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penancememes2022-08-24 10:35 pm
penancemods) wrote in 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.
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
[Setsuna answers slow, with a frown, his wings droop as the fight seems to calm in him.]
Let me guess? Those fucking tvs got you, too? [Dammit! He wanted to be angry! But, he had gone through this, and it wasn't fun.]
no subject
Yes, and that face-stealing demon has left me endless complications.
[ He picks up his phone and plays a message, watching Setsuna carefully for his reaction ]
Did you send this to me?
no subject
No. You, err, the other you, commanded me to announce you every time we walked in a room. Kinda pompous.
[He frowns.] I'm not looking for revenge or anything. Especially since that wasn't even you. Well, you not normally like that, are you? 'Cause if you are, I might need to punch you.
no subject
No, not at all. I abdicated a decade ago and I've been living a happy life in obscurity ever since. That creature was pretending to sincerely enjoy everything I hated about my culture's worship of their rulers.
[ He's regained his equanimity with that small task. He turns, drawing himself up his full height to address with humility this man as wronged as he'd been by that demon in disguise ]
May we leave the bathroom... I don't know your name? Ignore whatever that thing called itself. I'm 'Ell Two'.
no subject
Uh, well, Ell, I'm Setsuna Mudou. But yeah, uh, let's get out of here.
[Setsuna rubs the back of his neck. He should have walked his way out earlier, but for some reason he had been too stunned to do so. He does so right then, back out of the door way.]
no subject
Ell Two, not Ell. My name has two syllables. Otherwise, I wish only that we could have met in better circumstances.
[ He leads them from the bathroom to his personal sewing room, murmuring all the while. At least his suitemates aren’t around to give him looks for entertaining guests in the shared bathroom ]
Have you heard of the United States of America? Apparently the traitor Washington actually won his rebellion in every other reality that’s represented in this place.
[ And it’s weird that such a footnote in history has been a major turning point in all these other worlds. ]
In my reality his faction lost, and in 1815 the royal family of Great Britain moved the seat of their court to that land and formally renamed the continent Britannia.
By your name I assume you’re Japanese?
[ Though what a strange reality Setsuna’s from, if people have wings. He drapes himself onto the bed and gestures for Setsuna to choose a corner of the mattress between the bolts of cloth or to make use of the single chair. ]
no subject
Yeah, of course I've heard of America. Traitor.... [His face scrunches up for a second, then it starts to fall into place as L.L. explains.]
Wait! You're British!
I'm Japanese, yeah. But three-quarters. I'm one quarter British. My grandfather on my mom's side was from London.
[People don't have wings where Setsuna's from. Angels do, though. That's one of those things that might need to be asked. There's a frown as L.L. takes the only chair. Fine. Setsuna seats himself on the bed, on a corner so his wings can drape off the sides.]
no subject
[ Sometimes he hates everyone in this place ]
My family moved to Brit - North America almost two hundred years before my birth. Had I lived in your reality I would have been born in Mexico. But I’m familiar with Japan. I moved there at nine to study as part of a diplomatic programme and stayed until I was eighteen.
[ There’s no need to mention the part where right off those years were after his father invaded the country. He strokes his face with his fingers as he considers Setsuna’s wings ]
Do all people have wings, or do they only come from one of your bloodlines?
no subject
North America? Uh. Weird.
[Yeah, the invasion can probably go without a mention. At least for now.]
Uh...people? No. People don't have wings like this. It's not because of my bloodline, either. I'm a reincarnated angel. So I have wings because of her. [Then there's the whole wings stuck in Hell thing....]
no subject
Do you remember your previous life? How does your experience of death and reincarnation compare to your death and descent to Hell?
no subject
Eh, they're both terrible. [Setsuna shrugs.] But they both have good things, too. I've just died a lot. But I didn't die to come to Hell.
I don't think everyone here is dead.
no subject
I died myself ten years ago. Or shall I say, my soul left my body and crossed over to the other side, but my body lived on, a shell waiting to be filled again. I was in but not of the collective unconsciousness… and death is peaceful. It’s a reunion with the dead and never-born and there’s no punishment, for the consequences of our lives end the moment we shed our material forms.
