etcelsior | PRESENT TIME, IT'S A TDM

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PRESENT TIME, IT'S A TDM

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? But, whatever the last year has brought, the holidays and the New Year has come and with it a renewed (if possibly temporary) sense of generosity towards the displaced imPorts. Part of this includes a special second ball drop in Heropa on New Year’s Eve, including festivities such as local bands performing, an ice sculpting competition, free food and hourly fireworks display over the water. Some people mutter it’s all being done to keep the imPorts away from real Americans at the Times Square ball drop, but surely that’s just a nasty rumor.

But when a small gang led by one of the new superpowered natives tries to steal this ‘imPort’ ball at 11:30pm, one has to wonder if keeping the powered community away from native crowds wasn’t a good idea. The (uncreatively) self-named ‘Ice Boy’ has ice powers and five non-powered followers trying to steal the New Year’s ball as their powered leader provides a distraction. They are going out of their way to not hurt any natives, but clearly have something to say about the government using up public funds for imPort events.

Enjoy the festivities, then stand and watch the newest native supervillain steal the ball or slip into your spandex and try and stop him. Or, if you’re the type, go and help him out. Whatever you pick, it’s going to be a New Years to remember.

02. De Chima, Virginia, is a large city with a healthy economy, and though it's quieter than Heropa, there are still large numbers of citizens to be 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 remains high here, 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, favorite foods, and more!

Given the rock star status of imPorts, it’s no surprise you’re especially big commodities around the holidays. Action figures, wrapping paper, it seems everywhere you turn there are products with imPort’s faces appearing on it. Not to mention the made for TV movie of ‘ImPorts and Santa Save Christmas.’ No one really knows why the Russians are riding pterodactyls to ruin Christmas, but does it really matter? Watch the show in a store window long enough and you just may see a (similar but legally distinct) version of someone you know riding Rudolph to help save the day.

Ah, the wonders of capitalism.

03. Maurtia Falls, Pennsylvania has had its ups and downs since imPorts started reappearing. Several imPort heroes have put focused efforts into cleaning up the streets of this somewhat infamous city, while others have swooped in to help the criminal industry thrive. More so here than the streets of any other imPort city, the battle between good and evil looks more like a war of escalation than a heroic tale. That might make the less than warm welcome imPorts are given in the city a little more understandable. The emergence of locals with superpowers is hardly helping. While some of these individuals have turned to crime, many locals seem more inclined to defend their native powered drug dealer than help the non-native hero bring them to justice. Who are you to tell them how to live?

So while that Salvation Army Santa on the corner might seem to be more serving as a look out for the shady bar behind him than collecting donations, is it really worth trying to sneak in and see what’s happening inside?

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. More so than any other city, Nonah has embraced every holiday available to celebrate this time of year. To be American is to be part of a melting pot, and that there’s more money to be made by the thriving local industries hardly hurts. Today is a large winter market place. Streets have been closed off and local merchants big and small have set up booths throughout the city to sell their holiday (and normal, who doesn’t need a new pair of wingtips for the New Year?) wares. While outdoors, there are enough heaters scattered around that you’d hardly notice it. Any imPort willing to say they bought their menorah, kinara, Saturnalia wine, or whatever else at a specific booth is in for a big discount from the managers!

Go wander and get your shopping in, folks. Any imPort willing to be interviewed about how they celebrate in December back on their home world is instantly surrounded by a small gaggle of people. Any jokesters out there should be careful to not make up too many fake holidays. The people here might just take it to heart this time next year.

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Illegal gambling.

[ Baelish's voice was abrupt, rising up behind Jon Snow as he so desperately wished to uncover the secrets going on within the bar. ]

Not too much of a big deal. Who does not love to put a few gold dragons on a chosen winner in a tournament, for instance? But in this world, their little games of poker can merit an arrest or a fine, at the very least. So they have made use of their lookout and play their games.

[ Would he really go charging blindly in to stop them having their fun? Baelish didn't seem to care either way. Heroes would be heroes. But what was important to him was establishing the fact that they both were here so that there could be no unpleasant surprises. ]

Perhaps it is appropriate you arrived within this world just as winter has settled in, Lord Snow.

Edited 2016-12-20 01:41 (UTC)

[That's a voice he didn't want to hear just yet or maybe ever again. He didn't have the long acquaintance with Littlefinger that Sansa had, but he heard enough of what happened to make his stomach turn whenever he heard of the man.]

A rather poor lookout and front.

