folkooc | July 2023 Test Drive Meme

Entry tags:

*tdm

July 2023 Test Drive Meme

July 2023 TDM

Introduction

[ TDM Questions ★ Jump to Comments ★ Full Navigation ]
This Test Drive meme is open to all.
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 and work like "mini-events". For new players and characters, you can choose to have your TDM thread be your introduction thread upon acceptance or start fresh. Current players are also allowed to have in-game characters post to the TDM so long as they mark their top levels ‘Current Character.’

TDM threads can be used for spoon spending at any time by characters accepted into the game.

Playing and interacting with the 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 always encouraged to tag new people on the TDM!

🦊 New Star Children meet the Fox still in their worlds, and she brings them into the new realm of Folkmore. As you follow her, your body begins to change and new characteristics emerge. These may stay for a while, or perhaps they will hide away after. And during all of this, the Fox explains to you where you will be going: to Folkmore.

and then... you fall like a shooting star, falling to the land in a burst of starlight.

🦊 Experienced Star Children are already familiar with this time of the month. There are shooting stars all across the sky, and some fall to the land, which means the Fox has brought new arrivals. These newly arrived Star Children will face some tests, but Thirteen wants the more seasoned residents to participate as well.

Perhaps you follow the falling stars on your own, or perhaps the Fox simply teleports you there, but it appears you too will be part of this.

[ Prompt One ★ Prompt Two]

Feed Your Head . ★

Content Warnings: Reality shifting, environmental dangers.

Star Children new and old wake up in an extremely old building—or an incomplete one, it's hard to tell for sure. Star Children are solid and real and barefoot, but the building itself fades in and out of existence, threatening to abandon their occupants to the outside environment if they're lucky or nothing at all if they're not. Belongings are sparse, too ephemeral to be of any use. Not that shoes exist for even a moment.

Whether it's a home or an office, a train station or a school, what's certain is that it's not a place to stay. Because it whispers admonishments to leave, to pick up the pace, and promises that there is somewhere to go. Within minutes, the structure is gone, and Star Children must make their way across shifting jumbled landscapes toward Folkmore proper. They could travel across water, through tunnels, or amidst any type of land or space imaginable. The one constant is that it's not reliably there and thus difficult to navigate.

Should a Star Child get into a spot of danger, the land hums slightly and guides another Star Child to the person in question. The new Star Child is the only aide proffered, and they must work together to solve whatever conundrum is before them.

Check Out This View . ★

Content Warnings: Liminal space, abandoned building, service industry.

Beach Day

It's difficult to tell exactly when Star Children are back on terra firma. The air is foggy and damp, obscuring vision similarly to reality coming in and out. However, all Star Children who get out find themselves on a beach of wet sand. Keep marching onward, and trees form a skeletal border growing dark shadows stretching further into their depths. Those who have been exiled before can feel a path through the trees should they wish to venture further into Exile. Those who have never been exiled can feel resentment and the promise of further difficulty.

Like Baba Yaga, Exile seems to have walked over into new territory: a beach. Yes, the beach itself is in Exile and heavy with the weight of magic. It extends in either direction, bordering the long expanse of tenuous reality that laps against it. Star Children can do as they wish on the beach: build a sand castle, run or slide down dunes, or soak in the magic (the sun is hiding). And hey, at least no sand is getting in anyone's shoes—as there aren't any.

No Shirt, No Shoes, No Problem

For those who walk the shore and explore the beach, they can eventually catch sight of a fading sign reading Vasilisa's swinging in a faint wind from a wooden post. Coming closer, there's faint signs of a fence having lived there back in the day. Lone picket teeth tilt haphazardly around a yard with weather worn beach furniture. Chairs hunch around tables flashing their back legs in the air for all the world to see. A stone path, half buried under sand, weaves between them toward the lone building on these empty shores.

The building clearly used to have bright colors some time, but it's faded and cracked to show the wood beneath. A covered porch crowds with tables for a break from the sun weakly illuminating the foggy scene. The front door creaks but opens to an empty host station and further seating within the beachfront restaurant. A giant chalkboard taller than most humans and many times wider looms over one side between two windows. Menu is written in flowing script atop the chalkboard, and several thick pieces of chalk rest on the ledge before it. All it needs is to be filled in.

