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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.
thousand cuts
Is that right?
( komaeda doesn't think that's right. it seems unlikely that anyone would be looking for him; he's not anyone special, really. he doesn't have any special ability or natural talent. he's just some guy. still, it's pretty sweet that this person seems to have confused him for someone worthwhile. this person...
something about this person seems familiar, it's true. have they met before? could they have met before? )
I'm sorry, but do I know you? Excuse me for forgetting.
soft gasp. nagito....
[There's...something distinctly familiar about this guy, too. Kokichi can't quite put his finger on it, but he seems like he should know him. Some weird part of him wants to, anyway.
The next words escape him while he's not really thinking about it.]
...You're not an Ultimate, are you? ...My name is Kokichi Oma. Ultimate Supreme Leader.
he's here to cause problems and problems only
naturally, komaeda doesn't know every ultimate in history, but he feels like he should be familiar with most of them. they're banded together, what's left of them, reclaiming the world from where despair had nearly won. unless there's a new program that komaeda hasn't learned about, another neo world program, than this boy must be closer to an imposter than a true ultimate.
but what could his plan be? )
Oh.
( he's visibly wary now, politely slipping away. being polite, he feels, is something everyone should be privy to. but ultimate imposters with the potential to ruin naegi's hard work don't deserve that. )
And you have business with me?
i luv him
...Unless they were a Remnant of Despair.]
I don't know. Maybe. Why do you suddenly seem so tense?
Not comfortable with the Ultimate Supreme Leader, Fluffyhair-chan? I know I have a lot of enemies...but it's unusual to meet one where I don't know the context.
[This was dangerous. If this guy was a Remnant, then he'd have to be very, very careful. Just in case any of his classmates were around...]
You don't have to be afraid. There's no mastermind to incite us into anything here, after all - wherever here is.
Unless you're one of them.
these two suspicious idiots
( if that was supposed to be a threat, an endorsement of just how powerful this boy is, it's true that komaeda doesn't care. it's fine if he's powerful; there's nothing more powerful than hope. so if komaeda sees himself slayed at this boy's hands ( or placed in the line of fire between one of said 'enemies' ) in order for hope to prevail, he'd be more than a little honored to see his life to be put to such good use.
but if this person is an agent of despair... komaeda can't let him win. he can't even let him pass.
so this boy, ouma, knows. this isn't a fluke after all; ouma knows about the mastermind, about what transpired on jabberwock island, or has at least heard of it. that doesn't mean anything, komaeda knows. it doesn't mean he's a true ultimate. )
What's the goal of the organization you lead?
1/3
Mmm. I remember someone saying once...do not let arrogance go to your head and despair to your heart. I don't say that to get you to care, Stranger. I say that to set a precedent.
[Then he asks what the goal of the organization he leads is.]
It's a secret organization, you know? If I told everyone the truth of all that...what would be the point? I'd be undermining my own platform. Making myself vulnerable. And I still don't know who you are, why you're so hyped up that I'm an Ultimate...
But I can only make assumptions.
[He raises his right hand, his index finger up.]
So. One. You don't know who I am beyond what I've told you. If you were truly aware of who I am, you wouldn't have to ask me what my organization is. We wouldn't be staring each other down like this.
[He strolls forward, but he has his arms at his side, apart from the hand holding up one finger - now two.]
Two. Furthering that, that means you're not directly involved with the Gifted Inmates Academy. You may have tangential awareness, but you're not directly involved. That makes it unlikely you were a hidden enemy in my game.
[He raises another finger.]
2/3
[He feigns a cute expression, tapping his cheek and tilting his head.]
Or. Or! You're someone who has been so gravely...misled. You're not an enemy, you're just someone who has gotten his head all mixed up. You might not even really know the Gifted Inmates Academy! We may be on entirely different wavelengths here.
[He shrugs...]
Most likely, however....you're one of them. You're a Remnant of Despair. On the lower-end of the power-chain, since you don't know all that you should. Poor baby! Neeheehee!!! We~eeeeelll;...let me make one thing positively perfectly clear:
3/3
I've now stared death in the face. I've seen innocent people suffer for your bloodlust and put up with your shitty mascots day after day after day, and I've had it! I won't be letting you get a foothold here, too! Even if it costs me my life again...I won't lose again.
Despair.
Will.
Not.
Win!!!!
[Might as well throw down the gauntlet now. No use pussyfooting around it.]
cw: self-deprecation, death, murder/suicide, just komaeda things
despite his knowledge of komaeda's circumstances, of his time in the killing game, the more this boy talks, the more he makes it clear that he has next to no knowledge of komeada's existence on a personal level. that's not surprising. that's not even upsetting; it's like komaeda is much of anyone at all. unlike ouma, komaeda doesn't have any real talent or skill to speak of. but ouma... ouma has something. this display is powerful enough to turn a skeptic into a believer. what others might chalk up to ramblings, komaeda finds that he's hanging onto every word. ouma is cunning, analytical, self-assured in the strength of the organization of his—all the right chords for a true ultimate supreme leader.
it has him laughing. for all of ouma's intensity, komaeda's laugh is a strong one, albeit tinged with neuroticism. it's just so funny, really! how could someone ascertain so much so quickly? a remnant of despair? nagito komaeda? the thought of it has him threatening to double over with giggles. )
So this is the strength of an Ultimate... How could I have anything but respect for such an impressive display?
You really do have things correct. ( he says eventually: ) It's not like I blame you for not recognizing this sooner. Someone like me isn't worth the brain space. If we'd met before, I'd erase any thought of a nobody like me, too, if I were you. You have more important things to account for.
Which isn't to say that we have met, because that's not something I can confirm. ( he doesn't remember much of anything from that time, either. ) Would you even believe me if I told you we had? You have no reason to, after all. Someone like me doesn't have a word that's worth much.
( no, komaeda won't confuse this further by lying to him. he's beginning to see what's happening here: he's in the presence of an ultimate, someone with a passion for hope and a disdain for despair. komaeda won't be so vulgar to go on and say he sees a similarity between them: talent like this can't be compared to something as lowly as luck.
it's with a flourish that he surges closer and grasps both of ouma's hands. ordinarily, forcing another person to touch someone like him would be out of the question, but since this is fitting to be one of the last moments of his life, he's willing to be more ostentatious. )
The sight of me must be a burden to you. The thought of my crimes must be enough to turn your stomach. To think that I was so disgusting... I sicken myself. That's why we were destined to meet in this moment. You and I were drawn to each other. It's disheartening to see your talent wasted on someone like me, but I'm so honored to have been privy to it.
You see, you and I both recognize me for the garbage I am. We both understand that once drop of your hope is enough to obliterate me! A talentless nobody! If my death is what's necessary to see you flourish beyond a place like, then I'll take the first step. ( he kneels, and brings ouma's hands to rest on his neck. ) You're meant to leave my corpse behind in this maze of flowers. My death to help your hope grow... what better justice is there?
You can't take the risk, can you? I once thought myself to be incapable of despair, and yet I was a source of it. I'm a danger to you and your cause, aren't I? I don't mind if you kill me. I want to see your hope flourish until the very end!
1/2
B r u h.
Just when Kokichi had been so confident that he'd be able to psyche this guy out - if he were anything like Amami-chan, he might've even just taken the opportunity to realize the lack of threat either of them posed to each other and just played around with him, and that was why Amami-chan was endearing. It'd have finally turned around to match the flowers blooming around them and made Kokichi's heart skip a beat.
This guy, despite some visual resemblances, was nothing like Amami-chan.
He starts laughing, and then he claims he has the strength of an Ultimate. That laugh is...haunting. Probably even more than his own. And then he starts ranting about how worthless he is, how pathetic he is, and he grasps his hands while going on like that.
It's at this point that Kokichi starts to feel distinctly unnerved. This is not someone who is okay. This is...now even Kokichi's expression has shattered like glass to look just as concerned as he feels. Uh. Um. Hm.
This is a lot at once.
And then he moves his hands to be holding onto his neck. This fucking lunatic is telling him to kill him. He was a source of despair, and he wants him to kill him to see hope flourish. He doesn't mind.
B r u h.
He swallows dryly. Where's an adultier adult than him to handle this when he needs it?]
2/2 (cw: enabling Komaeda things, self-deprecation, dehumanization)
See, that's the problem with anyone who gets all wound up in that despair nonsense. Kill this, murder that, slaughter her, massacre him...
[He does strengthen his grip on his neck for a moment, however - very briefly.]
What the hell makes you think I'll let you get off so EASILY?
[And then he loosens it. He looks down at Nagito, his expression tinged with condescension.]
Trashy-chan. You seem to be lacking the braincells necessary to fully grasp this whole concept, but that's what I'm here for. You see, if I kill you now, that's just going to be blood on my hands. Why would someone - a bright pinnacle of hope such as myself - want any of that?! I'm above killing you. I'm almost insulted you think otherwise! But as you said, you're pretty worthless, so I'm not going to take it too much to heart.
