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penancememes2019-08-23 03:04 am
penancemods) wrote in penancememes2019-08-23 03:04 am
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TEST DRIVE MEME #5
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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no subject
Not a fucking clue. [They have no idea how old they are.] Small pool for kids to play in the backyard or some shit.
[It does not answer much and possibly raises a few questions. But judging from the detective's previous answers they have no intentions of explaining.]
You're next.
no subject
Oh. Right. Ah...
[A fear; Being here. Bad memory; everything since he woke up. Silly little phobia...]
Ha, well, one time mi amigo and I were just borrowing some things and--
[The headache spikes sharp then.]
OW, ay, ay... [That... that might be blood.] OKAY! Okay. Didn't even let me finish the story...
I... I never wanted to help the revolucionarios! I always told the other kids that the sisters said not to get involved but it was really that I didn't want the federales to find me! I didn't want to get shot.
[The pain lifts. For the moment. His body sags.]
no subject
Not wanting to get shot is a pretty fucking good reason.
[It is not sympathy and they don't try to make their tone sound anything like it. Nekane's heard a lot of reasons for people to do the things they do and that's usually where it ends for them.]
Had to teach someone how to work spells once. Ended with him getting his legs chopped off.
[Hopefully Héctor has not gotten used to the pain being lifted because that "story" is absolutely both not true or the point of this exercise.
Perhaps it says something about Nekane, that they are able and willing to sidestep and lie even under threat of punishments such as this. But it's likely not doing Héctor any favors here.]
no subject
But here he is sitting with a guy talking about witchcraft. And amputation.]
Dios mio, what?
[A yelp of pain follows that exclamation as the pain comes right back. His face goes in his hands and his foot taps on the ground, a futile attempt to work the pain out.]
Gh... ay, that's horrible, but... that doesn't actually sound like it did anything to you. I don't want my brain to bleed out of my head either. Don't you have anything better? Just a little thing?
no subject
People rely on magic too much back home. Fucking it up fucks you up.
[To say the least. That hasn't stopped some idiots though. But at Héctor's words, Nekane's frown deepens.]
I've got nothing I want to share for this shit. Rather the alternative, really.
[Not that they like pain. But between expressing anything about their past or their fears, or brain-bleeding...they'll stick with the brain-bleeding unless Héctor can convince them otherwise.]
no subject
That gets a little look of bewildered horror. There's a lot there to unpack. He wants to ask but he's gotten very little answers for even the very obviously more important things here. His face turns despairing.]
...Why? I mean, I don't like talking about this stuff either but, at the end of the day it's not like they don't know. We're here. And that means even trying to pretend we don't have problems is kind of pointless too. It's not going to save us any hurt or pride if we hold back, they'll just find a way around it so we hurt anyway. Isn't the best thing to just... hurt as little as we can here?
[He glances around the room, at the door, wondering if they're listening. Knowing it doesn't matter anyway. Then his eyes come back to Nekane's face, trying to meet those frankly frightening eyes. He pleads.]
I won't tell anyone, I swear. No one will ever know a thing. Just one little thing. I mean, he didn't say it had to be more than that...
no subject
They're probably listening.
[And even if the demons or Satan himself were not, they may as well be in Nekane's mind. They are paranoid even in places where they know they are safe and this very much is not one of those places.
They hold Héctor's gaze steady even with a bloody nose. But, depending on how good the other man is when it comes to reading body language, he will notice just how ridged they are sitting. Like a coiled spring ready to snap at any second.
It's not fear. Compared to what they have gone through in the past this did not mean much. It's because this was meant for others to get to know them that is the problem.
Nekane would rather others know them as the monster they are. Not what lay bone-deep.]
Wouldn't put it past them to fucking ask for more. And I've got no guarantee you'll keep your damn mouth shut, just like you don't have any I won't say shit.
[They do not trust blindly. Not anymore.]
no subject
They already know. We wouldn't be in hell if they didn't know.
[Every dirty detail, every ugly part of themselves they tried to hide. Even from themselves.
But he can't argue the rest of that. He just sits for a moment dwelling in the pain.]
One tiny thing. One small thing that's real and if it doesn't work, then I won't ask for more. There won't be a point then anyway. In exchange, to make it fair, I'll give something that's as hard for me to give as this is for you. Something big, something... it would kill me to talk about. And so, even if I did betray you, you'd be able to get back at me much worse. And you'll know it's true because we'll stop hurting for a moment. Does that sound like something you could do?
no subject
At Héctor's suggestion Nekane...they don't relax but instead pinch the bridge of their nose and sigh. They can take the pain easily enough even if they don't like it. That's their choice. And they hate people knowing things about them.
But they are not a sadist. They don't take pleasure out of others being in pain and it's clear Héctor is reaching the end of his rope. The detective may be able to tough it out but if someone else can't, they can't.]
...keep it small things for both of us. And no fucking questions.
[Judging by the dark tone of their voice Nekane is adamant about that last part.]
no subject
No questions.
[He can agree to that. It's fair enough.
He'll go first. He leans back in the chair, head tilted back a little as the blood drips down. His eyes close.]
