August of wind

[maskormods]

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.

Unfortunately, tragedy has struck today. Outside a local 24/7 diner featuring waffles and other breakfast food, a large crowd has gathered while several fire trucks keep a steady stream on it and the buildings nearby. The diner is obviously destined to burn, and its waitresses, in bright yellow, stand outside watching with no small amount of worry reflected in their eyes. One of them complains, again, that she'd left her purse inside - and now a good $100 is going up in flames. For what? Won't somebody help her out, at all? The police are so inept! Just the worst!

The windows burst and, clear as day, one can see an alligator trapped inside the entrance, trying to make its way out but dissuaded by a patch of fire in front of the door. EMS and crowd alike gasp and wonder aloud, what can they do? Will no one save this poor Florida swamp cat?

02. De Chima, Virginia, is a large city with a healthy economy, with large numbers of citizens waiting to be awed by your very presence. Look at you! Organic wonder! Synthetic wonder! Whatever you might be, 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. If you let yourself get cornered, beware! Anything from personal questions about romantic chances to bedroom habits to dietary queries might be come up!

These questions are better asked inside, however, as a tornado warning has been released for the county. 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 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, even with imPort Mayor Baelish gracing the headlines. 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, and hostility against imPorts can spike. 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.

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, is the liveliest of all cities; loud, busy and there's always 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!

Look there -- someone's demoing a VR roller coaster! Won't you give it a shot?

Comments

Ricky | Trailer Park Boys

[smokesletsgo]

De Chima

[Due to the stormy weather outside, a good chunk of natives and ImPorts alike have been gathered (more like crowded) into a dimly lit bar. Between the mid-volume music playing and the somewhat panicked jabbering of the captive patrons, it's getting a little difficult to think, let alone hear anything. Luckily, Ricky's decided to embrace his new role as a hero and put a stop to the mayhem.

[Grunting and struggling a bit as he does so, he manages to pull himself up to stand on the bar (despite some flustered protesting from the bartender).]

Hey, your attention please? Attention, please! [The bar quiets slightly.] Alright, now can we all just agree to shut the fuck up for a second, please? Please.

Now, listen up. There's a fuckin' potential downpour going on outside, and it looks like we're probably gonna be stuck in here for a fucking while.

Luckily... [He turns to reach behind him, nearly falling off the bar as he does so, to grab the biggest bottle of liquor he can find. He turns the bottle over to look at the label for a minute, but he can't exactly fucking read, so eventually he just shrugs and holds it out over the crowd.]

Look, we've got liquor... [He pops the top off of the bottle, takes a swig, clears his throat with a loud "ahhh". Then, he reaches into his pocket and pulls something else out - a little square of hash that he holds up for the crowd next.] And we've got dope.

I say we get super fucking drunk, high as shit, and just try to have a good ass time.

Now, uh...I can't exactly go broke handing this shit out for free, right? So who's buyin'? [He holds up the hash again, then glances toward the liquor bottle, takes another swig, and tosses it into the crowd.] Take all the booze you want. [Still ignoring the bartender's protesting, of course.]

Network - Video

[You're greeted by a grumpy-looking 40-something-year-old with a cigarette behind his ear and one already smoking in his hand.]

Uh, so I'd like to submit a formal green Vince. [He pauses to take a drag.] This whole thing? Is fucked.

I mean, people got families and shit! I got a family in shit.

[Another quick puff. He shakes his head, letting out a somewhat incredulous huff.] And sure, whatever, I was technically in jail before this, but I was gonna get out eventually!

Besides, at least in jail there's some decent dope. [He sighs, shaking his head again and then flicking away the end of his cigarette, only to pull the other cigarette from behind his ear and light up again.]

Look. All I'm saying is, this shit has got to go against the Genevieve Convention or something. [Muttering to himself:] Fuckin' bullshit super world, can't even get any hash. At least there's still booze...

Network - Video

[ruthlessclarity]

[She'd video herself, but she's still getting a handle on how her Sight works here. Going from having really freaking insight into people to Sight is... yea.

Also that sure is an Australian accent. It's not as strong as it could be though.]

Time stops back home, something I am glad for- I would hate to miss my son grow into the man I know he'll become.

[More thankful than Ricky can know.] As for any Conventions. Hmm. I think being free is worth some small sacrifices.

mollymauk tealeaf | critical role 2: electric boogaloo (tw: some self-harm)

[viciousmaukery]

[heropa]

[Don’t you just hate it when your first day in a new world includes having to save somebody’s money and an alligator from a fire? Yeah.

And here Molly just wanted to enjoy his hot dog. He’s never had one before, in fact he’s pretty sure they don’t exist back in Wildemount, but no. Instead, here he is, hot dog-less, and in the midst of a burning building with a wet cloth tied over the lower half of his face. Just because he’s fire-resistant doesn’t mean he’s not susceptible to smoke, and he’d rather not suffocate on his first day here.

In one hand is a purse. In the other hand is a curved sword, glowing brightly, and a trickle of blood is dripping off his the cut he made into his arm to activate the rite. He spins the sword to catch the gator’s attention.]

Nice reptile, come on, look this way. [He infuses the words with what little magic he does have that’s not tied into his blood, trying to enthrall the damn thing.] Nice, big, very intimidating reptile.

[The gator very slowly turns, and bares its teeth. Maybe it’s at Molly—or maybe it’s at you.]

