folkooc | January 2023 Test Drive Meme

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*tdm

January 2023 Test Drive Meme

JANUARY 2023 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]

beautiful sunshine ray

Content Warnings: mood altering substances.

hot chocolate

The weather across Folkmore is universally chill: Wintermute is frozen, Willow covered in snowdrifts, Epiphany a mess of slush, Cruel Summer dangerously cold at night, and Exile wrapped in a numbing fog. You wouldn't know it, but things are at least a little nicer than they have been - with the exception of Wintermute, you at least are not likely to freeze to death just by wandering around.

Or so you'll discover eventually. Right now? Well, you just got here! One minute you’re falling through the sky, and the next you’re in the middle of an ice fort. The walls are chiseled with care, rising up about seven feet high. Skinny windows are cut in the ice at regular intervals. There is no roof, and above you the sky is a cold, clear blue only marred by the occasional fluffy white cloud. Set inside the fort is a hot chocolate bar staffed entirely by white rabbits. They are the size of regular rabbits, but they don't seem to have any issue standing on their hind legs and using their little paws to pour drinks from large red cannisters into red paper cups.

By request, they will also drop a marshmallow into your cup. You have your choice of colours, and each one will have a different effect:

Pink: Causes you to feel bold and confident!
Blue: Grants you a mild sense of euphoria!
Yellow: Makes you feel quite flirty!
White: Nothing. It's a marshmallow.

winter games

Outside of the ice fort, you will find yourself among gently rolling hills covered in snow. It's perfect for packing... which you may very well find out when you're hit with a snowball. Who threw that? Who cares! The very instant you're struck you have the irresistible urge to get in on a no-holds-barred snowball fight! You might wind up throwing snowballs at other Star Children, or maybe you team up with another person to take out anyone else you see. Or maybe instead you see that there are toboggans and crazy carpets at the tops of some of these hills and you decide to take a ride with someone instead. There are snow angels and snowmen to make, too!

No matter what you decide to do, the moment you are hit with a snowball you just want to engage in light hearted fun and what some might call childish behaviour. You might be a little embarrassed later, but right now you're not concerned at all! And really, this is a great way to maybe make some new friends.

beautiful moonlight shine

Content Warnings: potential monster fights.

sing your life

Maybe you stay out having fun in the snow just a little too long, or maybe you've wandered to an entirely different part of Folkmore. However it happens, the sun has set and a brilliant sliver of moon has risen instead.

Folkmore is home to many Star Children, but it is also home to many spirits. As you move through the night, you realise that you can see some of these in your peripheral vision: pale, insubstantial things that inhabit the natural world. The idea might be creepy, but these spirits are all singing and the sound of it makes you feel safe. When you encounter another Star Child, you are happy to have them with you, happy to share this sense of comfort. You feel like you could walk forever under the new moon and have no harm ever befall you again.

...until it stops.

The sudden stillness falls like a blow, only to broken by the sound of an awful lot of snow hitting the ground - a loud thwump. When you turn to find he source of the noise, you will find one or more vaguely humanoid snow creatures ponderously headed your way!

You can fight them, of course. They are a little slow, but they are aggressive and have an annoying habit of reforming. You will notice that there are weapons hidden here and there - normal, unenchanted swords or guns or spears. You can find these and use them to smash the snow monsters apart until they stop trying to reform.

Or you may realise that these creatures only showed up when the other spirits stopped singing. What does that mean?

Weaponized karaoke!

When you sing, the monsters retreat. A duet will encourage them to do so even quicker. And when they are finally gone, you will find that they have left behind a sturdy wooden chest, inside of which is one item from home for each of you.

poetry in lights

In your travels at night, at some point you will find that you can see warm lights up ahead. Once you get close enough, you can see that the light comes from red lanterns hung everywhere. There are Star Children and even some spirits present, many of them moon gazing.

There is a kiosk set up, manned by black rabbits. If you have been injured in your fight with the snow monsters or some other way, they will patch you up with basic first aid at once.

The rabbits are also handing out sparklers. People are drawing shapes in the air with them, laughing and having a great time.

When a sparkler is put into your hand all you really want to do is trace words against the velvet night sky. What words? You are compelled to spell out something from the heart: it can be a deep hurt, or a secret hope. Something intensely personal that you may not otherwise share, now written in light visible to all.

Maybe you feel the urge to explain, or defend. Or maybe you want to ask someone else about their own words hanging there in the air like a neon sign.

What a way to get to know someone.

Flat | Top-Level Comments Only

[The singing spirits is a new experience for him here, and the sense of comfort he gets from them, he even catches himself. He wonders if it's an effect from their singing rather than just simple appreciation of the singing. This wouldn't be the first time music has influenced his mood and even personality here.

