F is for friends

[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 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.

The current craze sweeping the city and social media is getting people on their feet: the Camp Midnight Challenge! Based on a popular video game, the goal is to get the funkiest, silliest, most eye-catching dance sequence on video—with a twist! Successful completion of this challenge requires getting an imPort to join in a duo dance that incorporates their powers! Swarms of eager teens, tweens and would-be BlueTube stars are out and about on the sidewalk looking for newcomers to join in. If they spot you, you better come up with a good excuse or put your dancing shoes on!

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! Synthetic wonder! Whatever you might be, those words have meaning here. 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 or recently published PLoS papers. 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.

Today in De Chima, there's the unveiling of a brand new invention in the convention centre park! With a simple scan, it will print out your Closest Love Match of the other individuals present, along with your percentage of compatibility and a free coupon to get lunch with your new date if you match 90% or higher!

A little odd that it seems that nearly every couple has 90% or higher, isn't it? What's the probability that the scanner is broken?

03. Maurtia Falls, Pennsylvania has carried a reputation for ups and downs ever since imPorts began reappearing again, just those few years prior. Several imPort heroes have put focused efforts into cleaning up the streets of this somewhat infamous city, while a handful of others had swooped in to help the criminal industry thrive. 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. Everything from the classic bank heist to brutal bloodbaths can happen around the corner. You have to keep your eyes open and your mind sharp when you live in Maurtia Falls, and hostility against imPorts can spike. The emergence of locals with superpowers is hardly helping...

The downtown mall is tilting the balance solidly toward welcoming to imPorts with a Winter Welcome Festival. All the storefronts and many temporary kiosks occupied by local vendors are holding special sales, and newly arrived imPorts are given a coupon book to make the most of them. The food court has some free goodies for participants to mix and mingle.

Unfortunately, a local rogue with the alias of Klone Kringle is here to spoil the fun. After a small boom echoes throughout the mall, everything dissolves into chaos as dozens of copies of a man dressed in a polyester Santa Claus costume begin looting the retailers! The guns they wield that shoot snow and ice might not be lethal, but they can certainly slow you down (and give you a cold). Will you be the hero and help take down Kringle(s), or will you seize the opportunity to do some theft of your own?

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.

Although Nonah sees milder winters than some imPort cities, it's strangely snowy today, with icicles hanging everywhere. They definitely weren't there this morning, and no storm has passed through, so what gives? A downtown disturbance makes it clear: a would-be supervillain calling himself THE ABOMINABLE SNOWMAN has attacked. Is he some kind of mutant, a scientifically modified human, or is there just a lot of arctic-tech stuffed into his snowsuit? Whatever its source, he's spraying ice and snow far and wide from his hands, turning the area into a winter wonderland and absolutely ruining sales for local businesses that depend on foot traffic! Also, some citizens have been frozen in blocks of ice. That's bad.

Come, heroes, and defeat this icy menace! That, or build a really cool snowman. It's your call.

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.

You're in luck! You're just in time for Jeopardy's traditional Valentine's Race!

The premise of the race is simple: hogtie your lover, throw them over your shoulder (or back, if needed), and carry them from the bank of the train station (it's actually not a train station, it's a non-functioning movie set that's been turned into a museum, but it's still called "the train station.") While the tradition says "lover," as long as the person you tie up has consented to it, it's allowed!

At the end of the race, the Mayor gives a short speech about love, and movies, and tradition. She's also baked thousands of Valentine's and heart-themed desserts for all participants and audience members! They just happen to all be... shaped like the actual heart organ, rather than the symbol.

Comments

Billy Cranston | Power Rangers 2K17

[blewupmylunchbox]

Heropa was almost small enough to remind him of Angel Grove. It was bouncy, and busy, but there was a friendly feel to it, and his import status made everyone smile and wave at him, which was nice. The bad part was the people trying to touch him and hug him and wanted pictures close with him. That was... who said that was okay? Why did people do that?

He quickly got caught up in the Camp Midnight Challenge. Which, was, he felt, better than the hugs, but worse than the waves. Dancing was... well, he felt he was good at dancing, but others sometimes disagreed. So, he normally did not do it where others could see, nott since the chair incident of 2K15, anyway.

But people here seemed to like his dance and cheer him on and they were dancing with him! That was... that was new. Since when had that been a thing? But he found himself getting into it, dancing some his own custom amalgamation of the Robot and the Funky Chicken and the Slide.

At least until he looked up, realized the fact that hew as surrounded by a massive crowd of strangers, and panicked. Oh no...

