TEST DRIVE MEME #27

[penancemods]

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.


Navigation | Premise | Arrival | FAQ
Rules | Taken | Reserves | Applications
Network | Logs | OOC | Memes

Comments

[minuteofangle]

[ Hmm. Gabe tips his head back, considering. Dereliction. Not one of his sins, oddly enough. The company would have said otherwise, if anyone bothered asking them. They liked to pretend they were real military, like that made it better somehow. Like they weren't doing it for money same as every other murderer who'd ever thought to try their hand at entrepreneurship. ]

It's what they call it when soldiers don't do what they're told. One step below treason.

[becomeablade]

Oh.

[ Mal goes quiet and still. He knows what that's referring to, now. Abandoning his post. Drinking and fighting when he should've been guarding Alina. When he should've been there to protect her.

She could have died because of him. And so it's not hard at all to decide what sin he deserves to have carved into his skin. ]

That one, then. [ He taps the paper. Decisive, though he can't quite make himself look up to meet the stranger's eyes. ] Dereliction of duty.

[ Perhaps not coincidentally, it's the longest sin on his list. So much for making this quick. ]

[minuteofangle]

[ Goddamn it. Of course it's a long one. Gabe's jaw works, but he breathes through it. Accepts it. His hands are steady, at least. And if the stranger's a soldier, then he probably won't flinch away too hard.

Probably. Maybe. Depends. ]

Cool. Where do you want it?

[becomeablade]

[ Mal watches him, wondering if he's going to refuse after all. But he doesn't, and so he nods, steeling himself. ]

I'm not cold.

[ Why does he keep saying that? It doesn't matter, though. He undoes his tunic, casting it aside, and stands to turn his back.

It's nearly covered already in a full-back tattoo, something between a compass rose and a starburst, or a sun. There are letters worked into the design, though in no language Gabe could read even if his tech lets him pick them out. But there's a blank space at the top of his shoulders, above the tattoo, and that's where Mal gestures now. ]

Up there.

[minuteofangle]

Just a thing people say.

[ Different worlds, different standards. At least most things translate around here, otherwise talking with people would be a hell (hah) of a lot more complicated. And then the stranger strips off his shirt and bares his back like Gabe couldn't wreck him like that.

But then, not everyone thinks like he does.

Gabe rolls his shoulders, then steps forward. Commit, sniper. His tech has no way of picking up words or symbols. A design flaw that Gabe's become more and more convinced was done intentionally. ]

I'll make it quick. Hold still.

[ As quick as he can, at least. It's a long sin. Even so, Gabe doesn't draw his knife immediately. He reaches out, toggling his nanotech to its highest possible sensitivity, and runs his fingers over the stranger's back. Checking to see if he's going to hit any scars on the proverbial canvas. ]

[becomeablade]

[ He's expecting the stranger to ask about the tattoo, like everyone else does. Almost hoping for it, maybe, because when he doesn't say a word Mal has to crush an unexpected pang of confusion and disappointment.

It's fine, though. He stands up straight, trying to brace himself while staying relaxed - tensing up will just make it worse. But when the other man reaches out to run his fingers over his back instead, he turns his head, trying to see what he's up to. Maybe he's curious about the tattoo after all?

In any case, there are plenty of scars. He's seen his share of battle and then some. But there's nothing large enough that it should interfere with what Gabe has to do now. ]

What?

[ His tone is defensive, another challenge ready and waiting. ]

[minuteofangle]

[ The first time Gabe got shoved into a room like this, someone opened up all the scars on his back with a knife and made them bleed fresh. The memory stuck, an unpleasant introduction to the sparkling attractions of Hell. Not exactly a meet-cute for him and Henry, either. Gabe assess the information silently, marking the scars and what feels like the lines of a tattoo a little lower on the stranger's back.

Cool. He'll be careful not to fuck up the lines, if he can manage it.

He draws the little knife up his sleeve without a word. It's a slender blade, razor sharp. ]

Exhale.

