TEST DRIVE MEME #4

[penancemods]

ARRIVAL

You remember a dream.

Or maybe nightmare is more accurate.

It was full of hellfire nipping at your skin and a sensation of being pulled down no matter how much you struggle or cry for help. There's a voice that feels like it's coming from all around you at once. Contrasting with the nightmare unfolding around you, it's smooth as silk. It makes you want to listen with every bit of attention you can muster in the moment.

"Judgement has come upon you, but not to worry. It can still be undone."

The voice promises you redemption for your sins. It promises you a better life and everything you could ever want, if only you just stop struggling so much.

And so you do.


Everyone wakes up in the same room initially. The room is done up in red with a cushy bed, a window, an old TV in the corner on a desk, and a few Hieronymus Bosch paintings lining the wall. There's a bathroom to clean up in and any belongings will be sat around the room to be gathered later. There's a duffel bag provided for your convenience.

After feeling a sensation of falling or dropping onto the bed, characters wake up feeling like they've just slept for a week. Their body will feel heavy and stiff, they'll have a massive headache at first.

They'll quickly notice the list of their sins written with their blood on a bedside table on an old piece of parchment. This will mean the list is tied to them and can't be changed or tampered with. They'll also receive their device to connect with others and the network. It won't be anything terribly fancy. As a matter of fact, it looks like a very old Blackberry type phone.

Once characters are ready to leave the room, they'll head down long, winding halls. They're dimly lit and ominous feeling. They may encounter fellow sinners or demonic staff that will direct the newcomer down to the lobby to get their actual room key to settle in. They may be pushy, they may border on courteous. It really just depends on the mood of the staff at the time and how they're treated in return. Eventually, everyone comes to stairs that lead downward.



Once down to the lobby, you'll notice the front desk manned by a demon who looks bored out of its mind. To the side of him is the door to the kitchen where guests may help themselves. To the right is a small duty free shop that seems to have a surprisingly normal, expected stock of items. Look around a bit further, there will be a tiny bar tucked in through a corner door. It seems pretty well-stocked and best of all, self-serve if you want to get away from your demonic hosts for a bit. Of course there's some seating, bar games, and a jukebox tucked in the corner if you'd rather stay and socialize a bit.

Please note that all the songs on the jukebox are appropriately hell-themed. Hopefully Sympathy for the Devil is universally loved.

STAND YOUR GROUND

Prompt I

It seems like not long after everyone has either returned from the maze or arrived fresh to hell that the storms started yet again. A bit more sporadically and not the constant downpour of the previous month, but it's still blood and fire raining from the skies, along with claps of thunder and lightning strikes that seem far too close for comfort. Fortunately, there's not as much flooding this time. Unfortunately, a particularly loud clap of thunder and lightning that strikes close to the hotel seems to leave it and surrounding establishments in the dark. Quickly, the hotel becomes a cold place, urging all guests to to move to the lobby for some warmth.

A roaring fire will be going and there will be hot drinks and snacks kindly provided by the staff while they try to work on correcting the problem.

Eventually, some rather panicked goblin-like demons come rushing up from the basement. They're half-singed and dirty looking from their adventure, so it doesn't seem to bode well for the power returning any time soon. Guests who listen closely will hear the demons apologizing profusely for 'letting them escape' and much more worrisome than that, about how it looks like there might have been some tampering going on down there. The staff is quick to tell the demons to hush and go, not to worry the guests or let word get back to Lucifer.

Once that whole scene is squared away, the staff will be urging guests to volunteer and pushing them into a drafty, creepy basement with nothing but candles and flashlights to lead the way.

It's okay, they reassure, it's not that bad down there! The lights provided all seem to flicker dangerously though, almost completely going out at times, as you descend creaky stairs to a lower level. Apparently the demons are tired of risking their hide to get the power back on, but they're quite happy to risk all the guests'.

