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penancememes2019-11-23 04:50 am
penancemods) wrote in penancememes2019-11-23 04:50 am
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TEST DRIVE MEME #8
ARRIVAL
You remember a dream.
Or maybe nightmare is more accurate.
It was full of hellfire nipping at your skin and a sensation of being pulled down no matter how much you struggle or cry for help. There's a voice that feels like it's coming from all around you at once. Contrasting with the nightmare unfolding around you, it's smooth as silk. It makes you want to listen with every bit of attention you can muster in the moment.
"Judgement has come upon you, but not to worry. It can still be undone."
The voice promises you redemption for your sins. It promises you a better life and everything you could ever want, if only you just stop struggling so much.
And so you do.
Everyone wakes up in the same room initially. The room is done up in red with a cushy bed, a window, an old TV in the corner on a desk, and a few Hieronymus Bosch paintings lining the wall. There's a bathroom to clean up in and any belongings will be sat around the room to be gathered later. There's a duffel bag provided for your convenience.
After feeling a sensation of falling or dropping onto the bed, characters wake up feeling like they've just slept for a week. Their body will feel heavy and stiff, they'll have a massive headache at first.They'll quickly notice the list of their sins written with their blood on a bedside table on an old piece of parchment. This will mean the list is tied to them and can't be changed or tampered with. They'll also receive their device to connect with others and the network. It won't be anything terribly fancy. As a matter of fact, it looks like a very old Blackberry type phone.
Once characters are ready to leave the room, they'll head down long, winding halls. They're dimly lit and ominous feeling. They may encounter fellow sinners or demonic staff that will direct the newcomer down to the lobby to get their actual room key to settle in. They may be pushy, they may border on courteous. It really just depends on the mood of the staff at the time and how they're treated in return. Eventually, everyone comes to stairs that lead downward.
Once down to the lobby, you'll notice the front desk manned by a demon who looks bored out of its mind. To the side of him is the door to the kitchen where guests may help themselves. To the right is a small duty free shop that seems to have a surprisingly normal, expected stock of items. Look around a bit further, there will be a tiny bar tucked in through a corner door. It seems pretty well-stocked and best of all, self-serve if you want to get away from your demonic hosts for a bit. Of course there's some seating, bar games, and a jukebox tucked in the corner if you'd rather stay and socialize a bit.
Please note that all the songs on the jukebox are appropriately hell-themed. Hopefully Sympathy for the Devil is universally loved.
STAND YOUR GROUND
Prompt I
The cold is still biting, but the heat is (mostly) working within the hotel and other establishments again. It's enough to take the chill off for the most part. Coats and extra blankets are being passed out to those who need them as well.
Unfortunately, the food shortage that begun a few days ago will continue on for a few more yet! All food will be rotting or covered in maggots and mold, so new and old arrivals alike should probably steer clear of it if they can. If asked, the staff will insist it was entirely unplanned. Totally. Honest.
It will let up before the month is over and then fresh food will more than return! In the meantime, guests are able to bargain for a morsel of food someone else might have hidden back that hasn't rotted or try some of the bizarre fruit sprouting up that ranges in looks from a Durian to Jackfruit.
Just be aware that eating them before they're ripe enough may result in severe nausea and other decidedly not fun issues. Get them when they're perfect though? Unlike their earth counterparts, the insides seem to range from the sweetest, most delicious fruit you've ever had to something that may appear to be human blood and guts to something oddly... pork tasting, and everything in between. Food's food though, right? Don't complain, just eat.
There's increased security around the stables where animals are kept around the hotel, just in case anyone decides to eat Lucifer's prized animals. That will be a firm no. For any guests with pets of their own, there will be small rations of non-spoiled food to feed them, but it has very little nutritional value to humans.
The theatre has also changed the movie lineup to now include: Christmas with the Kranks, The Ref, Jack Frost, Holiday in Handcuffs.
Go forth and enjoy the way the holidays even seem to invade Hell.
