folkooc | November 2022 Test Drive Meme

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*tdm

November 2022 Test Drive Meme

NOVEMBER 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]

BUNNY BUSINESS

You snap to awareness, ready perhaps to fight or flee, and find that you are… sitting on a couch. Huh.

Yes, you have fallen from the sky, Star Child, to wind up inside a cozy lodge There are several other couches dotting the spacious room, host largely to new arrivals like yourself. The lodge is rustic, built of wooden logs and stone, with a massive fireplace dominating one wall. Through an open archway just past the fireplace there is a mellowly lit bar serving free hot chocolate as well as spirits. The bar is tended by a tall, fluffy white creature with earmuffs on. Star Children from Earth might think it looks like a bigfoot or a yeti, but cute. The bartender speaks in a soft, low voice and can direct you to the other half of the lodge, where you can borrow winter clothes and outdoor equipment.

What sort of equipment? Skis, of course! And snowboards, and snowshoes too!

Step outside the lodge and you will discover that you are at the base of one of the mountains in Wintermute. It rises majestically, the very tip lost amongst white clouds. The snow is a perfect powder, ideal for beginners and experts alike.

There is a wooden sign near the rental area pointing the way to the Bunny Hill.

The ski hill is manned entirely by rabbits. They are mostly white and grey, but you can spot them against the snow because they are all wearing little winter coats. They will help get you into your skis or on your board or what-have-you, and they will be your silent instructors. If you don’t want to downhill ski and would rather snowshoe around, one of the bunnies will guide you to safe paths. No matter what you’re doing, the rabbits insist on pairing you with another Star Child. Bunnies believe in the buddy system! Might be a good time to get to know someone else. In fact, you’ll notice that the more you talk to someone else, the more your winter sports skills improve, and the happier you will feel.

If you go off course, whether on ski or board or shoe, having a buddy makes it far more likely that you can find your way back to the lodge safely!

GRAY NOVEMBER

Content Warnings: Monster fighting, optional violence.

ADDRESSED TO THE FIRE

Among the snow laden pines, all is not still. There is a soft chiming noise you may be able to hear, and amongst the tree branches move hundreds of tiny blue forms. These humanoid figures are no more than three inches tall, sparkling like fresh fallen snow. Wherever their feet touch frost forms, and they flit and dance overhead joyfully, occasionally causing snow to dislodge from the branches and fall to the ground below. You may be hit with a light shower of the stuff if you happen to be below, which is all in great fun… but you best be careful where you step, as a heavy load of snow can hurt you quite badly.

These little ice spirits seem friendly enough, flying down to inspect you. You might not even notice that they are herding you further into the evergreen forest, away from the sun and into the shadows. If you do notice and try to resist, they will dart lightly across any exposed skin, causing sharp stabs of cold. If they do this enough, there is a real danger of frostbite. The spirits don’t die if you squish them - they just puff into a cloud of snow, and there are so many of them that it’s unlikely you could hurt enough of them to escape.

The ice spirits lead you to a clearing before they abruptly vanish - they have done a wonderful job of disorienting you, and their icy feet have filled up your footprints so you cannot follow your own trail back. Here, it is quite dark, and trying to find your way back is nigh impossible. In the center of the clearing is a small pile of wood and kindling, just waiting for a spark. There is a a small metal box next to this and inside is a pack of matches and a note reading:

The heart, like fire, must be fed to stay alight.
Memories held dear burn brightest of all.

You will find that you can light the fire very easily, but keeping it from going out is a challenge! It keeps guttering and threatening to plunge you into the cold darkness. That is, unless you take a cue from the note and share some things about yourself with your companion. The more you share, or the more private the story, the more strongly the fire will burn. It never requires more wood - if you have a good conversation with someone it will last til morning quite easily, and keep you warm the whole time.

Once morning does arrive, you will find that somehow another box has appeared, set just to the side of the clearing. This one is a proper wooden chest, and inside you will discover some canon item from your homeworld - this can include magical objects or weapons.

