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

[112ounces]

Carl's half-joking, half serious. While Carl has no doubts that Daryl would probably not be the best material for teaching anyone anything, it's surely better than the crappy job that Daryl would be placed in where he will be miserable. And eventually he will deal with a moment where he will be tempted to reach for a knife who even looks at him wrong. Carl knows the struggle all too well. It's a miracle Carl hasn't stabbed someone during his time as a magazine distributor.

"Joking aside, if you don't feel comfortable with the job you've been assigned, then you don't have to take it. The government won't throw a fit if you do, and if you Registered, you'll have an easier time to get another one. That teaching idea - well, if you work at Xavier's, you don't have to deal with the natives crowding around you during work hours, and you'll probably have a better chance of adjusting when with us - " Meaning Enid, Carl, and Rick. " - around. It doesn't even have to be teaching either."

Is Carl pushing Daryl to stay close them? Why yes. Carl didn't push as hard with Enid because, well, it's Enid. Daryl, on the other hand - he's been with Carl since the beginning of the end. And Carl doesn't want Daryl to endure what Carl endured in his first months - relearning how to live in civilization, afraid, and uncomfortable with the curious crowds around him. "It will get rough in the first few months. I know. Dad struggled. I know Enid did but she'll never admit it."

[dirtyredneck]

"Haven't decided if I'm gonna register or not," he shrugged, keeping his voice low. Daryl made no comment on the whole living with Carl and Rick thing because as far as he was concerned, there wasn't any question that he would. He saw no reason not to keep the house the government assigned, him however. It would made a good place to hoard supplies in case anything like what happened in their world happened in this one. To the point that things couldn't be bounced back from.

"Doesn't seem like a bad deal, though," he went on, tone questioning. He'd never really trusted cops back before, but that didn't mean he hadn't had trust in the government over all. It was what kept the country running and kept a lot of folks out of his family's business or looking the other way. The laws and what they could exploit of them.

[112ounces]

"Yeah. It's up to you, obviously." Carl nods. "I registered because I didn't have anyone at the time and I needed the extra cash. Dad hasn't registered, but that means he can't use the Porter without some extra scrutiny, but I can hop between cities when I need to."

There are good reasons to register and good reasons not to register, but in the end, it's something the government rigged up into making some separation between imPorts.

[dirtyredneck]

"You think I should?" This time he asked outright since Carl hadn't quite answered his question. He wasn't really looking for a 'make up your own damn mind on it', but rather an firm yes or no. Rick not registering didn't mean Daryl wouldn't as well, but he trusted Rick. He also trusted Carl and Carl had been there longer. A week to figure out if it was worth signing his life away to some pencil pushers wasn't much time, after all.

[112ounces]

"You're automatically registered for now until the next Swear-In, so it's not like you need to make your choice right on the dot. A lot of imPorts like me registered mostly for the perks and extra cash, but others don't registered because they are afraid we'll just be drafted into their military and fight for the government against our will. With what happened with Russia recently, that's a good enough reason not to do it. " Carl will still fight Russia either way, as he finds Russia to be more dangerous than the Americans. He doesn't forgive the kidnapping and imprisonment, and later attempts at brainwashing and torture.

But then again, these past few months have made Carl a list of things he doesn't forgive.

"Anyway, a lot of people registered for a while and then unregister later. No harm in changing your mind."

So far, anyway.

[dirtyredneck]

Russia again. That prick earlier had mentioned it.

"What happened in Russia?" Not with, in. "You and that asshole, Lucifer. Ran into him earlier and he wouldn't tell me where to find you."

[112ounces]

Carl's expression darkens. "Don't go near him. He's the literal Devil. Don't give him anything, and don't take any deals from him."

He looks around, as if worrying Lucifer will swoop in. "The Russians made a computer that managed to kidnap over fifty imPorts. Me and him included. They took us inside a prison cell, fifty people cramped. Everyone's powers were nullified, so not even the Devil can escape. Me and a friend made shivs -" - out of human bone - "in getting ready for a prison riot.

"Lucifer and I worked together to escape. But don't make any mistake - if I refused to work with him, he would've made things a whole lot worst."

