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Entry tags:
May 2022 Test Drive Meme
MAY 2022 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: Possible insanity via cuts by thorns. Temporary nullification of abilities.
DEATH BY A THOUSAND CUTS
OUT OF THE WOODS
DEATH BY A THOUSAND CUTS
The world comes into focus in one sharp, overwhelming rush. You are laying on the ground surrounded by staggering walls of flowers of all types and colors. Their sweet scent fills the air and the sky above is clear, blue, beautiful, and endless. It would be easy to be lulled into a quiet nap in such a peaceful place. You can even hear a soft, disembodied voice singing songs from some unknown place all around you. After some time, this siren song creates an intense yearning that will eventually bring you to your feet and pull you forward. You are filled with the urge to find someone important. You may know who or you might just have some aimless, faceless person at the forefront of your mind.
All you know is that when you finally find them, you'll know. Is it love? Is it a friend you have always needed? The perfect enemy? Only time will tell, but for now, you must find them. The flower maze is dense and for now, it doesn't seem like flying out and above them is an option. If you try, you just wind up vaulted back into the maze. Nope! This trial is about using other means of exploration. Maybe you can destroy the flowers, but you will find that this flower field is apparently endless. If you get cut by thorns along the way, you will become increasingly hectic about finding this mystery person. Some have been thrown into insane desperation just looking for their People among the flowers.
But once you finally find them, you're both filled with relief and the flowers around you blossom wider. You can then treat the flower maze like a solvable puzzle and get your way out of it. However, some people spend a bit more time in the maze since once you do find your person or people, you will be stricken with the urge to talk to them, to "open up" about your yearning to find them...even if you've never met them before!
OUT OF THE WOODS
Just outside of the flower maze is a little festival set up just on the edge of Willow and partway into Epiphany! Little stalls of food and drinks have been set up - and we mean little! The good folk who set up these stalls are magical cats standing upright and wearing clothes like little people! All the stalls are cat-sized and so are the dishes and food - which means most of the people walking through will likely be quite a bit bigger! That's okay, the cat folk seem happy to serve you bigger or multiple helpings of their yummy soups and bread. None of them seem able to really communicate with the new arrivals, but that's okay, their cute meows are fun to listen to anyway.
The music is a bit more pronounced here and a handful of cat couples are dancing around. Don't be surprised if they encourage you to join in the dancing! Maybe you didn't actually find someone in the flower maze - if not, the cat folk will encourage you to dance with another new arrival to get to know them! Because apparently dancing with someone you don't know is a good formal introduction? Ah well. Sometimes it's just the idea that counts.
There will also be some supplies to help patch people up who have gotten a lot of cuts from the flower maze. Some of the bouts of insanity are probably still going a bit hectic, so you might want to lay down in the recovery area until you feel a bit more stable. Talking to people apparently helps with the stability, so maybe strike up a conversation with a fellow newbie?
Content Warnings: Optional selective amensia and/or altered sense of self, possible monster/creature violence, temporary enchantments, forced relocations.
LONG STORY SHORT
DAYLIGHT
LONG STORY SHORT
You're in a very unusual, specific outfit and in a place you might have seen once or twice in a storybook or in the imagination of your childhood. For some, you might pick up on what's happening immediately. For others, you might be so immersed in the role that you don't realize it - but you're featuring in a classic fairy tale. Maybe it's Sleeping Beauty or Little Red Riding Hood or Tale of the White Snake or The Mirror of Matsuyama. Either way, you're the main character or the main antagonist and it looks like you're going to have to play out the story with whoever you're stuck with!
The other person in the trial can either match up to the other side of the story or just arrive as themselves and have to play along. Trying to just abandon the trial is quite literally impossible! You're stuck in the weird woods or high tower and trying to "leave" just results in you going in repeated cycles until you wind up where you started. You have a role to fill and you might as well get used to playing roles in Folkmore! It's time to understand how these trials work. What lesson are you supposed to take away?
