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

Can I help you? [Sabriel's an imPort who's been in the public eye often enough to be used to stares. Her expression is controlled, but not unfriendly as she walks forward, but she stays standing, instead of sitting down next to the other girl.]

[She's one it doesn't work on - Lourdes can tell right away. If it was going to work, the effect would be instantaneous; if it isn't going to work, no amount of trying is going to change that.]

No. I don't need help.

Then why were you staring at me? [Sabriel's not suspicious, but her interest is definitely piqued.]

None of your business.

[She says, to the person whose business it is the most.]

Fine. But stop staring, it's rude.

[Still, Sabriel watches the other girl out of the corner of her eye as she steps under a nearby tree and pulls out a book.

When she starts noticing a few odd things- people suddenly waving their hands, surprised by their own actions- she glances up at the other girl. When a boy suddenly trips his friends, she gets up, and asks if they're all right, do they need any healing?]

[Lourdes makes all the friends stare at Sabriel, exactly like she'd been doing herself.]

[Unfortunately, Sabriel doesn't find this very funny. She gestures, rapidly sketching out a set of symbols that glow- and then settle onto the group, immobilizing them.]

All right, that's enough.

What did you do to them?

[She doesn't really sound concerned - just annoyed. Like a kid who's irritated that someone else is playing with her things.]

I told them to hold still. [Sabriel sounds less like a child and more like a prefect lecturing a younger student.]

There's a training center, you know. If you want to practice, use willing volunteers. Or do you expect to get away with playing tricks like that for your entire stay here?

Sure I do. Why shouldn't I?

[Sabriel is suddenly struck by the urge to slap this girl across the face. Instead she gives her a look of utter disaproval.]

People are not your playthings. And there are plenty of imPorts who share my sentiments.

I could do it to you, too.

[It's a bluff, of course; she's already tried and failed.]

If you could, you already would. Was that why you were staring at me?

How do you know I would? You don't know me.

I know your type. Petty sorcerers who think that because they have power, they have the right to use it however they like.

And? It makes sense to me.

And how would you like it if someone decided to use you as a target? What's good for the goose is good for the gander, after all.

They can't.

[She sounds sure of herself, the way only a very, very new person could.

[Sabriel laughs- it's not mean, but it's definitely condescending. She gestures back to the immobilized group, giving them an apologetic smile. Being immobilized can't be pleasant, but it's better than having someone unpleasant as this girl pulling their strings.]

Really? How many mages- how many imPorts- have you met? And have you even heard about nullifiers yet?

They'd have to catch me first. I could stop them.

The power is in your hands

Unaffected, let's say it's in Nonah.

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