we're all reponsible here

[maskormods]

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 anyone's thread, either!

And remember to have fun!

01. Your memory is hazy and you might feel increasingly frustrated or anxious, or maybe you're excited as soldiers march past, barely glimpsing you. One second you're somewhere underground, the next you're enveloped in blue light, and suddenly you find yourself directly under Flordia sun's bright and burning glare. A female soldier steps toward you with a wide smile on her face and directs you to a car, ready to debrief you. You realize you are not the only one, surrounded by equally confused or eager faces... and you're all sporting a digital tattoo on your wrist.

02. Welcome to Cape Canaveral, where the smell of the ocean is in the air and locals are more than pleased to see new imPorts roaming their streets. They wave, they cheer, they ask for pictures as politely as they can. The more inhuman you look, or if you're wearing a costume, the more likely locals are to approach. Hey, enjoy the moment! The popular malt shop is offering you a free drink if you need it.

03. The technology in this world is certainly something. The cars are clearly modeled after popular 50s cars, but they hover several feet above the ground as they drive down the street. There are digital jukeboxes in restaurants, motorcycles also hover through traffic, advertisements can be seen on a digital projector on the taller buildings. Even kids on skateboards appear to drift a safe ten feet off the ground while playing!

04. Wherever you are, you can hear the loud revving of an engine, distance at first before you finally see it: a hovercar bursting around the corner, going beyond the maximum speed limit and just barely making its sharp turn. It doesn't appear to be slowing down any time soon, not with two police cars trailing it... and uh oh. Those skateboarding kids don't have much time to get out of the way as the car comes speeding down the road. You've been brought here for a reason Hero — so you better act fast.

Comments

[databoner]

[Tacky outfits say more about a person than they think. This tells Inumuta not only does Dio not care what anyone thinks, but also thinks leotards are an appropriate form of dress. Possibly from the 1980's, if he has to judge by style of that jacket and hairband as well.]

I did it because watching kids die isn't a favorite past-time of mine, and since it was in public, I'll probably get free coffee in the morning. So both. There's your personal answer. Now you should answer something for me. Why did you want them to die?

[diociopath]

I didn't.

[A surprisingly genuine answer, but simply because their lives mean nothing to him. He doesn't want them to die...but he doesn't particularly care if they live either.

Humans are beneath him.]

It was more about your motivation than it was their lives. I'm interested to see what kind of people heroes are.

[databoner]

Do you not have even the concept of heroes where you're from? The idea dates back four thousand years ago. I find it hard to believe you don't understand what simple concepts make up a hero's role.

[You want to talk to Inumuta, you get sass. All the sass.]

[diociopath]

[If Inumuta wasn't human garbage to him, he'd actually be offended.]

Do you think all heroes are motivated by the same ideals? To you, it might be about saving lives [Or coffee, w/e] to another, they might have something to gain.

Maybe some simply live for the thrill the lifestyle offers them.

[databoner]

Saving lives is the essential of heroic ideals. Anything else is either extraneous, or using the term 'heroics' to further their own goals. Doing it for the thrillz is just another example of the latter.

[diociopath]

So you'd argue that should someone save lives without good intent, they aren't a hero at all?

[Sounds stupid to him. Morals are so weird.]

[databoner]

That's what I'd argue, yes. Along with the idea of saving someone with the ill intent for them later, does not make a hero, no.

[diociopath]

The last one is obvious. Harming others like that...well, it would be considered the actions of a villain.

[Not to him though.

But again, morals are stupid.]

But to the people whose lives are saved, it wouldn't make much of a difference, I'd imagine. Would you try to defame their savior on account of their poor intent? If they were doing it for the thrillz?

[He says thrillz like an old man who has never heard of internet slang.]

[databoner]

I wouldn't. It's not my place to do that. I'll judge, but that's all.

[Just like how he's judging your pronounciation of the word thrillz.]

[diociopath]

[A low, amused chuckle.]

It must be difficult being a hero. It would be an admirable display of restraint however, if you are true to your word.

[databoner]

Well, that's why heroes are so commonly looked up to. They have great strength and restraint, and high morals. The epitome of 'good.'

[diociopath]

[They are, aren't they...the description reminds him of Jonathan, and perhaps not entirely a conscious response on his part, his hand moves up to touch the part of his neck where the Joestar birthmark is. Of course, it could just look like he's rubbing his neck, too.]

And to gather a city full of such people...

[People like this - "heroes" - they're his enemy by default. They oppose everything he stands for.]

Hopefully their cause is found to be a worthy one in the end. It would be unfortunate to have their desired heroes turn upon them. Such ideals can make a man fickle.

[databoner]

That's already happened to a degree.

[This guy is kind of seriously creepy, honestly. Inumuta knows, stranger danger, he probably shouldn't be talking to him too much. But the urge to explain and hear himself talk wins out.]

Most of those inducted here as "heroes" are doing it for their own purposes. They don't want to serve the cause of a government who, intentionally or not, has kidnapped them. The word "hero" here more or less refers to a job rather than a personality trait. I wouldn't call many here true "heroes."

[diociopath]

[That's certainly much more interesting.

It makes sense after all - it would be too much to ask for the entire population of imports to be made up of people who are so heroic and ideal for their cause. Considering they've brought him here after all, it's even more likely he could be amongst some like-minded individuals, even if he has to flush them out one way or another.

But even their heroes are mistrusting of the government...it's good to know it isn't a city full of naive idealists. Please, keep talking Inumuta.]

That is a shame...and is that how you feel about it as well? Your intentions sounded far nobler than considering the position a job.

You sound like the kind of man who believes heroes - the ideal, rather than their status here - to be important.

[databoner]

It is important. Just rare.

[A shrug, arms crossed.]

I'm not someone I'd consider to be a hero, though. Just because my ideals for others are high doesn't mean my own personal standards are.

[diociopath]

Yet your actions fit in well with the role you described.

Unless your motivations do run deeper than saving some lives and a coffee.

[A brief chuckle, the kind you'd make when making a jab at a friend.]

[databoner]

[Wow you're not his friend, Dio.]

They do.

[Pushes his glasses up. Like a nerd.]

[diociopath]

[His only friend is his priest boyfriend ok. But he did that laugh anyway.]

A shame, because I, Dio, would be lying if I said I wasn't curious.

Perhaps one day you can tell me about them, if you ever feel so inclined.

[He's not stupid enough to think of asking.]

[databoner]

Offering to be someone I vent to on the first meeting? Sounds more like someone who has no personal interest in me and more in my secrets.

[He knows because HE PULLS THE SAME SHIT. Dio might not be stupid enough to do the obvious, but Houka's smart enough to still know the difference.]

[diociopath]

[Haha WELL AREN'T YOU SMART YOU LITTLE SHIT.]

So what if I was? Is your immediate assumption I'd use that kind of information for something unsavory?

[databoner]

I assume everyone would use that kind of information for something unsavory until they prove otherwise.

[diociopath]

Because that's what you'd do?

does dio have a face

[databoner]

Maybe.

it's beneath all the ~mystery~

[diociopath]

[His mouth tugs into a smirk, becoming visible as it does, although from the mouth up it's still incredibly difficult to see the rest of his face.

Maybe that's just his power it is not his power.]

Interesting. Now I'm beginning to see what you meant, boy.

[databoner]

It's Inumuta.

[Which he does't mind sharing this information if it means Dio won't call him boy.]