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etcelsior2017-05-25 08:16 pm
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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.
Anthy Himemiya | Revolutionary Girl Utena
[ It can't be how they say it is. A whole other world? They just can't-- ] O-oh!
[ She's so immersed in the impossibility that she's bumped into somebody, and she automatically knits her brow and stutters out an apology, tries to demurely skirt out of the way. They don't let her, though. There's fuss about her being soaked through. Somebody passes her an umbrella, shoves it into her hands, and she smiles nervously. Then the questions begin.
You're an imPort, right? Where are from? What's your world like? What are your powers? ]
Powers..? I don't-- I still don't understand. If I could-- Excuse me, please!
[ She can't stand this. She can't stand this. She tries to turn and run away, and...!
There are people everywhere. They're all around her. She immediately runs headlong into somebody else. Are there more questions? Will she have to run again? Or is it somebody in a similar situation; somebody who can take care of the crowd? ]
Sorry, I-- All of these people...
Nonah
[ It can't be how they say it is. Akio will come soon, and...
Well. All she has to do is wait it out.
There could be worse ways to do that than fetching animals, she supposes, though she doesn't readily return those she finds. Instead, she takes up a spot in the local park with a small collection of beasties. She hasn't had much luck with the monkeys, but she's not particularly fussed. She already has one in her company, after all, a fine specimen named Chu-chu, who's currently astride a scurrying prairie dog and holding on for dear life.
Anthy herself is occupied with a pair of the small alligators, humming as she thinks. ]
Oh, let's see... You can be Isidoro. And you can be Marianna.
[ Each 'gator gets an appropriate boop on the nose. Isn't this a little weird and risky? Shouldn't somebody warn her? Shouldn't somebody try to catch that runaway rodeo monkey? ]
De Chima
I know you want to be friendly, but she seems a little overwhelmed- besides, shouldn't all of you get going? I don't think the weather's getting better any time soon. [And most-but not all- of the crowd listens, dispersing. A few linger, watching curiously as Sabriel speaks to the other woman.]
There's a coffeeshop I like nearby- let's get out of the rain for a bit.
no subject
Perhaps she's landed in a very strange place indeed.
She takes in a deep breath and draws herself up once people start dispersing, but her chin and gaze stay down, her spare hand clasped in front of her chest. The other's still holding her new umbrella. At mention of a coffeeshop, she nods and starts forward to follow. Acquiescence is automatic and easy. This new woman obviously knows how to get by in this place.
She offers the extra protection of the umbrella as she falls into step. ]
Thank you, miss. Large groups of people like that... I always feel like they're pressing into me. It seems to make it hard to breathe.
no subject
[When they get to the coffeeshop, Sabriel holds the door open for her. It's a comfortable place, with overstuffed chairs along with some booths and a counter with stools set along the window.]
My name's Sabriel. I've been here for a while, so if there's anything you'd like to know, just ask.
no subject
There's a basket near the door for umbrellas, and Anthy deposits hers there. She doesn't move to a seat by herself, but again waits to be led. She bows, quick and polite, when it's time for her to give her own introduction. ]
Pleased to meet you, Miss Sabriel. My name's Anthy Himemiya.
[ Questions, though... Questions... She looks around, taking in the trappings of the cafe. It's not the dining terrace of the school, or even anything like the shops in the surrounding area. ]
Have you ever heard of Ohtori Academy?
no subject
[Sabriel leads her to a table, settling her in, but not yet seating herself, though she hangs her raincoat on the back of a chair.
She's about to ask what Anthy'd like to drink when she asks a question of her own, and shakes her head.]
I haven't. Nor have I heard anyone mention it. Is that where you went to school?
no subject
[ She's in a recognizable country, after all. Much of the structure of the world seems to be the same. It's not of much consequence, perhaps. Ohtori is almost as a world onto itself, anyway, if it isn't solidly so.
It's difficult for her to put her own thoughts in order. The rug's been pulled out from under her. It's left her blindsided in a way that she's not sure how to counteract, without her brother here to steer her. ]
I only wanted to know what's the same and what's different, I suppose. Maybe it's all too much to measure, though.
no subject
[Sabriel pauses, then changes the topic. Showing up in a new world could be disorienting, but sometimes it was better to focus on smaller things.]
What would you like to drink- or would you like something to eat.
no subject
Tea with lemon would be lovely, if you really don't mind. I'm afraid I don't have any money with me.
Nonah
You really need to be more careful, you know that?
[There's too much affection in her voice to be an effective scolding, though, and to be honest she's just happy to see him again. And if he's here, then that means...]
But where's your mistress, hmn?
[Would the porter really send him here on his own?]
no subject
She's not sure whether this was to be expected or not, being proceeded into this world by her steadfast "groom." In any case, her eyes widen slightly, her expression one of casual surprise, as if she's simply running into Utena during an unexpected time during their school day. ]
Oh. Miss Utena! What luck that Chu-Chu ran into you.
no subject
[While Anthy may only be mildly surprised, Utena's practically beaming when she sees her. Chu-Chu's presence was enough of a warning to numb the shock her presence would bring, leaving only the joy of a reunion. She closes the distance between them quickly and holds Chu-Chu up, so he can have a choice about who he wants to cling to]
How long have you guys been here? And...
[And Utena trails off, staring at Marianna waddling off in the distance]
...and, uh, you haven't had too much trouble here, have you?