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etcelsior2015-04-25 12:26 pm
maskormods) wrote in etcelsior2015-04-25 12:26 pm
Entry tags:
[kill bill sirens]
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 to have fun!01. Your memory might be a haze still and you might even feel frustrated or anxious by the sudden news that you are no longer in your own world and that the Porter scientists and military cannot send you back. You don't get a chance to linger long in the underground Porter lab, but something is clearly amiss; light patches on the floor indicate something else used to sit in that spot in the room. Parts of the wall, floor and the tables look recently refurbished -- something happened in here not too long ago.
You're ushered out quickly and then suddenly, you're enveloped in a faint blue blue light before you find yourself under the bright Floridian sun. Another soldier steps toward you with a smile, directing your attention to a car near a large gate. She mentions she'll be debriefing you soon, handing out a brown folder. You don't see the digital tattoo on your wrist, but it's quickly explained on your way over to the car as you realize there are other confused faces nearby, all holding files of their own.
02. According to the soldiers, a domestic terrorist attack is the reason why the cheery and small city of Heropa is still under some major reconstruction. For a small city, the amount of outside help called in for reconstruction and repairs has made it livelier than it normally is. Construction workers on coffee breaks wave to the most obvious looking imPorts, some will even salute you. "We couldn'a done away with those bastards if it weren't for good folk like you," they say.
Wherever you go, locals are pleasant and courteous enough, sometimes stepping forward to ask for a quick photo or autograph. Every now and then, however, anyone who is so obviously an imPort will find a local backing away from them nervously, pulling their child back with them before closing a door.
03. De Chima, Virginia, while it suffered some damage to its downtown area, never slowed down for a second. For a large city with a bustling population and booming economy, it's quieter than one would expect for it to be, too. If you're trying to avoid the awestruck crowds, you might be able to thanks to everyone ducking under umbrellas and buildings due to heavy rainfall today, provided you aren't letting it slip you're a newcomer to this world. If you're not exactly human-looking or wearing clothes that very much scream medieval ages (or distant future), sorry. There's a high chance the kids are going to crowd you in excitement.
Some locals seem less enthused to see you. They never make an approach, but they can be overheard scoffing and muttering something about cameras. "Who do they think they are?" or "I don't like it... it reminds me of the government corruption back in the eighties." What could they be talking about?
04. Maurtia Falls, Pennsylvania, has, as always, avoided any major or minor damages. Ask about the Hornets or the recent fights between imPorts and the locals will shrug. Don't get them wrong; they're glad those damn Hornets have been dealt with, but they don't want to discuss politics. Try asking the local imPort Ambassador. What's his name? Ryan? Revan? They don't offer any more information. Naturally for a big city, the people are somewhat aloof in nature. You might even notice the police are just the same, turning their heads the other way when two shady figures exchange fat wads of cash at the street corner. Did the police just drive away in their hovervehicle without bothering to observe what those two were up to? They sure did.
05. Nonah, North Carolina, is the liveliest of all cities. It's loud, busy and there's some kind of energy in the air that gets everyone buzzing with excitement. Anyone who they come to determine an imPort is bombarded with all sorts of offers; job offers, advertising gigs, spokesperson for advocating children stay in school, etc. Anything and everything! You name it. Shops offer discounts for food and clothing, whatever they need. People flock in droves with questions, but they all say the same thing. Thank you for your service to this country, Hero. You saved a lot of lives. Wow, feels great to be a hero, doesn't it?
...wow look at him he doesn't miss a beat jesus
[Saber doesn't possess any interest at all in providing Archer with the answer he's seeking, even if she really doesn't know what in blazes he's going on about this time.
A decade hasn't passed since he last assaulted her with his outrageous demand that she become his wife. In fact, for all that Saber wishes she could forget, she remembers like it was yesterday! Too vividly those moments come back to her: the harrowing and sharp pain of one of Archer's swords piercing her thigh, an ax that had cut into the other leg upon her persistent refusal, the unwilling use of Excalibur to destroy the Grail at the behest of Kiritsugu's final two command spells, and the razed visage of everything that was left in the wake of the black mud that had risen and spilled forth from the cup thereafter...
And still, he has the gall to speak to her of patience? When he barred her way, would have stolen from her the very thing she wanted most, had been yearning countless years for and would have had if Kiritsugu hadn't beaten him to robbing her of her most precious wish!
Her brows come together angrily, her eyes narrowing. She does not back down. She will not back down!]
My answer is unchanged! I refuse!
[And by the tone of her voice, she will continue to refuse him unto her dying breath.]
THERE'S GOTTA BE A CHURCH AROUND HERE SOMEWHERE.
He could come close. He could allow her to gaze upon him at will, and to be with him when she liked, or when he liked. He could share his garden - the world - with her, or at least allow her to wander it freely. And that cup she's so fixated on - it's his anyway, so if she belongs to him, why not give it to her? It would demonstrate his affections, and the generosity his adoration permitted him to lavish upon its target.
These are all things she obviously hasn't entirely comprehended. It's to be expected, perhaps - she's such a broken little doll, so full of ideals and the burdens of the world, he can hardly blame her for being reluctant to cast them aside after all this time. And after all, isn't it this that made her beautiful to him?
So perhaps he should be offended and strike her down where she stands.
But.
Instead, he's. Grinning.]
