April 2023 Test Drive Meme

[folkie]

April 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]

worms. ★

Content Warnings: hallucinations, poison, giant worm

One minute you were a falling star, but as your body reforms you become aware of one important detail: it's friggin hot.

That's because you've landed in a desert! Yes, you have had the misfortune of landing in Cruel Summer, the hottest and arguably most dangerous part of Folkmore. Lucky you!

The first bit of good news is that you're pretty sure you can see a train station off in the distance, although it's extremely difficult to judge exactly how far off due to the flatness of the terrain. The second bit of good news is that you have awoken with either a canteen of water, or an umbrella to keep the sun off. The third bit of news - good or bad, depending - is that you've awoken near another Star Child. Whoever this is will have the opposite gift than what you received; if you have water, they have an umbrella, and if you have an umbrella they have water. Well, you know what they say: sharing is caring! Undeniably the water is a touch more important, so hopefully whoever has it isn't a colossal dick.

As you trek through the desert towards the distant structure, you will notice periodically the air off to either side of you will shimmer. You may dismiss it as merely the heat playing tricks, but if you choose to investigate you will find mundane weapons like swords, guns, shields, etc.

At some point as you walk, you will feel a tremor beneath your feet. It grows in intensity until suddenly the sand sprays everywhere as something bursts forth from the earth below!

Wavering above you is a blood red worm. It is large - end to end it runs about thirteen feet - and its segmented hide is tough enough that rocks bounce right off of it. You might have more luck with bullets or bladed edges, but it's still going to be a tough fight. It also boasts some impressive offensive tricks; its mouth is ringed with many rows of fangs, and itspits a thick yellow acid that will corrode your skin and your weapons if you're not careful. If that wasn't enough, during your fight you might here a sudden brrrrrrrrrapppp! as the creature farts lightning at you. Hilarious... until it knocks you to the ground.

You would do well to work as a team to take this monster down. You and your partner might have powers or skills that could come in handy, or maybe you're quick on the uptake when it comes to any new abilities afforded you by your new role!

If you defeat the worm in battle, a golden chest will appear. Inside of it are items from your homeworlds - these rewards are especially likely to be any weapons you owned back home.

But hey, maybe you're a lover, not a fighter. There's no judgement here in Folkmore. You can outrun the worm instead if you're both fast and clever - finding any terrain that is more rock than sand will give you a decided advantage.

Once you have either defeated or escaped the worm, you will find that you come upon a small group of tents. Under their shade are first aid supplies, and kiosks manned by fennec foxes offering water, food, and shaved ice. Nice!

so scarlet it was. ★

Content Warnings: emotional trauma, impalement

Giant death worms aren't the only danger in the desert, they're just the most obvious.

Even if you avoided the worms entirely, you still have to make it to one of the train stations in Cruel Summer. As you trek across the dunes you will gradually become aware that over the sound of wind and shifting sand you can hear someone singing. You feel an urge to follow the sound to its source.

This song could be anything - one that exists in your world or others, or just a melody spun in the air for the first time. Whatever it is, it is heart rending; tears may spring your eyes as you follow the sound, precious moisture falling to the thirsty desert ground.

The singing is coming from a cactus. It is taller than most humanoid creatures, tinted purple and pink at the tips, with abnormally long spines. Its song reminds you sharply of some deep loss from your past, and at the same time inspires a terrible compulsion to go to the cactus and sink against it.

And what a relief it is, to embrace that melody and feel the spines slide easily through your flesh to pierce your heart. You do not bleed. By some strange alchemy, your heartache drains from your body as liquid, filling the cactus and causing its flowers to bloom and its song to cease.

You could very well stay pinned there, dying a slow death of desiccation, but lucky for you Star Children are all over the place this time of the month and someone is bound to see that you need help.

Trying to pry someone off of the cactus is impossible. The key lies in the flowers - they must be removed. When they are, sweet liquid will spray from the place where it had grown, dousing the rescuing Star Child. With this impromptu shower comes psychic flashes of the painful memory that has trapped the victim.

Once all of the blooming flowers have been removed, the cactus will retract its spines and release its prisoner. There will be no physical wounds left from this encounter.

You will also discover nearby that there is now a golden chest. Inside of it are items from your homeworlds, although none of these items are weapons.


Thankfully, you should be able to reach either Oozlum or Obambo Station without further incident. At either of these you will be able to get some water and supplies, as well as get the hell out of Cruel Summer.

Comments

1

[shadowsincryo]

[His companion studies their surroundings as he lifts an umbrella up to shade them both. His wolf ears twist back and forth to catch the sounds of-

Both ears go flat against his hair. Something is out there. Typical of Folkmore. Kaeya wipes sweat from his brow and lets his icy magic flow. Chips of ice swirl around them.]

Oh, I do. And it would be better we get moving. There is a reason the locals call it Cruel Summer.

[What a sobering thought to realize none of the forms he loves to flit back and forth between are all that suitable for a desert. He scratches at his jaw with a clawed hand.]

We need to head east. There’s a forest at that edge. This feels like a Fox trial, so I’m likely cut off from things to make this easier.

