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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.

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.

"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
Not that it's easy. In reality there was only one memory that escaped them but Nekane didn't often remember their nightmares. It's noise, it's pain and it's dark. Threats of just being revived if they died because their body was expendable. It existed because their soul wouldn't bend to the torture.
And it's the choice they made, between facing down more torture or finally giving up. Their throat aches from the pressure. From filling with blood and their own fingers. And the only thing Nekane wishes was that they had mangled the tattoo in the process. No such luck.
But there's someone else here that makes it easier to endure, even if they wished to save him the pain. Holding on so they don't give into that choice again. Wiping away their tears and not holding back their rage, but more letting Nekane speak about it.
Giving the idea that maybe, had that person been with someone else...could they have--?
Nekane doesn't make a single sound. It had been how they hid their nightmares from John for so long. But they wake up on their own, eyes fluttering open. A firework goes off and bathes them in a dying golden light. How ironic.
"...'m awake." Again.
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"Buenos dias, Nekane." He says despite it still being night. He gives a slight squeeze. "Welcome back. How are you feeling, my friend?"
He's glad he didn't entirely tune out the world. He can give the recap. They're stopped for the moment besides, swaying just slightly.
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"Fucking groggy." Nekane scrubs at their eyes with a free hand. But they also work out the death grip they have on Héctor's hand. It's fine. It's safe.
"Everything good?" They look around as they say it, taking in the change of scenery. A different spot on the wheel. But nothing seems to have gone wrong.
Yet.
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"I'm not surprised. You weren't out long at all." Not enough to make up for all they expend. But at least it's something.
He draws his hand back taking a careful breath as he tries to massage out pain and numbness that has nothing to do with Nekane. And probably won't leave.
"It's all fine. We're stopped again, but no big deal." No screaming yet. "Saw more fireworks. I can tell you about them." As promised. He'll get them up to speed and maybe ease some anxiety.
"Can I kiss you?" He asks and it comes out more casually than the last time he asked.
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The detective scrubs at their eyes again before gently pressing fingers against them. Still there. It's stupid. So stupid. Nekane can see so they know nothing's wrong, but-
It's better then finding out the hard way.
"Figures this thing would keep breaking." Not that Nekane sounds like they really mind. "Got some pain killers if you want. And yeah, I'd like to hear it."
To keep their mind caught up on everything. The more information they had, the less their imagination would derail into worse.
Although they wouldn't call Héctor's next question worse. Just kind of surprising based on how casual it was. Not that they mind.
"Sure, if you want." Nekane tests out trying to say it casually too. It doesn't have the same effect and it's obvious they're trying. But they do mean it.
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Asking about it to confirm would only make things worse. It's not worth it. Not now at leat.
He blinks a little in surprise. Not that they want to hear it all but--
"You have painkillers? Just on you?" Even he doesn't carry his around. Maybe he should. He carries worse things, in case. Despite the dark thought, he laughs. "Yeah, I could use that. It's coming around again."
The pain, he means. The poison.
He drops his own hands a moment and leans over. It's nothing special. A kiss to their head, a waking greeting, because that felt right. A few moments of lingering but nothing too much.
And then he pulls back and starts to speak; "There was some nice blues all together. Green like a lime, red, purple. Orange like marigolds. There was a golden one that rained and fizzled. One that went up red and then burst into a huge thing of white and green. I saw one shaped like a bolt of lightning. Then I guess the demons got bored and decided to make a couple crude shapes..."
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But nothing has. So they can focus on other things, like answering his question. "Yeah. Worth having it on me."
Just in case. But they don't actually take out a bottle when they reach for their back pocket. Again they pull out their notebook and take the pills out of another pocket same as the hair tie Nekane had given Héctor before. Evidently they have a lot more then just coded writing in there.
They feel the kiss press against their head and quietly linger for a moment. So much of this was kind in a way they can't hope to explain. They can understand it but digging into it too deep brought up that person and - no. Fuck no.
Still, they do find something safe in this, with him. When Héctor leans back, they hand over the pain killers and then just listen to him speak.
Rapid, beautiful colors. And dicks. Sounds like an apt summary of Hell. Nekane snorts.
"Fucking figures they'd do that. Least it looked cool."
no subject
He's glad for every time they react okay. He knows it won't always be so. It won't be something they can help.
The painkillers don't hurt for making him smile either. Once he's described some, he takes the chance to pop the pills back. He pats his pocket for his newly acquired flask, struggles a minute with the cap, and swigs it back.
He recaps it and smiles wanely. There will be no alcohol on his breath. He's filled it only with water.
He laughs, "Yeah, I got to hand it to them. It was certainly above the rest." (Could that be a joke about the dick being in the sky?) "But really, it's a cool display. Definitely worth getting stuck a few times. Kind of better that way."
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Nekane is about to mention it's probably not a good idea to take the pills with alcohol but they don't catch a whiff of that familiar smell. That's...actually a pretty good idea. It'd be difficult to spike his drink if that's what Héctor's going for.
"Yeah. You get a pretty fucking good view even if it is the ride screwing up." The detective leans over a little to look down. "And it ain't that hard to get down from here."
A little tricky but do-able, anyway.
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But Nekane's on the money there.
"I'd have never got the chance to ride a normal one of these anyway," he says in its broken down defence. "I just wish it showed up better on camera."
And then he pauses. He turns his head Nekane's way and narrows his eyes.
"Wait. Wait, wait, wait a minute. How do you know that?" It takes a second and his eyes narrow further. "You've been climbing the wheel."
no subject
That would make sure the pictures turned out better. And thinking about it distracts them from how their stomach flips at the idea of 'next time'. Because they know they won't turn him down unless something comes up.
