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

[resipiscent]

Well, good luck with that one.

[It'll happen whether he likes it or not.]

Anyway, it won't matter to me what the house looks like when I die, right? But I could at least respect my best friend and make things easier for him.

[darkimitation]

Ugh. Maybe when I finally finish you off, I'll throw you somewhere to get eaten by the wild life. Maybe the woods or a swamp. That way I won't have to hear you going on anymore.

[He sounds completely and absolutely serious.]

[resipiscent]

Ah, I think you'd miss me.

[He's kidding, but even if the Replica did kill him -- they have the same instincts. Riku knows exactly how he'll end up feeling once it's over with.]

[darkimitation]

Hardly. Without you around, I'll finally show who is the better one of us two. Maybe I'll even be you only much better.

[The Replica knows he doesn't have Riku's heart, but he's willing to be better than him in every way possible.]

[resipiscent]

Uh, you'll just be you. ... Anyway. As previously stated, do what you want, just don't be a butt about it.

[darkimitation]

Psh, please. I'll be a better you. Compared to me, you're spineless and a wimp.

[resipiscent]

[Why is he standing here listening to this, though?]

Well, okay, if you say so.

[He's just gonna head back down the stairs. Will you give chase?]

[darkimitation]

[Of course he is and belting out as he does.]

Hey! Don't walk away from me! This is why I think you're a coward!

[resipiscent]

Yeah, I know. I don't mind if you think that.

[It's true, after all.]

[darkimitation]

... Okay, I'm starting to think you've gotten your head knocked around way more than I thought before.

[Really Riku, stop confusing him with your words.]

[resipiscent]

It's been a long time, you know.

[And now he's all the way down the stairs and heading for the kitchen.]

[darkimitation]

How long exactly?

[Still following him down the stairs and into the kitchen.]

[resipiscent]

Since Castle Oblivion? More than two years, for me. I've been here for more than a full year, you know.

[He goes ahead and goes about his business like normal -- why worry about it? He can defend himself, if the Replica decides to get physical. So he's just gonna make himself some lunch.]

[darkimitation]

... Wait a second. You mean you left the Castle or what? And for that matter, what happened between us?

[Now he's even more curious because two years have gone by since his original last saw him. Sure he was older, but what happened?]

[resipiscent]

Well, yeah. I wasn't going to live there forever.

[He's not sure how he even got there in the first place, truly.]

Between you and I? Not a whole lot.

[darkimitation]

Not a whole lot, he says. How about the details instead of leaving me hanging?

[He's going to get it out of him.]

[resipiscent]

I'm not interested in reliving it, that's all.

[Riku reaches into his pocket, pulls out an elastic, so he can pull the worst of his hair out of his way while he cooks. That done, with the majority of it tied low at the back of his neck, he reaches into the cupboard for a pot.]

You tried to kill me. I escaped. That's it.

[darkimitation]

There's no way I'd let you escape so easily, especially if I tried to kill you. So what did you do? Beat me down until you told me to give up? Come on Real Thing, stop avoiding it.

[He's sitting on the kitchen table now with his arms crossed as he watches Riku begin cooking.]

[resipiscent]

I'm not.

[He is, a little. Until he knows what point in their shared timeline the Replica comes from, he can't tell him any specifics.]

But yes, I defended myself, and then I left. Mickey and I had a task, and it wasn't in that castle.

[darkimitation]

Oh so you beat me again and took off. That sounds like you, coward. Always running away. You even had to have help this time. I bet that's how you won, not because you're stronger than me.

[So he did grow stronger than Riku in the future, but only lost because he had help. Internally he's very pleased with himself.]

[resipiscent]

Yes, of course.

[Believe what you want, buddy. Riku's just gonna go ahead and continue what he was doing -- he's making pasta, apparently.]

[darkimitation]

Aw don't be so sad, Real Thing. I know it must be so hard to admit you can't beat me without someone helping you because of how wimpy you are. I feel satisfied knowing I overpowered you.

[He is practically glowing and gloating with delight. Riku, you have made a poor decision which will probably haunt you later.]

[resipiscent]

Pipe down, would you? I'm measuring.

[For someone who apparently needed help to beat his own clone, he's pretty unconcerned about it.]

[darkimitation]

[He glares at Riku and slams his hands on the table loudly.]

As if! I finally beat you and I'm basking in the glory! Me! The better one! Not the coward who runs away and begs for help from his stupid friends! I became stronger than you!

[resipiscent]

Okay, well, can you do it quietly?

[Riku's not stupid -- he does want him to shut up, but he knows how the Replica is, and so he's already cast the Dark Shield around himself. It's invisible, but only until it's hit.

In the meantime, he's going to start chopping some cherry tomatoes out of a container on the counter ahead of him.]