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

[made_up_names]

[ He looks up again at that. Still swiping at his face every now and then. ]

Yeah? How d'you cope with that?

[thepowerofthor]

[ Thor nods. And he answers, though he is not sure he has a good answer. ]

Mostly by remembering him in actions. I have concentrated on making jokes, partying some, and by fighting those things which are not right, not just.

[ He chuckles, and feel tired. ]

And by training, pushing myself to become better and studying Earth technology in order to do something he would and would not approve of.

[made_up_names]

[ A small, slow nod. It's kind of nice to hear that Thor's done the same things Peter has. ]

Yeah? Yeah. Me too. I mean, less of the parties and joking, but definitely the training and the fighting. At least for some of the time.

[ And he has issues there - fear of his own mortality, grief over Tony, his longing for a normal teenaged life that no longer exists - but that seems to be the only thing that's worked at all. ]

[thepowerofthor]

Then, here, we can do it together.

[ Thor claps a hand on his shoulder, gently. ]

You are not alone, Avenger.

[made_up_names]

[ That means a hell of a lot. Peter can't help but tear up again, despite his best efforts to the contrary. Thor calling him an Avenger, first of all - but also not being alone. There's a thought. ]

If I'm not alone, then where's everyone else?

[ He blurts it out. Wincing as soon as the words fall out of his mouth, but. Well, they're true. And he's a little bit upset he was the only one around to deal with Mysterio. ]

[thepowerofthor]

I am here. Wanda is elsewhere, but I am sure would be here, if she had seen you, as well.

As for the others, they have not arrived here.

[ He cocks his head. and is curious. ]

[made_up_names]

That's not really what I meant.

[ He rubs at his face, already regretting what he said. But he might as well keep going now. ]

I'm kind of the only active Avenger on Earth right now. Or at least the only one Fury could get ahold of.

[thepowerofthor]

[ Thor nods. ]I do not know. I believe you are from at least a few months farther ahead in the timeline than I am. I have no idea what is going on there.

Likely, something came up, suddenly, and members of the team have been drawn into a conflict.

[ His face falls. ]

Or worse.

[ Then he shakes his head. ]

It is likely just a case of too many crises going on at once.

[made_up_names]

[ He's ... honestly not sure about what's going on either. For some people, he knows what's up. And for others... well, less so. His perspective is limited. ]

You're offworld somewhere. So is Captain Marvel. Rhodes is working with the military mostly, Dr. Strange is busy, and I have no idea where most of the rest of you are.

So - I guess maybe there's a lot going on in the universe right now.

[thepowerofthor]

That happens a lot for us.

The Avengers tend to rarely be all in one place at the same time.

But I am sorry you are alone there.

[made_up_names]

It's. Yeah. Things are kind of a mess right now? For me anyway.

[ Fortunately some of the pizza is here, so he's going to eat his feelings for a second here. ]

[thepowerofthor]

I think the fallout of the war made them a mess for all.

[ He pauses as he takes a slice to eat, pondering Peter, and then attempts a new thing he has not tried before. ]

Do you wish to... talk about it?

[ Sorry for the awkward, Peter. Thor is fond of younger people, but not all that experienced. ]

[made_up_names]

[ Thanks Thor. He appreciates the effort if not the result. Also the pizza, that part is great. ]

I dunno where to start.

[thepowerofthor]

[ Thor chews a little more, then offers another gem of insight. ]

Perhaps at the beginning?

[ Thor is not exactly wise, here. Sometimes smart, but not wise. ]

[made_up_names]

[ It is a very good place to start. Peter finishes the slice he was on, wiping his hands off on a napkin. ]

Well - I mean, it's been eight months. Things were crazy at first? I got back and someone else was living in my apartment, they made my whole class repeat sophomore year, half my classmates are in college now ...

[ Which is nowhere near what actually happened, but it helps him sort out his thoughts at least. ]

[thepowerofthor]

[ Thor nods, eating a slice and listening. ]

A chaotic beginning, but not nearly as bad as it might be, yes?

[ Thor pauses. ]

Have you ever considered not going back?

[ Thor, why? ]

[made_up_names]

[ He sort of blinks slowly at that. ]

What - not go back to school? Drop out?

[ He's thought about it, of course, but he's way less enthusiastic now that his life has gone to hell. ]

[thepowerofthor]

If it is something troublesome, is it worth it? You seem un-lacking in smarts. Do you need that school to continue to learn?

[ Thor does not think so, but Asgard was a very different world. ]

[made_up_names]

Well - no, but -

[ How to explain this. ]

It's kind of my last tie to a normal life? And I might be losing it.

[ Thanks, Mysterio. ]

[thepowerofthor]

[ Thor squints, then sighs. ]

But you are not normal, and is not trying to live that way a kind of lie?

[ Midgardians are weird. ]

[made_up_names]

[ Ow, Thor. He winces a little. ]

It's not - I mean - I don't know, it's complicated. I like having a choice. And Mysterio throwing up my picture and my name on the news sure torpedoed that choice into oblivion.

[ Oops, he's skipped to the end. Back up, Peter. ]

[thepowerofthor]

Choice like that is a luxury. I once thought like you. If I had not... [ maybe Asgard would still be there, maybe his brother and father would still be alive. And his mother. And his friend.

Maybe. If only.

He shakes his head and sighs. ]

This Mysterio outed you? Harmed you?

[ Anger slowly rolls onto Thor's face, and his eyes sparkle with lightning. ]

I am sorry I was not there for you, my friend.

[made_up_names]

[ He is weirdly comforted by the implied threat in Thor's eyes. Not that he expects to see Mysterio ever again, but the thought of backup is a nice one. ]

Yeah. Plenty of harm. He also framed me for murder? My twitter blew up with death threats within, like, an hour. It's been a complete mess.

[ He still doesn't know what the hell to even do about it. Except maybe never go back to school again. ]

But thank you. I'm really glad you're here now.

[thepowerofthor]

So long as I am here, he will face us both, should he show up. This I swear.

[ He cannot promise to protect Peter. He has learned that he can lose and those he cares about can die, but he will stand with him, and he will fight at his side. He has been shaken, but he will not falter, not when his friend might need him. The lightning fades, but Thor nods, firmly. ]

Where have you been assigned to live?

[made_up_names]

[ Right. That's important. And if Thor is here, he can fry anything Beck can make, right? He'd fried the drones and the holograms with electricity himself after all. So Thor is exactly the kind of person he needs. ]

I - yeah. Thank you. Just be careful, okay? He does illusions and.

[ He sort of gestures, awkwardly. Wanting to explain more, but completely derailed by the question. He - what? ]

Assigned? I get assigned somewhere?