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

[angelfire]

Old man? Scruffy? He's really quite offended. But if you'd met him last month, he was six foot something, perfectly well formed, muscular--made Mr. Morningstar look like a weed. But you have to work with what you have at hand. Lucifer flares his nostrils, and shrugs, reaching out to take his comm device back, and clicking the programme off he returned it to his pocket.

"There's really no pleasing some people."

He reached out to touch her again, but this time they took flight, teleporting with a swerving sort of bottoming-out of the world around them. At once they were standing in the center of a butterfly garden, enclosed in the tropical heat under the high glass ceilings. The butterflies were all but frozen in mid air around them, beating their wings at a one frame per second rate, slowly, slowly picking their way through the air.

"Not that I have to prove myself, but slowing down time is a pretty Big Deal."

[thanks_satan]

Well shit that is cool. Her stomach drops a bit, but hey it's not nearly as bad as the Morrigan's abyss. She regains her balance and pulls herself away from him quickly enough, flashing a bit of a we-both-damn-well-know-that's-rude look.


"A little off brand though," She raises a hand up to move it around one of the suspended bugs, "you were doing better when you lit my smoke."

[angelfire]

"I'm not really your fire and brimstone kind of Devil. It's a little cliche, isn't it?"

He puts his hands back into his pockets, barely looking at the butterflies. She was much more interesting, even if he only had her words to go on.

"This place draws people from different worlds. There's a Lucifer whose daughter is in a rock band, a Lucifer who runs some sort of nightclub, and there's me."

[thanks_satan]

"No way," she says, also now ignoring the butterflies. Incredulous, sure, but for the first time sounding like she might slightly believe he is anything besides some sadistic, lying rando. (She would have taken a moment to point out that it's not cliche if it's classic and awesome, but she is a bit distracted, after all.)

"Are you shitting me? You have got to be shitting me. Which would kind of weirdly be a point in favor of you not shitting me? No, you're absolutely shitting me. The- the rocker and the one with night club, what do they look like?"

And just like that she's already got her own phone out, searching rumblr like her life depended on it.

[angelfire]

Well, that was a weird response. Lucifer frowns intently at her, giving just the slightest jerk of his head in confusion. He watches her swearing and hunting through her phone, eyes narrowing.

"They're not here."

What is she, some sort of Lucifer fangirl? A Pokemon trainer? She's just got to catch them all?

"This place is a little more Highlander than that. There can be only one--and I'm the one."

Actually that's not true, but since Lucifer is sure he's the only Devil that's ever been here - albeit twice - he'll take his chances with the suggestion. It's a safe bet it's somehow true.

[thanks_satan]

"So what does that make you then, the local Recurrence?" she frowns right back at him, mad at that really really stupid moment of hope. Also mad about the way her heart was still hammering in her ears. And mad at the fact that the more convinced she was that he might be some version of The-Morning-Star-God-Of-This-World-Lord-Of-Lies-et-cetera, the less she could take anything he said at face value. Yes, an adult had caused Laura to have emotions, and this was, as always, displeasing.

[angelfire]

"I'm hardly local. I'm an imPort, just like you. Kidnapped from my own Apocalypse. Not that I mind."

He tipped his head. He'd be offended to hear that she didn't believe a word he said, really. He didn't lie, after all, what would be the point? But they'd get there.

"I still don't know your name, or your relationship with Hell."

[thanks_satan]

She just sort of huffs and crosses her arms.

"Laura Wilson. And if you figure out my relationship with Hell, feel free to clue me in."

[angelfire]

"Apart from your apparent interest in bedding it, you mean?"

Lucifer raised his hand, as though well aware that that was mean spirited, but the butterflies went back to flying around in their usual animated fashion. Children could be heard speaking animatedly to their parents now, off out of range of sight but not beyond hearing.

"An unfortunate coincidence, then. Although not unfortunate for me--I'm always fascinated - and often a little disappointed - by the other versions of myself. Tell me about him, and I'll return the favor. Anywhere you'd like to go? Other than home, of course."

[thanks_satan]

"Uh-huh," it's been months since that day. Laura's had plenty of therapy and communion since then. But actually talk about her? What could she possibly have to say?

She doesn't respond at all to the first jab other than to quirk her lips. It's not annoyance that plays across her face- it's fear again. Laura's breathing goes metered again, and she looks away from Lucifer towards wherever those kids are talking. Just when it seems like that's all she has to say, she shoves her hands back in her pockets, feeling out the contours of the box still in there.

"You're really make this sound like a good time."

[angelfire]

"It can be. But that would really depend on you, wouldn't it? If you're not in a sharing mood, then this--" he gestured between them, "--Situation between us might become somewhat uncomfortable, and I wouldn't want to make an unfortunate impression on you."

Like kidnapping her away with a touch to who knew where, with butterflies.

He stepped away, letting her be when that fresh rush of fear took shape, and instead brushing his fingers against the nearest drooping fern.

"It's not like I'm going to leave you here. The least I can do is take you back to where I found you."

[thanks_satan]

If anything, his oblique threat seems to settle her. The look she gives him is an odd one, like he'd just told a joke that fell flat. Still, better safe than sorry. She huffs again and musses at her hair for a moment, stalling for a long beat while she uses her imPort powers to send Inanna a text of her location and 'might need a ride home from a bad date. keep you updated.'


"Look. Lucifer's dead," is all she finally says.

[angelfire]

"Doesn't make much difference here. Your enemies come back to haunt you, no matter if they're dead a dozen times over." He tipped his head. "I mean, I'm not trying to pop your bubble--consider it a warning, that's all."

"This place even brought in Death herself, once. Let's just say she wasn't impressed."

[thanks_satan]

'She wasn't my enemy' or 'You just said you'd be the only Lucifer' or 'I'm right back to wanting you to fuck off.' Nah, best keep it simple.

"Uh-huh."

[angelfire]

Lucifer held back, being all impressive just for a moment longer, than then with an elaborate roll of his eyes he stepped back over.

"Fine. You're bored, you're not giving me much information--I'm more than happy to send you back. You know, since you enjoy standing in the rain so much."

[thanks_satan]

"No offense." She didn't owe him an explanation. She didn't. He could go on thinking that the hollow buzz inside her was boredom. Maybe it was. She shuffled a bit further, toying with the pack in her pocket again.

And while she really really didn't owe him anything, but for some reason she didn't want brush him off quite as thoroughly as she would most adults, "If you really want to know, you should ask my friend Inanna. He knew her better than I did anyway."

Then, she offered him her hand. "But a ride back would be cool, if you're still offering."

[angelfire]

He didn't know whether or not to take offense, but these things had a way of evolving. Whatever her relationship with Hell was, and with Lucifer, he'd discover it in time, he was sure. She was here now, after all, trapped in the sandbox with them no matter which way it was sliced.

"Of course," he answered, instead, and he laid his hand against hers and took wing again. Within a moment, they were back in the park, the angel withdrawing his hand.

"Look me up if you need help settling in around here. I can be useful."