etcelsior | WAKE UP IN THE MORNING FEELING LIKE

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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?

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01. Heropa
[So...this is what Earth is like.

Suffice to say, Allura didn't quite anticipate visiting the paladins' home planet so soon and in such a--well, in such an abrupt, unplanned manner. But it certainly is a cheery place, and welcoming as well, already finding herself being thanked by strangers who don't know who she is or what rank she holds.

And...admittedly, after receiving her free drink from what was called a 'Malt Shoppe,' she can now kind of see where Hunk is coming from when complaining about the Altean food. She takes a long sip from her strawberry malt shake, and it tastes...well, not the same, but sweetly nostalgic, the warmth of summer, berry stained dresses...]

Oh! [The princess puts a hand to her mouth, licking her lips, eyes wide.] This is so...sweet. Almost too sweet, admittedly...

[And yet!! She keeps drinking it!! She's sitting under a bench beneath the shade of a tree, immersed in her Earthling drink that she doesn't even notice nasty stares some of the more unfriendly locals shoot her way at her being an obvious imPort.]

02. De Chima
[Earth's natives have rather...strange reactions when they find out that you're a princess. With her long white hair and pointed ears, it seems almost as though they both expect it when they're told, and get incredibly excited that she matches what they expect of a space princess.

Allura's been hounded by young girls and boys (and some...older...men...) practically the entire time she's been here, tugging at her dress, asking her where her crown is, if there are any prince charmings in her life (and she wonders why the prince has to be charming).

A few of the seedier, older people are already asking her some rather...invasive questions improper to ask a princess dealing with an intergalactic crisis sitting heavy on her shoulders, so feel free to rescue the princess who is clearly overwhelmed by all this attention that is not at all serious in nature.

It's obvious she's growing overwhelmed. Her years of training did not prepare her for this sort of...adulation and personal invasiveness.]

There's stuff that's even sweeter.

[speaking of obvious imPorts, that comment comes directly from a small blue girl who just touched down near Allura's bench. Lapis' watery wings glitter in the Floridian sun briefly before they disappear back into her gem. she's learned her lesson about wayward flaps in crowded human areas by now.

what she hasn't learned is that it's not polite to simply insert yourself unannounced into other people's conversations, which is what's led to this particular situation. it doesn't help that she's remained standing rather than sat down like someone who understands proper social interaction. oops.]

[Allura jumps a little at the sudden voice, taking a large sip that was a bit too fast in the process. She squints, both at the glittering wings which seem to disappear as soon as she catches sight of the blue girl, as well as because she's starting to feel a really sudden case of brain freeze prick sharply at her temples.

Her voice is slightly strained from the sudden bout of pain her otherwise delightful drink has caused, rubbing her forehead slightly.]

That's...quite hard to imagine.

[of any of this behavior strikes Lapis as particularly odd, it makes absolutely no appearance on her face. she does at least lean on the back of the bench during her next reply, although it isn't much of an improvement since it doesn't seem to be in concern.]

They have these little candy birds, or something like that. I think they're just all sugar.

[she's talking about Peeps. and good lord were they tasty.]

[In all fairness, Allura isn't too concerned with Lapis' own socially awkward behavior. This is a different planet, after all, and as a dignitary, Allura has learned to not pass judgement when it is possible that customs are simply different.

The headache passes as quickly as it came. Both the way this young woman looks and the way she talks about the food makes it obvious she's as much an outsider to this planet as Allura is, but one who's been here for awhile.]

They're all sugar? [Allura's expression kind of falters, halfway between intrigue and...disgust, admittedly.] Is that...part of their normal cuisine?

It must be, I bought them at one of the supply depots.

[...grocery store. she's talking about a grocery store, but as with many other things the word has been warped to fit a gem's understanding of the general concept. at least Lapis seems pretty conversational today, a feat which she doesn't always manage.]

And when I gave it to my friend he seemed pretty excited about it - maybe they can metabolize it faster?

[LUCKY FOR LAPIS she is talking to a fellow alien, so supply depot sounds entirely plausible.

And at this newfound knowledge of Earthling cuisine, Allura decides her expression is that of disgust. Sure, Alteans enjoyed sweet things, but the sweetness of juniberries is different and far more natural in flavour than whatever this 'strawberry' flavour was, as vaguely familiar as it is.

And the fact that there are things that are even sweeter...

.......still, she takes another polite sip of her malt.]

That seems reasonable. Humans do seem to eat a lot in quite a short amount of time. I would not be surprised if they have faster metabolisms.

It's disgusting.

[speaking of looks of total revulsion, Lapis is pulling a pretty impressive one right now. she can accept organic beings needing to eat in order to fuel themselves, but after watching someone like Josuke shovel down almost literally half of a fridge's contents...there had to be a limit here somewhere.]

