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penancememes2019-11-23 04:50 am
penancemods) wrote in penancememes2019-11-23 04:50 am
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TEST DRIVE MEME #8
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.
Rules | Taken | Reserve | App
Network | Logs | OOC | Memes
no subject
Okay! Okay, I got it, I get it, can't wait, okay!
[He practically wheezes the words. He tilts his head to the side anyway and braces for more pain.]
B-but I just have to warn you I-I might not... taste right.
no subject
But for now, she's narrowed her eyes with a scowl. He's making so much noise! And protesting a lot! ]
I don't care!
[ With a snarl of frustration, Jessica roughly presses a hand over his mouth to shut him up. What was she, some blood snob? Hell no! Blood was blood! And to prove that, she whips forward and sinks her fangs into his neck to drink hungrily.
...Only to freeze after one gulp.
It's unnatural, how still she suddenly is. The only movement is the rapid fluttering of her eyelashes as her brain tries to process what's happening.
Yeah, this might take a second. ]
no subject
He's kind of glad for the hand over his mouth, in truth. It muffles the noise of pain he makes as her teeth bite down.
Jesucristo, that hurt. He needed to go back and doubly apologize to several people. Especially Peter. Maybe not Hawke. He... could decide later about Dorian.
He only belatedly notices her stillness, peeking open eyes he didn't realize he'd squeezed shut. He makes another muffled noise. He hopes he hasn't killed her. He hopes he's not about to be killed.]
cw for lots more blood???
But it sure could taste fucking disgusting.
In the time since she'd stopped moving, more blood had pooled in her mouth, but not for much longer. Jessica stumbles away from him and spits out a magnificent spray of red that thankfully mostly hits the wall and floor instead of him. She then coughs and whines, scrubbing at her mouth, trying to get the taste out. ]
Oh my God, have y'all started goin' bad, too?!
Amazing
That's what I was... trying to tell you. I died from poisoning. I didn't know if it would do anything or not.
[Blood drips down the wall. He grimaces.]
That answers that.
:D
[ Jessica gawks at him, wondering what bizarro world she's entered. Then she remembers, oh right, it's Hell. Of course.
She hacks and spits a few more times, hoping the housekeeping demons don't come raging at her later. There's no real polite way to get rank blood out of her mouth, though. ]
Who would want to poison you?
[ It's then that she remembers, oh right, this is a friend. This is not someone she would bite without permission. The smeared blood on her face is saying otherwise.
Disgusting though it was, the small gulp of blood had at least satiated her enough to ease her out of "insane vampire" mode. Now she was in "I really fucked up" mode.
Jessica looks horrified as the recognition finally fully hits her. ]
...Shit.
no subject
That's not a great story.
[And not one he's keen on telling, especially having just worked it out recently himself.]
Are you going to be okay? Because, if you are, I think I should maybe go bandage this sooner rather than later.
no subject
Don't worry about me. [ She fiercely waves off any concern. ] I'm...real sorry.
[ Another wince. Man, she owed him big time. ]
...Would you mind some help?
no subject
It's okay. I told you before, I get it.
[She stopped a lot sooner than he did, rank blood or no.
But he does hesitate. It's not because of the bite or her. It's the fact his body still aches from the last "friend" who wanted to to "help". He swallows hard, pulse quickened with the memory. But Jessica isn't Dodger. And for that matter, the only thing she might kill him over apparently isn't that good. He takes a steadying breath.]
... I wouldn't mind, no. Probably better to have help for this.
no subject
[ That's...comforting...right?
His hesitation makes her squirm, and the change in pulse she hears doesn't help on top of that. She's convinced he'll tell her to fuck off--politely, of course, since he seemed allergic to cussing. When the answer she didn't expect comes, she almost begins walking off, only to realize he agreed. Why was he in Hell again??? ]
Okay. One sec.
[ She disappears, leaving a gust of air in her wake, then a few seconds later she's back with a first aid kit. She's only borrowing it, shh. ]
C'mon. There's a bathroom 'round the corner, I think.
[ This time, she's the one hesitating. Should she lead or follow? Would he think she'll attack again if she trails behind him? God, fucking things up made life so difficult!
With a brief tightening of her brow, she shuffles ahead and leads them on, head dipped in shame. Probably also because it looks like she just took a bird strike to the face. ]
no subject
But in her hesitation, he doesn't miss the way she looks. A pang of guilt hits him and settles like a stone.
