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

[drazhada]

A curious device for the House of a warrior caste. [ he'd be interested to know the thought behind it.

the question earns a tired glance, though, his ears flattening back in thought. ] Oh.. where would we truly begin? We are apparently a highly unusual emperor, in that we question and change many things. [ a pause, and his glance is drawn back down to his thumb and the oath-ring that rests there. he turns it absently. ]

The role of women in our society, perhaps.. particularly in the nobility. We find that there is great worth in them outside of marriage and the getting of children. [ a glance back up, cautious but determined. ]

[vorbarra]

Oh-- olive leaves for victory, the river for Vorbarr Sultana, our capital. [ He decides not to explain that a lot of mammals didn't take well on Barrayar; he's been attempting not to introduce too many concepts at once, such as space travel and terraforming.

Besides, he'd rather hear about this. And, indeed, hearing this makes his respect instantly ratchet upwards a few notches, past what mere sympathy had provoked. It was how prepared he was to defend it, as much as the sentiment itself. With supreme dryness, ] You mean perhaps we shouldn't ignore the intrinsic capabilities of half of our population, and consign them to silent, demeaning subservience in the process? That is changing in our reign, too.

I think... if we are not upsetting our advisers, we are a poor representative of our people, Edrehasivar. Complacency is an insult to our duty.

[drazhada]

[ he was fully prepared to have to defend his viewpoint from someone who found him naive, idealistic, but gregor's agreement earns a slightly startled blink. perhaps he shouldn't be surprised, though. he can't really compare the other man to anyone at home, exactly.

his small smile returns, quietly relieved. ] The divide is less notable outside of the noble class. One of our nohecharei is a woman, in fact, and there are women in the universities and guilds. The court is slow to change, though, and we find the idea of women being forced to marry against their will.. barbaric, at best. [ there's no escaping he and csethiro's marriage, he knows, but at least they're fond of one another now. and he hopes that things will change in the future. he intends to push for them, at least.

the small smile warms faintly, ears perking up. ] We would agree. We are lucky, though, in that our new chancellor is a forward-thinking and loyal man. We do not always agree on matters, but not because he is uninformed or hidebound.

[vorbarra]

[ He nods. ] Arranged marriage, much less forced marriage, is losing its grip on Barrayar even among the Vor. Thank God. I've refused to participate in that entrapment myself; hopefully it will send a trend. [ Gregor has deeply personal feelings about not forcing women into marriage given his own parents. His mother's life and her eventual fate has given him a thorn in his side about women's rights that he usually tries to be subtle about, given how much it upsets conservatives; but here he has no need to be diplomatic. ]

That is fortunate, [ Gregor notes, with evident approval. He's happy to see him growing more comfortable, slowly, like coaxing out a skittish animal. ] It's equally important to have people on your side who will disagree with you. Much easier to take than when your opponents do it. [ A small curl of humor at the end. ]

But what is a nohecharei? That's not the first time you've mentioned them.

[drazhada]

.. We wish we could say the same. [ his face feels hot. ] We.. have little choice in the matter, though, and our future empress even less. Even so.. [ his glance falls to the oath-ring again, and he twists it on his thumb, the iron warm from his body heat. ] We think nevertheless that we would try to change it if Dach'osmin Ceredin were not.. satisfied with us.

[ that's enough about that subject, though. he doesn't really want to talk about his impending marriage, or how much he dreads it--though he is becoming fond of csethiro--and all it entails.

the question of nohecharei makes his ears flick up slightly. that's right. lord vorkosigan hadn't known the term, either. ] It seems to be a concept that is.. unique to our world, perhaps. Our nohecharei are.. [ he touches fingers thoughtfully to his mouth. ] Armsmen, in a way, but more than that. There are two that guard us at all times, soldier and maza. [ a tiny sigh. ] And we certainly mean at all times. They remain with us until our death, upon which time-- [ his voice falters, then softens unhappily. ] Our nohecharei guard us in death, as well.

