folkooc | March 2023 Test Drive Meme

Entry tags:

*tdm

March 2023 Test Drive Meme

March 2023 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]

we can't have nice things

Content Warnings: mild body horror

One minute you were a falling star but as your body reforms you become aware of several things: the breeze that caresses your skin is not quite chill, and smells of fresh rain and flowers, while whatever you are laying on is both soft but also a little pointy. Once you've come fully to your senses you will discover that you are laying inside of a giant nest. Around you are eggs at least as tall as you if not larger, and another Star Child like yourself. The nest is, surprisingly, not in a tree but rather on the ground. Looking around will reveal there are a few such nests, some of which have giant white fluffy bunnies sitting on the eggs like hens. Some of them cluck in low, ominous tones.

Okay then.

There are broken eggshells on the floor of the nest of course, but these are rather unusual in that the insides are coated with gold. Look closer at the giant eggs and you will see that they have a faint light glowing inside. You can just barely make out something that sure doesn't look organic.

Well, well. Something valuable might just be in there!

make an omelette

You can use one of the bigger branches making up the nest, any powers you might have, or one of the funky new traits you might have been gifted. Maybe you can just use ol' Fisty and Punchy there on the ends of your arms. However you choose to do it, you can bust that egg wide open to claim your prize!

But what spills from the egg is a beautiful, shining version of yourself. Radiant. Angelic. Perfect.

And then your lookalike belches and mutates before your very eyes into a gooey, gelatinous horror. (You ever see Akira?) At its center is another egg, this one small and golden.

This creature wastes no time at all in attacking you and whoever else has the misfortune to be in the nest with you whether they helped you break the egg or not. Good luck fighting it off! Lucky for you if you look outside of the next you will find regular weapons scattered about - non-enchanted guns, knives, shields and the like.

Due to its gooshy and malleable form, the creature is extremely hard to damage, but the little gold egg is of course the key: smash that, and the creature will melt away. It leaves a sticky, foul smelling residue but also a golden chest. Inside, each of you will find some canon clothes and/or an item from your homeworlds. (This may include a canonical weapon.)

hope springs eternal

Perhaps you're not the destructive type. (Or maybe you've consumed enough media to know that bashing into things for treasure rarely ends well.) In that case, you are free to crawl out of the nest and try to find your way somewhere a little less weird.

Luckily there's a path that winds its way through tangled underbrush that sparkles with the condensation of spring mornings. The path leads you over shallow hills and into a field of wildflowers, all nodding in the breeze. You can see that the path leads on towards civilization but right in the center of the field and the path is a huge tree. It has many straight, evenly placed branches, which makes it perfect for climbing. In fact, it seems to beg to be climbed. There's definitely enough room for two to be able to do so.

The tree is crowned with another nest. This one is not so large as the ones you escaped - it could belong to a heron, or an osprey. Inside are several blue speckled eggs, about the size of a baseball.

Once you're at the top of the tree, you can see so much of the great realm of Folkmore. The air is clean and clear, and as you look out at this place you are filled with a bubbling sense of all that is possible with a fresh start.

You're so overcome with this feeling, as a matter of fact, that you feel compelled to share something you hope for with your companion. They just feel like someone you can trust with this right now.

A sharing of hopes and dreams has an unusual effect: it causes the eggs in the nest to hatch. They split open quite undramatically, and inside are flower bulbs, and some small sentimental object from home. Once planted and grown, these flowers will emit an aura of optimism; being near them will inspire you with hope. (The object from your homeworld may not be a weapon in this case.)

here's to my real friends

You've found yourself in any one of the neighbourhoods of Folkmore at dusk. The weather is pleasant and perfect for walking, so naturally that makes this a great time to explore wherever you've wound up.

While taking your little stroll, you suddenly hear a noise: a soft waow. Or maybe instead you see two wide eyes staring at you from the shadows. Stopping and waiting a moment will reward you with the appearance of a cat.

Well, sort of.

It's at least partly a cat. The other part seems to be something else. A slug, or an owl, or a moth perhaps. Any other critter that is approximately cat-sized or smaller. This hybrid cat is extremely friendly, twining around your ankles and making cute noises.

