Oh how the gentle wind beckons through the leaves!

[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? This month has been a rocky one, and locals are beginning to eye imPorts with renewed scrutiny; if people like them can get superpowers, are imPorts really that special, after all? 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 populated by a whole lot of people who are having awfully bad days. With the emergence of locals with superpowers, many seem to have latched onto their new supercharged identities with an incredible amount of gusto. As your character walks down the street, they may find themselves accosted by a large man in his mid-20s, dressed in an ill-fitting spandex suit of orange and yellow. As he thrusts his finger into an imPort's face, the spandex rides up, turning into more of a crop-top, which he duly tugs back down before shouting, "You're not the special ones anymore, imPorts! Feel the wrath of Heartburn!"

Stupid name aside, he does seem to have superpowers as he breathes a large plume of fire. His aim isn't great, though; it could hit the imPort in question, or be sent in the direction of a nearby local, or even a particularly flammable building.

What will you do, Hero?

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. This fine day, pumpkin spice seems to be in style, to the point at which you happen to be crashing an open pumpkin spice festival. From drinks to sweet treats to some other things that really, really shouldn't be pumpkin spice flavoured (pumpkin spice flavoured vodka, anyone? It tastes like regret!), everyone seems to be in the mood for the upcoming season.

Taste test a few samples and take in the hustle and bustle of the city, everyone! And hey, if just gorging yourself isn't enough, why not try your hand at the pumpkin carving contest going on? The competition is fierce!

Comments

cassandra pentaghast | dragon age

[buttonedup]

de chima ||
( Cassandra has never seen so many flashing lights in her life. Despite being in a whole new world, she still can't truly believe that people have found a way to make fame even more unbearable. While at least they're not asking about that time she "single-handedly" saved the nation of Orlais (do these people even know where Orlais is), the questions are quickly growing more and more inappropriate. Surely there are some topics that should be safe from interrogation by a complete and utter stranger?

It is after being quizzed on her personal underwear choices that Cassandra can no longer maintain her facade of stone-faced disdain. Her voice is nothing but scorn itself: )

Andraste preserve me. I preferred the dragons.

( And of course, someone, somewhere in the crowd, picks up on her muttered contempt and starts yelling about dragons. Has she seen dragons? Talked to dragons? Tell us more about the dragons.

Maker's breath. She'd much rather be back in Thedas dealing with Corypheus than...

all this. )

nonah ||

( She stands out with her armor and sword and shield, but she is no strangers to points and whispers, so she ignores the attention and instead focuses on ... the pumpkins.

Why are there so many pumpkins? How can so many things possibly taste like pumpkins? )

I do not understand. ( While her lips are drawn into a grim line, her eyes are wide, bewildered. ) Am I missing some special signifigance of this event?

( No, seriously, what is the point. She understands celerbations, to an extent, but this seems almost like needles frivolity.


...

Sometime later, she can be found curiously sampling the pumpkin-spice flavoured vodka.

There are so many regrets. )

nonah

[stubble]

[ He recognizes her instantly. The armor is certainly a giveaway, yes, but it's her face he sees first: that of a friend in a sea of strangers. Immediately, he starts moving through the crowd toward her. He's dressed like one of them, in a pair of this world's strange jeans and a short-sleeved shirt. Having been a resident of the place for a few months, he's almost comfortable in these clothes.

Even before he reaches her, Cullen has accepted the fact that she may not be the Cassandra he knows. She might be like Iron Bull, knowing him yet having different memories of Thedas. Or she might be entirely different, like Inquisitor and the woman calling herself the Champion of Kirkwall. Perhaps she doesn't know him at all. Still, he must try.

When he is close enough for her to hear him and the crowd has parted to leave him a clear line of sight, Cullen calls out to her; ]

This world is nothing like Thedas, is it?

[ Then he's moving closer, lowering his voice as he stop beside her. A slight smile curves his mouth. ]

It is good to see you, Cassandra.

[buttonedup]

( It takes her a moment to recognise him, simply because she hadn't been expecting to see him here at all, but her brows knit in acknowledgement after a moment and a second glance. What in the name of the Maker is he wearing?

That is a less important question that can be left for another time, however, and instead, the corners of Cassandra's lips curve into a soft smile. )

I did not expect to see anyone I knew here.

( She clasps her hands behind her back, straightening up as she looks him over again. Eyebrows knotting just that little bit further into an expression that is more perplexed than anything, she asks, with a tilt of the head: )

You have settled in well, I take it?

