throws thumbtack confetti everywhere

[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 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.

Comments

[enabeled]

[ Abel Gideon is not the man he once was anymore -- not these days. Even after conditional release from the hospital he's been staying at, he can't get very far very fast in a wheelchair compared to what he's used to.

But in a chair, people can't be avoided in the same way they could when he still had two legs. He glances upward at the man beside him with what at first is idle acknowledgement, not yet to any level of interest aside from the noted probability this man was new here in the way many of them were -- he must be, if he was surprised about the year -- but then the ID card catches his eye.

He's not certain it really says what it looks like it says from this angle, or that his mind isn't playing tricks as it's been more recently prone to do, but his body feels colder regardless; some sweat stands out on his forehead. Still, he manages in a tone that's mostly calm: ]

Is that a political commentary or a genuine observation?

[camebefore]

[When the voice speaks next to him, Hannibal turns to face Abel before replying. There is no hurry to him, no being caught off guard showing. It is a habit he will have later in life of needing to see and study before giving an answer no matter how small the matter.]

[Nothing approaching recognition or surprise coming to his maroon eyes. Abel is a stranger to him in a city full of them. Only briefly does his bland mask break when his eyes flick to a nearby flying car and then back.]

A genuine observation. It was that year before -

[An aborted gesture of waving a hand to everything around him accompanies his words. Calm, quiet. That must be maintained. Instead he looks Abel down and up. The wheelchair seems barely noted with how quick his eyes move up to Abel's face.]

It's a little disorienting. [He offers politely in way of an apology for his standing dumbly in the middle of the sidewalk. The urge to ask if this is real is clamped down tightly.] And unexpected. I didn't mean to be in your way.

[enabeled]

[ It's interesting but not surprising to be met with a face -- an expression -- about as inscrutable as his own; it matches what Gideon knows of Hannibal Lecter, whether or not this man is him or isn't. Even if the nametag reads what Gideon thought he read, it could be a different Hannibal Lecter altogether.

And either way, he supposed it barely matters at the moment. It doesn't appear that this man knows him... thus he wouldn't know the chief reason -- the apparent insult -- that Gideon had committed so long ago and so unwittingly. ]

Interesting. My condolences for the inconvenience... can only imagine what a difference half a century would make. [ His lips tighten in what could pass for a smile, or at least something polite. ] Not in my way, I'm not in any hurry.

[camebefore]

[The accent that curls around Hannibal's words is rougher than the Hannibal that Gideon knows, tempered from years of being in America. There's a Parisian uplift on some of his vowels makes an odd mix of with the Lithuanian. A child jetting by on a scooter snags his attention from Gideon briefly. Hannibal's facial expression doesn't change but his eyes flash with a cornered predator's instinct to lash out that is put down in almost the same instant.]

[In the second it takes to look back to Abel, all of that is calmed as fast as he can. There was a reason why at even thirteen Inspector Popil believed Hannibal Lecter was a monster with monstrous self-control. His eyes move over Abel's almost as if he could pry the answers he wants with a look alone. Most likely not as intimidating in an eighteen year old versus the elder Hannibal.]

You have little to apologize for unless you were responsible for bringing me here. [The rest Hannibal leaves unanswered. Weakness and all.] You'll have to forgive me for my rudeness. I am Hannibal Lecter.

[enabeled]

[ The voice, yes, is unfamiliar, but the name -- Hannibal Lecter -- is one Gideon would be very hard-pressed to forget. His missing leg is an ever-present reminder.

Not that he'll say so to this Hannibal. He would rather stay on whatever good side could exist as much as is possible, frankly. ]

Can't claim that honor, no... lucky for both of us. Seems like nothing more than chance that brings us in -- a fate to which we all are pawns. [ His eyes drift upward calmly, and after a moment of debate he offers his hand. ] Abel Gideon. It's a pleasure, Mr. Lecter.

[camebefore]

Doctor Lecter.

[It isn't a title he's had long, but he's found he likes it. A short lookover is given Gideon's hand before his hand extends to return the favor. To not do so would be rude. True, this Abel Gideon could be a trick of this place, but it seems unlikely. They know a good deal about him. Why bother with a spy just now? One watches a rat in a maze before beginning testing.]

I wouldn't call it an 'honor', and I don't believe in fate. Who gives someone abilities for no reason? I don't recall being able to make perfect coffee or tea just by tapping the maker. [There's a sour humor on Hannibal's face as he shakes his head ruefully.] Should the kitchen ever find itself without electricity, I'm sure I'll be most useful.

sorry for the delay!

[enabeled]

[ The correction merits the slightest of flinches, hopefully one that's undetectable... but Gideon knows better than to assume (Dr.) Hannibal Lecter hasn't noticed something. He doesn't comment snidely or draw attention by means of hesitating. ]

I stand corrected -- Doctor Lecter. [ The line of his lips sharpens slightly into something that might be taken as a smirk, and he shakes his head. ] And about that, I can't say... it does boggle the mind, doesn't it? The very idea of supernatural abilities. But it does come easier than you might think... and more useful, if you're lucky.

[ Things he is not hoping for. ]