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

Maes Hughes | Fullmetal Alchemist

[deaddy]

01. Heropa

[Having just arrived, Maes Hughes is left trying to figure things out for himself. He's pretty aware that he should not even be alive at this point, but somehow, he is. More than that, there's just zero indication that he had died--except for the fact that his old Amestrian military uniform is sporting a whole different rank than the one he last remembered.

Some part of him suspects he's still in the shocked stage of adjusting to his new situation, and as always, the best way to handle that is to determine what exactly is going on in this place he's been brought. If he can figure out that much, maybe... probably... I mean, it's not impossible that there would be a way to go home.

... right?

So that's why he's found himself a nice quiet corner in some restaurant somewhere, reading over the papers he was given after his quick briefing, brow furrowed as he tries to make sense of things--but then his eyes narrow as he hears the whispers going on around him, understanding only too well the conflicting opinions of the people of the city. This is also something familiar. Dogs of the military and the like are things that men and women who served in the Amestrian military were called, especially after events like Ishval--

Except it doesn't do any good to think on that too hard, either, and in fact, the papers aren't really telling him too much more than what he was already told--though the additional powers are a surprise. Either way, after a moment, he closes the folder he was given and looks up and around the place to see if there's anyone who looks like they'd know anything.]


02. De Chima

[One of the ways to try to figure things out is, of course, taking trips around to the different cities. Somehow, the atmosphere of the first city didn't prepare him at all for the almost celebrity status most of this city has for the imPorts.

And all the kids hanging around, looking at him with awe, asking for photos and autographs, just makes him miss his own daughter and wife, so he politely allows for a few before wishing them all a good day and good luck.

Maybe there's somewhere quiet and out of the way with information he might be able to make use of... if only so he doesn't have to think too hard about things.]


03. Maurtia Falls

"Trespassers", huh?

[He mutters this to himself as a couple of the more polite and friendly citizens pass by with their smiles and their thanks. He still notices the glares and mutterings from others moving around and away from him, out of the corner of his eye, but that, too, is something familiar.

Still, he scratches at his head a bit, puzzled about the situation. He looks to be the most off-guard that a soldier could ever appear. In reality, he's making extra sure that any weapons he might have on his person are still in place and able to be used easily. Sure, he might have those extra powers, according to the documents, but old habits die hard.]


04. Nonah

[This time, it takes considerable effort to even find any place quiet, and even then, there's still all the advertisements and the like and the wait staff of this cafe cheerfully gives him a discount on his coffee, despite his protests of being able to afford to pay it himself.

He sighs, feeling a bit exhausted by all the chatter in this place.]

Still, it's a pretty colorful place, isn't it? Then again... kind of reminds me of Central.

[Which just means that all these good things for imPorts could easily turn against them if something goes wrong, right? Or maybe he's just being paranoid.]

--well, if I'd listened to my instincts before...

[Except he doesn't finish that muttered thought, it actually just putting him in a darker mental place than he'd like. So he turns to call on a wait staff person.]

Excuse me! Do you happen to serve any kind of pies here? I'd love some!

Heropa!

[heart_wrenching]

[ She's just walking some groceries back to their apartment when that familiar color of blue catches her eye. Curiosity has her pausing to get a better look at him, and the moment his face comes truly into view she's freezing completely, just staring dumb struck through the window. ]

[deaddy]

[Since he's looking around for any sign of people who may look like they have an idea of what's going on, the fact that there's a still figure outside the window does have him looking curiously over and--

. . .

He lifts a hand in a sort of way of salutation.

This is fine. Right? Maybe not everyone else has to die to get here... right?]

[heart_wrenching]

[ it's. Well. After a long moment she returns the wave. Then another long moment and she's heading to the door, bag of groceries still in hand. The whole time she keeps her eyes fixed on him, least he disappear the moment she looks away. ]

[deaddy]

[No disappearing! But he's looking more and more surprised that it is actually Winry here and not just some random blonde haired girl with blue eyes.

He does smile when she approaches, looking more like he doesn't know what else to do other than smile.]

