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

[psychofailed]

[The use of the name 'Tsunemori' has him almost relieved for a second before Gino finishes that sentence, and suddenly his brain is doing an impressive record scratch. It's a minor miracle he doesn't drop the cup again.]

Her--what? Why would she need to...that's dangerous.

[He rubs at his face. This is a future thing, isn't it? Like when Kagari had briefly mentioned him cornering Makishima in Nona Tower, and he and Tsunemori had decided it was best not to know the details before living them.]

Nevermind. The last thing I remember is Masaoka patching me up in the underground, so you're--from the future. Like Kagari.

[God, he still feels like a crazy person whenever he has to say this, but:]

It's mid-May here, right now. I arrived in early March. Tsunemori and Kagari followed in April, and there was apparently no intervening time in which I was reported MIA...so it's true what they told you that time doesn't move on without us while we're here.

[He looks around, feeling oddly uncomfortable with so many people around while they discuss this, even though it's likely old hat for them all by now, seeing new imports around every month.]

Let's talk about this somewhere less public. I'm assigned to Maurtia Falls, #6.

[hitsujikai]

[ He isn't the detective that Kogami is, but while he can't read expressions or body language like his colleague can Gino has a very acute sense that Kogami is struggling mentally with some ordeal. For a moment the weight around him seemed to have lessened, only to swell once more - but he understands the reason for it's return. He'd felt that panic too, watching Tsunemori struggle to relive what had happened to her, and knows only too well what Kogami's opinion on the matter would be.

At the mention of being from the future, he sighs and adjusts his glasses with the air of a man accepting a turn for the worst. They'd mentioned something about time being a little less than linear and a little more easily accessible to the Porter than one might have assumed, but he never realised how closely that laxness would affect him. Particularly regarding his companions... He'd hoped, but he didn't often find himself lucky enough to procure any results from hope alone, so to know that Tsunemori was here along with Kagari and Kogami is... a relief. An honest relief that loosens the tight band in his frame just the slightest amount.

He exhales again, and looks around as if only noticing the crowd for the first time, then nods. ]

Alright.

[psychofailed]

[From this point, Kogami doesn't even know what memories, precisely, are being scooped, or else he'd probably be doing the "angry hospital yelling" thing again, except this time without the uh, hospital. He busies himself with throwing away the cup and the soaked napkins as quickly as possible before meeting Gino at the door.

At least the walk to the Porter is largely uneventful, luckily enough. Silent, and awkward, but largely without incident. At one point en route, he snarks:]

For the record, this now makes four of us, which is starting to tip the scales away from the 'we're sharing some kind of mass hallucination' story.

Everything is actually for real, regardless of how crazy it seems.

[ha ha get it, 'crazy'. see what he did there. okay, no you don't, bc you haven't read his file. But that's sure going to be another fun awkward conversation soon.]

[hitsujikai]

[ It's easy to walk beside Kogami because it always has been, but for once the silence they find themselves sharing grates on Ginoza, like he's certain there's something he should be saying but he can't quite figure out what it should be. He shifts uncomfortably as they walk instead of holding himself steadfast and stoic, and so his step drops a little behind the other.

He's thankful, therefore, for the conversation starter even if it is just passing snark. ]

A mass hallucination requires a mass of people. Surely the more people who experience said hallucination, the more of a mass hallucination it becomes. [ He says plainly, then shrugs. ] Though I suppose you're right. The odds of the four of us experiencing the same hysteria is slim.

[ Unless it was some kind of forced augmented reality... but to what end? What gain would trapping them in this strange new world give anyone, other than perhaps a few good laughs? ]

[psychofailed]

Consensus reality, huh?

[Don't get him started on the philosophy nerding Gino, just say no.]

I'm not sure if I like the sound of that, in our particular situation.

[hitsujikai]

Me either.

