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

[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?

[descender]

[He remembers Kazuha's own experience with a god is not a pleasant one. While it seems there is more of an understanding now, Aether knows of the past that transpired. It cannot be wiped away so easily and it shouldn't be. While he's met several archons, they all are mysterious in their own ways. He can see with each of them how it would be hard for mortals to connect to them. Thirteen is probably no different even if she has such direct interaction.]

Kazuha... [He frowns, looking at the other's hand. There must be a way to heal or help it here, or at the very least reduce the pain. Whatever it be, he'll figure it out somehow for his friend.] We'll get it looked out after we're out of here.

[Of course food is an important thing.] I can make us something or we can pick something up from one of the towns. [Nothing like Aether's cooking to to end a day.]

No, I walked into a festival, and bout a month ago? Maybe less. [He can't believe so much time has passed. He wonders if the same amount of time has passed for Kazuha. Yet knowing world travel, there's a chance a month could be a week or centuries depending on things.] Me crashing, well, I was trying to fly over the maze.

[mapleleaves]

( he nods, and smiles, certainly perking up at the mention of food. )

Both of those options are wonderful. We shall see what we come across once we are out of this.

( when Kazuha hears that the traveller has been here longer than he expected, he widens his eyes in surprise a little bit. ) A month ago? ( wow ... much to think about. ) And I assume this crash was by the way of Thirteen?

[descender]

[He knows how particular Kazuha is about his food that taking him to a market could be a good thing. Maybe even fishing, too, when things are more settled. While he doesn't want any of his friends to come here, it's nice to be able to spend time with them here. He's gotten a few chances, like his summer trips, but those are rare. at least that's one good thing about this place.]

Yes, [He seems surprised. Maybe time does translate differently here. He'll have to talk to Tignhari and Albedo about that theory.] sometimes in different worlds, time passes differently. It's possible a month here is different from the one in Teyvat. I've experienced this before in other worlds. [He doesn't mind sharing this as Kazuha knows he's from another world.]

[A they move along the maze, he lets out an embarrassed laugh and scratches the back of his head.] Yes. Apparently solving the trial of the maze by flying over isn't allowed so I probably upset her.

[mapleleaves]

( Kazuha nods, listening intently. Aether's smell is one that always poignantly gave away his role as one from another world. his theory certainly makes sense, that Thirteen would send him flying back in order to finish the task at hand. one that Kazuha smiles to himself over in thought, understanding something new about it. )

The drive of the frost and the challenge of the maze is to encourage togetherness and bonding between the individuals who arrive in here, I gather ... and yet, you and I are already acquainted. ( he chuckles softly. ) This has put us at an unfair advantage, it may seem.

( he thinks for a moment. )

And yet ... I can't help but wonder if this is an opportunity to know you a little bit better. There are still many mysteries about you and more I wish to know. Might you indulge me in some friendly bonding?

[descender]

[He knows the point of the challenge, but deep down, he's pretty awful with the cold. He's gotten better at it, but it doesn't mean he likes it. He's glad the place he shares with Albedo isn't freezing cold like Dragonspine.]

She must have wanted it that way. [A good thing she's done, because seeing a friend and being able to work together is an advantage. He's sure Kazuha would have found a way with another or even by himself if he had to.] Maybe she felt bad for us since we're both not good with the cold.

[It is true. Since their time together in their summer trip, he's learned a lot about the past of several of his friends, specifically Kazuha in this case. Yet he hasn't shared too much about himself. The only person he's really shared much information with is Paimon. It's not that he's opposed to it, but it's a habit he's picked up as a world traveler. His closest bond for most of his life up until reaching Teyvat is his sister. She's still the most important person and family to him, but now he's formed other bonds and relationships]

Mysterious about me? [He does nod, agreeing to what Kazuha asks him.] I don't mind. I'm just not so used to talking about myself, I'm better at listening to others.

[As a Traveler, he is the one that takes the memories and stories of one world and brings them to others and so on. Even Zhongli recognized this about him.]

[mapleleaves]

Haha, that we are.

( the obvious mysteries about his traveller friend are ones that tie closely to his past and his origins. as a being carrying the scent of the elements and the stars from another world, how can he not be curious about that? but the other mysteries are the mundane. Kazuha is a simple man - one who enjoys the beauty and unspoken whispers of nature, and he feels like he can gather a lot about who a person is by their responses to it, not just through their history or their origins. )

I see. Well, if you don't mind ... ( he hums softly, in thought, but seems to know what to ask right off the bat. ) I have three questions for you. The first question is your favourite colour. The second question is your favourite season. And the third question is your favourite time of day.

[descender]

[Aether thinks Kazuha is extremely interesting. Since his involvement with Yae Miko and her publishing house, he knows what would make an interesting story. From what he knows of Kazuha, the life of a wanderer and his journey up until is fascinating. Writing could not do the stories Kazuha probably has justice, a live storytelling probably the closest thing fitting.]

