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etcelsior2015-06-27 04:13 pm
maskormods) wrote in etcelsior2015-06-27 04:13 pm
Entry tags:
safety first
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?
no subject
Yeah. Yeah... we're cool, it's all good.
[ Almost absently she points to her eyes with two fingers, then over to Kaneki -- then blinks again, looking at him curiously. She had begun speaking before she really saw Kaneki, but looking at him now she smiles back; now he looks like someone that belongs in an inter-dimensional hovercar heroic fantasy world, for all she knows he could actually be some kind of... space pirate, or something. Why not? Either way, how cool is that eye-patch? ]
Sometimes-- [ She exhales, turning her hands over in a slow circle as she figures out how to say it, but what she settles on is fairly straightforward:] ... I get mad. Not on purpose. [ She shakes her head, no, no, then pauses, as if to explain herself further. ] Even if you hear something over, and over, and over in your life... first days can be very emotional. Do you know what I mean?
no subject
please not an actual character from your """""""love""""" stories.it's a very cool eyepatch, though. He has tons of it and sadly he didn't know he'd meet Suzanne today, or he'd bring along this one that has a centipede drawn on it. But moving on from that-
Kaneki listens to her, peacefully, actually. If he finds her weird, strange, crazy or not, he doesn't say anything about it, and his expression doesn't really change at all. He nods instead, because he agrees that first days can be a wreck ]
yeah, I know. it's a lot easier when you have other people to help you out.
Also- [ he nods at those who just commented that imPorts couldn't be right in the head. ] They say those things because they are scared.
no subject
Suzanne nods her head in agreement, eyebrows raising. She nods once more more vehemently. ]
And we can't blame them for their fear. People outside of-- [ She indicates the two of them, but then outward even from that. Outside of all of "them," whatever that ends up really meaning. ] All they want... is to know they're not in danger. Doesn't matter to them if the people they scared of don't always mean to be dangerous.
[ She holds up a finger, pausing and then making an amendment: ]
But it matters.
no subject
You are right. It doesn't excuse their behavior either - it explains why, but it doesn't excuse it.
[ Kaneki shakes his head ] That's why we are given the chance to show them we are more than that. [ it doesn't... go right a lot of the time. Kaneki knows, considering he is one of those dangerous people, either he wants to or not ]
What's your name?
no subject
[ She tips a finger-gun point in his direction; the Space Pirate speaks the truth, which is a relief -- at least that much is universal. "Yesterday is history, tomorrow is a mystery." ]
We have to focus on our nows and not our befores. Or else we never get to see our nexts. Start the process over every day. [ An ongoing battle with the self, but it does no good to dwell too much on what she can't control or change. ] I'm Suzanne. And -- you are?
[ She's anticipating an awesome name. Probably alliterative. ]
no subject
I'm Ken Kaneki. Most people call me just Kaneki. [ "Ken" is his name, Kaneki his family name, and westerns basically decide which to call him as they please ]
Do you have any questions? About the place?
no subject
I'm... [ Hm. Suzanne gestures upward to one side with her fingers, then the other. ] Not sure. No and also yes, see... I understand it, but I can't visualize it. [ Another two-fingered point toward her eyes, then outward. ] It doesn't feel real. Does that make sense?
no subject
It's like that at first. A hope it's all just our vivid imagination, or some strange dream. But- [ aha... ] We get used to it. Or pretend we don't. [ he doesn't think that, even after a year here, he is used to it at all ]
no subject
Oh, my dreams are nothing like this. [ They're weirder. ] That isn't my worry. It isn't bad being here, it's... unexpected. And... big. That's a whoooole lot of independence I wasn't ready for, and I don't really know what we're supposed to do with it.
I mean actually. [ Her hand swipes the air like, "duh," before she shakes the file in her hand. ] I remember what it says. I just can't do it.
no subject
sort of]Do your powers scare you?
no subject
[ Suzanne shakes her head vehemently. Her trying to be a hero is bound to quickly go very, very wrong, and she is aware of that. She shakes her head, then, a second time, in answer to his question. ]
Uh-uh. No. I scare me. And... [ Taking a couple slow, deep breaths in and out, she looks around them. ] Living alone scares me.
no subject
You won't be living alone. They give you a place to stay and there are other imPorts there. And if you need, there are many others willing to help.
