etcelsior | WAKE UP IN THE MORNING FEELING LIKE

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 there's only one rule in Test Drive Meme Club: 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, while others might not say anything -- but if you have something nasty to say, better not say anything at all, right? But on closer inspection of these Silent Stanleys and Stellas, you might notice that some people actually back away from any imPort who quite obviously looks like they aren't "from around the neighborhood". Once in a while, you may hear a voice raised:

"Did you see how visible their elections have become? They're just trying to grab power! Have you seen the homes they live in?

Of course, for every claim, there's a rebuttal; you may well hear a competing voice arguing, "They deserve to have a say in things too! You know it's different for them!"

ImPorts are a divisive issues, even in pretty Heropa.

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 very presence. Look at you! Organic wonder! 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. The imPort craze is at an all-time high, and considering the ambition of many of De Chima's residents, you may find yourself cornered by overzealous imPort fans, media wannabes and opportunists alike, shoving cameras in your face.

Their questions are less politically charged than they are mundane, however; get ready for an interview about your taste in romantic partners, personal underwear choices, favourite foods, and more!

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 bound to find a few people who decide that the only proper welcome for an imPort is a nice set of knuckles to the face.

One or two more cowardly locals may hesitate before giving you such a greeting, however, with a muttered, "Wonder if the new guy in office is gonna do more than the last one."

Ouch. Look at the political savvy on this guy!

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. You may find yourself in the midst of a few closed-off streets for some occasion or another - whether it be a food cart festival, no-car day, or something else! - and surrounded by the hum of people, the waft of food being served on the street, and plenty of attention

Look there -- someone's demoing a VR roller coaster! Won't you give it a shot?

Flat | Top-Level Comments Only

[The excitements at the start of every month are worth keeping an eye on. Granted they usually included baffled newcomers holding up traffic or trying to figure out a camera, so a call for back up was....interesting. Kel shows up armed, and waves easily to the guards. After a short, whispered conference with the one in charge, she walks up to Csethiro and bows]

I am sorry for the confusion, My Lady, it takes us all by surprise.

[ Her ears perk up at that, surprised, if only momentarily. A girl? A very tall girl. One with a sword, at that. This is not what Csethiro had expected, but at least Kel has better manners. It doesn't do much to make her relent on how icy and unreadable she's working at being, but she also isn't about to sling any further ire at, apparently, her new escort. ]

There is naught for you to apologize for. You are not the one to mishandle us so. [ She won't bother pinning a look back on the pair of guards. They may as well not exist anymore, the way she's turned her attention to Kel. ] Are you another soldier of the American States?

No, I am a Lady Knight of the realm of Tortall, and an imPort here, the same as you.

[Kel glances at Csethiro's ears and bites the inside of her cheek briefly]

If this is rude, I apologize, but would you know an Edrehasivar, emperor of the Elflands?

[It's a long shot if she's from another world entirely, but Csethiro is acting noble enough to have at least heard the name if not]

[ A Lady Knight. The idea itself is fascinating and had Kel already not had her full attention before, that would have gotten it immediately. At least, there's a small thaw in the defensive iciness she carries around her, honest interest peeking through her eyes. ]

We admit we have never heard of a Lady Knight, nor of your realm, but we are glad to be in the company of one considered so noble.

[ For a knight must surely be so. Hopefully, she's judging this girl correctly, if one could even consider an actual knight a girl and not already an adult. How old was she? How long did she have to train? How many weapons does she know to use? There's too many questions that Csethiro is suddenly bursting to ask, but there's no way to do so without coming off as rude. For now, she'll hold them. Another time, she promises herself.

It's just as well. Mentioning that name, that place, that actually does draw a real and true break in her carefully neutral expression. Ears go up, she starts to speak, but then stops short and her ears dip again. There's excitement, an obvious recognition. Kel's guess is spot on. ]

His Serenity is here? [ But it's with caution she must add, ] Edrehasivar, seventh of that name?

[It's honestly refreshing that that is the reaction Kel most often gets, that of interest and excitement. Much better than the shock and scorn at home to which she'd gotten so accustomed.]

I am glad to be of service.

[Oh whoops, the number...it was bad enough recalling the pronunciation of his name]

Ah...I don't recall the number, but he is of a height with you and very dark.

[ The height is off, Csethiro yet a few inches shorter still, but "very dark" marks this Edrehasivar as Maia. There could be no other. There's a quiet intake of breath from her, as she takes a moment to calm herself. There's still a thousand questions burning to be asked, including how the emperor is doing, but that can be asked directly.

Instead of asking anything, she'll draw herself back up to her full height (as if she wished to be taller, it would be nice to be as tall as this Lady Knight). ]

We are Csethiro Ceredin, His Serenity's betrothed. If you would take us to him immediately, we would be most grateful.

[There is a slight eye widening at 'betrothed', but Kel bows to cover any confusion]

It would be my honor, if you would follow me-

[The watching soldiers breathe a collective sigh of relief as Kel carefully leads Csethiro into Heropa proper]

[ If the word gets her where she wants to be faster, it matters little if Kel is shocked, surprised, or confused by it. When Kel moves off, however, and Csethiro does move to follow, she can't help but add, ]

We would like to know your name, Lady Knight.

[ It's almost like no one here knows how to lead with introductions, but she isn't really going to make a fuss over that. ]

[The Porter does like to play its own jokes, after all.

Kel waves a hand in vague embarrassment]

I apologize, manners seem to be the first to go around here. I am Keladry of Mindelan, in the realm of Tortall.

[ She won't wave the apology off, despite not actually having needed one, but she will let it go without further comment. She has a name, that's what she wanted. ]

Does Tortall have many knights like yourself?

Edited 2016-06-26 23:48 (UTC)

Just the one other, as yet. There used to be more of us a century ago, but it...fell out of favor.

[Kel brightens some]

But there are two girls in page training at this moment. I pray the Goddess's blessing on both of them.

Teaching ladies such martial skills are frowned upon in the Elflands, but we are glad to hear somewhere else persists, even if it is only the few.

[ It's probably unseemly to share such opinions so soon like this, but when will she have another chance to speak with someone such as this? ]

Oh it's frowned upon still, don't be fooled, it is just that we have the favor of the King and Queen behind it, and change will come disapproval or no.

[Kel tries to affect some nonchalance with this, but there's a fierceness underneath her words for all that]

WAKE UP IN THE MORNING FEELING LIKE

+01 sword lady

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