Lies a place that few have seen.

[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? This month has been a rocky one, and locals are beginning to eye imPorts with renewed scrutiny; if people like them can get superpowers, are imPorts really that special, after all? Some people usher their children away from anyone clearly not 'from around here,' while other natives may be brave enough to directly approach obvious imPorts and ask their thoughts on the war with Russia and what the imPort ambassadors are planning to do about it.

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 you may find yourself cornered by overzealous imPort fans, media wannabes and opportunists alike, shoving cameras in your face.

Their questions are likely to be fairly mundane, however; get ready for an interview about your taste in romantic partners, personal underwear choices, favourite foods, and more!

Also, as the Halloween craze is reaching a fevered pitched, more and more children are running around in costumes of their favorite imPorts! Do you recognize any of these masks? Perhaps one of these costumes mimics YOU!?

...

Isn't that kinda creepy?

03. Maurtia Falls, Pennsylvania is populated by a whole lot of people who are having awfully bad days. With the emergence of locals with superpowers, many seem to have latched onto their new supercharged identities with an incredible amount of gusto. As your character walks down the street, they may find themselves accosted by a large man in his mid-20s, dressed in an ill-fitting spandex suit of orange and yellow. As he thrusts his finger into an imPort's face, the spandex rides up, turning into more of a crop-top, which he duly tugs back down before shouting, "You're not the special ones anymore, imPorts! Feel the wrath of Heartburn!"

Stupid name aside, he does seem to have superpowers as he breathes a large plume of fire. His aim still isn't great, though; it could hit the imPort in question, or be sent in the direction of a nearby local, or even a particularly flammable building.

What will you do, Hero?

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. This fine day, pumpkin spice seems to be in style, to the point at which you happen to be crashing an open pumpkin spice festival. From drinks to sweet treats to some other things that really, really shouldn't be pumpkin spice flavoured (pumpkin spice flavoured vodka, anyone? It tastes like regret!), everyone seems to be in the mood for the upcoming season.

Taste test a few samples and take in the hustle and bustle of the city, everyone! And hey, if just gorging yourself isn't enough, why not try your hand at the pumpkin carving contest going on? The competition is fierce!

Comments

[shipmaster]

[They were new. Still so new that the newcomer's appearance takes them back, lights their expression with a certain wonder. He was either the finest gene work and body sculpting Bel had ever seen, or something else entirely.

They were hoping desperately for something else entirely.]

It gets worse? You poor soul. [The return the warm grin for a lopsided one, a bit sheepish.] That obvious?

[sidequestings]

After a while, you learn to tell, [ mahanon reassures them, narrow shoulders lifting in a small shrug. ] Or at least guess really well. .. Trying the vodka here is a pretty big tell. [ everyone who's been here more than a few weeks knows this particular stall is.. not.. great....

he offers the bottle back out, then gestures bel toward a different stall. ] If you want to try some of the pumpkin-spice flavoured things that aren't so awful, the coffee is decent. One of the ladies I work with says there are some mini pies that are good, too, but I've not found them yet.

[ he starts to turn to take a step, apparently simply assuming that bel is coming with him, before pausing to glance up at them once more with an apologetic smile. ] --Sorry, I'm Mahanon, by the way. It's nice to meet you.

[shipmaster]

[They hadn't quite started after the friendly whirlwind yet. Bel flashes a wave of the returned bottle and steps after... after Mahanon had turned back around.]

Bel. Likewise.

Can I buy you an actually half decent drink, then?

[jacksonian]

[ He has. And the name clicks, too. No details to go with it, but he remembers the name - one of Miles' earliest recruits. There's just a slight tightening around his eyes and lips, a tiny quick motion, as the full weight of who this herm is - and what they think of him - sinks in. One of Miles', from the future, who encounters him and knows him - knows him well enough to know him as Mark - and so it's an encounter in which Miles gives him that name. And yet even so there's hatred. Even so, they want to hit him. So - he screws it up? If one of Miles' wild-eyed mercenaries hate him, then it must not be good. Something must go wrong. But what? How? What happens?

Whatever it is, it's probably your fault.

