etcelsior | WELCOME TO THE JUNGLE

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WELCOME TO THE JUNGLE

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?

Today it's not just imPorts that are making a scene. Given the relatively high approval rating imPorts still pull in here, maybe it shouldn't shock locals and imPorted arrivals alike that new native metahumans are using the city to debute their new spandex and catch phrases while they try and take their own bite out of crime. You know what they say about those darn kids these days though, too much time watching TV instead of say, oh, learning about martial arts or surveillance techniques. Or that the world doesn't actually pause when they start their dramatic entrances like it does on the small screen. There are five teenagers today, each one dressed in elaborate costumes modeled after different birds of paradise (click one of these if you really need examples). And you better believe each one has a dramatic entrance speech concerning truth, Justice, and the American Way, a dramatic pose, and a polysyllabic name to go through before they all strike a team pose and shout 'Birds Of Prey, Uncaged!'

During this time the lone criminal they had swooped down to stop has long since stared running away. Early in the morning, they did this whole production to stop a litterer. Mid-afternoon, a jay walker. Finally, in the evening, they actually try stopping a mugging. Of course the thief and the stolen goods are busy getting away during their intros, a fact the robbed citizen keeps shouting at them through the whole two minute long affair.

It's up to you, dear imPort, to catch these escaping misdemeanors or thief and bring them to actual justice (or, if you're really kind, hand them over to the birds), to stop and tell these kids to get off your darn lawn, to give them hero-ing tips or a real villain to fight against, or to just keep walking and pretend this whole mess never happened. The choice is yours.

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!

These questions are better asked inside, however, as a tornado warning has been released for the county. No, they haven't had one here since the 90s, but you can never be too careful! With the torrential downpour currently hammering the city, some enterprising business people have taken to offering storm themed sales of food, drinks, and appliances. Is there any better way to send the rainy day than on nickle shot night at the local bar, where you cannot only get dangerously intoxicated but also ride the newest in fun and games, the Freudian Mechanical Bull? Come one come all and see how long you can stay clinging on as the bull bucks you physically and emotionally, spitting out catchy psychological phrases like 'do you think this will make your father love you?' or 'riding me for five minutes will never fix what you've done.' The bull will detect which sentences seem to get the best effect and keep barring down on that path. Sensitive about your mother? Better believe the whole bar is about to hear a lot about it.

Or if you're not up for that much fun, you can aid worried citizens in securing their homes and businesses against the possible storms. Help them board up holes in roofs, cast wards on their windows, or just point them towards the nearest insurance agent. Surely you wouldn't take advantage of them and sell them devices they don't need or learn where they keep their valuables and how to reach them at a time like this would you?...would you?

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?

Today is the semi-annual (that no one can quite seem to remember ever happening before) balloon festival. From dawn until well past midnight imPorts and natives alive can pay a small fee to ride in a beautifully colorful hot air balloon solo or in pairs. There is also wonder fried food and face-painting for the whole family. If this seems all a little too innocent and family friendly, don't worry. This being the Falls, there's always a chance for the morally flexible (or horribly naive) to make a little extra money. Some balloons are offering special, 100% totally free in no way catch-possessing deluxe rides to certain 'winners.' Strangely, it appears to 'win' all one has to do is agree to ride the hot air balloon over to another city, drop off one of the 'sand bags' attached to the side at a designated place, pick up a few new 'sand bags' and fly back! Those that can pilot their own balloon rather than needing a guide will be paid extra- they mean, win an extra special prize.

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. 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. Natives may gather around new arrivals and ask both personal and broad questions about life as an imPort, what they are looking forward to, what their favorite article of underwear is. A few night clubs offer free entrance - just this once!

But you'll have to excuse the mess. See, a little while ago the city was a real zoo. Animals running everywhere, smashing store windows, eating aquariums, you know how these things can go. In fact, there are still a few stay old world monkeys jumping around, and maybe a baby gator or two in the sewer or prairie dogs in the parks. A small reward is still being offered for their rounding up.

Flat | Top-Level Comments Only

Nonah
[For such a crowded city, with all it's noise and excitement and crowds, Futaba found herself a bit more at home than when she had first arrived. Busy streets still had alleys to duck down, and the crowds didn't seem so overwhelming when they were able to spread out instead of being cramped in buildings or public transport. Honestly, it was a bit like home that way.