Hey. Getting ready for dinner?

[SAME FACE. SAME VOICE. SAME DAD TONE.]

[heart_wrenching]

[ And unlike the others, she doesn't seem to disbelieve at all. It's easy enough, given the circumstances of her arrival. But that certainly doesn't mean her throat is any less dry, or her eyes growing any less wet. ]


Huh? . . . Ah - Yeah, I was going to make some pasta.

[deaddy]

[That's probably not a good sign. Unless she's been here long enough to know sometimes dead people come back, and somehow, he's not getting that impression.

Which just means he'll be gesturing for her to have a seat with him.]

Hope it won't hurt any to have it wait a little bit while we catch up.

[heart_wrenching]

[ Well, she'll set her bag down in an empty chair, at least. But if he's expecting her to be in any way cool about this he has another thing coming. ]


Mr. Hughes . . .

[deaddy]

[Oh, it's time for sad faces and possible crying now, isn't it. Except this is pretty different from the other crying bouts already.]

Winry. It's been a while. Been holding up all right?

[heart_wrenching]

[ She wants to say, "I'm great." She wants to say, "everyone's doing well." She'd like to tell him that his family's thriving, and that she's learned so much, and she's so happy to see him. Instead she just nods, but not even that is quite enough to keep the tears at bay. ]

[deaddy]

[Yeah, that's what he thought.

Time to stand up and pull the sad girl into a hug, trying not to think too hard about other sad girls he's left back home that he can't really give the same comfort--jeez, don't start crying now, Maes. Keep it together.]

[heart_wrenching]

[ THIS IS WHAT HAPPENS WHEN YOU GET SHOT, MR HUGHES. ALL KINDS OF PRETTY GIRLS GET UPSET. But she's much more interested in hug time than crying time, so she will promptly bury her face in his DAD CHEST and mumble some apologies. ]

[deaddy]

[CLEARLY NEED TO AVOID GETTING SHOT MORE OFTEN. That said, dutifully patting her back and other such comforting gestures, even as the apologies really punch him in the heart.]

There's nothing to apologize for, you know.

[heart_wrenching]

[ YES. PLEASE AVOID ALL BULLETS IN YOUR PERSON FROM THIS POINT FORWARD IT IS A PLAN THAT COMES FULLY ENDORSED BY EVERYONE WHO LOVES YOU. ]


I w-wanted- . . . I wanted to m-make you an apple pie. I thought you'd- you'd like-


[ but no mostly she's just upset about how upset she is and they are probably making a scene and ]


Please come to dinner.

[deaddy]

[TIMES WHEN IT IS DIFFICULT TO KEEP THE CHILL CALM DISPOSITION: RIGHT NOW. RIGHT THE FUCK NOW.

He just tightens his hold for a moment before relaxing a bit, having to take a shaky breath to keep from choking on his own words.]

No way I could say no to an invite like that.

Especially when there's a chance for pie.

[heart_wrenching]

Mm.


[ OK. Oooohkay. Okie doke. she's also. going to take a deep breath. and pull back at least enough to wipe her eyes a little. ]


I'll need to go back to the store if you want pie tonight.

Nonah!

[skyhiiigh]

[Evidently Keith himself was one of those refugees similarly trying to find a quiet place, but given that Hughes was literally next to his table he can't help but want to try and see if he can't get friendly and greet the man. When in Rome, right?

He himself had asked for lemonade rather than coffee, but at least it would seem they had a similar sweet tooth for pie. He'd gotten the cherry.

Evidently the waitress who'd been serving Hughes smiled and happily asked what kind he'd like, penning down his order. The dessert would be free for them, of course. But that was the nature of this fanfare, wasn't it?

Keith smiled at least from his table, seemingly genuinely interested in some form of getting-to-know-you conversation, at least.]

Oh! Hello, and hello again! I'm sorry if I'm disturbing you, are you new here too?

[deaddy]

[The pie options are the hard part. Hughes is definitely missing his family back home, but the thought of apple pie doesn't seem to be helping that mood much. So... cherry for him, too.

