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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guideslight: (whining)

[personal profile] guideslight 2022-08-28 02:06 pm (UTC)(link)
[ Sora jumps at the jarring experience of turning a corner and suddenly being yelled at to get out. He even summoned the Keyblade and held it up, looking around before his eyes landed on L.L. ]

A...Ah! I'm so sorry! I don't even know how I got in here!
lvb: (u hit me?)

[personal profile] lvb 2022-08-29 02:04 am (UTC)(link)
[ A giant key appears in the kid's hand and it's enough of an incongruous magic trick that it boggles L.L, distracting him from his fright. He wipes the foam from his lips, staring at that key, then holds up a finger ('hold that thought') and swivels back to the sink to discreetly clear his mouth.

That few seconds is all he needs to gather most of his dignity back again. His eyes dart between the kid, the key, the door, the walls, looking to see if there's a clue to their meeting
]

You don't know how you got here? Where were you just now?
guideslight: (okay?)

[personal profile] guideslight 2022-08-30 10:56 am (UTC)(link)
I was just walking down the hallway then [ Sora moved his arm in a weird motion making a noise that sounded like "yoooop". ] I was in here!

[ He did grin, a little more sheepishly as he opened his hand for the Keyblade to dissipate. ]

Name's Sora!
lvb: (innocent surprise)

Nooo I closed the tab without hitting send let’s redo

[personal profile] lvb 2022-08-31 09:02 am (UTC)(link)
[ Okay, the kid’s cute - and L.L has to hope he’s also sturdy enough to endure the tortures without breaking ]

And I’m ‘Ell Two’. A pleasure.

[ He’s managed to pull enough of his dignity together to offer his hand out to shake ]

Do you remember where you were walking? We’re in suite 214 right now?

[ He slips past the boy to unlock the bathroom door ]

Give me a moment to dress and we’ll investigate
guideslight: (:>)

[personal profile] guideslight 2022-09-03 04:38 pm (UTC)(link)
Nice to meet you, Ell!

[ Sora gave the biggest grin before thinking. ]

Uh..I was around suite 300, I think. I've been walking around trying to get used to the area!
lvb: (ur dumb)

[personal profile] lvb 2022-09-03 07:54 pm (UTC)(link)
[ He pauses halfway to his bedroom to frown at that far too cheerful grin ]

Two syllables: L.L, not Ell.

[ No, Sora isn’t the first and probably won’t be the last to call him Ell, but that doesn’t mean he has to like it. He disappears into his room and is out a minute later, having eschewed his usual elaborate layers for a simple t-shirt and jeans. He’s ready to solve this mystery! He’s already striding past Sora, expecting the boy to keep up as he leaves the suite and heads for the stairs. ]

You were at room 300? So you’ve moved in all three directions: down, left and backwards, and all in unequal measures. Did you notice anything or anyone that might have cast this magic on you?
guideslight: (Default)

[personal profile] guideslight 2022-09-03 08:29 pm (UTC)(link)
[ Sora follows after but it's questionable if he heard L.L. about the name. Honestly, he seems happy to just make a friend. ]

Yeah, and I kinda know about magic stuff and it didn't feel like magic. It just felt like someone was just pulling me around for a second or something!
lvb: (innocent surprise)

[personal profile] lvb 2022-09-03 08:42 pm (UTC)(link)
And was it the same pulling hands as the ones that dragged you to Hell, or was it a different sensation?

[ He glances back at him, worried ]

How old are you?

[ Not old enough to be here, surely… though children younger than him could easily earn a place here, had they sufficient means to commit atrocities. ]
guideslight: (pouts)

[personal profile] guideslight 2022-09-03 08:47 pm (UTC)(link)
16! I'll be 17 in March though!

[ Sora thinks for a minute about his arrival to hell. ]

Well, I was traveling in the Sleeping Worlds and trying to find Kairi. I found her and got her back home but I ended up just being in the inbetween until it was dark.

Then I was here!
Edited 2022-09-03 20:47 (UTC)
lvb: (Default)

[personal profile] lvb 2022-09-03 09:02 pm (UTC)(link)
[ There are a lot of questions he could ask about that but for now he focuses on the important one ]

Is Kairi your sister?

[ They’re at the stairwell now - except for a flash it’s not the familiar door but a broken wreck hanging off off one hinge ready to collapse with a firm push. He blinks, suddenly nauseous, but before he can do more than open his mouth another of those pulls catches them both

And they’re at halfway up a set of stairs somewhere in the hotel
]
guideslight: (worry)

[personal profile] guideslight 2022-09-03 09:13 pm (UTC)(link)
El! Are you okay? [ Sora is worried more about the other then his own feeling of dizziness. He seemed rather pale but before Sora could even use his curaga spell, he felt the pull again and summoned his Keyblade again instead. ]

I mean, it makes it easier going up the stairs but come on!

lvb: (Thinking Hard)

[personal profile] lvb 2022-09-04 10:45 am (UTC)(link)
[ He does not appreciate being caught by demon magic one bit and the combined irritation of that and the nickname makes him bark ]

Ell! Two!

