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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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forwearemany: (gaze)

[personal profile] forwearemany 2020-09-30 05:51 am (UTC)(link)
Acknowledged.

(Everything about her existence seems incredibly sad.

That she is doing better is of interest, however: has happiness ceased to be an existential threat?)


This place has granted you freedom.

(They are beginning to understand that for Parsee this location may fill a similar role to that which Enso did for them.)
forwearemany: (Side)

[personal profile] forwearemany 2020-09-30 06:09 am (UTC)(link)
No.

(They know this, because they have encountered allies since then, though they were not from the same timeline.

They've never hated their creators.)
simulatio: (201)

[personal profile] simulatio 2020-09-30 06:28 am (UTC)(link)
[Akechi's silent for a few seconds longer than is strictly polite, just absorbing it, taking it all in. He isn't going to insult Damien's intelligence by asking why he doesn't simply kill Aiden himself first, or his fixer (hitman?), or simply hire his own hitman. Flee the city, if not the country. Damien has to be well-aware of his own options.

Instead, all he can do is offer a smile, wry and resigned beyond his years. Considering Akechi never planned to make it past twenty, or even as long as he has, maybe that fits.]


People like us simply aren't fated for happy endings, are we?
gardenerofavalon: (individuals don't really matter)

[personal profile] gardenerofavalon 2020-09-30 07:15 am (UTC)(link)
Merlin gives a shrug at that.

"Who can say? There doesn't seem to be much pattern to the memories taken."

That is, other than the memories typically being signification, or at least memorable.
gardenerofavalon: (individuals don't really matter)

[personal profile] gardenerofavalon 2020-09-30 07:23 am (UTC)(link)
Merlin raises an eyebrow at that first part.

"Wouldn't you also recognize most places your friend would know? The mall portions of this place are likely based on something from another world entirely. Or at least, someone from another part of the world."

He thought he'd been clear about that, but apparently not. Still, he listens as the kid explains the memory. Or, well, his impression of it, which unfortunately still doesn't tell Merlin precisely what the memory was.

"Oh? What happened, exactly?"
begetblue: (💾 - 58)

[personal profile] begetblue 2020-09-30 08:27 am (UTC)(link)
Thank you. I accept your apology.

[ Even if lemons and all the sourness that came with them were involved. They did cross their arms when Add showed his clear reluctance to apologize to Raihan, but you can't win them all, as the saying went. That didn't mean Turing was considering it a lost cause, of course; it just meant they would have to follow up on that later. Still, if he was apologizing despite the shuffling feet and awkwardness, then surely that meant something? Making apologies and admitting fault usually wasn't easy. They tried to manage a smile out of goodwill upon recognizing that. Or maybe it was more that they were trying to meet him halfway. It only seemed fair to return his (mostly) good faith with some of their own, after all. They were only about half successful on that smile, since it came out more shy than anything else, but the effort was there!

The offhand mention of 'simple-minded drones' was still a detriment, which did hamper that effort some. However, it would be hypocritical of them to chastise Add for it. Before all ROMs became sapient like they were, they had been unkind and even condescending at times. Perhaps they could impart some knowledge about that as they unlearned it themselves. It was worth a try, especially if any other sapient machines arrived in this place someday. Speaking of being worth a try, explaining their own motives after Add had explained his also seemed like it could be a fruitful endeavour. ]


I...would rather not explain exactly why, but the thought of being taken apart is frightening. It would be like if I was excited about the idea of dissecting you and removing your head. In a way, I suppose calling it a cultural difference is apt.

[ Admittedly, he had scored a point with Turing by indirectly calling Hayden an artisan. That part was going to stay a secret just in case the point they were trying to make got passed over in favour of that.

Finally, Turing detached themselves from the door frame and stood to the side. They were silently inviting Add inside, just like they said they would. Was this a good idea? They still weren't completely sure that it was. Were they still a little scared? Oh, you bet. But they gave their word, and they really needed that memory back. For the time being, regaining their memory outweighed their fear.

