penancememes | TEST DRIVE MEME #8

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TEST DRIVE MEME #8

ARRIVAL

You remember a dream.

Or maybe nightmare is more accurate.

It was full of hellfire nipping at your skin and a sensation of being pulled down no matter how much you struggle or cry for help. There's a voice that feels like it's coming from all around you at once. Contrasting with the nightmare unfolding around you, it's smooth as silk. It makes you want to listen with every bit of attention you can muster in the moment.

"Judgement has come upon you, but not to worry. It can still be undone."

The voice promises you redemption for your sins. It promises you a better life and everything you could ever want, if only you just stop struggling so much.

And so you do.

Everyone wakes up in the same room initially. The room is done up in red with a cushy bed, a window, an old TV in the corner on a desk, and a few Hieronymus Bosch paintings lining the wall. There's a bathroom to clean up in and any belongings will be sat around the room to be gathered later. There's a duffel bag provided for your convenience.

After feeling a sensation of falling or dropping onto the bed, characters wake up feeling like they've just slept for a week. Their body will feel heavy and stiff, they'll have a massive headache at first.

They'll quickly notice the list of their sins written with their blood on a bedside table on an old piece of parchment. This will mean the list is tied to them and can't be changed or tampered with. They'll also receive their device to connect with others and the network. It won't be anything terribly fancy. As a matter of fact, it looks like a very old Blackberry type phone.

Once characters are ready to leave the room, they'll head down long, winding halls. They're dimly lit and ominous feeling. They may encounter fellow sinners or demonic staff that will direct the newcomer down to the lobby to get their actual room key to settle in. They may be pushy, they may border on courteous. It really just depends on the mood of the staff at the time and how they're treated in return. Eventually, everyone comes to stairs that lead downward.

Once down to the lobby, you'll notice the front desk manned by a demon who looks bored out of its mind. To the side of him is the door to the kitchen where guests may help themselves. To the right is a small duty free shop that seems to have a surprisingly normal, expected stock of items. Look around a bit further, there will be a tiny bar tucked in through a corner door. It seems pretty well-stocked and best of all, self-serve if you want to get away from your demonic hosts for a bit. Of course there's some seating, bar games, and a jukebox tucked in the corner if you'd rather stay and socialize a bit.

Please note that all the songs on the jukebox are appropriately hell-themed. Hopefully Sympathy for the Devil is universally loved.

STAND YOUR GROUND

Prompt I

The cold is still biting, but the heat is (mostly) working within the hotel and other establishments again. It's enough to take the chill off for the most part. Coats and extra blankets are being passed out to those who need them as well.

Unfortunately, the food shortage that begun a few days ago will continue on for a few more yet! All food will be rotting or covered in maggots and mold, so new and old arrivals alike should probably steer clear of it if they can. If asked, the staff will insist it was entirely unplanned. Totally. Honest.

It will let up before the month is over and then fresh food will more than return! In the meantime, guests are able to bargain for a morsel of food someone else might have hidden back that hasn't rotted or try some of the bizarre fruit sprouting up that ranges in looks from a Durian to Jackfruit.

Just be aware that eating them before they're ripe enough may result in severe nausea and other decidedly not fun issues. Get them when they're perfect though? Unlike their earth counterparts, the insides seem to range from the sweetest, most delicious fruit you've ever had to something that may appear to be human blood and guts to something oddly... pork tasting, and everything in between. Food's food though, right? Don't complain, just eat.

There's increased security around the stables where animals are kept around the hotel, just in case anyone decides to eat Lucifer's prized animals. That will be a firm no. For any guests with pets of their own, there will be small rations of non-spoiled food to feed them, but it has very little nutritional value to humans.

The theatre has also changed the movie lineup to now include: Christmas with the Kranks, The Ref, Jack Frost, Holiday in Handcuffs.

Go forth and enjoy the way the holidays even seem to invade Hell.

The hotel bar's jukebox also seems entirely overrun with horrible festive songs now, pushing holiday shenanigans off the playlist. Try to enjoy it while you get drunk! Or hope someone actually gets up to indulge in karaoke to drown it out. The music has seemed to put the demons in a rather sour mood if anyone bothers to listen to the complaints.

Prompt II

[One day, on the network, sinners will be greeted with Lucifer's face. He'll smile brightly from every phone or computer in Hell, before he speaks:]

I thought it may be fun to include an icebreaker of sorts... Get you lot mingling and bonding with each other before the loneliness eats you absolutely alive. I want there to be something to redeem after all... a shriveled husk of a person is hardly that.

