WAKE UP IN THE MORNING FEELING LIKE

[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 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?

Comments

SLAMS INTO THIS also de chima...

[drazhada]

[ he knows that voice. in fact, he knows that very tone. stunned, maia abandons the broom he was using to sweep out front of the cafe, turning to unerringly spot csethiro. he can hardly believe it-- he'd expected to be alone here for the foreseeable future, given how rare it apparently is for the porter to bring people from the same world (much less people who actually know one another). and for it to bring his betrothed, of all people it might have chosen--

he finds he's smiling a little stupidly, desperately glad despite how much he wishes they were both home instead. (still, this place will be good for her-- she'll like it here, once she gets used to it.) the expression fades into concern as he realizes she's being harassed, though, and without second thought, the emperor of the elflands trots over in his work-shirt and apron, ducking under the cameraman's arm to get between them. though he's definitely, obviously maia, he probably looks almost shockingly different, given the plain clothing and the lack of ornamentation. his long hair is in a simple braid down the length of his back, as well-- 'commoner' plain.

also, there's definitely no sign of nohecharei. ]

Dach'osmin Ceredin. [ he offers a small, warm smile, careful to be courteous in public like this. ignoring the human still pelting questions--now at both of them--he gently touches her elbow, urging her toward the lucky cat. ] We would be very grateful if you would join us. [ a beat, then a sharp glance back at last, drawing himself up to his unimpressive height-- very much His Imperial Serenity for the moment. ] We have nothing more to say. Pray, excuse us. [ now come on, csethiro, before this guy regroups.. ]

[holdmysunsword]

[ And for one startling second, the glare Maia earns for the rescue is one of the same cold offense she had been leveling at the two humans, her arm (along with her back and just about everything else) going stiff when he touches her elbow. She doesn't recognize him for that second, for all he is, just Maia, not His Serenity, dressed so simply. Even with as close as they had been becoming back home, this version of her betrothed is a strange sight.

But it is, thankfully, only a second. The voice is familiar, as is the smile, and after the brushing the confusion off, the look of relief she offers him is immense. It won't show in her face or in her ears, everything still held perfectly still, but it is in her eyes. ]

Serenity. Of course. We would be remiss if we did not.

[ She sweeps down into a curtsy, throwing her arm and length of skirt out as far as sensibly possible. The gesture startles the two further, giving both elves more room. Then she's up again and off past the two in a whirl of silk and white hair, heading towards the cafe at a firm pace, one that discourages getting in her way without it seeming like she's running away. If he's suggesting it, it's to be trusted, so there's no hesitance there. ]

[drazhada]

[ he'd honestly sort of expected the glare. he's dressed even less like the emperor than he'd been at edonomee. oh, certainly, his clothing is new here, but it's very foreign. and without all the ornamentation, he could be any other half-breed in the elflands. still, he's embarrassingly flattered that the pause is so short, and that recognition comes so swiftly. her relief makes him flush, ears flicking up faintly, though he knows that she'd probably feel the same way for anyone familiar and at least passingly friendly.

when they reach the cafe, he picks the broom he was using back up, carrying it back inside and gently ushering her toward a table in the corner, slightly out of the way. he goes to put the broom away, then joins her at the table, seating himself across from her with a slightly apologetic look. ]

We know that this must be a very confusing experience. [ he doesn't bother with the translator-- he doesn't need to, since they share the same tongue. ] We found ourselves very lost when we arrived here several weeks ago.

[holdmysunsword]

[ It's the emperor, this is definitely emperor, she finds herself reminding herself again. His Imperial Serenity, carrying a broom. His Imperial Serenity, working... it had to be working, right? Working at a cafe? The apologetic look is met with a stare, although there's nothing icy about her at all by this point. If anything, it's comedic at how baffled it is.

A very confusing experience indeed!

She blinks, ending the stare, and grasps for the first thing that comes to mind to say. ]

We are glad you arrived when you did. We had already decided to break that man's machine over his head if they did not let us leave.

