what are we here for again?

[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, Florida 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. Heropa isn't right on the beach, but who cares? A local community center and pool complex is hosting a sand sculpture contest with loads of shipped-in sand, water and all the sculpting tools any beach artiste could want. Are you interested in winning a free season pass and a gift certificate for dinner for two at a top nearby restaurant? Then step right up and build your best beach castle!

Of course, with many imPorts nearby as inspiration, entries include sandy versions of many of them, new or old. Do you recognize your face, or that of a friend? Take a selfie with it, and maybe sign an autograph for the star-struck sculptor. Food and drink kiosks are scattered around for those who just want to tour the sculptures, making this a lovely day out for anyone who comes by.

...at least, at first. About halfway through the day, a would-be supervillain named The Shrinker bursts onto the scene out of nowhere, blasting people left and right with his powerful shrink ray. His aim isn't so great, so only about half the attendees are struck, but if you're one of them, those small-but-fancy sand castles now look like mighty fortresses. If you're not, then you better watch out—accidentally stomping on another imPort is a terrible way to make friends.

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! 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. 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!

On this crisp Spring day, crowds are out in droves as researchers, inventors and musicians are out showing off what's new and great in music technology innovation. Out on the tables displaying their wares, imPorts and natives alike are welcome to test out what's in store for what they swear up and down is the future of America's music industry. From warbling guitars plugged into synths meant to recreate the approximate sound of every other instrument they can think of (who needs an electric piano when you can do it on a guitar?) to rows of theremins to bagpipe-accordion amalgamations to electric dulcimers, it seems as though some of these won't necessarily be catching on anytime soon.

Up on the provided stage, any intrepid musicians are welcome to go up and take these instruments (and perfectly ordinary instruments) for a whirl, though do take care to keep an eye out for any side effects - the people developing this are natural showmen who really want to create the next big thing, whether that's through extravagant light shows, guitars that spit sparks out of their necks, horns that shoot bubbles and flowers and so much more.

Once evening falls and everyone's had their fill of the various musical themed food items for sale (boy, this world really loves their puns, don't they?), the tables and food trucks are cleared and mats are put out for a swing dancing competition! A blessedly professional band begins to play, a far cry from the chaos of unpracticed musicians trying their hand at experimental instruments this afternoon, and dancers trot onto the dance floor to strut their stuff. Why not go out there and show them what you can do?

And hey - enough of this swing dancing stuff, right? Why not see if you can scandalize a soul or two?

03. Maurtia Falls, Pennsylvania has had its ups and downs since imPorts started reappearing. Several imPort heroes have put focused efforts into cleaning up the streets of this somewhat infamous city, while others have swooped in to help the criminal industry thrive. More so here than the streets of any other imPort city, the battle between good and evil looks more like a war of escalation than a heroic tale. That might make the less than warm welcome imPorts are given in the city a little more understandable. The emergence of locals with superpowers is hardly helping. While some of these individuals have turned to crime, many locals seem more inclined to defend their native powered drug dealer than help the non-native hero bring them to justice. Who are you to tell them how to live?

It's not quite spring yet, but already flowers are popping up—in the form of seven-foot sentient musclebound daisies! A local criminal known as Flower Power has set them on the city, and they're going on a rampage, but a number of citizens have taken advantage. Do you go after the bushwhacking blossoms or the local looters?

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.

Baseball season is now open! And what's more American than America's favorite pastime? For new imPorts and registered imPorts, you can get in to watch the game for free! (If you aren't registered, sorry bucko, no freebies for you.) Take a seat, order some peanuts or a hot dog, and enjoy the game! Or, ask the citizen next to you what the heck is going on, if you have no idea what baseball is.

Midway through the game, the umpire might take note of you new imPorts -- assuming you're standing out in the crowd. He'll welcome you to throw a pitch if you'd like! Of course, the opposing team isn't too keen on the idea.

