PRESENT TIME, IT'S A TDM

[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? But, whatever the last year has brought, the holidays and the New Year has come and with it a renewed (if possibly temporary) sense of generosity towards the displaced imPorts. Part of this includes a special second ball drop in Heropa on New Year’s Eve, including festivities such as local bands performing, an ice sculpting competition, free food and hourly fireworks display over the water. Some people mutter it’s all being done to keep the imPorts away from real Americans at the Times Square ball drop, but surely that’s just a nasty rumor.

But when a small gang led by one of the new superpowered natives tries to steal this ‘imPort’ ball at 11:30pm, one has to wonder if keeping the powered community away from native crowds wasn’t a good idea. The (uncreatively) self-named ‘Ice Boy’ has ice powers and five non-powered followers trying to steal the New Year’s ball as their powered leader provides a distraction. They are going out of their way to not hurt any natives, but clearly have something to say about the government using up public funds for imPort events.

Enjoy the festivities, then stand and watch the newest native supervillain steal the ball or slip into your spandex and try and stop him. Or, if you’re the type, go and help him out. Whatever you pick, it’s going to be a New Years to remember.

02. De Chima, Virginia, is a large city with a healthy economy, and though it's quieter than Heropa, there are still large numbers of citizens to be 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 remains high here, 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, favorite foods, and more!

Given the rock star status of imPorts, it’s no surprise you’re especially big commodities around the holidays. Action figures, wrapping paper, it seems everywhere you turn there are products with imPort’s faces appearing on it. Not to mention the made for TV movie of ‘ImPorts and Santa Save Christmas.’ No one really knows why the Russians are riding pterodactyls to ruin Christmas, but does it really matter? Watch the show in a store window long enough and you just may see a (similar but legally distinct) version of someone you know riding Rudolph to help save the day.

Ah, the wonders of capitalism.

03. Maurtia Falls, Pennsylvania has had its ups and downs since imPorts started reappearing. Several imPort heroes have put focused efforts into cleaning up the streets of this somewhat infamous city, while others have swooped in to help the criminal industry thrive. More so here than the streets of any other imPort city, the battle between good and evil looks more like a war of escalation than a heroic tale. That might make the less than warm welcome imPorts are given in the city a little more understandable. The emergence of locals with superpowers is hardly helping. While some of these individuals have turned to crime, many locals seem more inclined to defend their native powered drug dealer than help the non-native hero bring them to justice. Who are you to tell them how to live?

So while that Salvation Army Santa on the corner might seem to be more serving as a look out for the shady bar behind him than collecting donations, is it really worth trying to sneak in and see what’s happening inside?

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. More so than any other city, Nonah has embraced every holiday available to celebrate this time of year. To be American is to be part of a melting pot, and that there’s more money to be made by the thriving local industries hardly hurts. Today is a large winter market place. Streets have been closed off and local merchants big and small have set up booths throughout the city to sell their holiday (and normal, who doesn’t need a new pair of wingtips for the New Year?) wares. While outdoors, there are enough heaters scattered around that you’d hardly notice it. Any imPort willing to say they bought their menorah, kinara, Saturnalia wine, or whatever else at a specific booth is in for a big discount from the managers!

Go wander and get your shopping in, folks. Any imPort willing to be interviewed about how they celebrate in December back on their home world is instantly surrounded by a small gaggle of people. Any jokesters out there should be careful to not make up too many fake holidays. The people here might just take it to heart this time next year.

Comments

Lucifer Morningstar | Vertigo

[sunlighter]

1.

[While the commotion in Heropa happens around him, a foreign man sits alone enjoying a drink.

"A free glass of champagne? On the house to celebrate the New Year!" The waiter smiles.

"Yes, certainly. To a new year," he replies sardonically, looking up. He is beautiful, his eyes burn like the sun, and the young man would look at him longer but something compels him to avert his gaze. The only thing that mars his perfect face is a scar that runs diagonally across his face. He's dressed in a suit-- black and white, neither color asserting itself more than the other, as he has taken it upon himself to discard his single representation to each color in this new place. His hair blonde, almost golden, wind swept, and coiffed in a way that almost appears to give him horns...

He takes a sip of his drink and seems to revel quietly in his own company. Would you dare presume to disturb him?]

[foreshadower]

[ Who indeed? ]

Not so enthused about another trip around the sun?

[ Asks a nosy gentleman, complete in top hat, frock coat, and cane. The wine he has is more top-shelf, and certainly not the stuff from the "on the house" selection -- his palate too refined for that sort of thing.

Or rather, he's far too spoiled to sink to that level. ]

If you ask me, any excuse for a party is acceptable.

Eric Cartman | South Park

[alacartman]

[ 1. Heropa. ]

[ The city called Heropa -- Night.

There's a villain on the loose. Superheroes and villains run rampant. The dark, warmer nights are a far cry from December in Colorado. No snow and ice means it's more difficult for the overweight child to slide down from the roof, but somehow he manages, the ringed tail on his costume bouncing behind him, before he stops in the alley before the boys -- the ringleader... ]

Hey! Who the fuck do you think you are?

[ Asked the Coon, the real hero in this city. ]

This territory belongs to -- The Coon.

[ Somehow, it seemed to make sense, didn't it, the fat kid with his claws brandished, a hiss, and he stepped forward, bit by bit, the teenagers not...really sure what to make of this child, but the closer they got, the more willing "ice boy" looked to cause some damage. ]

[ 2. Nonah. ]

Normally? We go on a Christmas Adventure!

[ Having people hang on his every word? That's exactly the kind of thing that a boy named Eric Cartman would want.

Beyond a mountain of gifts. ]

And whenever we come back, my -- [ He scrunched his face up, eyes going wide, a glimmer of tears built up. ] -- My mommy always made sure I'd -- I'd have lots of t -- toys on Christmas morning. [ Right before she all-too-often fucked him on the big gift. ]

I don't know if Christmas is going to b--be the same. [ He added, wiping at his eyes, before he looked up at the passers by, who seemed to start taking pity on the boy, a pat, and an encouragement to stay right there, and they'd be back.

Jackpot. ]

1

[japaneseprincess]

Hey! Shut the fuck up fat ass! I was here first!

[Princess Kenny, legendary beauty that none could ignore and all were mesmerized by, stepped out from the shadows, bow drawn and aimed not for the heart of the evildoer, but for The Coon himself.]

You ruined my entrance!

Tulip O'Hare | Preacher

[friesbeforeguys]

Heropa
[Alright, so maybe suddenly being a superpowered badass is kinda cool and maybe plays into every power fantasy she harbored as a child, but Tulip is nothing if not the most contrary human being alive. The second they start talking about "registration" and "government" and shit, she's outtie. No amount of free money or free living space or anything is worth being on some government watch list, like she's been caught googling "pipe bomb how-to no PVC" one too many times. Not speaking from experience. Of course.

The party is nice and all, but she'd rather just get the hell out of here. The porter is still...concerning, so the next option is a no brainer: hotwire a car! Simple, she's done it tons of times, and one handed at least twice. Floating cars, however, are a totally different fucking story. The Ice Boy debacle was supposed to be the perfect cover, but she's rapidly running out of distraction time because she can't find a goddamn car with any goddamn wheels.]

Friggin' perfect!

[She huffs, kicking at the bumper of one of the goddamn Jetsons-y cars with one booted foot, and looks slightly mollified when it wobbles and comes away with a solid dent. That's what it gets for not letting itself be easily stolen.]

Nonah
[There's something particularly screwy about going right from the west Texas summer heat to cold-ass mountain air. She's just glad she was able to find a fur coat some lady'd left outside her bathroom stall, because this leather jacket ain't worth shit against the cold.

