OH MY GOD YOU GUYS

[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. 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.

Comments

[annihiliner]

[Excellent. Two people very obviously hiding in an alley, pretending not to be hiding in an alley, and refusing to ask the other why she's hiding in an alley out of politeness and consideration. Sounds like a totally productive, non-awkward social encounter.]

What do you make of that exactly? The way that people are acting toward us?

[23wishes]

[That's just how she rolls.]

... I don't like it.

[Which is gonna be hard to explain. Aerith walks ahead of her, to get them moving on and also just to keep the other woman from seeing her expression. Two birds, you know.]

Back home, I sell flowers. I don't live in a nice place, so I'm used to dealing with guys flirting or harassing me. I'm used to people.

But... I don't like people knowing I'm different. Even if it seems like almost everyone here is.

[annihiliner]

[Lexa hesitates for just a moment before following a pace behind, silently listening.]

...eyes and expectations can be a heavy thing to wear at times.

[She speaks quietly, compared to her somewhat brusque tone from earlier, her words now little more than a gentle suggestion.]

But knowing of this one part of you is not the same as knowing you. You still decide how people are allowed to see you.

[23wishes]

[She's sure Lexa is probably right, in her own way, but Aerith's mind is too muddled to accept that. In her opinion, the less people that know about her the better. It's safest that way.]

It would probably help if you knew me at all, right?

[She laughs at herself like everything's fine.]

My name's Aerith. I just got here.

[annihiliner]

[She blinks at the sudden change, thrown off briefly.]

...Lexa. And I've only just arrived as well.

[23wishes]

[Probably best to get used to her doing that now.]

Where are you from, Lexa?

[annihiliner]

I come from Polis. Have you heard of it?