penancememes | TEST DRIVE MEME #42

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TEST DRIVE MEME #42

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 an old fashioned kingdom.

The demon stationed outside the entrance 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 weary bodies, or recommend ways to spend their time while they're in these new lands. Sorry about the confusion, Hell is just undergoing some rather unhappy changes.

Stand Your Ground

The mermaids have been contained and returned to Mammon or destroyed, depending on just how naughty they were, and something resembling calm has returned to Mammon's lands! Mostly. We'll just ignore the pesky looming threat of a cult insistent on the death of all things. Mammon has his army on it. They will be kept at bay, so relax and enjoy the final month inthese lands!

Besides, now that the villainous (according to Mammon) Dreq has been apprehended and locked in the basements next to Barbas, no one has to worry about siren songs drawing them out to the waters. He is in his dragon form now, chained securely to the floor. Visitors are allowed, but it is ill-advised. Anyone who attempts to plot with him or free him will find themselves in a cell for up to three days.

Other than finally taking care of one menace, it seems that Mammon's lands have taken on a very loud pink, red, and white theme for February. Heart decorations abound, along with the sickly sweet smell of roses and perfume lingering in the air everywhere. It seems like Mammon's demons take the season of love very seriously and the excitement is in the air wherever you go.

With a more debauched tone to it. They're demons and don't quite understand love so much as possession and greed and lust, but ah well... it's the thought that counts.

Lilith is also rather busy overseeing the construction of a platform where the portal to and from Mammon's island and Penance will stand. It's a joyous thing, she insists, showing two lands in Hell coming together in ways not generally done. She promises that it will be ready for all to use very soon. Not only that, but it will be remaining open!

That means going forward, Hell is going to be an even bigger space than usual, with commute between two majestic kingdoms very possible.

Reach Up High

PROMPT I

Punishments can only be pushed back and forgotten for so long before Lucifer has to listen to his Father and dole out his duties. At least he was thoughtful enough to keep this one Valentine's themed! Maybe with just a tiny bit of input from their gracious host.

Starting in the morning at the beginning of February, sinners may receive a candy heart. A goblin will come knocking early, tap, tap, tapping until the door is opened at last. "A heart full just for you!" it will squeak out, shoving the tiny heart-shaped box at the recipient before rushing off.

Looking inside, there will be an actual human heart that seems to still beat somehow. Upon it is carved a sin from another sinner. Great or small written out, there's a letter contained within the box explaining the game.

A sinner was chosen at random to have their heart plucked from their chest. While the sinner lives still, the recipient of the heart will have to decide if the sin is worthy of forgiveness. If so, they may return the heart to its owner.

If not? The recipient may choose to keep the heart and in a matter of two days, the sinner will die and revive. Alternatively, the recipient may choose to control the unfortunate sinner and guide them into redeeming themselves however they so choose. ~~Or whatever mischief they decide~~.

Of course, if the recipient of the heart chooses to manipulate the owner, they will gain the sin of manipulation added to their list.

If the recipient decides the sin is worthy of forgiveness, both sinners will receive one sin each removed from their lists.

If the sinner is allowed to die, then they will have failed this challenge and no sins will be removed from either contract.

To return the heart, recipients will be able to magically place the heart back in the owner's chest.

Prompt II

Mammon has a simple request of sinners, and the promise of removing one sin as a reward! Earlier in the month, a host of critters were let loose. Most of them are harmless, but they are spreading throughout Hell like wildfire, populating the dimension rapidly. Mammon asks that sinners round them up and return them to the local demons. Adopting them will be acceptable if sinners take care of them. Mammon is a bit sentimental! Don't treat the little fellows badly.

Follow Me Down

PROMPT I

While most of the creatures Dreq and company freed were captured, there seems to be some precocious little cherub-like fairies fluttering around, complete with little heart arrows they are not afraid to use.

Instead of malice, these little guys do genuinely think they're helping by flying around and shooting unsuspecting people with their miniature arrows!

Depending on the type, multiple effects can happen, including:

Lust
Love
Obsession
Hatred
Envy

The effects will last up to 24 hours and be focused on the first person the sinner puts eyes on. These little pests will remain fluttering around for the next couple of weeks, so it is possible that sinners will have multiple encounters during this time! Might as well try to enjoy it!

Prompt II

After the demonic hosted dating app goes live, sinners who match are invited to one of the local taverns for a very romantic affair! All tables are decorated with pink and white clothes, with rose petals scattered about. There are pink drinks being served, both alcoholic and non, as well as heart-shaped steaks. Jars of white chocolates are on each table to pick at while guests enjoy their company for the evening. Romantic music even plays in the background!