No spirits greet anyone or man the kitchen. It's empty, though well stocked with pots and pans, mixing bowls and measuring cups, shelf stable ingredients and fresh ones. None of the food is rotten or bad. It's simply waiting. The only way for the restaurant to run is for Star Children to step up and run it. Develop a menu, cook dishes, seat guests, take orders, clear dishes, wash dishes… There's no shortage of ways to help out.

So come and enjoy the restaurant, whether to work in it or to enjoy the labors of those who do. Whoever helps the restaurant in any capacity will find, when they take a moment's break, a small chest containing an item from your homeworld. This may even be a weapon or magical item.

And shoes.

Flat | Top-Level Comments Only

[Grey stone corridors have tendency to look the same, and this doesn't quite feel like the temple on Lothal -

But at the first doorway, are the sorts of geometrical markings that were scattered through that temple. Interesting. He doesn't trust it in the least, but interesting. He cautiously keeps moving forward, stretching out his sense into the Force.

There's something familiar about the nearest living presence. And then - that voice, a little less worn sounding, but certainly familiar. He calls back, moving towards the direction he thinks it's coming from-]

Ezra Bridger.

[After a second of debate, he adds, making a guess that if this is Ahsoka, she might not be exactly as he knew her-]

Jedi Knight.

Edited (html fail) 2023-07-28 02:01 (UTC)

[ It's strange how this place looks like a place she should know, yet not feel quite right. Ever since leaving the Jedi Temple on Coruscant, she hasn't visited anywhere similar in all her travels.

Ahsoka stops in her tracks when those last two words come, as her mind races to try to recall if there was ever a Jedi Knight by that name or even a Padawan when she was among them. Nothing comes to mind and she frowns. ]

Ashla.

[ A year on the run and hiding have made her act cautiously, especially after the incident on Raada. Anyone claiming to be a Jedi was asking for trouble... or death. ]

Mechanic and pilot.

[Well, as he comes around the corner, he at least mostly looks the part, albeit with brighter than is really traditional tunics and tabards. And also without his lightsaber.

There's a tiny beat, before Ezra responds. Yeah, he's pretty certain that's Ahsoka, although he can't quite tell how old she is. Younger.

He decides he's just rolling with what she gives him, and shoots her polite smile.]

Pleased to meet you, Ashla. [He looks around.]

I'm pretty sure I was asleep in my bed, in Epiphany District of Folkmore, a few minutes ago. How about you?

[ Of course, the first thing she does is scan him from head-to-toe, taking in the details and the lack of things that should be there. Now he'll be able to see that she isn't human, but a species of their galaxy.

Seeing he is without his lightsaber is actually something of a comfort, as she's been without one for a while as well. Plus, the last one she was up against was a very odd design. ]

Glad to see someone around. [ Other than the Fox, she hasn't seen anyone else yet. ]

I was awake and on a farming planet, talking to an old friend. Then this Fox shows up. Any idea where we are now?

It looks a lot like the Jedi Temple on Lothal. Or - I suppose there's plenty of old temples that might be in still style around, but that's the one I know.

[He glances her direction again.] I bet it's actually one of the Fox's little Trials.

A Jedi Temple on Lothal?

[ An eyebrow rises and she's genuinely surprised to hear there's one on that planet. Arms cross over her chest as Ahsoka looks around curiously. ]

I suppose the Jedi have a lot of temples all around the Galaxy. Never heard anyone mention it before, and I've gotten around.

[ Ahsoka looks back at him. ] Trials?

[He shrugs.]

I'm from Lothal, originally. Although I didn't know one was there, either, until my master took me to it.

Yeah, Trials. She likes to put us in situations of varying weirdness and danger levels. It's supposed make us out better selves, supposedly.

Which, ok, Jedi go through Trials that answer to that description, but even the weirdest ones, I came away with some idea of what the lesson was. [Can you feel his skepticism?]

