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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.

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.

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

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.

"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."

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.

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.

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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no subject
[He isn't in any hurry to cross the distance between them either, having no real intention of leaping straight to mutilation before their captors show their hand. He does snicker a bit at Cain's reaction, however.]
I don't know about that. Mine at least is fairly accurate, albeit a bit... simplistic. Yours, on the other hand, has a certain flair to it, doesn't it? I'm almost jealous.
no subject
You can call me Cain.
[He glances at the lists again, annoyed that this stranger's was so much shorter than his.] Torture, huh? So this shit is right up your alley.
Like I said. It's bullshit. [So much for being 'candid with everyone you should meet here'. Cain had never agreed to that anyway. Not that he's outright lying, he definitely disagrees with many of the sins on his list... but deception is the first one.]
no subject
[He gives a little non-committal shrug at the mention of this being 'right up his alley,' although the accompanying smile suggests that yes, this is probably right up his alley indeed.]
I must confess, I'm itching to have a look around the room if you wouldn't mind? [Since... this is the torture room, after all, and there are so many interesting looking toys beyond that table and the lists on it.] If you won't try to engrave me while my back is turned, I'll promise not to do the same?
[Never mind that whole thing about deception being on both of their lists, ahem.]
no subject
[He fights a bit to repeat the name exactly as he'd heard it, his Russian accent which he'd managed to keep well hidden until this moment suddenly coming out just a bit.
He raises an eyebrow at the request but can't think of any reason to deny it.]
Hmm, okay. I wouldn't think engraving a moving target would be too easy anyway. Not if you want anything legible. [He straightens up, spinning the knife in his hand impatiently.] You have any idea what their 'encouragement' might en-Ah! Blyat*!
[Unfortunately, wearing the spacesuit meant his clothing was all one piece, but he doesn't even hesitate to undo the front of it in order to pull his left arm out of the suit to see what had just caused the sudden jolt of pain in his arm. He blinks at the streak of smeared blood from an inexplicable cut on his forearm.] The fuck?
no subject
Not that he's jumping right to the man's aid, mind.
He turns back toward Cain, watching with a mild sort of interest and a fixed smile as the suit comes undone and a bloody arm appears.]
Mm, fumbling those knives already? Perhaps I needn't worry so much about watching my back after all. You seem to be more of a danger to yourself at the moment.
no subject
I didn't cut myself. The suit would be ripped.
[He growls the words, temper flaring from the insinuations Mitsuhide were making.
The only explanation he could come up with was something inside his suit, so he turns the arm inside out, inspecting the area that would have been pressed against his forearm for anything, anything at all. There was nothing, just the smooth synthetic material.]
no subject
Mitsuhide couldn't pass up an opportunity to tease, though.
While Cain is tearing his suit apart to try to find whatever cut him, Mitsuhide temporarily abandons his plan to examine the torture devices around the room and instead moves to close the distance between them again. If there's something strange going on he'd like to see it.
Only he stops a step later, frowning as a small, sharp pain flares across his left wrist. Tiny dots of blood slowly seep through the white wraps he wears under his kimono sleeves.]
...interesting.
no subject
What the fuck?
[He feels a sting in his thigh and this time he doesn't need to pull his space suit off any further to know exactly what it is.
Encouragement.
Grabbing the handle of the knife, he turns on Mitsuhide, trying to snag his wrist.] C'mere. We're doing this. You want to pick which word you get or should I?
no subject
Pray tell, what part of the list on the table over there has given you the mistaken impression that I've any intention of submitting to such a thing? [There's a slight pause, and then that smile is creeping back.] Not that it would be the first time, admittedly.
[Make of that what you will.]
If you're so eager, why don't we start with your list?
no subject
Pick a fucking word! [His eyes dart over to his own list, simply looking for the shortest word. LUST. Great.]
You write mine at the same time as I'm writing yours. Deal? If we're going to get cut up no matter what, I'd say less is better than more, agreed?
[He points to his list with the knife he's holding.] Lust. Shortest word I've got. That's what you're writing. Now pick a word.
no subject
Mostly the idea of submitting before Cain just galled him, honestly. If the young man were someone he cared about he might've even offered to go first, feigning a show of bravado as an excuse to spare him. But he doesn't know anything about Cain except that he's just as guilty as Mitsuhide himself is.
