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

COLD AS YOU

[descender]

[So, Aether's first attempt at getting through the maze is simply flying over it. That was a bad idea as he just got launched to the beginning and fell in a huge pile of leaves to break his fall. So now he's doing the maze the old fashioned way. It's cold, and there's this growing desperation to find someone; a feeling he's familiar with as he's felt it with his sister.

It's getting colder, and Aether wishes he had a friendly pyro slime to hug or something. The cold is making it harder to focus. His thoughts are racing as he turns the corner, and that's when he feels something warm grab his wrist.

He goes to turn to see who or what it is and he sees someone he knows very well. He's actually avoided saying his name out loud if by chance somehow it were to bring him here.]

Xiao? What are you-[He shakes his head at the apology and takes a step forward.] It's fine, you don't need to apologize. [Finding Xiao, that anxious feeling of needing to find a person fades away so suddenly. Did Thirteen do this intentionally? Most likely. Such a coincidence seems unlikely.] Let's get out of here. There's strange magic and forces here so we should try to find a way out as quickly as we can.

[quellen]

[ he almost doesn't realize that it's aether. it's only after the familiar, telltale features register that he recognizes him, and that's a moment before he opens his mouth to speak. this person is.. safe. safer, at least, than most would be, and far dearer to him than he prefers to acknowledge aloud. ]

If I had known it was you, I wouldn't have. [ it's blunt, rude if you don't know him, but what he means is that he knows he wouldn't have needed to. aether never seems to mind being close to him, and he doesn't have to regret touching him.

still, he doesn't reach out again, no matter the foreign urge that still twinges at the edges of his awareness. that was more than enough for one day. ]

I noticed, [ he adds after a moment, lifting one of his hands to glance curiously down at it. the frost that was beginning to creep onto his fingers is gone now, though he still isn't certain he should try to leave his usual way. ] Do you know where we are?

[descender]

[His words make Aether chuckle a little. He knows Xiao well enough to understand his point. Still, it's a little amusing. He's seen the change in Xiao's attitude towards him, from extremely distant and cold to now something that is now a close friendship. He knows Xiao is figuring such social interactions out, even Zhongli telling Aether such a thing.]

We're not in Teyvat but a place called Folkmore. [He shakes his head.] I don't remember seeing a maze here before. I tried flying over it, but the god of this world must have stopped me.

[Speaking of the Thirteen, he also notices the changes, and that feeling to find someone alleviates almost instantly. The cold easing around them is even better. Aether takes this as a sign Thirteen is indeed watching them.] If only I found you earlier, I would've been out of this maze half an hour ago. It should be easier now.

[He starts making his way through the maze, keeping close to Xiao.]

[quellen]

[ the laughter, faint as it is, is another thing that he's rarely experienced in his immediate presence. he's not the sort of creature that people find comfort in, and even those most accustomed to him tend to treat him with solemn deference. he finds that he.. likes that aether and paimon--and where is she?--feel that they can relax and laugh around him. ]

I see, [ he muses, quiet and thoughtful, but falls into step without protest with the blond, eyes sharp around every corner. his fingers itch for his polearm. he's not helpless by any means without it, but it's such a familiar presence that it feels strange to be without its weight now. ]

I.. remember her, I believe. [ of course he does. he's also very, very worried about being away from his duties. while he has more faith in the mortals' ability to protect themselves than he once had, it doesn't change the fact that being here, he's by default in breach of his contract with his god. what is he meant to do, stolen away like this? ]

[descender]

[Aether can only guess what's going on in that head of his, but his guesses aren't so far off. There's a reason why he did not say Xiao's name to take precaution of bringing him here. He knows how seriously he takes his duties and how coming to another world is startling for anyone. Yet he knows Xiao will adapt and find a way, but Aether does not mind helping him and making it easier for him.]

Yes, you followed a fox, that's her, and you arrived here. [Everyone he's met has that happen to him, even Zhongli. The power to bring a former archon and one of the most powerful adepti in Liyue says something about Thirteen. What that is, Aether doesn't know.]

Traveling to another world is a lot for any person, but know I'm here for you, Xiao, whatever it is. [He puts a hand over his chest, his voice sincere.] Zhongli is here, too, and I'm sure he would say the same.