[ Knowing about the Jedi Temple is interesting, but Ahsoka isn't sure she can do anything about it. Not from here, and also due to the fact that she's no longer a Jedi. ]

It could be that it's been long abandoned. Not that the Jedi are big on sharing the locations of all their temples in the first place.

[ For now, it's best that she puts it to the back of her mind and try to not give away too much. Hearing about places on Jedi visit isn't impossible in the galaxy - after all, they've had people try to rob vessels carrying younglings after they picked up their first crystal.

She also tries to act like talking about this doesn't hurt and that Jedi still exist in abundance. ]

Maybe she's trying to tell us to tread carefully? Don't rely on only our sight? Teamwork? Don't linger in the dark? [ Ahsoka says the last one with a smile before motioning to what is probably the way forward. ]

Edited 2023-07-28 03:12 (UTC)

[Oh, hello there, Ahsoka, he affectionately thinks to himself, struck by the familiar lilt in her questions. He flashes her a warmer smile, before turning to move the direction she'd gestured.]

Could be.

[As they move forward, the walls begin to more obviously flicker in and out. Ezra eyes that.]

Ok, parts of the Lothal Temple did seem to hang in voids, but I don't trust that. Definitely, let's keep moving.

Edited 2023-07-28 18:39 (UTC)

[ There's something to his smile that Ahsoka finds odd. Not in an uneasy way, but bordering more on familiarity.

It has her paying more attention to the person at her side than before as they walk. ]

So, how long have you been stuck here?

[ Around them, the details of the temple blink out and suddenly, they're standing on open ground - it looks like a battlefield with scorches of blaster fire dotting the landscape. ]

This doesn't look good.

Only a few...weeks...[He trails off.

Being without his boots suddenly got more inconvenient.

(He really hopes they're by the door back at his fairly new home, and he won't have to buy them back. The Temple gave him those boots; they're by far the best shoes he's ever had.)

And more immediately important, where do they go now? Most of his battle experiences have been skirmishes and dog fights - you always went in with some sort of exit strategy.].

It feels like we should go straight across, but logically, if there are combatants out there, that's stupid.

[ A few weeks - she doesn't respond to that at the moment, but does file it away for later.

Ahsoka pauses in her steps, not because she's worried about either of them potentially stepping on something sharp, but to assess the situation. To get the lay of the land and see where it might be safest to cross or even take shelter in case of an attack. While she doesn't have her new lightsabers, Ahsoka is never truly without a weapon.

She points to the right and left sides, frowning. ]

The edges of the space seem to be flickering more than the middle. It's not ideal, but as far as the terrain goes, advancing up the middle is the best option.

[ Arms cross as she devises a strategy, her voice is definitely that of someone who has experience leading others through dangerous situations similar to this. ]

We might be out in the open, but we'll have enough maneuverability to at least dodge some blaster fire.

[That last bit, Ezra thinks, is something someone without Jedi-like reflexes would be much less likely to say, but he keeps that thought to himself.

But her logic is sound.]

Let's go, then. And try to stick pretty close. [A slow breath in and out, recentering himself before he starts walking again, at a moderate pace.]

[ There is someone here who is willing to announce himself as a Jedi Knight - it does give her a sense of ease that allows her to relax just a little. For her, it's only been a year since the Empire took over, and Jedi are still being very actively hunted down. ]

Don't worry, my chances are better when sticking close to a Jedi Knight.

[ There's a hint of seriousness underneath the lightly spoken words. Ahsoka waits for him to gather himself and then moves when he does. Walking just off to his left, within his line of sight and within touching distance. ]

So, this kind of stuff happens a lot? [ Her voice is quiet, barely above a whisper to not cover any potential sounds of an ambush. ]

[With conviction-] Our chances are better together. [And he's day that, even if she weren't a Force user with training.

But her being *a* version of a person who's saved his life a bunch of times, doesn't hurt his firm belief.]

I'm told the danger and weirdness levels are kind of variable? But battles and battlefield keep coming up for me...

