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April 2023 Test Drive Meme
April 2023 TDM
Introduction
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.
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!
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!
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.
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.
{ a r r i v a l } I'm not sorry
A familiar voice speaks and he turns around to look, stepping carefully in the sand. He squints against the glare of the sun and raises his hand over his eyes.]
That can't be Thancred. Aye, I'm losing my mind again.
[ Ardbert, you're like three feet away from him. Who do you think he's addressing? ]
no subject
He glare from the sun overhead made making out the man's features difficult at first, but when he had he agreed with his ears: the man was familiar, but he couldn't quite place how.]
Alleviate the disadvantage, would you? How is it you know me?
no subject
You can see me? And hear me?
[ It's not the answer Thancred was looking for. But in his shock, he manages to say, mostly steady: ]
I'm Ardbert.
no subject
[And that name solidifies how he knows the man, though he'd only seen him briefly, during a desperate attempt on his part.
Their part, he should say. And then G'raha had summoned them to Ardbert's world, and well...things had been tumultuous at best.]
Ardbert. The Warrior of Light. [A confirmation of recognition at first, and then-] So- [He begins before offering the canteen again.] Why is it you're concerned about your potential invisibility?
no subject
[ He looks at canteen with some trepidation and then walks forward (he forgot sand was so WEIRD) over to Thancred. Ardbert reaches over and... pokes the canteen. Once, twice, thrice. He looks awed. ] By the gods, I can touch it.
I was a spirit no one could see, here, or touch for over a hundred bloody years. [ Then, added as he pokes the canteen... again. You're lucky he's not poking you, Thancred. He hasn't inspected the thing that he's holding in his other hand, so he doesn't know it's an umbrella.] You saved my home. Thank you.
no subject
[Ardbert's actions get a chuckle from the midlander as he offers it anew.]
You're even free to take it, so long as it's returned. The sun is savage here.
[His tone is gentle, though, understanding, patient. A hundred years is a long time to wander a world you inadvertently doomed, to behold the devastation wrought, and be unable to change it.]
You've a device there, you know, that could do something about this damnedable shine. [He motioned toward the object Ardbert may have forgotten he was carrying.]
For nigh on five years, it was my home as well. A part of me, I believe, will always dwell there. [In a very real sense.] I need no thanks, but for what it's worth, you're most welcome.
no subject
[ Ardbert hesitates, considering the water very deeply, and then his umbrella is pointed out. He looks down at it and is squinting again. ]
An... umbrella. [ Well, time to open it! That's what umbrellas do! Ardbert turns it around in his hands very clumsily, studying it with utmost concentration. And then a light bulb goes off, and he grins wide as he turns to show Thancred he can open it.
Which means he opens it right in Thancred's face if the man isn't fast enough to dodge. ]
Shite!
no subject
Hauntings by fallen Warriors of Light may be something on the other Warriors ought to deal with. Who was he to judge?
His musings were interrupted most rudely by a sprung umbrella, and reflexes took over, sending his skipping backward and reaching for a weapon that didn't exist.]
Gods, man! I've never known an umbrella to be a weapon so indirectly, but you have a gift.
no subject
Sorry. Being alive is harder than I remember. Got a bit used to dramatically walking through doors and the like.
[ He goes quiet then, a thoughtful expression on his face. He offers Thancred another smile.]
I was—am? Gods—the private sort. Era sensed that well enough. She could only see me because we were once the same person. And I didn't want you lot thinking she lost her bloody mind. Seto summarized how I felt about people then pretty well.
You only gained my trust when you refused to let her die. My existence was a distraction we could ill afford, and I knew by then I'd have to merge my soul with hers when the time was right to save her. Minfilia said I still had a part to play. And that was my part, that moment, with Emet.
[ He changes his tone to how it was back then with an exaggerated serious face: ]
"This world is not yours to end. This is our future. Our story."
[ Ardbert laughs at himself, assuming his easy smile again. ] ... Gods, I always was dramatic, wasn't I? Were you even conscious when I said that? And here I am, talking my head off and not letting you get a word in edgewise. At least we don't have to worry about me forgetting how to talk, aye?
no subject
Isn't it just?
[He swallowed at the mention of Minfilia, even as he moved closer, under the shade of the umbrella. Once, not too long ago, her name would sting, and it still did, but like an old would, the memory of an ache where once it had been raw. Minfilia had given everything to save Ardbert's world, to give it, and by extension all the reflections, the gift of their own lives, rather than the oblivion sought by the Ascians.]
Funny, that. People often say I like the sound of my own voice. I shall have to keep this new company about, if only to look better by comparison.
I exist again in life
Ha! An equal exchange, then, for dealing with me bumbling through all this again. You'll shine by comparison.
no subject
Here, the sun shines enough for the both of us.
[And the heat was beginning to get to him.]
We should seek some place with more shade than a parasol.
no subject
Especially with one of us daft enough to arrive in a desert wearing all black. Do you think someone can remove the dye around here? Wouldn't want to give the wrong impression anymore.
[ He's going to dump on himself for all of eternity now. ]
no subject
[Thancred can dunk with the best of them, and it's not to not be a target of said dunking for a change. Thanks, Y'shtola.]
no subject
[ He stops dead, eyes widening, then slowly feels his back. His face screws up in utter confusion. There's even more confusion in his voice. ]
Where's my axe?
[ Oh gods, he's stopped again. Keep this man on track?? ]
no subject
no subject
Gods, I guess if you want to be practical. My axe stayed with me when I was a ghost. Was useless, but it was still there. I feel naked without it.
no subject
[Thancred would be lying if he attempted to claim he felt any more clothed without his gunblade, but that was neither here nor there.]
It may not be yours, but we'll find us something.
no subject
... we'll find something for you, too.
no subject
[Thancred flashes him a smile.]
I don't need much.
no subject
[ Something in Ardbert eases, and he smiles a little more readily. ]
When I'm a bit more used to this 'body' thing again, I can charge your cartridges for you.
[ He paid attention. ]
no subject
[Thancred returns that smile with one of his own, an an exhale of breath at the offer.]
Your kindness abounds, but they aren't to be taken lightly. An overabundance of aether and they're likely to explode, and I shan't have you dying again on me so soon. I'd rather not be haunted by an Erstwhile Warrior of Light a second time.
no subject
[And pop a few other damage reducers, obviously.]
Speaking of, I want a rematch.
no subject
[He smirks.]
Is that right? You don't stand a chance wielding a parasol.