The hotel bar's jukebox also seems entirely overrun with horrible festive songs now, pushing holiday shenanigans off the playlist. Try to enjoy it while you get drunk! Or hope someone actually gets up to indulge in karaoke to drown it out. The music has seemed to put the demons in a rather sour mood if anyone bothers to listen to the complaints.
Prompt II
[One day, on the network, sinners will be greeted with Lucifer's face. He'll smile brightly from every phone or computer in Hell, before he speaks:]
I thought it may be fun to include an icebreaker of sorts... Get you lot mingling and bonding with each other before the loneliness eats you absolutely alive. I want there to be something to redeem after all... a shriveled husk of a person is hardly that.
[Lucifer seems to find his own joke amusing at least.]
So, here we go:
What pleasant memories help you through the tough times?
Or alternatively, what are some of your favorite hobbies to distract yourself with?
[Lucifer may not respond, but rest assured that he will eagerly be watching others share their answers and talk amongst themselves]
REACH UP HIGH
Prompt I
Warnings: cutting, blood, torture.
Whether you've been here for months or you're freshly arrived, your demonic overlord expects some participation. You can try and shirk the responsibility, of course. You can bargain your way out of it for a while. But eventually, you may find yourself trapped in a room just off the gym that's been fondly dubbed the torture room. It has all manner of equipment in there, along with an iron maiden even.
But don't worry about any of that right now. It probably won't be used.
You can try the door, but even with super human strength or every lock picking skill in the book, you won't be able to open it.
It soon becomes apparent what you're supposed to do soon enough when someone else is eventually shoved in with you. Both of your lists of sins will appear on a table that's been placed in the center of the room with two handy knives. You can choose to guard these or not care at all that they're on display. "Know that honesty is a good place to start on your road to redemption. Sure, it can be terrifying at first, but that's why you've been given a partner in this journey. Pick up your knives and carve at least one sin into each other's flesh. Help in the journey to be candid with everyone you should meet here!"
The voice echoes all around you again, just like in the nightmare, and once again there's the pull to give in. This voice really does seem like it has your best interests at heart.
"If you need a bit of encouragement, we'll be giving it shortly."
It isn't a lie or idle threat either. The longer you wait to do what's been requested of you, the more shallow cuts that will appear on both of your bodies. Are you really prepared to endure this pain when giving in would be so much easier?
And more than that, are you willing to let another suffer along with you?
Eventually, the cuts will stop if you suffer them long enough, but you'll have failed this challenge and sustained more damage than if you'd just gone along with it. Satan will also be very disappointed in you.
Prompt II
"I know after such a food shortage, all of you may be eager to overindulge and sate your hunger... or even hold food back, just in case. But this isn't the act of a good person. It isn't how someone who is truly selfless, as my Father desires all of us to be, would act. So I ask all of you to turn to whoever is nearest and simply share what you have. It doesn't necessarily have to be food, but it must be an item or act that will make their lives easier," Lucifer's voice rings out, sudden albeit encouraging and warm as always.
Sharing is caring, apparently. The request seems simple enough, doesn't it? Just share a bit of food or anything else that might seem useful to someone else and you'll have done your good deed for the day! Of course, should the guest ignore this request, they'll find their insides burning. It will grow steadily worse until it becomes unbearable. Nothing a guest drinks or eats to soothe it will help either. These feelings will persist a full night or until they cave and do as requested.
FOLLOW ME DOWN
Prompt I
Warnings: Alcohol and drug abuse, potential non-con/dub-con.
The club, as it turns out, isn't quite ready to give up its party from the previous month, but they have put a new twist on it. As before, once a sinner enters the establishment, they'll be greeted with almost entirely nude (to fully) incubi and succubi servers. Their trays are full of aphrodisiac-laced treats that show no rot, as well as drinks and drugs of all sorts. There are dancers and other performers enticing their audience to stay, and plenty of free stages for sinners to put on their own show. Sex machines, bondage equipment, or toys are freely available for these performances.
Poles, cages, and everything else one could want are also on offer.
