etcelsior | PRESENT TIME, IT'S A TDM

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.

Flat | Top-Level Comments Only

I'll not judge.

[She means it. She watches Ghost go back to sleep.]

In Narnia we are most mistrustful of wolves. But I do not think them anything but beautiful.

That's probably wise. Wolves aren't pets but wild creatures. Do they grow large in Narnia?

[It's not hard to forget how ferocious Ghost could be in battle.]

Direwolves are the symbol of my house.

Not so large.

[She considers this. Wolves as a family symbol is strange, for her, but not so strange that she can't accept it.]

Lions are of mine.

[His heart seizes for a moment and the onslaught of emotions runs fiercely. It's brief, enough that there is only a thoughtful look on his face as he considers this.

She's not a Lannister.

He doesn't let those memories overtake him. Instead, he hesitantly takes her hand and leads her to a chair, offering her the seat. He pulls up another next to her, so that he could sit next to her.]

Tell me about your life in this place. In two years, you must have managed to make this place a home.

Ah, well.

I live a bit away out of De Chima on a farm, with my two guards and with horses and dogs, mostly. I have quite a comfortable life, if I must say.

[She thinks about the hard parts.]

But I did have to learn a great deal to make it so. If you should like to visit, I should be most welcoming.

You ride horses, my lady?

[He's more than pleased at this revelation.]

I should like that. I miss riding for pleasure rather than for war. Though, [He gives her a teasing smile] I never expected a queen to be happy as a farmer.

You surprise me.

Do ladies in your land not ride?

[She tilts her head.]

If you should like to ride, I will gladly invite you. We are often missing enough people to keep the horses exercised.

[And a consideration.]

I am not farmer, nor farm girl! But I think the land more comfortable than living in this cold city. Do you not think you would be happier closer to the wilderness? I let most of my land fallow and overgrow for the joy of it.

They do, but the noble ladies don't often ride for pleasure.

[Though his expectations about women had vastly changed since meeting several ladies that defied convention. It was what he preferred and the sort of woman that lingered in his mind.]

Should you need assistance caring for them, I have familiarity with such things. Training hounds as well.

[He smiled.]

I would. Had I the means, I would likely do the same. It's simply, I don't know what I expected from a queen.

My royal sister does not often ride for pleasure, but there are the days when we have a hunting party, and she is quite entertained to take part.

[She beams a little.]

Then you are most invited at any time you wish, and your lovely companion as well, so long as he is tame with dogs.

[She has heard this before. You are odd, for a queen. But it never really phases her.]

I am a toiling sort of queen. The queen you expect, I imagine, must be like my royal sister, who is a gracious lady and most regal.

My sisters were opposite in that way as well. [Once.] Sansa preferred to behave as was expected of a noble lady while Arya preferred to be wild and untamed.

[He nodded towards Ghost.]

The dogs might be a little spooked by him, but he won't attack them. He'll likely run off to the woods to do as he likes.

[He would never say "odd", but rather say "pleasant surprise".]

I imagine so, but I find myself in the company I prefer here.

Yes?

[She beams.]

How kindly to say.

Less kindly as it is honest.

[He smiles sheepishly.]

So long as I am not overstepping my bounds in saying as much?

If you should overstep I shall tell you, my lord.

I shall hold you to that. I'm not usually in much company.

PRESENT TIME, IT'S A TDM

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