TEST DRIVE MEME #4

[penancemods]

ARRIVAL

You remember a dream.

Or maybe nightmare is more accurate.

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

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

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

And so you do.


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

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

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

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



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

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

STAND YOUR GROUND

Prompt I

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Prompt II

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

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

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

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

REACH UP HIGH

Prompt I
Warnings: cutting, blood, torture.

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Prompt II

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

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

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


FOLLOW ME DOWN

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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Comments

Uchiha Itachi | Naruto | OTA

[fan_of_red_dawn]

[Arrival]

The comfort of a bed is much different the the cold stone he swore he had been sitting on just a short time ago. Or had he? He questioned if this were genjutsu, but no. His eyes could see through that. This was very much real, much to his dismay. He was busy, and things that had been cultivating for the past several years were finally reaching their peak. To be here, now, was irritating.

Crimson eyes searched around the room, much of the same shade, a sigh escaping his lips, as he read over the list on the table next to him. Yes, of course this is where he would have ended up. It was only right. The things he had done in his life had been stained with blood, from his days of a childhood he never really got.

HE is quick, to gather his things, the few they are. The scroll shoved unceremoniously into the pouch on his hip before he tosses the cloak over his shoulders, heading out the door, and down the hall. He would come willingly, should this be the place he is destined to end up, but there was something he needed to take care of first.

[Reach Up High I]

He stares at the knives for a moment, and than to the other person occupying the room, looking with crimson red eyes that seem like they're staring through you. He knows, in some way, that it will not be pleasant if they do not participate. So, he lets his cloak drop to the ground, and pulls his shirt off over his head, letting the dark blue material drop into the pile of black and red already a crumpled heap on the floor.

Itachi almost scoffs at the knives set out for them, and instead pulls out a kunai from the pouch at his hip, and offers it, handle first, to his 'partner'.

"This will be better suited for cutting. Please, I do not mind, if it is what is required of us"

[Follow Me Down I]

He had been watching a few people make a fool of themselves, singing drunkenly into the microphone, hiding his brief amusement behind a small glass of some sweet tasting liquor. This was not a normal place Itachi would have been likely to be found, but there was a draw that he could not explain. So he was here, sitting at a table, alone for the moment.

[OR I.II]

He was not unfamiliar with the game, however he had always played for money, for tokens of avarice. To play to takes one's clothing off, was a new concept to him. Though he could see the appeal, he was unsure of how he had been dragged into such a thing, but he was here now, a hand of cards between his fingers, tapping the cards against the table.

[ Yoruichi-mun here, test driving hmu here, or if you haven't added me yet @ kurodauchiha]

[Reach Up High I]

[failed_antichrist]

"Funny," Setsuna says with a dark chuckle. "I was about to make the same offer." He had already pulled up one sleeve - his other arm's sleeve is torn, turned into a bandage over the forearm. He goes quiet, refusing the offer of the kunai.

"You got an easier time cutting into people?" Setsuna's eyes start on the floor, but reach up to Itachi's, completely uncomfortable with this. He can handle someone hurting him, but hurting someone who hasn't done anything to him? Not so much.

[fan_of_red_dawn]

Itachi shows no such sense of humor, but instead pulls back the kunai, his arm dropping to his side. But he watches. Ever observant, and though his sight is diminished, he still catches everything. The curse and blessing of the Sharingan.

"If that is how you would have it." He wasn't particularly comfortable either, but he knew that there were times in which things had to be done, in order to achieve a purpose. Though the thought lingered in his mind, that if they were in hell, should it not be demons that reigned as their torturers?

"Where would you have me cut?"

[failed_antichrist]

Setsuna tries to find humor where he can. It's either that, or succumb to the desperation he feels. He's not going there if he can help it. Not yet.

A bit spoiled, Setsuna is relieved it won't be a fight over who carves into whom. He offers up his untouched forearm, but says, "If you prefer my back we can do that. But I'm picking Wrath, so it's not too long."

