penancememes | TEST DRIVE MEME #38

Entry tags:

!tdm

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.

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.

Navigation | Premise | Arrival | FAQ
Rules | Taken | Reserves | Applications
Network | Logs | OOC | Memes

Flat | Top-Level Comments Only

He frowned and nodded, "Yes..." It had been... worrying. "I wonder if it is something that everyone is experiencing?"

He hadn't heard others speak about it, but then again he hadn't spoken to many others, he often kept himself to himself.

"As... long as it's not just me," Bum breathes out. He's not going crazy. He's not hallucinating. Well, that or Suzaku also is, but losing one's mind in company sounds slightly preferable to doing so alone.

He leans in a little so he can whisper.

"I think it's true. W-what if everything around us is made of ash?.. What if we just can't-- see it?"

He definitely looks and sounds like somebody with a tinfoil hat, what with those dark bags under his eyes and a generally unkempt look, but there's something else. Desperation. To be believed, perhaps, or at least not brushed aside.

"I..." He looked around, frowning, "I hope not." But it was true that they could be made to see what was not there, their minds were not exactly there own. Not in hell.

But surely... "What would be the point? It's not as if we can go anywhere, why hide the truth?"

"Maybe-- they want us calm," Bum supplies helpfully. Not that he could talk, but most people seemed rather cooperative with the situation overall. "Maybe... the dinner is actually spiders..."

He hasn't really been eating properly since the whole glitching thing started, for exactly this reason. It's all too easy to imagine what really might be filling that rice bowl, and he's gone without food for days before. It's fine. He's fine.

"Maybe we're all -- sleeping in ash and tar. Maybe--"

Maybe Suzaku wants to stop him before he really freaks himself out any further. Or he could validate his guesses instead.

Perhaps. Perhaps they wanted them calm and cooperative. But they had already proven they could just twist their minds, so why keep them as themselves?

All worrying thoughts but more worrying is how Yoon Bum is reacting to all of this. He looked at him, forcing himself into a calmer state of mind.

"It is unlikely. They have little reason to hide it."

He made his voice firm, to try and break through whatever was happening in Yoon Bum's mind. "We are prisoners, if we are calm or not. It would be just as easy to keep us in cages in ash pits and feed us spiders if that's what they wished. We would submit eventually."

He goes still for a moment, staring at Suzaku intently, gears clearly though slowly turning in his head. The man does have a point. It's not like any of them can run away, or get out of this place. While it is possible that a displeased crowd would take more effort to control, they would all break sooner or later, right? And constantly maintaining an illusion of some sort had to be work, too.

His knuckles are still turning white from gripping that broom handle, but his eyes finally dart downwards, the more natural state for him. He must be calming down somewhat.

"It could be part of the torture," he insists half-heartedly. "Make us all think it's not that bad, and then reveal it."

"Perhaps. But it would be a very long term goal, I've been here two years already. There are people who have been here and then left." To redemption or some other worse fate, he hadn't decided what he believed yet.

"Nothing here lasts that long."

He considers arguing, but even if he's not convinced, he doesn't feel like acting contrary. Besides, he's just heard something even more interesting.

"People can... leave?"

"People disappear..." He nodded, "There are theories that they leave, but where they go... We aren't sure. Sins vanish off our lists though."

So perhaps redemption was possible.

"So then, do you think --" he hesitates, and slowly starts mopping again. "Has... anybody been released because of-- clearing their list?"

He's not particularly interested in that for himself - he has nowhere to go, after all. But he's curious. And maybe a little scared of losing some good people.

"I don't know." It's true, he doesn't. "I know people who have left, but I don't know if they had cleared their list."

It wasn't something he really talked to people about after all.

He doubts it. From what he's seen, a lot of those "sins" were things that people couldn't simply change.

"Did any of them... come back?"

He'd rather ask what happens to the ones that leave, but he expects yet another I don't know to that question.

"I think a couple do, I've seen people who I thought gone, return. As far as I know they don't remember being gone, but..."

He sighed. "I don't know that many people."

"I... see." He could ask how come Suzaku has spend over two years here and barely knows anybody, but honestly, he's the last person to judge him on that. He's been here for months and he's only had real conversations with what, two, three people?

Instead he'll quietly freak out over the fact that apparently anyone could disappear, at any time. What if it's Steve's turn? Was he even capable of making any more friends, or would he just suffer alone until the unknown claimed him, too?

He doesn't even notice that there seems to be some sort of skittering noises coming from the drain inlet of the pool further ahead.