( Perhaps, later, he can explain the ubiquitous pumpkins to her. )

[stubble]

[ His own smile grows when it becomes clear that she recognizes him. It isn't effusive by any means, but it no longer looks like he might be trying to hide it either. But then she asks that question and he cannot help but chuckle. It's low and quiet, though genuine, and the amusement reaches his eyes. ]

I am not certain I would say I have done it well.

[ There are scorch marks still in his home from the debacle with the microwave and a variety of machines that he still avoids. And that doesn't even begin to touch on this public transportation nonsense. ]

But I have been making the attempt. In a few months' time—[ He rolls his shoulders in a casual shrug. ]—perhaps I will do better. [ Cullen gestures toward the crowd, the festival, and more broadly, the world itself. ] What do you make of all this?

[buttonedup]

( She regards their immediate vicinity first, her eyes never quite losing that dazed look, even in Cullen's presence. ) I mislike this. What is with the preoccupation with pumpkins, anyway? It is much like any other vegetable.

( But she gets the sense he's not merely referring to the festivities occurring around them, and she shifts her weight from one foot to another as she answers. ) More generally speaking, well. I believe my first answer still stands. All these people walking about with magic-like powers and little to no oversight... Honestly, it amazes me that such a place can even function. ( And not turn into some sort of terrifying reflection of the Tevinter Imperium. The thought is enough to make her frown unhappily. )

Tell me, Commander. What do you make of it all?

Nonah

[authorised]

[Varric, stature aside, has managed to adapt fairly well to his new surroundings. He's traded his usual wear for a red jacket and v-neck t-shirt ("Bad Choices Make Great Stories," it says), and a pair of jeans, so height and hair aside she'd be forgiven for not recognizing him on sight.

But he sidles up next to her when he sees her, as casual as ever, and sips his pumpkin spice latte (two extra shots, extra whipped cream).]

I dunno. Tried asking, but the closest that I got was something about perverting an old celebration of the harvest or...something like that. I guess they've got to have some way of marking it, since they don't even call the month 'Harvestmere.'

[buttonedup]

( Cassandra has unfortunately spent far too much time around Varric to not recognise him on sight, although his attire, too, causes her to do a double-take as he approaches.

Of course. Of course. Of course she has been chewed up and spat out into a foreign world by the designs of some magical artefact, but still cannot be rid of the dwarf. For the better or the worse, it seems that their fates are irrevocably entertwined. Maker take her, she should have never taken him to Haven with her.

She sighs. For a moment there, she had almost forgotten just how angry she is with him. Ignoring everything he's said about pumpkins and harvests, Cassandra instead snaps: )

Of course I would find you here. It is just my luck.

[authorised]

You wound me, Seeker.

[He says, sounding not at all wounded and in fact taking another nonchalant sip of his latte.]

Whatever would you do with all that peace and quiet if I weren't around?

[buttonedup]

( The problem is that Varric actually has a point, though she's certainly not going to tell him that. His ego is already large enough, she feels. )

Perhaps I would finally have a chance to relax.

( Her lips quirk slightly as she says it because, all-in-all, it is a jest. Relax? Cassandra simply wouldn't know how. Not without some of her favourite novels, at least.

Eyes narrowing in suspicion, she continues: ) How do I know you're not somehow involved in -- in all of this?

It feels like something so outlandish it could only happen in your books.

de chima

[whathawksdo]

Yes, do tell us all about dragons.

[ Encourages the very Fereldan-sounding woman from the back.

Hawke's ended up lingering behind the rest of the crowd, much preferring being on the ignored end of the attention at the moment. She doesn't look new, clothing already well adapted to blending in with the locals (and jeans are a blessing, let me tell you), and if it weren't for the gaggle of dogs hanging out around her, she likely wouldn't stand out at all. It's De Chima, so, for once, at least one or two of the dogs are hers, but the rest--

Well. Those aren't so important.

Normally, she might intervene in an imPort-surrounded-by-curious-people situation, but this one had mentioned Andraste. Not recognizing Cassandra, she's a little more inclined to play it safe for now, all these random bystanders between her and the lady with the sword. ]

[buttonedup]

( Cassandra looks up sharply at her heckler, feels a surge of familiarity, but quickly dismisses it as nonsense. The call to talk more about dragons causes Cassandra to grimace, but she's either in an obliging mood or feeling completely trapped, as she answers: )

Their teeth stink, and their shits even moreso.

