maskormods: (Default)
Mask or Menace | MODERATORS ([personal profile] maskormods) wrote in [community profile] etcelsior2020-04-24 06:52 pm
Entry tags:

WHO WAS THAT MASKED MAN

 
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.

    Unfortunately, tragedy has struck today. It seems like the entire Heropa PD is parked out of a local, popular grocery chain. A huge crowd is amassed in the parking lot despite the best efforts of officers to get them to leave. They whisper about excitement and shame, and you don't have to ask if you just listen in a bit...

    "What do you think he'll do to the employees? He sounded so serious..." "He really wants that pussy, huh?" "If I left my man for cheating on me, I'd take the damn cat, too!" "How does he think taking her and her coworkers hostage is gonna make her change her mind about him being a bad boyfriend?" "My wife is pregnant, please - if I don't get her favorite deli sub I might as well not go home!"

    Domestic disputes! Tragic. The police aren't too sure how to handle this hostage situation, claiming the man only has a box cutter and isn't actually waving it around at the moment, but...are you an imPort? They'd really appreciate the help, okay. Get in there and counsel the unhappy couple. Or not!

    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. 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...

    Despite the lack of gratitude that's in it for you, you may want to step in once you see a very, very sad supervillain wandering Maurtia Falls' streets. Dressed in a cape that appears to be a large swath of fabric purchased from a nearby sewing store, galaxy-themed leggings and no shirt is a man who runs right into your vicinity before striking a pose and yelling, "Everyone, stop before me and my wrath! I am Mister Mars, and provided you give me what I ask for, nobody needs to get hurt!"

    At which point Mister Mars snatches an old woman's purse, loudly laughs in her face, and begins to float upwards. By the time he reaches the height of the tallest building in the area, he's beginning to look slightly panicked as he fails to really be able to move anywhere but up. Meanwhile, the old woman has begun shaking her cane at him and screaming quite an assortment of alarming expletives.

    Maybe you should help one or the other out? If not, just lean back and enjoy the show.
     

    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.

    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.

    Despite the weird constant hum and the creepy cultish bingo, Jeopardy is usually a pretty calm place. A safe place. But not today. Today, someone has released a couple hundred tiny praying-mantis-like robots into the city, and the place is in chaos. Shops are closed up early because though these little destructive creatures don't have bullets, they do have some weird arm appendages that like to just crunch everything in existence. Like a locus swarm of cockatoos, anything made of wood or plastic is being crunched up and left for scrap. But at less than six inches high apiece, rounding them up is proving extremely difficult. Luckily, the mayor in her wisdom is giving out titanium nets to any imPort who wants to help round up the trouble makers. And, in the spirit of the city, she's offering the imPort that catches the most robots a free meal for two in the swanky Radiation Galley - Jeopardy's top tier, five star restaurant.

    Get catchin', imPorts!
crimsonunion: (Default)

going with western order since that's dw standard

[personal profile] crimsonunion 2020-04-29 12:03 am (UTC)(link)
Scaring those "kiddos" off is the only way to keep 'em away from your wallet. You should probably check your pockets, by the way.

[Ryuko's experiences at Honno City definitely aren't universal, but it's hard to shake her instincts after months of dealing with Mataro's antics. Just because none of these kids have tried to swipe her wallet yet doesn't mean she shouldn't keep an eye out.

She raises a single eyebrow at the odd moniker before answering with,]
Ryuko Matoi. And you?
vociferates: (Coffee and girl scout cookies.)

👌

[personal profile] vociferates 2020-04-29 12:23 am (UTC)(link)
[Are these kids really that vicious? They're just... kids? Tenacious but small and definitely handleable without whatever that was. He does humor Ryuko and pats himself down -- everything seems to be in the same place it was before.]

Hizashi Yamada, good to meet you yo! [he fires of a couple of fingerguns to punctuate his enthusiasm.] Guess this all means I owe you one huh?
crimsonunion: (really?)

