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

[rellarella]

Because I have them. Some precious ones too. [Smirks.] Not that all my balls aren't precious to me. But my balls of steel are the most.

[trickstar]

Hey, if they're so special, then you must want to show 'em off, right? Show me them! I wanna see your balls.

[rellarella]

[He's chuckling to himself, his eyes slim.]

Weeeell I dunno, you think you're ready for something like that? They're really nice.

[trickstar]

Come on. I know you wanna.

[rellarella]

I like it when ladies say please.

[trickstar]

[jokes on you gyro, he has no problem putting on a falsetto. Joseph arches an eyebrow first, but then smirks and raises his voice a few pitches.]

Pleaaaaaase?

[rellarella]

[How's the joke on him?? That was hilarious!]

Nyo-hohohoho!! Wonder how you talk to the guys with smiles you like. [Smirks, moving a hand down, he push open the small cover on his holster and pulls out one of his steel ball weapons, tossing it up and catching it.]

S'it. One of them anyway. I got two.

[trickstar]

Tch.

[Clearing his throat again, Joseph looks over a the steel ball in Gyro's hand. It's pretty intricate looking, pretty nice.]

What, after that, I don't get to see both? Cheapskate.

[rellarella]

[Smirks, quickly shifting to take out the second one. Flick of his wrist and they're both spinning fast, balancing either up on either index finger.]

I'd say you're breaking my balls right now, but that's near impossible, nyo-ho!

[trickstar]

Oh!

[Yeah, that's what he's talking about. He tries not to be too star-struck.]

That's pretty cool!

[He doesn't succeed.]

[rellarella]

[Heh, aww. Yeah they're pretty cool. He stops, tossing one over to Joseph. When he catches it though, it'll keep spinning, making waves in his skin. Kind of like the affect wind has on water when something is hovering close to the surface.]

Don't open you're hand for too long to look at it. Don't want to hurt anyone, right?

[trickstar]

[He catches it and- Woah. It's like Ripple, almost. It feels a little like it, but it definitely looks different... Is it possible this guy knows Ripple? He hadn't even considered it, but given what he did with the twisting shit earlier...]

Right. Yeah...

Alright, I have to ask. You don't... know anything about something called Ripple, do you?

[rellarella]

[If it's ripple that's not what they call it where he's from, so who knows.]

Can't say I do. [The other ball still on his index and spinning, he holds up his free hand for the one he gave Joseph.]

Should I have?

[trickstar]

No. I guess not.

[Joseph gives a half shrug, and gives Gyro a look like he intends to toss the ball back to him.]

[rellarella]

[Nah, he'll get his hand close.]

Put it in my hand. [Don't toss it, way too many people around. Safety measure.]

[trickstar]

Alright.

[Steps a bit closer, and drops it into Gyro's hand. That's safe, right?]

[rellarella]

[Sure, he'll snatch it up and then grip both in either palm. They're rotating stops and he holds them up between his index and thumbs, showing them off and letting Joseph actually see how intricate they are now.]

Here, take a better look. You normally this interested in balls? Or just the really nice ones?

[trickstar]

Well-

[Joseph starts, looking them over some more now that they aren't ... potential weapons? Or maybe they always are.]

Yours are pretty nice. But I have a pair of balls myself!

[rellarella]

Oh yeah? Can you show 'em to me?

[trickstar]

Yeah, hang on.

[He usually keeps them tucked away- through a pantsloop, of course. So it takes a second for him to get the pair of clackers undone, but he holds them out by the string.]

They're pretty decent, but not finessed, you know?

[rellarella]

Hmmm. [Bows his head a little, putting his own away before holding his chin with a hand. His other one holds out, offering to take them from him.]

No, they look like they've seen a lot of play though, you polish them often?