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Tabula Rasa Mods ([personal profile] tabularasa_mods) wrote in [community profile] tabularasa_rp2020-09-15 10:58 pm

003 - Memories of a False History

Memories of a False History State of the World Locations Bestiary
OOC Comments
Please refer to the original Event Announcement for more information or to ask any questions you might have! For the disaster prompt, players are not restricted to the versions given, but they are intended to be the most common. Feel free to borrow ideas from the disaster suggestions thread as well!

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The Sound of All Things Bad
The sound comes without warning. What the sound is cannot quite be made out - it is at once artificial and natural, bestial and mechanical, rumbling and roaring and crunching, shattering and crashing and screaming. Everything about it feels like a threat, warning of danger. The cacophony of noise reaches throughout the entire Void, loud and inescapable, the mangling and clashing of different sounds leaving each individual with a different idea of what it could possibly have been. It sounds different to everyone, each person able to pick out a part of the sound that ties to their own fears.

What if...?

How long the sound lasts would depend on how the individual perceives time. It might last for seconds, or it might last for minutes, but once it stops it does not repeat. Where it came from or what it is does not become the slightest bit clearer, and people are left to only speculate.

Disaster
No one can quite be sure what has prompted them to remember that day. It might have been that noise of approaching doom, or perhaps it is seeing the crumbling ruins of Hammerlocke itself. Once a stray memory surfaces, it is easy enough to look into the details and recall in full the vivid memory of Hammerlocke’s destruction - the ‘truth’ of what caused the mountainside city to crumble into ruins, as so many have wondered since their first appearance. Though the memory is clear and detailed, vivid enough to have been witnessed in person, it is out of place and does not belong, and anyone who can recall the events knows it.

Attempting to discuss the matter will soon reveal that while others recall the event with similar clarity, the details vary from person to person. Over time, their own memory changes and adapts, occasionally changing to something new entirely, yet the original is never completely forgotten. Memory is a strange and fickle thing, so easy to influence and manipulate, that the truth is difficult to find.

While memories differ from person to person, there are three particular tales that recur:

From the Sky

Though the sky above did not change from its paper-like blank white, the land grew darker and darker as though cast in shadow. The source of the shadow was clear: above, slowly descending towards the wings of the castle, was... something. Something immense, yet shrouded in crackling storm clouds.

As it continued to grow closer and closer, something in the clouds began to swell. It grew larger and larger, an electric hum of energy in the air, until with a resounding crack it burst and a great shadowy beast fell to the ground, landing with such force that the resulting shockwave shook the earth and tore through the stone buildings, causing so much of the city to tumble in an instant. It moves, and it screeches, raising its head up as the great storm above continues to swell and crackle.

This would not be the only beast.

(Based upon: Meteor, the Lunar Cry, and the Darkest Day)
The Battlefield

It was never clear why the fighting eventually made its way to this defenseless city, but it came without warning. The chaos was heralded only by explosions as the city walls were blasted through by tanks that had somehow made their way along the treacherous and narrow mountain path that simply was not meant for such heavy machines. The thundering explosions and the collapse of buildings could surely be heard for miles, and people and animals alike were quick to flee.

Though they reached Hammerlocke first, the tanks seemed like nothing compared to the enemy. The enormous shadowy monstrosity that swooped in from the sky seemed to be made from far more advanced technology. Even just the one towering machine, as large as the castle falling to ruins beneath its feet as it lands, proves deadly as it fires upon the approaching tanks, blasting them all to pieces within an instant before turning fire on whichever buildings remain standing.

(Based upon: Tanks, and Reapers)
The Mysterious Storm

There had been no way to predict the change in the weather, never mind how destructive it would prove. One moment, everything had been still and quiet, and the next the city was assailed by howling, violent winds and freezing, glittering snow and ice. Though the city was built of stone and had stood the test of time for centuries, it could not stand against these combined forces. The only shelter was underground, for the furious storm was so powerful it could rip through earth, lift up and fling any object in its path with devastating force, shattering windows and toppling buildings.

Propelled by such force, the ice and hail proved destructive in its own right. As the storm froze everything in its path, the hailstones became like bullets and great chunks of ice became missiles. By the time the winds began to grow calm, there was little left standing.

Something about the storm seemed somehow unnatural, but where it came from was anyone’s guess. Some, however, may have spied a vague figure through the tempest, of unclear appearance but its presence somehow threatening.

(Based upon: Weather, El shortage, and Diamond Dust)

Misplaced Memories
Worries about whatever disaster must have befallen the ruined city of Hammerlocke aside, people quickly become aware that memories of the disaster are not the only invasive, foreign memories. How the other memories come to them seems, on the surface, to be very similar: a connected thought occurs, and upon realizing the memory is not theirs, people are compelled to think more about it until the memory is uncovered in full detail. Unlike the memory of the disaster, however, this one quite clearly belongs to someone else. Someone who is here.

