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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)

Re: *prank

[personal profile] gardenerofavalon 2020-10-06 01:11 am (UTC)(link)
"Nothing much, just a bit of indigestion."

By which he means that's probably a gross understatement. It took some doing to make her think twice when it came to food, after all.
realway: (1RwKkAQ)

[personal profile] realway 2020-10-06 01:33 am (UTC)(link)
[ oh dear. ]

A lot of "non-humans" can be green, sir. Be more specific.

[ a not-so-gentle snip, she still doesn't remember who he is. he seems to know her at least. ]
realway: (J5vCbuc)

[personal profile] realway 2020-10-06 01:36 am (UTC)(link)
[ a quiet 'oh' escapes, nearly inaudible, as she realizes the gravity of what hornet has received from her. the woman does not even remember it herself, but there's no context needed to know it isn't a pleasant recollection. ]

I don't remember why either. [ she clacks her teeth, thinking. hm... ] Could you tell who I was burying? Any descriptions of... the dead.
begetblue: (💾 - 4)

[personal profile] begetblue 2020-10-06 01:39 am (UTC)(link)
I can now!

[ Regardless of whether it was delicate enough or not, Turing didn't seem to be bothered by the question. Having to do so in the first place was both unusual and an...interesting experience. Unfortunately, they still forgot to eat and drink things sometimes, but shhh, no one else had to know that. They peered over the counter to get a look at what Blue was making. ]

There are many things I have yet to try, so anything is fine!

[ Their simulated senses from before meant nothing was too surprising, but it was still worth investigating first hand. ]
realway: (J5vCbuc)

[personal profile] realway 2020-10-06 01:39 am (UTC)(link)
Yeah, likewise.

[ so they're meeting for the first time then? that's nice, actually. some of the other people she's run into clearly know who she is, enough that they may have even been friends. a stranger brings distance that feels welcomed, instinctively so. maybe she was a loner of sorts? ]

I should warn you, I'm missing a lot of who I am. Some of it has returned to me, but... [ she trails off and breathes in, feeling selfish for unloading her current state on the girl. there are worse things than amnesia. ] Can I ask you... are you doing ok? Being here that is. I just want to know.

[ she wasn't ok in the memory, not in the least bit. ]
realway: (e0jPKNg)

[personal profile] realway 2020-10-06 02:01 am (UTC)(link)
[ she chuckles a little at 'brain home', his enthusiasm admirable. even if the memory she saw was... very strange, it came from a good place. he's a good person and that matters more than his quirks. ]

The memory of yours... it isn't pleasant, but I think it says a lot about you. You did a good thing that day.

[ it feels like a good place to start, so she continues- ]

There were a group of boys trying to hurt a small cat. It didn't look like any cat I knew, but either way you stepped in to protect it. Though... there was only one way you could against a group like that. You shielded it with your body.
realway: (1RwKkAQ)

[personal profile] realway 2020-10-06 02:07 am (UTC)(link)
I... don't think I'm too good at it either. Keeping hope. It's easy to say, but harder to feel. If that gives you comfort.

[ maybe for a jealous girl it would? she can't be sure. emotion isn't something she was encouraged to spend time with growing up. ...why does she think that? hm. ]

The man you saw me with - did he say anything important, or did we just swing swords around?
Edited 2020-10-06 02:07 (UTC)
realway: (UityMwI)

[personal profile] realway 2020-10-06 02:12 am (UTC)(link)
It was... intense. Crazy. Out of this world?

[ she lists it off, awkward in trying to describe all she saw to one of the people who lives it as a reality. the creatures, pokemon, fought so hard and yet it felt like the trainers were duking it out just as much. ]

You and your pokemon were in sync. Not just you, but the man you battled against. I guess he was some kind of real bigshot huh? The way everyone roared when he came in -- he was cool, but... a little flashy with that cape.
obscurus_phantasma: Dress me up and make me your dying God, put me in the death parade (Default)

[personal profile] obscurus_phantasma 2020-10-06 02:24 am (UTC)(link)
One brow curves upward. He makes it sound so nonchalant, if not mild, but he's Merlin. Surely it was far from mild. "Were there repercussions?"
gardenerofavalon: (individuals don't really matter)

[personal profile] gardenerofavalon 2020-10-06 04:13 am (UTC)(link)
"Beyond learning a somewhat uncomfortable lesson? No."

He's smarter than that, he'd never do something to truly jeopardize his king's image or position. Not intentionally, at least.

"And I rather doubt she ever told many people about it, either."
forwearemany: (standing)

[personal profile] forwearemany 2020-10-06 05:35 am (UTC)(link)
Evidence suggests that she would, and you do.

