TEST DRIVE MEME #5

[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

With the Mares leaving, the nightmares fade right along with them. Unfortunately, the hotel outside is looking rather worse for wear because of it. It's been pummeled, cracks in the siding and broken windows are everywhere. It looks much more befitting of the hellish landscape surrounding it, true, but Lucifer is already putting the demonic staff on repairs. They'll be enlisting the help of guests, whether they want to or not. Watch out when the whips and other punishments come out to play for those who seem to be slacking too hard.

The staff hardly has patience for it, whether the guests are feeling up to it or not. In truth, neither are the demons. Exhaustion is hanging heavy in the air for everyone.

But life must go on.

On the plus side, at least all the doorknobs and locks seem to be returning.

For current guests, they may now be dealing with a Frenzy come down and finding that they still itch for another fix. It won't be an easy ride. Withdrawals come with extreme fatigue, aches and pains, chills, depression, and an urge to potentially hurt yourself or others as agitation sets in. If asked for tips on dealing with it, the staff will tell the guests to just rest whenever they can, stay hydrated, and eat. The nausea that follows might make that difficult, but the staff seems to have very little time for sympathy at this point in time.

For new guests, they'll find things in quite a bit of disarray. Fortunately the demons are eager to hand out chores. They range from cleaning up broken glass and other items around the hotel, to removing boards from windows, to Hell beasts that need to be moved back from the basement to their enclosure just outside the hotel and helped to settle back in.

Anyone is free to visit any new beast friends they've made whenever they desire after this point. As a distraction, the hotel staff will even be offering riding lessons for larger beasts, both horse and canine-like ones.

Despite the push for normalcy though, there's a wariness in the air. Whether that's because of the recent bout with the Mares or the hushed whispers continuing on about the Veiled Order, it's uncertain. Something just feels off. Not to worry though, it's probably just paranoia creeping in. No one really wants to talk about it either way.

Every evening, once all the hard work is done, the staff seems to find the time to get a roaring fire going in the lobby fireplace and set up a buffet of food and drink for everyone to enjoy. There's every sort of food imaginable, and even some you wish you'd never seen. Spit-roasted dog, anyone? It's a delicacy here. There's also a lot of desserts of varying kinds from chocolates to ice cream to cakes and pies. Beer, coffee, sodas, and anything else people could want to drink is also on offer. There are even some specialty drinks for the vampiric guests around here.

There's entertainment as well. The demons are putting on makeshift plays and doing improv comedy routines, as well as dragging guests into the act if they seem interested. They'll ask them to perform tricks or act out Shakespearean scenes. For what it's worth, it does actually seem like everyone is trying to just have some fun. There's no harm in refusing to act anything out beyond some mostly good-natured booing and ribbing.

The succubi have also been given a room to set up for personal massages (with or without the happy ending). Massages are done in groups though, so you might want to rethink anything too frisky. If asked, the succubi will step aside and allow guests to massage each other instead, if that's more comfortable.

They're offering to help bathe and wash anyone who desires it for extra pampering, but most folks are understandably wary of the succubi and incubi around. No sexual play is actually being forced in these circumstances since, for once, the demons are well fed on sexual energy.

Oddly enough, the staff does seem to just genuinely want to do something refreshing. Although it's still probably clearly more for themselves than anyone else. Better enjoy it while it lasts though!

Prompt II

As another way to spoil (or distract) the guests a bit more, a new location has been brought to life!

Lucifer has insisted upon a movie theatre. It's located a short walk from the hotel. It's impossible to miss as the sign flickers and it's surrounded by a few very broken down, abandoned buildings still.

Outside, it looks like an old classic establishment from a time long since passed, but it has all the modern conveniences inside at least. From plush seats that recline and maybe get a bit too into giving a massage to all the treats you could ask for. So grab yourself some popcorn, a soda, hot dogs, or whatever else you want. There's also alcoholic beverages available for those who really need help getting through a movie.



Currently, the theatre is showing: Bedazzled, Manos: The Hands of Fate, Captain America (1990 version), Troll 2.

But there are request slips to be filled out by sinners if there's another movie they'd like to see when they rotate films around each month.

Located within the theatre is an arcade with zombie-themed shooter games, Pac-Man, motorcycle racing, and claw machines. There are also a few other gaming machines and one that's supposed to test romantic compatibility between couples. See if you're truly meant to be!

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

"Offering one another counsel is a trait God rather admires. Compassion, goodwill... all of that. He has requested a demonstration that all of you are complying with your redemption, so I thought of a rather interesting way to show him." Lucifer's voice rings out warm and almost affectionate as he speaks within the guests' heads, the sound ringing within their skulls and beckoning them to trust him.

Even as demons grab at guests and haul them into a room only to lock the door. As usual, the doors can't be opened through any means guests will be able to perform. At least the room is cozy looking, with a plush couch and chairs.