[ Shut down. ]

As far as I know from what little information I have what we do here - the things we do, the people we meet, the powers we have - has no effect on what is happening in our world, so there's no harm thinking of this as a hallucination, but.... [ But that thought sets his nerves on fire, and despite it all he can't help but wonder what if. There's no such thing as a Crime Coefficient here, but it's possible that it's only because they have no need for it. Just because it doesn't mould their society, doesn't mean it's not there.. What if any decline in mental state here lingers? Hallucinating isn't exactly the product of a healthy mind, after all. ]

[psychofailed]

[There's--a moment or two where he just stares at Gino like he's an alien before he just...bursts out laughing. He manages to stifle himself again pretty quickly, because, it's not as though he doesn't understand, but...god, that's such a Gino thing to say. Kogami doesn't point out that if all this really was a hallucination, then that means they would probably be having it inside an isolation facility in the first place, because there's finding Gino's line of reasoning kind of darkly hilarious and then there's being a massive asshole and stomping all over your ex(???)best friend's insecurities.]

But the evidence is definitely against that explanation. I mean hell, I'm not nearly creative enough to come up with half of what I've seen around here so far.

[hitsujikai]

[ When Kogami laughs Gino first flinches like he's been burnt, then his features go sharp and tight as though he's smelling something rancid or eating something incredibly sour... He doesn't seem to share Kogami's mirth, to put it lightly. It actually takes him a moment or two to figure out if Kogami is laughing at the notion of this being a hallucination, or Gino himself, but it soon becomes clear as Kogami speaks. ]

Mm, I suppose not. [ He practically agrees, though he's certain he couldn't do much better. His dreams were pretty well regulated, but even when something else slipped through the cracks it was never this real, this tangible. Somehow that's both comforting and terrifying; to know that at least he's not crazy enough to be making this up, but that there's no escape or denial of this new reality. ]

[psychofailed]

[Sometimes laughing is the only alternative to actually losing your shit, okay. You have to find the humor in crazy bullshit like this or it'll eat you alive. He doesn't react overtly to Gino's pinched expression, nor does he apologize, but he does school away the lingering traces of amusement in his expression.]

Ah, there's the Porter building. C'mon.

[hitsujikai]

[ Dude that's exactly what Gino is letting said crazy bullshit do. Would you really prefer him laughing in regular conversation? Think how frightening that'd be. ]

You really are getting accustomed to this place, aren't you? [ Gino says in his best casual voice as they walk. ] If I didn't know better, I'd say you look well.

[ But someone with a rating like Kogami can't be well, that word is reserved for people with clear mental status. Gino doesn't like the way his mind forcibly wonders if he can be considered well currently either. With no way to check, concerns such as that are more harm than good. ]

[psychofailed]

[Yeahhhh about that. In a great twist of irony, Kogami does know better--though not about himself, because that would just be too convenient but uh, he sure can see Gino's. So that's a thing. He's gonna have to tell him.

But not yet.]

Even latent criminals can have stable hues, Gino.

[Like that murderer in the drone factory, Kanehara. And...well, Masaoka.]

[hitsujikai]

[ Stable doesn't connotate good, but Gino isn't going to get into that conversation. Nope, not today. ]

So you feel well, then? You like it here?

[ He prompts, failing to soften the vicious way the words form in his mouth. Of course Kogami likes it here, he's around people like him and that's where he's always seemed to fit better - with their team, with Masaoka - right? It's a world full of people with the capability to commit crime walking freely around like everyone else. It's dangerous, surely an accident waiting to happen, and some acidic part of Gino can't help thinking that this world is a free pass to those who have been judged by the system, like Kogami. There's no comeuppance for his actions here. He answers for nothing. ]

[psychofailed]

[Kogami's reaction might not quite match what Gino assumes, then. He visibly flinches, expression taking on a stricken cast, as if he's just been slapped across the face.

The thing is, it's not so easy for him to just run away from their world, embrace freedom here and never look back. The very idea of settling down here, of starting over, fills him with so much guilt he recoils from it whenever he comes close to even skirting it.

His mind flashes back to what Aerith had said, back on their "date." It's hard to admit, right? That it's nicer here than it is where you're from? I've had to come to terms with it too. Everything is so much different here. I can do anything I want.

And the answer then, the closest he's ever gotten to honesty about it to himself or anyone else, had been: I can't.

Gino might not know it, but part of that is for him. It's for him, for his family, for everyone who ever gave a shit about him and was hurt when he became an Enforcer. Kogami is where he is in life because of his own choices, because he couldn't give up on Sasayama's case, and he still can't. The failure to bring Sasayama's murderer to justice is still a gnawing void in his life, and the inability to pursue it here drives him up a wall when he dwells on it too long.

