etcelsior | OH MY GOD YOU GUYS

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. The city of Heropa is what one might expect from a small, bright and cheery place, where 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. An upset voice wonders aloud: "More of them, when we already know they can't protect us? That's just painting a bigger target on the city's back!" However, they're quickly hushed with a judgmental: "They helped save the cities, and it's the Soviets you should be angry with anyway! The imPorts are here to protect us!"

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. Many people are out and about taking care of their regular business, 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 spies. "How can we trust any of them now?"

03. Maurtia Falls, Pennsylvania, is not as friendly and its citizens tend to 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 help in overthrowing the trespassers. They don't stop to clarify what they mean, though.

04. Nonah, North Carolina, is the liveliest of all cities; 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.

Flat | Top-Level Comments Only

[She just rolls her eyes.]

I thought that was your thing these days. Or did you change your mind again since I left town?

[She doesn't wait for a response though, instead completely ignoring Regina to walk over and crouch down in front of the child with a smile.]

Hey, sweetie. Don't mind her, huh? She's just grouchy because she hasn't had her coffee yet today. I'm sure if I promise to buy her one after this, she'll be more than happy to give you an autograph.

[Ruby finally turns her grin in Regina's direction.]

Right?

[Regina has enough decency to feel shamed and humbled at this exchange. Her lip is still pulled down as she eyes the girl again, but her tone is quieter.]

Well... you did ask nicely.

[Ruby still gets a glare, though.]

[It's not until the moment of relief hits her that Ruby realizes there actually was a part of her that was worried. It's been quite a while since she's seen Regina, and well, things do tend to happen quickly and intensely back in Storybrooke! You never know.

Now though, she feels reassured that her once-enemy is unlikely to try to set her or any small children on fire anytime soon, so she stands up again and lets out a breath that is only minimally shaky.]

See?

[Regina, having given the girl an autograph and a shaky smile, turns back to Ruby as she gathers back her self-assurance.]

Anything else, Miss Lucas?

[Ruby just blinks for a moment, trying to figure out if Regina is just being a smartass or is actually trying to dismiss her. Obviously there are PLENTY of things that need discussing right about now.]

Uh... yeah, kinda. Do you know what's going on here? Is there anyone else around that we know?

[That... is a good argument, but it hasn't, for the moment, occurred to Regina that she and Ruby could talk.]

Frankly, I have no idea. I remember waking up and being grossly misshandled by some military types.

[And she overplays any pure disgust she might feel at the memory by haughtly sticking her nose up.]

Same here. It's just...

[She sighs frustratedly, then motions toward some of the nearby buildings.]

Maybe we should sit down and talk this out? Have that coffee maybe?

[Regina quickly eyes Ruby with some clearly visible skepticism, then shrugs.]

I suppose it can't hurt.

[Oh, they're on a similar page there. Ruby at least tries for a smile, but it's terrible. Just the worst. The most tight-lipped clearly fake smile ever.]

Great.

[She looks around and presumably spotting something resembling a cafe of some sort, starts walking that direction.]

[The fakeness of that smile is not missed, but Regina finds it wiser not to comment. Instead, she follows Ruby -- without complaint, even. It's not like she has a better idea right now.]

[This is weird. Also awkward. And the silence just makes it worse the longer it stretches, but Ruby is trying and failing to come up with small talk to fill the space as they walk.]

So I knocked out your sister recently!

[Oh, gods! That was TERRIBLE!!]

How have you been?

OH MY GOD YOU GUYS

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