You are not alone.
no subject
With a sigh, frustrated, she sits down on the curb. ]
No, they won't like me. [ More head-shaking. ] People don't like being around me, and, I'm not even supposed to be around mixing with people like you yet. But you know something, Kaneki?
[ She doesn't stand yet, but crosses one arm over her bended knees and leans her opposite elbow on it, to point up at him. Now she smiles. ]
So far you and your eyepatch are the best things about this place.
no subject
When she smiles and says those last words, he can only smile wider, and eventually, Kaneki sits down near her ]
I actually have a lot cooler eyepatches. One has a skull in it. Like a pirate. [ something like that.
But moving on ]
-- I shouldn't be around people either. I shouldn't be around anyone, actually. My head gets confused sometimes. [ he is paranoid, he is hyper alert, he might have PTSD and he gets a bit... intense at times. He hears sounds that aren't there, he sees things that aren't there. Sometimes he closes up on himself and he doesn't really see what is happening around him, only what is happening in his head.
By no means he thinks he is the same as Suzanne or that she is anywhere similar to him in that department. But he understands. ]
And I tell people that, you know? That they shouldn't be around me. And yet, not once I've been alone. [ he feels alone. But he isn't alone. People are always there. ] So, I think they will like you.
no subject
For special occasions, right? I got you, I got you. [ Coolest. Shit. Ever. ] That's a good idea.
[ Suzanne brings her legs closer together, folding her arms over her knees as the subject shifts again; her eyebrows furrow as she listens. And he actually makes sense to her, she can understand exactly what he means. Or, well, she thinks she can. She nods emphatically, pointing to her own head before her fingers curl loosely into her palm and she holds her hands -- both hands -- against her chest, frowning as she thinks.
Finally, she leans over, as if to tell him a secret. ]
Well, you're nice, and you have the-- [ She points to her eye. Then his, realizing that makes more sense. ] My friends don't like me. Because, my head gets me confused too, and my emotions get all twisted up into knots until I don't make sense anymore. To... [ She pauses, then shrugs. ] Anyone. Sometimes not even me.
People don't mind that here?
no subject
When she leans to tell him her secret, kaneki listens. he nods softly as she tries to explain, and doesn't say a word yet, letting her trying to make sense of the things that go in her head.
Kaneki tilts his head a bit, trying to think of a way to answer it ]
It's hard for them to understand and see it. Because there are things I can only see and they can't, so they get confused. And the more confused they look, more I get confused about it too - I know something is not right and at the time, I can't tell what and I can't break from it [ because he is completely emerged in his messed up brain ] -- and it just snowballs.
I can't tell you they don't mind. They mind. And worry. But you'll find people who won't push you away because of it.
no subject
She murmurs, thoughtfully: ]
People that understand each other. [ She looks at him, gesturing from herself to him, and back again with two fingers. ] Outside of the fishbowl. Because the ocean has room for every kind of fish, even the ones that just wanna swim in circles all day and all night.
[ But it's still hard to visualize after so long spent being the only one quite like she is. It's not a good feeling, which is why she doesn't ask him if he shares it, or if he used to. ]
And they're nice to you?
no subject
[ he IS a fish swimming around in circles, though. The analogy is perfect, in fact. And it's such a frustrating, scary feeling, but he can't stop because what else can he do, really? if he stops, he feels like he will drown. ]
I think I'm very lucky to have them. I wouldn't know what to do with myself, otherwise. [ even if he pushes people away, kaneki can't live with them. Ever. He needs them. ]
no subject
Then I am very happy for you. [ She means it. ] Without kindness... [ And she shakes her head, glancing upward. ] People don't know who they are. It becomes easier to believe all those bad things in your head. But you-- you're a nice person. Most people aren't.