Say Something, Anything

[maskormods]

TEST DRIVE MEME

Considering apping into MASK OR MENACE? Want to dip your toes into the setting and get a feel of whether your character will fit into it? Or maybe you're just cruising and want to play around? Then you've come to the right place!

Pick any of the following scenarios below or feel free to make up your own, but don't be afraid to throw yourself at someone else's thread, either!

And remember there's only one rule in Test Drive Meme Club: have fun!

01. The city of Heropa is what one might expect from a small, bright and cheery place, where locals are friendly enough and local shop owners might offer a free drink to welcome you to their fair city. Some of the locals might thank you for always lending your service to the nation, while others might not say anything -- but if you have something nasty to say, better not say anything at all, right? It's been a peaceful month, but memories are long in the Cold War. Some people usher their children away from anyone clearly not 'from around here,' while other natives may be brave enough to directly approach obvious imPorts and ask their thoughts on the war with Russia and what the imPort ambassadors are planning to do about it.

ImPorts are a divisive issues, even in pretty Heropa.

02. De Chima, Virginia, is a large city with a healthy economy, and though it's quieter, there are just as many citizens awed at your very presence. Look at you! Organic wonder! Science and technology are the lifeblood of this city, so you're likely to come across a good many locals taking your picture with the newest of devices. The imPort craze is at an all-time high, and you may find yourself cornered by overzealous imPort fans, media wannabes and opportunists alike, shoving cameras in your face.

Their questions are likely to be fairly mundane, however; get ready for an interview about your taste in romantic partners, personal underwear choices, favourite foods, and more!

03. Maurtia Falls, Pennsylvania, is having a heat wave. Every bit of shade you can spot seems to be occupied by locals or even wildlife seeking to get out of the sun. You might want to check out some consumerism-inclined shelter from the heat that even the night doesn't seem to relieve, be that a smoky and dart-eyed bar full of grumbling locals, or a grimy and industrial coffee shop (full of grumbling locals). ImPorts aren't being welcomes with a punch to the face today, but you might find your water closer to boiling than refreshingly cool or your beer with a surprise ingredient if you walk into the wrong establishment.

04. Nonah, North Carolina, is the liveliest of all cities; loud, busy and there's some kind of energy in the air that gets everyone buzzing with excitement. You may find yourself in the midst of a few closed-off streets for some occasion or another - whether it be a food cart festival, no-car day, or something else! - and surrounded by the hum of people, the waft of food being served on the street, and plenty of attention

Look there -- someone's demoing a VR roller coaster! Won't you give it a shot?

Comments

c

[devoutish]

[The little girl comes over to Alfie next, and he shakes his head at her.]

No, no. Not me. Over there.

[He points at another nearby imPort, and though she's clearly a little dejected, she heads off. At Laurent's question, he looks over, raising his eyebrows.]

Common enough. Giving in encourages them, especially the kids.

[kryo]

[ He has a habit of looking without really looking, so that his gaze falls on Alfie and then away. It's practically bored looking, but of course, Laurent is as ever watchful. ]

Encourages them.

[ This isn't the worst thing she could be encouraged into. ]

I doubt she's going to do anything nefarious with names on a page. [ And he's already countered that by altering his signature for her. She can't copy it. She can't use it. Just because there's no Vere here doesn't mean he isn't one step ahead. Though what a - six, he guesses - six year old could do with a royal edict he doesn't know. ]

[devoutish]

I'm not worried about that, mate. But I don't like being mobbed, yeah?

[And neither does this guy, if he's reading him right.]

[kryo]

[ No.

He tends to prefer his view of crowds from horseback. Still, when a grown adult comes over to beg an autograph, Laurent waves them off with an impatient flick of his wrist. His attention is now fully on Alfie. ]

You're not from here, if they are asking you too. But have you been here long?

[devoutish]

Three days.

[That same adult starts to turn towards Alfie... who gives him the flattest look imaginable, and sends him scurrying away.]

Yeah, three days. Still getting my bearings.

[He seems to be doing all right, though. If he's overwhelmed, he's hiding it well.]

[kryo]

[ That should do away with any inquisitive natives, he thinks. ]

Three days. [ That's at least two longer than he would like to be here. While he understands the concept that time is paused while here, understanding is not quite believing. There's still too much to do in Ios, in Vere. There's still too much left unsaid. He cannot imagine dealing with this gnawing agony of worry for three days. ]

And how have you found this place?