The basement is slightly flooded in some areas, bloody rain making its way through cracks in the foundation. It reeks of dampness and mold. There are things that skitter in the corner of your eye as you venture in further. Rats, bugs, and a few smaller beasts.

No one will be given more to go on than they're looking for a breaker box to reset, and hopefully, that'll get everything back up and running again. Unfortunately, there are so many twists and turns that it gets confusing after a while... How come the basement looks much bigger than it has any right to be anyway?

The basement is also jam packed with boxes just begging to be gone through. Most of them just seem to house an odd amount of clothing and what may be personal items left from previous guests, others hold decidedly more satanic and occult items. But if there's anything you're looking for in particular, from jewelry to a coat to a rad new walkman, you'll probably find it down here.

Keep going and you'll come across a room with a heavy steel door. If anyone should venture inside, they'll see a dungeon inside. There are demons chained to the walls in various ways, strung from the ceiling, or caged up that seem to be wasting away and forgotten. If they notice you, they'll try to plead with you to let them out, bribing you with information on Lucifer that no one else knows, but it's probably for the best you don't. There seem to be a few free spaces waiting for new additions after all... and besides, they've got to be locked down there for a reason, right?

Let them go against all better judgement and they'll most likely just rattle something off while they take off running as quick as they can.

Listen closely enough and you might hear tortured screams as they're presumably killed upon reaching the main floor of the lobby. It was probably inevitably, so don't blame yourself.

Anyway, moving on you keep going past the dungeon, and you'll finally find the room with the furnace and breakers to reset. It shouldn't take long to flip them back, but they'll continue to trip on and off for a while and may require multiple groups to make a return trek down to reset them until the demons finally correct the issues with the wiring that is causing these outages.

Speaking of issues with the wiring and what may have caused them... Hang around the bar or lobby enough, or around any area of the community, and you may hear muttering of something called The Veiled Order from beyond the gates. Some of the demons seem excited, others seem nervous. If asked, the demons may brush guests off. If drunk enough or given proper incentive, they may tell a story about a group of rebellious demons that Lucifer tried to cast out. They were damned to live in the burnt forests outside the gates, but sometimes, they still cause trouble.

Apparently, they thought they could be better rulers than Lucifer and were quite discontent with how he maintains Hell.

Some may say they're worried the Order is causing mischief by messing with the hotel, having had ample opportunity to sneak back within the gates. Others will laugh heartily and insist that it's a dumb tale to scare young demons, nothing more. Certainly nothing to worry about.

Another thing guests may overhear or bribe out of demons around the bar or club is talk about the call of infernal nightmares. If pressed for more info, the demons won't give much beyond the fact that it's a miserable thing, entirely miserable.

Prompt II

Apparently what the goblin-like demons accidentally set free are strange demons that possess fungi, dust, and dirt. They don't seem to quite be from this world, but they're called Coal Tars apparently. They're harmless creatures for the most part, but they do have a love of following around people with dark or sinister natures.

The staff will be offering a reward of a gourmet dinner of the guest's choice if anyone around the hotel will help to capture these little pests and bring them to the front desk. Afterwards, they'll be returned to the basement and locked away again.

Otherwise, people are free to ignore them or laugh at the people who can't seem to shake the little creatures following them around.

Careful though, breathing them in can make your lungs rot. Nasty way to go probably.

REACH UP HIGH

Prompt I
Warnings: cutting, blood, torture.

Whether you've been here for months or you're freshly arrived, your demonic overlord expects some participation. You can try and shirk the responsibility, of course. You can bargain your way out of it for a while. But eventually, you may find yourself trapped in a room just off the gym that's been fondly dubbed the torture room. It has all manner of equipment in there, along with an iron maiden even.

But don't worry about any of that right now. It probably won't be used.

You can try the door, but even with super human strength or every lock picking skill in the book, you won't be able to open it.

It soon becomes apparent what you're supposed to do soon enough when someone else is eventually shoved in with you. Both of your lists of sins will appear on a table that's been placed in the center of the room with two handy knives. You can choose to guard these or not care at all that they're on display.