A racoon in a red and yellow sweater will waddle into the clearing once you have discovered your prize and escort you safely out of the evergreen forest.

WILDEST WINTER

Okay, but maybe you hate sharing time. Maybe you’d rather take your chances with the dark woods. It’s possible to create a torch with the supplies in the clearing, or maybe you have other ways of lighting your way. Heck, maybe you just have halfway decent night vision!

As you make your way through the woods, you might notice that there are weapons half covered by snow lying about. These are all normal, unenchanted weapons - knives, swords, guns. Sweet, free swag!

But be warned: the moment you touch any of these weapons you will hear the howling of a blizzard wind. The air will turn colder still, and then out of the darkness will stalk a monstrous being roughly the size and shape of a polar bear, but haphazardly covered in ice-like spikes. These ice crystals are deadly sharp and incredibly hard, so you’ll have to aim carefully between them to pierce the monster’s flesh. It is possible to melt them if you have the means to generate enough heat.

The creature is every bit as fast and strong as a polar bear, so you really don’t want to let it catch you! Teamwork is probably your best option to fight it - running might not be your best option in this case, although the bear might be too big to be able to climb a tree with much success. Maybe. Possibly. You sure you want to risk it?

If you defeat the ice bear, it will melt away to nothing, leaving in its place a heart-shaped box. Inside you will find a canon item. If you manage to make it to morning without killing the creature, you will escape with your life and whatever unenchanted weapon you picked up.

The sweatered racoon will appear at dawn to guide you back to the ski lodge.

Threaded | Top-Level Comments Only

Ask them here!

Can you eat the little spirits and/or monster bear? (possibly only parts of the ice bear... mid-combat pre-meltiness?)

Sorry <<

You can in fact eat the little ice spirits, although they will melt in your mouth.

The fleshy parts of the bear are, well, flesh, so yes! It tastes like regular bear.

Bunny Business

The cold didn’t bother Hawke anyway.

Years of fire magic meant he ran naturally hot. The little rabbit creatures didn’t seem to care and insisted he put on a fluffy jacket and strap snowshoes on his feet to explore.

“Listen,” Hawke said, trying to reason with the little creature. “I understand you’re trying to help me. It’s very kind of you but snow won’t be a problem. I have better ways of dealing with it than those shoe things.”

It wasn’t unusual for Hawke to talk to an animal. He talked to his mabari for years. Sure, rabbits weren’t supposed to be as smart as mabari but the creature seemed to understand. It certainly didn’t seem happy that Hawke was arguing with it. He seemed to be one of the few to do so.

“What if we walk a bit?” Hawke offered. “I’ll show you what I mean. I promise once you see what I can do you won’t insist I put on those silly things.”

Of course, Hawke lost the argument. The rabbit wouldn’t budge and refused to let him budge until the shoes were on. Immediately, he felt ridiculous. He was a tall, rather bulky with muscle man. Normally, he could move gracefully. With the shoes on his feet he had to take big, exaggerated steps.

And felt incredibly silly and stupid when he almost tripped over his own feet trying to move about two steps.

He stopped and took a deep breath, then looked over at the other person who had joined him on the snowy trail. “If I fall, leave me. Just bury me in snow. My pride would prefer it.”

-*-*-*-

Grey November: Addressed to the Fire

It was kind of the previous travelers to leave a poem and some sort of sticks but he didn’t see how useful that was. At least the firepit was clear of snow and had a nice stack of wood already placed. Hawke sat down on a log and held his hand over the firepit. A breath later flames leapt high from the wood and caught, growing into a steady warm fire.

As the fire pushed back the darkness Hawke brushed flecks of ice from his armor. He ran his hands through his hair shaking out the snow. Those little ice spirits had been just as biting cold as a Despair demon. Only smaller and more biting. He had to focus the fire magic within himself to warm the tips of his fingers and the tip of his nose. Any longer with those creatures and he might have actually experienced real cold.

