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!

The prompts will always be game canon, provided both characters who participate in a thread are either already in the game, or get accepted in the next application round.

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Please indicate character name and canon in the subject line of your top-level. For current characters, you may also indicate your character's court.

For prospective players, Invites open on the 18th, Reserves on the 20th, and Applications on the 22nd. Thanks for checking us out and we hope you'll join us!

🦋 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

[ Now comes the next question: in front of his fellow Adopted, does he dare to order blood? He’d rather not have to explain his own circumstance, or scare another away. …Not that this stranger appears as if anything would frighten him.

And so, Louis lifts his gloved hand, gesturing toward the kitchen. The movement is mild, well-controlled, so much so that the obsidian bracelets adorning his wrist make no sound. ] After you. I’m still deciding.

[ Another chime breaks apart the clamor of steaming kettles and clanking pans. More muffins. Someone really must be hungry, or having put in an order ahead of time. ]

[It is a surprisingly busy kitchen. They probably shouldn't interrupt, but honestly Spike didn't care. Hazel-eyes slid to the other Adopted. Probably an adopted. A once-over, assessing. Then Spike redirected his attention to the kitchen.]

So, I usually either get it myself or the fae in here bring it...

[Addressing the empty air, but he'd done stranger before. Magic was like that sometimes.]

Don't suppose I could get a mug of blood? Preferably warmed?

[ After another tiny fae collects the next batch of muffins, it departs with an annoyed squeak in the two Adopted’s direction. As for kitchen itself, it does not halt. Instead a separate stove roars with a flame, heating a heavy, bronze cauldron when the stranger asks for-… for…

Blood.

His brow lifts, the first break of his impassive expression, and he looks back at the other Adopted. ]

So they do have it. [ It’s spoken quietly, with relief, a touch of awe. This stranger might as well have saved him. ] And you…

[ A familiar aromatic scent fills the chamber: sanguineous iron, life stirred slowly so it does not burn. The delicate muscles of Louis’ irises contract, and he wavers, a classical picture of starving. He manages to speak again: ] You… need it, too?

[ By the question itself, it’s clear that Louis hadn’t expected to meet someone like him so soon. ]

[That cauldron was more than Spike had been expecting. Not that he restricted himself here, as the last thing anyone needed was him starving. Or any of other vamps although only he and Maurice seemed to use the kitchen.

A side-long look at the other, then turning and Spike canted his head to study him more fully.]

I really wonder what it is the fae like about vampires, bringing so many of us here.

[A shrug.]

Also, surprised you're still rational, way you're acting. Can't be too starving then. You can choose to use the blood the fae are supplying here or not. I choose to. Figure if they were gonna doctor it there are easier ways of doing so, and its in their interest to not have us starve or half-mad. Again, if they want us feral or half-mad they have other, easier ways of doing so probably.

[ Vampire. He remembers when Revenants first appeared; how all bitterly joked at being the mythological “vampires” of a superstitious society. He supposes it’s true, if a somewhat untraditional take of a vampire. ]

Don’t get me wrong, it’s hard to resist. [ Yet, when an attendant fae enters from a storeroom and dips a ladle into the kettle, Louis’ gaze cuts to the preparation. He tracks the beverage without blinking asthe fae brings it over to the other Adopted. Mild steam rises from the mug like long, slender fingers coaxing another to indulge. A tendon flickers in his cheek.

Still, he abstains. There’s one more thing he must ask— ]

Do you know from where they source?

[Well, Spike could get used to this treatment. Even if he was waiting to see what he'd have to do in exchange. It has also not escaped him at all the way the other's attention focuses on the mug. No blinking, a facial tic.

Oh yes, the other is hungry. As it is he takes the mug and let's himself sniff it. Savoring that wonderful life-giving scent. He very much appreciated NOT being hungry.]

No clue, but I'm pretty sure it's mostly mammalian at least. I can live off of it, as it were. Can't do that unless it's a mammal's blood.

[ He watches.

Watches as the other takes the mug and lifts it near his face, watches as he smells its contents. The aroma is pungent enough that the writhing cry of the donor creature can almost be heard. Ripe prey. Succulent.

Louis briefly closes his eyes, exhaling through his nose.

Then his eyes snap open, elevating to meet the stranger’s. His tone is now low, a forced resignation. ] I suppose one can’t afford to be picky.

[ He addresses the kitchen: ] I’ll have the same.

[ And his cup is not difficult to produce, given the cauldron is already warm. The fae brings it over. ]

[After having a sip, Spike arches his eyebrow and regards the other.]

Damn right you can't afford to be picky. Gotta get you not hungry, so if you do need donors you can be calm and rational and in full control. Got a name? When did you last feed?

[Please don't let this one not know how to be a vampire. Spike already had Maurice to watch out for and teach.]

[ At last the mug reaches his hand. Louis peers at its contents for only a second— contemplative, reluctant, watching his own reflection— and then lifts the beverage. Crimson kisses his lips, warm and thickened, and he swallows.