She heard secondhand somewhere that Nonah's got some kind of open air "holiday market" going on, and Tulip figures it's the perfect place to try out one of those new powers they say she's got. Chameleon, huh? Well, she'll see about that. A cotton candy stand is her practice target, because she figures if she gets caught stealing candy, she'll only look like kind of an asshole and not, you know, get tazed. Feeling stupid, she closes her eyes and wills herself to be unseen. Kind of like she did when she was a kid and got in trouble at school. She grabs onto that feeling and holds it tight, then reaches out and slowly takes a cone before speed walking away. No sees. No one spares a glance.

Oh shit, this is amazing!

After that, she wanders the market, idly stuffing wads of fluff into her mouth and casing out her next target.]

C'mon, mama needs a new pair of diamond earrings.

[Or shoes. Or silk panties. Whatever she sees first.]

Maurtia Falls
[Pennsylvania might not be a damn thing like Annville, but it's her kinda town. It's colder here than anywhere else, so instead of wandering she makes a beeline for the first bar she sees, that doesn't serve food and families in a sports themed atmosphere. The ratty-ass Santa out front gives her a sidelong look prbably meant to keep her the hell out, but she's never known when to stop, has she?

Tulip settles in at the bar, lighting up a cigarette and patently ignoring the You can't smoke in here, lady from the bartender. A crisp $100 and an order of the finest bottom shelf bourbon they got (and hell, for the whole place, too) shuts him up, but it doesn't do much to stop the looks from any nearby patrons. She's not fazed. Instead, she spins on her ass to face the nearest person and gives them a bright, painfully insincere grin.]

I got somethin' on my face, or what?

maurtia falls!!

[crack]

Just your nose.

( tyrell smiles right back, just as insincere, but it doesn't look it. it's borne out of habit - sincere smiles are hard to come by when you need to be smiling all the time, but he's good at making them look just believable enough. the look on his face is something approaching friendly - friendly-adjacent - if not entirely welcoming. he nudges at the base of his glass of wine, hooks his fingers around the stem and has a thoughtful sip. )

Not that I'd presume to tell someone else what to do with their money, but there are nicer places than this to spend it, I'm sure.

Percival Graves | Harry Potter: Fantastic Beasts

[gravedangers]

1

Graves loitered near the edge of the crowd as midnight came closer, hands resting easily in pants pockets while he kept up his observation of the surrounding people. The lack of a wand was still disturbing on an innate level, but there was no reason to call undue attention. Not when magic worked just as well with or without it thanks to what had been placed in his blood.

His only visible reaction as the attempted robbery of the ball beings is a soft scoff of a laugh.

"Of all the pointless crimes."

3

He would call it a stake-out. Others might call it skulking. Either way, Graves was thankful of the (magically helped) still hot cup of coffee he could wrap his hands around as he waited. People moving in to the bar, people moving out. The mundane non-mags weren't of interest. He was waiting for some powered individual to make a move, either to do business or disrupt it, before engaging.

Until then, he sits on a park bench in the chill, slowly consuming his coffee.

3. - Here's an idea, lets try to stick to prose

[anuncommonwizard]

While the Salvation Bucket might be a ruse for more nefarious activities, it still caught the odd coin now and again as people hurried past. Brilliant, glittering coins, that flashed in the dull winter sun, before dropping into the red, plastic bucket with a tell tale jingle.

Depending upon how quick Graves' eye was, he may or may not notice the scurrying approach of a small furry creature. Little paws clicking almost silently on the concrete ground, nose a quiver, the Niffler had broken cover from behind some trash cans and was just now disappearing beneath a car as it made it's stealthy approach.

When it's small black body was next seen, it was using it's claws to effortlessly scale the armature of the bucket, leaping atop the plastic and setting it to sway.

Newt, suitcase in hand, was coming around the corner at the exact moment the Niffler had landed on the bucket.

"Not again."

He intoned as he raced towards the bucket, making an gangly leap for it. At this point, employing some manner of magic known only to the creature itself (well Newt had notes) the Niffler slipped through the seams of the bucket before a person could blink. So in the end, it was simply Newt crashing into the stand and taking it down with a resounding crash.

Needless to say this all sent the 'Santa' about out of his skin as he whipped around, reaching up under his arm for his piece.

"Whatcha think you're doing there, buddy?!"

Newt was sitting on the ground, bucket in his lap as he tried to pry off the lid. Looking up he found himself staring down the barrel of a snub nose, while a few more heavies came pouring out of a back alley.

One could almost see the moment where Newt realized his small, miscalculation.

"I can explain."

tyrell wellick / mr robot

[crack]

2 / de chima
i. yikes!!!!

( if someone asked tyrell to explain exactly what just happened, he'd have a hard time, even though he'd seen it all happen. he's standing perfectly still, hands curled into loose fists, mouth open, lungs pulling in breaths visible in the unsteady rise and fall of his shoulders, and the collection of TV screens displayed in the window he's standing in front of have all smashed. he stares with a kind of dull, molasses-slow understanding, eyes shifting from one to the other. a wire fizzes and pops, spitting out a jet of sparks, and he flinches. all of them, at exactly the same time. a fuse must have blown somewhere.

he's still standing there when the smell of melting plastic hits him. gingerly, he edges away from the direction of the door; inside the shop the employees are scrambling around, following cables to fuse boxes, unplugging things, an efficient organisation of panic. tyrell's hand lands on the back of his neck, first scratching the shorter hairs there and then just pressing his fingers down with enough pressure that his hand shakes a little.

that - couldn't have been him. it couldn't have. )

ii. not so yikes

( it's surprisingly easy to adapt to somewhere as startlingly different as this; it's human nature to seek out familiarity, even the most distant forms of it. tyrell finds a coffee shop and sits in it, one leg crossed over the other, foot making small circles in the air as he rotates his ankle slowly. he's moving tidily through a pot of coffee, sorting through his laptop which is as of yet disconnected from the internet as he transfers extraneous files to a flash drive - pictures of him and his family, e corp business, phase two drafts, and anything else of importance that he'd rather nobody saw. the flash drive lands safely in the breast pocket of his jacket, and once everything's copied he deletes the original files. his laptop is mostly empty, now, almost a factory reset. cautiously, elbow on table and chin in hand, he connects to the internet. if he can figure out a way to set up a proxy, existing here might be easier than he anticipated. )

i

[bindsthedead]

[Sabriel's no stranger to how fragile technology can be- once she stops being restrained with her magic, electronics mostly become very expensive bricks in her proximity, at best. But this isn't her doing, and she looks around, trying to determine if this is deliberate, or the result of another imPort losing control.

So she turns to the only man in the store who doesn't seem to be an employee, and also seems rather shaken by the whole thing, keeping her voice even and reassuring.]

Are you feeling alright?

tyrion lannister / game of thrones

[compensates]

a - merchandise in de chima.

[ Tyrion unrolls the wrapping paper slowly. He hasn't actually purchased it, yet, just removed the plastic and taken one end in one small hand and the tube in the other, nearly as long as he is, and drawn them apart to see the pattern. Because it's Daenerys Targaryen, First of Her etc, or at least cut outs of her face with various expressions; stern, smiling, in the middle of yelling something that had no doubt been very queenly. There are little dragons, too. And snowflakes. And bells. In some of them she has an absurd triangular red hat drawn atop her head. ]

Ah...ha.

[ He sounds bemused. Looks bemused, behind the beard. It's funny, yes, but mostly bemusing. What is the point of it? If art, why not render her wholly? If decoration... he's not sure anyone who has actually met Daenerys would want something with her face all over it.

Well. Perhaps Jorah Mormont. ]


b - at the nonah markets.

For the last time, absolutely not!

[ Is Tyrion's exasperated response to the ambitious talent manager who has been trying to recruit him into assisting in promoting their store — while dressed up in an absolutely ludicrous costume. Tyrion is, he gushes, just the perfect height to be Santa's jolliest and most trusted helper elf. To say Tyrion is unimpressed at this assertion is an understatement. ]

Will you just — let a man browse in peace?