[devoutish]

[That's a complicated question, and Alfie doesn't want to give a complicated answer to someone he's just met. So he goes with the most basic part of it - it might not be the full story, but it's still 100% true.]

It's no substitute for home. I'd like to get ported out as soon as possible.

so sorry about that lol i should have realised but i was canon blind so i was all maybe it's a thing

[kryo]

[ No substitute for home.

Laurent had been promised a new only only moments before being brought here and to have that taken from him rankles. He casts his gaze across the streets before him, then tilts his head Aflie's way. ]

You're right about that. I did ask if there was a way to ... force the issue, but they told me they have no control over the Porter or what it does. It would seem that for the time being we are well and truly stuck.

no worries, it wasn't easily recognizable as a typo! and it made me laugh so

[devoutish]

People get sent back when the Porters "glitch". Take as many trips as you can, yeah? It'll increase your chances.

[An autograph-seeker - another little girl - approaches Alfie from behind and shyly tugs at his sleeve. He takes her by the shoulders and gives her a gentle shove in Laurent's direction. Sorry bro, this is going to be a thing now.]

oh good 8D

[kryo]

[ He's far more interested in the fact that glitching might help him return to Ios, but when Alfie sends another too small child his way, Laurent lets the thought pause. Dutifully he crouches down again, but this one seems afraid of the sudden movement. She stares at him, eyes too wide for her head and then takes a step back. Shy, he thinks. ]

It's all right.

[ He reaches into his pocket and pulls a small coin from it. It's Akielon, a remnant from his play-pretend as Charls and he smiles almost sweetly as he holds it between forefinger and thumb. ] Watch this. [ He does some flourish with it, disappearing the coin from view and the little girl gasps in delight, clapping. ] Now hold out your hand. [ She does as asked and he returns it before dropping it into her palm. He has no use for it, it's not the currency here but it provides a novelty for her. ] You can keep that if you tell your friends to leave us alone for a little while.

[ With a solemn nod she turns and runs and Laurent straightens. ] You mentioned the Porter? I arrived through it, but I have not seen it again. What is it's purpose?

[devoutish]

Travel.

[He waves vaguely in the direction of the nearest one - it's not visible from here, but it's close.]

From imPort city to imPort city. Instantaneous. Fucking strange; I haven't gotten used to it yet.

[kryo]

No horseback?

[ It might actually be the first real hint that Laurent isn't quite as modern as he looks. ]

I'll have to try it out. Does it have any ill-effects?

[devoutish]

Goodness, you really are out of your depth here, aren't you.

If there are ill effects, I haven't been told about them.

[kryo]

Potentially.

[ Yes, he is. ]

But I can tread water like the rest of them. [ He's noticed the strange carriages. He just assumed the cities were too cramped for the usual travel. ]

[devoutish]

So can I.

[Because Alfie is out of his depth, too.]

You're from where?

[kryo]

Vere.

[ He offers it with a small tilt of his head. ]

It is not on any map belonging here, I have checked. [ He would have sailed back to Damen, if he could. ] And you? Is your home on this world's design?

[devoutish]

London, England. Across the ocean. Very far, and back in time besides.

[kryo]

It is no place I have heard of.

[ And he is well-educated. ]

Perhaps our only commonality is that we have been taken against our will. You do not strike me as a willing volunteer. [ Someone who wants to get home so badly could not. ] Are we all so unhappy?

[devoutish]

No, no. There's some people who never want to leave. Yeah? They love it here.

[kryo]

Human nature is what it is.

[ If he didn't have someone he was so desperate to return to. Then, something occurs to him. ]

And the powers? They happen to everyone?

[devoutish]

All us imPorts, yeah. What are yours?

[kryo]

Apparently I can create ice.

[ It's said with some wry amusement, like the whole thing is hysterical. But Laurent can't help but feel a little ... cheated by it all. His cold nature continues to be a wonderful joke. ]

And yours?

[ Because it's only fair. ]

[devoutish]

Have you still got that pen on you, from the autographs?

[kryo]

Mm.

[ He plucks it from a pocket and offers it out. ] One of the guards gave it to me, he said I might have need for it.

[devoutish]

[Alfie takes it and holds it flat on his palm. After a moment or two, it moves up to levitate in the air about a foot above his hand.]