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

Nanu | Pokémon Sun

[krookedcop]

02. [He had been… so careful. So vigilant. He had deflected suspicion, duty, and questions alike as long as he could manage. And yet, it wasn’t enough. All because he did something heroic out of reflex, utilizing his inhuman strength and speed— both of which he resented. Why couldn’t he have some useless powers that kept him out of the fray?

Someone else, surely, would have done what needed to be done and taken his place. But no, he figured, low in his gut. Someone would have died had he not acted. But standing amongst the near literal mob of teenagers, he wondered if he had made the right choice.]

[“Ummm, so… What kind of underwear are you wearing?!” one of the teens asked.]

[Nanu instantly wanted to die. Answering that in any trusthful way, he felt, would make him want to arrest himself.]

Oh come on, you can’t go asking people about that kind of thing. Has no one taught you about sexual harassment? I could be your fathers…

[Nanu high key wants to die.] Go bother someone closer to your age, hmm?

03. [He didn’t want to, but he found himself drawing closer to where he knew Guzma’s base of operations was. He couldn’t explain it fully, but he knew he needed to keep an eye on him and his ragtag group of hooligans. Make sure they weren’t in over their heads or anything.]

[So naturally, he was thrilled when he walked into a robbery taking place. These idiots clearly had guns, and Nanu had the powers to deal with them. Damn it. DAMMIT. Before he can make a truly rational decision, he finds himself running towards the scene, sandals smacking rhythimcally against concrete.]

Hey, you! [He points directly at you.]

Head those guys off, we can deal with them quickly!

as much as 3 was tempting because WOW NAME DROPPING YA BOI!!! going with 2!

[golisolation]

[It's not often that Guzma's in De Chima, not his turf, not much here for him. But sometimes you just gotta visit some other cities for the fuck of it. Call it a change of scenery. Not that it can truly be one, when a gaggle of teens surrounding another imPort brings Guzma's attention to a visual slap from home.

Honestly, he didn't expect to see anyone else from Alola here, it seemed like he was the only one that would be plaguing this place for the foreseeable future, which he didn't mind!

Now Nanu's gone and ruined that.]

Yo—maybe you oughta get away from them kids, old man. Don't need to be giving people the wrong idea.

[He walks through the crowd of teens, most moving out of his way, and the ones who don't get nudged aside by Guzma's shoulder, his hands in his pockets and not moving at all in the gesture. Giving those who didn't move sharp glances that make them recoil a little.]

Seriously man, talking about your underwear with these punks—no shame, huh?

[Once he's past the group, he stands before Nanu, a grin plastered on his face as he stares him down smugly.]

[krookedcop]

[Nothing scatters the teens like the sight of literal big bad Guzma. He wasn’t just a pretend villain for clout, the guy would totally break your arm if you pissed him off. Well. Not before they snapped some pics for the ol’ social media, that is. ]

Looks like you’re the only one here still thinking about my underwear, Guzma. I could also tell you my favorite flavor of ice cream, if you’re interested.

[He glances back at the fleeing kids and isn’t sure whose presence he prefers more, honestly. ]

Still working on your misdemeanor rap sheet, Guzma?

[golisolation]

Tch, you fuckin' wish a young guy like me was interested in anything to do with your crusty panties. Also, pass. Really don't give a shit about what kinda ice cream you gum down once you take your dentures out for the night.

[Hey, at least the kids seemed to have more sense than most when it came to Guzma. He didn't even care that they snapped a few pictures either as they retreated. If he had cared to, he might have flipped them the Toucannon, but his focus was on Nanu.]

Dunno, you still aiming for World's Most Useless Cop?

[krookedcop]

Nah, they cancelled the award ceremony this year. I figure... No recognition, what's the point?

I know everyone over about fourteen is ancient to you, but I promise I'm not that old. Look, let's get you out of the sun before you burn like a worm on the pavement. [Nanu steps back away from the crowd with a small sneer on his face. ]

So, what neighborhood are you lowering the property value on today, Guzma? Don't you usually wreak havoc north of here?

