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

[monster_san]

It was a good thing Fuu had already met people who were transparently not human, or she might have started on seeing this man. As it was, she had a feeling her smile was a little fixed, but she relaxed soon afterwards. This gentleman had to be another imPort.

"Yes, I'm afraid I am," she said, cupping her cheek in one hand. "This is my first time in America, and I had always thought I would choose which city to visit."

[burnseternal]

"I only wish that was a luxury that was afforded to us," Saint Walker replied, nodding now that his suspicion that Fuu was an imPort as well had been confirmed. "Unfortunately, we do not always choose our lot in life, and must cope with being here to the best of our abilities."

It always pained Saint Walker to see such young faces scattered amongst their population. They were too young to be taken from their homes. Saint Walker didn't mind being here in the least, but he was a wanderer by nature, tied to no one specific place, bound to do good wherever he wound up. Children such as this young lady belonged with their parents, in school, learning and exploring at their own pace.

"This is my first time in America as well, but I have been here for two months now. Perhaps I will be able to help shed some light on a few things. But first, I think, an introduction is in order." He pressed his hand to his chest. "I am Saint Walker."

[monster_san]

Fuu smiled. She did know that quite well, but she had thought that her adventures in Cephiro would be sufficient to educate her in the dreadful whims of chance. Not that the universe actually made conscious decisions about it, she supposed. If she knew his thoughts at meeting someone her age, she would have agreed with them wholeheartedly.

"It's very nice to meet you, Mr. Walker," Fuu said, bowing politely. "My name is Fuu Hououji. Ah..." She wanted to ask him a thousand questions, but she was aware that a serene attitude did not outweigh the short amount of time he'd been here himself. "May I ask how your experience here has been? In general terms, of course, I don't want to pry into anything personal."

[burnseternal]

"Do not worry, Fuu Hououji. There is very little that I consider unfit for discussion and, I believe, it may be of some use to you to hear personal as well as impersonal accounts. So much of what one needs for preparation is to hear the more... human side of things, as those here would be likely to put it."

Saint Walker smiled right back at her, as reassuringly as before. Many who declared themselves to be open books were lying, but for Saint Walker, it was quite accurate. Once one reached a point of such utter simplicity, there was little left to hide.

"My experience here has been a comfortable one. You will find most of your fellow imPorts to be kind, helpful people, intent on welcoming you into the community they have made. You will not be left to traverse this place alone for long if you reach out to them. The natives of this place, however..." He closed his eyes for a moment, then opened them. "Many of them are kind as well, but they regard us to be strange, even frightening. You may find some willing to contend with your presence here based on your status as an imPort alone."

[monster_san]

"I think I'll have to find a new idiom when it comes to talking about 'human nature' and similar," Fuu said, tapping her chin. That would clearly be a problem as important as any other she would encounter in this strange place claiming to be Earth.

It was a relief to hear that the other draftees were mostly a good lot, assuming that Mr. Walker--Saint Walker? Was it a title?--was indeed being honest with her. It would certainly make the most sense for strangers in a strange land to help each other through difficulties, but it wasn't always what happened.

His information on the 'natives' (which was a strange way to think about humans of Earth) was more important, but also not surprising. "I'm glad to hear that people like us tend to be helpful," she said. "But I don't blame... my fellow Earthlings for being unsettled by the living symbols of this strange operation. People summoned from other worlds can be quite troublesome." She had a slightly wistful smile with that statement.