But this particular party? It's a bit different. No one is allowed in unless they are appropriately dressed in lingerie. Don't worry if you came overdressed! The demons will helpfully provide it at the door and even offer a room for sinners to change in! If refused, entrance will be denied (forcefully, if necessary). If guests aren't sure what to put on, the staff will be more than happy to choose for them (again, with force if necessary)!
Tonight is about being daring! Never done drugs off someone else before? Now's your chance!
Never even been drunk? Well, just let the demons help take care of that.
It's also about experimentation with something new. This can be someone who is generally outside your usual preferences, an act you'd never considered in a thousand years, to anything else under the sun.
Guests may also know screens set up around the establishment, but oddly enough, they appear turned off for the moment. If asked, the staff assures they will be back as soon as a few kinks are worked out.
Prompt II
A fall festival seems to roll into town one day overnight, and it seems to be centered around the hell fruit that's springing up on lifeless, dead trees. It's bustling with demons of all sorts and will last one week.
There's a tempting wine that's been made out of the fruit that can vary in taste, but seems to be stronger than most other liquor available anywhere else. It tastes so good though... like the forbidden fruit it most certainly is.
While most will feel just drunk off it, others may find it harder and harder to resist. They may selfishly crave more and even develop a desire to hoard it back.
Much like the apple the serpent tempted Eve with, one may find it offers a certain... clarity into one's situation after they've had enough. Knowledge one may not have wanted, but cannot deny any longer.
Or perhaps it simply just makes others entirely too happy, or too horny, or any number of possible ways. Take a sip and find out where the wine leads you!
Other than that, a few vendors are peddling jams and pies made out of the fruits. There are also a few selling items from earth ranging from electronics to clothes to weapons, and anything in between. Some may be selling actual earth animals as well, mostly small ones kept as pets, but they'll insist they make the perfect meal. They even have areas ready to butcher and cook them right then and there for those who are interested in buying.
If sinners decide to save Fido or Mr. Floppy from their ill fates, they should make absolutely certain that they can care for them though. Pets aren't easy and the demons find them more delicious than endearing
There are a few games to play, as well, reminiscent of the earlier carnival. Darts, tests of strength, and even a dunk tank with a demon who yells embarrassing stuff at the guests that seems oddly knowledgeable. How did they know you wet the bed until five? Probably best to not question it.
Besides that, there's a ferris wheel that provides a nice view of your hellish surroundings (that may occasionally breakdown and trap unsuspecting sinners on it for a while). It could be the perfect place to go to get some alone time with that honey of yours though.
It may all seem like a relaxing thing after starving for so long, but those who linger may begin to feel a need to hoard items. Food, weapons, and anything else they can get their greedy little hands on. Perhaps it's still the starvation talking, but sinners may find themselves feeling almost too irritable if anyone tries to take what's theirs. Potentially, this could even extend to possessiveness over other people as well. Oh, well, hopefully sinners will manage to control all those pesky urges!
When the skies darken to what is probably night in Hell, there will be a special fireworks display taking place. They seem almost magic, taking shapes most people wouldn't think possible. One might see Lucifer's face up in the sky once or twice, drawn in brilliant flames. There are blankets to sit out and watch, plenty of wine or warm drinks to go around, and no end in sight.
MISC.
Thanks for joining us for our eighth test drive meme, sinners! Reserves are now open for the upcoming app round on December 1st
If you have questions, comments, suggestions, etc., go here.
Rules | Taken | Reserve | App
Network | Logs | OOC | Memes
no subject
Whaaaat. Okay, you're gonna have to tell me all about how that works, that sounds amazing. Like, after I carve on you some, lemme take care of that.
[He's gonna stop wasting time and start chopping. He grips Ed's wrist a bit, not that he expects him to pull away, it's just habit at this point. He gives Ed a couple seconds to brace himself and then he starts-a cuttin', quick and efficient, like someone who's probably done this a few times too many.]
no subject
Yeah, definitely.
