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

[dendarii]

[ Look. Sometimes Miles only remembers to look where he's leaping once he's halfway down the cliff. ]

No, this is Heropa. The Residence is in De Chima and I have an apartment in Nonah, which is the city I'm representing.

[adhaerent]

Mm. [ he's writing again, frowning thoughtfully. ] And when did the election conclude? [ he assumes it was by election, anyway, given the system of government this country is based on. ]

[dendarii]

Er, a week ago? Maybe two at most.

[ He leans his head over to glance at Jole's notes. ]

[adhaerent]

[ good luck reading his shorthand.. at least they're neat and bulleted and detailed. ]

.. You're going to keep me busy, I see. I'll start looking into things tonight, I suppose.

[dendarii]

[ Damn. This guy actually is a secretary, isn't he? Not that Miles doubted that, exactly, but ... ]

"Things"? What sort of things?

[adhaerent]

What your schedule is going to be like, for one thing. [ he glances back up, seeming a little amused by the surprise. ] Miles, you don't even know if you have to be sworn into office, or what the oath is going to look like if so. [ he spins the pen between his fingers as he speaks, thoughtful. ] --Even if I don't end up working for you, you can't wait to find all of this out until you have found a secretary.

[dendarii]

[ A flush creeps back into his cheeks. ]

Well - well, that's a relatively minor point. The other things are more important.

[adhaerent]

[ he points the pen at him, brows arching again. ] That's not remotely minor. [ a beat. ] You also run a business here, and.. I have no idea if that's something that could cause problems. [ he nudges the end of the pen against his temple thoughtfully, then adds that to his growing list. ]

--Anyway, I have a good place to start. I'll sit down with you properly once I have some answers.

[dendarii]

[ A soft sigh at that, not enjoying the reminder that he has to quit the Dendarii. ]

A shame you didn't get some sort of recordkeeping power.

[adhaerent]

[ he blinks, then laughs. ]

I'll manage. This can't be as bad as your father's schedule.

[dendarii]

It's certainly not that. For all that I expect to be busy, the position does appear to be largely ceremonial.

[adhaerent]

That's good. Perhaps you're not in too deep this time just yet.

[dendarii]

"Yet" being the key word there ...

[ A slight huff. ]

Well, I've done worse.

[adhaerent]

What is a good exec for, really, if not to help you keep your schedule manageable. You'll be fine.

[ he sets the pen aside, then folds the paper neatly, folding his hands atop it. ]

Now that I know Aral is here, I'll talk to him today.

[dendarii]

Of course. Don't let me stand in the way of your schedule.

[ He's grumpy now at having been thoroughly steamrolled. (Is this why Aral likes the man? He suspects that might be exactly it.) So he decides it's time to try fucking with Jole again to make himself feel better.

A split second later, Miles disappears. Replaced by a bright-eyed little kestrel perched on the table. ]

[adhaerent]

[ if miles learns nothing else about jole, he'll learn that the man is ruthlessly efficient.

the change is so sudden that he jerks slightly, having not expected it, but once it's finished.. he blinks once, then smiles faintly. ]

You're a very pretty bird, Miles. Don't sulk.

[dendarii]

[ Dammit. The jerk was nice, but he was expecting more of a reaction. Annoyed (and sulky), he flutters to Jole's shoulder.

The damn man is ruthlessly efficient. He's starting to see that very clearly. Attempting to steamroll him is going to be a challenge... ]

Who's Miles? I'm just Gregor's magical talking pet.

[adhaerent]

I've a notion he'd have something to say about that.

[ he reaches up, gently tapping the little beak. ]

Are you fretting? You shouldn't, you know. You'll be very good at this once you've sorted out all the details.

[dendarii]

[ 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.

[adhaerent]

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?

[dendarii]

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. ]

[adhaerent]

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

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

[dendarii]

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

[adhaerent]

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

[dendarii]

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

[ A beat. ]