No. He can't let it all come to nothing. He can't let Sasayama's death, and all the suffering that's followed, be in vain. He doesn't have the right to throw it all away now, when he didn't then.

Being content or even just peaceful, in the moment, doesn't have to be mutually exclusive with all that, but it still feels like a betrayal. He can't even accept the thought that he's been okay, that he's slowly been adjusting, as one factually true within the privacy of his own mind, much less utter the words aloud.]

...I-it's been--different.

[is all he manages to choke out before he turns abruptly on his heel, rushes forward the last few feet toward the soldiers who were watching in trepidation that a fight would break out, offering his arm to have the REGISTERED tattoo inspected before letting them know that Gino is with him, and they're headed to Maurtia Falls.

Maybe it's cowardly, but he can't face whatever the Inspector's response would be, can't face any further accusation. He's not remotely prepared to have that conversation with anyone, much less Gino.]

[hitsujikai]

[ Gino's tone had been accusatory and demanding, like he was expecting Kogami to own up to letting himself relax, to letting things go easy, and would have to hang his tail between his legs in the face of Gino calling him out on it... so when Kogami flinches - and of course Gino notices it - he's surprised. He really doesn't give Kogami enough credit, because its so much easier to pretend that he's a selfish dog who doesn't feel like the Shinya he once knew did, but that expression drives it home that he does, and the rolling wave of something suddenly ebbing from his friend and lingering in his expression and on his words gives Gino no excuse -- he can't pretend this man is just a dog when he's obviously suffering. And what did he expect, honestly? Wasn't Kogami always torturing himself some way or another? When had he ever let himself relax?

Gino might be an asshole, but only because he cares, and it's because of that care that he makes himself difficult to deal with, but at the end of the day he can't help himself in moments like this.

He folds his arms into his ridiculous overcoat, his lips pulling tight, searching for conversation while he muddles over his apology. He knows it's coming, because he's weak and a glutton for punishment, but it feels much too close to admitting to a mistake to backtrack so quickly, so he saves it while he considers the correct words to use as to not make matters worse. ]

Kagari and Tsunemori are here too, then. Are they from the same time as you? The-- uh, past?

[ They're obviously getting closer to wherever it is that Kogami lives now, so he grasps at something he can always fall back on - interrigation. It's an awkward attempt, but an attempt nonetheless. ]

[psychofailed]

[It's a much more neutral topic, at least, one he can approach like a detective, briefing his superior on the details of a case. The discomfort lingers in the air, of course, and Kogami half-wishes he were allowed to smoke inside the Porter building, if only for the familiar process of lighting up to fill the dead air. He feels oddly fidgety without something to do with his hands right now.]

...Tsunemori is from the same time as me, but Kagari's from the--future. Yours, too, if you've only just gotten a picture of Makishima.

[...]

[He takes a deep breath. Even talking about this threatens to set his nerves on fire with impatience all over again, but Gino at least deserves to know what all he knows.]

He said we found him. That we were in pursuit, before he arrived.

[hitsujikai]

[ Like Kogami's tic of bringing a cigarette to his mouth and letting smoke fill his lungs, Gino busies his hands pushing his glasses up his nose, like the light glaring from them might also reflect the guilt he's feeling. No such luck, of course, but it was worth a shot.

His gaze fixes on their surroundings, taking in the strange setting without really seeing it as his mind focuses on what Kogami is saying. ]

... I see. [ Not as bad as it could be, right? They could be facing a dead-end after all. ] He's told you what he knows, then? He's told you what happens?

time for HANDWAVEY MOTIONS for the newer castmates since this uvu

[psychofailed]

[He shakes his head.]

That's all I know. We'd decided it was best not to get details before we lived them.

[Tsunemori had put it best; if they couldn't affect the future by knowing, then it wasn't important to know...and if they could, then it was perhaps even more important not to. He hasn't even asked Masaoka or Shion, he realizes.]

I only know that much because that was how we first realized our timelines were different.

[hitsujikai]

[ He nods at that. ] Good. [ And focuses again on their surroundings, giving a verbal and phsyical clue that he's happy to do the same as their comrades and share nothing; if the look Kogami had given him at hearing about Tsunemori's memory scoop was anything to go by, Ginoza was reluctant to share other details. He's pleased that such a ground was reached, though. He can almost hear Tsunemori's imploring reasoning echo in the back of his head, and realises with a dull weight of shock that it feels like an age since he saw her.. which leads to his next, easier question. ]

Does Tsunemori live close by to you? [ He poses it like he's checking on Kogami's security, but really he's just curious. ]

[psychofailed]

We're assigned to the same house, actually.

