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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

[hisheartsdesire]

It's only after Toby breaks his longing gaze from Dorian's neck that he answers, "Even so, I think we should get this guy out of the way first. If I'd known you were here, I might not have been so reckless."

So as they work on dragging the corpse along as if helping a friend who'd gotten terribly pissed, Toby continues, "Other vampire imPorts, yeah? Does that mean to say there are no more secrets around here, what with imPorts being so public? Surely there are people who keep their... conditions, their powers or whatever they're called, to themselves?"

[brushoff]

Still dragging that corpse, Dorian makes a little 'mmhmm' noise. It's not like he can shrug after all. "Some people are better at it than others, but yeah, there are some people who keep things to themselves. I tried to keep my portrait to myself until...circumstances forced my hand."

Like getting burned alive. Those kind of circumstances.

[hisheartsdesire]

Mention of the portrait brings a frown to Toby's face, and he grows quiet and pensive for a moment or so.

"...Then you don't keep it at yours anymore? I can't imagine," he replies, surprise tinging his voice as much as some kind of hesitation. "Isn't there a higher risk that someone else might get their hands on it?"

Possibly bring it to life, perhaps? As the thought crosses his mind, Toby ducks his head, his expression tormented as he avoids looking at Dorian.

[brushoff]

"No," Dorian remarked, with a frown. "I used to keep it in a safety deposit box back in the 90s, I've started taking that up again here." Because keeping it at his house was just a bad idea. After all, that was how Yuri found it, how he managed to kill him. Fool me once, and so on and so on.

"Aside from the bank, I'm the only one that's got the key."

[hisheartsdesire]

"I see." There's some relief in his voice. "Sounds like something that works for you. Should keep Victoria out, at least—wait, is she even in this world? Or wait, what I should ask is if you even know who she is..."

[brushoff]

"I've got no clue who she is." And really, he's kind of put out about that. It's hardly fair that Toby knows things about what happened back home while Dorian doesn't.

"Let me guess, she tried to steal my portrait or something like that."

[hisheartsdesire]

"Ha! So you don't even know her, right now?" Toby chuckles, shaking his head as they move along. "Now that's just brilliant; I didn't know her either, not until you called out for her when I was waiting up at your place."

He sees a lidless oil drum in one of the nearby construction areas and comments, "There—let's see if anything's in it. Might be able to use it to take care of this fellow."

And as they make their way over, he adds, "Anyway, she set us up to take the fall whilst stealing an artifact at an exhibition. A stone that could bring your portrait to life."

[brushoff]

Dorian's face pretty much just drains of all color at this point because what. He knows that bringing his portrait to life would be a bad idea. What on earth was this Victoria woman thinking? He continues to help move the body but his expression is purely 'what the ever living hell.'

"If she knows about my portrait, then surely she knows just how bad a decision that is."