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]

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..?

[dendarii]

[ Er. Well - that makes Miles wince a bit. ]

God, I hope so. I've given him every opportunity to quit, anyway.

[adhaerent]

[ wait, what?
wait. .. what?

there's a long, silent stare.. and then jole's brows go up again. ]

I.. see. [ he thinks? ] Miles, I was under the impression that you were-- [ well. there's never much incentive at home to express interest in one's own sex, after all. jole would know rather more about that than he'd like at times. ] Well, nevermind that.

[ he sits back, rubbing a knuckle over his mouth thoughtfully. ] You're going to be in for the fight of your life back home.

[dendarii]

[ Miles really shouldn't take quite so much glee in watching Jole squirm. But it's so very satisfying, especially on someone who looks so damned perfect.

Too bad Jole has raised a very practical point - one that Miles is already starting to obsess over. ]

Yes. We're very much aware. If we choose to make it permanent, that is.

[ There's no real "if" in Miles' mind, but he defers to Gregor in this above anything else. ]

[adhaerent]

[ this is going to make aral's life more difficult, too, and selfishly, that's jole's first thought. he has to brush it aside a moment later, though, because this is.. big. huge, even. the emperor with a man. the emperor with a man that many still see as a mutant. god, the lines of succession, the cries of favouritism--

he rubs a hand over his eyes, then sighs. ] .. Well.. I'm certain he's considered all of this already. [ he lowers his hand, folding his arms loosely over his chest instead as he regards the younger man. ] You certainly never do things by halves, Miles. [ as if you can talk, oliver jole. ]

[dendarii]

[ You certainly aren't doing the Vorkosigans by halves, heyo. But Miles gladly relaxes away from the seriousness of the topic, taking the lighter portion of it. The heavier parts are going nowhere, after all. ]

Of course not. Are you really surprised? My father must be twice as bad.

oh my god

[adhaerent]

[ that actually earns a quick huff of laughter. ] He's certainly exhausting to keep up with. [ jole thinks he does okay, though, all things considered. even given their relationship, he doesn't let his work ethic suffer, and aral doesn't let their personal life bleed into their professional life. ] He's been a great mentor, though, and I enjoy the work.

:')

[dendarii]

[ Mentor, eh. Miles' smile turns a bit sly. ]

It's odd, then, that I hardly see you. Or heard of you before he took you on. Really, I don't know a thing about you.

[adhaerent]

[ .. just what is it that miles thinks he's figured out? jole is certain he hasn't said anything suspicious..

he blinks mildly. ] It'd be a bit stranger if you had, I think. I try not to interfere in his family time. He gets little enough as it is, and work can usually wait.

[ he hesitates, then sits up again, folding his arms loosely atop the table, head tilting faintly. ] --What would you like to know? I don't think there's anything particularly remarkable that you haven't already heard. [ he knows about the circumstances that had led to aral snapping jole up. at least, he's fairly certain miles knows. ]

[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.

[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.