On puzzling this out, some might find they have more than one stray memory sitting in their minds. More importantly, however, is the feeling that something from their own memory is missing, and whatever memory is missing feels like it is something important. It could just be their own phone number, or it could be their name, or the face of whoever is most important to them. It could be something small, it could be something big, but all people know is that it’s something important and it’s gone.

There is no clear, immediate answer as to what people can do about their lost memories. With regards to their new memories, however, the path might seem a tiny bit clearer, for surely it seems a bit unfair that they can see into someone’s past in such a manner without their knowing. Perhaps it’s best to talk to them about it?

Although the lost memory is not always the same as the ones borrowed, taking the memory back to its source and prompting them to discuss and think about it proves a great help - as they talk, the invasive memory leaves, a lost memory is restored, and those who succeed are able to tell others the solution.

While the invasive memory is gone, people can still recall having it, and can still recall the details, but they will no longer remember it from the other’s point of view. Perhaps it might change how they see each other from now on?

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blue_eyed_obsession: (♖ Gonna take back what you stole)

[personal profile] blue_eyed_obsession 2020-09-23 10:07 pm (UTC)(link)
How the tables have turned... [Eluding back to the threat she issued from last time but with a sense of humor] What can I say? I don't make a lot of friends and there's always someone trying to topple over my accomplishments. [There's no intention of allowing this to go through however. He will fight it to the end.] Ha- that wouldn't be much of an improvement. [Ie. he was unconscious and his soul was locked away- yet again] .. but It's something to strive for I suppose. [Are you going to stop being cryptic or let her in on what you're talking about, Seto?]

I'd rather file it away in an archive and set it on fire... [Ie. Be done with it. Sci fi was more his thing but he didn't want to be starring in it, so much as creating the technology others could only dream about in the past]

... If there were that many victims, why didn't anyone else speak up or try and stop it? [Asking a foolish question. Domino High had been plagued with delinquency, not just from the students but some of the teachers as well. Did anyone say anything? Did anyone care? ... Things only started to change when a certain spiky-haired boy assembled that ancient relic. Probably unrelated.] I retract the question. [Yet, she answered it anyway. It was criminal negligence, on behalf of the institution.] I've heard enough. [Drawing the line at her victim blaming, and sounding irritated for witnessing it] The only one at fault in this situation is the perpetrator. [Ie. Kamoshida. Even though Kaiba said this, didn't some of his own insecurities force him to blame himself from alleged shortcomings in his own dealing with Gozaburo in the past?] He should have his medal revoked. [Ok. So he wasn't just a gym teacher- at one point in his life the scumbag had enough discipline to train himself and compete in a worldwide competition]

Oh Goody. Just what I wanted to hear. [Sarcasm was still in his employ. Not even trying to envision what his own might look like. The game portion would have been it's own unique element, something he would want to test due to the 'unwinnable' nature of it.] A shadow... [Repeating it thoughtfully, briefly thinking back to his rival and the shadowy apparition that had once meted out a punishment game to him. Not the same thing, decidedly but no less disturbing to witness... OK. Slightly less disturbing because of the whole speedo thing.] That explains alot. [Having a low opinion of the other Ann] An app. How convenient. [This was a lot to take in at once but she might not be as willing to spill it later. Best to strike now while emotions were running high] Does everyone have a palace? Though.. I suppose not or this Mementos place wouldn't need to exist... [One guess what Pegasus's palace would look like..]

[It was a bit of a low blow admittedly]

I'll have it noted that you selected hte word 'prance', I didn't. [In case she took exception to it later. There were also an abundance of zippers on that suit in questionable places... BUT.... ] A whip... [Letting that linger in the air a moment or two. She wasn't making this any easier to not make remarks about] ... [If this sort of technology ever bled through here or in his own place of origin then boy... would he have some additional security measures to put into place. As paranoid as he could be, Kaiba was already assessing just what the damage could be to himself if this was a thing] Fun stuff. [Clearly downplaying the murders]

[To that he darkly chuckled. Yes, that was what was up indeed...] I can handle Dartz. [Er... or he wanted to] ... and I'm not in the habit of asking for help. [With this much discussion about the memory, it felt as if it had returned to it's rightful place no longer throwing a haze over things. Hopefully the same was true in reverse, though he... hadn't... said... much... about that period of his life.]
menaretrash: (pic#14317408)

[personal profile] menaretrash 2020-09-23 10:33 pm (UTC)(link)
Yeah... sorry about that, by the way. [ A little cringe, honestly, because... yeah. That happened, but at least he's not holding it against her. ] That's rough... I can't imagine being in that sort of position. But I'm glad that it's yours, you've worked hard for it. And I know that no matter what, you will take it back. [ Because... there's no other choice. And he seems like the type to stop at nothing to make sure the job gets done, so, she's pretty confident that he'll get it taken care of. ] ...Wait, what do you mean not much of an improvement...? [ Please... let her know what's happening here man... ]

