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

[use_everything]

You're familiar with her? She's still swearing off politics and politicking right now.

[adhaerent]

[ yes, that sounds familiar, doesn't it? ]

I've worked with you long enough to be familiar with your lady wife now.

[ very, very familiar, as it were. ]

[dendarii]

[ Quite frankly, Miles isn't sure either. But there's something here, and having sniffed it out he's going straight for it. Or so he thinks. ]

I've heard a few things. Da thinks you're brilliant, obviously, or else you wouldn't be wasting your time. And you were injured too, weren't you? He caught you while you were being rotated for recovery.

[adhaerent]

[ despite himself, he colours at the comment. ] I'm not so certain about brilliant, but I've done well enough. [ the rest of it earns a nod, though. ] It was quite a shock, having him notice me like that. Not where I was expecting my career to go, certainly. The rest of it's dull. I'm from a rural area, I got out of it as soon as I could, and I have a family that I've grown apart from.

[ he shrugs, lips quirking charmingly. ] That about sums me up.

[dendarii]

[ It's all very unassuming. So why did this man fall in so completely with his father without also crossing over into Miles' life? (Just because Miles is egotistical doesn't mean he's wrong, after all.) He taps at his chin, considering. ]

Do you enjoy it? Serving under my father like that.

[jacksonian]

[ Mark lets out a hiss of his own as Jole steps on his foot. The pain comes and goes quickly, but nearly being stepped on is enough to put him in a foul mood - just another reminder of how his height leaves him so often overlooked. Literally. So his voice is sour when he responds: ]

It's fine.

[ And then he glances at Jole's face, and then away again. And then a hesitation, and his eyes come back to look at the man once more. His memories are triggered enough by that Barrayaran accent that he recognizes the face...faintly. Very faintly. Someone he had to know, he knows that - a face on Galen's list for assassination...Not someone really important, though. He'd know him right away if it were someone important. ]

[use_everything]

Fair.

[VERY familiar. None the wiser, though, this Aral merely continues their fairly aimless path. Time to turn things around.]

You seem young, all the same. How did you come to fill that position?

[adhaerent]

[ his expression brightens immediately. ] Yes, absolutely. It's been a great experience. And like I said, he's been a very patient mentor; I've learned a lot.

[ in.. all aspects of life, really. ]

He's an exacting man and he demands a lot, but he's not unfair. I suppose if anyone would know that, though, it'd be you.

[dendarii]

[ That ... sparks an unexpected little flare of jealousy. Is that why Aral took to this man so readily? As a second son, one actually healthy (and handsome) and actually up to Barrayaran standards? No, that's a cruel thing to think of Aral. He knows the man too well now ... doesn't he?

Something in his posture goes a bit stiff. ]

Well - I've been away a lot. I think I got to know him best here, and he's twenty years younger than I remember.

[adhaerent]

[ the smile he offers is mild, a little embarrassed at the edges. ]

I was injured, ah, in an orbital accident. Saving some men. [ his face colors, and he glances away. ] Honestly, I still don't remember much about it, but you read the report and seemed to like me, so you.. picked me up while I was recovering.

[adhaerent]

--Younger?

[ he freezes again, just a moment, suddenly cold. twenty years younger? twenty years?

when he finds his voice again, it sounds a little strangled. ] Ah. [ he clears his throat. ] That's.. awkward. I suppose that I'll have to reintroduce myself. [ he won't know jole. he won't.. know about the two of them. three of them.

he takes a breath in through his nose, glance finding miles again and finally noting the stiff posture. immediately, his expression gentles. ] You have been away a fair amount, I suppose. He's quite proud of you, though.

[adhaerent]

[ --wait. this person.. he blinks, then clears his throat, trying not to stare. ] You-- [ look alarmingly like miles vorkosigan, if miles were considerably sturdier. he's certainly not him, though, so he shuffles back another half step, shoving his book down into his bag and switching his cup to the hand that isn't burned. ] I'm not usually so clumsy, honestly.

[ he gestures to the counter, smile finding his lips once more. ] Can I buy your drink for you?

[ it only seems polite, given the circumstances. and maybe he can ask about the odd resemblance. ]

[jacksonian]

[ A moment before - ]

Sure.

[ Mark's sourness, irritation, offense - they're disarmed slightly by the man's familiarity. Who is it...Koudelka? No, Koudelka doesn't look like that, and he walks with a limp besides. Who...

Well. No point in secrecy. He asks, bluntly, as he moves towards the counter - ]

Barrayaran, right?

[adhaerent]

[ .. ah. well, that solves one mystery and creates a half-dozen more. ] I am, yes. At first glance, I thought you were, as well.