"I must say that I'm proud of all of you. What I ask, I have no doubt that you will accomplish. Please, both of you have a seat and discuss anything from a bad memory, a fear, or even a silly little phobia you may not be proud of. Listen to each other, help one another as I know you can."

That's right. Guests are expected to share a bit about themselves, whether it's a trauma or a past sin they feel guilty for. Maybe it's even something as simple as an irrational fear of spiders... as long as it's sincere, it counts. Guests must absolutely share something if they don't want to be punished. They'll also have to provide sympathy or counsel.

If no one speaks, there's always a catch. The longer one of the participants refuses to speak of anything real, or lies, the more a headache will start to set in. Guests will feel a slight throbbing in the temples that grows steadily worse until it's almost blinding. Gradually, blood will start oozing from eyes, nose, and ears.

All of it will stop the minute guests comply and play along.

It is possible to wait out the punishment if guests are willing to let each other suffer for it, but this will be considered a failed challenge and Lucifer will have to rethink all that pride he said he had.

FOLLOW ME DOWN

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

Those newly arrived to Hell will hear about a drug called Frenzy. The effects of which include the lack of a need to sleep for as long as one uses it, feeling like the best version of oneself, and feeling better than they possibly ever have. It may even get to the point where pain is minimized or even welcomed as a pleasurable experience.

The downsides of the drug include giving into a frenzy of one's basest instincts, whether it's lust or anger or anything else that they're naturally inclined towards.

This drug will be offered at the club outside the hotel, but the succubi who make it will demand payment up front this time. This can come in the form of keeping the club up and cleaned, serving guests, or performing on stage. It may also include sex with the demons or other patrons, or putting on solo performances for an audience. The succubi won't particularly care how willing guests are when they come to demand their payment and may force it.

Some will tell you that it's absolutely worth the price though, especially down in Hell where there's so much pain already. What's wrong with a little bit of escape, really? Others will tell you to stay far away from it all.

Of course the demons fail to mention it has the potential to be addictive, but users will probably figure that out on their own once they've come down. It isn't their fault if no one did their research!

Beyond Frenzy, the club also offers a variety of drinks and aphrodisiac-laced foods. There are poles for dancing, plush couches throughout as well as more private tables. There are stages where sex machines are set up, as well as other areas to tie up volunteers or to set up any other type of play imaginable. There are private rooms that can be rented out for the night for those who really want to explore their desires.

Attractive succubi and incubi roam the club as staff or active participants. Some will become more forceful if they're hungry, others will gladly offer any sort of temptations they can.

Careful if you ever see through a their pretty illusion and see the old, angry crones they really are though. It's a bit hard to forget that.

Regular demons also frequent the club, ranging in looks from tiny, mischief-making goblins to goat-like beasts to more humanoid types. There may even be tentacled-beasts who may not be the best at conversation, but will be eager to participate any play they're invited to.

There's a dance floor and loud music pumping through the club in a dedicated space for those who'd rather just dance the night away safely detached from the sexual side of things. All manner of drugs will be offered for those who ask staff, not just Frenzy.

Prompt II
Warnings: Potential violence and abuse.
There are hooded figures making their way through the hotel, but it's oddly hard to focus on them. The more guests try, the more their attention wants to drift to anything else.

For those magically inclined, they may notice the hint of a spell or black magic, but it's just as easily forgotten as everything else.

Guests won't even notice when the figure brushes against them, a skeletal hand adorned with gold brushing over any exposed skin they can reach with a whisper light touch.

It's an encounter that's so easily written off as guests continue on with their day, it really isn't worth mentioning at all later.

But ever since it happened, it feels like there's a poison that's entered the guest's system, twisting around their insides until they feel almost hollowed out. It's a whisper in the ear, inspiring envious feelings towards their fellow guests and the local demons that may never have been there before.

Why do they have it so easy? Why do they have fewer sins and why do more people love them than they do you? Why are you so unimportant to them? Why does everything come so easily to them when you have to work so hard for it?

Envy doesn't have to make any rational sense at all. It can happen at the most inopportune times and leave one feeling like they're burning up from the inside at the injustice of it all.

Even if it's someone a guest generally likes or gets along with, they'll feel this nasty little sensation creeping in.

Rage replaces the envy eventually. The anger starts to become overwhelming. After all, you're the one who is truly worthy of all the attention, all the adoration, all the things they've got. Other people are merely foolish for not realizing it.

Or perhaps it's not even envy at what the other guy has. Perhaps it's because the guest craves all the attention and all the affection of this other person. The guest may never have sought love or possession before, but suddenly it's all they seem to crave from this one person. They'll do anything to have it or to become as close to one person as possible.

