etcelsior | OONTZ OONTZ OONTZ OONTZ

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?

Flat | Top-Level Comments Only

[ hi it's your favorite ]

At least... there is you.

[ Choosing her steps carefully as she walks alongside the building, her fingers brush the peeling paint of the wall. They're drawn to these places, are they not? Seeking out the forgotten, the decaying, because they, too, were abandoned by the ones who should have cared for them. ]

For a moment, I thought I was alone. I am glad it is not so -- not completely.

[ But still, it's too quiet without her brother. ]

[His face really isn't used to expressing shock. Surprise, anger, smug satisfaction, sure. But shock? Not so much.]

[Glad...?]

[The last time he saw her, she'd switched teams. Literally. Denounced him, denounced their cause... left him. But -- now here she was. Saying she was glad to see him.]

Wanda...

[It's probably incredibly cliche and theatrical, but the sad little disguising blanket slides off his head. He just sort of stares for a moment or two.]

So am I.

[That's sincere, anyway. He ducks in through the dilapidated doorway, motioning her after him.]

How long have you been here?

[ She offers him a small, warm smile, following after him. ]

Not long.

[ Of course, she remembers nothing of the denouncement. As far as she knows, their plan was going swimmingly, with the Avenger's Hulk laying waste to a city. Ultron is probably fortunate that she could never see through to his iron heart, and she merely attributes his shock to the situation. She would be, too. She is. This entire day has been madness, and--

The relief she feels is clear in her expression. A familiar face is a wonderful sight. ]

And what of you? [ A tiny smirk tugs at the corner of her mouth. ] Are resources so scarce you cannot find a worthy mantle, or is that simply your favorite blanket?

Edited (OOPS WRONG ICON) 2015-05-26 07:23 (UTC)

[Please, don't do this--]

[He wonders, idly, as he hears her footsteps after his, if it's possible for a being such as he to be stuck in a memory loop. Because those words are playing over and over again in his head. Seeing her face as she was the first to turn, knowing her brother would follow. Knowing... that scrap of kinship was gone.]

[It was over...]

[He shakes his head, once, decisively, shoving it all aside, and making way for her in the small, broken down hall.]

Oh, you know me. Always the showman -- it's nice though, hm? Very, post-apocalyptic.

It suits me.

[The last said with the flicker of a sardonic smirk. Then he's sobering.]

No Pietro then?

No. I have not heard him since coming here. [ She clutches her hands in front of her, folding her long fingers together. In another life, she might have been a pianist.

Her lips thin. ]

It is empty without him.

[ It's difficult to admit as much aloud, and it's been so long since she's needed to speak of the things that haunt her, but being without her brother is too lonely. The thought needs to be heard by someone, anyone, and she can think of no one better.

A breath, and she gives a flicker of a smile, looking at Ultron with approval. ]

These people fear destruction. By wearing that, you become what they fear.

[ She was once the same as them, but in her country, there were no heroes. There was no one to count on to save them -- not even their own government. Wanda and Pietro had to become heroes. So, then, should these people. Perhaps then they will no longer need to "recruit" others, and they can go home. To their family. ]

I'm sorry.

[And again, it's honest. For a second, he lifts a hand, like he wants to set it on her shoulder or head or something. An aborted little attempt at being reassuring. Fond.]

[Of course it falls flat. Because humanity's destruction and salvation cannot be so gentle. Cannot afford such familiarity.]

[He makes an effort to lower his hand, force the fondness from his glowing optics. Things will be different here. Different now.]

You think? I thought it made me look dashing. [There's a twitch of broad shoulders, and he lets it fall away. Off the street, there's no need to move in cover.] I can't afford to draw attention just yet. Awe, fear, or anything in between.

Not until I can regain what was taken from me.

[ Her head tilts curiously. ]

What is it that was taken?

[ All men reveal themselves, but Ultron is no man. What she feels from him is nothing, like a ghost. Her instincts tell her she's alone, though it is not so. His eyes glow red, like blood from a beating heart. He is alive, here.

As long as he is here, she is not alone. ]

[... Ah, yes. She wouldn't know that. If she doesn't recall the incident with the Vision, then...]

Stark severed my connection to the net. He and his newest toy managed to burn out the hubs in my processor.

[Which is entirely true. To a certain extent. The Vision was Stark's pet now. One of the enemy. And it was the one responsible for cutting him off.]

[He absently rubs a hand along the back of his head, as if feeling the burned-out ports, before turning back to her.]

In short? He made me perishable.

OONTZ OONTZ OONTZ OONTZ

4444444444

C8

SHHH ULTRON LET WANDA SING YOU A LULLABY

OK FRIEND 8C

WELP TRIPPED OVER MOTIVATION TO BE A VILLAIN SO OKAY

VILLAIN FAMILY

BEST FAMILY

8'D