[Which has been a little strange, but certainly not unwelcome. The familiarity in a place so unfamiliar made things a lot easier to deal with--yes, even for him.]

Number six. Where were you assigned, Gino?

[hitsujikai]

[ Gino blinks, and suddenly realises that for a man typically so organised he has failed to check one crucial detail. His residency.

Trying his best not to scowl too much, he produces his file from his blazer and flips through a few pages, trying his best not to let them get caught in the wind or to have them obscure his vision enough that he might trip. He misses the database integrated into his communication device more and more with every moment he scans the page. Finally, he finds it. ]

Hm.

[ Welp, that sure is... a thing. That is happening to him. ]

Maurtia Falls, number six.

[psychofailed]

[....ah. Well, that's. Something. They've all been put together, more or less, save for Shion, but this particular arrangement might be. Difficult. He doesn't mind, himself, because it's not as if he hasn't seen Gino every day for years anyway, but...it might be harder on his old friend not to have a place to himself, away from everything Kogami represented.

He decides it's an especially bad time to let him know that Masaoka is right next door.]

Are you okay with that?

[hitsujikai]

Fine. [ He replies, maybe a little too quickly. He closes the file and tucks it back into his coat, then shifts his glasses. ] Someone has to keep an eye on you.

[ He's clearly deflecting, but at least he's not being a dick about it. At least he's actually trying to make light of things. Akane is probably keeping an good enough eye on Kogami already, but their brands of supervision differ at the best of times, so Gino dreads to think what she's letting him get up to here... and it's always good to be certain. He can't help but feel just the slightest bit of relief at being close to the both of them, to Akane's zen aura especially. Solitude, though welcome, would have probably driven him mad faster than living with them would and of course he realises how fickle it is, but it's not like won't have his own room and his own space, right? ]

What's the neighbourhood like? [ His attempt at small talk is laughable, and he clearly realises that as his scowl falls to a more plain, less serious expression. ]

[psychofailed]

...Right.

[He has a strong feeling Gino is Not Actually Okay with it but doing one of those "can't show weakness to an Enforcer" sort of things and as much as Kogami would've really preferred a straight answer so he could figure something out, he lets it go. It's been up to Gino to set the tone of whatever relationship they have left these days, and it's no different in this new world.]

To be honest, it's a mess.

[He doesn't even need his hue powers to tell how stressed out and on edge the local population is around here, and he shudders to think how bad their Crime Coefficients are....with people able just commit muggings and the like in broad daylight, he suspects that if the Dominators were here, half the goddamn city would be dead.]

Be on your guard if you need to go out at night, and it's better to stick to the main streets in general.

[hitsujikai]

[ His eyebrows raise at that, and he turns his head to look at Kogami. Sure, the place didn't look anything like the setting he was used to, but besides the absence of environment holo and obvious architectural differences it didn't look all that bad in the brochure pictures. But then, he supposed, those pictures were intended to sell it, weren't they? But... it was bad enough to set Kogami on edge? That was... worrying. ]

I see. Thanks for the warning. [ He looks visibly uncomfortable again. ]

[psychofailed]

[Yeah, Kogami doesn't really have any better news for you, Gino. Maurtia Falls is kind of like those abandoned areas in Japan that get taken over by the homeless and form their own social structures inside. Of course, there are laws, even a police station, but for the most part people don't seem to care about that very much. Sticking to the main streets and establishments that appear more or less upscale is safe enough, but even then sometimes there's muggings and drug deals and the like right out in the public eye.]

There isn't much of a stress care industry at all, here. Access to services in general relies on having health insurance or paying out of pocket, which is a large problem in this country, from what I've been reading. Maurtia Falls seems to have it the worst of the Porter cities in that respect.

[They're reaching the housing block now, which is convenient, since they're reaching the part of the conversation he's been putting off. He digs out the keys from his pocket as they reach #006, and as he puts it in the lock and holds open the door, he takes a deep breath, exhales, and adds--]

...Speaking of all that, there's something I need to tell you.