***

He came to De Chima because he heard they had the best schools and tech and he wanted to see it. He was soon lost in conversations about quantum fluxes and extremis endeavors, and not minding that people were taking pictures of him talking to the science and tech geeks like him. The cameras and microphones being shoved close got him yelling or backpedaling, but once he had shown he actually knew his stuff, the other scientists and geeks were helping make a buffer for him. Sometimes, it was nice finding your own kind.

Somehow, he got led to the convention centre park for the Closest Love Match scan thing. He was dubious, asking lots of questions and not entirely satisfied with the answers. Soon, he had managed to beg, borrow, or lay his hands suddenly on a copy, maybe, of suspiciously unfinished possibly(absolutely) fake blueprints, and was making notes and changes on it with a marker and some hmmming.

When the scan went off and they turned him to face his 'match'*, he stared. "Wait, this actually works? What?"

[ ooc: *Women only for this, thankee. ]

***

Billy was asked to come to Maurtia Falls for the Winter Welcome Festival by one of the science guys he had been talking to in De Chima who lived here. He was pleasantly surprised by the special sales, the friendly faces, and the coupon book. he was a little critical over the free goodies, because he had very certain tastes in sweets and some of these sweets tasted weird. Not that he was not going to eat them, because free, but still...

He was not surprised when something went wrong, because this was his life, but still, when the explosion happened, and he sighed.

"Ah, man!!! Now?" He dropped his cookie, and snagged out his Power Coin. "It's Morphin' time!" Yeah, okay, that was seriously corny, but he loved it. It was fun!

He changed, morphing into his Blue Ranger form, and charged in against the... copies of Santa Claus? "What?"

Come help the confused and shocked superhero face evil Klauses.

***

Wildcard!

Gabriel Lorca | Star Trek: Discovery

[lovesdiscovery]

Heropa

[This isn't the first time he's been in an alternate dimension. It's the first time he's been in an alternate dimension with superpowers but he's got that under control and pacing the streets of his new home right into-

Right into Someone trying to make a roktok of that stupid fucking dance move. Tiktok and those other useless social media crazes went out after one of the first conquering wars. Though in his defense it's not entirely his fault. The kid is flapping an arm and bumps into him and the arm is grabbed.

Grabbed, spun, and the boy is held in a choke hold. The teen begins squirming as everyone begins filming with Lorca growling like a cornered animal.]

Don't. touch. Me.

[The moment one of the other children speaks You see this guy? You guys see this let Daniel go!- He drops the boy and holds up his hands. Still have to pretend to be star fleet.

Fuck.

His smile is forced and brittle as he holds up his hands and breathes.]

Sorry, I am so so sorry...

[The kids don't even realize he's using that manipulative ability of his - in large crowds naturally - but they go away all smiles and he breathes, trying to calm down. Crowded places like this make him anxious.]

Maurita Falls

[When the robots jumped in he grimaced. These things didn't hit nearly as hard as the klingons.

He draws back, hand wincing before looking upward and pointing at the nearest person. Up above them is a large decorative ...art piece? Who the hell knows?]

Hey! You! You have a phaser-

[pause]

Gun? Some kinda weapon?

Quentin Beck (Mysterio) | Marvel comics (616)

[makeanentrance]

De Chima

[There's a costumed figure in the crowd and people have been pestering the new imPort for pictures and interviews. Mysterio stands out, so of course they think he must be important. At least, that's what he likes to think of all the attention. He's not sure at first why he's being scanned but then he looks at the results.]

Well, what d'you know. 90% compatibility!

[With somebody here... He looks around, seemingly a little embarrassed and wondering if it was a scam. But free lunch? Might be nice.]


Maurtia Falls

[Oh, a festival! Mysterio is sampling foods with his free coupons when the chaos erupts. He ducks behind a chair and peers out. Santa clones? This looks like some super-villain robbery nonsense that right now Beck wants no part in. But maybe he could get away with... No, don't even think about it, he reprimands himself.]

No, no, no... I'm retired!

[He protests aloud, but then peers out uncertainly again, internal debate continuing.]


Network

[There's a craggy faced man with a black-haired bowlcut staring awkwardly at the screen. He holds what looks like an empty fishbowl in his hands and is wearing a bright green bodysuit with a large purple cape and golden gloves.]

I... think there's been some mistake. Does anyone know the timetable for the next bus back to Hollywood?


Wildcard!

For anything else!

[ooc: Testing this version out. Poke me on grindelwald if you want to plot anything.]

Geralt of Rivia | The Witcher (Netflix)

[surly]

( 01. Heropa )

Geralt, looking as unfriendly as ever, is as likely to partake in this strange ritual than he is in a masquerade ball. The coin has to be right and the ball - and whatever it is that's happening here - would be a means to an end.