[ but he honestly has no idea what to think at the moment.

he pays for the other man's order, then steps back to wait, expression thoughtful, but taking care not to stare or study him. and it's probably a terrible idea, but.. ]

My name is Oliver Jole. [ if it comes down to it, well, he's still just a secretary to the public eye. ]

[use_everything]

That's nothing to be embarrassed on. Hell of a commendation to you. [He cracks a wry half smile.] We don't exactly breed initiative in the military.

[adhaerent]

Things are better, [ he protests lightly, struggling to keep his flush from darkening at the familiar smile. ] Getting better, rather. .. I'm very lucky to have caught your eye. It's been.. [ he trails off, suddenly not sure how he can even put it into words. anything he says, aral won't really understand, will he? not the way he's meant to. ] It's been an incredibly valuable experience. Not just for my career, I mean.

[use_everything]

It must have been something. [Aral says, giving the young man a shrewd look. There's no sign of whatever injury had laid the man out.] Most men see being taken from ship duty to hours bent over a desk as a demotion.

[adhaerent]

[ his lips quirk. ] Yes, well, most men don't get to work for-- [ you ] --the Prime Minister when they're taken off ship-duty.

[ he drops his empty cup into a trash receptacle, tucking his hands into the back pockets of his jeans to keep them from foolishness. ]

.. Don't misunderstand, please, because I occasionally also want to tear my hair out, but it happens less often now that I'm comfortable with the job.

[dendarii]

[ Ah, now he feels bad. His own expression softens a bit. ]

If he liked you the first time, he'll like you again. I guarantee it. [ A bit of a smile. ] He's adapted well enough to my existence.

[use_everything]

Then it's just when the job itself does. [At least there's some good possibility that Prime Minster is less of a hairy, violent mess than Regent is.

Aral is still taking his time with his own coffee, perhaps more enjoying the warmth on his joints in the mild winter chill.]

You'll be welcome at the Residence. [And would give Aral more time to figure out this young man. Besides, being surrounded by good staff was a hell of a benefit.] We've been gathering those from our world there.

[jacksonian]

[ Ah - Jole. The aide-de-camp. Yes, that's who it is. Not high priority, or even secondary or tertiary priority, but someone he should know, and a potential witness to eliminate - important less because of his role in the Barrayaran military, more because of his frequent proximity to Aral Vorkosigan. A prole by origin...And that was all Mark knew of him. ]

Barrayaran by heritage.

[ Barrayaran by heritage, rather unplaceable by accent - his voice flattened out into an imitation of the local American Earth dialect. No name is offered. He's not being deliberately unhelpful; he's just a bit distracted by his own thoughts. ]

When did you get here?

[ Does Lord Vorkosigan know? Doubtless his father will be enormously glad to have another regular military man to speak with. Mark knows that Aral appreciates ImpSec, but his mind works somewhat differently from theirs. ]

[adhaerent]

[ it sounds like a sort of torment, really, living alongside aral and cordelia, far away from the barrayaran public eye, and still not allowed to be with them. but.. still, at least he can be beside them. at least he can--perhaps--make himself of some use here. and maybe..

he shakes himself of any further thought in that direction, the corner of his mouth quirking up. ]

It's a hell of a surprise, Sir, I have to admit. Having not just others from home here, but others I actually know..

[ he makes a small, thoughtful noise. ] What is it that we.. do here?

[adhaerent]

[ he nearly laughs, bleak and tired, but he squashes the urge at the last moment, managing a small smile instead. ]

Well. Let's hope, yes? [ it's so much more complicated than that. yes, aral had liked him, but.. they'd both had to work through things to be together. aral especially had struggled, and jole's not certain he's willing to put him through that a second time.

he takes a careful breath, then shakes his head. ] .. Well. Anyway, it'll be interesting to meet him.. at this age.

[use_everything]

I've been told to see it as a vacation. [Often, from multiple sources. He hadn't listened. The off handed, "can you believe that" tone in how he presents it, clearly frames how he considers that suggestion.] So far, we've a beginning hand in the politics and economy of the world, thanks to Mark and Miles. We've been running a small security company, and expanding our own base.

A rather small operation in comparison. But I could certainly use a man to keep the whole beast organized and in the same direction.

[adhaerent]

[ barrayaran by heritage, which doesn't tell him a lot, but does tell him that he's on the right track. his brows climb at the question and lack of introduction, but he's not offended. the man looks as distracted as jole had been earlier. ]

Yesterday, [ he answers mildly, and pats his bag to bring attention to it. ] It was a shock, but I'm learning what I can. There are other Barrayarans here?

[ that's just his guess, of course. ]