30 days has September

[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.

Everyone’s in preparation for the arrival of Autumn! A small street fair has dedicated itself to welcoming Fall with open arms. Harvest foods have practically taken over— hot pumpkin-themed drinks, warm apple pies, and butternut squash soups are everywhere. One stall in particular has a scarecrow-building class, providing with plenty of patched up clothes and straw.

If you stay late enough at the fair to see the moon rise, you’ll notice it takes on a deep orange glow— pretty normal for a harvest moon. But it’s strange… a few scarecrows also seem to share the same color glow from their eyes. Maybe it’s just a reflection…?

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!

Although what really seems to be the question of the month for those hardhitting journalists is a little less of the mundane;

"So what do you think about the recent Import mission to Mars? How much did that cost the government, and what will the repercussions be?"

Maybe they're hoping for a psychic Import on these matters...

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. 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. The emergence of locals with superpowers is hardly helping... #THANKS TONY STARK, #ya muffin.

Up ahead, it seems like there’s a traffic jam- or rather, a complete deadlock. But strangely, no one’s honking their honks or trying to zoom around other cars. Upon closer inspection, it seems like everyone is stock-still, with blank expressions upon their faces. The only figure moving in the crowd is a woman with a rather strange black and white outfit…

It seems like yet another local with superpowers has emerged from the woodwork- perhaps literally, in this case, given that she’s dressed up like a mushroom.

It seems that Feelia Fungus has taken to telepathically freezing the entire intersection with her mind control “spores” while she helps herself to robbing civilians of their belongings. It’s up to you to stop her!

Remember: September is known for being mushroom hunting season!

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.

One might think that being such an industrial-based city, Nonah might might leave behind old cultural traditions. But with their motto of “Work Hard, Play Hard,” they certainly wouldn’t forget about a holiday they hold dear: Oktoberfest. 

The germanic celebration is in full force this week, complete with stalls giving away beer, and various snacks like brazen and würstl, along with various cakes. Anyone underage will be given a nice warm cider instead, and some natives may even try to convince you into wearing some classic dress- a dirndl.

For those with a more competitive streak, there’s a crossbow contest for most bull’s eyes hit!

Comments

I'll be the odd person out and choose Heropa

[faithfulson]

[ A persistent bad feeling had been gnawing at Luke's senses since the sun went down, like there was something lurking out there with ill intent. He kept a tight grip on his lightsaber as he carefully made his way around the scarecrows, eyeing the ones that felt like they were staring back at him. It was tempting to just cut them down and worry about the consequences later, but if they were normal then he certainly would look like a fool, and he wasn't in the mood to give certain First Order individuals an excuse to get on his case more than they already did. ]

[ At least when he saw one moving, he felt a little justified in his paranoia. ]

[ It didn't seem to realize he was there, and he would have just crept up behind it and finished it if it wasn't reaching out for... ]

[ ...oh no. ]

Mom, look out!

[ At least shouting made the scarecrow stop, its head turning away from her to focus on him instead. ]

she is not emotionally prepared for these feelings

[senateur]

[ It took a second for that word to register, Mom, and for her to realize the man was speaking to her. Another moment passed before she turned enough to notice the scarecrow now setting its sights on—

Her son. There's no mistaking that resemblance, and then she couldn't unhear that urgent concern in his voice. Mom. ]

Stay away from him.

[ The command was delivered with all the strength she'd once used during her days as Queen, though of course it was lost on the creature threatening her family. Still, just because she couldn't make it quake in fear doesn't mean she couldn't sidestep that outstretched arm, grab hold of its shirt, and give it a good shove toward the ground. ]

[faithfulson]

[ Luke had been ready to charge and throw down with the weird scarecrow if he needed to, but that... turned out not to be the case. He stared down at the animated straw... thing in mute surprise, before he turned his gaze back up to his mother, a smile slowly working it's way onto his face. ]

[ He started toward her, ready to grab her up and hug her because his mother was back, his mother was alive and just everything was so much better now that she was here. At least, he would have, if the creepy scarecrow hadn't decided it didn't feel like staying down, grabbing his leg. He let out the most unflattering yelp known to man, reflexively using the Force to shove it away. ]

[ Unfortunately, while he shove most of it away, the arm ripped off, the hand attached to it still clinging to his leg. This really wasn't his night right now. ]

[senateur]

[ That smile. The way he looked at her nearly took her breath away. There was so much in his expression, layer upon layer of emotion, that she felt guilty for not being the same person he'd known before. Despite that, she felt a warmth filling her up as if it had always been there, hinting at something she knew deep down but hadn't yet recognized...

Until that blasted arm tore her attention away from the lines of his face. ]

Hold still. [ The instruction was firm as she knelt down to grab hold of that hold. It didn't want to move, the fingers of the hand as still as metal, so she worked her own beneath them until she could pry enough of them free to fling the thing back toward its body. ]

[faithfulson]

[ Luke managed to stand still, a faint blush coming to his face as she pried the arm off. He offered her a sheepish smile as she stood back up, about to say something, when he heard a rustling sound, and looked past her to see the other scarecrows with creepy eyes starting to move. ]

[ He ignited his lightsaber then, the white glow of the blade breaking through the dark and giving them a better idea of how many of them were moving now. ]

...I think we need to go.

[senateur]

[ Neither his use of the Force or the lightsaber surprised her in the slightest, she was so accustomed to the presence of Jedi in her life. Really, all it did was make her wish she had a blaster in her hand — if it came down to a real fight, she wouldn't be able to help nearly as much as she'd like. So: ]

I think you're right. [ Stepping behind him, she reached out to set a hand on his side (so she wouldn't inhibit his grip on the saber) and gave a gentle pushing tug toward a direction clear of both people and scarecrows. ]

[faithfulson]

[ Luke shuffled back a moment, his free hand trailing down to find hers, despite the fact she had been making sure he had his hands free to grab his lightsaber. He gave her hand a squeeze, before shuffling back in the direction she was pushing him, making sure to cover them as the straw creatures shuffled closer. ]

[senateur]

[ There was so much she didn't understand about all of this, but one thing was certain: He trusted her. He was protecting her, and she could do no less for him. So when one of those creatures suddenly lurched forward ahead of the rest, she grabbed that hand and held on tight. ]

Run.

[faithfulson]

[ Luke didn't need to be told twice; he held his mother's hand tight as he broke out into a run, heading as fast as he could for the nearest way out of the area. He flung the Force back behind them for added measure, hearing a loud crash as he sent at least one of the scarecrows barreling into the others. ]

happy to continue this if you'd like, here or elsewhere!

[senateur]

[ She followed him without thought, only paying half her attention on the path they took away from the creatures. He would know the way much better than she, and even when her lungs burned and she felt they must have run far enough to lose their attackers, she didn't stop until he did. ]

Yes please!

[faithfulson]

[ Luke didn't stop until the feeling of danger was gone, and they were around some more friendly looking decorations. He let out a relieved huff of breath, sagging slightly before he finally turned to his mother, a small, happy smile creeping onto his face. She was back; his mother and his father were back together in this place and he was over the moon with happiness for it. ]

A-are you all right?

[senateur]

[ Pulling in deep breaths, she gives only a cursory glance to the place where they'd finally stopped, immediately approving of the more welcoming atmosphere. That smile catches her attention, though, and a surge of protective instincts rise up in her at his question. She's far more concerned about him than herself. ]

I'm fine. Are you? They didn't hurt you?

[faithfulson]

I'm fine, I'm fine.

[ He was a little breathless, but he was, in fact, fine. He glanced down at his lightsaber absently, like he forgot about it, before shutting it off and returning it to his belt. ]

I've run away from worse things here.

[ That smile of his widens slightly, amused by his own bad joke. ]

[senateur]

Have you?

[ She's not sure how to feel about that statement. Relieved that he's successfully fled those worse things, or worried that he'd faced them at all. Is this how mothers usually feel in regards to their children? Regardless, she manages a smile of her own, one that grows in affection with each passing second. ]

Anakin said our children were here, but I hadn't expected to meet you so soon.

[faithfulson]

[ Luke's smile faltered for a moment, a brief look of hurt flickering over his face. She... didn't remember him? Didn't remember her time here? It was just like... ]

[ No. No; he wasn't going to dwell on it, he was going to treat her like he always did before. It didn't matter that she didn't remember; they could create new memories. ]

I take it you haven't met up with Leia yet, then?

[senateur]

[ She saw that change in his smile and it hurt. If only she did remember her previous time here, then she wouldn't be such a terrible surprise to all the people she'd known before. She wouldn't hurt the son she didn't even know. ]

No, not yet. I'm so glad I'll have the opportunity, though, even with how strange it is to think I have grown children here.

[faithfulson]

[ Luke let out a faint noise at that, ducking his head almost shyly. ]

Well... having my parents here around my age is just as strange, believe me.

[ He peered up at her after a moment, wanting to say so much, how good it was to see her again, how much he loved her, but the words just weren't working right. ]

[senateur]

[ Yes, it must be. All of them have been thrown into this situation and as fortuitous as it might be to have the chance to know her family now, there are bound to be unique challenges for them as well.

Starting with how to act around each other. She may have only just met Luke, but he's known her for some time, and had a lifetime of her as his mother. After a few seconds of watching him, she came to a decision, hoping it would be the right one. ]

Would you— I find I'm in rather desperate need of a hug.

[faithfulson]

[ Oh, if only she knew... but that conversation would come in the future. For now, that smile came back to Luke's face, warm and happy, and he held his arms out for her, ready to pull her in to a tight embrace. ]

Absolutely.

[senateur]

[ The relief she felt at that smile is dwarfed by the actual sensation of wrapping her arms around the man who was (would be?) her son. He stood a few inches taller than her, but she lifts herself onto her toes the way she did with Anakin and held him as tightly as he did her.

The embrace felt like home. ] Thank you.

[faithfulson]

[ He'd never get tired of hugging her, and he wrapped his arms around her tightly, hugging her for all it was worth. ]

Anytime, mother.

[senateur]

[ She would most certainly be holding him to that. For now, she somewhat reluctantly loosened her grip on him and stepped back, though she stayed close to have a better look at him. After a moment, she smiled brightly. ]

You have your father's eyes.

[faithfulson]

[ Luke paused at that, feeling his face warming slightly at that. He was not blushing, he doesn't know what you're talking about. ]

Thankfully, I don't have his temperament.

[ ...for the most part. It's meant as a joke, despite the slight unease creeping into his smile. ]

[senateur]

[ That hint of pink looked adorable on him, but she was a good mother and chose not to say anything of it. He'd be spared such teasing - this time.

Her smile dimmed just a bit at the joke, the words bringing up memories of their journey to Tatooine and the horrible things that had transpired there. Despite that, there was still fondness in her voice as she responded. ]

Anakin has always felt things very strongly. I'm not sure he's always quite known what to do with those feelings.

[faithfulson]

[ Luke let out a soft snort at that. ]

Things don't change that much in twenty-something years, I guess.

[ The more he heard things about Anakin, the more he was around his father, the more he realized Vader was still so very much like him. It was a comforting thought in the worst kind of ways, but he wasn't going to trouble her with that. The time to explain what happened would come eventually, but not right now. ]

There's... so much I want to tell you.