HE TOLD ME SEVERAL TIMES THAT HE DIDN'T LIKE MY KIND

[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, deeply masculine 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!"

"That's just what Ronald Chump says!" Exclaims a young woman. She raises her fist in anger at the imPort-hating individual. "We're not going to tolerate bigots here!"

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. Science and technology are the lifeblood of this city, so you're likely to come across a good many locals taking your picture with the newest of devices. Be forewarned: since FanPort happened, imPort fandom is at a new height. Don't be surprised if people start following you just to see if you'll do anything TMZ-worthy.

The trick is to stay calm, and don't wig out if someone asks what you think about imPort shipping.

03. Maurtia Falls, Pennsylvania, is having a rainy day. The streets seem to be running with water, the sky can't seem to stop crying. You might want to check out some consumerism-inclined shelter, be that a smoky and dart-eyed bar full of grumbling locals, or a grimy and industrial coffee shop (full of grumbling locals). Watch your step, newly minted imPort, because if you let on that you're fresh meat then you're likely to attract a posse of two or three sharp knuckled no-good-dooers. This is the criminally exciting part of town, so beware.

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. There's a baseball game going on in one of the parks amidst all those tall buildings, and you're welcome to watch! It's not an official game in the season, it's more like a friendly skirmish between local baseball teams. Midway through the game, the umpire might take note of you new imPorts -- assuming you're standing out in the crowd. He'll welcome you to throw a pitch if you'd like! Of course, the opposing team isn't too keen on the idea. Better look for more imPorts to play ball!

Comments

De Chima

[angelfire]

The wild man with the crossbow was...quite the sight. Not the usual De Chima visitor at all. His arms were bare, which made it easy enough to see his imPort markings. But what was most interesting about him - because frankly for this archangel's first impression there wasn't much - was the photograph that he was circulating.

Lucifer, of course, was here scouting for filming locations. He hummed to himself, thoughtful, and then stepped away from the clingy member of the production crew that he was with, waving her off as he crossed the road to catch Daryl.

"You're looking for Carl Grimes?"

[notsheepish]

Probably not even the worst I've heard today.

I'm Ruby, by the way.

[23wishes]

[Aerith knows exactly what he's feeling, because she's felt it too. Though, most likely in much less detail than he can get.]

I know. In a little time, I'll make it much healthier.

[The dirt from the flowerbed wasn't all from the garden, it's true, though Aerith's hands were in it and probably did a bit of work on it too.]

[good_enough]

[ Claire hesitates. Then, very tentatively, she offers her hand. ]

... Claire. Saunders. A doctor.

[notsheepish]

Not yet. I've just been sorta wandering around, trying not to gawk too much.

I spent the last few months on a, um... a sort of backpacking trip? A lot of camping out, occasionally stopping by small towns. It's been a while since I've seen an actual city.

[notsheepish]

[Ruby gives it a shake, short and gentle.]

Nice to meet you.

Maurtia Falls

[angelfire]

There was something about dark alleys that invited this kind of gang violence. Maurtia Falls, too, was by no means the safest place after hours, which was what made it the most ideal destination for hunting heroes--or pretending to be them. There would always be someone who needed rescuing, or some dramatic cape-wearing idiot, either of which made plush interviewing prospects.

The very best thing, of course, was that Lucifer didn't have to set up the situation for himself; he just showed up, camera crew in tow.

"Do you? I'm sorry about your relationship with your father, really I am, but it's a little unreasonable to take it out on a kid, isn't it?"

[good_enough]

It'll be nicer once we're out of the rain. Which direction did you say we should try?

de chima

[textualhealing]

[Cafes are meant to be a cooldown period where Jeff can sit down, drink coffee and catch up on emails without being harassed in his office about work every two seconds. Sure, there's still the risk of being harassed by fans, but that's something he can deal with, managing the occasional photo of autograph without too much annoyance on his behalf and easily excusing himself back to his laptop for 'work'.

What he doesn't expect is other imPorts to be kicking off about the attention while he's trying to keep his head down.