[Lucifer seems to find his own joke amusing at least.]

So, here we go:

What pleasant memories help you through the tough times?

Or alternatively, what are some of your favorite hobbies to distract yourself with?

[Lucifer may not respond, but rest assured that he will eagerly be watching others share their answers and talk amongst themselves]

REACH UP HIGH

Prompt I
Warnings: cutting, blood, torture.

Whether you've been here for months or you're freshly arrived, your demonic overlord expects some participation. You can try and shirk the responsibility, of course. You can bargain your way out of it for a while. But eventually, you may find yourself trapped in a room just off the gym that's been fondly dubbed the torture room. It has all manner of equipment in there, along with an iron maiden even.

But don't worry about any of that right now. It probably won't be used.

You can try the door, but even with super human strength or every lock picking skill in the book, you won't be able to open it.

It soon becomes apparent what you're supposed to do soon enough when someone else is eventually shoved in with you. Both of your lists of sins will appear on a table that's been placed in the center of the room with two handy knives. You can choose to guard these or not care at all that they're on display.

"Know that honesty is a good place to start on your road to redemption. Sure, it can be terrifying at first, but that's why you've been given a partner in this journey. Pick up your knives and carve at least one sin into each other's flesh. Help in the journey to be candid with everyone you should meet here!"

The voice echoes all around you again, just like in the nightmare, and once again there's the pull to give in. This voice really does seem like it has your best interests at heart.

"If you need a bit of encouragement, we'll be giving it shortly."

It isn't a lie or idle threat either. The longer you wait to do what's been requested of you, the more shallow cuts that will appear on both of your bodies. Are you really prepared to endure this pain when giving in would be so much easier?

And more than that, are you willing to let another suffer along with you?

Eventually, the cuts will stop if you suffer them long enough, but you'll have failed this challenge and sustained more damage than if you'd just gone along with it. Satan will also be very disappointed in you.

Prompt II

"I know after such a food shortage, all of you may be eager to overindulge and sate your hunger... or even hold food back, just in case. But this isn't the act of a good person. It isn't how someone who is truly selfless, as my Father desires all of us to be, would act. So I ask all of you to turn to whoever is nearest and simply share what you have. It doesn't necessarily have to be food, but it must be an item or act that will make their lives easier," Lucifer's voice rings out, sudden albeit encouraging and warm as always.

Sharing is caring, apparently. The request seems simple enough, doesn't it? Just share a bit of food or anything else that might seem useful to someone else and you'll have done your good deed for the day! Of course, should the guest ignore this request, they'll find their insides burning. It will grow steadily worse until it becomes unbearable. Nothing a guest drinks or eats to soothe it will help either. These feelings will persist a full night or until they cave and do as requested.

FOLLOW ME DOWN

Prompt I
Warnings: Alcohol and drug abuse, potential non-con/dub-con.

The club, as it turns out, isn't quite ready to give up its party from the previous month, but they have put a new twist on it. As before, once a sinner enters the establishment, they'll be greeted with almost entirely nude (to fully) incubi and succubi servers. Their trays are full of aphrodisiac-laced treats that show no rot, as well as drinks and drugs of all sorts. There are dancers and other performers enticing their audience to stay, and plenty of free stages for sinners to put on their own show. Sex machines, bondage equipment, or toys are freely available for these performances.

Poles, cages, and everything else one could want are also on offer.

But this particular party? It's a bit different. No one is allowed in unless they are appropriately dressed in lingerie. Don't worry if you came overdressed! The demons will helpfully provide it at the door and even offer a room for sinners to change in! If refused, entrance will be denied (forcefully, if necessary). If guests aren't sure what to put on, the staff will be more than happy to choose for them (again, with force if necessary)!

Tonight is about being daring! Never done drugs off someone else before? Now's your chance!

Never even been drunk? Well, just let the demons help take care of that.

It's also about experimentation with something new. This can be someone who is generally outside your usual preferences, an act you'd never considered in a thousand years, to anything else under the sun.

Guests may also know screens set up around the establishment, but oddly enough, they appear turned off for the moment. If asked, the staff assures they will be back as soon as a few kinks are worked out.

