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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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    savedbyasong: (but no...)

    [personal profile] savedbyasong 2021-10-04 04:04 am (UTC)(link)
    "I don't know." He spoke honestly, a small frown.

    "I wish I could help him more. But I'm not James or Tim and I don't know... I don't know him very well at all. I knew James a lot better and Jim just let me live there..."

    And now it was just the two of them.
    chillestrogue: (surprise sadness)

    [personal profile] chillestrogue 2021-10-04 04:05 am (UTC)(link)
    [Silently, Len limps outside and stands there a minute to gather breath and stand on his own. After a second, he gives Shion a pat on the back and heads off without another word.]
    deaddrop: (allomengea vidua)

    [personal profile] deaddrop 2021-10-04 05:16 am (UTC)(link)
    "Fine. It's a deal, but only if you win." Which of course is basically a judgment call. It really doesn't matter. It's an excuse, a reason to keep interaction.

    "You better hope I know how to mix a drink."
    holeinwall: (I'm not good at this)

    [personal profile] holeinwall 2021-10-04 06:20 am (UTC)(link)
    [ No need for the defense. He managed to pierce what bit of armor she's got pretty easily. How can the man that hardly has a name haunt her with so many different ones? ]

    Yeah. I know him.

    [ She slumps. ]

    He's my ex-fiance.
    chillestrogue: (the most extra)

    [personal profile] chillestrogue 2021-10-04 06:41 am (UTC)(link)
    Oof. Fast love?
    holeinwall: (When the hand you wanna hold)

    [personal profile] holeinwall 2021-10-04 07:33 am (UTC)(link)
    Probably set a record for Hell, yeah.

    [ She sighs, slumping further until she's practically pancaked onto the table. TB had haunted her nightmares plenty when the Mares came around, too. Nothing quite like getting to experience getting her heart ripped out again multiple times. ]

    We're on speaking terms again, at least. Sort of. I don't know.

    [ Her face disappears behind her ponytail and she sounds muffled when she next speaks. ]

    It's complicated.
    chillestrogue: (exasperation!)

    [personal profile] chillestrogue 2021-10-04 01:31 pm (UTC)(link)
    [He brought up TB if only to prove to himself and Monika that her emotional compromises were disadvantages. Silently, he watches Monika pancake herself, grimacing. Now he has a despondent girl on his hands. Good job, Len.

    No, please, tell him all about it. He loves interpersonal conflict. Can't you tell by his expression?]


    I'll bet.
    cleptes: ((4))

    also, she'd have been on the island back in 2007/8 so she probably watched re-runs when she could!

    [personal profile] cleptes 2021-10-04 03:10 pm (UTC)(link)
    "I try." She smiles at the comment, not minding it one bit.

    "It's not ideal, but I can handle it." Bela was certain of that. She wouldn't allow them to get the better of her while she was here.

    The softness of her tone strikes her, looking at Sara in a different light. "They're like your family then, yeah?"
    stormbreaking: (Default)

    [personal profile] stormbreaking 2021-10-05 09:28 am (UTC)(link)
    "Fun, huh?" His eyebrows go up at that as he snatches himself a fresh drink to down. "For you or for them?"

    He can't help the curiosity... and so far, Henry seems to not mind sharing answers.
    mitsubishievo: PB: Diego Barrueco (21.do u tear urself apart to entertain)

    [personal profile] mitsubishievo 2021-10-05 12:24 pm (UTC)(link)
    "Lemme finish the first pass, Stevie," Kavinsky crooned. He tilted his head slightly, exposing his jaw and his neck for more attention. Biting was a standard, these days, between Steve and Noah. He'd get a stink eye about it if he showed up bloody, but Kavinsky didn't care. Maybe that would satisfy the room. No new sins on him, but blood anyway.

    He said nothing else, speeding up his work in carving the word in. Shame it was a knife, and not a brand or something. Who knew how long these scars would last.

    But once he'd finished the first pass of the word, he went right back to the beginning. Now, he was humming slightly, thoughtfully, as he went back over the places that had already been healed. If he was thinking of the torture he'd been subjected to that still sometimes haunted his nightmares, it didn't show on his face at all.

    "One pass for every time you've hit it? That seems fair, don't you think? How long will this stick around?"
    failed_antichrist: AS manga base - Kaori Yuki (Sweet Smile)

    [personal profile] failed_antichrist 2021-10-05 10:42 pm (UTC)(link)
    Setsuna frowns, too. Poor Kirk.

    "Well...now's a good time to get to know him, right?" Setsuna offers out. "You're not James, or Tim. You're you. There's nothing wrong with that. Offer him the things you can. It makes you special."

    [personal profile] unpuzzled 2021-10-06 02:23 am (UTC)(link)
    [Right. Because she's not into wishes or anything, so of course she wouldn't be curious about the wish. Which is why Yugi says nothing about it... That, and it's all kinds of bad luck to say any wish before it comes true!

    Instead, he grins and winks. They're supposed to be having fun, after all.]


    You won't need to worry about that, I don't plan on losing any of my soul tonight - that's too important to give up over a game like this.

    [Which leaves open the possibility of another game being worth it. But they don't need to discuss that now either, as Yugi takes the initiative to grab her sleeve once more, tugging her towards the casino proper.]

    Yeah, let's get going, Monika. You're going to be a good luck charm tonight.

    [After all, he made a wish, and hopefully it would become part of who he is - and, more importantly, who she is, at least for now: I wish you didn't have to feel so lonely.

    Hopefully, she really wouldn't feel like that, as Yugi doesn't leave her the entire night.]
    savedbyasong: (determiny)

    [personal profile] savedbyasong 2021-10-06 04:41 am (UTC)(link)
    Shion smiled a small smile and nodded. He would try his best even though it was hard even knowing what he could offer. He wasn't particularly strong, they didn't have much in common.

    "It will be good to know him better."

    He could do his best to be a friend.
    holeinwall: (That you can't read just yet)

    [personal profile] holeinwall 2021-10-07 02:48 am (UTC)(link)
    [ Lucky for him, she doesn't intend to go into things much further. She'd come to the library to escape all her sad thoughts, not rehash them! And with all that had just happened, she's even less inclined to do so.

    And emotional compromises? Haaaa. They'd have a field day with that. ]


    It's nothing I really feel like talking about more. [ Her head pops back up. She's done being dramatic. ] We're supposed to be talking about robberies. And how I'm helping.
    chillestrogue: (SHRUG)

    [personal profile] chillestrogue 2021-10-07 03:16 am (UTC)(link)
    [God, it's like looking at Lisa, ten years ago. Len frowns and crosses his arms]

    Show me how you pickpocket.
    compelledtoprotect: (pic#12255799)

    [personal profile] compelledtoprotect 2021-10-08 02:21 am (UTC)(link)
    He whined and sank his teeth in, enough to leave a mark for a while, but not enough to cause any real injury. Steve groaned against skin as Kavinsky moved the knife, finishing the word before starting over. He started to breath harder, then to pant as the pain ramped up. It was always worse the second time.

    "Y-Yes! Yes . . . M-More . . ." It was a way to atone, sort of, as well as to enjoy a forbidden pleasure. Steve knew how sick it was, how fucked-up, and he just didn't care at the moment. He needed it.
    holeinwall: (I'll be using for the rest of my life)

    [personal profile] holeinwall 2021-10-08 02:52 am (UTC)(link)
    [ That sends her into a state of confused deer in headlights seconds from getting hit. ] Wait, what?

    [ Like, she's supposed to be a thief on top of everything? She's here to hack, not do the dirty work! ]

    Ahaha, uhhh. Maybe you could show me how you do it first? So I can see a really cool expert at work?

    [ Yeah, she has no idea how to pickpocket. Maybe the pun will help make that less obvious. ]
    captaincanary: (Smile of Promise)

    we can probably wrap and do the bet in November?

    [personal profile] captaincanary 2021-10-08 09:50 am (UTC)(link)
    Sara laughs a little.

    "It's easy. I'll teach you. If you can use all of those weapons, you can make a cocktail."
    deaddrop: (taczanowskia sextuberculata)

    Sounds good. FTB on some flirting and fooling around?

    [personal profile] deaddrop 2021-10-08 07:12 pm (UTC)(link)
    "You know, I might surprise you. I've mixed a drink or two in my time."
    chillestrogue: (Alexa is bad news)

    [personal profile] chillestrogue 2021-10-08 07:49 pm (UTC)(link)
    [Cold only stares, curious]

    I was pickpocketing at three. Every time I didn't find something on Dad, he'd put it in a sock and hit me with it.

    What do you think a demon's going to do to you if he finds you hacking his system? You have to be fast above anything else. Else you'll crack under pressure.
    failed_antichrist: AS manga base - Kaori Yuki (Soft smile)

    [personal profile] failed_antichrist 2021-10-08 11:36 pm (UTC)(link)
    And Setsuna would think being different gives them more to talk about and learn from each other, though.

    "Good. And if you're not sure about something, just invite me over. I'll help."
    holeinwall: (I'm not good at this)

    [personal profile] holeinwall 2021-10-09 02:53 am (UTC)(link)
    [ Okay, first. What the hell. And second...what the hell? How is that something someone says like it's nothing?? ]

    Well, I haven't really had experience growing up with that sort of thing...

    [ Probably because she's had zero experience growing up. Just poof! You're suddenly an eighteen-year-old self-aware AI with nothing to go on! Have fun! Despite it all, she finds herself a little jealous that he even had a dad to smack him around with sock-covered objects. ]

    And I dunno. If something happens, I'll just die or something. Can't talk if I'm dead, right?

    [ She...might be getting a little too used to death. ]
    savedbyasong: (small smiles)

    [personal profile] savedbyasong 2021-10-09 04:18 am (UTC)(link)
    "That would be nice. You should come for dinner." He smiled softly. "If things ever calm down."

    Because lately it seemed things happened all the time. It's been an exhausting few months.
    chillestrogue: (i did not sign up for this bullshit)

    [personal profile] chillestrogue 2021-10-09 12:18 pm (UTC)(link)
    [He's watching Monika's expression, curious as to how she'll handle this news. Len's backstory is sad, sure, but it's certainly not unique, and that's the real tragedy of it. And it's more common in Hell here than any other place, so she best get used to hearing it from people.

    My dad hit me, my mom abandoned me, no friends, no hopes.. And on and on until you just grow numb to it.]


    Assuming they let you die.
    captaincanary: (Embarrassed Smile)

    Yes, perfect

    [personal profile] captaincanary 2021-10-10 02:59 am (UTC)(link)
    "Then I'm going to have to try yours." Smirk. "Guess I'm going to have to win."