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

[failed_antichrist]

[Setsuna smiles right back. It wasn't, after all, a laugh at Cain's expense. But, he wasn't going to deny Cain's ire, either.]

It should be, yeah. But something tells me it won't be that simple here.

[It's only then it occurs to Setsuna the demons probably do know where it is; they want to avoid something. Hence getting everyone else to do it. Not good.]

That would be too easy, though. I didn't think to ask them where it was, though. Did you?

[Setsuna hears the sloshing sound before he realizes what's happened. He scrunches his face up in distaste and takes a step back. Luckily, his boots seem pretty sturdy, and he can't feel any water seeping in. Plus he has an extra pair.]

[He puts a hand up to his nose briefly as he stares at the puddle he stepped in, hoping it is just water.] It might be the water? It stinks if it stands too long. We'll just try to avoid the puddles. I don't really feel like finding a new path. Do you?

[hiddenobjective]

[Cain's spacesuit is all one piece and made of some kind of synthetic material he doesn't know anything about. What he does know, is that it helps protect against extreme heat, cold and was, blessedly, waterproof. The standing basement water is still disgusting though even if it isn't getting either of them wet.]

Nope. [He definitely hadn't asked them anything.] The basement can't be that big. Let's just keep going this way.

[Without warning, the weak flashlight flickers and goes out, plunging them into absolute darkness.] Fucking shit. You've got to be kidding. [The sound of Cain smacking the flashlight lasts for about ten seconds before he gives up. There's a whoosh and then a crash down the hallway, Cain's temper apparently getting the better of him. That crash had definitely been the flashlight hitting a wall and probably smashing to pieces.] Fuck this. We're going back. Unless you want to keep exploring on your own, then good luck.

[failed_antichrist]

[Setsuna was willing to accept they had no idea where they were going, barely an idea of what they were looking for, and willing to walk through the water. After all of this? He was so not going back.]

Heh. And people say I have a temper. [It's just a tease, complete with a light chuckle, but he's aware he can be an ass. He manifests and unfurls his wings. It's not a very strong light, but the golden glow emanating from him is enough for Setsuna to use.]

You can go back if you like, but I really hate just giving up.

[hiddenobjective]

It was a piece of shit anywa-Whoa! What... the fuck?

[The faint glow from Setsuna's wings throws Cain's shadow across the open space and cloudy water. They're casting about as much light as the flashlight had, though it's not being projected nearly as far.

Cain is too shocked by the guy who had, up until now, looked completely normal suddenly sprouting wings to really process too much else though. He takes a few sloshing steps back.]

What the fuck are you?

[failed_antichrist]

[Setsuna gives Cain a beaming grin, far more noticeable now that the light is coming from him.]

I'm sorta an angel.

So, you comin'? [He nods his head forward down the hall, and starts to walk.]

[hiddenobjective]

Sort of an angel? ... How is that even possible? We're in Hell. So, you're, what? A demon? Fallen? How does that shit work?

[His knowledge of even basic Christian concepts was dodgy at best, but he definitely remembered the whole 'angels going against God' thing. So, if this guy is an angel, and he's in Hell, then he had to have been cast out or something, right?

Cain hesitates and looks back in the direction they'd come from, frowning a little. Without a light, he's almost positive he'll get lost. He has his lighter on him, but the amount of light that would give off is laughable. He doesn't really seem to have an option here.] Yeah. I'm coming...

[failed_antichrist]

Well, not that long ago, I thought I was just a normal human.

[Setsuna says this with a shrug. He waits when Cain says he's still joining him, then continues when he catches up.]

Apparently, I'm a reincarnated fallen angel who turned against God. But I'm not sure how I ended up here. This isn't the Hell from the world I'm from.

[He turns back, gives Cain some serious consideration, then has to ask - because you never know.] So...you human?

[hiddenobjective]

Apparently?!

So... you thought you were human? Just... living a normal life? How did you find out- No, wait, better question, how the fuck did you end up here? Shouldn't you have already been here?

[His pace keeps slowing almost as if trying to understand what's happening is taking too much focus to walk at the same time.] Yeah. I'm human.

Or I was. Now, I don't know what we are? Dead? Souls?

[failed_antichrist]

Well, my past life was reincarnated into me. She was the one that was an angel. Somehow I ended up with the wings when she woke up, though.

And...this isn't the Hell I know. I went to my world's Hell, and it was way different.

[He thinks of Cain's words and frowns.]

I'm not sure either. I hope I'm not dead.

[hiddenobjective]

I didn't think reincarnation was a Christian thing. You have one chance, then you die and get judged. I thought that was the schtick.

[He tries to process what Setsuna is saying, fails, tries again, and fails again.]

So... you're a girl and a guy? Aren't angels all dudes? Well... not even dudes. Sterile. Dickless.

[Nothing he's saying is making much sense to Cain.] This... isn't the Hell you know? What the fuck does that even mean?

[failed_antichrist]

Yeah. And I didn't even believe in angels about a month ago. So not sure what to tell you about that one.

[Setsuna wouldn't blame Cain. He's not always 100% sure about this whole thing himself. He does get a good laugh, though.]

No, I'm totally a guy. That angel chick is herself. And angels have gender, apparently.

[As for Hell, he gestures around himself.]

The place I was in, wasn't a hotel. And fire didn't fall from the sky. The ground bled if I cut it. This isn't the Hell I know. I think there might be more than one.

[hiddenobjective]

Well... that's fucking confusing. All of it.

At least you glow, I guess.

[He can't really deny that they wouldn't be totally boned without some kind of light, though he did have his lighter.

A weird silence starts to descend. Cain really isn't sure what else to say, either about angels or Hell, so the only sound becomes a gross sludging noise of their feet in the shallow water. He'd really prefer to go back, but he's already said that and isn't about to keep complaining. So quiet it is, punctuated by quick little glances in Setsuna's direction every couple of seconds, half out of curiosity and half because he's hoping the angel will also come to the conclusion that going back upstairs is their best option.]

[failed_antichrist]

Even I think it's confusing. And I'm living it.

[If all he can be is a flashlight, Setsuna's content with that, for now. The silence starts to bother him, and he's about to uselessly speak, until, finally, there's a gray metal box on one of the walls. Setsuna points to it.]

That's a breaker box! [Impulsively, Setsuna runs to it, unthinkingly he leaves Cain in semi-darkness.]

All we have to do now is flip some switches, and we can go back.

[hiddenobjective]

[Cain perks up as he's left behind, not really minding. Setsuna's glow makes the way clear, the floor is even, though still covered in water, and there doesn't seem to be anything he'll run into or trip over. So, even as he's left in the dark, he makes his way slowly after the angel.

He catches up to him in a few seconds and frowns at the grey box. Even after pulling it open he's not sure what to do with it.]

Looks like 'off' -[He points to the switches flipped to the left.]- and 'on'. [The one or two flipped to the right.

Well, he sees no reason not to mess with them since they're there, so he flips all of them to the right and then looks around. Nothing changes. He tries just the top one, toggling it back and forth but, again, nothing happens.] This is a fucking bust. Can we go now?

ready to wrap up?

[failed_antichrist]

[Setsuna can't help but give a strained, dark chuckle - they came all this way for a box that doesn't work? Of course they did! He makes sure everything is at least flipped back to 'on' before answering Cain.]

Yeah. Let's just get the fuck outta here. Before we drown.

yus!

[hiddenobjective]

Fucking finally. What a waste of time.

[At least he'd gotten a great pair of glittery sunglasses, but otherwise this has been pretty terrible.]