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

[ He clacks it a bit but does not bite. (Whatever, he knows Gregor would be amused by his bird act. Probably.) ]

Ye of too much faith. This is entirely different from military command. Or proxy Countship.

You're up to the challenge. You generally are, from my understanding.

[ his entire life has been a series of challenges, after all. ]

You didn't know how to be the admiral of a mercenary fleet until you had to be, now did you?

No choice in that. I arguably asked for this one.

[ ... Which just helps Jole's argument, doesn't it. He nips fussily at Jole's shirt collar. ]

[ he laughs, reaching for his nearly forgotten cup of coffee to take a sip. ]

Well, now you really don't have any excuses.

Hmph. I'm still going to complain. Loudly and at length.

You're a Vorkosigan, of course you don't have a problem letting yourself be heard.

... Da's a bit quieter than that.

[ A beat. ]

He doesn't need to raise his voice to be heard.

[ he is not rising to your bait, miles vorkosigan, even if he is colouring a little. ]

[ Hmph. He'll take his small victory anyway. ]

You really do worship at his feet, don't you. Over and above your relationship with him.

No. Worship implies that someone is untouchable, and the last thing your father needs is to be put up on a pedestal somewhere and treated like a statue.

[ he turns his cup between his palms, glancing out toward the sidewalk with a small frown. ]

Like I said, I've worked for him for years now. I know his strengths, and one of them's that he can control a room by sheer force of will. [ he heaves a sigh. ] It's something I certainly wish that I could do, but unfortunately, it's just not in my nature.

[ Miles flinches a bit at that, suddenly glad that birds can't blush. Because he's absolutely guilty of putting Aral up on a pedestal. ]

Metaphorical worshipping then. You're fond. A fan.

[ His tone is faintly grumbly. ]

Well, yes. I love him. [ that had taken a fair amount of soul-searching when he'd started having to ask himself that question, but he's rather come to terms with it. ] But like I said, he's a good leader. I was frankly a bit terrified the first time I met him, though. That reputation of his, you know.

[ Miles goes rather still at the word "love." ]

How did this start, then? If you were so intimidated.

Well, I didn't stay intimidated for long. I'm not entirely impractical. [ his glance drops to his cup, a little flustered to be discussing this. ] I don't really.. That is, I'd been attracted to him for a while before I noticed that he felt similarly.

And what, one day he invited you into his bed?

Of course not. I mentioned before that Cordelia had to sort us out, and that's as far into it as I'm willing to go.

What? No details? That's entirely rude.

[ he's struggling not to blush here. ] It's not as if we dated first, Miles. Do you really want to know that much about your parents' sex-life?

I - er - well, no. Admittedly.

Are you sure? [ he clicks his tongue lightly, taking a sip of his coffee and then setting the mug down. ] I have so many extraordinarily intimate details now, after all. [ now he's just teasing him. ]

[ He ruffles his feathers a bit. ]

Really. Then by all means. Go ahead.

[ He'll call your bluff, Jole. ]

[ he laughs a little despite himself. ] So this is how you get yourself into trouble.

Hmm? How's that? I think you're the one in trouble now, Lieutenant.

No, because I never intended to tell you, and it costs me nothing to say it. But I'm not sure you would've thanked yourself if I'd proven to be an oversharer.

[ he picks up the sheet of paper, shifting to tuck it into his pocket. ]

Even so, I called your bluff.

[ He flutters back down to the floor - and quick as a flash, he's human again. Oof. His bones ache after that. Which makes a thought occur to him... ]

Are you sworn to my father?

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