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.

And without further ado: Welcome to our new TDM for the February 1st app round! 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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His own. There was a deep-rooted fear involved in that, that someone could have such power and control over him. The only people he would have trusted with such influence were the ones he lived with and perhaps Diana. Anyone else either weren’t here or had already left.

“Yes,” he admitted quietly. “Company and help.”

He covered the box once more, before looking at Caleb. “In the off chance that they are unwilling to give it up, I think I can trust you to acquire it in my place.” There was an unspoken by any means necessary; he was too strong to be the pawn of someone else.

Caleb wasn't certain that their hearts were out wandering, but he was happy to help. To return this strangers' heart, they would need to scour the village and castle until they found whoever it was. To find Essek's, if it was out there, they would have to hope that the person showed up--or that it was obvious, if they decided to toy with it.

There was a protectiveness blooming in his chest. He nodded. The trust felt content and right, and the unspoken part of those things, that Caleb was capable of the sort of dirty pool that might be necessary.

"Let's start in the castle and work our way out from there?"

If someone did have Essek's heart and decided to toy with it, they wouldn't find out until after the fact. The thought was a looming, terrifying prospect, one that made the nervousness settle in his eyes and impossible to hide from Caleb. As much as he wanted to get this one back to its rightful owner, he was more worried about getting his own returned...if it was even out there.

The nod was slight, distracted. "Yes, that sounds best. There are far more people there than out here." It was strange going from living in a breathing, large city to the quiet cottage on the outskirts. Essek hadn't thought he would like it, and yet there was a peace with it that he could appreciate.

He missed a good library, though. One that was closer.

"Have you seen Mollymauk? Does he still have his heart?"

"He was out early this morning. I saw him when he got out of bed, but he's been off adventuring."

They ought to stick together. Even now, in this place that was more stable, more calm, than where they normally live, they ought to stick together. But Caleb couldn't be the person that limits either Mollymauk or Essek.

"I was heading out for groceries. It's my turn to make dinner tonight. But this takes precedence."

Adventuring? It was a vague term but it fit the situation rather perfectly; Mollymauk went where the wind and whim took him for the day. While the worry bloomed in Essek, he made an effort not to let it consume him. At least, not completely.

"Perhaps we can entertain in the tower tonight," he posed, floating carefully down the walkways. If they couldn't make it to the market and eat, then perhaps the cats could make something on their behalf. "I believe this little quest might exhaust me."

Both of them, really, if Caleb kept on.

"Yes, happily," Caleb said with a nod. This would take time, effort, and focus, for hours. A different sort of research. He did not think that it would tax either of them too much, merely that they would spend a long time at it. It would be good to have the Tower.

"I was thinking," he said as they walked on. Caleb kept his attention outward, looking for any signs of someone that might have Essek's heart, or for anyone looking for theirs. "I was thinking of scaling the Tower back a little. It is nice to have some spare rooms, but I don't think we need all of them, do you? Just bring it down to something a little more...homey."

He loved the idea of their home together. And they could have that, in so many layers of it. Their suite back in the hotel, the little cabin here, if they wanted to keep it. And the Tower, when they could have it. Perhaps, if it were smaller, they could keep it longer.

There was a curious little glance to him as he nodded. It made sense, when all of the Nein weren't staying in it any more, when the rooms most needed - for Mollymauk, for Essek - weren't ones necessarily included in the original. Homages, sure, but not actual rooms.

Maybe, too, Caleb had grown beyond the rooms that he hid.

"May I request that you keep one room?" He didn't think that he needed to specify; the beacon room made him feel close to home, to Verin, and if he wasn't in the library, he would spend his time there. Besides, it reminded him of a rather sweet moment in the early days, when they were still figuring each other out.

"But otherwise, yes. As long as there is a place for us to rest together and read."

"I think we're stuck with that one forever," Caleb said, his voice and smile tinged with a life led from fear and misuse. He was happier now, more content, than he had been in the past decade, the combination of his last years at Vergessen and all the years on the run. But Essek's request for the room of stars was an extension of Caleb; he could no more remove that from the Tower than he could the rooms of memory.

Maybe, though, those would change. Maybe, over time, there would be different ones that filled those rooms.

"There will be. I am learning what the two of you like, and I think it will still be good, the next time we try. We all deserve a little extra indulgence with that Tower."

But first, the heart. As they crossed into the main part of Mammon's village, the almost familiar thatched and tiled roofs and cobbled streets that Caleb had first arrived in almost two years ago, Caleb headed straight for the castle, where the majority of people stayed while they were stuck here. They would have better luck finding whoever they were looking for--and any other interlopers--there.