"Know that honesty is a good place to start on your road to redemption. Sure, it can be terrifying at first, but that's why you've been given a partner in this journey. Pick up your knives and carve at least one sin into each other's flesh. Help in the journey to be candid with everyone you should meet here!"

The voice echoes all around you again, just like in the nightmare, and once again there's the pull to give in. This voice really does seem like it has your best interests at heart.

"If you need a bit of encouragement, we'll be giving it shortly."

It isn't a lie or idle threat either. The longer you wait to do what's been requested of you, the more shallow cuts that will appear on both of your bodies. Are you really prepared to endure this pain when giving in would be so much easier?

And more than that, are you willing to let another suffer along with you?

Eventually, the cuts will stop if you suffer them long enough, but you'll have failed this challenge and sustained more damage than if you'd just gone along with it. Satan will also be very disappointed in you.

Prompt II

"A generous nature is an important part of being a righteous person. Greed is a sin my Father frowns on quite a bit. What I ask you to do today is to go out and find a gift for that special someone or friend of yours and give them something to smile over."

With the items available in the basement and the shop in the hotel carrying a few new items, Lucifer would like to spread the good will of gift giving. It doesn't matter if you're not well acquainted with each other yet. You don't need to be! Anyone can spread cheer by giving a gift.

And if you don't, expect to be in excruciating pain for a few hours, and struggling for a breath. If you can't share a gift, then you don't deserve to share all that oxygen, do you?


FOLLOW ME DOWN

Prompt I
Warnings: Alcohol and drug abuse, potential non-con/dub-con.

With all the sinners, new and old, the bar will be lit up with activity and absolutely bustling with guests and demons alike. Food and drinks will be readily available and provided by hotel staff (although they might not always know what humans eat. What do you mean, you don't like fried kitten?), music will be blaring, and overall, there will be an energy to the atmosphere that's absolutely contagious. Even if you aren't typically inclined to linger at these sorts of events, there will be a certain pull to stay and have a bit of fun.

You may not get much of a chance to have that in hell after all. So one drink won't hurt, right? Nor will one more after that.

There will also be every sort of party drug available that might tickle your fancy. There's no harm in experimenting, is there? You're already in hell and the staff is handing it out and so helpfully showing you how to use it, or recommending a type that would suit what you want.

You've presumably done your atonement for the day, yes? So cut back a bit, let loose. Hell might be pain and torment, but it's also a nonstop party in the bar.

There's even a brand new stage and a karaoke machine for those feeling brave!

Ask the staff demons very nicely and you may even get less scrupulous drugs as well. Things that will convince your fellow damned souls to tell only the truth for a fun prank, or perhaps even potions that will make someone so enamored with you, they won't take their eyes, or hands, off you. How dare they give you the cold shoulder earlier, right? You've got them now.

There are also tables set up for all sorts of gambling and various bar games to entertain yourself with. Since currency as most are familiar with it doesn't quite exist down here, most of the demons seem to be accepting bits of your soul, if you're in a gambling mood. You may also get pulled into a fun game of strip poker against one of your fellow guests for a few succubi that are having a night out.

Relax and enjoy your night. Coming here and facing your sins is the hard part, so surely you deserve to have a little fun, right?

Prompt II
Warnings: sex, aphrodisiacs, potential dubcon/noncon, potential kinks.

The club within Penance has always offered many options for debauchery, but now it seems they're stepping things up a bit. There are themed rooms for sex machines (the same that were present at the carnival) that can be controlled by a demon or a partner. If asked, they'll gladly set you up on stage to put on a performance for the entire club.

They won't side eye you for any other kink you ask for either, however depraved it is.

But the succubi are handing out potions again, that can be taken willingly or not. The purpose of them is to strip away all of your inhibitions... or in certain cases, your mind as well as your will. It will leave those who take the potion as a perfect little pet or slave for someone.