Standing steadily, unmoving save for the deepening scowl pulling his features tight, he doesn't need to tell any of the foolish children that get close enough to read his expression to go away. They take themselves away, some of them crying. Maybe it would move some men to guilt but Geralt, not looking for company, is glad for it. Easier to keep watch, to focus in on his witcher senses that have led him here.

Crowds swell and noises are amplified, deafening almost as he attempts to pick apart what his gut is telling him. He's almost pinpointed exactly what to examine first when his attention is yanked back hard, a person colliding with him at speed, assumedly hitting the floor thereafter. Looking over his shoulder, he stares down at his assailant, immovable.


( 02. De Chima )

Lip curling as a pink piece of paper is thrusted enthusiastically into his hand, Geralt can feel his patience slipping ever more from his grasp. How and why he's here is still a mystery and his general opinion of suffering this foolery is dire. No, he doesn't want to know who his Closest Love Match is.

Crushing the pink slip in his fist, he drops the offending item to the floor, paying no attention to where it lands. Maybe someone will accuse him of littering. He'd like to see them try. Or maybe someone will discover that they have just matched higher than 90% with the world's surliest, white-haired mutant, currently casting a large and foreboding shadow over proceedings.


( 03. Nonah )

Given a choice to get involved in human matters, Geralt rarely does without compensation. Usually coin, sometimes other things. Surprising things. Law of Surprise kinds of things. He is, however, more than capable of striking down this... monster? He isn't certain yet, his mind darting from one theory to the next as to what this foe might be. A mage, perhaps? Wielding ice abilities against innocents with seemingly no value placed on who he strikes.

"Hm."

Taking action only when the ice stream strays a little too close to a small child, he stalks closer, casting an Igni sign and fighting the ice and snow with fire. The force of the sign knocks the mage down leaving Geralt a lengthy window to draw a sword and press the tip threateningly - pointedly, even - to his throat.

"Don't," he advises as the mage squirms under the sharp point, making a move to try and get up. Apparently somebody didn't get the street-urchin-delivered letter about vigilantism. Maybe somebody should let him know.

heropa!

[borntobebard]

Yes, yes, I'll be with y-- huffff!

[ And hit the floor he does, the wind knocked out of him as he barrels into an immovable object that most definitely isn't one of the many teens teeming excitedly about the place. Jaskier's left stunned for a lengthy second or two, sprawled on his back and left peering blearily up at the solid form he'd collided with, confusion etched on his features.

Surely he's knocked himself too hard on the head in the collision, because he can't possibly be seeing who he thinks he's seeing. ]

G-Geralt?! By the Gods, is that really you?

[ He's already holding out a hand expectantly for a pull up, his confusion swiftly making way for an eager, beaming smile. ]

Izaya Orihara | Durarara!!

[deviant_flea]

Maurtia Falls
[Izaya doesn't partake in any of the festivities, only watching from a distance, from above as a large raven. observing his "lovely humans" and their mannerisms, seeing how frantic some were and the calmness of others while they were going about their day. It was beginning to bore him, until...

Until the chaos erupted with those gaudy individuals in horrible red and white suits. This entertains him as he watches above, circling, croaking in delight. He lands nearby, but far enough away from the men, perching on a railing and taking on his human form again.]

Ahh~ Humans never cease to be so predictable! Now~ Why don't I add some fun to this bore of a show!

[With a flick of his wrist, small shadowy tendrils come up from the ground around both the gaudy santas as well as those trying to fight them. He takes no sides, after all, what fun would that be to take sides and aid one where both sides being chaotic would be far more entertaining to watch?]

This is better! Oh humans, you pitiful creatures, how I love you so!



De Chima
A ninety percent chance of being a perfect match? How peculiar, but oh well, I could try. Not that any of these would be my match, I don't care for things like love or sex, not when I can just love all humans without bias. So long as Shizu-chan doesn't show up... disgusting man.

[This both amuses him yet bores him at the same time, not believing in or needing things he deemed useless such as love for one specific person. He still decided to try this out, even if it was just for research of his own and studying others. He'd do his best to dig into others' minds, as he usually does as someone whose far too observant for his own good. It comes with the territory of being an info broker back home after all, and he did so enjoy gathering details about others.]

Free food with a match is too good to pass up as well, ahh~ whoever'd like to try is more than free to come dine with me!

WILDCARD
[(Wanna harass him, or at least attempt to or even attempt to get him to dislike you? BE MY GUEST!)]

the crystal exarch | final fantasy xiv

[allagacy]

de chima

Ah..! [That's accompanied by an old man pulling his hood further over his face-- a feat to be sure, when it already covers more than half of whatever facial features he has, until only his crystalline jaw remains.] Apologies but I--

I am not comfortable with having my likeness taken, or revealing my face.[He has to turn again, simply to foil whoever would like to take his photo. He's so glad for the massive cowl now, and it's certainly not coming off any time soon.

