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

[sidequestings]

Beta Colony! I knew there was another one I was forgetting. [ he'd heard just a bit about it, too. enough to know that beta colony and barrayar are about as wildly opposite as two places can be. ] So you don't live there now? That is, before you were dragged here. Or do you.. [ he makes a gesture, shooting his hand up through the air. ] .. sail on star-ships, too?

[ he still has a hard time imagining what a ship like that must look like, but he has a vague idea of how it works now, at least. ]

It's amazing, what your people are capable of. [ he turns his cup between his palms. ] Where I'm from, it'd probably seem like another form of magic.

[shipmaster]

Good lord, no. [They pause, considering Mahanon's phrasing and, finding it charming, simply adopts it.] Living on star-ships is a staple the mercenary way of life. [There's an almost singsong note of pride, as Bel continues.] I finally own one now.

The old sandbox is fine for most people, don't get me wrong, but I haven't been downside for more than a month since I was 17.

[sidequestings]

Oh, you're a mercenary. [ maybe some people would find that slightly alarming, but mahanon's experience with mercenaries has been pretty good. see: bull and his chargers. the note of pride earns a quick, warm smile. ] Congratulations, then. It's too bad I can't see it. [ he is intensely curious about them. he supposes this place doesn't have a lot of use for star-ships, though.

he finally takes a sip of his drink, shifting to fold a leg under himself for better height at the table. ]

That's a long time to be away from home. You don't miss it? [ he supposes everyone's experiences are different, though. mahanon certainly misses his clan, and he worries about them a great deal. ] .. I have to admit that I probably wouldn't do well anywhere that you describe as a 'sandbox', though. [ it sounds hot and miserable. ]

[shipmaster]

No. [Lightly, they breeze on.] I wish I could show it to you just as much, if not more. Having her in orbit would solve quite a few problems, really.

[Their finger traces over the rim of their own cup. It's almost unimaginable in concept, but not asking an elf would be unforgivable. God. What a world this is. Potentially, what a fevered cryodream this was.]

You've mentioned magic... is that a skill you have?

[sidequestings]

You wouldn't be trapped here, at the very least.

[ what is it like to just float among the stars like that? there are definitely days in which mahanon would love to leave thedas behind entirely.

the question brings his glance back up, a little startled for a moment. .. ah, right. ] Yes. I'm a mage, actually. [ he taps a finger lightly against the table-top, and frost radiates from the point of contact, spiraling across the wood. it stops just short of bel's cup, then begins receding again. ] I use a staff for most of my larger spells, especially in a fight, but it's really just a focus.

[shipmaster]

That's -

[While Mahanon speaks, Bel is absorbed in the display. Lips parted in an almost childlike wonder, their fingers trace the frost as it recedes.]

That's astounding... [They breathe the words, before an excitement seizes them.] A spontaneous endothermic reaction with no catalyst! How do you do it? I mean... Magic, obviously... But... How does it work? Is there a methodology?

[sidequestings]

[ a what? he's never heard his magic described in those sorts of terms. the look on bel's face is cute, though, so mahanon can't really help showing off a little.

he unfolds both hands from around his cup, spreading them over the table so his palms face one another with a few inches between them. lightning crackles along the fingers of one hand, then jumps to the other. it sparks and hisses, leaping from finger to finger, before he closes his hand into a fist and extinguishes it. ]

I've never been one to study the how and why of my magic, really. It's not-- My people have a hard life. We don't often have the luxury of study for study's sake, I guess. [ a beat, then he straightens faintly, brightening. ] Dorian would be a good one to ask, though. He's another mage, a human, and he's.. brilliant, really. I'll try to introduce you to him. [ even though.. he hasn't really spoken to dorian since that first day. the thought still makes anxiety curl uncertainly in his chest. ] I can tell you that as mages, we draw our power from the Fade. It's a sort of.. spiritual realm that exists alongside the physical.

[ his fingers lace together around his cup again. ] There are different ways to learn and utilize magic, of course. Mine is mostly offensive. [ his lips quirk. ] I've been in a lot of fights.

[shipmaster]

[There's a twofold delight in that. One of a person really witnessing magic for the first time. The other of ... lets be real, a thug at heart watching someone HOLD LIGHTNING.]

Good lord, I'd love that. You're making me really sad I slept through my math theory classes as it is.

[They tilt their cup back and forth at the more somber tone, taking a moment to drink. They take a sip, considering.] That said, of the practicality of it - I'm glad it's a strong enough advantage to have kept you alive through it.

[sidequestings]

We're a tougher people than we look, [ he says with a quick grin, ears going a little hot again. ] Which I suppose isn't all that difficult. Still, you should see the scars from the last dragon I fought. Whoever says mages get to stand back and let other people do the work can go jump right off a cliff as far as I'm concerned.

[ he takes a sip of his chai, then straightens abruptly. ] Oh, but speaking of magic.. did you take a look at the folder they give you when you come through the Porter? You'll have something like magic now, yourself, if you didn't have it before.

[shipmaster]

The last dragon..

[It's murmured, though their expression remains thoughtful as they turn back to talk about Bel's new abilities.]

Three... they all sound like something out of a- form of entertainment we have. [Though they give Mahanon a ironic smile.] They're mostly offensive, as well.