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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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gardenerofavalon: (individuals don't really matter)

[personal profile] gardenerofavalon 2020-09-25 05:41 am (UTC)(link)
"I generally find it useful to assess what all is here before deciding what to do about it, yes."

He also doesn't really care if he's wearing the same robes all the time.

"And I suppose that would depend on what you consider 'worthwhile', wouldn't it?"
gardenerofavalon: (individuals don't really matter)

[personal profile] gardenerofavalon 2020-09-25 05:48 am (UTC)(link)
It had been an... interesting memory he'd found himself with. Though if Merlin had somewhat mentally recoiled from it at first, well, it had little to do with any sense of horror, and more simply because it cleaved a bit too closely to parts of his own nature. He's never reveled in inspiring fear and discord, but that didn't stop the incubus side of him from finding such things appealing anyway.

But initial reactions aside, the memory was at least a little informative, and Merlin has zero compunctions about making note of potentially interesting or useful bits. Even so, he doesn't care for this sort of mental invasion (at least not being used on him) and will gladly cede the memory to its rightful owner as soon as the opportunity arises. Which, as it happens, seems to be approaching just now.

"Ah, it's you."
indigloaming: (Faceless)

[personal profile] indigloaming 2020-09-25 08:05 am (UTC)(link)
Indigo lifts her head up, looking at Ren as quizzically as a faceless being can. Some kind of student?

At his words, she starts patting her clothes before looking up at him again.

"Like what? And how do you know it's mine?" Not that she's ungrateful, but it's a pertinent question, right?
sefirot: (68)

[personal profile] sefirot 2020-09-25 09:11 am (UTC)(link)
Odd. I seem to recall your name as well. There was a battle. What did you see?

[This place is growing more and more frustrating the longer he's here. Not only does it feel like he's losing more memories of himself, but now he's seeing things which seem like they belong to other people.

It's annoying, frustrating. And he hates it.
]
comburst: (Eraserhead)

[personal profile] comburst 2020-09-25 11:33 am (UTC)(link)
"Anything useful to anyone here, I guess. This place is kind of a pain to get to otherwise." Being as it's underground and all. Katsuki waves above his head as a vague reference to that.
menaretrash: (pic#14132431)

[personal profile] menaretrash 2020-09-25 11:41 am (UTC)(link)
[ What an absolutely shitty... whatever this has been. Ann's seen so much today, and has lost so much that she's still trying to regain, that it's not even funny. She's not the only one in this particular situation, though, this much she's aware of. She's still got several people to track down, and really, this ordeal is starting to seem endless. Much like the Void itself, honestly.

Right now, it's break time, though. She stumbles back and into Heavenly Blanc, looking just as tired as she feels, when she notices Damien. Okay, one less person to track down, because he has tracked her. She thinks that's probably what he's here for, at least.

Tiredly, she lifts a hand and smiles in greeting. ]
Hello, Damien-san. I think I have something that belongs to you. [ ...Not that she thinks he probably wants it back. She wouldn't, and she couldn't blame him, either. ]
anciently: (night has always pushed up day)

[personal profile] anciently 2020-09-25 04:00 pm (UTC)(link)
[ Wow! Kinda to the point, huh? She smiles, cocking her head to assess this rowdy teenager. ]

I do, yeah. Which is strange, right? To know you're forgetting a lot, but to have no idea what it is... It's like an itch in the back of my brain.

[ Hopefully, it'll right itself before long, but - ]

I'm sure it's not just us, either. [ hmm ] Where did all the missing bits go, d'you think?
starshower: (Default)

[personal profile] starshower 2020-09-25 04:17 pm (UTC)(link)
[Tifa eyes him from behind the tired anger that's come from a long day of exchanging memories, but says nothing as he walks away and instead turns on her own heel to climb the stairs to return to her apartment.

If he'd like to talk, he can come find her when he's taken that breath.]
starshower: (Default)

[personal profile] starshower 2020-09-25 04:17 pm (UTC)(link)
[She's already come to that resolution, long before they left Midgar, but having to relive that moment even so briefly made her forget. Hearing Aerith say that... it reminds her that they still have a long fight ahead of them, and that letting it keep her down will do nothing to honour Jessie's memory.

It allows her the room to smile, lifting some of that weight off her shoulders again.]


Jessie fought hard, did a lot for the cause. It shouldn't have ended that way, but I'm not going to let it be for nothing.

[They'll all get what's coming, in time... but Tifa keeps that thought to herself, opting for returning Aerith's positive sentiments with her own.]

You two would've liked each other. She was strong but kinda reckless... a lot of fun to be around.
starshower: (temp 311)

[personal profile] starshower 2020-09-25 04:17 pm (UTC)(link)
Driven how?

[Tifa doesn't fully understand the youkai thing, and while she thinks some clues might have been in the memory she saw, there are some assumptions she doesn't want to make about Parsee, or anyone.]