That makes two of us, honestly. We've got some... pretty bad things happening at home right now, too. [ Sort of? She's not really sure what's what right now. Ren gave her a lot of info and she's... well. She's confused. ]

No one listened. I tried to tell my parents, too, but they're never home, and they're busy. So, they didn't want to hear it. No one wants to believe something like that, anyways, and as long as the volleyball team kept winning, it's all that mattered to any of them. [ The teachers and principal didn't want a scandal on their hands, either. So, just keep quiet and pretend it isn't happening. ] ...He did have his medal revoked. That was his treasure -- we pawned it off and no one asked any questions about it or where it came from.

[ They got quite a bit of money for it, too, but that's... sort of another deal in itself. ]

Right? It sounds crazy, but it's all true. [ Hey, she can't even blame him here, okay, and his sarcasm actually has her laughing a little bit at least this time. ] Yeah, an app. If I can ever get my phone to work again, I'll show you. No, not everyone... only the super corrupt have palaces. But Mementos is sort of... a public palace. Lesser, in a way, but no less difficult to navigate. There's a ton of layers to it, too... it's a really weird place. [ No one needs giant wine glasses and cartoons.... funny bunnies...... ]

Of course, of course. Eh, either way, it is what it is. I can fight well enough in it, and I don't hear any of my teammates complaining about it... [ Because they wouldn't fucking dare. ] Yeah, a whip. I'm pretty good with it, too. [ Don't. Even. Go. There. It's not for those reasons, okay. Femme fatale is more what she's trying to go for here!! ] Yeah, it's... it's something.

[ Dartz... she'll remember that name. ] Yeah, but even still, if we could make it easier for you, would it really matter? You wouldn't even have to ask, because we'd already know. Uh... since you just... told me. [ Not that she can do anything about it here, but you never know. Something to file away for later, at least. She looks down again. ] ...Listen, I really am sorry that you had to go through all of that, though. You're a good brother, and a really strong person. I couldn't... have handled what you went through.
mightdoriya: (Shemage)

[personal profile] mightdoriya 2020-09-23 10:44 pm (UTC)(link)
[It's lucky then that Izuku managed to accidentally take one of the nicer ones. He still remembers it as if it had just happened to him, so it's easy to recall.]

She asked me what "I" wanted to do after I saved sector 7.
mightdoriya: (Earphone Jack)

[personal profile] mightdoriya 2020-09-23 10:44 pm (UTC)(link)
[Izuku's mouth drops open, stays that way for a second, then snaps shut again.]

What was the last mission you remember?

[Katsuki went on some before that one, he knows. He remembers he was training with that man learning to use a sword, among other things...]
bridge_princess: (003)

[personal profile] bridge_princess 2020-09-23 11:21 pm (UTC)(link)
Just a little bit, but I'm not the one to do it. They kick my ass whenever we run into each other. I don't pretend to be one of the big fishes of that world. There's no way I'd ever be that powerful.

[Though with the right boost, she'd be scary as fuck herself. It was kind of warped that way.]

Yeah, there's some crap in Gensokyo that's seriously messed up. We're better off not dealing with any of that.
bridge_princess: Doujin: I Made a Friend (068)

[personal profile] bridge_princess 2020-09-23 11:24 pm (UTC)(link)
Wonder if you know the local florist already. [She giggled.] She's definitely one of the most sunny people here. Kind of a natural thing for her. Though I'm also pretty damned sure she could kick both our asses.

[She might have seen a certain memory Tifa had involving Corneo.]

Parsee. I run the bridge leading nowhere. And the shrine nobody needs. [Snicker] Story of my life...
blue_eyed_obsession: (♙ This isn't what I planned)

[personal profile] blue_eyed_obsession 2020-09-23 11:28 pm (UTC)(link)
It went both ways. [Shrugging it off. Surprisingly, he saw no need to hold that against her, the challenge had been more amusing than threatening.] I will. Mark my words. [A serious edge in that delivery] Don't we have enough on our plates as is...? [This wasn't related to the memories in question so unfortunately he didn't divulge more, initially.]

Somehow, I'm not sure there's much of a comparison. [Maybe he would regret this, but if it kept them from the other subjects then sure. Why not?] This person that's trying to takeover my company has his sights set even higher than that. He's a total lunatic that claims to be the former ruler of the lost city of Atlantis. [Scoffing, he held up a hand to discourage her from interrupting] I know what it sounds like, and it is why I called him a lunatic. He has it in his mind that if he collects enough souls, then he can revive a great beast, a Leviathan, in order to restructure the world to his designs. I was in the middle of a tag duel with him before I arrived here... [This part hurts the most to recount but look how he spins it] .. or more accurately, because my partner was unwilling to do what was necessary I lost that duel- and fell unconscious. He better.... not have screwed up after that point or I'll kill him myself.. [Not being serious. Despite the criticism, Kaiba actually thought highly of Yugi, he placed his trust in that spiky-haired brat to win this...]

