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.


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code bases by tricklet

Comments

[conjobs]

"Find me a golden ticket and I'll be first out the door," he says with a tired sigh. It's long past the time to be wistful about anything.

"I'm uh. Anyway I'm. Working on a couple ideas," he casually throws out there with a sniffle. Constantine always gets the best ideas. No need to worry.

"Got a good feeling about it working out."

[gibecnartne]

"What sort?" No, they're never the best ideas. At best, he'll wind up owing the devil, at worse, everyone around him will be hurt.

"Maybe I can give a hand or something." Yeah, that's totally why she's asking.

[conjobs]

"Oh I found this-... thing. Just need to throw together all the bits 'nd pieces." She's tensing up and he tries to knead the spots in her shoulders that have risen. Maybe this was not a good idea to bring up after all.

She could probably give a hand, but. No guarantees it'd still be attached or that she would get said hand back.

"Don't worry love. Won't be leaving anyone behind if it works."

[gibecnartne]

If it works. How many times has she seen her own Constantine insist on similar plans right before he gets himself in the bind of a lifetime?

"How sure are you that it will work, John?"

She idly chews at the inside of her cheek as she turns around, brows furrowed.

[conjobs]

"'ey. What's with the worried look?" He brushes the back of his dripping wet fingers against her cheek. Partly he finds her reaction curious but also he wonders if they're a couple nights in and already in too deep.

"Nothin's ever for sure. 'cept for the fact that we're going to die here if we sit around waitin' for nothin'." Doing something wildly reckless and dangerous is clearly the much better option. 

[gibecnartne]

She tilts her head a bit at that, managing a short smile. "Sorry. It's not you... I was just thinking about something from back home."

How exactly do you tell a guy you already know another version of him and just what sort of 'plans' he comes up with? Probably not sitting naked in a bathtub with him.

... Although if she knew he was worrying about a one night stand already getting too serious, she might have laughed.

"I know that, John." She starts to shift away after a moment. Probably time to face him properly.

"You ready to get out and test the bed?"

[conjobs]

Something or someone, he doesn't ask, because it seems to be something that's still fresh in her mind and tonight's not really the night to be prodding at still-healing wounds. He gives her a few pats on the shoulders and leans back a bit, putting a small amount of distance between them so that she can get up.

"Sure. Towels are just there." He did bring them closer earlier so they wouldn't be dripping water all over the place standing around feeling cold.

"Let's go then." He climbs out ungracefully unlike the Bond girl next to him and splashes water around anyway on his way out. He's at least enough of a gentleman to hand her a towel before he wraps himself up a little higher on the waist and covers a couple of more prominent scars.

[gibecnartne]

She's grateful he doesn't prod, at least, not that she suspected he actually would. She takes her towel with a quick thanks, drying and wrapping it around herself.

She's still unmarred by Hell so far -- she feels like she's almost been a tad too lucky, with some of the horror stories she's heard. She suspects John's probably not been so lucky, not with some of those scar.

"Next time, maybe I'll give you a back rub."

[conjobs]

"S'alright love." Yes, that's John turning down something nice. No, it doesn't happen often at all. Constantine, sensitive about the old and new marks littered around his skin? Perish the thought.

He doesn't bother with his clothes as he pads quietly back out into the room, feeling very tired all of a sudden when he sits down on the edge of the bed and lowers his head with a sigh.

At least he doesn't flop down and get everything wet. He has the courtesy to towel through his hair before scooching further in, tucking his legs under the sheets.

[gibecnartne]

Well, that's a surprise. The Constantine she knows probably wouldn't turn down an offer like that. Not usually anyway. She pauses by the bed to try and dry her own hair as well as she can before she slides in next to him..

"Really? Was it something I said?" It's meant as a joke, and it's probably not too hard to guess with the way she wiggles in a little bit closer. Not quite cuddling, but they're both naked and it's bound to get a little chilly.

[conjobs]

"You should tell me again, what you said." He slides his arms around her waist and tries to pull her down onto the bed, towel sliding off his ruffled hair as he leans in close to nibble on the side of her neck and work his way down to her shoulder.

