pixieledmemes | Test Drive Meme #3

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Test Drive Meme #3

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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Flat | Top-Level Comments Only

“Eighteen - eighteen something? Perhaps twenty? I don’t know.”

Now she looks embarrassed. “It is hard to keep track, Sir, when there ain’t nothing changing. I - well, I suppose it is obvious that -“
She takes a breath to steel herself, utterly ashamed. She hates that she had no money, no home, was dirt. She hates to admit her lack of knowledge.

“Well, dates didn’t matter so much, only to stay alive. But you? You do not look like the men I know at home, not any of them. Your time is different to mine, no?”

"It's alright, Pet. I'm not judging you. Could tell a lot about you just by looking at you." Spike tried to reassure, keeping himself deliberately as relaxed as he could be. "I'm from 2001 most recently. You've been getting that whole bit about us being kidnapped by the fae then, and how we're from different worlds and times?"

Although something she said made him smile and chuckle. "Why don't I look like them? You have me curious."

“No? People do. I don’t care much, only…” she shrugs. There’s resignation in her expression.

“At home, a man like you wouldn’t talk to a woman like me. Only in an alley or that, or if I took my note to your home. It’d be nice not to be judged, I think. But it is not the way of the world.”

She smiles though. “2001? Is all the world different? Did France get rid of their king?”

And then she laughs. “They wear their hair just so -“
She demonstrates, pulling her tangle of curls to the side. “And stockings and their shoes are different, and their jackets. And such hair as yours I have never seen, you know? I like it. I would have liked to see a different world like yours. But there is here now, and it is quite wonderful, ain’t it?”

"People'll always judge. I just learned not to care about it." A half-truth; part of Spike's whole rebirth, of William's rebirth, as a vampire had been him deliberately leaving behind and recrafting the life he'd left behind. Making himself into who he wanted to be, albeit with Drusilla and Angelus' influences too.

"France did. Has its own revolution and all." He could offer that, and then she laughed and he chuckled again. "True. Men's styles got a bit less frilly over the century for the most part. My hair is dyed actually, not naturally this color. 'Preciate the compliment." Tilting his head, still smiling though. An honestly friendly smile.

"Why do you think it's all quite wonderful here?"

“Where I am from - or I suppose, when I am from - women like me are put in prison without a charge, Sir. The police think we are thieves and whores so we are locked away for it so we don’t spread our filth. It is well to say do not care what others think, but it is difficult to swallow when you are stared at with dislike or pity.”

She says it pointedly. If this chat is out of pity, she doesn’t want it.

“Sir, I saw some. And my Pa? He fought alongside Monsieur Bonaparte. We are real Bonapartists, you know? The students were trying to rebel. Me, I think no. Nothing will change. It’s too late for me anyway, but for Gavroche - he is my brother - nothing will change.”

Dye? Like clothes are dyed, hair can be? She thinks about herself as blonde. Perhaps if she was blonde, Marius would like her? Eponine determines to get her hands on this dye of Spike’s.

“Here it is nice. There is food - and we can take it. Handsome men like you talk to me without a sneer. They said we have beds! You know how long I have not had a bed for? Months, Sir. I am most excited for a bed!”

She had a point, and Spike could acknowledge it. "Nah, that's...fair." Didn't hurt him to admit it either. At least now he was able to place around where she was from better, given her words.

"Can understand that, given what you've experienced so far. But it is a cage still. A very pretty cage and keeping of us. The fae don't think of us as people, proper. We're pets, or prisoners. Or both really." Holding up a hand. "I'm not saying don't enjoy the luxuries. Having the bed is nice, and you'll love some of the other things available here. Especially since they don't use money. It's a barter or trade economy, running mostly on owed favors and debts that way. But don't think the fae are your friends, or are benevolent angels or anything."

“All life is a cage, Monsieur. Me, I am trapped by poverty. And being a woman. Even rich, I am trapped to marry who my father says and stay at home to embroider. Even men, trapped by money or job or anything. At least this cage is pretty.”