Then it runs away. But not too far. And makes its little noises at you again.

Look, genius, it wants you to follow it.

Your cat hybrid will lead you unerringly to another hybrid cat, who is also being followed by a Star Child. Yes, these little creatures are forcing you into a meet-cute. Heavy emphasis on the cute.

Chatting with this stranger will result in happy cats. Try to ditch the person you've just met and the cats will yowl and hiss at you. You can of course ignore them and storm off like the antisocial gremlin you are, but is it really worth the racket? Maybe it's better to just hang out for a little while.

This is also a good time to familiarise yourself with your surroundings. Depending on where you are, there may be businesses that are still open, places to find food and drinks, or just natural landmarks worth looking at. You and your new companion may not be from worlds remotely similar to Folkmore after all, and it all may be a little overwhelming.

You will at least make a friend regardless if you go the sociable route - you can adopt your cat hybrid. But you have to feed it and clean up after it!

Flat | Top-Level Comments Only

[Oh Steven, buddy... Asking Marc about libraries? As he steps over to the room with the washing machine, he shoots a sideways glance towards the weird slug cat and the way it eats with its front paws. It can't even make up its mind if it's a cat or a squirrel...]

The schools have libraries, I think. Open to anyone. [He takes a few seconds to drop the bundle of laundry into the basket.] But I dunno if the books will have the information you're lookin' for. You'll probably end up havin' to ask someone who's been here longer.

There's schools? Amazing. [Any uncertainty is overtaken by pleasant surprise there, wondering what sort of things they'd teach in a place like this, if anything useful at all. When Steven gets his bearings and is no longer internally freaking out he'll have to investigate further, but for now the vague concept of finding an actual source of knowledge is enough to placate him.

Steven gets back to his feet and quickly washes his hands of any traces of ham, the slugcat pleased as it continues munching away in Marc's kitchen. He takes the opportunity then to wander into the rest of the living area instead, until he can sit down onto the closest comfortable piece of furniture he can find. Instead of getting comfortable though he sits on the edge of the cushion, hands worrying in his lap as his eyes flicker a little nervously toward Marc.]

You don't mind if I stay here, do you? At least for a little while, 'til I get things sorted. [What things, he has no idea, but he doesn't want to assume he's welcome here long term. They've never exactly lived together in this capacity.]

[Marc hasn't really looked at the schools much himself, apart from literally looking at them. From the outside, just so he knows where they're located and what sort of people are attracted to them. He's not at all surprised Steven would have more genuine interest in them, though. That's just like him.

With the stray laundry stashed away, he moves back to the kitchen to grab an empty glass. It's filled with nice, clear water from the faucet. Not for himself, though. Within seconds, it's set down on the table in front of Steven. Marc doesn't know how long the man was wandering before the cat brought them together, but staying hydrated is always smart either way.]

Steven. [His tone of voice is a little curt. Impatient. He didn't mean for it to be, but he's frustrated the question's even being asked. He heard how it came across though, so he tries again with more calm.] You... are always welcome here. Doesn't matter how long you're stayin'.

[Steven's a grown man who had his own life without knowing of Marc's presence for a very long while. Taking that into account, it'd make sense he'd want his own place to stay. Still... The thought of them not sharing a space is foreign. It doesn't sit right. But he can't say that, because he doesn't want to stand in the way of Steven's freedom, or his independence.]

[It's a relief to hear, even if Steven knew Marc wouldn't deny him the space. In truth, Steven would very much like to stay with Marc long term, but he also doesn't want to be a burden or a bother, not knowing how long Marc would tolerate his presence in this situation too. It's easy to say yes now but being in two separate bodies isn't commonplace for them, and what if they don't get along as roommates? Steven is overthinking things but, hey, that's how his anxiety works sometimes.

Still, the idea of being apart while they're both in this place feels strange. Steven feels strange.

He reaches for the water with a soft thanks, taking some sips gladly. He's smiling at Marc with a sense of relief that shows in his eyes, and then he's finally sitting back a little more relaxed, and decides to be honest after all:] Thanks, mate. The thought of being apart from you feels... weird. I'd rather avoid that if we can manage it.