"Slowly. I'm a slow listener." While his hand rubs down the side of her body, tracing a swirl on the outside of her thigh before sliding in between her legs.

[gibecnartne]

"John!" She doesn't actually resist being pulled down with him on the bed, laughing softly despite the earlier mood that had settled in. She tilts her head to give him room to work over her neck, one hand coming up to push through his mussed up hair in encouragement.

"And here I thought you were tired." A flush of heat follows the trail of his hand, hips lifting slightly as it moves up her inner thigh.

"I believe I asked if you gave full body massages, didn't I?"

[conjobs]

"Never too tired for this. Or this. Or... this. Hmm, and I don't know what this is." But clearly he's loving it anyway. He nuzzles in close and runs his hand over as much bare skin as he can get his grubby mitts on, getting her to lie back while he finds a space to settle down in between her legs, kisses running down a warm trail between her breasts.

"Where do you want me to start?" John gives her thigh a light squeeze. "Here?" His hand trails over to her hip and up to her waist. "Here?" Drawing a line over her stomach, he draws a lazy circle around the middle of her groin. "Maybe here, eh?"

[gibecnartne]

It's easy to fall into this, the same way it always is back home, even when the rational part of her is screaming bad idea. But his lips on her skin, the scratch of any stubble as he moves... it's easier to just focus on that, on each thing she likes, which gestures are familiar and which are new.

Her own hands slide up to comb through his hair as her legs part further to give him room. "Definitely there," she murmurs. "I mean, if you're offering..."

[conjobs]

Trouble with John is, he never seems to need to convince anyone to just throw caution to the wind, shit just happens, and things always, inevitably, spiral out of control from there. He takes fun-loving and thrill-seeking to the extreme, often to the detriment of the people around him, but it's just too easy to get caught up in the whirlwind of magic and promises and love and lust. He is his own worst enemy when it comes to filling that loneliness that haunts him, seeking comfort with sad eyes while trying to keep the fixers and the lovers at arm's length.

"I'm offering," he promises. And there he goes again, with that breathless laugh and teeth nibbling softly tugging up off her collarbone while he grinds down insistently against her,

His hand slinks back down between her legs to rub her inner thighs, warm her up, and while he doesn't comment about how she's getting wet already, she does feel his smirk against her skin when he brushes his fingers against her soft folds.

"I think we're past the point of massage though," he observes. Or is he just asking for trouble again?

[gibecnartne]

Zatanna hopes she's learned well enough by now to not fall entirely for John's brand of charms so easily -- and she doesn't doubt they'll have words about it sooner or later. Or she'll try to get close and he'll find some way to push her away, keep her at arm's length like he's done in the past.

But right now, teeth are raking against her skin and he's grinding down against her, promising her everything she wants. She gives a tug at his hair. "You don't have to be that careful, you know."

She's never actually minded biting or scratches or marks -- except maybe on show nights where it's significantly harder to hide them. That's not now though. That won't be for a while.

"Are we?" She doesn't hesitate shifting her hips against his fingers, a shiver going through her.

"What do you suggest then, John?"

[conjobs]

He's had a few drinks. He wants to be careful. It's so easy for tonight to go so terribly wrong, even if he's trying to be on his best behaviour. There'll be no blood or tears on the sheets tonight, if he can help himself.

"We should cut straight to it." He rubs his fingers over her cunt a little more insistently, up over her clit a few times while he keeps his mouth occupied with breasts and nipples.

"I don't wanna wait and I don't think you do either." He's already half hard and panting lightly, twitching and tingling with every tug of his hair, head hanging low as he breathes her in with every breath.

[gibecnartne]

"I like the way you think." Sometimes anyway, when it can't get one or both of them killed.

She arches under him, pressing eagerly against his mouth, breath kicking up a bit as he rubs over her, pleasure traveling over her nerves.

And then she's trying to tug him up, bring him up for a proper kiss as she parts her legs a little further, inviting him even closer. "John, come here."