[golisolation]

[Damn, Nanu must have missed his morning nap, cuz he sure is feisty, it's almost like Guzma deserves the shade or something.]

Here I thought you hated recognition, or were you just playin' hard to get with those teens, huh?

And it ain't my skin y'should be worrying about—but I get it, that dementia has you forgetting how old you actually are. Whaddaya forgettin' the past twenty years or somethin'? Surprised your nurse let you out on your own in this heat...

[He shifts his stance, pulling his hands from his pockets, to cross his arms over his chest as he stands at full height. Which is roughly a head taller than the older man.]

If anything, though, I'm raising the property value. I ain't no hero, but that don't mean I'm lacking in admirers, yo!

[Of course he leaves the actual question unanswered. Instead, he offers his own:]

So how long ya been here, anyway?

3; here have a tiny protag

[moonlitpath]

[On one hand, Mizuki just wants to get money out so she can go shopping at one of the malls for new and cute clothes. On the other hand, she does not want to be caught up in a bank robbery. Or protests, or draw attention to herself.

But as Champion of Alola, Mizuki knows she has to do what she can to aid a Kahuna in whatever task needs to be done. If that means drawing attention to herself, then so be it. It's with a determined nod that her (shiny) Alolan raichu is sent out in a flash of sparkling stars.]

Hoshii- Light Screen!

[Those robbers are going to walk into an invisible wall thanks to Light Screen.]

[krookedcop]

[Nanu is pretty surprised to see a brown raichu. Weird! Nanu tosses out a Pokeball, releasing Krookodile. The would be robbers let out cries of surprise and pain as they get boxed in with a big boy crocodilian.]

Krookodile, take their bags!

[And that he does, with a low, powerful sweep of his tail, the disoriented people end up on their asses with a big ol’ lizard snatching away their bags with his little arms. One of the men manages to pull his bag open, a handgun clattering and spinning out on the ground.]

[moonlitpath]

Help it!

[Mizuki didn't really need to say it out loud and, anyway, the raichu is already ahead of her when it comes to what needs to be done. Hoshii extends some of its power into psychically kicking the gun towards Nanu. At the same time, the pokemon surfs through the air to flank the humans with an attempt being made to look as stern as it possibly can, while another of Mizuki's pokemon join the fray. This time, it's her decidueye and it stands between the trainers and would-be robbers.

Is it overkill? Hell if she knows, but it's better safer than sorry... Nevermind Mizuki has healing powers that can be called on if needed.]

We don't want to hurt you, but we also can't let you rob a bank.

[Brb digging out her comm so police can be contacted.]

[krookedcop]

[Nanu, with an absolutely weird amount of speed and dexterity that he does not seem to have the capacity for, skids over to the gun and snatches it off the ground.]

Speak for yourself, kid. I have no problem hurting these people. They brought loaded guns to a public place, they could have killed someone, and I doubt this is their first attempt.

[If she digs out her comm and actually calls, Nanu will get an alert a moment later from dispatch.]

[moonlitpath]

[She'll ask about everything later. Not in the middle of an arrest.] Right... But we stopped them and if they come quietly, then no one has to get hurt.

[The smile is shakily, but she's trying so hard not to show how utterly out of her depth she is. If she can capture Ultra Beasts and defeat Red and defend her title, she can do this.

Thankfully if you ask her, the robbers seem, or at least one or two of them, seem to be considering their life choices in the face of the three pokemon. The rest, not so much and one makes to stand and lunges for Nanu.

Probably because there's a giant owl in front of the kid.] Nanu!

3! stinky man

[h2no]

[running towards people with guns is always a clever idea! especially when you're unarmed. when nanu points at archie he's, like, already on his way there. some aegis shit, that stupid responsibility that's sunk deep into his psyche. archie hates it just as much as nanu. he doesn't say anything to the kahuna... mostly because he doesn't know who he is. this is just some random old guy to him!

archie sends out crobat and uses his protect power on it, the big purple bat zooming off with a blue honeycomb surrounding it. it uses brave bird, slamming into one of the crooks and wrenching the gun out of his hands with his little claws. then... throws him into the opposite building hard enough to knock the guy out. or maybe kill him! not clear. crobat has no mercy. it shrieks a supersonic right in the next guy's face as archie grabs nanu and pulls him along to shove him behind a dumpster. lots of manhandling.

he pulls something himself. it looks like a gun, but it's actually just a taser. something nanu will probably immediately recognise, given he has actual training.]