Figuring out a way back would have to wait until morning. Hawke had already tried but he couldn’t find his path and too far made the little ice spirits appear to harass him. The safest and smartest choice was to wait by the fire until daylight and then try to figure out a way to shelter and safety.

He wrapped his cloak around himself and huffed out a breath, watching the steam rise into the night air.

The sound of crunching snow from behind made him look over his shoulder. Another lost traveler probably drawn in by the fire. “Have a seat, friend,” he said with a gesture to another log. “I don’t have much else to share but warmth and company. I promise I’m no danger though.”

-*-*-*-

Grey November: Wildest Winter

Honestly, Hawke grabbed the staff half-buried in the snow thinking it would make a fantastic walking stick. All this hiking through the woods was a little tiring even though that had been his life since he felt Kirkwall. It would be helpful to lean his weight on and would also tell him how deep the snow was. This winter wood was rather unforgiving.

He was not expecting something to yell when he picked it up. He was not expecting a bear to come charging from the woods straight at him. Hawke threw himself out of the way when it took a swipe at him. For a moment he was blinded by snow and cold but managed not to get sliced open and not to throw himself against a tree.

Hawke quickly got to his feet, pointed the tip of the staff towards the bear and a blech of fire flew out, scoring the creature’s side.

“Alright, you bastard. Let’s go!” Hawke roared his own challenge as he twirled the staff around himself.

The snow whipped up around him and a wave of force shot out this time, slamming into the bear which only stumbled back a few steps. He jabbed hard towards the bear’s eye but it smacked the staff away with one big paw.

Hawke responded by hurling a fireball straight into the bear’s side, melting some of the ice on its side.

“Take that!”

Edited 2022-11-23 23:35 (UTC)

Bunny Hill

Well. There are certainly worse places she's woken up. And at least she's not a tree, this time. In fact, the whole place seems quite charming! Especially the helpful little rabbits who point her towards winterwear and a pair of snow shoes.

So now she's bundled up, making her way slowly and carefully across the snow. Taking in the winter wonderland.

You never walked around in a pair of snowshoes before?

( granted, burton doesn't get too much snow down south, not this early in the year, but he's gotten enough in the past two decades to keep a pair of boots handy in the back of his closet and, at the very least, manage to walk a few steps without falling all over himself.

besides, snow boots aren't too much bulkier than any other boots. it's like walking around a construction site. )

You sure you got yourself the right size? Don't think I've seen someone have this much trouble with footwear since we dared Leon to dance around in Mama's heels for $3,000.

No. I've never seen shoes like this before.

[ The time he's trudged through snow have been under his own power and occasionally clearing the way with magic. Special shoes have never, ever occurred to Hawke as a solution. ]

Take it up with the rabbit. It handed me these ones and wouldn't let me not put them on. Trust me, as soon as we're out of sight I'm taking them off.

[ But he has to keep trying because of his stubborn pride. Which means big, exaggerated steps. ]

Yeah, I'll get right on that.

( pretty goofy concept for a sim. the whole talking rabbits thing puts him in mind of a kid's game, which isn't bad. not what he's used to, and maybe a little boring, but certainly not bad. better than those boring RPGs his sister used to be into.

who's got time for dialog trees? )

Next question. You got any idea where you're going?

No, not really. I was just going to see where it went.

[ Hawke shrugs then stops and huffs out a sigh. ]

I know this isn't my home. There must be somewhere that isn't rabbits and snowy hills. The trails lead somewhere. I figure I follow them I'll find someone who can answer my questions.