[ He looks over the imPort that the salesman has already talked into playing a role. ]

Do you really need money this badly? At what price dignity, my friend?


c - wild card.
[ libraries, strip clubs, misfires, mistletoe, drinking himself under the table at a gala, general canonmate whatevers. come at me! ]

B!

[baetiful]

When has dignity ever factored into price? Surely you must have learned something as Master of Coin, Imp.

[ If given the choice between parading around as an elf or having a conversation with Littlefinger, perhaps Tyrion Lannister might have chosen the latter. Or maybe it would have warmed Baelish's heart to know he was preferred company. But whatever the case, he had just come to Nonah on business -- dressed as though he had come straight out of Westeros (mockingbird pin and all.) He can't say he's pleased to see his Westerosi counterparts, but he can't go on pretending they don't exist.

Better to strike first so that he's not caught unaware later. ]

Although, without all of that Lannister gold at your disposal, you might wish to take this man up on his offer. You'll have to make money somehow.

Newt Scamander | HP: Fantastic Beasts and Where to Find Them

[anuncommonwizard]

1.

[ Newt had little interest in the festivities. He was aware that the United States made quite a big to do out of the turn of the new year, and to be fair Great Britain was known to throw a raucous party itself. However, the large crowds and cacophony of noise had never been much of a draw for him.

Even the shiny ball hadn't caught his interest, except in making a concentrated effort to ensure the latch stayed sealed on his case.

When the chaos started to unfold, Newt stood off to the side looking absolutely perplexed. Though he'd skimmed read the brochure upon exiting the port key/Porter thing, he honestly hadn't believed that people ran around this world flashing their powers, willy nilly.

He looked rather like a curious child at Christmas, catching his first glimpse of a large pile of presents under the tree, as he held his case in both hands and just watched. At first, it was quite exciting but as the self proclaimed 'Ice Boy' began to pontificate, rather than continue with the action, Newt leaned towards the nearest bystander and asked. ]

Is this normal behavior around here?

2. Welcome to the modern world, Newt.

[ It was called a 'travel cup' and appeared to be made out of some sort of heavy paper material.

Not the sort of crockery one ran into a lot back in 1926, yet quite fascinating and the scientific side of Newt was enchanted as he sat in a small park and studied his newly acquired treat. He looked at it from all sides, poked at the bottom seam and twisted the top; it really was a curious design and functioned well.

Even gave a little warmth to his otherwise chilled fingers. Lifting the cup, he had to remember to turn it around in order to get to the small hole and take his first sip.

As the contents hit his tongue and he swallowed reflexively, his expression went from one of inquisitive delight, to one of absolute horror. Looking down at the cup, as if it had just personally betrayed him, he stated bluntly. ]

That's absolutely horrid.

2.

[lapwing]

[One of the birds pretending to peck at the breadcrumbs in the square quirks a look up at Newt, ruffles and resettles his wings on his back, and brazenly as you please, answers with no little cheek.]

Tell me about it. This place would be so much nicer without all the humans.

Bartimaeus | The Bartimaeus Trilogy

[lapwing]

1. Heropa

[The djinn really wasn't entirely sure how he was actually brought into this world. No incense, no summoning circle, just coming to on a rather uncomfortable bed, getting an Official Government Pamphlet¹ and shoved off into the bright, new world.

Bartimaeus couldn't have been happier. No commands, no job, just free reign. He'd spent the first hours warily slinking about, looking for any other signs of magic or magicians. Coming up utterly dry, the djinn had given a woop of delight, took the form of a bird and merrily freewheeled in the sky. It had been millennia since he'd been able to just ENJOY the air currents, the sights of the cities, the...

... well, there's always one.

Those gathering around Ice Boy and his crew of troublemakers making their grand and symbolic gesture, will note an Egyptian bird coming to settle gracefully, powerfully, in Ice Boy's fluffy, dyed white hair. ²


And the bird latches in, wings beating, as the native imPort waves wildly to unseat the ungainly avian passenger.]

Ohhhhh nearly got me there! Try again!


2 De Chima

[Here, a small Egyptian boy, bare chested despite the cold, stands in the middle of that admiring throng.]

So, while Dedi is simpering the way magicians do, here I am doing all the hard work. I start squawking all theatrically, wings flapping all over, just like we practiced. And as usual, THWACK, off with my head.

[At that, the young boy changes into a goose, which promptly holds a wing to its feathered breast, staggers dramatically, and it's head pops right off.

A disembodied voice continues, as the crowd gasps, and murmurs.]

Knowing that Khufu would be chopping him next if we didn't get it right, old Dedi comes up and whispers his spell.³

[Shuddering, the goose body gets up and waddles in one direction. The goose head, oddly enough, energetically bounces in the other. It proceeds in this merry jig for a full half a minute before they seem to find each other, and make a whole goose again.]

TADA!

2.

[rathercommon]

[ Kitty had been startled by the sound of that voice rattling its ceaseless bravado. It didn't seem possible - even though she knew full bloody well that it was perfectly possible, because it had happened before and could happen again - and she hardly dared believe...But she'd slipped into the crowd far enough to spot the figure of Ptolemy grinning and chattering, and had pressed her hand to her chest in joy and in relief. Bartimaeus. No mistaking him.

If she'd gone up to him then, she might well have done something silly like throwing her arms about him or crying out her relief. Fortunately, his patter gives her some time to collect herself, so that by the time he's finally done she has something a bit more dignified to offer. Well. Dignified for her. She can well imagine what Bartimaeus' reaction will be.

From in the crowd, she calls out - ]

I heard that it was Hanni the Bold who did that.

[ A djinn of some power greater than Bartimaeus'. Ah, yes. Nothing like giving a newly-arrived friend a bit of shit. Just to help them adjust. ]

Sabriel | Old Kingdom Chronicles

[bindsthedead]

(Nonah)

[Sabriel's doing her best to take her missing months in stride and find out what she missed, but her research has gotten derailed into a shopping trip.

So she's staring over the booths, looking for presents and hoping that the people she's buying them for are still here. Currently, she's found a stall selling knitted items, including sweaters- she's torn between one with a blue and white snowflake design and less subdued one with eye-searing colors and a reindeer design.]

What do you think? Which one's better?

(De Chima)

[Sabriel had thought she'd gotten used to the attention, but getting Ported out for a few months has apparently made her a bit of a novelty again- and one request to see 'real magic' led into another, until she's ended up putting on an improvised magic show for a small crowd, conjuring Charter lights and small gouts of flame, filling offered bottles and cups with water pulled out of the air, and making the contents of her pockets magically appear in her hands.]

(Heropa)

What- we didn't ask for this, stop being stupid! [Sabriel's apparently decided to argue with the criminals. She's dealing with the ice by conjuring and carefully directing conjured flames to melt the ice. She's even more restrained than usual, both because her opponenent isn't targeting civilians, and because she really doesn't want to ruin the holiday.]

[Unfortunately, fire constantly melting ice has created a great deal of steam, wreathing the entire area in fog.]

If you're not an imPort, then for Charter's sake, how do you have powers?

(Network)

[Remember this face? Sabriel's making this post from a library in Nonah. She's surrounded by stacks of newspapers and magazines, apparently trying to catch up on everything she missed in her absence.]

Well apparently I've been gone for longer than I thought-

[And Sabriel tries to smile, but she's a little too distracted.]

So, what did I miss? And how are there locals with powers- has someone figured out how to do it, or is it the Porter acting oddly?

[Sabriel hesitates before she speaks again- she has another question, but she's worried about the answer to this one.]

So I need to know- Kaneda, Kagerou, Magicman, Major-General Armstrong- anyone else who knows me- are any of you still here?

network

[exceptfebruary]

You're back. [ He sounds Less Than Pleased. ]

What date, exactly, were you ported out?