Stay down, [he says. if nanu recognises him from his interpol files... this probably is really weird? oh well! he doesn't seem worried about crobat-- the giant bat is now up in the air and drawing their fire, easily avoiding it all. the protect hasn't even broken yet. one of the guys runs past the dumpster in an effort to get a better shot at crobat. archie immediately grabs him and pushes him onto the ground.

maybe this isn't going to go the way nanu expects, when he asks:] Do you know how to use a gun? Or at least pretend to? 'Cause I can't.

[the guy he has his knee on laughs. archie punches him.]

[krookedcop]

[This man is absolutely, familiar, but he can't put his finger on it yet. Definitely not an Alolan, he thinks. Nanu watches this absolute shitshow unfold, watching this familiar stranger hand him a- Yep. A loaded gun.]

[Nanu holds it right, for sure, hesitating just a moment before shooting someone in the thigh.]

You would let someone who could only pretend to use a gun hold one?

[Nanu releases his big purple cat as he glances between the action and the weirdo. The burglar between the huge bat and the anime panther is clearly reassessing his day. He takes a shot at Liepard and misses as it darts off the walls before landing bodily on the man to maul him.]

[Also, more importantly, does this mean Archie doesn't know how to pretend to use a gun.]

[h2no]

Sure. Maybe they'll shoot me then I won't have to deal with this bullshit, [he says, raising his eyebrows. his expression is sardonic, yet tired to the soul in a way nanu can probably vibe with.] 'Sides, I've found thinking--

[he grimaces and looks away when nanu fires, but seems okay with seeing persian and his crobat tear through the guys? werido.]

--You're going to be shot is as good deterrent as anything. [archie looks down to the guy he has his knee on, brandishing his taser.] Are there more of you? Tell me!

[krookedcop]

Not if they know that's a taser. [Which, he wouldn't ordinarily blow someone's cover like that, but— ] And if they have real guns they know that isn't one.

Hey, tonight's headline, do you wanna talk to us, or you want me to shoot your feet off first?

[The guy scrambles under Archie, going nowhere. "There are! But they're inside already, and you can't get them and detain us, huh?]

[He releases his Krookodile, and orders it to sit on the guy if Archie gets out of the way properly. He doesn't want his Pokémon getting shot, even if they're more capable than he is, ten years out from the last time he did anything real or useful in the field.]

I find actually shooting people is usually more surefire. [God, where does he know his face from.]

Who are you, anyway?

[h2no]

Hey! Bein' tased sucks! An' this a-- a special one! Asshole!

[he's clearly reaching and hates that he's doing so. ugh! nanu!

okay. krookodile, that persian. he knows it's alolan but doesn't remember the type-- ghost, maybe? it's purple... he gets out the way anyway, giving krookodile a thumbs up. crobat comes back, depositing another one of the guys into the dumpster with a loud clang. it chitters a greeting to the new pokémon, hovering above the little scene.]

Archie, [he says after a moment, peeking out from the alley to get a proper look on where they actually went. gestures for crobat to follow them.] from Hoenn. Leader of Team Aqua.

[might as well get that out the way. he glances at nanu.] No, I don't wanna flood the fuckin' world, before you ask. You?

2

[killtime]

[ Coincidentally, Andy also wants to die. But more lowkey these days. And mostly because she's really fucking tired, after being alive for almost seven thousand years. It's hard to tell by looking at her, though — she hasn't aged much beyond her thirties, forties at most. Not a single wrinkle or gray hair. Just that extraordinary resting bitch face, which is on full display as she walks over to the crowd of teenagers.

The youths eye her for a moment, and then scatter. Probably because she's in uniform. Cop's blues. Badge and everything. Almost professional, except for the dwindling cigarette hanging from her mouth. She takes a drag off of it as she watches the kids flee, then finally glances over at Nanu.