She grins. “I met a fairy. I stole his knife and fork. He’s very beautiful you know, with curly hair and curly horns. He wasn’t so cross.”
She chuckles. “Dreadfully handsome. See, my cage is decorated with all sorts of pretties. And see, you call me ‘pet’ too. Are you a fairy then?”

Well that just made him laugh. "I deserved that." But Spike wasn't upset. "Glad to see some spirit, and some smarts." He shrugged and stuck his hands in his pockets. "Don't say I didn't warn you."

He kind of liked this Eponine. At least for verbal sparring. "I'm not a fairy. I'm not human though." An eyebrow raised, and he smirked. "I'm a vampire." Wondering what references to the creature she'd have, since she was definitely pre-Dracula craze.

“A vampire?” Eponine laughed. She didn’t believe Spike.
“Do you haunt a graveyard then? You know, sometimes I have got into mausoleums to sleep. Sometimes I imagined the dead rising up to get me.”

She laughed again. “Don’t you think it would be nice though, to be a vampire? To be so powerful and to live forever? I’d like that.”

"It has its perks." Spike murmured, still smirking. "We can haunt more than graveyards. Used to have a nice crypt in Sunnydale though. Made it nice and comfy, gave it some style." It was fine if she didn't believe. She'll either learn, or not.

Honestly he was somewhat intrigued that she seemed interested. Not that he had any intention of siring anyone while in the fae realm. From the talk, it seemed like all the current vampires were agreed about that whole 'no siring' thing.

"Like what? Tell me, Sir." Eponine didn't know if she believed Spike, but a story was a story and she loved those.

"Didn't people mind? People are usually scared of such things as vampires. Tosh, and I have heard people call me a ghost when I have got up off a grave before now. But I think people are a bit stupid."

She thought for a moment. "I wouldn't have minded being a vampire at home. I should have drained all the rich men of their blood and got fat and had their jewels. I might have had a fortune. Is that what you did? Killed a woman for her jewels?"

"Wherever we want that's safe from daylight." Spike replied easily enough, tilting his head. "Was a pleasant surprise to find I don't burst into flames here in the fae realm during the day. I've used mansions and warehouses, apartments and crypts, pretty much wherever I pleased that I could secure."

Another look over her, and a chuckle. "Most people don't notice, or pretend to not. They'd be too scared to find out the monsters are real. I could see you making a good ghost though, Eponine."

Of course, then she definitely has his interest with her words. There is, once again, that dangerous quality to his grin. To his voice. "Sometimes. Ran around with a group, a quartet known as the Whirlwind. We terrorized the continent. Got my girl, Drusilla, all sorts of pretties. Sometimes those pretties were wearing pretties too, and oh did she have fun playing with them. Dinner and a treat." Spike moved now while he continued speaking. Coming to stalk around Eponine in a decidedly predatory manner. Fluid, in control of himself.

"The trick though, ma petite, is to not get caught. To not arouse the mob's attention that wants to hunt you down and stake you or burn you where you sleep. Not if you want to keep that fortune." A dark chuckle. "Now me, I like a good brawl. My grand-sire never approved though. Felt I was too showy, too reckless. Why not enjoy the thrill of the kill though? It was boring always getting into fights you know you'll win."

Eponine turned her head to follow Spike as he stalked around her. Her body hummed with excitement, for Spike reminded her of Montparnasse, of his dominance, of how clearly he was in control of both himself and of Eponine.

"We never went for jewels or nothing. My husband, he did. He liked to enchant rich women and go off to fuck 'em. He were that beautiful, they did it every time. And then he would slice their neck. See?"

She pointed at the faint silvery scars across her throat. There was a thicker one right across her jugular.

"He liked to tease, my 'Parnasse. And me? Well, there is something to be fucked with a knife on your throat. Me, I like a man with bite. Your Drusilla were lucky. 'Parnasse never shared his spoils with me. He liked it though. He were the most feared man in Paris, and never caught."