He hurries up to her side, only half because he is bleeding out a bit.]
Hey. I'm sorry. I know I'm being jumpy right now, but it's not you. Really. It's been a rough... well, it's Hell. And you don't have to feel bad about all that. I mean, that went kind of badly but I did still offer.
Even if it was a supremely terrible offering. Like, incredibly bad.
no subject
Making a slight face, she glances over at him as they walk. ]
Why're you apologizin'? I just bit the fuck outta you!
[ She makes even more of a face as she holds the bathroom door open for him after arriving. Again, why is he in Hell? ]
I mean, you got every damn right to be jumpy about me. I know I was hungry and it made me crazy, but... [ Her free arm flails a bit. ] Does it really count as an offer if I didn't give you a choice?
[ Though...she really wishes she had made a different choice. Rinsing her mouth out was a priority. ]
no subject
[It comes out so simply, like it's obvious to him.
He hurries in to that bathroom, going right to the sink to try and wash this clean. It's not the easiest thing when it keeps bleeding.]
I didn't know you weren't giving a choice when I agreed. And I would have offered anyway. You didn't kill me and I'm not upset so, I declare it now, it was an offer.
This is a pain to fix though. Can you unwrap some bandage while I hold down on this.
[Sorry Jessica, the mouth wash is going to have to wait.]
no subject
[ With a grimace, she follows him inside, looking frustrated. His extreme kindness is making it hard to argue. Every time she opens her mouth to counter him, nothing comes out. Is there such a thing as being too nice?
She grumbles quietly. Maybe that's what it is. Weaponized kindness! Clever man. It was highly effective. ]
Whatever you say.
[ This probably isn't a good time to say how much experience she has with this, right? Her ex was sure covered in bite marks for most of their relationship. Also probably not a good time to bemoan how she couldn't heal him with her blood like she'd normally be able to, but...it's probably not a good time to mention blood, anyway.
She nods slightly, handing him some gauze to help with slowing the bleeding while she gets some extra gauze, bandages, and alcohol wipes ready. She doesn't protest having to wait for her own issues, shockingly. ]
Thanks. [ She gives a weak smile. ] For, y'know, bein' cool about it. Even if it makes you seem a little crazy.
no subject
She's not wrong. Kindness is one of his best resources here, even if he and no one else seems to notice as much.
He takes the little bit of gauze and holds it down.]
Gracias.
[It's going red fast but it's definitely a better method than his hand. And for that matter, he's already assuming she knows more about this. She'd kind of have to, considering the results of his own experiences unless she was out just letting people die. Which... with vampires was probably more than possible but he'd hang on to hope for a bit more.
And then she makes him laugh. And then wince with how that hurts, but he's still grinning after.]
What can I say? I might be. Just un poco loco.
[And the terrible gremlin of a man snickers to himself before he starts to sing under his breath, cleaning up the rest of the blood he can from his neck now that the wound itself is getting more under control.]
...The sense that you're not making the liberties you're taking...
no subject
[ ...Not that her pleasure gets to last long. Her face scrunches up as her brain tries to work through the context clues. It sounded like he called himself a dessert.
Ugh! Translations were so hard! It's not like she had someone who knew what it meant right next to her!
And then he's singing. Jessica gives him a look, wondering if she somehow took too much blood, despite barely getting any in. His pulse sounds okay enough, so maybe not.
She holds out more gauze and some alcohol wipes, squinting. ]
Were you in a band or somethin'? You sure love to sing randomly.
no subject
He takes the wipes and the next bit of gauze, offering another bit of thanks. There's a hiss as lifts the dirtied one and wipes the spot down with the alcohol, but it doesn't last long and he's quickly covering it all up.]
I do love to sing. I'm a songwriter. Kind of was in a band, I suppose. Had a partner.
[He's fairly certain everything that's happened would make that "formerly".]
One of the songs I wrote is called Un Poco Loco. A little crazy. You keep saying that and reminding me of it.
[Round and round that bandage is going until he can tie it off.]
no subject
A singer and a songwriter, huh? Pretty cool. I couldn't carry a tune if you put it in a bucket, so it's always neat seein' people who're actually musically inclined.
[ Her mouth opens to say something else, but nothing comes out when she spots how he's bandaging himself. That's...definitely one way to do it. A very overboard way to do it. A very obvious way to do it. Is this going to come back to bite her in the butt somehow?