[personal profile] crimsonunion 2020-04-29 12:45 am (UTC)(link)
[Violence—or the threat of it—was the only language Mataro understood, although that may have been typical Mankanshoku thickheadedness preventing her point from getting through his skull without brute force.]

Yeah, I guess. [Ryuko's second eyebrow joins her first sitting high on her forehead.] Maybe you could calm their parents down for me? [She jabs her thumb at the growing sea of angry guardians marching towards Ryuko, clad in a uniform scowl.]
vociferates: (Dude i'm still drunk and i'm feeding)

[personal profile] vociferates 2020-04-29 03:11 am (UTC)(link)
[He grimaces. Dealing with irate parents is really low on his list of things he wants to do more than he absolutely has to. He DOES owe Ryuko though, but this would definitely overdraw her if this was a banking transaction.

So, he claps a hand on her shoulder, friendly like]


I'll HELP you diffuse the situation, Matoi. Deal?
crimsonunion: (Default)

[personal profile] crimsonunion 2020-04-29 08:43 pm (UTC)(link)
[That's fair, honestly. Ryuko sizes up the oncoming swarm like she's about to get her scissors out and throw down with them, squints, then turns back to Hizashi.]

Fine. Just gonna warn you that I have zero experience dealing with the PTA brigade, though.

What's our angle of attack?
vociferates: (he asked me to put his condom on)

[personal profile] vociferates 2020-05-06 11:59 am (UTC)(link)
One, it's not an attack. Two it's called kissing butt.

[He reaches out and pats her on her upper back, right at her shoulderblades.] Try and relax a little and follow my lead, you dig?

[he turns his attention to the parents, and lifts a hand to wave.] Heeeeeeeeey there moms and dads! Looks like we've had a bit of a misunderstanding, but I've gotta say you've got some real bright kids out here working their businesses! They've gotta get all their entrepreneurial skills from you lot!

[He elbows Ryuko] Yeah? Hard to keep a hold of our money when the kids are so convincing!

[[ooc: late, we can keep this if you wind up apping in, or if you'd rather we can drop the thread!]]
crimsonunion: (heh heh heh)

well i got in so let's keep going!

[personal profile] crimsonunion 2020-05-07 08:31 pm (UTC)(link)
Got it.

[Ryuko tries to relax.

Her relaxing looks like a delinquent slouching to try and avoid attention from the cops.

This might be the most challenging mission of Hizashi's hero career.

At his cue, Ryuko startles, then coughs to clear her throat. Right. Being civil. No swearing in front of this kids. This was totally doable.]


Yeah, the l'il b- the li'l guys sure are persistent! Ha ha. Ha...

[Or not.]
vociferates: (I made you bacon and)

Congratulations!

[personal profile] vociferates 2020-05-08 01:22 pm (UTC)(link)
[hizashi winces. It may be a challenge, but Ryuko's never met Bakugo. ...and hopefully never will. Luckily, awkward as it is, some of the parents seem to be taking what Ryuko said as genuine.

Funny how parents can sometimes understand that teenagers can be prickly little bastards.]


Hahaha, persistent is one word! Tenacious, unrelenting and determined! But we really ought to take our leave, you dig? We've got some business to attend to in Heropa, and if we don't get going we're totally going to be late!
crimsonunion: (bwuh?!)

[personal profile] crimsonunion 2020-05-08 07:55 pm (UTC)(link)
[Play dumb, Matoi.]

Yeah, uh, he's gotta take me to... school registration! Because he's my dad.

[Not that dumb!]
vociferates: (Did I wash my face at your house?)

[personal profile] vociferates 2020-05-10 01:30 pm (UTC)(link)
[WHAT......... RYUKO YOU AND HE LOOK NOTHING??? ALIKE? Hizashi chokes back a startled laugh, and claps hands down onto both of her shoulders.]