Don't get too carried away now. [Hey may joke about it, but he does give those questions the proper thought over and reflection.] Gold is my favorite color, summer for season, and twilight for time of day.

[It seems fair to ask back.] What about you?

[mapleleaves]

( he quietly laughs, charmed by Aether's answer. Kazuha's laughter is soft, sweet and carries joy in its inflection. )

I very easily could've guessed all of those things. I'm glad that who you are at your core shines very brightly on the outside, too. Your aurum essence, the light inside of you as strong as the sun's brilliant beams, and the comforting blanket of stars from twilight guiding your travelling heart. It is perfect. I feel like I understand you so much better now.

( don't mind him, Aether. he's a weirdo and loves nature a little bit too much for a normal person. )

Red is my favourite colour, Autumn is my favourite season, and morning is my favourite time of day. ( with his outfit and aesthetic, the first two should be more than obvious ... ) I am quite transparent about this, I would say. Why don't you try asking something else? What curiosities do you have about me?

[descender]

You always have such a way with words, Kazuha, but you figured most of that by my smell alone? [He's actually curious how Kazuha could have figured those things out. He's so tuned and aware of things, it's not the most surprising.] If that's true, when we get back to Teyvat, you have to tell me what treasure smells like. Maybe I can teach Paimon how to smell for it. [How serious is he about this? We'll never know.]

You were always up early when we were on vacation together. [All those things make sense to him, no special sense of smell or insight needed.]

Any question, huh? Well... [He starts to think about it. Does he want something factual or something more insightful or expanding on what he knows about Kazuha already. He's actually spent a decent amount of time with him.] What's one place in Teyvat you'd like to travel to explore?

[mapleleaves]

More than just smell. Your essence ... your vibrations ... I can detect all of it. ( he chuffs out a small laugh at his friend's joke. ) Alas, I do not believe that my affiliation for the natural world extends to material items like treasure. And that is not how I would personally wish to use it.

( but the question part though, hmmm ... )

That is difficult to answer. The truth would be "everywhere", but narrowed down I have had a lingering urge to visit Sumeru as of late.

[descender]

In a way, you probably know me better than anyone else if you can sense all of that. [It's amazing Kazuha's elemental abilities give him that, but it's probably more than just that. It takes training and time; he wouldn't mind picking up such a skill. It would be incredibly useful.] That's fine. Paimon might be disappointed, but...

[Oh right, he has to explain to Kazuha about Paimon not being here with him.] Paimon didn't come here with me. I did search for her, but it seems she didn't follow Thirteen. [Which he decided is a good thing.] But she might turn up, especially with more people from Teyvat coming here.

[That is an interesting answer, but he can understand why. The natural beauty and fauna there is so different than any of the previous places he's been to in Teyvat.] I was in Sumeru before coming here. Whenever we return, maybe we can go there together.

[mapleleaves]

( oh no ... poor Aether. Kazuha knew that he and Paimon were always together, like a set. )

I am so sorry to hear that Paimon didn't join you. As more individuals arrive from Teyvat, I hope that she is not far behind you.

( he nods, and smiles. )

I'd like that a lot. I always feel at peace wherever I am with you. I think it is because I can be myself around you.

[descender]

[It's been a strange experience to be without her. He's traveled so many worlds and places without her, but just their time in Teyvat has left a strong impression. There are moments where he swears she's there. He wouldn't say he's lonely here, but the lack of her presence is strongly felt by him.]

I bet she got a little lost on the way or Thirteen has yet to tempt her with slime condensate.

[It's easier to make a joke out of that linger about it. He is concerned about her, but he also knows he has friends that will look after her.]

I feel at peace with you, too. [It's more than just a reassurance of having a strong ally, but having a friend and companion is more like it.] You can always be yourself around me, Kazuha. That's what a true friend is for, right?

[mapleleaves]

No matter what, those of us from Teyvat will alert you immediately should we spot her. You have our promise on that.

( he really does hope she arrives safe for Aether's sake. it's strange seeing him without her, or hearing her commentary on their adventures. Kazuha knows she'd certainly have a thing or two to say about this maze.

... and he can't stop himself from smiling wide at the traveller's kindness, reaching over to give him an affirming pat on the back. )

Indeed. And you know I return the sentiment. ( it seems they'll be out of this maze in no time. bonding!! )

[descender]

Yeah, even people here in Folkmore have helped me. I'm really thankful for everyone for trying to help.

[It's even slightly reminiscent of his early days of Teyvat and trying to find his sister. Yet at least he knows where she is and that he's in a new place.]

Hopefully that sentiment gets out of here. [Speaking of which, it does look like they're getting close.] A maze can't stop us the both is working together. We did work together to stop a sword that took over people's bodies, so this should be easy.