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

02!

[drazhada]

[ 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?

[juniberries]

[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.

[drazhada]

[ 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.