TEST DRIVE MEME #18

[penancemods]

Arrival

You remember a dream.

Or maybe nightmare is more accurate.

It was full of hellfire nipping at your skin and a sensation of being pulled down no matter how much you struggle or cry for help. There's a voice that feels like it's coming from all around you at once. Contrasting with the nightmare unfolding around you, it's smooth as silk. It makes you want to listen with every bit of attention you can muster in the moment.

"Judgement has come upon you, but not to worry. It can still be undone."

The voice promises you redemption for your sins. It promises you a better life and everything you could ever want, if only you just stop struggling so much.

And so you do.

Everyone wakes up in the same room initially. The room is done up in red with a cushy bed, a window, an old TV in the corner on a desk, and a few Hieronymus Bosch paintings lining the wall. There's a bathroom to clean up in and any belongings will be sat around the room to be gathered later. There's a duffel bag provided for your convenience.

After feeling a sensation of falling or dropping onto the bed, characters wake up feeling like they've just slept for a week. Their body will feel heavy and stiff, and they'll have a massive headache at first.

They'll quickly notice the list of their sins written with their blood on a bedside table on an old piece of parchment. This will mean the list is tied to them and can't be changed or tampered with. They'll also receive their device to connect with others and the network. It won't be anything terribly fancy. As a matter of fact, it looks like a very old Blackberry type phone.

Once characters are ready to leave the room, they'll head down long, winding halls. They're dimly lit and have an ominous feeling. They may encounter fellow sinners or demonic staff that will direct the newcomer down to the lobby to get their actual room key to settle in. The staff may be pushy, or they may border on courteous. It really just depends on the mood of the staff at the time and how they're treated in return. Eventually, everyone comes to stairs that lead downward.

Once down to the lobby, you'll notice the front desk manned by a demon who looks bored out of its mind. To the side of him is the door to the kitchen, where guests may help themselves. To the right is a small duty free shop that seems to have a surprisingly normal, expected stock of items. Look around a bit further, there will be a tiny bar tucked in through a corner door. It seems pretty well-stocked and best of all, there's a demonic bartender who seems to know how to mix any drink you can imagine (and a few you can't). Of course there's some seating, bar games, and a jukebox tucked in the corner if you'd rather stay and socialize a bit. There's also a new addition of a karaoke machine.

Please note that all the songs on the jukebox are appropriately hell-themed. Hopefully Sympathy for the Devil is universally loved.


Stand Your Ground

Rise and shine, dear guests! The weather outside is as frightful as it's ever been, oddly cold. Colder than it was even at this time last year, but it seems to match the mood of the staff. Another sinner uprising, another looming threat of outsiders wanting to wreck Hell, and the staff is understandably exhausted and down in the dumps. Still, they seem to be at least trying to spread the Halloween cheer with more decorations! Gaudy decorations are in every square inch of the hotel, along with some unique looking jack-o-lanterns that seem to watch you wherever you go!

There are even some absolutely cute little turnip ones from the old timer demons who insist it's the only way for it to be done!

Lucifer and Lilith are both curiously missing in action at this time. If asked, the staff will helpfully explain that there were poltergeists and then one of the sinners lost it and tried to take over Hell, again. They'll also complain at length about how absolutely ridiculous it is that anyone thinks they're capable of ruling this place over Lucifer himself. Feel free to try to escape the incoming rant! But either way, the big guy in Hell is apparently putting up more barriers to prevent things like this from happening in the future!

And to handle an outside threat called The Veiled Order apparently, but don't you worry about them! They're simply not important at the moment and absolutely not not planning a bit attack soon. Nope.

New arrivals (and old!) should enjoy the rather expansive breakfast the demons have made in the dining hall. There will be plenty of breakfast foods ranging from bacon to pancakes to donuts and anything in between to encourage indulgence. There's no need to hold back now, right? You're already dead! So eat up all that unhealthy food and maybe add something a little bit stronger to your coffee than just plain cream! No one is judging around here, especially when there's a few bottles of top shelf alcohol available next to the coffee station.

And if one thing isn't frowned upon in Hell, it's gluttony. No one will judge if you want a taste of human flesh or cute kitten out of curiosity or anything.

Staff will encourage guests to take it easy. Things have been rough lately, and they're only bound to get rougher!


Reach Up High

Prompt I: Jesus Wept

WARNINGS: mutilation, blood, torture, extreme gore.