Halp?]

maurtia falls

[Ah, locals with abilities those around them do not have, eh? It sounds rather like the spontaneous emergence of the Echo... though the Exarch is no expert in such things. But he's nurtured many people before, and grew into his own new magicks. Thus, he feels compelled to assist, no matter how hostile they may be to newcomers like himself.

Instead of taking advantage of the winter sales around, this hooded man can be found speaking to a few of the younger people-- older teens and young adults mostly, those angry enough, but are desperate and are willing to listen to a reasonable adult, no matter how suspicious he may look. And perhaps even vent to a pair of willing ears. Ah, growing pains. How he does not miss those. He's so glad his child was ever a reasonable girl, even when she was so young. But the old man persists in helping, because he knows they need it the most.

Otherwise, he's indeed at the mall, looking about and comparing it to the markets of home... though really, with how many wares this place has, it is clearly superior.

Though, he's less than amused at the attack on it-- how brazen would the troublemakers here be, to simply come? He stands before the men with his staff in his hand, and one outright threatens him with a gun in his face.]

I've more than a few tricks up my sleeve. [And out comes violet plumes of light from the end of his staff as he brandishes it.]

wildcard
[[ choose your own adventure! feel free to send me a pm if you'd like to chat before threading. ]]

de chima

[heart_of_the_wood]

[A shadow looms suddenly, shielding the Exarch behind her as she threw a clawed hand out to ruin the view of those closest to him. Nose and ears twitching in irritation, the viera seems one snap away from smashing the closest device from someone's hand and throwing it on the ground to crush beneath a boot heel. Anger darkens her features as she scowls down at the locals, the beads and feathers strung from her hair catch the light as she glances around them, mentally calculating an escape.]

He said stop, I should think it wise to heed him.

[The unspoken threat lingers in the air, but when she glances over her shoulder at him, her expression softens instantly, one tufted ear angling towards him as she lowers her voice.]

Dear Exarch, are you well? They have not touched you, have they?

[For if they've troubled him overmuch, it would seem Mykha would likely be more than willing to exact a toll of her own from the overly enthusiastic throng that was taken in by his glittering countenance and gilded robes.]

de Chima!

[gusumouthcannon]

[The strange hooded man catches Jingyi's attention by being the target of a picture he does not want to be in. Reminded of his own terrible encounter last month, Jingyi immediately goes to the man's side.

He addresses the picture-taker first.]

You have already been told that this man does not want you to take his picture.

[He is not rude, but he is also not very polite. Instead, he is firm and places himself bodily between the camera and the strange man. Only then when he can show his back to the camera does he try and speak to the man.]

They will go away. And if they do not, we can run away. Do not worry.

Magnai Oronir | Final Fantasy XIV

[magnaificent]

De Chima; Has science gone too far? Or not far enough..?

[Being brought to a new world has its difficulties, not to mention its adjustments. Everything is alien to the Oronir Khan—from the people to the technology. He knows little and less of the Garleans, men who hide behind their creations of iron, pitiful fools all, but he cannot deny the likeness he sees. However, it's made plain that such inhabitants of these settlements are not of warrior-kind, and rather scurry about invested in their simple frivolity.

Othard might have shared a great deal of its land with Hyur, never in such numbers had he encountered them, and further yet had he found himself so irritated by their presence. Warriors or not, their fearless and bothersome approach leaves the proud Oronir agitated, but despite himself, he's found something of interest—well, rather, something that certainly aims to stroke his ego. An endeavor he scarcely finds remiss of anyone.

Further is he tempted by the claim of a device that would reveal the compatibility of a possible love, and while he has his doubts, it'd be a fool's errand to ignore such possibility. Should you find yourself among the crowd and the unfortunate match to Magnai, he will not be pleased. Seeing as the match, while higher than 90%, never quite reaches 100, and anything below absolute certainty will not do.

With golden eyes that seem to glow in contrast to his black sclera he looks to his would-be match, his face scrunching with distaste, his fat alligator-like tail going rigid at the implication he should settle for anything below perfection.

Should his match be a woman:]

Come! Allow me to look into your eyes—I will test the accuracy of this man's toy for myself.

[As he approaches, he towers standing at 7'1, his expression neutral as he scrutinizes.]

Should you truly be my Nhaama, then scant is this machine of the use they claim—but if you look into mine eyes and see not your Azim, then mayhap this device is indeed.

[Should they be a man:]

What folly that this machine would dare imply the radiant sun would ever find companionship with none other than his Nhaama. I've no use of men, for they are not the moon I seek.

