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

[dendarii]

Quite new. You, on the other hand, seem experienced.

[lapwing]

[The spirit stretches out, arms turning to wings as he does. The rest of the body follows.]

When you're as good as I am, it's not long until some up and coming nasty decides they need someone professional to get their unsavory all over their empire.

[dendarii]

[ Hmm. Now where has he heard this before? And the constant changing, that reminds him of someone else ... ]

I see. That seems quite unpleasant. Being enslaved to a magician's whims, I mean.

[lapwing]

Hey. Hey, wait a minute now.

No one said anything about being a slave to anyone or anything.^{1 I, specifically and especially, have no master at all.}

[dendarii]

But you are a spirit of sorts. And it is common, isn't it?

[ He folds his arms over his chest. ]

Have you met anyone named Nathaniel or Kitty Jones?

[lapwing]

Nope.

[Yes.]

Try another one.

[dendarii]

Hmm? No? How about Bartimaeus, then?

[lapwing]

[The bird is ... not as stealthy in it's freeze and casual refolding of its wings as Bartimaeus probably thinks he is.]

Rings a bit of a bell, what have you heard?

[dendarii]

[ Ha. Got it. His grin widens - but he's all bubbling curiosity and teasing, no real malice. Miles has only heard good things. ]

Well, Kitty Jones is my girlfriend. She's spoken quite well of them. Some business with an amulet?

[lapwing]

Wait, hold up. You?

[dendarii]

[ Hey. MIles twitches a bit at that particular tone. ]

Yes, me. Is that so surprising?

[lapwing]

Well, you don't look that much like "Rah rah revolution for the people" to me.

[The bird hops and cocks its head to get a better look at the crooked little dwarf.]

Well, no accounting for taste.

[dendarii]

[ He hmphs a bit at that. ]

Being a Lord and all? Well, she's also dating Gregor, who happens to be an Emperor. Somehow she tolerates us anyway.

[lapwing]

Oh, come off it. Who was going to guess Lord at first shot?¹ I meant in a "married to her naive cause" sort of way.

Though, the Lord and Emperor thing is a great joke. You'd take anyone else with that.

[dendarii]

[ Now he's starting to get annoyed. He's gone so long with people politely believing him that someone flat out not believing him is strange and irritating. His tone takes on a bit of an edge. ]

What makes you think I'm joking, Bartimaeus?

[lapwing]

[The bird takes a moment to clean a feather on the inside of its wing.]

What makes me think you're serious, kid? I'm sure I could just waltz on in and call myself the Prime Minster of London if I had no particular taste or self esteem. Not like you'd know.

And as far as humans go, you look a little underbaked, there.

[dendarii]

[ Miles tries not to twitch visibly. He turns it into a manic sort of grin instead, smiling just a bit too widely to be friendly. ]

You've dealt with nobility all your life, haven't you? Don't we have an irritating sort of bearing to us that's universal? Or are you simply too stupid to notice?

[lapwing]

[It's not that the bird ruffles. He's used to taking guff from a human. In fact, it's not until he changes, turning into Miles himself, that the sour expression is clear on Bartimaeus' face.

It's not a perfect match. There's subtle exaggerations... not overdone, just little things. Eyes a bit too beady. Neck a bit more crooked, knee a little turned in. Not enough to dismiss off the bat, but enough to make one want for a mirror.]

You know, I'm starting to see it. Fragile little ego, self obsessed... beat any servants lately or got someone else to do that?

[dendarii]

[ That's ... unnerving. And given how Miles doesn't stare at mirrors much - he's too short for most of them so he just doesn't bother - even the exaggerations are convincing. He really looks like that? That's ... disheartening. Mark looks better somehow, maybe because of his sturdier frame. This reflection is just hideous.

He swallows, thickly, trying not to glare. Trying not to give this spirit the satisfaction of a reaction. (He's already making quite a face, if his sudden silence weren't indication enough to begin with.) ]

That's a nice trick. But surely you'd prefer a prettier form than mine?

[ He says it casually, but damn this is unnerving. ]

You're picking the wrong form if servant-beating is your aim.

[lapwing]

[Miles' face twists into a grin.]

Not at all. It's refreshing to see humanity get a couple of new ideas. Ever think about a good hunch, or maybe some claws and a tail.

[dendarii]

[ Ugh. He wants to smack himself so hard right now. ]

You say that as if the hunch I've got is intentional.

[lapwing]

[It's probably not improved as Miles' own manic grin is thrown back at him. His own voice too, now.]

I'm sure there's an absolutely fascinating story of woe there. Can't say I'm interested.

[dendarii]

[ He's quiet a moment at that. Not because he wants to spill his backstory - oh no, he's thinking of something else. ]

Good, because I'm not either. [ A pause. ] It's a poor copy anyway. You haven't even gotten my height right.

[ And carefully - nearly imperceptibly - he knocks an inch off his own. ]

[lapwing]

[The other Miles stares at him, eyes narrow. So he did.¹

With a bit of a half shrug, Bartimaeus readjusts.]

Happier with a bit of eye level for once, then?

[dendarii]

[ Ha. Good. He takes a tiny bit of glee at getting to mess with someone right back, even if it can't last. He blinks at Bartimaeus as if confused by the question. And recedes another inch. ]

Er - yes? It's a rare occurrence. But as I said, you're a bit off.