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

[quaerit]

[ This is not actually Gansey's favorite power. Command has never sat easily with him, whether he's good at it or not. He's aware that the advantage is unfair, and he doesn't like doing that to people.

Not without good reason, at least, and this had seemed like a good reason. Henry already looks better, and Gansey meets his smile with a slightly less excited, somewhat more wary one of his own. ]

I did that.

[ Now here comes the explaining part, which he likes even less. ]

None of us are particularly normal here. When did you get here?

[aglonby]

[ he does feel better already. it's a wonder what some space can do. it's also a wonder what grinning can do! fake it till you make it.

he's curious about that power, but he won't ask right away in favor of answering gansey's question. even if he'd also like to comment on the use of 'particularly normal'. ]

Not long ago. I have been trying to familiarize myself with... how should I say. Everything? [ it's a lot of information to take in, and really, being caught like that in a crowd felt a little like the information overload. ]

[quaerit]

[ Ah, so a brand new arrival, then. Gansey somehow isn’t surprised. If Henry Cheng had been here for any length of time, he surely would have introduced himself. Or even called one of them, one he saw their names on the network. Maybe he’d not even seen it yet. That’s going to mean a lot of confusion, and so of course, Gansey does what any reasonable person would do when running into a schoolmate in an alternate universe. ]

Do you want to get a coffee, and I’ll fill you in? Odds are you have questions, and I might have answers. I’ve been here for a while.

[ Which might be news in itself, he supposes, since Cheng probably saw him at school not long ago. ]

[aglonby]

[ that does make henry look momentarily confused, but before launching himself into the how, why, when of it all, he'll accept gansey's offer. he'll ask his questions then, since it's likely some answers will spark new questions and they might need a little while. ]

Yes, coffee. Take me to the caffeine, Richardman.

[ meanwhile, he's ruminating. how can it be a while when he saw gansey less than a day ago? and what about what he did with his voice? how does it work? why is something nagging at him he can't pinpoint?

right. coffee. one thing at a time. ]

Did I thank you yet? [ he puts a hand on gansey's arm, giving it a grateful squeeze before dropping his hand. ] Thank you. [ there's no following joke, even if it would be easy to tack one on. it's sincere. he'd been on the verge of not knowing how he would ever get out of there, which is not a great mindset for him. ]

[quaerit]

[ Gansey's feet turn in the direction of a cafe not far from where Kitty works; not Starbucks, which he knows will be full, but an artisan place that's smaller and should let them talk more easily. Also, the coffee will be better.

The thanks surprises him; he looks around, but smiles and lifts his shoulders. ]

You'd do the same for me.

[ Actually, he doesn't yet know how true that is. It doesn't really matter, though; Gansey knows what it's like to be beset by the crowds here. ]

They have a certain kind of interest when it comes to imports. If you've ever wanted to be famous, this is your chance. If you think that crowd was bad, you should see them at the swear in.

The soldiers will have talked to you, I suppose?

[aglonby]

[ henry's going to let gansey lead them wherever he will. however long gansey has been here is enough that he's familiar with the place and knows where he's taking them. ]

Of course I would. [ it is just as sincere as the thanks. that's one thing henry will always take seriously and sincerely: his friendship with gansey and blue. ]

Yeah, I got the briefing. I did not imagine it would be that intense. [ while he's never sought popularity, it will occur to him later that, with that kind of crowd backing him, he could actually change things. he wouldn't be running after people to sign petitions, they would be lining up for them.

until then, he brushes imagine dust off of his shirt. ] What is the swear in like?

[quaerit]

[ They reach the cafe, the door to which Gansey holds open for Henry. He remembers his own meeting with the soldiers here. Intense was one word for it, but he can't help wondering if it's gotten more so ever since the invasion. Ever since war was declared. Everything has felt different since then, and Gansey had been here long enough to be used to the way things were before. ]

Ah, they differ. They're in a different place each month, sometimes hosted by the government and sometimes by one of our Ambassadors.

[ He thinks of what the Russians did to it while they were here, and quickly pushes it from his mind. ]

They typically ask us to register, and then there's sometimes entertainment, food, an unsurprising amount of propaganda 'encouraging' us to register.

I did, at first. That was a mistake, so I took my name off their list. It's still worth going to the swear-in, even if you don't register, just to stay up to date.

[aglonby]

[ henry gives gansey a nod in thanks for the door and steps inside, glancing over his shoulder at him as he speaks. this comes as no surprise to him. his smile is wry. ]

Ah, I see. A party, but not really a party. Propaganda. [ couldn't they have been taken to a world that wasn't full of things like this? it would have been nice, to find oneself in a world free of prejudice and war and military control and registration and old wrinkly men in positions of power over a population that is not like them.

pipe dreams. at least gansey is here, and maybe the others are too, and this will be easier to absorb with good company. ]

I do not think I'll be registering, no. [ not only is he not a fighter, he's not very comfortable being someone else's chess piece. that is not a life for anyone, he thinks, unless they chose it. but even then. ] Do they leave you alone, if that's the choice you make?