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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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    amazonfresh: (pic#14165595)

    [personal profile] amazonfresh 2021-08-28 04:44 pm (UTC)(link)
    [The commitment to being chipper, ignoring any other mood, isn't entirely unnoticed but Diana isn't sure if it's intentional or not.

    And she's loathe to spoil the mood if Monika is at least genuinely cheerful in this much.

    So she opts instead for another question, a topic likely to be safe.]


    So I see—what are you reading there? It seems like it must be an old favorite.
    holeinwall: (I'll be using for the rest of my life)

    [personal profile] holeinwall 2021-08-29 06:43 pm (UTC)(link)
    [ An opportunity to talk about a book she loves? Yes, please! ]

    Ahaha, it totally is! [ She holds it up again so Diana can get a better look. ] It's this really sweet retelling of "The Little Mermaid." The original one's so depressing, you know? Love shouldn't be so sad!

    [ Her expression seems to change for a moment, as if she realizes saying that is hitting a little too close to home, but she reworks everything back into a big smile soon enough. ]

    ...How about you? Find something interesting?
    amazonfresh: (pic#14165586)

    [personal profile] amazonfresh 2021-08-29 07:44 pm (UTC)(link)
    [In Diana's experience, love is usually depressing. She keeps that observation to herself.

    She has enough tact to know better than that.

    So instead she holds out the book for Monika to see for herself. It's a weird, pulpy sci-fi novel that seems to feature amazons in an alien jungle.]


    You'll have to tell me. It all seems very... fantastical.

    [Her nose scrunches up.]

    And more than a little trashy.
    holeinwall: (To hold you down)

    [personal profile] holeinwall 2021-08-29 10:11 pm (UTC)(link)
    Ahaha, sometimes trashy is nice! Life would get pretty boring if there was nothing but stuff like Tolstoy to read all the time!

    [ Hence why she tends towards easily digestible things with problems that were ultimately low stakes. Petty quarrels between lovers, small misunderstandings, supernatural forces swooping in to fix everything...it helped her to think the same could eventually happen to her. Someday. ]

    Besides, when everything you fear and regret literally shows up to torture you for a few weeks, isn't it nice to have something a little dumb?

    [ See how much bad stuff isn't on her mind? ]
    amazonfresh: (pic#14165598)

    [personal profile] amazonfresh 2021-08-29 11:12 pm (UTC)(link)
    In that you do have a point. When we face torture every day, perhaps we don't want to have more seriousness for fun.

    [Still Diana looks down at the book a little skeptically.]

    Though I might have preferred more adventure myself and less romance.
    holeinwall: (I hit the floor)

    [personal profile] holeinwall 2021-08-30 01:43 am (UTC)(link)
    [ Monika's face lights up, then she grabs one of the books in her little conga line and holds it out to Diana. It's got what appears to be the demon equivalent of Fabio in some Robin Hood-esque clothes on it, plus an impossibly beautiful succubus in a virginal white gown. ]

    King's Riches! It's got plenty of adventure! I bet you'd love it!

    [ Never mind that the cover is definitely screaming more romance than adventure. It's a sign that her barometer for the level of romance is how often a sex scene pops up. This one has barely any, therefore it's an adventure novel! ]
    amazonfresh: (pic#14165563)

    [personal profile] amazonfresh 2021-08-30 02:44 am (UTC)(link)
    [Diana takes the book and she is, indeed, fairly skeptical it's less romantic, but she's not bothered by the offer exactly.

    She considers the cover, then turns it over and studies the back.]


    I'll try it. After last month, I could use something pleasant as a distraction.
    holeinwall: (Even when you want to die)

    [personal profile] holeinwall 2021-09-03 02:25 am (UTC)(link)
    [ She looks utterly pleased. She's so used to getting comments about her "questionable" taste levels. This is a nice change of pace! ]

    You'll have to let me know what you think! I normally don't have anyone to discuss this stuff with, except some of the demons here, and it's been a long time since I've been able to do even that. [ She laughs a bit. ] Really makes me miss my old club...