Jon Snow | ASOIAF/GOT

[song_of_ice]

Maurita Falls, Pennsylvania

[At times it felt as though Jon were back in the Watch. While he had abandoned his brothers (for legitimate reasons in his mind), it hadn't seemed to rid him of the need to monitor and protect the realm. He simply was taken from one kingdom into another (kingdom, country, was there a difference?) Only now, the numbers weren't nearly as small and it seemed the fantastical was rather accepted here.

Much like before, he couldn't walk away from situations that clearly needed someone's help. The poor, the helpless, it wasn't in his nature to ignore them and pass along without notice. Perhaps most frustrating was his curiosity about what some of the more underhanded citizens were doing.

Which was why he was perched on a bench nearby, monitoring the Salvation Army Santa who was serving as lookout. As carefully as possible, Jon watched and waited, taking mental note of who passed the Santa and went into the shady bar. If there was something happening, he'd sniff it out.

And do what? He wasn't sure, but at least he'd have an idea of what was going on.]

Nonah, North Carolina

[It was less commerce and more curiosity that brought Jon to the market. He had never fully experienced a winter before (and given his house's words, he really should have), but never imagined anything quite so...festive. Winter was a time to fear, knowing that the Long Night was close behind. Coming from that to this world, he felt even more out of place than he normally did.

It was a rush of thoughts that pushed him from one stall to another. He'd carefully lift an item (a menorah, Saturnalia wine, anything) to examine before placing it back. The merchants seemed to understand he wasn't looking to buy and almost became aggressive in their attempts to persuade.]

No, really. I don't want anything. [Glancing next to him, he held out a jug of the wine.] Maybe you should take this? They will stop asking me then.

De Chima, Virginia

[Adulation and attention was far from his experience. After years of having to endure "Lord Snow", "the bastard of Winterfell" and other such names, to suddenly be admired and revered left Jon reeling. Becoming Lord Commander had seemed a paltry matter compared to the crown that had been thrust upon him.

Yet being king was nothing like this.

He flinched every time someone wrapped an arm around him, steering him into position for another picture. The questions came in a rush, things that no one should ask unless they were close friends.

What he slept in (why?), his love life (non existent), what he wore beneath his breeches (really?!), and whether or not he'd give a "personalized voicemail" for a friend.

It was only when he managed to pull away from the masses that he could see the other disturbing reality of this place. Across the street was a display of television sets, all broadcasting some sort of winter story with several people that he recognized. Not long in, he saw himself and Ghost, both battling a ten foot snowman with the help of a reindeer with a red nose.

He almost preferred being king to this madness.

Ducking in a nearby alley, Jon waited for a group of fans to pass him without notice before attempting to escape to safety and quiet. It was only when he tried to grab a stopped cab that he nearly collided with another person.]

Sorry. [He quickly checked over his shoulder. Still no sign of those crazed followers.] Would you mind if I took this one?

Wildcard

[Feel free to think of your own prompt!]

De Chima

[bindsthedead]

Sorry, I- need to go somewhere. It's urgent. [Rather, Jon wasn't the only one trying to escape his fans. Sabriel straightens up, adjusting her hauberk, and makes a quick guess about the man's real reason for needing the cab.]

But you can come with me, if you like. The locals can be rather persistent.

Edgar Klipse | OC

[eclipseit]

02. De Chima

[ While Klipse's world is mostly on par with the present, magic and technology developed alongside one another, often in combination. This means that most technology there is magictech and the concept of technology without Magic as its lifeblood is fascinating to him. Mr. Klipse asked for and was given a local magazine on technology from a local native, who did it solely because they were super excited to have an imPort talk to them. And he's obviously an import - his black suit has a strange silver eclipse symbol on his lapel, and his hair has this ridiculous light grey floof for bangs that is clearly not natural.

But he hasn't been able to read in peace. Every time he manages to escape from a curious pack of locals with cameras he runs into another group. By now he's quite annoyed and trying to keep his temper under control. ]

Why the fuck is it necessary to know my choice of underwear?

[ Key word here is trying. ]

03. Maurtia Falls

[ Mr. Klipse likes the cut of this city's jib. Oh sure, the suspicion he gets simply for being an imPort is annoying as all hell, and but he can relate to disliking superpowered do-gooders at the very least. He's already thinking about setting up his business here –- though he hasn't quite decided what that will be beyond most likely criminal in nature.

So when he does sneak into that shady bar it's less about stopping the people inside and more about scoping the scene. But he makes a mistake, and is before long before someone might walk around the corner and find a strange man faced with a Santa blocking his path. ]

For the record, pulling a knife on someone isn't very jolly.

[bindsthedead]

[Sabriel isn't wild about Maurtia Fall's criminal element- she's learned to tolerate it, simply because RISE's HQ is in the city so she visits it often- but when she sees an unfamiliar imPort being menaced, she cant help but speak up.]

Enough. [She's unarmed at the moment, but her fingers are already drawing out marks, the spell lying at her fingertips as she steps between the man and the Santa.]

Back off.

Dettlaff van der Eretein | Witcher 3

[carpejugular]

2.a

Though a fair question, given the instinct of curiosity in human nature, I have no intention of answering you, if answers are what you seek.

[Indeed. He had not expected to be confronted, let alone called on to answer questions of any nature.

The first question? His favorite beverage. His face looks normal when they ask it; and he responds with a wine from home. The topic is something he opens up to, but the strain of small talk makes his jaw clench, and affects him with a demeanour hot and volatile in its agitation. Entertaining humans is beginning to feel like a kind of toil. It's habitual to his survival that he doesn't fuel their interest - or inform them that he can drink blood.

It's the second question that gets the most emotive expression of the night. Lovers. Surprised, his face becomes tight-lipped and rigid, and then constricts to thinly-veiled annoyance.

He automatically turns to the nearest individual, assuming they're a member of this pack of undesirables.

There's a noticable growl in his undertone.]

Do you often treat your guests poorly?


2.b

[Or he asks another member of the crowd.]

Tell me. Who's territory is this? Which tribe?

2a!

[brushoff]

[ Dorian had been sitting and watching, smirk on his face as this man's indignation grew and grew. It's always amusing to watch these poor souls who can't handle the limelight. They'll have to learn soon enough.

As he turns to him, Dorian simply laughs, shaking his head as he speaks. ]

I'm as much a guest as you are, friend. [ That's a lie. He's been here for two years now, but the point still stands. ] What's the matter? Not a fan of kissing and telling?

ace | beasts of burden

[ifnotloyal]

[ 01. heropa ]

Hey! That doesn't belong to you! Put it back!

[ While Ice Boy versus a siberian husky would make a fantastic headline for tomorrow's papers, it's while the ice-spreading villain is distracted by other imPorts that a dog manages to slip by and confront the five non-powered tagalongs trying to make off with the New Year's ball. Hackles raised, lips drawn back over teeth as he makes his demand.

That's right. One talking dog versus five dudes.

Looks like Ace isn't planning on backing down, either, when the group gets over the surprise quickly enough and pull out whatever they've brought along in case of having to fight as well. Bats, pipes, the usual stereotype for small time henchmen to have on them for this exact reason. ]

[04. nonah ]

[ Ace would have been happier if everyone would have left the heaters scattered around off, but that's humans for you. He won't complain, he'll just enjoy aimless wandering through the market, poking his nose into anything he can get away with. Sometimes he'll be assumed as a loose dog and will get chased off from one booth or another, others don't seem to mind a well-behaved dog hanging out around them, especially when it brings people over to ask if they can "pet their dog".

At which point, Ace will chime in for himself, saying, ]

Oh, sure. I don't mind.

