he lay. being greeted by a colourful visual of nature immediately soothes any concern he may have: for if the trees and wind are here, he can listen to them. Kazuha pulls himself into a seating position before closing his eyes to try and regain his senses. the elements are beckoning him to rise and follow the maze, as he detects. once he spots it, he can't help but take a moment to survey his surroundings, seemingly far more interested in the foliage than the maze itself. in his palm, he gazes at some of the greenery, truly fascinated ... but as a result of this, he receives a harsh bite of the frost on his hand which makes him retract it. all right, nature, he's listening. )

You really are quite eager for me to find someone. ( yes, he's talking to the leaves. this is just standard Kazuha, honestly. ) Very well. I will listen to you.

( it's a harmless request, after all. calmly, the young samurai heads through the maze, a few paces ahead of the frost that is herding him in the direction of another person. he is lucky to have escaped the brunt of its bite, but he will tend to anyone who needs it. anyone who he comes across ...

... right now! )

|| keep your brittle heart warm.

( a hot spring certainly seems like the most perfect remedy for soothing the autumn chill. Kazuha is used to the elements - both on land and at sea, rendering him mostly undisturbed by frost or bitterness. even still, the opportunity is something he certainly can't turn down. while surveying the spring, he is reminded of Inazuma for a passing moment. although Inazuma didn't have singing, squeaking mice, that's for certain. he finds himself immediately charmed.

ever traditional, after removing his clothing he fixes a towel around his waist, rinsing off before he sinks into the incredible warmth. for a moment, he asks himself why he doesn't do this more often. natural bodies of water are well and good to bathe in, but this warms him straight down to his bones. it even makes him smile, sighing in content while his eyes fan shut. )

... My time as a wanderer has brought me across many sights and experiences. ( a chittering of squeaking interrupts him, which makes him push out a soft laugh. ah, yes, the mice. that's not an everyday sighting. ) But nothing quite like this.

|| glitch. ( i )

( there is no hesitation what-so-ever from Kazuha when he is granted the desire to help another. he leans down and picks the walkie talkie off the floor, delivering a calm introduction as to not panic the person in trouble. )

Do not worry - I am here to help you. ( he surveys his surroundings, trying to memorise any landmarks or places of notice. ) What can you see right now?

|| glitch. ( ii )

( in this instance, Kazuha is the one in need of rescue. and despite everything, he sounds ... calm. surprisingly calm, actually. he is stuck on a cliff ledge, lacking his Vision and therefore rendering him incapable of gliding down. the rocks are too slippery to climb, as well ... but the view is pretty outstanding. he leans back on the grassy ledge, speaking calmly into the walkie talkie. )

My current placement is on the ledge of a cliff ... there is grass beneath my feet. I can see across a ravine so gorgeous, it is an unmistakable symphony of autumn ... the red trees are blazing intensely with a scarlet so passionate, you would think they are on fire ... ( a pause. ) But they aren't on fire. Do not worry. ( Kazuha you can't get inspired to recite poetry in the middle of a rescue!!! )

|| wildcard.

(( ooc: feel free to do something else if nothing grabs you! ))

cold as you (😳)

[descender]

[It feels not so long ago he was solving a puzzle with Kaeya and now he ends up in another one? At least his wings work here, so he extends them out, flying high enough to pass over it when suddenly an invisible and strong force smacks back and into the ground. He is not prepared for that happening at all and loses his cordination.

He crashes right in front of Kazuha, dropping rather hard onto the ground. The impact makes his wings retract as he lies on his back. The leaves that are on the ground are kicked up, flying in the air due to his impact.

Talk about finding a shooting (or is it fallen?) star, Kazuha. Did you make a wish?]

Hngh...

[mapleleaves]

( honestly, Kazuha was pretty unassuming, just quietly committed to his task and then-- OH. )

!!

T-Traveller-! ( he crouches down to see if he's okay. mildly panicked! that was quite a hard fall! )

Are you injured? Do you hurt? ( speak to him, Aether! )

[descender]

[He pushes past the pain and his dizziness, sitting up. He's still a little disoriented from being smacked like you were a small insect. He wishes he landed on something much softer, too.

It takes him a moment to realize a voice is speaking to him. He turns his head and sees... Kazuha (!?) crouching beside him.]

I'm, okay... [He thinks. The fall was unexpected, but that matters little to him right now.] What are you doing here? [Says the guy who just crash landed right in front of someone.]