I resented it. I resented them. When my friends went home to their families and I stayed in the plaza. Sometimes I'd stay because it was the best place to play my music, but sometimes I just wanted to see if anyone would miss me. I'd think about hiding before they showed up, just to see if they cared. Como un idiota.
no subject
It would also be a lie to say they didn't want to ask questions. It was in Nekane's nature to collect information, not just as a detective but to feed their obsession with knowing things about people. They are keeping whatever Héctor says in mind. But they don't press further because it means they would have to.
Nekane pauses for a long time, figuring something out to say. The lying and sidestepping probably clued Héctor into the fact that the detective rarely shared things about themself and now that they have to it is difficult not to lie, even if the 'no questions' was agreed upon.]
...I have a phobia of the dark. Had it for a long fucking time. Probably going to have it forever.
[It was something their former boss said. That it was impossible to be 'fixed' by the standards Nekane had back then.]
no subject
And there, that last sigh of relief as the pain lifts. All that's left his dripping blood.]
Makes sense. There's a lot to be found in that.
[People who'd hurt you, animals and traps of nature. Memories and imagination. He refrains from joking that at least the hellfires keep it bright. It's not the time, and not actually true in some of the dimmer parts of this building. He offers something else instead.]
Thank you.
[For trusting him, for playing along and bringing mercy too.]
I'm Héctor, by the way.
cw for past eye trauma
Yeah. All sorts of reasons.
The detective snorts derisively and uses the sleeve of their jacket to clean up their face. They're in hell, probably no one is going to give them trouble for bloody clothing.]
Ain't any sort of self-sacrifice bullshit. [And they better be let out soon because they're not doing that again.] Nekane.
[For the moment they're withholding their last name.]
Re: cw for past eye trauma
No, but I appreciate it. I kind of doubt where in a place for much self sacrifice anyway.
[He's a little amazed it hasn't all been crazies with guns and knives but he's pointedly not asking anyone about that.]
Nekane. I'd say it's nice to meet you but these aren't the best circumstances. Are you, ah, new here too?
no subject
And thank fucking God for that. Self sacrifice is nothing more then pure bullshit.
[They detest the concept and whoever thinks sacrifice or self-sacrifice is a noble cause is a lunatic and can stay far away from them.]
Yeah, I am. Ain't exactly surprised I ended up in hell. You?
no subject
[He hadn't sacrificed a thing in his life. No one had sacrificed for him either.
He pauses a moment.]
This will probably sound contrived or like I'm in denial no matter how I put this but... no, I wasn't really expecting this.
[He hadn't been thinking he'd die so soon at all.]
I suppose it makes sense in retrospect. I screwed up bad before-- before the end. Now I'm out of time to fix it.
no subject
Doubt most people can say they were. [Nekane was a monster, there's nowhere else they'd wind up.] Don't exactly plan on rolling over though. I've got shit to do back home.
[Nekane had not been pounded into dust, so they'll still work. That's all there is to it.]
no subject
You- you think there's a way back? That we can go home?
[To escape Hell... to simply leave.]
Would we even be alive? Or would we just be ghosts trying to-- No, no, it doesn't matter, haha, it doesn't matter!
[He shoots to his feet, a whole new energy reviving him. He even manages to smile, even if it's a touch manic.]
There's nothing to lose and everything to gain! I just need a plan! But I grew up learning this stuff, how hard could be!? This... this is doable. I can go home...!
no subject
It's either that or we sit around on our asses getting tortured forever. No fucking pressure.
[And they're not interested in rolling over and submitting. Not ever again. But they still can't help that last bit of biting sarcasm.]
Information before a plan. Then we'll see how it goes.
no subject
Yes, yes, of course, information first, plan, escape, go from there. The point is that there's a point! We can do something!
You know, besides being tortured forever until we're wishing to die with no chance of it because we're already dead.
[Cheery.]
no subject
Or we could just be stuck in this damn room forever, doomed to swap shitty stories that will in someway "help us repent". Like it works that way.
[They even do the air finger quotes. Evidently the detective doesn't mind a little black humor.]
But I'm guessing you're looking forward to that kind of shit as much as I am.
[Read: 0%.]
no subject
I think at some point we'd have to run out of stories. Succumb to headaches and bleeding. Do you think we'd just bleed forever or run out and keep on moving somehow?
[That's horrifying! Both those options are horrific!]
I don't know about you but I'm feeling pretty sorry for myself as it is. Doesn't look like it's making much difference.
no subject
[Said person was the product of someone else going "necromancy takes too long, let's cut out the middle man" and inventing a ritual to skip the whole someone needs to be dead bit.
The fact that there isn't an incoming headache lends to the feeling Nekane is actually telling the truth this time.]
Hell is full of pointless suffering. Least that's what I kept reading.
[Religion never interested them and whoever used the title of God was a madman. But it was something to read, so they did.]
no subject
[His look of horror is immediate. Someone isn't ready for the violence found in hell.
He pauses.]
It's... supposed to have a point, just not for us. We're the bad example. So, you know, everyone else works harder to not be like us. So they can go to heaven. And to... to bring justice against those who might have brought harm. Which is us.
[Steadying breath there.]
... It was that or a painful four year journey through Mictlan if my ancestors had been right. Kind of thinking that'd be better than this now, maybe.
no subject
If it does, the point ain't sticking. Hell sure as shit seems to think so. And monsters like me wouldn't exist without all that bad crap people and the supernatural do on a regular bases.
[Of a sort. But that is solely Nekane's point of view.]
Don't think I've heard of "Mictlan" before though.
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