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

Axel | Kingdom Hearts (C-c-c-combo time!)

[small_reservations]

2

[It's a lovely city, really. Lovely people too, he's sure. It's just... after his first crowding, Axel's not sure he wants to be on the streets anymore. It's not that he hates people, in fact the reverse is true, but it's easy to become overwhelmed in a new place.

That's why he's on the roof, anyway. He's hiding from the crowds, or at least taking a break from them. Everyone needs a break now and then, right? Right. And he'll stick by that, even if the break stretches for a long, long time.]

3

[Ok. Stupid name, first off. Stupid powers, secondly. I mean... heartburn? And vomiting fire? Really?

Regardless, Axel's control of the fire is admirable. Can't have too much property damage, after all. Instead of letting the flames roam free, he balls them all up, squeezing tighter and tighter until, with a tiny puff of smoke, they vanish.]

You wanna try that again?

[The offending "hero" is already gone, and before anyone could get an ID. Guess it's another person's bad day. As Axel turns, he catches a glimpse of another face, a witness to the event.]

Hey there! Did you catch that guy's face or anything?

4

[Pumpkins and jack-o-lanterns are not something Axel's really encountered much before. Sure, they smell good - especially the pumpkin pies that someone's grandma brought, still warm from the oven - but he's not sure what to make of the carving part of the festival. He ends up just sitting and watching the others go to town, drinking a pumpkin spice latte.

No bets taken on whether he ends up so sick on pumpkin that he'll never be able to look at such a drink again. Based on the sheer number of plates he's emptied so far, it'll happen soon.]

Wildcard

[Whatever you want, write your own prompt, go nuts!]

2 also hello~!

[redigere]

[Now that the weather is colder, Naminé has taken to bundling up in a scarf and peacoat whenever she goes through De Chima. It does help with the cold, especially since she's liable to be knocked sideways at the slightest breeze, but it's mostly a not-so-subtle way to hide her face from the very enthusiastic De Chima populace. Only her eyes, bright blue and incredulous, are peeking through.

And staring up at Axel where he is on the roof.

...it's a really good thing Kagami didn't accompany her today.

She raises a hand to wave a little to him, and then creates a corridor up to the roof, just a few feet behind him.]

...hi. When did you get here?

Hihi!

[small_reservations]

[His spine prickles at the sensation of a corridor opening behind him, but he doesn't turn around, even when that familiar voice, only slightly distorted by the wind, reaches his ears. He can't look cool if he turns around like that... But then again, he's not sure where he stands with Naminé these days, so sitting on a roof's edge might not be the best place to talk to her.

At least his coat (not the black one, he ditched that a while back) is thick and cozy, and all but wind-proof, so even on the roof he can stay warm. Helps that he's cradling a tiny flame in his gloved hands, as well.

Finally, with a small sigh, he turns around, extinguishing the little lick of fire, and puts on his best smile.]

Hey there! Do you mean here here, or on this roof here?

[He failed his will save to resist the urge to play with semantics.]

[redigere]

Here in this world.

[She steps closer, watching him curiously now. The casual, almost friendly greeting she receives from him is a good sign, in her opinion. Though ideally she'd like for him and any other friends to be pulled from the most recent events in their world for simplicity's sake, as long as he's not from all the way back during Castle Oblivion, when he was willing to cut her down without hesitation, she thinks she can manage.]

What's the last thing you remember back on our world?

[small_reservations]

Oh, that. A couple of days ago, give or take. Not long.

[He's still getting acclimated. It's probably easier for him than for many of the new imPorts, given that he's used to hopping between worlds, but he's never been to one like this before. Never been branded and unable to return to his stomping ground like a captured animal, either. He does not appreciate that much.]

Let's see... Oh right. Roxas. He left.

[Day 358 of Roxas's stay with the organization; he hadn't even stayed a year. Axel reaches into a pocket, and removes a simple popsicle stick marked with the word "Winner," and waves it in Naminé's direction.]