[ Which is... unexpected. So, eventually, there's a whole lot of natives (mostly kids) over at the space that's been set up to sell Christmas trees (Ace liked the smell, ok) and they're peppering him with all sorts of questions. Do dogs even celebrate the holidays? Does Santa leave presents for him, too? Is he a magical dog? Is he a magical Christmas dog? Can he fly like Rudolph?

To a lot of that, it's... well. He's not sure how to answer a lot of that! ]

I don't think Santa's ever left me anything? My humans get me stuff for the holidays, though? [ Does that count? ] Uh, no, no, I'm not magical. Some of my friends are, but--

[ Oh, great dog above, that was the wrong thing to say. Now all the kids want to know about his friends! ]

nonah!

[mewsic]

[ Hummy had been walking around, enjoying herself, when she caught a snippet of Ace's conversation.

He doesn't think Santa's left him anything. He keeps talking, but that little part sticks with her. What does he mean Santa's never left him anything. This shall not stand!

So sorry Ace, there's a tiny pink cat just kind of running up to you and getting right in your face. ]

You can't be serious! Santa's got to have left you something!

Bayonetta | Bayonetta Series

[wickedweaver]

01. ||

[ Goodness. It's almost like a few tons of confetti is worth something to a few petty crooks.
Baby's first political statement. How adorable.

Rather than a) do her civic duty and stop the robbery in progress or b) just take the Massive Party Ball™ for herself, Bayonetta is content to observe the peanut gallery from the sidelines. It's no business of hers what the local lowlife population does with their spare time, and it's certainly not worth the effort to ruin the designer dress she spent positively hours shopping for.

Now if they were angels... that would be another matter. Halos do make the world go round, and she is so very fond of expensive caviar.


On the other hand, all this rampaging around business is getting dangerously close to the open bar, and she hasn't had a chance to sample all the vintages quite yet.

Decisions, decisions. ]

[gravedangers]

[ She isn't the only one sticking to the sidelines. While Graves has mostly stuck to his one glass of scotch sipped slowly over the evening, there were advantages to lingering near the bar. Mainly talkative natives and imPorts both, though many of them had taken off in fear/civic duty when the theft began.

He leaned his back against the bar, watching the 'ice boy' while keeping the woman in the corner of his eye. ]

Ah, youth.

Yakumo Yukari | Touhou

[supraliminally]

> I. HEROPA

[ At the New Year's celebration in Heropa, free champagne is easy enough to come by, for imPorts. But if you have a glass with booze still in it, you might find something strange is happening all around the party. As soon as you look away, even for a second, your glass is gone. If you're lucky, or maybe very observant, you might actually see what happens: a weird warp in space, the air ripping like a torn curtain, revealing a black void. Then a delicate gloved hand pokes out of it, grabs the nearest alcoholic beverage, and yanks it into the spooky unfathomable darkness.

So that's happened. On a related note, there is a woman sitting at a table near the ice-sculpting competition, which she is watching with great interest. She's dressed a bit strangely, her dress a little too frilly to be quite in fashion. Somewhat more relevantly, she is absolutely surrounded by empty champagne glasses. The table is entirely covered, as are the two chairs next to her and a nearby ledge. There are a few scattered glasses now carefully placed on the floor around her. She's sipping out of another glass right now, smiling brightly for some reason. Intoxication, maybe? ]

itt: good ideas

[pummelgranite]

The fuck.


[ SHE STICK HER HAND INTO THE SPOOKY DARKNESS TO GET DRINK BACK ]

The Countess | AHS: Hotel

[callhousekeeping]

01. Heropa

[If there's one thing a ruckus is good for, it's covering up a murder. And that's important, because Countess is hungry again, brought back from the afterlife with an empty stomach and veins in need of the blood of others.

It's easy enough to find a willing patsy. It's easy enough to slice his neck in an alley, using his own coat to shield herself from bloodspray. It's dead simple to leave his lifeless body on the ground, throat slit from side to side, and reemerge into the crowd just in time to watch the commotion crescendo as the ball gets frozen into one of ice.

She swipes a red drop away from her lip before lighting a cigarette.]

I suppose he finds Auld Lang Syne to be a bit old-fashioned.


03a. The Castile Hotel, Maurtia Falls

[Her return comes with no fanfare. Countess merely sweeps back into the lobby like she never left, except now she wears floor length mink and cat's eye sunglasses, one gloved finger hooked in the ribbon around a gift-wrapped box that she lets dangle at her side.

It's almost like the hotel recognizes that its mother has reappeared, the echo of her voice ringing around coldly and familiarly as she taps the bell on the desk.]

I'll need my key back.


03b. Maurtia Falls

[She's overdressed. Not that Countess is ever not overdressed, but she looks particularly out of place passing by into a hole-in-the-wall bar, dropping a folded bill into the red bucket as she glides along. "For the children," she murmurs as Santa eyes her, and then she slips another bill into his pocket.

Surely she's not pulling a (fairly large) baggie of snow from his pocket at the same time.]

See you later, Mr. Claus.

Heropa

[friesbeforeguys]

[Tulip don't really mean to witness the Countess feeding, she just picks the really wrong wall to lean up against to light another smoke. She watches the whole thing go down without comment, a little disappointed in herself that she doesn't do something and try to save the guy. But Tulip also realizes that it'd probably do no one any good but Ice Queen here. Heroics dont mean shit if no one benefits in the end.]

Wouldn't it be easer to make a smaller cut and save all that spray? [Tulip shrugs, taking a long drag on her cigarette like she didn't just witness someone getting killed.] I'm just sayin', you'd get more bang for your buck and leftovers for later.

[As someone who until very recently has been responsible for the feeding habits of a messy fuckin' vampire, the entire scene is something she's become passing familiar with. With animals, anyway, and with the vampire himself, when she accidentally on purpose almost killed his ass.]

I read on the internet that it's cleaner to drink out of the carotid artery? [She outlines the length of her own with a pinky, to illustrate.] I mean, if you still want 'em to die, why not just tap the jugular and get like, a thermos or somethin'?

Hal Emmerich | Metal Gear Solid

[oedicon]

02 - De Chima

[ Big cities meant a higher concentration of economic resources, including those for the sciences and information technology. It's at least what Hal assumes, so he starts here in order to get a grasp on what sort of tech the world has to offer. If he's lucky he can unearth at least one lab that might have need of an extra brain or pair of hands.

He doesn't immediately stand out as an imPort, which spares him the indignity and unwanted attention of being flocked by locals. With his lab coat and messy hair, he could just be another law-abiding citizen, maybe someone from a research center on lunch break. Odd, he thinks, that people here seem to actually be fans of the trans-dimensional visitors?

In short order he gets distracted by a television in a store window, transfixed by the film playing. He has to lip-read and guess most of the plot, but he looks amused all the same. And the pterodactyl sub-plot is almost as weird as the stuff he's dealt with for real. ]

04 - Nonah

[ One might not immediately notice the man sitting by himself in a cozy Mr.Rogers sweater and teacher-glasses combo. He's by his lonesome, parked on a public bench cleared of frost, sipping on a warm eggnog (his secret weakness this time of year). With his free hand he has his phone out, and he's enthusiastically typing something or another with it, surprisingly apt at using the device one-handed. He's taking in the sights, making notes on everything he can observe.

Hal needs the distraction. He tries to ignore Christmas, along with anything else that reminds him of domestic, family affairs. Other than drinking more eggnog than perhaps he should, he spends this time of year the same way he spends the rest of his time - facing an electronic screen, overthinking and analyzing data. It also doesn't help that he dislikes snow. Personal experience. It's a really long story. ]

2!

[helpline]

[ The Doctor catches a glimpse of the movie in the window as well. So sorry Hal, you've got company for a bit. At least, until the Doctor realizes what the movie is. Wrinkling his nose a bit, he starts to complain. ]

They did me all wrong in that, by the way. I look awful! I like this face, why cast someone who's A, not Scottish, and B, can't be cross in the slightest?