Somewhere from within the hotel is an ominous rumble behind a closed door. This time, it isn't from any wayward mages or ill-timed bombing attempts, but the unlocking of a previously forbidden room. There are eerie screams from within, followed by menacing laughter as the door swings open of its own accord. The room within is painted in nothing but darkness and a thick fog.

For those who would dare approach, they will be able to make out the outlines of chains hanging in wait from the ceiling, but most other details are obscured. There may be a brief flash of figures in the shadows, the stench of blood. This feels like a bad idea, but sinners are drawn forward anyway. There's something of a promise inside this room... something new and exciting, greater than anyone is capable of imagining!

You know what they say about curiosity and the cat, don't you?

Before common sense can win out, guests will find themselves pulled into the room and hear the gut-wrenching slam of the heavy door behind them. Once inside, guests will be able to make out the torn apart bodies on the ground, halved or nothing but splatters of guts and bone. Despite all logic, some will still be writhing and moaning still. Whether in pleasure or pain, it's difficult to tell

Look closer still and sinners may notice one has managed to scrawl with their bloody handprint:

There are no limits.

It may feel as if reading those words puts things into motion. Suddenly, one of the poor sinners will find the chains lashing out, hooks sinking in deep as they find their purchase on their bodies and pull. They will find themselves pulled into an almost gruesome mockery of a crucifixion pose. Arms drawn up, legs held in place. Clothes may be torn or shredded as their unmarked bodies are marred with the hooks. Flesh and muscle stretch under the strain. Fortunately, it doesn't go further.

Not yet.

"My dear guests, we haven't explored the depths to which pain can show our true selves in a while, have we? And with all the energy flowing around our little community, I had more than enough time to prepare this surprise for all of you. This is a room that had been locked off for a while now, and my children trapped within have found themselves rather bored lately," Lucifer's voice rings out within both ears of the sinners, eerily reassuring despite the hellscape in front of them.

"I want to show you the lengths Hell used to go to, the pain and pleasure mix of true torment. It's in suffering that we find our true selves. I do firmly believe that. We find out who we're meant to be, what we're meant to be, giving and receiving pain. Help one another and you will be set free!"

The fog dissipates enough to reveal a table nearby full of all sorts of horrifying instruments. Paddles, whips, some of them barbed in nauseating ways. There's wax to melt, knives. Needles to pierce flesh with. There are instruments that deliver enough electric current into the recipient to hurt and leave them writhing, gags for when their cries become too much.

"Next to your instruments, you will find a list of sins and wrongdoings your lovely captive has done in their lives, both here and back home. Read it and punish accordingly. Remember, there is freedom in humiliation as well as pain. Force them to see who they truly are inside. There's also redemption to be found in the punishment. You are delivering God's divine justice! You are God's hand! He will be so pleased..."

In the shadows, there are those same figures standing in wait, ready to manipulate the hooks.

"You will have no more than four attempts to carry out your punishment. Failure or refusal to do so will result in another hook driving into our poor bound soul here. After your four attempts, I am sorry to say they will be torn apart by my friends in the shadows with you, and you will have murder added to the list of sins tainting you. It would be such a needless shame to fail at this, wouldn't it? And who knows, perhaps you'll find you adore this path..."

There's a short laugh from Lucifer, as if he just made a brilliant joke. "Succeed in your punishment and you will both be released with one more sin removed from your list. Don't worry about any injuries... there are bandages and other aids available just outside. Now, my darlings, go have fun."

[As this is a Hellraiser based prompt, feel free to assume anything with a sadomasochistic bent to it can be found within the room. Attacking the demons controlling the chains will not stop them. They seem to be invulnerable to attacks and are only there to observe and add additional hooks when they deem fit. When a punishment is deemed worthy enough to release the hooked partner is left up to player discretion, but a character is only allowed to fail a punishment four times before they have to witness a horribly gory scene.]


Prompt II: Let's Play a Game

WARNINGS: mutilation, blood, torture.

"Greater love hath no man than this, that a man lay down his life for his friends. These are words from my Father's own book, preaching the ever so present importance of putting one's own worth below that of his fellow man. So very poetic, yes? And heroic. Only the truly good would be so selfless. Fortunately, I'm not asking you to kill yourselves here. Not exactly, at least." Lucifer's voice rings out within the sinner's heads, warm and coaxing as it ever is.

"No, I am only asking that you practice the art of self-sacrifice with your fellow penitents. We're going to play a little bit of a game. You're all familiar with escape rooms, yes? Well, it's like that... don't worry, you'll figure it out soon enough."

