Test Drive Meme #3

[changelinged]

TDM #3 - May/June 2025

🦋 Introduction

Welcome to the Pixie Led Test Drive Meme!

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🦋 The Party

You wake up at a party.

You're not sure how, exactly, you got here. You may have just been walking in the woods or at a meeting for work or doing any other normal activity for you. But you know you weren't supposed to be at this party, you're fairly certain.

Anyone you ask about it will say the party is for you. You and the others also waking up and looking confused. Further questions will lead to the partygoers insisting you have something to eat. You're starving and others are eating the food without repercussion, so you figure there's no harm in a bite. You finish your portion.

It's another garden party near a large hedge maze in the middle of the night. With his penchant for games the Ruler of the Spring Court decided it would be nice to hold an actual game for all the Adopted present. None of that dreidel game a couple of parties ago. This time, he wants more spectacle with higher stakes. Forced to participate and host aspects of this gathering as well, the Ruler of the Dark Court wanted nothing to do with this, so he figured his participation in itself is for the party to happen at night, during his rule, when his mood is at its most pleasant.

Of course, there is no shortage of light sources such as candles and torches, much to the Earl's chagrin, as well as no shortage of food. This time, the fae decided to try their hand on some pasta. They heard it's a good delicacy from the mortal plane. Thing is, sauces look and smell bizarre. One's purple, while another's bright pink, and they taste fruity, as well as flowery, much like the cookies from the last gathering.

As the party winds down and everyone's eaten, a tall, stately woman stands up and speaks. You feel her voice more than hear it.

I am the Lawspeaker of the Fae, elected by Seelie and Unseelie alike, and you are all, now, subjects of Faerie. You cannot leave this realm once you have eaten our food, and even if you could, there is no saying how much time has passed back where you're from. Your loved ones are likely dead, your problems have likely played out. We require assistance in various matters, and each of you has been chosen for your talent and skill. You will be adopted by one of the Seelie or Unseelie Courts based on your strengths and personality. Your Court will decide what to do with you from there.

As suddenly as she stood, she sits back down.

🦋 Feeling on Hedge

So, what about this hedge maze that seems to have appeared out of nowhere and looming quite eerily beside this night's gathering? For one, peculiar noises can be heard whenever one's near its entrance. From the rustling of leaves to a woman crying, everything seems to be coming from inside.

Of course, the Adopted's participation is required and paramount. Anyone who refuses will be met with harsh penalties and consequences, whatever those may be. They also hint of a prize to anyone who comes out victorious on the other side. It's unclear what it is, though.

The fae know that while the Adopted have been very useful so far, they are also vulnerable and susceptible to fear, so to mitigate that, they have some colorful shots on a table marked LIQUID COURAGE near the entrance to the maze with such effects:

• Gold: Essentially a strong drink that gives you profound energy for 24 hours.
• Red: Downing this will make you feel warm like an aphrodisiac.
• Blue: Basically functions like a normal tequila shot. Or three. Comes with a little bag of salt.

These shots are not compulsory for the Adopted to take, but they will be highly encouraged to do so before entering. Once inside, the rustling of leaves and the sounds of someone crying become louder and even more evident. There are also a few key things that seem to be very clear the longer an Adopted is within the maze's walls:

• The maze is moving. How it's doing it, nobody knows. But it appears to be alive somehow, much like the castle grounds, so finding a clear pathway is almost impossible.
• Whenever an Adopted turns right two consecutive times, they will see a more positive outcome from a terrible event in their lives. Lost someone? They're now here and alive. Gave up on a dream? You find yourself currently living it.
• If an Adopted turns left two consecutive times, they will see someone, a family member or a friend who's still alive and had a deep impact on their lives, bleeding and dead on the ground.

It would be great if no one else can see an Adopted during their most vulnerable, but since the maze moves constantly, another Adopted or two might be able to see them trying to parse out what they're seeing, even if their fellow Adopted can't see it themselves.

🦋 Can't Unseelie It

CW: dismemberment, body horror, forced body transformations, mild gore, asphyxiation, drowning of children, death

The Spring King only wanted some good-natured fun within the maze, but unbeknownst to him, some Unseelie creatures and Unseelie magic have appeared inside, threatening the safety of the Adopted traversing every nook and cranny. Surely this will not have any lasting consequences between the relationship of the Seelie and Unseelie court rulers. Not at all.