[Apparently, he could add negligent parents into the mix. Great] People often have selective hearing and vision. They see what they want and not what they don't.. [Pot calling kettle in some regards. That last part garners another dark chuckle.] Good. Serves him right, losing the possession he likely cherished the most.

[The laughter seemed to suit her better than the tears did......ok, so he'd just file that thought away and bury it] Wouldn't you know, even the cognitive world has a caste system. [Or a socio-economic one, in a sense] So Mementos is more like the slum... [Perhaps undervaluing the fact that it wasn't a good thing to have one's own palace. That just meant you were more messed up. Also, no. No one needs those funny bunnies running around free]

Your teammates are male. [Blurting it out before he could stop himself, then realizing how it might come across. Sheepishly, he averted his gaze] I hope I won't have the opportunity to test that myself. [ Ie. Don't use it on him]

... [Kaiba looked back at her, giving her a hard stare. Why offer to do something like that for someone out of no where. Ugh, she was feeling pity for him still- wasn't she?] Do we have to discuss it....... I mean that. Literally. [Not that he wanted to] Whatever is causing this, seems to lessen the more details are resolved by the person the memories belong to.
blue_eyed_obsession: (♙ Give it up)

[personal profile] blue_eyed_obsession 2020-09-23 11:41 pm (UTC)(link)
[Least she knew her limitations, many didn't. The calm acceptance of it was not something he could relate to. Considering how often Parsee talked down about herself, he found himself questioning it. What she was actually capable was likely somewhere in between.]

Agreed. The pontificating buffoons and the psychopaths need not apply.
realway: (01)

[personal profile] realway 2020-09-24 12:14 am (UTC)(link)
Oh, hey there.

[ her arms cross, body language extremely awkward and closed off compared to what he may be used to. so she assumes - he knows her name so he must know her. she's already figured that much out before coming across him. ]

I'm ok. Sort of. [ she'll get to that in a bit. ] How about you? Notice... anything missing?
realway: (LV0iusJ)

[personal profile] realway 2020-09-24 12:19 am (UTC)(link)
He won't?

[ she repeats, questioning. her teeth bites at the inside of her cheeks gingerly, thinking. ]

If it's because you don't want to see him, because you have doubts, then I don't think that's the right thing to do. You shouldn't let the opinions of someone who tried to kill you have sway.

[ and yes, she saw how the man explained how whatever he used on cole was because he was a demon. doesn't matter, not to her anyway. ]
realway: (e2Z6uyn)

[personal profile] realway 2020-09-24 12:27 am (UTC)(link)
Hm?

[ it was surprising to receive an invitation from one of the people she was searching for. perhaps something inside her, clawing to return to true form, was convinced she would have to pull all the leg work on her own. run around this place back and forth, hunt people down, shake them for information. they needed their memories back to and she didn't want them.

tifa is immediately recognized, but not because ahsoka (she knows her name is ahsoka by now, at least) remembers her. it was the memory - hand over hand, jumping across light fixtures, all to get a keycard. it was impressive, invigorating, and familiar. why is it so familiar?

she's happy to have a beef skewer though. tastes delicious. gives her a moment to chew what's in her mouth before answering the question too.
]

Oh yeah - I suppose.

[ she has no clue what a padawan is, so she thinks tifa knows best in the situation. for a moment she thinks to roll with it, but tifa deserves a warning. ]

Listen, I should tell you: I lost my memory. Not just the one you have, but all of them. Whatever caused this weird situation has really scrambled me hard.
menaretrash: (pic#14317384)

[personal profile] menaretrash 2020-09-24 12:55 am (UTC)(link)
I know, but still. I'm sorry about that... can we start over? [ If there's anything good to come out of whatever the hell this is, this is it. She's just glad he isn't angry. ] I'm glad to hear it. [ She is, too. She hopes he gives this nutcase absolute hell. ] Well... apparently, not enough. [ Man.... come on. Throw her a bone here. ]

There's probably not, no. [ Someone's been screwing with her memories at home, too... not just her, either. All of them. Which is... it's just so strange. ] Wait... actually, that doesn't seem that... strange at all. But you mentioned dueling... like... with swords? [ She blinks, tipping her head to the side. ] Akechi-kun knows how to do that, and I think Ren took it up for a while at home, too... uh. If we're talking about the same kind of dueling, at least. Reviving a Leviathan, though... that sounds really bad. But I take it you don't believe in any of that, right? [ She hums, nodding. ] I'm sure he'll do what needs to be done... if he's anything like you, he will. I know it. [ She... she hopes, at least. Don't be a pussy, Yugi. ]