Robbie Reyes/Ghost Rider | Agents of SHIELD (MCU)

[quemar]

After a lifetime living in Southern California, Robbie doesn't have the urge to venture too far away from Florida's warm weather—at least not in the dead of winter. He's also disinclined to join in big, public holiday celebrations generally, but something has him out and about for the local ball drop regardless, whether the restless demon living under his skin or just plain boredom. Maybe loneliness. Trying awfully hard not to think about his absent brother, and the fact that he probably hates him now.

He can be found milling about outside in the thick of it for awhile, not quite enjoying the festivities. He does a lot of quiet scowling at nothing because he's Too Cool to have fun, but also he's never been one to turn away free food as long as it doesn't feel too much like charity. He knows how to make an amount of money like the government's stipend stretch, yes, but he also really needs to start saving up for a car asap. (There's nothing more pathetic than a Ghost Rider having to take the bus to his little murder sprees, and the porter was cruel enough to leave his car behind. His baby.)

Once the clock strikes 11:30 and the Ice Boy (Ice Boy? Really?) commotion starts, he thinks better of it and slips off into one of the nearby bars to avoid all the trouble. Let the actual heroes deal with that mess, he tells himself. If getting caught up in SHIELD's whirlwind taught him anything, it's that he's definitely not one of them. By any stretch.

So he settles in, accepts the free pint of beer offered to him for being an accidental tourist, and if there's any other Imports lurking nearby he'll raise both eyebrows at them, asking gruffly: "This happen a lot around here?" He nods towards the windows overlooking the street where Heropa's newest supervillain is making his too-loud, too-cold distraction. Glancing over the pamphlet is one thing, but seeing it in action is like being in the middle of all the weird Avengers shit that goes on on the news at home. (Says the man who sometimes walks around as a skeleton on fire. ... Minor details.)

[morethan084]

This whole thing was bullshit. Daisy knew it would end in some sort of stupid fight, as it always seemed to. When did events ever end on a good note? Okay, maybe sometimes, but for the most part something happened. Seeing a particular imPort she knew that could handle the situation, Daisy didn't bother to get involved.

She just happened to be in the same bar that Robbie was in, but had no idea he was in there until she walked past just as he was asking if this sort of thing happened a lot. Turning at the sound of the familiar voice, Daisy's brows furrowed in confusion.

"Robbie?

Tara | The Wicked + The Divine

[apotheoppose]

1. Heropa - enjoying the festivities

To say that Tara's been avoiding other imPorts would be an understatement. The phrase "her peers" has always seemed to include everyone but her. But it's a lonely business, rebuilding a normal life for herself in a strange new world, and it isn't as if she's got anywhere better to be on New Year's Eve.

That being said, she won't be attending the party as Tara. At least, as a Tara that anyone from her world would recognize. With a flick of her new powers (and oh, how she wishes she'd had these illusion powers back home), the blue mark on her face is concealed. Instead of her usual red-and-white retro-pop-sci-fi aesthetic, she opts for a gorgeous but more mundane coral gown -- perfectly styled, with stunning make-up and not a hair out of place.

There are some things she can't hide, like being 6' 6" in heels and having the kind of physique that people who don't come from superhero worlds refer to as a superhero's physique. Leaving off the clothes they'll expect and hiding the mark on her face will have to do.

It's been ages since Tara's attended a party as someone other than Tara-the-goddess, Tara-the-pop-star. Here's hoping it's better than the last one she remembers.

2. De Chima - holiday shopping

Tara would rather avoid De Chima's eager fan crowd if possible, but sometimes there's no helping it. Still, she's not about to go into the crowds totally unarmed. This is a situation for Tara-the-goddess. Excitingly swept up hair, a full-face mask, and red and white clothes in an over-the-top retro-sci-pop style that...probably doesn't look that strange to De Chima natives, come to think of it. It's still her, but it's also a shield between her and the public.

She draws attention, of course, but then, when does she not.

The buzz of excited fans and the trail of disappointed interviewers (questions about romance or underwear get an immediate cold shoulder) make her easy to find, if someone's looking. So does the way she stops occasionally to take in the sheer surreality of the zealous merchandising. She's used to T-shirts and face paint and pins and posters and mugs...but made-for-TV movies featuring I Can't Believe It's Not The Pantheon are something else entirely.

4. Nonah - browsing the market

It's cold, cold, cold, but the promise of the winter market is irresistible. An open market means stalls full of antiques and artisans and thrift stores. All from a completely different world, with a different history, which means: strange new fashion and wonderful new art.

Bundled up and with the blue mark on her face hidden by her powers (seriously, illusions, they're wonderful), Tara is ready to see what inspiration the musty old tchotchkes of Nonah have for her.

She doesn't buy much, but flits from stall to stall, browsing often and dodging eager interviewers. Eventually, she'll settle down in a coffee shop with some hot chocolate, scribbling ideas down in a little sketchbook.

4.

[slightlyoffchilt]

"I was never very good at this," said Frederick Chilton, equally bundled and idly addressing the lovely woman next to him. His eyes were on the colorful, artisanal knits displayed before him. "Gift shopping, I mean. It is exhausting, all the calculation and anticipation. But apparently not all people enjoy Williams-Sonoma? I mean, really."

Not all people was Chilton code for peasants.

"Regardless, I would rather not disappoint them."

amaterasu | the wicked + the divine

[sunbathed]

— ＨＥＲＯＰＡ

[ From one New Years' party right into another. It's a transition easy enough for the sun goddess to make but perhaps there is a little less drinking involved this time. Just a little less because there is something hard about avoiding the whole of the festive spirit blooming around her.

Night falls but it is not enough to slow Amaterasu down. In fact there is something exciting about the appearance of Ice Boy and his gaggle of armed friend. Perhaps it is because they were always held back so much back home but that simply isn't a issue here in this curious world. If anything they were so much more open to their use and the miracles that were born from it.

And so, she appears, a flash of sunlight in human form to briefly chase away the dark. Stepping by starlight was still such a strange sensation but it did not feel so terribly odd as it did back home with Woden's machine. In fact, it felt almost familiar and just as simple as stepping by sunlight. ]

Shall we stop them? [ She asks the person nearest her, colorful and bright with a smile on her face that could remind someone of a sunny day. ]

— ＤＥ ＣＨＩＭＡ

[ The craze over imPorts is a familiar (almost welcomed) sort of craze as are the eager questions that they beg to have answered. She has always been the sort that happily sat with the fans, the journalists and disbelievers to speak candidly and sweetly. It is no different here. She smiles, poses for pictures and answers questions with a laugh that could part the clouds to bring out the sun.

Of course there are some questions that are avoided, ones that she shakes her head over and holds a finger to her mouth. ]

It's no fun if I tell you everything now is it? Even Goddesses must have their secrets.

[ Mostly she seems most in her element in the flash of a camera. At one point she even reaches out to a passing face, jewelry glittering just as brightly as her in the sunlight. ]

Hey, let's take a picture together. [ The fan let's out a sound, somewhere between a sob and a scream, in agreement. ]

— ＮＯＮＡＨ

[ The liveliness of the city is hard to ignore not that Ammy would ever consider such a thing. Exploring the winter market leaves her with a smile on her face as she peeks at every little trinket that each booth has to offer. It is hard not to want to buy up everything but she manages to control herself, picking out little things that reminds her of the Pantheon. A hair clip in the shape of an owl, jewelry with pomegranates craved into the surface and a pendant shaped like a star with purple gemstones.

For herself it is a scarf in every color of the rainbow which does wonders to further bring out the colors already splashed across her face. She spins, white gown billowing out around her with a laugh before she stops and addresses whomever might also be standing at the booth with her. ]

What do you think? It's just perfect for the chilly weather.

