sure, jan

[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 anyone's thread, either!

And remember to have fun!

01. Your memory is hazy and you might feel increasingly frustrated or anxious, or maybe you're excited as soldiers march past, barely glimpsing you. One second you're somewhere underground, the next you're enveloped in blue light, and suddenly you find yourself directly under Flordia sun's bright and burning glare. A female soldier steps toward you with a wide smile on her face and directs you to a car, ready to debrief you. You realize you are not the only one, surrounded by equally confused or eager faces... and you're all sporting a digital tattoo on your wrist.

02. Welcome to Cape Canaveral, where the smell of the ocean is in the air and locals are more than pleased to see new imPorts roaming their streets. They wave, they cheer, they ask for pictures as politely as they can. The more inhuman you look, or if you're wearing a costume, the more likely locals are to approach. Hey, enjoy the moment! The popular malt shop is offering you a free drink if you need it.

03. The technology in this world is certainly something. The cars are clearly modeled after popular 50s cars, but they hover several feet above the ground as they drive down the street. There are digital jukeboxes in restaurants, motorcycles also hover through traffic, advertisements can be seen on a digital projector on the taller buildings. Even kids on skateboards appear to drift a safe ten feet off the ground while playing!

04. Wherever you are, you can hear the loud revving of an engine, distance at first before you finally see it: a hovercar bursting around the corner, going beyond the maximum speed limit and just barely making its sharp turn. It doesn't appear to be slowing down any time soon, not with two police cars trailing it... and uh oh. Those skateboarding kids don't have much time to get out of the way as the car comes speeding down the road. You've been brought here for a reason Hero — so you better act fast.

Comments

[bombshelled]

[ Yeesh. Lana winces. ]

Not... on purpose? I was just trying to touch you, like-- [ Except no, it happens again. Maybe harder.

Lana stares at the offending hand, then backs up a few inches. ]

I'm sorry! I don't know what's come over me...

[siriusly]

[Manabu's head is slapped back into the same position it was when he woke up. he's...he's going to keep it there for a moment, he figures, registering the dullness of the sting and swallowing on a flash of anger.

he lets out a breath slow, steadier than the ones before; his guts feel less like crumpled-up laundry now. it's easier to be rational.]

I have a bit of an idea...D-don't worry about it too much. [a beat.] But...maybe don't. Don't try to reach out again. Just yet. [he turns his head again, smiling weakly.] Kinda hurts, haha...

[bombshelled]

[ Lana echoes that weak smile. ] Sorry. I'll just... be over here.

[ The crowd seems to be dispersing now that it's clear the guy needs no medical attention. Even the kids have scampered off somewhere. ]

I'm Lana, by the way. That was really brave of you, to save those kids.

[siriusly]

[that should be something he notes; shouldn't there be sirens or a medical team nearby? isn't he probably maybe dying because a car hit him at high speeds? he's sure he can hear authoritative voices (they are arresting the crazy schmuck who hit him), but...

but he feels bad! she was only trying to help. not that he can really control what's causing the problem. still.

his next breath comes out with a little bit of a laugh.] We-well, I'm not sure that's the right word...the one my partner would pick, anyway... [reckless. stupid. suicidal. Bruce has a list.] But I'm just glad that theyyyyyEEOWWWH–!

[Manabu's ankle twisted and righted itself with a sudden snap, and in that yowl, he swiftly sat right up, flailing his arms a little until the throb of pain just. vanished.

he remains frozen in place, his hands curled to fists in his hair, and gawks in disbelief at his foot. his perfectly fine foot.]

[bombshelled]

[ Lana winces again. Looks like that's a building theme in this conversation.

But she doesn't seem fazed by the guy's body healing itself. People have superpowers, so what? So this guy's power is healing. It's a lot more useful than blowing shit up.

The driver now in custody, one policeman comes over, saying something about how they need to clear the street. He's about to reach out a hand to Manabu, but Lana shouts, ] No don't!

[ The policeman gives the two of them a weird look, then tells them again to get out of the street and go about their business before heading back to his patrol car. ]

Uh... We should probably... Can you move?

[siriusly]

[Manabu himself screwed up into a pose of recoil and alarm just as Lana yelps and spares him another accidental beating. he remains frozen that way until she speaks to him again, slowly lowering his arm to peer at her, looking particularly unnerved.

feet don't do what his foot just did.]

I...I think so... [he shifts, planting his hands on the ground and giving his foot a cautionary wiggle.] Though I don't know how I could...

[bombshelled]

[ Lana would be confused by Manabu's confusion if she was paying enough attention, but at the moment, she's not. ]

I'd offer to help you up, but something tells me that wouldn't go well.