Yeah... it happens more often than not, unfortunately. [ She sighs, before smiling slightly. Well, he's taking this better than she expected; at least he's not condemning their criminal activity. ] Yeah... the place where we pawn this stuff never questions us, either. Which is really... strange. [ Except it's a seedy little shithole so not... really strange, maybe. ]

Something like that! A target's palace appears different every single time. Kamoshida's was a castle, another's was an entire gallery dedicated to art... another one saw us as mice, so it turned us into mice of all things, at one point. It's just... weird. [ She reaches up to wipe at her eyes one more time; she's not crying anymore, for the most part, but she's done enough of that today between Seto and Ren and her eyes sting. ] Wellll... not... really. Then again, it's not nearly as opulent as some of the palaces we've infiltrated. If we ever get the opportunity and it's safe enough, I'll show you. [ She HOPES... not but also, one never knows here. And if anything to do with the Metaverse appears, it's probably better that people are more prepared for it than... not. The three of them can't just be there all the time, guarding it, after all.

She blinks at him again, feeling her cheeks heat up just a little. ]
Oh! Yeah... Skull and Joker. The girls actually outnumber the guys in the Phantom Thieves now, though. Somehow, I feel like the boys are happy about that. [ ...Specifically Ryuji.... ] Don't worry... I don't plan on it. There's only one person here who might get that kind of treatment, and even he's a big 'maybe'.

[ She's not going to say who, of course. She shrugs at that stare he gives her. ] I mean... I think that's how it works, right? Is this the first time this has happened here?
activatingcombatmode: <user name=sefirot> (64)

closed to Lysandra Weiss

[personal profile] activatingcombatmode 2020-09-24 01:21 am (UTC)(link)
[He never though sharing memories with people would be so jarring. One second he's minding his own business and the next he's remembering things from lives he doesn't even recognize. It's pretty bad for the headaches but at least he's learned some pretty interesting things about the people he knows. And the people he doesn't know.

This in particular is a strange memory. He remembers falling... He doesn't really know what to do with it except seek out the person who it might've come from.

So he's looking for someone who happens to be a harpy.]


Hello? Anyone remember something weird about me and wanna talk about it?
activatingcombatmode: <user name=sefirot> (5)

[personal profile] activatingcombatmode 2020-09-24 01:29 am (UTC)(link)
[Well that is pretty telling and Zack automatically knows she's talking about Aerith Gainsborough. Zack simply taps his knows knowingly and gives a smirk. Oh yes. He knows this particular ass-kicking Flowergirl quite well.]

Nice to meet you, Parsee. Why do you say that, though? Everyone can use a good shrine visit once in a while. Isn't that how you keep your good luck up?

[He honestly has no damn clue but he's wondering what's up with the shrine anyway.]
rotomphone: (pic#14048603)

[personal profile] rotomphone 2020-09-24 01:46 am (UTC)(link)
You saw it, then. It looked nice, right? [ his smile takes a softer tone. no matter how many times he goes to the ruins, they'll never overtake the memories he has of Hammerlocke as it should be. ] I wish you could've seen the whole city. It'd take your breath away.

[ it's a real shame that no one will be able to know what his city is supposed to be like... unless another one of his memories escapes him soon, like this one. as long as he gets it back, maybe some good will come out of it. ]

Oh yeah... I remember that! [ his smile widens, fanged tooth in full display as he recalls the lost memory. ] The local Trainer's School had a class stopping by on a field trip - usually my Gym Trainers handle it, but I happened to be in the stadium that day.

[ it was one of the many things that Hammerlocke Stadium offered to the community during the League's off-season. Raihan had plenty to do outside of the city during that period, but sometimes things overlapped that allow him to join in on the fun. it was a great day; the more he thinks on it, the more he can remember those kids' smiling faces when he showed off his team. ]

Thanks! I trained them all myself, so there's a reason they look so strong. [ and he looks quite proud at the fact! ] It's weird not having them around, even though they're technically here. They'd be over the moon to meet all of you, I bet.
blue_eyed_obsession: (♘You couldn't wait to move right in)

[personal profile] blue_eyed_obsession 2020-09-24 01:56 am (UTC)(link)
Do as you please. [Not really seeing the need to. It wasn't like he was going to be that much easier to get along with. Kaiba knows who he is and what he's like]

[With all those similarities the people from her dimension likely thought the void could be an extension of this world of cognition stuff] I forgot- everyone always assumes I mean the variety with weapons. [Huffing at this] No, with duel monsters. [Raising his left arm to show off his duel disk] Cards. [Like the one he flung at that dragon fish] This device is called a duel disk, and when it's functioning it has the capability of projecting the cards as holographic images. The matches can get so intense that a person feels as if they are truly apart of some climatic battle. [But it's not... bloody... REAL. How many times does he have to tell people that in a week?] Not a bit. [With only a moderate level of hesitation.] ... Either way, he needs to win this. [Sounding completely serious]

[The same could be said in the reverse. Considering the types of targets the Phantom thieves took out... they should be on opposing sides.] Not for a pawn shop. [Giving a brief snerk] I'd say just ask Wheeler, but he's not around to hear me insulting him.

