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]

[That... is a relief. That's amazing eight years... well. Five, properly. That's hard to argue with.

... Though what they just went through wasn't going to happen. Couldn't happen. They weren't actually sure how they felt about that.]

It... was a pleasure serving with you, then, Admiral.

Have you decided who is getting that promotion?

[dendarii]

[ That is a much easier question to answer. Entirely devoid of that creeping hollow sensation in his stomach from even discussing stepping down from this life. He's sure, he's absolutely sure, but it still aches ... ]

Quinn, of course. Who else?

[shipmaster]

[Bel's lips quirk in a wry half smile.]

Of course. You pick the one it's going to be hardest to slide in a better deal on financing. [There's a talent Bel has for teasing and sounding grudgingly approving at the same time.]

[dendarii]

[ Miles just grins back at Bel for that. Easily sliding back into their old banter patterns. ]

I could manage a few other promotions before I go as well.

[shipmaster]

I'll take Auson's ship. He's not using it right anyway.

[dendarii]

I might be able to manage that. Depending on how things go here.

Did I mention I want you and Mark to at least pretend to get along?

[shipmaster]

[THAT....................................................





















............

Is when you know you're getting played and you can't help but sing along anyway, dammit.]

Might? In writing, Miles dear.

[dendarii]

Hmm, well. Make an effort and we'll see.

[ He says liltingly, relaxing back into his usual confident admiral posture. God, he hadn't realized how much he'd missed this. Stepping into his Naismith persona is like taking a long, deep breath. ]

[shipmaster]

Well~ I'll consider an effort. You know, see how it goes.

[RIGHT BACK AT HIM. Though he glances, covertly back to the goddamn emperor of Barrayar again and then to Naismith.]

Have you considered both just absconding? No one out here is going to give half as much of a damn. Save you a world of money on bodyguards.

[dendarii]

[ Ah. Miles glances back towards Gregor, his expression warming into utter fondness. ]

No. We couldn't possibly. Both of us love Barrayar too much to ever flee it.

[shipmaster]

Oh yes. That's what I'd worry about.

[dendarii]

[ Miles just shrugs a bit at that. ]

That was never going to change. Sorry, Captain.

[vorbarra]

[ Dendarii drama concluded, Gregor figures it's about as good a time as any to step back in. He'd carefully noted all that information about Mark, but had thought interfering as little as possible was a good idea.

He does wonder when Miles will start to integrate his two sides, and realize there is no contest between them... But then, it had taken Gregor many years to realize that for himself, and the integration is a much longer process even so.

He idly toys with his empty coffee mug, leaning his long form over across the counter. ] And you were there for the absconding, I'll note, Captain Thorne. You were the one who escorted me back at the end.

[ Seeing as they're in another dimension, eh, he can reveal that bit. It's no secret here. All Bel would have to do is look up network logs. ]

[shipmaster]

[The final comment from Miles just gets a shrug and a sigh from Bel. Well, Miles can make his own decisions.

Bel Thorne's eyes go wide as Gregor steps back into the conversation. Even with the knowledge from Miles that things had changed here in this alternate dimension, they can't quite help from envisioning them turning up in the middle of the brewing Hub war as a romantic elopement, like some overdrawn holodrama.

Okay, no, even sifting that OUT...]

Good lord, do I call that a rescue or a kidnapping?

[vorbarra]

Rescue from myself, if anything, [ he reassures him, with no small amount of self-deprecating dryness. ]

Suffice to say I've gotten it out of my system. I'll inevitably be returning to Barrayar as well. [ And that's-- something he's surprised to find he's mostly made peace with. He's still scared, but it seems surmountable now. Dare he say it, maybe even a challenge he wants to face; he has some confidence that he can accomplish something, and there is an immense need for him, and for Miles, to do the accomplishing. ]

[dendarii]

If anyone kidnapped him, it was me.

[ Adds Miles, ever helpful. He sips at his coffee as he considers what topics he needs to cover next. ]

Anyway - we live out in the hills of De China at the moment. Where are you setting up?

[shipmaster]

[The answer Bel gives is one of the four public housing assignments.]

It seems nice enough so far. Oddly enough, I don't actually know what to do with all of the space.

[dendarii]

Strange, isn't it? After Beta Colony and being on a ship both.

... You're welcome to stay at the Residence too, if you like.

[shipmaster]

Intensely... I'm still adjusting to the idea we're planet bound.

[Bel considers that offer only briefly.]

That is very kind of you. If I get into too much trouble where I am, I'll let you know.

[dendarii]

[ Miles considers that for a moment ... and then he grins. ]

I can help you with that. The adjusting, I mean. Ever been horseback riding?

[shipmaster]

I... No.

You have those?

[dendarii]

Multiple, in fact. And acreage to ride them in. You're going to love Penny.

[shipmaster]

Well. That'll certainly count as something wildly new. I'll try it.

[dendarii]

That's the spirit. I'll get the horses ready bright and early tomorrow.

[shipmaster]

Call me if ship lag does me in. [Though, they pause here and unusually small they just look at Miles searchingly.]

So... we're good?