If they try hard enough, anyone's capable of change.
mightdoriya: (Crimson Riot)

[personal profile] mightdoriya 2020-09-25 04:33 pm (UTC)(link)
[Izuku nods, fidgeting a bit with the sandwich he got but hasn't quite managed to open yet.]

Mmhm. I met her when we all first arrived here. We looked around the Hammerlocke ruins together.
abeautifulgame: (under weight from the long time)

[personal profile] abeautifulgame 2020-09-25 04:36 pm (UTC)(link)
I thought you might.

[because so far, everyone whose memories he's peeked into have ended up with one of his. at least she looks tired, rather than afraid or angry. that's probably a good sign. maybe. who fucking knows, anymore?]

[he's very tired, too]

[sighing, he shifts a little, gesturing to the empty half of the booth across form him. they might migrate somewhere else, depending on what she ended up with, exactly, but they can start here]
Have a seat?
bridge_princess: (129)

[personal profile] bridge_princess 2020-09-25 04:39 pm (UTC)(link)
You are. You're mortal.

[She curled up a little and wrapped her arms around her legs and gave Tifa a bit of a sad smile when she did it. She could see why it was hard to understand especially if she didn't have spirits like the youkai in her world. She really was lucky that way.]

So, I'll try to explain. You're human. I used to be human, over a thousand years ago. [Sigh.] When we're mortal, we still feel the chance to change. It's like being water. Change your course at the whim of the brook and the pebbles. We adapt, we shift. But afterwards? There reaches a point where it gets harder and harder, the older you get. Set in your ways.

A youkai is a spirit. Some of us used to be human, and we're what's left behind. I 'exist.' And in a sense, I guess you could say a spirit's a different kind of life, but we're locked. We've become set so much that we're like concrete. Molded and hardened to the form we take.

You're not ... wrong. I could change a little, but it's less like molding clay now. It's more like taking a chisel to stone. The feelings you felt in my memory. What were they like? Did you feel jealous, all the time? Of everyone? Could you stop thinking of reasons you wished you were someone else?

That's sort of every day for me. You lot've been helping me sort of set that aside for the moment. But it's hard to do it completely. I don't know what I'd be.
abeautifulgame: (under weight from the long time)

[personal profile] abeautifulgame 2020-09-25 06:46 pm (UTC)(link)
He's not sure what he was expecting out of her, when she finally showed up and they got into this, but a hug, of all things, definitely didn't make the list. He tenses a little, then, that in mind, and then, absolutely fucking emotionally exhausted as he is, sinks into it, like a warm bath. He wraps his arms back around her in return, pulling her close as he drops his head on top of hers.

They sit there like that for some time, for no time at all, before very softly, he ventures, "What did you see?" His mind is a minefield of unhappy memories. It could have been anything.
rotomphone: (pic#14274506)

[personal profile] rotomphone 2020-09-25 07:08 pm (UTC)(link)
You're right - I thrive in it! What's the point of being popular if you aren't going to make the most out of every moment?

[ even if she had meant it in a more malicious way, Raihan would be taking it as a compliment - it's not wrong after all, and he's been called worse things from trolls in his comment sections. you learn to build up a thick skin when you're internet famous. ]

You didn't even see the best parts. If you climb up to the top of the castle walls at twilight, you get this amazing view of the horizon... totally takes your breath away. [ but he trails off. it's not like she can take a peek into his brain again, unless the void decides to start swapping more of their memories. ] But I'm glad you saw that much, at least. It deserves more than being remembered as a pile of rubble.

[ he'd trade all of his notoriety and fame if it meant giving the city the glory that it deserves. centuries of preserved history have a lot more significance than fleeting likes on a social media post.

but now that he has his memory back, it's about time he gives Tifa her's. hopefully it doesn't hurt too much - he can sympathize, at the very least. ]


How'd you come about owning your own bar, anyway? The one from your world, I mean.
obscurus_phantasma: My sinister sounds sweep the grounds, still born I lie beneath it (Throw it away the freaks all stay)

[personal profile] obscurus_phantasma 2020-09-25 07:31 pm (UTC)(link)
Part of her wants to gather herself into a ball, but she remains still and molded until Damien's voice disturbs the silence. Having dropped sideways on the thigh that could handle her 'thirteen' pounds, Melinoë gingerly straightens and cups his face before settling those same fingertips atop his knee. Mel very nearly goes to touch her own, though it's only a trick of the unoriginal playback.

"Why did they do that to you, amore mio?" It's a whisper, because the Goddess can't bring herself to speak any louder, features are contorted into sorrow.
abeautifulgame: (under weight from the long time)

[personal profile] abeautifulgame 2020-09-25 07:36 pm (UTC)(link)
He knows, at once, what she saw. And he knows he's going to have to fucking explain, for the memory to fade for her. He closes his eyes, briefly, blowing out a heavy breath, before, "A -- friend and I got too close to something the Irish Mob and their pet Evil Cooperation didn't want us to see. They figured they'd give us a little warning."

So, they broke his legs. How original, coming from the mob.
Edited 2020-09-25 19:37 (UTC)
obscurus_phantasma: (Look so Seattle feel so LA)

[personal profile] obscurus_phantasma 2020-09-25 07:57 pm (UTC)(link)
Content remaining where she's perched, Melinoë at least turns herself so that her legs are now between his instead of off to the side. To assist with balance, she's hooked the nearest arm around Damien's neck, with the other settling onto his lower torso.

"Was surgery unsuccessful or not an option...?" Because of the limp, of course.
abeautifulgame: (Default)

[personal profile] abeautifulgame 2020-09-25 08:03 pm (UTC)(link)
"They tried," Damien answers, shifting with her. In the end, he's still got an arm around he waist, to keep her close. "Or so they tell me, anyway."

He flashes her a brief, humorless smile. He was unconscious for another several days, after the attack, after the surgery. If the hospital wasn't someone obligated, morally or financially, for all he knows, they could have just told him they tried and done nothing. He believes they at least tried, however.

"The best they could do was putting a few dozen pins in my legs, to hold my joints and bones together, and months of physical therapy that amounted to exactly fuck-all, in the end." Mostly. He probably wouldn't be able to walk, period, if not for that therapy, but -- well, they told him he'd end up in a wheelchair before too long, anyway, in the end. He just managed to stave off the inevitable for a little while.
obscurus_phantasma: In your eyes, you can bid me farewell (I'll never disappear)

[personal profile] obscurus_phantasma 2020-09-25 08:16 pm (UTC)(link)
Chuffing his chin, she frowns and shushes him, albeit tenderly so. "You can walk, non? So, then it's not exactly fuck-all." A pause, and then with a gravity that's alleviated by graciousness, she tacks on, "And you're alive. Or so we assume."

Having no idea that he isn't alive in his world. But does it matter when he's here? Unless this place rejects, returns, whatevers people after a point. If it's an experiment do those who fail still remain?

With trepidation, she needs to know. "Does it hurt?"
Edited 2020-09-25 20:24 (UTC)
obscurus_phantasma: Little supernovas in my head, little soft pulses in my dead (Say you'll haunt me)

[personal profile] obscurus_phantasma 2020-09-25 08:20 pm (UTC)(link)
"It's me," she returns, tone mostly neutral with a hint of unease. This experience is nothing short of bizarre, after all.

Sidling up to Merlin, Mel bluntly asks, "Whom first, then, mago mio?" Why not just dive right in? With Ahsoka, pleasantries had felt appropriate, but when you're fucking one of the potential holders of your mind, what point was there in delay?
abeautifulgame: (under weight from the long time)

[personal profile] abeautifulgame 2020-09-25 08:37 pm (UTC)(link)
"For the time being," he shoots back. Barring that almost cursory argument, however, he's willing to let it go -- or at least agree to disagree. What he wouldn't give to have his mobility back; he's still too fucking tired to long for it, for too long.

"But yes, it does," he continues, as she does. "It's not too bad, depending on how I'm sitting -- " It's not too bad now, more the ache of arthritis than anything else. " -- but there are times where I wish I'd walked out of this with more nerve damage than I did." Of all things, the hospital managed to fix that.
obscurus_phantasma: Dress me up and make me your dying God, put me in the death parade (The trance is the motion)

[personal profile] obscurus_phantasma 2020-09-25 09:05 pm (UTC)(link)
Melinoë no longer feels as though the memory is hers, per se, just that she now knows in a far more intimate manner what transpired to the man she's chosen to bond with.

His answer has her ready to move, body prepared, as she softly gasps. "Am I -- do I need to move?"
gardenerofavalon: (individuals don't really matter)

[personal profile] gardenerofavalon 2020-09-25 09:49 pm (UTC)(link)
No point at all, really. And the sooner this is over with the better, in Merlin's fine opinion, for that matter.

"I can begin, if you like," he offers. Though admittedly it's not as altruistic as it might seem: while doubtless she's eager to get her own memory back, depending on the contents of his own, Merlin knows it may well be easier for him to have his own restored after he no longer has to worry about describing hers.
simulatio: (090)

[personal profile] simulatio 2020-09-25 10:50 pm (UTC)(link)
Shut up!

[It's a shout with a hoarseness that surprises even himself, and he shoves himself to his feet and yanks as hard as he can to break Ren's grip and stumble backwards.

Everything hurts, and he can't classify any of these emotions because he's forgotten what some of them even are. Everything feels like it should be sharp and pointed and tinged with red.

Ren shouldn't see him like this. He doesn't want Ren to see him like this. So it's a shout, filled with as much hateful malice as he can muster in a verbal attempt to shove him away in defense.]


Get out, get out!!