Doesn't it eventually just make you want to hurt them for it all? Whether verbally or physically, guests will be drawn to action, or even force if they must. They will desire to either claim what they want or make the other admit to never having deserved it.

Alternatively, guests may also be reduced to begging to be noticed by the object of their envy, desperate enough to do anything to get what they feel is rightfully theirs.

This influence will be hard to fight off, but stronger guests will be able to fend off the envious effects of the mysterious demons. Others won't be so lucky.

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

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

If you have questions, comments, suggestions, etc., go here.


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Comments

Styx

[styxtoshadows]

Stand Your Ground I

Loud moans are coming from one of the rooms in Knife Suite. Must mean the medication's wearing off. Styx hardly emerges from his suite and when he does he has the temper of a bear with a toothache. He's especially impatient with people who might not see him and might be standing in his way while he tries to get some dinner.

"Move your butt, human."

Reach Up High I

This. Again. Styx doesn't even try the door. He just taps his foot impatiently waiting for the next poor bastard to be thrown into his closet.

Reach Up High II

"...so, long story short I slept with her. Come to think of it she looked an awful lot like you do..."

A drop of blood falls from Styx's nose. He wipes it away and looks at his hand, offended.

"Alright. Your turn."

Follow Me Down I & II

Styx is back on Frenzy and feeling great. He does come very close to punching out a couple of goblin-like demons but for the time being he merely grits his teeth and tolerates them. Anyone else who seems to be itching to get stabbed probably will be though. He's also up for other shenanigans.

Later, a hooded figure infects him with envy and everything goes to hell. More to hell.

Humans. Humans everywhere. As if they didn't own the world they act like they own hell too. Everything is human sized, not that Styx has trouble using it, it's just the principle.

Styx's scowl deepens and before the end of the week he's stealing people's stuff. Not that he needs it, he just needs reassurance that he's faster than them, more clever than they are.

Stand your ground

[savedbyasong]

Shion was stood, tools in hand staring at the door he was meant to be fixing. It wasn't that he was being lazy, despite what the demon who had hit him earlier had said. It was that he genuinely didn't know what he was doing. And no one seemed to be in the mood to be asked questions from a boy who should know better.

He's still tired, even if the living nightmares have faded sleep is still difficult. So much has happened. As it was he was so focused trying not to get lost in his thoughts that he doesn't see the figure approaching until it is too late and he is in the way.

"Sorry." Terrified red eyes flicker up at the person. He's not a demon, Shion doesn't think, but he's not human and he's definitely angry.

[styxtoshadows]

"Ugh." He acknowledges the apology with a noise while blinking and trying to get his eyes to focus and his headache to go away. The boy's eyes are red and that jogs something in his memory.

"Hey, what are you, one of those goblins?"

[savedbyasong]

"A goblin?" He blinked and shook his head. "No. I'm not a goblin, I'm not really sure what a goblin is. Sorry."

A type of demon maybe? He can see why he might be mistook for one, with his eyes the colour they were.

[styxtoshadows]

He sighs. "I'm a goblin. But there are humans who call themselves goblins. White hair, red eyes...you know I'm not sure why I'm telling you this. Fuck it." He shrugs expansively.

"...can I borrow that screwdriver?"

[savedbyasong]

"Oh." He nodded. A goblin, not a demon at all. But also there were others with colouring like his? Who claimed to also be goblins.

He realised he'd beef asked a question. "Oh... Yes." He handed the screwdiver over.

"If we are all from different worlds might the white haired goblins just be from somewhere different than you and that is why you do not look similar."

[styxtoshadows]

Styx examines the screwdriver closely, then puts it in a sheath on his back.

"Mm. That's exactly the case. Different worlds. Too bad I didn't know about them sooner, I could have gone to find one that wasn't a shithole."

[savedbyasong]

Shion blinks, he had assumed he had wanted it to fix something but he just put it away... And Shion hadn't finished fixing what he had been told to do yet. Perhaps he could borrow another screwdriver, even if he got into trouble for losing the first.

"Your world was a bad place?" He hasn't yet heard of one that doesn't sound bad in some way, but some are definitely worse than others.

[styxtoshadows]

"Yeah." He doesn't want to elaborate. "What about yours?"

[savedbyasong]

"Yeah... Mostly." He shrugged, "But it's not all bad."

Not all of it, he won't believe that. There was some good on his world. Not that it matters anymore, he's dead and in hell.

"Are everyone goblins on your world? Or are there humans or... other people?" Like goblins, different species. If there were two there might be more.

[styxtoshadows]

"No, there are humans. They think they own the place." He starts holding up fingers, counting.

"There are elves and dwarves. They keep to themselves and they're kind of assholes. Then there are orcs.They're stupid and noble and have really hard heads. I know one who kept insisting on doing everything the hard way, got so upset about pretending to be my bodyguard."

