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

[skyhiiigh]

John is my soul mate! My best friend!

[It's a lovely relationship between dog and man! How else could he feel but empty without his John, that happy face to greet and lick him whenever he returned home? It was only right he find him! They had been together three years now, and Keith wasn't going to change that anytime soon!

He headed down towards the line of shops as they both in tandem gave way to the shouting, Keith never giving up hope, never even for a moment! He had to have been fine, somehow. He still had his leash and collar, after all. Someone would surely know he was well-cared for, and loved. Perhaps a good Samaritan had tied him up for him some place...]

Ah, I was sure he'd be around here...Maybe just a little further ahead?

[matadorable]

[Words like "soul mate" and "best friend" just make Manolo more anxious to help the guy find his dog already...]

We could try my music? It's never been used to find a missing pet before, though, so I'm not sure how well it will work.

[skyhiiigh]

[Thankfully they can't be too far off the right track. Keith craned his ear, thinking he may have heard a soft yip. But he can't be too sure...Maybe the music would make it concrete.]

Please, do regale me with your music! Even if there's a small chance of it helping, I'd like to try it! I'm certain John will hear us!

[matadorable]

Alright, señor. [After giving an earnest nod, he snaps his fingers. With a small flurry of marigold petals, a worn and unusual guitar appears in his arms.] ...I will do my best.

[He spends a moment making sure his instrument is properly tuned. Then, without warning, his fingers begin to dance across the strings, his body settling into an easy rhythm along with the chords floating through the air. The composition is entirely Manolo's, embodying the ranchera style of his homeland, but the unusual time signature combined with the playful melody may vaguely remind some people of this tune.

True to Manolo's word, some birds flutter down right next to him, and a couple of squirrels curiously crawl out from under a bench to investigate the sound. Some nearby pets, too, try to coax their owners over toward Manolo in order to better enjoy his music.]

Cutest song ever

[skyhiiigh]

[Ah, whatever was that sound? It was almost...sweet in its serenade, in how it seemed to attract even the park animals. Was this what the man in his strangely decorative attire and with his foreign accent meant before?

There was a distant bark and whine from over in the distance, and Keith turned his head towards the sound. Could it be...?

Before long, however, the whimpering meant the end of the leash was broken from someone's hand or perhaps where ever he'd been tied up. It seemed a good Samaritan had taken up John's leash after all!

When the large canine came bounding over and jumped towards Keith and Manolo with glee however, it was clear without a doubt that this was the dog that Keith had lost. Evidently he was overcome with joy because he was hugging his dog and letting him lick his face while rubbing at the golden retriever's ears.]

John! JOHN! Where did you go? I was so worried! ...Oh, thank you and thank you again! Your beautiful music brought him back to me.

[So suddenly, just like that! Manolo was very talented, indeed, with his guitar. And John seemed rather content to sit between Keith's feet as he listened to that tune of the man's music. What sort of power was this that could draw animals so effortlessly?]

How may I repay you for such kindness? I'm Keith Goodman! Pleased and pleased again to meet you!

:D!!

[matadorable]

[He was almost anxious it wouldn't work, but the moment a dog that matched the description from earlier came running toward them, Manolo's face lit up. The reunion was a touching one, to be sure, and Manolo was perfectly content to continue playing in the background. But then the stranger introduced himself, and his fingers grew still.]

The pleasure was all mine! [He gave a small bow.] Manolo Sanchez, at your service. There's no need to repay me. That you listened to my music at all is more than enough for this guitarrista.

<333

[skyhiiigh]

You have quite the power! It is wonderful, oh so wonderful.

[To see how he could easily bring all these animals to listen to his music was awe-inspiring, really! Keith's smile could outshine the sun for how it made him beam.]

John is grateful, are you not, John?

[He looked down to his dog for a moment; John barked and wagged his tail furiously, leaning up to lick Manolo's face when he bowed.

Keith laughed, but told John to sit in order not to overwhelm his saviour.]

May I ask where you hail from? You have such a colorful way of speaking.

[Even the design of his costume and his guitar were colorful, in their own way.]

[matadorable]

[Manolo grinned as he pet John for being such a good dog. Somehow, it only seemed right for a guy like this to have such an enthusiastic companion.]

