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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
[He says it out of guilt, but not dishonestly.]
But, I don't know, you must be from some place far. There's none of that in México. Someone would have used it by now.
[But Hell being magic remains a point.]
no subject
[Among the other weird shit the rest of the world was getting into. It was long before Nekane existed but the two worlds, once separated, were slammed back together. Magic basically solved all of the world's problems so people got bored and apathetic.
And when people got bored and apathetic, they started to do stupid things.]
Maybe you just never noticed.
no subject
[You sure you aren't just crazy? It's on the tip of his tongue but he manages not to say it.]
If there was magic, the church would have said something about not touching it. They're like that about a lot of stuff that isn't even close to magic. And I grew up with nuns. The sisters would have definitely said something. There must be some mistake...
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[They don't give Héctor much of a warning before activating one of their abilities. Eyes suddenly form in the shadows, blood-red things that all stare unblinking at the other man.
The eyes let Nekane see everything they can see, but mostly it's a good way to startle someone.]
Unless you're going to write it off as Hell's bullshit.
no subject
A minute of stillness passes before he can find the voice to speak.]
L-look, I don't know what's going on, I'm just telling you the truth! There's no magic back home! You've got something wrong!
[He doesn't know if it's Hell's work, but he can believe that this guy believes it.]
no subject
That's weird as shit. Magic's dated back for fucking eons even before the worlds were put back together. Someone who doesn't know...
[They can tell Héctor isn't messing with them - his reaction to the eyes had been a genuine one. Well, either that or he's a damn good actor and Nekane wouldn't put it past someone being able to fake it. But then again, Héctor had been telling the truth for this whole exercise, so...?
Nekane leans back in their seat and sighs.]
One hell of a mystery. Either you're fucking with me or something else is going on here.
[There is one thing Nekane could ask Héctor about. "What are angels to you?"
But they won't. They'd sooner jam a blade through their eye.]
no subject
[He's still a bit shaken. Just a bit. He eases marginally in his seat.]
It's something else. You'd know if I was messing with you with the headache thing. I assume, anyway.
Did you mean to say worlds plural? As in more than one? Because that's sounding like the problem right there.
no subject
[Considering how things have gone previously. Now that the question has been raised in their mind, they're tempted to try. But only if they were the only one here.
At Héctor's question Nekane groans but explains, holding up two fingers.]
It happened a long fucking time ago. We've got two worlds that were separated - the world of mundane and the world of the supernatural. No one's got any clue how it happened but they were smashed back together. So it's really just one with two sides.
[It should be easy enough to follow. Nekane's not half-bad at explaining things...it's just through their filter.
But one would think something that major would be extremely well-known...]
no subject
Is it, uh... is it maybe... ay, this is too crazy-- is it maybe that your place is a different world? So, your two and my one?
... with the same Hell, I don't know what I'm saying.
[He drops his head to his hands. This is really going to give him a headache.]
no subject
Sure, why the fuck not. You can think about Hell pulling different people based on the fact there's so many different versions of Hell. Or something.
[The version of Hell in their own world is a lot quieter then this, for example. Nu only was loud when vengeful spirits were around, and you couldn't pay them enough to be around when that happened.]
no subject
[He pauses. He really thinks about it.]
Actually, no, that part does make sense. It would be hotel. I'm so tired of hotels... Helltel, ha...
[There's a bit of hysterical laughter. It's fine.]
no subject
Take a fucking deep breath. You're freaking out.
[To say the least. But to be fair they didn't exactly help Héctor with not panicking.]
Let's a least try getting out of this room.
no subject
[He's not... usually the sort to snap at people but he's a little stressed.]
I died today! Or whatever day it is! Rather painfully! And I'm in Hell! Yes, I'm freaking out! I'm going to be spending the next who knows how long freaking out! Freaking out is going to be my natural state as long as I'm here!
[But, with that outburst out of the way, he does stop and try and take a breath. One, then another, then another, each getting less strained as he goes.]
We... did the truth thing, maybe we can just walk out now? Or maybe it's a time limit. You know, make us squirm a bit.
no subject
Undeath was the closest and...well, you didn't want to be undead. Trust them.]
Ain't going to find out sitting here.
[They stand up to go try the door. Luckily for the pair of them it opens up! Guess playing along really did work. Nekane pokes their head outside.]
Coast's clear at least.
no subject
But! The door is now suddenly open!]
Oh! Gracias a Dios!
[Poor word choice here, but oh well.]
Okay! Let's go! What are we waiting for!
no subject
[Or also because Nekane is excessively paranoid. They'll wait a moment and listen to the silence before actually stepping out.
...swanky hotel.]
Coast's clear. So far.
no subject
[He considers.]
Don't' answer that.
[Whatever steps Nekane elects to take, he's following.]
no subject
Gotta say, it's nicer then waking up in the trunk of someone's car again.
[The place, they mean. Nekane's moving incredibly slowly through the hallways. Last thing they need is for what they said to actually come true.]
no subject
[He looks at Nekane with utmost disbelief. It's the only thing to distract him from the agonizing slowness of their progression.]
Okay, one, you woke in the trunk of a car? You- you mean like the- the... what's it called... the boot? That baggage thingie some of them have? How would you even fit in that? And for that matter, I would take that over literal Hell right now. Heck, I'd take that over a hotel!
no subject
[Héctor has a point about it being a better choice over Hell. But if he remembers Nekane has a phobia of the dark, one they were prepared to suffer physical pain to not speak of. It has to come from somewhere.
Even if that isn't the reason.]
Would kill for a map though.
no subject
He gives Nekane a worried side glance at that comment, sure that that's not all entirely hyperbole.]
Do you think they'd even have one? I mean, assuming it's an infinite nightmare landscape, and then that they don't really want people getting out.
[A pause.]
I know a book. I haven't read it, but it's called Dante's Inferno. It might have directions. Of a sort.
no subject
[But while they say 'kill', Nekane won't. They've crossed that line only once. Not anymore. Thank God for standards.]
Yeah I read it too. I doubt it's a one-for-one of this place though. That'd be too fucking easy.
[Because it mean anyone who is just as much of a book nerd as Nekane would know their way around here perfectly.]
no subject
[This guy could probably hurt him in a hundred ways but he can't keep the dry note from his voice.]
Anyway, they'd probably want us to fall into any death pits there are laying around. That's probably the point.
no subject
But they don't seem to mind the dry tone in the man's voice. In fact they snort, amused.]
Like acid or spikes. Mostly I just want to know if there's a damn entrance.
[There is a landscape outside but Nekane was dragged off to the room before they got a chance to find it.]
no subject
[Listen to him. The nuns would have words. But those words would probably also be "We told you so."]
I don't know. I remember people always used to talk about "the mouth of hell" like it was a cave. Or a giant monster.
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