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

[flynnnotjunior]

[ Maybe he can 'accidentally' knock it before he gets that far. Who questions a guy on crutches when he trips? ]

Well... yeah! Of course. It's like... a lot, you know?

[jyuced]

[ Certainly not this guy! He's trusting to a fault, so godspeed.

Anyway-- he nods his head vehemently again, this time in agreement. ]

Yep! It's totally scary! Exciting and scary! ... But, I'm no good at understanding these kinds of confusing situations, so I just believe it'll work out!

[flynnnotjunior]

I guess? [ He doubts it. Him not putting his dad's behaviour together didn't exactly 'work out'. Or maybe it did, but not until there was so much damage done. ]

[jyuced]

[ Flynn's a tough nut to crack, that's for sure. Not that it isn't a rough situation and all... but still.

Jyushimatsu bounces about in restless circles around Flynn and their general area. ]

No, no, it's all right! It's all right! I have special good luck powers, so we can be friends and help each other! Right, Flynn?!

[ He probably bungled the pronunciation there slightly, but-- he tried. ]

[flynnnotjunior]

[ Special good luck powers might be a thing so he accepts it, despite however much it sounds like something a four year old would come up with. ]

Yeah, well, I'm not gonna leave you out, man. [ The idea didn't occur to him. ]

[jyuced]

[ He actually isn't sure what his powers are supposed to be -- what he needs to do is figure out how to translate his paperwork so he can read it -- but, if he had good luck back home why should it be different here?

There's a moment where he comes very close to pumping his arm in the air enthusiastically, or even simply clapping, but he thinks better of it considering the drinks in his arms -- throwing drinks on new friends seems like it would be a bad idea. So, instead, he just jumps excitedly in place. ]

Yes--!! Good luck already, I made a friend! I knew it, I knew it...! [ His only friends back home are his brothers, basically. ] Oh, should we find something fun to do to celebrate?

[flynnnotjunior]

[ He is still overwhelmed by the enthusiasm. ] Like what?

[jyuced]

[ Quite understandably.

He takes a moment to consider that. Normally baseball is his hobby of choice, but it doesn't seem right. ]

Uhhhhmmmm... [ Think, think. If only he knew anything about Florida. ] Oh! Isn't there a beach somewhere?! We could go to the beach?

[flynnnotjunior]

A beach? [ He nods. ]

Yeah, ok. Sure. Uh, I'll just go ask for directions.

[ It's not that he doesn't trust him... he just thinks that even if he doesn't go in just any direction he fancies, anyone he asks will be YIKES. ]

[jyuced]

[ Good thinking, Flynn -- he'll be right behind you to nod and smile helpfully at whomever stops to direct them. And also to helpfully prompt them with: ]

Yeah! Beach, beach, beach! [ Somehow, this man is an adult. But, just before it becomes insufferable... ] What else?! You pick something next!

[flynnnotjunior]

We have to get there first. [ They'd have to back to Cape Canaveral for that. ] There's no hurry, right?

[jyuced]

[ No hurry?! Well... he can try... ]

No hurry, right! I bet there's lots of stuff to do when we get there. I want to see Florida! [ He pumps his arms up and down in excitement. ] Have you been to Florida before?

[flynnnotjunior]

No, I'm from New Mexico. [ It's really hard to believe this guy is older than him. In fact, Flynn doesn't. ]

[jyuced]

New Mexico!

[ A place Jyushimatsu knows next to nothing about, but, whatever. ]

Is it hot there? Even here it's super warm for winter -- I kind of like that, though!

[flynnnotjunior]

Yeah, it's hot. Glad you like it. I mean, I don't think you should be miserable.

[jyuced]

Me too, me too! You're pretty tough though, Flynn, I haven't been able to make you laugh even once.

[ Or... smile really, please smile, friend. ]

But I bet the sand will feel good.

[flynnnotjunior]

[ He hadn't realised that was what he was trying to do. ] Huh. Well, I guess I've got a lot on my mind. I've left my mother and baby sister at home. We're going through a lot.

Yeah, well, I hear good things.

[jyuced]

Ahhhh, ah, I see! [ Sympathetically he gestures with his arms, though his expression doesn't change much. ] Yeah, yeah, it is pretty lame being all split up... I dunno, I guess we'll have to figure that part out.

[ Whatever that means, really. ]

I hope so, I haven't been to the beach in a long time!

[flynnnotjunior]

I think that's easier said than done. [ But there's no resentment of him in that. ]

You come from a place that doesn't have a beach? Or is it a weather thing?

[jyuced]

[ That gets a glance and a nod of acknowledgement -- Jyushimatsu may not seem the mopey type, but he's already anticipating what sort of difficulties he might run into without his brothers around to steer him. ]

Yeah... [ It's only momentary, that thoughtful trailing off, before he seems to move past it entirely. ] Sometimes I go to the shore by myself just to work out, but the regular beach isn't much fun if I go without my brothers. We used to go way more often, but we all have different hobbies now!

[flynnnotjunior]

[ Flynn doesn't need him to be mopey but it's heartening, somehow to see that this guy is... human. Which makes him feel guilty, because what kind of guy likes it when another one is hurting?

Dad's kind.

He swallows. ]

How many brothers have you got?

[jyuced]

Five! We're sextuplets, so we've always been pretty close, you know?

[ It's stated in that same chipper tone as almost everything else he's said, although a bit more matter-of-fact in comparison. Then, still smiling wide, he looks over at Flynn again. ]

Hey, so what's it like being an older brother? Really fun?

[flynnnotjunior]

Yeah. [ Though he's a little more impressed by this guy's mother. That's a hell of a lot of kids even without this guys hyperactivity.

He smiles. ] Yeah, it's good. She's still a little baby, but she's a good kid.

[jyuced]

[ It's true, she probably deserves a medal.

Flynn's smile is good to see, despite the fact Jyushimatsu's expression doesn't change much. Even if he himself doesn't seem too bummed out, missing family -- or missing anyone important, really -- is something he can understand pretty easily. ]

Oh, so you get to teach her everything, huh?? Great, that's great...! I'm just the second youngest, so none of my brothers ever try to learn from me. [ Because order matters so much among sextuplets, apparently. ] Wow, you're only a teenager but you're totally more responsible than me, I bet. You could be my role model!

[flynnnotjunior]

Yeah, I guess. [ God knows his dad isn't going to. ] Is your elder brother the guy who tries to teach everybody? [ Which is where this 'no more than a few minutes' starts being hilarious. ]

I'm thinking I'm going to take on a few. You know, natives on crutches.