Spare a Pint Awakening in a room with a single box in the center of it, sinners find themselves wearing a tight collar with a clock ticking down. They have fifteen minutes to place their hands inside the box. They'll soon learn that it's full of sharp objects ready to cut. Upon further inspection, they'll find two glass bottles attached below.

They must spare a few pints of blood each, it turns out.

Once time is up, if they haven't suceeded, spikes will pop out from the collar and embed in their necks. This will result in both participants nearly bleeding out before demons tend to them. Any scarring will be permanent.

Free the Angel Suspended in the air, one sinner will find themselves outfitted with the most devilish device. Brackets have been connected to their ribcage, dug in deep as their bare skin stands out to expose the horrors. There are only fifteen minutes before the trap trips and rips open their chest. To save them, the other sinner must remove a key from a bowl of acid before the timer reaches zero and unlock a mechanism on the device. If they fail to do so, not only will the poor soul bound experience excruciating pain, kept alive through some unnatural means, but the other will suddenly feel as if their insides are twisting in on themselves.

Sinners will be patched up afterwards, but the bound will have a scar that remains on their chest as a reminder to both parties.

Lucifer will explain the rules of each game to the guests very thoroughly and offer whatever reassurances he can. As promised, all sinners will be healed properly after completing their tasks, whether they succeed or not. Even those who find their insides unfortunately on the outside.

If guests turn on one another, they will additionally be punished with a sin from their list branded upon their skin somewhere and fail any sort of redemption offered this round.


Follow Me Down

Prompt I: Monster Mash

WARNINGS: sex, drugs, alcohol, dub-con.

Hell is having a party and absolutely nothing can stop it. It seems like it may possibly be a days long event too, if the way things are going is anything to judge. There are tacky Halloween decorations spilling from the hotel out into the streets, trailing towards the club and other locations. Demons are partying everywhere, there's lively music. It's like a rather twisted Hell take on a block party. Beer and other refreshments flow freely, there's food and candy, and fires lit around the area for warmth (or s'mores, or whatever demons may want to cook over a fire!).

In the hotel lobby, there have been racks upon racks of costumes set up for people to choose from. These include all the usual things ranging from fictional characters, sexy versions of everything, lingerie, masquerade masks, and outfits for entirely anonymous adventures. If character won't don a costume willingly or are unfamiliar with Halloween, the demons have zero qualms forcing it in whatever ways work. Multiple costume changes throughout the partying, however, is allowed.

For party activities, there are live demonic bands playing at various points in Penance (and they welcome those who want to join in!), various party games such as bobbing for apples (although 'apple' here is used loosely. At times, they may be substituted with feet or human hearts or whatever is around), pin the wings on the angel, rounds of 7 Minutes in Heaven and spin the bottle, as well as pumpkin carving contests. There's also a stage set up if guests desire to show off their costumes (or take them off).

As usual, there's plenty of food and drink, including all the questionable ones like human flesh or blood. There may be a roasted Squonk or two available. There's also every drug available that someone could want, including Frenzy that's free of charge.

There's a round of trick or treating going on throughout Penance as well. Go to the club or bar, or any other establishment and you'll find demons ready to hand out their treats or tricks. It may be drugged candy, regular candy, small trinkets, or other useful objects. Tricks may be decidedly less fun, ranging from a swat with a cane, a cut with a knife (non-life threatening this time around!), or just cruel comments that seem to hit too far close to home while the demons around enjoy a hearty chuckle. Don't worry, it's all for fun!

In the bar, there's the jukebox playing some spooky new music, as well as karaoke. Bar games such as darts, pool, poker, etc. are also all available. It may include succubi trying to start a rousing round of strip poker, but that's just the risk you run in Hell!


Prompt II: Dig Your Fingers Into Flesh

WARNINGS: sex, bdsm, pet play, human furniture, dubcon, noncon, drug use.

Club Penance seems to continuing the new gimmick! Themed nights. This night's theme is: Leather and Lace, Bring on the Mace. Guests who enter the adult oriented side of the club will notice the incubi and succubi who serve in it are clad in skimpy lace numbers or seductive leather. They may be seen sporting clamps or other toys, leather masks, etc. They will eagerly encourage all who enter to join in the fun and games.

On their trays, they offer drinks and drugs of all sorts. Shows are being put on on the stage as usual, the offer of sex demos with guest participation are still on the table.

As usual, these demons play under respectable rules, safe words and all. They will also gladly exit the stage and let guests entirely run the show. They're on their best behavior tonight, even if the natural aphrodisiacs they give off seem to be amped up

Guests who refused to dress up may also find their clothes randomly changing into something more appropriate or being forcibly changed by a demon who may be a bit too into the theme! Ah, well, no need to worry too much. There will be costumes and lingerie to slip on to go home in. There's absolutely nothing wrong with a walk of shame back to the hotel in nothing but a thong, they'll assure. It's just another night in Hell.

For those who are really adventurous, there are also special concoctions that the club offers. These include:

Frenzy ○ The drug will be given to anyone anyone who asks for it. It can be snorted, injected, taken in pill form, or smoked given user preference.

Despite the questionable name, guests who partake really will feel the best they've possibly ever felt. They won't need sleep or to rest, but they won't necessarily feel the strain on their bodies either. They'll be full of energy and their mood will be amazing with no hint of nightmares or dreams anywhere.

The demons won't let anyone come down either, not once they've started and not until they're told a guest doesn't want any more.

Even then, they may still try to convince them otherwise. It's a party for as long as you can go, or until you completely burn out, it seems.

But with all good things come bad. It seems a side-effect of the drug is an actual frenzy as well. A frenzy for sex or violence or anything a character might want that they deny themselves on the regular. They'll feel this growing hunger, this ravenous need to have and to claim everything they think is theirs.

Some may even fade away into an almost animalistic sort of state.

The more the guest takes, the more they'll experience this sensation. Fighting it won't help either. Though they did sort of bring that one on themselves, didn't they?

Other symptoms of coming down won't be too different to those of other drugs. Fatigue, depression. Guests will begin to feel the effects of staying up for so long without rest or stopping to take care of themselves. They may also feel a certain longing for more, but it can be fought off with enough strength of will.

The drug isn't free either. The succubi expect to be paid in energy or through actual work in the club.

Bond ○ A potion that will bond guests together the minute one speaks to the other. The encouragement is that this should be done consensually, but the demons won't necessarily be checking. Once bonded, guests will feel what the one who took the potion feels. This includes pain and pleasure both with effects lasting a full night. Give someone the most intense pleasure of their lives or torture them until they beg for mercy!

For a really intense experience, both participants can consume the potion with mutual effects.

A special section of the club has been set back up to follow the theme! Within the area, there are pillory stocks and other restraints set up with demons and random club goers alike restrained and naked. Some of these will be stand-alone, some of these will be attached to beds, etc. A list of sins will be written on a blackboard sat near the sinner and a plethora of toys will be available. The selection will range from knives, candles, ice, impact toys, clamps, gags, etc. There will also be plugs, beads, dildos, and anything else one could want if they desire to add a little pleasure to the pain.

On the blackboards will contain a list of sins for characters and will typically be over the top and sex-based in nature, ranging from claims of promiscuity to selfishness in bed to specific taboo sex acts they enjoy. It can also include a few non-sexual ones, depending on the mood of the demon who wrote it. It may include other misdeeds done while in Penance. Expect it all to be humiliating or uncomfortable in some way or another.

For those who aren't into that, there's also a lovely display of human (or demon!) furniture to enjoy. Some of it may be familiar faces who are forced to maintain this position for however long others deem fit. Come sit on a face or two, or see if you can make someone fail at being a human statue. There may be a little pet play go on, a little denial play.

We won't talk about what it takes to be let into the rest room tonight...

For the dance oriented portion of the club, the theme is a little more lax. Instead of outright fetish wear, patrons may be offered revealing clubwear instead. Things that will look mesmerizing in the lights of the club ranging from neon colors to clothes that seem to flash on the dance floor. The music will be thrumming in the air, pumping down to your very bones as you dance the night away, and all patrons will feel good. It will feel as if they could actually dance all night if they so wanted, even without the aid of any drugs.

It will be an all night rave with all the party drugs and drinks one could want! Live music plays all night. The band also loves to receive requests, so knock yourself out! They seem to strangely know any song they're asked to play.

Knock yourself out, give up any care in the world and have fun. You're already in Hell, so don't you deserve to feel good for a while?


Wildcard/Misc.

Don't see something you love but still want to get a feel for the game? Check out our extensive list of LOCATIONS and write up your very own prompt however you'd like to! You can also add a "NETWORK" post option to your TL for quick, easy, and fun interactions.



And without further ado: Welcome to our new TDM for the November 1st app round! As always, potential appers and characters already in game are welcomed to jump right in! This TDM counts as an additional game event as well as game canon for those coming into the game. If you app and are accepted, TDM tags become game canon and can be used for AC! Please have fun and don't hesitate to ask any questions you might have down below.

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Comments

selina kyle, dc comics

[catlady]

m o n s t e r   m a s h :

[ like, honestly? halloween isn't even that fun when you're rounding out into your thirties and your whole thing is being a latex gimp furry cat-themed cat burglar. back home she'll avoid it, most years, if she can -- spend the evening in with her cats and a big ol' bag of halloween candy she'll regret later on. this is the exact kind of thing that gives some real genius this great, big, spooky idea that ends in a lot of death and destruction for pumpkins and civilians alike or, at the very least, lures gentleman ghost out of hiding and she really hates that dude. (seriously, a fuckin' ghost thief? encrouching on her territory? go fuck yourself.)

but this isn't back home while she's been here all of (almost) two months, she knows they love an excuse to party in this place. maybe it wouldn't be the worst idea if she got out and tried to be a bit more social.

keyword here being Try with a capital T.

mostly you'll find selina lingering just about anywhere alcohol is being served and there's food nearby, idly nursing a drink, just kind of watching and judging everyone else. she looks fabulous, by the way, but this barely counts as a costume. idk maybe try your luck and chat her up, she won't bite. probably. (but maybe if you ask nicely...) ]

Hmm...

w i l d c a r d :

[ lol, if that isn't inspiring or you're just wanting something a bit more specific, pls feel free to toss it my way! i'm felinefatale for plotting and/or friendship!! ]

[shitmagnet]

[He's not even sure why he came to the party to be honest. Moving to a new room, he's glad to have his own space as opposed to sharing so much of it, but he can't spend all day cooped inside waiting for whatever it is he's waiting for to come.

So, sure, he's come out. Canvas the place a bit. Pass his eyes over a sea of strangers' faces, looking for what he doesn't know. Just looking. A bit of longing maybe, here and there. He quells it well enough, even if he can't do anything about the nightmares.

The alcohol isn't that appealing, but. He's a little curious about the plate of snacks he's been handed. Taking it with a quiet word of thanks, he eyes the plate of assorted horrors. Given where they are he can't be sure if it's candied eyeball or demonic eyeball. Deep fried spider. Hairs on and everything. He's eaten worse things in the trenches in the desert, but that doesn't mean he's overly eager to try any of the treats, even if they might be made out of pumpkin, sugar, colouring or what have you.]

Um... [He holds his plate out to the nearest person, glancing over at her.] You want some of this? [Look what the cat dragged in.]

[catlady]

[ there's a long, lingering moment when he addresses her that selina considers turning around in hopes that he's talking to someone who's manage to sneak up behind her, but these things do tend to lead to social interaction. she replays the question in her head, holding her drink close as she leans in to peer over the assortment of... god knows what sitting on the plate and pulls back immediately. ]

No, I think I'll pass. Thanks. [ god, this place and its commitment to a theme is really starting to suck. ] I saw some guy eating sliders earlier and I'm hoping those will make their way back around. At least they look like they won't leave me with a whole lotta regrets.

[shitmagnet]

[...yeah. He's passing too. He replaces the plate mostly untouched back onto the next tray that passes them by, wary gaze darting around the room. He likes to keep his eyes on the entrances and exits but now he's also looking out for sliders.]

You sure there isn't any weird meat inside those? [They're just patties. Patties could be made out of anything and they wouldn't know.]

[catlady]

[ who doesn't keep an eye on entrances and exits? (she's a thief, she's not exactly a good judge of what is considered normal when finding at least five ways to make an escape is just a habit.) ]

Really? [ she asks, the annoyance evident in her voice. sure, the dude has a point but, look, she had her tastebuds set on those sliders. ] You have to ruin the possibility of sliders for me?

[shitmagnet]

...maybe... there's a fish option that's harder to fake. [Yeah, bad save, but hey, he tried at least? This is why he doesn't do small talk.]

Isn't there a bar somewhere that might serve normal food? [He's heard of the bar out in the suburb area even if he hasn't visited yet. It's apparently more of a dive bar kind of place and he's not sure if it's just a watering hole or if they do food also.]

The kitchen's kind of a walk in and do what you like place too. [He's been there at least, so he knows, you can just walk in and make yourself a sandwich or anything else you like. He did go at 3 in the morning though so if anyone tried to go in there now it might be a different story.]

[catlady]

[ all options sound pretty awful, especially when you take into account her absolute inability to do much more than boil water. too much effort. selina brings her drink back to her lips, downing the remainder of the glass in one quick go before she begins to hunting down another one of whatever fun cocktails she's been sipping on. tastes like alcohol, hasn't provided her with any fun surprises... seems like the safest bet for now. ]

I don't think Lucifer would be all too happy if I managed to burn down his kitchen, which... doesn't seem possible but somehow that just seems like my luck. [ she turns back toward him, giving him the full head-to-toe as she tries to assess a first impression. so far he's ruined those sliders for her, so i mean, it's not going great. ] Who needs food to soak up all the alcohol anyway?

[shitmagnet]

You can't burn down a kitchen making a sandwich. [That's what a slider pretty much is, anyway, isn't it? A fancy kind of tiny sandwich that might be considered a burger in a two year old's hands.

That wasn't a challenge by the way, though thankfully she doesn't seem to be taking it as one.

He clears his throat when he sees a tray of drinks start to turn the other direction, getting some attention their way. It gives him some excuse to not make eye contact while she's staring him down.]

Here. [He takes one that looks like water that hopefully isn't straight up vodka, watching her over the top of the rim of his glass.]

[catlady]

That's what you think...

[ she does wonder, though: what type of punishment does one receive for burning down hell's kitchen? (haha, see what i did there? genius.) can't be any worse than sharing a small space with several stra-- look, she's really fucking bitter about this roommate sitch. no need to get into the whole rant.

an eyebrow quirked, she takes the drink from him and sniffs at it suspiciously before she finally takes a sip. not water, not vodka... and boy does it hit her fast. it's a very visible thing facially, that burn hitting the back of her throat before it begins to spread through her body. she shakes the way an animal does after a bath when she swallows it. ]

Oh, I like this one... [ a beat. ] You still owe me some sliders.

[ and, offering her hand: ]

Selina, by the way. Got a name you feel like sharing?

[fourthwalled]

[Wade would argue that he looks pretty damn fabulous himself! He slides into the empty spot at the booth at the bar he sees her at. He's even brought her another drink! Another of whatever she's drinking now.]

I was wondering if you had an extra heart. Because mine was just stolen! [He brings a hand to his chin, then shakes his head.] No, no... that's not good enough. How about... Let me guess, your middle name is Gillette, right? Because you're the best a man can get!

[He's got mad game, Selina. How can you possibly resist this sexy scarred unicorn?]

[catlady]

[ please don't sit down beside her, please don't sit down beside her, please don't sit down be-- aw, damn. he's sitting down, isn't he? it's nothing personal, really, she just prefers to drink in peace.

the first terrible line gets a critical glance in his direction, but she figures she can't possibly judge him for that when the costume is right there just waiting to be made fun of. something tells her that's not a costume that was forced upon him. ]

Let me guess, you were just a horse when you walked in and then all of the sudden... [ she nods, gesturing towards the horn. ] Nice onesie.

[fourthwalled]

What can I say, one look at you and you made me horny. [He gestures to the unicorn horn on the hoodie. He's a plethora of terrible jokes and pick up lines. All as groan-worthy as the next.

He looks down at his outfit and grins back at her without an ounce of sarcasm. He's just genuinely excited.] I know, right? I love it! Isn't Halloween the best!?

[catlady]

[ yeah, she's starting to get that impression -- he's a jokester, he thinks he's so funny but his humor is just a distraction or some kind of crutch. it's always the same old shit packaged a different way. she wouldn't normally humor it, but she's feeling surprisingly generous. ]

See, I would have opened with that one. If you're going to commit to the costume you might as well commit to the whole gimmick. [ she's all sarcasm, sipping at her drink. ] First impressions and all that and look at that, you've already wasted yours.

[ selina sets the glass down, nearly empty now, and swivels in her seat to face him. ]

I'm not really a fan, actually. This is a "holiday" for children playing dress-up and drunken adults who need either an excuse to dress-up or to make a big mistake. I need neither. I make make my big mistakes on the daily, but to each their own, of course.

[fourthwalled]

[What? How dare you, Selina. He's very original! He's one of a kind! No plagiarization to speak of! Don't you listen to Slade Wilson! That dude is just jealous!]

Maybe I have, but if I came right out the gate batting a thousand, you'd expect that all the time, and that would be exhausting! [He sips his own drink, leaning back in the booth.]

