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etcelsior2017-09-24 10:02 am
maskormods) wrote in etcelsior2017-09-24 10:02 am
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I PUT THEM TO BED, NOW THEY ARE DREAMS, AND WE GO --
T E S T D R I V E M E M E
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 ON THE TEST DRIVE MEME!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. Many of the locals might thank you for always lending your service to the nation and their local troubles, while others might not say anything -- but if you have something nasty to say, better not say anything at all, right? That's just the Heropan way.
But despite the relatively small size and mostly easy-going population, this here is not a city immune to the urbane ways of the world. And Heropa, like the rest of the world, adheres to the calendar of this universe. You, fine imPort, have just happened to land squarely on SING LIKE YOU'RE IN A MUSICAL DAY! Wowee! Locals and tourist natives alike will conspire to cajole you into singing your GREATEST WISHES and CLOSING ACT songs. And, oh, you don't feel like singing? Then BEWARE of anyone spritzing a sweet-smelling yellow perfume at you -- that's a lasting vestige from the crumbled HEAVEN SCENT corporation, still on the market, and it will COMPEL YOU TO SING. Even if it's for a few minutes, you'll be singing a few bars. It's nothing personal, the locals just want you to feel like you belong.
Happy Sing Like You're In A Musical Day!
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! Those words have meaning here. 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 or recently published PLoS papers. 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. Some of them MAY ask if you personally know the De Chima Ambassador, Sam Merlotte. Beware if you answer in the affirmative; anything from personal questions about romantic chances to bedroom habits to dietary queries might come up!
If you wander the clean streets beneath those chrome and glass skyscrapers, you'll come upon the limited greenery clearing that De Chima possesses. You'll see a live demonstration in the middle of small Newton Park. A live demonstration! Of what, you ask! Of the start-up company DeCRYPTO CANINE! You'll find a fenced little area in the park fitted for a low-rise stage. On that stage are lots of dogs -- terriers, labradors, dachshunds, huskies, even a great dane or two. Around the collar of every one of these dogs is a glowing blue band encapsulated in a silver framing. When the demonstration begins (at the push of a big red button on a remote control), the glowing blue changes to yellow, to green, or to red -- all depending on the dog.
"Communication with our good canine buds!" Says the woman on the stage with the microphone and the remote. "DeCRYPTO CANINE translates blood pressure and adrenaline into mood, and mood into limited speech! At long last!"
Who let the dogs out? This woman, because she opened the fencing floodgates and these dogs ran to greet the waiting audience. Wagging tails -- green! And a computerized voice says "YOU ARE NEW HELLO I SMELL YOUR BUTT NOW WE ARE FRIENDS".
Whimpering, lowered tails -- yellow! Concern! "YOUR CROTCH SMELLS BAD. ARE YOU SICK."
Tense shoulders, hunched posture -- red! "BAD MAN BAD MAN BAD MAN!"
What will these dogs reveal about you?
03. Maurtia Falls, Pennsylvania has carried a reputation for ups and downs ever since imPorts began reappearing again, just those few years prior. Several imPort heroes have put focused efforts into cleaning up the streets of this somewhat infamous city, while a handful of others had 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 -- but that war waging is taking a turning tide thanks to the order and regulation established by Ambassador Petyr Baelish. Locals know him best for his library and his hardline on containing the criminal element. Trustworthy guy, they'll tell you. But one man's leadership isn't enough to clean up a troubled city in a year's time; everything from the classic bank heist to brutal bloodbaths can happen around the corner. You have to keep your eyes open and your mind sharp when you live in Maurtia Falls.
Case in point: the two cars screeching down the bust, bustling streets of this noir-styled city. A green car and a red car, both sedan styled, dodging and weaving through midday traffic like they had learned to drive at a bumper car rally. Not too far behind is the wail of several police sirens. You know that the police are too far away, that these speeding vehicles might make it to the off-ramp freeway and get home-free -- what do you do about it? Huh, hero? What do you do?
NOTHING
Just go about your business. Crazy day, huh?
CHASE THE GREEN CAR
Going 79 MPH in a 35 MPH zone, that'll be some chase. Careful about the other vehicles, parked cars, pedestrians. But when you catch up to the fleeing vehicle, beware: the lady in the passenger side is armed. The lady in the driver's seat is armed. The guy tied up in the trunk is not armed. These sunglass-wearing bounty hunters will fire at you, they are armed and dangerous. They are mean. They will not humor your shit. And they are hauling tail trying to...
CATCH THE RED CAR
If you pursue the red car first, you will find a very angry Bonnie and Clyde type couple with hundreds of thousands of dollars worth of diamonds and jewels in their backseat. They have a bazooka.