So you never quite know what to expect, like entering a dungeon in a video game. [It would make for an interesting video game actually. Filing that away for later] ... Guess we'll see. [Unsure if he was ready to commit the time to such a thing were it possible but not ruling it out.]

Yeah- that I don't doubt. [About the boys. The rest of it is a mess.]

First time I've been exposed to it, so yes. [GREAAAATTTTttt. So, how to go about this.] Maybe we should sit down... [Motioning to the seating area. That being said he remained standing and just moved to the other side of the bar to lean on it from a different angle] I don't quite know what you saw... so I'll run through the basics.. [.. and have done with it] Our parents died when we were young, and we were dumped at an orphanage. Gozaburo Kaiba happened to be doing some charity tax write off function there, and knowing that he was a chess champion I challenged him to a game with the condition that should I win he would adopt both myself and Mokuba.

Clearly I won. [And lost] So surprisingly he kept his word. Then.... what you saw... happened. [Backing off of the part he legit needed to talk about] Any questions?
menaretrash: (pic#14317408)

[personal profile] menaretrash 2020-09-24 02:25 am (UTC)(link)
... [ Okay, she can't quite hide the look of disappointment that crosses over her face, but she doesn't comment on it any further, either. He already told her during their first meeting that he wasn't into the whole friendship thing, so... that's that. ]

Duel Monsters. [ Okay, she can roll with that. She glances at the Duel Disk in question, then back at him. That sounds like some #AdvancedTechnology that they don't have at home that she's aware of. They have holographic cartoon pop stars that have entire concerts that sell out, but not... not this. And this? Makes her visibly light up. ] Wow, that sounds amazing! Ah... let me guess, it doesn't work here right now, huh? I'd love to see that in action. [ Oh. So, this dude isn't anything like Seto... well. That probably... it'll probably be fine. ] Well, have faith. I'm sure he'll pull through!

[ That's... not a lie. Seto is 100% someone that they'd probably look into targeting... if he were an actual threat. He might be a jerky CEO, but from what she can see and understand right now, he's not a bad person. ] Yeah, I'm learning a lot about those places. They're pretty shady... not places that I frequent if I can help it. [ Because she may not look it or... even act like it, but she comes from money, too, thanks to her parents. She just sort of... tends to downplay that. ] ...Not someone you want to be around, I take it?

Something like that, yeah! You can go in to Mementos one way, and turn around and it's all different. It's huge... I don't think that we'll ever actually see just how deep it really goes, honestly. Palaces at least seem to stay relatively the same once you're in them, there always is an entrance and an exit. [ She's not a huge gamer or anything, but... yeah, the comparison is pretty legit. She'd be glad if he stayed away from it, though... one less person to worry about. ]

They're idiots, sometimes... but I'm glad that I have them. Especially the two you saw. [ Giving out names? Hell no. Seto can probably figure out who Joker is, anyways. ]

Okay... [ Except he's not sitting. Eh, whatever. She'll go take a seat at her usual booth, keeping her gaze on him and listening intently. He's not... telling her the whole story, though. She knows this for a fact, considering she'd seen it. ] I'm sorry to hear about your parents... and I'm sorry that your step dad ended up being such a terrible person.

[ She glances off to the side almost nervously, because she doesn't want to piss him off again, but... also, he kinda needs to... you know. Actually talk about it. ] What I saw was terrible, Kaiba-san. Not him... killing himself, but what came before that. You put up with a lot, no child should have to go through what you did...
comburst: (Plastique)

[personal profile] comburst 2020-09-24 02:50 am (UTC)(link)
Go knock yourself out with someone else, then!