It doesn't matter if you're generally strong-willed or not interested in submitting. You'll find yourself wanting to please someone until it's the most important thing on your mind. Maybe until it's the only thing on your mind. It doesn't even matter if you generally hate or adore the person you've attached yourself to, you'll find yourself sinking down on your knees anyway.

This is the perfect time to play out all those daddy kinks, domination and submission scenes, or perhaps a bit of pet play. It doesn't matter what theme of the game you choose, you're suddenly all for it no matter what.

Because you just want to make someone happy, even if what makes them happy is hurting you as much as pampering.

MISC.
Thanks for joining us for our fourth test drive meme, sinners! Reserves are now open for the upcoming app round on August 1st

If you want to speak with Lucifer, you're free to text or pray to him right here

If you let a demon loose in the dungeon, reply here to see what tidbit of info they revealed!

If you have a comment, suggestion, etc. please go here!

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code bases by tricklet

Comments

follow me down 1

[deaddrop]

[Thor isn't the only one who knows better, but showed up anyway. It's been a long day. Not the longest day, or the worst, but it's been trying day after long, trying day.

Eventually, they need to to unwind.

And it's not so bad? Not yet. Natasha joins Thor at the bar after his interesting turn on the stage. No judgment. She smiles, a little flush in her cheeks.]

That went well. ["Well."] I didn't know you were a Nine Inch Nails fan.

[hypoxic]

I'll try not to disappoint. Natasha.

[That's going to take some massive getting used to. But he's game to try it as long as she'll put up with him. He parts from her then, eager to cast work aside in favor of being included.]

[universal_charm]

He could smell Frank when he was so close, a darker, earthier, muskier sort of smell. It was comforting, the sort of smell you wanted to bury yourself in and close your eyes and let it invade your dreams. Frank was a mass of muscle, a sheer weight and presence in the room, but he wasn't intimidating. At least, not to Kirk.

"What? No further questions?" he murmured, slowly wrapping his fingers around the knife, shifting his head so his nose bumped against Frank's cheek.

mitsuhide akechi | ikemen sengoku | ota

[silverkitsune]

stand your ground;

[There's a silver-haired man with a katana at his hip, waiting patiently at the top of the stairs for someone to join him. With both hands crossed lazily at the wrist over his sword, he honestly looks more amused than anything.]

I've no idea what a 'breaker box' might look like. I promise to protect you from the things that go bump in the night, though.


follow me down;

[He's had a couple small cups of sake by now but he's still very much sober, and he's staring in open fascination at one of the games of poker that's going on nearby. Whether anyone is in a state of undress is irrelevant; he's much more interested in the card game itself. It's very much like hanafuda, except....

At some point he turns to the nearest person who might also have shown at least some vague interest in the game.]

How is this game played? Do you know?


wildcard;

[Feel free to toss any of the other prompts at me, or hit me up for plotting via pm if you like! I'm open to just about anything~]

[vexant]

Uh huh. ( maybe if he were someone else, he'd call billy out on that being a little weird. but he's not, so he'll preen under the attention, a little. even offer a hand over to take billy's original glass, since it's clearly not as full as the other. look, he's helping. )

You do look a little familiar. . ( raising his opposite hand to tap at his chin, thoughtfully. ) But even aside from that, I'm aware I'm not the only one.

[hiddenobjective]

Uhh... [King and knights. Words he really didn't hear very often. He's pretty sure he knows the meaning of both and context fills in what he's missing.]

I'll pass. But you can keep your pretty crown, princess. [He hopes he's picked the right word.

The crate seems to be mostly over the top, gaudy clothing. It's a great find - a lot of completely useless clothes, but they're hilarious to dig through and look at.]

[hiddenobjective]

"Yeah? Me too. They don't seem to care," It's not surprising to learn that this guy is a soldier of some kind. It almost makes Cain feel some sense of a mutual understanding with him. His own list has 'murder' written on it, though it hadn't listed out any names. He has no idea how many he's killed considering how many enemy ships he's shot down.

