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pixieledmemes2025-05-16 12:28 am
Test Drive Meme #3
Welcome to the Pixie Led Test Drive Meme!
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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.
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.
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.
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.
no subject
I don't think there's any meds out there that could make up someone like me. Not sure if I should take that as a compliment or an insult.
[ She begins twirling pasta on her fork, over and over and over. ]
Then again, not much I can probably do to convince you otherwise. Trusting strangers is rarely ideal. So, hey, if you don't want free info, that's fine by me. Someone else'll take pity on you eventually.
no subject
You're the least weird thing I've seen here.
[He's never seen a full-on duck quirk like this before, most people just get webbed limbs, feathers or wings, and maybe a bill, but it's not unheard of. Tokoyami's for a bird head, and quite a few officers on the police force have other animals heads. The chief of police is a dog, and he's sure to have seen a cat officer before. Then there's Asui, who looks normal enough, but...she does have a frog-like tongue, and can apparently barf out her own stomach...like a frog.
Anyway, Katsuki immediately rolls his eyes at the last part of what she said and leans back in his seat, not giving a ratfuck and putting his feet up on the table.]
If you're dying to spill your guts, Hot Topic, you don't need to make sad excuses like that for attention. I still don't believe half the shit that's happening is actually happening, but fifty percent in the opposite direction is still a decent number, aa? You got a lot of nerve thinking I can't find shit out for myself, but I'll humor you.
[He waves his hand lazily. Go on then, what's the tea?]
no subject
She finishes off her plate, then begins trying to make a 'house of cards' out of silverware and plates. ]
So, we get to be called the charming title of 'Adopted'. Everyone's in a different court. And we get to deal with their problems. Dragons, killer wasps, living dandruff... all the risks, and no reward, save for living to the next day.
[ and some nifty DnD items, but really, she can just steal those. ]
no subject
Katsuki grimaces, clicking his tongue irritably at this girl's awful table manners...while his feet are on said table. Listen, he may be being a brat right now, but normally? He's actually got some damn good table manners - thanks, mom and dad. He's just pissed off that the food he was forced to eat (that looks and smells vile, how can she stomach that shit) means he's stuck here...if he doesn't simply wake up.]
Pretty sure being "adopted" relies on both parties consenting to it. [And, uh...not forcing them to stay against their will. The rest Katsuki just sighs and hangs his head back over the edge of his chair.] Sounds like typical low-level hero work saved for the small fry. Pass.
[THUMBS DOWN.]
no subject
Anyway, she's working on the weight-holding forks for the moment. ]
That would imply we had any say about it. What makes you think we have freedom about anything here? Where we stay, what we do, we're prisoners in the weirdest cage. You being afraid to fight isn't a factor here.
no subject
...He is kind of impressed she's managed to keep the thing standing for as long as she has though, that's skill.]
That's what I'm getting at - this whole thing is one big joke. I still don't believe half of it, and if I did get fucking kidnapped... [Again.] Then I definitely don't believe it's by shitty faeries, or yokai, or whatever the hell. Maybe someone with a weirdass quirk, I don't know. Wouldn't run it past any shitkicking villain wannabe trying to stir things up after the war.
no subject
No clue what you're talking about there, by the way. Kinda thought my whole... existence... gave it away, but no one here is from your world. And no one is from mine. We're all from different universes... but I guess if you still believe this is just a concussion, it doesn't make much of a difference. We can both babble and not understand what each other's saying and only be guilty of killing time.
no subject
But man...this "dream" is becoming a little too self-aware for his liking, and Katsuki grimaces, pinching and rubbing the space between his eyes with a low groan. He really, really doesn't want to believe any of this...]
Like I said before, you're the least weird thing I've seen. Meaning people like you exist "in my world". Not a one-to-one, but similar enough. But fine...I'll consider this being real an option, because you aren't acting like someone from a dream. [And that's already sort of uncomfortable. Katsuki clicks his tongue and absently massages his other arm, the bad one, his fingers twitching as his muscles and nerves are pinched in a good way.] ...Metal is supposed to kill these things, isn't it? Or a specific type. Silver?
[Close, but not quite.]
Or I could just say I don't believe in 'em. That worked in a book once.
no subject
Oh, so YOU'RE the one who's going to save us all! Aw, gee, wow! In all our months and months and MONTHS of being here, absolutely NOBODY had the BRILLIANT idea of simply not believing in them! Golly, I can't wait to go home now!
[ She then drops her hands to give him the most Look there's ever been Looked. ]
I've been here almost half a year. So sorry if I don't think you're the one out of everyone else who's gunna solve the big problems.
no subject
[He doesn't even hesitate, doesn't wait for her to finish her little sarcastic word vomit, and he speaks with such conviction and confidence, matching her flat look with one of fierce determination and will that it might actually be a little weird...or scary. Katsuki fully believes he'll at least be able to help, because that's just what he does. May not be instant, because that's not how shit works, but little by little, maybe...and with a lot of help and support, they can all do their part.]
