etcelsior | SPOOKY SCARY SKELETONS

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. A snippy voice wonders aloud: "My taxes are going to their parties and other expenses? When are they going to do something for us for a change?"

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 and an incident involving gas. "Biological warfare... we sure some of them haven't defected?"

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 mutter under their breaths resentfully about "vigilantes". However, not all locals turn the other way seeing imPorts; some of them will offer a polite enough smile and compliment them for quick thinking at the last Swear-In. They don't stop to clarify what they mean, though.

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. With Halloween fast on the approach, many of them are offering pumpkin-flavored foods and beverages, and others are trying to get the more obvious looking imPorts to consider allowing local businesses to sell costumes of them.

Flat | Top-Level Comments Only

[Narcissa had caught sight of him from the corner of her eyes, smiling slightly though she was patient, letting him come over to her. It wasn't that she didn't want to run up to him or that she wasn't glad to see him but it would hardly be dignified.

Instead she accepted the drink with a smile upon her lips as she stood. She took his arm, very bit classy and graceful. She was relieved to see him, to know that she wasn't alone in a city of not only Muggles but American ones at that.]

I would like that very much.

[It would give them the chance to speak alone without any Muggles overhearing them. Not to mention it would be nice to have a little time with her husband.]

[If there's anything Narcissa is, it's dignified. She doesn't need to jump up and down for him to know she'd seen him when he'd seen her, if not before, or that she was glad to see him. He knew.

Lucius bends his arm in polite offer, though holds it just a little closer than was strictly polite. He leads her away, walking unhurried but at a fair enough pace to take them away from prying eyes and ears. Finally they reach a small grove and he raises her hand up to press a kiss to the back of it, a real smile appearing just for her as he looks at her.]

If you would do the honors?

[Of making this little space very private indeed.]

Of course. [She smiled as Lucius kissed her hand, even such a small seemingly chaste gesture was so intimate for them. She only pulled her hand away to take out her wand. Two charms and any Muggles who came near them would hear muffled sounds and then remember they had something urgent to attend to before coming close to them.

It was too easy, really. Once the charms were completely she tucked her wand away. There was no chance that anyone could listen to them now. She even let herself lean against him just a little more.]

So you have found yourself here as well. It seems we are here to be -heroes.

[That was laughable.]

Thank you.

[People might doubt their love, but they knew it was there and how deep it was. That's all that matters to him. Lucius leans his cane against the nearest tree while she works and turns to face her a little more when she leans against him. He slips an arm loosely around her, letting his hand rest lightly on the small of her back.

Lucius chuckles lightly. Heroes indeed!]

Muggles are helpless enough they must bring in those more powerful to protect them.

[He is glad she is with him though. She has his back, always.]

We will not serve Muggles.

[Even if they were forced to take Oaths, she could steel her true thoughts away. Narcissa was practical enough to know that sometimes lying was the best course of action.

Lying was not a problem for her. There was only one truth for her and that was the love she had for her husband and her son. The drink was set aside as she wrapped both arms around her husband's shoulders.]

This world may have a great deal of potential.

[Little could stand in their way now. There seemed to be no other witches or wizards at least.]

No - they will serve us.

[Even if they'll have to be subtle about it. Pretend to protect the helpless. They were both excellent liars and able to protect their minds from intruders.

Especially if it meant the defense of their family. Taking the cue from his wife, Lucius set his drink aside as well and brushed the back of curled knuckles against her chin. They weren't defenseless even like this.]

All that is missing is Draco. I will look into work. See if their government permits it. If not, we'll test their limits.

[So he could elevate their living back to their standards.]

I know he will be safe. [Narcissa missed their son with every fiber of her being but in their absence she had no doubts that her family would take her son in. They would raise him properly and give him everything he was entitled to.]

I have no doubt we will be as we always were.

[She knew he would do anything for her, as she would do anything for her. That did not need to be said. She tilted her face against his hand. This government had to have its weakness- even the Ministry of Magic has its weaknesses.

It was just a matter of finding them.]

[Draco would be well cared for even without his parents. They didn't need to say their son would be raised with love as well.

Lucius spread his fingers to cup her cheek gently with a smile. He would find those weaknesses and make them his.]

With confidence such as ours, we will not fail.

[And with such a wife supporting him, there's not much Lucius can't do.]

Perhaps we should retire to the residence where we have been assigned.

[She suggested as she picked up her drink once more. There they could truly put up better wards and discuss more sensitive matters. She at least knew where that was now after being unceremoniously dumped there by the government officials.

She held out her arm for him once more with a smile. She would always her husband's resourcefulness and strength but she would always be there guiding him along. A supportive wife in everything he did but a force of her own as well.]

[Lucius hummed in agreement, lips quirking, and took her hand once more, setting it back at the crook of his elbow with just the barest press of an affectionate pat. Reclaiming cane and drink, he guides them back along the way they'd been heading in case anyone had cared to follow.

By all appearances they were simply taking a pleasant stroll together - and it's one he allows himself to enjoy with her on his arm.]

Your sister was well when you saw her last, I trust?

[Safe topics that only they would know as anything significant on the off-chance they're overheard while away from anti-spy charms. There's no need to specify which. And it's something a dutiful husband would make sure of.]

Yes, she was hoping to come by soon. I told her she was come to come by for dinner. [Narcissa was always aware of how they appeared together. Even if they were in a Muggle world, there was no reason why they could not present the image of a perfect couple.

She tried some of her drink, not impressed but the day was warm and the drink was cool at least.]

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