If you're grumbling about it or are left confused, don't worry! Thirteen will appear to those struggling and explain the situation: "You need to play out the story! C'mon. Everyone knows this story...Right? Well, whatever, it's obvious! If you play your part, I promise I'll give you something you want." Can you really trust a fox though? Especially the fox who brought you here? She laughs before you can really pester her for more information and vanishes in a burst of red dust. Foxes really are mischievous, aren't they...At least most fairy tales are incredibly short, basic, and straightforward so most people should be able to figure it out!
In theory.
DAYLIGHT
At least the Fox wasn't lying. When you complete the task of the story, the fairy tale world will melt into one of the settings in Folkmore and you will be brought back into the current reality. You will be left in the weird clothes, but fear not! A mystery trunk has appeared in front of you and whoever you completed the trial with. Inside the trunk, you will find some of your canon clothes and a few canon items. Nearby, there will be some weapons sticking out of the ground: basic swords, guns, shields, etc. These items might not be enchanted, but at least you have something to work with!
Better yet, you don't necessarily have to complete the Long Story Short prompt to find these trunks either! They seem to be dotted around Folkmore and you might find them just by virtue of exploration! The trunks seem to mysteriously know who is opening them so you won't find someone else's stuff by accident, but you might have to fight over who gets the sword in the stone...
A word of caution to those who grab the weapons...You will immediately be tested on how good you are with them. As soon as you have pulled them out of the ground, the ground will begin trembling and a serpent-like creature will form out of the ground. If you're in Wintermute, you have a sizeable icy creature to deal with. If you're in Cruel Summer, meet the fire-breathing snakey nightmare that's going to try and roast you alive. Don't think Epiphany or Willow will have gentler creatures! They might be covered in moss or flowers but they will hit just as hard. You have to defeat the angry creature - or try running for your life. They are relatively easy to beat and people without powers can manage if they are highly skilled or...really lucky...Or if someone far more capable finds them! Good luck. As a pro-tip, maybe don't pull weird swords out of the ground in the future.
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HANG IN THERE SUNNY.
Part of the conversation gets unheard, but when Kokichi calls him a princess he feels his face draw warm because.. no, he's nothing like that. He looks away shyly. ]
Suit yourself.
[ Suddenly, his hand slips from Kokichi's and he stands up, looking down at the other teen (and still in his dazzling dress.) ]
I'm tired of wearing this. It's embarrassing.
[ He's going to.. not comment on how comfortable it is, though. ]
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He snickers softly at the reaction he gets for the princess comment, though, and shrugs lightly, standing up as well.]
Ne, really? I don't think it should be. Not just anyone can pull off that look, you know. Besides, skirts and dresses are comfy.
[He takes a step ahead, though.] But if you wanna change, we're gonna have to get out of here first~
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But it's better this time. This time, he PERSISTS.
Another brave step down. Kokichi may notice his hands are shaking and one of them is gripping the railing as he proceeds forward.
It's not as scary as you think.
That's what he hears, and maybe, just maybe, the smallest smile appears on his face as he takes another step. Look at him go. ]
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But he watches, and Sunny seems to be getting the hang of this. He beams, but doesn't comment. No pressure. As long as they were making it down these stairs okay, there was nothing to worry about.
He did have a nice smile, too, as rare as it seemed.
Still, onwards. When they reach the bottom of the staircase, Kokichi steps off, steps farther out, and twirls around.]
Neeheehee! We did it! Now we just gotta get out into the sun, and we may be outta here!
[....]
Even though this kinda forced us together, it was still a little fun, though.
Would you want to hang out again sometime? Maybe somewhere without--that? [The stairs, he means. No stairs.
You know, optimistically thinking...]
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He did it. Today, at least. Today he can feel accomplished.
Sunny is a recluse. Even his closest friends didn’t see him for four years because he never left the house. There were times they wanted to hang out and every time Sunny would say no.. until recently when he first started exploring the world again.
Maybe another day and another scenario he would say no, but ultimately, Sunny doesn’t exactly LIKE being alone even if he insists on being alone. The vicious cycle.