Nonah; Little does ice stand against the illustrious Sun

[Magnai is not interested in being a hero. These people are not his own, and so their cries for help move not his heart nor his axe. Rather, he seems fit to ignore their pleas, ignore the rambunctious mischief this villain seems set on causing.

That is, until said villain aimed that spray at him. Perhaps it was by accident, perhaps on purpose, either way this is not a path that ends well for the mutant menace.]

You would bid for death so foolishly? You know not whom you cross, but I shall make your folly clear.

[The ice that began to freeze him in place breaks to pieces as Magnai pulls his leg free with ease, brandishing his axe that's roughly the size of a full grown man. As he charges forward, he has little regard for bystanders around him, leaping into the air as he brings down his axe. Narrowly does his target dodge the blade, but everything and everyone in a twenty foot radius around the spot his axe impacts the ground suffers a crushing force that shakes the very ground around them.

Like a mini earthquake, the ground splinters and breaks apart, vehicles and people alike are sent tumbling—the latter of which likely needing immediate medical attention should they be of the ordinary sort. Even the meta-human who started this whole chaotic mess won't be walking that off so easily. In fact, the guy seems to be trying to crawl away after the damage he's suffered being so close to the point of impact.]

Come! Rise and face me, to be fell with such ease is pathetic.

[Magnai just...doesn't even seem to care about the destruction he's caused, his mind is focus entirely on his wounded adversary.]

de chima cuz i gotta

[adamantlyardent]

[there really is no justice in the world, no break a girl can catch for even the barest of moments, is there? even if she wasn't going to put much stock in the likelihood of technology here having any chance of securing her some form of romance, it would've been fun to play and pretend, right?

so.

you know.

of course this tiny half-elf is now under the shadow of the most hideous beast she's ever seen.

it figures, really!

it'll figure much more clearly later when she's not about to have a panic attack right in the middle of downtown.

she gawks up at him with wide, unblinking eyes (yellow, too! huh!!), her ear twitching in time with an eyelid as the rest of her starts to go numb and her hair starts to frizz with undischarged electricity.

barely eked out of her throat:] H...Help...

hi sun, meet sun

[hundredmillyen]

[Sun absolutely shouldn’t be at this event. He’s far too young compared to the general crowd and besides that he has zero interest in finding who he’s got ‘compatibility’ with. He is, however, extremely interested in the free coupon for lunch.

Someone must have let Sun have a go with the machine, either figuring there was younger folks in the crowd or he’d simply get a low compatibility reading. Whatever the case, he finds himself staring up (and up) at his very tall strange looking match.]

Wow! Ya sure are ugly aren’tcha? I wouldn’t call myself radiant though nor do I need whatever the heck a mamba is.

[Sorry he got lost at ‘radiant sun’, how convenient his name is also Sun.]

...wait a minute!! How do you already know my name?!

Nonah

[fantasykiller]

What the hell are you doing?!

[Rising up from where he had been knocked down by the powerful shock wave was a lone teenager. Although he wasn't near the epicenter of the impact, it was obvious he didn't escape the destruction completely unscathed. His jacket was torn in many places and their sleeves stained with blood from when he had protected his head while tumbling across the pavement.

Nothing about his appearance particularly stood out. He looked no different from the countless other normal civilians wandering the city and the fact he got swept away by their attack didn't say much about his strength. And yet, there he stood, his eyes burning with determination.]

Can't you see the guy can't fight back anymore? He's no longer a threat so there's no point continuing.

serena van der woodsen / gossip girl

[socialightly]

— shut up and dance.

[ A tall, leggy, tanned blonde tends to catch the eye of a person or two, and after what feels like too many years as the Upper East Side's IT girl, Serena van der Woodsen is all too used to the feeling of eyes on her as her heels click down the pavement, steps singing the song of someone just here to look around, with no plans or destination in mind.

Her head is pulled sharply out of the clouds by someone insisting that she come help them with a dance. ]

Um — Sorry, no. I'm— I'm meeting someone... [ A lie her mouth stumbles around as she offers a sheepish, yet brilliant, smile to the teenagers, eyes scanning the street for some sort of out...

Ah! Excuse her, person, she's just going to run the few steps up to you and grab your arm. ] Hey! We're going for coffee, isn't that right? [ The question is said more to the teenagers trying to rope her into dancing than to the person she's clinging to as her saviour. ] So, uh, I really don't have time to help you out, I'm sorry. I hope you find someone!

[ And, with those kids seemingly done trying to convince her, Serena walks a couple more steps, still linked to this stranger before she lets go. ] Sorry, I— I panicked.

— walking in a winter (welcome) wonderland.

[ No matter what Blair might think about malls and the people who frequent them, Serena has found herself in them more than once in her life. Even bad girl rebellions have their lulls, where the only rebellion is to be found in investigating the world of low-end fashion, but a downtown mall in a city which seems to be coming apart at the seams is new even for her.

