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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.
( ͡° ͜ʖ ͡°)( ͡° ͜ʖ ͡°)( ͡° ͜ʖ ͡°)( ͡° ͜ʖ ͡°) it's worth I promise
[ She repeats after him, slowly, like just hearing it out loud will somehow make any sense out of that statement. Judging from her puzzled expression she hasn't the slightest clue what he's getting all cocky about.
Still, Aloy obligingly takes several paces back to give him the room he needs, one hand coming to rest on her hip while she gives Bakugou an exasperated look. ]
I'm sorry, are we talking about the same thing here? Because I'm pretty sure you're going to need it to... you know, actually fire one of these bolts.
[ What's he planning to do, just yeet one and hope for the best??? ]
You sure I didn't hit you in the head?
maybe after i finish my current thing...
[Katsuki huffs, rolling his eyes. He's...definitely put two and two together that quirks aren't exactly a thing to some people, and that the shitty Fox that took them all here is, uh...definitely something strong. He's thinking a spirit or god of some kind, loathe as he is to admit he believes that garbage folk-nonsense, and the people in this place aren't...all coming from Earth.]
Don't fucking look down on me. I am my own fucking bow and bolt.
[And taking the usual stance he uses for his AP Shot, Katsuki's palm begins to glow hot, an array of red, orange, yellow, and even white. He takes aim at the suspended apple and a bullet of sheer, fiery energy shoots from the circle he makes with his other hand around his heated palm, striking the target and, uh...blowing a literal hole right through it - wood and all. It's an absolute mess of wood and fruit bits, the hole in the trunk still smoldering and glowing around the burned edges.
Looking back over his shoulder, Katsuki just makes a smug as shit expression and waits.]
1/2
Aloy needs a minute to process what she just saw. As impossible as it seems even after witnessing a quirk up close and personal, she's still furiously turning over the implications in her head, eyes darting between Bakugou's still outstretched hands, the tree, and the giant damn hole where the... ex-apple was.
Now she really wants her focus back, if only to try and get an analysis on what the hell just happened.
The stare she finally levels at the would-be-hero is equal parts calculating and grudgingly impressed despite herself. She's not sure what she's more concerned about; the sheer destructive power being tossed around like a party trick, or the person responsible for tossing around said power in the first place.
There's only one way to handle this. ]
2/2
That was... interesting. But your aim needs some work. [ S h r u g s. ] Kind of defeats the purpose if you blow up the target and the person standing underneath it, don't you think?
[ Do the words "collateral damage" ring any bells? ]
no subject
OH, FUCK OFF WITH THAT SHIT!! My aim was perfect!! I hit the damn thing and then some, didn't I?! That was the whole point of being dressed up in this shit, haah?!
[Speaking of...Katsuki is ripping off the cravat, throwing it down on the ground, and trying to tear off the rest of that godawful getup. Fucking hell...who dresses like this?! He can understand skintight suits and leathers/nylon for costumes, but...fucking tights?! Bloomers?! He'd rather race around in the wild buck ass naked than endure the chafing and riding up into his goddamn asscrack these things are undoubtedly going to do.]
no subject
[ Aloy retorts wryly, watching the (there's really no other term for it) temper tantrum unfolding in front of her like a very tired, very underpaid babysitter. Whatever celestial deity that's responsible for giving this guy incredible power also made the rookie mistake of not tacking on a mute button at the last minute.
So while he's - /checks smudged notes on hand - busy establishing a solo nudist colony, Aloy wanders off in the direction of the much abused tree to better examine his handiwork... or so she'll claim. Honestly being too close to Bakugou is going to give her more hearing issues than any shrieking Longleg could ever hope to accomplish. ]
Like using an anvil on an ant. [ She mutters to herself, studying the cinders and splintered wood while circling the tree to get a glimpse of the AP shot's exit point. ] Well, could be worse. Glowblast is messier.
[ Note to self: never introduce exploding boy to glowblast. Ever. It'd be like a miniature pink nuke.
With the scene fulfilled as directed, their hilariously outdated clothing starts to fade, leaving Aloy in her usual Nora hunter leathers... and a couple of shiny chests at the foot of the tree that she nearly stumbles over.
Quest complete! Come get your loot! ]
no subject
[Yes, that's his reasoning and he's sticking to it. Dumb, salty, bitch...probably couldn't hit him in a real fight with those little twigs of hers. And while he's not in the mood to go streaking on any given day, Katsuki isn't above going buff for a bit. There's chests being magicked up and he's scrambling for them like a man possessed, breathing an immense sigh of relief as he tugs out a dark, high-necked shirt and matching pants. A costume - his hero costume to be precise. And is he going to change right there? You bet he is!! At least with the garbage outfits fading away, he's still left with his boxer briefs and the like, so he's not on full display or anything.
