TEST DRIVE MEME #34

[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, And it seems to linger for a long time. There is nothing at all. It must be lonely. But it won’t be forever.

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 take your care package and continue on until you reach the stairs."

On their way out, sinners receive their 'package', a contract detailing all sins committed. If they look at the list closely enough they'll notice it's written with their blood. That explains the palm wound then. It's an old piece of parchment despite the freshly written letters upon it. They will also receive a slightly more modern smart phone. Think early generation Android and a pamphlet made by other sinners during their stay here with useful tips.

After that, sinners will be ushered on to a set of stairs where a guard waits. "Welcome to Penance," the demon says gruffly before motioning them on without an ounce of courtesy. "Don't hold up the line."

They seem to go on and wind forever, but eventually, they come upon what appears to be a lobby of a 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

"Rise and shine, darling!" Lucifer's voice booms within everyone's minds one fine morning, and sinners will almost feel how infectious his good mood is. And what does he not have to feel good about? They've rescued sinners from Mammon's latest antics and now they can hopefully move on with their lives, without any further interference. "Those who have been here for a while will know that the annual Carnival is well on its way. This time, I would like to assure all of you that I have taken every utmost precaution to ensure it's a good event for everyone from beginning to end!"

"Regardless of what my father would like to see, I would like to reward all of you for standing at my side. All of you havedisplayed astounding bravery and care for your fellow sinners and demons alike. This deserves a reward in my book. So no torture, no pain, no zoos to be forced into... just a bit of fun and games. This time, the clowns have been told to mind their manners!"!

Some of the sinners who have been here since the beginning may feel their stomachs clench in fear at the mere thought of a carnival, but the atmosphere is... happy. Demons are being far kinder than they have been in the past, approaching with kinder requests to help. Some may get a little rough around the edges, may shove or criticize or look like they want to hit, but be patient! Hell is all they really know and those old habits die hard at times! They got the spirit at least...

To show their thanks, they're bringing out cans of Speed Energy again (can you guess the secret ingredient?) that will have sinners absolutely buzzing to help. Decorations need to be placed, rides need to be set, tables for vendors and games. It seems like the beginning of some sort of tunnel of love is being put together by Lilith and the sex demons...

Lucifer is even walking around personally supervising and checking in on sinners with enthusiam and warmth. There may be an air of nervousness about him -- he is technically disobeying God and they still haven't found Emmanuel, but he's putting on a brave face at least!

For those who'd rather opt out of manual labor, some of the succubi have set up lemonade stands. They're offering cups for kisses - and don't worry! They're inviting sinners to join in the fun and take over some of the stands!

There's also some late Spring Cleaning going on around the hotel and guests will find boxes of items left outside to rummage through that may include newer clothes, games, and other sources of entertainment. There may even be the odd weapon or two! Staff will not say no if anyone wants to give them a bit of a and with the cleaning and dusting either... it seems the large spiders have come back in to try to spin their webs and stay. Don't worry! Even though they may rival a chihuahua, these guys tend to be docile and friendly. Be careful you don't accidentally adopt a pet!




Reach Up High

WARNINGS: blood, torture

"My dear guests!" Lucifer greets as sinners are led to a room with two seats and a table in between. They then will be made to sit by two burly demon escorts.

"What I am asking of you is rather simple... pick a sin from your contract, any sin, and explain how you got to that point. Simple enough, yes? Perhaps gaining a better understanding of what made you sin in the first place will clear a path into avoiding situations like this in the future, as well as form that all too important human connection that I'm told some of you are desperately needing. Please don't try to get out of it... I really would rather not punish you.".

And true to his word, so long as sinners comply and share what made them perform a sin on their list, they'll be let go. If, after five minutes, nothing has been shared, a headache will begin. The pain will gradually increase until it floods the body. Nosebleeds may begin to happen, so will bleeding out the ears or eyes. Eventually, a sinner may even lose a sense for a 24 hour period.

Is it really worth potentially going blind just to get out of a little bit of talking? Come now...

(Effects should begin 5 comments in and gradually worsen until sinners either give in or start to lose one of their senses. After this, they'll be released from the room regardless whether they complied or not)


Follow Me Down

Prompt I

WARNINGS: Potentials for sex, aphrodisiacs, non/dub-con, etc.

Club Penance has decided to don a new theme for the night! The theme is lingerie. The staff now wear more modest lingerie reminiscent of the '50s. Elegant, pretty, tantalizing. Or maybe it's just the aphrodisiacs in the air and food that make one feel that way.