It probably doesn't even taste the same to them.

[she hopes. prays. please don't let them taste things the way she can and still chow down that much.]

[It's a very impressive look of disgust, and Allura chuckles in amusement, hand at her mouth like the proper and polite princess that she is!!]

I have had my suspicions that humans have a different palate. The ones that I know have seemed to develop a...grudging taste for Altean dishes.

[Hunk's take on traditional Altean cuisine with an Earthly twist to it was appetizing, to say the least, but her and Coran still don't really understand why the paladins don't find the green goo they know and love appetizing.]

[it's probably very interesting, but something else entirely has caught Lapis' attention. she cocks her head to the side, openly curious for the first time in the conversation.]

What system is that in?

[she asks like she expects to recognize whatever answer she receives.]

Altea?

[She can't fault Lapis for not knowing, but...it's still a rather sensitive subject for the princess, and it's legible in her expression. She frowns, looking away for a moment before collecting herself.

Thinking about her home planet, her father...it's like picking at a still healing wound.]

The...system no longer exists. It was destroyed a long time ago.

[it's subtle. Lapis' posture doesn't change, but there's a way that her eyelids fall to half-mast and her mouth tightens imperceptibly that makes it clear she understands Allura's pain.

in a way she's jealous. to completely lose something was better than returning to find the one thing that had kept you from breaking no longer had a place for you - might have never been that way at all. but even Lapis knows better than to say that aloud.]

...yeah. It happens sometimes.

[there's no 'I'm sorry'. apologies didn't change anything, especially from people who never possessed any power to alter the outcome. all that can be given is empathy, a quiet bond forged in kindred suffering.

it didn't mean much, but it was at least something.]

[Allura is perceptive enough to notice subtleties, and as she looks back at Lapis, she can read the sympathy in the small change in her expression and the cadence in her response. It sounds like this young woman had gone through something similar, or at the very least, Allura gets the impression that it's familiar to her.]

It will not be a loss that was in vain. There are other worlds to be saved.

[She offers a small smile, as though to alleviate the weight in her chest and to keep the mood from draining when she didn't even know this stranger's name. So she'll change the subject, not wanting to be one to ruminate. Especially not when first impressions are concerned.]

I don't believe I properly introduced myself. I am Princess Allura.

[thankfully, abrupt subject changes are just her style. it's more fitting than touching on the fact that for Lapis there was very little left for her to save, especially here; even thinking of it was enough to pull her downwards, and she never needed that.]

My name is Lapis Lazuli. [...] I'm a gem.

[the additional information is volunteered only after a brief, albeit thoughtful, pause. clearly this is a follow-up question that she's fielded more than a few times by now.]

[Allura has encountered many different types of aliens to not find it as strange as someone else may have, from furry bat-like people to subterranean rock people who have a symbiotic relationship with the dormant creature they live on.

It's why she didn't question the blue...everything.

But she has never encountered anyone who was a gem, and at that, Allura raises her eyebrows, looking at Lapis with newfound intrigue.]

A gem? As in...an actual crystal? [she knows there are crystals that have their own signature energy they can tap into, they used one to power the castle, after all, but one that was a sentient being without needing to register its energy through another source...?

Well, it would be fascinating if that wqw what Lapis is.]

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oceanthief - 2016-06-26 22:47 (UTC) - Expand

[As a man was starting to step in real close to Allura, asking questions rather loudly, like he was either hard of hearing or just assuming because she was from space she couldn't speak English, there was suddenly a barrier between her and him.

Unfortunately, it was another body of a man that had inserted himself between them, but hopefully it would be more clear he wasn't trying to get into her personal bubble, necessarily. When he speaks it's in Japanese, but a voice, coming from his communicator tucked away, translates to English quickly.]

Hey. Your shouting startled me and made me drop my food. [He pointed aside, where a fallen hamburger laid sadly on the sidewalk.] You should buy me another, right? Heroes need their energy.

[Allura is both thankful that someone stepped in to steer a rather loud individual's attention away from her, and a bit...blinded from the way the glare of the summer sun reflected off her "savior's" head. She squints, shielding her eyes and allowing this as an opportune moment to at least take a few steps back, blinking away the glare.

When he gestures at the fallen hamburger lying sadly on the sidewalk, Allura looks at it and frowns, eyebrows stitched together and honestly completely unsure whether this man intentionally came between her and her "aggressor" or if he was really just doing this because he had dropped his hamburger and was upset.

Either way, the action gets the other man to leave, almost in a hurry as he utters his apologies, practically tripping over himself and his words to fetch this other imPort his meal, and Allura finds herself alone with this fellow "Hero."

She's quiet for a tick or two, before clearing her throat and straightening her posture to something more regal.]

Um...thank you. I'm sorry about your food.