05. Jeopardy, Nevada by all rights shouldn't exist. A glowing neon city smack in the middle of the desert, the only reason it's still here is that the central nuclear power plant has tapped half a mile down into a subterranean lake for its water supply. So though the desert around it may be barren, the occupants of this small city are happily self sufficient. Those weird figures you see out of the corner of your eyes? Don't worry too much. Probably just weird radiation after effects. Jeopardy has a lot of those.

Today, the annual Jeopardy Pet Show has locals in fine spirits. Whether they own a cat, dog, lizard or ant farm, resident pet owners are encouraged to groom their pet pals to look their best and show how great they are in a blocked-off section of main street. The event kicks off at 11 a.m. with the pet parade, which is followed by a pet fashion show (how did the ant farm owners manage to sew such tiny outfits?) and a talent contest. Attending imPorts are encouraged to evaluate each pet and share their thoughts as guest celebrity judges.

One contestant of note is Paul the African Grey parrot, owned by an engineer at the power plant. Not only is Paul a chatty fellow, he's liable to provide unsolicited advice and criticism to any person who happens to pass by his table at the show. On the plus side? He's right about his fashion advice--Paul has impeccable taste.

Comments

de chima

[auditores]

"I am as lost as you, mio amico," Ezio says with a faint shrug and a smile. "I was just offered a corn dog. I am not sure I wish to know."

Re: de chima

[eagle_eyes]

"I find that sometimes it is generally best not to." Bayek agreed, smiling gesturing with his left hand at the various stalls. "Shall we try to find something attempting familiar together then?"

[auditores]

"That may be a good plan," Ezio agrees with a smile. "I am Ezio Auditore da Firenze. Recently arrived from Constantinopoli."

[eagle_eyes]

"Bayek of Siwa, though I have more recently been in Thebes." Bayek nodded, "Firenze sounds...a little familiar, but I confess have not heard of Constantinopoli. Is it a part of Rome?"

[auditores]

That gives Ezio pause. Thebes? As in, the ancient capital of Egypt? And asking if Constantinople is part of Rome?

“It was once, called Nova Roma, but it is long since held by the Ottoman Turks,” he finally says with some care. “I have heard tell that there are people here from many times, and I begin to suspect you are one of them.”

[eagle_eyes]

Bayek can't help but roll his eyes, "Bah! One Rome is bad enough, they do not need a new one no matter how long it has been."

He has little fondness for most of what the Empire has done, to say the least.

"You would be correct, neb. Cesar and I once traded words, though it is with Amunet that he traded blows."

[auditores]

“Having lived several years in Roma herself, I must agree, mio amico,” Ezio says on an almost-startled laugh. “But I can assure you that in my time, the Caesars are no more, though there are still occasionally men who lay claim to the title.”

[eagle_eyes]

"I hope those who claimed the title after him were better men." Bayek nodded, slowing a little to try to figure out what tacos were and whether they had any interest to him.

"You sound as if you have traveled a great deal. Is it something you enjoy?"

[auditores]

"They were men," Ezio says with a half-shrug. "Some were fair and even-handed, some were tyrants and despots."

He's killed a few of the latter, himself. But that's neither here nor there, especially as he finds himself also examining the taco stand.

"I enjoy... the quest for knowledge," he finally answers, smiling faintly. "And in so doing, I have found myself in some foreign lands."

[eagle_eyes]

"So you are a scholar?" Bayek asks, watching a few people leave the truck with their tacos. They don't look entirely terrible, but are still definitely foreign as opposed to familiar.

[auditores]

"...Something like that," he says vaguely.

"Oh, the outer shell is also eaten," he then comments, changing the subject as they watch someone eating their taco.

[eagle_eyes]

Bayek catches that change in subject, but he'll let it slide for the time being. Not wanting to talk about what you do for a living is reasonable enough to him, he's not about to talk about his own either.

"So it is a very flat little bread then, how clever."