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

[ Miles can't help but grin at the similarity. ]

I admit the practicality of it. But I don't always want my heart on my sleeve, so to speak.

[They make a derisive noise, but whatever opinion was there was left unvoiced. A little too personal.]

Still. I do want the actual story sometime. [Their eyes slide between Gregor and Miles, making clear WHICH story they were talking about.] Consider it bragging.

[ Miles flushes a bit at that. ]

It's all Gregor's story, really. He figured it out first. Wooed me before I really realized what was going on.

[ In a murmur, ] Is that the version we're going with?

Really?

[The murmur was a bit too low for Bel to catch, but that was certainly an enticing tidbit all on its own. Something in their body language shifts, softening. They lean more on one hip.

To Gregor, they ask,]

Will you let me treat you out for a night? You and whomever your third is. I would dearly love to get to meet you properly.

Edited 2016-11-05 16:22 (UTC)

[ Optimally speaking, Gregor would prefer to befriend Bel rather than let any sort of senseless friction fester between them, so he agrees readily. ]

Her name is Kitty, and she'd probably move to Beta if she could, so I expect she'd love to come. Are we disinviting Miles so we can gossip about him? [ There's a teasing lilt now. ]

[ Uh oh. This just got dangerous. ]

Um - I'm not sure if I like this.

[Bel just grins at that, talking right over Miles' head. Very dangerous.]

Exactly my motive. We wont have to edit any of the stories.

Edited 2016-11-05 16:34 (UTC)

[ Gregor is amused but not unsympathetic to Miles's worrying. ]

I should add that he wasn't kidding about the telepathy. He'll be able to hear all of it through me if he likes.

[ Which is really a veiled offer to Miles as much as it is a warning to Bel. ]

[ Miles' mental hackles go down at that. Knowing he's not truly shut out will convince him to stay out of things much better than forbidding him outright.

It's not going to stop him from complaining, though. ]

It's hardly the same. But fine, have your little gossip party.

[They're quiet at that, looking between them. It's clearly something they're okay with but... Bel has lived in close quarters all their life. From Beta Colony to ships, there's not much in space. That last piece of privacy is sacred.

Not their problem.]

Well, whatever works for you two.

[ Huh. That was an oddly cool reaction. But he shrugs a bit, since it hardly matters to him personally. ]

It does work for us. Quite well, in fact.

I'm glad. [There's a beat. Where Bel wants to be good but physically can't.] Er. Do you have any privacy at all or is it.. just, a constant feed?

Rather more like being in the same house together. We can close the doors if need be.

That's better than I was thinking. Er.. you can't read mine, correct?

No, no. Liege relationships only. You'd have to swear yourself to me for that.

Oh, oh god no.

I mean. No offense. [They add quickly.] But I've done the reading. I like my contracts a bit more galactic standard.

Edited 2016-11-05 22:26 (UTC)

[ Miles just grins a bit at that. ]

What, you don't want to be an armsperson?

Not that I don't think it wouldn't be amazingly exciting. But usually you don't need bodyguards for the bodyguards.

What, you don't think my body needs guarding?

Miles, dear. [As much as Miles' egocentrism is ADORABLE.]

When you get off the ship, where do you live? You'd pass a girl through that gauntlet of prejudice first.

Edited 2016-11-05 22:56 (UTC)

... If you're referring to Tex, I assure you she can hold her own. On Barrayar too.

[At that... they just give up, and laugh, shaking their head.]

I'm sure. But no, I don't want it. Armsherm doesn't even sound right. Terribly disconnected.

[ Oh. Now he finally gets it. ]

Well - well. Still. If we remember, then we'll change things. If we don't, then it won't matter.

[God. Anyone else, they'd laugh at them proposing that sort of thing in one very short lifetime.]

I look forward to seeing what you do, then.

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