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

[ Ideas of personal space are overrated anyway, James thinks. He's never been very respectful of those boundaries himself, and given how well he and Klaus get along, he doesn't expect any sort of respectful distance to be kept between them.

He turns slightly and places an arm loosely around Klaus's waist, tugging him closer. ]

You do seem to fit in much better here. So what are you up to? Looking for fun, or a partner?

[ Klaus lets James pull him closer without any resistance whatsoever. He's touchy feely most of the time anyway, and he especially likes James. This is a good place to be. ]

Oh, I dunno. Little of both. Why, you up for it, captain?

Oh, Klaus. You know me, you know I'm always up for it.

[ His eyes glint in amusement, and he tilts his head in. His lips only barely brush over Klaus, only to move lower and graze his sharp teeth down the column of Klaus's throat instead. ]

[ Klaus leans back automatically, granting James quicker access to his throat, chuckling a little as he does. ]

Didn't we have some conversation about calling people names? I'm pretty sure I didn't dream that.

No, you didn't dream it.

[ He murmurs against Klaus's throat, teeth dragging over skin, sinking just a hint harder before he eases again. He grabs Klaus's neck in a tight fist and pulls his head back down, so he can look him in the eye while he licks into his mouth. ]

Is that what you want? Want me to drag you across the floor and treat you like the piece of shit that you are?

[ Klaus's breath catches audibly. The shift is immediate and almost unexpected. Almost. James has only been nice to him, really. He hadn't been entirely sure that the captain had it in him, but wow. How had he not discovered this sooner? ]

Fuck me, yes.

[ Klaus's reaction gives him such a deep feeling of pleasure, his lips stretching into a wide grin. His fingers move through Klaus's hair, gripping firmly and yanking hard, letting out a low grunt as he leans back without actually kissing Klaus properly. ]

Good. [ He lets go of Klaus's hair and instead grips his arm tightly, dragging him off as he leads them to one of the private rooms in the club. ] Come on. Move.

[ Klaus, who has never done anything appropriate probably ever, grins back. He doesn't even have the sense to pretend he isn't enjoying James's hand too rough in his hair.

He does as he's told, as if there's much choice at the moment anyway. ]

Okay, okay, like I'm gonna go anywhere. Careful there, Captain, I bruise easy.

[ It's all bullshit and also not true at all, and also he doesn't give a shit if he bruises. He just doesn't know how to shut up. ]

[ Yeah, Klaus does a poor job at acting like he minds any of this. He's probably already getting hard just from this little, which in itself is an already enticing thought. James's grip on Klaus's arm tightens, as he pushes him down the hallway, looking for just the right room with the perfect items he can use on Klaus. ]

Do you? Good. Bruises will look real good on you.

[ He pushes Klaus into the room, not really caring if he stumbles or even falls to the floor, then slams the door shut. He starts by undoing his belt, pulling it out with a satisfying slide of leather against fabric. ] Stand up, in the middle of the room.

[ Klaus stumbles his way into the room, catching himself before falling, looking back at James with half a smile still on his face. The thing is, he knows this game. It can hurt or feel bad and still feel good. He's spent enough time trying every single new sensation that he can just to do it, just to distract from the horrors of being a man haunted by the dead. Anything feels good if you want it to, as far as he's concerned.

He slides back into the middle of the room as asked, glancing around only briefly. They could have stayed in the bar for all he cared, but he's kind of glad for the privacy at the same time. No fair involving unconsenting parties in your kink, after all. ]

Like...here?

[ Good thing Klaus feels that way, because James can be especially mean when he's given the leeway. Sometimes even without that leeway, honestly, but at least in this context Klaus seems to be more than okay with it. For now, anyway. ]

That will do. [ He moves around Klaus, folding the belt in his hand, running it up Klaus's arm. Then he whips it hard across Klaus's face. ] Undress, down to your underwear.

[ Klaus doesn't have the reflexes to dodge the belt, especially when it's that unexpected. It catches him as intended and he trips sideways a little, hand going up to his face where it connected. He looks up at James again, startled by it, eyes wide for a few seconds. Then, he laughs a little, entirely inappropriately for the situation. ]

You weren't fucking around, huh, Captain?

