pixieledmemes | Test Drive Meme #2

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Test Drive Meme #2

TDM #2 - March/April 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.

You do not need an invitation to join the Test Drive Meme, it's open for anyone!

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 a garden party at the crack of dawn, with the sun still in its early stages of climbing through the yonder, casting a good mix of pastel hues of blue, pink, and beige on everything. Heralding the first day of spring, the Ruler of the Spring Court has found it fitting to arrange this gathering where guests can feel the blades of grass touching their ankles, as well as the rich soil beneath their feet. Flowers of all kinds surround the party as if they were carefully curated. With spring as the "dawn of seasons," which marks a transition from winter's latency to the resurgence of life everywhere, the Ruler of the Dawn Court has also seen it fit to host aspects of this party during the one time of the year that dawn occurs the whole day. Tall candles and torches grace the outskirts of the garden party, providing warmth and an orange glow everywhere. Not one flame goes out even with the occasional wind, the Duchess always makes sure of this.

There are also freshly picked blossoms and branches with leaves on every table accenting the festive spread of food and drinks. This time, a lot of the food prepared for the Adopted guests are familiar to them with a little bit of a twist. Burgers might come in small packages and in toothpicks, while hotdogs in buns are also diminutive. Cookies look delectable but they have a flowery flavor to them, as if eating freshly picked daisies or daffodils. Fruits that may have been present in an Adopted's home, such as pineapples and watermelons, have seeds in odd places. Picking this selection of food is an attempt to be more welcoming and to appease the lovely guests the fae have invited.

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.

🦋 Chance at a Dance

A party is not complete without dancing, of course, and while during the last gathering held for the Adopted, different fae danced to music exclusively for them around a glowing tree, this time they are insisting their guests to join in.

This is a party for you, after all.

If the prodding of the different fae hosts won't convince you, perhaps the music will. They play easily recognizable tunes that their wonderful guests must have heard before. These melodies have certain unique effects to their mortal attendees, which are as follows:

Upbeat Music: You will believe that you and your dance partner have been friends forever and have known each other a long time.
Romantic Music: You will become amorous and flirtatious towards your dance partner.
Slow Music: You will develop some tension with your dance partner. It may be negative or sexual; completely up to you.
Quiet Music: You will assume your dance partner is a threat and try to fight them.

🦋 Flower Power

At the Spring King's behest, every Adopted should wear a flower corsage or boutonnière to the gathering. After all, this is to celebrate the coming of spring and what better way to do that than to honor everything in bloom.

The thing is, though, the King of Spring, while amorous and friendly, also has a penchant for playing with mortals' memories, if not also affect their desires and despairs.

So, mischievous as he is, he made sure to enchant the different flowers present in every corsage and boutonnière for the party with the effects below:

Rose: You will recall a horrific trauma
Carnation: You will see a vision of your future, whether it's good or bad
Orchid: You will remember a time you lost someone
Chrysanthemum: You will believe someone among the Adopted is your soulmate
Dahlia: You will believe you betrayed someone important to you, whether you actually did or not

It is perhaps a good thing that no one but the Adopted are allowed to see these visions and memories, but everyone who wears a corsage or boutonnière will be able to see each other's memories and visions when in close enough physical proximity to the vision-haver, for better or for worse.

🦋 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.

Tell us all of a time you gave someone a gift. Perhaps a bouquet of flowers or a box of chocolates. Was it appreciated or not? A reward might await the most meaningful gift given.

🦋 Link to Overflow Post

ｎａｖｉｇａｔｉｏｎ

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[It was only a matter of time until someone arrived. They turn slowly to look at the Duke, clearly wary. Nobody's shown any hostility yet, but maybe that's worse...

Especially considering he can clearly tell what they are. That's enough to put him on high alert.]

This table is more grand than the rest of the party. [He still doesn't eat.] What's the occasion?

I have eaten things that made me feel bad, but they were not food.

[ His ears fold back at the memory. ]

When I was small, I ate part of my master's shoe. It did not taste good and my master was not happy with me. But I am a good dog! I have not eaten any more shoes.

Starving dogs bite first but one that is fed is obedient.

Well... What if I tell you that this food is actually shoes in disguise?

[ Out of all Odin's children, Angela is not typically the one known for lies. But this lie is for a greater purpose ]

[ QUEENOFZAUN. silco doesn't think twice who that might be. he's certain. the realization that bothers him the most is that if she's here, with him, there is only one logical answer to how that could be possible. and he's angry. it's a fetid thing in the pit of his chest. someone will pay for that. ]

I see you're making good use of yours.

[ So, like.

It's really hard to feel like you're being judged by a dog.

And yet. ]

Oh, I would know if it was a trick. I am very clever. This food cannot be shoes because it does not smell like shoes.

[Well, this is kind of weird. They're staring in curiosity, and maybe they're getting a bit too close with those few steps forward. Although, there's nothing outright malicious about Caelus and their movements. They're fascinated than anything, tilting their head to the side to get a better look at the other soul on the inside.]

Nope. I have no idea what you are. If you wanna tell me, then that's fine. I'll be happy to listen.

