penancememes | TEST DRIVE MEME #8

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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.

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He's not big on costumes, if he's honest, though he doesn't say as much in case she thinks he's not up for a bit of dress up from time to time.

"What gave it away? The refusal to bring up anything about work all evening?" he jokes. There are better ways to bore a lady to tears. No need to go that far, in his humble opinion.

"Might be a wee bit normal in that industry, maybe." The kind with nightly shows and makeup and cameras and audiences. "Could be glamorous if you make a name for yourself. Skip over the boring bits."

"That might have been a bit of a tip off." She has a feeling why he's hesitant to get into that aspect of his life though.

"I can't complain about it too much... but there are always boring parts of everything, right?" She pauses.

"I'd give you tickets to come see me on stage sometime... if we weren't in Hell." And John would actually show up without something else interrupting it.

"Yeah? I'll keep an eye out." It's easy to make promises down here when no one has died yet and there's no real commitment to anything. Who knows if he'll even remember any of this when he gets back to the Waverider.

If Lucy doesn't get him killed down here first, that is.

"Shall we?" They've got the rest of a good night ahead of them and there's no point spending it here.

At least now she knows not to take those promises too close to heart, whether Constantine means them when he says them or not.

Instead, she pushes herself up to her feet and gives a nod before reaching out a hand to give him a playful tug. "We shall. Do you think the beds in these rooms are any more comfortable than usual?"

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.

She lets him lead the way, seemingly entirely comfortable with the touch... and wherever the night might go from here. This might all blow up eventually...it probably will, honestly.

But right now? She's enjoying going along for the ride. "They really are. We should probably be grateful for any beds in Hell, I guess."

But it's hard to be. "Maybe I would be if the demons could give a decent massage around here... their spa is a bit overhyped."

At his question, she gives a shake of her head. She might be just a little surprised by the question -- John usually wouldn't ask. It's enough to prompt her into an agreeable: "Go ahead."

Besides, once they're to their room, she's toeing off her heels and going to test out that mattress.

He's itching for a smoke and there's palpable relief when he's got a cigarette in between his lips before he's even lit one up. Once she becomes a little more of a mainstay fixture in his life, he'll be back to showing all his true colours, dull and rude and seemingly uncaring and careless at the same time.

"Maybe you can give them a bad review," he jokes. Apparently that's what people do these days to retaliate against poor services. Not that he would know since, though he's been spending some time on a time-travelling ship, he feels like he's always been a little out of place and out of time himself, like he was born too late to fit in with the current crowd.

After taking a quick look around at their new destination he lingers outside while he finishes puffing away, closing his eyes and committing the night to memory. He hasn't got too many of those that haven't turned to shits and come back to haunt him.

"How is it?" he asks from where he's leaning in the doorframe, looking at her not very much unlike how his counterpart would have after a wild night.

"Do they have yelp in Hell?" Actually, it wouldn't be surprising if they did...

Letting out a sigh, she scoots up further on the bed and stretches out for a moment. "Great, actually... or I'm just really used to the lump that always seems to be digging into my back in my bed so everything's good by comparison..."

She notices his eyes after a moment and pushes herself back up to lean on an elbow. Her own eyes linger on him for a moment before she holds out a hand, beckoning him close. "Come on then, join me. Don't tell me I have to be a nun to get you in here."

That gets a small rumble of a laugh from him before he finishes his cigarette prematurely, plucking and throwing away the burnt bit carelessly before closing the distance between them and crawling up next to her.

It's actually comfortable, in that oddly luxurious kind of way. One of the most comfortable things he's been in since he got here. His clothes get even more rumpled as he lies down and rolls around as though he owns the place.

"Not bad," he quips dismissively like he's stingy with praise. John just doesn't want to get too comfortable here.

"Not kicking me out to the couch, are you?" He might have done nothing to earn this but you know, he'd like to enjoy what he can of this too...

"Hey--" There's half a protest when John starts to flop around, lost in a laugh as Zatanna slings an arm around him.

"That would be kind of rude of me, wouldn't it? This is your room." She isn't actually quite sure how you get the nicer rooms in Hell, and she should probably ask soon.

"You just invited me along. But you're not kicking me to the couch either, I'm afraid. Not after I've had a taste of the bed."

It wouldn't be the first time he's been kicked out of his own room. And also she probably doesn't want to know how John gets nice things around here. He's probably pawned his soul again for a roll of toilet paper and a piece of chicken.

"You can stay," he assures, nuzzling against her while she holds him close. Even for someone who promises the full boyfriend experience and breaks a heart when he inevitably vanishes the next day, he's rarely ever this affectionate. Thankfully he's not overthinking it either.

He's so full he could just pass out now, stifling a yawn and stretching out before curling up a bit. So far he hasn't woken screaming around her yet but he is a little wary about it.

"Say um..." he swallows and clears his throat. "I'm not much of a snorer I don't think but I've these dreams, y'know. Don't mean to wake ye' if I do."