— ＷＩＬＤＣＡＲＤ

[ For anything else not mentioned! Feel free to find Ammy around any of the cities. ]

Heropa HEY GURL HEY

[pummelgranite]

[ Amaterasu is here. Amaterasu wants to go play hero wrangling a local. Only one of these things is even slightly a surprise. But true to her style, Persephone barely lets the shock or confusion of her sudden appearance keep her tongue tied for long. She takes a long, unimpressed look at the Ice Guy. ]


Nuh uh. Not interested.

Bianca di Angelo | Percy Jackson & the Olympians

[bonesandarrows]

[Heropa]
[This is not what Bianca had expected from reincarnation. Shouldn't she be reborn right about now? She definitely didn't expect to be thrown into the middle of a party, she hadn't realised New Years was so close, and now she feels terribly out of place. Everyone is dressed up and ready for an evening of excitement, they all seem to be having so much fun, and she feels quite under-dressed in her hunter garb. Are there any other kids here? They probably weren't expecting anyone so young to be out so late. The man handing out free drinks had grabbed hers back as quickly as he had shoved it into her hands, and shuffled off to replace it with an orange juice. Certainly not prepared for preteens.

Bianca sits in the corner, sipping the juice slowly and watching everyone go by. She wants to join in with something. She wants to make friends, and have fun and sculpt ice and watch fireworks, but after the shock of the past few hours, she thinks perhaps she'll take a moment to gather her thoughts and get the lay of the land a bit before rushing into a party. You might catch her watching you, whatever activities you're up to, and working up the courage to come over and say hi.

Or, you might catch her later, when the villain shows up to steal the ball, and Bianca leaps to her feet, knocking the juice to the ground with a crash and running after them.]

H-Hey, stop! Get back here, somebody stop those thieves!

[De Chima]

Um, er, no thank you, excuse me--

[This place is far less fun. After making her way through a crowd of fans trying to get photos with her, Bianca finds herself cornered by a group of junior reporters, more cameras shoved in her face as they try to get her to answer questions. How did she even get in this situation? She just arrived! What is there to find so interesting? And some of these questions are truly inappropriate things to ask a 12 year old dead girl. She's starting to get annoyed, don't lose your temper Bianca don't break a camera.]

Please put your cameras down, I - n-no comment! I'm not giving interviews! Please let me through.

[Someone please help]

[Nona]
[Even if she doesn't have much money, if any, Bianca can still window shop, right? She has her hood up trying to avoid any cameras after the last fiasco and is flitting from stall to stall. Clothes are passed by quickly, even if a hat or two do catch her eye, and weapons certainly deserve a lingering glance - look at that bow! It's silver and so lightweight and looks just the right size for her to use, that set of hunting knives are calling her name - but the toys are what bring her to a stop.

Bianca sees the stall, surrounded by small children and their parents scrambling around for the newest and best gifts, and smiles to herself. She's never been a big fan of dolls, but picks up an action figure of one of the latest popular heroes and presses the button on it's hand to hear it's catch phrase. Cute. There's more nerdy crap to the left, and some local card trading game sends a pang through her chest.]

I wonder if they have Mythomagic.

/gently collects

[pummelgranite]

[ Look at the buzzards swarm. Persephone would always have a soft spot for a kid overwhelmed by them. She could remember the bewildering unpleasantness of it: the surreality of finding it in print or on broadcast, making money out of the images they've stolen, the words they tricked out of you. That's why, with little warning, there is a hand at the small of Bianca's back, and a strange woman standing behind her. ]


You heard her.


[ There's a hum of power at the contact, a cool and creeping sort of darkness that resonates between them. Around them, the shadows grow long and dark. The trees seem to loom over the crowd, their bare limbs like hands of bone. ]

Move along.

Kimber Benton | Jem and the Holograms (comic)

[melolagniastic]

Heropa
[If there is one thing Kimber loves more than anything else--okay besides music, her sisters and Stormer--it's holidays. All of them. She can't help but revel in the celebrations and food and drinks and the feel good atmosphere of a good holiday. Holidays with presents are even better. But this Christmas was a bit of a downer since she was in a new place with no one she knows and oh yeah, somehow got powers and is expected to *use* them to protect the world or something. Talk about pressure, geez.

And now here she was, standing outside near midnight, waiting for the ball to drop on a New Year. Maybe it would mean things would be looking up--

--you know if looking up didn't mean watching some goons steal the imPort ball right in front of everyone while a crazy guy with ice powers starts turning the ground into an ice rink. People are slipping and sliding and it may not be super dangerous, but Kimber is already in a bit of a sour mood.]

Hey why don't you take a bath in nice hot volcano! We're trying to enjoy ourselves here! [Because shouting at the villain with super powers definitely makes sense when you can barely use your own, right?]

De Chima
[Interviews? Kimber loves interviews. She's rocking a long rainbow braid today that looks just this side of a glitter bomb--because if she can, why not?--so when the first person comes up to her with a question and requesting a picture with her, like she would turn that down. Especially not when they had somehow managed to get a doll that looked an awful lot like her--how did they even get one out that fast and where can she get one?!

But of course it needs to be perfect, not just some sideways selfie, but a full on fan photo. So she turns to the nearest person and jumps in front of them, to keep them from walking away before she has a chance to speak.]

Hey, would you mind doing me a huge huge huge huge favor? [Look at this smile, how can you turn it down?]

Nonah
[Bring on the shopping! Kimber has gone from booth to booth, not even ignoring the ones that have items she normally would care about or want to buy, just because she can. Not that she has a tone of money on her right now, but it's the ability to look that counts. Window shopping without the windows. What's more fascinating to her is seeing all the different holiday booths.

Until she stops at the one that is just...a bunch of fake rubber geese? It's so confusing she has to stop and ask about them, only to get the cheery response, "Well it's not like we use real geese anymore!"

Something tells her she does not want to continue this line of questioning but she isn't sure her curiosity will be held back either unless she finds something else to distract her with.]

Wildcard
[Make anything up you want!]

{OOC: Kimbers power set is a siren voice that can cause hallucinations when she sings (which won't come out without permission), morphing hair that can change to any color, length, and style she wants, and the ability to project holographic dancing sharks.}

nonah!

[helpline]

[ The Doctor's doing shopping as well, though he's actually got a bag on him: it's a reusable canvas bag, stuffed to the brim with electronics that are in various stages of 'not working.' Still, he's been window-shopping as well, partly to see what's what, partly to be horrifically judgey.

Once they reach the fake rubber geese booth, the Doctor looks at the geese, then looks over at Kimber with a wicked grin. ]

These might be the proper sort of geese. One way to find out!

[ The Doctor squeaks one. It makes a noise. Then, grinning like a madman, he just pushes down as many of the fake rubber geese as he possibly can. It makes a way more terrifying noise and he is UTTERLY DELIGHTED. ]

Tony / Pandemonium | Original

[abductor]

1.

[Hello, everyone! Enter one Tony or, as she would have it, Pandemonium. Her supervillainous costume needs some work -- she's wearing combat boots (absolutely storebought, absolutely not special in any way, shape or form), clingy acid-washed jeans that she's attempting to cover with a spandex top, black with blazing red dutifully sewn in a long, diaganol, jagged stripe and a... well, it's sort of trying to be a utility belt, but it's really a refashioned fanny pack. She wades her way through the crowd before looking up and seeing the goddamn Ice Boy and immediately yelps,] What the fuck?! I've been here for fifteen minutes and someone else has already claimed this turf? Screw that, that ball's mine.

[She unzips one pocket on her belt and takes out a black mask, then frowns down at it, considering the timing and how long it'll take to apply.] Ugh, fuck it.

[It's not long before she goes sprinting through the crowd, shoving people away in her path without a care in the world. Will you stop her or help her out? Or, more likely, yell at her for having the nerve to shove you over? It's up to you.]

