etcelsior | WAKE UP IN THE MORNING FEELING LIKE

Entry tags:

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

I don't think I want to hear about it at all.

[ Who buys underwear from Target? Actually, scratch that, she's not here to judge.

Her demeanor is casual and friendly enough, like the nosy crowds aren't that much of a surprise to her. They aren't; some of it stops being a surprise after living two years in this world. ]

I'm not a reporter or anything like that, by the way. [ She tips her sunglasses to get a better look at him and to let him see hers for a moment. ] Hi, friendly neighborhood imPort.

Oh. Yeah. I guess you wouldn't.

[ He buys underwear from Target!! It's affordable, if usually pretty simple... but who really needs special or cute underwear if no one else is going to see it?

Paolo's demeanor, to contrast Karen, is still a bit stiff, a little stilted, but he's making an effort. ]

Nice to meet you. I'm, um... [ He pauses, though stares right back at her when she adjusts her sunglasses. ] I don't actually have anything against reporters. The news media industry is... well, I know I definitely couldn't do it.

But you have a name too, right?

It's Karen. Karen Starr.

[ She doesn't extend her hand or anything like that. He doesn't seem to be completely relaxed, so she doesn't want to impose. The tell-tale signs of a newer imPort, she notes. ]

How about you?

Huh. That's pretty.

[ "Starr" -- it's very dramatic, very classic. He smiles mildly for a moment, though it's more like the hint of one than an actual full-on smile, then his face returns to a more neutral expression.

He doesn't offer his hand either, instead folding one arm across his chest to grip the other one loosely and trying not to show his surprise that she's still talking to him. ]

Uh, I'm Paolo. [ Very briefly he drops his gaze as if in thought, but it's just for a second. ] Is it always a media circus around here?

Yes and no.

[ She taps the rim of her sunglasses. ]

If you aren't interested in being stopped every other block, I would suggest getting a nice hat and some shades.

[ Still noting the hint of uncertainty, Karen steps back a little to give him some personal space. She understands the frustration, the confusion, and sometimes the plain terror of being dragged into another universe without a decent explanation.

Well, so far he hasn't screamed or burst into tears... that's a good sign. ]

You're pretty new, aren't you?

I have nice hats and I have shades. [ With him, even; considering how much he's moved around the past few years, he does tend to carry various essentials along in a messenger bag. ] You mean I should disguise myself in my own clothes?

[ Paolo sounds sarcastic, but honestly, he hates being under media spotlight even if what he's experienced so far here has been relatively harmless; it just hits uncomfortably too close to home. He falls quiet for a moment, then opens his bag up to swamp his red-framed glasses with a pair of purple sunglasses. ]

... Yeah, it's my first time in Virginia. I don't know what to make of it yet... it's kind of cold compared to what I'm used to. Also there's this whole... awkward political tension, or whatever you'd call it. I don't know what to make of that either.

Well, I'm not going to suggest stealing someone else's.

[ She's taken aback a bit by the fact he already has sunglasses, but the surprise is quickly replaced with an amused smirk. She leans a hand against her hip. ]

Never mind. Guess someone was prepared. [ Her smile then falters when he brings up the political atmosphere. ] It's... complicated, but that's also politics for you.

I don't know how effective it is as a disguise, then. If it's something I'd already wear... right?

[ He takes a moment to turn his sunglasses over in his hand, deciding if he wants to wear that pair or perhaps a different one, but then puts them on. Paolo doesn't know how anyone would even know to harass him in the first place, he doesn't know anyone and doesn't consider himself as someone who stands out, but... the world works in mysterious ways. ]

Yeah. Well, I do a lot of traveling, so I kind of have to be. Do you want a piece gum or something? [ Traveling, homelessness... well, for him they overlap. Anyway, he rifles into his bag again to first find his gum, because even if she doesn't want any he wouldn't mind a piece to calm down with, and nods. ] Right. Some things never change. It's okay, I'm pretty used to complicated.

Just — [ Her arms rise, hands reaching for his shoulders to turn him in the other direction and giving him a very light push. ] — act casual.

Sorry, not on me right now. [ Normally she would keep a packet on her considering how much coffee she drinks and fast food she eats when she's out, but Paolo's out of luck today. ] I suppose you could consider this an unplanned trip of sorts, but it's not exactly enticing when you're suddenly worlds away from your own.

Don't worry, I found-- oh.

[ Paolo pulls a packet from his bag and is halfway to taking a piece out for, at least, himself, but the process is disrupted a bit by Karen beginning to steer him forward. ]

Um, all right. Casual. Act casual... [ He can do casual. Well, he hopes so. It's not like he really tries to be noticed, but it tends to happen anyway. ] Casual...