Although they realize they're busted the second Héctor narrows his eyes. Goddamn it.
"Once." Twice. "In my defense, I was stuck on this stupid fucking thing for two hours before I tried getting down."
After suggesting the better idea would just be to jump and then having a race with someone else to see who'd get down first. It's fine.
no subject
They're still in trouble.
He gives an unimpressed look, one that lingers even through the explanation. Does he trust all that? Maybe. But...
"Was this climb down plan flawlessly safe? Or more of a risk you were willing to take?"
no subject
Are they deliberately giving him a vague answer because they don't want to give him the real answer? Absolutely.
But they did calculate it so it was safe for the most part. Even though they said they wouldn't, sometimes one can't help it and it still feels like Héctor is making a big deal over nothing.
"And it still ain't the worst thing I've climbed down anyway." Like that makes it better.
no subject
The added comment just makes him splutter.
"Not the worst? Have I talked about this? I feel like I've talked about this. I feel like I've explicitly said at some point that for something to not be the worst does not mean it's not a hugely terrible thing. Why, I could break my leg! It's not the worst thing that could happen but I don't think I'd be happy about it! Tomorrow, some demon could decide that our punishment for the month is to be boiled alive in soup. Hey! Could be worse! We could have to endure for two months! They could add salt! It's not the worst yet! In fact, it could almost infinitely be worse! Do you see where I'm going with this?"
He gestures, rolling his hands expectantly.
no subject
"Hey, as long as I taste fucking good."
Nekane knows they're being stupid about it but from their point of view the lecture is unneeded. They know what they are doing, nothing bad happened, so everything's okay. And if they fucked up it was their fault alone.
"I know you worry about this shit. But I know what I'm doing, damn it. If I thought it was to high I wouldn't go for it."
They're not lying to make him feel better by saying they wouldn't do it at all. If the situation called for it, then they would. And they want to try being just a little more honest anyway.
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"Mmm, I don't think I'm ready to joke about that after all."
Another shudder. Then back to the topic at hand.
He sighs, "I can't stop you but I don't have to like it." He leans over the side, looking down. "What if they took your power away. They do that sometimes, don't they? Without that you break as easy as I do."
That one he knows for certain.
no subject
"And I can tell when I lose my powers. It ain't hard when these stupid cracks don't fucking work properly."
Nekane gestures at their face. As much as they don't like to think about that night, he had to have seen what happened when they kept trying to use their shadows against the demons. All of that darkness inside of them and all.
Their illusions and Guard Seal are another matter but they're not telling him that.
"I'll try to lay off of this crap so you worry less if I don't have to." They do eventually say. "But I can't promise it either."
Given where they are and all.
no subject
"It's not your powers. Not exactly," He says. "I guess I'm scared they'll take you by surprise. Like... you'll be doing something, climbing a building and then-" He snaps his fingers. He hates how vivid this place has made those parts of his imagination.
"... Or that you won't really care that much if something happens."
That comes out quieter. He carries on.
"If you want to use your powers you should. Just, I don't know. You're careful with a lot of stuff. I'm hoping you'll be careful with you too." He shakes his head. "But I won't ask you to promise. Especially not in this place."
Given where they are indeed.
no subject
No, they don't. Nekane is well aware they don't. They drive themself to the brink over and over, and trying anything else is pointless. In a body that even Nekane themself doesn't want to be in there was no reason to bother to keep themself healthy.
They have things to do and a broken body isn't going to stop them.
"I ain't gonna tell you to not worry." Nekane has a feeling he will anyway. "But I know my damn limits. Lived long enough with 'em to know."
Or more that they had to re-learn some motor functions. But it works.
no subject
The look he gives them spells it out. He knows they're lying. However, it's less of a judgemental exasperation and more simply... tired. Sad.
This is not a battle he's going to win. Not this time.
"Alright," He says. He forces a wane smile. "You make yourself sound like an old man. Lived long enough. How old are you anyway?"
no subject
"Twenties, I guess." Is their answer, but they don't sound sure of it. Nekane was never given the date they had been created and so it wasn't in their memory. It feels like a long time.
Not that they're so broken up about not knowing how old they are, anyway. It's no big deal.
"You?" Color them curious now.
no subject
But it's not like he can judge not knowing. He didn't have a last name. He's lucky he knows his own birthday.
"Twenty-one. My birthday was on the thirtieth of November. Which. Is this month again... It was December but when I got here it was... September? End of August?" He shakes his head. "I'm just going to say I'm still twenty-one. That gets way too confusing otherwise."
Especially with all the future stuff here. Keep track of time was a trial.
no subject
They've been caught in time loops before and it sucks. Nekane could try to guess based on the fact that the both of them arrived in Hell at roughly the same time but they'd probably be wrong. Doesn't help taking into accounts of what the dates were in their worlds at the time of getting pulled in.
"Guess we're close enough in age." Maybe. "Too old for our good."
The detective sounds sarcastic. They're ripping on what Héctor said just minutes ago about them sounding older then they were. Or thought they were.
no subject
He snorts.
"Ah yes, the ripe old age of twenty. I'm a bonafide grandpa. and you? You're Great Elder Nekane. It is our duty now to bestow our wisdom to the youth."
He's being stupid. Like usual.
no subject
"Wise wisdom like how to fucking flood a bathhouse." They'd joke about climbing up and down tall shit but they've got a feeling that won't go over well. "Or dealing with urban legend bullshit."
Although it isn't like kids tried those things with or without their 'wise wisdom', which usually boiled down to "Do this shit and I'll break your kneecaps."
It's frustrating, basically.
"You can pass down your songs and shit. Better then my shit."
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