[ He raises an eyebrow, waiting to see if this man would offer a better plan. After all, he might know something more. He seemed to know these shoes better than Hawke did. ]

bunny business;

[ this is certainly new.

cyno recalls the fox, the things she said, her sly explanations that found him somehow agreeing to this - as if he has the time. sumeru may be stable once more, but there's still plenty of work that needs doing, work that won't get done while he is here. he snaps awake, tense and watchful, more than a little uneasy, and immediately cyno is on his feet, nearly out the door before the cute furry yeti cries out, warning him of the bitter cold. he's not, um, exactly dressed for the weather, and one blast of wind from the open door is enough to convince him. desert nights are frigid, so he's not unused to the cold, nor the dangers of hypothermia, but unfortunately, he doesn't have his heavy cloak on hand.

thankfully, clothing is provided, and cyno soon finds himself bustled into warm dark leathers and a black, fur-lined cloak. all the better to face the weather with. also, apparently, he's being assigned a buddy?? why does he need one? though his gaze toward his newfound partner is not unfriendly, it's not particularly warm, either. ]

I've never seen snow, before.

addressed to the fire;

[ these pixies are maddening..

cyno has absolutely no interest in following them wherever they might lead, but they're infuriatingly persistent, and no matter how he fights them, they return in droves, three more replacing every single one he crushes, or zaps. fine. if they're leading him somewhere dangerous, he'll just have to deal with that danger once he arrives. cyno isn't afraid. annoyed, but not afraid.

nevertheless, he finds himself not lead somewhere dangerous, but instead.. to an idyllic clearing, where a fire waits to be lit. cyno approaches carefully, as if he's waiting for something or someone to reveal themselves from the underbrush, but nothing comes. it's quiet all around. and there's a small note. hm.

The heart, like fire, must be fed to stay alight.
Memories held dear burn brightest of all.

cyno turns to whoever has the misfortune of being his buddy, while one hand lifts the message to offer it forward, the other lights the kindling, with a spark of electro. ]

What do you think it means?

wildcard;

[ feel free to come at me with something new, or plot with me via pm or plurk at owlcoholic! ]

Truth be told, Wrench has come by the lodge and its many amenities no more intentionally himself. He's managed to keep track of the time since his own arrival with the changing seasons, so it isn't that he's surprised by the presence of so much snow; he just isn't as prepared as he'd like to be. Being offered a seasonally-appropriate wardrobe by a sentient bunny isn't the worst of what's happened to him since he got here, but he still regards the whole getup with some amount of wary disdain.

The snow shoes are welcome, however. The tall man intends to find the path back to his makeshift lean-to, but in the blanket of white on white, it's no surprise that he gets turned around. It's not long before one of the rabbits intervenes and insistently ushers him in what he hopes to be the direction of a viable trail. Instead the bunny shoos him face-to-face with an unfamiliar woman.

Lodge
It's hard to say what is more unsettling: that her arrival to this place is hazy, like an already fading dream, or that this is, clearly and inescapably, reality.

Astrid takes in the details before she moves: the size and layout of the lodge, the smell of the fireplace and snow in the air, the people, the unknown creature behind the bar. The door opens as someone enters, bringing in a swirl of cold air and snowflakes, and she holds down a sudden shiver; her dark robed dress is more appropriate for the warm night she'd apparently left behind in Rexxentrum.

Taking a moment to ensure her sleeves are tugged all the way down to her wrists, she stands up from the couch, and takes a sharp breath as a wave of dizziness hits. Vague memories of a fox appearing in her office and guiding her, onward and onward, surface through the haze of her darkened vision. Astrid remembers making the decision to follow this fey-like creature, but she doesn't remember precisely why. There is something meant to be discovered here, but if she'd had any clue as to what, it is gone for the moment.

She takes a seat at the bar, asking for a cup of mulled wine to warm herself and think.

Bunny Business
After much urging from the almost overly friendly though soft-spoken bartender, Astrid dons a dark green wool coat, hood and cuffs lined with fur, and heads into the cold. The majesty of the mountains stirs something sharp in her chest. She allows herself a long moment to take them in, sitting with a memory, before setting it aside again and continuing toward the snowshoe trails.

The bunnies are unfairly cute. They manage to pull a soft laugh from her as they help secure the straps of the snowshoes, and she can't resist a simple spell to build them a little tower of snow to climb on in thanks.

