TEST DRIVE MEME #8

[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

The cold is still biting, but the heat is (mostly) working within the hotel and other establishments again. It's enough to take the chill off for the most part. Coats and extra blankets are being passed out to those who need them as well.

Unfortunately, the food shortage that begun a few days ago will continue on for a few more yet! All food will be rotting or covered in maggots and mold, so new and old arrivals alike should probably steer clear of it if they can. If asked, the staff will insist it was entirely unplanned. Totally. Honest.

It will let up before the month is over and then fresh food will more than return! In the meantime, guests are able to bargain for a morsel of food someone else might have hidden back that hasn't rotted or try some of the bizarre fruit sprouting up that ranges in looks from a Durian to Jackfruit.

Just be aware that eating them before they're ripe enough may result in severe nausea and other decidedly not fun issues. Get them when they're perfect though? Unlike their earth counterparts, the insides seem to range from the sweetest, most delicious fruit you've ever had to something that may appear to be human blood and guts to something oddly... pork tasting, and everything in between. Food's food though, right? Don't complain, just eat.

There's increased security around the stables where animals are kept around the hotel, just in case anyone decides to eat Lucifer's prized animals. That will be a firm no. For any guests with pets of their own, there will be small rations of non-spoiled food to feed them, but it has very little nutritional value to humans.

The theatre has also changed the movie lineup to now include: Christmas with the Kranks, The Ref, Jack Frost, Holiday in Handcuffs.

Go forth and enjoy the way the holidays even seem to invade Hell.

The hotel bar's jukebox also seems entirely overrun with horrible festive songs now, pushing holiday shenanigans off the playlist. Try to enjoy it while you get drunk! Or hope someone actually gets up to indulge in karaoke to drown it out. The music has seemed to put the demons in a rather sour mood if anyone bothers to listen to the complaints.

Prompt II

[One day, on the network, sinners will be greeted with Lucifer's face. He'll smile brightly from every phone or computer in Hell, before he speaks:]

I thought it may be fun to include an icebreaker of sorts... Get you lot mingling and bonding with each other before the loneliness eats you absolutely alive. I want there to be something to redeem after all... a shriveled husk of a person is hardly that.

[Lucifer seems to find his own joke amusing at least.]

So, here we go:

What pleasant memories help you through the tough times?

Or alternatively, what are some of your favorite hobbies to distract yourself with?

[Lucifer may not respond, but rest assured that he will eagerly be watching others share their answers and talk amongst themselves]

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

"I know after such a food shortage, all of you may be eager to overindulge and sate your hunger... or even hold food back, just in case. But this isn't the act of a good person. It isn't how someone who is truly selfless, as my Father desires all of us to be, would act. So I ask all of you to turn to whoever is nearest and simply share what you have. It doesn't necessarily have to be food, but it must be an item or act that will make their lives easier," Lucifer's voice rings out, sudden albeit encouraging and warm as always.

Sharing is caring, apparently. The request seems simple enough, doesn't it? Just share a bit of food or anything else that might seem useful to someone else and you'll have done your good deed for the day! Of course, should the guest ignore this request, they'll find their insides burning. It will grow steadily worse until it becomes unbearable. Nothing a guest drinks or eats to soothe it will help either. These feelings will persist a full night or until they cave and do as requested.

FOLLOW ME DOWN

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

The club, as it turns out, isn't quite ready to give up its party from the previous month, but they have put a new twist on it. As before, once a sinner enters the establishment, they'll be greeted with almost entirely nude (to fully) incubi and succubi servers. Their trays are full of aphrodisiac-laced treats that show no rot, as well as drinks and drugs of all sorts. There are dancers and other performers enticing their audience to stay, and plenty of free stages for sinners to put on their own show. Sex machines, bondage equipment, or toys are freely available for these performances.

Poles, cages, and everything else one could want are also on offer.