[He waggles his finger, beginning to pace back and forth.]
The greater beneficiary to hope is to leave you alive and just keep an eye on you. That's what my talent is for! From what I can tell, this isn't even remotely where I came from. So, a shame, but - my organization isn't here. I need new members, I need new plans, and I need new assets. [Suddenly, he snaps his fingers and points at Nagito.] You, Trashy-chan, with your subhuman groveling, will be in return for your crimes acting as my asset.
If any danger happens, your life is less valuable than mine, so you'll be taking the forefront. If anything bad happens, you prioritize my needs. And bit by bit, you'll redeem yourself. By some point, perhaps, you may even truly reach your full potential as well - provided you listen to me. Don't you dare consider yourself a full member of this new branch of my organization yet...but consider yourself aligned with it.
A pwecious special widdle asset...like a particularly nice piece of furniture!
[He pats his head.]
This meeting is not for an ending. No, NO! It is for a BEGINNING.
[And then he gestures UPWARDS!]
RISE, TRASHY-CHAN! RISE, AND GREET YOUR SALVATION! I, KOKICHI OMA, THE ULTIMATE SUPREME LEADER, BURDENED WITH GLORIOUS PURPOSE AS I AM, WILL BE YOUR LIGHT!!! Neeheeheeheehee....AHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHA!!!!!
[He hates every word coming out of his mouth, but what is he going to do? Tell the truth? Not with this guy! This was dangerous! He had to keep to the act - he had to. For his own safety. If this guy actually died, that'd be more blood on his hands, and he already had enough of that...but so long as nothing were to happen, it'd be fine.
He'd just have to covertly guide him, like he said.
This felt like some kind of twisted D/S relationship. Good god.He beamed brightly.]
Let's bring hope to this new world together, Trashy-chan~
no subject
to be clear, komaeda does not want to die. but he understands that it's the best thing he could do in a situation like this. his end for hope. his end as a method of payment for his crimes. it's hard for him to tell, but he might be talking. thoughts and words colliding, he might be babbling more about hope and despair, he's not entirely sure. if he is using his last moments of life to fill the air with his voice, it's probably something like Thank you, Ouma-kun, sparing your talent on someone like me, it really is something I don't deserve. Your shining hope, strong enough to cut through any despair. Please, please. Thank you, thank you, thank you—
in the end, it's the best he could ever ask for. it might even be too good for him.
ouma seems to agree, because then it's over.
no pressure, no end.
he's being yelled at, it seems, and it's the least that he deserves so he doesn't flinch at that. maybe this brand of hope really is above killing, like he's saying. he's right that getting komeada's blood on his hand is rather lowly, rather unsightly. perhaps he simply doesn't see that it's what has to be done.
somehow, despite all of this, it seems like nagito is being offered a job of some kind. he's pretty far gone in this episode, but not so far gone that he's unable to comprehend what's being said to him. )
Ouma-kun... surely you understand that isn't something I can accept—
( oh, well, he's being instructed to stand, and he's not so impolite as to ignore something like that, so he complies, albeit a bit shakily. talent on display like this makes komaeda curious to see more of what ouma's hope can do for the world, it's true. he takes a second to catch his breath, because something about seeing ouma this way makes his breathing go heavy and his eyes a little more wild then usual, but then he seems to have composed himself, for the most part. )
...
You know, your willingness to allow a traitor like me into your organization makes me wonder if such a thing even exists.
no subject
[that's not something that ever happened he saw that in a movie]
But we're missing that here. And I don't have an organization here, obviously. I don't even know where HERE is. So good job, you found that one out! It DOESN'T exist here. I'm reforming. It will. [He clenches his fist, but then he composes himself. He's fine he's okay this guy just brings out the worst in him that's all.]
Our actual priority now is to find out where we are. It seems safe, but we can't be too sure.
no subject
( he's speaking komaeda's language, all right. but something here still feels off. expendable service has him nodding mechanically, eyes grown fuzzy once again at the acknowledgement at how disposable his life is in the service of hope, how he'd be able to contribute to something good, and larger than himself. bringing out the worst in each other seems to be something they have in common.
but this expression sharpens, eyes steely like brackish waters. )
Do you have your student ID with you?
( it sounds like he's ignoring everything that ouma is saying to him, which isn't completely untrue. he listened to what mattered, like the name of a school he's never heard of in a world where ultimates really shouldn't exist in the same capacity that they once did. )
no subject
My ID? Sure, yeah. I think. Let me just...
[He pats around on his outfit before fishing it out of one pocket. He holds it up for Nagito to see.]
Here.