[mapleleaves]

( not a single part of him can resist fussing, just a little. checking Aether over for any scrapes or broken bones. fortunately he seems to be all in one piece, despite the force of his landing. Kazuha casts out a sigh of relief and sits back on his knees. )

Perhaps the very same reason you are. I saw her appear, a brilliant red fox ... a creature with a scent so magnificent, one carrying traces of all four seasons and the stars. ( come to think of it, the only time he smelled a being quite like that was Aether and Paimon. Kazuha extends a hand to Aether and attempts to stabilise himself. )

When you are ready, would you like to try to stand? You can lean on me for support, my friend.

[descender]

[So the Fox has led Kazuha here, too. He even smelled Thirteen, and Aether isn't sure how all those things smell, but he trusts him with that. It is something he'll note in the back of his mind.

His body recovers quickly from the previous incident and now it's just his ego that is a bit bruised. Explaining that he tried to fly over and technically "cheat" caused him to be smacked around and crash. Yet it is quite the coincidence that he landed right in front of Kazuha. No, he believes it's something Thirteen intended. ]

I wonder if Yae Miko would know anything about the Fox we both followed. [As that's what he's reminded of.]

I think I got it now.[He takes Kazuha's hand and helps get himself up. It's not too hard, just needing a little momentum to get up.] Thanks. [He looks around them and they are in fact at the beginning of the maze.] It seems like Thirteen, the god of this place, wants us to work together.

[mapleleaves]

( once he pulls his companion up off the ground, he sighs in relief. phew. he couldn't feel any more at ease than he currently did knowing that he was okay. now, as he turns his head to face the maze, it seems as though they have to obey the demands of the god. )

Wait. ( Kazuha states and closes his eyes, sniffing the air. ) I believe we may have appeased Thirteen already. Partially, at least. ( the frost lacks the same bite that it did before - and when Kazuha walks to a bush to gently cup some of its leaves, he doesn't receive any stinging chills. the leaves seem brighter somehow, and the wanderer finds himself charmed by this. gently, he laughs. )

I have never seen the whims of nature behave in such a way as this. For nature to encourage companionship, and celebrate its arrival. ( Kazuha shakes his head - yet he smiles. ) It is truly beyond my experiences.

( how beautiful it is. he extends an arm for Aether to lean on if he needs it, as he walks to start heading through the maze. )

Let us enjoy our walk to find the exit. Are you certain you are not in pain?

[descender]

[He can always count on Kazuha and his ability to pick up things in the wind and nature that he can't. While he has elemental sight, he doesn't need it to notice what Kazuha is talking about. It seems Thirteen has been appeased, the cold almost gone and the maze looking far less dreary. His thoughts seem less clouded, able to focus more than before. Watching Kazuha assess their surrondings is always something to watch as even with all his travels, it's rather unique.]

It's the direct influence of this world's god. [His feels are still mixed but overall neutral for now. There are still many mysterious at play in this world and Aether has yet to uncover them.]

We don't need to rush, but we should still be alert. [He shakes his head, reassuring Kazuha he's fine.] A little sore, but it won't get in the way of walking. [His wings must have taken most of the impact damage, so he'll hold off on using them for now.] What about you? The cold wasn't natural at all.

[mapleleaves]

( like Aether, Kazuha's feelings are mixed, but as expected of the wanderer, he is soothed by the natural world and the way it speaks. gods and their intentions are ... not something he understands as well as nature. by personal experience, especially. but thus far, for the most part, he is calmed. bonding is such an innocent request, after all. one he should've paid attention to from the start. )

I neglected the will of the nature, ignoring the scorn of the frost in order to pursue my own. This bite I received was earned for good reason. ( he chuckles a bit, and closes his hand. there's a great deal of pain to it - but this is what he gets. ) Once we reach the end, it might be in our best interests to seek a meal. ( no better way to heal, right? there are so many twists and turns in this maze ... hopefully it won't take them too long. )

When did you arrive here? Was that fall from the sky your entrance?

Keep your brittle heart warm

[shadowsincryo]

That’s how it is here in Folk. New experiences all the time. [Kaeya has his back against one side of the hot springs. His arms draped over the edge.

He has a towel around his waist and his wolf tail over his own lap. If the towel ever came loose he still has modesty.] Just get here?

[His hair is wound into a bun to keep it up out of the water. He tips his head back and shuts his eyes. He could fall asleep here.]

[mapleleaves]

( much like Kaeya, Kazuha is also walking the path of a familiar. while he is not a wolf, he has a fluffy fox tail much like his, which is swaying in the water beside him. )

I did, yes. ( having an appendage he can move is ... brand new, and slightly strange. but ever the nature lover, he finds that he quite likes it. ) I was guided here by the fox whose fur burned so brightly like an autumn hearth. She smelled like all of the seasons and the stars simultaneously ... what a fascinating creature. As a wanderer, I simply could not resist following her.