[quellen]

[ his glance flicks back to aether, eyes rounding faintly in shock at the news that rex lapis is here. yes, he's living a human life now, xiao hasn't forgotten that, but doing so doesn't make him any less a god still, and his power is still unrivaled.

though his reaction is minimal on the outside, on the inside he bristles with impotent fury at the audacity of the fox-god. how dare she? how dare she tread on zhongli's well-earned rest? how dare she interfere with xiao's duties? how dare she force aether away from his search for his sister?

but aether's familiar voice banks the rage building in his chest, smothering it until he's left with mere embers. ]

On the contrary, [ he says stiffly, off-balance with the change in their usual roles. ] I said that I would come if you call me, did I not? That hasn't changed because we're here. [ he takes a breath, quiet, troubled. ] .. And I am, of course, always at his service.

[descender]

I've been keeping in touch with him. He seems to be doing well to adjusting to Folkmore.

[He knows mentioning Zhongli would be something Xiao would want to know about. In return, Zhongli would like to know the same. During his time here, Aether has kept in contact with him. Their first meeting was a a little embarrassing to say the least, but Zhongli is someone Aether can trust for advice and counsel.]

I remember. [Too well. So far he's been fine here, and the one time of mortal danger, he was able to escape and defend himself with help from a friend.] I knew if I did call, and you were able to somehow come, there is a chance you wouldn't be able to return.

[But now that they are both here, it seems Xiao clarifies his promise. Aether is not surprised by this.] We're here for each other, then. I'll remember that if you do the same.

[quellen]

[ he doesn't relax exactly--there's a good chance xiao doesn't know how to relax--but something tight and unhappy eases in his chest at hearing that aether and zhongli have kept in touch here, that his god is doing as well as he may be. he nods once, still a little stiff, to hear it.

his steps slow, though, and stop, hearing that aether had kept from calling for him for such a reason. on one hand, yes, it would have been taking him away from his duties, leaving liyue open to the danger xiao has so diligently guarded it from for nearly two-thousand years now. but on the other.. he doesn't like that aether might have needed him, and chose to go it alone instead.

his mouth presses thin, but he starts to move again a moment later, forcing his expression to smooth. there's no point in worrying about it now. he's here, and he supposes it's as aether says: they'll.. look out for one another. ] .. Very well. [ it's still a foreign thing, to have companionship again after being alone for so long. ] Although I can hardly imagine what my purpose here will be.

[descender]

[It's been a change for Aether here, having to pause his journey in following his sister's journey. He was so busy back in Teyvat, with helping others and trying to stop nations of Teyvat imploding on themselves. Now he lives a rather mundane day to day routine when Thirteen is not having some sort of event. He helps Albedo with his experiments, cooks meals, works on his garden, trains, and even pet a few cats along the way. It's a simple life, but he actually has enjoyed it. It's helped him get to know many of his friends in a different way. It's far easier to keep in touch with them now.]

Maybe your purpose for now is to just live. [It may be such a simple concept in theory, but he's aware of the pieces of Xiao's past. It's been over two thousand years of serving Liyue in an extremely high demanding job. Xiao did not have the luxury of days off or sick days.] You don't need to know right away. I'm not even sure why I'm here, but I don't let that stop me.

[One day he'll return to Teyvat, but when that will be, he doesn't know. He knows fixating on and waiting for it to just happen won't do any good, though. Especially when he has friends, new and old, here.]

[quellen]

To.. live. [ he doesn't know how to do that. he doesn't remember a time before he served one master or another, and his time with his previous god had been so traumatic, so deeply horrifying, that he does his best to block his memories of that time.

but aether says he doesn't need to know how to live just yet, and that helps with the distress coiling uncertainly in his chest. when had this traveler's opinion begun to matter so much to him..? he's not certain he'd be able to pinpoint a moment if asked. ]

.. What does Zhongli do here? Those same things he did at home? [ how does one occupy oneself with flowers and the watching of birds? what sort of satisfaction does it give someone? they're such idle pursuits, after all. ]

[descender]

[He gives a little nod, watching as Xiao figures things out in real time. Through their time together, he's come to gain some insight into Xiao's perspective on things. Apparently it's noticeable enough Yanfei noticed it when they were all in the Chasm together.

