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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

[ By then, Nico has managed to get to his feet again. The air is still horribly cold here - and he's left a sizable patch of dead grass in this random person's yard - but he doesn't look like he's about to fall over. ]

It's fine. I needed out of those cities anyway.

Yeah?

[ Aww geez he's just a kid. ]

There might be a bookstore down the street. If there is, they make a decent hot chocolate.

[ Yes this is Erik's way of saying let's go sit down you look like death, bro. ]

[ Ha. Well, he looks more like death than usual, anyway. He nods at Erik's offer. ]

Hot chocolate. I could go for that.

[ He's not sure how much he'll taste of it, but anything warm sounds amazing right now. ]

[ Good. And hey lo and behold, somehow this cafe is actually here... ]

Why am I not surprised the coffee is a constant?

Mortals need coffee, I guess.

[ And so do half-bloods. He all but collapses into a tiny booth in the corner, his too-big aviator's jacket swallowing him up to his chin. ]

[ Too bad they're getting hot chocolate. Chocolate's better to warm up with, really. Dark anyway. ]

And you're not?

Half. Dad's the god of the Underworld. Mom was Italian.

[ Said casually, like it's the most normal thing in the world. ]

[ Wait what. ]

If he's Pluto, he's probably also Italian.

[ Nico snorts a bit at that. He's not wrong. ]

Almost. He's Hades.

[ This kid isn't joking. ]

I think you win the game for most awkward family reunion.

[ Gods, don't get him started. He looks ... awkward, mostly, and a little fond. ]

It's ... he's ... he's not easy to get along with.

[ That's all the detail he wants to get into, really. His relationship with his father is complicated. ]

There's only two of his children left in the world, anyway. My half-sister and me.

Do you get along with her?

[ Erik might have had a sister once. I'm not sure. But he assumes Nico's sister isn't here. ]

[ His expression immediately softens. That would be indication enough. ]

... Yeah. I do.

[ He jolts a bit, realizing how much he's been talking about himself here. ]

What about you? Who were you looking for here?

A friend. If his family exists in this world, they would have built a manor here that's hard to miss.

[ Since they're old money. But speaking of considerably older money... ]

Where did you go? Mount Olympus?

No manor, huh.

[ When the hot chocolate comes he takes a long sip. ]

No, I usually live in the Underworld. With my father. There's an entrance around here.

[ Near Camp too, for that matter. ]