But this particular party? It's a bit different. No one is allowed in unless they are appropriately dressed in lingerie. Don't worry if you came overdressed! The demons will helpfully provide it at the door and even offer a room for sinners to change in! If refused, entrance will be denied (forcefully, if necessary). If guests aren't sure what to put on, the staff will be more than happy to choose for them (again, with force if necessary)!

Tonight is about being daring! Never done drugs off someone else before? Now's your chance!

Never even been drunk? Well, just let the demons help take care of that.

It's also about experimentation with something new. This can be someone who is generally outside your usual preferences, an act you'd never considered in a thousand years, to anything else under the sun.

Guests may also know screens set up around the establishment, but oddly enough, they appear turned off for the moment. If asked, the staff assures they will be back as soon as a few kinks are worked out.

Prompt II


A fall festival seems to roll into town one day overnight, and it seems to be centered around the hell fruit that's springing up on lifeless, dead trees. It's bustling with demons of all sorts and will last one week.

There's a tempting wine that's been made out of the fruit that can vary in taste, but seems to be stronger than most other liquor available anywhere else. It tastes so good though... like the forbidden fruit it most certainly is.

While most will feel just drunk off it, others may find it harder and harder to resist. They may selfishly crave more and even develop a desire to hoard it back.

Much like the apple the serpent tempted Eve with, one may find it offers a certain... clarity into one's situation after they've had enough. Knowledge one may not have wanted, but cannot deny any longer.

Or perhaps it simply just makes others entirely too happy, or too horny, or any number of possible ways. Take a sip and find out where the wine leads you!

Other than that, a few vendors are peddling jams and pies made out of the fruits. There are also a few selling items from earth ranging from electronics to clothes to weapons, and anything in between. Some may be selling actual earth animals as well, mostly small ones kept as pets, but they'll insist they make the perfect meal. They even have areas ready to butcher and cook them right then and there for those who are interested in buying.

If sinners decide to save Fido or Mr. Floppy from their ill fates, they should make absolutely certain that they can care for them though. Pets aren't easy and the demons find them more delicious than endearing

There are a few games to play, as well, reminiscent of the earlier carnival. Darts, tests of strength, and even a dunk tank with a demon who yells embarrassing stuff at the guests that seems oddly knowledgeable. How did they know you wet the bed until five? Probably best to not question it.

Besides that, there's a ferris wheel that provides a nice view of your hellish surroundings (that may occasionally breakdown and trap unsuspecting sinners on it for a while). It could be the perfect place to go to get some alone time with that honey of yours though.

It may all seem like a relaxing thing after starving for so long, but those who linger may begin to feel a need to hoard items. Food, weapons, and anything else they can get their greedy little hands on. Perhaps it's still the starvation talking, but sinners may find themselves feeling almost too irritable if anyone tries to take what's theirs. Potentially, this could even extend to possessiveness over other people as well. Oh, well, hopefully sinners will manage to control all those pesky urges!

When the skies darken to what is probably night in Hell, there will be a special fireworks display taking place. They seem almost magic, taking shapes most people wouldn't think possible. One might see Lucifer's face up in the sky once or twice, drawn in brilliant flames. There are blankets to sit out and watch, plenty of wine or warm drinks to go around, and no end in sight.

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

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


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Comments

[pococurante]

Yeah. I argued with him for a while to see if it was legit. Told him I needed to get paid because I wasn't just going to be his babysitter for free.

[ Also trying to argue him into rescinding the offer. But that never happened. ]

If it's not, then he's just going to laugh at me when I try ot take him up on it. No harm, no foul. If it is, I want your help with something.

[thescarletspeedster]

Barry is a lightweight when it comes to alcohol. His tolerance, of course, had advanced to metahuman levels when his powers did, but now that he's in Hell his metabolism doesn't seem to affect the strength of his drinks.

He sighs happily as Oliver frames his body with his own, pinning him against the bar and away from wandering hands. "Because Garrett is somewhere enjoying himself," he says, letting his head fall back until it rests on Oliver's shoulder. "A side effect of falling through the multiverse is taking pleasure where you can find it." Oliver is so close, and Barry's had three whole gulpfuls of daiquiri by now. He tilts his hips, rubbing silk against leather. "Do you want me to go find him?"