[And yes, he is disappointed that it is all so simple. He wasn't interested in fighting and he didn't know what he would have done had it been bigger. Probably the right thing, whatever that was.]

I suppose you have a stake in this?

[He had a stake in everything, even in who reclaimed the north.]

Winter has a way of coming no matter where you are. You'll forgive me, but I don't play your games at pleasantries and veiled comments. If you have something to say to me, do it directly.

He does invite more suspicion than aid, that is true. But given that he is a homeless drunkard, I would not suspect any better acting skills. [ Amusement quirked his lips. ] That being said, I have stake in the entire city, given my status as its ambassador.

[ Nonchalantly spoken. Baelish's hands clasped at his torso and his eyebrows raised at Jon's accusation. ]

If this is the sort of reaction a simple greeting inspires, you'll find it hard to make friends in this world. [ His shoulders lifted and he stepped a bit closer, to be at Jon's side rather than stand behind him. His eyes lingered on the bar. ] I know, I know. Friends are not what you seek. But once you've been here for some time, you'll find they're all you really have. They're the only true investment in a world we will forget about when we return to our own.

[ Littlefinger glanced over at Jon. ]

What's passed is past. You and I stand here in the very modern future. I know you may not believe me, but I have declared for House Stark back home. Both here and there, you and I are on the same side.

You've managed to turn this place to your advantage, that's not a surprise.

[Nor is it a surprise that this place reminds him of the stories of King's Landing. If anything, he's envious that Baelish can manage to feel so at home in this place. Just like with Winterfell and the Wall, Jon's not exactly feeling like he fits in.]

I'll manage. [He has before, but he's not exactly trusting of anyone anymore. Getting stabbed six times had a way of ruining his idealism.] If I make friends, it won't be through some game or by manipulating them for my own ends. My main concern is getting home to Winterfell and to Sansa.

[He grips his hand on the armrest of the bench. Are they really going to discuss this?]

You declared for House Stark because you saw a profit in it. You swore to look after Sansa, but you handed her over to the men that helped murder my brother.

We have never been on the same side.

[ He didn't rise to any of those barbs. As a matter of fact, Littlefinger was quiet as Jon spoke -- contemplative. Something most would not think him capable of given that he liked to talk on the network. A lot. But he waited until Jon was finished speaking and let the silence carry for a beat between them before he asked: ]

Is that what you believe happened? I never forced Sansa into the marriage. [ There was something genuine in his tone. ] I told her that if it was not what she wanted, we could turn around and go back to the Eyrie. And I meant that. But I also thought by her marrying Ramsay, she would be in the ideal place to avenge the injustice that happened to her family -- to your family. I did not know the true extent of Ramsay Bolton's monstrosity. I misjudged the situation, and Sansa was hurt.

[ He shook his head slowly. ]

I was wrong, and I would give anything to undo what was done to her. I would have died that day she confronted me in Mole's Town, if that would have brought her happiness. And I don't say any of this with the expectation that you would forgive me. What happened to her was unforgivable. But I do want you to understand that what I did was never an intentional betrayal to Sansa. I set up the marriage with every intention to see Sansa succeed and reclaim Winterfell.

[ Which....happened. Just with more grief and suffering than Littlefinger had intended. ]

[He wanted to dismiss it all, remembering what Sansa had said to him on the ramparts. 'Only a fool would trust Littlefinger.' He knew all he cared to about the situation. There had been enough manipulators using his family for their own ends and even having Sansa in the same room as the Boltons made his stomach turn.

But! He can't ignore the one small piece of information that had somehow slipped Sansa's mind. His eyes dart up to regard Littlefinger, surprised and easy to read for a man of his expertise.]

You were in Mole's Town?

[He rubs his hands over his face, more than exhausted with the whole matter. When she had come to the Wall, it felt as though he were finally finding his home again after wandering for so long. She was his family, but how was it that, even though they found each other, it seemed that they were further and further apart then before.

He couldn't understand Sansa or this game she played. Apparently she learned more from Littlefinger than she had cared to share.]

Whatever my personal feelings are for you, I can't turn away the men from the Vale or your help. [Yes, it pains him to say this, given he claimed they weren't on the same side.] I can only hope that Sansa will not be pulled from home again and brought here. She belongs in Winterfell.

[More than me. He added in his head.]

