DANCING WITH MY HAPPY FEET

[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. Some of the locals might thank you for always lending your service to the nation, while others might not say anything -- but if you have something nasty to say, better not say anything at all, right?

They are, however, in the middle of some awfully hot weather, so some good samaritans have gained the approval of the government to close off a few of the streets for some good old-fashioned fun. They've equipped everyone who steps in with water guns of varying quality, and there's also access to water balloons, a slip n' slide, and more! Why don't you grab an ice cream cone, watch the festivities, and cool off? But you'd better be careful - there's always a munchkin or two here to spray any unsuspecting onlookers they may find.

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! 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. Their questions are likely to be fairly mundane, however; get ready for an interview about your taste in romantic partners, personal underwear choices, favorite foods, and more!

On this lazy summer day, the biggest buzz comes from a group of teens and tweens who are all taking part in a massive scavenger hunt spread via social media! What are they gathering? You! ImPorts are likely to be targeted and asked to pose for pictures in which they demonstrate their powers, video clips in which they share fun facts and secrets about their home worlds, and much more! If you're not interested, you better hurry home -- they're persistent!

03. Maurtia Falls, Pennsylvania has had its ups and downs since imPorts started disappearing. The city's political core now gutted with its mayor and supreme ambassador exported out, the streets have returned to the hands of the local people -- and incidental, the local criminal element. 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.

As your character walks down the street, they may find themselves thrust within what appears to be an organized protest and a smaller counter-protest. There's shouting, there are chants. You pick up rhythmic beats of THE END IS NEAR, GET THEM OUT OF HERE clashing against the clumsier counter-chants of IMPORTS ARE PART OF US. You probably don't know why, but there are sects of people who believe your kind is bringing about the end of the universe. You'll probably learn why, in due time. But given the scorching tension of the situation you have found yourself in, it's probably a good idea NOT to use your powers.

But even keeping your powers on the down low, you're of keen eye, or at least today you are, as fate would have it. You see a boring looking man, perhaps in his mid-20s, with a cluster of boring looking companions (three or four at most) wearing backpacks as they all uniformly step back and don black masks. The protests are crossing the street ahead of First National Bank. These men beeline towards the bank.

They are going to rob it, and people are going to get hurt, you're sure of that. They're probably armed, given their backpacks. What do you do?

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. You may find yourself in the midst of a few closed-off streets for some occasion or another - whether it be a food cart festival, no-car day, or something else! - and surrounded by the hum of people, the waft of food being served on the street, and plenty of attention

Today there's a big lemonade stand on one busy sidewalk, staffed by a group of industrious kids. Aww, isn't it sweet? Wait...is that a cookie stand a little ways down, also run by elementary-to-middle schoolers? Heck, the entire block is full of kid-run mini-businesses — a gathering of pint-sized entrepreneurs! And they have their eyes on you, hero, because as a celebrity imPort, your pockets are full of $$$, right?

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.

What's that sound? Why, the Church of the Ancient Web Mistress's choir is putting on a performance! A sizable contingent of the congregation's musically-minded members has gathered downtown, attempting to forge a spiritual connection through the power of song. Sure, these hymns sound a little spooky to your ears, but the sincerity is what matters, right? And the churchgoers, who are also handing out lyric sheets to interested participants, are sincerely interested in getting some imPorts to join in as temporary members of the choir. Never hurts to get a little more press and tithes, right?

Comments

[kid_flash_found]

"Just arrived. Have to say it's one of the nicest inter-dimensional kidnappings I've experienced," Bart said, grinning back. "Is it that obvious?"

[iminthebook]

Harry laughs.

"It is somewhat pleasant. Less dungeon-y, more popularity." He shakes his head.

"And yes, you look like it is still new to you. You haven't settled in and stopped looking for the exit around every corner."

Harry understands. He is paranoid and knows it, but he still looks.

[kid_flash_found]

"Well, I'm definitely not in Kansas anymore, so I'll keep looking for the man behind the curtain." He didn't really know what else to do.

"Things weren't exactly settled back home, and now I'm here. At least I'm almost certain this isn't some kind of virtual-reality prison."

[iminthebook]

"Its a deep back stage. Don't get lost back there." Harry grins and waits as the other speaks.

"Its not, but it may take time to be sure of that. A lot happens here that is odd, and doesn't fit normal reality."

[kid_flash_found]

"Unless the landmarks change when I'm not looking, I think I can remember my way around," he says, smirking at the thought. He hasn't gotten lost since that one time when Tim swore he wasn't concussed. And that was mostly because he hadn't bothered paying attention.

"Normal is relative. Nobody ever suggested they're one of mine."

