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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code bases by tricklet

Comments

[equinamity]

[He might spy her looking around the room again, weighing her options. Jet already warned her about the food and drink of the club--laced with aphrodisiacs or worse--but that doesn't stop her from considering the risk when it seems like the only way out involved through the glass on the counter in front of her.

She glances up at him, shoulders falling, and sighs.] I don't anticipate this party will be ending any time soon.

[Two people at the bar are so busy eating the other's face that they don't seem to notice anything happening around them, knocking over glasses on the counter in their haste to find a "secluded corner". The actions only confirm that the drinks are spiked, and the bartender sees her watching and shoots her a wicked grin.] Come on you two. One little drink isn't going to hurt you.

[The demon gets a glare, and it speaks as loudly as if she'd told him to bugger off. He only grins wider.]

Don't think you can just wait it out, either. Party won't be ending for a long time yet.

[Irritation prickles up her spine and she takes the glass from the counter; her free hand thrusts the second one at Jet before stepping back from the bar and into him. If nothing else, she'd like to be away from the creepy bartender and there's anonymity to be found in the crowd. Besides, there's always the chance of passing off the drinks and playing as if they'd had them--at least enough to be convincing.]

[spacebebop]

(The demon just knows what to say to get them in compliance. Jet takes a swig of his drink. It's strong, just how he likes it, there's also just a hint of lime in it. Which also is pretty welcomed. The drink burns down his throat and warms his stomach. He sets the drink down and brings his prosthetic arm to his chest to give it a good pat before he huffs.)

That's not a lie. It's not going to hurt us, what fun would that be?

(He shot the bartender a glance before his eyes went down to the woman before him.) Listen, whatever happens, I'm sorry if it goes south. I didn't intend for it, I really was just trying to find a way out.

[equinamity]

[Jet's reaction is the precise opposite of what she'd been expecting. She's still holding her drink when he's already drained his, and after another moment's hesitation tastes her own. It's spiced, warm, and though it's strong it doesn't taste it. The kind of drink that could easily get someone into trouble, especially when they didn't hold their alcohol well. Without thinking, she takes another sip. It warms her through and is already working to loose her tongue.]

Considering my welcome was forcing us to cut sins into the other in the name of being transparent, I think I'll reserve judgment on Hell's version of fun.

[She looks up at him, needing to tilt her head almost entirely back to meet his eyes as they're standing so close.]

I know. [Her hair hangs loosely between them, brushing against her back and likely his chest. She knew there's a reason she typically keeps it up.] Consider yourself forgiven in advance.

[spacebebop]

(Swell, in that case, bottoms up. He couldn't help but think, even if he was mentally teasing in his response. He takes another swallow from his drink before he returns the glass back down to the counter. If its any consolation, he might as well be naked, his tiny little "skirt" thing doesn't do anything to hide what he's packing. Although, he had to say, he did like the way his butt looked on the small glimpse he got in the mirror as he was pulled out of the dressing room.

A weird flare of vanity that came quickly and left just as fast. His focus then returned to the girl. Riza Hawkeye, what a name. He wonders:) Ah, so, where you from?

[equinamity]

[As far as she's concerned, she basically is naked, considering her outfit is made of see-through lace and covers the absolute bare minimum. It leaves exactly nothing to the imagination, showing curves and muscles and scars equally.]

Small town just outside of East City. [It's an automatic response, still tilting her head back so she can look up at him without turning her back to the bartender; her glass is still in her hand and she swirls the drink absently.] Mm--not here.

[Riza has to straighten to take another sip of her drink, and though she doesn't drain her glass she takes a sizeable swallow; when she's finished she's tipping herself back so she can look up at him again. It's an awkward position at best, but doesn't seem to stop her.] Where are you from?

[spacebebop]

(There's a bit of a glow to his eyes, even in this dark place with its flash of neon lights and pulsating vibe of music and rhythm integrated into the lights, one could see the glow on his face.)

Space. I had a ship, the Bebop, up there and well.. I'd go just about anywhere, from Jupiter to Mars, from Earth, to other space colonies established out there in the stars.

(He peeks down at her from his nose. The position is weird, sure, but at least there's space enough between him and the counter that she can breath. He wasn't so sure about himself, he left his backside exposed for all sorts of eyes, hands, and whatever - but he wasn't too sure anyone would dare anything being that he was as big as he was. That could be intimidating for anyone to come up and invade his personal space.

Although... he was, again, dressed for the occasion.)

I think there's quite a bit from Earth, last I heard anyway.

[equinamity]

Space. [There's something incredulous in her tone. She knows of space, of course, but the idea of space being a place someone could visit, could reach, is entirely foreign to her, and it sounds it with the wonder in her eyes and voice.] I didn't know that was possible.

Not sure that I'm from Earth.

[She shrugs, closes her eyes, and stumbles slightly. Leaning back like this is making her dizzy--that or the drink. Riza reaches for the counter of the bar for balance, steadying herself.] Never heard it called that, anyway.

