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

[dendarii]

It's a bit different from the cities I'm used to, if it's any comfort. Though I can't quite picture not ever having walked in any sort of city at all. Were you sheltered, then...?

[drazhada]

[ sheltered? no, that implies some degree of regard, doesn't it? he certainly owes no one any explanations--one of the few benefits of being emperor--but on the other hand, he certainly doesn't want to be rude. he doesn't want to lie, either. he's never been good at it, for one thing, and for another, these people have been kind to him.

realizing he's been silent for several moments, he shakes his head slightly, hair ornaments chiming, small smile apologetic. ]

'Isolated' may be the better term. We were our father's fourth son. He did not favor us. [ that's.. the gentlest way he can put it. ]

[dendarii]

[ Ah, a misstep then? Miles' own smile is apologetic in turn. ]

And yet you inherited? Due to him changing his mind, or ...

[ Miles knows very well how bloody the line of succession can be. ]

[drazhada]

[ he hesitates, fingers lacing loosely together, ears dipping slightly before he can catch them. ]

Ah.. no. Our father and older brothers were slain in an airship crash.

[ maia's very disfavor had saved his life. ]

[dendarii]

Accident?

[ That shouldn't be a question, but ... ]

[drazhada]

[ the look he gives miles is complicated, ears flattening back uncomfortably. ]

.. No. An incendiary device was placed aboard the airship.

[dendarii]

... Ah. Intrigue, then. I should have guessed.

[drazhada]

[ a little faintly: ] Yes. [ he twists the crest on his finger, unable to keep his ears up. ] We have had a.. tumultuous beginning to our reign.

SORRY FOR THE DELAY I'm reading your book to try and catch up

[dendarii]

I sympathize utterly. Gregor's was much the same, and I'm a casualty of it myself.

godspeed, comrade

[drazhada]

[ maia blinks, ears flicking up, then flattening back. ] A.. casualty?

[dendarii]

[ He gestures down to himself. ]

I don't know how many humans you've met thus far ... but I'm not a typical example of one. Rather, the result of an assassination attempt upon my parents.

[drazhada]

Oh. [ despite the small, breathless exclamation, maia's ears and hands remain still, gray eyes flicking over miles quickly. he doesn't want to seem too interested or curious-- the last thing he wants is to make someone else self-conscious. gods know he's felt like a curiousity often enough, himself. ] We must admit that we have little understanding of what constitutes 'average' in humans. We are grieved to hear that you and your parents suffered in such ways, though. [ he.. knows the feeling a little too intimately. ]

[dendarii]

[ Miles doesn't seem to mind the exclamation, at leas. He wouldn't even mind honest curiosity as long as he's still treated like a person. But this is best of all. ]

Well. Average is taller, anyway. A little less brittle-boned. [ A pause. ] Thank you for your sympathy.

[drazhada]

[ his mouth quirks up faintly, a little apologetic. ] Ah. We.. did not think it remarkable that you were smaller than some humans we have seen. Our people, and our mother's people, come in many sizes. [ so beyond the first mental note he'd made, well.. he hadn't considered that there was anything strange at all about it. ]

May we.. inquire after your parents? [ did they survive? are they well? ]

[dendarii]

[ Miles brightens at that, curiosity overriding all else. ]

Really? You're not all tall and willowy then?

[ As for his parents, well. ] Certainly, I'll give you their comm IDs.

[drazhada]

[ his face heats, ears flicking back faintly. ] Ah, well.. no. Our father's people tend to be quite slender, but our mother's people are generally.. broader. [ a brief pause, then his lips quirk back up. ] Csoru Zhasanai--that is, the widow empress--is often compared to a doll for her size and appearance. .. And Dachensol Habrobar--who created our seal--is smaller, we think, than you are.

[ the offer earns a small tilt of his head. ] They are both here?

[dendarii]

[ This time, Miles finally catches what Maia is talking about here. Advances in genetic engineering have left normal variation in genetics entirely adrift from families at times. ]

That ... that is quite a lot of variation. Are you unusual, then?

[drazhada]

[ he hesitates at the question, ears flattening back, face hot. at home, this would be a delicate question, at best. people generally avoid the topic of the emperor's faulted birth. ]

.. In a manner of speaking. Our mother was a goblin. [ he hesitates, fingers lacing together to keep them from fidgeting. ] While there are many goblins and half-goblins in our empire, it is not.. done.. among the nobility. One would certainly not name a half-blooded child heir.

[ his father hadn't meant for him to inherit anything, much less the rule of the entire empire. he hadn't even meant for maia to be born. ]

[dendarii]

[ That Miles understands instantly. He winces, faintly, as it strikes a chord in him. ]

And yet here you are, doing it anyway. Much to their chagrin?

[drazhada]

One of many reasons that our rule has been.. [ a pause to find an appropriate word. ] .. exciting, shall we say. [ his ears lift, mouth quirking, though the expression is a little tired. ] Perhaps our children will have a less divided court to deal with. [ since maia is taking care of the mess now. .. that is, if he has children. a son to inherit.

or perhaps a daughter? he can imagine the uproar if he named a daughter to be his heir. ]

[dendarii]

That is the hope, isn't it? To do better for our children.

[ Miles warms instantly on this subject - clearly planning for plenty of his own. ]

[drazhada]

We hope to, at least. .. Though we still find the notion of having children to be somewhat alarming.

[ he certainly hadn't planned on getting married so quickly. he'd never even put thought into the notion before it had essentially been decided for him. romance and love are things the emperor.. doesn't really have room for in marriage.

it could always be worse, though. he and csethiro are friends, he thinks, and hopes to always have that with her, at least. ]

[dendarii]

[ Miles, in all his infinite wisdom (and no small bias towards the subject), simply says: ]

Why?

[drazhada]

[ a slightly uncomfortable glance follows the question. ] We had no desire to marry so quickly, nor indeed had we put thought into the notion at all. However.. [ he laces his fingers together, feeling the edge of the oath ring again. ] .. we are obligated to secure the succession.

[dendarii]

[ Oh. Miles frown a bit at that, considering... ]

No choice whatsoever?