They are also insisting everyone else put on lingerie as well. Don't worry! It's not old fashioned and anything that suites your fancy will be available. Try to skip out? Guests will find it magically appear on them... and possibly not in the theme they'd choose for themselves. If magic fails, the staff or local demons may take it upon themselves to slip it on the poor sinner themselves.

Swinging is an event happening tonight. Put your key from Hotel Penance or Hellburbia into a hat, another sinner draws it out... whoever gets your key will be your lucky partner for the night for any kind of fun! Sinners may find their keys disappearing and appearing in the hat entirely without their knowledge... but staff will be very persistent about follow-through! There will be rooms available for fun in the Club, for those who'd rather not go back to their personal rooms.

Other than that, oddly enough tables have been set up for romantic dinners, private rooms are available for sexual activities (not all of these are vanilla. There are toys and machines and anything else one could want, including costumes or things to suit any fetish). There's also live entertainment in the form of dancing or sexual performances on stages around the club. Volunteers are more than welcome!

For those not partnered up, there's speed dating where demons will lead a prospective partner to your table for a little bit of a chat and a drink. They may not always get your tastes spot on, but hopefully it's entertaining for all involved! if sinners find their drinks seem to have a little extra aphrodisiac added to them, oh well. It was probably an honest mistake.

Those who are attached, either via Casino Styx or through other means may find themselves growing oddly loving or possessive of one another. Jealousy and the urge to claim their partner (even in public) will grow substantially throughout the night. While it may not always result in violence and instead be enthusiastically embraced by both parties, it may also result in the urge to leave marks or claim in darker ways. Collaring their partners, leaving their names, etc. They're yours and don't you want everyone to know that?

Alcohol does flow freely around the club and usual demonic drugs or party drugs are available on demand.


Prompt II

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.

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Steve Rogers / Hydra Stomper | Marvel's "What If...?"

[hydrastomping]

Arrival
[Generally speaking, Steven Grant Rogers is a reasonably god-fearing man. A good solid Irish Catholic upbringing will do that to a kid, and all this "suddenly you're in Hell" business isn't doing a lot to help his level of ambient guilt. But he'll take in the information easily and sincerely, looking perhaps particularly dated in his very World War II-era uniform, almost as if he's just come off helping Amelia Earhart with her flight.

He spends a long time settled around the Lobby. thumbing through the welcome documentation as he squints at unfamiliar concepts and circles the ones he thinks he might want to noodle on some more later. It sure says 2019, but he hasn't seen a single flying car or anything out of the World's Fair, so that's probably an exaggeration. One of those "land of Tomorrow" setups or something.

When someone comes close enough, he'll set up straighter, and give a more proper nod, followed by a "Mornin'" or a "Ma'am," whichever seems more appropriate.]


Stand Your Ground

[A fair! Now that's something that needs no explanation. Steve's happy to explore the setup even in its early stages. At the start, he'll be smiling as he takes it in, trying his hand at early setups for baseball tosses, even though he isn't quite strong enough to knock anything over even when he can make the ball connect. Noodle arms really only get a guy so far in the end.

Later on, he accepts some of that energy drink that's on offer, just because it looks like a fancy kind of soda pop he hasn't tasted yet. And for a short while, it's great. He feels more awake than he's ever felt in his life, and the fair is somehow more vibrant and exciting. But it isn't long before it triggers some of the irregularities the doctors are always droning on about. His heart regularly has palpitations on a good day, but right now it feels like the thing is hammering against the walls of his chest looking to escape. He sinks against the wall of one of the booths, doing his best not to look conspicuous. It's fine. It'll pass. It's always passed before. It's just never been this intense or with this much pressure.When he starts to think about it too much, it makes his breaths come shorter and in smaller bursts. Damn asthma.

It's fine, though. He's sure it's fine. He doesn't need to flag anyone down for help. He can get through this. He can do it all day if he has to.]


Wildcard

[I'm open to other prompts too! There are plenty of other games to play in Hell, even if Steve is being all business the current starters. He's a little guy with a lot of heart, and that can go in all sorts of directions.

Also, if anyone threaded with Steve the last time I TDMed him, I'm happy to handwave that the interaction still happened! I'm trying this again now that I have a little more time. Thanks to anyone interested in playing.]

stand your ground

[oinkoink]

[Working keeps Sally's mind from spiraling, though she still can't help murmuring to herself as she shuffles her way through the carnival, box of supplies in hand. She's focused enough on the task at hand that she almost doesn't hear it--passes right by the young man slumped against one of the booths.

But the wheezing does reach her, and instinctively her steps grind to a halt. The girl turns back toward the noise, uncertain even when she makes eye contact.

