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

[particled]

[ times like this he wishes he were either better at making people feel comfortable, or at least smart enough to give a reasonable explanation to what was going on. best he can do is keep the conversation casual, maybe direct it towards something familiar. ]

Topher, is he your uh— [ guys name... he has a one in three chance of guessing the correct relationship ] boyfriend?

[good_enough]

[ Oh, god. Sleeping with Topher ... Claire instantly makes a revolted face. Sorry Will. You just keep accidentally striking out here. ]

God, no. I can't stand him. He's a programmer at the place I work at.

[ And then, because she really is calming down here ... she adds: ]

Did you get your ... ability after coming here? Or did you have it before?

[particled]

[ he almost laughs at Claire's expression; it's pretty obvious he's way off base and she hates the guy. He hides his amusement by taking a sip of coffee, wincing slightly at the heat. ]

It was boyfriend or brother, looks like both were crap choices.

[ but on the subject of powers, he shrugs a shoulder. ]

Picked them up at home. My brother Will is [ ouch. He pauses. ] was some kind of quantum genius, invented a time machine with my best friend. He'd have the actual explanation, but from what I know? I messed something up, and turns out, my best friend is actually a dick.

[good_enough]

Very bad choices. I think I'd rather die.

[ Said in a drawling, sarcastic sort of tone, though. Not entirely serious. ]

You built a time machine. And it gave you superpowers.

[particled]

Yeah, basically.

[ in a casual tone, almost like he's discussing the weather. he's not sure if he'd call them superpowers or side effects, really ]

I'm still figuring out what to do with them, but at least they make great conversation starters.

[good_enough]

[ This is probably a bad idea. This is probably a very bad idea. But ... what the hell, she's already lost and in another universe. ]

You wanted me to hold onto you?

[particled]

[ oh yeah, this conversation started somewhere completely else, hadn't it? he nods, putting down his cup quickly and holding out a hand, palm up ]

Just for a few seconds. I know— sounds like some crappy pick up line, but you can let go the minute we're through.

[good_enough]

I sincerely doubt you're trying to pick me up.

[ She gestures at her scars before placing her hand on his. ]

[particled]

[ he raises an eyebrow, glancing quickly at the scars before giving Claire his best 'I have no idea what you're talking about' look. ]

... Yeah, not seeing it.

[ secretly, he's impressed. there's a story behind those scars, and the first place his mind goes is the familiar: some kind of crazy street knife fight.

the chatter is a distraction as he works, and his power is immediate, working the moment Claire placed her hand on his. frozen time is deathly silent; the only noise is their breathing and the rattling of odd, unstable objects. an employees only door opens and shuts, stuttering between two different quantum states. the other customers, employees, and all the gawkers on the streets freeze in place, their last words only audible from a few inches away. ]

So... creepy or cool?

[good_enough]

[ The real reason is even crazier, of course. But she doesn't offer any hints, or react other than flush very faintly. She's used to her scars making her unattractive.

When everything stills... Her breath catches in her throat. It's creepy - definitely creepy. She feels as though she's trapped in a dream somehow, that she can't wake up from. And yet it's a huge relief at the same time. Most of her fears center around noise and people; this removes both neatly. ]

I'm not sure. Is there a word for something in between?

[particled]

Weird? Completely insane?

[ he's used to it by now though, used to the stutters that came and went back at home at the most inopportune of times. at least here he controlled them, even if for only a few minutes at a time.

he tries not to look too cocky about it, because if he's completely honestly with himself, he's totally impressed by his own skill. ]

It doesn't last forever— usually just long enough for me to get from one place to another. If you're looking to make a break for it, now's probably the best time.

[good_enough]

Weird might be it. I -

[ She turns a bit, still staring. It is impressive - moreso than she's willing to admit out loud, in fact. ]

I don't know where to make a break to.

[particled]

Personally, I'm a fan of the the beach.

[ he'd spent the last few years living in Laos, and while it could be a shithole, it had been more of a home than Riverport had ever been.

he had a feeling that Claire was like him, new and foreign, and that meant there was assigned housing they could fall back on in the worst case. but calling forced housing 'home' felt like a stretch, and asking someone for their address at first meeting was well, definitely creepy. ]

Could kill some time there before going our own ways, huh?