...Oh! Wait, wait, it was customary to shake hands after making up, was it not? Granted, calling it making up was a little much. It felt appropriate though, so Turing offered their hand to Add regardless. It was done so nervously, but they still offered it. ]
abeautifulgame: (under weight from the long time)

[personal profile] abeautifulgame 2020-09-30 09:02 am (UTC)(link)
[your little friend can help with that, Akechi. you need to be alive, to have carpet. don't argue]

[while he's not a mindreader, however, he's still going to continue to frown at Akechi, as he lets him have the kit, to get it open. and after a beat and little more gently, he notes:]
You could have just wheeled the chair over here. [he wasn't expecting him to get up again]

[he reaches to take the disinfectant and then shoos him away a little -- go sit back down, and come back with the chair. it'll be easier, this way, for him to see how bad it is, to try and fix it, never mind the fact that he strongly suspects Akechi's going to need stitches, for how bad it looks even with just a glace at it. he's -- going to find a way to get this bitch]

[he doesn't quite shelve that thought to answer, his response a touch distant]
There was a boy making sashimi out of the fish, when we first got here. [Bakugou] It was -- still alive. [despite being cut into pieces, horrifyingly. hm. maybe they can dismember the bitch and scatter her pieces across the setting]
Edited 2020-09-30 09:03 (UTC)
abeautifulgame: (Default)

[personal profile] abeautifulgame 2020-09-30 09:08 am (UTC)(link)
[a hitman, yes, and if Jordi hadn't caught up to him pretty quick after it was all over, he would have just pitched his phone into Lake Michigan, so Aiden couldn't follow it, and made a break for it. it would have been so easy, slipping out in the blackout. fucking Blume. fucking Aiden Pearce]

[he returns Akechi's smile in much the same way]
Not so much. [a pause, a sigh] Anything else? [does he have any other questions about all of this? has Damien's memory stopped feeling like his? he doesn't mind, either way, he'd just -- like to get off the subject of his mortality, never mind the fact that he was the one that brought it up in the first place]
simulatio: (001)

[personal profile] simulatio 2020-09-30 10:05 am (UTC)(link)
About that specific incident? No.

[He shakes his head. It's not that he's not interested, especially regarding his involvement in taking over an entire city, but for all intents and purposes, that memory is Damien's now, no longer something that Akechi feels as though he's lived himself. And there's currently a more pressing issue to deal with.

So instead, he crosses his legs and brings a hand to his chin, a gesture designed to look contemplative and stem the childish urge to cross his arms defensively.]


I suppose you must have questions about my own incident with Ren, but... allow me to preface with a question of my own. Have you already talked to him? I'd hate to repeat something you already know, after all.
theforgottenboy: (make me kind of nervous)

[personal profile] theforgottenboy 2020-09-30 11:38 am (UTC)(link)
[Cole only has so much concept of what machines even means, but he's been getting by on knowing the general concept of needing a power source to use something. So maybe "mako energy" is a kind of magic, or electricity, which he thinks is some type of magic anyway.]

[While he can make some guesses considering the context, there's one question he wants to hear her answer to.]


You were afraid. What were you afraid of?
theforgottenboy: (now or never)

[personal profile] theforgottenboy 2020-09-30 11:53 am (UTC)(link)
You do? Then, you can tell me about that too.

[His memories haven't been great ones so far, though it's the discussions people try to have with him about them that are harder to handle. As for Turing's...]

You were talking, in this memory. A lot. With a woman named Melody Flores.

[Despite having this memory as if it were his own and feeling like he understood the conversation they were having... he really doesn't. There are too many pieces he doesn't have context for. But there are some things he can grasp on a much less technical level.]

You spoke about someone named Hayden, and she told you things about yourself.

There was also a bear.
simulatio: (282)

[personal profile] simulatio 2020-09-30 01:12 pm (UTC)(link)
Hm. Noted.

[Well, that's a satisfying thought for the future, knowing that it is possible. Ren would probably be upset, and if word got out, it would destroy the pleasant reputation he'd built, but. Well.

Damien gets another sour look upon shooing him away, and while he does grab the chair and drag it over with his uninjured hand, wheels tracking a thin line of blood across the carpet, his frown matches the older man's.]


She didn't even pierce all the way through, you know. It's just one puncture. Stitches, regular dressing changes, and thorough washing should be adequate.

[His body is starting to shake as the adrenaline wears off, but he still intends to grab his own supplies. Half of his shirt is already soaked through with blood, so he just uses the rest of it as a makeshift towel to try wiping himself up.]

That creature used a clean weapon, at least, which will make it easier.

[He nods toward his sword, leaning against the wall by the door, as if to indicate the difference. While her nail is a smooth, conical weapon, his own sword is serrated so once it pierces in, its jagged edges catch and do even more damage on the way out.]
anciently: (not this mind and not this heart)

[personal profile] anciently 2020-09-30 02:01 pm (UTC)(link)
Back then? [ She laughs weakly, dropping one arm and using the other to grasp it around the middle. ] Well...I didn't want to be taken away from Elmyra: my mom. Those Shinra guys are pretty scary, you know?