[vorbarra]

[ Oh-- he hadn't meant to shame him at all. Damn. Nonetheless Gregor isn't hasty with his words as he tries to backtrack, notices him looking down at a ring. Guesses it is his engagement ring, thinks with a startled wistful pang about having one of his own with Miles one day... ]

We don't mean to impugn your situation. If you can find satisfaction in your arrangement, we are honestly glad for you. It is the one place we have remained obstinate on, the one... thing I am taking for myself. [ A conscious shift this time in his pronouns, as he lets out a slow breath. ] There is no one else who may rule in our place without violence over it, so at the least we demand we are allowed to choose our own spouse.

[ Marriage is such a predominant topic for Gregor, especially right now with Miles, for all that he's been putting off that discussion and leaving it to ferment in the back of his brain. But he too understands it as fraught and tries to shift himself to listen intently, instead, to the latter half of this.

He tries to push past the sadness at the end, imagines himself knowing that his guards will die when he does and has to suppress a shiver. Gregor, too, is soft-hearted that way. ] It must be profoundly strange to be here without them, [ he says with sympathy. ] Perhaps a relief to have that privacy, God knows, but strange.

[drazhada]

[ he shakes his head immediately at the backtracking, jewelry chiming with the movement, smile returning for a moment. ] We did not feel offended. We simply.. [ he hesitates for a few quiet moments, searching for the words to explain. ] We wished to caveat that.. though we make strides toward change, it is sometimes slow-going. As in the case of our-- our impending marriage. [ his small smile widens by degrees, warming. ] Though we are heartened to hear that you will choose your own partner. We dearly hope that it will be someone you love.

[ he's not sure if he and csethiro will ever be in love in the way of a husband and wife, but he thinks that at the least, they can be friends. he thinks they'll be able to at least love one another that way. .. it would be good to feel that close to her. and he certainly intends for their relationship to lack the restrictions of his father's relationships with his empresses. he wants csethiro to be happy.

his expression smooths again at the sentiment, faintly puzzled and a little concerned. ] Truthfully.. we are somewhat embarrassed to say that we have grown so accustomed to them already that it is quite strange-- [ lonely, actually. ] --to be here alone. We think of them as friends. [ and he has precious few of those. ]

[vorbarra]

[ Gregor smiles back more openly, suddenly looking very casual indeed; he's able to turn his Imperial bearing on and off like a light switch, and without it, he could be just about anyone. It's hard not to with Edrehasivar looking increasingly relaxed in turn. ] They will be. I'm one of those unfortunate romantics, I'm afraid. And you're right-- change is very slow. [ Shaking his head slightly, he goes on, ] To tell the truth, our empire is experiencing a time of radical upheaval as it is; we do not wish to shock her overmuch.

There's nothing embarrassing about that. Although not the same, Armsmen are considered part of the family and we confess we are unused to going without ours. You turn around and expect them to be there, or your secretary, at least, scolding you for ducking your schedule, and... [ Ruefully, ] They're not.

[drazhada]

[ there's a pause, then a little tiredly: ] Yes, we understand completely. [ he's fought tooth and claw for every little change he's made. and gods, don't get him started on his bridge.

the mention of a secretary earns a slightly wistful look. it's true, isn't it? he's grown so accustomed to csevet, and to his nohecharei and edocharei, this household he'd sworn he'd never take for granted-- but has he? he's allowed them to do so much for him for so long.. especially csevet.

when he gets home--whenever that might be--he really must reward him somehow. ]

We truly would be quite lost without our secretary. Our first months in our capital were only manageable due to his great assistance. [ it's probably apparent how fond of csevet he is, but he doesn't care. gregor certainly doesn't seem inclined to judge him for such things, especially given that the other man considers his armsmen family. ]

[vorbarra]

We're sorry. We seem to have diverted us onto a depressing topic of conversation. We could discuss what we have changed, as victories.

[ Indeed, Gregor smiles a little, warm and sincere. ] We can imagine. We had the benefit of many years of training, though we didn't see it as a benefit at the time, [ he says dryly. ] Your secretary is your first line of defense for your schedule. If they're not on your side, you'll just get run ragged with presumptuous demands-- [ A shrewd look. ] Especially if they think you're easily taken advantage of.