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

[wanderstars]

John always looks a little messy, but today he looks especially tired and worn out. She feels helpless, not being able to do anything to make it better for him, even if all she could manage from him was a vague smile. It looks as though she won't get even that much out of him today.

She waits until he's dressed, and only then does she step closer again, pressing a quick kiss to his cheek before he can push her away. Kisses had made it better the last time after all, so why not now?

She's stepping back a moment after regardless, shooting him a small, contained smile. "I like your beard. It looks nice on you."

[conjobs]

He casts a longing, rueful look at his unfinished work before tearing his gaze away putting his clothes on. It's only been a few days, it's not like he'll look thinner than normal. But the extra darkness around his eyes and the unshaven look certainly isn't helping. He probably looks a decade older than he usually does.

She can probably feel him tense up when she leans in close, holding his breath when she brushes her lips against his skin. The compliment comes out of left field for him and he doesn't really know what to say to that, standing there blinking a few times before he finishes buttoning up his shirt.

"Not gonna take a knife to it?" he asks gruffly. The trenchcoat comes on but he's all out of his magician flair, shoulders slumped and without the usual swag in his step. He's already formulating plans to find a place to ditch her in the festival - or a person to ditch her with - and come crawling back here. His eventual inevitable vanishing act will be the only magic trick he'll be pulling off tonight.

[wanderstars]

Kori, of course, remains blissfully ignorant of his true intentions. He does look terrible in comparison to the last time she saw him, but at least he seems willing to go out for a little while, and she sees that as a good sign, confident that this will cheer him up.

"A knife seems a little drastic," she comments with a shrug, and once he's all dressed and ready to go, she hooks a hand around his arm and leads them out of the room, excited to try the Ferris wheel if nothing else.

"That circle you were doing," she starts, glancing at him. "Is it magic? I have seen similar things in movies."

[conjobs]

"No, it's my taxes," he replies flatly in a deadpan tone, dragging his feet a wee bit as she pulls him along. He wouldn't know if she's not familiar with the way people point out things they think are obvious.

"It's nothing like the movies," he adds, a little more seriously. At least, not the kind of magic John likes to dabble in.

"Do you even believe in that stuff?" Do aliens do magic? She's certainly capable of something but just because he doesn't think it's scientific doesn't mean he's going to immediately attribute it to magic.

[wanderstars]

"What's taxes?" It's a genuinely curious question, as she slows her pace so he's not dragging his feet so much as she's settling for his slower pace. She's not in any particular rush anyway, so long as they get to spend time together.

"Many things are nothing like the movies," she answers. She's not that gullible, at least not anymore, and she's learned plenty about how movies are made, and how not everything on them is like in reality.

"It is true for you, isn't it? How can I not believe something that exists?" It's like saying she doesn't believe in demons when they are living among them right now.

[conjobs]

"The only certainty in life." Since, you know, death can be cheated. He's seen it happen and of course he does the cheating himself on the regular.

"Right. You'll give people a run for their money with that kind of openmindedness," he quips. But yes, magic is true for him. The consequences of having worked with it for decades, in particular, have taken their toll on him even if he doesn't try to let on anything that doesn't fit the infallible Constantine image.

"I'm busy with it so m'not staying out long," he warns. In case she gets any wild ideas about spending the next few hours trying to cheer him up or breathe some life into him.

[wanderstars]

That still doesn't answer her question, but it doesn't sound like it's that important anyway, so she just shrugs it off. She's just glad that John has agreed to go out with her, even if it's just for a little while.

"That's unfortunate. I like spending time with you," she comments, shrugging. "But I understand. I promise not to keep you away from your magic for too long."

That still won't stop her from feeding little amounts of energy into John at a time. Faint sparks that will gradually make him feel less hungry and less tired. She's doing it even now, while they walk with their arms linked towards the festival set up just outside the hotel.

[conjobs]

"Save it," he snaps even though she hasn't done anything to earn his ire other than just show up outside his door, and doesn't deserve his attitude. She's not saying it to be pleasant or to sweettalk something out of him. He- doesn't quite get that, yet. Or ever.

He does get noticeably less grumpy the less hungry and tired he is, though, so that should hopefully be of some small comfort. The light outside is a little too bright for him, as though he's hung over. But he's otherwise not much worse for wear.

By the time they are in the midst of the festival there's a bit of light coming back into his eyes when he sees a stall or display that interests him, even though he doesn't engage with any of the vendors proactively.