[ But he does as he's told, peeling himself out of his clothes. His pants take a second because they're tight; how he even gets his rainbow underwear on underneath them is really anyone's guess.

Said underwear do absolutely nothing to hide his erection, and he doesn't cover himself up or anything; he asked for this, for one. For two, if he ever had shame, he got rid of it a long time ago.

He hasn't been naked in front of James since the scars Hannibal gave him healed, but he's not embarrassed about them. They aren't a secret, though he hasn't told anyone who gave them to him. ]

[ He was fully expecting to catch Klaus by surprise, and he's not disappointed by that. He does frown slightly at the laugh, struggling not to grab Klaus just then and punish him for it. He wants him out of his clothes first.

So he waits instead, until Klaus's clothes are out of the way. Scattered across the room, predictably. He lets out a disapproving sound, shaking his head as he moves closer to Klaus.

Then he moves a hand up to grab him by the jaw, fingers curling and digging hard into his cheeks. ]

Did you think I was joking? Does it look like I'm fucking around? And do tell me what's so funny that you felt the urge to laugh. You think this is some kind of game?

[ He presses his nails harder, putting enough pressure to it that he starts forcing Klaus down to his knees. ]

Look at the mess you've made, you useless trash. You're gonna clean up after yourself, and I might be inclined to be a little more lenient. Pick your clothes up with your fucking mouth and take them to that chair over there. Now.

[ Klaus stares at James for a second. His smile doesn't entirely fade, because he has absolutely never in his life been able to just shut up and behave entirely. But he doesn't want to keep only James's anger; he'd asked for this, sure, and he can get off on almost anything, but he still wants it to be enjoyable. It's...complicated. ]

Sorry, no, I got it, I got it.

[ Klaus is tall, but he doesn't have the physical strength to really resist, and in the end, it's not like he wants to. He didn't ask for this to be a pain in the ass.

He does go down to his knees as expected. Luckily for him, he doesn't wear a lot of clothes. Still, it's an awkward thing to be tasked with, crawling across the floor with clothes in his mouth. It takes him a few trips to do it, especially because he can't move quick on his knees. He doesn't really dawdle about it, but he could probably go faster.

Klaus obeying orders is still, well, Klaus. ]

[ He was expecting Klaus to be difficult either way. That's no surprise. But it's a balance, really, because he wants to be rough, he wants to be mean, but he doesn't want this to get so bad that Klaus won't get any enjoyment out of it. So even when he feels the urge to use the belt again just to make Klaus go faster, he waits instead, curling the end around his hand almost menacingly while watching him. ]

Well, it's not perfect... [ He scoffs, lips twitching. ] But I didn't expect much from you, anyway. Get back here and sit on your heels. I'll find something suitable to fit you with.

[ The room doesn't lack in gears and accessories, after all, a few of them following specific themes. He runs his fingertips over the collars and leashes on display, letting out a soft hum. ]

[ Klaus crawls back over to James, kneeling up as the captain tells him. He watches James turn to look at the toys and things that exist in the room; Klaus actually hasn't paid much attention to that yet, so he's curious about it, trying to see more of what's available without actually leaving his knees.

He notices what makes James make that sound: collars. He bites his tongue to keep from saying something irreverent; it's in his nature to be mouthy, and he probably won't be quiet for long, but for the moment he does manage to rein it in ]

[ The extended silence is surprising, but in a nice kind of way. For now, at least. He kind of likes Klaus talking back, even if he probably would tell him to shut up right now.

He decides on one of the collars and picks it up, approaching Klaus and fastening the strip of padded leather around Klaus's neck. It's dark red, and James smiles as he runs a finger along the gap between collar and skin. ]

The color suits you.

[ He attaches the leash, then moves behind Klaus, getting a good grip on the strap before yanking hard on it, just to test it. ]

Oh, well, red does do wonders for my complexion.