[Now they're stepping forward again, just barely hovering over the smaller man. Their eyes staring down at the soul, and getting a much better look of what's inside. A hand tapping at their chin.]

Both different colors, but also similar... Very interesting. I've only seen this in one instance, and that was with my sister and I.

[ Alright, well. She tried.

Angela fetches a plate of hamburgers from the table and sets it on the ground before the dog. ]

Very well. You have been warned.

[ He was not too sure if this place was a mind illusion or real. He knew the tales though, of breaks in the world, of the Fair Folk and their tricks, but he was also well aware that the world in his eye was not the same as what others see. So he kept himself amused by wandering the gathering, seeking others that were not so elegantly dressed.

The food was not exactly what he had expected either much too other worldly and when the Lady spoke, he snorted. So tales could be true after all. There were mutters of distress from other people but one voice caught his ear and he turned, focused and then slowly smiled. Oh yes. One of them. ]

Do you really think the Fair Ones need to joke?

Finally someone that gets me. My siblings always make fun of me for hating the heat, but if it's too hot or too cold, it's uncomfortable either way.

[Aww. She's so cute... Her demeanor is enough to make them chuckle, brightening up a bit more.]

Don't worry, your secret is safe with me. Wherever you're placed, I'm sure you'll be just fine. As much as I... Dislike the fact that I'm here, they do a pretty good job, putting us where we need to be. So I wouldn't worry too much.

[They extend a hand out now, introducing themselves properly.]

I'm Caelus. And you're...?

[There almost taken aback at the sudden change in setting. It's jarring at first, but they're quick to adjust to the new setting. They were far away from the crowd, which was nice. If they were to do a transaction, all the noise would just interrupt them or make them lose their train of thought.

What was more interesting, though, is that the merchant's voice changes. Caelus blinking a few times in surprise again, before chuckling underneath their breath.

It doesn't last long, as their attention is brought back to the fabric. They want to touch it, but given how protective they appeared about the box of goodies, they'll refrain from doing so. Instead, watching it with a careful eye as it changes color.]

That looks beautiful... What payment do you want for it?

[They're prepared for something that they can't afford honestly, but they wait for an answer from the merchant, not wanting to sell them short.]

Magic. [ Silco scoffs. Magic is an uppercity problem, except those gemstones had been a chance to bridge the gap between them, to drag themselves out from beneath and sit on top. That fresh air had been so close. ] That's a lesson in not using bomb when a knife would do. [ Taking the bottle, he uncorks it and pours himself a drink. It has no legs, but he can make do. All he needed was something stronger than what he'd been served. ]

Ah, yes. Mirka's son. Viktor. [ A pause, one to put the pressure on the tension in the air. ] Didn't want to be a clockmaker like her, I see. What did you grow up to be?

"Hah -- you give me too much credit, honestly."

Caelus certainly talks like they're friends, despite having few and far between back home. Still, even under the music's influence, it was pleasant to feel like this, in a place that was still unknown to them. It's a comforting feeling, and they continue to flow together easily and perfectly. He was clearly just as talented as Caelus is.

"Oh? And what exactly do you do if you aren't on a stage? Color me surprised that you aren't a stage actor of sorts. Certainly act like one."

They playfully chuckle, teasing them of course.

[ An enigmatic smile graces the banshee's lips as she floats in place, hovering a few inches off the ground. ] Just me.

How have you been enjoying your time here? [ Sahar says as she turns back to the candles and torches she's been tending to and relighting as they extinguish. ] Much more accepting than home, hm?

[Nahobino looks up, feeling the hair on the back of their neck rise. Is this some kind of intimidation tactic? They make sure not to move, holding their ground. Their fingers twitch in anticipation of things going south.

Young man, there's no telling what else they can tell with such developed senses, Aogami says in the back of his head. There's a long pause. What colors do you think we are?

There's not much time to consider that when Caelus continues. Sister and them...?]

That, [What? Even demons with siblings don't sync up in the same way a demon matches their Knowledge.] You're very strange.

my people needed something to believe in. they were so pathetic and desperate that they chose me. the poor saps.

[ Ah, it's her favorite puppy. ] Mister Chandler. [ Sahar greets back, grabbing the sides of her dress and curtseying slightly as a wide, enigmatic smirk stretches across her lips. ]

How was last night? I didn't hear any screaming coming from my dorm so I presume well? [ The banshee chuckles pleasantly. She's certainly in a much better mood than she typically is; when it's her time to rule, she can't help but be more personable. ]

[All the hairs stood up on his neck at the voice. That voice. In an instant, Aya withdrew his sword, Shion, and whipped around to the face that went with the question, scowling down his blade. Some guests stepped back and looked surprised, while others sneered at the threat of violence during the welcoming of spring and the start of life renewed.

But Aya didn't mind opening spring with death.]

Not everyone takes life seriously. [Did he really want to start a fight with Farfarello? Even with his frustration at the situation, fighting with someone lacking the sensation of pain was unnerving, but he'd do it. If he's lucky, they'll both bleed out of this beatific hellscape.]