[He's not thrilled about it, to be honest. He hasn't been combat free since he left the galaxy, but he's been trying to shed the mindset of a soldier to some extent.]

Agreed. [ Ahsoka would take a trained Jedi Knight at her side over almost everyone else in a fight - except for Rex.

His answer gives her an opportunity to ask a question that is on her mind. ]

Seen a lot of battlefields as a Jedi Knight, have you?

[ Many Padawans and Knights took to the battlefield during the Clone Wars, so many that Ahsoka doesn't know all of them. If he was alive during that time, the answer would be confirming that. If not... then there are plenty of upcoming battles against the Empire. ]

[Dryly-] Only with aggressive creatures native to Folkmore, but that's because I'm 3 months into my Knighthood.

As a Padawan....yes.

[ Three months. It doesn't quite line up with the end of the war and the Rise of the Empire. Did a Master and Padawan pair survive the Order? ]

Did you fight in the-

[ Her question is cut off when a loud noise suddenly fills the air and a bright light appears overhead. A flaming hunk of ship has appeared overhead, heading directly at them. It's large, about to make the whole area a giant crater. ]

No place to go. We'll have to push it away.

[ She raises her hand to use the Force to push it off to their right, knock it off its trajectory. ]

Right!

[He's already raising his hands, too, adding his connection to the Force to slow and push the ship.

And at the same time, opening himself up to the flow of the Force around her. Not mind reading. Not even something so distinct he'd call it a connection. Just trying to be in tune and flow with her.]

[ Ahsoka is glad that he doesn't stop to question her, that he simply jumps right in with her. Several days ago, she would have been hesitant to use the Force and reveal herself to anyone. Even a Jedi Knight.

Now, her resolve is strong and so is her connection to the Force. With the support at her side, moving the fiery wreckage seems an easy task. Ahsoka may have faltered, but the Force has never left her, and working side-by-side with Ezra feels as if she's been welcomed home after being away for so long.

It makes sense. The last trained Force-sensitive user Ahsoka had been near was that Inquisitor and before that, Maul. Neither were beacons of light.

Above them, the remains of the ship move across the sky in a way that would be impossible if not for the two of them. She aims for a section of land far enough away to avoid getting caught in the blast. Once Ahsoka calculates that they'll be fine, she casts a glance at Ezra. ]

We can let go now, gravity will take care of the rest.

[The sense of harmony as they move the ship fragment is no surprise to Ezra.

But it's...good. Something he should never take for granted. Ezra scans around, and releases his hold, on her cue, then refocused her long enough to flash a smile.]

Let's pick up the pace. [And at that, he breaks out into a run. Not full tilt, the uneven, jagged ground is too treacherous for that.]

[ That makes one of them, then. Because Ahsoka sure is surprised.

It isn't entirely unexpected, but it almost feels as if they've worked together before, and she has never even heard of an Ezra Bridger before. There's no point in announcing he was a Jedi and then lie about his name.

Ahsoka releases her hold on the ship as well, putting on some speed to follow after Ezra. ]

So much for a nice stroll through an open field. [ Behind them, the ship crashes on the ground, an explosion blooming in full force. ]

[Cheerfully, he calls back-]

We tried to play it cool!

[They don't run much farther before things shift to billowing fog and sand beneath their feet. Ezra slows again.]

[ Is the Fox listening? She doesn't know, but it seems likely if this some sort of lesson.

The ground changes terrain and her bare feet sink into the sand. Ahsoka slows behind him, her gaze focused on Ezra's back. ]

I guess we have a lot to talk about.

[ What with her show of her Force abilities back there and all. Why she didn't introduce herself as a Jedi when he had done it first. ]

Sure, if you like. [He doesn't sound concerned.]

One number one on my list, is Ashla what you want to be called? [Kanan gone by an entirely new name. Master Kenobi had - well, in Temba he'd mostly shed 'Ben', trying so hard to cram himself back into the mold of Councilor to their little enclave. But the version of him in Trench, more weathered by Tatooine, had eventually answered to Ben and Obi-Wan interchangeably.

If she wanted to be Ashla, he wouldn't question it further.]

A

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