[ L.L glances over his shoulder at the boy, his tactic already clear - teenager, kind enough to be socially adept, is close enough to the opposite sex to try rescue one. He softens himself as much as he can ]

That’s the name I chose when I proposed to my wife and left my old life behind. You disrespect my vow of eternal love by cutting my name in half.

[ Though he looks barely three years older than Sora ]
guideslight: (pout)

[personal profile] guideslight 2022-09-05 02:10 pm (UTC)(link)
Fine!! Ell Two! It's a weird name, though, I don't know why you chose it like that!

[ Sora pouts for a second before speaking again. ]

You aren't that much older then me. There's no way!
lvb: (trust me)

[personal profile] lvb 2022-09-05 10:18 pm (UTC)(link)
[ He snorts at that comment ]

That's what I said to 'See Two' when we first met: That doesn't even sound like a human name. And yet there I went, joining her.

[ He can see, if he concentrates carefully, that not all of the stairs are fully whole. He carefully picks his way up, fully expecting Sora to follow him as he heads to the nearest landing to see where they are ]

And I only look young. I'm actually thirty, I've been married for a nearly a decade.... we're on the opposite side of the hotel!

[ And on the fifth floor, according to the sign. He frowns deeply at this revelation ]
guideslight: (Default)

[personal profile] guideslight 2022-09-06 11:31 am (UTC)(link)
[ Sora did not seem to need to squint, just hopping in the exact right places to get to where L.L. is, dismissing the keyblade once more. He put his hands on the back of his neck. ]

You don't look like you're that old! [ Sora just frowned when L.L. pointed out they were on a completely different part of the building. ]

Is this place always like this?
lvb: (Thinking Hard)

[personal profile] lvb 2022-09-06 12:36 pm (UTC)(link)
[ He doesn’t justify that comment on his age with a reply - the teleportation mystery is more important. He trots down the stairs again to where they appeared from, peering about for any clues ]

Ten days after I arrived the hotel was overtaken by lava - apparently a punishment from God. We were all shipped to an island for a month and when we returned the hotel was as good as new.

[ He rolls his eyes ]

Obviously that was an illusion to hide this damage

[ Speaking of illusions… ]

That key that keeps appearing in your hand - what is it? Where’s it coming from?
guideslight: (worry)

[personal profile] guideslight 2022-09-08 12:50 am (UTC)(link)
Lava? You're serious? [ Sora was enough of a Island Boy to know exactly what that could potentially mean. Then how come this place was even standing? Though, since this is clearly magic, that's probably why...but how could lava event affect magic?

Taking the distraction from L.L. regarding the Keyblade, he held it up with the brightest grin. ]


It's called the Keyblade and it comes from...I guess my heart? I'm not sure on the logistics but I just summon it and it comes.
lvb: (innocent surprise)

[personal profile] lvb 2022-09-09 02:38 pm (UTC)(link)
A Keyblade? What do you use it for?

[ It doesn't look sharp... he reaches out and grabs the shaft of the key, curious whether it feels like metal. If it comes from the heart can Sora feel him touch it? Is it hollow or is it solid metal? How heavy is it?? ]

May I hold it?
guideslight: (Default)

[personal profile] guideslight 2022-09-10 05:54 pm (UTC)(link)
Well, mostly I use it to defeat heartless and a bunch of bad guys, but it can also close or open hearts...depending on what you need it for.

[ Sora pushed the Keyblade into L.L.s hand, knowing it would just come back fo him after a moment. He just hoped it wouldn't jerk like it sometimes did when it came back...he didn't want the other to topple down the stairs. ]
lvb: (Perplexed)

[personal profile] lvb 2022-09-10 06:49 pm (UTC)(link)
[ It doesn’t send him on a tumble thankfully, but he’s still frowning lightly as he turns the ridiculous key over in his hands, touching its prongs and grip with focused interest.

That description nets Sora a glare
]

I forbid you from opening or closing any part of me without my sober and explicit permission.

[ And with that the key suddenly vanishes from him grip. He blinks down - magic, why is there so much magic in this place? The idea that he’s surrounded by illusions covering up dirt and destruction and disease he could be stepping in right this second is enough to make him scream.

But only children scream, so he abruptly spins on his heel, offering a dismissive wave over his shoulder
]

Contact me if your keyblade works on the demons - but don’t test it unless you’re already being dragged to the torture rooms.
guideslight: (Default)

[personal profile] guideslight 2022-09-10 06:53 pm (UTC)(link)
Wait..! What is that about?! I totally was just answering your question!

[ Sora stomped a little as he dismissed the keyblade. ]

Fine, but if you get lost don't blame me!!