Jessica winces inwardly, packing up the unused supplies, and finally gets to work scrubbing at her face with some wet paper towels. Then suddenly, with a gasp, she gives him an excited look. ]
I get it! You're totally loco!
[ Hooray, she's learning Spanish! ]
no subject
And a guitarist.
[He's good at one single thing, he might as well boast about it.]
But music is nice no matter whether you can sing or play I think. There's still dancing or just listening in.
[Always something to it.
He blinks at her belated response and the snorts.]
Thanks, I think?
no subject
Super multitalented! How 'bout that. I'm gonna bet you were ten times better at that than I was at the clarinet, too. Played that thing for years and was lucky if I didn't sound like I was blowin' farts.
[ At least she got the talent of being a true wordsmith. ]
I'll give you that, though. [ She gives him a quick smile before going back to scrubbing. ] When I finally got the chance to choose what music I wanted to listen to whenever I wanted, I started enjoyin' it more. Why do you think I go to the bar so much?
[ After glancing at herself in the mirror, she realizes her fangs are still out. Whoops. Might wanna put those away.
Those taken care of, she glances over at him again, giving a much less bloody grin this time. Progress is being made! ]
Oh, and, you're welcome, Mr. Loco.
no subject
[Ernesto hadn't exactly been the best once upon a time.
It's not normal. It's not normal to clean up blood like it's nothing, to see fangs and then some, but it's... it's kind of the way this place. Hide the horror and move past all else. She's not bad, besides, at least in his mind.
He notices she's got a reflection and for a second, after the surprise, he grins at it.
He laughs again at the name and shakes his head. His laugh turns more sheepish.]
Honestly? I kind of assume everyone goes to the bar to drink or wallow or, uh, you know. Get out there. Make love without the love part. Hah. Hence not really asking... That sounds like a much better reason. I don't know if I could have beared someone controlling what I listened to. Heck, the nuns could barely ever keep me out of the plaza. Slept out there sometimes. Not at all comfortable but definitely worth it some days.
no subject
There's a subsequent moment of silence from her, since she's started vigorously rinsing her mouth out. Never has she been so at war with the taste of someone's blood! On the one hand, it was blood, and the constant reminder of it in her mouth just kept driving home how unsatisfied she was. On the other hand? She imagined this was what turpentine tasted like. So, yeah, it needed to go.
When she's close to finishing up, she notices him grinning at her in the mirror, making her squint. Yep. Little loco, all right.
After giving her mouth a few last wipes, she straightens back up. ]
I mean, there's that all that, too. [ She grins. ] But that's a bonus. I like the feel of bars, you know? Just a bunch of people comin' together, all for different reasons, but still connected, kinda? I'm...probably not makin' sense.
[ With a wave of her hand, she turns around, leaning against the sink, her grin fading a bit. ]
But it's freedom for me, too. My parents controlled everything. If I didn't sneak music and books all the time, I probably would've gone insane. [ Another snort. ] Funny how I had to die to get away from it.
no subject
He falls silent and listens. She tends to defeat herself, he notices. It's not much of a wonder why.]
No, no. I get it. It's a sort of community, however brief. I did a lot of playing in bars, they pay okay on an average day. You gather a crowd and you can... kind of dazzle yourself in the notion you're all in it together. Like a family.
[It's a touch cynical, which isn't fair. He explains himself.]
I got a bit burnt out on bars, I guess, but freedom was never a problem for me and that changes things.
[His expression saddens.]
I'm really sorry it was like that for you. That doesn't seem fair. I mean, you seem okay with the vampire thing, but you know. You'd think things wouldn't be so... extreme before something worked out.
no subject
That's how it is when you don't have a regular family, right? You gotta find your own, even if it's temporary sometimes.
[ After crossing her arms, she shrugs off what she perceives to be pity. ]
It is what it is. It took me a while to be okay with what happened, gettin' turned and all. Wasn't the most pleasant thing. Pretty sure it would've been my only way out, though. [ She smiles, but it's more of a grimace. ] Life's never fair, is it?
no subject
That's how it is. Ay, I wrote a song for that very thing once. Embarrassing now, but the crowds love it...!
[His hands go up to helplessly say, what can you do? They drop back down. Ernesto had loved that song too.
He falls quiet. He settles that way a long moment, her having just washed his blood from her teeth because it was too terrible for a vampire. He meets her look with an equally bitter smile.]
I guess life really isn't.
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