She holds her purse a little more tightly as she wanders through the kiosks, eyeing the sales with vague interest and polite smiles at the vendors, but never really stopping. This place is cute, quaint, a welcome reprieve from the rest of her time here, but it's not really... offering anything Serena would add to her life. ]

Excuse me, do you know where I could get a coffee?

[ But coffee is coffee is coffee, and surely there's some good offerings to be found, so she chances an ask at a vendor selling incense and various sized dragon statues. He blinks, his arm raising to point her down towards—

A boom. Eyes go wide, and the shuddering of the ground has Serena grabbing at the kiosk table to try and stop herself falling over, knocking several statues to the floor, each one shattering with cracks and crashes she hears over the shrieking of strangers as the place floods with...

Santa Clauses? Clausii? ]

What the... [ She gasps out the words and realises she hasn't breathed in about a minute, that she's ended up crouched on the floor, clutching her purse and the edge of the table while the stall owner barks something about 'you break it, you bought it!' ]

Not now! [ She hisses back, looking through the fleeing crowd, hoping to catch a glimpse of some sort of security uniform, the police, anything. Or even... ] ...Superheroes.

[ Because there has to be. She sees a handful of people run forward, powers flying overhead, and slowly pulls herself up, blonde hair a mess around her shoulders as she watches, frozen to the spot. No amount of introductory talks could prepare a girl to comprehend that comic books and bad movie adaptations were real. ] I've got to learn to do that.

[ It's muttered to herself, and not a moment too soon, as a Claus clone grabs at her purse and she yanks it away, smacking him in the side of the head with it. Not that it does much, being a soft bag with little more than the necessities stuffed inside it, but it bewilders him long enough that she gets a chance to grab a dragon statue as the stall owner looks on in horror. ]

HELP!

[ She's still gonna try and smash this dude with the statue, though, trust and believe. ]

— wildcard.

[ hit me with anything! ]

shut up and dance

[fallingoffstuff]

[This out definitely stands out, in a poofy wedding gown and wide eyes as she wanders around the city, so far out of her depth that it’s very obvious she’s new to this whole thing. She doesn’t even notice Serena until the girl grabs her arm, and then Giselle quickly gasps out of surprise, taken aback by how Serena seems to—know her?]

Oh, [she starts, apologetic,] I’m sorry, but I don’t—

[—know who you are, she’s about to say, but then she sees the girls trying to rope Serena into a dance. It clicks, then, and Giselle changes her tune:] —know the place very well. I might get us lost. Could you guide me?

[As soon as the kids are gone, and they’ve stepped away from the scene, Giselle smiles and shakes her head.]

You don’t have to be sorry. This place is—so very strange, I don’t blame you for being overwhelmed. I’m just as overwhelmed too, it’s all so very different.

Solus zos Galvus | Final Fantasy XIV (No 5.0 spoilers within top level)

[hellufacade]

De Chima

[Where there's proper civilization, there's Solus zos Galvus. He allows photos to be taken of himself. What's he going to do about it? Kill someone? Not here, not like this. At least he feels more like a celebrity than a side show. He poses for photos as they come along. He cuts a handsome enough figure if he does say so himself. You can catch him posing... ]

[Or a little later, he's plenty intrigued by a machine that claims to find a love match. His picture has been taken all day. What's one more? And a lunch coupon... He's unfortunately not in the current financial state to turn that down. Have you been printed out as his love match?]

Ninety-seven percent. Goodness, my near soul mate is standing nearby! Which of you is this?

[The machine must be broken or bullshit, but he'll see if whoever it says is worthy of having lunch with him.]

Nonah

[Solus sits slumped in his cafe chair outside. A little cold doesn't bother him, especially not with his layered coats and skirts. He looks weird in comparison to others, but that's never bothered him before. He sips his coffee as he watches this absolute madman just running around freezing people. Why?]

[Well, he couldn't do anything about it himself. Well, he could. If he wanted to shoot the guy with a gun. He supposes he'll shoot him if he gets too close. He pulls his fancy revolver out and sets it on the table, otherwise watching with a bored expression. He still didn't quite get what was up with the Super Villains. He'd probably be doing everyone a favor if he did shoot him.

[He lifts his gun as the man starts to come close, his back to him. He aims for the head. Are you going to stop him?]

De Chima (potential 4.0 and 5.0 spoilers)

[misleadership]

[While Fordola may be used to the mobs of people clamoring for her attention. She's not used to the starstruck nature of the De Chima citizens. Their excited shrills aren't at all like the heated anger or the eerie silence she'd faced in many reaches of Gyr Abania. De Chima is pitiful yet oddly charming. Is this what it's like to be the hero with all the dazzling shine?