He forgot what the organization does to traitors, I guess.

[redigere]

[A full bodied sigh leaves her. That far back. This is going to be difficult. Naminé is reminded once again of how much she hates being an omniscient force in her friends' lives. Especially if they don't know what she knows.]

He needed to do it. For himself, and for Xion. [She stares down at her clasped hands.] I know that doesn't make it any better, but it's the truth.

[small_reservations]

How can you say that?!

[He's angry now. It shows in his voice, and on his face.]

Don't you know what the organization does to traitors?! And they sent me to track him down!

[He's hurting. He knows what'll happen if he finds Roxas and he doesn't come willingly... Or thinks he does, anyway. Or if he comes back empty handed. It's a lose-lose scenario.]

2! also hello and I'm sorry in advanced ;;

[darkimitation]

[Deciding to do some shopping today in De Chima for Naminé and to simply get away from the crowds, Kagami finds himself at the shopping district only for his eyes to catch someone on the near by roof. Upon realizing who it is, his blood suddenly starts boiling and the look on his face is utter rage and anger. Of all the people to show up in this world, it's him. The very guy who ruined Kagami's life back home and who in his mind more or less caused him to die. He needed to calm down though before he makes the decision to jump him from behind and cut his throat.

Making a corridor up onto the roof where Axel is and joining him, the replica resorts to being cold and glaring as opposed to exploding on him right away. For now. If he does or say anything that might set him off, he won't hold back. Even his tone sounds very dark and cold.]

Finally decided to show up here, huh? Took you long enough.

I should apologize, too, I took Axel from the WORST canon point

[small_reservations]

[That's a blast from the past, and not in a good way. Straightening up and wheeling lazily about, Axel is at least relieved that it's not the real Riku, but that's a small mercy. This one... depending on when he's from, he could be a problem. He's supposed to be dead, as far as Axel knows, but time apparently gets as flexible as the boundaries between worlds when the porter's involved.

Well, it can't be helped. Axel gives a half-assed wave before crossing his arms, uncertain what to do with all this hostility being thrown at him. He definitely deserves it, that much is true, but he's amazed that Repliku (haha), now called Kagami, hasn't calmed down.]

Yeah, good to see you too. What do you want?

[darkimitation]

[There were many ways he could answer Axel's question, so he goes for the first thing that comes up at the top of his head.]

To push you off this roof. I'm sure you'll survive the fall. [He's only half joking about that.] Or would you rather we settle things man to man?

[small_reservations]

[See? See what hostility he has to put up with? Then again, he kinda does deserve it. He's not always worn the face he shows Roxas and... the other one, what's-her-name. He's done some pretty awful things for the organization... and just for kicks, too.

At least it alleviated boredom. But now, he raises his eyebrows.]

Wow, so hostile! After I tried to help you, too. Sheesh, could you be more aggravating?

[He knows he's kind of asking for it. Frankly, though, Axel is putting on an act. He's angry and depressed; he didn't even know that could happen to Nobodies. But apparently losing your two best friends will do that. Even if you can't quite remember one of them.]

[darkimitation]

[The more Axel talked, the more his blood began boiling again. He can't hold it in any longer and started to shout at the red head.]

Your idea of helping made me stop existing back home! [He summons his Soul Eater now. He's so done talking to him.] So I'm going to do the same to you here!

[small_reservations]

It wasn't my fault you didn't cut it!

[Now that Kagami's all worked up, Axel's words might push him over the edge, but that's more-or-less what he's going for. There's so much more he can say, but the death threats have already started, so he simply leans forward and extends his arms, calling his chakrams in a swirl of fire.]

2;

[hightiderising]

[De Chima is new to Xion. She's been here for a month and very rarely left Heropa, where she was assigned to stay - but with the corridors, why not travel sometimes? She's been overwhelmed by school and homework (having been forced to go to school here), and so, in Xion's own opinion, she deserves a day off.

