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.


Navigation | Premise | Arrival | FAQ
Rules | Taken | Reserve | App
Network | Logs | OOC | Memes

code bases by tricklet

Comments

[oflightningandfire]

If this was his world then he wouldn't have much of an issue talking about them -- his eyes. He knew they were powerful. It mattered little what information someone had on the rinnegan because it was in how it was used and the chances of someone other than a very select few being able to overcome any of the six paths was incredibly low. That wasn't the case here. He already knew he was restricted, and he didn't know what anyone else was capable of. Perhaps a good choice to not bring it up quite yet.

She on the other hand didn't seem to take any issue with giving information. Either she didn't even think about it or she felt like she didn't need to think about it, but it was enough to interest him into continuing the conversation. Boast or not didn't matter to him yet. Besides, eventually any bluff would be shown for what it was so it was just a matter of time on that front.

"Immune?" He asked, casual enough to just seem like he was carrying the conversation. "I suspect it was 'punishment' for any gluttony taking place prior to. A load of shit in my opinion."

[flashcat]

She was a little more attentive now. Most people would take a comment like that in stride, probably believing it to be made in jest. This one decided to subtly press on.

"No, just resilient."

Still, she had no reason to lie. Little pieces of information could be helpful, perhaps. But as a shinigami, there was more to her than anyone that was here knew.

"You're probably right. What better way to punish us for gorging ourselves on food than starvation?"

It was not a pleasant sight, that was for sure. She had seen so many faint from it, and had stopped to help a few. At least help them get somewhere safe, and even find some foods that could still be eaten, or foods that when the rot was cut away it was still edible underneath. She had to be careful herself. She didn't necessarily need to eat, but it meant she had to be extremely stingy with her reiatsu. She made it through, but as she had said, her reserves were low, and the milk she had been found with was in attempts to both raise her spirits, and give her a little of her energy back.

"So, isn't it impolite to treat a lady to dinner, and not even offer your name~?"

[oflightningandfire]

Poisons were usually not his style. He had planned on using it against Naruto only because -- if he was being honest with himself -- he was a fucking coward. Couldn't imagine actually being able to kill him even though it was still 'the only option' at the time. Not because of the other man's strength but because it was just -- it was just that he wouldn't have to look the man in the eye while he was dying. Get the job done. Leave. Lock it all away and move on. That was the plan. It did, of course, fail spectacularly.

He did know a lot about poisons, though. They were more Kabuto's specialty and if push came to shove he might use them again. Not that he had any reason to harm anyone here let alone this person he barely knew, but you know, information was key. You never know where Hell might take you.

"Have to wonder what the purpose of punishing the many for the err of the few is," he further commented, leaving the poison talk for now but certainly making note of it. "Not everyone indulged yet everyone suffered. If this is really about redemption that's not quite a logical way to go about it."

But then again, he strongly doubted it was about redemption. It was something else. They were here for a reason and if his previous experiences were anywhere similar they were also being used. He just needed to figure out how and why and then go from there.

He was pulled out of his thoughts by her speaking again. Heh. Cheeky. "I thought it would add to my charm." Dry as ever. "Aren't women suppose to like the whole mystery thing?"

[flashcat]

She takes her first bit of the food, chewing on it as she mulls over his words. He isn't wrong, she knows this. Then again, that's what they were all her for: punishment. Only it was disguised under the pretense of penance. It makes her give a dry sort of really unamused "Ha".

"It isn't. I'm willing to bet that we would be told that we are all here because on the 'sins we have committed', and those who did not partake deserve it as well, even if it might be just slightly less than those who did."

She had her ideas about what it all might be about, but she wasn't sure if she could trust the words of rogue demons. Even under torture they still might lie, it was in their nature.

"You had me charmed the moment you place this tasty fillet of salmon in front of me." She is teasing, and if he was closer she might have nudged him a little with her elbow. "Some girls might like the mystery, but it gets boring when every other man goes about like they have some secret that makes them super attractive. Only most the time it turns out that the only secret they had is they clearly aren't ready for a woman like me~"

[oflightningandfire]

No doubt that redemption was not actually a part of the plan here. He had talked about it with a few people and was interested in gathering more information about other people's opinions. For the most part, everyone he's spoken to at least believed there was something more at work. Although he didn't have much of a framework to compare Hell to (his was much different, or so the stories were told) he did have enough experiences with dimensions like this to be skeptical at best.

Sticks poked at the food a little before taking a few bites. A lot of willpower went into eating like a decent human being. He was a disciplined man for the most part but starvation could turn anyone into an animal. At the end of the day he was human, not entirely buying into the whole destined shit and reincarnate crap. Honestly, Hagoromo and Indra? They were human too. Only Gods because people decided to call them so.

"Did I," spoken, of course, after his food had been well processed. Still dry, although a glint of amusement filled his calm expression. He placed the sticks down and a hand moved to the water he has poured for himself. Pacing was everything.

A brow rose. His expression still amused. "You're quite confident." A beat. "Men do have this way of thinking they're original and impressive though, don't they?"

The ridiculous antics he'd seen at taverns over the years was enough to back that up.

[flashcat]

Yoruichi had suffered through a few of the trials they were exposed too, and had watched those she care for and those she had come to care suffer through more. It didn't look like redemption. Redemption only really seemed to be a pretty cover on a terrible horror story. There had to be a better way than torture to achieve what Lucifer had said was what they were working for.