[wanderstars]

She blinks at his reaction but says nothing else to it. She doesn't quite understand what he wants her to save it for, but it feels like the kind of thing she shouldn't be insisting on, so she doesn't.

He didn't seem too eager about the festival so she's actually glad whenever he shows some interest in some of the stalls, and slows down when it looks like he wants to see something that's on display. Friendlier than him, she's much less reluctant to engage with the vendors, asking what a few of the things are, or browsing through some of the shinier and prettier items. She doesn't have interest in getting anything, however, and she's more eager to direct them towards the ferris wheel.

"Come up there with me, John. I'd like to see the view." Not that she needs to, she can fly after all.

[conjobs]

He looks a little distracted, like there's a dozen thoughts rolling around in his mind and he's not too focused on what's happening in front of him. Though he isn't a nuisance to anyone milling around him, he's not fully engaged either. Occasionally when she stops he'll find himself stopping abruptly when that blaze of colour out of the corner of his eye seems to have vanished, and he'll fall in line behind her. But otherwise she doesn't get much out of him until they get to the ferris wheel.

"...ye' alright," he mumbles, casting a few wary looks over his shoulder left and right before following her to the very short line. They'll be on there as soon as it stops.

"You don't do this back 'ome?" Either that or she's the equivalent of nine which is also highly likely given the kinds of questions she tends to ask.

[wanderstars]

She seems pleased enough when he agrees to join her on the ferris wheel. It wouldn't be nearly as fun on her own, after all, and while she could have come with someone else, she did drag John along because she wanted to spend time with him.

"No," she shakes her head. "We didn't have these kinds of attractions in Tamaran, and on Earth I've only been on a ferris wheel once. The view was amazing. I know here it won't be as beautiful, but I'd still like to experience it."

[conjobs]

Right. At least he doesn't need to pop her bubble by saying there's sod all they'll be able to see up there. He still seems a little restless, a little antsy as they shuffle forward into the cabin, but John visibly relaxes again once they're settled down, just the two of them on the seat next to each other.

"There's one of these in London. 'uge eyesore. View's alright though." Not that he's been back to London lately. He's not sure he'd be all that welcome.

[wanderstars]

That much won't be too great a disappointment. She's flown around the hotel already too, so she's gotten to see the view of what surrounds them, more blurred the farther away it is. Most of it seems to be hidden from them, and when she tried she didn't manage to fly too far away either.

Not for now, anyway.

"I've never been to London," she looks out and around them, before looking back to John. "Is that where you're from? You speak differently from other Humans I've met."

[conjobs]

"Do I? It's because they've got terrible accents, innit?" he muses. He knows his accent is a selling point when he fluttered across the pond like an intoxicated butterfly. Most of the time he works it to his advantage and milks it for all that it's worth.

"I'm from another place, 'bout 4 hours away from London. Worth a visit sometime, y'know. When it's not--" John makes a face, grimaces and then shrugs. "Politicking."

Is it ever not 'politicking' in England? Probably not for the past several hundred years. A man can hope.

"Assuming you like it here of course." He's been all over, chasing trinkets and myths and baubles and ghosts around the globe. Sometimes he doesn't think there's much to like.

[wanderstars]

"Some. Some are difficult to understand," she shrugs. That may be because of all the sayings and speech patterns, not necessarily the accents, but anyway. "Yours is very cute. I don't think I've heard it before."

She doesn't know when she'll get an opportunity to visit much of anything back on Earth, but she'll try to remember England. So many places she never got to see, let alone get to know. She truly hopes she gets the chance.

"I liked living on Earth. I was in Florida, so it was probably a little different from England, but everyone was so nice, and the weather was quite warm. I loved the sea, too. People are nice here too, but," she pauses as she looks around, shrugging. "The place isn't quite so pretty."

And they do terrible things to people, something that Kori's careful not to bring up right now. John seems to be in a rather sensitive mood at the moment.

[conjobs]

"Ye' alright. I'll read you the phonebook sometime, eh?" She probably won't get that, but he sincerely doubts she'll hold him to it anyway. He's slippery like an eel and with any luck he'll be gone once his spell works before she even thinks about him.

"Florida's different. Too hot for me liking but it's got its own thing going for it," he agrees. "Much better than 'ere though." Which is all he wants to talk about this place, really. Even as they start to ascend he can't bring himself to appreciate the view. This place keeps him on edge, constantly, and that in turn makes him tired and angry.

Nothing to do with his present frustrations, clearly.

"Burn it down 'nd nothing useful would be lost," he hears himself say, voice more hollow than bitter.

