safety first

[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 as if they have been refurbished in the past few months -- something happened in here some time ago. Something big.

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 and a pamphlet. 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 city of Heropa is what one might expect from a small, bright and cheery place. The locals are friendly enough and local shop owners might offer a free drink to help cool you down in this awfully nauseating heat. Some of the locals might thank you for always lending your service to the nation and others might not say anything. In fact, some people might back away from any imPort who quite obviously looks like they aren't from around the neighborhood. Once in a while there's a look of disdain on someone's face and hushed voices. Something about "the outbreak" and "the government's gotta crack down on their medical files". "Some of them can't be right in the head" says another.

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 normally known for being a little more on the apathetic side, but there's been tension in the atmosphere lately. Nobody will outright state what it is that's rustled their jimmies, though you might find a newsstand with articles on recent and aggressive vigilante behavior within the city. "ImPorts: loyal to the cause of their own?" reads one newspaper article.

People are not as friendly in this city and go out of their way to avoid walking down the same sidewalk as the more obvious looking imPorts pass through. Local cops say nothing, but they scowl at those imPorts and utter something about "no badges" and "acting like authority figures".

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

[dadroid]

My apologies -- I simply wanted to make sure.

[ He gets back to his feet, looking Hiro over once more before he speaks again, his voice loaded with politness and formality as he bows in greeting. ]

I'm pleased to meet you. My name is Baymax, personal bodyguard to Hiro Takachiho of the Tesuka Advanced Science Institute.

[There's a pause as he's straightens up, before he adds -- with a far more casual, almost teasing tone of voice -- ]

...to whom you bear a striking resemblance.

[microbrobotics]

[ Meanwhile, Hiro's eyes widen considerably. Baymax? But - how? That exterior is awfully convincing. He's not sure it's even possible with their level of tech, even with Hiro's genius brain at the heart of it. More importantly, it doesn't really seem like something he'd design, despite how impressive he is. ]

No way you're Baymax. And - that is NOT my last name.

[dadroid]

I am Baymax.

[ A simple statement. No bitterness or confrontation in his tone, it's just a simple fact, like he were talking about the weather.

But he can see Hiro becoming more agitated and confused, which is the last thing Baymax wants. He kneels again, expression softening as his voice takes on a calmer, more fatherly and affectionate tone. ]

And it's becoming increasingly clear that you're not the Hiro who created me. But seeing as you do know a Baymax, I think it may be possible that you and I have been ported from alternate realities. Would you agree?

[ Normally, physical contact would be added to his calming techniques, but seeing as this Hiro is a stranger that seems inappropriate for now. For now a calm tone and a logical explanation would hopefully be enough. ]

[microbrobotics]

[ Hiro can't disbelieve in alternate realities - just being here is proof enough of that. But duplicates? Of someone he knows? He'd heard Lana talk about it but hadn't confronted it himself. It's so strange. Beyond strange, even, to be staring at some alternate counterpart in the face. First questions first, though. ]

Wait - wait. Hold on. The other me built you? Not Tadashi?

edit i guess this takes place after the thread below

[dadroid]

(edit 2: or maybe the thread below is au now that it's getting longer? idk it's a test drive so time is weird or nonexistent)

[ Baymax nods in confirmation, surprised at the revelation -- Hiro Takachiho was the genius of his team, of his family, of his school; Who could possibly surpass that?

Perhaps this Tadashi. ]

I was created years ago when Hiro was smaller. It's been my duty to guide and protect him ever since.



eh whatever, just wing it

[microbrobotics]

He created you when he was younger than me ...

[ Honestly? He doesn't doubt it - if he hadn't been so distracted by school and botfighting, maybe he could have done that too. But that's still hilariously impressive. Obviously they're both geniuses. ]

Well what about his brother? You have a Tadashi, right?

[dadroid]

[ That earns a surprised widening and brightening of his eyes. There's a surge of emotion at the question. Hiro stating he has a brother? Tomeo has another son, is the logical conclusion, and before he can reason the thought away -- I have another --?

But facts catch up to him about then, and the thought is quieted. He shakes his head. ]

Hiro Takachiho is a first and only child. No siblings.

[ He pauses, wondering how much it would be appropriate to disclose about Hiro to his counterpart. No intricate details yet, he supposed, but he can't help but feel pleased to know that this Hiro, at least, had a brother.

Emotions are a tricky thing, even for a robot -- there's a bit of human mixed into him, for sure, and Baymax has had years to smoothly integrate Tomeo's personality into his own programming. For a moment he forgets himself, forgets that this Hiro doesn't know him and may not welcome contact. He reaches up, hoping to gently cup the side of Hiro's face in his massive hand if the boy doesn't jerk away. ]

I am... relieved to know that in at least one existence, he wasn't so lonely.

[microbrobotics]

[ Hiro's not usually one for physical contact with strangers, but the gesture startles him enough that he freezes up instead of pulling away. He can only assume that, despite his imposing appearance, this Baymax was close to his own version of Hiro. It makes his own heart ache for the fluffy marshmallow version of his robot friend...

And now they're on the subject of Tadashi. He has to swallow, hard, and blink back a few tears. ]

Didn't he have parents? [ He is not going to touch on Tadashi's death just yet. He's not even considering whether or not this other Hiro had friends - obviously not, if they were similar enough for this android to mistake them for each other. ]

[dadroid]

[ That surprises him further. Did this young Hiro still have his father? There is a swell of relief, and - jealousy?

He sees Hiro stiffen at the contact but cannot bring himself to take his hand away, not yet. ]

His mother. She cares for him dearly, he couldn't ask for a better mother.