[ It would have caused a scene, sure, but how satisfying it would have been. ]

[drazhada]

[ he finds his face heating a little at the stare, ears flattening back briefly as he laces his hands together lightly atop the table. on his fingers, he wears only his crest-ring and the plain iron oath-ring. (after all, while this world isn't his own, he still takes his promises seriously.)

the comment earns a short, startled breath of laughter. ] We are very grateful that you did not, however justified you would have been. [ he shifts, then, thumb brushing over his crest as he considers her and tries to work out what he wants to say. after a few quiet moments, he takes a steadying breath. ] This place.. we're certain that you have already noticed how very different it is. The native people are humans, and as far as we can tell, the two of us are the only ones present here from Our lands. [ that last 'our' had definitely been imperial. ] .. Ah.. hence our dress. [ he unlaces his fingers and glances down at his shirt, touching fingers to it lightly. ] We work here.

[ however inappropriate it might be for the emperor of the elflands. it's not like he really has a choice-- he can't (and won't) ask someone else to support him. ]

[holdmysunsword]

[ she keeps her own hands firmly folded in her lap, hidden under the table, forever hiding any fidgeting she herself might be prone to. ]

The native people could use several lessons in manners, if that is how they all are inclined to act.

[ and it sounds like Csethiro is more than willing to hand out such manners, the sharp way she says it perhaps implying through punches if need be. whether she would go through with it or not, who knows. but towards the rest of what he says, she can't help but let her ears lower some, then ask, in a far quieter voice as she switches away from being so formal, ]

Art thou happy to... work? Here? [ there's uncertainty in her voice and she's watching him closely for any signs that he might not be. he's the emperor. the emperor, working such a mundane job? ] I know enough to know they hand out jobs seemingly at random, to imPorts.

[ still such a strange word in her mouth, one with no direct translation in their own language. ]

[drazhada]

[ he finds his lips quirking a little at the comment, amused and helplessly grateful for csethiro's solid good sense and independent thought. the lady of the stars really had given him a clear mind where his future empress was concerned, though he knows he hadn't thought that way at first. (he only prays that csethiro believes the same thing.) at the very least, it's good to have someone he can call a friend in her. ]

They aren't always so bad. Most humans seem quite nice.

[ the question, though, earns a slightly troubled glance, his fingers lacing together carefully once more. how should he answer this..? if she were anyone else outside his household, he'd probably lie out of necessity, but.. she deserves the truth. ]

It's not.. that I'm happy, precisely. I know what my duties are, and I would much rather be home, taking care of my empire and my people. [ he hesitates, head tilting faintly, glance falling to his hands as he pieces together some sort of explanation of what this place is to him. ] But.. if I must be here, I cannot say that I'm unhappy about work that means my mistakes are my own instead of the mistakes of an entire nation. It's.. relaxing, I suppose. [ he glances back up once more, gray eyes faintly embarrassed. ] Though I realize what a shock this must be. Beshelar would be horrified.

[ horrified and furious. the emperor of the elflands, forced to work like some sort of scullery lad. thank goodness he isn't here to see it.

he straightens, suddenly brightening. ] Csethiro, have you noticed the ladies here? I've met a lady knight, and no one will so much as give you an odd look for practicing a martial discipline here.

[holdmysunsword]

Beshelar would turn purple.

[ but that's an image that even Csethiro can't help but crack a smile at. there's some comfort in finding she can still find something funny, after such a series of surprises. this last one is the best surprise, though, finding out she isn't stuck here alone. ]

But if you aren't miserable, I can't find reason to protest. [ it's not like she could change it even if she did find cause to protest. his brightening over the ladies here, however, get a curious look, one that grows into her own brand of excitement when the lady knight comes up. ] Yes! I've met her, too. She must be a giant. She even has her own sword. I wanted to ask if I could hold it, but...

[ there's a fairly uncharacteristic trailing off from her. of course she hadn't asked. she has no idea what is and isn't allowed here. but she won't leave the sentence hanging forever, coming up with any number of reasons for not having asked and just going with one. ]

It was probably too heavy, I'm sure.