[wanderstars]

"That sounds boring," she answers, honest to the point of bluntness as she always is. Also yes, that joke is definitely lost on her. "But you could read me a story sometime. Maybe a tale from England. Do you know any good ones?"

Every place has its tales, after all, its myths and old stories. England can't be so different in that regard.

Her gaze flickers to John again, face falling even though he can't really see it. Her hands just curl around his arm, and she expends what energy she can to subtly feed him, try to give him at least enough energy for him not to feel hungry anymore. The low mood he is in, unfortunately she can do nothing about.

"Good things would be lost," she mutters softly. "Good people. People I like. Like you."

[conjobs]

"A tale from England? What, like King Arthur or sommin'? M'not really a Shakespeare sort o' bloke." Technically not a King Arthur sort of bloke either but he knows that story a little better than midsummer night dreams.

His gaze drops to her hand and rises to her face, studying it for a while before he turns to look out over the nothingness that seems to go on for miles on end.

"You like me, do you?" The reflection on the window of John seems to be smiling, but the real one looks sad. "There are no good people 'ere luv. Only the scum live here. The liars, the cheats, the cruel and the thieves. No better place for the worst of us to be."

[wanderstars]

"I've never heard the tale of King Arthur, so yes," she nods. "Maybe you can tell me about it."

She won't really take it to heart if John takes some liberties with the tale. Chances are she won't know enough to be able to tell what's accurate and what isn't, in any case. Her smile softens at his tone, feeling pleased even though he still looks away from her.

"I do," she nods, hands steady on his arm, unwilling to let go. (And, well, he's stuck up here with her for the time being, so it's not like he can make a run for it.) "I disagree. I have met many good people. They might have done some bad things... I have done bad things as well," she admits softly. "But it doesn't make them bad people. We all make mistakes."

[conjobs]

He's better at storytelling than he thinks he is, but it'll have to wait for another day when he's not being snippy at everyone who so much as casts a glance his way.

"Yeah. Sure," he says without looking at her. He doesn't sound particularly convinced. He might believe that people are just people doing good or bad things, but. To write everything off as a mistake is... well. Maybe he's just cynical, or not that forgiving, or. Maybe he's just an angry, bitter old man.

"What happens when you make these mistakes over 'nd over? That make you just stupid then?"

[wanderstars]

"Maybe," he answers in a painfully honest way. "If that keeps happening then it must mean that they're just making the wrong choices, and they should think better about why they're making them."

There has to be a reason for everything. People don't just go around making mistakes over and over because they feel like it, or because they enjoy the messy outcome. Sometimes the reasoning behind it is simply wrong.

"Has that happened to you? Have you made the same mistakes over and over?"

[conjobs]

"No," he brushes her off brusquely, shoulders rising as she rubs salt into his open wounds. "M'not stupid."

And yet, that scowl probably betrays his words as he thinks back about all the stupid shit he's done, all the mistakes. Magic is a mistake. He just- He just needs to know when to stop, and with any luck manage to do the stopping as well. There's a few things he needs to stop. It's just- hasn't been that simple for him.

"Sometimes there isn't a choice."

[wanderstars]

"Of course not," she mutters softly. Her hand refuses to leave his arm. "I didn't mean that you were."

She doesn't know the whole story, of course. She doesn't even know a little of it. John's mood changes wildly from flirty, shameless and friendly, to distant, mean and angry, and she's not entirely sure why. She knows there must be a reason but she can't know what that reason is when he won't talk to her.

"John, please. Will you look at me?"

[conjobs]

He doesn't seem overly keen, but eventually he does turn to look at her. It's not like there's a fantastic, majestic view that they'd be missing out on anyway.

She looks concerned. He knows that look on her face. He's seen it many times before. It's hard when he knows how this always ends in shouting, in accusations, in words that can't be taken back, in tears. Still, he manages to hold her gaze, even if he's inwardly bracing for the negativity to come.

"'ow'd you even end up 'ere, eh?" Took the wrong exit in the intergalactic roundabout?

[wanderstars]

Despite her concern, she manages a smile, lifting a shoulder at his question. "Maybe I've made many stupid mistakes, over and over again."

To be honest, she doesn't know why she's here. She doesn't know why most everyone else is here, either. A few may be bad people, or may have done awful things, but so many are so good, so pure of heart, she can't imagine they'd deserve any kind of punishment.

"Let me care about you, John," she asks softly, hands curling on his arm in a gentle squeeze. "Let me like you. It does not matter to me if you aren't perfect, or good."