[He'll tell him all about it. For now, they had to focus on getting out of here. He doesn't fault Peter for gripping his arm to hold it in place, after all, he'd done the same. It made sense, even if a person was willing they could involuntarily jerk away.
Ed grimaces when the blade cuts into his skin but his jaw sets and he continues to watch Peter work without moving or making a noise. A few cuts on the arm was nothing compared to having automail attached to his nerves as many times as he has. Worse than the physical pain was the idea of permanently marking himself with that word of all things, but hindsight and all that.]
no subject
Peter glances up and gives Ed an apologetic look. He knows how much this sucks, but at the very least Peter's getting through it pretty quickly, and he's making it as small as realistically possible.]
Still doing okay? I'm almost done.
no subject
Don't worry about me, this is child's play.
[Not literally, please don't take that literally. His ten-year-old self would never let him live it down if he couldn't get through something this minor though.]
Do these usually scar?
[Really should have picked something different. Anything different. Sloth was just mercifully short and he wasn't thinking about long term consequences. At least he wears long sleeves and layers whenever possible.]
no subject
[Caring so much about pretty much everyone is like living your life on hard mode, but Peter does it anyway. But yeah Ed wtf people carving sins into you should never be referred to as child's play okay.]
Sometimes, I guess. Mine did a little, but back home I didn't really scar at all so even that little bit was kind of weird.
no subject
[He didn't sound condescending about it, almost nostalgic actually. Ed endured a lot of things as a child, that's all. He totally didn't mean it like that, don't make it weird!
His expression kind of sours at that response, but he'd learn to live with it. Probably deserved it anyway, all things considered.]
Really, though. I went through a lot worse than this as a kid, you've got nothing to worry about.
[He's not telling this guy about having two limbs ripped off. Nope. Not happening, Peter's just going to have to trust him on the whole subject.]
no subject
[He can lift a truck, surely he can shoulder the burden of carrying all of these worries. And Ed buddy it's weird no matter how you phrase it okay.
He gives Ed a sympathetic smile. Of course he doesn't understand the significance of that specific sin leaving a scar, but nobody likes to be branded with a constant reminder of how they fucked up, y'know?]
See, you say I have nothing to worry about, but you can't say something like that and expect me not to be worried.
[He's GONNA WORRY, ED, you can't stop him. The good news is that Peter's finished with his dude carving. With a relieved sigh he sits back, setting the knife aside.]
That alchemy of yours mend skin, too? Or are you gonna have to wrap that up like everyone else?
no subject
That's not your problem. It's not something you did, either.
[He motions to his arm in indication. You don't need to worry about this, kid. It's a minor inconvenience on a long list of actually worrisome shit in his life. None of which was Peter's responsibility to even think about. He's stubborn, he might internalize his thoughts on the matter but he's not about to agree that Peter has any reason to worry about him.
When Peter sits back, Ed immediately glances to the door as if actually dealing with the wound wasn't an immediate concern for him. Do they get out of here, now? He really hopes it worked, he wasn't looking forward to a repeat performance.]
Uh... It doesn't work like that.
[Theoretically, it does but he's not about to get into the whole concept of bio-alchemy and why he doesn't touch it with a total stranger. Flesh is matter just like everything else, after all.]
no subject
[I mean there's no "maybe" about it. But anyway, now that the carving is done, Peter gets up from his seat and and makes his way over to the door, glancing over his shoulder at Ed briefly before trying the knob.
It turns, and the door pops right open. Peter heaves a relieved sigh and turns to face Ed again.]
Bandages it is then, huh. Want me to take care of that for you until we find some? Uh, the webs dissolve after two hours.
no subject
That depends, you sharing trade secrets?
[His tone is light, almost teasing with that. After all, if Peter was going to ask how alchemy worked he figured it was fair game to do the same. That had been something to watch but where Ed came from you didn't just ask a person about their weird abilities, some got weirdly defensive about it.]
no subject
I don't see why not. I can answer a few questions if you want.
[You know what, fuck it, he's just going to take one of his web shooters off and offer it to Ed to look at.]
no subject