penancememes | TEST DRIVE MEME #4

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TEST DRIVE MEME #4

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!

Flat | Top-Level Comments Only

It was the shouting that drew Steve to the boy. That kind of volume, those sorts of words. It was probably a new arrival and Steve wasn't about to let some poor soul wander around hopelessly until some demon tried to take advantage of them. He saw the kid slumped on the floor and hurried his steps.

Steve knelt down in front of the kid, reaching out to lay a warm, gentle hand on the boy's shin. He spoke softly, not wanting to scare the poor thing, "Hey. Are you ok kid? I'm Steve. Do you have a name? Does something hurt? Are you sick?"

Outside of his girlfriend, and two other people in his life, Setsuna wasn't accustomed to other people being so nice. It almost unnerves him, until he realizes he kind of likes it. But, he shouldn't be taking up some poor stranger's time, even if the platonic gesture of touch makes him feel comforted.

"I'm," he starts to speak as he lifts his head to look Steve in the eye, and has to think over the questions for a moment, "I'm not injured. Or sick."

He runs a hand through his hair. "I'm Setsuna, Steve." Deep breath.

"Where are we?" He's been avoiding facing that.

He smiled when the kid looked up at him, patting that shin lightly, "Good. That's good. It's nice to meet you Setsuna. I'm glad you're not injured. As for where we are . . ."

Now for the hard part. Steve was quiet for a moment, trying to decide the best way to handle things. With a sigh, he decided there was really only one choice, "According to the man supposedly in charge, we're in Hell." He held up a hand, trying to forestall any objections, "However, I don't actually think this is the real Hell. I personally think this is an alternate reality, and that we've all been brought here as entertainment for the beings that made this hotel. Whatever this place is though, it's not safe to sit on the floor. What do you say to standing up?" Steve lifted his hand from Setsuna's leg and offered it.

"Here. Let me help you? We can go back to my suite. I have food there, and stuff to drink. I might even have some cookies if someone didn't eat 'em. I promise it's safe. I'll leave the door open to the hall and we'll stay in the common areas. You can leave at any time. What do you say Setsuna? Think you can make it to your feet?"

For the first time he could recall, Setsuna says in return, "Nice to meet you, too," and actually means it. Whoever this Steve guy is, he's just so kind it almost makes things easier on the kid.

All Setsuna can say to Steve's rundown is, "It's definitely not the Hell I remember. So an alternate is possible." But if there were alternates, than that would mean the first contact on his phone list? Lucifer? Might be another Lucifer, for real. That's not comforting. One of those smarmy assholes was enough.

"But yeah, I can get on my feet," Setsuna says with a nod. He accepts Steve's hand, and gets himself off of the floor, but has to ask, "Why is being on the floor not safe? That's ominous."

He isn't too hungry, so Setsuna settles for saying, "A drink sounds good. But you don't the seem the type to give someone my age booze, huh?"

Helping the kid up was easy and Steve let his hands fall away quickly. In a Hell hotel you couldn't be too careful with someone that young. He would have liked to pull the kid into his arms for a hug though. Setsuna looked like he needed one. Or three. That smile was so sweet, it hurt him to see the worry take its place.

"It's not just residents here in the hotel. There's a staff as well. They call themselves demons and frankly, it seems like a pretty apt description. But some of them are vicious, and others are dangerous in . . . other ways. I'll explain more once we're out of the halls." He lead the kid along the halls until they got to his suite. Steve gestured Setsuna in first and left the door open as he'd promised, moving toward the fridge. He paused for a moment, hand on the door as he studied the kid with a faint smile.

"Not usually no. But I suppose . . ." Steve went to his own door, unlocking it and going inside to come back out with a bottle of scotch, "Just one. And only because I'm here."

It bothered him, the idea of giving liquor to a minor, but he could serve himself down at the bar, and it might well be drugged. Who would be watching to make sure Setsuna didn't hurt himself there? Or get taken advantage of? At least if it was just one glass, in his home, he could make sure the boy didn't run around impaired. That meant he was doing the responsible thing, right?

Setsuna wasn't ready to initiate hugs with someone he just met, but yeah, he needed one. Perhaps later. Now he kept his expression somber as Steve led him down the hall to his room, and looked both ways, constantly on edge.

He followed Steve into his room, just like that. When Steve pulled out the bottle of scotch, though, Setsuna's face lit up. This guy just went up from kind and probably a goody-goody, to a badass sweetheart.

"Really? You're cool. I'll make the glass last," Setsuna promised, trying not to be a brat, this time. He just considered himself lucky he was getting anything.

