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

[siriusly]

[he does a double-take, looking completely lost and a touch flustered. he is the worst at this, but at least he can realize what she's doing after the fact. if that counts for much of anything.

and there goes the server. Manabu rubs at the back of his neck, feeling self-conscious. his mouth twitches.] S...sorry, I think I missed a cue... [he thinks he can catch on next time, but he rather hopes there isn't one. but:] Um... [he leans forward a little, voice lower:] What am I supposed to call you?

[sanspanties]

[It gets him a point, but she rolls her eyes when the coast is clear. Seriously, how obvious can you get?]

Chloe. Now chill, Steve, you're making this look weird.

[Chloe follows her own advice and makes herself comfortable, not quite slouching back in the seat.]

And order something. Something that comes with ketchup and barbecue sauce.

[siriusly]

But– [but my name's not Steve, he almost says, but...that's missing the point, isn't it? he sighs, his head drooping with defeat for a moment before slowly dragging the menu across the table to tip over the edge for him to read.

man...he doesn't even really like ketchup, so that's almost like being...double dishonest, isn't it?

reluctant:] If it's something you want, you should just tell me what it is or I'll pick something wrong...

[sanspanties]

[Reluctant or no, he's doing what she wants, and that's perfect. Chloe gives him a bright little smile. She's delighted-- she couldn't have picked a better mark if she tried.]

Cheeseburger, swiss, hold the lettuce and get extra sauces on the side.

[siriusly]

Right, alright... [sigh. how'd he wind up in this situation so suddenly? he's already got a lot to deal with and figure out; he feels like this might just make things needlessly complicated.

yet when has Manabu Yuuki ever refused to help someone out with a problem? if that's what's going on here. he's...he's actually not quite sure about that.

a server arrives, and Manabu sits up and gives Chloe a brief look (are we still pretending? right...) before turning his attention up. she's brought water over and is bending over to set it on the table––



––but something happens and she winds up chucking it right in Manabu's face. the horrified yelping is all hers, while he just sits there, frozen after his sudden recoil, staring at neither her nor his tablemate.

for one thing, that's cold, and another...hoo, boy...]

[sanspanties]

[Chloe gives him a small nod when he looks over (they're going to be pretending until that food comes) and then goes back to thinking about how shitty it was to get such an ugly tattoo--

--and then he's covered in water. Wow. Chloe resist the urge to seal clap and gives the server a scathing look instead. Drawing attention to them is a risk, but the payoff could be awesome.]

How could you?! You better be prepared to comp our meals or I'll be telling your manager how inconsiderate and disrespectful the staff is!

[Chloe drops the fake outrage for a second, going for fake sympathy instead. She passes over a napkin to Manabu.]

Here you go, Steve. Clean up before you get pneumonia or something.

[siriusly]

[her shouting is what seems to snap him out of his daze, and he's fortunate enough to be quick to avoid the server's attempt to reach out with a towel–– banging his leg on the table in the process of recoiling ow, but––

hands up, waving to try and shoo her away.]

P-please, don't! Just! It's alright, so don't– [oh no she looks terrified; he feels awful, and barely at all angry about what just happened.

between her blubbered apologies, Manabu manages to get her to back off, accepting the promise of a better towel and the food for no charge, in turn saying no, he's not mad, and just, just...!

SIGH.

he's about to sag back down to the table when Chloe extends the napkin over; he presses back against his seat as far as he can, his arm as a barrier.]

Gh–!! [anything to avoid another swat.

after a beat safe, though, he slides back into the seat, belatedly shuddering as if just by her prompting.]

R...Right... [he picks at the napkin.] Thanks...

[sanspanties]

[He recoils and honestly she doesn't think it's odd at all-- Manabu's clearly jumpy as hell. Chloe, meanwhile, looks like the cat that ate a hundred canaries, smirking a little as the server hurries away.]

We should get some dessert. So what was that about? [She turns her attention back to him.] Did you sleep with her sister or mom or what?

[siriusly]

[he's in the middle of sponging off his jacket when she says that and nearly leaps out of the booth with horror, face flushed bright red.]

Wha–! N-n-no way! That's crazy! I only just showed up here! [did she really even suggest that?! he can't believe it.

people are staring. it's worse. he wants to die a little.

chastened by that awareness, he ducks his head, forcing himself to talk quieter once he's collected himself enough to do so (but man, it's hard).] No, it's...It's crazy and all, but. But ever since I showed up on this planet, people have been hitting me or shoving me for no reason! [he looks particularly pained now.] And I don't have even close to an explanation besides a weird little file some government-lady gave me...after she hit me!