( There's a few wails of disappointment at Cassandra's response; one of the crowd, who is surely a child of not much more than ten, starts hammering at her feet impatiently with his fists.

She has had enough and before she can put much further thought into her next course of action, Cassandra is shoving through the throng with little regard to politeness, pushing through so she may approach the woman who had called out.

... Why is she surrounded by so many dogs? )

[whathawksdo]

[ The porter decided there'd be some humor in her being an actual dog lord. Not that "cursed to be surrounded by dogs a lot" is something Hawke is bound to complain (much) about. Anywy, she'll stay where she is, with all her dogs, as Cassandra wades through the people towards her. ]

They also get terribly big and have a ridiculous amount of children. [ Or maybe just enough to flood mine tunnels full of the damn beasts. ] Very troublesome. Lucky for you, the few that are here don't cause as much of that.

[buttonedup]

They are disinclined towards breeding? ( She is close enough to be heard at a normal volume now, and also close enough to be wary of just how many dogs there are nearby. )

That is a relief. Are there many dragons here at all?

( For a woman who doesn't want to talk about dragons she sure is talking a lot about dragons. )

Nonah | I'm so sorry. XD

[sleight_of_hand]

[ Adachi had just been about to get a mouthful of pumpkin goodness when he spotted Ms. Obviously Out Of Place. Didn't even the fantasy types eventually at least get a set of modern clothes? Sheesh, she was going to poke someone's eye out at this rate, not to mention how ridiculous that arm gear was. ]

[ But actually hearing her sound so confused was what had Adachi grabbing another pumpkin latte and approaching her. Hey, it was his responsibility as a fine upstanding citizen and private detective to aid the new guys, right? ]

Ah... hey? Sorry, but...

[ He offered the latte out to her. ]

I know it's confusing, but it's the time of year for people on this world to worship pumpkins. So pretty much everything gets made out of pumpkin as a result. It's pretty good though.

[ See? He was so helpful. ]

omg never apologise! It's been too long since I've played with an Adachi!

[buttonedup]

( Cassandra accepted the offered drink, fingers curling around the unfamiliar material of the cup. The look of disgust on her face shows that she is clearly skeptical of the man's claims. )

Just how do they make drinks out of pumpkins? It sounds... ( disgusting, honestly, but she was at least gracious enough to say it like that to a stranger who is being nominally nice ) ... most unappetising.

Is there a reason the people of this world revere a vegetable?

( And if they truly are meant to be sacred, why do they eat them. )

^^ He is just going to infuriate her so much I feel guilty.

[sleight_of_hand]

[ Adachi almost snorted into his drink, trying so very hard not to smile at the look on her face. Wow, that was the face of a woman that had never been subject to the Pumpkin Spice apocalypse. He tried to at least look a little encouraging instead, taking a pointed sip of his drink. ]

Well, I think they mash up and strain the stuff inside? I don't know the process exactly. But it's not just drinks: it's in pies, breads, ice cream, hair care products...

[ ...wait, was it? Eh, probably not, but he wouldn't be surprised. ]

Apparently in this country there was something about natives welcoming people from another continent and magic and witches and pumpkins were involved.

[ He's probably crossing a few things there. ]

de chima

[annihiliner]

[The crowd says imPort already, but it's the clothes that give her away as a new arrival, and one likely from a world quite different to this one as well. Some of whom adjust quickly, while others just fall into the deep end without a lifeline.

No one seems to have noticed Lexa yet in their excitement, but once they do, things will only get more complicated, so she allows Cassandra to field their inane questions a little longer as she flags down a taxi and tells the driver to wait just a moment. Only then does she approach, easily and confidently cutting through the crowd until she's face-to-face with the woman at their center. Instead of eager enthusiasm like everyone else though (picking up even greater at the sight of a reasonably well-known imPort now), Lexa looks Cassandra up and down with a cool but somewhat curious expression.]

If you're looking for a quick escape, I have one.

[buttonedup]

( Lexa might feel detatched, and perhaps she is, compared to the fervour of the crowd around them. Cassandra, however, looks at the woman like she's thrown her a lifeline. Which she has. She does not know this stranger, nor the strange contraption she has waiting with her, but Cassandra is quite frankly past the point of caring. )

Yes. Please. ( Her voice is raspy, she is a woman drowning. ) It would be much appreciated.

[annihiliner]

Follow me then.