04. Nonah, North Carolina, has its own unique rhythm; it is 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. They probably already think they know what Ambassador Miles' favorite article of underwear is -- and it's probably a kinky assumption. Whoops!
If you prefer to dodge the unsavory bustle, take a walk downtown into the heartbeat district. There you can find the throbbing nightclubs and dazzling haute bars. And as a newly arrived imPort, you're invited to the VIP lounge of the hautest bar in town: THE TIPPING POINT. It is a very fancy affair, however, so if you're not dressed to the nines, you WILL be taken care of and given a designer suit or cocktail dress to borrow for the evening. All you have to do in return is smile for the cameras! And there WILL be cameras, along with B-List celebrities hobbing at your elbows. Lucky night for you if you're JUST at the legal drinking age, but not quite there -- this lounge doesn't card. So sit down, take your gin and tonic, and smile.
1
When he hears a growl from the German Shepard who had, until now, only been the most loving and most adorable sweetest fluffer-wuffer to ever even exist, he knows that whoever is bothering him must be worse than the grumpy cat people he'd been chasing away until now. He sees a man with a knife in his hands, and without stopping to assess the situation, he leaps into action, jumping between Niles and the dog with a twirl of his cape. He covers his own face with his hand and poses to let the light hit him just right, because, you know. Gotta look cool. ]
Back, villainous scum! Know not your actions?! Aggressively brandishing a weapon towards the SWEETEST of this world's creatures, BLESSED upon us by the GREAT DIVINES. To throw such a holy gift like time with a talking dog aside in favor of base violence... I-- I'm overwhelmed with such callous disregard for what could very well be the finest joy in life a human being could experience! You-- you cur! You cretin! IT'S TIME TO MEET YOUR MAKER, FOUL-- Oh, hey, Niles!
[ as he thrusts his hand away from his face and points at Niles, he actually pays attention and realizes who it is he's talking to. he knows niles! he wasn't going to stab the dog, haha. probably. maybe? hopefully. ]
Please don't bully the dogs. [ he puts his hand on niles's knife hand and just sort of lowers it. down, knife hand. ]
no subject
Well, he didn't lower his dagger, even with him between the two of them. Odin could probably use a friendly stabbing.]
Hello, Odin.
[His smile doesn't really mask his annoyance even as he lowers the dagger ONLY at Odin's behest. He still wanted to get stabby, but since he finally pulled himself out of this weird fantasy about him saving that dog from a villain, he would hold his blade for now.]
I'm not bullying the dogs. I'm just letting it know that my bite is worse than it's bark. I hardly think my usual bullying tactics would work on them, anyway.
Also, he definitely started it.
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[ Niles is just the worst!!! Odin is genuinely super happy to see him. ]
Listen, even if he did start it, that's just his nature! These guys are always picking fights or playing with each other's butts or something. But that's why you should be getting along with them! You have so much in common and it hurts my heart to know you're missing out on an opportunity to form a real bond with creatures that are basically your own kind. Here, c'mon, hold out your hand. The - the one without the dagger.
[ he reassuringly strokes the red-collared dog that still very clearly wants to bite the shit out of niles. time to force a friendship. ]
Shake. Shake! C'mon, boy!
[ the dog isn't shaking. odin stares at it. okay, fine, back up plan. ]
Niles. Maybe if you shake first he'll figure out what he has to do? Shake, Niles. [ he holds out his hand. expectantly. watching. ]
no subject
[Smile's gone, he's all annoyance now. He doesn't even feel particularly strongly about dogs either way but saying he's got a lot in common with them?! UGH. The knife hand comes back up, still gripping the dagger, and in fact, gripping it a little harder.]
I'm going to gut you like a fish, Odin Dark. And not a single soul will blame me!
[He isn't going to ACTUALLY gut him. They're friends, even if Odin was an insufferable buffoon. But he's going to attempt to stab him now. In the hand, don't worry! Worry a little.
The dog immediately starts baking when Niles takes a swing, his collar yelling out something about danger, Niles wasn't listening.]
You stay out of this!
no subject
[ Odin retracts his hand so fast out of harm's way that he slaps himself in the face. Ouch. He rubs his nose, easing the pain, then steps protectively in front of the dog. It's okay, buddy. pat pat pat. ]
You literally just tried to sink something sharp into me! That's what dogs do when they're mad! That's, like, literally what their fangs are for! How can you even deny a comparison as FAULTLESSLY FLAWLESSLY ACCURATE AS THIS ONE?! You drool and chase tail as if your life depended on it, you hound! And, you know. Your hair's all fluffy and pretty. Like that one. [ he points towards a white pomeranian off and away, yapping and running around in circles. pretty cute! basically niles's twin. ]
Besides, it suits our image. You're a dog. Lord Leo's a cat. I'm a bird. I keep you both safe under each of my wings. Honestly, animal representation is, like, Heroic Imagery 101. You should've thought about this long before today.
no subject
[Not only saying that he's 'drooling and chasing tail all the time'(whether or not this is accurate........), but also comparing his hair to the fur of a dog!]
