MOM CAN YOU DROP ME OFF? (IN RUSSIA?)

[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! If you'd like, take a look at our ATP post!

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. 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 welcome you to their fair city. 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? Why if they weren't around, I bet the Soviets--" These naysayers may, however, find themselves hushed with a judgmental: "You couldn't do what they do even if you had powers. They don't have to help us, you know!"

02. 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?"

03. Maurtia Falls, Pennsylvania, is normally known for being a little more on the apathetic side, but there's been tension in the atmosphere lately, contrasted by headlines broadcasting petty, unimportant local news and no worldly news.

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 thank them for their hard work. They don't stop to clarify what they mean, though.

04. 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. Advertisements are abound for imPorts to make appearances at various, televised celebrations, luring them in with promises of free food, merchandise, 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

[psychofailed]

[Ah, dammit. How is he supposed to handle this situation? If Gino isn't comfortable with him being around, but doesn't want him to leave...

Maybe if he makes himself scarce for the most part, they can mutually avoid the discomfort. He takes another drag from his cigarette, not meeting Gino's shifted gaze because this is such uncharted territory, here, and there's no one like Tsunemori or Kagari here to ease the tension.]

...Right. That makes sense.

[He's actually wondered if that's something the government knew when they did it. His status isn't listed in his file, but his employment history with the MWPSB was. Do they know the significance, of Inspectors and Enforcers?

Of course, his quiet acquiescence isn't about their respective statuses. It's more about not trampling on Gino's pride as he retracts his offer. This encounter has made it patently clear to Kogami that Gino doesn't want his concern as a friend, so he has to frame his agreement in practical, professional terms. It's not something he minds; Gino's grudge is something he's accepted a long time ago.]

So, you gonna be the one picking up my discharge papers for me next week?

[There. A lil bit of sass to lighten the mood.]

[hitsujikai]

[ He finds himself thinking 'Well of course it makes sense' but it's an empty kind of rebuttal that only irritates him for being so childish. Being around Kogami without the barriers of the other members of the division - particularly Tsunemori as of late - is putting him in an uncomfortable position. Here, where there's no law that says Kogami has to remain placidly under his thumb, he's struggling to find a distance far away enough that he's content whilst still being able to check on the other man. But of course Kogami doesn't know that, and a slow ebb of guilt starts to wash at Gino's resolve. ]

No, no I'm sorry. I shouldn't- [ Shouldn't what? Remind Kogami of his place, or flip-flop so defiantly that Kogami doesn't know where he stands? He clears his throat to rephrase. ] I'm just a little short tempered. The officials are more than happy to answer questions about this world to the best of their knowledge, but they hardly know anything about the world they've happily plucked us from. [ It's infuriating, to have the system he's been living with almost his whole life waved away by dismissive strangers. ] Everything feels so - [ Wrong. ] - muddled.

[ He sighs again. ] I'll pick them up, but put that cigarette out. [ He shifts his glasses better on his nose, his voice much lighter now despite the command.] As you are my responsibility, I refuse to take the blame for that.

[psychofailed]

[He considers brushing off the apology, the way he often does these days when he validates his Inspectors' decisions and lets the subject drop without another word. Instead, however...instead, he decides to show Gino just a little bit of openness and vulnerability. He's not particularly good at it, and everything between them is just so awkward, but maybe...maybe this bit of honesty will help ease some of the tension between them. If not clear the air, give it a good ol' dusting, at the least.]

...It's weird for me, too.

[Even though it means he's not a latent criminal anymore. Even though it means he's free. He's not jumping at the opportunity as might seem logical for someone in his position. The Sibyl System has been all he's known since he was seven years old, after all.

Despite all that honest sincerity, however, he does give Gino a particularly sour 'do I have to tho' face before he extinguishes the cigarette against the ashtray the man named Duncan had provided him.]

[hitsujikai]

[ Gino can't help but feel better when Kogami doesn't draw too much attention to his apology - doesn't shrug it off or visibly accept it one way or the other - because it confirms that yes, Gino was in the wrong and so his apology was justified, but that Kogami understands and forgives him for it.

Kogami knows him well enough to have estimated the effect of his honesty correctly, as at his admonision Gino seems to relax like his strings had been cut. Facing the challenges of this new world alone from the position of a superior that he'd masochistically forced on himself - the hierarchy of their homeworld meant nothing here, after all - would stress anyone out, but with that tentative sentence Kogami had shared the weight and Gino actually doesn't have words for the relief he feels. ]

I'm sure things will straighten out eventually, or at least become a little less overwhelming. [ He gives that sour face a flat look, but it's not as sharp as some of his expressions have been this afternoon. He wafts a hand at the room, at Kogami, at his notes. ] Do me a favour and don't make this a habit, though.

[psychofailed]

[He does see that minute shift in Gino's body language there, and he's relieved for it. Of course, he says nothing, because if he draws attention to having noticed, he'll just raise Gino's hackles again. Instead, he just shrugs, mildly.]

I'm not sure what it'll say about us when alternate universes and time travel stop being overwhelming.

[And the lack of the Sybil System, but he definitely doesn't say that one. He smirks faintly at that last comment of Gino's, though.]

Can't say it was a lot of fun the first time around, so, done.