A few of these Unseelie beings and Unseelie magic roaming around the hedge maze that the Adopted will have a chance to meet are as follows:

• Manananggal: Capable of severing its torso from its legs, this vampiric creature usually preys on sleeping pregnant women and unborn babies. But not anymore. Due to magic put on it, this manananggal will strike anyone it comes across. Better pour salt on its severed lower torso once you find it, or else.
• La Llorona: Remember that woman crying? Well, somewhere in the maze alongside the eerie sounds of water flowing, you'll come across a weeping woman cloaked in white with her back turned against you. Be careful not to approach her because once you do, she'll try to choke you to death, reminiscent of how she drowned her own children.
• Jersey Devil: The first thing you'll hear once you turn is a high-pitched, blood-curdling scream then the sound of bat wings flapping. You better run as fast as you can to the other direction because this devil is out to attack anyone it sees on its path.
• A fountain: How odd. Running from the jersey devil or the manananggal might have made you thirsty so perhaps there's no harm in drinking from it. But just coming in contact with its water will make any Adopted soon realize they have transformed into an Unseelie creature.

Fighting off these creatures might be best with a fellow Adopted. After all, there's power in numbers. Just be careful not to die within the hedge maze. There might be some dire consequences.

🦋 GEIS

You feel a vibration in your pocket sometime after the Lawspeaker addresses everyone. When you search for the source, you will pull out your Leaf, the device the Fae use to stay in touch with each other. Anyone who's used a smart phone will easily recognize how it works.

Greetings, Adopted. This is your Lawspeaker.

To be on theme with our festivities for tonight, we want to know a time in your life when you felt lost and wandering about. Perhaps the most compelling story will receive a reward from us.

ｎａｖｉｇａｔｉｏｎ

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Comments

[dessendre]

[ She was already moving by the time the message came in. There was no hesitation in Clea, but then, she'd always struggled with patience. It always seemed pointless to dither when the path was clearly set before her, and really, it always had been. With parents like hers, there was structure. Expectation. Duty.

If Clea hesitated just a half second in order to brace herself for this reunion, well. She pretended not to notice.

Rounding the corner, she held her chin high despite her radically altered appearance, approaching Renoir with a confidence she didn't feel. What he would think of her now was inconsequential, she told herself. ]

Maelle is here. As is Verso. I expect you've spoken with him already. [ She stopped a short distance from her father. Not quite far enough to be professional, but far enough to brace herself for his opinion. ]

[betenoir]

Spoilers Inside!

[Renoir is looking into the well when he hears unfamiliar steps, troubled by the return of his eldest. Decades have passed since they saw each other. Decades of failure to serve his purpose as her father. Decades of realising he is as much a failure as his namesake.

He continues staring into the well and the illusion of their family home shining at the bottom. Why does his son refuse to see that in another world, where their family are almost together, there are new avenues for him to explore?

How many times must his sisters suffer? How many times must their family suffer?

He inhales and grounds himself, one hand seizing his cane from against the well. His mind steels itself while he turns around and bears himself, returning to proper posture and form.

And he sees her.

He refuses to elaborate or enquire, to keep that burden off her shoulders, when he sees what she has endured. Instead, he opens himself emotionally, makes himself vulnerable in a way he cannot act around others.]

We exchanged words. [Both hands grip his cane. His fingers tighten around the handle while it bears all his weight.] It is good to see you.

[That is all he shares. Because it is necessary to suppress his emotions about seeing her again. It is his duty.]

[dessendre]

god so many spoilers

[ The only failure, in Clea's eyes, was herself. She saw nothing but imperfections when she caught glimpses of herself reflected in glass. Nothing but cracks and poorly executed repairs. Clea could only begin to imagine what other people saw — what her father saw. A woman repainted, over and over, unrecognizable, unreachable.

Still, she had her pride. If Clea clung to nothing else from her likeness, it would always be that. And seeing Renoir now, the single model by which she'd built herself, was almost too much.