He has spoken to quite a few people, but people he actually knows well enough to keep track of where few and far between.

He's not sure how to help, what to say that might stop Yoon Bum from worrying so much, but instead he freezes, turning around in the direction of the drain.

He gestures to Yoon Bum to get behind him, he might be underestimating the kid but he didn't seem like a fighter.

Honestly, he's probably still overestimating him. Despite (barely managing to) getting through the mandatory army service back home, Bum's probably the furthest thing from a fighter one could find in Hell. Most of the time, anyway. He had his little moments of showing some spine every now and then, but today is not that day.

He glances between Suzaku and the source of the noises in surprise, and a bit of confusion, but does as told and backs away to hide behind the other man, the broom still in his hands, now raised like a weapon.

"What-- what's going on?"

Just like on cue, the drain lid flies into the air as if thrown by a giant spring, and a mass of fuzzy, spider-like creatures roughly the size of a small dog pour out of the drain.

Suzaku doesn't have a weapon on him, he's put down the bucket. He can fight without one, trained in unarmed fighting as well as with a sword, gun or knightmare.

He doesn't answer the question, just readies himself, not taking his eye off the drain even before the lid is flung into the air and the spiders appear.

He's seen the spiders before, his roommate had a bunch as pets. He keeps Yoon Bum behind him and watches for now, if the spiders are just moving somewhere else there is no point in fighting.

In his experience they aren't violent, but who knew, spiders not raised by Peter perhaps were. He's ready.

The spiders are probably not too dangerous, but they're definitely prone to bite people when they haven't been trained better -- and, apparently, the pair of humans nearby look like a prime example of snacks, because what looks like a ball of spiders haphazardly move toward them.

If Suzaku doesn't come up with a plan fast, well, Bum is going to scream and shove the tumblespider away with the broom. Which... works, sort of. It starts rolling away, but then it just breaks up into multiple spiders instead.

Many spiders is perhaps better than a ball of spiders, or perhaps not. Suzaku doesn't know but it's obvious that Bum is frightened and these spiders are determined to attack.

Not as docile as Peter's. He spins around, kicking out at the nearest spider, sending it crashing into another. He barely pauses before kicking another, and another. He is a whirwind, moving fast and going for brute strength rather than any real sense of accuracy.

Though he hopes to take them down he is also hoping the display will shock them, if they are some kind of pack, to leave them alone.

This is... a little bit of an overkill, honestly, going all martial arts on a bunch of critters, but Bum is impressed either way. So impressed that he will, in fact, be inching away both from the spiders and from Suzaku. Good thing they're on friendly terms... he thinks?

The spiders persist for a little while, but once enough of them have been punted away, the rest decide to try their luck elsewhere and scurry out of the pool in a random direction to terrorize the rest of the hotel.

"What... was that?" He hasn't yet had experience with long furbies or their derivatives, and this was too much like a nightmare gone real.

Luckily it works, they scatter and he pauses, seeing how Yoon Bum has moved away from him, as well as the spiders.

It's not the first time Suzaku has frightened someone, he just looks down and shrugs.

"One of the many demonic creatures that live here. They probably moved inside to avoid everything that has been happening."

Ah.

The creatures might be disgusting and scary, but they were also afraid, it seems. It's true that the conditions around the hotel were getting steadily worse, and suddenly Bum feels bad about disturbing them. Sure, the drain was not exactly a good place to have animals, but --

"Do you think -- we should build a shelter for them or something?.."

"A shelter?" He looked at Yoon Bum in surprised, the boy had seemed frightened just moments ago but now sought to help these creatures.

A gentle soul. "We could try."

He was sure he could figure out how to build a spider shelter, it wouldn't be that difficult.

He is absolutely still frightened. He's also overflowing with empathy for everything ugly and unwanted, just as he perceives himself, and in the current high-stress state it seems very important to try and do anything good. At the same time, he knows the spiders are considered pests, but... they had been hiding, and they were afraid...

He squeezes his eyes shut and shakes his head, trying to clear his thoughts. "I -- I'm not sure if it's a good idea," he admits, glancing at Suzaku before his gaze shifts downward again, "but this just... seems sad, you know?.."

He nodded, looking down at the boy with a soft expression. "It is a good idea." He's not sure what's going on with him but if this was something he wanted to do then Suzaku would help.

He really did seem to gentle and afraid to be in hell. "Do you know how to build shelters for animals?"

Letting him take the lead on it.

Flat | Top-Level Comments Only

TEST DRIVE MEME #38

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject