penancemods: (Default)
Penance Mods ([personal profile] penancemods) wrote in [community profile] penancememes2022-08-24 10:35 pm
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TEST DRIVE MEME #38

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
Curiously, every television within Hell seems to be covered with a sheet and wrapped in chains. If one listens closely at night, they'll hear murmuring coming from them. If any curious newcomer should try to remove the coverings, they will find them magically enchanted in some way that makes this impossible, however. If asked, the staff will explain that they're undergoing a cleansing to remove a curse placed upon them by evildoers. If pressed further, they'll hear talks of The Veiled Order.

But not to worry! There's plenty to do. Helluvacup needs to be rebuilt so the coffee demon and his prized hell rat on a harness and leash quit wandering the halls... the staff is rather tired of being bitten! Additionally, it feels like reality is shifting more often to showing what the pristine hotel may actually look like. It hasn't been that long since the buildings were flooded by lava and utterly destroyed. The beautiful interiors were too good to be true, and the veneer is cracking more severely now. At times, the illusion drops to the burnt out husk of a building, to rotting wood and torn, old furniture. Sometimes it's jarring enough to leave one dizzy before it simply flashes back to normal. Unfortunately, whenever these glitches occur, it is entirely possible to find one's self in an entirely different room than they meant. Wanted to grab a midnight snack? Have fun in that blood room. Wanted to take an innocent pee, minding your own business? You may accidentally walk into someone's room.

In which case, it is probably very advisable to not relieve yourself and find a more suitable area. What could possibly go wrong?

At least there does seem to be a break in the heat? Hell is an almost comfortable temperature, but there are already talks of the dreaded Fall coming soon. In Hell, Fall tends to feel more like the dead of winter, bt hopefully, there will be a skip to the usual snow and frigid temperatures.

.


Reach Up High

Prompt I:
WARNINGS: drills, torture, blood, lobotomy

Part of redemption is suffering, Darlings. That’s why sinners are drawn here. They will hurt, but they will also learn to become better people. One way or another.

The demons who bring sinners here have tied them quite firmly into a contraption that forces them to recline back with their heads trapped in a vice. If they look up, they’ll be able to see the whirring flash of metal from an active drill poised just overhead. They can squirm if they’d like, but it might be unsettling for the person bound behind them. Before they can vocalize any questions, they’ll hear the sound of Lucifer’s warm, soothing voice.

"My dear guests, I’ve done a lot of thinking about what I can do to bring you closer together. Father often says that humans should love their fellow man. Maybe you just need some help building trust. I assure you that you’re both perfectly safe. If you stay still and chat, the drills will cause a little scratch, but nothing you can’t live through. Talk about your sins. Talk about your day. It’ll just take a few minutes before you can leave. Be nice, and whatever you do, don’t move a muscle."
It’s at this point that sinners might notice that although they are rendered immobile from the waist up, their legs are free. They can push back their chairs and avoid the drills which are suddenly moving forward. But since they’re bound to someone else, pushing back will send their partner forward into their drill and surely condemn them to a messy death. If neither sinner moves, they can both survive. The drills will move close enough to tear the skin at their foreheads and perhaps scratch the skull underneath, creating a mild concussion at worst. But if the sinners were unable to make peace and stop themselves from moving, the drill is quite capable of pushing past bone and into the soft flesh of the frontal lobe. You can technically live with the kind of brain damage caused by an injury there, but do you really want to do that to your new close friend?

You have three minutes to figure it out.


Prompt II
For those fortunate enough to escape the unplanned lobotomy, well, there's an easy task for you! As previously mentioned, Helluvacup and the hotel's own pool both need to be tidied up, or rebuilt in some cases. Any sinners who volunteer will be treated to free drinks and snacks, and receive appreciation from demonic staff. Plus, chipping in and helping your fellow sinners (and demons) is something God often encourages! It will be good for one sin removal overall. There will be building supplies, cleaning supplies, and anything else sinners need to push forward!

The staff also won't be put out if sinners would rather do a little bit of cleaning instead...

Besides, it's a rare opportunity to help import supplies to Hell. There are large crates of unnamed items, new furniture items, torture items, clothes, and more. There's also several boxes of nothing but pumpkin spice that veteran sinners, who know what every fall entails, may cringe at the sight of.


Follow Me Down

Prompt I
WARNINGS: fire, disobedience

Speaking of pumpkin spice and torture devices... Well, sinners may find the prime opportunity for a bit of a bonfire if they're so inclined. It seems some demons are not looking forward to the months of pumpkin spice flavored foods or, well, working, really. These are young, reckless demons, but they've decided to help some of these new shipments get 'lost' by starting a large bonfire in a secluded place in Penance proper. They'll be asking sinners to help out. They'll supply the booze as they watch everything burn later!