[defaulthawke]

I've worn things like this before. [He fingers the lace admiringly, recalling his own experiences with strappy little numbers.] They're not as complicated as they look.

[Hawke looks up and smiles at the other guy. Older, short, handsome. All qualities he likes. But then again, he likes most things, doesn't he?]

Why don't you try it on? I'll help you with the straps. If you don't like it, I'm sure we'll have fun taking it off.

[twopointfive]

Even with his own drink beginning to hit where the last one had left off, it doesn't take much to realize that Barry is in fact affected by the drink in ways he hadn't been before (post meta-blessing).

...enjoying himself. Oliver set his drink down but he didn't let go of the glass until Barry's head tipped back against his shoulder completely distracting him from searching for Garrett anywhere in the crowd. After his encounter with Garrett, Oliver hadn't been sure if he should cross that line that kept Barry at arms length when really he had wanted him just like this the whole time. Warm, close, possessive?

The hand that formerly held the glass dropped away and idly drew softly lines from the top of the others thigh, catching on the thin strap of red panties; a finger hooked beneath it, tugged and let it snap back again, remembering the piercing looped through the tip of Garrett''s cock. Lightning bolts. Then Barry's hips tilted, putting just enough pressure against his cock to cause him to groan against the underside of his jaw and to grind forward on instinct. That primal need for friction and reciprocation. He didn't remember turning his face, didn't remember when his hand had moved to splay over abs and hips, or when it had decided to wander just beneath silky fabric, "No," he breathed, "I want you to stay right here."

[conjobs]

"Something like that." Only he's just as likely to be the one sleeping with the supposedly cheating spouse as he is to catch them in the act.

John busies himself stirring the stew together, adding some basic herbs and thickening the gravy. He tends to keep it simple, hearty. None of that fancy stuff. He's not really a fancy sort of bloke.

"'ow many times 'ave you died?" John asks unapologetically. Since they're on the subject, he's feeling a little bolder talking about it.

[conjobs]

He follows promptly and slides his hand around the inside of her elbow, making their way out of one treat and into another. Honestly, he's fully expecting this to blow up in his face somehow. It had worked out too easily to be true.

And yet, the other shoe seems to linger in midair indefinitely even as the night rolls on.

"I should hope so. The ones we have are rubbish." He wrinkles his nose and sniffles. Normally John's not one to complain as long as there's somewhere safe and warm to put up for the night. But that doesn't mean he can't have Strong Opinions about anything.

"Mind if I light one up?" He never asks, but. This seems to be a bit of a special occasion.

[bountyhead]

[ There doesn't seem to be a trace of anything but her genuine surprise that he's including her in this at all. ]

What do you want me to do?

[ A beat, and then. ]

And what do I get out of this?

[unpocoloco]

He bobs his head. He can't really argue that. Though he does have some pretty good pockets on this ugly modern hood thing. He slips his flask back into said pocket.

But Nekane's on the money there.

"I'd have never got the chance to ride a normal one of these anyway," he says in its broken down defence. "I just wish it showed up better on camera."

And then he pauses. He turns his head Nekane's way and narrows his eyes.

"Wait. Wait, wait, wait a minute. How do you know that?" It takes a second and his eyes narrow further. "You've been climbing the wheel."

[styxtoshadows]

"I knew there'd be a catch" he says, but cheerfully.

"I'll clean them outside if you've got a pot to keep 'em in."

[opheliaafterdeath]

"Next time I'll see if there's a damn night mode."

That would make sure the pictures turned out better. And thinking about it distracts them from how their stomach flips at the idea of 'next time'. Because they know they won't turn him down unless something comes up.

Although they realize they're busted the second Héctor narrows his eyes. Goddamn it.

"Once." Twice. "In my defense, I was stuck on this stupid fucking thing for two hours before I tried getting down."

After suggesting the better idea would just be to jump and then having a race with someone else to see who'd get down first. It's fine.

[smokedout]

"Who is John Galt." Whatever he means by that, it seems to be the only answer he's giving to the death question.

While he watches John cook, Dodger takes out a pack of cigarettes and selects one. He snaps his fingers to tip their tips on fire, and lights his cigarette before waving the flames away. After a pause, he offers one to John as well, and he'll light it for him if he takes it.

"What about you, you died before?"

[unpocoloco]

The "next time" doesn't bring him quite the same reaction. But, he does smile brighter, excited to get better pictures and truthfully just happy at the idea of doing this with Nekane again. He likes their company. He likes seeing them comfortable.

They're still in trouble.

He gives an unimpressed look, one that lingers even through the explanation. Does he trust all that? Maybe. But...

"Was this climb down plan flawlessly safe? Or more of a risk you were willing to take?"

[alsoagirl]

[ She laughs a bit. ] See? This is why we're friends. Least, I hope we're still friends...

[ That bandage around his neck says a lot. Awkward. ]

And, like, you look like you could use a hug, but I think I'll hold off on that.

[ So his arm gets a quick little pat of sympathy. ]

I'm sorry life sucks. And that I just contributed to that.

[omkara]

(He blows air out of flared nostrils before his eyes turn upward and around in a roll.)

God wasn’t all that helpful where I came from either.

(He especially enjoyed the idea that God was non-existent, for as about as much use God ever was in his life.)

Well, maybe there are gods here that might be of some use. There’s all sorts of people that come from all sorts of walks of life. Maybe some of them are gods where they’re from. Whatever that means, anyway, to be a god.

[opheliaafterdeath]

"Yes."

Are they deliberately giving him a vague answer because they don't want to give him the real answer? Absolutely.

But they did calculate it so it was safe for the most part. Even though they said they wouldn't, sometimes one can't help it and it still feels like Héctor is making a big deal over nothing.

"And it still ain't the worst thing I've climbed down anyway." Like that makes it better.

[alsoagirl]

[ She's quiet for a while, but eventually her hand comes down. Her jaw works for a while longer before she speaks. ]

I don't.

[ A pause. ]

It's just. I've never been. You know, with a--a--

[ More pausing. It's probably becoming apparent this is more about her insecurities and fears than anything else. ]

Was I at least good?

[unpocoloco]

The thing about being given a vague answer instead of a real one means that the real one is probably the worst one. And he definitely doesn't like that.

The added comment just makes him splutter.

"Not the worst? Have I talked about this? I feel like I've talked about this. I feel like I've explicitly said at some point that for something to not be the worst does not mean it's not a hugely terrible thing. Why, I could break my leg! It's not the worst thing that could happen but I don't think I'd be happy about it! Tomorrow, some demon could decide that our punishment for the month is to be boiled alive in soup. Hey! Could be worse! We could have to endure for two months! They could add salt! It's not the worst yet! In fact, it could almost infinitely be worse! Do you see where I'm going with this?"

He gestures, rolling his hands expectantly.

[comewithaprice]

[That wasn't the first time someone in this place with a face he recognized and a history he didn't know had used the word 'friend' talking to him, but it wasn't any less weird this time either. Of course, Laica's situation and Hawkeye's were vastly different but that didn't stop him from pausing the same way as if needing to digest that response. She might think he's not used to the concept of having friends with the way he seems to overthink it - if only briefly - before moving on.

As far as Ed's imagination goes? Six of one, half a dozen of the other, probably. Sure, he can have a great imagination when he puts his mind to things but the gutter his thoughts had promptly fallen into wasn't exactly one of his strong points, so it was hard for him to imagine much more than he already knew. Which was plenty, really, too much actually judging the by the off-center land of that knife.

Oh, prizes. Prizes being a safe topic, maybe he can recover from this. Speaking of serious, his tone and posture shifts slightly, not all that pleased with having missed the last one. He's holding the next as if refraining from throwing it prematurely with his response.]