[siriusly]

No, I know. [he's rolling onto his knees, hesitating, still expecting shockwaves of pain that just. aren't coming.

hell, that pool of blood behind him is definitely his and he doesn't feel anything but queasiness for it.]

But...If you don't mind offering a shoulder? That should be alright.

[bombshelled]

Right, I got you.

[ She shuffles closer so he can reach her easily. She avoids the puddle of blood, not wanting to stain her jeans. ]

[siriusly]

Nh–Thanks... [there's some mercy in the world; he can reach out to other people safe enough.

once he's on his feet he sways a little before his balance is perfectly set. it's surreal. he glances back down at the street, still unable to really process this.]

...Wow. [that is where one dead SDF soldier would be right now.]

[bombshelled]

[ Lana lets him get his balance first, then has to stop herself from reaching for a hand up, reminding herself that it probably would just end up with the guy back on his ass again. After she stands up, she eyes the pool of blood on the street, thinking that's what he's saying "wow" about. ]

Yeah. Pretty gross. We should maybe get out of here.

[ Then she has an idea. ]

Milkshake? They're usually free for ImPorts, but if they're not, then it's on me. You deserve a treat, after all that.

[siriusly]

[he gives her a bit of a what, really? look with an eyebrow quirk, but...

hell, what else was he supposed to do?]

Al-alright. [why not? any near-fatal accident you can walk away from, right?] Lead the way.

[bombshelled]

[ And she does, leading him off the street towards the intersection and then around the corner. ]

I haven't been here long, but I do know a good place nearby that does milkshakes.

[siriusly]

Milkshakes, huh... That's pretty nostalgic. [he follows along just half-a-pace behind – unconsciously on the side of the sidewalk that isn't right up by the street. his brain knows what's up sometimes. ] I haven't had one of those since I was a kid!

[bombshelled]

I know, right? They're totally retro here. Poodle skirts and everything.

[ It doesn't take them long to walk to the malt shop Lana was thinking of. She holds the door open for him to enter, then follows, grateful for the cool air conditioning. ]

[siriusly]

[he doesn't have much to offer in regard to poodles or skirts, but he does hesitate and fluster just briefly at the door. mom didn't raise him to have ladies opening doors for him; he manages a stuttered thank-you and goes in, regardless, not too eager to make waves right now.]

Uoh... [wow. talk about walking onto a different planet; the interior is not what he expects. very...shiny. lots of chrome, bright colors, and polished linoleum. weird! like a fancy dining car, kind of.

oop–he snaps out of it after a moment to follow her to a booth, slipping into one side, wearing a sheepish grin.]

It wasn't so strange outside, but anytime I go indoors somewhere, it just reminds me of how I'm definitely in a new place...

[bombshelled]

[ Sorry, Manabu, Lana's proactive like that. She slides into the opposite side of the booth, fingers playing with a menu. ]

Yeah? What sort of world do you come from?

[siriusly]

Ah, well– [taking off his gloves; he'd feel bad putting dirty fabric on this way-too-clean tabletop.] I grew up on Tabito, but my job takes me to all sorts of planets now. Anywhere there's trouble, really.

[a half a beat, and he startles with a realization.] O-oh! I'm...I'm Manabu, by the way. Manabu Yuuki. [his head ducks a little.] I forgot to introduce myself, since I was...uh... [y'know.]

[bombshelled]

Practically dead. [ She finishes, laughing slightly. ] S'ok. I'm Lana, like I said. Lana Baumgartner.

So you're from space? Like, you grew up there and everything? That's pretty cool.

[ Just then, a waitress comes by to ask for their orders. ]

Oh, one chocolate milkshake for me, and... Manabu?

[siriusly]

[his goofy smile falters when the waitress appears; he only gives the upside-down menu Lana has a passing glance before lifting his head again.]

Uh! Same...that's good. Thank you. [he looks increasingly more flustered when he gives her a glance back:]

Y...you said they're free, right? Because I don't think I have money people use here.

[bombshelled]

[ Lana smiles, totally missing the fact that she's hogging the menu. ]

They ought to be. And if they're not, I'll cover you.

[siriusly]

[easing a bit, allowing himself to sink in the seat some. he ducks his head, smiling weakly.]

That's really kind of you...I'm not sure I've done much to owe up to it, but I'll try to return the favor, somehow.

[bombshelled]

Are you kidding? You just risked your ass to save a couple kids from being hit by a car. If that doesn't deserve a milkshake, I don't know what does!

[siriusly]

That's just part of–! [wait. blink. ah–] Well, well I guess I can't call it my job here if my job isn't here, huh...? [a self-depreciating kind of expression, complete with a crooked smile.] This kind of gets trickier and trickier as it goes on.

[bombshelled]

[ Lana's eyebrows raise, then she leans in, conspiratorial, and whispers, ] Are you a superhero?