[ He says it because being silent really isn't in his nature, and being irreverent is. But the last word gets a bit choked off when James pulls the leash backwards, jerking against Klaus's throat. It throws him off balance a bit, especially because he's on his knees, but he manages to mostly keep it together. ]

[ James doesn't necessarily mind Klaus talking, especially when he manages to choke the words out of him with a single tug on the leash. His hold is strong, and he steps closer, knee pressing between Klaus's shoulder blades, holding him in place while he keeps the collar tight against his neck. ]

You really don't know how to shut your mouth, do you? Can't you be a good little bitch for once and do what you're told?

[ He settles a hand on Klaus's shoulder, nails dragging up his neck, digging only barely into his cheeks as he tilts his head back. ]

[ Klaus looks up at James with wide green eyes, pupils blown, warring between wanting to please him and just being the same way he always is and running off at the mouth. ]

I've done what you wanted, Captain.

[ It's a compromise between the extremes, at least for the exact moment.

James's nails move along his skin and his breath catches. It's all he can do not to seek more of it. Despite his mouth going a mile a minute, he likes this whole thing. He hadn't been kidding when he'd mentioned it to James days ago on the couch in his suite. ]

Wait, yeah, sorry, of course I can do what you tell me.

[ Well, at least he calls him Captain. James can't deny that he enjoys that immensely. The smartass attitude doesn't lend itself well to the moment, though, even if he never really expected any differently from Klaus. ]

Ah. Now, that's better.

[ He pats Klaus's cheek, roughing him up a little as he grips his jaw and pushes his face away from him. He loosens his grip on the leash again, letting Klaus lean forward a bit more, then presses his foot against his back and shoves him forward with no pause or care, intent on pushing him down on the ground while pulling on the leash once more. ]

[ Klaus kind of smiles up at James. His mouth usually runs a mile a minute, words without thought of consequence, but his actions aren't resistant. He doesn't really protest or fight when James pushes him down til his face is on the floor. The ground is rough against him where his face still smarts from the belt earlier. The leash is tight, pulling the collar against his neck, at odds with the position he's in. His breath catches because it has to, and he doesn't yet try to talk through it.

He still looks like he's pretty much enjoying this whole thing, though. Whether he actually takes anything seriously ever is anyone's guess. ]

[ It really is such a lovely sight. Klaus could protest but he doesn't, and the wiggling and shifting doesn't really register as real struggling, to James. He'd know if Klaus wasn't having his own share of fun with this.

The sole of his boot drags down Klaus's back, reaching the curve of his ass and digging the heel against a cheek. He lets out an appraising hum, then moves his foot back up, pressing the boot down between Klaus's shoulder blades. ]

You look good on the floor, like the filth that you are. Maybe I should start dragging you around like this, make you clean shit with your mouth. My boots do need a bit of polishing...

[ Klaus can have fun with a lot, but this thing he started with James...he’d had no idea James would be so into it. Most people weren’t all that hardcore. Klaus wasn’t always, either, but it had been a long time since he’d let anyone — or asked anyone — to do something like this.

The noise he makes when James’s boot drags down his skin borders on obscene, but isn’t that the point?

He’s more or less pliant, pressing closer to the floor under the new press against his back. ]

Sure, whatever. Captain’s orders, right?

[ Still and always completely terrible at shutting up, Klaus’s tone is somewhere between amused and excited. His underwear are kind of uncomfy this way, with how hard he is, the angle, etc. Whether his amusement is genuine or put in because that’s what he’s used to doing is hard to say. ]

[ This is right up James's alley, actually. Granted, he makes sure to keep himself in check, not get to carried away and ruin their fun together by pushing too much or getting too violent, but so far he's pretty pleased with how willing Klaus is, and how easy it is to just toss him around at will.

The comment earns a dry laugh, and James shakes his head. ]

Unbelievable. You're the most disobedient dog I've seen.

[ He puts an emphasis on the word, bordering on insult, and he moves so he's standing in front of Klaus, pressing his boot against Klaus's shoulder first, then nudging it against his cheek. ]

Lick it clean.

[ It's not really dirty, for the record. But he does immensely enjoy the show from up here. ]

HECK YEAH

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cw: sexual content, humiliation, name calling, idek probably more stuff later

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