"Now, you gonna tell me what else we're dealing with here?" he prodded, verbally, while reaching out for the scotch. "Oh, and you got a glass for this?" he gestured to the scotch.

As for the possibilities running through Steve's mind, it was worth pointing out he followed a stranger back to his room, and was willing to drink an offered beverage. Setsuna was just lucky Steve was who he was. His concerns were not completely unfounded. Steve just had no idea what this kid was capable of.

"No, I'm just aware you can get alcohol much too easily and I'd rather be able to make sure you get neither compromised or abused because of it. Teenagers aren't known for their restraint . . ."

He didn't set the bottle on the table, preferring to take it to the counter to fill the glass. No reason to encourage potential bad behavior. He also brought over a glass of water along with the scotch, which wasn't very full. He set both down with a look and then went back to start searching the fridge.

"So, do you have any favorite meals? If it's in the fridge, I can get it started for you while we talk." Because a distraction was always preferable to delivering bad news, and that was all he could give to the kid.

"That makes you cool. Because you give a damn, but you're not being stupid about it," Setsuna insisted. "Accept it."

Setsuna watched Steve with the scotch, and kept an eye on it. But when he had water and scotch placed in front of him, Setsuna grabbed for the water.

After a couple of desperate gulps, Setsuna asked, "What's that look for? I haven't done anything. Yet." It was akin to the look his best friend used to give him when Setsuna was letting his mouth say too much.

When offered food, Setsuna shrugged. "Anything is good. Got any soup? You don't need to go through so much trouble for me."

Steve snorted and refilled the kid's water before going back to food, tapping the glass with a meaningful look. He might have given Stesuna alcohol, but he wasn't getting a child drunk. he moved to the stove, chewing his lip.

"I don't have soup, but I can do grilled cheese. Is that ok?" He glanced over his shoulder. Steve's cooking skills were . . . limited. He really ought to find someone willing to teach him, but since he mostly cooked for a bunch of lazy men, they didn't seem to mind eating the same five meals every week. Well, it was more that he made himself most of the food he ate and just packed up extra for his roommates. They didn't actually ask for the food, but they also made it disappear quickly enough too.

"I think I have some dessert around if you finish the sandwich. Um, are you gonna want more than one? I don't mind making you enough to be full. Once upon a time I was a teenager too." Although back then he hadn't been able to get enough to eat most days despite how hard his mother worked. After the serum though? He ate at least as much as even the hungriest teen, if not more.

The look still left Setsuna terribly baffled. Was he being...cared for? It was such a strange concept, and feeling, he couldn't help grin before taking a sip of the alcohol, this time, just to show Steve he would at least keep his word and make the glass last.

"Grilled cheese works," Setsuna said with eagerness. It wasn't his typical diet, so it sounded almost decadent. He added, "And I'm good with two. Maybe skip dessert, though."

He gave it a moment, took another sip of the scotch while he thought things over. With a lick of his lips, Setsuna finally asked, "You're doin' all of this. What about you?"

"No sweets? Really? How come?" He was already putting together sandwiches, quite a pile actually, though his body blocked Setsuna's view of the plate. Might as well make enough to feed himself too. The sizzle of the first sandwich in the pan filled the room along with the aroma of melting cheese and frying bread.

Steve glanced over his shoulder with a grin, "What about me what? I'm making enough for both of us, but did you mean something besides food? I keep that more for other people than myself." He pointed a spatula at Setsuna's scotch. Alcohol didn't normally affect him, and unless someone had substituted his supply, what was in the bottle didn't have any special strength. Thank god. Considering the kid's size, if he drank some of the stuff they'd started making to compromise him, Setsuna would be on the floor in about a minute.

"I'm not big on sweet stuff," Setsuna said with a shrug. The scent of cooking cheese and bread make an impression on the teen. He looked embarrassed as a complaint gurgled from his stomach, making it clear he was hungrier than he thought.

"Ah...don't suppose you could make three for me, instead?" he asked, sheepish, arms around his stomach.

At first seeing the spatula aimed in his direction, Setsuna went stiff, eyes narrowing for a second, then his eyes followed in full to the drink and he relaxed.

"No," Setsuna tried to clarify with, "I mean, I should clean the kitchen when you're done. You know, do something in return?"

"Huh. I'm not gonna lie, I have a pretty big sweet tooth, I just don't get to indulge it very often, you know? I think it's because of my childhood. Sugar was hard to come by back then. Actually, it was hard to come by when I was an adult too . . . " Steve was quiet for a bit as he cooked, chuckling softly when Setsuna asked for more, "I think we'll end up with five for you actually, although I can certainly eat them if you can't."