That doesn't look good for any of them when there's property being destroyed and fans being sworn at, so he steps in, plastering on the mask of professionalism as he almost apologetically interjects. His wallet comes out, offering over a stack of cash to the native for way over the phones value while making light of the whole situation.]

He's not having a great day. No more pictures, thanks. ['Now plz leave, kthx' should be his follow up, but instead he turns his attention away from the passerby, making it clear he's done with them, instead looking to his fellow imPort with an arched brow.]

Maybe less with the personal property damage next time. You a newbie? [He's pretty sure he'd remember a face like that.]

[notsheepish]

Good question! Is this a friend's place you're looking for, or...?

[resipiscent]

Thanks, I try.

[He rolls his eyes, steps back to look him over. Riku looks different, yes. He looks different from the way he did when he arrived, even. But the Replica looks just the same.]

But yes, definitely being afraid of the darkness, all right. When did you arrive?

[darkimitation]

I arrived today unless you want the time too. Hopefully you haven't lost the ability to count since I last saw you, Real Thing.

[Still the same snarky Replica as always. He's now amused because he never expected to see his original this early. All things considered, he's pretty content with the idea of seeing the idiot's face compared to what was going to happen with him. That is, he was about to be given new memories by Namine after getting a beat down from Larxene.]

Anyway. How about instead of asking me questions, you tell me where I am. I keep hearing the name Heropa thrown around, is that the name of this place?

heropa of course

[illuminescent]

[ Smiling at pretty girls, you say?

Here's a pretty girl smiling back. And there's a moving tattoo, and that's what she's focused on next; Lucy herself is glowing bit. ]

Your magic is admirable, sir.

[resipiscent]

[He folds his arms, looks thoughtful. He can assume the Replica knows nothing about this place, save for what the soldiers at the Porter would have told him. Wonder what his file says, and from what time he comes. He's assuming post-death -- but he could be wrong, too.]

That's the name of this town, yes. It's pretty quiet here. Did they tell you anything else when you arrived?

De Chima

[alreadywon]

The bad news: neither Alfred nor Selina appears out of nowhere to rescue him.

The good news: he has a rescuer anyway, in the form of a certain black-haired, blue-eyed current owner of Wayne Enterprises. He doesn't come up on a horse like a knight so much as hobble efficiently on crutches, but beggars can't be choosers. "I think he's a little young for you to start speculating on his love life," Tim says smoothly before gently guiding Bruce away from the crowd he's gotten. His appearance gets a few more squeals because omg, tiny Bruce AND Tim? In the same place??? Luckily, Tim's pretty good at deflecting and walking away without seeming too rude.

[dirtyredneck]

Sounds like we're in similar boats then. Just that I ain't never really liked the cities, even 'fore everything happened.

[What that 'everything' was, he wasn't in the mood to elaborate on.]

Been about three years for me, since I been in a city like this.

[Meaning one with living people.]

Been doing my own bit of camping and traveling with my family.

[darkimitation]

I honestly don't remember the entire conversation aside from what I was told, but I also wasn't really listening. Those people talk too much for my liking. After that, I was taken in something called a car and fell asleep while listening to someone else talk. The person said something about taking me to my housing or whatever, but I was half asleep at that point. The next thing I know, I wake up in some place with a bunch of flowers near some large building on a really long looking chair that I saw other people sitting on.

[He's never seen parks, benches, or housing before, so naturally he doesn't have a clue what these people were talking about.]

[resipiscent]

[wtf is a long-looking chair

Riku takes a moment because he's not certain what he's talking about, and then when he figures it out he has to push down a grin. Of course he wouldn't know what those things are, but it's weirdly endearing in a way. Not that he's gonna tell this guy that. Instead he nods.]

I got it. Your file will tell you what address you're supposed to be at. We're nowhere near the housing block, though.

carol ferris ☆ star sapphire | dc nu52

[asteriated]

MAURTIA FALLS
She's aware that she must look completely out of place -- and definitely lost, trying to find an address she'd been texted by someone to meet up for coffee. The men following her? It's so completely typical that Carol feels she hasn't left her home at all. Realize that she can't shake them only makes her spin the ring around her finger -- she could, if she was out of the public eye. She'll be damned if she compromises her identity here without a damn good reason. But in private? That's fair game.