"I must admit, I am happy to hear that." Essek still had the beacon, and what better place to study it than in that room. Carefully, of course. Patiently. But at least he wouldn't be interrupted by Mollymauk.

Eyes flickered along the village, peering for anyone that could be suspicious as they lacked something so vital. He did will the heart itself to bring the person who it belonged to them; would that grant him a sin? Perhaps. But he only wished to return the heart to them, so it was gray, hazy line at best.

The castle walls loomed over them, and he was unbothered to walk inside.

"What would you have our rooms look like?"

Caleb would not judge if they used the heart to draw their venture to a close. It was pragmatic, curious, directed for a single purpose. No doubt, that would be marked with a sin. But how could it be, when it was something so fundamental to both of them?

The judgements in this place didn't bother Caleb, particularly. They were what they were. And he had always been driven, pragmatic, curious, striven. It would not change here.

"I think," he said, because he was still considering these things, "they'll be connected. We'll have our own private spots, doors to shut if we need to, space to make our own. But everything will fit together. Maybe the bedrooms will be just that, with a large tub. And then the rest can be other things. The library, of course. A laboratory. Somewhere for Molly to practice with his swords. And the cats."

Sins mattered, Essek supposed. Too long in here without progress and wouldn't they all turn into a demon or some such thing? They were supposed to have weight and consequence, but it was difficult to fear them when redemption would take him from the only people he cared for.

Essek looked around for anyone drawing closer to them and saw nothing. No recognition, no pull. It was a customary and familiar day.

"A connected bathroom with a large tub," he offered. "But yes, that sounds nice. Perhaps we can read to one another as we did in the library." Steamy and inappropriate, but it had been fun to laugh at a book so wretched.

"You have always strived so hard to make a home for all of us."

Caleb nodded, simple agreement. A large tub, maybe sunk into the floor, always warm and inviting, for any combination of the three of them to indulge in. A bookshelf or two. A large bed to share, and smaller ones when they needed their space. He blushed, just a little, at the mention of the book, as if that were one of the more scandalous things he'd done since being here and have them.

The last, though, made him look over at Essek. Of course his friends had all said it at some point or another, but it had been a while. The Tower was ubiquitous now. It was part of what let them get through these things. But that wasn't what Essek meant, was it?

"Yes," he said, quiet and small for a moment. "I can offer that much, at least."

Here. The Tower. Jrusar. The house in Rexxentrum. That effort was always beautiful and careful and thoughtful, led by Caleb. Essek understood why, understood that longing; it was the thing he feared losing when his own darkened truths came to light. But Caleb was there to make sure he had a place, that this whole band of misfits and criminals had a place.

And being in Hell changed nothing.

If his hands weren't busy holding a boxed beating heart, he might have kissed him.

"I wish I could fill that home with everyone that you are missing," he said softly. "But for now, I hope Mollymauk and I can suffice."

It was a sentence that spoke to all of their melancholy, missing people from home. Of course Caleb wished that they were here to fill the quiet corners of their spaces--Beau and Veth to help with research, his sisters, Jester to cheer everyone on, a variable ray of sunshine even on her darkest and quietest days; Fjord and Caduceus for insight, Yasha for the understanding of loss that could never be regained. Yussa. Verin. Astrid and Eadwulf.

When he had arrived here, he had resigned to never seeing any of them again. Then Essek had arrived. Then Molly. Then, even, Lucien. There had been none since then, and Caleb didn't let himself hope that one day, in the wave of newly damned, he would see a familiar face, a flash of color, a voice he knew like his own.

"You and Mollymauk more than suffice," he assured, placing a hand on Essek's elbow briefly. "You are everything to me."

Essek didn’t want the hand to go away, wanted it to slide around him and hold him close. It wouldn’t, not out in public, not while he held this ghoulish box, but that selfish want was there.

He wished they were home, or in the Tower. Just somewhere private rather than dealing with the worst errand one could think of.

“And you are mine,” he said softly. This place had allowed him that, this connection that was hard fought and forever growing. Would he have to fear outgrowing Caleb here? No. There was a peace and comfort in that.

“Never doubt what you are to me, Caleb Widogast,” he said with a fond smile. “Otherwise, I shall have to spend all my time and energy reminding you in whatever way you want.”

A gentle blush works over Caleb's cheeks, charmed and fond and deeply in love. He smiles back at Essek, and if it were not for the gory, macabre box Essek was still holding, he might have leaned over and kissed him.

They came into the castle, then, which was not quite as lively at this time of day as the rest of the village was, but was still neatly populated. Still, no one had approached them so far, and Caleb wasn't sure that anyone would--particularly since Caleb wasn't bearing a box of his own to encourage those who had lost or misplaced in this situation.