[de chima || paparazzi]

[There’s a lot of things Molly’s used to, and drawing a lot of attention is one of them. He’s fine with that. He’s a lavender tiefling with tattoos and the most colorful coat on this street, that’s bound to draw some looks at least, maybe a couple of words. He invites those looks. Might as well make himself look good if people will look anyway.

That having been said, Molly has never before been mobbed by paps.

But he is really good at rolling with it anyway, because he’s grinning brightly at the paparazzi and gamely answering every question they’re asking him, even the ones that seem a little bit invasive.]

If “going commando” means what I think it means, then yes, that’s usually what I’m wearing under my trousers. [This is a lie.] I got these tattoos to commemorate fighting a giant snake that tried to swallow me whole, and then I just kept going because, well, why not? [He has never fought a giant snake.] I haven’t even met most of these people you’re asking about just yet, how would I be able to rate their—dick energy, really? Tell me about that, I’ve only just come here!

[Are you an imPort? It takes a while, but eventually he’ll see you, and drop the cheer for just a moment to mouth, please come help me I might actually run out of bullshit before they run out of questions, before he’s back to answering questions for the paparazzi with a grin. Will you help? Will you make things even worse? Well, fhat’s really up to you.]

[de chima || my first rodeo]

[He’s a bit tipsy when he decides to try the bull. In retrospect, that was a horrible idea, but at the time, he’d been nursing his third shot and building up the buzz when he’d seen the bull, heard someone daring their friend to stay on for longer than thirty seconds, and heard the bull immediately targeting the poor bastard’s innermost fears and dragging up his past.

Well, hell, Molly doesn’t have a past. He throws back his shot and waits, amused, for the poor schmuck to climb down off of the bull, clearly shaken. He asks the bartender what the reward is for setting a record on the bull, and gets a sigh. You get a free round if you last five minutes, the guy says, and Molly grins and flicks off a lazy wave in thanks, incidentally throwing the bartender a couple of coins. He turns, saunters up to the bull, and clambers on.

Should be fun. Like riding a horse, only one that can talk and also make you cry.

At first it’s fairly smooth, or as smooth as a ride on a mechanical bull can be. Do you think this will make your father love you?]

He threw me into a lake once, I think we’ve settled that question.

[What about your mother?]

She took me to a circus once, lost me, and took two months to find me because she was too busy drinking in a bar like this. I think it’s settled there too.

[You think your friends care about you, where you’ve gone? You think they’d miss you if you left?

And that—stings a little. The bull seems to sense that, sense the way Molly’s hands go slack for a moment before they tighten, and it starts to go down that road, talking about how Molly’s friends don’t care enough to look for him, only tolerate his presence, only care about what he can do for them and not about him as a person. It’s stupid, letting a mechanical bull get to him, so Molly grits his teeth and tries his hardest to hold on.

Then the bull says, you know you’re going to die alone and unloved, and Molly—who woke up two years ago, alone, cold, and scared—just freezes in place, red eyes going wide, right before the bull bucks hard and tosses him off its back.

Possibly right onto you.

Make a dex save.]

[network]

[The video clicks on to a purple, androgynous being with horns, tattoos, and a coat that looks like Cirque du Soleil and a Dungeons and Dragons pantheon had messy sex. The background is a night club in Nonah, winding down: there’s fewer people on the dance floor and even a couple seen staggering past in the back, as Molly takes a sip of his drink.]

So—that was a fun day. [He smiles when he says it. It’s a friendly smile, although somewhat undercut by the fangs and the solidly red eyes.] Mollymauk Tealeaf, of the Mighty Nein, recently of Wildemount. I have to say, this is very different from the taverns in Zadash. Less bright lights, less dancing, and the music is comparatively duller there.

[He takes another sip of his drink: a fruity cocktail with a little umbrella poking out from the side.]

Anyone here who might know a better place than this? Barring that, I’d love to hear what other activities there are for someone as new to this world as I am. I’m always up for a new experience, and since I got here I’ve had nothing but. I’d love to keep that going for as long as possible. [Another sip.]

Alternately, the official welcome spiel that I got was terribly boring, I may have stopped listening halfway through. [He did not, but it was frustratingly scant on real information that he could’ve used. So, here he is instead.] If any of you can come up with something more interesting, I’ll either buy you a drink or—if you don’t want one—I can give you a reading. [His hand disappears into his pocket, comes up with a tarot card.] What do you say?

[de chima || paparazzi]

[ruthlessclarity]

[Paparazzi. Now this isn't something she misses. While she does do a slight double take at Molly, it doesn't deter her from approaching. Her own husband looks far weirder (and has more horns) than he does, and the lowborns of the species are, frankly, terrifying.

A few of the paparazzi spot her, what with the dress she's wearing, and the delicate looking metallic gold choker at her throat. Firey hair hides the fact it's metal all the way to the latches at the back. Also. Reflective sunglasses.

Regardless, she slides up beside Molly like she belongs there.]

There you are. Honestly, I do not think we could have picked a more nosey city for this outing. [Assuie accent aside, she gives a glance and half smile to the reporters. Thank fuck for her years of navigating the socio and political quagmire that her life became, because that sounds real. Like he is a dear friend she lost track of and not some rando she's just met.] I'm sure they'll leave us be. I did see Tony Stark a few streets back.

[She knows that'll get them moving along. The thing is, she can't tell if Molly will play along or not, and she's not about to take off her sunglasses to check via Sight.]