Yet as they guide her to the paths, it's increasingly clear that they're not letting her go off alone. Perhaps it is just as well. There is much yet to learn about this place, after all. She assumes a suitably amicable demeanor, turning to her apparent companion and asking in a faintly accented Common: "So, have you done this before?"

Addressed to the Fire
In truth, after a snowy hike, Astrid has determined that she still hasn't quite had long enough away from the bitter cold of Eiselcross to make a prolonged stay particularly enjoyable. Yet when she tries to return to the lodge, she finds herself cajoled into a clearing by some particularly snippy ice spirits. Trying to clamp down on her irritation, she lights the fire easily enough with a wave of her hand before the metal box catches her eye.

Tension draws her shoulders stiff and tight as she finishes the poem. Beneath layers of wool and clothing, an old scar that licks along the slope of her neck and shoulder tingles.

Astrid closes the box with a loud snap, and lets it drop unceremoniously into the snow at the sound of approaching footsteps. She steps invitingly to one side, a smile not quite on her face as she gestures to the fire.

"Come, warm yourself."

[ ooc: pardon any rust on tags, it's been a bit! For reference, I'm pulling her from post canon. I write in prose, but feel free to respond in whatever format you prefer. Hit me up with a DM or ooc comment if you want to do something different! ]

After trudging through the snow and all that business of being in a new place with no idea how he got here Hawke was deeply, incredibly relieved to see a bar. A bar! Blessed civilization and alcohol. Well, he was mostly excited about the alcohol.

He dropped heavily onto a stool next to a blond woman. "Your strongest whiskey. Please. I want to burn from the inside if you don't mind."

The bartender, luckily for Hawke, was quick and got him a glass of something a dark amber color. He would worry about how to pay for it later. Hawke picked up the glass and glanced at the woman next to him.

"Cheers!" he said brightly, toasting her with his glass and then he took a deep drink which immediately scalded his throat. He coughed once. "Oh yeah. That's better."

It burned and burned him up from the inside. It was a good pain though, much better than the biting cold.

Whiskey & Whist

Baby, it's cold outside. Sometimes it's cozier to relax at the lodge. At a table near the bar, a man of medium height and modest bulk—certainly mature and possibly, some might say, middle aged—hosts a game of cards at a table built for four. There's always a hot toddy before him and a deck or two of cards nearby.

One game ends, to one team groaning and his smooth smile matching his partner's eye. Two stand up, and he looks around the small audience they have. "Who wants in for the next round of Whist?" Jedao drawls.

The game makes you draw for partners, so anyone has 2:1 odds against being his partner.

Jedao sips the hot toddy, raising it toward the bar tender/wait staff bunny that keeps everything going. He's in no rush. Finally, a 'parlor' he hasn't been banned from.

Silly Rabbit, Jackets are for Geese

Coming around the side of the lodge is a white goose who very well might have blended in with the snow save that it's wearing a little red winter coat. The coat doesn't look like it is meant for a goose exactly. The coat has become more of a cape, with the sleeves widened into slits through which the wings fit. That fashion change hasn't been sewn down yet, but the goose hurries along.

Even for a goose, it's fast because it's wearing snowshoes that make it flit fast as a jackrabbit across the snow. It honks at the closest star child standing alone and leads the way toward the snowshoeing trails. Honk honk, come up, calls the criminal avian.

Slower coming around the bend is a bare white rabbit. This bunny blends in nearly invisible without a winter coat on. It thumps its feet when it spots the goose, who the other bunnies are encouraging someone to partner up with. Everyone needs a buddy!

The goose bolts, honking in a way that sounds like laughter.

All Quiet in the Western March

A loud noise something like a burp spans several seconds followed by sounds of crashing, something akin to wildly drunkenly crashing through a thicket of evergreens. The trees aren't that closely spread, contributing to the vibe of intoxication. It all quiets down in smaller and smaller shudders of the forest until everything stills.

Then comes the sense of being watched. After a few minutes, a man in black practical wear and a puffy red coat walks out of the trees, rubbing his hands together. While he's wearing gloves, they are fingerless; that hardly suits the cold.