Glad to know someone here realizes my wit and intellect though, thanks for that. I am pretty awesome. [Against his better judgement, Katsuki does reach over and grab a bowl of fruit to snack on. He's already stuck here (presumably), so why not?] ...The problem is you pricks expect one person to do everything, without lifting a finger yourselves. You bitch and moan and wait for a Hero to save you, but don't give a shit how much stress that Hero's in just trying to get the job done. Six months, aa? What have you done in those six months to figure out anything about anything? Have you helped anyone actually trying to force their way out? Or gather information? If not, then what fucking right do you have to patronize me, or anyone else, grasping at straws the second they get here?
no subject
Scary, yes. Because she's a little duck, and she's learning that many here have powers far stronger than hers. Who knows what kind of abilities he has, and if he's looking for target practice? As much fun as it is to tease and poke, you have to have an exit strategy before the bear wakes up.
So as he goes on, she starts to choose her words a little more carefully. Can't avoid making an enemy she can't defeat - she's got too many of those already. ]
So, finally taking this seriously? That's a good start. In that case...
[ She moves to take one knife from the 'house of plates' trick. it wobbles and shakes, but doesn't fall over yet. She uses the knife to draw imaginary lines between them, showing where things are. ]
The dorms we stay in are divided by Seelie and Unseelie. Technically it's 'forbidden' to one to go to the other, but no one really cares enough to stop you. They've got a library, a graveyard, marketplace... the latter doesn't really take 'currency'. Just a bunch of favors and IOUs.
no subject
If she asks, he'll show her, but until then Katsuki is quiet and merely watches and listens, frowning deeper when she speaks again. He...really doesn't want to take this seriously, no, but even he's not so fucking stupid and deranged as to keep believing this is all fake. No, it's...gone a little too far past that, much as he hates to admit it. He will, however, continue to deny any one of the people he cares about are dead. That lady can suck his dick.]
So it's a bartering system. Tch...of course. You want something, you can't "pay" for it, you have to trade... It's a sleazy way of tacking on additional time to our stay here. Oldest trick in the book - even our own spirits and folklore pulls that crap.
no subject
Over there is a well. If you look inside it, it shows you a lie of everyone in your world moving on happily without you. So, I'd avoid that unless you want to get even angrier.
[ There are magic-blasted bits of rocks and burnt grass there from. uh. not lena. sure.]
Beach over here... usually we only go there for quests. You know, when some lazy stall-owners don't wanna get up and get supplies so they ask us to do it and exchange, more favors, or once in a while, something relatively decent.
[ To show, she shuffles something from underneath her sweater... a glowing dagger. neato. ]
Also, everyone gets a 'Leaf'. Basically this world's internet, but we can only talk to other Adopted. No websites or anything actually interesting.
no subject
Katsuki's eyes narrow at the mention of the well. In another time, another place, he may have actually believed that everyone would have been happier if he simply disappeared, and moved on all too easily, and all too gladly. He wouldn't have even blamed them, really...because that loser is not someone worth missing, and Katsuki certainly is much, much happier without him. There are shadows of his presence that still remain, echoes that ring a little too loud from time to time, but for the most part...certain aspects of himself are better left behind.]
Good to know...
[So the beach doesn't even get any use? Lame. It'd be a good space to do some training, or even just enjoy a bit of fishing and swimming if the weather gets hot eno--oh, hello. He actually cocks his head to one side, brows lifting up when she reveals that dagger. Katsuki doesn't necessarily need weapons, his entire body is a weapon, but that doesn't mean he can't appreciate them. But just as fast as the look of appreciation and awe at the dagger appears, what she says next makes his face scrunch up face into that dark scowl all over again.]
...So it's just a fucking group chat and nothing else. [He rubs the space between his eyes, feeling a headache already. Katsuki and social media mix as well as oil and water.] Pass.
no subject
She pockets the dagger again, since she (hopefully) doesn't need it right now. Despite it being glowy, apparently it's not bright enough to light up underneath her sweater. ]
Yeah, and no one here usually has anything useful to say. Just the usual blah blah blah of 'they made a big mistake bringing me here, OooooOooo, I look weird now, someone pat me on the head and tell me I'm a good person, blah blah blah.'
[ Hm. Is there anything else to add? She thoughtfully taps the knife to her beak. ]
... Oh. Name's Lena. Though I'm sure you're already calling me some colorful nickname in your head.
no subject
Swirling the liquid around in his glass, because what else is there to do when he can barely eat what's being served other than finger food, Katsuki rolls his eyes but nods his head. Yeah, that sounds about right in what he would expect. It starts the same way with most isekais...depending on the personality and character tropes the MC has. Boring, predictable, why he gave up playing a lot of RPGs...
His lips curl into a wide and devilish grin a second after opening his mouth to respond with his own name, shoulders shaking with a quiet chuckle. Man, she nailed it, and his expression says as much.]
Cycling through a few, but Peking Dumpling has a nice ring to it, aa? [Another little chuckle, before he jabs his chest with a thumb.] Bakugou Katsuki.
no subject
Mmm. That's about all the info I've got, or at least the stuff that's useful. I doubt you care what the court leaders or called or what they serve for breakfast.
[ She then uses the knife to smooth out her hair feathers a bit, before lightly tossing it back to the house of plates.
... Hope that doesn't do anything. ]
Gunna head out.
wrapped??
If it's any more of this shit, I doubt I'll come back here to be served anything. I can cook for myself anyway.
[And GOD DAMN can he. Katsuki is literally a master class chef and cooks gourmet, restaurant quality dishes without batting and eye. Even from scraps. His hand whips out to catch the tossed knife, twirling it between his fingers like a very sharp and pointy drumstick, before setting it down neatly.]
Ja ne. [See ya.]