[fan_of_red_dawn]

Itachi keeps rather stoic through the entirety of this. He held little love for a place that forced the hand of its occupants like this. Easier to play along though, kept things more peaceful that not. As peaceful as Hell itself could be, he supposed.

Both willing, did come at a surprise though, but he betrayed none of that with crimson eyes steadily observing. "If that is how you'll have it." He stepped forward, and reached out, fingers strong, but for a shinobi, his grasp gentle. He held the kunai, in his other hand, the sharp tip of the blade hovering not even a millimeter over the other's flesh.

"There will be no stopping after this. Speak now, if you have changed your mind."

[failed_antichrist]

Setsuna doesn't care much for the tactics, either, but for now, he wants to make sure nothing happens to the other occupant. He will worry about a solution to the bigger problem, later.

There is a deep breath from Setsuna as he hasn't turned his eyes away, yet. He watches the blade tip come so close. Ever stubborn, he shakes his head and insists, "Not changing my mind."

He went through it once, he could go through it again. But this offer makes him appreciate Itachi more, and he feels even better about not having to cut into this person.

[fan_of_red_dawn]

There are no words spoken this time. Instead his lips are pressed into a thin line, his hand steady as it pressed the tip of the blade into the other male's flesh. His blades were sharp enough to cut through metal, so it easy, sickeningly so.

Itachi dragged downward, his hand around the others wrist, still with a gentle, but firm grip. He started in the first letter, going slowly, but the sharpness of the blade making the process smooth.

[failed_antichrist]

The silence doesn't work for Setsuna, and having been more comfortable talking before, he said, "So what's your name? I'm Setsuna," hoping the knowledge doesn't make things worse.

He could tell, however, there is a difference in Itachi's blade, as he said. The sharper the blade, the less he felt, immediately. He would, he knew, feel it later.

[fan_of_red_dawn]

"Itachi." He is still quiet, his focus on the task before him. "It is a shame we were unable to meet under better circumstances, Setsuna-san."

Polite, but stoic. Is there another way to be when you are currently halfway through cutting another's sin into their flesh?

[failed_antichrist]

"You don't have to call me that. Setsuna is good enough, Itachi," Setsuna assures, trying to stay still and keep this as easy as possible on Itachi.

For Setsuna, there was always being stubborn, about everything. But that didn't always make things better for other people. He wasn't sure how this was going to go later on, but for now, he just grits his teeth as the formerly carved areas burn.

[fan_of_red_dawn]

"Hm." It's not much of a response. Despite his the things that had happened in his life, he was still polite. He would respect the others request, but it would come uneasily at first.

He was almost finished, his hand supporting the others arm was red now, sticky with the blood that dripped down Setsuna's arm. He wanted to look away. He had spilled too much blood in his life, but he feared if he did he could end up hurting the other more than necessary. Instead he tried to focus on keeping his face calm, and not betraying the disgust welling up inside him.

[failed_antichrist]

Setsuna likely wouldn't press it beyond the first time. As long as he was getting called some form of Setsuna, he would be okay with it.

As it came time for his part to be over, though, Setsuna's hands started to shake. He tried to control them, especially because Itachi was carving into a forearm. Once this was done, though, he was terrified he was going to have to do the same to Itachi, and it made his stomach churn.

"I'm sorry about this," he finally said, still bothered by the silence.

[fan_of_red_dawn]

As he finished, he pulled back the blade, releasing his grip on the other arm, leaving behind a hand print, outlined in blood. Again, Itachi wanted to avert his eyes, to look away, but he stopped himself. Instead he found the face of the other, looking at him, his expression soft, but still so very stoic.

"It is not you who should take the blame."

[failed_antichrist]

Setsuna gave his arm a brief look, before meeting Itachi's eyes. He managed a smile and sincerely, just as gently, "Maybe not. But I'm the one who's here, and you had to do that. It's the least I can say."

His hands started to shake at this point, worry overtaking his expression. He wasn't going to have to cut Itachi, too, was he?