"Mind if I join you?" Jedao asks with a pleasant smile. He pats his stomach at one last burp. No real protein, alas.

All the Guns are Belong to Me

This… this is like releasing a child in a candy store. At the accompanying growl, Jedao modifies his simile to add 'then opening the doors of a zoo exhibit.' He scoops up a few rifles, tosses as many handguns as he can grab into his satchel, and turns toward the exotic affected beast. It's always fun when they get interesting. Whatever calendar this place is on, bravo.

He starts with a few high powered blasts at the base of spikes. They explode, thankfully away from him, in a waterfall of broken crystal. It doesn't slow the beast down. With the abandon of anyone facing an unknown undamaged opponent, Jedao moves for space.

Most people can run. Those with wings could fly. Jedao? Jedao travels in a way that doesn't entirely make sense. To regular onlookers, he seems to travel exceedingly fast, even faster than light, to some distance away. It'd be more impressive if he weren't swallowing screams the entire time. To anyone who can see the fabric of space and time, they can see him bodily drag himself across extra dimensions while screaming into them. Essentially. Still not entirely cool with that.

Her chest gives a sudden and strong leap of hope at the broad form and dark hair before the voice and face register as unfamiliar. Perhaps it was too much to hope that Eadwulf had somehow followed her here as well. Perhaps he may yet. They've never been apart for too long, though a small, sinister voice whispers through her mind regardless: what if he never does?

Astrid lifts an eyebrow and sips from her drink with a faint hint of a smile, setting it down on the bar again to study the man next to her now. Not so unlike her Wulf in physicality, at least.

"Perhaps you should try once more, you might be able to taste it this time."

"The second glass is for tasting," Hawke argues, smirking a little over the rim of his glass. It's not a real argument, of course. He will eventually sip the whiskey once the alcohol chases away the last tiny bit of cold stubbornly clinging to him.

He offers her a hand. "Hawke. If my drinking habits and personality are interrupting, just tell me. I can find another stool to haunt."

But he enjoyed meeting people in bars and taverns. There were all sorts of interesting people lurking at the tables and bar stools. This woman might also be a native he could answer some of his questions. So far, he hadn't meant anyone who could explain where he was and why. The dream about it was a vague memory now.

If only he could grasp it back. Hawke was usually much better at remembering his trips through the Fade.

"But of course," she offers back, faintly amused, and takes his hand. Hers may seem dainty by comparison, but her grip is firm.

"Astrid. I've encountered far worse." Another sip of her wine, and she doesn't hide that she's taking in the details of him; what she can make of his form beneath, the cut of his features, the clothing he wears. There's a distinct hint of magic, she's almost certain, itching to cast a spell just to be sure.

"Hawke. Is that your given name?"

Vex is very comfortable in her very white fur coat and the hat covering her hair. Her feathers are affixed to the side of the white hat. She is, for all intents and purposes, the perfect picture of a snow bunny ready to hit the trails.

Looking around, Vex'ahlia is amused about everything, but she does sort of recognize the accent that the other woman has. It's very close to Calebs, she thinks, but it's nothing like that of anyone she knows from Tal'dorei.

"Oh, me? Never. There's not much skiing in Whitestone, but I'm always willing to learn new things." She holds out her gloved hand for the other woman to shake. "Vex'ahlia de Rolo."

"Oh, hello there," Fran says, with a curious but friendly smile. Her little rabbit guide nudges at the side of her leg, and she takes a few steps closer to the very tall man who has crossed her path.

"I've never worn snowshoes before, have you? They're taking a bit of getting used to."

Fran takes a seat near the card playing group with her hot chocolate, watching curiously. "I've never played this game before. Whist, you said? How is it played? What are the rules, exactly?

I'm Fran, by the way."

"I think you might be being a bit overdramatic," she says, even as she teeters on one foot for a moment before finding her balance again.

"They're not so bad, once you find a rhythm. You sort of have to swing your leg out as you step forward. Take wider steps than usual."