[He's still staring where the tree of twisting timelines was floating, looking incredibly dubious about the tale. That's where Loki sits and watches time.

In fucking Yggdrasil.]

No. I don't want to know about my future. [Because what he'd like is for it to be 'you stay retired and everything goes great and you live just long enough to see your kids grow up to be happy adults and then die in some spectacular freakshow fashion because you were never going to avoid that, now, come on, be serious', but he doesn't want to know. He's not sure if that screws up time. This probably screws up time. Everything he's being told probably screws everything up, unless it doesn't, and that's why Loki's telling him? Mostly, mostly he just wants to know if Loki understands him, where he's at right now, the reasons Loki isn't the worst thing to happen to him anymore, but the more Loki talks, the less it seems like it matters. Certainly not on a cosmic scale.

Which. Is sounding more and more like the kind of scales Loki works with now.]

Obviously someone figured out a way for you to leave. Unless you tossed an illusion of yourself here for fun.

I'd have to get to know you and your version of your brother. [Clint spreads his hands--well, a hand and most fingers of the other hand, given, y'know, steak knife.] You're not my Loki; he's not my Thor. Your Kate's not my Kate. [Who definitely can't be a teammate of Loki.

At least it sounds like Loki can be under the magical influence, too. But given their countenance outside the music, it sure as hell seems hard to tell if that's actually the truth or not.]

You're just used to this stuff, aren't you?

True. [ He reached out and tapped the edge of the blade, drawing blood and his eye narrows at the humor of this of all things. ] After all, some draw steel for just a mere answer.

[ He taps it once, twice and pulls away, licking the cuts while watching Aya. There was something so solid about the determination in the swordsman's stance, like he expects a fight. Farfarello just clicks his tongue and dropped his hand. He was armed of course, but he finds the situation hilarious. And unnerving. The Fair Ones may be acting human but they were not one to underestimate. ]

Put that away; if I wished to fight, I'd already have a knife in your gut.

[Loki gives him a look. That logically makes sense, but they both know getting to know them doesn't matter, not really.]

Would you have brought a knife to Thor's throat? Would you still be holding said knife were Thor in front of you?

[That's their point. Kate's probably a better dancer in any universe too.]

I've been here for a bit. The story likes to toss us around as stories are like to do. This one is fun, so I see no reason not to go along with it.

[ he gives him a long look, but seems satisfied enough by the answer. that's.. good. this, being here, is creating a new branch, anyway, so technically, none of it is accurate anymore anyway. and being here, being mired in time, so thoroughly and painfully aware of himself at every moment, every tick-tick-ticking second, makes it hard to look at the big picture timelines people live in.

and more importantly, while he's here, he doesn't want to know. ]

Mm, [ he agrees, brows knitting as he shifts in the chair, planting his elbow on the arm and his chin on the backs of his fingers. his eyes are drawn back toward the fae officials attending the party, expression taking on a worried hint. ] Somehow, they've stabilized the tree without me being physically there, but I don't know how. [ he can still feel the threads of the tree woven through him, through his magic, so he hasn't been cut off from it, at least. that would be.. disastrous.

it's nothing he wants to consider at the moment, though. instead, his gaze returns to the other man, the worried look smoothing into question instead. ] Barton-- [ he hesitates, straightening again. ] Be careful here. You'll want to be cautious of the court rulers, as well as what you say to the fae and how you say it. [ a beat. ] There's also another Loki here-- [ well, there's sylvie, too, but she doesn't identify as a loki, and he wouldn't warn people about her anyway. ] --and they seem to be fairly well-meaning, but.. [ a click of his tongue. ] .. still a Loki, yes?

[He'll have to take a number for knife gutting. Some random kid from the mean streets of New York already beat him to it, and he lived to...just have this lunatic touching his blade. Aya grit his teeth and strengthened his resolve to not strike outright for the sheer audacity. His hands would surely have the grooves of his hilt embossed into his skin with the grip he has.

Aya isn't naive enough to think the other was unarmed. Even without his blade, he still had a gun on his person. With a few steps back, he at least sheathed his weapon, but not outright put it away, in a sense. Not yet. Not until their encounter was done and far more distance was put between them. Preferably an entire realm. He still has one hand on the scabbard and the other on the hilt, ready to withdraw it again.]

If you're looking for company, then you're looking in the wrong place. [The rest of Schwartz didn't seem to be present, but it wouldn't be farfetched if they were waiting in the wings, so to speak.]

[ Charles goes very quickly from trauma memory to absolute delight, because what a darling little robot. And they're even speaking to him telepathically! How novel! How--

Hang on, this either means that his telepathy also extends to sentient robots, or that the sentient robot has an organic brain with organic brainwaves. He'll have to figure it out later. For now, he's simply too distracted with meeting a robot that talks and doesn't want to destroy his species. ]

I'm quite alright now, thank you. Just a momentary lapse.

[ One that he has no explanation for, but, well. He can figure that out later, too. ]

Have you been brought here against your will, too? Or are you a local?

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Test Drive Meme #2

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