[ The question reveals a great deal more than simply Jon's lack of knowledge about his presence in Mole's Town. It reveals that Sansa had not told him. It reveals that Sansa had considered his words to her even then. When she claimed to have had an army and didn't need that of the Blackfish, Baelish had reminded her that it was her brother's army. Her half-brother's army. And it seems as though that thought had taken root. ]

Aye. I thought you were aware. [ He answers simply, but he knows now he has something he can exploit over time. Now is not the time to exploit it -- to play on the insecurities of why Sansa would hide this from him. But in time he could potentially use it to gain Jon's favor.

Regardless, Baelish glances over at Jon with faint smile after his words and he bows his head appreciatively. ]

You truly are your father's son. [ He at least has the decency to frame that as a compliment. ]

And I can say with honesty that our thoughts align on Sansa's presence in this world. Though perhaps it will be of comfort to you to know that while we are in this world, time stands still for us back home. We return to our time without memories of this world. I speak from experience. What happens here does not matter in the grand scheme of things.

[He's not good at dissimulation or using weaknesses against others. That isn't a game he plays, much like Ned, which has only worked to his disadvantage. He knows he's given too much away, but he's tired and has ceased to care about those smaller matters.

Especially in this place, which only acted as a distraction for what was to come. This world was temporary, if fate was king (it hadn't been thus far, but it had to be eventually.)]

No. Sansa keeps her own counsel.

[Which he could understand, even as it frustrated him.]

My father was an honorable man and did what he thought was right. [And he got murdered for it, just as Jon did. He knows the meaning behind Littlefinger's words.]

So then why are we here, if it matters so little? Why take us from our worlds into this one?

[ Jon Snow is not a fool, at least. Baelish can appreciate that he could see the backwards compliment for what it was. But facing betrayal and death will do that to a man -- open his eyes against the pretty words and lies of his fellow men.

His hands drop against his sides and he shakes his head unknowingly. ]

A question many of us have wondered and even asked aloud, but none are closer to the answers than the other. I can only guess that we are here to bring this world to justice and end the tireless war they're in. But I imagine the last thing you wish to do is to leave your own war to fight in a new war that matters little to you.

[ A pause and then a gesture. ]

Would you like to get out of the cold, Lord Snow? My ambassadorial office is nearby and I can offer you wine and warmth.

War doesn't ever end, it simple changes opponents and fruitless reasoning. If they brought us here to fight for them, they have chosen the wrong men and the wrong means to recruit us.

[He can't imagine Baelish as a soldier or someone that they would want to fight for them, but it seemed that he had a number of people willing to rely on him. Sansa included, which did nothing but grate Jon's nerves.]

I'm tired of fighting. It's all I've done and it seems like all I'll ever do.

[He would have to fight here and in their world as well. Thorne's words were never more clear in his head until now.

'But you, Lord Snow, you'll be fighting their battles forever.'

The hospitality would be welcomed, but that it comes from Littlefinger gives him momentary pause. What was his angle?]

I'll accept the warmth, but I don't have much of a taste for wine.

You have the choice here -- whether you will continue to fight, whether you will participate in their war. There are plenty of ways to help without fighting. Your kindness and compassion, the way you came to be a man even Wildlings believed in, you are skilled at uniting. And there are plenty of things to unite here. Beginning with the fact that Daenerys Targaryen is currently within this world as well.

[ It's only a short walk to reach the building, and he opens the door for them, stepping inside and leading the way to his personal office. The office itself is modern but classic. Polished wooden furniture and floors, large windows, a mantle place, and an expensive, blue velvet cushioned sedan couch make up the centerpieces of the room. Considering this is Baelish, there are bookshelves filled to the brim with a variety of books related to his pursuit of knowledge.

Baelish gestures for Jon to take a seat before he gets the fire going for them because although the building itself is heated by modern means, this is a nice classic touch that would help Snow thaw a bit quicker. ]

In a strange new world so far advanced from our own, I believe it's important for all of us to stick together -- regardless of where we stood back home or what we believe in. Fighting with one another will not help anyone, but a strong Westerosi alliance will. You are a man who could accomplish that, and not by doing anything other than being yourself. People naturally flock to you, Lord Snow.

[ Baelish heads over to the mantle where a decanter of wine sits. He pours a glass for himself and then looks at this so-called King of the North. ]

Are you certain you do not want a drink? [ Baelish subtly demonstrates it's not poisoned by taking a sip of it himself. ]

[He hates that Baelish is right and that he will have to accept what is being offered to him, just as he would have hated having to agree to using the Knights of the Vale. Sansa at least spared him from that. There is no such luxury here.]