Steve caught the reaction and wondered about it, but that wasn't the kind of thing you just asked about. It did bother him though. That kind of behavior said a hell of a lot about the kid's life. He smiled at the offer of help though, grinning over his shoulder as he started dishing up the first sandwiches. Steve carried the full plate over and set it down in front of Setsuna, ruffling the kid's hair, "Eat first. While it's hot. I'll make more. As for cleaning up, I prefer to do it myself. I'm sorta particular." Which was a nice way of saying he was anal as fuck and liked things a certain way.

He hummed softly as he made more sandwiches, eventually coming back with a plate for himself as well as more for Setsuna. Steve sat down and smiled at the kid, picking up a sandwich, "Taste ok?"

Setsuna thought over Steve's words, felt a smack of sympathy, then with a smile, suggested, "Save all the dessert for yourself. I won't need it."

He was aware of how much minor cues could say about a person, but with his open nature, Setsuna failed to hide a lot of them. This counted for cheerful things, as well. Setsuna's face brightened up with affection at the hair ruffle. He had to catch himself and not reach over for a hug by habit. At least his slip was only for a moment, then he calmed.

"What are you? A 1950s housewife?" Setsuna playfully accused with the turn down of his offer (and the delivery of the food).

"I don't feel right taking advantage like this. You need anything?" he asked, before he picked up a sandwich and took a bite. By the time Steve joined him at the table, Setsuna was already on his second sandwich. Setsuna managed to nod his head, not capable of words with his mouth full.

"Well thanks there kiddo. I promise not to eat so much I make myself sick."

Steve barked out a surprised laugh at the reference, shocked Setsuna would even know that kind of joke to make, "More like a 40's housewife, but yeah. I mean, in a lot of ways. Mostly I just have a need to control my environment, and that makes for some really anal behavior. It's just easier to do things myself, you know? Then they get done right. And I like taking care of people. I may not cook all that well, but I can cook a lot of basic things."

He quietly served Setsuna two more sandwiches with a grin before finally picking up one of his own, "I need to know my new friend is full of food and safe. That's all I need. And maybe a thank you, which you've already given me. Beyond that, a little more information about you would be nice, if you're willing to share."

He had just been spitballing, going by his minimal knowledge of earlier television programs, mostly half-watched while he went out to play in the middle of them. But the 40s comment made Setsuna blink, and mutter, "So specific."

The explanation, however, gained Steve a wry grin as Setsuna interpreted, "Oh, so you're a control freak. And you don't trust other people." He gave a chuckle after, indicating he was just playing.

"I didn't wanna help you clean anyway," Setsuna said in a mocking tone. Maybe, playing around was a way for Setsuna to stall.

He almost choked on the sandwich he was in the middle of at being called a friend. Wide eyes looked up at Steve before Setsuna swallowed and managed to say, "Friend? It's usually me pulling that." He smiled, warmly, until the mention of information.

Troubled, his eyes went back to the table, and slowly he asked, "What kind of information?"

"Well, it's when I would have gotten married, so . . . um . . . Forget I just said that . . ." Steve buried his face behind a sandwich, crunching it quietly until Setsuna burst out coughing. He set down his food and gently pounded the kid on the back, pushing the glass of water at him. Steve gave Setsuna a soft smile, still rubbing the boy's back absently.

"Yeah. We're friends. I don't feed just anyone that wanders by you know." He rather did actually, but Setsuna didn't need to know that. The warmth in the kid's smile was worth any little secret he kept. The sudden wariness and withdrawal had him concerned though. Just what did Setsuna think he was going to ask? And what was it the boy was hiding?

"Just stuff about your life. About you. I'm interested in who you are Setsuna, but I won't pry. I mean, you don't have to tell me anything if you don't want to. I'd just like getting to know you better. Please?"

'...gotten married....' Setsuna's eyes widened to that. The only look Setsuna could give was one of sympathy. He grumbled under his breath, "Not gonna be able to just forget that," but he didn't ask further. For now.

After his mild choke, Setsuna accepted Steve's help in silence, and greedily drank down water to clear his throat.

"Somehow, I think you just might feed the whole place," Setsuna quipped when able. But added, "Sorry about that. It's the first time someone's called me a friend so easily, and so soon." His grin, after he spoke, was assurance he liked it.