Step dad! [He's steering her away from the startled looking parents at this point, shooting a glance over his shoulder.] We're totally going to be late, thanks for being responsible parents!!!

[Ryuko I hope you're good at retreating, because that's exactly what they need to be doing right now, while the getting's good.]
crimsonunion: (emotions! who needs em amirite)

[personal profile] crimsonunion 2020-05-10 07:44 pm (UTC)(link)
[Ryuko is something an expert retreater. Discretion, valor, all of that. Granted, she usually beat an expeditious escape in response to getting beaten half to death, but really this is just as mortifying.

As soon as they're a safe distance away, Ryuko bangs her head against a nearby wall and groans.]


I panicked, okay?
vociferates: (...I just melted into my bed.)

[personal profile] vociferates 2020-05-14 03:50 pm (UTC)(link)
[Hizashi on the other hand, is doing his valiant best not to laugh. He's not doing a good job of it.]

Hey, don't sweat it little listener, It was a pretty intimidating situation to be in! You were in the hot seat.

[He claps a hand down on her shoulder in a friendly way.] Messy or not, guess I kind of owe you one. One favor, from me to you!
crimsonunion: (heh heh heh)

[personal profile] crimsonunion 2020-05-14 05:58 pm (UTC)(link)
Thanks, but unless you know anybody who's offering hero-ing lessons, I might have to keep that in my back pocket for a while. [Ryuko says half-jokingly. As much as she's been having a blast kicking the asses of baddies left and right, even she can admit that she also hasn't been doing an especially good job at it.]
vociferates: (Ignore him I am the one that wears)

[personal profile] vociferates 2020-05-17 01:02 pm (UTC)(link)
[Ryuko boy have you stumbled into something. Hizashi's face nearly splits in two with how big his grin becomes. He might not be in his official hero getup, but he's still a pro regardless!]

Well as luck would have it, I might be your guy! I'm pretty used to teaching teenagers. [he offers a grin, holding a hand out for her to shake.]

Pro Hero Present Mic, Nice to meet you!
crimsonunion: (bwuh?!)

[personal profile] crimsonunion 2020-05-17 10:28 pm (UTC)(link)
[Oh.

This might be an issue.

Ryuko winces, as if she just got dragged in front of class to give a presentation before anyone else. (A look Hizashi should know well at this point.]


Thanks for the offer, but... [As Ryuko searches for a good excuse, she absentmindedly rubs her arm. The sleeve of her jacket rolls up to reveal a few letters: "VIGI-" before cutting off.]
vociferates: no one else is here. i have on different pants. (who tried to drive me home last night?)

[personal profile] vociferates 2020-05-18 02:55 pm (UTC)(link)
[Ah yes, teenage panic. He's well acquainted. His gaze darts to her arm and then widens a little as he quickly reaches a hand out to clap it over her tattoo.]

Hey, yo. No problem. Why don't we talk about this somewhere more private, little listener? Before we get someone overhearing.

[Vigilantism isn't a foreign concept, but Hizashi isn't about to clap cuffs on her and turn her in to the police either. She's a kid, and honestly considering the fact she's likely really far from home, is it even fair to label kids like this?]
crimsonunion: (Default)

[personal profile] crimsonunion 2020-05-18 06:15 pm (UTC)(link)
[Ryuko has met precisely...

...

...one trustworthy adult in her entire life. And even then, Mrs. Mankanshoku lost a lot of her cred just through proximity to her husband. So forgive Ryuko if she's a bit leery, Hizashi.

But she'll give him one chance. One.]


Alright. Where do you have in mind?
Edited 2020-05-18 18:17 (UTC)
vociferates: (I'm gonna have bed sores)

i had thought i sent this but i was a liar sandwich

[personal profile] vociferates 2020-05-22 08:47 pm (UTC)(link)
[He's not going to hold it against her.]

There's a cafe not far from here I wanted to try. It's got big windows. [Very public, but they can also have a PRIVATE conversation that's not in the middle of a neighborhood.]