Or it would be like home if it wasn't for the baby gators littering the storm drains. Maybe that's what had people skirting the sidewalks. Futaba, on the other hand, was crouched down by one such storm drain.]

What are you doing here anyway?

De Chima
[Showing up in a city just to be pelted by torrential rain was not Futaba's idea of a good time. This was especially true when the weather caused her to be shoved inside with absolute strangers.

Cramped spaces, strange bodies, people questions her--]

I can't--I...

[She shudders before trying to duck into and through the crowd to find a place to hide, a corner to draw up in. This was different than the challenges she gave herself back home. Back home she could always find Akira--she could always find a way back to the safety of Leblanc or her home with Sojiro.

Here...here the crowds only brought on a tightness in her chest, a shortness to her breath. She needed out...she needed...She needed help.]

[ Adachi paused, frowning as he saw something small and gremlin-like scurrying around in the rain. For a moment, he was going to just walk away, not worry about it... before he let out a sigh, slumping his shoulders, before heading after whatever it was. He reached his umbrella out when he got close enough, helping to shield the tiny thing from the rain. ]

Oy; you all right?

[Suddenly being approached, especially while she was still in panic mode, caused Futaba to jump. She turned toward him, eyes wide behind the large frames of her glasses.]

Eh...I'm--I'm fine. Maybe.

...Too many people inside.

[Okay, a conversation. She could do this.]

[ Adachi wasn't sure how to handle that; did she have some kind of anxiety problems or something. He paused a moment, considering. ]

Do you want me to try and lead you somewhere with less people?

...[Her response isn't vocal. The idea of going anywhere but out here in the rain was still intimidating. If she was honest, being soaked to the bone was a more appealing option. But if this person could find her somewhere less crowded--well she'd have a greater chance to get through this mess without catching her death.

So she simply nods, shuffling further under the cover of his umbrella.]

Okay.

[ She seemed really tense; it was probably best if he just found a place for her to hide quickly. He shifted his hand on the umbrella, letting the hand closest to her drop. ]

Just hold my hand if you need to, okay? Let's go.

[It's his offer to help that has her sticking closer to Adachi than she normally would to strangers. If anything, the promise of less crowds and cover from the rain brought her to relax a little more.]

Do you always help people you don't know?

It's kinda in my job description.

[ Adachi paused a moment, looking around, before he spotted a street where the crowd started to thin out a little. It was a start, if nothing else. ]

C'mon, this way.

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codeoracle - 2017-06-02 01:49 (UTC) - Expand

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sleight_of_hand - 2017-06-02 01:51 (UTC) - Expand

[ This world had a disproportionately high number of animal-related incidents.

Not that Yusuke minded, as he welcomed the opportunity to capture such unique subjects in person. The baby alligators were trickier than the butterflies had been, with their larger teeth and tendency to wriggle back to the sewers when they saw him coming. Of course, he followed, direly unprepared, and ended up trapped in there with them. The price of artistic risks, apparently, is a sketchbook soggy with, well, he can only imagine what, and being seen by Futaba. Of all people, the one who would make sure he never heard the end of it.

Cue heavy sigh. ]

I came down here to get a better look at the alligators. Here, take this.

[ He pushes his book through the hole in the grate, just big enough to fit. Will you accept? ]

[Having Yusuke appear within the sewers was not what Futaba was expecting in the least. Though given other places and situations his craft had led him into, she honestly wasn't that surprised.]

I was talking to the alligators, Inari. I didn't even realize you were down there.

[Never the less she takes the offered book. Carefully, only gripping as much as necessary so that she could hold the soggy item away from here.]

Do I want to know how this got wet?

I had to wrestle it from an angry mouth. I was fortunate that it was a small one.

[ Don't worry, he's only bleeding a little bit.

...in his Phantom Thief outfit.

With his mask lost somewhere in the murky depths of the sewer. ]

Can you remove this grate?

...That might be why you don't want to get too close to them.

[She frowns, looking over the grate--Of all the places for him to be stuck.]

I can give it a shot...where'd you come in from? Or did you get lost in the sewer?