[ Tseng had been...maybe a little better than the others, but, in the end, he was still a Turk. ]

And, maybe...because I didn't understand what was happening to me. I knew I was different, so I...felt really alone, sometimes.
starshower: (Default)

[personal profile] starshower 2020-09-30 02:45 pm (UTC)(link)
I'm sure we did. She was like family to me.

[Jessie was the only one that had a family waiting for her back home on the plate, but she still made it feel like they were all just as much a part of it. She was an important part of the group, and always will be.]

Bet she'd tell us to stop sulking so much if she could see us right now. [She'd punch Tifa on the arm and tell her to stop being such a downer, and the image alone draws a laugh out of her.] She'd also say "hey Tifa, didn't you come here to talk to Aerith about a different memory?"
starshower: (Default)

[personal profile] starshower 2020-09-30 04:00 pm (UTC)(link)
[Bless you, Noct. Bless you for trying to explain the complicated thread of fate you've been woven into...

Tifa thinks she understands, though. Between the memory and the little bit of context he's given her, Shiva is one of the Astrals he'd sought out to make a covenant with. There is so much more than that in the memory that she explained—about the Astral whose icy heart warmed up to the humans, and about the benevolent god she fell in love with.

Never mind the part where he said he was a Prince, but he doesn't seem like the type to want to make a big deal out of it, so Tifa simply tucks that bit of information away for later, just in case. For now, it's just a neat fact to know about him.]


It is a little complicated, isn't it? [She concludes with a small giggle.] I think I got it. It's just strange to think about... how we both know two different versions of the same thing. Shiva, Ifrit... probably others, too.

[Her red materia glistens under the neon lights.]

So... did it work?
bridge_princess: (051)

[personal profile] bridge_princess 2020-09-30 07:22 pm (UTC)(link)
Don't... Don't say that, Legion. Youkai aren't free things. We are Form. Truth and Reason. We are bound by the emotions which create us. To be free...

I would be human again. I... [She swallowed and clenched her fists.] I know I'm feeling a little what it means to be one again, but it won't last forever. Nothing like this ever does.

You're trying to give me hope. I know you mean well... but I'll disappoint you in the end. And... I don't think I want to disappoint you, Ren and Cole.
rotomphone: (pic#14274500)

[personal profile] rotomphone 2020-09-30 07:46 pm (UTC)(link)
[ seeing her imagine it for herself makes him smile - softly, and not like his overly-whimsical grins. whatever this world is doing with memories, he hopes that it'll have some understanding about what makes them memorable.

he doesn't mean to pull her out of the daydream so promptly, but it feels like this is a band-aid that needs to be ripped off somehow. ]


That checks out. When we met, I was surprised at how easily you worked behind the counter - like it was home. [ but at her question, his smile drops a bit; it's more somber. ] Sort of. Didn't catch what happened exactly, but I saw the aftermath of it.

[ needless to say, he knows the feeling. he won't press Tifa if she doesn't want to talk about it, but he wants to at least give her the opportunity. he pauses to sip his drink, waiting for her response. ]
bridge_princess: (035)

[personal profile] bridge_princess 2020-09-30 07:46 pm (UTC)(link)
Yep. Totally saw Aerith pick up a chair and just knock a guy flat with a grin on her face while you were kicking the ever loving crap out of them, literally. You... uh... looked good in that outfit, by the way. I coud tell you hated it, but it still wasn't bad.

If it weren't for the creep leering at m...you. [The memory wasn't going way, though she was starting to remember her own memories again, so... maybe they were stuck sharing?]

Sorry, but I think you might be stuck remembering that about me, even if... are you getting your memory back?
bridge_princess: (029)

[personal profile] bridge_princess 2020-09-30 07:49 pm (UTC)(link)
Riiiiiight. You're new, and not from my word.

[Ahem. She assumed things sometimes.]

Youkai's a catch-all world humans use for spiritual creatures they don't know how to name otherwise. It's basically another word for 'monster' and we decided to embrace it. There's looots of different sorts. I'm what's called a Hashihime, a Bridge Princess.

Kami are spirits, but they're spirits people worship normally. You dont' usually worship youkai, usually.
bridge_princess: (002)

[personal profile] bridge_princess 2020-09-30 07:55 pm (UTC)(link)
I've been trying to figure it out. It ... gives me something to focus on, which is usually a good thing in my opinion.