Leading the men down an appropriate alley takes her a few minutes, and the moment one of them calls out to her, asking for her money or her life, Carol turns around to face them. Knives? She's soaked, in a strange version of America with no response every time she queries her ring, and she doesn't have time for this.

"It's men like you," Carol says evenly as a pink glow overtakes her, Star Sapphire costume replacing her business casual attire and providing her with a nice buffer against the rain, "that make my job a lot harder."

At which point Carol uses a glowing, giant pink hand to backhand the closest one into a wall.

WILDCARD
( run into carol anywhere! in her star sapphire costume or out of it. )

[dirtyredneck]

Daryl had seen the slick-looking man across the way and mostly tried to ignore him while he went on with his questioning. But apparently the man had managed to see the picture from that distance enough to recognize Carl. It surprised Daryl to hear a man looking like him say the kid's name so confidently, with an air of familiarity.

He lowered the picture and shifted his free hand to the strap of his crossbow, as he gave the other man a longer look over before he nodded, "Yeah. You know him?"

[biteouttagrimes]

It was for a job interview -- the only reason why Rick would be in De Chima. Playing mall cop had given him a source of income, but he needed something better. Something far more stable and financially sound to support his son and Enid as well. He was just exiting a building of a company looking for a security officer when he spotted the commotion going on not too far away. Just typical imPort stuff, he imagined, and was ready to go on his way -- except there was something familiar about what he saw in his peripheral. A glimpse of the winged vest.

Rick turned toward them with a mix of surprise and disbelief. This world could bring in anyone at any point. He knew this. But this was the first time it brought someone Rick knew well from home. Carl had been here before Rick arrived and Enid, well, Rick didn't really know her. He was getting to know her better here than at home. This was different. This was Daryl. This was his brother.

He headed over to the group and lingered just outside of it. Maybe it was wrong to not save Daryl immediately, but he found himself amused by the situation. After a beat, Rick smirked, crossing his arms over his chest.

"Seems like you got your initiation over an' done with." And behind those words was the warmth of Rick's real message: damn am I glad to see you here.

i guess!!

[ghemnotgem]

( the drinks smell off from what she's used to -- and her skepticism doesn't let her take a sip of it when it's delivered, slim fingers wrapping around the glass instead. tej weighs how much she should, could, tell him. oh, why couldn't rish be here, she thinks, an image of her blue and gold odd-sister blossoming in her mind. she'd always been there for her family before, and now-- tej swallows past the sadness, moves on. she can grieve later.

and how many times is she going to think that? )

I'm familiar with how they work, even if I've never been in one myself.

( people being willing to sell out someone else for the right place, an atmosphere of cutthroat ideals. it's almost like home, even if she has less to bargain with here. )

[particled]

By stopping time. [ thats not enough information he realizes, and so he continues, trying to condense something he doesn't even know entirely about into a few, explainable sentences. ]

You're gonna have to hold on to me for a few seconds, but after that, promise I'll stay out of your hair.

[darkimitation]

[The Replica is bored already and crosses his arms, staring at his original who is apparently much taller than he is now from further examination. It makes him rather envious because he wants to be that tall, if only to show up his original.]

Then take me there already. I don't know anything about a file either, it must have been during the point where I was falling asleep out of boredom.

[ghemnotgem]

( oh. something in her relaxes at that. she knows they're capable of hiring people who aren't to do their dirty work, but-- out of a half-dozen? maybe she really is safe after all. although she's certain this isn't the sort of safe ivan xav meant when he said marrying him would keep her that way. )

I see. ( and then a wave of sadness; if she's the only jacksonian then none of her other family members have showed. no rish, none of her sisters or brothers -- even or odd. ) Go ahead.

( she gestures for him to go with his next question. )