A bucolic taste, if a touch salty. A preservative, maybe? He can’t identify the beast used, either, but it was most certainly an herbivore.

(If she could see him now, parched and needy enough to drink from an unknown creature… what sort of monster has he become?)

But with this first gulp, the tension in his brow eases, and now his look turns contemplative. ] Louis. [ He answers, at first absently, but after another indulgent gulp, his tone strengthens. ] Louis Amamiya. [ He looks at the other again. ] And let’s just say it’s been a while.

[ He’d be remiss to not show gratitude when it’s due, however. ] I owe you one, so, …what should I call you?

Spike. Best way you can repay it is by not letting yourself get hungry again. Last thing we need are any of us going feral without a very good reason.

[Spike said, then took another sip. He still thought the vampire council was kind of ridiculous. But he agreed--in the tribal commune sense. And he'd agreed to be one of the enforcers if needed. Spike took that responsibility seriously.]

A good point. [ Frankly, he should be embarrassed at how easily the other clocked him as hungry. With the clarity of mind satiation affords, Louis can concur. He brings up his free hand, running it through his hair. ]

You mentioned “we”? More than just us, then.

There's a few of us here, yeah. Not gonna out anyone else though--they wanna keep it all secret, they can. We all seem to be from different worlds too.

[ A nod, understanding. ] That’s along the lines of my next question—

It this place… generally accepting of those like us? I’m not sure how it’s in your world, and fae seem to be indifferent. [ Some fae eat babies for breakfast, so. ]

[Spike studies him over his mug, assessing and not being shy about it. It's a subtle shift of posture too, alert. Loose, alert, and confident. Someone who knows how to move and is trained and experienced.]

Well, that depends. You plan to play nice?

[ Louis’ chin tilts up. He neither shirks nor engages. ]

As one should.

Not everyone does what they 'should'. Nor is everyone's definition of nice the same. No making new vamps, no making servants or ghouls, no murdering where you live. You need to eat, you do it discreetly and clean up after yourself. No bringing attention unduly on the rest of us.

[Spike laid out the terms, firm and still studying the other. He was actually really good at reading people. More observant and perceptive than most people gave him credit for.]

[ Louis may have a rather impassive cadence, but at least he has the decency to look a bit offended at the assumption he'd go about and murder someone-- with a slight turn of his cheek, a level stare. Stating his case can't be vouched for lack of trust, and so he simply agrees with a single word: ] Fair.

[ Louis brings a thumb to his mouth, wiping at the corner of his lips. ]

I'm guessing this means that the "rest of us" are more or less civil, too. If so, that's good to hear. It's worth protecting.

Well, depends on how you define civil. But we're at least all aligned on not trying to make it harder on each other. Most people aren't very charitable in their view towards vampires already, y'know?

We have something called a group chat, that's a private group, over our communication devices. Just for us. We're also loosely organized into a 'council'. Doesn't do much though.

Big thing besides what I've laid out already is don't out anyone else without their permission. I'm pretty open about what I am.

[ A brow raises at the mention of a council, then lowers when Spike mentions that it doesn't do much. There are a number of questions that bubble to mind, but Louis puts them on hold for now. ]

...For which I'm grateful. I came from a world where our kind do not have to hide what we are, so I was uncertain what the standard is in this one. I know you can't speak for the others on this council, but... do you feel safe here? As a vampire, that is.

Of course, I wouldn't mind meeting the others through the forum.

I mean, I don't feel any more or less safe than I would were I not a vampire. Actually no, I do feel safer being a vampire because I'm not as squishy as a human. But other than that, it hasn't made a difference.

I don't really hide who or what I am. Not beyond practicality. We do have a Slayer here, but so long as you play nice, she's likely to as well.

Edited 2025-06-30 01:01 (UTC)

Slayer?

[ He asks this with a slight cant of his head. It's clear he hasn't heard the term. ]

A vampire hunter. Where I'm from, she's a big deal and the Slayer, capital s. Empowered to fight us on our own terms in a way most humans aren't.

[Spike took another drink.]

It's a whole deal, with their being a chosen one, and when one dies another being called and all. Most don't tangle with a Slayer. I've killed two before, and fought this one a few times. Our situations complicated though. Like I said, you play nice and she's likely to play nice.

[ Louis lifts his free hand, palm up, in a show of peace. He'll steer clear.

And although he doesn't smile, his tone is wry: ] Don't worry, I'm allergic to danger. I leave you to this Slayer.

[Spike shrugs. He's really not too worried about Buffy in this regard. He warned the other vamps, and he knows her. She'll play nice for the most part so long as they do. He's more worried about her for other reasons than her being the capital S.]

But yeah basically mind your manners, don't bring trouble down on all of us, and you'll get along okay. Other questions?

I do have other, actually. But I need to think some things over, first. I can message you later, if you'd want. But other than that... [ A pause, and then he offers: ]

I appreciate this conversation. Truly.

Test Drive Meme #3

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