But, while they had a moment to themselves, Caleb murmured to Essek, "I would not mind seeing how you remind me, ja?"

It was Essek’s turn to blush.

It was strange to be thinking of something so intimate and sweet when they were holding something so opposing of what should allow those feelings of affection. The idea of leaving the box for it to be found by someone else was rather strong, but he didn’t want someone to do the same for him should it come down to it. Especially for a reason like this.

His gaze flickered out to everyone before he sighed.

“As soon as we get this back to the correct owner, we can explore that,” he said, looking around with sharper eyes now that he had a motivation. “Although if you would like to give suggestions on how you would like to be reminded, I am listening.”

It was a pleasant promise, a compromise that Caleb was happy to hold onto. He gave Essek a soft, small smile. What would become of them if they never found the owner of this heart? He was sure they could leave it somewhere, but perhaps it would be better to keep it until something else happened to it, if they never found the owner.

"Hm," he said softly, just for Essek. "I can certainly think of some things. Especially if we are breaking in the new rooms. There will be plenty of books to read, after all."

What a teasing and wonderful way to put it.

The words were enough to make his heartbeat a little faster, a little harder, while fingers gripped the box tight. His ears pinked and -

A thought struck him. His gaze went the box, before back up at Caleb. His blush had spread as he quietly asked:

"Do you believe the heart can hear us?"

That wasn't exactly what he meant. "If my words and will can make the owner fall under my control, then is it safe to assume that this...intimate talk could influence them as well? Such as something similar to an aphrodisiac?"

Caleb tilted his head slightly. He hadn't, honestly, considered it--but now that he did, he was apt to keep his mouth shut until they figured out the recipient they sought.

But the way Essek put it, that curious beginnings to an investigation, made Caleb raise a brow slowly. The two of them knew exactly what aphrodisiacs in Hell were like, and he wasn't sure that a bit of talking was nearly the same at all.

"Are you curious?" he asked, a tiny note of teasing in the edge of that deadpan question.

Essek watched that brow go up and he knew how Caleb would ask the question before it even passed his lips. He sighed as if exasperated, and shook his head.

Then, that wasn't entirely true either.

"I am simply curious on the extent of this magic, that is all." Which was reasonable, yes? "Besides, need I remind that manipulating this person nets me another sin. We shouldn't want that, I hear."

Warranting more time here. Together. A little more demony but a little more together.

"Then again, does an experiment count as manipulation?"

"Of course. Simply curious." Caleb smirked, just a little bit, as Essek did his best impression of being offended or concerned about the whole process. He considered the box, and the heart, and the thought of a sin impressed on Essek's record.

Teasingly, he asked, "Did they repeat sins? Or just add a tally mark each time? I have not checked recently to see if some of mine have been accumulating."

Then, he gently took the box from Essek. The gift was addressed to him, after all; perhaps if he was holding it and being a little silly about the whole thing, they would find a loophole.

"I do not think experimentation and curiosity are manipulation at all. We are still looking to return this. And not implementing against it specifically."

“I hear they become ‘Super Sins’, then ‘Ultimate Sins’,” he joked dryly. “If you get all ‘Ultimate Sins’, you become Sin King for a day.”

He let Caleb take the box, glad to have his hands rid of the beating, pulsing thing. He wondered if Caleb would have influence on it the same way that Essek would. Were sins allowed for everyone? Or was he guilty by letting his husband do what he willed.

“And what experiments would you like to run with it? Safely, of course.”

Caleb snorted, and smiled at Essek, a small thing that threatened to become so big and bright that it would hurt his face. His eyes were bright, and absolutely adoring. in that moment, as in so many, he loved Essek entirely.

But there was a strange, gently throbbing heart in a box to think of. So Caleb considered it for a moment, looking down at it, and then over to his husband.

"Well, we can just keep talking like we have been," he said with a shrug. "Surely there's nothing sinful about a conversation between husbands while we look for your...recipient. And if anything happens, isn't that the choice of whoever this belongs to?"

When Caleb was feeling fond, it lit him up, ignited him brighter than any sun. Essek fell more and more in love with him every time he did, and even now, he couldn’t help himself feel himself grow more and more wrapped up in adoration.

“I don’t know if I would say ‘choice’,” he reminded him. “That implies an abundant of free will that this place is hardly known for.”

But that hadn’t stopped Essek and Caleb from finding one another. He wasn’t sure there was anything that could, and he preferred it that way.

“So then, what else would like my husband like to tell me? Do you have any ideas you would like to try?”

TEST DRIVE MEME #42

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