penancememes | TEST DRIVE MEME #1

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TEST DRIVE MEME #1

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

The hotel is undergoing some improvements already! Thanks to the new arrival of sinners, hell has a burst of energy and growth available to it. One demand of the demonic staff was the addition of elevators. It gets tiresome having to take the stairs all the time. They'll eagerly implore you to help them test out this new system, even going so far as shoving you right in the nearest available elevator with whoever else is in the vicinity.

Unfortunately, things aren't quite up to par just yet. Press a button and you'll find your elevator gets jammed between floors with very little chance of escape. Oh, oops. This is entirely the hotel's fault and will be fixed as soon as possible. In the meantime, enjoy your company and try to relax a bit.

It's definitely a high priority repair for staff, promise.

Prompt II

Maybe you were looking for the hotel gym to work off some stress or maybe you just took a wrong left somewhere, but instead of what you were expecting, you stumble across what appears to be a very well stocked torture room. There are tables with straps to hold down victims, chains falling from the walls and ceilings to bind them upright, and absolutely every possible torture device you can think of. There's even an iron maiden proudly displayed in the corner. Besides that, there's the normal supply of whips, knives, and any other equipment someone could want to inflict the most delicious pain available.

You're free to check it out or give it a go. You're also free to back out of the room very slowly, but with the knowledge this space will probably come into play at some point.

Oh, and a tip: the gym is to the right of this room.

REACH UP HIGH

Prompt I
Warnings: cutting, blood, torture.

After settling in, it really is only a matter of time until your demonic hosts expect some participation. You can try and shirk the responsibility, of course. But eventually, you may find yourself trapped in a room just off the kitchen that's curiously full of knives. 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 becomes apparently what you're supposed to do soon enough when someone else is eventually shoved in with you. Both of your lists of in will appear in the room on a nearby table 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 one of your sins into the other's flesh. Help them in their journey to be candid with everyone they 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

Well, that last punishment was a bit heavy, wasn't it? Or maybe you somehow skipped out on it all together. Fortunately for you, there's a less horrible one to get potentially wrapped up in along the way. You'll hear that all too familiar voice ringing in your ears as you explore the halls of the hotel or poke your head outside.

"Do one genuinely kind deed for someone and we'll consider it a step in the right direction for you."

This can be helping one of your fellow sinners out with a task or helping them find something. It can be a shoulder or a listening ear towards someone who needs it. You can even offer to help the staff clean up a bit around the hotel, or help a poor hell beast pup out of the hellfire around Penance. Careful though, even they have pretty sharp teeth and an aggressive attitude. It doesn't matter what you do as long as it helps someone else out.

Oh, and one more thing! The longer you resist, the more aches you'll notice. It'll start with a mild headache and escalate from there. You can wait it out, of course, and pills may help you cope with the pain if you really can't be bothered to do one nice deed. Although Satan is still very disappointed in you.

FOLLOW ME DOWN

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

With all the new sinners arriving, this feels like a call for celebration! The bar will be lit up with activity. 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.

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 you've presumably done your atonement for the day, yes? So cut back a bit.

Ask the staff demons very nicely and you may even get less scrupulous drugs. Things that will convince your fellow damned souls to tell the truth or perhaps even things that will make someone so enamored with you, they won't take their eyes off you. How dare they give you the cold shoulder earlier, right?

There are also tables set up for all sorts of gambling and various bar games to entertain yourself with.

Relax and enjoy your first night in hell. 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 kinks.

Much like the hotel improvements inside, all these new sinners seem to have given hell the ability to open a new building just outside the hotel. It happens to be quite a happening sex club from the looks of it. Everything is bathed in obnoxious neon lights when you first enter the establishment. There's plenty of space for dancing, and poles for those so inclined. Mood music fills the air, along with something a little too sweet.

As tacky as it is, something may pull you to stay.

Whether experienced lover or total virgin, once pulled in, you may not want to leave for a while.

There are back rooms people can go for a bit of private fun, full of every type of toy and restraint that you could possibly desire to play with. There's also a rather large room with a massive bed that seems to be fit for any orgies you may want to try to arrange. Hell's not judging and may be encouraging a bit.

There are aphrodisiac laced food and drinks available around the club as well, but these will most likely be marked. If one slips through, ah well. Why else are you here if not for a bit of fun? The drugs will only help that out.

Of course outside, this club is clearly marked for what it is and anyone who would rather avoid it are free to do so.