As he continues to walk, he hears a familiar singing that is unlike the spirits. Could it be? He quickens his pace and sees and hears an all too familiar bard seeming like there's nothing strange or worrisome about this place.

He doesn't say anything right away, just listening to the last line of the song. It blends in with the spirits singing, but he needs to focus.]

Do you make it a habit of singing with spirits?

Oh lay, oh lei...oh lord...~!

[Venti so wishes he had his lyre on hand to play, but he doesn't. So he whistles a tune, and he finally hears a familiar voice. He turns to face it immediately, a big grin on his face.]

I'd say that's pretty in-character for me, wouldn't you, Traveler? It's what a bard does best.

[He's delighted! His traveler is here! But he won't get overexcited.

...Probably.]

[There's a little clap as he finishes up, glad that he's finally noticed. He knows Venti can get quite lost when it comes to music. The spirits continue to sing even when the other stops.]

Yeah, especially a bard who's won Mondstadt's most popular bard three times.

[He approaches him closer, giving him a look over. It seems he's all right; it seems he's unharmed. Despite saying he's weak, he knows Venti can plenty take care of himself in a fight if need be.]

So, finally decided to follow a fox and come join us? There's a few others from Teyvat here, too.

[Venti gives an overdramatic bow. That's him, that's him.]

Seems that way. At least it wasn't a cat. Who all is here?

[He lets him look him over, his hands resting loosely at his sides for now.]

Any troublemakers~? [Or is he the first?] I have to know everything interesting that's gone on...

[...]

...Also, where are we?

[He gives a little laugh at the cat joke. He'll soon find out there's a lot of cats here. Poor Venti.]

Well, there's me, Kaeya, Diluc, Albedo, and Zhongli for those who you know. [There's a little pause as he remembers one more.] There was Kazuha, but I think the winds took him back to Teyvat.

[There are others, but he's not sure if Venti knows them.]

I have some of my friends from Sumeru here, too. I can introduce you to them.

[At not know where they are, Aether sighs. So carefree and going with the flow. Typical Venti.]

This is Folkmore. Did you have a dream with a talking fox?

[Venti begins counting up on his fingers. The Traveler, Kaeya, Diluc, Albedo, and Zhongli. Kazuha was there, isn't anymore. And some from Sumeru.]

This is a bit of an odd dream, isn't it? Taking so many people from Teyvat.

[He thinks on it.]

Right, right! I was playing my lyre and the fox approached me. I left...my body? There was still something behind me, so I suppose it was a dream...she told me I would be a Myth. Somehow, despite it all, there was nothing to worry about. It was an irregularity, but I asked the first question to come to mind, and she answered with a smile.

....Will this be fun?

[He smiles.]

She said 'if you make it so'.

So! Are we all gathered somewhere here? I'll be sticking with you, Traveler.

[You're the most exciting person he knows, after all.]

[He's discussed and thought about why so many of them are here with a number of his friends. Albedo has his theory and he has his own, too. He doesn't think it's by mere chance. Not isn't the time to ask, and maybe in a more serious time, he'll share things with Venti as he does trust him and has sought his guidance.]

I guess the god of this place, Thirteen, thought one more of couldn't hurt. Especially one that can carry a tune.

[He listens to what Venti tells him about the exchange of two god like beings technically. He recalls Zhongli's arrival here; now two former Archons of Teyvat are here. He nods along, his face showing he's looking like he's trying to figure something out. That changes when he hears Venti recall asking Thirteen about having fun. He laughs once, a smile curving upwards.]

It's not all fun all the time, but it's true. I've had fun exploring this new world with my friends, and I think that'll continue now that you're here. [He'll have to mention to Albedo that they'll have a visitor for tonight and maybe a bit more.] We can head back to the house I'm sharing with Albedo. We've been living together since I arrived. You can stay there until you get your own place, or you can roam freely, too. I've known a few people who do that.

Thirteen is the god here....I see. [Truly powerful to have brought an archon here, much less two of them. He grins. Aether is always so on point with the flattery.] She just has good taste.

[You know, bias.]

Of course it'll continue with me here! I don't know how you've been making it without your loyal bard chronicling your exploits! You must have SO MUCH MATERIAL for me by now, and I want to hear every bit of it! [big hype!] ...Ah, so I can stay with you and Albedo? Excellent! I don't like the idea of living alone. I am free like the wind....but being with companions has always suited me more, so I shall let you lead the way.

Good taste, huh? We'll see if you keep feeling that way. [He raises an eyebrow at that one. He can agree with some cases, but Venti is going to be in for a big surprise when he sees all the cat related things and all the cat things. Maybe there's something here that could help with his allergies, but that's a different thought.] You'll get to meet them, but usually when there is a test or Thirteen wants us to do something. At least there's a reward, so I imagine you'll have fun with that.