His father...

[ There is an ache in his chest, a tug at his core that he can't quite place. Baymax is silent for a moment. He had never anticipated needing to explain his own death to Hiro, even an alternate, and it's difficult to find the words. The fingers at Hiro's cheek curl slightly as Baymax averts his gaze. ]

I am... a product of Hiro's grief.

[microbrobotics]

[ Oh. That's familiar. His Baymax was built by Tadashi, for sure, but Hiro also rebuilt the bot's body. To say that the new Baymax was a product of this Hiro's grief too ... would not be terribly inaccurate.

His turn to feel a stab of jealousy too. Aunt Cass has been a wonderful parent, but having his biological mother would have been nice too ... ]

Then ... he knew his father. And his mother.

[dadroid]

[ Baymax looks him over once more. His jealousy is quenched with Hiro' words; Here, his son had never known him, and that's far more painful than any burn of jealousy; After all, even given their unique circumstances, this is a loss felt by the both of them.

The urge to pull him close, to hold and reassure him that he's here now and all would be well... it's strong. But what reassurance would that be to a Hiro who didn't recognize him in any form? ]

Hiro and...

[ I, he almost finishes. There's an unintelligible blip in his voice as he corrects his thought mid sentence. ]

...his father were very close. Their intelligence could be... isolating, at times, but they connected on a level that their peers could rarely match.


[microbrobotics]

[ He recognizes the sentiment, at least. Leaning forward, bowing his head a little. He promised Tadashi he wouldn't tell anyone else, so he won't spell it out... But the parallels are obvious enough. ]

Same with me and Tadashi. My brother. And then we both have Aunt Cass, but I feel kind of bad for her. I know we were a handful.

[dadroid]

[ The implication is subtle, but clear in Baymax's mind. He does not pry to confirm it, but perhaps Hiro was far more lonesome than he's realized.

He pulls his hand back, bringing it down to gently cup Hiro's chin, hoping to ease his gaze upward. ]

In my experience, Hiros are always worth the effort in the end.

Childhood is precious and short, Hiro. Handful or not, don't feel guilty for living it while you can.

[ He pulls back then. He's programmed to love, guide, and protect Hiro; There were no stipulations against extending that care to alternates. Hiro Takachiho was growing up, growing out of his need for a caretaker and becoming a respectable young man and a hero in his own right. Here, however, he could see a young Hiro who still needed him in more ways than one.

He straightens up and gets to his feet before offering another respectful bow. ]

And I, personally, would be delighted to have the honor of guiding? protecting, and caring for you as I would my own creator.

If, of course, you would allow it.

[microbrobotics]

[ This is easily one of the weirdest conversations he's had here. With an alternate Baymax, an alternate Baymax swearing to protect him? He feels like he can't possibly deserve that. ]

I - yeah? Who's going to turn that down?

... Are you sure you want to?

[dadroid]

My programming only binds me to Hiro Takachiho. Seeing that, as you've said yourself, that's not your last name, I technically have no obligation to you.

So yes, I am sure. I'm offering because I want to.

I'm looking forward to getting to know you, Hiro...?

[microbrobotics]

Hamada. I'm Hiro Hamada.

[ He bows back, awkwardly. And then ... he offers his fist? ]

[dadroid]

Hiro Hamada. It's a pleasure.

[ He stares down at the hand for a moment, then mirrors the gesture. ]

[microbrobotics]

[ He bumps Baymax's fist lightly, then pulls back with an explosion gesture. ]

as if i wasnt going to do exactly this thing

[dadroid]

[ Baymax watches and listens, frowning slightly. His synthesizer... doesn't have that sound, short of creating an actual explosion.

Again, he mimicks the gesture, replicating the sound to the best of his ability. ]

Ba-la-la-la-lah.

screaming

[microbrobotics]

[ Somehow, that only makes Hiro grin more widely. ]

Perfect.

:D 1/2

[dadroid]

[ The sight of Hiro's smile only warms Baymax's core. He steps back then, smiling as well, lifting a finger in a silent request for Hiro to wait a moment.

He glances around to ensure they're alone, then a blue glow overtakes him, beneath which Hiro would be able to see his silhouette shifting and warping, the boxy man suddenly showing signs of bizarre details --

2/2

[dadroid]

-- until the glow clears and those details suddenly have meaning. They're armor and mechanical details on the tank that now stands before Hiro, chrome shining in the daylight as he looks down at his charge with a whole new face.

Though Baymax no longer has a malleable human mouth, one could almost swear he was smiling by the way he tilted his head. ]

How about a test drive?

[microbrobotics]

[ Hiro's eyes widen at that. He's looking Baymax over with a critical eye, scoping out his abilities. If "test drive" means what he thinks it means... ]

That's impressive. Hologram? Shape-shifting? And please tell me you can fly.

[dadroid]

Synthformer. So yes, shape-shifting; The two forms you saw were both physically 'real', so to speak.

[ His shoulders shake at the word 'fly', his synthesizer letting out a soft mechanical rattle -- a chuckle? ]

Some things never change.

We -- that is, the other Hiro and I -- considered flight during my most recent upgrade. Given the amount of power it would take to keep something of my massive weight airborne, we ultimately agreed it wasn't practical or efficient. However...

[ He kneels down, bringing his arms behind him, the way a father might offer his child a piggy-back ride. ]

That doesn't mean the thrusters are just for decoration.

[microbrobotics]

That's why you just make your new design lighter.

[ But he'll forgive his other self for making Baymax into a flipping Transformer. That's just badass. He gladly hops up on Baymax's back once he offers. ]

Show me.