Of course, once she's there, she's immediately swarmed by fanatical locals. She's polite enough at first, taking a few photos, but it gets overwhelming fast. In the distance, she sees a corridor, just like her own, disappearing into nothing. No one else should be here, right? Riku and Namine should still be in Heropa... Whoever that was could have gone anywhere. Her eyes shoot around the city, hoping they didn't go far.

Xion herself takes off through a corridor, leaving the crowds behind and reappearing in an emptier area nearby. Maybe it was nothing, after all. Just Riku on a delivery. Maybe she got her hopes up for nothing.

But then she spots a bright jolt of red against the sky. There's no way, right? But there's no harm in checking...

Xion disappears through another corridor, reappearing on the roof of the building--

And nearly tripping to run up to Axel.]

You're here!

[She's so excited, she forgot - Axel might not even remember her at all.]

He's from an awful canon point, but his memories haven't totally faded

[small_reservations]

[He went to the rooftops to get a moment's peace, but people keep popping up. Familiar faces, mostly, most of which make him uncertain at best. Xion is included, but for a different reason.

Until now, he hadn't noticed. He hadn't realized that his memories were fading, because Xion wasn't there anymore to reaffirm them. But now, hearing her voice, it's hard to recall her face, the way she laughed, even her name. He turns to face her, expression inscrutable as he pieces together his half-corrupted memories.]

It's... Xion, right?

[Looking at her face helps. It's not enough to return the memories he's lost already, but it's a salve, enough to stir what's left. Her presence here in this world should stop the process, at least, leaving him able to remember some things and make new memories with her, and that's what counts.]

We're... friends.

[Are they, still? His voice is little more than a whisper, as he tries to remember, to remind himself. He vaguely remembers hurting her, dragging her back time and again, when she tried to flee the Organization and her purpose, but he also has memories of laughing with her and Roxas, though in most of them it's just remembering that a third person was there and a leap of logic to assume it was Xion.]

It's... It's good to see you again.

[After that last disappearance, he never thought he would.]

[hightiderising]

[His response hurts like a bullet through her. That's right. She disappeared completely, not just from the world but from the history of the world too. She didn't forget; it was just... Riku remembered here, because she'd been here once before. Namine could too, but memories were her specialty, and Sora and Kagami, Riku's replica, never knew her before at all. Xion had gotten used to this life over the month she'd been here. She had just assumed of Axel or Roxas ever showed up, they'd remember her too.]

Y-yeah.

[She nods slowly, forcing the smile to stay on her face.]

We're best friends. Me, you, and Roxas. Try to remember.

[It's safe to, right? Namine said it was safe here. Her and Riku promised her that it was safe for her to be here with Sora, so it has to be okay that Axel remembers her too.]

You looked out for us. You helped me out when I couldn't remember how to summon my Keyblade. You kept Saix from bothering us. And after missions, we'd always go for ice cream together and watch the sunset from the clock tower.

[small_reservations]

[Maybe it'd take Namine's help to fix this, because no matter how hard Axel strains, the memories are vague at best. A third person, a girl, the name Xion. Even looking right at her, it's hard to realize that she's the same person he once knew. The face is familiar, the voice is familiar, and he can connect them to the person he remembers, but...]

Right.

[The 14th organization member. He remembers that, too. But he can't be so disconnected from a friend, even if he kind of betrayed her. Twice. He vaguely remembers that, as well. Bringing her back when she tried to escape, that was a bit of a dick move.]

I remember Roxas, and Saix, and you were there, I know that, but...

[It's so hard. He's wracking his brain. It's just like taking a test and knowing you know something; it's on the tip of his tongue, but it's just not reaching. He's going to get a killer and headache, at this rate.]

[hightiderising]

[It's how he trails off that tips Xion off that there's something wrong. Axel's a chatty guy. Sometimes it's hard to get him to shut up. Maybe she shouldn't be forcing this along so fast. If the memories have already started to fade, who knows what she could mess up by forcing them back right away?]