Despite Steve's calm demeanor and eagerness to do this with some civility, Cain still hasn't dropped his guard, still holding the knife like he's ready to attack.

"Cain," It's his codename, but it's good enough. He narrows his eyes, suspicious and trying to figure Steve out, "You're kind of a weird guy."

Too trusting. Giving Cain the benefit of the doubt... probably too much so. Not to mention self-sacrificing. And naive as hell for assuming anyone here was innocent. A lot of things Cain just can't wrap his head around.

"Fine. I'll just go with what's at the top of the list," He flips the knife in his hand, posture relaxing, "Wonder if it still counts if I shorten his name to 'Doug'."

Douglas Harrison. What a long ass name.

[conjobs]

John shrugs, which is the usual neither confirming nor denying that knicker sniffing is anywhere up or down the list of things he occasionally does on days ending with -y. Which is to say that he probably has done, at some point, although whether it does anything for him or not is not something he's going into right now.

"Just as well no one believes in that or Wanker 'nd Cuntnugget will be missing feet. Let's keep that aside and keep looking." He could think of several uses for an alligator's claw. And not necessarily for money matters or gambling.

"...oi. What're you saying? I don't gamble. Much. Or 'ave money problems. Down 'ere." He shoots Billy an irritated look and crosses his arms, stepping back a little as his shoulders start to rise a bit.

[dothelokimotion]

[ loki flicks his fingers at him, teasing. ]

Oh a great many things. I can walk between worlds, I can conjure objects and illusions. There is very little I cannot do.

[pococurante]

[ Spike shrugs. ]

Peking duck. Sea bream baked in salt. A bowl of pho so big you could give a dog a bath in it, with tripe and tendon and brisket. Duck a l'orange. And one of those big cream puff tower things... croquembouche!

[ Spike twirls a bag around his finger. ]

Those things are a literal meal ticket and I'm hopping on that gravy train. [ Which makes him think of... ] Oh. A roast beef and Yorkshire pudding with gravy and peas.

Follow Me Down I

[noassgardian]

Billy had never been much of a drinker back home -- at the odd party or so, maybe. A little bit of teenage experiments here and there that never led to much more. But four months in Hell certainly worked at changing that quite a bit. He's a few drinks in before Kavinsky turns to ask him that.

He gives a curious hum as he looks at the book -- one that quickly devolves into a laugh. "Really, huh? Didn't know you were a singer... I don't know. Pick something you think you do well and surprise me."

[noassgardian]

"You know no one else is going to call those poor rabbits that besides you, right?" Maybe Kavinsky, but he's still half-sure he just wants to eat them.

"I'm not judging. It wasn't even an insult, John. I was telling you to take a good luck charm... You know, for luck. It was meant to be nice." See? That's why he doesn't get as much snuggling and cooing and general fussing as Wanker and Cuntnugget. Totally gets grouchy.

But fine, while John looks annoyed, Billy shoves the charm in a pocket in his own jeans and goes back to digging through the box a little more. "Well, I guess we won't run out of incense anytime soon, at least."

stand your ground

[pococurante]

[ Spike's good with machines, always has been. It's why Doohan took a chance on a sticky-fingered street urchin and gave him a job where he could be useful for a change. He doesn't really care about being useful to Lucifer. But sometimes their goals happen to overlap. Like how Spike doesn't want to trip over his dog in the dark.

He slows down as he approaches the stairwell. Nothing personal. He just has a bad history with silver-haired guys who use katanas. ]

I'm pretty good at protecting myself.

[ He looks the guy over. It's not him. Not even some kind of alternate-dimension younger version. And it's not like a sword or a hair color makes you a paranoid, sadistic, psychotic, revenge-driven piece of shit who can't let anything go. ]

But come on. You can watch my six and I can teach you what a breaker box is.

arrival

[spongetastrophe]

Peter pauses in his survey of this strange place when he felt the hand on his arm. It's more than the touch that makes him pause-- it's what he senses from the person. Interested, he turns to the other man.