Together... fine. He nods, although a moment later he's rolling his eyes.]
So dramatic. Although I suppose if being young and stupid were sins, Masamune would've arrived long before I did. Torture, then. And if you'd rather I not attempt to write with a katana you'll hand over one of those knives. [A hand opens, palm upward, expectantly.]
no subject
Torture it is. [He pauses, looking down at the spare knife, but the man had a point. He'd definitely prefer being carved into with a small knife than a sword. Reluctantly, he presses the handle of the knife into Mitsuhide's open palm.
Cain points with the tip of his own knife to a spot on his chest he figures will do for the word.] Right around there should be fine. You want yours anywhere specific?
no subject
There's owning up to his sins by wearing them, and then there's being stupid about it.
Finally his forearm is bare; he pulls the knife back out and nods to his arm.]
This will do. Are you ready?
[Without waiting for a reply he tucks one hand around Cain's neck to brace himself, and points the tip of the knife at the spot on Cain's chest. This way Cain can cut into his arm while he's working.]
no subject
Whereas Mitsuhide usually had his arms covered and his chest visible, Cain was the opposite.]
Yeah. Small as you can and I'll do the same, alright?
[He grimaces a bit at the sting of the first cut but stays still and tries to find a way to comfortably hold the knife. After trying a few different ways, he gives up and just goes for it, trying to make the letters as small as he can while still making them legible. It would suck more if he did this and then it didn't "count" or something.]
no subject
What sort of sin is 'Lust' anyway?
[His jaw tightens as Cain's knife bites into his skin; otherwise he shows no real reaction to the pain, just focuses on cutting the kanji for 'Lust' into Cain's chest. The markings so far are relatively small and neat. Almost like he's done this sort of thing before.]
Pretty tame as far as sins go, isn't it? Unless... unusual appetites, perhaps? Or are you the violent sort?
no subject
There's a different one for being violent.
[Cain falls silent, carving out a few more letters.]
Lust is a pretty run of the mill one, isn't it? One of the seven... or eight? I mean... if you're super old school, then you believe you shouldn't be fucking anyone unless you're married.
I'm just glad they went with 'lust' and not 'fraternization'. [Which is what he'd gotten in trouble for before.
R
E.] Done. Not too bad.
[He glances down at Mitsuhide's progress, brows knotting.] What the fuck are you doing?! What does that even say?? [Despite seeing the Kanji, he doesn't pull away, not wanting Mitsuhide to cut him by accident.]
no subject
[Women, yes. And fraternization... well, that's a whole different ball of wax.
He rolls his eyes again at Cain's little hissy fit, refocusing on the point of the knife and its path.]
It's the kanji for lust, simpleton. I'm Japanese. Did you really imagine we would be writing in the same language?
no subject
You're Japanese and I'm fucking Russian but I didn't write that shit it Cyrillic, did I? All you had to do is look at the fucking list and copy the word, asshole.
[He points over to his list, sitting there blatant and legible.
As he's grumbling at Mitsuhide, however, something clicks. The lock.] Guess that means you're done.
no subject
[The tip of the knife lifts from Cain's skin, drifting upward.]
On that pretty face of yours, perhaps?
[He pauses as the door clicks.]
Ah, pity. Just when we were having so much fun.
no subject
[He tilts his head a little as Mitsuhide angles the blade towards his face before snarling and batting Mitsuhide's hand, and the knife, away, giving him a hard shove.] Fuck off with that shit.
[Cain keeps his eyes on Mitsuhide, but takes a few steps toward the door.] We good, or are you going to be fucking weird? I swear, if you stab me, I will fucking gouge your eyes out.
no subject
I've no intention of stabbing you unless you give me a reason for it.
[Rather than head for the door, Mitsuhide strolls over to the table and deposits the bloody knife on it, taking care not to let his own bloodied forearm brush against his white kimono.]
I believe we're even, don't you? Not the most conventional of introductions, admittedly, but hardly your fault or mine. A pleasure to make your acquaintance.
no subject
[The words are muttered, still not too happy about the Kanji or Mitsuhide in general, but he tosses his own bloodied knife onto the table where it clatters loudly to a stop beside the other one.
Frowning one more time at the bloody marks, Cain tugs his suit back up and pushes his arms through the sleeves so he can get it done up again.
He gives Mitsuhide another wary once over as he steps toward the door and pushes it open, but for all of his whining and suspicion, he waits with the door propped open, not wanting it to close and lock Mitsuhide in again, though he doesn't say as much.]
no subject
He returns Cain's wary look with a long look of his own, and a smile.]
I'm quite certain we'll be seeing more of each other. Something to look forward to, no?
[Just as nonchalantly, he strolls through the open door and saunters off.]