[ Thoughtfully, he unwraps his piece of gum and begins to chew it, holding another out for Karen if she wants it. ]

I guess if you had something to go back to. Well -- you seem like someone who probably does.

Well, sure.

[ She pauses when the piece is offered, but a moment later she accepts it gratefully, popping it into her mouth. Her hand doesn't stay on his shoulders for long, withdrawing so they can fall back by her sides before she slips them into the pockets of her jeans. ]

Thanks. [ She chews for a moment before adding: ] Most of us do, I'd say. Don't you?

Um -- well. Yes and no. The past few years for me have been kind of hectic, so I guess you could say I'm in between... things. For now.

[ He pauses to chew his own piece of gum and fall into a brief, contemplative silence. It's nice to have something to focus on like chewing in times of confusion, especially if he can't do anything else right then, like paint.

Idly he gestures with one hand, a vague sweeping motion like he's trying to figure out how to articulate something, and then rubs at the side of his head. ]

I have nowhere else I really... need to be. At least for a while. So, I don't know, I might as well be here. What about... what's it like for you?

[ Sounds somewhat familiar, at least once upon a time for her. Despite all the moving around, and in between universes, she's worked her ass off to build something and fall back into routine. She needs it, otherwise she's certain her sanity will suffer in the long-run. ]

If you don't mind a complete stranger giving you some advice: stay busy here, maybe work towards something.

[ She curls her fingers inside her pocket, her other hand brushing back a bang that's fallen wayside. ]

Well, I've got [ being a superhero, managing a superhero team, daily threats to her city, a non-human best friend to integrate into society, and a business to run ] quite a few responsibilities back home.

Busy, huh. Actually, that should be pretty easy... it's what I usually try to do anyway.

[ In a way. Not the kind of busyness that usually comes wrapped up in responsibilities, though; just aggressively frantic productivity while the rest of the world gets drowned out. ]

But time for yourself can be important too. Like for you, I mean... responsibility can get really, um, consuming. And then you shut out the other things that you should've been paying attention to.

[ Karen raises a brow. It's not the first time she's heard that (and certainly won't be the last), but she's pretty stubborn and set in her ways for the most part. She probably should make more time for herself, but that devolves into sitting on her couch marathoning crime dramas or horror movies. ]

Don't worry about other people. Just focus on yourself, right?

[ He blinks at Karen, nodding a little absently before he seems to actually digest what she's saying to him. That's never really been one of his strong suits, focusing on himself -- not out of any self-worth issues, either, but for lack of a strong sense of... realness, maybe? Not that, by definition, he'd really know how to unpack that, but he just frankly doesn't assign importance to himself in the same way.

Still: ]

All right. Well-- [ His hand twitches, as if he was about to qualify or object to his own comment, but then deciding against it. ] I can't-- can't not... it's more like a divided focus? Something like that. But, there's no one without the other. We're all connected, in a weird way.

In a sense... alright, true.

[ But she waves a hand anyway, not to be dismissive, but to assure Pablo she's fine with the way she's structured her life — or rather, how life has structured itself and how she's worked around it here. Things could always be a lot worse... ]

I like keeping busy. Keeps me sane.

Me too. I love keeping busy. [ Pablo doesn't sound any more enthusiastic than he has throughout the conversation, but-- well, trust him. ] I don't know if it keeps me sane, but...

[ In his case maybe it does the opposite? Who even knows. Who can say? ]

I mean, if it's what you need to do then it's what you need to do, right...? Which is a good thing, usually.

What do you normally keep busy with?

[ Maybe "sane" isn't the right word for it, but Karen needs to be among people and make connections. She might not like having to deal with her emotions often, but she's spent far too much time building walls, staying away with others and leading a very solitary life. It's taken losing the most important people in her life and nearly dying for her to realize she needs routine, connections, etc. ]

I suppose in my case it's hard not to be busy. That's business for you.

[ He doesn't respond right away, rubbing his hand against the back of his head to briefly consider his answer. It can be hard sometimes if Pablo doesn't do that, because he's not always great at predicting reactions, especially when those reactions include expectations of how he should be feeling as well. It's complicated. ]

Well, I'm on the road a lot, so-- travel, I guess. To start. [ In a way. ] Reflecting. And painting, mostly, I do a lot of that. A lot. And that's more or less it -- I just got a job as a bartender back where I was before, but I don't... uh. I don't think any of that compares to business, probably. It's got "busy" right there in the word.

[ Traveling sounds pleasant, a good way to keep yourself occupied. Nothing stops her from moving about the country when she pleases, but she does miss seeing the world beyond US borders. ]

You're an artist? That's interesting.

What do you paint?

Flat | Top-Level Comments Only

WAKE UP IN THE MORNING FEELING LIKE

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject