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

[Steve gasped and shivered as the man's hands moved over his spine. Holy shit that felt good! He glanced at Loki with eyes that were suddenly just a little hazy. It took him a minute to even remember what the conversation had been about.]

Loki! Um. I ah . . . what? Animals? I don't . . . oh! Well no. I mean yes. I um . . . a pet. I mean, I was just thinking I might be able to get one for a pet. I've been . . . I've been a little lonely lately. I thought maybe a pet . . .

[ how odd. loki cocks his head. ]

But you get along with everyone. Why would you feel lonely?

[His eyes slid away from Loki's and he ducked his head a little, rubbing his nape. That was . . . complicated. Yes, Steve got along with most people, and yes, he did have certain friends in the city, but he didn't often . . . talk to people. He wasn't used to looking vulnerable, or letting others in on his thoughts. It wasn't done, not when you were Captain America. You were the one who had to hold it all together, and god help you if there were cracks.

Steve knew his friends wouldn't treat him that way, that they'd give him support if he asked for help, but old habits died hard. Especially when they were so deeply ingrained. He sighed softly and leaned against Loki a little more.]

I don't really talk with anyone Loki. I sleep with them, and I care about them, and I listen when they want to talk, but I'm much better at support. I'm not good at talking about myself. I thought maybe a pet . . .

[He shrugged and held the man a little closer, nuzzling Loki's temple. Steve attempted to lighten the mood with a little humor, instead of being even more honest.]

You know, you could always make yourself into a cute little fox for me to cuddle. I like cuddling you as a man, but petting you could sometimes get a little awkward. I mean, you are pretty likely to get hard if I have my hands all over you all the time, hmm?

[ loki flicks steve's nose. ]

Please. I have some self-control.

[ still. what a strange thing to hear from the man. he eyes him thoughtfully. ]

Why a fox?

[He laughed and rubbed his nose, grinning.]

You're assuming I wouldn't try to make you lose it on purpose. I think I could manage that pretty easily. And it would be awfully tempting to try . . .

[Ah. Steve had to choose his words carefully, not wanting to hurt Loki's feelings. But he didn't want to lie either . . .]

There was a Loki on the island, not the one I was close to, who did that. He was usually a fox when I saw him, a little one who'd sit on my lap. I didn't even know who he was most of the time I knew him. He was just a cute little fox that I fed raw meat. But he really was cute as hell. And admit it, a fox would really suit you.

[ loki purses his lips at that, unsure. ]

So you want me to . . . imitate another Loki.

No.

[All the laughter bled out of him. That was exactly what he didn't mean to imply! It had just been a passing thought in the first place! The last thing he wanted to do was hurt the man's feelings!]

No. I don't want you to be someone else. I was mostly just teasing Loki. That it might be easier to talk to an animal than a man is something I've thought about, but I don't expect you to do anything for me, certainly not be an animal. It was just . . . just a memory. And a little joke. If you really wanted to be an animal, I have a special spot for cats. Felines I mean. Not so much the dogs.

[Steve met the man's eyes, worry in his own. He didn't want Loki to change, it had just been a fun though, or well, he'd thought it was a cute idea.]

[ he's always known that another loki looms in the back of steve's mind. because he knew that there's always someone better. still, he can tell that steve didn't mean it that way, so he relaxes a little. ]

I can turn into a cat. If you like.

No. I don't want you to do that. I like you because you're Loki, not because you can be cute animals. That would just be a bonus. And look, we're talking. You're already helping me do better than anyone else. That makes you special right there!

[He grinned at Loki, nudging him a little. Steve just found it difficult as hell to lean on other people, but he was trying very hard to push himself. For Loki. Because it would mean a lot to the man to be special. Loki so often seemed to view himself as less than, Steve was determined to fix that.]

It is no hardship. I would not have offered if I did not want to.

[ a pause. ]

Normally I turn into a snake. Thor loves snakes.

[Steve leaned in, letting his lips drag along Loki's jaw lightly as he spoke. he was smiling, teasing even as he was being somewhat serious. It didn't matter to him if Loki wanted to be an animal or a man. He'd still spend time with the being and be happy for it.]

I could learn to love snakes. As long as you promise not to bite me. I think that would hurt an awful lot with those fangs. And you're probably poisonous too. I wouldn't like that at all. I'm not Thor, you know? I don't have any immunity.

