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

[adhaerent]

[ the few times jole has met miles hasn't done much to help teach him how to deal with the hyperactive younger man. vor in general tend to be odd sorts, of course, but miles is.. unique. and he's aral and cordelia's only child, so that complicates matters even more. (he's always slightly concerned that he's going to let something slip around him.)

at least this reaction, though, gives him an idea of what to expect here.

his lips quirk up, voice dryly amused: ] I hadn't precisely planned on joining a mercenary outfit. The Dendarii did sound suspiciously familiar, though. [ a beat. ] And what title are you wearing here on this strange earth? [ that's less a question of title and more a question of what name are you using? ]

[dendarii]

[ At least by now MIles is well appraised of his parents' bisexuality and their polyamorous relationships, if not how it involves Jole specifically. Certainly that's the farthest thing from his mind at this exact moment. ]

Ah, that's a joke. We are truly a security company here, even if our jobs are rather varied.

[ As for the question ... he has to give Jole points for asking. ]

Lord Vorkosigan. And Admiral Naismith. Who are one and the same person publically. Although I suppose at the moment I'm also Lord Ambassador.

[adhaerent]

[ his lips part, then shut. his brows lift. for a few moments, he simply takes that in.. but eventually his mouth quirks back up again in warm amusement. ]

Lord Ambassador. [ well, he's been busy. he's curious about what that means, exactly, but the question can wait. ] Shall I use them interchangeably, then? [ that was a joke, too. after a moment, his shoulders even relax.

--his eyes don't, though, flicking over miles's face, observant and thoughtful. ] There are others from home here, then. [ he hadn't been all that surprised to see jole, after all. ]

[dendarii]

Interchangeably, in whatever order you wish. Or simply call me Miles.

[ It's all the same in a place like this, so he's mostly stopped caring about those kinds of details. ]

Just so. You're about to join a veritable zoo, in fact.

[adhaerent]

[ a brief pause, then: ] Miles it is, then. [ honestly, it's probably for the best that he should draw as little attention to miles's rank as he can. god knows miles draws enough attention on himself, after all. ]

I should be accustomed to that much. [ following aral vorkosigan around in the political world.. ] Well, your father's never had any complaints about my work for him, so I suppose if the Dendarii can use that..

[dendarii]

[ Heaps and heaps of it, and about to draw more. ]

We certainly can. And Da still needs help, I'm sure, though you'll find him at the coffee shop more often than not.

[adhaerent]

[ there it is, the news he'd not been daring to hope for or dread. and now that he has it, he's not sure how to feel, and he hopes that he doesn't look nearly as conflicted as he feels. ]

I-- [ is he alright? is he eating? there are only about a hundred questions he wants to ask and can't. ] --will be more than happy to help him in any way he needs. A coffee-shop, though?

[dendarii]

[ Huh. That's an odd look to see on a man he barely knows. Simon, sure. Jole? Does he even know Aral that well, outside of being his secretary? ]

Oh, yes. He makes a very fine latte. Draws the most adorable kittens with the foam.

[adhaerent]

[ kittens.

he lifts a hand, crooking a finger over his mouth in a losing struggle to control his startled, charmed grin. ] It's.. hard to imagine the Prime Minister making.. latte art.

[ that answers a few questions, though, at least, if he's relaxed enough to be sketching and drawing again.. even if it's atop coffee. ]

[dendarii]

Is it? Are you sure about that?

[ How well do you know Aral, Jole? Those sharp gray eyes - Cordelia's eyes - are watching him very intently. ]

[adhaerent]

[ if he's troubled by the stare, he's apparently gotten quite good at hiding it, because his smile only widens a little in response to the question. ]

Well, I've certainly never seen him do so before. I'd think I'd remember something like that.

[dendarii]

Mmm, not at home, I admit. But you're not horrified. I think most might be.

[adhaerent]

Well, I've worked with him a few years now, after all. [ that's the least of it. ] I don't think one ever quite takes him for granted, but when you spend a good portion of your day with him most days, you learn to mitigate the effect he has.

[dendarii]

[ Definitely the least of it. Miles considers the man over the comm for a moment, thinking ... ]

I imagine so. He wouldn't keep anyone who couldn't.

... Join me for a cup of coffee, Jole?

[adhaerent]

[ ah. there's something else going on behind those eyes, and jole's not entirely certain he wants to encourage it. still, it'd be strange to turn him down, particularly if they're going to be working closely together in the near-future.

he keeps his smile warm, gently friendly. ] I'd be glad to. You may have to give me directions, though, as I arrived fairly recently.

[dendarii]

Of course. I'll send the address to your comm. Meet me there in an hour.

[ And he snaps off, leaving Jole no other choice but to accept. ]

[adhaerent]

[ he has the sinking feeling he's going to regret this. vorkosigans.

still, jole shows up, of course, and even manages to be a few minutes early. he's already acquired clothing that fits this world, and he's as unfairly attractive in jeans and sweaters as he is in his uniform.

when he spots miles, he lifts a hand in greeting, expression warming again. ] I was a little worried that I'd get lost. [ not that jole's ever gotten lost before, but there's a first time for everything. ]

[dendarii]

[ Unfairly attractive, dear god. For a moment Miles almost regrets being so very firmly in love with Gregor. It lasts all of a split second before he remembers that he can still flirt with the man, as long as he's just being a little shit about it. Hmm.

He waves his hand after a moment, coming to sit at one of the tables. ]

I'd never steer you wrong. And this place is distinctive.

[adhaerent]

[ he seats himself after miles is settled, leaning back and crossing his legs neatly. a server drops off menus, which he accepts with thanks, opening his after she's stepped away.

he glances around at the cafe, then, brows lifting. ]

That it is. I suppose you've been here a while, then, to be so familiar with the area?

[dendarii]

[ Ah. Miles sobers a bit at that question. ]

Nearly a year now. Gregor and I arrived first, together.

[adhaerent]

[ he freezes for a half-second, glance cutting sharply to miles.. but then he forces himself to relax again. ]

--He's well, though? Safe?

[ he sincerely doubts miles would be having a leisurely cup of coffee with jole of all people if the emperor wasn't safe, but it's always good to have confirmation. ]

[dendarii]

[ Of fucking course he wouldn't be sitting here having coffee if Gregor weren't safe. For multiple reasons. ]

Doing very well, yes. He's enjoying the relative peace. Even in a happy relationship.

[adhaerent]

Well, that's good. [ he sets the menu down, brows lifting curiously. ] A relationship is a new development, though, certainly. [ he wonders how aral had taken that news. ]

[dendarii]

[ Pretty well, all things considered. Miles motions to the waiter to get them some pastries and coffee. ]

Very much so. I admit I was relieved when he told me what was going on.

[adhaerent]

[ he hesitates, because.. technically, it's really not his business. he certainly shouldn't be gossiping about the emperor or his relationships, whatever they might be.

still, he's.. a bit concerned. ] And.. is happy synonymous with healthy in this case..?