His mouth is lying faster than his brain can work. Carrying on the business of keeping him safe even as he's mentally frozen in indecision. ]

Maybe. Doesn't ring any particular bells.

AFTER GREGOR

[dendarii]

[ Sure enough, there's a familiar stunted figure sitting at one of the Lucky Cat Cafe tables. He seems to be chatting quite passionately with one of the other patrons on the subject of Terran history. Almost before Gregor enters, though, Miles turns back towards them. His face is alight with an easy sort of fondness, all of it aimed square at his imperial boyfriend. ]

Gregor! You're early -

[ And then he stops, looking past Gregor to the person standing behind him. Holy shit. Is that - seriously? He's not put out in the slightest, but he is well and truly shocked. ]

Captain Thorne?

[sidequestings]

Bel. [ what a cute name??? and at least it's easier to remember than most names he's encountered here.

he weaves them through the crowd toward the booth in question, laughing lightly at the question. ] Saying no to a free drink sounds like the mark of someone very stiff, don't you think?

[ .. well, at least in this sort of situation. ]

Is this the city you're living in?

[shipmaster]

[It's enough to let just a little doubt creep in. Not enough to drop their guarded posture or hard expression... But a little... ]

Fine. What name are you going by this time? But if you say Miles, I'm putting my armor back on, so help me God.

[shipmaster]

I'm.. [There's a pause here, followed by a bemused tone.] I suppose I am.

[The aroma of the coffee was deep and rich here, and the press of customers spoke well for the future, at least. They motion for him to place his order first.]

And you laugh, but I'm constantly impressed by how many uptight people the universe can produce, and in what density.

[shipmaster]

[There is, for just a moment, a mystery on the Captain's face. A flash of surprise at that warm welcome... A flutter of relief, there and gone.

They had quietly dreaded this moment the whole walk back, expecting and accepting the dressing down that was due. There didn't seem to be one... Of course... In that gap where Bel's memory cut, Miles must have swept in, saved the day and untangled that whole mess. As usual.

They beam at Miles, sweeping forward to embrace (ever so carefully) the little man.]

Admiral Naismith. I should have expected to find you by the real coffee.

[dendarii]

[ Indeed, Miles' shock at seeing them quickly recedes into joy. There's not the slightest hint of anger towards Bel for their little adventure, here... He hugs the captain back as firmly as his fragile arm bones will allow, then pulls back enough to grin up at them. ]

Believe it or not, I'm here for the people. But the coffee is incredible, I must say.

[ His tones are automatically flat and Betan. Even having decided to be Lord Vorkosigan in full, he can't help but put Naismith's mantle back on when faced with his Dendarii. ]

[sidequestings]

[ mahanon puts his order in--a small (grande?? he can never remember) pumpkin chai latte--and waits for bel to decide and order before giving them a slightly arch glance. ]

Oh, trust me, I know. I work with quite a few of them at home. [ that's what happens when you accidentally get involved in a religious organization, he supposes. .. and well, anyway, it's different in thedas. mahanon himself isn't quite like this when he has a world to put back in order.

he fiddles with the end of his loose braid, a shoulder lifting slightly again. ] It took a while to get accustomed to this place, but it's not bad. I was a little nervous at first, though, being surrounded by nothing but humans. [ sure, he's pretty surrounded by humans back at skyhold, too, but at least solas is there, and bull, and varric, and all the others who've been drawn to the inquisition. ]

[jacksonian]

[ What can he say to that? After all, he's Lord Mark now, and proudly so. But by the herm's expression, by that earlier name, to affirm that name would mean to affirm some earlier impression they have of him. And he has no idea what impression that is. Aside from a very bad one.

So he doesn't answer. He doesn't know how. Instead, with the suppressed fear of someone improvising who's none too good at improvising: ]

Now that I think of it - Thorne, you said? I actually do seem to recall something about you. Something Miles said.