Ah, that fire in your eyes. That steely determination. Truly, you are the most desirable of all treasures.
[He kind of. Claps, red eyes widened.]
Your resolve pleases me. It would be unworthy of me to spend my time in the pursuit of one who simply tosses herself at my feet. Very well! We'll do it your way. I'll wait a while longer. I'm hardly low on time.
[Looking around, looking around. He notes the file she's carrying. Hm.]
Oh, you've just arrived as well?
OH FOR CRYING OUT LOUD NO MEANS NO GIL
She knows that what he's offering her is an eternity as a treasure and no more. Should she indulge him in his fantasies for even a moment, she will be reduced to an object, and that is no position for a knight let alone a King. She may disregard her womanhood, she may cast away the idea that she is human, but that does not make her a thing to be possessed by some other, man or woman!
Were she to never again lay eyes upon him, Saber would not be discontented. She would revel in the peace of a mind she might find upon a walk uninterrupted by his presence and self-absorption. She could focus upon earning the Grail as she ought to, not being handed it by someone who looks down his nose at her and would treat her like a pet to be rewarded for good behavior. She would not mourn the absence of his affections, could his attention in any measure be likened to affection at all and not mere obsession!
These are the things that she has indeed comprehended! As they are the things she and Archer will never see eye-to-eye upon. Though she may be broken, she is no doll, no puppet to be displayed...and she is certainly not his.]
I've heard quite enough of this.
[But she will not give this man her back. She does not trust him. Knows better by now than to let down her guard when he is near.
And then he glances at her file and seems to switch conversational direction in an instant.
Despite her resolve, she is surprised by this.]
Yes, I have.
[And by the sounds of things, so has he. Saber is unsure as to whether or not there is any comfort at all to be found in that. Regardless of how familiar with this new world Archer is or isn't, he is still just as dangerous as before...and just as tiring to be around.
Nevertheless, she will try to make the best of this situation. Will attempt to discuss things that actually matter.]
There is a very different war being fought here, I've learned.
sorry what, he can't hear you over the sound of his heart beating for her
Okay! Let's talk about being new, and about this war that... actually no, he doesn't care about that. But he'll acknowledge the subject, at least - it's a showing of respect for the one worthy of his affection. Since she brought it up.]
I've just arrived as well. What a fortuitous turn of events.
[Oops. Back to that subject. He stretches a little, but he clearly doesn't. Have his file. Dropped it in his vault somewhere, besides, he already knows about himself and while reading about his exploits would make for a decent evening, depending on what they chose to include, it's not exactly top priority.]
Yes, yes, I've heard about that war. Really, the things humans do with their time. Blowing each other up, making big guns, inventing reasons to fight. How disgusting.
[Although he doesn't exactly sound displeased by it. At least that means something's happening!]
what heart. :|
I wouldn't call any of this fortuitous.
[Their being here, this new war, the lack of the Grail's presence insofar as she knows...it's all very troublesome for all that it's also intriguing. Still, for Saber, none of it will allow her to accomplish what her heart most desires, so even her interest in this new turn of events is quelled by her disappointment with being able to move forward with her goals.]
But...
[There is at least one thing she can agree with Archer upon. The behavior of these humans, the way they senselessly slaughter one another, it is indeed disgusting. The war taking place, it is a clash of egos and nothing more. Poor are the leaders indeed who've allowed such a thing to transpire, to endanger the people of the involved nations.]
...I agree, it is despicable, and worse still for all of us who have been forcibly drawn into this conflict of theirs.
[Which does not exclude Archer, except in that he will undoubtedly exclude himself unless there is something of personal gain he might obtain by being involved.
So, what is there for her to do about the situation? Unlike the other Heroic Spirits, if even there was a way for her to leave, the place and time she would return to would be...nowhere near as pleasant as perhaps the Throne of Heroes would be. And if she does not fight being here? Then the knight's code will not permit her to leave the helpless unattended...
Perhaps it is obvious that her heart is conflicted. The downward cast of her chin gives her away, as does the darkening of her green eyes, the tightness with which she holds onto the folder that was given to her, and the tautness in her shoulders.]
What will you do, Archer?
[It is meant as an honest question, but almost sounds more like, Will you do nothing?]
Re: what heart. :|
This world? Pretty novel. It may have the same territory names and geography as home, but that's practically all they have in common. And, consider that, he's sort of charmed by it, at least for now. It may even take him a few months to get really restless. And that's preferable in many ways to another round of "find the Grail" - he doesn't even really want it, aside from the principle involved.
Which brings him to her question.
What will he do?]
...what is there to do? The squabbles of mortals have nothing to do with me.
[So, basically, he's going to watch. He'll watch them threaten each other and posture at each other, and one day he'll watch them blow each other up, most likely. It'll be like a larger scale version of the inferno that night. Pretty fun!
But you know what, that answer isn't going to get him anywhere with her - she's probably worried about saving people or saving the world or stopping violence or whatever it is she paradoxically worries about while she's hoisting that holy sword and cutting her foes to ribbons. That contradiction, like the weight she willingly takes onto her back, is just so goddamn delightful, how was he supposed to resist it?
So, okay, he'll give her some wiggle room!]
Unless, of course, you're making a personal request that I become involved.
[He leans closer again.]
Then I might consider it. As a gift to my beloved.
[He's being generous!]