I was there for a year, lying on the surface of that vast pool of souls, and I was at peace.
You’re right, we aren’t dead. Or if we died, we’ve been given mortal shells again. This whole place is a power-crazed trick
no subject
That death sounds way better than this place. But...you died that long ago? And only came here now? Isn't that kind of odd?
I don't know. I've been here three years, and I'm still not sure.
[He looks around him as he says that.] I mean, I guess, I don't remember dying, but I could've died and maybe I don't remember it?
no subject
[ Though he has his theories about what memory manipulations might be involved. He hopes he’s only been made to forget days, not centuries… but there’s no guarantees.
But Setsuna obviously doesn’t have any useful information so L.L shrugs lightly, letting the subject drop ]
If you’ve found no answers in three years I assume it will remain a mystery. I suppose all one can do is adapt to the present circumstances.
no subject
Well, might just be me. I'm not doing my best 'cause I keep getting confused and side-tracked.
no subject
[ And yes, he says that with the supreme confidence of a man who rates his ability to focus highly ]
Does the mind-altering become easier to endure with time?
no subject
[There's a shake his of head.] You would think it would. But no. It really doesn't. Not much does. Even the pain.... I've still not gotten used to that. Not really.
no subject
[ And he's been bracing himself knowing that as he gets older the probability he'd be tortured by someone fearful of an immortal will become a certainty... but it's not easy. It's not going to be easy. He huffs ]
This is depressing. And I haven't even had my breakfast! [ Never mind that it's far past 10am by now... ]
no subject
You have a wife? Back home? [Because...that's bad. Setsuna misses his girlfriend, every day, even after three years. He keeps it to himself and tries to focus on the present, but he can't always do that.]
But yeah. My past life...she's been through a lot of different deaths. And so have I. It doesn't seem to get better.
Uh...why don't you get breakfast already?
no subject
[ He strolls out the room, asking over his shoulder as he heads to the kitchenette ]
Would you like some chai? It’s the only way I’ve found to make pumpkin spice tea palatable.
[ Breakfast itself is simply a buttered bread roll and an apple he liberated from the feast the previous evening. He gets on with prepping the chai as he keeps on talking ]
I’ll return to her soon. [ He believes this ] I want to return home before my mortal friends die, but for her? We’re forever bound to wander the earth, until we eventually forget how we even came to meet. Life is less urgent with just the two of us. If she’s found someone else to pass the time with… they’ll only be mortal.
[ And if she’s setting them up to become an immortal and relieve her of that terrible curse? He’ll kill them. ]
no subject
Sure. I'll take some.
I hope you return to her. I've been stuck here for a bit. So have a few others I know.
How'd you end up bound to each other like that, anyway? and immortal?
no subject
[ He sounds both very smug and very fond as he recounts his tale. ]
I promised that I’d make her smile… and immediately turned around and planned my own spectacular assassination, as I’d made such a mess with that magic the only way to fix everything was to die. I should have suspected something when she agreed to help me with that plan; it turned out that in a battle with another immortal I’d accidentally stolen his immortality.
[ He leaves the saucepan on the stove simmering with milk and spiced tea to fetch a pair of mugs for them both, talking all the while ]
I died, she stole my body, my body revived and she spent a year trying to fish my soul out of the afterlife. After I made my peace with unexpectedly being alive again I realised that I couldn’t ignore that my heart had become entirely hers. Since she was C.C I became L.L, and I’ve followed her on her endless wandering ever since, making sure she’s always had a reason to smile.
[ He pours out the tea and passes a mug to Setsuna.
Ahh, he misses his C.C now ]
no subject
Sounds like you're both a little crazy. But work together. [Somehow, that always works out, and he's learned to stop questioning it. Besides, he's always been a sucker for a love story, no matter how it went.]
Definitely love, either way.
[He sips at the tea, still processing the information he was given.]
no subject
Crazy? Perhaps we are. A sensible person prefers to live a small life without any trouble. But I do love her, as much as she takes delight in irritating me.
[ His expression grows deeply tender for a moment as he thinks about that teasing. No one here knows how to deflate his ego and comfort him for it the way she’d mastered so long ago. He might have replaced her body in bed but he misses her ]
Do you have anyone? Here or back in your old life?