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etcelsior2016-06-25 01:14 pm
maskormods) wrote in etcelsior2016-06-25 01:14 pm
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?
no subject
[ He can't imagine that would be too pleasant, but it's nice to worry about someone else's problems rather than his own, however fleeting the break may be. ]
I suppose it's something like that, but I can't read minds.. It's more like I can read... feelings? [ He's lowers his voice. ] I thought perhaps it would simply make me feel a little sad or angry when around certain people, but it's... suffocating, and loud. I felt like my world had fallen apart walking through that crowd, like my heart had been shattered.
[ His expression firms, and he looks resolutely at the ground before grumbling the next part. ]
I can also take in those... auras, I suppose, onto myself. I can clear the mood of anyone who might be feeling scared or paranoid or manic, and bring them back to a safe middle-ground by taking on whatever they were feeling at the time. [ And he's the most sour about that, because of course he'd get a power useful to everyone but himself, when arguably he's someone who needs it the most. He'd kill to be at a safe middle-ground. He dreads to think what the mess of feelings he's just waded through in that crowd has done to his already shaky hue. He sighs hard through his nose. ] But I can't control it, so I have no say in what I take from whom.
no subject
[She ends up laughing, too, and it's nice to see this guy loosening up a bit already. He must be feeling better. She's glad. It's bound to be scary for him...
At first Aerith thinks the powers he's describing sound a bit like her own. Of course it's some wishful thinking on her part, but it would be nice too - then she'd be able to help him. Hearing too much, the world being suffocating and loud... She's been there. That was most of her life. She could handle it.
But, no, then he mentions the auras. She definitely can't do that. It would be useful though.]
That sounds tough.
[She sighs, thinking it over as the cafe comes into view.]
... Do you think you could focus it on just one person?
no subject
[ However, he's not sure how he feels about the prospect of practising this power... Who would he go to for guidance, if anyone? And how would they be able to help him if all powers in this world are different? Though, the alternative is living with the screaming sounds of intense emotions all battling for a place in his skull, of leaving himself vulnerable to what those around him are feeling.. and that thought is much more frightening.
He looks up at the cafe as they come close, and his expression firms. ]
I'm not accustomed to being abnormal.
no subject
Involuntarily, she flinches when he says it. Just that single word hits Aerith deep. She's gotten used to being normal here over the last few months. She's relaxed. She's always aware she's different, but it's not a huge deal here. All of the imPorts are weird. She told herself before that she was going to get over this.
Still, it takes her a moment to recover.
In that few seconds, her hand hovers over the door handle a bit too long.]
--Anyway, Ginoza, there's lots of people here with mental powers. You're definitely not alone. Someone will be able to help you. For instance, my friend Tetsuo's powers are only a little like mine, but he's helped me learn ways to control them.
[With a smile, she leads them to the counter and orders a small iced tea for herself.]
no subject
I don't much see the point in fine tuning it or learning to focus on a single person, like you mentioned. [ The way he says it almost makes it sound like he's blaming her for something, belittling her idea. He doesn't mean it, that's kind of just the way he talks. The idea of powers is so difficult to wrap his head around that it's much easier to sweep it under the rug and stomp on it. He orders a strong black coffee. ] All I need to know is how to turn it off entirely. I don't have any use for it.
no subject
You can't. [A bit of the softness is gone from her voice.]
This is what the porter gave you. You're abnormal now, like the rest of us, and you're going to have to get used to it. You should be nicer to people who are trying to help you.
[His intent means little when he's already hurt her feelings twice now.]
no subject
When he says hurtful things, they often get overlooked... but perhaps this girl is even more like Tsunemori than he'd previously assumed. The way her voice dropped, the way she bluntly shot him down.. It was harrowing. ]
For the record, I didn't ask for your help. [ The words are out of his mouth before he can stop them, so it's all he can do to elaborate, albeit a little awkwardly. ] But I appreciate it. I'm sorry that I made it seem like I didn't. I'm just.. overwhelmed.
[ He knows it's no excuse, so when the server places her order on the counter Gino waves his hand to catch the bill for her. He's nothing if not professional, even in his rare moments of remorse. ]