    [ Which is saying a lot, since she went a tad murderous to escape the damn thing. Small details, though. ]
    amazonfresh: (pic#14165607)

    [personal profile] amazonfresh 2021-09-03 07:44 pm (UTC)(link)
    Have you checked on the network? There must be other people here who enjoy reading in their spare time.

    [It's not that Diana doesn't like reading. She loves it. But this is certainly what she would consider a little distraction, something to read if she's having trouble sleeping.]

    And it might be welcome to engage in something so normal here.
    holeinwall: (I'm not good at this)

    [personal profile] holeinwall 2021-09-04 08:03 pm (UTC)(link)
    I mean...I've talked to someone else who seems to like books, but I haven't seen them around yet. And with everything that's gone on since, like, I dunno, February or whatever? It's been hard to coordinate anything anyway.

    [ And she's kind of afraid doing anything vaguely literature club-ish will make it easier to start thinking of her old "friends" and all she did to them. ]

    Probably easier to just keep doing what I'm doing. Ahaha.
    amazonfresh: (pic#14165648)

    [personal profile] amazonfresh 2021-09-05 05:30 pm (UTC)(link)
    If what you're doing now makes you happy, then there's no reason to change.

    [Though it does seem to Diana that if is doing quite a lot of work in that sentence.]

    I do suppose the way we live here would make it difficult to organize a weekly meeting.
    holeinwall: (Every game you play)

    [personal profile] holeinwall 2021-09-07 02:04 am (UTC)(link)
    Ahaha. Understatement.

    [ And who knew what, haha, the hell might be coming next? She was starting to dread the lulls between the scary periods. It only meant something horrible was around the corner.

    --No. No. Good thoughts. Only good thoughts! She'll seize on a question that's started burning inside her instead. ]


    What do you do when we're not all on the suffering train?
    amazonfresh: (pic#14178544)

    [personal profile] amazonfresh 2021-09-07 07:01 pm (UTC)(link)
    Train, mostly.

    [Which is not in any way satisfying.]

    It seems that I do less than I ought, but I don't care for the club and the other entertainment can be... untrustworthy.
    holeinwall: (Want to see some dissipation in my face)

    [personal profile] holeinwall 2021-09-07 11:24 pm (UTC)(link)
    [ An eyebrow creeps up. That sounds boring, but she has the decency not to say that. ]

    That sounds boring.

    [ Okay, maybe she doesn't. ]

    And, like, I can understand the hesitance to venture out to the seedy spots, but it's fun to be dumb sometimes! Ahaha!

    [ Not speaking from experience or anything! ]
    amazonfresh: (pic#14165611)

    [personal profile] amazonfresh 2021-09-09 05:39 pm (UTC)(link)
    [Diana has the decency to wince a bit at that.]

    It is boring. This whole place is boring.

    [At this point it may as well be part of the torture.]

    But it's not a place where I'm looking for entertainment. It's a place I would get us out of.

    If I could.

    [Not that she's been having luck on that front.]
    holeinwall: (Kiss you so hard)

    [personal profile] holeinwall 2021-09-11 04:01 am (UTC)(link)
    Ahaha, that's totally noble and selfless of you, thinking about things like that.

    [ It was something Monika could hardly relate to, though she appreciated someone was so determined to free them all. But still. Boring. ]

    But does that mean you have to subject yourself to boredom because there's a slim chance you might actually get free at some point? Kinda sounds like you're making yourself suffer for no reason in the meantime.

    [ Like, she totally gets that. She'd done the self-flagellation after being an absolute horror. But it was okay to be happy sometimes! Really! ]
    amazonfresh: (pic#14165598)

    [personal profile] amazonfresh 2021-09-11 07:02 am (UTC)(link)
    I do not suffer. Not most of the time.

    [Not any more than any of them are always suffering, right? That is probably right.]