Carl looks at Daryl, his expression dark. With the loss of his eye, his expression grim, Carl doesn't look quite the same. Not with the bitterness and anger lacing his voice. While still angry at the Russians, he's actually more angry at his fellow imPorts for what they did to Dad. "Not that it matters in the end. The whole kidnapping thing, it was all a big distraction. While everyone and the American military were out to find and rescue us, the Russians used their own moles to make a coup. Overthrew all the imPort cities, and strapped us down in chairs to watch videos. Trying to brainwash us into being their perfect little killing machines."

Carl scoffs and folds his arms. "They failed. They paid the price for going after us, and more."

The tone of his voice bellies the implication there is more than that. But Carl is not sure if he can tell Daryl on his first day on how Dad was murdered by one of Carl's friends.

[dirtyredneck]

Well that made Daryl feel more validated in his instant dislike of the man. He'd make sure to avoid the fucker, and if he couldn't, be as short as possible with him.

He could tell there was a lot of details missing from what Carl was saying. It was beyond obvious and not just because of how long he'd known the kid. But the group had a way about them. If one of them didn't give certain details, prying it out of them would be pointless. It was better to take what they said at face value in the moment and let them come out with the rest in their own time. It would if it needed to. And if it didn't, there were better times and places to try and push for more.

"That's what the people in Heropa were getting themselves worked up over," Daryl decided to go with instead of more direct probing. The weird hushed conversations about the imPorts not being able to protect them and the disgruntled looks. As if it were their obligation just because they got unlucky - or lucky - enough to be dropped in this world's collective laps.

"You did good," he said after another moment. "You made them pay, you got them out, even if you dealt with that asshole" - who he in no way believed was the 'real' Devil because hell, that meant there had to be a God, didn't it? And they'd been through too much for him to believe that line of crap anymore, even if Maggie and a few others still did - "you did good. Did what you had to."

And then, just a little quieter, because it was the read he was getting, "You ain't gotta be ashamed of it. If you are."

[112ounces]

"I'm not ashamed. I'm angry. A lot of bad shit went down during the occupation, between imPorts. Stuff that shouldn't have happen in the first place. And I don't think I have it in me to forgive." Not while people are still placing the blame on Dad's death on Dad himself. Unforgivable.

Carl sighs and unfolds his arms. "Register, don't register - honestly? I don't think it matters. Not to me. Surviving, that's what matters to me. Not politics."

[dirtyredneck]

Daryl pressed his lips together and gave nod, lowering his eyes, hoping his apology for his assumption would be read easily. He hadn't been sure what Carl was feeling, but his body language had read one way to him. It obviously was another.

He thought about admitting he was just trying to figure out if registering was the right call when it came to upping their chances for survival, but that would probably sound like he was trying to push the topic further. And he didn't want Carl to think that, so let the silence he fell into linger. Waited for Carl to take whatever else lead he might want to, or just send Daryl off if he was too busy. This was more the kid's world than his. He'd follow until he learned more about it.

[112ounces]

Carl didn't mean to sound on the offensive, but the topic is becoming very sour to him as his bitterness rose, so much so that it makes him seriously consider to just go out and go after the people who ever wronged him. But Carl' accepts the silent apology, just so he lets Daryl to understand that there are no hard feelings and they can move on.

"How are you holding up on food? It's gonna take a while to transition."

[dirtyredneck]

"Government gave me a little money to get by until my first paycheck," and didn't that feel weird to say? He'd rarely held a regular job even before everything went down. Money had never been plentiful, neither. He'd been used to hunting not just for fun, but for his own actual meals. Trading meat to some of the local produce suppliers, too. Sure he'd had money here and there, most of it saved up for the next time Merle got himself in the clink, but not a lot of his went towards good old grocery shopping.

"I'm okay. You need some?" Because Daryl would be fine giving Carl what he had and finding a public park to go hunting in if he needed to.

[112ounces]

"No. Keep it yourself. And don't do what I just did and eat a bunch of junk food when you first got the cash. You'll regret it so much if you do, trust me."

Carl spent his first week mostly on and draped over the toilet. God, what a memory.

"Dad's here. Have you met him yet? Or Enid?"

[dirtyredneck]

Insert timey-wimey shuffle and assumptions

"Yeah. Caught Rick earlier. Decided to stick around a bit and show your picture around, try and find you or Enid," he nodded, letting out a puff of air at the image of Carl gorging himself on sweets. "With that prick calling himself Lucifer around, I wanted to make sure I could find you myself. And I ain't gonna eat a bunch of junk food. Might get a nice steak, tho. Haven't had a proper cut of beef in forever."

And ice cream, maybe. That'd be nice.