etcelsior | throws thumbtack confetti everywhere

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 anyone's thread, either!

And remember to have fun!

01. Your memory is hazy and you might feel increasingly frustrated or anxious, or maybe you're excited as soldiers march past, barely glimpsing you. One second you're somewhere underground, the next you're enveloped in blue light, and suddenly you find yourself directly under Flordia sun's bright and burning glare. A female soldier steps toward you with a wide smile on her face and directs you to a car, ready to debrief you. You realize you are not the only one, surrounded by equally confused or eager faces... and you're all sporting a digital tattoo on your wrist.

02. Welcome to Cape Canaveral, where the smell of the ocean is in the air and locals are more than pleased to see new imPorts roaming their streets. They wave, they cheer, they ask for pictures as politely as they can. The more inhuman you look, or if you're wearing a costume, the more likely locals are to approach. Hey, enjoy the moment! The popular malt shop is offering you a free drink if you need it.

03. The technology in this world is certainly something. The cars are clearly modeled after popular 50s cars, but they hover several feet above the ground as they drive down the street. There are digital jukeboxes in restaurants, motorcycles also hover through traffic, advertisements can be seen on a digital projector on the taller buildings. Even kids on skateboards appear to drift a safe ten feet off the ground while playing!

04. Wherever you are, you can hear the loud revving of an engine, distance at first before you finally see it: a hovercar bursting around the corner, going beyond the maximum speed limit and just barely making its sharp turn. It doesn't appear to be slowing down any time soon, not with two police cars trailing it... and uh oh. Those skateboarding kids don't have much time to get out of the way as the car comes speeding down the road. You've been brought here for a reason Hero — so you better act fast.

Flat | Top-Level Comments Only

Oh. Thank you.

[Armin ducks his head a little, embarrassed he hadn't thought of that - even though there's no reason he would have - he hopes it isn't too obvious. There's so much to learn about this place - is that cup made of paper? They just hand out paper to put food in? Amazing. Bewildering. Once the waitress pours his remaining malt into the cut, Armin turns it around in his hands, marveling at it, its strange lid, its little straw.]

It takes time to adjust to this place yet it puts us at a distinct disadvantage.

[Erwin is understanding this time but they all have to be prepared for anything even without the presence of the Titans. The sooner they learn to navigate this new place, the better, there is little room for error in Erwin's view.]

[Armin has been thinking the same thing. Why us?]

Yes. We are fortunate that the public seems to think well of our... arrival here. [ At least they're not dealing with a city full of people who think of them as leeches, though it's distinctly strange to Armin. They're outsiders, complete strangers to their way of life who are taking up resources, who might not even agree to be 'heroes' as they've been recruited to be. Armin takes his milkshake, thanking the waitress then sliding off the stool carefully.

His stomach makes a pretty unfortunate noise, but Armin's face remains neutral.]

I've heard there is quite a bit of information that is freely accessible.

[If Erwin heard the noise, he ignores it because, well, they all have to adjust and it takes a little time.]

For the moment at least. [Erwin agreed, but his mouth was set in a hard line. He has his own issues with being called a hero here and he was aware that the public's opinion could, and most likely be, influenced by many variables outside their control. So like back home, they could cheer or boo, it would be the same to him so long as no one interfered.]

Yes, you will find many more books containing information on history, geography, and a great deal more subjects. There seems to be little fear of consequences of possessing such books or even of voicing protest.

[But there was that 'seems to be', Erwin didn't trust that freedom.]

[The thought of having such free access to books excites Armin enough that that it shows on his face a little - he's careful not to smile (let alone grin) but it shows somehow in the way he holds himself. There's a little spring in his step. He can't help it. Books!]

I see. I'll have a lot of catching up to do, then.

[Armin neither confirms nor agrees the hinted sentiment that their freedom may not be long-lived, he too wonders at the use of a loaded term like heroes, but seeming to be resistant to their recruiters is not the way he wants to test their boundaries, or the civilians around them. He fiddles with the cup in his hands, not going for the door until Erwin has headed in that direction. He wouldn't want to seem as if he were taking the lead with him in any way, and besides, Erwin knows the area better.]

[Erwin noticed the look on Armin's face as he headed toward the door, holding it open for him to catch. He just hopes Armin doesn't start feeling sick on the walk to the residence, that would be awkward to say the least.

It's beginning to get much more hot now as it's nearly midday, something which can be noticed soon after stepping out of the air conditioned shop. It's something even Erwin hasn't gotten used to.]

Yes, you will have to learn to live here, despite the difference from back home.

[The heat and humidity hits him like an ugly wall. Armin feels his tongue stick to the roof of his mouth, forces it free. The taste of this city will take some serious adjustment, just like the crowds, the technology, the personality of it. Not to mention how the different air will affect his gear. He keeps pace with Erwin, carrying his cup with the barest touch of fingertips so as not to transfer his body heat to it. As it doesn't seem Erwin is going to order him directly, at least in this setting, Armin clears his throat, finding it sticky and phlegmy from the milkshake, which continues to fight his stomach.] Any recommendations where to start, sir?

To start we will figure out what new powers you have been given here. Your equipment will of course need to be upgraded as well, the technology is nearly useless here.

[Note to self, call the three year old weapons engineer for that, he'll put through a message to her later.]

Tell me, what is the last thing you recall.

I was in the Stohess District with the Survey Corps. Specifically, with Eren Yeager. [Armin swallows, looking straight ahead. Annie had tried to climb the wall, but Mikasa was there. Annie fell.

There was a face in the wall. A titan

He hasn't really had time to process any what happened in the last few hours - the worry that this time, Eren wouldn't wake up, the worry for Annie's fate, whatever it might be, traitor or not; the FEAR for the face in the wall and what the Corps would have to try and do to explain what happened in Stohess

It's all so far away here. Here and now, people drift about languidly, unconcerned.]

throws thumbtack confetti everywhere

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