"Child's play then." Spike retorted, keeping up his stalk around her. "Guess you don't scare so easily. Not with what you've seen, I'm sure." A knowing smirk. "Drusilla was my princess, my everything for over a century. Was nothing I wouldn't do for her. Or to her, as she liked."

Spike laughed richly. "Even after we split from the Whirlwind, we were a force to be reckoned with, me and Dru. She never failed to surprise me, keep me intrigued, take me to new heights and depths." Spike stopped his pacing around her, and tilted his head towards her. "You like the danger. Is it worth it to you? Do you know what you'd be giving up?"

"Yeah? You let your Dru lead you?" Montparnasse would never let Eponine lead him anywhere. He was always in charge. He had the final say in all matters. And Eponine had to submit or face the consequence. Contrary to Drusilla, Eponine was Montparnasse's slut, his whore, his girl sometimes, his bed warmer. His. But never important enough not to be tossed aside.

"Danger?" She thought for a moment. "Yeah." she laughed. "Me, yes. It makes you feel something, no? But to give up what? And for what? What will be my prize?"

"Why wouldn't I? She was my princess, my everything." Spike responded, then tilted his head when she laughed. Studying her, before he smiled and applauded her. Only with a hint of mockery to it.

"Well, you'll survive here just fine then. Guess they'll have to find other ways to control you than fear, won't they?" In another life, he might've really enjoyed turning her and seeing what a vampire she might make.

“Truly?” Eponine’s stomach knots. She used to be her Mama’s little princess but she has longed for a man to treat her that way. Like she matters and he loves her and would look after her. If Spike picks up on the longing, the jealousy in her voice, the way she suddenly can’t make eye contact with him, he will know that love, not fear, is the way to control and manipulate Eponine.

She grins at the applause, looking back at him.
“Me, I am like a cockroach, Sir. Nobody wants me but I am here, and when you try to kill me, well. I ain’t a vampire but I am every bit as undead as you. I think - and I know I don’t look nothing - but I am hard to kill.”

She shrugs. “But if you want my blood, I don’t mind. You can drink it. I told you I like pain. But I want a present in return. Shoes. A corset. Pretty dresses. Help me, Sir, and you can have my blood.”

Spike absolutely picked up on it. At one point in his life, he'd absolutely abuse that fact, manipulate the other, too. It was tempting to do so now. Except he knew Buffy wouldn't approve. Even with her death, he still couldn't get her out of his thoughts.

So lost, as Dru had said.

"I don't want your blood, girl. But I'll help you anyway." Because he could admire a survivor like her. Relate in some ways. But also because she needed it, and he was trying to not be the monster he was in some ways.

"But there's a price. There is always a price. And Sir, if it's the same to you, I should rather know what it is first."

She shrugs. "I don't care what you ask. I'll do it, or give it. But it is nice to know at the start because... well, it is time for me to resolve to do it, no?"

"No price, but you won't believe it." Spike also wasn't exactly known for doing things out of the goodness of his black little heart either. Even if he was trying to do better.

"Alright, so here's the deal. You help others. I'll help you get acclimated here, and you pass that on and help others do the same." Would that be enough of a price?

"Help?" Eponine looks blank. She's never helped anyone out of the goodness of her heart.

"That is it? Just a promise? That I will help?"

"It's harder than you think it is. Believe me, I know." Spike couldn't resist rolling his eyes. But he did so anyway. Or had done so here more often than old him would've. Must be Buffy, and the damn Scoobie's, influence. Or the chip in his head.

Or both. Both was a good thing to blame.

Eponine honestly doesn't set much by promises. They're just words. Thye don't mean anything. So Eponine shrugs and grins and nods her acceptance.

"Very well, Sir. If that is what you want, then it is well."

She has no intention of keeping her promise at all.

Flat | Top-Level Comments Only

Test Drive Meme #3

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CW: murder, knife play

Re: CW: murder, knife play

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