The thoughts cause her to frown as she takes another bite, but she lets them dwindle as she chews, focusing more on the food than the unfortunate place she had been stuck in for the past several months.

She takes a long drink of her milk before speaking again, a small grin returning to her face as she does.

"Of course! I was just thinking about how some tasty fish would go perfect with this glass of milk, and then out of nowhere you set a plate of salmon in front of me~!"

I was something like Tessai would have done, when she was home, in the shop. Perhaps not this one's intent, but the slight similarity humored her.

"Confidence is key." And hers came naturally. It only faltered here, from time to time, thanks to these demons, and whatever dark magic they used. "It always the same, decade after decade. Only the slang and the clothing style changes." She laughs a little, resting her chin in her hand.

"What about you, mystery boy? Are you 'original and impressive', or do you just think you are~?" She keeps her tone light, half joking and half teasing.

[oflightningandfire]

Not much was known about their own hell back home. Some said it didn't exist and that everyone went to Jodo regardless. Some said the six paths were related to Jodo and Naraka and that everyone went to Naraka first where they were given punishments for their sins, served their time, and moved on to Jodo. Some believed in nothing or something else entirely, but this? This world, this religion or whatever it was? It didn't exist in Sasuke's world and in all his travels he'd never come across it.

The concept was strange-- a lot stranger than other places he'd been. Made him wonder. He had died several times before and it wasn't to say that this last one couldn't have been the final straw but something just didn't seem right. Something didn't fit. He needed more information, and speaking of information...

The man had been quietly tending to his own portion as he continues to thin and as listen to her. Decade after decade. Sasuke wondered if that was personal experience or just casual chatter, so why not inquire? His tone nonchalant as ever-- almost a sound of jest as if to hide his intention of gathering more information. "Something of a long history?"

The man took a moment to tend to his water again before continuing to speak. An attempt to mitigate the desire to consume quickly. "I'd say that's for you to decide." Eyes slid over toward her again. "What's interesting in me telling you how to think of me?"

For someone so foreign with being... smooth, for lack of better words, it really didn't show. Felt natural. Rolled of his tongue like he was always this way but his wasn't his usual method of handling things even if he seemed to adapt quite quickly. Sasuke's mind milled with the various habits he'd observed from other people much more adept in the area rather than his own list of skills. He'd learned a thing or two from Yuuko as well, long ago, but he was far more comfortable with being forward. Unfortunately, in a world where his reputation was not renown nor were his skills unparalleled, extortion or forwardness might serve him a lot less than he'd like.

He wasn't entirely an idiot. This was safer until proven otherwise and he was interested enough to do it.

[flashcat]

Yoruichi knew about her hell, the one she had studied as a student at academy. Volumes and volumes written by braver shinigami than her that had ventured there and written about their findings. She had even saw its gates once, and watched its kushanada -the guardians- drag the sinners soul into its depths. But all it was, all it was supposed to be is a prison, an eternal prison for those souls that had committed mortal sins against their fellow man.

This was nothing like what she had read. It bared similarity to some of the humans tales that they believed in as part of their religion. They were on the right path, but there was no torture. Just guardians to keep togabito -the sinners- there.

There it was again. He was sharp, really. Picking up on things that anyone else would just think it was a figure of speech. It caused her to grin internally as she turned toward him. "Something like that. I've heard plenty of stories." That plus the century or so she had dealt with it herself. But that was for later.

"Oh, I know. I just wanted to know if you thought you were 'original and impressive'. But I like that response better." It was a start, at least.

[oflightningandfire]

Sasuke had no reason yet to think she was anything more than ordinary human but he had been in places like this enough to know it was typically not the case. More times than not these dimensions feasted on those who were more than just human even if they were mortal. His mind naturally assumed a deeper meaning just through experience whether or not he chose to address it or simply stow it away for future observation.

He wasn't like most young adults, though. Didn't clamor for the attention of women (or men). Didn't try to impress others with clothes, or wealth, or whatever else it was typical men his age did. He never had the luxury and most of them didn't. Although he did notice how a typical villager acted in his travels. How completely separate their worlds were.

"This is probably the part where I ask you where you're from," his eyes flicked up for a second before taking another bite, letting that hang for a moment. Small talk wasn't his strong suit, though. He was more interested in things that ran deeper. "But I'd rather know something else about it, like what you miss."

[flashcat]

Yoruichi had lived in the human world for long enough, and even before that there were shinigami who had the job of studying the humans in the living world so when they needed to visit, they could blend in a bit more seamlessly. Still she had her quirks that could give her away, along with her full spectrum of abilities. But few here knew about that, and there was no one now that knew everything she was capable of.

She closes her eyes for a moment, ready to make some quip about 'typical first date questions', but the remain closed a moment longer. Something she missed from home? Well that could be many things. Tessai's cooking? Ururu and Jinta bickering as they tend to their chores? Perhaps even Kisuke and his terrible jokes. No, it seemed it was something more from her familial home.

She looks at him from the corner of her eye, the small grin hidden behind her fork. "Well, that requires a rather sentimental answer. I'm typically not the type, but if I had to give an answer, I suppose it would be my brother."