She can afford to entertain them. Give them what they want (a few scowling pictures) before encouraging them with a few sharp remarks that they find business else where. Some protest but very few stay. Not that they're given much choice because Fordola quickly turns and leaves.

At least she's not the only one with this experience. Other imPorts receive similar attention and curiosity but Fordola pays no mind to any of them. Not until she stumbles upon a rather large group of paparazzi all buzzing excitedly around a rather tall and exceedingly handsome man. She snorts at him for giving the mob what they want. But quickly becomes just as intrigued by him as the De Chima citizens.

A Garlean.

It'll take a while for this crowd to die down but she can wait. Waiting gives her time to compose herself. To fully appreciate a fellow in her midst.

When the opportunity finally presents itself:]

You there. [She knows exactly who this man is. Or who he's supposed to be. Without pause, she snaps to attention with a familiar salute.] Solus zos Galvus, I presume?

john "oxford" buchanan | original

[romanticism]

de chima.

[ he has a bit of a drunk look to him, despite how outwardly well dressed he is. his expression is glazed, a little thoughtless and far away. you wouldn't be wrong if you thought he looked like he was on another planet, because in his head he is. he's listening, perhaps for the first time in years, to the cacophonous waves of people's thoughts drifting through the space around him. the noise is not dissimilar to throwing yourself right into the plunge pool of a thundering waterfall, or so he imagines. for all the things he's managed and pulled off in his life, that certainly isn't one of them. if he does it for much longer, the dull ache centred somewhere around his frontal lobe (or so he thinks) will invariably become a full on blinding migraine, but he's considering coming close to the tipping point.

masochism isn't generally his style. wallowing, self-pity? oh, droves of it, for days, if he's feeling spicy.

none of the disjointed internal voices make sense. they overlap, fade in and out of each other, forming nonsensical insights into everyone and no one around him. a couple of words keep making their presence known, however. lunch, love, and... ninety percent? though the temptation of hurting himself lingers, john reluctantly begins to focus. what in the world is everyone thinking about? of all the things, lunch and love and — matches? ninety percent matches. matches for what? laced deeply with something deeply flammable for a ninety percent chance of lighting it on the first attempt? who even uses matches anymore? john's own thoughts are drowning out everyone else's, at this rate, and he had been walking aimlessly forwards for a while now.

"ninety six percent compatibility! here's a voucher, have a gorgeous rest of your day you two!"

he glances down at the proffered voucher, utterly bewildered, scanning it quickly. without missing another beat, he takes it, glancing to the person to his left, and flashes an easy smile. ]

Can I tempt you?

[ with the self-deprecating, jaunty humour of someone who probably wouldn't be offering to pay for your dinner any other time. even a gentleman has his limits. ]

jeopardy.

[ he's a different picture, elsewhere.

the smart blazer and relaxed, open neck shirt have been long since replaced by a t-shirt and jeans that both look like they've seen better days. he looks a bit dusty. anyone that knew him would either be horrified or baffled by this turn of events, but john is strangely revelling in how local he looks. until he opens his mouth, of course. no matter how charming your turn of phrase, no matter how middle england, home-counties your accent, everyone still asks you to repeat every third word, and better still? no one's very impressed by it either.

it hasn't exactly been easy to roll with the various punches that jeopardy has, but john has taken to the task with gusto.

the valentine's race is coming close to testing that gusto, but john likes a challenge. occasionally. the only thing that's causing him to hesitate is the fact that he's never actually hogtied anyone before, but knows more or less the general principle of it. no technique. the question hovering in the air, however, is this: who is about to get hogtied? john is over six foot tall, and in shape, edging into his late thirties but still reasonably content with the state of his joints. ]

Honestly, I'm game if you are— [ he says, amenable and pleasant, as though this as normal a conversation as you could ever imagine ] —but let's just do it, before I think too long and change my mind.

[ a pause. ]

Is there a prize or something? A purpose to this endeavour?

[ WHO GETS HOGTIED only time will tell, and pls ignore john's attempts to stall. ]

wildcard.

[ hello i haven't roleplayed in roughly a million years, please be v rough with me and throw whatever ya like on my plate ]

jeopardy

[boyscoutking]

[ What Shepard's doing in Jeopardy isn't exactly clear, even to him. With more time on his hands than he knows what to do with and the distinct ache of missing the stars lodged in his chest, traveling between cities had been a last ditch attempt at keeping himself busy. There's something that feels familiar about Jeopardy, something that reminds him of Omega, and that in itself is enough to keep him wary.