Praise your ancients or gods or whatever for that, truly.
He's tugging on his mask before flipping the bird over his shoulder with a now gloved hand.]
Effective pest control if you ask me.
no subject
A small triangular piece of metal and ceramic. Delicate. Almost like jewelry. ]
If I ever need someone to chop down a tree, you'll be the first to know.
[ The sardonic comment sounds more annoyed than "pissed", if that. Most of Aloy's attention is elsewhere.
The Focus glows with cool blue light as it rests in its usual spot above her ear, an interface of scrolling data flaring to life before her eyes marking out a map of the Las Vegas ruins, and a new datapoint she'd been halfway through reading before finding herself in this odd landscape.
The most interesting thing is the Focus immediately locks on to Bakugou's hands; painting them vibrant magenta on the interface to bring her attention to an "object of interest", like barrels of Blaze, or a hunting trap lying in wait over a herd of machines. An interest clearly reflected in the sudden sharpness in her gaze as she switches from scanning her interface to the young hero himself instead. ]
Alright, do that again. [ No polite 'please', no 'hey that was cool' wheedling, just straight up 'do it again wimp I dare you'. Aloy isn't so great with social skills. ] Go on.
hhh sorry for the delay...heat wave + girly funtimes = just pull the trigger, piglet
As if I'd waste energy on something any person can do...
[Is that a backwards and vague way of saying he thinks she could do it? Maybe. It is a mystery with this angry little chihuahua. But a second later the blond is glowering when his image is on fully display with her little holo-projector thingy, red eyes narrowing when Katsuki's palms are highlighted and a demand is made. Oh? Now you want him to show off? Be your little sideshow monkey? Well! Katsuki has something to say to that.]
Haaah? How 'bout you find a tree to chop down and fuck yourself with it. I'm not your science project.
oof rest in pieces my dude
[ Bro he's just so angry all the time. She should probably feel bad about how entertaining it is just winding him up like this, but... naaaaaaah.
Aloy shrugs like she's taking his refusal in stride and mirrors his stance by crossing her arms too, though his thundercloud scowl is matched by just the tiniest hint of a smile on her face. It's not every day she finds herself on this side of the relationship dynamic. Is this how Rost felt when she was being difficult as a child? ]
I bet I can do the exact same thing you did, with one arrow.
[ How's that for a challenge? Whoever this boy may be, he strikes her as the type to enjoy competition for the hell of it.
she is too but that's not the point being made here]sob, ty. ;A; i feel like i've died twice in succession
That's a losing bet. [He sneers, nodding to her weapon. Her weapon, not the shitty one that was provided for this stupid little exercise in trust or...whatever the hell.] If you could shoot so clearly with the crap they gave you, obviously you'll do better with a weapon you're used to.
[He raises one of his newly acquired grenadier gauntlets to prove his point.]
But I wanna see what that shit can do, Robin Hood, so go at it. If you impress me, maybe I'll think twice about doing what you want, aa? Sound good?
I'll send flowers to both your funerals 😔
Oh, is that how it's going to work? I show you mine and you show me yours?
[ She's teasing him, obviously. Anything that'll keep his attention focused on arguing and not pestering her while she jury-rigs a quick solution together is worth getting her ear chewed off by an angry exploding pomeranian any day.
Her supplies seem to have run worryingly low in her absence - a pouch normally stuffed to bursting with machine hearts, sparkers, metal bones, etc seemingly grown legs and wandered off while locked inside the chest - but she can make do with the dregs. A loop of wire, a couple pieces of machine metal, and finally an innocuous vial full of some oddly vibrant purple fluid which she handles with exaggerated care.
Definitely doubling back on her better judgment here but proving a point is worth it. ]
Who said I wanted to impress you? [ - put the vial here, fix it tight to the arrow shaft with the wire and shards - ] Anyone can do this, remember? Nothing impressive about it.
[ Aaaaand done. One slapdash Glowblast arrow ready to go. Though as she tests the arrow's balance, Aloy's brow furrows just a little at the noticeably topheavy tilt that wouldn't be quite as much of an issue on one of the a longer, heavier shafts fired by her Sharpshot bow. Alas. Seeing as that seems to have gone up in smoke too, she'll have to play this by ear and hope for the best.
So notching the odd missile to the twined wire acting as a bowstring (Leaplasher tendon, woven in to increase draw power) she brings the bow up, exhaling as she pulls the arrow back to her cheek with the groan and creak of protesting metal as the bow's arms flex in a great arc.
A deep resonating thrum of the bowstring, the sibilant hiss of the arrow, and the harsh crack of the shattering vial announces the swift sequence of events, but... the tree's kinda still standing there. Mostly untouched if you don't count the unsightly splatter of goo slathered on the bark. ]
You might want to take a step back.