Yeah, you're a bird alright. A birdbrain! Always shrieking and shitting on everything!
[He's taking another swipe. Still not aiming at anything vital, but you know. Just cutting him a little would be enough, probably. Where is Leo to keep them from fighting when you NEED him?]
no subject
[ He tries to step away from the dagger, but this time, he's not quite so lucky. Niles slashes his arm, and the cut's pretty shallow, but there's blood and Odin's glove has ripped and he gasps with such ferocious intensity that Niles may as well have just fucking murdered him. ]
This is the only set of Sorcerer's robes I have and you ripped them!! Niles! People don't make mesh bodysuits in America, Niles!!! RAGING....... PHOENIX........ INFERNO!!!!!!!
[ he straight up conjures a jet of fire that propels from the ends of his hands, aimed right at niles's dumb ugly stupid doggy face. oh, he's gonna burn that fur CLEAN OFF YOUR HEAD. ]
no subject
[Ah shit, there comes the fire. He gets blasted by it with a yell as he staggers back, only slightly lit on fire. He's more magic resistant than a person should normally be but he was still A LITTLE BLACKENED, and he needs to pat out a few small flames on his person.]
You could've killed me over your stupid ugly courtesan's clothing! I'm sure if you want to look like you're selling yourself, someone will oblige you!
You really don't know why I'm offended?? Just comparing me to a slobbering mutt! I get that I'm not as highborn as you are, but that's a little bit far, don't you think?!
[He's still brandishing his dagger, by the way, but he looks somewhat less likely to pounce. Somewhat.]
I can't believe that an idiot like you hasn't died yet. Died a thousand times over.
no subject
The nerve of you, Niles! This is a delicately tailored garment imbued with countless dark curses and woven in such a way that the flow of my spiritual energy can truly surge through me at maximum speed! It's irreplaceable! And very chaste. Honestly. Nobody would look at an outfit like mine and find it inappropriate except for you. Jeez.
[ delusion. he eyes that dagger. ]
I wasn't commenting on your class. You know I wouldn't do that. And I wasn't calling you a mutt, either. Just, you know. A dog. And I'm totally right. [ he pauses. wait, wait. this could be fun. his eyes are suddenly sparkling. ]
Oh! Okay. What animal would you be if you could be any animal?! You can choose! It doesn't have to be a dog! And, and, and. Would you have any special characteristics? Like, one red eye and one blue or something.
no subject
It looks like it's cursed anyone whose ever had to look at it. Maybe that's why my luck is so rotten, I've had to see you in it day after day.
[Meanwhile here he was in a somewhat sensible outfit. Only somewhat because he was still wearing thigh-high boots, but that was just totally what archers WEAR, ok? His dagger hands grips tighter, knuckles paling with the effort. Odin was so lucky he was basically Niles' best friend, or he'd have gone for a kidney by now.]
I don't know! Whatever kind of animal doesn't have to put up with this bullshit. A wyvern or something! [Then he'd just bite his head off. Yeah, that'd be good.]
And I only have one eye, why would I have wierd different colored eyes???! [He was still annoyed, but he's indulging him, whether he likes it or not.]
no subject
Probably. That makes sense, in a macabre, oh-no-Odin-Dark-has-yet-another-tragic-burden-to-bear-on-his-Adonis-like-shoulders sort of way. Haha. Sorry for the curses, man!
[ he smooths his hand through his hair, proud of himself. a cursed oufit. amazing. he has to write that down before he forgets. ]
A wyvern is pretty cool, but I don't think you have quite a regal enough nature to be one. Which, again, isn't a comment on your class. Just one on your personality. Hmm. [ he thinks. this is all that matters now. ] But I agree that something with scales suits you. A snake, perhaps? Flexible and sensual. Forked tongue. Culturally considered to be an ill omen. If I'm a crow and Lord Leo is a black cat, we really would have an excellent dynamic. The three bad luck boys? No, that's a dumb title. Hmm...
[ he's lost in thought, idly patting the dog who hates niles on the head. good dog. ]
... Oh, you're free in your imagination to have anything you want. Coloured eyes. A rainbow tail. Or wings, even when you're not a winged animal! Imagine how cool it would be to have wings in real life. I'd live in the clouds, personally. Though I guess you probably think I already do, what with my head being up in them so often.
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[AND WHO WOULDN'T WANT TO BE THERE, RIGHT? Sorry, Lord Leo. Your retainer is nasty and your sister is hot. Thank the Gods neither of the royals were here.]
A snake is acceptable, though. Yeah. [He's kind of in a better mood already, if the loosened grip on his dagger is any indication.]
Venomous, of course. Not one that should be allowed anywhere near human civilization. The kind you'd see and instantly try to behead with a shovel.
[Oh sorry, were we talking about wings or something? Niles was lost in his new fantasy of being a universally reviled creature.]
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Yeah! Yeah!!! Exactly!!!!! [ Sure, they were talking about wings, but Odin's just happy to see Niles get involved. ] Imagine it! Villagers would speak of you, the serpent of the forest, in hushed tones, huddled together in fear, wondering if - come next blackest night - they would be the ones to be struck down in your hunt. When the foolish and the drunk wandered away from the safety of their homes and into your territory, it would be you, the legendary, reviled serpent, who would force them to breathe their last. Your hiss would send a chill down even the most stalwart of knights! Fangs, dripping with toxic ichor - one bite, and dinner is yours! The curve of your tail, sleek and slender though it may be? Your greatest weapon! Your form holds the strength of a dozen men, though even a dozen more than that would lay battered and broken in your den, all so easily defeated! Your scales glint in the--
Okay, but really, you can't say that about Lady Camilla. She would behead you if she heard. Straight up.
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[His arms are folded over his chest now, dagger still in his hand but sitting there where out won't be hurting anyone just yet. He lets Odin ramble on, nodding a little in agreement. This wasn't something new for him, and for once it wasn't something COMPLETELY stupid.
Alright it was pretty stupid, but that was fine.
He does laugh a little at the end there.]
Oh of course she would. Without a moment's hesitation. Can you imagine it? A good thing she's not here.
[You know he SAYS that, but he turned his head to look around then. You can never be too certain!]
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You know, there are people here who are just as dangerous and axe-behead-y as the Lady is. I won't tell you not to be terrible, but you should be careful to not be terrible around someone capable of killing you a million times before you even hit the ground.
Would you be a dog if he was covered in scales and didn't have any legs?
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What's life if you don't have brushes with death from time to time? I certainly don't intend to stop doing what I do best, if that's what you're suggesting. And you know what that is. Annoying or disgusting people until they leave me the hell alone.
[Or until they're his friends, he GUESSED. Not that that actually stopped him being annoying or disgusting at all. He just also interacted with them in other ways sometimes.]
And no.
Absolutely not. I would not be a scaly, legless dog.
no subject
[ DRAMATIC SHRUG. he loves his boy niles but jeez louise he's gonna have to put him on a leash. who sells leashes around here?? actually, he should just ask niles, because he probably already knows. ]
Coward. I'm gonna draw you as the scaliest, legglessiest dog and you're gonna love it. Anyway! C'mon, we're not done. [ he looks around, spies a small, fluffy dog that's just green-collared for absolutely EVERYONE, and picks it up and drags it over. look at that tail go! wag wag wag. ]
C'mon. Make friends with him. Introduce yourself. Knifelessly.
no subject
Lord Leo is the only 'alpha' here. And if I recall correctly, I'm usually the one getting our assignments handed in on time because a certain overdramatic idiot can't get his head out of his ego long enough to get them done.
[His arms are folded over his chest as he wrinkles his nose at Odin, remembering the whole 'naming a weapon' assignment all too vividly. Getting carried away, Odin would have never submitted a thing! Thankfully Niles was there to actually get something done.]
You're about to end up on the wrong side of someone's temper and/or blade here in a moment if you don't get that thing out of my face and shut up about calling me a dog!
[He'll wait until you are asleep, Odin Dark. He'll wait and then he'll stab you in your sleep as a fun prank between friends. He won't kill him but he will TOTALLY deserve a stab wound.]
no subject
Okay, well, yes, obviously Lord Leo is the top dog. Cat. He's a cat. But. But have you ever heard of "Alpha, Beta and Omega dynamics"? It's a rare form of literary technique that subjects the characters that reside in the piece of fiction that utilizes these parameters to interact with each other in a specific, defined hierarchy. Leo is Alpha. I'm Beta. You're the Omega. Do you understand?
[ do you understand, niles? do you? odin stares, long and serious, before he decides he's ready to move on. ]
I'll let you stab me if you just give this a chance and pat this puppy. Pat him and tell him you don't find him cute, and I will straight up let you stab me. Okay? Legit. 100% serious. I am giving you a free shot to stab me.
[ the white dog tilts his head. wuff. ]