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Penance Mods ([personal profile] penancemods) wrote in [community profile] penancememes2021-08-25 12:50 am
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TEST DRIVE MEME #27

Arrival
"Judgement has come upon you. God has deemed you worthy of Hell. But don't worry, it can still be undone," comes a soothing voice that echoes all around you. The voice promises comfort, hope even.

It may seem like a nightmare at first, despite all of that. Full of hellfire nipping at your skin and a sensation of being pulled down no matter how much you struggle or cry for help. Wretched, unseen hands pull at you, grip tight at your body, tighten on your throat, skeletal fingers grab at your face, slide in your mouth and jab at your eyes as they struggle for purchase. It feels like for a moment, they may snap your neck as they tug and pull. The more you resist, the more phantom hands are added to your struggling body.

It feels like they could tear you apart if you let them. The only thing to do is to let go and stop fighting.

And so you do.

Darkness and nothingness consumes you for a second, but only a second.

Initially, everyone opens their eyes to a long, dark corridor made of stone. They find themselves in what appears to be a long queue with other sinners, palm bloody.

Characters find their bodies feel heavy and stiff, bruised with odd hand prints here and there that they received during their journey down below. A massive headache throbs behind their temples. They are urged forward to take a numbered ticket and wait their turn in the long line. As they're ushered forward through the corridor, their first stop will be to see Lilith, standing outside her office.

The woman in a smart suit and a friendly smile steps forward to greet sinners one by one. "I'm sorry for your rough landing. We've never gotten it quite as smooth as it was in the past. Please, let me see your hand--"

Once she has the sinner's hand, there's the warm, almost electric touch of magic that soothes away the aches and pains, heals the wound left behind on each sinner's palm. Lilith looks satisfied with her work and gives a nod. "There, all better. Please continue on until you reach Death's office. He'll have your contracts ready for you."

There's a slightly wicked twist to her lips. "Please do feel free to ask him about any of those sins listed..."

And so on, sinners travel until they finally arrived at another office where Death sits waiting. Here is where you'll receive a contract detailing all sins committed. If they look at the list closely enough they'll notice it's written on with their blood. That explains the wound then. It's an old piece of parchment despite the freshly written letters upon it. Death will also provide slightly more modern smart phone. Think early generation Android.

Seems as though Hell has moved on up from the very old Blackberry type phone.

Once characters have their device and their contracts, they're ushered further down the hall. It seems to go on and wind forever, but eventually, they come upon the lobby of Penance hotel. Once there, they will notice several shops and other areas around the front desk.

The demon at the front desk looks rather bored, but when sinners approach? He seems to snap to attention to offer whatever help they might need of him. He will at least direct to food or rooms to rest their wary bodies, or recommend sights to see around the hotel.


Stand Your Ground
While the Mares have gone, as per Death's bargain with God, and reconstructing Penance is coming along fairly well, the air is carrying with it a cold crispness that sends a chill down one's spine. Lucifer is still nowhere to be found, and if pressured, staff will say he's having talks with the other Lords of Hell, as well as God himself. Things need to be worked out, no matter how difficult it is for Lucifer to accept and swallow his pride. He won't be around to offer warmth to the Penance community and it may, in fact, be mirroring his current mood.

Or it may be the creeping sense of doom that's following so many around now that The Veiled Order has been able to nearly complete their next spell. Local demons will plainly say that God won't help them against this threat, that he doesn't care if Hell is destroyed, and others will be very hush about the situation entirely. No need to scare the local sinners, new or old!

Instead just enjoy the reopening businesses around the local area! Nothing is off-limits. Hellburbia seems to have suffered some extensive damage recently, but not to worry! There's talk of building back better than ever.

Other than that, Helluva Cup has a new spiced drink... and spiced everything. That's right! Pumpkin spice has apparently come early this year... and it may be a bit overpowering and in everything in the coffee shop, regardless of what you order. Even Bean, the 'friendly' hell rat the owner keeps in the shop seems to be feasting on pumpkin flavored meat. That's probably okay. Right?

Penance Library is offering a special reading of Leviathan-specific reads. The local goblins will be doing readings every afternoon for all who care to listen or to stick around and discuss it. These will all be fictional in nature, not historic texts.

Strangely enough, there seems to be a sort of curfew happening. While everyone will not be expected to be in the hotel necessarily, they must take shelter in the newly opened Club Penance, Casino Styx, Hella Shorty's, or other establishments. They must either stay the night in these establishments or be escorted to the hotel by demonic guards. These guards will be doing rounds around the Penance community to ensure no one is out alone. Do not fight them or they may surprise you with how strong they can be.

Additionally, anyone caught defying curfew knowingly or fighting back will be locked in their rooms for up to three days as a potential danger to the community as a whole. There are all sorts of dangers lurking out there and the demons are absolutely trying to keep everyone as safe as they can!

Otherwise, it's business as usual around Penance, so go on an exploration! Bundle up against the cold! Have fun!


Reach Up High
WARNINGS: cutting, blood, torture

Whether you've been here for months or you're freshly arrived, your demonic overlord unfortunately expects some participation despite the current state of things. You can try and shirk the responsibility, of course. You can bargain your way out of it for a while. But eventually, you may find yourself trapped in a room just off the gym that's been fondly dubbed The Torture Room. It has all manner of equipment in there, along with an iron maiden even.

But don't worry about any of that right now. It probably won't be used.

You can try the door, but even with super human strength or every lock picking skill in the book, you won't be able to open it.

It soon becomes apparent what you're supposed to do when someone else is eventually shoved in with you. Both of your lists of sins will appear on a table that's been placed in the center of the room with two handy knives. You can choose to guard these or not care at all that they're on display.

"Unfortunately, due to Father coming back into the picture, I know that He will demand punishment be delivered despite our circumstances. I have chosen a rather easy one, focused on honesty and acceptance of your sins. Please pick up a knife and choose a sin from each of your lists to carve upon your skin. Aid each other in your journey, carve the words to help your fellow penitent be candid with everyone around them!"

The voice rings out within the sinners' heads as it always does, although Lucifer seems agitated at the moment, hesitant in some way that he usually isn't.

"I do apologize for this. If it was up to me, you would have been free of additional torment this month. However, there will be additional incentive for anyone who should try to resist the task I've appointed them."

It isn't a lie nor an idle threat either. The longer you wait to do what's been requested of you, the more shallow cuts that will appear on both of your bodies. Are you really prepared to endure this pain when giving in would be so much easier?

And more than that, are you willing to let another suffer along with you?

Eventually, the cuts will stop if you suffer them long enough, but you'll have failed this challenge and sustained more damage than if you'd just gone along with it. Satan will also be very disappointed in you.


Follow Me Down

Prompt I: Reopening
WARNINGS: sex, drugs, alcohol, aphrodisiacs, body changes, potential kinks, violence, potential non-con or dub-con.

Club Penance is finally back! And with themed nights to start off all the fun. This night's theme is: Anything But Clothes. Guests who enter the adult oriented side of the club will notice the incubi and succubi who serve in it are entirely without clothes (and any ounce of shame!). They're eager to get right back to business. They're very encouraging of others to do the same whether it be immediately or in sexy strip shows.

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 in the club, 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 undress may also find their clothes randomly disappearing, or being torn off by some eager patron or demon who is 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.


  • For the dance oriented portion of the club, the theme is a little more lax. Instead of outright nakedness, 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?


    Prompt II: Your Average Hotel Night
    WARNINGS: Alcohol and drug abuse, potential non-con/dub-con

    With all the sinners, new and old, the hotel bar will be lit up with activity. Drinks will be readily available, there's food in the kitchens if anyone wants to bother serving it, music will be blaring whenever there's electricity, and overall, there will be an energy to the atmosphere that's absolutely contagious. Even if you aren't typically inclined to linger at these sorts of events there may be be a certain pull to stay and have a bit of fun.

    You might not get much of a chance to have that in Hell, after all. One drink won't hurt, right? Nor will one more after that, and after that. Ah, sweet gluttony. Why not have a pastry next? There's some delectable sweets available just a few steps away. More of a meat person? Like things salty? Fear not, it looks like someone graciously brought all sorts of snacks and foodstuffs from the kitchens to the bar as the night progresses. Indulge! You deserve it.

    Similar to Club Penance, the bar also has every sort of drug available that might tickle your fancy and some you've never heard of. There's no harm in experimenting, is there? You're already in Hell. The staff will offer to show anyone how to use the drugs or give advice for what to try if you tell them what you want to experience. Shockingly, they won't lie! Their advice is good word its just you might not have been exactly prepared for it.

    There's a stage and a karaoke machine for those feeling brave or just wanting to torture people with some sweet, sweet renditions of The Devil Went Down to Georgia.

    There are tables set up for all sorts of gambling and various bar games to entertain yourself with. Since currency as most are familiar with it doesn't quite exist down here, most of the demons seem to be accepting bits of your soul or offers to do chores around the hotel. You may also get pulled into a fun game of strip poker against one of your fellow guests for a few succubi that are having a night out.

    Relax and enjoy your night. Coming here and facing your sins is the hard part, so surely you deserve to have a little fun.


    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 September 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.

    If you have questions, comments, suggestions, etc., go here.


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    metagame: (You should think about death more.)

    [personal profile] metagame 2021-08-28 03:26 am (UTC)(link)
    [After a moment of consideration, Atem approaches the table, too. His shoulders lock, tense and hidden under his cloak where the guy can't see. He doesn't know him. From the looks of it he isn't a threat, not a demon or duatling, but his calm demeanor unnerves Atem as it belies the room around them. Either he's used to this or there's something more. Atem's a cautious man, an ordinary person wouldn't react like that in this situation, he knows because...

    Well, there's a reason Atem finds hell fitting.

    Atem opts to mirror the guy's attitude, though his interest piqued. The small talk and laugh seem innocent enough.]


    Not that long ago, I'd say an hour or two. [He watches for anything odd.] You speak as if you've been here a while.
    dirtywizardman: (Default)

    [personal profile] dirtywizardman 2021-08-28 03:38 am (UTC)(link)
    There was a moment. There had been many moments. Caleb was trying to learn how to read all of them, what they meant, how to fit them together. Essek had told him he needed to weigh through things, figure out the proper paths, consider outcomes before there were any answers, so that meant a lot of questions piling up on the back of Caleb's tongue, waiting for some sign that a decision had been reached.

    "My components are yours," he said softly. His hand was not far from Essek's and he reached until their fingers touched again, that same momentary touch as it had been on his wrist.

    The door dinged open. Caleb slid out of the elevator to head toward his suite with Essek.
    chillestrogue: (smug supreme)

    Library

    [personal profile] chillestrogue 2021-08-28 03:44 am (UTC)(link)
    He likes it here because it's cool and dark and he can catch up on research and sleep and meet up with the librarians he's made contact with. Leonard hasn't seen Barry since the mares incident; he'd been in the hotel this whole time. So he may look a little more tired and quieter than usual.

    He has a thermos with him. Don't ask what's in it.

    As he walks by, he takes care to gently nudge Barry's shoulder.

    "Scarlet."
    metagame: (No hard feelings but I hate you.)

    welcome to hell!! welcome to hell!! imagine me banging pots and pans at 4 AM outside your window

    [personal profile] metagame 2021-08-28 03:47 am (UTC)(link)
    [This feels like it's going to be a bad time. Not for Atem; no, he's not thinking so much about himself in this scenario. He'll take whatever Malik throws at him, because on Malik's back lies a greater sin than anything on their lists. While it was never Atem's hands that physically carved those scars, they're still for his memory and name. There's no atonement for that or the childhood trapped in the dark.

    Atem sucks in a breath.]


    Malik.
    chillestrogue: (you guys validate parking right)

    A; Stand Your Ground

    [personal profile] chillestrogue 2021-08-28 03:48 am (UTC)(link)
    [Taking a seat across from Tech, Len looks profoundly unamused. He heard about Frenzy, and he never really liked his crew on drugs to begin with. Makes them far too unpredictable.]

    Truly, we are in Hell.

    [Seriously, all this around them and you're complaining about no black coffee? For shame, sir]
    chillestrogue: (SHRUG)

    Stand Your Ground

    [personal profile] chillestrogue 2021-08-28 03:55 am (UTC)(link)
    Leonard doesn't exactly startle when the enormous creature comes in and waits politely in line for coffee. Ferroc is big, sure, but he's had to down bigger: a memory of a half-man, half-shark comes to mind.

    But he does play rather still and cautious, wondering what sort of demonic furball dreamed this guy up. Until he speaks, and it's all the resident thief can do not to crack a grin.

    Oh, no..

    "Shockingly, you might be better off with the whole carafe." He says, slowly getting to his feet. Strange that Hell seems to be making him more generous with his time instead of less.
    chillestrogue: (smug supreme)

    all booked up

    [personal profile] chillestrogue 2021-08-28 03:57 am (UTC)(link)
    [Len spends a significant portion of his time now in the library, getting his grand escape plans in order. He converses regularly with Zelda here, but at this point he's on his own, working on hand-drawing another map.

    He smirks when he hears Monika, not looking up from his work but asking her all the same;]


    Find something you like?
    chillestrogue: (well that's unfortunate)

    Reach Up High

    [personal profile] chillestrogue 2021-08-28 04:01 am (UTC)(link)
    He hadn't seen Shion since that unfortunate excursion in the cages at the carnival. Leonard can't be sure - the kid was kind of mousey and quieter - but he has an uncanny knack for remembering faces. So there's a sharp glint of recognition in his eyes when he's put in next to Shion.

    He sneers, briefly, at the image of Lucifer on screen before rolling his eyes and his sleeves both.

    "Yeah. Seems our almighty overlord wants us to get to work. You want first pick?"
    chillestrogue: (family matters)

    ii. nobody's gonna know

    [personal profile] chillestrogue 2021-08-28 04:04 am (UTC)(link)
    You're adorable.

    [Comes Leonard's whisper, with a roll of his eyes and an indulgent smirk. Like he's never been a chronic rulebreaker himself.

    Actually, he's been working to break curfew most nights, albeit for ostensibly terrible reasons. He's trying to figure out a plan to steal a truck and escape punishment both.]
    mcfakeass: (Default)

    [personal profile] mcfakeass 2021-08-28 04:05 am (UTC)(link)
    That's not the subject matter, though. It's more of what you believe - what was your name again?

    (Sucking teeth, Aoba let's a sigh of relief when finally his bloody foot is released. His breath is heavy, and he looks around for a second only to realize there's nothing there to treat the cuts.)

    Clean up how?

    (For hygiene sake, he grabs the other knife.)

    So, what and where?
    deaddrop: (pic#15104706)

    [personal profile] deaddrop 2021-08-28 04:14 am (UTC)(link)
    I didn't say that. But it's not... not true.
    chillestrogue: (back to the camera)

    Reach Up High

    [personal profile] chillestrogue 2021-08-28 04:23 am (UTC)(link)
    The truly merciful thing is that he already knows most of this.

    Leonard stands in front of Henry, not yet going for the knives.

    Then he looks at the list, figuring it's up to him to break the silence.

    "Shortest one?" He asks, with the cadence of a joke.
    adultflash: (:|b)

    Re: Library

    [personal profile] adultflash 2021-08-28 04:25 am (UTC)(link)
    "Hey, how are you?" Barry asks, instantly picking up on the tired and quiet factors. He points at the thermos. "And what are you drinking?"

    Yep he's asking.
    dirtywizardman: (Default)

    [personal profile] dirtywizardman 2021-08-28 04:25 am (UTC)(link)
    Caleb didn't think that the spell would do very much for this situation. It had done very little for the Mares. But it would do something for soothing the worst edges of what they were about to do.

    Whatever they were about to do.

    Once the spell was settled, he looked over at the young man. Shorter than him, stoic for the moment. Clearly used to the concept of the room they were standing in, and Caleb was sure that shouldn't be comforting.

    He let the amulet hang against his chest when the incantation was done, but he didn't move any closer. "You look more familiar with this than me," Caleb said softly.
    adultflash: (:3)

    [personal profile] adultflash 2021-08-28 04:27 am (UTC)(link)
    Barry beams at her. Some part of him is also still twelve years old, so they'll get along fine.

    "It is, isn't it? Just so you know, there's boxes of clothes in the basement from previous residents. It's how I stocked my wardrobe. At least, they were there before the hotel was rebuilt, I don't know if that's still a thing."
    chillestrogue: (musing)

    Re: Library

    [personal profile] chillestrogue 2021-08-28 04:31 am (UTC)(link)
    Rude, Barry. He sips from the thermos, purposely delaying his response with a daring smirk back. You don't get to know.

