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

[smokedout]

His eyes narrow, brow furrows until he looks almost like a cornered animal. He isn't done, though, not by a long shot. He takes a step back, then another, and then bursts into sparks. It almost seems as if he's gone... until he reappears a few feet back, giving just himself enough room to aim comfortably. He's done trying to argue; if Hawke isn't going to initiate, he'll force a fight out of him.

He reaches behind his back with both hands, unclipping part of the holsters on his back so he can pull out two heavily modified guns that are painted black with gold accents. He holds them like pistols (although that is not actually how they're designed to work but Comic Logic) and opens fire without a moment of hesitation, hopefully scaring Stella away so she isn't caught in the crossfire.

[defaulthawke]

The instant Hawke sees guns, he raises his arm protectively, calling on the magic in the bracer he wears on his wrist. A shield of pure magical energy springs from it, the size of a tower shield but rounded, warding off bullets that ricochet in all directions. He drops to one knee and looks around for Stella, for blood, hoping none of the people screaming and running away get caught in the crossfire.

Of course, nothing is perfect. He ducks down to protect from glass shattering over his head, and exposes his legs. A sudden explosion of searing pain in his thigh has Hawke screaming - it's unlike anything he's ever felt, different from an arrow, different from a sword. In that instant, something inside Hawke lashes out like a wounded animal: a wave of raw magic bursts out from him, as reflexive as his fighter's instincts, hitting Dodger with a massive blast of pure telekinetic force that sends the man flying.

[smokedout]

The thing about holding UZIs as if they're pistols is that... well, one, it would be wrecking a non-mutant's wrists, but it's also hell on their accuracy. Bullets are spraying everywhere in Hawke's general direction, bouncing off of his shield and coming back toward Dodger as well. There will definitely be a few people caught in the mayhem, but Dodger doesn't pretend to care.

For a moment, when he sees Hawke's leg bleeding, he perks up - he looks like a dog presented with a treat, focused to the point of tunnel vision. Focused enough to get a hint that something's wrong, a second before he's blasted across the pathway and slams hard into a startled passerby before knocking them into a stall.

He's stunned for a moment but quickly pushes himself to his feet, turning invisible while he gets his bearings. His guns had fallen out of his hands, but he can get them back. They weren't doing enough, anyway, and he doesn't want to waste bullets. He teleports once, twice, collecting the guns and stashing them before teleporting again - the sparks fly behind Hawke, reappearing with a bit of distance so Dodger can send a blast of fire at his back.

[defaulthawke]

Dodger starts to teleport and Hawke thinks that's the end of it, hopefully. The shield vanishes with a thought, sucked back into the heavy torc bracelet it came from. He's just started to look around, to see if anyone else has gotten hurt or killed in the fire, to sort through the screaming and the damage.

Then there are sparks, a sound that has him whipping around with those soldier's instincts and throwing up the shield again.

"FUCK!" he yells in frustrated fear. How the hell is he supposed to fight someone who can fucking teleport?

Then it occurs to him- the gift Barry gave him. A phone, with a panic button. He reaches into his pocket and presses it- what's the number, five times? The little button on the front five times, trusting the thing to send its message, trusting Barry to be near his phone instead of in someone's bed or taking a nap, trusting Barry to search all of hell to find him before the next surprise weapon comes out or fire rains down.

[thescarletspeedster]

He is napping, in fact, but nothing rockets Barry to consciousness like those five pings on his phone. He's heard the distress call many times in his nightmares, but never in reality, and it's with his heart in his throat that Barry races into his suit and phases right through every room and suite of the hotel. He gets more than a few eyefuls, but none of Garrett, and Barry turns his lightning speed towards the town, heart in his throat all over again as he sees the frozen figures of people running.

They all seem to be fleeing a single point, and as Barry passes another face fixed in panic, he sees him. Garrett, his shield up but blood soaking down his leg, and behind him, flickering oddly, a man with both hands raised. Barry's eyes narrow, but Garrett is his priority at the moment, and as another fireball slowly unfurls towards him, Barry grabs him up, putting a building between them and his attacker before he sets him down.

"What's happening?" Barry asks, touching Garrett all over, searching for wounds. "Who is that?"

[defaulthawke]

Dodger hasn't even had time to unleash the fire when, just as he hoped, there's a flash of lightning and very suddenly he's on the other side of Penance. Garrett collapses to the ground in pain, clutching his side and feeling blood seep through his fingers.

"It's him," he pants, pushing his hand in hard to add pressure. "It's Dodger, the man I killed." Garrett grips Barry's sleeve urgently. "Don't let him touch your skin, he's got fire- and strength."

[thescarletspeedster]

God, Barry knew this would happen. Dodger returned to life because of course he did, and now he and Garrett will be locked in an endless battle of bloody deaths and resurrections. Lightning crackles over his knuckles. That might be Dodger's plan, anyway, but Barry has no intention of letting it come to pass.

"He won't even see me unless I want him to," Barry promises, noting the terror in Garrett's voice. "How hurt are you?" he asks, gripping Garrett by the chin to judge the truthfulness of his response. "Can you wait for a healer or should I take you now?"