But he’s in a new world and just trying to survive reality and whatever is going on in his poor little mind, so having someone reliable and helpful would help. Sunny is hesitant, but with the lingering smile, he nods very shyly. ]
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Either this is his good karma for suffering so much during the killing game, or he's going to have to suffer later. But he'll cross that bridge when he gets to it.]
Yaaaaaaay~! Then we'll be friends! Whatever happens next, we've got each other's backs.
[He'd sooner make himself suffer than let any harm come to Sunny in all honesty.]
So, princess. Let's head out and see the sun. [He winks.] And then maybe if you're lucky...there'll be some new clothes and some fresh food. Maybe we'll both be lucky. Could really use some grape soda right about now~
[With that, he begins heading for the exit, folding his arms behind his head. Good vibes only.]
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Sunny would say no. Omori would say yes. The little self representation in his mind was always trying to look out for Sunny— he was always trying to protect him no matter what measures it took.
As they walk away from the staircase, Sunny can feel Something disappear entirely. For now.
YOU ARE NO LONGER AFRAID OF STAIRCASES.
He walks alongside Kokichi, holding his dress, still embarrassed about.. everything that has happened. But the other teen seems to be patient and understanding, so he is eternally grateful. ]
Maybe.. cherry soda.
[ Oh. Looks like he has a favorite. ]
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Kokichi chuckles, beaming a little.]
Then grape for me, cherry for you. I'll make sure we get both! Considering how powerful I am, no one can tell me no with anything!
[And with that, they head out into the sun. Here's hoping the future has good sodas and greener pastures...]
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Maybe he can even become fearless.
As sunlight hits his face, he grimaces, more accustomed to what daylight shines in his bedroom instead of actually being out in the sun. It doesn’t take them long to be presented with a chest.
A… chest.
Sunny hears a ghastly sound only he can hear for a split second. Oh great. It was Something again, but not anywhere visible where he can see, but he’s confused as to why it’s popping up again.. and so soon. He’s suddenly huddled a lot closer to Kokichi, almost halfway hiding behind him. ]
… You should open it.
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Maybe even a sharp chiptune would play informing them 'YOUR ADVENTURE LOG HAS VANISHED.' and they'd fall into the abyss. Something terrible.
But instead, none of that happened. There was just a straightforward path to a chest. Kokichi himself was arching a brow and feeling apprehensive - especially when he clocked the fact that there were more than a few weapons around. And Sunny was hiding. Mmph.]
Alright. Stay close, stay on your guard.
[What was he going to do?! He was a pacifist! Still, he threw open the chest, and inside...]
...Wait, huh?
[He peered in, taking out a white shirt that looked somewhat like a torn straitjacket.]
These are my clothes. [He rustles around in the chest taking out...a clown mask. And then a black cloak and black hat.] And my cloak! And my hat! And my mask! They just brought me all my stuff!
[...]
So. What's the catch...?
[Nothing was happening yet.]
cw: self harm
He settles his hand over his own heart, trying to physically stop it from pounding. At the prospect of new clothes, however, Sunny marches right up behind Kokichi and crouches, also peering inside. He's got his collar shirt, sweatervest, shoes, socks and khaki shorts.. and.. a shiny steak knife. Instantly, he goes for that, looking down at his reflection in it.
How many times has he thought about using this on himself? A daily occurrence.
He carefully swipes his finger across the blade, not inflicting any pain-- just seeing how new it was. Finally, he pulls out his clothes and sets them aside. Sunny gives Kokichi an awkward glance, feeling his face flush. He's Japanese, sure, but he lives in the United States so he's not as body shameless as someone who lives in Japan. ]
...
[ Sunny gathers the belongings he has and scurries behind a tree that.. really wouldn't shield him at all and reaches behind his back to try and undo the zipper, having difficulty. ]
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His eyes then meet Sunny's again, and Sunny turns red and scuttles behind a tree. It takes Kokichi a second, but he immediately snickers.]
Aw, we're both boys, you know! It's fiiiiiine~! Neeheehee. We mighta kissed once, but you know, that's...that. [Alright, maybe if you're the type of guy who's into guys and has a filthy mind it's a little different, and Kokichi...is. But he still shrugs and nonchalantly slips his pants off, leaving himself in his upper layer prince clothes and his trendy red-and-yellow boxers. Then he glances over to Sunny.]