[Marc knows he should feel bad for Steven with that admission, but a far more selfish part of him feels validated. The unsettling dread of being incomplete is something he's been struggling with for these two months already, and that's because he's been missing an important presence- a friend who's been a part of his life for about twenty five years already. But Steven... Steven only became aware of Marc's presence very recently. If he already feels off now that they're separated, Marc has every right to feel it too.

He drops himself on the couch across from Steven and kicks his shoes off.]

Yeah, I get it. It's real weird. We're not supposed to be like this, but... No helpin' it now. [He rests his head backwards, angling for a bright side.] At least you can finally get a good night's sleep without worryin' about me takin' the body out.

[Steven angles his body to face Marc more, cradling the glass of water in both hands now. He's relieved to not be the only one feeling unsettled, though he can imagine it's far worse for Marc, not only because of how long he's been here already, but because he was aware of Steven far longer than Steven's been aware of him. His mind is on the same train of thought without realizing it and he can't help but be concerned, even if Marc's had more time to settle here.

For now, he tries to focus on the bright side too, letting out a puff of amused air.]

Right, we'll see about that. I might miss the sounds of tourists and traffic right outside my window. How can I sleep without all that racket?

[He has other reasons to worry about Marc though, less concerned for himself, and more over the fact that Marc's dealing with things without the coping mechanism his brain has needed all these years. Steven isn't foolish enough to assume everything is alright.]

So... what do you do around these parts, other than turn into animals and hang out with retired Avengers? [He's smiling though, curious about what Marc's gotten himself into all this time.]

[Epiphany has its own racket, from time to time, but it's nothing like traffic or tourists. It ranges from the loud pattering of rain to sounds made by strange spirit folk out in the street, but neither count as particularly disturbing. It would've lulled Marc to sleep, were it not for all the other things keeping him awake at night.

The question's a little on the nose, if only because he finds the answer pathetic. He drinks, he takes naps during the day... He trolled some bastard over the network that one time because his frustration needed an outlet. Without Khonshu- without any kind of missions- his life feels empty. Freedom feels empty. It makes him so ashamed he can't meet Steven's eye, so his gaze is caught on the ceiling as he talks.]

I dunno, I... Brace myself for the trials, I guess. Those are a pain. [He pauses, putting his feet up on the table.] I bought a motorcycle a while back. Real nice one.

[Steven has his suspicions of what sort of things might be going through Marc's mind but he doesn't point them out, not wanting to assume anything, though it's completely different now that Steven can witness Marc's body language outside of reflections and vague feelings from within. In a way, Marc cannot hide from him as easily, but neither can Steven.]

These trials - I'm assuming they're tests? [He bites at the inside of his cheek in thought, though the mention of a motorcycle has Steven's eyebrows lifting curiously.] Do you have a job to buy that sort of thing here? Or is it more of that... spoons nonsense?

[Nonsense he is very curious about.]

[Marc draws in a deep breath through his nose, scrunches his eyes shut for a second, then sits up straight again. He knows being too outwardly exhausted (or stressed, or whatever he is) is just going to make Steven worry, so he needs to pull himself together.]

Spoons. It's all spoons. [His tone of voice confirms that he also thinks it's nonsense, except labeled a cruder word.] Jobs aren't really much of a thing here. All you gotta do to get around is talk to people. Shouldn't be a problem for you. You're much more talkative than I am, and I've got enough spoon energy to get through the days anyway. And the trials are... Just some magic bullshit designed to bring us all closer together. Just one big socializing trap.

[And he knows that's vague, so he's going to have to give an example. The most innocent one is the one he goes with for now, waving a casual hand.]

Like a couple weeks after I first arrived, I got stuck in some ridiculous Groundhog Day loop. Great for explorin' the lay of the land without payin' for public transport tickets, but the novelty wore off after goin' through the same day four times. So eventually I ran into another one of us- Star Children- and had a conversation with him about how much this place sucks. And just like that, bam, next mornin' was actually the next mornin'.