[conjobs]

She only needs to roll out the red carpet once. He's already clambering his way up to cast a long shadow over her, looming over her head before he leans in close to brush his lips against hers. 

You'd think it'd be impossible for a randy bloke to get distracted from where he wants to stick it, but he does get a little caught up with what's happening between their lips and where his hands are roaming over her chest. Eventually he doesn't seem so insistent on sticking anything anywhere apart from perhaps his tongue being a little adventurous.

[gibecnartne]

John's making it very hard to not melt just a little bit into that kiss, to give into that little part of her that can't ever seem to hate him as much as she wants, even when she knows very well where all this ends up. She lets out a soft noise as she meets that kiss, her arms coming around him to hold on.

One settles at the back of his head as the other hand glides down over his back softly, legs tangle with his. It's decidedly less quick post-bath fuck and something a lot more intimate, but-- if he doesn't say anything, then neither will she. It's a nice little fantasy at least.

She arches a bit into his exploring hands as her lips part, their tongues mingle. Her hand slides from his hair to his cheek. Their first night together had been quick and rushed, so she's taking her chance to get her exploration in now, feel out any differences there are, however slight.

[conjobs]

For the most part he is sort of the John she knows. Even after a pleasant soak he smells faintly like an ashtray and she'll find a lot of familiar curves and notches around skin and bone she must have spent hours napping when they're busy indulging themselves during the on-again phases of their tumultuous relationship.

He doesn't flinch when her hands find parts of him he's not particularly proud of, especially the new scars he'd gained in hell. But he does eventually pull back a bit and slide his hand down from her wrist to her elbow, fluid and smooth as though he's not self-conscious about the new fall/winter collection he's been amassing.

Right. The boner. He should probably. Fix that. His hand glides back down between her legs, teasing with light touches at first before a tentative nudge to... test the waters.

[gibecnartne]

She doesn't mind the new scars or the differences, really. She hates that he's clearly been through things to get them, that she probably can't even imagine, but she also doesn't protest when he tries to redirect her either.

She looks up at him, gives a softer smile before a gasp leaves her at the brush of his fingers. She's slick and hot already, tilting eagerly into his touch to try to get something a little less teasing.

Although her hands don't stay still for long, sliding between them to palm John's dick as she leans up for another kiss. "John... I want you. Don't keep me waiting."

[conjobs]

"Hmmh," he closes his eyes and groans, breathing out a shaky sigh. Ducking his head, he licks his upper lip and bites down before trying to dig his knees in and move where her hand wants to guide him to. He hisses and tenses up at first, pushing in deep and slow instead of eagerly making a dent in the floor, but with how easily and quickly he eases into it, it doesn't take him long to let go. It's not like she'd be under any illusion by now that he might be a gentleman.

Pinning her wrists down to the bed and leaning in low and close, he makes a muffled sound against her collarbone and bites down to stifle another moan before he interrupts himself with a low thump of the headboard against the wall. This he seems to prefer, at least for now, starting off vaguely on top where he has some semblance of control. Some room to tumble down low.

[gibecnartne]

A soft noise leaves her as he slides home, head falling back. The way their bodies fit together, the way he feels as he stretches and fills her up-- all of that is still Constantine. It's familiar in all the right ways.

She lets him have her wrists, lets him pin her for now with little complaint -- she can always switch things up later. But right now, this is good. The roll of his hips, his mouth against her skin. The bite has her gasping his name, hips twitching forward as she clenches around him.

"John..."

[conjobs]

The way she moans his name, sounding so intimate and distant at the same time - he's tempted to ask if she's been having wet dreams or wet nights or wet anythings about him. They barely know each other and while he's not a lousy lay, he knows he faces stiff competition around these parts, so he'd be pretty proud of it if she ever confessed as much.

He rubs her clit and picks up the pace a little. There's nothing particularly pornographic about them. No hot angles or deliberate slow takes, hardly any dirty talk and they're about as risque as missionary with the lights off at this point. He still seems to be enjoying it though and he's trying his best to top off a rather oddly endearing date night with her hair a wild mess and a telltale aching in her thighs.