Prompt II

A fall festival seems to roll into town one day overnight, and it seems to be centered around the hell fruit that's springing up on lifeless, dead trees. It's bustling with demons of all sorts and will last one week.

There's a tempting wine that's been made out of the fruit that can vary in taste, but seems to be stronger than most other liquor available anywhere else. It tastes so good though... like the forbidden fruit it most certainly is.

While most will feel just drunk off it, others may find it harder and harder to resist. They may selfishly crave more and even develop a desire to hoard it back.

Much like the apple the serpent tempted Eve with, one may find it offers a certain... clarity into one's situation after they've had enough. Knowledge one may not have wanted, but cannot deny any longer.

Or perhaps it simply just makes others entirely too happy, or too horny, or any number of possible ways. Take a sip and find out where the wine leads you!

Other than that, a few vendors are peddling jams and pies made out of the fruits. There are also a few selling items from earth ranging from electronics to clothes to weapons, and anything in between. Some may be selling actual earth animals as well, mostly small ones kept as pets, but they'll insist they make the perfect meal. They even have areas ready to butcher and cook them right then and there for those who are interested in buying.

If sinners decide to save Fido or Mr. Floppy from their ill fates, they should make absolutely certain that they can care for them though. Pets aren't easy and the demons find them more delicious than endearing

There are a few games to play, as well, reminiscent of the earlier carnival. Darts, tests of strength, and even a dunk tank with a demon who yells embarrassing stuff at the guests that seems oddly knowledgeable. How did they know you wet the bed until five? Probably best to not question it.

Besides that, there's a ferris wheel that provides a nice view of your hellish surroundings (that may occasionally breakdown and trap unsuspecting sinners on it for a while). It could be the perfect place to go to get some alone time with that honey of yours though.

It may all seem like a relaxing thing after starving for so long, but those who linger may begin to feel a need to hoard items. Food, weapons, and anything else they can get their greedy little hands on. Perhaps it's still the starvation talking, but sinners may find themselves feeling almost too irritable if anyone tries to take what's theirs. Potentially, this could even extend to possessiveness over other people as well. Oh, well, hopefully sinners will manage to control all those pesky urges!

When the skies darken to what is probably night in Hell, there will be a special fireworks display taking place. They seem almost magic, taking shapes most people wouldn't think possible. One might see Lucifer's face up in the sky once or twice, drawn in brilliant flames. There are blankets to sit out and watch, plenty of wine or warm drinks to go around, and no end in sight.

MISC.
Thanks for joining us for our eighth test drive meme, sinners! Reserves are now open for the upcoming app round on December 1st

If you have questions, comments, suggestions, etc., go here.

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

"It looked like a little bit of playing..." But it doesn't look ready to explode or anything at least.

"Give me one second." She has to slip out of her clothes after all -- luckily, the dress slips off quickly, as do underwear and stockings. Then she's moving to step in the tub -- it is a little too warm for her liking, but it's hardly enough to be too uncomfortable at least.

Normally his clothes would be flying off his lithe frame as if they're on fire. For now though he seems content to watch her with his sleeves rolled up and his trousers getting wet from a bit of water sloshing around. He takes a sip of scotch first while watching her step in and settle down, licking traces of it off his lips before he starts unbuttoning his shirt.

He gets up to bring the towels and robes nearby before casting his shirt and trousers to to the tiles, and joining her in the tub with a contented long sigh.

"Wouldn't even dream of this upstairs." It seems awfully decadent and nice.

She thought about asking if he was enjoying the show, but decides against it in favor of letting her head fall against the edge of the tub as she relaxes in.

"Mm, me either." She pauses, giving him a brief look. "The spa Kori showed me to was pretty close though..."

Considering he apparently let her stay with him for a bit, there's hardly a reason to be coy about their mutual company, is there? "So many demons around... Some with wandering eyes."

"She's a nice lass." Not that John would ever admit to keeping anyone around because they're naive, too trusting, or easy to exploit and manipulate. They're both adults here though and he can tell with the way Zee sideeyes him sometimes that she might not necessarily approve of his antics or methods, but she's not judging him either.

Well. Mostly, anyway. Even he recognises that it's hard not to judge himself sometimes.

"Do they make you uncomfortable, love?" His chest swells up a bit, rising just a tad higher in the water. "Could fix that for you." He's great at fixing things.

"She is... maybe a little too naive to be down here though." In general. She can't imagine what hell is going to do to her eventually. The way John puffs up a bit has her letting out a quiet laugh. Maybe the offer is a little bit charming, that's all.

