etcelsior | DANCING WITH MY HAPPY FEET

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test drive

DANCING WITH MY HAPPY FEET

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?

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[ Ronan smiles fondly. Apparently that statement of violent intent only further endears Murphy to him. ]

You and me are opposites that way. You're a survivor.

[ Ah! He's said something good, something worth a smile. Even the smallest of gestures fill Murphy up with purpose. A stray dog yearning for attention, good, bad, Murphy is never going to be picky. ]

I don't know man, you look like you might have gone through some shit. You survive if you know the right people. [ Bellamy, that's who Murphy is thinking of. Leader of the Delinquents. He wouldn't let his Leutinant die, would he? No, never. Bellamy likes Murphy, he's a good lapdog. ]

[ This, in Ronan's case, is truer than Murphy knows. He wouldn't be alive if the right people hadn't literally laid down their lives for him. Where Murphy yearns for attention, Ronan has been adored, coveted, worshiped. Isolated, for all his divinity. ]

You survive because you wanna survive.

[ Ronan holds up a scarred wrist, his smile taking on a rueful edge. ]

I'm a quitter.

I survive because I told them I'd survive. [ And Murphy strives to prove people wrong if given the chance. He sounds smug; Murphy has his moments.

The scars are easy to spot from where Murphy is standing. Faint but they are there.

The idea floated in his head from time to time while up in the skybox. It never went as far as that, just ideations. What he did want, what he thought the most is wanting to be an entirely different person. A kid who wasn't sick all the time. A kid who didn't need his father to steal for him. A kid who still had a family.

He just wants to be loved.

And he is so starved for affection. ]

Well, don't quit anymore. [ It is the least snide remark that Murphy could say. Ronan has been generous and it would be stupid to lose what Ronan is willing to give him. ]

Don't worry. I can't.

[ Which is a different sentiment than I won't, though as long as his situation remains as it is, Ronan feels no desire to chase death. He's needed. As long as he's needed, he's going nowhere. ]

Lucky you. I would be one-and-done. You know, If -- if I wanted to float myself. [ Murphy just wants to float everyone else.

Done with looking around his room, Murphy closes the distance between himself and Ronan and lazily gestures towards the door. ] You going to show me around?

[ With a shrug of equally lazy assent, Ronan slides right out of the room. ]

Most of the other bedrooms are locked, since everyone's long gone. I wouldn't try breaking in, on account of the magic. If you need something, you can just ask me for it. I'm an infinite resource.

[ Apparently a lot of people used to live in this place, because they pass locked door after locked door along the way to their next destination. ]

Are they magically knocked? [ Murphy trails behind, slowing down to turn the doorknobs of each locked room they pass. ] Let's say someone does break in, what would happen [ , Murphy asks incredulously. ]

Give me some time, I'll give you a whole list of things.

You'll break yourself before you manage to break in. Besides me, the only people who can open those doors are the intended occupants. It's fucking rude to enter someone else's dream uninvited, you know.

[ Every one of them is a shrine to the lost. Like so many tombs, they'll probably remain sealed for centuries.

Finally, the twins arrive at a lonely narrow stairwell. It looks more appropriate to a jail tower than a farmhouse, and there is good reason for that, though Ronan doesn't yet explain it. He leads the way up, and the single door at the top of the stair remains ajar, just like he left it. He nudges it further open and takes a quick glance around before beckoning Murphy into his bedroom. Or is it a cell? ]

This one's mine.

[This particular jail tower happens to be home sweet home to more than one enchanted prince (or monster, really, depending on how you look at things), these days. Kylo Ren probably shouldn't still have been in the shower considering how long ago Ronan left... but here he is, because despite having arrived almost two years ago he still considers earth showers to be one of the most luxurious indulgences the planet has to offer.
As Ronan and his guest enter, Kylo emerges from the bathroom- all six feet and too many inches of him, broad, solid and decorated with battle scars. Thankfully, with his particular talents he knew to expect someone other than Ronan on the other side of the door, and as such is at least somewhat wrapped in a towel.

He looms in the doorway ominously, dark eyes flicking between the two owners of that particular face. If the effect is somewhat undermined by his... dripping, he doesn't seem to notice.]

I didn't realise we were expecting company.

And they just don't become empty rooms on the off chance they come back? [ Murphy won't ask why Ronan left his door open. He knows it has something to do with the guy pictured quite frequently on his Instagram. He has to touch everything, any decor they pass, all the doorknobs even though he is well aware that they are all going to be locked (but what if...).

The atmosphere changes the further they walk down the corridor and eventually they ascend another staircase to get to Ronan's room. ]

Your room would be away from everyone else. [ Murphy steps inside the same moment someone exits the shower. A mountain of a man, wet with just a towel around his hips. Murphy steps back so he can use Ronan as a barrier. Nope, his heart did not leap directly into this throat. ] I wasn't expecting anyone to come out of the bathroom either.

[ Judging by the look on Ronan's face, he also wasn't expecting to see Kylo. ]

How the fuck were you still in there?

[ He'd been showering when Ronan left, which was like... an hour ago, now. Anyway, Ronan looks more flustered than frightened, which probably means the naked man isn't a threat at present. He gestures hastily between the two of them. ]

Murphy, Kylo. Kylo, Murphy.