How long have you been here for? ( it relaxes him to hear that another has been here for a while, removing some of his concerns for danger. )

[shadowsincryo]

Months. [Kaeya responds as he settles deeper into the water.] From Teyvat it has only been some of us from Mondstadt.

Until recently. Nice to see other nations represented. [His tail is so long he could drape it over his shoulder like a furry ruff.

He should do that sometime. He grins at the idea.]

It hasn’t been too bad. A bit invasive but that’s all.

[mapleleaves]

( months, huh? ) So I am the only one who has been called from Inazuma thus far, and those of Mondstadt have been here longer ... how very fascinating ... ( there is wonder and an inflection of awe in his voice - there is nothing disingenuous here. not when it comes to Kazuha. it seems that the fox left quite an impression on him. a creature carrying the smell and colours of the seasons themselves is one he certainly wants to know more about. )

Invasive? In what way might that entail?

[shadowsincryo]

Compelling us to talk about things we would rather not. Sharing memories. [He waves a hand dismissively. Normally he would sigh and look put upon, with the water working on him he merely shakes his head.]

Nothing here suggests that Thirteen’s intentions are not what they say they are. Everything seems about us working through and getting to our full potential.

[mapleleaves]

( Kazuha places his thumb and finger to his chin, while his brows knit in thought. hmmm ... )

I suppose that exposing matters we may not feel inclined to share otherwise may assist in achieving that. Whatever our "full potential" looks like, and what it may be exactly ... ( as for himself, though ... well, Kazuha always kept his past behind him - but never far out of sight. he always kept one foot in front of the other, moving forward, not letting the storms of days long gone chase him any which way. if the natural world has plans for him here, he would do his best to listen to it. )

I recall my conversation with the fox vividly on my walk to this place. If what you have experienced over the past few months is in line with the words of the creature who walks with the scents of the seasons in her pawprints, can anyone who arrives expect just as they were told?

[shadowsincryo]

Maybe. I’ve only had a few bad experiences.

[Kaeya says as he closes his eye again. He is at risk of dozing off. It’s fine.]

I’m more inclined to trust they have good intentions. I have yet to be disproven on that. Even if sometimes I have to pin down someone who has been messed with to help them.

[Specific but damn true. Just not the whole story.]

[mapleleaves]

( pinning someone down...? jeez. he's seen a Lot in his travels, but even that sounds like a can of worms. )

Apologies. I will refrain from asking further questions if the subject matter is too distressing to talk about ... ( Kazuha didn't have blind faith when arriving here - he doesn't generally, really. but trusting a being made of the elements was one that came naturally to him. yet he can't help but wonder ... )

Do the good experiences of this place outweigh the bad? If the latter is indeed necessary for personal growth.

Glitch II

[hornton]

[Hang on a minute here Kazuha, some monster just dropped a weird talking box on someone notorious for melting phones out of frustration. So there's a voice coming out of it, alright he thinks he's got so far.

Except no one responds when he speaks. Hm. Well there's a button. Time to press that a dozen times to see if it'll eventually do something other than make obnoxious beeping.

He's still cutting in and out from button spamming, but he's doing his best.]

Hello, he- [Beep] How does thi- [BeepBeepBeep] -ease do not- [Beeeeeeeeep] -off cliff. I am here to help.

[mapleleaves]

Um--

( well that's definitely one way to distract him from his nature gazing. )

Hello-? ( why all the beeping!! ) I do not think that the button needs so much pressing ... I cannot understand you.

[hornton]

You can-

[Still beeping, but there's less. He's getting it. Or it's dumb luck.]

-not so good at technology.

[mapleleaves]

Maybe if you poke it less--

( worth a shot, right? honestly, technology evades Kazuha also. ) Or just not poke it at all perhaps?

[hornton]

[There's silence for a solid minute, then one more singular beep.]

...hello?

[Perhaps they have finally made it past the most difficult part of this trial!]

[mapleleaves]

( EUREKA! )

Hello? Can you hear me? I require your assistance.

[hornton]

Aha! Yes! I can help, I see the cliffs of which you speak of in the distance. To come fetch you shall be a simple matter.

[A paused garble punctuated with a beep. Not because he got confused again. He just thought that it should beep.]

But first I must ask if you are easily frightened.

[mapleleaves]

( easily frightened, hm...? )

I have the heart of a samurai, very little in life has shaken me. ( it's quite astonishing how few things Kazuha has been bothered by, when they absolutely should've. ) If facing a fear is a necessary part of seeking rescue, I shall endure it.