MISC.

Thank you for checking out

penancerp's first TDM! Please note that all prompts are opt-out and players are more than welcome to come up with their own ideas while exploring the hotel and hell outside.

All that we ask is that you remember to put clear warnings on any potentially triggering content! Warn for sex, including underage or incest, violence, abuse, non-con, etc. Please put these warning in a visible place, either by the prompt itself or in the subject line. This isn't just a suggestion but a requirement to participate in the game.

Now that all that's out of the way, we hope you have fun! Feel free to ask questions under the appropriate comment before or on the FAQ page. Since this is the game's first TDM, we are also very interested in hearing any suggestions you have or ways to improve the game experience.

Since this is a big event, Lucifer himself will be taking a few questions via his device for anyone so inclined down below.

As a final note, don't forget that reserves are open now until May 1st as well!

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[Steve kissed the man's forehead and straightened, cupping his face with both hands.]

You were stingy in your vocal enjoyment though. You should have been louder. I like someone that lets me know I'm really doing a good job. Moaning is a great thing Loki.

[ loki doesn't quite flush but the tips of his ears go pink at that. ]

Then clearly you have ways to go before you impress me, Captain.

[He let go of Loki's face to crush the man in a hug, shoulders shaking with silent laughter. It felt good to not be drowning in guilt and loss and all the rest of the things he'd been stewing in since waking from the nightmare. Loki being Loki was so comforting, even if the man wasn't the one he'd gotten close to . . .]

It's possible. I wasn't exactly at my best. Neither were you. Maybe we should fix that here . . .

[ why not? he has nothing to hold onto. he's dead after all. what does loki have to lose that he hasn't lost already? still. the kind of things steve was talking about, that kind of trust scares him. but he leans into the warmth because it's been so long and loki has been so lonely. ]

We shall see.

[Steve sighed against Loki's hair, smiling softly. It was such a Loki thing to say, it really would be easy to let himself forget it wasn't his Loki. His voice was quiet and subdued when he spoke again, the words hard to say.]

Yeah. You're not my Loki though, so it won't be today. I'm glad you're here anyway, even if you don't know me. I should probably let you go, huh?

[ I'm glad you're here. loki can't fathom it. ]

I . . . am not fussed at the moment. It's not as though either of us have anywhere else to go.

Yeah? You'd rather stand here and let me hug you? Why would you want a stranger to hold you Loki?

[Even though he'd spoken about leaving, Steve made no move to let go. If anything, his arms got a little tighter. Even if it wasn't the same man, he was weak enough to take what was being offered anyway.]

[ loki closes his eyes. ]

It . . . feels nice. No one has held me for a long time.

Really? What about Thor? I know you two fight sometimes, but I thought you saw each other regularly? Doesn't he ever hug you?

[Steve was mumbling into the man's hair, lifting a hand to stroke it again. He was such a sucker for offering comfort. Why wouldn't people hug Loki? Surely most of the time he just . . . pretended to be someone decent? He could certainly be charming when he put his mind to it, and with all that magic at his beck and call, Steve didn't believe for a second he didn't make use of it.

Then again, if all he did was lie to people all the time, maybe Loki meant someone that knew him hadn't cared enough to offer that kind of contact. But that brought up the question of Thor again . . . Standing in a hall just wasn't the best place for their first encounter.]

[ loki snorts. ]

Asgardians are not so affectionate by nature.

[ his mother certainly was, though. and thor and loki . . . well, they didn't hug much. ]

[He cuddled the man closer, wondering if he was being played, or if Loki was being serious. It was hard to tell, especially since it wasn't the same man he'd known. But it did track with what his Loki had said, more or less.]

That's a real shame Loki. If I'd had a brother I would have hugged him at least once a day. Bucky and I hung all over each other when we were little, and we didn't stop all that much when we grew up. I have a little problem with being overly handsy these days myself, but I don't think most people mind. Or if they do, they don't say so to my face. But I really shouldn't be so eager to reach out and hold someone I suppose, it could certainly get me into trouble.

[ yeah loki's not sure he'd be all this receptive to hugs if steve gave them to everyone. he even frowns at that. ]

I certainly do not recommend hugging random people.

Well, not usually random people, unless they happen to be crying or upset. But anyone I know merits one most of the time. Not everyone wants it though.