He does direct his attention to the new-comer, sharp eyes quickly taking stock of the other man while he smiles in what seems to be a relaxed and cheerful manner as he lifts a hand in salutation.]

Ah, yeah, just arrived not too long ago. Just travelling around getting a feel for things, actually. Name's Maes Hughes. Nice to meet you...?

[skyhiiigh]

Keith, Keith Goodman. It is a pleasure, and a pleasure again, to meet you, Mister Hughes!

[A warm disposition and a sunny smile would at least help offset the current circumstances, would they not? True, it's not from a young girl or a lady in general, but Keith was just all-around a friendly man. Saying "human golden retriever" probably wasn't far off, honestly, from the way he lifts his arm up and salutes almost theatrically.]

I admit the state of things are odd, yes very odd, but they seem eager to have us!

[deaddy]

[The moment when you have to remind yourself sometimes people are just friendly.

... and sometimes, they're friendly because they want something.

But sometimes, they're just friendly just to be friendly.

So he follows the new guy's lead, just keeping up his chillax mannerisms and he pokes at his pie.]

Well, this city, anyway. The others have been... an experience, to put it lightly.

[skyhiiigh]

[Keith would of course fit the last description, luckily for Hughes. He can't exactly make demands when he's in much the same situation, after all! At most, what he wants is company.

His smile doesn't diminish any, despite himself. Maybe it's to a fault that he's this friendly...]

...Oh? Have they? I admit I haven't gone far from here, but then I was looking for my John! What are the other cities like?

[deaddy]

Not nearly as friendly. Though I'm not sure if that's because this place is supposed to be a tourist destination or they're still riding high from whatever positive's happened for them regarding us that's happened...

[He has the tone of someone musing to himself at that last bit. It's not that he's paranoid. I mean, he definitely has the experience of THEY ARE REALLY OUT TO GET YOU. So it's hard to turn that thought process off sometimes.

But he shakes his head to get off that train of thought.]

But they're not so bad, over all. I'd be careful in Maurtia Falls, though. That's where they're the least friendly, as far as I can tell.

[skyhiiigh]

Perhaps they simply don't realize we're here to help them.

[At least, for Keith's end of things, he was here, even if it was against his will, to help. They'd explained the crisis that was at hand, and so there simply was no other choice. Anyone who called themselves a Hero wouldn't refuse people in need, that was his firm belief.

He ignored his plate of pie for a moment to think further on their circumstances, but he couldn't imagine why people wouldn't be friendly towards them when they were fulfilling their duty as Heroes, weren't they? Of course, he didn't know what others had in mind, in regards to their own...performances.]

Why would they be unfriendly? I don't understand.

[deaddy]

Oh boy, that's a loaded question...

People always have opposing views when it comes to random people coming in and trying to take control of a situation--especially if said situation goes bad. So I guess people have had bad experiences? Mostly. That and the whole. Most of us opting to work for the government thing. Doesn't seem to be a unified opinion on the government itself, in spite of the situation...

It's pretty common in times of conflict.

[The moment when being military--er... ex... military... he guesses--actually gives you the perspective and understanding of what a shitty situation they could be thrown into at any moment.]

[skyhiiigh]

[For better or worse, even if Hughes was new he seemed to be rather familiar with this kind of behavior.]

Mmm, I see. Did they not ask for us to volunteer to do it, however? I have heard that it might be because not everyone has the best intentions when they arrive...

[Some who were ImPorts as they referred to them as were supposedly villainous! But that made it all the more important then that they stick together to bring anyone evil to justice.]

It seems I don't fully understand the entire situation regarding their government. You seem...experienced in this matter, Mister Hughes.

[The government. Right. Keith in truth was accustomed to working for someone else. For him it was the sponsors and HERO TV, but he saw it all as a means to an end. He simply wanted to protect people. They counted on him.]

Then we have no choice but to change their mind, and show them we want to help!

[He's a firm believer in great justice, after all. But of course he knows what Hughes said was true, he's simply an optimist that would go to any lengths to show everyone what it meant to be a true Hero.]