[defaulthawke]

“Bandage me and go get him,” Garrett answers quickly. “I’ve got one in the thigh, a graze in my side, a graze on my leg, and my arm feels odd.”

Probably from the force of the bullets striking the shield, but it’s alright.

“I’ll magically keep my blood in until you get back. Go.”

[thescarletspeedster]

Thank god for magic, thinks Barry, blurring as he swiftly bandages Garrett's wounds, drawing them tight to the point of pain to help staunch the flow if Garrett's magic fails when the shock wears off.

He pulls Garrett's face to his and kisses his forehead, murmuring, "I'll be back."

And then Barry is before Dodger again, appearing out of nowhere with lightning trailing behind him. It crackles over his body, shining red and electric in his eyes as he stares Dodger down. "You can't keep killing each other," he calls in an echoing voice. "This needs to end."

[smokedout]

As far as Dodger could tell, Hawke had just disappeared in a blur. It looked about the same as Dodger's invisibility, and that thought shakes him. Is that more of his magic, or..?

He's stuck there for a minute or so, looking around in confusion as the crowd successfully evacuates. Somewhere nearby, he can see that little puppy cowering and whimpering under a stall. He'd been about to move over and check on her, when a different man appears in his place.

The man he'd seen around Hawke. Barry Allen.

"Don't tell me that, he's the one that fucking started it." He flexes his fingers, and flames flicker and dance around his hands. "Keep your bimbo under control and we won't have a problem."

[thescarletspeedster]

"He prefers himbo," Barry returns, "And you don't control a person that you love. You trust them." He winds his arm in a circle towards him, the movement lazy for a speedster, but so quickly it blurs. Air begins to rush rapidly away from Dodger, and while there's still enough to breathe, the threat is clear.

"He hurt you because you threatened the person he loves. Now, do you want to put that out before we test whether your fire works without oxygen to feed it?"

[smokedout]

He prefers himbo. What a fucking joke. But he has to admit, it sounds like someone that knows Hawke well.

He growls, but he can see he's at a disadvantage. He's met speedsters before - real speedsters, not tech junkies with an adrenaline addiction like there were back home - and he knows he can't compete. More than that, his time in Hell is really starting to skew his thinking, and he can't help the stray thought that the lack of air feels good.

"Fine." He waves his hands, and the flames disappear. He raises them, as if to show he's disarmed, even though he clearly isn't. "Then at least tell him to keep his fucking mouth shut around me. I'm not responsible for people pissing me off on purpose."

Then... what the fuck were you doing, Dodger.

[thescarletspeedster]

They both know Garrett's not one to shut his mouth. "Why don't you just stay away from each other?" Barry reasons, dropping his arm to walk slowly forward. He doesn't like to be a threat if he doesn't have to be. "You're clearly not going to get along."

There's a flicker of movement at the corner of his eye, and Barry winks out of sight, only to reappear with a wriggling puppy in his arms. "Stella?" Barry asks, incredulous. He can understand people shooting into a crowd - it's undeniably shitty, but common - but near a dog? He checks her quickly over before aiming an accusatory look at Dodger. "For real?"

[smokedout]

Dodger looks from Barry's face to the dog and back, and offers him a moody shrug. He doesn't need any answer aside from that, really.

"Might have to bring that up with him too." He snaps his fingers to light a cigarette, and takes a moment to smoke a few puffs, "Generally can't keep his hands off me, one way or another."

Sure, that's one way to lump knife fights and being murdered in with whatever weird sex dynamic they've ended up with. He pauses again, and gestures to Barry with his cigarette.

"In fact, last time I saw you two together, you fucked off and left him tripping balls, getting felt up by some jackass demon. And he spent the night with me before I dragged him back to his place. Wonder where you were during all of that."

[thescarletspeedster]

Barry holds Stella tightly, for once wishing his suit wasn't so form fitting so he could tuck her inside of it. He rolls his eyes at Dodger. He'd never leave Garrett anywhere in that kind of condition, let alone Hell.

Still, he does wonder if he shouldn't be more vigilant, unethically so. He can be anywhere he wants to be in Hell in seconds, and if Garrett keeps wandering into this much trouble...He shakes his head at himself, resolving to at least ask Garrett if it would be alright if he creepily checked in on him every half hour or so.

"Probably in bed with him," he answers, "Because that didn't happen." He flits towards Dodger and back again, having smacked away his cigarette just to be a bitch. "How about this - you stay away from him, or I'll melt your guns with my own hands and throw what's left in the lake of fire?"

[smokedout]

His eyes narrow slightly. In his opinion, there should be a healthy level of distrust between partners. If Barry really trusts that nothing happened while Garrett was out of his sight, that just makes it easier to fuck with him behind his back... not that he really plans to after today. Maybe.

And the cigarette thing is a bitch move. But he'll take it.

"Good luck with that." His hand glow white-hot, giving off a wave of intense heat, but his guns are totally unaffected. And then the heat dissipates, and he spins the guns by their triggers just to show off. "Firestarters need fireproof equipment, yeah? I don't burn, neither does my shit."

A slight pause, before he aims the guns at Barry.

"You want me to stay away from him, just fuck off yourself. And keep that mutt away from me, too. I'm sick of all of this bullshit."