[There was a note of amusement in his voice and he shifted his hold on the man, moving them both closer to the nearest wall so they didn't make quite so much of an impediment or spectacle of themselves. Steve was happy to hold the man, too happy really, but he didn't care. The conversation was nice, and Loki felt good in his arms. Familiar. He'd known a body just like that before, and his own body remembered how to make them fit together.]

You're not jealous because I theoretically hug people you've never met, are you Loki? I have to tell you, I'm not likely to give it up anytime soon, not unless there's a ring involved with that kind of demand.

[It was a joke. Hopefully.]

[ loki pointedly sniffs, crossing his arms in a huff. ]

If it's so pedestrian, then I want nothing to do with it.

[ translation: if everyone gets it, then loki doesn't want it anymore. it has to be Special Or Else. ]

Ok then.

[He knew the man was just being petulant, but there was really only one way to deal with a spoiled child. Steve let his arms fall away as he stepped back, trailing the fingers of one hand along Loki's cheek. He felt cold immediately but Steve wasn't going to play games with consent. He hadn't done it on the island and he sure wasn't going to do it in Hell either. If there was ever a question, he'd err on the side of caution.]

Maybe we can catch a drink or something sometime, try to get me drunk again, hmm?

[ his lips twitch a little. ]

I suppose I am willing to try.

[He shoved his hands in his pockets, just in case, and gave Loki a friendly smile. Playing games wasn't really his forte, but he'd gotten sort of used to Loki and what usually seemed to work. Well, his Loki anyway.]

Yeah? That mean you're gonna make me some more god punch to drink? It was pretty strong, but it didn't taste horrible. Probably be faster than trying to use regular alcohol.

[ what the hell is god punch??? his brow furrows before he realizes what steve means. ]

Mead? It is meant to be. Otherwise there's no point.

[Steve chuckled at the disconnect. Loki's idea of a joke didn't often line up with his and he liked seeing that frown. It was cute. He liked coming up with silly descriptions of the mead the man had made, or referencing things Loki was unfamiliar with. It was fun and it seemed he could do the same thing with the new Loki too.]

Yeah that stuff. Tell me, did you use it to get Thor drunk when you were younger, or did you just convince him to do stupid things with that silver tongue of yours? I bet he was pretty gullible as a kid, huh?

[Steve was trying to get Loki to talk a little more, and maybe even open up some with the questions. The man had been willing to tell stories on Thor before, so it seemed like a reasonable topic to elicit some more investment in Loki's answers. Or Loki might just walk away. You never knew.]

Of course. Thor liked drinking and questing. He had little else on his brain.

[ now his brother has changed so much that sometimes, loki can't quite recognize him. but that doesn't mean that loki still doesn't know him best. ]

You didn't need to have him drinking to convince him to go on a ridiculous journey or fall into a well.

Fall into a well? You got him to just . . . fall in a well? I mean, I know Thor can be a little thick sometimes, but seriously? How the hell did you get him to fall in a well?

[Steve was laughing so hard it was difficult to speak. He had to lean on a nearby wall so he didn't just collapse. It wasn't just the story though, it was a way to release tension and some of the other emotions he couldn't manage to deal with safely. There was an hysterical edge to the tone, but at least he wasn't screaming of weeping.]

[ loki picks up the tone, the slight edge to it. he hesitates, not sure how to address it or whether he should. so he hovers a little before pulling back. ]

I told him there was a sea-serpent hiding at the bottom.

Are you all right, Captain?

[Eventually Steve managed to stop laughing. He straightened slowly, wiping at his cheeks absently where his eyes had watered, since he absolutely had not been crying. He shoved his hair out of his face and slapped Loki on the back, harder than he meant to.]

Steve, Loki. My name is Steve. And really? Does he still fall for you telling him there's snakes and sea serpents and god knows what in wells? Didn't he ever learn?

[ he doesn't stumble. he's used to loud pats on the back. instead, loki shrugs. ]

He seemed to gain some measure of self-awareness since then. It was a long time ago, after all.

[ he no longer plays silly harmless tricks and thor no longer falls for them. they've grown but they've also divided themselves in asgard's shadow. ]

[He laid a hand on Loki's shoulder, gently, and gave the man a slight squeeze. Steve knew there had been problems with the brothers, and how much Thor's loss had hurt him. The Loki standing with him might not know that pain, but he surely had others that would be just as bad.]

That's a shame. It would be awfully funny to see him tip right over. Think you could distract him long enough for me to push him over, maybe into a lake or something? It would be like old times for you two.

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