[Seriously, this was going to take some time. Futaba was definitely not the fittest member of the Thieves, and Necronomicon wasn't likely to be much aid either. So, she might as well make some attempt at conversation.]

[ Where did he come in from? Who keeps track of stuff like that? ]

I wish I could tell you. I have been down here for...two hours, now? It might be less. I've done a fair bit of running.

[ You know, Goemon could probably handle this a lot better than Futaba can. But he has already frozen large sections of sewage, blocking paths and causing even more problems, so it's far from Yusuke's mind. ]

I don't know if you can see, but the bite on my leg is... [ big and painful. ] ghastly. If I stay down here much longer, there is a strong risk of infection.

Two hours...You've probably run a rat race down there you know.

[The grate is giving her more trouble than she'd like to admit, but it is starting to give--look an extra inch is free!]

We'll get you patched up once you're up here. I um--maybe I can get Necronomicon up and running for that.

[ So proud! What a big and strong gremlin!! ]

That would be quite helpful, if you could.

[Luckily for Futaba, it would seem her stars were aligned enough to make this just a little easier, though some small part of Akira had hoped for her to learn to stand on her own two feet without his help. He would still never abandon Futaba, especially since he noticed her looking truly on the verge of panic.

If she wasn't assisted now, surely she would try to shut herself away once more for fear of the outside world. Akira pushed through the crowd as soon as he caught a glimpse of her, heaving a relieved sigh when he was within an arm's length from her.]

Futaba...?

[The familiar voice broke through the panicked thoughts, causing her to pause and look around. The familiar face in a sea of strangers was an even more of a relief. She takes a deep breath, moving over to her friend. She was trying to move past needing her key item, but she must not be there yet.]

Akira--! I was just getting--I was trying to find a dry place, but there's a lot of people around...

[Small steps. She would get there at some point, even if it wasn't just yet. She was doing so well, after all! It wasn't long ago that she wouldn't even leave her room, after all.]

Yeah, I heard some sirens. It's dangerous to be outside right now.

[That she was safe was the most important thing, after all. He was going to offer her a hand anyway, letting her know that he wasn't going to abandon her.]

We might have to deal with a lot of people for a little bit.

The sirens are why I'm inside at all.

[Seriously, she knows what she can handle and these crowds were definitely not it.]

...It's easier when you know someone in the crowd I guess. [She smiles a bit.] I think I can handle it for a little bit longer.

[At least she's not giving up. She's still trying. It had to count for something.]

[That she tries is the best Akira can(or will) ask for. She's come a very long way, after all! And she's not even wearing that creepy mask of hers.]

Just long enough to stay safe, alright? If we've got to I'm sure we can find somewhere more secluded to decompress.

[Time to scope out any off-limit areas. That'd be the best bet for hiding from the crowd.]

It's a leftover from some animal jailbreak.

[There's a slender boy watching her from a few meters down the block, head cocked curiously to one side. He's not quite sure what to make of her sitting there, but at the very least she's more interesting than any of the natives stealing glances at them.]

Aren't you worried they're going to bite?

You make it sound like that kind of thing happens a lot.

[The boy catches her by surprise, but she's much too preoccupied with the small alligators. Even as they try to snap at her.]

You just have to be fast enough. They're kind of cute, even if they snap.

Crazy shit happens all the time. Huge sinkholes, real life ghosts from the past attacking people, killer butterflies.

[He shrugs disinterestedly as if he hadn't been threatened or nearly killed by half those things.]

A zoo escape is pretty tame. [A pause] Are you thinking about keeping one?

Wow, you guys have problems here. [The mention of ghosts almost has her shuddering.] The uh...the ghosts aren't still around are they?

[She's not sure she could handle seeing certain people from her past if that ended up being the case. She heard them in her own head for the past few years, and that was more than enough.]

...You think I could? I mean this little guy might get a bit big.

No, the ghosts have been gone for a while now.

[Thank god for that. Yuri loathed the idea of running into one of them again.

He brushes the memory aside though and crouches down on the other side of the gatorling that Futaba's been prodding at, poking its tail to make it whirl around in surprise.]

Well, you can always give it back to the zoo if it gets too big. Or a nature preserve. I think they're native in this state.

Flat | Top-Level Comments Only

WELCOME TO THE JUNGLE

Futaba Sakura | Persona 5

De Chima

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