[spacebebop]

(He catches the slight stumble and he pulls over a stool for her to sit. He helps her on it (if she would allow it), and he still keeps himself as sort of a body shield for her, his arm on the counter and the other on his hip, again. He watches their surroundings for a moment before he returns his eyes back to her.)

Well, we're here. That's all there is to it. I'd say the goal would be to limit as much harm as you can toward yourself while here. There's been situations before where one would have an option to do this or do that, and usually "that" means something worse than this.

Am I making any sense?

[equinamity]

[She allows herself to be assisted to the stool (and will later be mortified for needing it to begin with) and continues to stare up at him, stopping only to have another sip of the laced drink.]

That meant getting sliced up by some kind of magical nonsense earlier. [Riza is referring to Lucifer's honesty-focused torture-room, where the occupants were required to carve sins into one another's flesh.] I'm sure there's all sorts of things that'll do harmful things here.

[At least she implies that he's making sense though she doesn't say it outright.]

I have a feeling this sort of thing happens often, here.

[spacebebop]

(Jet nods softly. He takes a big breath and exhales while he moves his hand on the counter to grab his drink. He takes a sip of it, swallows, then a larger gulp. He sets the cup down and looks to the woman.)

It's not as crowded here as I thought it'd be. Honestly. Maybe there's different parts of hell.. where this is just only one of many colonies of collected souls.

(Of course, he's just thinking out loud here.)

[equinamity]

That, or only the worst of us end up down here.

[She says this with an unusual amount of nonchalance, sitting forward and taking her glass. This time, she surveys the liquid before taking another swallow. The bartender is watching from the opposite end of the bar, grinning, as the two interact. Not half bad at his job, clearly.]

Not that I'm speaking for you. [Riza places the glass carefully back on the counter, sighing quietly.] More for me.

[spacebebop]

(He snorts, a grin to his face and he shrugs one shoulder.)

Definitely not me, you speaking for you though? Maybe I need some protection from you?

(He chuckles, however ... suddenly feels awkward as if he really just insulted her.) Sorry..

[equinamity]

[If it's any consolation, she doesn't seem insulted.]

Not anymore. Been trying to do better, you know? [She fiddles with a strand of hair, tipping her head back again so she can look at him. It would be far more comfortable if she just turned around.] Once you know better, you try not to repeat your mistakes.

[spacebebop]

(Ain't that the truth.)

Twenty-twenty vision, I think is what the phrase is. If only you knew then what you know now, you'd do a lot of things different. You'd be in a better position.

No point in beating yourself up though, we're here and we're already paying for the bad we've done.

[equinamity]

Sometimes what we've done is enough that we shouldn't forgive ourselves so easily.

[She leans forward and swallows the last of her drink in two large gulps. It stirs the uncertainty in her stomach to something less familiar, and she rests her chin on her palm, a marked shift from her earlier posture.

Riza glances down the bar to the demon and sighs, twirling a strand of hair in her fingers.] How long do we have to wait 'till they'll let us out? I even had the drink.

[spacebebop]

I don't know. I figure we'll be invited to leave when we've behaved.

(He can only speculate. He pulls in a breath and looks around, there's not some new distance that's developed between the two of them and the rest of the crowd so he takes this opportunity to back off from being her shield. For now. He moves to lean his elbow on the bar. He's now facing her, to her side, he's got a pretty good view of the ground around them so he thinks its safe enough for him to claim the distance. He finishes his own drink and the bartender is at their heels, chasing them with two more refills. It's expected. All these free drinks and who's he to complain? The stuff made people act weird even outside of hell.)

There is 0% weapon happening here (as implied by the icon) but the smirk here is the best I got

[equinamity]

[Riza takes the new glass, this time swirling the drink slowly instead of drinking it right away. As Jet leans against the bar, she turns so her side rests against the counter so she's able to face him. This has the additional benefit of allowing her to see people in the periphery that he can see less easily.

Her smile is easy and friendly, much more relaxed than earlier.]

I'm behaving.

lol all good.

[spacebebop]

(He snorts and looks over her with a small nod before he looks back out toward the crowd. He's not sure what will be their ticket out of here, but he has some ideas. Were he someone else he'd easily be tempted into misbehaving - although, he does worry about being influenced or being out of control somehow. He would rather keep his integrity and act with his own choices and not have any spiked drink or whatever else push him over the edge of autonomy.)

Well, so.. I don't feel too off at the moment, so I think I'm behaving too.

[equinamity]

[Were she better at holding her alcohol and laced drinks, she'd realize that her current behavior is anything but "behaving", at least as far as she'd ordinarily be concerned.]

I think that was stronger than I was expecting. [She doesn't slur, her words still clear and diction sharp, but there's already a faint flush to her face and she really does know better.]

But we're still playing along by their rules. That's got to count for something.

[spacebebop]

Uhhh..

(Jet brings a hand to scratch at the back of his neck, then runs his palm up his head and off once he brushes over the top of his head. He could say he probably should steer clear from this place.)

At least we know not to come in here next time.