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

[microbrobotics]

[ HIro doesn't even know what hit him. One moment he's packing up his supplies to go back to Cass' café. The next, he's being kidnapped and tied up what the hell. He wriggles and yelps to no avail. ]

What the - hey! Knock it off!

[violentmotion]

[With a little HUP! Ikki slings Hiro over his shoulder and begins to skate off away from the crowds. This is clearly the WORST sign.]

It's a million percent different. So different that scientists could study for years how different it was and still not have a clue how they could exist in the same universe.

[learntofly]

[Yayoi falls into step beside him. As long as Ikki doesn't put real speed into it, she can keep up at a run at least. If she has to.]

The hell it is. The point's the same, right? It's all about keeping someone from escaping their destined fate!

[microbrobotics]

What are you two even talking about?

[ At the last second, he remembers to snag his backpack full of tech goodies before it passes out of his technokinesis range. It bobs along after them awkwardly, like the world's weirdest balloon. ]

[violentmotion]

[And at that. The timing becomes PERFECT. Ikki unslings the mechanibro from over his shoulder and holds him up by the scruff. There he unleashes the widest, most diabolical grin that Babyface of Shinonome's East Side Guns can muster.]

Your destined fate. ARE YOU PREPARED?

[microbrobotics]

[ As the party comes to an abrupt halt, Hiro's backpack continues forward. It bonks solidly into the back of Ikki's head. ]

[violentmotion]

[WHAM! They both go down face first.]

[microbrobotics]

[ They SURE DO. Welp, Hiro deserves that. He struggles again, meanwhile trying to clobber Ikki with the backpack again for good measure. ]

[learntofly]

Ah—!!

[Yayoi skids to a halt and doubles back to check on them, suddenly stepping right into flustered concern.]

Are you al—right . . .

[Aaand there it goes. If Hiro's fighting back then he's fine and this has clearly re-entered the realm of dumb teenagers roughing each other up again.]

Ikki, you need to pay more attention.

[violentmotion]

[There's some twisting and scuffling in the literal dust cloud that arises from BAGWORM VERSUS BRUISED CROW and VICIOUS ATTACK BACKPACK. Fortunately, it keeps hitting the one truly invulnerable, impenetrable part of Minami Itsuki: The head.

The dust clears, and Ikki has Hiro pinned, slung across both shoulders in a wrestling hold.]

I'M PAYING ATTENTION!

[microbrobotics]

[ Foiled. He's so dizzied and surprised by the attack - and his little ineffective wriggles against the pin - that he completely forgets about the comm in his pocket. The backpack rears back a little too far in an attempt to club Ikki again ... and flops uselessly to the ground, having fallen out of range of Hiro's powers.

Congrats, you've caught yourself an engineer. ]

This is cheating.

[learntofly]

That sounds like the words of a sore loser.

[Satisfied that the fight's done with, she steps forward to lean down for a curious look at Hiro followed by a glance up at Ikki.]

So, how do you want to start? Soy sauce and health drinks? Maybe coffee too.

[violentmotion]

Raw eggs and natto.

[microbrobotics]

[ Hiro makes a face. ]

Um, no? Why?

[learntofly]

You don't get a say. This is the first in a series of challenges you have to pass to prove your worthiness.

[violentmotion]

[Almost as if by radar, in a totally new city, Ikki picks out an asian market and kicks off towards it.]

If you can even APPROACH this foul concoction we are going to make for you, I will accept that you have INDEED been able to breech the baby sharks emotional AT FIELD. And IF you can finish it... well. I, the great, godlike Ikki shall acknowledge your worth as his man.

[microbrobotics]

His --

[ Hiro's face goes through an interesting set of contortions. ]

We're not dating.

[learntofly]

[. . . Huh. That was an unexpectedly direct response.]

You say that now, but . . .

[violentmotion]

[WHO EVEN CARES ABOUT DETAILS LIKE THAT?

Entering the store, Ikki directs Yayoi to take items from the shelves, each a little more terrible than the last. A few of the shoppers stop and whisper amongst themselves, the little old lady by the counter just rolls her eyes and continues sweeping. Not just dumb kids, dumb imPort kids.]

TECHNICALITIES. Akito bargained for your safety, even after revealing your elemental weakness. BE HONORED BY MY BENEVOLENCE.

[microbrobotics]

Oh my god, I am not a pokemon!

[learntofly]

[With a roll of her eyes Yayoi gathers the demanded items into a basket, pulling a face here and there as the list goes on. More alarmingly she takes a couple extra of the more unpleasant sounding health drinks for herself . . .]

It's really easier to just go with that part of things.

[violentmotion]

[With a 32 oz cup from the slurpee machine, HIRO'S FATE IS SET. Checking out with literally all of the starter cash they had been given by the government (it wasn't a lot), the return to where Hiro's backpack had sadly slumped.

Ikki hangs Hiro from the collar on a tree branch and QUICKLY BEGINS THE MOST NOXIOUS WITCH'S BREW.]

PREPARE YOURSELF.

[microbrobotics]

[ Oh god. What has he gotten himself into. Goodbye sweet world. ]

-- Uh uh. No way. You're out of your MIND.

[learntofly]

You should probably open up before he makes you.

[What are you talking about, this is all completely normal.]

[violentmotion]

[Why is it smoking??? DID IT JUST SIZZLE?]

Say your last words.