Sounds like your worst nightmare. [Steven smiles, just teasing, though he can imagine how exhausting this is for people who are less inclined to go out in the world and socialize. The idea of this place knowing when and how they interact with one another sounds like some Big Brother nightmare too, though he keeps that thought to himself. One thing to worry about at a time.]

Seems like you've been managing just fine though which is... great, Marc. See? You don't need me for that sort of thing. [Steven really is proud of him for making it two months seemingly unscathed, not that he would expect otherwise, but even Marc could probably use a little praise for the simple things.

He downs his water and sets the glass down onto the table nearby, and then Steven is leaning back against the couch, his body turned fully as he draws his legs up as well to get comfortable, abandoning his ruined house slippers on the floor. He'd been wandering about in those all day. The story Marc tells him is intriguing and bizarre as can be, but seems mild compared to what they could be going through. Maybe Marc is just sparing him the details.]

So they're like little socializing puzzles, except you don't know when or how you'll get out of it. [Steven frowns some, trying to imagine how long that would have gone on if Marc hadn't eventually discovered someone else in the same predicament.] And this is supposed to get us to our full potential or whatever the bloody fox was going on about? By talking to people? Even I could've told you that's a healthy thing to do.

[Steven may mean well, but the praise leaves a bitter taste in his mouth. 'Didn't need him'? Of course he needed him. Whether he's been managing just fine is debatable, and it shouldn't be about whether Steven's serving some kind of purpose. A low hum rumbles in the back of his throat, and his tongue presses harshly against the back of his teeth.]

... Yeah. Nobody really knows what that full potential crap is meant to be. Can't exactly ask the people who reach it, 'cause they're taken away from this place immediately. [He'd say "sent home", but in truth, he doesn't know that.] We just gotta tolerate it till somethin' changes.

[He may or may not have been entertaining conversations about killing the Fox. You know, as one does. His gaze strays towards the slug cat, which is slinking around near the couch. It sits back, looks up at them with focused eyes, then hops up onto the couch cushion to land between Marc and Steven.]

[In truth, Steven has his own internal demons to battle since the truth came out, and he really hasn't had a lot of time to come to terms with it all. It is even stranger now that they're apart again so soon after uniting in what was meant to be a meaningful acceptance between them both, but apparently this place - or the fox, or whoever - decided that wasn't enough of an existential journey for them. Time for another!]

I feel like we had already reached our potential together, this seems like a step backwards if you ask me. [He scoffs a little before realizing he sounds bitter, not meaning to be so negative. He worries his lip between teeth but then their new slug friend comes up to distract them, Steven brightening almost immediately as he reaches to offer the critter his hand to sniff.]

Well, I'm at least glad this little fella reunited us so quickly. [It seems to like the praise and nuzzles up against Steven's hand, making him chuckle.] We'll have to think of a name!

Edited 2023-04-03 15:29 (UTC)

[Marc's lips twitch into half a smile, just for a few seconds. That this is a step backwards is exactly the same thing he said to Jayce when they first discussed full potential. Nice to know Steven thinks the same thing. And if they're both in agreement on that, they're both in agreement the fox is full of bullshit.

He stares down at the slug cat as it goes all in on Steven's attention. It's official, this thing lives here now. Marc's going to have to set down a litter box and put the catnip away somewhere it can't reach it. Who even knows how a hybrid creature would react to that?]

... Gus the second.

[He's very bad with pet names.]

[The hybrid is more than happy being here in its new home, regardless of whether or not that was its initial intent, though Steven can't find it in him to be bothered by the cute thing. It's been one hell of a day and even though he's relieved to be reunited with Marc, Steven still feels unsettled, and having an adorable piece of this world be so friendly kind of helps ease some doubts. Not all, but some.

Marc's suggestion gets a bit of a look while Steven distractedly scratches under the slug's chin, which gets the slinky thing melting into the couch.]