Me? [He straightened up, his smile growing more lopsided.] I am from a small town called San Angel, in the middle of Mexico. And you?

[skyhiiigh]

[To John's credit he was very well behaved, and well trained as Keith had said he was!]

San Angel, Mexico. I have never been there but it must be a lovely place! I am from Sternbild City in America.

[Making new friends was clearly always an event for him, since he never really got to do so due to his strict schedule. Hero's work could really take over a person's life. It was...dedication.]

[matadorable]

Well, I've never been to this Sternbild myself, so that makes us even, hah. [He grins.] San Angel is beautiful, but your Sternbild must be much larger and more lively.

[Manolo hardly got the chance to make new friends back home either, but he's been making up for lost time since he came to Heropa.]

[skyhiiigh]

Mm, but surely it is a nice place to visit? And yes, yes I admit the city is quite vibrant on its own.

[He idly pets John behind the ears now as he smiles, in recollection.]

Do you think we are meant to stay here for a while?

[matadorable]

Oh, yes, it's wonderful! Like I said, a very beautiful place.

[That next question is more serious, though, and he scratches his chin in thought.]

It depends. Some say a goddess named Lachesis is responsible for bringing us here. If that's true, then I guess we're meant to stay here for however long she thinks is best.

[skyhiiigh]

Lachesis? This is the first I've heard of her.

[The people from the military base...All they spoke of were the Porters.]

Has she ever been seen here?

[matadorable]

The government...they don't talk about her. I only know because one of the other imPorts told me. She disappeared, and no one knows where she went off to.

[skyhiiigh]

Mmm, it's a mystery! A great mystery!

[He looked intrigued at the very least, stroking his chin.]

It is a pity she has since disappeared, I'd very much like to ask her about it myself.

[matadorable]

You and me both. If she took us here, then...she must know how to send us back home, yes? Maybe we could make some kind of deal with her.

[He knows a thing or two about wagers with gods, after all!]

[skyhiiigh]

If it were indeed possible. I have people back home that need me. Of course, I cannot simply turn a blind eye to the plight people have here, either.

[But he didn't belong here.]

[matadorable]

[People back home that need him, huh. Manolo knows quite a few people like that. At the same time, he's certainly not one of them. That thought doesn't depress him as much as it might someone else, though. It's simply the nature of life and death.]

That's true. I like to believe we were brought here for a reason. Who knows? [He cracks a lopsided smile.] Maybe us meeting each other today is one of them.

[skyhiiigh]

It very well could be, Mister Sanchez.

[At least Keith, for his part, didn't feel depressed. He had John. What more did he need? He had Origami as well, who while excessively shy, was still a good friend and colleague. Eventually he would discover Kotetsu and Barnaby as well were here, and be overjoyed as a result!]

You helped me find my John, after all. I cannot be more grateful.

[matadorable]

This humble guitarrista is happy to serve. [To emphasize his point, he gives a small bow.] I love to play songs. If my music can help someone even a little, then there is nothing better than that.

[He reaches down to give John a gentle pat on the head.] John is a great dog. I can tell you care for him very much.

[skyhiiigh]

I should think you should be quite proud to call yourself a man whose music pulls at the heartstrings!

[He smiles, unable to help it honestly. The man was likable. Very likable!

John, of course, got a little excited by being petted, and his tail started wagging in a frenzy.]

He's a very good boy! And he likes you. Indeed, I do, I do. I couldn't ask for a better companion!

[matadorable]

[Manolo brightens at the compliment.] Thank you for your kind words.

[John's enthusiasm is, of course, nothing short of delightful. What an adorable dog. Somehow, it's fitting that he belongs to this man. Or maybe Keith is the one who belongs to him?]

I'm glad you came here together, then. Having a friend here makes getting used to this world much easier.

[skyhiiigh]

[They very much belonged with one another, in any case, which is why Keith beams all the more greatly.]

Of course I can spare no compliment when compliments are clearly due!

[He looks down at John again fondly, glad indeed that he had his furry friend.]

I imagine I will not be lonely, with John here.

[matadorable]

There are a lot of amazing people here too. ImPorts here are very accepting of people who are different, and many of the natives are also kind.

[skyhiiigh]

I appreciate the thought, Mister Sanchez.

[He would indeed appreciate more friends, all around!]

I hope I have not bothered you too much, thus far.