[Network->Action]

[shotgunsolutions]

[The only reason Oswald approached the strange purple person was because the club was clearly starting to close up for the evening. A little early for his own tastes, but he supposed there were probably places to go after if he wanted to. But only after he spoke to this person who was so obviously an imPort. If their appearance hadn't given it away, the distinctive phone that apparently all imPorts were given upon arrival but none of the natives seemed to have access to, certainly did.

He arrived at the creature's side just as he finished talking into his broadcast, flashing a deck of cards.

Oswald slid into the seat opposite the... man? woman? thing? he really couldn't tell just yet. It was vaguely humanoid in that it looked sort of human in every place it wasn't obviously inhuman. But other than that, no clue.]

Hello. I couldn't help but overhear your generous offer. I'd like to help.

[If Molly wasn't completely distracted by his broadcast, he might notice a slight limp to his new table companion's walk right before he sat down. If not, well, no harm no foul just yet.

Oswald did, however, set an umbrella across the table in front of him. Dressed well in a suit that covered him neck to toe and down to the wrists, his overall appearance still gave off a strange and vague impression of a bird. Might have something to do with the beak-ish nose or the way his hair was styled up. Or a combination of everything.]

So! What do you need to know?

paparazzi!

[eatsnutsandkicksbutts]

[ If there's one thing that Squirrel Girl is good at, it's helping people who are in obvious distress. If there's one thing that Squirrel Girl is terrible at, it's subtlety, which is why she drops into the middle of the crowd of paparazzi from atop a telephone pole. ]

HEY WHAT'S UP I'M BEING A DISTRACTION, HOW'S IT GOING NEWSPAPER GUYS!

[ As she fields the paparazzi's questions, a squirrel - a literal squirrel, a small grey one with a pink bow tied around her neck - pops out of her tail and passes Molly a piece of paper. It says:

ESCAPE?? Y/N ]

yeehaw

[goldrighthand]

[Right on to Akande?

More like right in to his arms, because if the man has one thing, it's reactions. Molly will find himself abruptly in the large man's grip, perhaps a little more tightly than needed- but can he be blamed for it, when someone flies out of nowhere?

enjoy that mild scowl, though, as he looks down at you.

intimidation check]

Oswald Cobblepot ☂ Gotham

[shotgunsolutions]

☂ ((Network - Video))
Well, this is certainly an improvement over the phones we have back in Gotham.

[A well dressed and well-groomed man with a nose that curved a bit like a beak and hair styled a bit like a feather plume who, overall, seemed a bit reminiscent of a bird on casual glance, spoke into the video. He adjusted his tie and neatened his finely-tailored suit. His smile excited and eyes wide.]

Though I must say, being kidnapped and taken here on the very eve I celebrate my mayoral win was not on my agenda.

[The smile and jovial expression stay well in place, but there is definitely an edge of anger to his tone in that statement. One that quickly disappears in the next.]

I would worry about what my constituents might think, but according to that helpful little welcome pamphlet we're all given upon arrival, they're not even going to know I'm gone.

[A pause. Then a laugh and shrug of the shoulders.]

How convenient.

[The laugh continued for a bit to the point it started to get a little creepy and perhaps a bit manic before he got himself under control and held up a folder.]

They also gave me this, which is supposed to outline what 'powers' I get. However, it is woefully without details and I can't help but feel the government of this place is purposely attempting to hide from me what has been done. If anyone would be so kind as to aid me in navigating what some of these notes mean, I'd be most grateful.

[Another pause before he remembers himself.]

How terrible of me. I forgot to introduce myself. My name is Oswald Cobblepot. Mayor of Gotham, if that happens to mean anything to anyone.

☂ ((Nonah - Nightclubs))
At least this scene was one Oswald was familiar with. Dimly lit booths and brightly lit stages. People dressed not quite to the nines mixing and mingling. Mostly above-board businesses. A perfect place to sit alone and observe the rabble of this city.

Or catch an eye of someone who looked interesting and invite them over with a glance and a tilt of the head. Knowing literally no one meant he'd have to actually take time to make new acquaintances and potential allies.

☂ ((Any Other City - Out and about))
Oswald stood out not because of his tattoo - which sat hidden under the fine fabric of his suit coat - and not because of his well-tailored suit. He stood out because of his walk. His gait was slow and most likely pained him. His right foot was twisted to the side, toes pointing out, making him limp in a manner that looked all too much like a penguin waddling even when he used the umbrella he'd found next to him upon waking as a substitute for a cane.

He spent his time acting the part of the tourist while trying not to appear as such. Dressed as expensively as he was, he could pull off the ruse of being a well-to-do business man looking at properties or enjoying the novelty of being among the poor masses. Anyone who stopped to say hello was greeted with a warm smile and a 'hello friend!' that seemed genuine enough.

☂ ((Wildcard))
Have at!

Network

[ruthlessclarity]

[That sure is an Australian accent. It's not as strong as it could be though.]

I'm certainly willing to try to help you understand.

3 - Maurtia Falls

[setmatch]

(( Considering David's PB is the same guy that played Theo Galavan? I have to.))

Funny thing about being an imPort of some notoriety- you tend to have people mobbing you. Either asking for autographs or selfies, or spitting in your face. Considering David's history, it could be either.

Which is why, when he sees a gentleman with an umbrella for a cane, he's quick to swoop in. Man looks like a good businessman. And, well, he needs not just an excuse to get away from the people harranging him, but to perhaps find more clientele for his newly established law firm.

"Yes, please, excuse me- my client is here for a meeting." He smiles wide, quick to take Oswald by the shoulder, and escort him to the nearby sanctity of a local business office.

The moment they are out of sight, David straightens up, his own cane held loosely to the side as he brushes off the dust and dirt. The smile is gone from his face.

"My apologies. Terrible way to make your acquaintance."

[goldrighthand]

[at least in one case, 'interesting' means large and well-dressed, who is also keeping an eye out for certain...folk.

Akande takes his time to get a new drink before approaching, looking down at the...somewhat smaller man with an arch of his brow. Certainly, he doesn't appear to be much, but looks can be deceiving.]

And what can I help you with?

dexter douglas/freakazoid | freakazoid!

[conversationalnorwegian]

heropa

1.
[The fact that he hasn't even been here this long and something's gone wrong...well, it's not unexpected. He figures no matter where in the world he is (or otherwise) that place is always gonna need heroes.

So in all the hustle and bustle of the crowd surrounding the diner, you might catch a glimpse of a skinny white kid nearby pushing his way past everyone (maybe even you) as if he's trying to move away from the scene - but if you watch him, or even follow him, you'll find he's heading towards an adjoining alleyway beside the diner. It's almost as if he's trying to approach the blaze and remains unseen...could be dangerous, though.]

2.

[Otherwise, anyone who tries to approach the blaze and help out might find they aren't alone inside of the building. There's a manic looking, blue skinned guy in tights currently trying to help the poor old croc...unsuccessfully. Its jaws are latched onto his forearm and while he doesn't seem particularly injured, he is trying to shake it off like it's a dog.]

N-Nice lizard! Easy girl!...boy? Argh who cares, just get off of me! These aren't clothes you know, it's my skin!! My skin!!! Why, oh why, did I skip that show about weird old guys in the mountains who wrestle crocodiles?! I'm sorry Zeke, I'll never make fun of your accent again!! Just hit me with some divine inspiration here!!

de chima

[He knows more than anything he ought to be buying supplies for the tornado coming, but the allure of new technology is too much for him to resist. Dexter is a computer geek from the 90s, so the fact everything's come so far since his time is just...amazing him here. That's why he's standing in the electronics section holding a smartphone, looking over the specs on the back of the box.]

No way...you're telling me all of this comes standard? Heck, my computer back home doesn't even compare to this little baby...I've got some serious catching up to do.

Maurtia Falls

[Is that a lightning bolt? That's a lightning bolt. It streaks across the streets at high speed leaving a trail of flames in its wake, stopping before you and returning to freakazoid's humanoid shape. Though that doesn't really slow him down, as he talks a mile a minute while waving his hands frantically.]

Hi there! Sorry to be a bother but uh, did you happen to see two cars come this way? Fast, full of some mean looking peeps, posssssibly loaded with guns? I was tailing them from the bank and totally lost them, haha. You know, the cops were doing a pretty lousy job of keeping up cause of how slow they were, but who figures it'd be so easy to lose sight of them if you were going too fast, huh? Crazy!

Maurtia Falls

[shotgunsolutions]

[Oswald froze up at the sudden appearance of lightning bolt-turned-man that just couldn't seem to stop even when stopped. He pulled his head back and blinked a few times as he looked the 'man' up and down. God, what a waste of spandex. Had his fellow imPorts no taste in fashion?

After tilting his head up in a manner that, combined with his beak-like nose and oddly crested styled hair, left a vague impression of looking at a bird, Oswald forced himself to school his expression into a bright smile.]

Yes, actually, I did see them. But they were too fast for me to catch up with.

[He waved his hand down toward his right leg, the foot of which was turned unnaturally, toes pointing outward in a manner that would make it difficult to walk. Well, not for Oswald, but most people assumed it would and he liked to play to their assumptions so they'd underestimate him.]

If I directed you to them, would you be willing to take me along with you? I feel I could do something about that red car if I could just get close enough. I'm less certain about the green one.

[Because he was pretty sure he saw the red car pointing a bazooka at the green one and he wanted the bazooka.]

Doomfist /// Overwatch

[goldrighthand]

DE CHIMA//
[Really, he's just trying to find some better clothes. For the most part, he outright ignores those who are pestering him here in the men's suits sections, calmly looking through the racks and also ignoring the stammering salesman who's doing his very best to help him. Instead, he feels up the fabric of the suit, considering its quality-

-at least, until one asker gets a little bit too close.

They're promptly grabbed by the throat and hefted off the ground, with a very mild chide of] Personal space. [Thankfully, they're immediately - dropped? thrown? either way, released with some force - on to the ground, but rather than being dissuaded, they seem more excited than ever. DID YOU SEE THAT HE PICKED ME UP WITH ONE HAND-

Akande sighs, and goes back to trying to ignore them as he selects his items and goes to final purchase]


MAURITIA FALLS//
[well, that sure happened. Akande leans over to the nearest passerby;]

Is that normal?


NONAH//
[he'll take the club pass, and slips in easily with the air of someone who's done this sort of mingling before. after obtaining a drink, he goes to find a seat at the second floor. generally, this is for those who want a view of the dancefloor, but Akande?

he wants a view of the whole club, resting a hand on the railing as he considers this only-so-different world he's found himself within.]


WILDCARD//
[pick your own situation!]

MF

[dun_moch]

[The passerby, visibly unruffled by the nearby commotion, coolly sips a cup of tea, held in a prosthetic hand. He is an older man, wearing a suit and an eye patch.]

A fairly regular occurrence in this city, I'm afraid. You will grow used to it, if you are to be living here.

squirrel girl, totally not doreen green, shhh! | marvel comics!

[eatsnutsandkicksbutts]

Heropa

[ Did somebody say GATOR WRASSLIN'?

... No, nobody said gator-wrasslin', but there's a squirrel-tailed girl wrasslin' a gator anyway. She's managed to heft the critter up across her shoulders in a fireman's carry, and has wrapped her tail around the gator's jaws, keeping them firmly shut. ]

Shhh, sweetie, it's ok! You just wanted some waffles, didn't you? You're just a hungry girl who was looking for the Saturday morning brunch special and had really unfortunate timing, yeah? Yes you are, yes you are! No biting, okay? Nooooo biting. We're gonna get out of here just fine, I promise!

[ Once she turns to see you, she'll give you a big, buck-toothed grin. ]

Hey! You wouldn't happen to have seen a lady's missing purse, would you? Or know the phone numbers for any wildlife conservation orgs? Or, um, zoos that happen to be missing a gator?


De Chima

[ The paparazzi have Doreen Green cornered. If she were in costume, Squirrel Girl would just straight-up bail on the crowd by leaping out of it and onto a nearby roof, but as mild-mannered Doreen Green, who totally doesn't have a tail, and absolutely does not hide said tail down the back of her pants, she's kind of stuck, and these dudes are persistent. She starts out politely answering the questions as best she can, but Doreen's patience only goes so far, and by the time they start asking her about food allergies and clothing measurements, she is downright annoyed. ]

So, just floating this idea, all imports have powers, right? So it wouldn't be out of the ordinary or suspicious if I just, say, jumped out of this conversation? Also, dude, how is literally any of this your business?

this is stupid but doable in Da Chima

[kickbuttseatnuts]

Halt citizens!

[A familiar voice shouts down from the nearest rooftop.]

Haven't you learned not to harass innocent civilians?! Privacy is important to the lives of everyday citizen... life!

Yeah!

K31 | Kaylyn Duffy | Original Character

[k31rfree]

De Chima

[The tornado warnings did their best to dissuade the community at large, but K31 could not be bothered. She was with the rest of them, wandering the streets and guiding others who were caught in the downpour toward local bars and shops. She hadn't left to be a hero that day. Until now, she had not had many chances to visit De Chima and get to know the residence. What better time than now, she figured!

[She put her power to use, lighting the way through the dark wet weather into the safety of one bar in particular. Cramped right with them, people were ready to show their gratitude, offering her drink after drink to warm her up.

[So she accepts one. And then another...And then maybe one more. It's not long before she's forgotten about the storm in it's entirety and is enjoying the company of everyone around her. Who's ready to have fun!]


De Chima Weather Warning! (alternative route)

[K31 has always been aware of her lack of experience. Living in an underground cult for the majority of her life did not prepare her for much of what the world had in store. It had taken her a long time to get used to the technology of this world and even the most simple of devices had been strange and frustrating. For the most part, the girl could shrug those things away and choose not to even handle it.]

[However, when it came to the weather it wasn't so easy. Tornadoes, thunder storms, floods and wind were not just something you could opt out of. While she wouldn't admit any fear of these natural disasters, she was in true awe of the power of the planet earth.]

[You come upon her soaking wet, arms crossed over her body as she leans up against the side of a building. Positively puny compared to such a big storm. She does not look particularly upset, but perhaps as though she was not prepared to be out here at all.]

[She offers passerby a smile as she tries to use her communicator under the cover of the awning. Trying to find an easy way home.]


wildcard

She's out there! She's friendly and easily confused! Come and get her!!!

Weather Warning!

[ruthlessclarity]

Need an umbrella?

[Don't mind Ishtar as she stops beside you K31. It's... debateable how dressed for the weather Ishtar even is, what with the very long coat-dress, boots, and sunglasses (in this weather? Yep)-

And offering the soaking woman her umbrella.]

kanan jarrus | star wars rebels | hi i missed u

[kanyounot]

Maurtia Falls

[ Anyone who knew Kanan when he was here previously will be startled at his current appearance - for one thing, he's not wearing the mask that usually graced his face back then. His eyes are still scarred and milky and unseeing, but he's made no effort to cover them up.

And then there's his hair, which is short? That ponytail he always used to sport is gone, and it looks like he might've done it himself, as it's kinda rough and uneven. Oh, and his beard is totally gone, too. Yep, completely clean-shaven, which makes him look oddly young.

But his appearance is clearly no concern to him, however, as he cocks his head, as though hearing something. And then, crazily enough, the blind guy steps out into the middle of a busy street, calm as you please, and stretches out a hand.

The green car stops as if held by an invisible force (which it is), and when the occupants get out of it, pointing their guns at him, he waves his other hand, which sends the weapons flying out of their hands to land at his feet. ]

It's been a while since I was last here, but I'm pretty sure you guys are breaking at least five laws right now. I mean, aside from putting innocent people in danger.

Network; voice

[ Do you recognize his voice? Or nah? He's not showing his face just yet, regardless. ]

You know, there's nothing quite like the feeling of a new beard coming in to remind you that you're alive.

Gotta question, though: is NeoJedha still running?

Network

[continuousgroaning]

... Kanan? Is that you? This is Tina talking. If.. that name means anything to you...

stephanie brown | that one big comic book company

[vigilantics]

1. is this florida

[ i honestly do not know how to write this because there is an actual goddamn alligator stuck in a burning building in real life, and steph also cannot believe that this is occurring. she pauses, looking around as if to confirm that this is, in fact, really happening. no one is stating otherwise. ]

... okay fine I'll bite.