    Once that's done, he pops the cap back on.

    "Oh, just peachy. Catching up on some light reading. You?"
    adultflash: (^^;)

    [personal profile] adultflash 2021-08-28 04:33 am (UTC)(link)
    He tries to peer into it if he can. Can't blame him for being nosy.

    "Same. Light reading, you know." There's a stack of books next to him. Totally light. "Are you really okay, though? I didn't see you at the hospital."
    chillestrogue: (half asleep)

    the suburbs (stand your ground)

    [personal profile] chillestrogue 2021-08-28 04:40 am (UTC)(link)
    [Base number 3 is coming along nicely.

    Snart is out in the middle of the suburbs with a wrench and a screwdriver he stole from when the hotel collapsed and was in the process of being rebuilt. He's crouched on a ladder a few feet off the ground, screwing around with an automatic garage door opener.

    He gives a skeptical look to Izaya from his perch but obliges, sliding down silently from the ladder.]
    godcards: (Default)

    [personal profile] godcards 2021-08-28 04:41 am (UTC)(link)
    [ A bad time, indeed. Malik is already in a bad mood, offput by their psychic instructions - which, hey, that was his thing, thank you very much. But he's supposed to be getting better, isn't he? Who knew it'd be so easy to relapse, to want to revert back to his old ways and lash out and drive that knife deep into the Pharaoh's heart instead. He's mad! He hates this! This isn't how he was supposed to fix things!

    But no. He's outwardly calm. There's a little annoyed quirk of his brow, sure, but nothing offensive. ]


    I suppose we must both be here for the same reason?

    [ He's still not looking at his sin list. ]
    dirtywizardman: (10)

    [personal profile] dirtywizardman 2021-08-28 04:41 am (UTC)(link)
    The incantation was nearly done by the time the young man spoke, and so he let him have his little outburst and then finished the last words, dropping the amulet to his chest. Things didn't feel any different. That could be good, or bad. Time would tell.

    "It isn't not going to help," Caleb said, accent just a little heavy as the nervous strain of their predicament settled on him.

    He stepped toward the table. While Caleb didn't care if anyone saw his sin list, his curiosity about what others were being held for had the better of him. And they were right there, after all. Perhaps they could avoid the implications of the words and the knives and everything else.
    whichiest: (050)

    [personal profile] whichiest 2021-08-28 04:45 am (UTC)(link)
    Hm?

    [Belladonna isn't purposefully avoiding the question, but she definitely wants to make sure that her partner isn't inconvenienced for terribly long, so as shw answers his next questions she pulls her hair over one shoulder, exposing the space underneath the back of her back.]

    Would you be so kind as to write "envy" here for me, please? My name's Belladonna. I'm a healer, so you don't have anything to worry about!
    chillestrogue: (I love what I do)

    [personal profile] chillestrogue 2021-08-28 04:48 am (UTC)(link)
    Barry might get a whiff of pumpkin spice-laden coffee and whiskey, as Leonard absolutely blames him for being nosy and drops it into one of his oversized parka pockets.

    "'Scuse you." He says, pointed.

    "Probably because I wasn't at the hospital. Nothing good ever came from staying where I was told to stay."
    salio: (29)

    [personal profile] salio 2021-08-28 04:48 am (UTC)(link)
    I figured we could just take a loop around. The area's surrounded by a gate, so overall it isn't really much of a walk.

    [And that way they'll both get to check out everything that's changed in the time he's been gone.]

    I know there are things beyond the gates, but as far as I know there isn't any way to get past them. There are guards, and it's supposedly really dangerous, anyway.
    adultflash: (:|b)

    [personal profile] adultflash 2021-08-28 04:54 am (UTC)(link)
    Barry just grins. "Is that a pumpkin spice drink? I can't even be annoyed." He does give him his personal space back though.

    "And maybe not, but I can't imagine it was much easier out there. Have you at least had something to eat today?"
    adultflash: (:|b)

    [personal profile] adultflash 2021-08-28 04:56 am (UTC)(link)
    Barry laughs a little, shaking his head. "Thanks. And yeah, it really is. It's been a rough couple of months. I mean, not that Hell has been remotely easy since I showed up here, but you know. Relatively speaking."