If questioned about it, the demons will insist that it's just another part of the importing project. Everyone's trying to tell you to grab the crates and haul them somewhere, right? Into the fire is somewhere. Of course it's fine! You get points for being good little boys and girls every time you shut up and do what you're told. Why would anyone lie about that?

Perhaps it will come as a surprise, then, that anyone who participates will receive one sin added to their contract in the form of arson.


Prompt II
WARNINGS: sex, aphrodisiacs, non-con, etc.

Club Penance has new shots for all to try! Eager incubi and succubi stand around with trays of them, eager to pass them off under the strobe lights and pounding music. The air is sweeter than even usual, the demons amping up the aphrodisiacs to ensure everybody has a good time, and there's plenty encouragement to get lost in the atmosphere. These shots all have a unique influence, although that part may have been left out... Oops.

Apple: Causes one to fall lust with the first person they see. They will absolutely be overwhelmed with the desire to have them and do whatever they must to receive their affections.
Cinnamon: Causes one to fall into love with the first person they see. Their heart will skip beats, they'll feel the urge to recite poetry, anything! Your love must be known.
Pumpkin: Causes one to fall out of balance. Just the perfect meet-cute, isn't it? Hopefully you won't fall into anyone in a bad mood.
Sour Apple: Causes one to fall into a rage. Ah, oops. Maybe they didn't think that one out. This one causes aggression and the need to make certain others know you're the top dog around here.



Wildcard/Misc.
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swordofzero: (stare)

[personal profile] swordofzero 2022-08-26 05:00 am (UTC)(link)
He is wary as Proto gets closer, though he no longer looks as if he wants to hurt Suzaku, instead he looks worried. Suzaku is worried too. What had he done? The other him, the part of him that thought nothing of hurting those he usually tried to protect.

He doesn't think Proto will attack him, but he isn't expecting a hug either and it takes him completely by surprise. He freezes, he's never good with physical closeness but he isn't going to push Blues away.

Wordlessly he drops his hands down, onto Blues' shoulders, letting them rest there and letting Blues hug him, for as long as he needed.
red_song: (Default)

[personal profile] red_song 2022-08-26 07:30 pm (UTC)(link)
There, that was what he needed. Proto sighs in relief.

"I thought you were reprogrammed."

And he had feared that quite a bit.
swordofzero: (determiny)

[personal profile] swordofzero 2022-09-04 07:05 am (UTC)(link)
"I guess I was. Temporarily. I don't remember any of it though."

Which isn't that unusual at all. "I'm sorry for whatever I did though. Did I hurt you?"

A repeat, because he needs to know.
red_song: Dominic Sherwood in Don't Sleep (Fatigue Is A New Thing)

[personal profile] red_song 2022-09-05 06:22 pm (UTC)(link)
“Yes,” Proto admitted freely. Suzaku had injured him. But the physical harms had been less damaging than the emotional ones.

“Can we talk while we work? I do wish to render assistance in this place. I like coffee and wish for it back.”
swordofzero: (determiny)

[personal profile] swordofzero 2022-09-06 04:03 am (UTC)(link)
"Of course." Working was what he was here for after all. "Where would you like me to start?"

It did seem sometimes that they spent more time rebuilding the facilities in hell then they did using them.
red_song: (Default)

[personal profile] red_song 2022-09-07 02:06 pm (UTC)(link)
“Place that on the top of that box,” Proto directed before starting to mark new details on his clipboard.

“It hurt when you betrayed me. I have experienced it before, but it hurt more from you. I was glad to know it wasn’t actually you.”
swordofzero: (empty)

[personal profile] swordofzero 2022-09-08 04:17 am (UTC)(link)
He did as he was told, balancing it on top of the box carefully, making sure it was secure before stepping back.

"I know." Both that it would hurt and that he had experienced it before. Blues was one of the last people Suzaku would ever want to hurt.

"I still apologise, those... whatever they are, they were the worst parts of us."

He was capable of that betrayal.
red_song: (Default)

[personal profile] red_song 2022-09-08 03:45 pm (UTC)(link)
And that not wanting to hurt him was a good reason for why Suzaku was one of the rare ones worthy of Proto’s true name.

“Some would say all parts of me are the worst parts. I did try and attack and destroy people. Destroy humans.”

But betrayal had been something he was taught.
swordofzero: (determiny)

[personal profile] swordofzero 2022-09-09 04:32 am (UTC)(link)
"Many people would say the same thing about me." He said quietly, shaking his head. "There are many good things about you, Blues."

Though not him, there was very little good in Suzaku. Blues brought out the best of him, most of the time.
red_song: Dominic Sherwood in Don't Sleep (I Am Starting To Get Mad)

[personal profile] red_song 2022-09-09 09:32 pm (UTC)(link)
With time, he might even believe Suzaku on that.