[ and so will the gator, probably, but if no one else is going to save the over-sized lizard!!! so have a steph running into a burning building because this is somehow her life. ]

2. twister (2006) dir. jan de bont

[ stephanie isn't a terrible human being so she, of course, offers to help people prepare for the storms. does she have experience in carpentry? who is to say. yet still, you can find her scrambling around with various supplies.

you may also find her dropping said supplies. whoops. ]

... I'll pay for that.

3. wildcard

[ i'm bad at toplevels, don't @ me. but if you have any other ideas have at it!!! ]

1

[cassassin]

[once steph is inside and making bad choices, a grapple spike slams into the countertop. shortly thereafter, a short figure in a bat costume reels through one of the broken windows, and--

freezes. because that's stephanie brown standing right there after so long and so much struggling without her, and now isn't the time and there's fire and an alligator and--]

We need to move. [the voice is bass-shifted, distorted around the edges. the fire reflects off of the gold lenses of her cowl, and she moves towards steph and the gator. the rest can wait, even if it's totally wrecked her ability to focus on this. utility belt grab, retrieving some tranquilizer darts, loading them up into the mini airgun in her gauntlet, and night night gator. easy to drag it out of there if it's not struggling.

batman starts detaching her cape, quickly.] You're okay?

David Charleston | The Reckoners (Series)

[metaphorbia]

De Chima - Fanboys

[ Okay, so this whole notoriety thing? Just got kind of weird. Since killing Steelheart, David's sort kinda gotten used to people recognizing him, or at least having heard of him. But the small crowd of fans around a new Import? That's weird. And creepy. He feels like a bull in an ice cream sundae: way too big and serious for something this sweet.

Because good god he can't fathom the idea of people being drawn to Epics like this. No, Imports. That's what they're calling him. Nevermind he doesn't have any powers - can't have any powers, he turned Calamity down, he knows he can't be an Epic. Nevermind he's so dizzied by a city that's not a post apocalyptic hellscape that he honestly thinks he might pass out.

Breathe, David. He's fought Epics who could kill him with a thought. What's wrong with a crowd or two? ]

Hey - um - sorry, no autographs - if I could just -

[ He awkwardly picks his way out of the crowd as best he can. And just. Leans back against a wall, gulping down air. ]

De Chima - Storms

[ It's probably wrong to be relieved when he hears about the tornado coming in. But goddamn is David relieved. The crowd's gone! They're barring the windows! That's perfect. Onlookers he doesn't know what to do with, and a world that isn't in ruins? Also crazy. But dealing with an emergency is A+ in his book. Or more like a C, which suits his thoroughly average self just fine. ]

Hey, lemme help you with that. Just gimme a hammer.

[ Or whatever blunt instrument is at hand. He'll pat it into place with his bare hands if he has to. ]

Graverobber | Repo! The Genetic Opera | OTA

[robberofgraves]

-=[Storms of De Chima]=-
Storms make people run inside, but not the Graverobber. He’s used to the bad weather, His coat pulled in tight, he pushes past the wind and out for the night. Looking for a place to settle in and swipe some emotions. Perhaps a bar again, but his emotions he collects there always seem a bit watered down.

A diner isn’t too bad. People go to diners to get out of the bad weather, right? Food, warmth and hot coffee. Both are a good choice. While others are busy helping business owners with boarding up windows and signs, he stands outside a bar or diner, at different times of night, and tries to peddle a better mood.

“Hey you. Yeah. You. You look down, my friend. Need a little hope?” He might call to one person, or simply smile at another and call to them “I can take that worry away from you, love. Won't be but a moment.”

Maybe it’s later, and drenched, the Graverobber makes his way into a bar, finding a seat and ordering two shots. He looks to someone at his left and grins. “How ya feeling about that storm tonight?” Tornado’s be damned. This isn’t so bad.


-=[Network]=-
[A hum of a Blind Mag song could be heard at first] Hm _hm ^hmmm. Hm _hm ^hmmm.

[On video is a pale faced, dark lipped, colorful looking gothic man with a roguish smile. He holds up a trio of colored vials; yellow, blue and red. Each held between black and steel gloved fingers. In a sing song voice he speaks up.]

Everybody, everybody! Take a gander. Take a look!

I’ve got just what you need to feel your best. To make it through your day with a smile~

It’s non addictive. One hundred percent legal~ I offer you a way out of your dour mood and to be uplifted! And all it takes? An exchange of emotiiion.

Feeling sad? Feeling blue? Let me take it away for you~ Just one twist of my hand and you can have relief. For a ^tiny added cost, merely a few dollars, you can replace that mood with something brighter, ^lighter and freeeeing.

[With a wave and slight of hand the three vials disappear, his hand dropping off screen and back, one new pink vile shown.]

Want to feel what lovers feel? What to know what it’s like to be carefree? To feel on top of the world, or simply what love is? Come to me and see.

[With a wink and a lopsided smile he stepped away, showing a street sign in Heropa as his location.]

Hurry while supplies last.

storm

[therewillbeorder]

This is why he hated nature. At least, why he hated being outside. Storms were familiar to him after being born on Arkanis but it didn't mean he liked having to be outside in one. It didn't help that his mood was just as foul as the weather- the last couple of weeks had been unpleasant, to say the least.

