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

[23wishes]

[Don't even worry about it, she's been reading him since she saw his tattoos move.]

It seems like I'd better keep you away from my garden. They'd all prefer you to me.

[safelittlegreenmage]

[His eyes near light up at the mention of a garden.]

So there are some around here? Here I was, going all wilted thinking people had given them up for this 'concrete'.

[23wishes]

There are some nice ones in the parks, but I meant my own.

[Yards are a new weird concept to her too, it's okay.]

It's little, but I do my best with it.

[safelittlegreenmage]

[His interest is practically physical at this point.

....Not for Aerith, her garden is much more interesting now]

I'm sure your best is just stunning.

[23wishes]

I don't know...

You're gonna have to convince me.

[She's quite happy with her plants liking her best of all.]

[safelittlegreenmage]

[Briar grins more easily at her. Less of the turning on the charm now]

Take pity on a fellow gardener, caught up in a new world full of lifeless stone?

[23wishes]

[She hums, long and loud as she thinks it over, rocking back and forth on her heels. Finally--]

Okay.

[And she's turned and walked off. He'd better keep up.]

[safelittlegreenmage]

[Well that was easier than he thought. Either she's just as friendly and welcoming as she's seems, or he's being scoped out for something. He checks his wrist knives just in case and strides to catch up.

Walking alongside her easily, he glances down]

So, gardener to gardener, what would your name be?

[23wishes]

Gardener to gardener, my name might be Aerith Gainsborough.

[It's not that long of a walk to Nonah 6, but she takes him around the back way so they can go right into the yard. She's gutted the back of it along the fence and fitted in some wooden flower beds. There's not much here yet but sprouts peeking out of the dirt in one bed, and freshly planted strawberries in the other.]

I haven't been here very long yet. I've just gotten started.

[safelittlegreenmage]

Then, fellow gardener, I would be Briar Moss.

[It's a long shot, but part of him hopes she might recognize him, even briefly. Someone from home would be wonderful, even if she isn't one of his sisters.

Reaching the garden, he sends his power out ahead of him, racing down stems and into the ground. Even as he touches leaves and petals, turning them to the light and checking for parasites, he gets a deep sense of her power.

For someone who has only just started, she's put quite a lot of herself into everything.]

You've done wonderfully already, they're all happy here.

[23wishes]

Of course they are.

[Her expression had changed a few times while she watched and felt him work his magic on her little garden, from pouty indignation to a slightly smug smile, where it's settled now.]

I can hear them too. They tell me what they want.

[safelittlegreenmage]

[Briar smiles absently, kneeling down to test at the dirt]

Singing your praises, they are...[Through the roots of the seedlings, he can feel the toxins in the soil. Left by construction, runoff from rain, leavings of air pollutants, all of pushing back at the growing things, trying to slide into their roots and poison.

The raised beds don't have nearly the same amount, he guesses she got that soil from somewhere else.]

Feels like you're going to have a fight with this dirt.

[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.]

[safelittlegreenmage]

[Standing and brushing at his knees (the dirt slides right off, thank you Sandry), Briar offers her a genuine smile with none of the calculated charm behind it]

I've no doubt you will, it's beautiful already.

[23wishes]

They'll be happy here eventually. You would too, if you stayed.

[safelittlegreenmage]

[He gives her a very cheerful grin, not letting on the twinge he feels]

Oh but this is your garden, I've my own to tend back home.

[23wishes]

That's a shame. You'd grow a beautiful one here.

I bet you haven't even seen the parks yet!

[safelittlegreenmage]

True... [What he doesn't say is that many of the flowers and plants feel brand new to him, though some almost feel like the beans and tomato plants brought from over the Endless Ocean]

I suppose it might be worth it to stick around for bit. Get a feel for things. It's nearly summer, feels like, think you'll need some help with the weeding?

[23wishes]

Good call.

[She's still smiling at him softly.]

Maybe. There's plenty of work to be done. I don't think they'd mind being tended by you~

[safelittlegreenmage]

[Briar stands up straight and taps a fist to his chest, puffing it out dramatically]

I'll have you know that no garden is unhappy when I'm in it!

[23wishes]

[She cracks up laughing.]

I see, I see~ I'm sorry I underestimated you.

[safelittlegreenmage]

You'd be surprised how often I hear that one~

[But he IS kneeling again near the boxes, checking the plants he doesn't recognize]

[23wishes]

Is there one you like?

[She kneels back down next to him to look at whatever he's looking at.]

[safelittlegreenmage]

[Briar smiles absently as he runs his finger over a sprout of black eyed susans]

I've just never met anything like this one before. Never stop learning, eh? Do you know what it's called?

[23wishes]

Colloquially, they're called black-eyed susans. It's a weird name, isn't it? There's lots of flowers here that aren't in my world, either. I've had to do a lot of reading.

[She winks.]

And of course I can just ask them~