It's not that simple. [It was only a matter of time before he was pulled into the fighting again.] Daenerys Targaryen? She is here? In this world? [His thoughts fly to Maester Aemon and how he should be the one to see her. He had lost everything, she was the only family he had left.] What is she like?

[He sits uneasily in the chair offered to him, feeling out of place and wary in Littlefinger's presence. It was all well and good to say they needed to unite in this strange place, but it wasn't so simple to forget what had happened in Westeros and why they weren't fond of each other.]

What exactly are you suggesting I do? Rally an army in this place? What good would that do any of us here.

[He truly is the man that knows nothing.]

One cup. [He at least relents on that.]

[ Baelish pours the glass and moves toward Jon, offering it into the man's awaiting hands before he takes a seat beside him slowly, non-threateningly. He keeps up the amicable air because perhaps in time, Jon will believe it's his true face. ]

Not rally an army, my lord. Unite. You have a way of seeing past the petty feuds, and making others see the bigger picture as well. Here, everyone is so preoccupied by this war of Russia against the United States. Here, everyone is so preoccupied by thoughts of imPorts versus the government. And it's no surprise that even those from Westeros hold their petty tensions close to their hearts.

[ A pause. A sip of his drink, and then: ]

Daenerys Targaryen is beautiful. Fierce. And also compassionate. She houses such strength and humility, you would almost be surprised to learn she is a Targaryen. But she clings to her resentments. In her eyes, King Robert is the Usurper and anyone who followed him is someone who cannot and should not be trusted. Including your family. But I believe you would be able to make her see beyond that.

[He doesn't know whether or not to believe Baelish is sincere. The honors being heaped on him never fail to make him uncomfortable, even as he accepts them with resignation.]

How exactly am I to unite others? I'm not in a position to offer advice or dole out wisdom. [Not that he expects to be listened.] Given your place in this city, you have more opportunities than I do. Change isn't possible when you're one voice in a crowd and no one is listening.

[He hates he needs power to achieve anything, but knows the good that could be done through it.

He's intrigued by the sound of the Targaryen princess, as any man might be.]

Maester Aemon would have reports of her read to him at the Wall. To his last day, he was eager to see her and to know that she was safe in the world. I at least owe it to him to pay my respects. I don't expect her to be forgiving. I wouldn't ask that of her. I know how deeply it cuts to lose your family because of another man's betrayal.

[ Petyr is silent for a time, looking toward the blazing fire. ]

You've a gift. And I am not saying that to kiss your ass -- I'm saying it as a matter of truth. I sat in that mess hall with the other men, and I saw the way you acted and addressed them. There is something genuinely honorable about you. And that honor is something many people will rally behind. If your ice can still Daenerys's flames, and I am certain that it can -- she will come to admire you the way everyone else has.

[ He leans against the couch casually. ]

If I am being completely honest, I wished it was your sister the North rallied behind. The true born daughter of Ned and Catelyn Stark -- the true heir of Winterfell. [ The beauty of this confession is that Jon will never remember it when he goes home. ] But Sansa stands behind you and so shall I. I can see why they had chosen you. [ Mirthfully: ] Especially after Lady Mormont spoke.

[ Lyanna Mormont was something else, wasn't she? But after a moment, Baelish's laughter quiets as he's reminded of something else. ]

Jorah Mormont is here as well. [ And there's an irony in that, isn't there? Jorah is the only Mormont Jon has yet to meet. ]

[He stared down at his cup, lost in the thoughts and uncertainty to what Baelish was saying.]

My father was honorable, so was Robb. Honor didn't protect them or keep an army at their backs. What then is the difference between me and them? [It's not something he wants to ask anyone, especially Baelish, but the words slip out of him. The weight of the world forever bearing down on his shoulders.] I don't need admiration, but I should like her aid. We will need her help in the war to come. If she wants the realm after that, she can well have it. So long as there is a realm still to have.

[He drains his glass, setting it to the side. He says it often to himself, but it never stops the sting that 'bastard' can bring.]

It is because of Sansa that Winterfell was reclaimed. She is the Lady of Winterfell, more deserving of that right than anyone. I can't say why the north named me king, but it is no great privilege. She and I both remember what happened to Robb by the same men that bent the knee. I want her safe from men like that and men that would sell her to those same traitors.

[He touched the sword strapped to his side, given to him, but not rightfully his. Much like everything else in his life.]

I should like to meet him. His father was a good man.

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PRESENT TIME, IT'S A TDM

Maurtia Falls!

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