It's only the years of a well-practiced mask that prevent her from making any sort of noticeable pause or hit of real recognition of the string of names. Of all the people she might have guessed to find in such a place, a renowned member of Vox Machina and the Tal'dorei council would not have been high on the list.

"Astrid Becke," she replies with a firm shake of Vex's hand and a pleased enough smile. "From Wildemount. Pleased to make your acquaintance, Vex'ahlia."

Snow crunches beneath her feet as she shifts in her shoes. "I have never been one for skiing myself, but snow-shoeing was a matter of necessity in the winter months, at times. Shall we?"

The growing hubbub in Wintermute has apparently been enough to draw Caleb out of the library and out to poke his nose into what he assumes is the latest influx of new arrivals. There's usually some chaos or another that accompanies, after all, some of it instructive even, so he makes his way even through the cold and snow.

The lodge door opens and the wind and scattered snow that flows in brings with it a snow leopard. The large cat shakes itself, and somewhere in the midst of the motion, the feline form gives way to the mostly-human form of Caleb Widogast. Since he arrived in Folkmore he's sported horns and a tail that make him look like a pale, freckled tiefling, but he's gotten used to them. A quick snap of his fingers and Frumpkin appears on his shoulder. Still brushing snow that hadn't shaken free with his transformation from his shoulders, he makes his way towards the bar, sliding into a seat. That's right about when he really looks at the woman at the bar and recognition hits him like the full brunt of an ambush attack. Caleb freezes, as if fight or flight are at war with each other and that's all he's left with. This lasts a long moment, awkwardly enough, and what Astrid does not know is the sudden flurry of silent communication through his connection to his bonded familiar, even if Peter is a ways away.

Thankfully the awkward frozen moment ends and the wizard shakes his stupor. It hadn't been that long since he'd seen Astrid, since he'd spoken to her for the first time in over a decade when he'd arrived in Folkmore. But that arrival had been months ago, and sometimes Exandria feels genuinely long ago and far away. The stiffness in his posture is still painfully visible, but his voice is level, gentle even, as he speaks. "Astrid?"

Since there's absolutely nothing wrong with Vex's memory, hearing or vision, she does take a moment to try and fight down the very strong urge to be irritated. And it has absolutely nothing to do with this woman and everything to do with a very disturbing memory that wasn't her own.

"Astrid. From Wildemount. Your name and accent seem very familiar."

She doesn't mention Caleb's name, since she's not sure that this is the same woman from the memory, but Vex also knows that nothing Thirteen does is by 'accident'.

"I grew up in the warmth of the southern part of Tal'dorei. There's not much snow in the jungles, but I'm willing to learn. Besides, the snows around Vasselheim are rather tricky." She tests the snowshoes with ease. "And, well, I suppose I can't fly everywhere, can I? Let's get started."

Even several months after that day, across nearly two decades, there's still part of her heart that lurches for him on sight and sound. It is both difficult and comforting to have him within her orbit again, as they carefully rebuild trust between them in the wake of Trent's deposition. Hurt and anger and longing are all too difficult to ignore in equal measure, so she has done her best to try to make peace with them bit by bit, in time. Her feelings, frustratingly, seem to change from day to day.

Yet it doesn't stop her from feeling some measure of genuine relief. Astrid immediately turns to Caleb's voice, but is likewise frozen for a moment as she takes him in. Her eyes linger questioningly at the horns, the smile that had begun to form fading quickly in confusion and wariness. She had just seen him the other day, and he hadn't been...this.

"Caleb," she says finally, and tries for a smile again after a breath, but doesn't quite manage. "So you are here. At least I am not alone."

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November 2022 Test Drive Meme

Questions?

Re: Questions?

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Hawke | Dragon Age

Fran Bow Dagenhart | Fran Bow

bunny

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cyno | genshin impact | legend

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Astrid Becke | Critical Role

Lodge

Shuos Jedao | Machineries of Empire | Familiar

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Bunny Business

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Whiskey and Whist

Bunny

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Lodge

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