[Whereas Parsee was obsessive, and in this case? it kept her from being 'as' jealous ofpeople sometimes.]

No... well, yeah... actually? Do you remember that broken stadium? I think I remember what happened to it suddenly, like it jogged loose. Weird. I think it's related but that doesn't entirely make sense. Maybe the sound just happened again?
bachagain: (pic#14109310)

[personal profile] bachagain 2020-09-30 08:07 pm (UTC)(link)
[ oh? it's that nostalgic song from before? er. leo thinks it is, anyway... that one line is so terribly quiet, and amusingly shy after all. which, is... mmm, expected from someone's first try? though maybe unexpected, considering this is add. terribly blunt and harsh add. would-probably-die-before-he-belted-out-a-note add. even sena wasn't scared to belt it out off-key, back in the day--

leo leans forward with a hand cupped up to his ear: ]


It starts with what? Whaaaat? I didn't even hear that! Was that your heart's voice, Dee-dee? Or was that a dying breeze?!

[ nickname obtained, stage persona shed momentarily.

he doesn't mean this in a taunting way. well, he does, but with the goal of legitimately trying to get add to punch him in the face with music. plus, it's kinda unsettling seeing him shrivel like a flower........... ]


It's just me! You're not seriously gonna be all shy around me, the guy you always call an idiot, are you?!

[ leo's never gonna get his memory back ]
rotomphone: (pic#13642768)

[personal profile] rotomphone 2020-09-30 08:15 pm (UTC)(link)
[ being concerned about how he's perceived is going to be a tough habit to break, and continues to be as he spends more time in this strange world. he's still not used to people not knowing who he is - it's both jarring and a relief, looking at it from different perspectives. in this case, it's the latter.

he listens to Aerith quietly, meeting her gaze for a moment. he's surprised at first, but thinks a little more about her words in self-reflection - you're not the only one going through a hard time, Raihan. quit being selfish. but the way she continues feels much gentler than how he's being on himself, like a hand extending in empathy. it's a kind gesture, and one that he appreciates more than he thought he would. ]


Sorry you had to go through it, too... it kind of sucks, doesn't it? [ he chuckles, a bit wryly. until he can figure out exactly how to cope, being facetious feels about right. ] I dunno. I thought it was kind of dumb to take it seriously - I mean, I know it's not real. It can't be.

[ there are things that are different about this Hammerlocke - things that don't belong. it's the one thing that's keeping him grounded, and yet it still hurts. that much is readable from his expression alone. ]
forwearemany: (closeup)

[personal profile] forwearemany 2020-09-30 09:21 pm (UTC)(link)
We apologize: this was intended as speculation based on observation and prior exchanges. You are not required to change.

(They didn't mean to make her feel like she had to change or she'd disappoint them.)

Regardless of nature, you are an ally.
bachagain: (pic#10570526)

[personal profile] bachagain 2020-09-30 11:29 pm (UTC)(link)
[ it's weird, how leo feels the memory shift in his mind as they talk about it. it's also weird talking about actual murder so flippantly like this, but given just how different the lives of those in this tiny-big world were... it shouldn't be a surprise. it's something else, having experienced it firsthand like that... and though he doesn't feel his hand on the knife anymore, he still sees the death.

thanks, cole. the tiniest of nods follows the half-casual response given to leo, with his own half-casual little comment: ]


Yeah. You did. I was kinda surprised. [ ... ] Or... I don't really know you, so can I say that I was surprised? Ah, whatever! I still didn't think the guy who sang Twinkle Twinkle Little Star with me could do a scary thing like that so easily!

[ yet leo doesn't edge away. he seems pensive, but he's not scared. the only reason for his silence is that he's wondering, again, what to say.

despite cole's thoughts slowly leaving his head, leo finds he can still intimately understand the frantic, co-dependent point of view the most. that's... the least surprising part of all of it. it's why leo is oddly genuine, oddly serious, when he continues. ]


... Hey. Are you still like that, Ko? You said Rhys was your friend, so maybe it's different now... But are you still a sword, a knife, focused on putting down whatever's in the way between you both? Because I gotta tell you... Guys like that don't get anywhere, you know.

[ he

knows that firsthand. ]
forethinking: (QwbDs55)

[personal profile] forethinking 2020-09-30 11:38 pm (UTC)(link)
Captain Noble, I believe that's his name. You partnered up.

(100% Intergalactic in Ren's mind, but he's keeping that to himself.)

I don't understand. Why did that happen in the first place? Earth.