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

[Potential. They always have such potential and then it is turned to shadow. Anakin is almost completely Dark now, but there are small pinpricks of Light like stars.]

I'm probably not. I haven't even had a chance to be a proper father yet.

[ Not unexpected, considering who he's talking to. Though that dizzying starfield he can feel through the Force is enough to make Jacen a bit cross-eyed. (Is he in danger right now? He doesn't think so, but ... He takes a few breaths to steady himself anyway. He is still talking to Anakin Karking Skywalker right now, which is terrifying in its own right.) ]

Did you even know about your kids yet?

[He is a galaxy in and of himself; his power reaching out like a storm of pitch black clouds forked by piercing rays of Light not unlike lightning, yet somehow brighter - starker. He is a Sith, but he is not a Sith. That Light defies it.]

Yes, I know about them. Their mother was very pregnant with them the last time I checked.

[ He has to look away, both mentally and physically. If he stares any longer into the abyss, it might pull him in too. Breathe. In for five seconds, out for six. Play it cool, Jacen. ]

So - uh - congratulations, they both turn out pretty great. Uncle Luke doesn't have any kids, but Mom had three.

[ ... For certain definitions of cool anyway. ]

I haven't met your mother. [But he wants to. Very much. Even though his meetings with Luke have been awkward at best - downright hostile at worst.] What is she like? What is your name?

[ At least Jacen is a little bit removed from all that - and the fact that he's Anakin and not Vader helps. It makes curiosity win out over fear in the end, even if he's still nervous. ]

Mom's a diplomat. The Chief of State for the New Republic, actually. So she's warm, but she's really tough too, you know? You have to be to run an entire galactic government.

[ Jacen's own tone is warm in turn. Jaina may be Han's daughter, but Jacen is definitely Leia's son. ]

And I'm Jacen. Jacen Solo.

[Oh he is Vader; just not the completely closed off, detached, callous Vader of the future. It's better, but not by much.]

She sounds like her mother. [Padmé would definitely be proud.] I'll never understand wanting to work in the government.

[Also...New Republic? His nose wrinkles.] I thought we were done with all of that anyway.

[His aggravation can't last, though. Not when he hears the name.]

Jacen. I like it.

[ Whoops. Well - for now, the lack of spooky helmet helps a lot. He may change his mind later if the rest becomes more apparent. ]

The galaxy had to have something after the Empire fell. And it's got issues, I guess, but every encounter I've had with the Second Imperium has just been terrible.

[ Mostly because the Solo twins keep getting kidnapped. Constantly. He's tired of it.

Anyway, he ducks his head a bit. ]

Thanks. Uh, I like it too, I guess.

Do you know why the Empire fell? What made it fail? [He knows Palpatine can't be left as the Emperor. That wasn't his original plan anyway and the Sith Lord makes his skin crawl.]

Second Imperium? [Catch him up, kid. His eyes glow with that unnatural yellow-gold light.]

Your father I've met. I don't think he would want you talking to me. [Too bad, Han.]

[ Han almost certainly doesn't want Jacen talking to Anakin. But he's not here right now, and Jacen can't help but be darn friendly to every living being he comes across. Sth grandfathers included.

Both questions are good ones; he hesitates a moment before answering either. ]

Are you sure you want to know? Won't it affect the future?

For the better. [He is certain of that and the light of his eyes intensifies momentarily before fading back to blue.] Tell me. I want to fix what goes wrong.

[And dammit he will. He has come too far for it to all fall apart.]

[ Creepy, Grandpa. Jacen takes a step back, more uncertain now. ]

Wrong with the Empire falling? Because that was a good think.

[Well...yes. There is a lot of that in his character. But it's not uncommon for Siths.]

I disagree. The Empire should have been the answer; it should have brought safety and stability.

[ Jacen just shakes his head again. Standing his ground this time, but not any happier about it. ]

For some people. Not everyone. And the reason why the New Republic is kind of a mess is because of all the problems the Empire caused.

The Republic failed before. Why would it work a second time? The Empire, however, was better; stronger; more cohesive.

[Because one man is ruling it all. No big deal.]

It is the Emperor who dropped the ball. I wouldn't do that.

... You want to rule the galaxy instead of him?

[ Would that be better? For certain definitions of "better" - yes, probably. But Jacen still doesn't think it'd be good. ]

That was the plan. [His anyway. Probably not Sidious's.] I don't know what stops me from doing it. No one is more powerful than I am. I would be a good Emperor - strong and fair.

I don't think anyone can be. Not even Mom, and she did a pretty good job as Chief of State.

[ He shakes his head again, slowly. ]

So if you're going to change the future, I shouldn't tell you anything.

That's because she isn't a Jedi; she isn't connected to the Force, is she? I am. I can read others, understand their intentions and determine the best path.

Politicians can't do that.

[Huh. Anakin smiles slowly, stepping forward.]

Is that fair? Your grandmother dies, your mother and uncle never know her or me.

[ Jacen skitters back a step at that. Low blow, playing to the kid's sympathies; he's approaching pacifism pretty quickly at this stage of his development. ]

She is a Jedi. Not the same way Uncle Luke is, but she's trained.

[ And it likely helps her in politics too, if not to quite the same effect that someone stronger might have. ]

I don't want any of that either, but - but I still think Mom did a good job.

[Wow. A politician with Jedi powers. His daughter is scary. He approves!

And he will use any tactic to get what he wants. Even from his grandson.]

By who? [The number of Jedi are severely depleted during his time.]

She could do better if she didn't have to suffer. I never wanted that for her or your uncle.

[ Is it too much information to tell his grandfather about Luke? But he can't see how it would turn out any other way, or how it would affect bringing the Empire down. He can be coaxed out with breadcrumbs like this. Smaller, surely harmless pieces of information... ]

Uncle Luke. He has a Jedi Praxeum that he trains all the new Jedi at. Mom too.

He hasn't really verified who trains him. [For good reason. But Anakin has an idea and he is not happy about it.] The Jedi haven't done much good; maybe Luke needs to use a new name if he doesn't want to jinx himself.

[ Better steer clear of that piece of information, then. Jacen just kind of shrugs helplessly. ]

We're not perfect. But we're helping.

As long as you steer clear of a council, maybe you stand a chance. [Bitter? No, he isn't bitter. Not a little bit.

Only a whole lot.]

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