(Clearly, she remembered to some degree.

Bolstered by this, they answer her questions.)


She attacked a temple. She believed the Jedi had abandoned their ideals. We are uncertain why she chose to frame you.
bridge_princess: (023)

[personal profile] bridge_princess 2020-10-06 05:38 am (UTC)(link)
Oh, you were definitely talking for a bit. He wanted you to help him kill someone named Anakin Skywalker I think... And it felt like he was really important to you. You were willing to help, right up until he told you that.

You said 'bring balance,' and he said 'destroy.' The way he said it? It was almost like he thought he was clarifying what you were saying. But it was all about Anakin and this Sidious character.
bridge_princess: (015)

[personal profile] bridge_princess 2020-10-06 05:41 am (UTC)(link)
Kappa, and you absolutely are. I'm pretty sure anyone would notice it, but the longer you're here the more you're on edge.

I'm guessing whatever this [she gestured to her head] was all about? You're worried about it. No point denying you care about your friends, doofus. It's kind of obvious.
indigloaming: (Faceless)

[personal profile] indigloaming 2020-10-06 07:10 am (UTC)(link)
"Different realities?" That's one she hasn't heard before.

"So what's your Earth like, then?" Other than... still existing.
sefirot: (181)

[personal profile] sefirot 2020-10-06 09:43 am (UTC)(link)
[He's always been civil but never the best for manners.

Even less so considering the kind of person he is now -- one driven by a lot of hate and anger. Fortunately he outwardly controls it quite well. His inner thoughts are another story.

But for now at least he's distracted by everything going on.
]

No. I am Sephiroth. How do you know Zack?

[Her name though ... That -- hmm. Ugh this place and it messing with his head is going to increasingly drive him to irritation.]
sefirot: (d31)

[personal profile] sefirot 2020-10-06 09:51 am (UTC)(link)
[It's true, she is probably more human than him. He'd be in full agreement. But he does not want to be human. Humanity is both worthless and disgusting and he is far beyond them now.

He watches her closely as he speaks, his eyes never once wavering. Of course what she says is by far the most interesting.

Aha. Suddenly everything falls into place. The corner of his lips twitch upward into a small smile.
]

There are no innocents among humanity -- but as for my birthright. I was chosen to rule. The insects that plague the planet mean nothing. They are a virus that drain the very essence of life from the place they call home.

The village that burned ... that is where it all began. The crowning moment of it all. And not a memory I wished to ever lose.
memorate: (d (128))

[personal profile] memorate 2020-10-06 12:56 pm (UTC)(link)
A world made of cognition? Are we in one of those right now?

[ Considering how their perception of concepts can affect things, it's not too strange to imagine. Ren would have likely considered the possibility as well, but Cloud accepts that the boy is more knowledgeable about this than he is. ]
memorate: (d (23))

[personal profile] memorate 2020-10-06 12:56 pm (UTC)(link)
Nobody could blame you if you did.

[ He shrugs, knowing that quite a few would blame them anyway... but Legion would certainly be in their right to retaliate.

As for the inquiry... ]


...

What's "teabagging"?
forethinking: (Lk7ZsgR)

[personal profile] forethinking 2020-10-06 05:47 pm (UTC)(link)
("Non-humans"? Oh. That's right... He's probably the alien, isn't he? He nods as an apology, setting the note for future reference.)

He's tiny and he looks important... There were laser swords that make a zappy sound.

(Zoooooom, zooom, or something... Ren holds off on giving more details, only so that he can make sure it's hers before disclosing the personal issues that were presented.)
blue_eyed_obsession: (♙ Give me what I want)

[personal profile] blue_eyed_obsession 2020-10-06 06:49 pm (UTC)(link)
Moving robotically, he eventually made it to the music room. He hesitates before speaking or drawing attention to himself, as it dawns on him that he doesn't really want to deal with other people right now but it's too late. Somehow she sensed that he was here and ended the silence. "I have a name," Kaiba snapped, unable to recall whether he had ever introduced himself to her before. Considering that her help had been necessary in his little project she didn't really deserve his attitude. Still, he was in no state to censor himself all that much. At least he supplied his name in calmer tones,"Seto Kaiba."

"... I just heard..." Words oddly failing him in spite of their simplicity. "That." Gesturing to the piano.

Get it together.