[ Unfortunately, this is about the worst it could go from move one. Katsuki's not about to talk shit out when he feels like he's being talked down to or when being grabbed is a real concern since those are two major triggers for him, even if it's to his own detriment - and Tifa's. Instead, he's already turning on his heel, not about to stay near her in his current mood. ]
comburst: (Deathstroke)

[personal profile] comburst 2020-09-24 02:52 am (UTC)(link)
[ If he's handled the right way - usually if his bad temper is just ignored - he's perfectly capable of chilling the fuck out. It all depends on how well people can a manage his asshole tendencies. ]

Guess not. But what the fuck do I call you, then? Jedi?
comburst: (Blink)

[personal profile] comburst 2020-09-24 02:53 am (UTC)(link)
He'd ask 'like the wizard' but honestly Katsuki just assumes that's the case. Or someone named for such. He doesn't really care enough to ask yet; his personal curiosity about others can occasionally be difficult to trigger. "I'm not a tailor, I'm just not useless with a needle. And I'm Bakugou."
koopacrusher: (head in hands)

[personal profile] koopacrusher 2020-09-24 03:04 am (UTC)(link)
"Yeah, that's it. We called it Dark Bowser while it was like that." Bowser scowls. "...what happened? What did it- what did I do?" It's almost painful for Bowser to have to ask someone else for his own memory, but it's his only way of getting even the information about it. Though it's still something he's quicker to do then tell Merlin about the new memory that had taken the fight's place.

[personal profile] blue_eyed_obsession 2020-09-24 03:06 am (UTC)(link)
[Honestly he doesn't understand the look that took over her features. It really shouldn't have felt like a loss, he hadn't given any indication that he would be a decent companion, at least not in his own mind... and that's how he preferred to keep it. Things could get complicated all too quickly forming ties like that... he was guarding himself.

So what was this modicum of guilt?

Stop looking that way. As slight as the change was it remained with him. Perhaps it was because he'd been able to feel some of her emotions as if they were his own, and the loneliness encapsulated in the background had been on a whole other level of intensity.
]

[Forget Miku, Monsters are better] Maybe sometime... you'll get to see it for yourself. [He was beginning to realize that if he wanted any chance of repairing his duel disk then he was going to have to start promoting the idea. If enough people took an interest then it would be more likely to be implemented into this system. Ok- Maybe Yugi shared SOME traits with him. They were both prideful and determined...] Unless he failed and this is the result. [Just saying]

[There would have at least been a few complaints submitted about him to the Phan-site if they all resided in one dimension. Or it would be like.. Alister upvoting multiple times... maybe Zigfried.] Wise decision, but I guess to dispose of the evidence you don't really have a choice. [Cough. If she thinks she doesn't look it then she should consult the mirror a second time.] Not if I can help it. He's a wisecracking delinquent riding on my rival's coattails. [Harsh]

[That sounds just like a video game actually, he's sticking to the assessment. It's not like some games don't also include maps that can randomly change. Then the boss stages usually have the set patterns]

[He does have the suspicions about the male with the poofy hair since he already knows someone that matches that description AND knows Ann]

You don't.... have to keep doing that. [If he was going to proceed then ground rules were being laid] Stop telling me you're sorry, I don't need your pity. [Trying not to lose his temper this time but it was starting to grate on his nerves. Fidgeting a bit, he started to pace until he composed himself, then he stood closer to her booth] It's all in the past... I couldn't care less. [Sure. That's why he'd been so upset] Just... same stipulation applies, tell no one what's been said here...

That narrows it down. [Looking sincerely at her] You saw the whole thing didn't you? The so called accelerated learning program.. [The contempt was a little hard to miss] That was my step father's idea of how to best raise a child- no that isn't the right word, a replacement. [Did she know about Noah? Just how much did he have to go into?!] I can't fully fault the curriculum, it's all served me well, everything from foreign languages, to economics, and business. [Looking smug for a moment, because yes he is incredible and yes he aced those studies... but it's short lived] I suppose I should feel flattered that he realized that potential in me... but I'm sure it comes as no surprise that I don't.
rotomphone: (pic#13642768)

[personal profile] rotomphone 2020-09-24 03:20 am (UTC)(link)
[ the steam and warm water is definitely helping him to relax, even if his mind is still heavy with memories that aren't his own. he doesn't want to admit that he's having a hard time, but knows by now that Blue can put two and two together. he'd seen him at the ruins at their first meeting - he knows how much Hammerlocke means to him, even if he'd never visited himself. ]

I'm alright. It was weird, but you said it yourself - it's fake. I shouldn't have anything to worry about.

[ "shouldn't" being the key word in that sentence, of course. that doesn't mean that it isn't actively bothering him, but he is doing better than he was when the memory was fresh. besides, there are other, more Blue-related things on his mind. ]

Oh, that. [ he smirks. ] Yeah, some memories that weren't mine found their way into my head. What about you?
menaretrash: (pic#14317398)

[personal profile] menaretrash 2020-09-24 04:15 am (UTC)(link)
[ Sorry, Seto, but she can't help it. She's used to rejection, but for some reason, this one stings just a little bit. Not that she'll make that known, of course. Verbally, at least.

Hey, she... might get behind Monsters being better in time, okay. ]
I hope so. That'd be really cool! I'll bet it's really neat to see up close and personal. [ That there's technology like that is just kind of mind boggling, honestly. She stares at him for a second, before waving a hand. ] Don't say that! Have a little faith...