She curls in a bit more at the nuzzling, resting her head against his chest comfortably. She'll probably move in a bit, but right now? She wants to privately enjoy this.

She does tilt her head back enough to look at him though, her expression softening a bit. "Dreams, huh?"

Not surprising that he wouldn't have any more of a comfortable sleep than his other counterpart usually did. "It's okay. I'm not unfamiliar with bad dreams."

She shifts a little bit, stretching up to press a quick kiss to his cheek. "Thanks for the night out, by the way. I think I needed it."

"It's not like that," he's quick to correct, but he deflates a bit and goes quiet while trying not to sound defensive.

"Sure thing. I don't do this often either." Not that he thinks she's expecting him to bankroll her out of the hell experience or anything, but. Wouldn't hurt to manage expectations now. This is one of very few peaks of a dangerous, rattly rollercoaster ride with John Constantine. They should both enjoy it while it lasts.

At some point he'll want to have a shower and just melt against her, but there's no rush, and he'd sooner take the couch than appear vulnerable or needy or, heaven forbid, emotionally attached with her.

"Do you want to talk about what it is like then?" Probably best to let John do it on his own time than try to pry really, but she can put the offer out there.

"I guess it would defeat the purpose of being in Hell if we got decent food and soft beds, right?" Unfortunately.

"It's nothing," he brushes her off with a shrug, rolling his shoulders and breathing out a sigh. Nothing a bottle of whiskey can't quieten in his mind, that is. "Just flaring up, longer I've been down 'ere." Nothing says it's normal like jumping up and down screaming and protesting that it's completely normal.

"You'd think for someone who's been honing his temptation skills for millennia he'd be open to a wee bit of negotiating."

"He might be, but there's also no telling what he'd ask you to do. Probably nothing good." It's Lucifer. It'll all be betrayal or some other dirty deeds that will undoubtedly lengthen their stay here.

"Do you believe in the whole second chance thing he's offering?"

John's the type who'd worry about it when it comes to bite him and miraculously pull off this last-minute half-arsed terrible plan that somehow works out even if it's not always in his favour. Which probably means the likes of Lucifer wouldn't mind cutting deals with him if he so much as opened his mouth, and he's only getting by on borrowed time and a fistful of luck at this point.

"He's no better than the lot of them." John wiggles as though he's trying to scratch his back on the sheets. "He's not offering sod all." Says the bloke who gave away one of his sins and is reaping the treats at the expense of others.

Oh, shes full aware that he's the idiot who'd nearly get himself killed or damned -- and if not himself, then someone else along the way. But she'll not bring it up tonight at least.

"But we're still left playing his game until we figure out another way, of course." She huffs out a sigh and shakes her head. Much as she hates playing along, she can't pinpoint any other way out.

"Tonight though, we're just a couple people enjoying a night in a decent hotel room, I suppose."

And he's planning to make the most of the room - though, not in a way that would imply he only asked her along because she'd owe him sexual favours in exchange for a night out.

"I'm gon' pass out in the tub in a minute," he muses. If he can unlaze enough to roll out of bed, which is proving a small challenge.

"You'll have to tell me if the tub's worth it." Not that he seems inclined to move anytime soon...

"Unless you'd like to share. You have already seen me naked, so the mystery is sort of gone." And she's never been that shy, even if they just end up taking a long soak before collapsing into bed.

"It probably will be if the room's anything to go by, love." It probably has wee buttons that turn the motor on with the jetstreams and the bubbles and everything.

"Welcome to tag along. Plenty of 'mystery' left." He doesn't think of bodies in that way but then he's never been that precious to begin with. That she hasn't asked probing questions about the tattoos or the scars makes it all the more comfortable for him.

"You shouldn't point out the obvious when someone is trying to get in the bath with you, John," she teases lightly as she pushes herself up to sit properly.

"You should go get it ready then... I'll grab us something to drink while we soak." Nothing wrong with a glass of wine in the bath, right? Well, wine and whatever John is drinking at least.

He reluctantly moves to sit up and digs his feet into the bed to try and push them off the edge. Nobody's ever mistaken Constantine for graceful and elegant and he's given them no reason to start.

"I trust your taste." In alcohol. Clearly, not in men, if her wanting to spend the night with him is anything to go by.

When she's done she'll find him sitting on the edge of the bathtub pressing buttons as though he's trying to break the spa.

Wine for her, scotch for John -- and both glasses are sat on the other edge of the tub in favor of trailing to his shoulders, giving a brief squeeze.

"Are you done or are you still playing with it? Or maybe you're trying to find the self-destruct button..."

"Not playing," he insists, pulling his hand back quickly as though he's been caught redhanded doing something he shouldn't be. He leaves the buttons alone and while he hasn't managed to turn anything on, it doesn't seem like he's broken anything - yet.

"Get in. It's warm." Maybe a little too warm but it'll cool down fast enough once they're both passed out in there.

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