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

[ Touchy kid -- the shrimp comment wipes the smirk off his face, and he scoffs right back at Terry. ]

You will, or I'll take Batman from you. Unless you think you can best me now?

[ Cocky brat honest-to-god looks like he'd prefer an all-out fight right here. He is probably always ready -- anytime, anyplace, and against anyone. The challenge to throw down is near-constant. ]

[None of this seems to phase Terry in the slightest.]

You really don't think the whole "hero fighting hero" thing isn't super cliche?

So?

[ It is amazing how one small boy can project such bullheaded, stubborn disregard. ]

It sounds more and more like you're afraid of taking up the challenge, Batman.

No, I'm just saying there has to be a less dumb, cliche way of doing this.

[Okay he might be just a tiny afraid of the scary Robin ninja, but he sure as heck isn't going to tell him so.]

After all, you don't strike me as the type to fall for something so obvious.

[ By the face Damian is making, nose scrunching and brow furrowing, he apparently thinks that his plan of attack here is perfectly fine, and that it's Terry being the ridiculous one for refusing to agree. ]

As opposed to what, exactly? A battle of chess? A duel of tag?

[ Tiny, aggressive sarcasm. As if a non-violent alternative is worthless, no more than a joke. ]

[The magic of Terry's mouth running faster than his brain both helps and hurts again. He thinks for a few seconds before grabbing at some more straws and hoping it works.]

How about something like a... I dunno what to call it... skill exchange? You teach me some of your moves, I teach you some of mine? Light sparring yes, highlander death match, no.

[ He crosses his arms, grumbles under his breath. It sounds something like "I would have stopped once you were unconscious," but it in no way suggests that he wasn't on-board with a highlander death match in every other way. ]

...Fine. That sounds -- acceptable.

[ Light sparring will still be a chance to drag this Batman. He can agree to that, even if the compromise is reluctant. ]

Though I doubt there's anything you can possibly teach me. I was trained by the best, after all.

[ The (tiny) glove is metaphorically thrown. ]

[Phew. Terry's genuinely unsure how he still hasn't to get punched by this kid so far, but you won't hear him complaining. Thankfully, he knows better than to show it in his body language. He's at least got the Batman posture down.]

So was I. Your father.

Unless he's changed in his old age, my father may be the best, but he has very little patience for passing his skill on.

[ Look him in the eye and tell him Bruce Wayne actually spent more time teaching you than he spent criticizing your every fault or mistake. He loves his father with every inch of him, but the arguments are endless, and both of them are bullheaded. ]

Tell me if this doesn't sound familiar?

[ He puffs out his chest, hands on his hips, and then in a voice that, remarkably, is a perfect mimicry of Bruce: ]

'Again! Start over. Not good enough. You're not ready. You're benched for tonight -- too reckless.'

[Terry brings his hand up to his mouth as he tries to stifle back a laugh. Only the brat keeps going and Terry finds it harder and harder to hold back, until he's laughing so hard he's actually crying a bit beneath the mask. It's especially funny coming from a kid he didn't think was capable of humor.]

Nope, you're spot on. Only in my case it's more 'What do you think you're doing, going home already? It's only 4 in the morning. You think crime sleeps?' or 'Watch behind you! You're getting sloppy.' or 'I never would have done that back in my day.'"

[Terry might not have Damian's perfect mimicry, but he still does a damn good Old Man Wayne impression.]

'We do things my way.'

[ Somehow, Damian even manages to pull off Bruce's growl, mouthful of gravel and all. Ruined with a snort, however, and a pleased click of his tongue. ]

At least he's consistent. It makes the arguments much more predictable.

[ Damian embraces pragmatism. And stepping around his father's lectures. ]

It also makes it really easy to throw him for a loop.

[It's almost refreshing to know that the others also messed with Bruce.]

[ He smirks. Damian doesn't yank Bruce's chain on purpose all that often, more serious and less often in a mood to be playful, but he's just as guilty of it. On occasion. ]

Especially when he hasn't had his coffee. Father is not a morning person.

[ Which Damian delights in reminding him of. Again. And again. And again. ]

Or an evening person.

[In fact, the only time he can think of that the old man wasn't a raging grump was the brief time he was young again, and that lasted about 40 seconds until they learned the truth about Talia Al Ghul.]

Only at dusk.

[ Best guess, anyway. He saw Father smile once at dusk.

Although, speaking of, the night is running out -- sunrise approaching too soon for Damian's tastes. He has more that he needs to get done. He purses his lips, eyeing Terry, before seemingly deciding that here is where he's willing to leave it. But-- ]

Next week. Be here. Or I'll come find you.

As amusing as that would be, I got the message. This rooftop. Next week. I'll be there.

[Terry gives a slight wave as he backs towards the edge of the roof.]

No more chasing St. Nick for an early christmas present, twip.

[And just like that he falls backwards off the building, before shifting in mid-air and opening his wings to glide off into the night, denying the brat wonder from having the last word.]

PRESENT TIME, IT'S A TDM

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