"Please, John... I'm used to eyes never quite meeting mine anyway." Not that she doesn't dress in ways that seem to draw eyes down there, but that's neither here nor there.

"But now I'm curious. What would you do?"

"I'll have you know, I've only spent ten minutes looking at your tits tonight." As though that's anything to be proud of. John snickers and splashes a bit of water at her playfully. For all that hell's tried to do to him, there are still moments where his light hasn't completely been snuffed out yet.

"I'd unh, give them a stern talking to." He's not going to promise making things disappear like some kind of mob boss. But he's reluctant to talk about his dabbling in magic. Not when it's brought him so much grief. Not tonight, anyway.

"Usually works a charm." Technically he's not lying since he needs to talk to cast a spell. Same thing, right?

"After I went through all that trouble of picking a dress that made them look nice..." She gasps at the water splashing though -- but it's good to see there's some playfulness left in there. It's good to maybe just be spending a night with John, even if there's Hell outside their door.

Either way, he gets it splashed right back before she lets out a soft laugh. "Oh, is that, right?"

She bets it works a charm.

"Maybe you should come with me one day. We can get a massage, you can show me this stern talking to you'll give any demons with wandering eyes... Maybe we can enjoy another soak. I'll wash your back if you wash mine and all that."

"Yeah. Maybe I will," he purrs, turning his head back to face her after the water splashing settles down and sidling in close, quietly sliding an arm around her under the water.

"Could always just do your back now, y'know." Trying not to make it sound like an offer or anything.

"While there's - presumably - no one watching us."

"Well, don't jinx us... I don't want some badly done porno to wind up on the network for everyone to see." Despite all that though, she scoots in close when his arm comes around her, pressing up until skin meets skin.

Much better.

Bringing up her hand, she traces her fingertips idly over his chest idly. "That said, I would appreciate the helping hand, John..."

"Not a chance. Me legs are too hairy and m'not interested in puttin' on a show," he jokes, nuzzling against the side of her neck as his hands start to wander a little lower in the water. He slides his hand between her legs, rubbing up her thighs before nudging at her to scoot over a bit so he can rake his blunt nails up and down her back.

It's nothing like a proper massage but he does give her a few squeezes on the shoulder and rubs the heels of his palms on either side of her spine.

"'ow's that?" Not like he can't tell if she's relaxing against his hands.

"So if your legs weren't hairy, you might consider it?" She tilts her head a bit at the nuzzling. A bath alone is nice, but it's even better with someone else to share it with... at least when it's someone she actually likes.

"That's not my back, you know, John." She does take a moment to scoot over once he's done nudging at her, bringing her hair around her shoulder to give him access, arching slightly under the nails moving her her skin as she tilts her head forward.

She's actually not that tense at all though -- whether it's all the wine, the bath, or John's sort of massage is up for debate. She does press into his hands as they move lower. "Mm, not bad at all. Do your hands stop there or is this a full body thing?"

"I'd consider it anyway, but m'not much of an actor," he confesses. Which in the grand scheme of things is not the biggest lie he's told. But it's pretty up there, sure.

"That you asking for a 'appy ending, love?" he teases. He'd happily give her that. Hell he'd like to think she's had at least one happy ending from him.

"We can sit 'ere 'til our fingers prune 'nd fall off or I can do this 'full body thing' you're askin'." He's at least kind enough to offer, which should put him in her good graces for another ten minutes at least, right?

"It's not entirely fun anyway... And before you ask, don't. I learned my lesson about getting too wild in the club here, though." Realizing she'd starred in some weird porno for the entire club to see was-- yeah. Not quite the career move she'd ever hoped to make.

"Mm, maybe in a minute." Right now, she's nudging at one of his thighs to get him to part his legs so she can settle back against him.

"Sitting here and pruning up sounds good for right now. How many chances are we going to have at a decent tub after all?"

"That right?" He's definitely asking, even if he won't be getting around to asking tonight. Sounds too juicy not to ask.

He spreads his legs as requested and shuffles to accommodate her, giving them a bit of room so he can still rub her back at a decent angle.

"The rooms aren't this nice I suppose." It's not that he doesn't notice luxury but he doesn't get used to it for sure. Usually he doesn't stick around long enough to - not that he has that choice now.

"Hate to get used to a place like this." Nevermind that he's well on his way to giving up already.

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