Hey... It's okay. Leave it alone for right now.

[Before he hurts himself or something.]

C'mon, we can... [She looks around off the edge of the building, left and right, quickly and finds what she's looking for. A convenience store.] We can get some ice cream. Maybe that'll work better to jog your memory.

[small_reservations]

Sounds like a plan.

[Her suggestions's good, and it brings his smile back, too, even if said smile is a little troubled. He hates feeling like he's missing something, feeling like he's not in control of his own life. Sure, he's been a follower before, but that was at least his choice. This is not.]

Do they have sea salt here, or am I going to have to adapt?

[He'll make other small talk as they continue - how long have you been here, what've you been doing, how's the experience of being something like a hero publically for once. Stuff like that.]

4

[resipiscent]

[This is still going on?

Riku's kind of just wandering through Nonah, and stumbles across the pumpkin festival. He thought it'd be over by now. But he supposes pumpkins are as Halloween-y as anything else, aren't they?

But even though he was here last month, there's someone here who wasn't expected, and he stops in his tracks, staring across the short distance.

Lea?

Riku doesn't look the way Axel might remember him looking, if he happens to look up at him -- first of all, his eyes are uncovered, and he's wearing regular street clothes. But his hair is almost waist-length, and there are tiny black bat wings peeking out from beneath it.]

When did you... [Riku's noticing "Lea" is different, too, though, and he slows, closing his mouth. It's not hard to miss those marks on his face.]

... You're Axel.

[small_reservations]

[It takes Axel just a moment to place the voice, then he looks up. Riku gets an odd look. He's recognizable, but those wings are WEIRD. Sorry, Riku, you got strange here.]

Yep. You still have it memorized, I see. Good to know, good to know.

[He takes another slurp of his latte. This stuff's basically crack in a cup.]

I'm assuming you want to know when I got here? Not that long ago. Still getting adjusted. Yourself?

[Your hair was NOT that long when he last met you, Riku. And you weren't quite that... grown up. Either it's been a long time, or you're from the future. Could be either. Or both.]

[resipiscent]

Couldn't forget if I wanted to, [Riku says simply, and he grins faintly.] I've been here for -- coming up on two years now.

[Don't worry, bud, he can see you looking at him funny. And then his expression sobers again and he moves a little closer, settling into a chair nearby.]

... What's the last thing that happened for you back home?

[small_reservations]

[2 years... Well, that explains a lot. Not the wings though.

At the question, Axel briefly averts his eyes, smile fading. Even he can't fake happiness when he's talking about what he's been through.]

Roxas... vanished. I was tracking him down after he left the organization - I didn't want to, but friendship isn't worth losing yourself over when you barely even have that much, y'know? And then he just disappeared. Poof. Like he was abducted or something.

[Little does he know... Yet, anyway.]

My turn to ask a question. What's up with the wings?

[resipiscent]

[Abducted... Riku knows without a doubt exactly when Axel came from, and he frowns gently.]

You'll find him, [he says softly. He can't be honest. Not right now. It's easier if... he does that later. But in the meantime, he can answer the rest of his questions.]

It -- that's kind of a weird story, and I'd have to explain a lot, but... in short, I went home for a little while. When I came back, I had them.

[There's a pause. How does he explain about Dream Eaters without explaining the entirety of the true Organization, and all that? But Axel deserves to know, too.]

It's... a long story. I'll tell you, but it might have to wait for another day. A lot has happened from my perspective since Roxas left the Organization.

[small_reservations]

Oh, more time messiness.

[He sighs. Time travel. It's even more complicated for interpersonal relations than not having a heart.]

I'm not interested in hearing my future told. Knowing in advance would... kind of suck. Unlike some, free will actually matters to me.

[It's all he's got left at this point. At least as far as he knows.]