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penancememes2022-08-24 10:35 pm
penancemods) wrote in penancememes2022-08-24 10:35 pm
Entry tags:
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.
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.
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 or sample threads.
Thanks for clicking on the TDM for the upcoming September app period! As always, potential appers and characters already in game are welcomed to jump right in. This TDM counts as an additional game event as well as game canon for those coming into the game. If you app and are accepted, TDM tags become game canon and can be used for AC! Please have fun and don't hesitate to ask any questions you might have down below.
If you have questions, comments, suggestions, etc., go here.
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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. 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 or sample threads.
Thanks for clicking on the TDM for the upcoming September app period! 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.
Rules | Taken | Reserves | Applications
Network | Logs | OOC | Memes
no subject
Kavinsky knew he was invited, but there was something about performance, about reminding himself that he didn't want to be here, or that he could just be annoying enough that Steve would stop worrying and caring so much.
Now that the door was open, Kavinsky went right in like he hadn't just been being as obnoxious as possible at the door.
"Hey," he said, "you got any of that liquor that even fucks you up?"
no subject
"I have plenty of other stuff."
no subject
"You know I can get you more, right?" he said, casually. He went to Steve's kitchen because he was, in fact, now on a mission. Not for the liquor, but for something to do with his hands. "Anything you want. Almost."
no subject
Steve thought about that for a minute, "How hard is it for you to work? To make stuff I mean. Couldn't hurt to give it a try, right?" He pushed off the counter and came up behind the guy, resting his chin on Kavinsky's shoulder, "What are you doing? Is there something specific you need?"
no subject
Steve came over and started draping on him, and Kavinsky wiggled and squirmed like he wanted him to get off, but he didn't really. He hated that.
"Just snacks, man. I'm gonna make snacks if you get off my ass." He didn't sound like he wanted Steve to get off him at all. "It's--it's easier here than back home, but it's never been hard."
no subject
The wiggling didn't make Steve move, although he did consider it. Kavinsky wasn't actively trying to push him off and if he had been, Steve would have backed off. As it was, he turned his head so his nose brushed the guy's throat as he talked, "I have plenty of stuff already made up if you open the fridge, and what do you mean it's easier here? You have more control? It doesn't take as much effort?" He really had no clue how it worked.
no subject
Not that Kavinsky cared if they had.
He parsed through the questions, deciding which were important and which didn't matter at all. Eventually, he said, "What it says on the tin. More energy? More whatever."
no subject
Steve pointed at random things as Kavinsky rummaged through his kitchen, almost caring about what the guy would eat, but not enough to take over and cook. He liked hanging off Kavinsky's shoulder and listening to him talk. Besides, there was definitely something wrong with the guy. He didn't want to make it worse.
"Ok, so how does it work? You just go to sleep and wake up holding whatever you wanted?"
no subject
"I can't make food when you're barnacling," he pointed out quietly, pulling things out of the fridge and onto the counter so that he could cook. Even so, he indulged the question. It was easy enough, after all. "Yeah, actually. Exactly like that."
no subject
"You really wake up with stuff in your hands? How many beds have you broken? And how often have your hands gotten injured?"
no subject
While the food cooked, he addressed the nosy questions so much.
"Plenty, and often. You can just ask to watch me do it sometime, you know. I probably won't bring through something that'll try to kill us."
no subject
"Stay over. Sleep with me. I'll wake up first and make sure anything dangerous never gets the chance. Seriously Kavinsky. Stay with me." Because the guy never did, not for more than a few hours at most.
no subject
"How's your shoulder?" he asked with grim, morbid satisfaction. A moment later, he turned away, looking at the food.
no subject
"Have you told everyone just how perverted I am?"
no subject
He was quiet for the rest of it, or as quiet as he was capable of being at the moment. He hummed a little bit, his sneakers squeaked on the floor whenever he moved, and sometimes he'd shift and kick at the floor just to make the sound. But, after a couple minutes without words, Kavinsky turned around and put a pretty decent looking pile of stirfry between them.
"It's too quiet at my house," he said softly, like a confession.
no subject
"That looks great." Steve reached for the dish, letting his fingers slide over Kavinsky's with a soft smile, "You're always welcome here Kavinsky. It's nice having you visit."
no subject
He started stabbing and shuffling for himself, not really eating so much as picking at it.
"I know." That he was welcome. That Steve liked having him here. That was part of the problem. It was different with Billy, because they'd lived together for months and then, when he was back, they'd gotten married. He still wasn't entirely sure what Steve's angle was on all this, except someone happy to let him behave badly.
no subject
Steve ate in silence for a while, definitely getting the lion's share out of the food on offer. And it was delicious. He smiled at Kavinsky as he licked a bit of sauce off his thumb, "So, wanna talk about anything?"
no subject
He shrugged, picking at the plate a little bit. "Didn't want to feel anything for a little while. So I'm not."
no subject
Steve's eyes were soft and he forked up a decent-sized bite, "Say ah." What was the point in chewing the man out? Kavinsky knew how he felt about drug use, and he also knew why the man did it in the first place. Taking care of Kavinsky while he could was more important.
no subject
Not that people did.
"You should make me pudding sometime," he said, and leaned over to open his mouth for the offering. It felt silly, when they were both eating out of the same dish. But it made Steve happy--and Kavinsky cared about that, even if he didn't want to.
no subject
"I can do that. You have a favorite flavor? Or I can make a few if you like that better. Pudding is something I'm pretty good at." Steve preferred mousse for the texture, but pudding was pretty easy, and most people really liked it. Being able to feed people period was just good.
no subject
A slow sort of smile turned up the corner of Kavinsky's mouth. "I meant dessert in general, but sure, pudding. I forget the ESL thing isn't super obvious most of the time. Uh...rice pudding, actually, that was always a solid one."
There was no point. If he really wanted it, he'd just make it himself--really, or as a dream. But Steve looked so enthused about it, and that made Kavinsky giggle a little bit. The idea of Steve trying to find recipes for rice puddings to make him one was a little silly--but mostly it was so sickeningly sweet that it made Kavinsky want to start a fight.
He didn't.