[ If Thorne is as Naismith-crazy as the reports portray all the Dendarii...Maybe that bit of information, teased out to them, will give Mark some leverage. ]

d.va (hana song) • overwatch

[bunnyhopped]

a. de chima
[ Don't be alarmed by the large bright pink mech chilling outside of the Local Ice Cream Shop. Do not be alarmed, also, by the young lady sitting on one of the mech's arms in a bodysuit that looks like it belongs on an old school giant robot anime. Or the decently sized crowd beginning to form around this spectacle. This girl is basking in the attention like she's used to it. Because, well, she is. She has no idea how she's become instantly famous in this place considering she hasn't done a single thing but get sucked into this dimension or whatever it is, hey, that's not all that different from home at least. She's perfectly content with letting people gawk and admire as they walk by while she works on an ice cream cone, except-- ]

Hey, hey, hands off the MEKA, please! Thank you!

b. maurtia falls
[ This face?

This is Hana's totally unimpressed face. Eyes squinting, brow furrowed, and lips pulled into a frown, because-- what is this guy even going on about? All she wanted to do was to go exploring the town at night to stock up on snacks, not fight crime, and yet. Why this. Her lips actually part at disbelief at how lame this guy is when he has to adjust his costume, and her hand lifts to swat his accusatory finger away from her face. Which-- apparently, is the last straw for him as he steps back, reveals The Worst Villain Name Ever, takes a deep breath, and--

Completely misses her. Unless he really was aiming for that basket of flowers hanging from the lamppost. ]

Dude, are you even trying?

[ She just. Pulls a hand down her face before she steps forward, and her hand begins to glow a turquoise color as she reaches out to grab one of his wrists. As soon as she makes contact, the flame being exuded from Heartburn begins to get smaller and smaller, and even when he visibly tries to exert more effort into his fire-breathing, nothing happens. Hana smirks. ]

Boom! You just got nerfed, scrub.

Nami | One Piece

[mapsmikanmoney]

De Chima
[The first time someone barges into Nami asking for a picture, she's startled. But clearly these people want to take pictures with imPorts, and if people want something- well, they're usually willing to pay for it, aren't they? After a few minutes of fiddling with her communicator to get it to take pictures, she even has a bit of advertising ready.]

Of course, I'd love to take a picture with you! That'll just be five b- dollars. [Nami oh-so-casually holds up her communicator, the screen of which shows her in a fairly sultry pose. She's clearly photogenic.]


Maurtia Falls
[Nami wasn't in Heartburn's direct line of fire, so to speak. Which gives her the chance to duck behind a mailbox before the spandex-wearing man can spot her. She feels unfocused without her Clima-Tact, but she's supposed to be able to do things just on her own now, right? Now seems like the time to try.

While Heartburn deals with having accidentally set a trash can on fire, anyone who can see Nami will notice her muttering to herself, as faint shimmering balls leave her hands to cluster above Heartburn.]

Cool ball. Cool ball. Heat ball. [As the balls of air cluster, a dark cloud forms above the would-be villain (would-be hero?).] Thunder ball. [A shimmering ball of energy drifts up into the cloud, and all at once lightning strikes next to Heatwave, and the cloud dumps a wall of water on him. Nami jumps up to lean around the mailbox.]

It worked! [She'll be annoyed by the aim of the lightning bolt later, for the moment she's thrilled.]

Masamori Sumimura | Kekkaishi

[shadow_spread]

Heropa
[A man in a kimono, with a scarf carefully tucked high around his neck even in the lingering Florida heat, is definitely identifiable as "not from around here." Masamori may look tired, with dark circles under his eyes and weary movements, but that doesn't stop people who want to know his opinion of the situation with Russia.]

I only just arrived, so I can't say I understand the situation. [The young man who had been aggressively questioning Masamori narrows his eyes, but seems to grudgingly accept this answer. He shoves a handful of pamphlets at Masamori with a demand that the imPort "educate himself" before walking off. Absentmindedly, Masaori tucks the pamphlets ("NO POWER IS SUPER," "AMBASSADORS FOR PEACE") inside his kimono. He turns to someone nearby who doesn't seem to be carrying any excess paper.]

Excuse me, do you know any place to get lunch?


Nonah
[Masamori doesn't exactly understand this fervent obsession with all things pumpkin and pumpkin spice. They're nice flavors, but not exactly festival-worthy. Still, if he's here he may as well try the food. Well, the desserts. The pumpkin chocolate chip cookies are a nice variation, and he's working through a parfait layered with pumpkin spice cake, pumpkin pie filling, candied pecans, and whipped cream with a speed onlookers may find alarming.