I make plenty of mistakes every day too. But on Halloween, I get to make mistakes and also dress like a unicorn and get free candy.

[catlady]

[ she calls 'em like she sees 'em, buddy. try not to take it so hard. ]

See, now you're just flat out telling me that you can't provide me with the kind of quality pick-up lines that I deserve and then-- well, I start to ask myself: what else can't you provide me with? Now I'm all in my head worried about what else you might be unable to provide me with -- a good movie recommendation, a helpful dinner suggestion, a decent orgasm? I'm afraid it's over before you've even started, my friend. When given the choice to go big or go home, you always go big.

[ and... scene. ]

But, fine, free candy is a bonus.

[fourthwalled]

All good pointers. Go big. I'll remember this. Sorry, I've been such a failure! [Telling Deadpool to go big. There's no way this ends well, Selina. There might be explosions and an entire dance number the next time they run across one another. Maybe she's turned him down, but he's persistent and he can't resist a reason to be ludicrous.]

Candy is the best. [He agrees, downing what's left of his drink.] So, if you make so many mistakes. Why so reluctant to make one with me?

[catlady]

[ she sort of expects him to wander off all dejectedly after that, but he's... still there. selina goes back to her own thing, idly circling a clawed finger along the rim of her glass as she waits for a refresher.

not only does he not leave, he keeps talking, and selina glances back over at him with a renewed... well, it's not exactly an interest but she's willing to hear him out. ]

Oh, there's a whole list of extremely valid reasons, but alright: just what kind of mistake did you have in mind?

[superdick]

[There's fabulous and then there's whatever the fuck Homelander is wearing tonight, thanks to Billy Kaplan's magical intervention. His hair is in the slickest shape it's been in months, and all things considered, this overcompensates pretty nicely for the couple of days he had to spend brainwashed and spiky. Really, this is only marginally more over-the-top than the outfit he used to wear, day in and day out, for the last twenty years.

There's some nice warmth settled in his chest, a green-blue, smoking cocktail in his hand as he approaches Selina. She doesn't disappoint, or break from her sexy cat theme for a minute.]

Love the ears.

[And the gloves, and the boots, and the ass...

But the ears are super cute.]

[catlady]

Do you, now?

[ well, would you look at that: someone she actually kind of likes. she looks up at him from her drink with a smile, the corners of her lips curling in that playful, almost feline way of hers. finishing off her drink just to have an excuse to ditch the glass, selina leans back against the bar to take in the whole look he's rocking tonight.

(like, look, she's absolutely not making any kind of comparisons but when you considering what she's used to dealing with? of course she's fucking charmed by this sort of shit.) ]

Hey, dumbass. Heard you got all zonked and helped try to take over hell. [ nothing but fondness there, no real expectation to get into a whole thing over it. selina just can't resist an opportunity to give him a hard time. she leans in a little closer and lifts a hand, carefully running her fingers through his hair. it's a very casual violation of any personal boundaries he might have had, but she figures that all sort of goes out the window after you've physically been inside of a person. ] You know, it's a bit much, but I am kind of digging this whole Disney Prince thing you've got going on.

[ he's all shiny and shit, it appeals to every part of her. ]

[superdick]

[If he has any objections to this terrible invasion of his personal space, he doesn't voice it. He even dips his head a little into her touch. He doesn't usually let people get away with calling him a dumbass, but being super hot and petting his hair goes a long way.

A bit much is fine. She of all people should know that once you commit to your shtick, however ridiculous, you become essentially unstoppable. And... he misses being shiny. The belt, the gloves, the eagles... they lent him a certain gravitas that's hard to recreate in a casual setting.

His lips curve into a small smile.]

I could probably impale somebody with these boots.

[Not that he couldn't normally squash people just by stepping on them, but still. It's a fun possibility to consider. And Selina should appreciate that sort of move, what with her special crotch-targeted attacks.]

Lucifer would be on top of that list. [The boot-to-ass list, that is.] Buuut I guess I'll save it for the next uprising.

[He's not thrilled with how the recent rebellion went, or the fact that he got mind-whammied into it. But he's done his week-long indoors sulk, licked his wounds, rubbed lotion over his battered ego. He's ready to move the fuck on.

Unless somebody snapped photos of the spiky leather getup he was forced into, in which case he'd just have to to rip them apart limb from limb.]