2.

[Or perhaps you see Tony as she's accosted by a reporter, face twisted in nothing less than sheer scorn as a reporter asks her about what superheroic things she'd like to do here.]

Okay, no, why the hell would I want to be a superhero? Give me literally one good reason. And don't say for the sake of doing good, that's bullshit and you know it. [When the reporter looks at her, dumbfounded, she starts flapping one hand in a facsimile of chatter.] You went from chatty to silent real quick, didn't you? That's what I thought. Now buzz off, ask someone else what panties they're wearing.

3.

[Or, maybe you want something different. Tony's busy barging through the place like her ass is on fire, tapping - or grabbing - people's shoulder and frantically asking,] Hey! C'mon, I just need a second. I'm looking for a kid. She's little, like, nine or something. She's about yea high, big blonde hair, short? She wouldn't have anyone with her.

[She crosses her arms, tapping one foot on the ground, annoyance covering up worry.] Seeing some lost kid shouldn't be that hard.

1

[monster_san]

[Fuu has transformed into Zephyr, already contemplating what to do about young Ice Boy when someone cannons into her. It's a good thing she doesn't have her glasses in costume.

The girl's outfit is rather eyecatching to say the least, and she's either another imPort or just a vigilante. Either way she's going to interfere, so Fuu hurries after her.]

Excuse me, miss!

alistair theirin | dragon age

[byblow]

HEROPA

When he heard about a ball drop, Alistair expected—well, he isn't sure what he expected. But he grew up in stables, and when Master Dennet talked about balls dropping, there was usually a young animal involved. Maybe people here celebrate the new year by staring at kittens until some showed signs of manhood. Tomcathood. Whatever. Wouldn't be the weirdest thing this week.

He could have asked, or read up on it, but that would have ruined the mystery.

Anyway, he knows he wasn't expecting an enormous sparkling ball. That's disappointingly literal, to be honest. Flying sled-chariots, and the best they can do is a literal ball literally dropping. But then there's shouting and crashes somewhere nearby, and the enormous sparkling ball is dragged onto the rooftop well before midnight and, for all appearances, carried away.

After a moment of contemplation, he leans sideways toward the nearest bystander. "I've never done this before," he says. "I thought there would be kittens, or—you know." They might not know, but he's generous. He'll spare them. He gestures with a rolling hand and wiggling fingers at the vanished ball. "Which parts are normal, exactly?"


DE CHIMA

For such a tall, talkative man, Alistair isn't half bad at blending in. Years of practice sneaking past guards—his guards, but would they follow orders to leave him alone? no, of course not—and, more dangerously, Anora, and finding people to drink with who didn't know him from Hafter. Years and years. Never let it be said he was wholly without talent as a king.

Now, here, he's figured out the clothing. He keeps his hands in his pockets like he's cold. He doesn't turn his head when someone talks about imPorts. That's the half that's not bad.

The half that is bad: he's stuck in front of a television, squinting at the dinosaurs and glow-nosed reindeer like someone who has fairly obviously never seen anything like them. He has been there for nearly half an hour. He's possibly gotten invested, in addition to getting confused.

During a climactic Santa vs. Russia battle, he turns his head as if to look for help, one fist curled near his mouth. If he manages to catch someone's eye, he pulls a finger out of that fist to point at the television, opens his mouth to ask something, and then puts that finger to his lips while he reconsiders.

Don't move. This is obviously terribly important.


WILDCARD

Whenever, wherever, we're meant to be together.

[bindsthedead]

"Well, not the theft, that's not supposed to happen. And I'm fairly sure kittens aren't involved either." The person Alastair is speaking to seems almost ready to sprint off after them, only stopping because several other imPorts are already on the job. Even standing still, Sabriel gives the impression of being ready to spring into action.

"-But ridiculous interruptions to local festivities have become a bit of a running trend." One that had apparently not ceased during her absence.

[razorgirl]

[ 01. Heropa ]
[i. earlier in the day]

[ For someone that chose to remain unsettled, money always seemed to be an issue. Sure they gave Glory free housing and amenities, but that only carried so much clout. Regular employment didn't suit her, having spent so much time living off the grid, which left completing certain odd jobs for those willing to pay the price.

Enter Ice Boy. Sure he claimed that stealing the New Year's ball would be a blow against the government, but that was not Glory's concern. What worried her was the amateur nature of the job. The crew consisted of a young bunch of hell raisers trying to make a point, and it seemed abundantly clear to her that they had no idea how to do a run properly. The plan consisted of Ice Boy creating a distraction, the crew nabbing the ball, and getting away before anyone realized they spoiled the celebration. That was it.

So Glory took it upon herself to do her own recon. The fact that her body was more metal than flesh made her stick out like a sore thumb, but honestly with all the imports in the town she didn't feel as exposed as she normally did. She lingered in the main plaza where the ball was going to drop later in the evening. To any normal person she looked like she was loitering as she took in the sight of the preparations for the event. Those for an eye of things would notice the way her eyes lingered on entrances and exits. Alleyways and roped off areas. If the job went south, she wanted to be able to get away without a trace. ]

[ii. new year's celebration]

[ Despite her misgivings, everything went off without a hitch. Ice Boy knew how to make a distraction, although whether or not that was because he was a complete joke remained up for debate. He worked the crowd into a terrified frenzy as he haphazardly slung ice left and right, giving Glory and the crew the distraction they needed to pilfer the giant, crystalline ball and quickly sneak away into a nearby alley.

She let out a sigh of relief when she saw the getaway van stashed right where Ice Boy said it would be. Opening the back door, she grunted as she hoisted the massive ball into the vehicle. The others quickly began strapping it in. She turned, looking over her shoulder to ensure nobody decided to follow them.

Easy money, right? ]

[ 02. De Chima ]

[ Given that the city served as a bastion for the latest technology, Glory's cyberware turned her into a beacon for the locals. More so than other cities, every way she turned someone was asking for a photo, an autograph, or something else from her. The fact that her metal augments were something of relics in her own time made things even more awkward. She did her best to shy away from the prying eyes and the scumbags who not so stealthily snapped photos from across the street. A failing effort.

Every time she slipped out of a throng of people asking pointless questions she stumbled into a new one, causing her to roll her eyes. She clutched to her backpack almost possessively as she brushed aside some kid begging to let her touch her arms. As soon as she finished up with her current job here she planned on getting out and not coming back. ]

[ 03. Maurtia Falls ]

[ While some shied away from the seedier elements of the city, Glory thrived in that sort of environment. Back in her home world she was a shadow runner: someone who did the illicit work for the highest bidder. So long as the pay was right, she had no issue taking care of someone's dirty work. Already she aquired a reputation among the underbelly of Maurtia Falls as a reliable, dependable woman who got jobs done with minimal fuss for an affordable price.

For the moment she sat at the bar, idly sipping away at her beer. Whether she celebrated a job well done or simply waited for her next client remained anyone's guess, but for now she enjoyed the static of noise that the bar provided. ]

2!

[helpline]

[ Ah. The Doctor knows that look. That's the sort of "why are people taking pictures of me, please stop" sort of look. He hasn't dealt with that look himself, but he's seen it on other, less gregarious people.

Fortunately, he is older and Scottish and can get loud and grumpy. Those are all things that can be used to his advantage in the quest to get these people to leave this poor imPort alone—she's obviously new, hasn't really gotten used to this (and the crowd hasn't really gotten used to her.) So, the Doctor just sort of forcibly worms himself right near Glory, getting in the way of all the other people as he...well, starts to yell. ]

Oi, how'd you like it if I bothered all of you and poked all of your arms? [ And then, as if to prove his point, the Doctor pokes some random person who was getting a little too nosy with his questions in the shoulder. ] Shove off!