Gus the Second already existed, mind you. Or still exists, maybe. Who's to say who the fish living back home are? [A slight sigh, like he is still mourning the initial Gus he lost when he lost so much time in Switzerland of all places. He looks down at the melted puddle of cat beside him and a fond look eases over his expression.] Maybe something new would be refreshing once we get to know him a bit better.

Edited (argh mobile tags keep losing words ) 2023-04-03 17:54 (UTC)

[Aw no... Marc already feels bad enough about Gus the first as it is, now he feels even worse. He brought that on himself, though. This is what he gets for bringing up Gus at all.

He presses the bottom of his foot against the edge of the table as he tries to think of something new and refreshing. Frenchie comes to mind, only to be immediately dismissed for a variety of reasons, the least of which that he'd have to explain to Steven how he knows a name like that. Maybe something Egyptology-inspired instead? Uhhh...]

I'll leave it to you. I'm fine with whatever.

I'll keep thinking on it. Sometimes you have to get to know an animal first before picking a name. [He says, as if he's managed to take care of anything but a few goldfish in his adult life (and not so successfully). The slug cat seems content to curl up like a comfy puddle between them for now though while Steven's fingers continue to pet down the back of its head in gentle strokes, apparently comforting him just as much as the creature.

Soon he's glancing back up to Marc with a softer smile though, a bit tired too, though he can't imagine he'll be finding sleep any time soon... or easily, for a few days at least.]

What should we tell all your new friends when they ask who I am? We do look very similar after all. [Read: exactly the same, though when Steven looks at Marc he doesn't really see himself at all.] I suppose just putting it as "family" makes the most sense, yeah?

['All his new friends'? God, that's a weird way of putting it. There's two people around here Marc could consider friends, even if he's 'friendly' with a couple more. One of them knows who Steven really is, and that's already one person too many in his book. So yeah, they will have to give an excuse. And he hates the thought of wording it like that, but...]

Yeah. Twins. Twins is fine. [That's what Taweret already assumed, anyway. Separated at birth or something. Not that it's anyone else's business why Steven has a British accent.

Still, a different thought hits him now, causing his eyes to widen lightly. Fuck- Finn... He sits up straighter.]

Speakin' of twins. There's a guy out there from a different universe who has a pal who looks just like... [He waves a hand between the two of them.] Just like us. Uncanny, apparently. So if someone comes runnin' up to you, callin' you Poe, try to let him down gently.

We were estranged for a long time and only recently reunited. Not exactly lying, is it? [He offers Marc a sneaky smile. It feels strange being dishonest about their situation but it's easier to explain than the truth, and Steven doesn't exactly feel comfortable unpacking all of that either. It's no one's business but Marc's, at the end of the day, and Steven knows sharing their situation also means sharing too much painful, personal information too. He'd never put Marc in that spot.

The bit of news Marc shares next earns a raised brow from Steven, who is still slouched back comfortably into the couch. A look of bewilderment melts into something far more amused, as if he's already resigned to the strangeness of this place.]

Poor chap. Must be getting confusing for him. [He pauses and then wrinkles his nose some.] Though we don't need more of us running about this place. Is he part of some multi-versal version of our Earth?

Edited (typos typos everywhere) 2023-04-04 16:21 (UTC)

[That sneaky smile is returned with a light quick of Marc's own lips. It does sound about right, honestly. And it's probably for the best to offer up a vague half-truth like that. The less lying he has Steven do, the better.]

Doesn't sound like it. Poe's some kinda... space pilot, from what I gather. Don't think they've ever even heard of Earth. [Which is wild to Marc, because how can they look just like humans and then not be from Earth? Though, it's the same for a lot of people here. Human genetics are just a constant throughout, apparently.

He leans forward, hands folding in his lap and shoulders hunching with a very particular strain.]

... Just so you know, there is one guy who knows about us. How we're really related, I mean. Wasn't exactly my choice to tell him, but one of the Trials made it so we could see each other's memories. That was a real pain in the ass. Couldn't avoid explainin' what he'd seen.

[Steven isn't the greatest liar, it's true, and being put in a spot where he may have to fib details more often isn't the best, but he'd rather that than spill the truth. At least he is on the same page about that with Marc, and if he could make things "right" again he would... just to make things easier.