[iminthebook]

"IN this world, I would not put it past reality to do so."

Harry is all too familiar with the hijinx of this world.

Harry snorts at those words and nods. "Nor mine." He extends his hand. "They call me Harry Dresden. Welcome to the world."

[kid_flash_found]

"Uh, I know the guys at the briefing said something about how identities are not exactly secret here, but, um..."

He shifts a little uncomfortably. "I go by Kid Flash when I'm working."

[iminthebook]

"Yes. Expect the public to know your name and your general power set within weeks. But its fine. Nice to meet you, Kid Flash"

Harry nods. He gets it.

"How old are you?"

[kid_flash_found]

"Well, back home it was a big deal. One of my teammates got forced out of her school when she got outed. And she's Zeus's granddaughter," Bart said, shrugging slightly.

"I'm...sixteen-ish? I kinda lost track."

[iminthebook]

"I understand. This world is a whole new life and a new ballgame. But you're not alone."

Harry nodded.

"You may end up being assigned a guardian. I'm not sure how that works here."

[kid_flash_found]

"Can I keep my fingers crossed for a crotchety old cowboy from the 1800s?" Bart asked, thinking fondly of Max. "It wouldn't be the first time I got assigned one. My cousin wasn't interested in a teenaged sidekick when I first showed up."

[iminthebook]

Harry laughed. "Why not?" He shook his head. This kid reminded him of himself, way too much.

"It can be a hard thing adjusting to having a kid. When i first learned I had daughter, it was panic inducing. But I came to love having her around."

[kid_flash_found]

"I never knew my dad. And my mom lives in a different century than I do," Bart said, looking off. "It's been way too long since I've seen her."

Since Kon got accidentally drafted by the Legion and brought them with for back-up.

[iminthebook]

"Maybe she will show up here." Harry nodded. "Weirder things have happened."

At least in Harry's view.

"For now, if you need a place to hang your hat, I have room, and plenty of pizza."

[kid_flash_found]

"Do you have any idea how much pizza a speedster eats?"

Room is one thing, but he doesn't like ruining other people's access to pizza. It is one of the best things about this century.

[iminthebook]

"Yes, actually. Luckily, I can get you lots of pizza." Harry laughs.

For once he is actually doing very well. He knows exactly how much pizza Bart is likely to eat.

A scary amount, but he has fed werewolves before. He gets it.

[kid_flash_found]

"Is there another Flash here?" That would be pretty cool. Well, it could be cool. Unless it's Walter West or one of the Thawnes.

[iminthebook]

"I haven't seen or heard of any, but that doesn't mean they are not here. You are all pretty fast, after all."

Harry rubs his chin.

"There is an Iris however... who at one point, I believe, mentioned a Flash she had known."

[kid_flash_found]

Bart hesitates, looking away. He'd met an Iris, and he wonders if that's the same person.

"It's not that simple. You can't live fast all the time," Bart said. "I ought to know. That's part of why my mom sent me away. To save my life because without help, the Speed Force was killing me."

[iminthebook]

"I know. I was... trying to joke." He waves a hand, and nods.

"Maybe she will come here, and ... wait. Are you okay now?"

Had he missed something? He looked at the other, concentrating all his senses.

[kid_flash_found]

"Yeah, as far as anyone can tell, I'm pretty much a normal speedster these days. Well, as normal as anyone in the family gets," Bart said, shaking his head slightly.

"Well, if she does show up, I probably ought to warn you about her cooking. Nobody deserves the taste of burnt synpro."

[iminthebook]

"Good." Harry smiles in relief. He nods, and chuckles.

"Well, I will just have to cook then, or you can have a lot of order out?"

He chuckles again.

"Wanda, my girlfriend, is a good baker, so baked goods are likely to be around a lot."

[kid_flash_found]

"I don't want to be a bother. I mean, I have a part-time job, at least until I can convince someone that school is a complete waste of time and get emancipated or whatever they call it here.

"I'd rather not have to spend 8 hours a day listening to teachers mis-quote the textbooks."

[iminthebook]

Harry chuckles. "I understand. Maybe I can help you with that, too. I don't consider you a bother, but I want you to be comfortable and have a good situation for yourself."

He has no idea if he can, but Wanda might know.

[kid_flash_found]

"Well, like the pig says, home is where your rump rests. I've lived enough places that I can make almost anything work," he said, grinning at the Lion King thing.

"Are there a lot of underage, uh, what was the term the briefing used? ImPorts?" The hesitation was more because he had to actually go back through the material mentally. Just because he remembers everything didn't mean some things weren't easier to reference than others.