"Honestly? It reminds me of that place in The Shining. And if there was a way to leave, I wouldn't be here talking to you."

Sorry to put it so bluntly, new acquaintance, but it's true: Peter's ability to bend space doesn't seem to be working here.

[styxtoshadows]

I'm not even supposed to be here. Hell is a human thing. Do you see any other goblins around?

[That's probably not true since there's at least one nonhuman, but he'll stick with that story anyway.]

Yeaaaah. [His expression becomes more closed off, remembering the carnival.]

It's not constant lava baths and playing skipping rope with intestines but there's some of that, yeah.

follow you down

[spongetastrophe]

[Prompto shouldn't feel too badly about being over-dressed. Peter probably is, too. Though the dark coat he's wearing does suit the atmosphere, it is a little much.

He actually almost smiles a little at those words. Probably the oldest trick in the book. It's kind of endearing]

Not yet. The drinks here are good enough that I might, though.

[bonesoflove]

[ Camille stops and sighs in a way that clearly communicates You've got to be kidding me. Why was she given the child vampire to work with? Why couldn't she have gotten some easy mundane or at least someone more up for a little fun?

She stops, still holding the knife, with both hands on her hips. ]

What's normal, then? We're two vampires in a hotel in hell and you want normal.

[bonesoflove]

Nor I you.

[ Two can play that game, Poe. But she can play it much sweeter than you. She almost sounds approving? Of his presence. Like she knew he would get to the big leagues soon enough, if he just had sufficient time. And here he is. Making her proud. ]

Zenith did a number on us, didn't it?

reach up high 1

[spongetastrophe]

Peter barely suppressed a snort when the other man held out the blade. This had to be some kind of joke or karma catching up with him. That willingness to endure the suffering in order to protect another... It was painfully familiar.

He took the blade without argument. "I guess it helps that I used to be a nurse," he commented. He chose a spot on the other man's arm where he could start. He would stop this if it went too far, but he sensed their hosts wouldn't want anyone to actually die from this.

Reach up high 2

[styxtoshadows]

Again? Don't worry, I got out last time. This time should be a piece of cake.

[He's missed the cut reinforcements, some kind of oversight on Hell's part.]

Just let me at the lock.

[styxtoshadows]

"In that case, enjoy your..." he squints at the label. "...tea-quil-a."

"Maybe nothing drives them, have you considered that?" Styx folds his arms. "Believe me if I could hand him over I would. They look like some kind of spirit and those are annoying."

[hypoxic]

[With her help to give him focus, he slides into her opening and joins their bodies together. As he does, he lets out a low moan, a vocalization of an innate satisfaction. He can't remember how long it's been since he last felt this feeling -- had he ever?? -- but it's worth it. IT makes him feel complete.]

[burstmodes]

[ had that actually worked? prompto stares for several seconds too long before offering the other guy a casual smile. as long as he puts all that experience to use, this shouldn't be too hard; it doesn't help that he's still awkward though. ]

I totally get what you mean. [ be smooth, be smooth. ] Wanna grab one? Or maybe we could dance?

[theonewiththewand]

[ It did just so happen to be the first thing to catch his attention, and hair quality has been on his mind quite a lot lately, a somewhat necessary distraction from all the horrors. Now that he's looking, though- ]

Rather nice everything, honestly. But I know, it's one of my best features, and I've just had it cut.

[ He pauses, only long enough to sip his drink. ]

I don't recall seeing you around here before, are you one of the new arrivals?

[theonewiththewand]

[ The hiss catches him off-guard and Draco actually jumps a bit, having flashbacks to that cat demon from the maze but it's only... a real cat. Or what appears to be a real cat, chasing the tiny blob of demon at his feet.

It takes him a moment to sort out what strikes him as so unusual about this, and then it dawns on him. He hasn't seen a cat that wasn't some sort of demonic creature since he arrived. It's honestly a welcome sight, and he smirks. ]

Well, hello. How in Merlin's name did you get here?