[ It's the only warning he gives before he starts to cut, one hand on the stranger's back to steady his work. ]

[becomeablade]

[ It hurts more than the tattoo had, and comes a second sooner than he was expecting it. Mal whimpers once in surprise and pain, and then swallows it down, forcing himself to breathe, to relax. He tips his head back, pressing his lips together and staring up at the ceiling.

Just get through it. He's been through worse. Probably. At least the stranger with the knife doesn't want to hurt him, right? It hasn't yet occurred to him not to trust him. They're in the same boat, aren't they? And they don't know each other. So there's no reason to hurt each other, to hate each other. To do anything other than what they're told, so they can finish and get out.

He blinks hard, feeling the blood trickling down his back and trying not to twitch. Finally, he mutters, almost sheepishly. ]

Itches.

[minuteofangle]

[ Sadism is one of his sins, one earned fairly enough, but Gabe's never been the type to get off on cutting strangers off. All his true cruelties were done at a distance, with his rifle. This?

This is just happening. His cuts are steady and small. Utterly controlled. He can smell blood in the air. Like copper pennies. ]

Next time, pick a shorter one.

[ He keeps cutting. Working through it letter by letter. ]

[becomeablade]

[ Point. He huffs out a breath, careful not to let his back move. Maybe the stranger's right and he should have made it easier on himself, but it's also a reminder of why he'd chosen the sin he had. He doesn't feel bad about deserting his unit, or even about feeling jealous of the Darkling's relationship with Alina. Anyone would've been jealous.

But dereliction of duty. Letting down the person who's most important to him, the only person who'd mattered in the end. That, he deserves to suffer for.

So he sets his jaw and stays silent and still, letting every cut be a brand, a punishment he'd earned. ]

[minuteofangle]

[ The rest of the work is done in silence. Nothing but the drag of the blade through the layers of skin, the smell of blood as it hits the air. One letter, then the next. Gabe cuts, and cuts, and he does not stop until he hits the last.

And then it's done. He steps back, wipes the blade on the sleeve of his jacket. ]

You're good.

[becomeablade]

[ Mal waits even after the man stops and steps back, until he says it's over, before he lets himself move. The first thing he does is twist his head back, trying to catch a glimpse of the letters carved into his back, but there's not much to see besides blood.

He believes him, though. That he'd done it. Done it right. He nods and turns back around, lifting his chin. Dereliction of duty. ]

Now everyone will know.

[minuteofangle]

Kinda the point.

[ Get the whole party in on it. That sort of thing. Hell loves it when they share. Gabe sheathes the blade and begins unbuttoning his outer shirt. He strips it off. Folds it. Sets it aside. It bares the sheath on his arm, the tattoos around his wrists and the wolf's head sigil on his arm. All the scars. Some from his time in Hell, most from before.

Then he bares his left forearm. ]

Lust. Which is not me hitting on you. It's got four letters.

[ Nice and short, nice and easy. He clicks his teeth, then offers out the knife. ]

Have at it.

[becomeablade]

[ Mal frowns, still not quite sure what to think of the stranger's attitude. He'd done his job, he assumes. Carved Mal's sin into his flesh. But he still can't quite shake the feeling that the older man isn't taking this seriously.

Lust. He doesn't blush as he takes the knife. He's not some awkward virgin, after all. But his brow furrows in confusion. ]

That's a sin?

[minuteofangle]

Apparently.

[ Apparently, Hell takes offense when you act like a slut. Which seems pretty fucking hypocritical when their whole deal is sex and violence all day, every day. Gabe flashes his teeth. ]

Or maybe I'm just special. You gonna get to cutting or not?

[becomeablade]

[ Why? Mal wants to ask. Who's it hurt? Unless you're lusting after the wrong person, maybe. But the other man eggs him on, and he scowls, shifting his grip on the knife. ]

Yes.

[ Four letters. Easy. A part of him suspects he's being patronized, the man choosing something so short not because he's afraid of the pain but to make it easy on Mal. But protesting now would just make him look like he's delaying longer. Like he is afraid.

And besides, he is secretly glad he doesn't have to carve out something as long as dereliction of duty.

He takes the other man's wrist in his left hand, holding him steady, and shifts the knife into position. There's a moment of hesitation. He's never hurt anyone on purpose like this before, not when he wasn't fighting them.