Like, what is she going to do? It's not like she has an inhaler. Or knows much first aid. Anxiety clutches at her as she wrestles on whether or not she can still pretend she didn't notice him...but her conscience wins out over her cowardice and she ultimately puts the box down on the nearest table.]

Do you, um, need any help?

[Sally takes a few steps closer, hands clutching at her sleeves.]

[hydrastomping]

[The hard part about being in the middle of an asthma attack is that it's difficult to convince people that you aren't in the middle of one. He's wired in a way he doesn't at all understand, and the solution is probably just to sit down and rest until his body figures out how to keep up again. But then more people would notice, and that's not a step he's willing to take at the moment. So he tries to hold it in, stifling a cough and forcing a thin smile.

Nope, nothing to see here. He'd be more vocally reassuring if he could get enough air in to manage speaking. But surely it's fine. It's not like anyone would get poisoned at a happy little fair like this one.]

[oinkoink]

[Sally makes an odd sort of noise as she gets an incredibly strained smile in response. Okay, Oink, don't lose the plot. He doesn't want any help, right? Jog on.

But she doesn't jog on. She chews on her lip as she looks around. Really, they'd both be more comfortable if she minded her own business. Sally takes a few more steps closer.]

Sorry, er, I'm not sure exactly what...

[Her arms gesture uselessly.]

I don't feel like I can leave you alone?

[hydrastomping]

[She hesitates just long enough for him to be unable to sustain the calm. His fit returns in more aggressive coughing and sputtering, , and he curls upin a mix of fury and helplessness. Get it together, body. You're causing a scene.]

It's fine -- [He manages to speak in short gasps, when he can get enough air in to produce a syllable.] It just -- happens some -- times.

[oinkoink]

[By the time she's standing directly in front of him, Sally has her hands out like she's trying to comfort a potentially-aggressive animal. A paranoid shudder passes down her back and as she's trying to puzzle out exactly what she intends to do...puts her foot in her mouth.

As she does.]

You're not faking it, right? Not that you'd tell me if you were--or that you really seem like you are. Shit, that was a really rude question. Do you need me to...pat you on your back or something?

[hydrastomping]

[ Faking it? Why in blue blazes would anyone want people to think this was happening? His mother used to talk about how the folks in the TB ward played too sly, too desperate to get out and live a real life again. Who would want to be sick? ]

No pats. It'll stop -- on its own.

[ it might not, and he's a little worried about that. But it's not like he was expecting to need his nebulizer in the afterlife. ]

Arrival

[deaddrop]

[Natasha recognizes that "ma'am," but it's very clear that the speaker doesn't recognize her.

Well. Why should he? At the moment, it's not even easy to recognize her as human, what with her fairy-like wings and expressive tail, pointed ears and cat eyes.

But she's still stops, somewhere between stung and curious at the statement.]

Hey.

[Her tail twitches and her head tilts.]

You just getting in?

[hydrastomping]

[This place is just full of the wildest kind of people. He's curious about whether this one is a real demon or just someone from way in the future dressed in some kind of crazy space alien costume. What a place this is!]

Just arrived a little bit ago. Guess I took a wrong turn at the pearly gates.

Happy to know you though. My name's Steve Rogers.

[deaddrop]

[Yeah, she guessed that. And she's pretty sure he's not the Steve she knows, just smaller. Not either of them.

At this point, that's not too weird.

But it is still a little weird.]

Natasha Romanoff. Charmed.

[Her wings flutter a little, involuntary.]

You seem to be taking this fairly well, I have to say.

[hydrastomping]

[Romanoff? Did they have Rusky demons? He guesses that makes sense. There's probably more than one demon walking around stirring up wars in Europe just waiting to get back down here. ]

Well I can't say I really remember dying, but it's gotta happen to everyone sooner or later, right? I figure there's not a lot left to do at this point but do what I can to earn a ticket up north, maybe see my parents.

[Wait, is it rude to talk to a demon about his intent to find a way into Heaven?]

No offense intended, of course.

[deaddrop]

Wait, why would I be offended?

[That pulls Natasha up short, her head cocked, lips quirking in an incredulous smile.

She's not sure what he could have inferred about her that would make her offeded by that.

She has some guesses.

But.]

Do I seem that thin skinned?

[hydrastomping]

Oh, I just thought. Since, you know, you live here and all.

[Maybe they're brazen enough that it doesn't matter to them?]

It's a lot nicer than I thought Hell was going to be.

stand your ground

[compelledtoprotect]

[Sometimes Steve tried to pretend to be normal, like he wasn't a freak product of a failed science experiment, but it never seemed to last long. Something always burst the illusion. In this case, it was himself.