[He gestures Venti to walk alongside him, keeping to his pace and also being aware of their surroundings. Maybe it's due the several times new arrivals have come, including himself, dangerous creatures seem to find their way to Folkmore more often than any other time.]

We should have enough time that I can tell you most things. [He pauses at Venti asking to live with him and Albedo. He'd like to say ok for now.] You'll have to ask Albedo, as I'm a guest technically, too. At least for now, if you let him do his research and drawing in peace, it should be all right.

[As they walk, it takes a moment, but he doesn't hear anymore singing. He got so used to it, but for now he thinks nothing of it. Maybe they're just leaving the designated spirit singing area? Who knows. Folkmore is rather unconventional so making assumptions isn't always the smartest.]

That sounds ominous. [Venti replies, clearly picking up that there's something else there.] ...My, they're putting us through the paces. The burden of expectation....how troubling~ [PEOPLE USUALLY EXPECT NOTHING FROM HIM,]

And I will listen with rapt energy! [He continues keeping pace with Aether, a content bounce to his feet.] Alright, alright. I'll ask. And I won't cause trouble. Prooooomise.

[Of course, unlike Zhongli, he's not really an archon of contracts or agreements...so Aether will have to take him at his word.]

...Oh, yes. I also woke up with a utensil. [He takes the spoon out of his pocket.] Why?

You would know the whims of gods better than most. [Implying something of course, but there's a follow up.] After all, you're a bard that knows many stories about gods. You won't be lacking any inspiration here!

[At that so called promise? Yeah, Aether knows a little better. Trouble and Venti go together a little too well. There's fun, but the wind changes so quickly and a gust can send him falling on his behind if he ignores the changes.]

Uh uh. Of course you won't. If you do, hypothetically, cause any trouble, it's Albedo you'll have to deal with, not me.

[He doesn't need to look at the spoon long to know what it is. Now explaining a financial system to Venti. Well, that's another thing.]

That's how you pay for stuff. You see-[He stops speaking, his face looking more serious now. He's noticed earlier creatures getting closer to them, but now there are far more and they are far closer than being off in the distance.] Something's not right. Be on guard.

[He doesn't have his sword anymore, but he extends his wings and resonates with anemo.]

[Venti catches the implication, and his stare at Aether is dry for a couple of seconds. Mhm. But then it brightens again. The wind does indeed change quickly.]

Of course! And I do look forward to that. It's been so long since I've gone this far for inspiration...so much to discover, so much more to see!

[He lets out a little 'ehehe.' It'll be fine. Albedo will be fine with him! Probably!]

...Oh, that's--

[But then the Traveler points out an uneasy atmosphere. He's right. Venti pauses, staying on his guard. He doesn't exactly have his bow and arrows either, but he's at least quick enough to run if he needs...]

[This is the first time in a while that it's eerily quiet. It seems this creatures are more aggressive and agitated than before. He would have rather told Venti about the monsters and dangerous rather than have him experience it first hand. He knows the two of them most likely could hold off enough to get away if it becomes to dangerous.]

Like I said, I've had some fun moments, but not always.

[He's thinking of a plan one of the snow creatures gets a little too close, but a quick burst of anemo blows it back into the snow. The burst of anemo reveals some weapons they can use.]

Can you distract them for a bit? Then I'll grab us some weapons.

[Venti nods, not letting the pressure get to him for a moment. They enjoyed music before, so he taps his foot and clears his throat.]

Once a upon a time and place unknown, lived a boy forgot and left all alone~ no one knew what he could do or of this fairytale~

[Good thing he's got a song for any occasion. Though this one was one he'd worked on for a bit...]

[Aether doesn't hesitate once Venti nods, already going for some weapons. He's not surprised by Venti using his singing to distract them, trusting him. He extends out his wings, making a quick dash powered by anemo to cross over the weapons. He sees a sword and a bow with a set of some arrows; this must be a test by Thriteen. It's a little too perfect.

After he collects the weapons, he notices the creatures are docile. He's all but ready to slash them, but they seem entranced. He hasn't seen Venti do this, but he wouldn't be surprised. Still, he keeps his sword drawn as the creatures are in a daze. When he gets close enough, he tosses the bow and arrows to Venti.]

Seems like Thirteen is giving you a proper welcome. [One god to another.] I didn't know your singing could do this. [Unless...? He recalls how he heard singing before and it kept the creatures at bay and calm. Should he join in?]

She's tailored it to my tastes. How kind of her. [Venti snickers.] It can't! That I know of, at least. But! You're more than welcome to join in, Traveler. [He gives him a little grin, beaming.] It must be the only way, after all. A duet would help keep us truly well and safe.

[Or maybe he just thinks it'd be fun. Or both.]

Flat | Top-Level Comments Only

January 2023 Test Drive Meme

sing your life!

!!! hello there :3

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