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]

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?

[dendarii]

[ Ah. A serious question, that. He looks up at Bel, quiet for a moment as he thinks through this. It's true he's already feeling betrayed by this future act of Bel, but ... ]

Given that you haven't actually done anything, from my perspective, I see no reason to blame you for it yet.

[shipmaster]

[Some of the tension lets out of their back and they slump in their seat. Reflexively, they take another sip of coffee. Still cold. Yep.

They lift the cup in salute instead of finishing it.]

Well, I know I'm due to be hearing Trainee Thorne again for a couple of years when I go back to mine. So there's that. We'll deal with it when we get there.


... If we get there. [If anyone could just... muck about in the timestream, Bel was sure it would be Miles.]

[dendarii]

Just so. On both counts. [ He sips at his own rapidly cooling cup and sets it back down. ] And I certainly hope that you'll rejoin the Dendarii here as well.

[shipmaster]

Oh? What trouble HAVE you gotten into? I mean- of course. But, rescue, raids, war busting? Have you taken a side or are we just going to profit on both countries?

[dendarii]

Nothing quite on that scale. Smaller excursions, the occasional haunted house, lots of bodyguarding ... Though going up against Lucifer certainly counts.

[ He rubs idly at a long, pink scar bisecting his face. ]

[shipmaster]

[JFC Miles did you get into a FIGHT with the literal devil... They give him a long look, but roll on by that. Because they KNOW the answer. Bel is going to have all of the best gossip.]

Eh, small change. Considered it, yet?

[dendarii]

[ That is the more interesting question. He taps thoughtfully at his chin. ]

Well - this country isn't bad. Though that's mostly because the Russians decided to kidnap us and keep us on a submarine my first month here.

[shipmaster]

...

I am so late.

[dendarii]

Exceptionally so. But I have no doubt we can stir up something.

[ He's rather excited by the prospect of haring off on another adventure. ]

[shipmaster]

I'll wait for my orders, then.

[Ah this. This felt better.]

[dendarii]

... Good. We'll start with the horses. Go from there.

[ Although - he brightens with a wild sort of curiosity. ]

Did you get any interesting powers to try out?

[shipmaster]

Three, as far as my file claims. [They sound a little bewildered and a lot excited here.]

Apparently, I've some impressive speed, can make my lovely collection of weapons appear, should I need them, and .. well - I'm going to actual admit some apprehension to trying this one - but I've apparently the ability to open wormholes.

[dendarii]

[ Here's an expression they don't see every day: Miles looking incredibly jealous of Bel. ]

Seriously? Those are all good ... [ Though really, considering how much he loves two out of his three powers, can he complain much himself? ] And it's high time we had a teleporter in the group.

[shipmaster]

[Now that is a good look. Bel's smile turns distinctly and overtly proud.]

Well, you've always tapped me when you needed the quick getaway. So, what do you have that's not as good?

[dendarii]

Well, they're mostly not terrible. I enjoy being able to turn into a bird, for example. And I have a telepathic link with most of the Barrayarans here.

[ To put it very simply. He trust Bel enough to tell them but doesn't want to get into details just yet. ]

The last is utterly pointless. I can shrink myself and anyone I'm touching. [ An annoyed huff. ]. As if I need to be any smaller.

[shipmaster]

[A bird... telepathy... ... They'd be lying if they said they weren't picturing a psychic hummingbird right now. They'd be lying badly.]

... I don't know. I've grown rather fond of small things.

[dendarii]

[ Rude, Bel. Totally rude. ]

You're entirely biased on that. I'd prefer to be a bit taller, thank you.

[shipmaster]

Well, no accounting for taste.