Steve's reassurance he won't pry also helped ease Setsuna quite a bit; enough he honestly, and impulsively, said, "I'm from Tokyo, Japan. Year 1999." Another quick drink of water, then, "You?"

"I'll explain later, if you insist. But it's really a long story. Boring too." Well, no, not really. Setsuna would probably enjoy the hell out of it. Most people world. It had certainly sold plenty of comic books and movies and such back home. Not that Steve really enjoyed remembering that . . .

"Mm. Well, it is possible. I grew up in a time when your next meal wasn't a sure thing, and when eating together was sometimes the only time you got see the ones you loved. Sharing food . . . means something to me, you know? Being able to cook it myself makes it that much more special." He smiled at the kid and wondered if Setsuna would need another sandwich. Steve grinned when he finally got the boy's date and location, though he had to wonder what Setsuna would think if he told the kid about the changes to come. For once it seemed like he had the upper hand in a timeline.

"America. New York. And I think it was about 2014, though I'm pretty sure I've missed a few years. I had a little . . . detour before showing up here. Everyone who should be from my home I meet all seem farther along the timeline than me. I really think it was the space travel." Steve said it expecting the kid to ask. Talking about his time on the island was actually a hell of a lot easier than talking about almost anything else, though he couldn't explain why. It was also a great distraction.

"Boring? How could almost getting married be boring?" He would enjoy the whole story, but Setsuna aimed to give Steve the same respect he gave him by not prying further.

That got harder when what Steve talked about hard times, the comment of 1940s housewife still in the air combined with being told Steve was from 2014. Then timeline and space travel and -

"Wait. Wait. What? What's this about timelines? And at least the world makes it to 2014. That's good. But what space travel Did you go on a spaceship?" Setsuna couldn't help the barrage of curious questions.

"It's one of those cases of 'you had to be there' I suppose." He couldn't help smiling at the blatant lie. Jumping out of airplanes, dodging bullets, getting shot at by his potential wife . . . yeah. It was actually a really good story, just one he wasn't all that comfortable sharing at the moment. He was more than happy to just skip right to the space travel.

"It seems a lot of us here are from different points along the same, or at least similar, timelines. Like me. I left my planet in what should have been 2014, and yet there are friends from home here that come from more than ten years later than that. The 2020's. And yet their recollection of the history tracks with mine, up to the point I left. I really think it was the space travel. And yes, I absolutely did go on a space ship. To an alien planet. You should ask me why." He grinned at the kid, amusement dancing in his eyes as he waited for further queries. Steve could stories about the weirdness of the island all day without touching on the painful bits. Usually.

Then one day, if he remembered, Setsuna would have to ask about that story.

Before he can think to ask right then, Setsuna is taken in by talk of timelines and a space ship. His last grilled cheese sandwich has been all but forgotten, left to the side, long cold.

"Okay, you got me now," he said, "so tell me. Why did you go on an alien planet? And what did you do there?"

"There was a realities-wide disease. It was sweeping through the different worlds and someone decided to put together a research station to try and find a cure. They came to Earth and asked if I'd go." Steve shrugged, enjoying telling the story in a clean way.

"Of course I volunteered. They stuck me on a ship and we traveled across time and space to what turned out to be an island. People from all over volunteered. Creatures too. It was amazing in many ways. The problems started when we met the head of the facility" He let the curiosity build for a few moments before continuing. It was almost as if they could hear a dun dun dun in the air, "He looked like a man on the top, but instead of legs he had . . . tentacles!"

Steve was having a ball!

"Realities-wide?" Setsuna asks, trying to put that together. "Diseases can do that?"

Not really surprised this guy had volunteered, and he had just met Steve.

As much as Setsuna likes adventure, fights and animals, he grimaces to Steve's big reveal, eyes wide, mouth scrunched up in disgust.

"Tentacles?! Ew! Was he just some sort of octopus guy, or a genetic freak?"

"According to the people in the spaceship, yeah. At the time it seemed a pretty reasonable mission. Everyone's in danger. They've found a way to make the disease essentially go into remission, but that's not a guarantee it won't come back, and it didn't work the same for everyone. They wanted certain people from across all the realities to come in and help the research."

He laughed at Setsuna's reaction to his big reveal, "Yeah, I wasn't exactly happy to discover that little detail about him either. I mean, to each his own, but it certainly didn't push any of my buttons. And I'm not sure if it was a choice or just how his world made him. Quentin was . . . Let's just say I wouldn't be surprised if he'd . . . edited himself."

TEST DRIVE MEME #4

Arrival A

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Wind down?

You Bet!

End, ty for tagging me