[indigently]

[ At first, Kaveh's a little relieved to find that he has a companion who, like him, wields a Vision— not to mention one that is Cryo-aspected, allowing the man to cool them somewhat with the manifestation of ice he creates around them. As strange as the dream was, seeing another Vision-holder gives him a sense of being close to home— at least, of course, until the gentleman in question mentions the local name of the place, and Kaveh frowns.

To his knowledge, no such place exists in Teyvat. So then, why—?

He tries to shake the thought from his mind, focusing instead on an introduction: ] I'm Kaveh, an architect from Sumeru. [ But it's a distinct failure, and he finds the frown deepening on his face. ]

Fox trial? Like the fox who led me here? [ A sigh, heavy with despondency. ] We're not in Teyvat anymore, are we?

[shadowsincryo]

We’re not. [He says as casually as if they were discussing the weather. Around them the desert looks harsh and unforgiving. He counts it lucky they were dumped closer to a safer region.

He sweeps a hand out, channeling a little more magic.] Knight Captain Kaeya Alberich of Mondstadt, a pleasure despite the circumstances.

[He takes two steps to the east and says,] And to answer your question. Yes, like the fox that brought you here. She likes to challenge us to ‘help us’ find our true potential.

With little things like this.

[indigently]

[ His brows lift a little, a quiet surprise on his face. That's a big title— the gentleman is obviously proud of the work he does, or at least likes it to appear as such. (And why wouldn't he be? He's probably around the same age as Kaveh himself is, and Captain is surely a respectable role...) ]

Monstadt, huh? I unfortunately haven't had the pleasure of visiting, though I will say your buildings are truly works of art.

[ But he shouldn't talk shop too much, should he?

There's a mild sense of embarrassment when Kaeya mentions the fox, a vague memory that reminds him he did indeed learn these things. The problem is, of course, that he dismissed the whole thing as a dream— and of course the present moment has proved that it very much was not. ]

Little things like this... That sounds frustrating. [ He chuckles. ]

Are there others from Teyvat here?

[shadowsincryo]

Yes, quite a few from Sumeru. A few from Mondstadt. [He shuts a mental door on a thought before it has time to gain strength. He won't be one to tell Archon secrets.] We used to have some from Liyue, but they're not present.

[He sighs, a bit of the facade dripping away as he adds,] Her trials can be frustrating. They're usually some form of interesting. But, well, do be prepared. Something is always asked of us. Or we'll face something within ourselves.

[His mind flashes back to a watery beast emerging from a lake, mud falling from it and the scent of rot- Before he shuts the door on that memory too. He laughs,] Let's keep moving. When we get out of this I'll tell you all about our buildings and the history behind them.

Over drinks, I'll buy. I'd love to hear at Sumeru too. I've always wanted to visit...I hear your drinks are one of a kind.

[indigently]

[ Quite a few from Sumeru, huh? For a moment, Kaveh wants to ask, but it's a curiosity he seals away for the time being. It's a selfish thought anyway, isn't it, to want Tighnari or Cyno to be here. They should be at home, where they're needed the most. Not trapped here— Besides, they're two of the most put together people he knows, so surely there's nothing any outside observer could decide they need to work on...

Well, maybe except for Cyno's jokes.

Kaveh shakes himself free of that thought, watching Kaeya's face change as his feelings do, and his own smile becomes somewhat grimmer. It certainly doesn't seem like an easy sort of place to be. ]

Right. We're headed for that building in the distance, correct?

[ And then comes an offer that a thirsty man in a desert shouldn't want to hear. But Kaveh does. Kaveh always does. ]

Drinks? Now you're talking my language...! I'm not sure if we have anything quite as famous as your Dawn Winery's vintages, but given the right ingredients, I'm sure I can drum up a few of our local specialties...

[shadowsincryo]

We’ll go to the markets and find the closest things we can find. I fix a few of those Dawn Winery specials.

…the best one to make them for you is…gone. But I know them quite well. [Gone was said with a little bit of sadness. He shoves past it and nods,] We are trying to get to the building. And, lucky for you you’re with a Cryo.

…do you remember what the fox said? They would have mentioned roles. [One of his wolf ears pops up from his hair and swivels to catch a stray sound. What? He can’t tell what it is yet.]

[indigently]

Gone? [ The word comes out as a question, but Kaveh shakes his head as if to say it isn't one. The smile on his own lips is tinged with an answering sadness— if he knew the other man better, he'd reach out to offer comfort, but at least for now he holds himself back. ] I'm sorry.

[ It would be good, he thinks, if he had some way he could help. He's gotten used to utilizing his Vision via his toolbox, for starters, but on top of that there's (ironically) nothing particularly useful about Dendro in the desert. ]

The fox? Ah. Right... it... [ That's right. The fox told him things about this world, about roles— things he largely put aside upon waking, having convinced himself somehow that it was all a dream. ]

Uh... Yeah. Something about... there are roles, they were... [ He shakes his head. ] I don't remember all the names, but she said I was something called a Legend.

[shadowsincryo]

Ah. [Kaeya studies his face and nods.] I can see it. I’m a familiar. Normally, I would shift to something useful and we’d be gone from this place.

But since it is a trial, I’m afraid what forms I can take are very limited. This is a work together to pass sort of test. [He taps the side of his nose, a plan building in his head.] Legends have wings. I used to know a pair of twins whose wings were marvelous.

[He looks to Kaveh again,] Your wings should be there, a new option to the magic you can reach for.

[indigently]

[ He can see it? Hmm. Looks like Kaveh still has a lot to learn, if the role he's been given is that obvious to the other man. At any other time, he'd probably stop and ask questions, but this really isn't the place for that— nor is it the time, if it is indeed a sort of trial.

So he nods, listening in silence, although his eyes widen when Kaeya mentions his wings.

...Right. The fox said something about those too, didn't she. ]

Let's see if mine are anything worth talking about, then.

[ It's said with something of a weak smile before Kaveh's eyes close, reaching out the way he would for his Vision, but past it— then nearer instead when he realizes belatedly this magic would be a part of him, not worn at his hip. At first, nothing seems to happen, and he's just about to give up when he feels a pair of wings unfurl into existence.

His eyes open and he blinks, trying to get a good look and failing. And so, with a self-conscious smile: ] Uh. How are they?

[ (They have a task to do, he knows that. He just needs a moment.) ]

[shadowsincryo]

[He stares in open wonder. It is very rare for Kaeya Alberich to be robbed of words. His fingers twitch. The emotion in Kaveh’s smile registers and he blinks and smiles back, a bright one with that wonder still present.]

Beautiful. They’re a bright spot in our drab desert. It seems the Fox has given an artist wings that suit.

[He takes a moment to process what he has just learned and hiding behind his own silver tongue speaking honestly is a good way to do it. Then he nods and adds,] It’s been a while since I’ve seen anyone grasp their new magic so quickly. Well done.

Do you think you can use them? If not, I have an idea.

[indigently]

[ The wonder on the other man's face only serves to settle Kaveh's self-consciousness deeper, and if it weren't for the desert heat already bringing a flush to pale cheeks, the embarrassment of the moment might display itself— as it is, however, Kaveh just shakes his head, a hand rubbing at the back of his neck the indicator of his momentary unease.

Of course, it turns out that unfurling the wings might have been one thing, but using them is another entirely, and while Kaveh is more than capable of the former, the latter seems to be more of a struggle; much to his chagrin, the blonde finds that at least for now, he can do little more than flutter the wings at his back.

(And really, why should that be a surprise?)

With a shake of he head, he offers an apologetic smile at Kaeya. ]

Maybe not just yet. What are you thinking?

[shadowsincryo]

It doesn’t seem like I can become anything flying right now. That would be too easy.

Something large with four paws? That might be possible. [Or hooves. He looks at his clawed hand. And nods,] Whenever everything is taken from me I can usually still be a wolf.

[He focuses and a massive wolf, large enough to ride looms. His fur is white and fluffy like the fur ruff of his cape. His icy claws dig into the sand and he shakes himself off.

Flecks of ice and snow are slung about. He settles down on the sand then wags his tail.]

[indigently]

[ A familiar, Kaeya said. Kaveh's memory of what he thought was a dream isn't exactly perfect, but the words paired with the animalistic features of the other's body are enough for the scholar to understand, at the very least, in part. So he nods, indicating what he hopes is understanding as the other man's form shifts.

A wolf, huh. ]

Please excuse me.

[ It's said with a small smile, something bordering on apologetic as he swings a leg over the other's side and settling— Kaeya may have deliberately turned into something large enough for him to ride, but it still feels somewhat ill-mannered to climb onto the back of someone he's just met. Fingers curl into soft fur, holding firm enough to steady himself, but gentle enough that he won't hurt. ]

Okay.

[shadowsincryo]

[Kaeya stands up slowly, shifting as needed to support Kaveh on his back. He is used to being ridden.

He stands tall for a moment and says,] Don’t worry. As long as you hold on tight, you won’t fall off.

[He starts slow, then brings up to a trot. From there if Kaveh holds on tighter, he breaks into a sprint.]

the `rona ate me, but I'm back! sorry for the delay T_T

[indigently]

[ He startles a little when the wolf-who-was-once-a-man talks to him— somehow, he didn't expect that, and he's glad he's taken a firm hold of the other's back or he might have just toppled off out of shock the moment the other spoke.

Mm... he really has a lot to learn about this place, doesn't he.

When Kaeya speeds up, Kaveh's grip tightens, his body lowering over a little over the other's back to grant the two of them better movement into the sandy air before them. And he wonders: will he be able to learn to manage his wings well enough that he could help another in the same situation? If he's been granted this boon, he should use it as well as he can— ]

Is it too rude of me to ask how long it took you to become accustomed to your new talents?

You’re good!

[shadowsincryo]

It’s not rude! It took me a month and some. But, I stand by my statement that anyone who is used to magic will grasp it sooner than they think.

[He says as he races across the sand. The desert flies by. He prefers being on four paws. Well, for the present.]

You just have to find how it feels within you.