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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?
jasper | steven universe
1 (is the loneliest number that you'll ever do, you big single loser)
[ It takes a very, very long time for the scientists to pacify this big orange alien after she busts through the porter, disoriented and speaking only in what are most accurately described as furious raptor noises, not to mention a level of subduing force that's gonna get mostly handwaved here! The important thing is nobody died. Congratulations all around.
To add insult to injury, after they spend all that time getting her calm enough to listen for five seconds, she's literally too huge to fit in the government car. Could she shift herself down a few sizes and make things easier for everyone? Yes. Is she going to tell these worms that? Over her shattered body. Jasper's just spent more time than she ever imagined at someone else's mercy, and apparently she's still a prisoner -- but at least she's one with autonomy over her own motion. She's not going to give anyone an inch more than necessary now that she's finally got that control back. ]
Just give me the files, [ she snarls, yanking her folder out of the benighted debriefer's hands before he can actually give assent either way. They have an operational warp pad and they're still using physical data? It's pathetically analogue, even for her. ] I can get there myself.
[ At this point, she's mostly walking just to walk. She doesn't know if she's actually going to pay a visit to whatever cheap excuse for a base they have or not. One thing is perfectly clear -- until she can get in touch with Homeworld, it doesn't matter where she goes or what she does. She doesn't buy anything these humans have told her, but she also can't for the life of her explain why she's here and how she's alone in her own body, seemingly without any effort on her part. Jasper doesn't remember unfusing or even trying to throw herself up against the walls of Malachite, and she knows the brat would never have willingly let her go. Someone else would have had to split them apart. Someone with destabilization tech, someone who knew what and where they were. How could the government on this third-rate patch of dirt be capable of any of that? And where are they keeping Lapis? There's only one priority that could possibly supersede reestablishing contact with her superiors, and that's ripping her gem out with her bare hands and grinding it into a fine powder.
All of these thoughts (except the violent one at the end there) are lightyears ahead of Jasper's usual level of internal contemplation, so when her aimless, cranky stomping sends her barreling straight into your character, it's totally understandable. Totally. Less understandable is the fact that if she doesn't straight up trip over them, which is entirely possible, she won't be stopping to apologize or acknowledge that a collision even took place! She just strides on in impassive silence, like a furious titan composed entirely of Kraft singles. ]
3 (but it also could be basically any of the other settings, you do what you want)
[ And she just keeps on striding through all the other prompts! It's a little like Brodyquest, except there's no music and the subject is a violent, angry, genocidal space asshole with a rock nose. So it's nothing like Brodyquest. But the problem about walking around and refusing to acknowledge any human presence is that, when you're seven-odd feet tall and terrifying, most people are inclined to respect your desire not to engage socially. That means you don't get answers to the questions you're officially above deigning to ask, as a mighty gem warrior, but which off the record you should probably have just asked your escort at the beginning of all this. She's still not going to stop just anyone to demand answers! All these cities are teaming with civilians, the most useless variant of an already useless species. The only thing they seem to be good for is highlighting her real targets, who they swarm shamelessly. This is how they treat their war heroes? She's not sure what's more pathetic -- the imPorts that allow it, or the weak society that's failed so profoundly to teach them respect. (Also, she literally does not understand what a child is, but she does know that her attempts to question the especially puny humans stupid enough to approach her have had less than desirable results.)
Either way, there's a big orange person staring at whoever happens to be getting mobbed by a horde of grateful citizens at the moment. She's trying to come to a decision, which to the layman means she looks like she's just smelled something rank, and eventually gives an irritated shrug and a grunt before striding forward. They'll have to do. ]
You! [ she snaps, or maybe just says normally. Her voice is ridiculously low and loud, so it's hard to make the call. The crowd parts before her in a Red Sea fashion, leaving little doubt as to who she's addressing, but just to make it clear she points one yaoihanded finger at the person in question. ] You're an imPort.
[ It's a question, kind of. Anyone still hanging around to snap a final selfie is not going to be having a fun time in about thirty seconds. ]
1
[What happens when an unstoppable force meets an immovable object? Because that's pretty much the situation when Jasper runs right into another improbably huge white-haired woman. And how rude, she doesn't even say sorry or anything. That's not very nice, and unfortunately, Glory is not a terribly nice person either. Well, until you get to know her. She reaches out to grab Jasper by the shoulder as the orange woman storms past her.]
You seem to be in a hurry. You're going to hurt someone doing that. [Not her, of course. She just kind of slid to the side slightly.]
no subject
[ She turns, if only to shake off whatever annoyance this happens to, and finds herself looking at someone who is, in fact, about as ridiculously large as her. Her yellow eyes narrow, first in surprise and then in scrutiny. The first thing her brain spits out is "gem"; her experience is limited and dated by a few thousand years, but humans definitely don't come in this size, and none of her physical features would be out of place on another warrior type. On the other hand, she's not wearing any uniform Jasper recognizes and -- more importantly -- she can't see any sign of a gemstone.
But hey, this means Glory's interesting enough to get a response with actual words as opposed to incoherent grunting! What an honor. ]
And?
[ Or a response with actual... word. As punctuation, she jerks both shoulders forward in an attempt to get loose without actually walking away. ]
no subject
Her hold loosens, but she compensates for this by leaning in and trying to look as intimidating as possible. She might subtly flex some enormous biceps while she's at it.]
Innocents don't deserve it. And you might bump into the wrong person.
