etcelsior | The power is in your hands

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?

Flat | Top-Level Comments Only

Maybe. Chainsaw and not Toto, though.

[ But if anyone was Dorothy it would be Gansey. ] Yeah. [ He's glad now. He has Ronan by his side. Most people would take that as something terrifying, the way the other boy is all sharp edges and sneers. But to Adam it's comforting somehow. ]

I don't want to end up in a slasher film. Good idea.

[ He falls in beside Ronan, his hands rubbing a little at his arms. This Virginia is definitely chilly. ] So how many soldiers did you punch?

[So, wordless and decisive, Ronan begins stalking back toward the town proper. He walks a half-step behind Adam; he prefers not to be in charge.]

I didn't punch any. [And then, maybe this is a joke, maybe it's the truth, maybe it's both-] Missed.

[ Adam twists a little so Ronan can see the curve of his smile. ]

Good. Bullet holes wouldn't suit you.

[Something about Adam's smile would or should move Ronan, if he had anything to move inside him for things such as the sharp-cut grins of handsome men. But he doesn't, so it doesn't, and that's completely and utterly the end of the discussion.]

[His eyes linger on the corner of Adam's mouth.]

Really? I think they'd go with the creepy fucking tattoo. [There's a sudden raggedness over the word tattoo, like bottled disdain.]

[ Boys who don't feel things: the book series. ]

Yeah. [ His voice turns disquieted, his expression souring. His fingers rub lightly at his wrist. ] Probably. But try not to get shot. I need brawn if I want us to get home.

[ He needs Ronan. He's just not going to say that. ]

[Feelings are for CHUMPS.]

[Still, it would feel nice to be needed, if he felt things at all. If he felt things, he'd feel a little humbled, almost complimented, by the unspoken implication of his necessity. And he'd feel grateful for Adam making it unspoken, for not dragging it into the light like that.]

[Adam Parrish is very kind, with an almost alien sort of grace.]

Yeah. I guess we're in this fucking mess together. [Chainsaw squawks above them in gentle agreement.] You got a plan?

[ He doesn't think of himself as kind considering how little he does to help Ronan and make him better. That's more Gansey's job. Or maybe Adam likes that they're both as fucked up as each other, broken soldiers after the same thing. ]

Maybe.

[ He keeps walking, the forest debris crackling under his foot. ] I don't know though. Did you read your file?

[Everyone makes Ronan better. Everyone willing to spend time with him, anyway. Who knows what kind of monster he'd be, left to his own devices, howling at the moon.]

[He takes slow steps through the creeping forest.]

No. Don't really wanna know what shit they're saying about me. I'll find out soon enough. [They'll tell him. People are always eager to tell him just what they think of him.]

[ He shrugs one shoulder in a fair enough gesture. He understands that feeling. He'd avoided it as long as he could himself. ]

Did you see the hovercars? Or have you been scoping the forest this whole time?

Uh, went to the forest first, but the cars here are fucking awesome. [Boys, cars, young rich boys, magic future cars. It's a match made in hell. Ronan wonders how he can get his hands on one.] D'you think you'll know how to fix one up?

I don't know.

[ He'd not like to lose that skill, especially if they're stuck and he needs to find a job he can do. ] I'd have to get a look under the hood.

Did you see any auto places around here? [Ronan privately wonders if he can get access to his old lines of credit, and how he could go about grabbing one of those hovercrafts. He certainly doesn't have access to the BMW anymore.] Fuck, I'd like to hear how they make that shit work.

I wasn't really paying attention. [ He was panicking too much. Not that it shows now though. He doesn't like to look weak in front of Ronan. ]

Maybe we could check it out. It doesn't matter if it's dark in town. It's all lit up anyway.

[Ronan just likes cars better than files, and occasionally people. Lucky him that Adam is good at both.] Not like there's a curfew. [Not like Ronan would care if there were.]

[And there they are, on the edge of the forest. The town proper waits before them.] Ladies first. [Lead the way, Adam.]

[ Adam flips him the bird and pauses just long enough that Chainsaw is the first being to cross over the boundary. Then he smirks and heads on. ]

Shitbag. [ There's zero heat in it. It might even be fond. ]

[Very smooth, Parrish. Chainsaw eventually circles back to land on Ronan's shoulder, but color Ronan impressed.]

How long you been here, anyway?

Most of the day.

[ He's spent an inconceivable amount of time just panicking and not knowing what to do. Then he went exploring. ] I got to Virginia pretty quickly. I can't help but think Gansey would love those portal things they use.

Kind of kills the road trips, though. [Not that they take many road trips, but there's a certain thrill in driving places that Ronan feels he'd miss.] I'd take twenty if they could get us outta this mess.

They still have cars. If you want to do the all American thing don't let me stop you.

[ Adam's careful as they move, his gaze drifting as though he wants to take everything in and be aware of it. ]

Hate to break it to you, Lynch. But I don't think we're getting out of this any time soon.

The power is in your hands

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