DAD BOD MAKE WAY FOR TUXEDO BOD

[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. 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?" These naysayers may, however, find themselves hushed with a judgmental: "Didn't you hear about that attack? They saved all those puppies! I hope you donated to ShareTheLove too."

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. On local newsstands will be headlines reading: "Maurtia Falls: Home To Vampire Infestations?", and people will be heard muttering fearfully about the vampires, though one or two can be heard saying, "But that imPort is taking care of her own, right? That pretty one, with the horns. Good on her."

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. As the New Year approaches, advertisements are abound for imPorts to make appearances at various, televised celebrations, luring them in with promises of free food, festivities, and payment. ImPort action figures and merchandise are on sale now, and every corner's coffee shop is still serving festive peppermint goods of every shape and form.

Comments

[learntofly]

[Even different A-T . . . Why would they take away their most powerful weapon? Just what had happened here?! She doesn't have long to dwell on it though, turning a confused frown on Akito.]

Today, yeah . . . Why did you miss so many weekends? How could you have been here so long in the first place?!

[akito]

Everyone is brought here via a weird transdimensional portal that none of us are allowed to look at because the government won't let us, but time and space are relative so people can come from the same world but at different points in time.

This America is also still in a Cold War with the USSR because everyone is stupid. [ way to sum up politics, akito ] And even if they had a way to send us back they wouldn't, because we all get weird superpowers when we wake up here.

I had to rest for a while because a building fell on my head and knocked me out for a few days, then I had to deal with post-concussion syndrome.

[learntofly]

[This . . . this is definitely too much information for her to take in all at once. The dimensional travel is real? Time is flowing different? The Cold War is still happening?

Thankfully the most important piece of information comes at the end.]

When did a building fall on you?!

[akito]

A couple of weeks before Christmas, during a terrorist attack on Heropa! The building was on fire and filled with animals, so I had to help them out.

--But that's not important! Where are you supposed to stay? They didn't hurt you when you got here, did they? They weren't very kind to me.

[learntofly]

An attack? Can they really keep calling it a Cold War if attacks are happening?!

[She shakes her head.] I'm not staying wherever they put me. I haven't . . . really thought much about it yet, but they didn't hurt me. . . . How unkind were they with you and Agito-kun?

[akito]

It was by a separate terrorist cell, not linked to the USSR. We're all targets, so it's common for there to be organized assaults on us.

[ he puffs a cheek in clear irritation at the memory ] I told them I didn't want the nanite injection and they forced it on me and threatened to arrest me if I fought them. Then they wouldn't answer all of my questions and just left me with a pamphlet after dumping me in a random city.

[learntofly]

That's . . . All of that is horrible. How can they just do that? We're not even American!

[akito]

If we were to just leave America we would be listed as AWOL and tracked down, because if we don't clearly side with them then we're apparently on the side of the USSR. The portal has effectively rendered us all as American immigrants and refugees, though we're treated with a lot of suspicion if we don't pledge allegiance to this country.

[learntofly]

[Well if she hadn't been feeling overwhelmed before she certainly felt it now. Her mouth opens and shuts uselessly a few times while she tries to find some way to respond to that. Could they really do that? Just trap her in some foreign country like this?]

Is . . . is there anything we can>/i> do?

[akito]

Not that we know of. Yet.

[learntofly]

Yet . . . [Yet sounds right. After everything Kogarasumaru has been through already, it just didn't seem real that they could be trapped here now.]

How long have you been here already?

[akito]

[ he pauses to think back on it, having lost track during his time in the hospital. ]

Over six months now, but less than seven. Long enough to make friends that have made it bearable to be here, ne?

[learntofly]

That long already?! That's so . . . [So long. Practically forever to a teenager!]

What have you two been doing this whole time?

[akito]

[ it actually hasn't felt all that long to him now that he thinks on it, surprisingly. ]

I got my GED and have been taking private university-level classes at school, and Agito has been learning about more about software and gotten really good at hacking. When he isn't training he spends his time playing online games and sifting through the deep web for unbiased news sources.

When I'm not at school or training, I usually hang out with Hiro-kun if he's available. He's my best friend! I met him and decided he would be a good friend, and so now we're good friends! [ YES, YES. GLEAMING WITH PRIDE. YAYOI BE PROUD OF HIM. ] Also I adopted a puppy with three legs, built him a prosthetic and a boot for his malformed foot! His name is Benji, and he's the best! And Agito has a cat who is really mean to everyone except him.

[learntofly]

Ah . . . [She trails off for a moment, sorting through all that information to figure out what to discuss first. He was doing university already? Hacking?]