3 (that un is fantastic btw)
Beach CityHeropa, she passes by a small and very familiar figure. she probably doesn't even notice, what with Lapis' stature and the way the crowds swirl around her, but the same cannot be said for the other gem.she should have known. there was no way she could have just arrived here, free of the ocean and her cellmate. not even another universe was far enough to run from gem politics. it was foolish to believe that maybe this was finally her second chance.
her hand ball into tiny fists, nails digging deep enough into her skin to draw blood if she were a human. Lapis' voice is low, but there's enough hatred between it and her glare to command attention even from a moving wall of cheetos.]
You.
(thank you, so is yours! I still can't believe it wasn't taken)
Jasper is even worse at keeping her emotions hidden than keeping herself from acting on them, and even with her back to Lapis her body betrays her. She freezes, her shoulders locking in a tense, hunched position. Thankfully, it's only a matter of seconds before her secondary reaction comes in to take its place: half-blind fury. If she had a little more time to think it over, she'd be able to make the connection between her shifts in mood, between that momentary feeling of utter helplessness and the rage she feels now, but she doesn't! She doesn't think and she doesn't speak. She summons her stupid pompadour helmet as she turns, her equally stupid hair flaring out around her, and she lunges. ]
You!
[ She bares her teeth, but it's more snarl than smile. The truth is that, like any other petty bully, Jasper won't feel at ease until she's certain she can come out on top of the situation. The hatred in Lapis' voice is a raw reminder of just how uncertain that balance might be. In the meantime, anger is easy. Anger keeps her stalking forward, pushing (and at one point, bodily flinging) any unlucky bystanders out of her way, not even bothering with that spindash thing she does. ]
Don't tell me you finally want to fight fair.
dw constantly amazes me with what still isn't taken
her wings flare out in defiance, ready to propel her just out of Jasper's reach should she make a grab. for the moment, however, Lapis stands her ground. it's about making a point - and emphasizing how little of a threat she feels the other gem is.
this is at least partially bluff, but no one else needs to know that underneath the steely set of her shoulders Lapis is hurriedly trying to form a strategy. Heropa is a seaside town, which means that it would be to her advantage to keep baiting Jasper until they hit the water's edge.
that shouldn't be too difficult. in the meantime, there's enough water sources to keep her from having to play purely defensive. looking like she was running scared isn't exactly in the cards at the moment.]
Do you even know what that means?
[sorry, but you don't try and coerce an emotionally fragile gem into forming a gigantic multihanded super monster and get to complain about fair fights.
a nearby fire hydrant bends and bursts suddenly, the water from the pipes shooting out to swirl deftly around Lapis. unlike Jasper, she at least thinks about the civilians quickly fleeing the scene of impending violence; like her gigantic orange counterpart, however, their well-being doesn't factor much into her plans. that's the sort of thing Steven would care about, and he isn't here right now.]
no subject
I know what it's not! You couldn't take me down without using me for backup.
[ She's a brute and a hypocrite, but she's also a soldier, and as Lapis fortifies her position and the distance between them evaporates she, too, is trying to devise a strategy. The problem is that without getting a grip on her, Jasper's ability to actually take Lapis Lazuli on is severely limited: her gem destabilizer is gone, and the blunt force her fighting style utilizes is only effective when it comes to things she can break. Water doesn't fit in that category. If she could just make Lapis crumble emotionally, lose her focus, she could bypass the threat her abilities present and neutralize her much more easily.
But that's the other problem. She doesn't know what to target. She knows all about Lapis' rage and hate, having been in close quarters with both up until about two hours ago, but all Malachite really taught her was just how little about this gem she understands. She'd thought she knew, before fusing, just where to prod emotionally to get her to fold. She'd had no idea, and now that she needs leverage the only thing Jasper can think of -- that pathetic gambit of Rose Quartz's, which she still doesn't understand -- isn't even in the same universe. (Allegedly. For all she knows, the fusion is about to break through the crowd and start singing again.) If she's off the mark, all she'll do is strengthen the cold current of rage that runs through her. ]
Do you miss it already? [ she hisses, goading from the only perspective she can reliably count on, which is her own. In the approximate ten seconds before the chains bit into their new arms, it had felt good to be Malachite. She'd actually thought that that heady sense of power welling up was hers -- that Lapis was nothing but a minor source of support in the background, waiting the experience out as passively as she did anything else. Stupid, stupid. ] You wanna trap me at the bottom of the ocean again? I'm not going to make it easy for you.
[ Not that she actually thinks Lapis does want to replicate that. There's no element of surprise anymore, and no consent. It would be a lot less taxing just to kill her. Despite that awareness, Jasper has yet to recognize that her continuing to harp on them fusing is a sign of how heavily the possibility weighs on her mind. Give her like 48 hours and she might get there! ]
no subject
[there's a cold sense of pleasure behind being able to drop those words, and the vengeful part of Lapis relishes in it. the knowledge had hurt upon discovery, yes, but she knows that it would damage Jasper far more - the gem still had ties to her planet, had pride and loyalty and perhaps the unspoken assumption that she could bring its full military might to bear once things become too stifling here.
but there was none of that. the fusion still had Jasper rattled (she refuses to dwell on her own feelings towards it, not now) and her reply is phrased specifically to bite at that uneasiness. we're still alone. for all intents and purposes, they might as well still be Malachite.
it also brings up another thought that she barely touches on. what Lapis has said is true - she doesn't need to deal with Jasper at all. there's no crisis, not even a Steven somewhere on this planet that she needs to protect. any action she takes, any violence she lashes out with, will be completely for herself. it's the first completely free action she'll take, she thinks. how appropriate that it may be vengeance.]