At length, in an utterly deadpan voice: ]

So. What kind of underwear are you wearing?

[krookedcop]

[He stares at her hard for a moment. He's thankful that she dispersed the teens, but at cost to his dignity?]

Not even gonna take me on a date first, officer... Andy? [He's wearing briefs. The kind you can buy at any grocery store or bloated pharmacy in America, right by the diabetic socks, of course.]

Or is this a matter of public safety?

[killtime]

[ Officer Andy has never spared a man's dignity in her life. ]

You're a little young for me.

[ She drops her cigarette to the ground and snuffs it out underneath her boot. Wryly, because apparently she was watching earlier: ]

If you don't want a crowd, you probably shouldn't use your power where people can see it.

[krookedcop]

[At 53 vague non-canon years of age, this was shocking to Nanu. Until he realized that she must just be fucking with him. Obviously he was too old for her. Age was a cruel mistress.]

It's alright, I can't date smokers.

[He crosses his arms and sighs.] Well, maybe I wouldn't have to if the rest of the force did their job, hmm? [Not... that he was any better.]

[killtime]

[ An easy shrug of her shoulders. ]

Fair enough. I'm more of a drunk one night stand type anyway.

[ Her hands come to rest on her heavy utility belt, her thumbs hooking loosely there as she continues to eye this man. Apparently she doesn't seem offended by the idea that the police department is either lazy or simply ineffectual. With the lone exception of her ImPort partner, that's generally true — at least in Maurtia Falls, which is technically her actual jurisdiction. ]

Well. Cat's out of the fucking bag now. Civilians probably got a kick out of watching grandpa flex his powers a bit, at least.

02

[fursleuth]

I'm gonna go with briefs, but I feel like these things work better in your imagination.

[This comes from the ground level where a Pikachu in a detective hat is just glad to not be the center of attention. Pairs of eyes dart immediately to him and he may be regretting his life and his choices just a bit.

But that's okay.

He has a plan.]

No... no, I want you to take a good, long hard look at yourselves and the questions you ask strangers and maybe then you can pet me. Now go on. Shoo. [The most long-suffering sigh.] Kids these days, you know. I blame the internet. Too much readily available information is dangerous.

[krookedcop]

A talking Pikachu... [He immediately crouches down to get on his level, fascinated. Or... He knows this place's bullshit.]

Or do you just look like one? [God. It's so cute. No meowth, but damn. Adorable. And hilarious.] Sorry, you must get that a lot. [Focus Nanu, the lil' buddy is talkin' to you.]

Boring old guy like me, what's to know, anyway? Don't get me started on the internet. There's more pictures up there of me than in my family's entire photo album. I can't imagine what it must be like to be you. [Nanu is actually.... smiling a tiny bit.]

[fursleuth]

I do, actually. Every day of my life. I'm gonna have to start charging. [Get it. Charging? Because he's... Yeah, you know what. Now is not the time for puns.]

Don't sell yourself short, chief. They got this trend now called "hot dads?" Nobody is safe. And it's a little creepy. If some twentysomething or younger girl calls you "Daddy," just run. Don't stop to question it. Run.

[He doesn't know why he knows this, but he feels it deep within his jellies almost like... in a previous blackout wherein he was Harry Goodman and not Pikachu he experienced this. But alas, he cannot remember those times.] Anyway, I get by despite the excessive amount of personal questions and candid pictures of me doing personal things. The trick is using it to your advantage.

[Is this chatterbox Pikachu about to give you Intstagram advice, Nanu?? Maybe.]

[krookedcop]

That's not a new trend. [He says, without thinking, because a talking Pokemon has utterly annihilated his defenses. And he's basically the best Pikachu he's ever met.] Ah, nevermind. If some girl out on the street calls me "Daddy" you couldn't pay me to stay in the same vicinity. Not that I think I classify as one, anyway.

[He is so... so morbidly curious what this pikachu in a hat is going to tell him.]

Alright, lay it on me.