But it needs to be done. Four letters. Much less than what he'd done to Mal.

He lowers the knife to skin, and starts to cut. ]

[minuteofangle]

[ For a moment, it's reflexive to twist out of the grip. Slam a blow into the stranger's face, their throat. End the threat. Gabe doesn't move. He goes still, and slows his breathing down. Prep your shot, sniper. The body is nothing.

The blade is sharp, at least. Gabe takes care of his tools. It splits the skin easily.

Gabe doesn't react much. He breathes with it, slow and steady.

Four letters. That's nothing. That's easy. ]

[becomeablade]

[ He would have welcomed the fight. The chance to move, to try and prove himself. Fighting makes sense. It's something he can do.

But the man stays still, and Mal works carefully but efficiently, carving the letters into skin. Deep enough to draw blood, but not too deep. There's no need to be cruel about it.

And then it's done. He pauses to consider his work, to approve it, and then cleans the knife off and hands it back. ]

Cold.

[minuteofangle]

Cool.

[ An absent correction. Gabe takes the knife back, thankful at least that his tech’s behaving and he doesn’t have to grope around for the weapon. Whether the stranger’s sharp enough to notice that Gabe’s eyes don’t track, he has no way of knowing. Regardless, he powers through.

He hears the door click open.

Freedom. Yay. Gabe wipes the blade off on his arm and then tucks it away. His arm stings. It hurt in the taking but he’s had worse. ]

There’s a medical station out there. Should clean up your back before you try putting your shirt back on.

[ So far, none of his wounds have gotten infected - even the ones that really should have, logically - but Gabe figures the moment they start relying on that is the moment Hell will change the game. ]

What’s your name?

[becomeablade]

[ Now that he's facing him again, there is something off about the stranger's gaze, something that doesn't quite ring true. Mal's brow furrows, but before he can figure it out there's a click and he turns to see the door creak open. ]

All right.

[ Are there Healers here? he wonders. Well, even if there are, they probably wouldn't waste their time on an otkazat'sya like him. Not here, not anymore. He looks back at the stranger, reflexively straightening up almost at attention. ]

Malyen Oretsev.

Mal.

[minuteofangle]

[ Mal, then. Gabe hums to himself. He almost asks how old Mal is, but doesn't. It wouldn't change anything. And Mal moves like a soldier. People start young. They pick it up quick. Doesn't make them any less dangerous. ]

Call me Rodriguez. How long you been here?

[ He grabs his shirt, in the meantime. He doesn't intend to stay in here. ]

[becomeablade]

Rodriguez.

[ He repeats it back slowly, carefully, trying to get a feel for the unfamiliar sounds. It's like no name he's ever heard before. But then, there's a lot here that he's never seen or heard of before. ]

A few days.

[ It hasn't been an entirely smooth transition. But it hasn't been terrible, either. They're meant to be punished, he understands, though as with so much else, exactly who's doing the punishing and what gives them the authority to do so is less clear. But this room, cutting marks into each other's skin, is the first he's seen of anything like torture or suffering, at least so far. He shrugs one shoulder. ]

It's not so bad.

[minuteofangle]

[ Newbie, then. He figured. He knows most of the sinners by voice if not by name, and they've come due for a new batch right about now. Gabe hums again, tucking his shirt under his arm, and then just heads out. Mal will follow, or he won't. ]

Oh, it gets worse. They go hard for sex and violence around here. Real goddamn party.

[becomeablade]

[ He does, picking up his tunic and trailing after Rodriguez, glancing around curiously. He's a little self-conscious about having his full back exposed, his tattoo and now his worst sin in full view of anyone who might walk past, but the corridor they're in now seems fairly deserted, at least.

Sex and violence. Mal actually laughs, a grin breaking out on his face. ]

That doesn't sound so bad.

[minuteofangle]

[ Yeah, definitely a soldier. Gabe snorts, taking a moment to toggle his tech and scan the hallway. Figure out where the demons shoved the medical supplies this time around. ]

You I like. Sadly, not as much fun as it sounds.