"Multi-talented aren't you?" He could relate.
blue_eyed_obsession: (♙ Give me what I want)

[personal profile] blue_eyed_obsession 2020-10-06 06:49 pm (UTC)(link)
[Not having cause nor occasion to approach the girl before, Kaiba is surprised by the vehemence encapsulated in that singular word. Still, it wouldn't be the first time that someone was pissed off at him without his prior knowledge of it. Maybe he offended one of her friends, and she had decided to stand up on their behalf. A foolish move since he could eviscerate her with only his words alone, or so he assumed.]

Hey yourself! If you want my attention, then show some respect! [That being said his curiosity did make him pause, the tail of his jacket flipping forward briefly in the abrupt halt] I find that highly unlikely. [Considering he was still carrying around all his worldly possessions on his person... or did she mean something else... some of the haze from his own vision slightly clearing. Her face was so distinctive that it could have been no other..]

I have a bad feeling about this...
blue_eyed_obsession: (♕ Betcha didn't count on my return)

[personal profile] blue_eyed_obsession 2020-10-06 06:49 pm (UTC)(link)
[The negative emotion was so interwoven with her very being that it would be difficult to imagine her without it, if she would even continue to exist should it be extinguished. If Kaiba ever did listen, he would never live it down.]

I will beat him. [By probability alone, if necessary though even that wouldn't content him if he suspected it was a fluke. No, he would hone his skills, strengthen his deck and wipe the pharaoh out completely]

I wonder..... if there was supposed to be any point to all this? What good does it do either one of us to know this information? [Then with a huff] I guess- if I know more of your background then I also have a better handle on what might appear here in future but.. that's about it.
blue_eyed_obsession: (♗ Ain't no way you're gonna win)

[personal profile] blue_eyed_obsession 2020-10-06 06:49 pm (UTC)(link)
[Conversely, Kaiba didn't need much of a reason to avoid the other, in general he wasn't much of a people person.

Furthermore, Ren was so softspoken that he might as well be one with the wallpaper. Being boring was apparently a worse sin in the brunette's mind then being obnoxious since it kept his neighbor off his radar.

Least the request was succinct, but lacking the respect it should encapsulate
]

Greeaaaat, just what I wanted to hear. [The sarcasm positively dripping from his words.] What fantastic memories will I get to relive this time? [At least he didn't shoulder check Ren as he entered the other's domicile. He found a suitable place to stand before crossing his arms over his chest]
forethinking: (i8Ll6P0)

[personal profile] forethinking 2020-10-06 07:11 pm (UTC)(link)
I don't think so. It didn't have the power to pull from different realities in the first place.

(The Void shares some concepts, but at the same time, not enough of them. He has had this conversation over and over, and yet.)

If it is, it's very poorly made.

[personal profile] blue_eyed_obsession 2020-10-06 07:20 pm (UTC)(link)
Of course I did. I wouldn't trust this project to anyone else. [Clearly taking pride in his own accomplishment. Gozaburo had wanted to weaponize Seto's creations, in terms of ideology they were on opposite scales.] Now you're catching on, Takamaki. [Not even going to deny it. It was unfortunate that his mechanical and technological skills came at such a high cost] You sound just like that nerd herd that constantly follows him around as his own private cheering section.

[It would be! The threats would decrease to the point that it might feel eerie to the protagonists] I see. [This Metaverse stuff sounded more advanced in some respects to anything he'd personally made or encountered. Eh- it was debatable when you considered Noah's virtual world where a person could input their consciousness into someone else's body in the real world. There was no direct transferal of weapons to virtual system however.] Couldn't someone with a strong will and sense of their surroundings just assume all the weapons to be fake and make themselves impervious? [True. There was a skill involved in the process that often went unappreciated until it was lost] Yugi would be better off if he shed the dead weight.

[By some miracle Mokuba had gotten off easy. That was what was important.] As far as I know his program was completely erased- hard to say since there would have been ample time to make a multitude of copies in all those years. [The next part is a little trickier to answer] I met him later inside the virtual world... it wasn't unlike this place. Locations could bend and shift in as needed, and memories could be extracted from the minds of those connected to the system. [This is why he is still fairly convinced this is a machine they're attached to.] It wasn't what you'd consider a happy family reunion. He wanted to destroy me.

I know I am.

[It was a wise and strategic decision on her part] There's really no point in examining the possibilities now. It's not as if it can be changed. [Time travel was not currently something that existed outside of theory] ... I think that covers everything now. [Having regained himself, he tried to resume the stoic mask of indifference that was his fallback] I guess it's my turn to say something encouraging but that's going to be a long wait. So two monsters have temporarily be neutralized, there always will be others. Stay strong. [ THERE. He provided all that his conscious felt he had to. Ann had survived her ordeal so she should be capable of getting through others but this world and it's inhabitants were ugly, and self interested. Ie.. he's still a pessimist]