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

[moonlitpath]

[Next to Crobat, she is So Very Tiny. But she's not complaining, merely looking for the critter's owner as she scoops up Pika, who very helpfully does a 'fuck you' handsign with one of its claws at the retreating humans, that then wraps around Mizuki.

Possessive? Comforting? Who knows.

Keo, for her part, lifts her head, ears flicked back as tails fan out around her. It's enough to send the rest looking for something to do.]

I.. Yeah. Thanks. I'm Mizuki. [She sighs as she craddles the mimikyu in her arms.] I know this world doesn't have pokemon, but to be so rude... Pika could have really hurt them.

[h2no]

Archie, [he says, glancing down at the mimikyu. he knows the ninetales as an alolan form, but he's not certain of the mimikyu. doesn't remember. thinks it might be unovan?

hmmm.] Well, they'd certainly have it comin'.

[he glances between the two pokémon, talking to them both;] You guys okay, too?

[moonlitpath]

[There's an awkward bow as she certainly can't give the Alolan greeting with her hands full :(.

That said, have the full force of Champion's Glare directed at you Archie.]

No they wouldn't! Just because they don't know what pokemon can do doesn't mean they should be hurt! It's like saying you should be cursed for touching a ninetales' tail on accident.

[There's an agreeing nod from Keo before she struts pass Crobat to sit at Mizuki's side.] Yea, they are. At least they didn't break Pika's disguise. No-one's happy if that happens and I don't think I could get Hoshii out fast enough...

[There's a nervous laugh as Pika nods, angling so the Z-Crystal -Ghostium Z- shines in a second slaw that's emerged from under the disguise.]

[h2no]

[that glare is more adorable to him, than anything and it does absolutely nothing to change how he's feeling.]

I'd be inclined to agree with you if they didn't have plenty of information on Pokémon available, and that pulling on someone's clothing is incredibly rude besides! He didn't do that by accident! It was intentional!

[he huffs a little, then shakes his head.]

See... a bad move!

[moonlitpath]

[Don't worry Archie, she's going to learn soon enoughhow this world treats pokemon: like freaking novelties.] Even so, they shouldn't be punished for it. They didn't grow up with them. But... What's done is done and- and arguing over it won't change that.

[There's a shake of her head before a smile.] Enough of that. You're a trainer, right? Let's get to know one another. But not here of course. Wrecking the stalls would be mean and they put a lotta work into them.

[AKA Can has battle plz?]

[h2no]

Quickest way to learn, [he says with a grumble, but doesn't press. he's not really wanting to argue with a child, one who's new to this world on top of everything. she's right on that count, at least.] I am, aye.

[he nods, affirming the battle challenge.]

After you.

[moonlitpath]

[She will lead him to the nearest open space; in this case, a park with a lake.

Never mind the gaggle of curious natives following them.

Mizuki does her best to ignore them, treating this a bit like home; battles close to a town/city outskirts, or in a park itself.]

Is four each ok? I've got five on me, but... I don't think Mushu could battle even if he wanted to. If it's not ok, I'll match you. Oh! And I'll heal your team after. I don't think you'll hold back, but... This isn't a pokemon world.

[h2no]

[archie keeps walking away from her, until he gets the league designated amount of paces away for a battle. then he stops and puts a hand in his hair.]

Hang on. You have five? You can heal?

[moonlitpath]

[She nods.] Yeah. It's one of my superpowers, and I do. But Mushu's a wimpod and compared to my team, he's a baby. Plus, I don't think he could battle even if he wanted to.

How many do you have with you?

[h2no]

That-- that's fine. I had a Wailmer here-- she didn't like battlin' either. Dunno if it was her bein' young or anything else, but I didn't really want to press.

[it's too bad she's gone... they could've been baby friends...]

Four. My whole team. [he tilts his head.] I can heal too.

[moonlitpath]

Who knows. Maybe she just liked being with you?

[The bestest of baby friends!!!!

Mizuki nods while Keo struts forward, clearly deciding she's going to go first, thank you very much.]

I won't hold back and neither will Keo.

[h2no]

I think that was it.

[archie nods, taking a pokéball off his belt. he clicks the release and crobat bursts out in a loud and dramatic shriek, taking off above the battlefield immediately.]

You ready?