Well . . . What kind of courses are you taking? And what is this Hiro like?

[akito]

Mostly advanced electronic and robotic engineering, and I've been teaching myself masters-level biology and chemistry since I like that sort of thing too. [ someone's powers have made him a super neeeerd. though admittedly a lot of it is because he's actually had access to good schooling... ]

Hiro is a huge nerd! He's kind of awkward with people and is better with robots, but he's very kind and fun and caring. He's got hair like Ikki-kun, and a gap in his front teeth! [ ACTUALLY-- let him grab a selfie he has on his phone of them being dorks. ] I gave him customized A-T blueprints for Christmas. He thinks Air Trecks are amazing, so I'm excited to teach him how to use his once he's built them!

[learntofly]

[Amazing . . . Of course he'd be learning about something amazing and near incomprehensible to her. She's not sure why she's even surprised. The boys were always soaring so high above her, so why would it be any different when it came to schooling? She only manages to mumble out a few vague words that sound appropriately impressed, grateful for the distraction that the chatter about Hiro supplies. This is something she can understand.]

It sounds like you really like him, huh? You're going to have to introduce me some time.

[akito]

Of course! I said he's my best friend, ne? Like how Akira is Agito's best friend! [ but enough standing around - he's got a small herd of children growing impatient with him, so he'll grab one of Yayoi's hands and tug her along as he returns to them, quickly offering introductions to the enthusiastic kids. ]

I have to take them to the park! Do you want to come with us?

[learntofly]

Oh—um . . . sure! Are you sure they won't mind?

[She's following along with the tug pretty easily. Sticking with Akito sounds like a much better plan than wandering aimlessly through a strange city after all.]

[akito]

[ he was really only asking to be polite - if she said 'no' for some reason he would have stuck with her anyway. sorry friend! you are a scrub and get no say in the matter yet, really. ]

They won't! Right?

[ cue simultaneous agreement from his child posse ]

Everybody hold hands with a friend! Whoever lets go first is it when we get there!

[learntofly]

Well, as long as they're fine with it . . .

[Surely this wouldn't be too bad. They're just kids. Tiny little people full of questions and snot. She could deal with this! . . . Probably!]

[akito]

[ and it doesn't take long to reach the playground safely, with the kids immediately running off to play tag with the understanding that Akito won't join them just yet.

there's a bench nearby that Akito leads Yayoi to before releasing the grip he has on her hand and making himself comfortable on the sun-warmed wood. ]

They'll only bother us if one of them gets hurt, or they need a referee. [ so come sit with him! ] What other questions do you have?

[learntofly]

[Sitting sounds awesome. She drops down onto a bench with a tired puff of breath, leaning back and shutting her eyes for just a moment.]

Mm . . . I'm really not sure what I should be asking in the first place. There's so much I don't understand, and I don't know what I should trust or if I can trust anything at all.

[akito]

[ he hums a soothing, thoughtful note and brings his knees up to his chest. ]

Past experience has made me distrustful so this is all spoken with bias, but don't put any trust in the government just yet. Take your time and do research on what it means to be a Registered imPort versus an Unregistered one. We're Unregistered so we're treated with a lot of suspicion by the government and lose out on things like health care and income, but we feel more secure this way. Other people feel better Registered and nothing bad has happened to them for it... Though that doesn't mean nothing ever will, since we're in the middle of the Cold War now.

There are a few different cities you can get to quickly across the country using teleportation portals, and they all treat imPorts differently than the rest. We like Heropa the best, since the Xavier school is on the outskirts and that's where we live, ne?

Never go to any Swear-In events on your own - always make someone you trust and can fight goes with you. More often than not those events are attacked. I can give you more details on some imPorts to keep away from later on too, since not everyone brought here is good... Some of them are like Sora was - one way on the surface, but different underneath.

The most important things for you to do at the start though... Find a place to live where you feel comfortable, make sure you have a job for income, and learn how to use the powers you have to the best of your ability.

[ there's so much to think about, but he's glad that she doesn't seem to have had as bad an experience as they did on arrival. he huffs out a breath and lets his weight fall against her shoulder; a silent gesture to let her know he's there. ]

We can think about that sort of stuff for you for a little while, until you're less overwhelmed by all this stuff.

[learntofly]

[She's quiet while he explains, biting back on her reactions (and her fingers, nervously) until he's finished. Like everything else, there's a lot to take in, but this especially she doesn't want to miss a single word of.]

It all sounds so dangerous . . . Are swear-ins the only things that get attacked? And about jobs . . . can I trust the job the government assigned me? At least until I find a different one myself.