[That kind of company. Kylo's unapologetic stare swings back to Ronan's face— how, exactly, has he not learned by now that he'll quite happily stay in the shower until interrupted... especially as the farmhouse apparently has a magically limitless supply of hot water?
Having answered that question with his trademark unmoving, unblinking silence, he moves on:]

Murphy. Your... son.

[Yes, he remembers. With an almost tangibly heavy focus, he turns his attention to the boy hiding behind his taller, broader twin, weighing him up. He'd never met Murphy in person, but this one... he seems younger. Less secure.]

Newly arrived, then.

[ He bristles at the assumption. ] I'm not his son [ , Murphy says sharply. Murphy is no one's son. ] We just happen to share the same face. [ He's a little braver, standing behind Ronan. ]

Nah, I arrived about a week ago and decided to crawl out of the hole I was hiding in.

[ Ronan is only crying on the inside over this rejection. He shrugs in concession with Murphy's proclamation. Sure, be an orphan. He's not correcting it. ]

I rescued him from our adoring fans and now I'm giving him a tour.

[...is that what it feels like from the other side. Your son is dead, indeed.
Even in briefly glimpsed reflection, it's sharp enough that Kylo doesn't really think before he's reaching out to brush up against Ronan's thoughts. Just a whisper of a touch, light as a hand resting on his arm.]

They're getting worse. [The fans, he means. Absently, he reaches for a robe— though he's not going to bother walking over to the closet for it. Once he's drawn it into his hand with an inappropriately casual use of the Force, he wraps it round himself. Company.] Perhaps it's something to do with the weather.

[ Murphy is a stubborn child, you know this already, Ronan. ]

Yeah, about that [ , he starts to say after exchanging a look between Kylo and Ronan, ] I want to see this dumb fucking show I was in. The other me, I mean.

[ A pause and a beat later: ] And I like this room better than mine.

[ He knows, he knows. That brush of psychic comfort gets a small acknowledgement as Ronan tilts his head and flicks his eyes to Kylo. He'll be fine. This isn't the first time he's lost his family.

When his gaze slides back to Murphy, he looks mildly skeptical. This is a room for containing deadly monsters, but if that's what Murphy likes, who is he to judge? ]

We'll redecorate yours, then.

[ He gestures toward the stairwell. After you, son. ]

The TV room's back downstairs.

[Well, if they're going to go watch the TV show now, there's no way Kylo's letting them leave him behind. (Look, he's wearing a robe. Already more consideration than he'd bother with for most.)

Besides, there is one other thing he knows about Murphy, and it's Kavinsky-shaped. While Ronan might be perfectly capable of handling the dream-thief, Kylo's not certain Murphy is, yet— but he is sure it'll take more than a heated denial or ten to have Ronan step down from his role as Murphy's protector and provider.

Which means Murphy's under Kylo's protection, too. The damp, oversized bulk of him is more than ready to follow them... especially if he gets to satisfy his curiosity about Ronan's celebrity at the same time.]

We can make a night of it. [ He flaps his arms up and drops them just as quickly back at his sides. Murphy has yet to wrap around a lot of things around his head and this dream thieving is among the many. But he's certain he is going to find out soon enough.

When Ronan gestures, Murphy steps aside rather than out of the room. ] You lead and I'll follow because I sure as hell am not walking in front of you both.

[ Ronan scoffs. This is what he gets for being polite, for once in his life. But that's fine. He takes Kylo by the hand to drag him along as he leads the way down. ]

You hungry, while we're at it? I can heat up some pizza.

[Kylo laughs. It's an abrupt, short-lived sound— but it's clear that something about this entire situation has him deeply amused.

Maybe it's this idea Murphy has, that keeping him in sight will keep him safely neutralised as a threat— as if he hasn't already made it patently clear that as far as he's concerned the laws of physics are more suggestion than hard limit. Maybe it's watching Ronan indulge Murphy in his demand, or simply the strangely warm pleasure of seeing him... happy.

Ronan was always meant to be part of a family. He's known that for a long while. It's just different, seeing it.]

I am.

[Look. It's hungry work, luxuriating in a shower for over an hour.]

[ Murphy both wants and pushes kindness. Usually people want something for it, usually, that kindness wears out when Murphy is no longer useful or meaningful.

Ronan scoffs and Murphy sneers.

He is about to say something but Kylo's laughter cuts him off. Murphy knows he's laughing at him because what the hell else would he laugh about. ] I could eat some food [ , Murphy chimes in from behind both of them. ] But you're going to have to show me what a peet-za is.

You're triggering my depression, Murphy.

[ Pizza is now absolutely mandatory. Ronan skips every other step down until he lands on the first floor. It may not be overtly expressed but Kylo's right: he's very happy. As soon as they reach the kitchen, he throws open the refrigerator to reveal a stack of pizza boxes. Indeed, there is little in this fridge that isn't pizza. What's left is mostly alcoholic. Speaking of: ]

Pizza pairs exquisitely with beer. Kylo, serve our guest. I'm not sure he knows what beer is.

[ Ronan, meanwhile, pulls out one of the pizza boxes and carries it over to the oven. ]

That had better be Hawaiian.

[The objectively superior pizza.
Well practiced by now, he retrieves a trio of beer bottles from the fridge, popping their caps off with an absent thought and the barest twitch of his fingers before holding one out to Murphy.]

Here.

DANCING WITH MY HAPPY FEET

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