It was a short count. Also Styx is smiling, just a bit.

[savedbyasong]

He's not sure what an elf or a dwarf is but he nods anyways, he guesses they are people like humans or goblins. He likewise doesn't know what an orc is.

"He thought being a bodyguard was beneath him?"

He's following, mostly.

[styxtoshadows]

Styx chuckles briefly. "He got a hard time for being a goblin's bodyguard. But it was more that he thought sneaking rather than smashing everything was beneath him. Then again he was a Bloodjaw. The guy was just good at smashing.

Too good almost."

Reach Up High II

[pococurante]

Spike grits his teeth against the pounding pain in his temples. "This is stupid." He insists. Again.

Of course he can think of things he's done that he's ashamed of. His soul is weighted down with them. He drowns in them. It's why he's here. He just doesn't want to talk about it. Why do they always want to make him talk? Something wet dribbles down the side of his face and he wipes it away without looking. It's also blood.

"You banged a chick who looks like me?" He asks, not willing to let the subject get turned back on himself. "That's hard to imagine."

[styxtoshadows]

"Well, clearly." Of course it's stupid. This is clearly Lucifer's way of making them comply.

"No I meant...fuck it." Perfectly good your mama joke wasted on this guy. Styx snarls as his headache increases.

"For the record I'm not sorry about any of it."

[pococurante]

Spike's relationship with his mother is... strained, to put it mildly. Despite the fact that he's been roaming the solar system since he was about thirteen and died a few blocks from her apartment, it's unlikely she even knows he's dead. A wound so old it doesn't even hurt anymore, just a scare he's had so long he can't remember where it came from.

The idea that anybody could do the sort of shit they all did to end up here and still, really, not in a bravado kind of way, but genuinely not carry any guilt is one he has a hard time believing. He looks at Styx skeptically. And grimacing because of the pain. "Really? You don't regret anything?"

[styxtoshadows]

"That's what I said didn't I?" he glances at the door.

Yes there's guilt but well buried under rationalization and numbness.

"Ow. Could've treated Arkhail a little better I guess."

[pococurante]

Spike grabs that thread and doesn't let go. The more Styx talks about himself the longer Spike can avoid talking about his own sins. "Who's Arkhail?"

[styxtoshadows]

Styx rolls his eyes heavenward but the pain doesn't seem to be going away.

"A berserker who thinks he can barge into any situation without planning and come out on top. And he's almost right. Know anyone like that?" The ball's in your court, Spike. Let Styx change the subject.

[pococurante]

"If you don't have plans then there's nothing getting in the way of reacting to the situation. Plans never survive contact with the enemy, anyway." Or something like that.

He leans forward and rubs his temples. "Why do you feel guilty about how you treated him, though? You trip him or something?"

[styxtoshadows]

"You do a lot better if you know a few things about what you're dealing with" he insists.

More headache, why not just tell him? "I don't feel- ugh. He was too stupidly honorable to sneak anywhere so I got him shipped where he needed to go. By pretending to sell him into slavery. Didn't know he was gonna take it so hard.

[pococurante]

"Well, yeah. Intel is important. Gotta know what you're up against. But there's a difference between knowing there's three guys with two guns between them in the room and marking out every step of your plan ahead of time." He just needs to know the basics. Then he flows like water. "Getting hung up on what you're supposed to be doing leaves you blind to opportunities in the moment."

Yes, this drove his partner absolutely nuts. But Jet stuck with him for all those years because he got the job done, no matter how maddening his methods. Spike furrows his brows at Styx's explanation, feeling like he's leaving out some important details. And because there's a pain like somebody twisting a knife into his skull somewhere from the nape of his neck. "You tricked him into thinking you were selling him into slavery, but you sent him somewhere else instead?" He asks to make sure he's got the story straight. "How was he supposed to take that?"

[styxtoshadows]

"Sure, sure." Styx inwardly rolls his eyes about being lectured on spontaneity.

"No, I sold him into slavery because that's where he needed to go." Styx settles back. Might as well go into the full thing. "Wasn't expecting him to get sent to the fighting arena on the first day, but that's what you get when you try to fight the foreman."

"...I got him out. He's not still angry about it." But Styx still feels bad.

[pococurante]

"Wait. You actually sold him into slavery? Not just tricked him?"

The pain is getting worse. He clutches his head with both hands, fingers digging into his hair to try to stop it, somehow. But there's only one way to stop it.

"I fucked my best friend's girl while he was serving in the war. He never got over that."

[styxtoshadows]

"What? I was going to get him out again. I got him out again." He's more than mildly defensive now. "The only thing bruised was his pride and frankly he has too much of that."

Oh good, something to get his mind off his own confessions. "What happened then? He take a swing at you?"