...You know, if you need help, you can ask...
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He feels his teeth press down together from behind his tight lips and adverts his gaze before creeping out from his spot and settling down near Kokichi with his back facing him.
Wordlessly, he gestures to he stubborn zipper and wrinkles his nose. No, he will not verbally ask, thank you. It's embarrassing. ]
...
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Finally, Sunny walks back out and settles near him with his back facing him. The zipper's stuck.]
Nee-hee-hee. Yeah, those tend to be stubborn.
[He takes hold of the zipper, and fiddles with it a bit before managing to slide it down with practiced ease.]
There ya go. [He says, before slipping his own white shirt on.] If you don't mind me asking...I'm kind of surprised about one of your possessions in there. Why did you end up with a knife?
[He asks lightly, like he doesn't see anything wrong with it. He does, and he's concerned, but he knows it's better not to pressure.]
It's good for cutting steaks, right? Do you cook?
[And he presents him with a way out, if he so desires. He couldn't blame him for taking it.]
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Did he cook? No. Absolutely not. He didn't know how. Did he microwave things though? You bet. What did he microwave? Steak, of course. He finds it best to answer as vaguely as possible. ]
I eat steak a lot. It's my favorite. The knife cuts it.
[ ... ]
I cook.
[ HEATING THINGS UP IN THE MICROWAVE IS NOT COOKING!! ]
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[He slips on his pants.]
In return, I'll teach you what I know.
[And then he ties his checkered bandanna around his neck.]
Which is how to lie really, really well. You might need that someday, you know. Lies tend to hurt everyone around them if they're not told with practiced ease. And even then, there are lies by omission...it's interesting, if you think on it. An evil supreme leader like me knows all about the subject.
[That's as subtle of a calling-out as he can give.]
Just, you know. Never lie when someone could get hurt. Someone else...or yourself.
Learned that one the hard way.
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It cuts steak. It always has.
[ To his knowledge, it has. It's never hurt anyone.. or anything.. that he knew of. Anything else it's cut has been conveniently blocked from his memory. ]
I can do what I want, though.
[ oh ]
1/2
[Kokichi's eyes narrow at that vacant tone. The implications of it are interesting - interesting in the sense that if this were still the killing game, he'd have to be on his guard with that kind of tone. As it stands now, it's troubling, but...at least there's no motivation to kill here.]
You can.
However, just because you can do something doesn't mean you should.
2;2
But hey, what do I know? I'm just a pompous evil supreme leader that can't cook worth a damn. I just get real scared with weapons and stuff, and there's a lot of those around. I don't like the thought too much~
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[ Sunny only says this cause, despite their weird introduction, Kokichi has been nothing but patient and helpful. An introvert like Sunny is going to latch onto people who he can rely on. Kokichi has been one of his most positive interactions so far.
He holds his knife in one hand, now equipped with it as a weapon to fight any enemies with. He’s not ever done this in reality, but he’s battled with his knife countless times in his headspace. The practice should be the same.
Gently, he takes Kokichi’s hand in his other hand. ]
I’ll protect you.
[ Something Omori has been telling Sunny a lot lately. If Kokichi keeps their hands held, he will idly swing them back and forth. ]
You are good, Kokichi.
[ He repeats. Evil overlord title or not, Sunny didn’t care. He made a friend and he is going to cherish it. ]
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He almost wants to assert that he isn't, but then Sunny takes his hand and asserts he'll protect him.
....Words like that aren't fair on his gentle maidenly heart.
He swallows, his throat dry.]
If you say so, Sunny-chan. I...you don't know everything about me yet.
[Their hands are held, and they swing back and forth.]
But you seem the resolute sort. So if you think so. I don't mind someone...thinking kindly of me.
[He likes it, actually. It seemed like they both had positive perceptions of each other that the other couldn't quite see yet.]
Still, I suppose that's...that's all. Our reward for this is our stuff from home to start a new life with.
[A life he had no business living. Oh well.]