etcelsior | Lies a place that few have seen.

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!

Flat | Top-Level Comments Only

[Naminé is more than nervous-- she's terrified. Larxene was the only one of all the Organization members to actively make her life miserable, back in Castle Oblivion. Now that Naminé is once again a target, there's nothing that's stopping her from ending up just as wounded as the man she was tormenting earlier. But at least she can heal herself; that man can't. She backs away slowly, trying to put more distance between him and Larxene, all the while trembling and expecting a bolt of lightning to slam right through her.]

I've changed. I'm not someone you can push around anymore.

See, you say that, girly, but you're trembling. It's like a little bunny. The sort you just want to step on. [As Namine moves back, Larxene keeps moving forward, moving ever more swiftly.] Why don't you play a good girl and go sit down with your sketchbook?

[She reaches out, her hand moving quickly in an attempt to grab the front of Namine's clothes.] I'd love to see what you've been drawing.

[Naminé can't deny that she's trembling. Her knees feel weak, and with each step back she's afraid she might stumble. But one of the many things she's learned from Sora and the others is that you can still be brave, even if you're scared. She keeps moving back towards the closest building wall, giving the natives the chance to move away from the fight (more likely beat down) that's about to happen.

And then she's caught, squirming, in Larxene's grip, jerked forward with a gasp. The roar of panic in her ears and the instinct to portal away is hard to ignore, but she forces herself to look the other woman in the eyes, to try and lend strength to the words.]

I don't draw anymore, not like that. Not for you, or Marluxia, or anyone else from the Organization. L-Let me go, Larxene.

Aw, but I loved your drawings. [They're getting a crowd. Ordinarily Larxene wouldn't care, but Namine's somehow gotten something of a spine it seems, so--

--there's a corridor suddenly opening up right next to them, and Larxene shoves Namine back, sending her through before stepping after her. It doesn't bring them far, a couple of blocks away, but it's to a rooftop.] Since when did you talk back to me, hmmm?

[Naminé lands hard onto the ground on the other side of the portal. But she doesn't let herself stay down, pushing herself up onto her elbows and struggling to get up.]

Since I decided there were more important things than my selfish wishes. Since I became real friends with everyone, and I didn't need to do cowardly things like changing someone's memories to have that.

That's... adorable. [Larxene lets the portal close behind her, leaving the two of them alone on the roof.] "Real" friends? What the hell would someone like you know about having real friends?

They're not your friends. None of them are.

They are.

[She's important to others now. Naminé won't let anyone ever convince her otherwise, ever again.]

Sora makes me laugh, Riku takes care of me, Kagami wants me to be happy, and Xion trusts me. They're all my real friends, and I won't let you hurt them or anyone else in this world.

Lies a place that few have seen.

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