He was nearly soaked through despite his umbrella and thick coat as he got near his office building and had been lost in his own thoughts before he heard someone call to him. The man's appearance was unconventional, to say the least. He raised his eyebrows, not at all startled by the flash of lightning.

"This doesn't seem the type of weather that would be conducive to doing business outside."

Eccarius | Preacher

[hampire]

01. Heropa

[Having spent the last forty years or so in the general Louisiana area, alligators are not an unusual sight for a person like Eccarius—indeed, there had been occasions when he'd ventured into the swamps specifically to seek the creatures out; a predator vs predator challenge so to speak, with the victor getting to eat the loser for dinner. Needless to say, Eccarius generally came out on top in those contests, the poor reptiles never knowing what hit them.

So, when he happens on the scene, spying the gator in the diner, he doesn't hesitate to step in, throwing off his cape and frock coat, raising his hands and declaring in a commanding dramatic voice-] Stand back! Your Savior Has Arrived! [Although from the way he launches himself at the beast, fangs out, fingers transformed into talons, it might become apparent fairly quickly to any animal conservationists in the crowd that the Florida 'swamp cat' is not being 'saved' so much as 'attacked' given all the biting and snarling going on as the combatants thrash fiercely around. Legs wrapped around the gator like a vise, Eccarius is just about the break its jaw when he's distracted by a couple of conservation officers leveling their shotguns at him.

He pauses, peering up at the officials and smiling brightly, his teeth dripping with blood.]

...yes? Something wrong? [Well at least he didn't actually eat it?]


02. De Chima

[Despite being nearly 350 years old, mechanical bulls are a thing quite outside Eccarius' experience and frankly, he definitely would have preferred to keep it that way. Unfortunately for him, he's currently amongst a group of people trapped with one, thanks to torrential rain and tornadoes (for however long that might last), but after a couple of wine coolers, he concedes that it does have some entertainment potential, especially given the 'Freudian' aspect of it, which is currently proving a bit embarrassing to the poor person riding the thing. Although... possibly not embarrassing enough as far as Eccarius is concerned, as he attempts to use his vampiric power of mesmerization to provoke even stronger reactions.

Don't mind the foppish-looking guy staring intently at you as you ride the mechanical monstrosity. You probably didn't have fantasy dreams about fucking your brother/sister/mother (all at once), but the Freudian bull suddenly seems to think you did. Are you beginning to believe it as well?]¹


¹[ooc: or insert extreme freudian hypnotic suggestion of your choice! Bystander tags welcome on both prompts.]

[crassidy]

[Originally having only emerged into the outside world for a visit to the liqueur store, Cassidy can't help but be drawn to the fire and crowds, curiosity forever getting the better of him as he wanders over. He could swear he sees the sweep of a familiar cape, although he never quite trusts his senses when it comes to wishful thinking. It's not until the commotion kicks up and several officers rush forward that he decides to push in after them, enough going on that they don't appear to have noticed the drunk Irishman shuffling along behind.

And there it is, laid out before him as he peeks over the shoulder of two shotgun wielding men to spot an all too familiar figure wrapped around an alligator. He's quick to push between the others, staring down at Eccarius, sunglasses on, cigarette dangling loosely from his lips in open mouthed confusion, and a tattooed hand extended in aid.]

Eccarius, mate, what the bloody hell are you doin'?

[If Cass' wasn't spotted straight away, the voice is a dead give away.

All Might | My Hero Academia

[toshinorinori]

Heropa

[ The man is tall and thin to the point that the word skeletal is the best description for him. He has a shock of blonde hair and sunken eyes, yet his blue eyes seem to gleam from the shadows. He's wearing a suit without a blazer and his arm is in a sling, and he looks like he's still recovering from some injuries.

But he's staring at that alligator and there doesn't seem to be any heroes around. He's retired. He's injured. He's... the only person around who might be able to help. After all, this isn't a villain or something big, it's just a scared animal. He can still save an animal, right?

He starts approaching the building cautiously, despite the fact that he looks like a strong wind might blow him over. Maybe... maybe you should help the guy out in what is probably not the greatest decision. ]

yells loudly

[nextsymbol]

[Where there's fire, there's Heroes, so it'll perhaps be unsurprising to All Might to see his baby protege on the scene. Izuku, on the other hand, is considerably more surprised to see a very familiar tall skeletal shape....

Almost surprised enough to be distracted, honestly, but he and All Might aren't birds of a feather for no reason. Which is to say, there's a few flashes of blue crackling light and then the alligator is suddenly outside instead and Izuku's running toward his mentor with eyes both full of concern and honestly -- no small measure of relief.]

All Might!! You're here!

[He might be retired, he might be injured .... but there's no denying how everything feels a little more fine, now that he's here.]

Leipmora Faelitt | Original Character

[lookbeforeleiping]

Heropa
[Leipa can't really hide that she's an outsider, what with her face, ears, and the antlers. People have been overall very kind to her--greeting her, offering her free food, and one man even asked for her autograph. She had done nothing to earn that regard, but telling him that she needed to prove herself before people treated her like she was some grand hero had been promptly interrupted by the wailing sirens of the fire trucks coming to save the diner. Or at least stop the flames and save the buildings around it.

What a wonderful opportunity to prove herself, all but handed to her. How fortunate for her.

She hurried over to see what could be done, reminding the man that she was no water mage, but then came the gasps as people realized the alligator was inside. Seeing an animal in there did push her to action. She dumped a full pitcher of water with lemons in it on her body and then rubbed dirt on her arms to create a protective shield from the heat before throwing herself into the flames.]