Food safely in hand, he wanders over to the pumpkin carving.] That's a nice design.

de chima

[santouryuu]

[How did Zoro get to De Chima without being registered? Who knows, he probably got on a train by accident and wound up in the wrong state or something. It's best not to ask questions in these situations.

At any rate, there's a certain mossy pirate that pops up behind her as she attempts to run her scam business:]

Don't do it, you'll owe her a hundred by the time she's done.

[ps hi]

Re: de chima

[mapsmikanmoney]

[Nami gives her potential victims customers a wide, winning smile that in no way indicates danger.]

Excuse me for a moment. [Turning on her heel, she grabs Zoro by the ear. Hard. Her grip established, she drags him toward an alley out of site of the confused natives. She's ready to let loose...

with a happy] You're here! Are the others here too?

1/2

[santouryuu]

[oW??????

Zoro doesn't even stand a chance, taken off balance as she grabs his ear and pulls on it like the ropes on the Going Merry's sails. Nothing but the loud, aggressive swearing of a pirate who is currently reconsidering his life and choices.

Once she lets him go, first things first:]

--What the hell is wrong with you?! [RUBBING AT HIS EAR LIKE FJAMFBSNF WOMAN YOU CANT JUST PULL ON THAT SHIT???]

[santouryuu]

[DEEP SIGH.]

...It's just me and you and Luffy.

[Like way back in the beginning when they were dealing with Buggy trying to kill them, good times, good times]

...Oh yeah, and Coby. [A beat.] He's a marine, but he's okay. We've been living with him.

[Pinkie has the Straw Hat seal of approval, it cool]

[defriendzone]

[ An awkward laugh, even though he's fairly certain this guy isn't joking right now. ]

Then you get information first, but it's still information that all other imPorts will eventually know?

[ Not as useful as he could be. Then again, Micchy kind of doubts the government would really be handing out big secrets to a guy like this. Though Jinseok certainly does seem to have a pretty inflated opinion of himself. ]

1/2

[mapsmikanmoney]

You interrupted me! [There is something wrong with you, clearly.] I was only going to charge them five dollars. [Each. Per picture. She is far too comfortable with the name of this new currency for someone who has only just arrived.]

[mapsmikanmoney]

[She settles back a bit when he explains the situation.] Just the three of us... [It feels a little lonely, even though she's 2 times less alone than she was a minute ago. But Luffy and Zoro being here is wonderful by itself, even if she doesn't want to think about how much property damage they've likely caused. And if they've been staying with this Marine he must be fine.

She has crew here. They can explore this world together.]

Do you live around here?

[vorbarra]

[ Right, Gregor had only had ship duty for a requisite year-- he hadn't had to endure the bulbs of instant coffee common to spaceships for very long. Certainly no one served the emperor instant otherwise. His only other experience with it was while he was a contract slave for that brief period, and that had been the happiest he'd been in months, so his memory was no doubt coloring that.

What will happen with Miles's mutually-secret identities will be worked out in time and exposure, so he might as well speculate about coffee. Gregor walks at a sedate pace. He's tall enough that his legs do most of the work without any speed applied. ]

Perhaps ten months now? Something like that. Your admiral arrived when I did, neither of us from anywhere near Earth. Is that where you were before this? [ Easing into the when-are-you-from question is probably wise. ]

[shipmaster]

[Desperately unfamiliar with the options, or even having this many choices, Bel simply doubles the order for this round, and pulls out some of the cash they'd been given as a starter. They flash a smile at the (admittedly cute) nervous gesture and angle to claim a table by the windows for the two of them.]

You too? [The complaint they were about to follow that with is absolutely arrested by the information as Mahanon continues.] Are they not the majority where you come from?

[shipmaster]

[It's hard to find a mercenary MORE Naismith crazy. But that wasn't an answer. It wasn't even hiding that it wasn't an answer very well.

The cross their arms over their chest and motion for Mark to continue, one eyebrow arched.]