[It's said in time with a small nod, and then Lexa is turning and heading toward the cab. She's spoken to a number of people in similar situations before and, remembering her own arrival, tried to in some small way make the transition a little easier for them at least.

She received a good deal of help when she first arrived as well, but honestly most did not come until she learned how to use the network and intentionally sought it. So when she sees those who might need that little extra, she feels like she ought to do what she can to assist. It's not as if it puts Lexa out that much to do so.

And it never hurts to be on the good side of a potentially strong warrior of course.]

The people in vehicles with signs like these? They'll take you wherever you like in the city, for a fee. They're a useful resource here.

De Chima

[kingofbabbylon]

That was a pretty careless thing to say for someone who seeks less attention.

[The bemused comment comes from a small boy that had somehow found his way up beside her without incident, beaming up at her like a kid who had just seen a puppy.]

...Not that you were doing a very good job of it before.

[He eyes the ornamental armor without losing an of his amusement, despite his criticism.]

[buttonedup]

( Cassandra looks down at her clothes and while she is nominally aware that her attire stands out, she is nowhere near comfortable enough with this world to change into something different.

Ugh. She scoffs, before returning her attention to the boy. )

It is nowhere as interesting as people believe. I am simply wanting to go about my day.

( And failing, clearly. )

[kingofbabbylon]

Such is the burden of fame. All imports seem to arrive with such status. ...Even if they don't deserve it.

[Not that one of such noble bearing didn't, he assumed.]

But I think that familiarity breeds complacency. For example: I doubt a single one of them has ever seen a Knigth before. Or been in the presence of true royalty.

[A bit of a leap there... But if anybody knew the tells of a life of nobility, it was him.]

nonah!

[sidequestings]

[ when he sees the unmistakable form of the seeker, mahanon's first reaction is to light up like a damned christmas tree-- right until he remembers that, oh yeah, she probably won't have the first clue who he is. still! that's no reason to ignore or avoid her-- and he's already gone through this with bull (sort of) and dorian and cullen, so it's.. a little easier, now.

so he slides in next to her as she peers at some of the offerings, dressed in a light, oversized sweater and jeans. despite the modern clothes, though, there's obviously no mistaking his ears or his vallaslin.

he glances up to give her a swift, amused grin. ] It's apparently a fall thing in this world. I'm not really sure about the craze, either. [ the smile fades, then, a little uncertain. ] .. Hello. I was wondering if the rest of you would show up. Dorian and Cullen and the Bull are here already.

slams into here finally

[buttonedup]

( Cassandra, however, similarly lights up when she sees him (once he is close enough to be recognisable even with the bizarre attire, that is). She does her best to hold her joy in check; she is no young blushing maiden and she knows that giddiness is not a good look on her. Instead, her hands move automatically to clasp behind her back and she gives Mahanon a curt nod. )

Inquisitor. It is good to see you, regardless of the current circumstances. ( She is starting to suspect that the Void itself may be constructed entirely out of these "pumpkin-spiced lattes". )

I've spoken with the the Commander already. Presently, I am... uncertain whether I should be grateful or concerned that others have come from Thedas as well.

picks u up and puts in pocket

[sidequestings]

[ .. it's his cassandra! finally. he could absolutely hug her if it wouldn't embarrass her-- he's that glad to see her. it's terrible that they're trapped here--that any of them are trapped here--but if he has to be, cassandra is a good one to be trapped with.

he finds that he's practically beaming at her, and has to struggle a little to get his expression back under control. ]

It's.. very, very good to see you, too. [ no, really. but he's not sure she's quite ready for the other-versions-of-thedas explanation just yet. .. on the other hand, she seems to be doing fine with this place's strangeness, so maybe cullen's already spoken to her about it.

his smile takes on a strained edge as a camera flashes nearby, and he digs out a little money to pay for some kind of mulled cider for them both (hopefully it's not too pumpkin-spice-like). he offers her one of the paper cups, then nods toward the edges of the festivities so they can meander their way out of the bustle. he doesn't really want some kind of outlandish article written about the two of them later, after all. he can just imagine the look on her face if she happened to see it. ] Your feelings aren't that different from mine, then. [ narrow shoulders lift in a small shrug. ] On one hand, it's good to see everyone, and it's.. nice having the break from the chaos. On the other, I just want to get home and finish things.

[ he curls his left hand, squeezing it into a fist, letting himself really feel the familiar ache of the anchor in his palm. it's always, always there.. he's just grown accustomed to ignoring it. ]