You may be a predator, but hold your teeth and let me save you. [She said, unsure whether the animals here had the sentience to understand her. The alligator certainly didn't seem like it was interested in her plans of rescue with it flicked its tail in her direction. She might need some help here.]

Nonah
[As if becoming accustomed to the odd hours of day was not hard enough, Leipa was certainly not used to all this shiny and handless technology. How could people speak to each other without even a scrying glass or mirror? It's so very strange. Interesting, but strange. Several people have asked her questions, most of which she hadn't answered, no had she be willing to entertain their "selfies" they kept requesting.

Until it comes to the VR roller coaster. Sitting in a "car" and putting some mask over her eyes does not seem altogether unsafe, so she agrees to that one rather than the others. Then a metal bar comes down to settle in her lap and she has no idea what the damned she got herself into.]

I do not believe this was advertised!

[If someone doesn't stop her, she might just shatter the bar with a stone fist to get out.]

[Network | Video]
[Leipa's nose twitches, a sign of her exasperation.]

I am still learning the ways of your "technology," and admit some of them are easier even than some of the Arts in my own world. But the clocks hear are completely illogical. Who would think it simpler to go by twelves instead of the full day?

INSERT YOUR NAME-KUN | persona 5

[trampcard]

HEROPA

[Joker has arrived in his rebellious outfit, all black and red and masked. He isn't sure why. He hasn't seen a Shadow yet, though perhaps that is changing now. Surely that creature trapped in there is not some simple alligator. This must be a test. Beneath the floor is a larger, more phallic alligator riding a purple chariot made of small, phallic alligators with dicks in their mouths waiting to ambush and kill him. He is alone, now, but who is to say that this alligator lure won't lead him to his teammates? He has to take it on alone in order to find them.

Determined, he runs forward to stand over the alligator, looking down at its seemingly normal alligator eyes and waiting, waiting for the other shoe to drop.

The griddle lets off a big puff of flame. So many scrambled eggs turned to black soot instead of delicious breakfasts.

But nothing more happens, except burning. The alligator seems so unimpressed with all this and backs away, as if the jukebox will save him. It won't. Instead, it will begin to play a very distorted version of Johnny Cash's Ring of Fire.]

Ah...!

[This is real fire! Perish the thought! Joker makes a split decision, grabbing the alligator up and jumping through the window as quickly as he can. This means he ends up rolling into the parking lot with a literally heated gator atop him, ready to snap some fingers off.

Will you help, or will you take the time to get yourself some snazzy new gator shoes?]




or come at me with your own prompt! that's cool too!

Hector Escaton | Westworld

[hector_escaton]

De Chima - The Approaching Storm

"Seems there's a storm coming."

This man - dressed in black and wearing a fancy cowboy hat - swaggered along, observing others hurrying around in their eagerness to escape the approaching storm and tornado. They all were seeking immediate shelter or trying to at least reach their homes before the onset of the bad weather.

But not Hector. He was newly arrived and was still sizing up his environment. The threat of a little storm didn't worry him too much and so he was currently more interested in the chaos and concerned citizens than about getting himself under any sort of cover.


Network - Video

Well.

[Dark eyes peered out from the screen. After that one word there was a moment's silence...]

Looks like I've strayed off the path. Don't suppose any of you folk here have heard of Sweetwater?


[ooc: Open to other random encounters in other places too!]

[maevelous]

"Is it coming? Or has it already arrived?"

Said Maeve, not too far off. She would recognize Hector anywhere -- and while there was a large part of her relieved to see him here, she's also a tad concerned about how he'll fit into this world. But he was adaptable. He was a survivor. Much like her.

who's ur daddy ( the war in our stars )

[warmachinery]

( de chima )

[ vader is.. annoyed. he's been annoyed, in fact, since his arrival, after what should have been his death. he recalls that very clearly-- the death star, his son writhing on the deck in agony, the pleading. sith lightning coursing through his body, shorting out his life support systems. luke above him, desperate to save him.

despite himself, he feels the faintest, distant thread of embarrassment; it's been so long since he's felt such a useless emotion that he almost doesn't recognize it. incredible, really-- darth vader, the clenched and killing fist of the empire, brought low and soft and helpless by the kindness of his son.

and now here he is, damned to the suit again, beholden to a strange power and a government that he should have been able to grind to dust beneath his boots, surrounded by fools that have no idea what they're dealing with. it's no surprise that he slips, no matter how he struggles to cling to the slivers of light that luke restored in him.

.. which is how this situation's come about, people fleeing from him, braving the storm and screaming, as he lowers his hand. at his feet, a young man with a little less pride and a little more caution coughs and rubs his throat. not dead; vader had stopped himself. but.. sufficiently chastised.

ah well. perhaps he'll be taking a more meandering path back into the light after all. ]

im sorry

[snarkaeologist]

[ well, the storm is annoying but aphra been handling her arrival... fairly well. better to deal with this than the shitshow at accresker jail. as she rounds a corner, heading for a bar to wait this out, she freezes because that's darth vader why is he here. not fifteen feet away from her, bam, the absolute last person in the galaxy she ever wanted to be face to face with again. the rational parts of her brain take a moment to catch up with her, she isn't quite asking herself the question of what motive he might have to eliminate her in this place.

whether he sees her or not as she scrambles back around the corner, her presence is loud and clear. ]

Blast, blast, blast--