We exchanged words earned a nod. It is good to see you nearly broke her. Clea didn't move for a moment, didn't breathe, looking more like a statue than ever. ] It's been some time, [ was what she managed, hating herself for this vulnerability. It was always so difficult with him. But she fought it. She fought it fiercely. ]

I expect we'll need to speak with these hosts of ours. [ A show of strength. That would totally work. ] I've had no luck with it as of yet, but I imagine it's only a matter of time.

[betenoir]

more spoilers

[Vulnerability can provide strength. But only amongst the family. It is simply too dangeorus to trust anybody else. His children suffered physically and bear the emotional scars. He withstood emotionally and bears a physical scar. And seeing her now he is willing to put himself in the way once again, over and over, because although she looks unfamiliar she is recognisable.]

Our family is nothing but their entertainment.

[His voice is cold and low, detached and emotionless. Because though their name is what bonds them together, the family who shares their name had treated his children as nothing but tools and keepsakes.

His wife had been the only one to welcome them home.]

I think they would enjoy watching our little drama.

[So why offer them what they want? Why make themselves the tools for more people who deserve nothing? He inhales and gestures his shoulders, disturbing the unsleeved arms of his overcoat. He is happy enough to avoid those people, much as he avoided people back home, but if she needs that support to talk, he will be there.]

[dessendre]

spoilerland of spoilers

[ Surprise and something darker flashed across Clea's face, something complicated, something almost approaching wounded. But she covered it as quickly as it appeared. He hadn't outright disapproved, though she told herself she hardly needed his approval. This, of course, was an utter falsehood. But they all had their realities that they clung to. ]

You suggest we give them nothing. [ As hard as she worked to seem impassive, it was ultimately a lost cause with Renoir. He would always find the cracks in her armor — the flecks of chipped paint peeling off the canvas. ]

[betenoir]

even the fae hate spoilers

I suggest we have given enough.

[Be that towards the fae by virtue of their presence, or those from home by virtue of effort.

His daughter? Well, she has given enough of her mind. He has observed those cracks running across her skin, golden specks mirroring the stains spoiling his suit. He had always favoured her as the child with whom he shared most in common.

I suggest you have given enough.

He doesn't have to say anything else.]

[dessendre]

the fae watching this unfold like 👀

I'll have given enough when I cease to exist. [ There's a hard edge to her voice, a conviction she won't easily be swayed to set aside. Maybe it was because she was too overprotective of them all. Or maybe it was because relenting — even for a moment, even merely wishing for rest — meant all her sacrifices and pain were for nothing. Utterly meaningless.

Perhaps it was both.

Still, Clea hadn't come here to argue with him. She moved, restless, to stand beside the well, peering down at it without seeing whatever was reflected back up at her. ] I will do whatever is necessary for us. [ It was spoken so quietly, but there was iron threaded through her voice. Always forged in steel. ]

[betenoir]

and making memes

I know.

[Eyes squint and glisten in the light. Brows raise on the inside as his mouth slightly hangs open. Wrinkles suggest some painful recollection. But their family have too much experince with those to pinpoint one single source.

He knows she will do what she deems necessary. Given his actions this last century, he can at least emphasise. He also knows she recognises who her real family is. He could lean on her. But that is not his position in their family.]

It would be good to have your sister here.

[Mother is something of a sore topic.]

[dessendre]

spoiler time with two deeply troubled people

[ Desperately, Clea wished her father would lean on her. What use was she if not a pillar? The Hauler. Forever carrying Lumiére on its back.

It was the memory of Alicia that brought a sudden shift to her demeanor. She almost — softened. ]

She would enjoy all this nonsense, [ her voice was dry, but a warmth was breaking through the cracks. ] Do you suppose — [ Clea closed her mouth immediately. No. Hope was a childish thing. She shook her head, still gazing down the dark well. ] I do find it strange they only managed to summon part of the family. [ There. Practicality. ]

[betenoir]

spoilers inside

[Practicality. Structure. Direction. A minimal waste of time for the greatest outcome when combined with the practical application of effort. So why waste time on frivolity? Well, it is a contrast to emotion, and people mistake it for emotion. Emotions are important to understanding the human condition. And great art is an expression of that existence.

But what do you do when you yourself are the art?]

Perhaps forces exist beyond their comprehension. Artists in other worlds beyond their own.

[Oh, the irony.]