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]

[ mildly: ] Stop that. I'll sort out what I'm going to do eventually. Our relationship isn't precisely typical even by your parents' standards, you know.

[ jole being aral's direct subordinate, for one thing. that had been.. huge. ]

[dendarii]

I don't think that ever stopped them.

... Why don't you talk to Tex about it?

[adhaerent]

Absolutely not. [ it's not exactly jealousy, but there is something.. uncomfortable about not knowing about this other person. it's entirely stupid, too, which he's well-aware, given the circumstances. he doesn't intend to talk to this tex until he can do so without making a fool of himself. ]

.. Listen, I appreciate the support, as it were, but I like my privacy, and I respect your parents' privacy. I'd rather no one knew.

[dendarii]

[ A soft sigh. You may as well tell a cat what to do and expect it to behave, but ... ]

If you insist. But you are making things more complicated for yourself.

[ A pause. And then a grin. ]

If you aren't going to go right back to them, does that mean I can flirt with you?

[adhaerent]

I'm Barrayaran. It's a time-honored tradition that we should make things more complicated for ourselves. You know that.

[ the unexpected question actually startles him, and he blinks.. then colours, then--finally--smiles warmly. ]

You're incorrigible, I see. Flirt all you like. [ he just makes no promises about flirting back. ]

[dendarii]

I do know that. Ah, well ...

[ Ha. Miles isn't actually going to flirt in truth, but it's fun making this man embarrassed. ]

You look just like another man I slept with. Also terribly attractive.

[adhaerent]

I'm flattered that you think I'm attractive.

[ he's vaguely aware of his aesthetic appeal, of course. very symmetrical, blue eyes, blond hair, his features are arranged pleasingly enough. it's just never actually mattered much to him before, and of course at home he's in a committed relationship. it's kind coming from miles, though, when he knows the other man must have struggled enough with his view of his own appearance. barrayar is not kind to anyone who's different. ]

--Someone you know here?

[dendarii]

Ah, yes. Captain Jim Kirk. You really ought to meet him.

[ He means that genuinely, and not just to rile Jole up. ]

[adhaerent]

Captain? [ he goes by his rank here? ] I'm sure that I will eventually if he spends any time around you and the others. [ he'd be remiss not to familiarize himself with their friends and acquaintances, at least. ] Are the two of you still close?

[dendarii]

[ Run, Jole. Run before the castblort eats you. ]

Good friends, in fact. I'm rather fond of him.

[adhaerent]

[ please don't eat him, he's too young?? and?? delicate?????

he's also clearly taking mental notes. there's many reasons why jole is good at his job, and one of them's because he often recalls even minor details of conversations. (this, of course, isn't really a minor detail.) ]

I'll keep that in mind when we run into one another. [ his mouth quirks up. ] Is there anyone else you think I should meet, then?

[dendarii]

[ Miles taps at his chin. Anyone from home, of course, but he thinks Jole will know most of them on sight. ]

Ah, I have a twin of sorts here. And I don't mean Mark.

[adhaerent]

[ that earns a blink. ] I'm.. sorry? What?

[dendarii]

[ Wait. Does Jole even know Mark yet? Oops. ]

My twin brother? Lord Mark Pierre Vorkosigan?

[adhaerent]

[ his brows knit. ] .. Your parents certainly would have mentioned a twin brother to me by now.

[dendarii]

Mm. You're right. Which means you're from before point where we find him.

[ Now he's gone quite serious. ]

A Komarran terrorist stole some of my genetic material and attempted to replace me with him.

[adhaerent]

[ there's a pause in which jole reflects on the fact that this sort of thing isn't all that shocking in the grand scheme of his experience with vorkosigans. finally he sighs. ]

I see. Well, it sounds as if things have worked out well enough, if you're calling him your brother now.

[dendarii]

Oh, yes. I'm exceptionally fond of him. And - well, you know Mother. She was over the moon to have another son.

[ Miles still feels guilty about being the reason why his mother couldn't have half a dozen children. ]

[adhaerent]

[ he doesn't even bother to hide his smile, helplessly fond. what's the point now? ]

I'm sure. [ cordelia's a good mother. he hopes she and aral can have other children eventually.. but not at miles's expense, of course. ] How did Aral take it?

[dendarii]

Not as easily. But he came round soon enough. Loves Mark just as much now, I'd say.

[adhaerent]

[ of course. he shifts, elbow on the table and chin in his palm. ]

Well, that was inevitable, really. He's still his son, and there's no doubting the fact that Aral Vorkosigan loves his family.

[dendarii]

[ Ah. Miles ducks his head a bit. ]

Yes ... yes. He absolutely does.

[adhaerent]

[ his expression softens at the gesture. ] .. He wouldn't thank me to tell you, but during the Hegen Hub mess.. well.. just-- you and the emperor try not to worry him when you can avoid it, hm? [ a beat. ] I'm glad the two of you have had the chance to spend more time together here.

[dendarii]

[ Miles' head jolts up at that. Jole would know, wouldn't he? Miles shouldn't ask, but ... his expression is terribly hungry. ]

He was worried?

[ Of course he was, dumbass. ]

[adhaerent]

[ his expression goes flat for a moment, but then he rolls his eyes slightly. ]

Good heavens, Miles, for all that you're brilliant, you're occasionally also an idiot. Pardon my saying. Aral was a wreck. I--

[ he sits back up again, glancing down at his hands. ]

He was barely holding together, he wouldn't eat. Holding him was like-- [ he bites off anything else he was going to say, glancing back up once more. when he speaks again, his voice is firm. ] Your father loves you, and loves Gregor. You are his sons, and you are not simply an obligation to him.