    But what is there to be happy about? Books aside, I suppose.
    holeinwall: (It's crazy when the thing)

    [personal profile] holeinwall 2021-09-12 02:18 am (UTC)(link)
    [ Monika raises a skeptical eyebrow. Sure, Jan. She'll keep being nice, though, and won't really question it.

    Instead, she'll say all sort of other dumb things. ]


    Look, it's probably because you're so old and you've forgotten how to have fun and all...

    [ Clearly, this wet-behind-the-ears teenager knows everything about everything. ]

    But there's worse things than being in Hell, you know. I was stuck in a video game! So being here has given me plenty to be happy about. You just have to look on the bright side more, like I do!

    [ Hypocrite. And liar. ]
    amazonfresh: (pic#14165670)

    [personal profile] amazonfresh 2021-09-12 09:42 pm (UTC)(link)
    [A teenager who was born out of a video game—as Monika just so helpfully reminded her—is judging Diana's life choices.

    She isn't mad about it.

    But she also isn't so naive that she misses it, and she's not sure what to make of it.]


    I have not forgotten how to have fun.

    [She manages to sound a little younger with that protest, at least.]

    But you must admit, most of the entertainment here is... of a certain type.
    holeinwall: (Oh can't you see)

    [personal profile] holeinwall 2021-09-14 08:15 pm (UTC)(link)
    [ Denial! So much denial! How sad. And Monika would know, because she's an expert at turning away from problems she doesn't want to see.

    Diana...kind of does have a point, though. Monika deflates at little at that bit of truth thrown at her. ]


    Yeah, um...they do seem to like, you know, doing it a lot around here. They totally need to shut down that club!

    [ For the sake of getting off of that uncomfortable subject, she'll instead talk about another problem she pretends isn't a problem. ]

    Don't you think it's nice to settle down with a nice drink sometimes, though? You can forget about so much that way!
    amazonfresh: (pic#14165609)

    [personal profile] amazonfresh 2021-09-15 12:25 am (UTC)(link)
    [That goes from one problem to another. That is still a problem. And while Diana might be willing to admit to enjoying a drink now and again, perhaps with friends.

    But when Monika frames it as forgetting, that inclination redirects.]


    I try not to forget.

    [Her brow furrows in concern.]

    I don't blame those who do, but that is still a symptom of the larger problem, isn't it? It would be one thing to simply enjoy a glass of wine. It's another to use it to cope with memories of the day before it.
    holeinwall: (So left but she's right though)

    [personal profile] holeinwall 2021-09-16 05:54 am (UTC)(link)
    [ Monika finally begins to deflate. Why must they talk about being responsible? Remembering? Poor coping strategies? Now she's straight up pouting. ]

    Wine's gross...

    [ It's about all she's got to say. Because that's what matters. She knows Diana's right, but she doesn't want to admit it.

    Actually, no. She has another good zinger. ]


    And responsibility's overrated.
    amazonfresh: (pic#14165627)

    [personal profile] amazonfresh 2021-09-17 12:24 am (UTC)(link)
    What other option is there?

    [Sorry, Monika. Diana doesn't know how to be irresponsible. At least in the way that Monika describes.

    She has her own flaws.

    And one of them may have been letting the conversation slide in this direction. She sighs and shrugs.]


    I wouldn't mind it if there were more to do. Plays or music. That was not so bad visiting Mammon.
    holeinwall: (We must never be apart)

    [personal profile] holeinwall 2021-09-18 01:45 am (UTC)(link)
    [ Okay, she has to at least concede to one point. ] Music would be nice. I really do miss music.

    [ However, a troubled look she can't stop comes across her face. A lot of the things she wanted to forget with books (and booze) were resurfacing in her mind. ]

    No more Mammon again, though. Ever. Too many bad things happened there.
    amazonfresh: (pic#14165661)

    [personal profile] amazonfresh 2021-09-18 02:10 am (UTC)(link)
    No. Not that at all. Just... there were things there that I would enjoy more than the club.

    [Some of the plays weren't so bad at all, really. The demons had shown great relish in performing Oedipus...

    Perhaps for all of the wrong reasons.]

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