Alas, this is what they have to work with.]

Thanks for the heads up, mate. Probably for the best. I've been here a couple hours and everything already feels like so... much. [He lets out an amused breath, though there's that deep worry line they both share just between his brows.

It doesn't smooth away any further with what Marc says next, catching Steven's attention as he sits up a little more. The movement jostles the cat at his side who makes an annoyed little sound but just curls back up again.]

Your neighbor? I met him earlier today, if that's who you mean. He mentioned something... but seemed very nice. [He pauses, chewing on the inside of his cheek, worried more about how Marc had to deal with that situation than being "found out."]

[If Steven already thinks this is a lot, it leaves Marc relieved the man's not a Familiar too. Doesn't seem like it, anyway, and the weird glow from earlier sure implies Legend. Struggling with an animal transformation on your first days makes everything a hundred times worse. Either way, he'll make sure Steven can take it easy until he's adjusted. Adjusted as much as possible considering the circumstances, anyway.

And he's not sure why he's suddenly uncomfortable that Steven's met Jayce already, but there it is. He's uncomfortable.]

Oh. Yeah, he's alright. Tries a little too hard, but if you ever need somethin', he's a good guy to turn to. His partner too.

[He's still not 100% sure how Viktor fits into everything. First he was introduced as Jayce's partner (and vice versa), then later on Jayce mentioned a boyfriend and a girlfriend... He'll just stick with partner.]

[Steven hasn't even discovered the fact that he has wings yet. That's going to be a trip. For now, he's just happy that Marc is already here and can help ease him into this strange place. Even if Steven would have managed on his own too he's selfishly glad he isn't alone, trying to adapt to so much. He's still glad that Marc seemed to handle it just fine on his own too.

Marc is so much more difficult to read when they're apart like this and Steven ends up staring a little too much, trying to understand what he's thinking. While they couldn't exactly read each other's minds before, they'd speak to one another naturally, what felt like seamlessly at times, and that does wonders with someone like Marc who is normally so closed off. Steven just hopes he won't clam up around him too now.]

Seemed like it. He helped me out of a very tall tree... [Steven's voice fades a bit as he thinks of how exactly Jayce flew him down, but he won't go into detail there. An odd expression crosses his face, almost embarrassed, his eyes shifting into a purple before he sits up straighter, inadvertently scooting closer to Marc without thinking about it.]

Anyway, maybe in the morning you can show me around some places. I would like to get my bearings around this area, at least.

[A tall tree? Marc thinks he knows which tree that was, since he got compelled to climb a pretty weird one earlier too. But the way Steven's voice softens near the end of that sentence has him throwing a sideways glance the man's way. ...Wait, did his eyes just do something weird, or was that a trick of the light? Marc squints lightly, then ends up nodding his head.]

Oh yeah, we can go shopping. Get some proper clothes for you, and anythin' else you're gonna need. Don't exactly have much here you can eat, either. [Right now, the fridge is full of meat and dairy. And not a single piece of fruit in sight.]

Yes, I noticed.

[Marc has next to nothing in the fridge, let alone fruit. Steven already made a mental note to make sure they get some proper food, because even though the pantry is full, there's nothing particularly healthy around for either of them. Steven hasn't always been the best at taking care of himself either but now that he isn't privy to losing time and feeling like he's going mad, maybe he'll manage better.]

That's settled then! We'll take a tour tomorrow and you can show me all the strange little shops full of furry friends and whatnot, and I'll pinch my arm until I'm bruised trying to wake myself up.

[If it helps Steven any, the take-out food Marc's been ordering is varied enough. Still no fruit salads, but at least there's vegetables mixed into stir fry. That counts, right? He knows that'll be harder to keep up with Steven around the place, though. They should probably do real cooking.

The right corner of his mouth quirks upwards as he sits back into the couch again, the shift of his weight causing the slug cat to slide towards the side of his leg. Tiny paws end up pushing back against his thigh.]

Don't bruise yourself. You're not gonna wake up, so you might as well save yourself the trouble.

March 2023 Test Drive Meme

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