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[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 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. The small, cheery city of Heropa is finishing some downtown construction work following an attack some months ago. There are enough construction crews still around and on break to wave and raise a cup of coffee in a salute to the most obvious imPorts. You might even be thanked for playing a role in saving the city from whatever happened.

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, is a large city with a healthy economy, and though it's quieter, there are just as many citizens awed at your presence. Heavy winds have people grasping at their newspapers and constantly brushing hair out of their faces, but that doesn't distract them from crowding you in excitement if you're obviously from a different time or world, or just let it slip that you're a newcomer. Children and young teenagers are especially likely to ask for an autograph and a photo.

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, is just fine as always. Ask the residents about their opinions on the recent two-block space that burned in a fire or the imPorts mixed up in the incident, and the locals will shrug. They're just not interested in talking 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?

Comments

[fadeling]

Yes I do. They need my help.

[deadtective]

[this is like engaging in conversation with a scrawny farmer-esque version of some of her more vulnerable qualities, and Hazel isn't sure how she feels about that.]

...you're going to be here a long time if you try and help everybody by yourself.

[fadeling]

That's fine. I don't mind. I like helping.

[deadtective]

You're going to like it a lot less here, trust me. [but she mumbles this, so it may be hard to catch]

Do you at least know where you live and all that crap?

[fadeling]

Why? The hurt is the same here as anywhere.

[Oh she said something else.]

No. Should I?

[deadtective]

They've practically made 'no good deed goes unpunished' some kind of universal constant here. Just don't expect anything to go well for you.

[lmao NO WHY WOULD HE KNOW THAT THAT WOULD BE TOO EASY. Hazel shoves her hands into her pocket, at once a little weary and also glad that there's this easy way to not continue talking about their previous topic.]

Especially since, uh, yeah. You should really know where you're staying tonight. Did you at least keep the folder..?

[fadeling]

No. It...hurt too much to listen, so I forgot.

[deadtective]

[it hurt too much to listen...to the folder? w h y]

Please tell me you at least threw it out somewhere close by.

[fadeling]

I don't remember.

[deadtective]

[ok, excuse her a moment, she's just dragging her hands down the sides of her face. how does she keep finding these people????]

Alright, fine, forget the folder. We're going to buy you some fucking B12 supplements and then you can just crash at my place until we find a copy of the stupid assignment letter.

[fadeling]

I'm alright. [Plus he doesn't understand most of what she just said.] You don't need to worry about me.

[deadtective]

I'm not worrying! [really, Hazel? because that was awfully shrill for someone who's apathetic.] Just come on, would you? If you want to start helping, you can help me look less crazy right now.

[because if no one else can 'see' him, she's pretty sure she looks like she's been talking to air this whole time. rad.]

[fadeling]

But you aren't.

[deadtective]

I am. Trust me.

[fadeling]

You're really crazy?

[deadtective]

I really look like I am.

[nice way to skirt around the issue, Hazel. she's 90% certain of her sanity, just. not her decisions a lot of the time.]

[fadeling]

Oh. I'm sorry.

[deadtective]

If you're really sorry we'll stop standing in the middle of the road and start walking.

[fadeling]

Alright.

[deadtective]

Thank god.

[and she sets off, happy to at least now be talking to 'herself' while simultaneously on the move. she was joking about the memory aid vitamin supplements, so her end goal right now is the bullet train station back to Heropa and (eventually) her house.]

[fadeling]

[He actually does follow, not really looking at the surroundings. But he does take a few detours, vanishing and reappearing in front of other people who notice him just long enough for a sentence, and then go right back to what they were doing as if he had never been there when he reappears behind her.]

Too much pain... It almost hurts to hear it singing.

[deadtective]

[why. why? why do these people always inevitably find her? Hazel steadfastly and pointedly stops watching after the first few teleport detours, keeping her gaze firmly on her own feet. nope, not going to let this get any weirder than it already is.]

We'll get you some ear plugs before bed. They're pretty cheap.

[fadeling]

That won't help. And I forget after. When it hurts.

[deadtective]

Thaaaaat's not really healthy.

[fadeling]

Why? I don't need to remember. It makes me clean again.