Well, it was a version of him, from before the serum apparently. There'd been one in the hotel very briefly before, long enough to almost have a real conversation, but then he'd been gone again. Honestly, that was probably for the best; his old self was completely unsuited to a place like a hell hotel even on a good day. Which was probably why the poor guy was slumped against a wall with a heartrate through the roof and incredibly labored breathing. Steve touched his chest without realizing it, remembering the terrifying feeling of being unable to breathe perfectly.]

[Steve hurried over and dropped down on his knees next to the man, not entirely certain how to help. He didn't have meds for the asthma or the racing heart, and he wasn't even sure whether Steve would let him try and help to start with. He hadn't been particularly receptive to strangers butting in when he was having issues back in the day. Then again . . .]


Hey. Are you alright? Is there something I can do?

[hydrastomping]

[There's something particularly upsetting about having a big strong-looking guy come to his aid when he's having an attack like this. It's like the universe is trying to step on him and remind him that he'll never be respected, that there's always someone healthier who can do more without any of the aids he normally relies on to keep up.

So when the blond with the perfect hairline drops down beside him, Steve makes it a point to try to get back up. His body is trembling and half-numb, and he's nowhere close to getting a deep breath in, but like hell does a stranger need to know about it.]

I'm -- fine.

[compelledtoprotect]

[His lips twitched. Same old Steve. He kept his hands to himself, but Steve could reach out and catch the man if need be. Thank god for super reflexes. Instead he stood there and watched Steve try to stand, torn between pride in that drive to keep going no matter what, and frustration at the refusal of help. Was that what Bucky had felt back in the day?]


It's no trouble. I'm always happy to help a new resident. Seems like a friendly face would be welcome after waking up here.

[hydrastomping]

Welcoming committee's.... Bigger than I thought it would be.

[ He's leaning on the pooch pretty heavily to keep himself up, but standing is happening! He refuses to let it not happen. ]

[compelledtoprotect]

[Steve blushed and looked away. God damn. Those zingers really hit their mark!]


Ah yeah. Sorry about that. Not really something I can control these days. But I'm always happy to make a new friend. I'm Steve.


[He held out his hand, expecting the questions to start anytime.]

[hydrastomping]

[The handshake isn't accepted yet. Right now, Steve's focus is getting upright and staying upright. The handshake can happen after he's steadily on his feet.At least he's not heavy enough to worry about tipping the booth over.]

Just meant... there's a lot of you. Friendly place... Nice people.

Arrival

[endofcompliance]

[He's seen this before, maybe not the uniform, but pre-serum Steve pouring over paperwork, sure. It's just been a very, very long time. Nearly a century. It could almost be a dream, or a memory overlapping Bucky's current world.]

[Bucky has to stop for a moment and stare, close his eyes, then look again before a smile finally breaks over his face. If there can be two different Peters running around, why not Steve?]

[When he's finally composed again, he casually saunters over and takes a seat without seeking permission.] Mornin', Steve.

[Now, how does he get the younger, smaller one out of Hell?]

[hydrastomping]

[Steve is too focused to notice that he's being stared at, overwhelmed by the overload of new information. But when Bucky settles down across from him, he doesn't show a hint of surprise about it. Of course Bucky's here. After you meet your maker, you're supposed to get to spend the rest of eternity with the people who mean the most to you. Bucky's always right there beside him, unless he's off chasing some skirt.]

Mornin', Buck. This place sure is something, ain't it?

[endofcompliance]

[Bucky just smiles at first. It's too much like he remembers to be real, and yet...he's not. Not anymore.]

It's wrong about a lot of stuff. Something is one way of putting it.

[Pause.] You just get here?

[hydrastomping]

Yeah, not too long ago. [He spreads out some of the guides he's working through.] You too?

[Steve doesn't really want to put too fine a point on it, but Bucky's looking a little more weathered than Steve remembers him. Maybe he kept on living for years after Steve died? There's probably some kind of answer about how two people could die separately and meet up in the afterlife at the same time.]

[endofcompliance]

[Bucky breathes at the question, his eyes not quite meeting Steve's as he answers.]

Been here two years, actually. [Only at the end do his eyes lift to Steve's face.]

[He nods to the guide.] Is it useful for you? It's different for someone who's been here so long. [And Bucky just jumped in and discovered all of it for himself, anyway.]

[hydrastomping]

[That both explains a lot and doesn't explain anything at all.]

Two years? Come on, I just saw you! It can't have been that long.

[But the Bucky he knows doesn't have nearly as many lines around his face. Was there limbo or something? Time probably doesn't mean a lot to dead spirits.

There's nothing in the guides about this.]