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

[thepalinpaladin]

Healers sound pretty handy. Back where I was stuck we had this person sized science pod you had to sleep in to get magic-ish healing. They're like time out chambers for the injured.

I'd have much rather just been in a bed with someone hanging out with me doing the healing.

[protects_the_small]

[Kel snorts]

I imagine the 'science pod' doesn't have a personality and an opinion on how stupid you were to get injured, though.

[thepalinpaladin]

No, but only because while you're in there you stay unconscious the entire time. You can't wake up. You come out not knowing what day it is and really hungry.

Sounds like you've had your fair share of kindly bedside manner though. I guess you get into things a lot from that sword you got. I'd say they oughta be more grateful but I have no idea how stupid you were or weren't.

[protects_the_small]

Yes, I can see how that would be disconcerting.

[She glances down at her sword and grimaces slightly]

Oh, it's the trouble I can get into without it that's usually the problem. I used to regularly attack pages older than me over philosophical differences of opinion. It would drive my friend Neal mad.

[thepalinpaladin]

What got Neal's pants in a twist about it? Bummed he didn't get to throw in too?

[protects_the_small]

Four third year pages on one first year does mean I was rather pounded.

[She grins lopsidedly]

Not that they didn't have their own bruises to worry about.

[thepalinpaladin]

You're tough stuff handling that and still having all your teeth. I can see Neal's point of view now though. No wonder you got lectured.

Sounds like high school but with swords.

[protects_the_small]

[She shrugs]

I don't like bullies much.

[Raising an eyebrow she grins again]

I've forgotten my manners though, I'm Lady Knight Keladry of Mindelan, and you?

[thepalinpaladin]

I'm Lance! Oh wait, cool titles. Lance, Paladin of Voltron. Nice to meet you.

[Gives her a slight bow, just enough to acknowledge how cool her title is]

So Mindelan is what your place is called?

[protects_the_small]

[Give her a second, she's covering her mouth trying not to laugh]

'Lance'? As in the weapon?

[Oop, counter bow for politeness]

Mindelan is my family's home fief, Tortall is the realm I come from.

[thepalinpaladin]

[Brief blink at the comment about his name. He never really looked at it that way before. . .]

Yeah, like the weapon. Maybe because I'm so dangerous~

[Look at this guy puff up like a peacock, thinking that's so slick. But he wants to keep the conversation moving, even if keeps him from preening]

You're gonna have to tell me all about both those places. And also what a fief is.

[protects_the_small]

As long as you don't shatter on impact.

[For someone who uses a lance on a regular basis, this is as hilarious a name as 'Sword' would be]

A fief is a...[That takes some thought]...Rather like the states here, I think. They're under the control of a noble family, who then answer to the king.

[thepalinpaladin]

[Winces at the shatter comment but. He does look a bit easy to shatter with his lanky build and thin arms. But then his face changes quickly to being interested again]

Oh, that makes sense. I guess a kingdom is a pretty big place usually so that narrows things down for people wondering.

Do you guys have fief beef? Like our fief is better than your fief and you talk smack about each other?

[protects_the_small]

Yes, though we call it 'politics'

[thepalinpaladin]

I mean besides politics. Like fun dumb rivalries. You know, like how they have sport teams here and everyone is way too into their teams.

[protects_the_small]

[That gets a bit of a frown]

Perhaps...not often, there isn't much ability to get all of them in one place very often, you see.

Perhaps the jousting would count, though that can be quite unfriendly.

[thepalinpaladin]

I guess get togethers would be harder. That's too bad.

[Okay time to steer this away to something more fun then.]

So what's your uh fief like? Beach front property? Mountains? Tree houses?

[protects_the_small]

Indeed. It would be easier with the teleporters, I wouldn't mind those coming as well.

[She shrugs]

Mindelan is a small fief in the mountains on the western coast. I haven't been there more than...a month or so in the last eight years.

[thepalinpaladin]

I can see why you'd want the teleporters. I haven't been gone home for nearly as long and I'm already go back and see everyone.

[So much for making the conversation lighter. He glances aside for a moment, sighing. Then he meets her eyes again and smiles.]

The school I was at was near the mountains. I liked it there, the views were pretty cool. But I'm pretty sure they put it there to try to keep us away from town and all the fun. It's like they didn't trust~ us or anything.

[protects_the_small]

[Kel laughs softly]

The training grounds were in the middle of the palace, a short walk from the city. But I suppose that we were too young to manage the sneaking out too often.

[thepalinpaladin]

It was all teenagers, pretty much the worst bunch to keep an eye on.

[protects_the_small]

[a laugh]

Yes, by that age we were under the eyes of our knight-masters, a rather more one on one relationship.

[curiously:]

What was the school for?

[thepalinpaladin]

Oh, well. Depends on what you could do but it was basically putting together small flight teams. I'm a pilot and my team had Hunk on as mechanic and Pidge as communications.

It's a good business to be in and I've always wanted to fly through the skies!

[Makes a very WHOOSH gesture]

[protects_the_small]

[Her eyes light up]

Flight...like in the ships?

[thepalinpaladin]

[Seeing her perk up is the best moment of his day]

Yeah! It's really awesome, way up high and being able to see everything. And getting to places way fast. And then I ended up with something even better than a regular ship.

Paladin of Voltron means I'm a pilot of a flying metal lion. Which sounds CRAZY and I wouldn't have believed it myself. But it's true and really amazing. It's so much more maneuverable than a regular ship.