I've got the cash, lunch is on me. What do you say?
crimsonunion: (Default)

Re: i had thought i sent this but i was a liar sandwich

[personal profile] crimsonunion 2020-05-22 10:14 pm (UTC)(link)
...

You had me when you said lunch is on you.

[When they arrive at the cafe, Ryuko gravitates to a corner booth, and orders black coffee with a shot of espresso—that much Hizashi probably predicted—and a croissant... which she seems vaguely disappointed by when she sees it on her plate.

(Look, "croquette" and "croissant" totally sound similar, okay?)]


...I don't trust the government. [Ryuko says this surprisingly quietly, even considering the fact that she's supposed to be keeping this conversation on the down low. There's none of her usual bluster.] Giving powers to people then putting them on a leash for them to use, it-

It's a recipe for disaster. If somebody hasn't already figured out a way to abuse the system, they will soon, and I don't want to be one of the people who's easier for them to target.
vociferates: (it's all just a bunch of faces)

[personal profile] vociferates 2020-05-29 11:52 am (UTC)(link)
[The disappointment isn't missed so he makes sure to catch a waitress and ask for another menu, just so Ryuko can order something more substantial than a croissant. He'll have to ask about that mixup later.

For now though, he listens to what she has to say. He can't disagree with her concerns, not really. Especially as an adult, he's perfectly aware that blind trust in any sort of institution is something that you have to be careful with. So, he's not really in the position to scold her or tell her she's wrong.]


And if you get caught or put in jail? What good are you going to be then, Ryuko? Assumin' you're gonna want to help if something big like that does go dow. I'm not going to tell you you're wrong, yo. But think about the road ahead.

[He keeps his tone hushed, frowning as he says this, brows knit together. Being under the government's thumb is a disadvantage in some ways, but in others, an advantage, at least the way he sees it.]
crimsonunion: (really?)

[personal profile] crimsonunion 2020-05-30 05:27 am (UTC)(link)
[Ryuko shrugs, completely unintimidated by the prospect of jail.] I've spent a few nights in cells before. From what I've heard, this place's jails are downright cushy compared to the ones back home.

[Aaaaand another piece of the puzzle clicks into place.]
vociferates: (I'm sorry I peed on your everything.)

[personal profile] vociferates 2020-06-15 03:10 am (UTC)(link)
[Well he's certainly not going to push the point. He's said what he wanted to say, and honestly -- he'd rather stay on the kid's good side so she's got someone she can come to in the case of getting arrested.]

Well, it's your choice to make little listener. If you get yourself into a fix you can always call on me to come get you out. But keep what I said in mind, yeah?
crimsonunion: (okay ONE smile)

[personal profile] crimsonunion 2020-06-15 03:32 am (UTC)(link)
I will.

[Maybe.]

You seem like decent people, at least. Lot better than most adults I know.

[Other than Mrs. Mankanshoku. Bless her.]
vociferates: (A horse told me not to drive home last n)

[personal profile] vociferates 2020-06-15 03:37 am (UTC)(link)
[He tries to be a good adult. He's not perfect by any means, who is?]

Not sure I like the sound of that. [in the context that he's better than MOST adults she knows. That implies a lot.] I'm here to listen if you've ever got a chip you need to brush off that shoulder of yours.

I can give you my number just in case you get into trouble. And if you seriously need heroics lessons, I'll consider it, as long as you can promise me you won't use what I teach you to break any super important laws.
crimsonunion: (knifecat)

considering you're canon familiar you can get the joke

[personal profile] crimsonunion 2020-06-15 03:53 am (UTC)(link)
I won't break any laws, [she says, giving him her own number.] Swear on the Mankanshokus' honor.
Edited 2020-06-15 04:05 (UTC)

LMAO FUCK

[personal profile] vociferates - 2020-06-15 04:16 (UTC) - Expand