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

Hey. Are you sure—

[She doesn't finish the sentence and she doesn't stop him, but she does hold back. Her hand goes to her gun, alert for the possibility of an attack. Whether she expects it to come from the demon in chains of from some unseen jailer, she's not sure herself.

Natasha doesn't trust this though.

She doesn't trust any of it.]

Yeah.

[ There's going to be consequences. There always are. He'll deal with that later. ]

You can get out of here.

[ He means to say it to Natasha, but the demon doesn't ask for clarification and takes off. Spike just moves to the next one. ]

You know where there's any keys around here? Don't want to ruin my sidearm.

[She watches it go, every hair on the back of her neck standing on end at how vulnerable it leaves them.

Way to jump into something without testing the waters.

She doesn't leave just yet though. Not even when she hears a cry in the distance—it doesn't sound good, but over the moans of the other demons it's hard to say just where it came from or how bad it is.]

I'm not in a rush.

[Which is to say she's not entirely opposed to what he's doing either.]

You know you could be kicking an anthill here.

[ He's not big on planning. That was alway's Jet's deal. The whole Art of War "plan one hundred moves in advance" bullshit. Plans weren't really Spike's style. Water doesn't plan what it's going to do. It just does it. And right now, water thinks it's stupid to keep people alive to prolong their suffering. Either they should be alive or they should be dead. Everything else is a senseless waste of time. ]

Some anthills need to get knocked down.

[ The demon blubbers about not knowing where the key is. Spike sighs and smashes it with his gun. ]

[She swears softly, not satisfied with anything about this situation. Least of all seeing someone risk damaging or accidentally firing a perfectly good gun in the process going about opening a lock all wrong.

She's already pulling pair of wires out of her sleeve when she interjects:]

Step back at let me do it. It'll be a lot quicker my way.

[ Spike can pick locks. He used to be pretty good at it. But time and disinterest has left those skills more than a little rusty. Plus, torture really pisses him off and it's really satisfying to pistol-whip shackles until they're destroyed.

But quicker is better, so he steps aside to give her room to work. And reholsters his gun. ]

How long have you been down here? [ He asks the next one. ] You need anything?

[Not that she doesn't think Spike can handle it, but this way has less chance of damaging his gun or misfiring.

It also gives her more control. She could have the locks open in an instant. Instead, she pauses.

Spike isn't the only one with questions.]

How did you end up here?

[ Spike is impatient to get them out. It doesn't matter to him why they're here. Either they've done something bad enough that they should be executed, or they should be let go. This in-between torment is what he can't stand. Get the job done and move on already.

He does move on to the one next to whichever one Natasha is questioning. Instead of immediately bashing the lock with the butt of his pistol, he does take a minute to examine the chains and see if there's any weak points other than the lock. And listen, because who knows what this thing will have to say. ]

[Natasha is in less of a rush than Spike. The information they might have means more to her than letting them out in a hurry.

Seeing the other demons released, the one Natasha questions thrashes and curses and pleads.

He insists that he displeased Lucifer—an answer Natasha finds unsatisfactory.]

[ Spike rolls his eyes at the interrogation. ]

What have any of us done to deserve all the bullshit they do to us here? You think there's some kind of logic happening? It's all arbitrary bullshit designed to make us suffer as much as possible for no reason.

[ Another demon begins to babble at him about how he too displeased Lucifer. ]

Yeah, yeah. You, me, and apparently the storm drains around this place.

[ The resulting flooding being the reason they're in this basement in the first place. Spike steps back and just shoots at the lock this time. The demon's babbling turn to screams. ]

Oh, relax. I didn't even graze you.

There is logic to it. Just don't know what it is yet.

[Natasha has to believe that. In her experience, very little is arbitrary or random. There's always some kind of rationale behind what madmen do. It's just that you have to understand their insanity to understand how it all fits together.]

Besides, it's not like there's nothing in it for him. I'll let him go when I get some answers.

[And it's going to be easier to get those answers while Spike focuses on getting the others out.]

So what do you say? Answers.

[ The afterlife is just like life was. Cruel, senseless, a neverending grind to try to claw oneself out of debt. Never enough food. Never enough rest. Never enough time. Only instead of it being short, like life. It'll just be forever. He picks up a rock and smashes the next set of shackles. ]

Not gonna make any difference. What does it matter what their motives are? They have all the power and they want to make us suffer. They're going to do it no matter what we know.

We don't know that until we know what's going on here.

[Not for sure, at least.]

Someone gets sick, the doctor wants to know why right? Could be a dozen different reasons someone has a fever, and if you don't know what's causing it then it's probably just going to come back.

[Which is really as much of a non answer as it sounds. Natasha likes knowing. She doesn't imagine that Hell will be some kind of puzzle that opens up for her if she can just get to the bottom of its mysteries, but it's comforting to know what's happening and why.]

Hey. Go ahead. Ask questions. Go poking around. Get all the attention. When they crack down on all that shit I'll just slip out the back door.

[ He takes a long drag. ]

I get that this is ironic, considering the fact that I'm dead. But I know I would have died a lot sooner than I did if I started sticking my nose where it didn't belong.

Here and what got me killed was getting decent.

[She shrugs past his complaint. She's not sure he's wrong, but more because she doesn't know that there's a right or wrong answer in this situation. All they can do is cope in their own way.]

It'll go faster if you don't interrupt, though.

Maybe you should try being indecent ore often.

[ A cheeky nonanswer. ]

Hey. The whole point is I don't want to get involved. I'm no snitch.

[He thinks he's cute. Now. Really?

Natasha turns back to the demon, asking if it has anything it would like to add. If not, she'll have to keep going if she's going to keep up with her friend letting all these other prisoners out.

The demon thrashes, blurting out only that it didn't hold up its end of the bargain.

Natasha pauses, but only briefly. That's enough for now.]

[ No time like in the middle of an interrogation that he doesn't want to be a part of. ]

Are we done?

[ Spike bashes the last lock and frees the last of the demons, the only one remaining being the one that Natasha is talking to. ]

Really got a lot of useful information here.

[ This is sarcasm. ]

Yeah. We're done here.

[Natasha brushes her hands off on her pants. She doesn't give any sign she finds the information unsatisfying.]

Let's get out of here.

Flat | Top-Level Comments Only

TEST DRIVE MEME #4

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