He doesn't follow Zhongli or check his schedule or anything like that but Aether is guessing this question is more seeing how Zhongli is doing than trying to figure out his schedule or what he's exactly up to.]

I think so. I don't think he's the type to not do anything all day. You can ask him yourself using the relic device. It makes staying in contact a lot easier. [But if Xiao's powers remain the same here, all he needs to do is simply teleport. He wishes he could teleport like that.] There are a lot of interesting things to do and see here that aren't in Liyue or in Teyvat. We can try a few things out together if you want.

[quellen]

[ zhongli is, he supposes, the oldest god left alive in their world, easily three times xiao's age, and although his duties as rex lapis were very different from xiao's as a yaksha, simply living has still doubtless been a great deal to adjust to. so if zhongli can manage and find contentment in his current existence, then surely xiao can at least attempt the same. he owes it to him, to aether, too, to at the very least not be a burden.

and hadn't he promised to try to be around people more often? aether.. worries, as strange as that is. ]

I don't wish to trouble him, [ he says at last, shoulders straightening, but the downward tilt of his mouth is an uncertain one. he's troubled him enough in recent days, he thinks, considering his rescue there in the chasm.

still, he turns slightly, gold eyes finding aether's, and his stiff posture eases. ] I would.. like that, I think. As they say, then, I will be in your care.

[descender]

[He can't help but smile and chuckle things he'd possibly trouble him. Aether doesn't know how things were between them when Zhongli lived as Rex Lapis, but he also doesn't see Zhongli having a radical personality shift after his retirement.]

I can't read his mind, but I don't think he'd feel troubled. It might be good for him to know that he has someone from Liyue here. [It felt reassuring to Aether when he first found his friends here even if he didn't wish them to be here. Now that Xiao's here, he can't help but realize he missed speaking with him.] I could ask him if he'd like to have some tea or lunch with the two of us. He'd invite me to tea and to hear stories back when we were in Liyue together.

[Aether's glad to hear that, but then the next daunting task is to find things they can do together. He'll have to give it more thought, but there's bound to be plenty of things.]

That's a big responsibility. I hope I don't disappoint you. [He smiles, joking at his own statement.]

[quellen]

Tea would be.. nice. [ he doesn't indulge in much human food, of course--aether already knows that--but tea's another story. it's more about the experience and the company than the actual drink, at least in xiao's experience, and in spite of himself, he's startlingly pleased by the idea of having it with his god and his.. friend? they are friends, aren't they?

he clicks his tongue at the younger man's humble hope, chin tipping slightly, the tilt of his head almost birdlike. ] You won't. [ it's a reassurance, but also a simple fact. how can he disappoint xiao, when xiao has no real experience in life outside his work? he has brief times of idleness, but he doesn't often stray far from the marshes in those cases.

they round a corner in the maze, and something in the other direction catches his attention. in spite of his earlier decision not to touch, gloved fingers catch aether's briefly to grab his attention. with his free hand, he points to what looks like a break in the hedges further down. ] --I believe we've found the exit.

[descender]

Then I'll ask. [He can't imagine Zhongli turning either of them down. He even seems to encourage such interactions between him and Xiao. He can recall the time with the special adepti medicine and also during the Lantern Rite festival too. It might be good for Xiao to see in person that Zhongli is doing all right. Zhongli also has a knack at passing on lessons through time spent together too. Maybe he could help Xiao with that, too.]

[Even if the statement was a joke, it has some partial truth. To be reassured, it does feel nice. He's not intimated by Xiao, but more like he wants things to go well for him.

As for when he sees the exit and Xiao confirms it, there is sigh of relief. He turns to look at Xiao and starts wondering what's next. They could split up but that would be kind of rude. He could bring Xiao back to the place he shares with Albedo, but he rather not disturb Albedo with his work. Maybe there's something nearby here? A reward for completing the maze?

It doesn't take long for Aether to see the "reward", with such a beautiful display of candles and lanterns. It reminds him a bit of the Lantern Rite in Liyue in its beauty.] Let's follow the path and see where it takes it. There might be a reward for completing the maze there.