“There are a good many good things about you, Suzaku,” Proto counters. “I have seen horrible men before, horrible humans. And I see good in you.”
swordofzero: (determiny)

[personal profile] swordofzero 2022-09-10 08:12 pm (UTC)(link)
He shook his head. Because he shouldn't. He shouldn't see good in him. There is so little of it, perhaps none left at all. "I think it is just that you have not met good people, from what you have told me."

So Suzaku seemed good, in comparison.
red_song: Dominic Sherwood in Don't Sleep (Learning About Happiness)

[personal profile] red_song 2022-09-12 08:21 pm (UTC)(link)
"I have met you," Proto counters. Yes, he's certain he'd met good people. Though, really, his standards are warped.

"You are good, you are good to me. This is all that matters."

WHy should he look at the world beyond that?
swordofzero: (determiny)

[personal profile] swordofzero 2022-09-13 04:24 am (UTC)(link)
He wished it was, that managing to not hurt, for the most part, one person in his life made him a good person.

It didn't, but he just nodded. Maybe it was enough, he could be a good person for Proto.

He could do his best.
red_song: (Default)

[personal profile] red_song 2022-09-13 03:05 pm (UTC)(link)
Wasn't it enough that Proto could be a good person for Suzaku? Why couldn't they make that change.

"The boxes look unstable here," Proto points at one stack of them. "I'm sorry, my weight training has not been the best so far. Could you help me straighten them?"
swordofzero: (determiny)

[personal profile] swordofzero 2022-09-17 10:37 am (UTC)(link)
"Of course." Suzaku is a lot stronger than he looks. He moves over to the boxes and begins lifting them, setting them down so he could restack them in a more stable pile.

"What training have you been doing to help?"

This was an easier conversation.
red_song: (Default)

[personal profile] red_song 2022-09-18 01:35 am (UTC)(link)
A lot stronger, he nods in approval at that. It's nice that they aren't falling. He is happy to get them all arranged and neat. That was comforting.

"There has mostly been hand to hand combat, weapon training, and some lifting. But not as much," Proto said, and with the boxes tidied more he starts to work on the inventory again.
swordofzero: (determiny)

[personal profile] swordofzero 2022-09-19 06:52 pm (UTC)(link)
"If you need a training partner, I'd be happy to train with you."

He's not sure if he can help Blues in any way but sometimes it was easier to train with others.

And he likes spending time with Blues.
red_song: Dominic Sherwood in Don't Sleep (Human Bodies Do What)

[personal profile] red_song 2022-09-20 01:21 am (UTC)(link)
Proto considers and then nods.

"I could use more. I have done my best, but Bucky and Steve are very strong. Learning from someone without their enhancements may not be bad. And you are very good at fighting."

And, truly, Blues loved spending time with Suzaku. Any moment he could steal with his 'best friend' was worth it.
swordofzero: (determiny)

[personal profile] swordofzero 2022-09-20 03:27 am (UTC)(link)
It was Bucky and Steve who trained him, that was good, they were both good fighters and more than that good people. He trusted them both.

"I'd be happy to help." He wasn't as good a fighter as Bucky and Steve, even if his geass gave him an edge, but he at least would be able to help with strength building.

Rather than from people whose strength was extraordinary.
red_song: Dominic Sherwood in Don't Sleep (Learning About Happiness)

[personal profile] red_song 2022-09-20 01:49 pm (UTC)(link)
He was learning from Sara too, and she was very good at making him feel capable. But more learning was good. He was, after all, programmed to learn.

"Thank you. There are things they take for granted, being enhanced humans. I am not as strong as I should be, in this form. So I must learn to fight in other ways."
swordofzero: (determiny)

[personal profile] swordofzero 2022-09-21 03:58 am (UTC)(link)
"I'll see how I can help." He's not exactly trained anyone before, but he is sure they can figure it out.

After all the more people Blues could learn from the better.

He checked that the boxes were definitely steady. "Anything else you need me to do?"
red_song: Dominic Sherwood in Don't Sleep (Human Bodies Do What)

[personal profile] red_song 2022-09-27 04:47 pm (UTC)(link)
Perhaps it was true, yes. Perhaps someone could be a better fighter if they had many trainers. Proto was, after all, a bit better at integrating different things together.

"Just continue gathering the boxes? I need to get back to this inventory."
swordofzero: (determiny)

[personal profile] swordofzero 2022-09-28 04:08 am (UTC)(link)
"Of course." He nodded and went back to stacking boxes, anything he could do to help he would.

red_song: (Default)

ftb then?

[personal profile] red_song 2022-09-28 04:52 pm (UTC)(link)
"And Suzaku?"

Proto takes a deep breath. It's not something that is easy for him to say, but he's going to anyway.

"Thank you. For letting me know."
swordofzero: (determiny)

yep!

[personal profile] swordofzero 2022-09-29 03:47 am (UTC)(link)
He looked at him, softly, sadly. Then nodded, in acknowledgement. It's awkward, but he is glad that Blues is not angry at him at least.

He can work on making it up to him.