[ loki huffs at steve's blatant display of affection to soften him, but neither does he rebuke him, running his fingers down steve's hair. ]

I won't bite you. Also I don't think I ever possessed any kind of poison.

[He groaned and shuddered at Loki's touch, biting the man's ear. Steve mumbled into the shell, amusement tinging his words.]

Then I think I can definitely love snakes. I bet you'd make the best fashion accessory too. You're green, hmm? Do you sparkle? Like emeralds? Are you big or little? Would you make a good bracelet or would you be a full-body outfit?

[ loki laughs, swatting him lightly. ]

You have a very strange idea of what being a snake entails.

[Steve chuckled and nuzzled the man's temple. What Steve knew about snakes could fit on a postage stamp.]

Well, I know you'll be pretty. Isn't that enough for a start?

I suppose it will do.

[ in a flash, loki shifts from a person to a snake, hissing on the floor. ]

[The shock of Loki suddenly being gone made Steve rear back, looking around rather frantically for the god. Then he heard the hissing and looked down.]

Loki? Is that you?

[Steve sank down slowly, sitting on the floor a little ways away. He peered at the snake with a slight smile. It was hard to say just how much of Loki might exist in something so much smaller. Then again, it was magic. Steve still had no clue how the hell it worked.

He grinned and leaned closer, though not that close yet. If Loki was in there, he'd probably react to both a little teasing and some compliments.]

You are a pretty one, aren't you? You look like you're made of jewels Loki. I think you're literally sparkling.

[ loki flicks his tongue, hissing. ]

Flattering a snake now? It's not necessary, you realize.

[His mouth fell open and Steve was suddenly about two inches from the snake's head. He peered at Loki, not at all hiding the fact he was flabbergasted. Or overly-full of questions . . .]

How did you do that!? How do you talk without moving your mouth? Do you even have vocal chords as a snake? Do you have all of your mind even though you're so small now? Is it because you're magic? Can you still do magic as a snake? Is it ok if I touch you?

[ steve can be the first person to hear a snake grumble. ]

Of course it's magic.

And yes, you can touch. I won't stab you.

Well no, I didn't think you would stab me. You haven't any hands to hold a knife. And you already promised not to bite. I just wasn't sure you'd feel comfortable with my hands all over you. It's a little trickier to tell what part is what when you're a snake. And I've told you before, I barely have any experience with genuine magic. I have met shapeshifters before though and they seemed pretty beholden to the laws of nature and physics. Magic seems to play fast and loose with everything.

[Loki as a snake was adorable as well as pretty, especially when he grumbled. Steve was careful as he first gently stroked Loki's head with a single finger, then tried to carefully gather the little snake up, so he could hold his friend. Which just sounded weird in his head. Steve was especially careful not to grip any part of Loki too tightly, well aware of how fragile and vulnerable the man probably was.

He brought the little snake close to his face, grinning.]

You know, I bet you could curl up around my neck and no one would even know I wasn't just making weird fashion choices. You really are gorgeous Loki. Exquisite actually.

[ it's a good thing snakes can't blush. but he does look like he's basking in the praise, curling up into a tiny ball, letting his tiny head poke through, black tongue flickering. ]

Is that something you wish to do?

What, wear you?

[Steve looked thoughtful, smirking as that little tongue tickled his fingers. God. Loki was so cute! And it was so surreal to be talking to a snake . . .]

If you didn't mind, I wouldn't say no. It would mean I had you with me no matter where I was or what I was doing. And I could pet you all the time too. It could be fun. But only if you wanted to. I'd worry about someone seeing you and getting the wrong idea. Punching people out for trying to touch you could get me a reputation.

[ loki unwinds himself lazily. ]

It's fine. Not many people know of this ability.

No, I mean you're adorable. I can't imagine people would see you and not try to touch you. I mean, they might think you were just jewelry at first, but either way, I don't think I like the idea of people stroking you all the time. I'm not always the jealous type, but I can have my moments.

[It was all just theoretical at the moment, which was probably a good thing. As Loki stretched, he drew his fingers along the snake's length, smiling at the silky feel of the scales. It was weird as hell petting a snake who was also a man, and talking to one too. But Steve had sort of gotten used to weird.]

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