[fan_of_red_dawn]

"Sometimes we all have to do things we do not want." He looks away, his eyes glancing toward the door. He almost expected it to open itself, signifying that they had done enough. It did not, and a frown pressed into the corners of his lips.

Itachi walked over toward the door, one hand grabbing onto the know, giving the door a firm tug. Nothing. He did it again, and still it did not budge.

"It seems our payment was insufficient."

[failed_antichrist]

"I know. It's just part of life," Setsuna grumbles, then leans against one of the doors.

Setsuna's expression sours when the door doesn't open.

"I was afraid of that." A beat, then a line of blood starts to bead from Setsuna neck as he winces. He's not ready to ask Itachi if he's still prepared, hoping Itachi will be spared.

Reach Up High

[compelledtoprotect]

Steve stared at the blade the man held out, and the bare chest of the stranger as well. He shook his head, offering a faint smile, and started to strip himself. If they were going to go that far, he might as well offer more than just his arm. There was a lot of real estate above the belt after all.

"No, I really can't. It'll be better if you use it on me. More room. And I heal pretty fast. You probably won't have to cut much before they let us out."

[fan_of_red_dawn]

Itachi mused on the fact that they were both willing, but the words that came along with the refusal did not go unnoticed. The words spoken to him earlier, the 'encouragement that was promised spoke volumes about things that would happen should their objective not be fulfilled. However the other mans words seem to come from experience.

"You have done this before?"

[compelledtoprotect]

"Unfortunately. Don't take this the wrong way, but you should start cutting. If you don't, we'll both end up suffering. I'm Steve by the way. And you are?"

He held out his arm again with a soft smile. The pain was more than endurable; Steve had lived through a great deal worse, but the guilt . . . The guilt was always the worst part. Making another man hurt him was a weight he'd never be able to put down, trebled by the knowledge he forced another to suffer. But it was easier, wasn't it? To do that than to become a victim themselves?

[fan_of_red_dawn]

Itachi nods, looking down at the table. There were two lists, he knew his. The bold lettering on it, outlining the crimes he committed against his family. He let his hand pass over to the other sheet of paper, stepping closer to the other man.

"Which one?"

[compelledtoprotect]

"Any. You can pick." The man hadn't given his name, but he didn't want to push. Not yet anyway. Steve's list was long. Very long. Most of the sins listed were names. The name of every man killed due to his actions or decisions. There were some more usual sins as well, but mostly it was names.

"You can start at the top and work down, if you want. I have a lot of skin."

[fan_of_red_dawn]

"If you say so."

Murder. It was straight to the point. Steve wasn't the only one. Itachi was as guilty of just as many deaths. His entire clan. His entire family. Looking at the list, Itachi wondered just how long his would be, if every name was shown. Not just of his clans, but those, out on missions as well. He felt that the list would go on, and on.

"Here?" He asks, pointing with the tip of the blade, just below the other's collar bone.

[compelledtoprotect]

Steve swallowed and tipped his head back, clasping his hands behind him. His eyes slid closed and he made sure his breathing was slow and even, forcing himself calm, "If you like. Take your time, please. No need to rush."

The last thing he wanted was that knife skipping over his skin if the man made a mistake. Most of him was dreading the sensation of the blade piercing his skin, but not all of him. If he wasn't careful, he might fall into the trap of visualizing something else, which would be a horrible idea. The last thing he wanted to do was lose himself in the past in front of a stranger!

[fan_of_red_dawn]

Itachi hesitated, the supposed calmness the other exuded was tainted. His hand steady, the tip of the blade poised and ready.

"If you find it too much, I am still willing to take this."

[compelledtoprotect]

He opened his eyes, meeting that garnet gaze, "No. I'll take it. I won't scar like you would. No need to make you wear my handiwork for the rest of your life when we barely know each other. I promise. I'm fine."

Steve would manage. He'd been tortured before and he was sure he would be again. A little knife work wouldn't kill him. Embarrass the hell out of him possibly, but it wouldn't kill him.