[catlady]

[ and it is such a terrible invasion of his personal space, isn't it? the nerve of her, really. dressed the way she is, smelling all nice. that real satisfying scrape of her claws against his scalp as she works her fingers through his hair, because leaning into it only encourages her and she enjoys the hair petting. it's just awful.

she would get it, though. selina couldn't even stray from her theme for a silly little non-holiday. after ten years her relationship with her alter ego has been the longest she's ever had and they've been through every stage -- she's used it as a crutch, as a distraction, as an escape. almost two months here and she's starting to miss being able to put on the catsuit and just go for a run across the rooftops. ]

Oh, absolutely. [ and he actually manages to get a laugh out of her, which is actually kind of a nice break from all the bored, broody shit she was doing before he showed up. ] I'm thinking it's probably a good idea to wait a little while before the next uprising, though, don't you think?

[ lordy, she hopes there are photos! (her poor taste is legendary, she probably would have been into it.) she's glad that he's at the stage where they can joke about it, though. they're not really friends or-- well, they're not that kind of friends yet. it feels weird being anything more than casually interested in what he gets up to.

taking a break from the hair petting, she curls both hands around his drink and guides it to meet her lips so she can steal a quick sip. not even his drink is safe. ]

So, what sort of exciting plans do you have for tonight? Going to go slay some dragons? Rescue some fair maidens? Get shitfaced on a combo of booze and halloween candy? Because that's my plan.

[superdick]

[She is pretty awful, what with her shameless drink-appropriating ways. He can't help but admire it, but he also can't guarantee the cocktail isn't spiked with one of the thousand mind-alternating substances that demons like to subject sinners to. It tastes nice enough, at least. Sweet and spicy.]

Oh, I'm sure the fair maidens can fend for themselves.

[They live in an enlightened age, after all. Girl power and all that.]

They're kinda dull, anyway. All precious and proper. I prefer the more... disreputable sort.

[He lifts his hand to trail a finger over one of those cute little kitty ears, getting a feel for the texture.]

Getting shitfaced sounds like a pretty good plan.

[He's made some progress in that direction already. Might as well keep at it.]

[catlady]

[ if the drink's spiked, she hasn't noticed anything. to be fair she's already had a few drinks so she's, well, drunk enough. ]

Mmm, is that what I am? "Disreputable"?

[ some women might be offended by that, but selina? she kind of loves it. she has no false illusions about who and what she is. isn't that kind of how she ended up in a place like this? literally, metaphorically... there was a whole lot of bad decisions and dirty deeds that led to her being where she was when she ended up here, at least.

the corners of her mouth curl her smile into something a bit more mischievous. all kinds of bad ideas coming to mind now because that's just how ya girl rolls. ]

You wanna come back with me to my room or something? Pretty sure one roommate's shacking up and... fuck if I know what the other two do. [ it's amazing how little she manages to talk to these people while still living with them. ] We can drink. We can get shitfaced. And, hey, who knows... play your cards right, stay on your best behaviour... if you're a good boy, I might even let you have a treat.

[superdick]

[Disreputable is a pretty sexy word, isn't it? Sort of like rogue element. He wouldn't hand it to just anyone.

Her room sounds like a good place to get shitfaced... among other things. His suitemates can get pretty nosy.]

I'm a superhero and a knight in shining armor. How much more of a good boy can I get?

[He flashes a smile that's just a bit on the sly side. He's a pretty atrocious boy, actually, and he has the sin list to show for it, but he can behave. Especially when there's sufficient incentive.

She's more than capable of providing that.]

You wanna commit any grand larceny before we go?

[catlady]

[ don't think her fooled there, homelander. sure, she might not know exactly how long that list is or how deep it all goes, but he's hardly some boy scout. a different kind of fun if he were, sure, because she does love to corrupt a bitch, but let's be honest, she certainly wouldn't enjoy it as much if he weren't a little disreputable himself. just think of all the terrible, naughty things they could get into together. ]

Please, petty theft at most. Grand larceny would imply there's anything actually worth stealing around here. Even if Lucifer's got the good shit stashed away some place, how can one even begin to attach monetary value to any of it?

[ but that hardly stops her from walking over and grabbing one of the great, big decorative bowls that are sitting out filled with halloween candy. they could all be drugged for all she knows, but selina supports it with her hip the way one might carry a toddler, an arm wrapped just as protectively around it. the most precious of cargo, really.

she looks proud as she turns back to face him, signalling with a nod for him to follow her. ]

I've got plenty of alcohol back at the room. You coming?