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

[dreamshades]

[ A mistake he will rectify. ]

My apologies. Magic is fickle like that, even I don't know what it wants until it tells me.

[ He's lying through his teeth on this one, but, he makes it sound genuine. Hey, who said he can't lie a bit about how magic works. Not like this kid will know if magic has sentience or not.

And all the choosing. It wouldn't be fun if it was easy. ]

Fair enough. When you do, just contact me on this little thing they gave us. [ As he holds the comm up. ]

Just ask for Peter. Peter Pan.

[rassera]

Heh, seems like we both got on the losing end of this battle. Had a friend once who dealt with something like that. Not magic but...close.

[Psychic bullshit, that's what.]

[But his eyes look to the little device, as if just remembering he had it.]

A phone? Never had one of my own before...

[dreamshades]

Really? What was it?

[ Call him curious. After all, might as well get some info on this guy's friends and gauge if they're an actual threat. ]

Well, it'll be an experience for us both, I haven't either.

[ He tilts his head, looking at Kaneda. ]

What is your name by the way?

[rassera]

I'm not really sure. He could move things just by thinking it. Stop things right in their tracks. Read minds. Destroy whatever he wanted.

[Except for him.]

Poor bastard couldn't control it, or himself. He's gone now, and that's probably for the best.

[His voice lowers a little, as if in subtle mourning over that. After all, it's not like that can really come back to bite him or his world. There's not much left of it.]

...

Kaneda. My name's Kaneda.

[dreamshades]

[ He mulls it over in his mind about this apparent friend of this Kaneda. They sounded powerful, but, from the description it was power far beyond their control. Regardless, with how this land works Peter will need to keep an eye out. Either to bring this other person under his thumb or to be sure they can't cause him problems.

But, he has to pretend like he feels bad for the other boy, so, he gives something of a sympathetic look. ]

I'm sorry to hear that. Power can be a seductive thing and it can even burn the best of us.

[ Except for Peter here. He always has control. To look reassuring, he pats Kaneda on the shoulder, as one would do with a friend but doesn't let it linger too long. They were still acquaintances after all. ]

Well, it's good to meet you, Kaneda. I hope to see you again soon.