Maybe not. Which one do you have your eye on?

[Having a goal helps, being able to focus on a specific thing, an exact score to reach. Ed was tunnel vision to an extreme, if she wanted a certain one and he didn't get it, he would keep trying until he did. He was stubborn like that, and few things got under his skin like disappointing someone. He could work with the flirting with a set task in mind, it wasn't as if he was unused to it. The situation had just caught him off-guard, all things considered. He definitely wasn't going to start thinking about how he was usually doing something whenever Laica was around and if they weren't otherwise preoccupied they managed to find something else to do.]

[opheliaafterdeath]

Christ. He's over-exaggerating. They fold their arms and level their own look at Héctor.

"Hey, as long as I taste fucking good."

Nekane knows they're being stupid about it but from their point of view the lecture is unneeded. They know what they are doing, nothing bad happened, so everything's okay. And if they fucked up it was their fault alone.

"I know you worry about this shit. But I know what I'm doing, damn it. If I thought it was to high I wouldn't go for it."

They're not lying to make him feel better by saying they wouldn't do it at all. If the situation called for it, then they would. And they want to try being just a little more honest anyway.

[unpocoloco]

He shudders then with all his body. Then sticks out his tongue and makes a "blech" noise.

"Mmm, I don't think I'm ready to joke about that after all."

Another shudder. Then back to the topic at hand.

He sighs, "I can't stop you but I don't have to like it." He leans over the side, looking down. "What if they took your power away. They do that sometimes, don't they? Without that you break as easy as I do."

That one he knows for certain.

[opheliaafterdeath]

Fair enough. They'll lay off of those kinds of jokes.

"And I can tell when I lose my powers. It ain't hard when these stupid cracks don't fucking work properly."

Nekane gestures at their face. As much as they don't like to think about that night, he had to have seen what happened when they kept trying to use their shadows against the demons. All of that darkness inside of them and all.

Their illusions and Guard Seal are another matter but they're not telling him that.

"I'll try to lay off of this crap so you worry less if I don't have to." They do eventually say. "But I can't promise it either."

Given where they are and all.

[unpocoloco]

He frowns at those cracks in their skin. They're strange, but he doesn't hate them. It's more the memory he doesn't like. It's knowing there's pain there, in the past and the possibility. He remembers the spill of blackness.

"It's not your powers. Not exactly," He says. "I guess I'm scared they'll take you by surprise. Like... you'll be doing something, climbing a building and then-" He snaps his fingers. He hates how vivid this place has made those parts of his imagination.

"... Or that you won't really care that much if something happens."

That comes out quieter. He carries on.

"If you want to use your powers you should. Just, I don't know. You're careful with a lot of stuff. I'm hoping you'll be careful with you too." He shakes his head. "But I won't ask you to promise. Especially not in this place."

Given where they are indeed.

[itsnotaonesie]

Just going to play this off, yup.

"Yeah I have a uh. Fever." He said, like a liar. He clears his throat and makes a feeble attempt to change the subject, like so, "Y'know, that's really bad for your lungs."

Plz don't call him out for his bullshit Héctor he will literally die. But do.

[hackin_cowgirl]

[Big. Grin. Not that Ed is entirely sold on Faye's words, knowing her well enough. But it didn't occur to Ed that Faye would eat dog food. It was the only reason she believed her, for now.]

Ed will help you~! [With as many of the cans in her arms as she can manage, Ed runs off, gleefully.] Hurry, hurry~!

[Even though, that made the whole thing more suspicious. Why did Faye need to hurry?]

I don't mind! Hello!

[savedbyasong]

"I don't know." Shion smiled at him. "I was just trying to work out what it was all about. The theme before was all about hell but now it has changed. It's about Christmas. Whatever that is. The one about bathing suits is an outlier, it doesn't fit with the others."

He has no idea if anyone actually enjoyed this music. Perhaps not. Perhaps that was why it played in hell.