[ Yeah... there definitely would be. At least they do... investigate these things on their own before making a decision. They'd probably find out just who was up voting and find them instead tbh... ] Yeah... it's an easy way to make money for more weapons, anyways. [ She looks down at her nails for a moment -- her manicure is still looking pretty fresh, but it won't for long. Which is a massive disappointment. Eh. ] Yeah? That sounds familiar... are they friends, at least?

But it's not pity... it's just the truth. [ She keeps her eyes on him, tilting her head slightly, before she nods. ] Yeah, of course. I promise... your secret is safe with me.

[ And if she's not good at anything else? Secrets and keeping them is something she specializes in, thanks. So, she folds her hands in her lap neatly and watches him, listening patiently to his story. He might not want sympathy, but she can't help it -- it almost makes her want to cry again, honestly. ]

I did see the whole thing, yeah... a replacement...? [ She blinks, brows furrowing. What does THAT mean? ] It may have served you well, yeah, but... it shouldn't have been like that. It was wrong. [ He may be way ahead of the game, yeah, but that was a HUGE price to pay. ] No, I don't blame you. I wouldn't, either. I'm just glad that he's out of your life. Do you... ever regret that, though? Challenging him to that chess game, I mean. [ She leans back in her seat, looking down at her hands. ] You are the whole package, though. You're smart, talented, handsome... even if you hadn't done that, I think you'd have been extremely successful regardless.
pinwheels: (056)

1/2 Rinoa's memory

[personal profile] pinwheels 2020-09-24 04:26 am (UTC)(link)
[ Quistis tells you that your job is the most important. They may be the ones up on the stage, but you're the one they're relying on to make sure Squall shows up. And in the end it's not as hard as you think it will be; it's as simple as telling him that you'd like him to come out, that you want to talk. There's reluctance in his blue eyes, but he agrees, and before you know it, you're seated on a ledge looking out over the floor of Fisherman's Horizon while your friends play a jig. ]

It's about your promotion. Things are gonna get real tough for you, right? [ He looks away, but that just gives you the courage to keep going. ] Squall, I'm sure there'll be a lot of difficult things that you'll have to deal with from now on. We were talking about that, and saying how you'll probably try to handle everything on your own. They know you too well. I do, too, although I haven't been around you that long.

[ He's easy to tease; you copy the way he slumps, brows creasing, hand to your forehead. He starts, frustration on his features, and you roll away with a giggle. ]

I'm out of here.

Oh, come on! I'm sorry! [ Despite the apology, you're still giggling to yourself as you move to crouch behind him, smoothing the soft cream fabric of your dress over your thighs. It's just... ] ...You can't handle everything on your own.

[ And then your hands find the flat of his back, and you shove him right off the ledge, sending him sprawling onto the glass floor below. He's furious, you can see it all over his face, he even gestures angrily with his arm, but you meet him with ferocity of your own. ]

That's it! Just let out anything! [ Your own fire dies quickly, fingers closing around your mother's ring where it's hung at your neck. ] We want you to talk to us a little more. That's all. Y'know, if there's anything you want to tell us, or anything we can do, don't hesitate to let us know. I know it's not easy but I wish you would trust us and rely on us a little more.

[ Squall puts his head in his hand and turns away, silent. Silent, despite what you only just said. You can see the cogs turning in his head, but there's still no words on his lips. Your hands locked behind your back, you turn to walk in a circle, and when you talk, your tone is flirty, playful. ]

What a night. Great music... Good-looking guy... Not only is he good-looking. He's the sweetest guy... a great listener. Right now, he's seriously thinking about what I said. He's shy and doesn't say anything, but I know. [ You stop walking, hands falling back to your sides, looking at him quietly. The flirtacious tone is over, your face serious again. ] So, what do you think? None of our business?

I appreciate your concern... But...

[ You run to him, heels clicking on the glass floor, lifting a hand toward him, palm out as if to tell him to stop. ]

No 'buts'! [ You tilt your head, looking at him with a smile. ] Just think about this. This might be the only time we'll all be together. So, as long as we're together, we might as well enjoy each other's company and... just talk, right?

...Just for now, huh? [ He shakes his head. ] Forget it. I don't want friends who won't be around tomorrow.

[ You can't help it; you laugh, hand coming to your mouth to hide the wide smile behind it. ]

Gosh, you're such a pessimist. There are no guarantees in the future. That's why TODAY, the time we have now, is important. Squall, we wanna help you, as much as we can, for as long as we can. [ You reach out, tap him over his heart before lying your hand over your own. ] We all love you. There, I said it. Please don't freak out. We just wanna live, y'know, live through this time with you, together.

[ His eyes are wide as he looks at you. ] ......Together...?

Keep it in the back of your mind. Call on us whenever you need to. We'll be waiting. Like I said, who knows what's gonna happen in the future... but I have a feeling we'll be together for a while.