The Valentine's Race, the whole concept, has left a bemused expression clinging to his features. In fact, he'd had the event explained to him right after he intervened with what he'd thought was a civilian in need of assistance. Apparently people are voluntarily being hogtied and that had been an eye-opener. So this is a local culture thing, not requiring a former commander (that's what he is now, he guesses) to spoil anyone's fun. He'd apologized, lifted his hands up to try his best to placate the irritated couple and moved away.

The last thing he'd expected was to be invited to participate. Glancing across at the man clearly asking him if he wants to join in, he smiles ruefully and shakes his head. He has no intention of being on the giving or receiving end of this particular event, not least because he's still black and blue from-- before he arrived. ]

Just spectating. Not sure it has a purpose or a prize. I'm sure there's someone around here who'll take you up on your offer, though.

deanna troi ( star trek )

[counselling]

de chima

( she'd come out in curiosity, interested to know more about the city, amused by that this invention was that claimed to be so great. she'd stepped closer, the crowd all amused and even after discovering what it was deanna hadn't yet left. there was cheerful energy to everything, fun in the air that was a little infectious compared to the other feelings that passed through the cities.

except then it was her turn, an offer to her that results in a very polite decline of it )

No, thank you. I'm already spoken for.

( her love might not have been here but he was in her heart. always. though it didn't stop them from trying to encourage her anyway )

[boyscoutking]

[ The technology here is a little less advanced than Shepard is used to, even in De Chima. He can hear Javik somewhere in the back of his mind call it 'primitive' and that makes him smile, briefly, as he walks with purpose through the convention center park. He doesn't actually have a purpose, but he's never just wandered anywhere in his life, so walking with purpose is what he does.

The scanner catches his attention, the buzz surrounding it rising above the general din sitting low but ever present at the edges of his ears. Sure he's seen something with a similar function before, he looks it up and down and watches as the queue of people waiting to be scanned moves.

93%. 98%. 91%. 90%. 98.5%. 94%. Coupon after coupon after coupon is handed out.

A voice cuts in to his thoughts, his eyes flicking down to fit a face to its owner. Is she talking to him? ]

It's broken. The scanner. At least... I think it is.

What's the coupon for? I'd take a guess they're all for the same place?

[callmevision]

This city is obsessed both with Imports and with our love lives. It is a very amusing thing, I think.

[ Jonas, in his Vision form, has also been dodging the process, with no desire to get into a relationship at this time. He offers a polite smile to her and to the people trying to insist the machine is always right. ]

[lovesdiscovery]

[De Chima is strange. It's not the first time he's jumped dimensions so this place isn't that weird. It's just another weak dimension and you can take the Terran out of it's reality but you can't take the reality out of-

He doesn't respond initially - raising his sunglasses she may pick up on his emotions being a bit more wild then the rest of the populace and the other imPORTs.]

....Pity.

[But he pauses before speaking in a southern drawl.]

They're lucky whoever they are. Sorry to knock into you.

Jiang Yanli | The Untamed

[lotus_heart]

[.HEROPA.]

How about no? How about very no.

Yanli watched in interest but the instant that someone tried to get her to join in? She backed up nervously, smiling politely and shaking her head.

"I apologize, I'm not so skilled as to dance as you do. Excuse me, please." She gave a polite bow and turned to go-

whoops! More of a crowd.

Help?

[.DE CHIMA.]

Somehow, and she wasn't sure how, she found herself alongside a stranger with these odd results. It just served to remind her of her recently broken troth and the smile she gave afterward was strained, eyes distant.

"I don't believe that can be right. After all, I am not of this world. A proper match, I'm sure, would not be possible." That and she just didn't want to consider anything else just yet. Instead, she'd prefer to focus on her brothers and the journey home, interrupted as it has been.

[.WILDCARD.]

[Anything goes?]

De Chima

[ze_uwu_jun]

... or not that much of a stranger.

"Miss Jiang, please don't think too much of it. In gatherings such as this, I think they are more interested in making sure most people are entertained than that there is truth in it.

"Shall we move away and seek out something less unexpected?"

Comparatively less unexpected. Even after two months, the entire place is... unexpected.

The Dude | The Big Lebowski

[sometimestheresaman]

HEROPA

[Alright, so far, things seem pretty alright here. The bars don't even let him try to pay, which is great when you didn't have cash to begin with. Something about a tattoo? Or something like that, he wasn't really paying attention during the whole briefing thing. He heard something about super powers, too, but that could just be the weed talking. Hell, this whole "in another dimension" thing might be, too, for all he knows. So he's decided not to worry about it too much and just, you know, see where things go.

There's some kind of dance contest going on, too, and he's not one for dancing or whatever newfangled music the kids are listening to these days, but hell, he might as well stick around and hope somebody's serving drinks.]

They got any kahlua around here?