[When the man left, he took a couple steps forward, not realizing she had stepped away, but he just didn't want to turn around and accidentally be breathing in her face like a creep.

Her regal pose is lost on him, he just stood all casual and slumped, shrugging.]

I actually tripped on a raised bit of sidewalk and dropped it, but I figured it was a good excuse. [He looked over at the hamburger, looking legitimately melancholy, like he was looking into the sunset thinking quietly of a lost lover. He said to her while still regarding the dropped food:] You probably want to go before he comes back, I don't know how far the closest burger place is.

[You are leaving quite the...impression on Allura already, Saitama. Her expression is pleasant enough, but she can't help but...judge...him a little for the way he holds himself.

And his plight about the fallen hamburger.

Him and Hunk would certainly get along...]

Well, it was still kind of you to step in when you didn't need to. [She pauses, looking around as a few other people pause to stare at the two imPorts conversing, some of them reaching into their bags to pull out their cameras for a picture.] I...just wish I knew a place to escape the crowd. The questions they have been asking me have been particularly...intrusive.

[His main concern was for the money spent on the hamburger, and the good deal coupon he had used on it, gone forever now. But, sure, he had wanted to eat it, too.

He finally looked at her again.]

You tried one of the other cities? The one I live in seem to hate me. Maybe that'll work better for you?

[That may sound like a barbed comment, but he's asking that in earnest.]

[She half wonders why the other cities would hate him, but she has been made aware of the biases against other imPorts so on the other hand it does make sense. But this man looks as...generic as humans come.

He could pass as one of their own. Maybe even blend in to obscurity with how...round...he is.]

I have been to the other cities, but I feel it is important as a newcomer to become acquainted with the other major cities on this planet that our at our disposal.

Although, some of the cities do have more...tolerable denizens. At least, compared to this one.

[He would be able to pass as normal if he wasn't wearing his hero outfit of a yellow jumpsuit, red boots and gloves and a white cape. That wasn't necessarily a fashion trend on this Earth. Or even back on his Earth. But he liked it, dammit.]

If you wanna go to Maurtia Falls, I can show you a cafe that doesn't give a shit what you are as long as you buy something. You got money for a cup of coffee, right?

[ he's honestly just minding his own business, sweeping out front of the cafe and enjoying the sun. he should be wearing a hat, he knows, and his edocharei would have a fit if they were here, but it's not as if he'll be out here long enough to do his skin any damage. a few more minutes is all, right? but then he notices a small crowd forming, and a young woman's protests. someone new? she sounds.. distressed.

now maia is not any sort of hero. he's the emperor of the elflands, and his people would be horrified if he risked his safety in any way. on the other hand, he can't just ignore something like this, either, and it's not as if he has a dozen armsmen on hand to send to break up the crowd and rescue the poor woman. he takes a breath, braces himself, grips the broom, and marches across the street toward them.

pushing his way carefully through the crowd, he sets himself right in front of the young woman, though he's perhaps even more obviously foreign than she is, with gray skin and similar pointed ears. though he's not tall by any means, he draws himself with all the regal bearing he can muster, chin lifting and ears held stubbornly up. ]

Cease this shameful behaviour. Is this how De Chima welcomes new arrivals, now?

[ while the ones in front are still gobsmacked by his sudden appearance, he turns to the stranger, blinking at the semi-familiarity (white hair, pointed ears). the clothing and circlet, as well as the human-like skin, at least, tell him that she's not from the elflands. .. a minor relief, truly, because he's uncertain how one of his people would have reacted to their emperor in this situation. ] .. They mostly mean no harm. Would you care to join us across the street, where it will be quieter?

Edited 2016-06-26 17:44 (UTC)

[Allura is not the sort of princess unafraid to speak her mind or accidentally hurt feelings in the process, but it seems her protests towards these questions and attempts to escape the crowd of prying questions and flashing light go unheeded regardless. So the interruption by another body, one which holds himself with a familiar sort of regal air...and one that has normal ears, is met with both a sigh of relief and the moment she needs to compose herself and her bubbling annoyance towards these strangers before he turns around to address her specifically.

She nods up at him, the appreciation and relief obvious in her bright blue eyes.]

I would very much appreciate it.

[ brandishing his broom like some sort of sceptre, he sweeps it toward those blocking his path, expression impassive and imperial once more, and people haltingly move back for the two of them (probably just for the benefit of watching and recording this spectacle, but he's not complaining about compliance). maia leads them away from the group, back across the street toward the lucky cat cafe.

once they're safely inside, the imperial face drops away, and he offers a small, warm, slightly shy smile. ]

We must admit that we were very surprised to see someone who somewhat resembles our people here. Non-humans seem to be quite rare in this world.

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WAKE UP IN THE MORNING FEELING LIKE

princess allura | voltron legendary defender

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