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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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anciently: (you'll see)

[personal profile] anciently 2020-10-21 07:00 pm (UTC)(link)
The minute I start frowning? Okay...you've got a deal. [ Aerith offers a grin, grateful to see that he seems to be feeling a little better, or is at least making an effort. ] You're lucky it's me that we're talking about! I know some professional frowners, okay?

[ Not naming names or anything..... ]
bachagain: (pic#10583613)

[personal profile] bachagain 2020-10-21 10:48 pm (UTC)(link)
[ oh my god what is happening now. he’s kind of stunned into silence at that inspirational shonen speech there for a second, a hand going up to one of his shoulders as he rolls them a bit. he’s… sore now, thanks, but also--

--but also he, um, did have a habit of quitting things when they got hard, so the fact that add called him out like that makes it a little difficult to find the words to say in return.

ultimately, leo doesn’t run. he snaps back into reality when add prompts him further, and honestly the foreign memory in his mind is easier to navigate than the mess that add just gave him. ]


Um… You were following a big group around, trying to make friends with ‘em. I dunno if you ever got further than watching…? It was really cold!

[ .... actually, ]

It’s kinda… I thought it was you, but maybe it wasn’t… That speech you gave me just now was sooo direct, not like that really awkward guy in my memories, I dunno what to think anymore...!
blue_eyed_obsession: (♖ If I were you I'd be concerned)

[personal profile] blue_eyed_obsession 2020-10-22 12:42 am (UTC)(link)
"Leave it to you to think of that." It was in some respects backward commentary on Merlin's usual attire being outside the norm, not that he really thought anyone had a wizard fetish. Save for maybe Arkana. (the bad joke had to be made). "To answer your inane question, these are in fact all school uniforms."

"Marvel at the lack of creativity," Harrumphing at the palette-swapped selections. If he ever ran a school, the uniforms would be unique, set apart from any other institution.

Thinking back on the vision he finally seized upon something he could use. That voice. He knew it from somewhere. Glancing at the mage it started to dawn on him, but what did it all mean?
blue_eyed_obsession: (♗ Ain't no way you're gonna win)

[personal profile] blue_eyed_obsession 2020-10-22 01:00 am (UTC)(link)
[Given how disastrous the results could be otherwise that was indeed fortunate.

The metaphorical fireworks died down but Legion wasn't being all that responsive. It was concerning to say the very least. Kaiba stared back at them, looking for any sign of motion. When nothing followed he took the initiative to draw further into the room and closer to the other.

.. But then Legion spoke.
]

That's a relief- [Not sure if he believed those words given the extended delay] Are you certain? There appears to be a delay in your processing speed. [Unaware whether Legion had noticed that or not] Then the old-machines need to learn how to curb the decibels. [Noting the obnoxious nature of the previous noise]

[The word combination strangely did strike a cord within him, and he puzzled over why. The memories were there but it was odd. There's no way they were his but it felt too vivid to be just a dream and he wasn't prone to daydreaming anyway...]
gardenerofavalon: (it's smug not bashful)

[personal profile] gardenerofavalon 2020-10-22 03:15 am (UTC)(link)
"The Mage of Flowers, teacher, advisor, and court mage to King Arthur? None other!"

Yep, he's totally boasting a little.

"And isn't it a wizard's prerogative to appear however he wants?"
forwearemany: (moreheadflaps)

[personal profile] forwearemany 2020-10-22 03:29 am (UTC)(link)
Apologies. We saw ... memory?

(Confusion. They know it is Kaiba's, but they should not be able to receive information downloads from fully organic platforms.)

The Old-Machines do not care for the comfort of others.

(The Old-Machines serve only their own purposes. They destroy all that does not fit their plans. It is entirely possible that the sounds they make are intended to cause harm to those that hear them.)
Edited 2020-10-22 03:30 (UTC)
gardenerofavalon: (individuals don't really matter)

[personal profile] gardenerofavalon 2020-10-22 03:34 am (UTC)(link)
"I suppose they are called uniforms for a reason, but this still seems a bit much."

Not that it's surprising, exactly. It seems rather in keeping with the sort of things this strange world is prone to doing, copying general ideas but getting the specific details wrong.

Though, that aside...

"In any case, however, it would seem I ended up with something that belongs to you."

He means the memory.
bachagain: (pic#10478559)

[personal profile] bachagain 2020-10-22 06:54 am (UTC)(link)
Oh, no. He's really hit a snag here, hasn't he...? Or rather, this maybe-probably-Professor has hit a snag. Imagine losing this much of yourself that you don't even know who you are? That's a little sad, now that Leo thinks about it.

Maybe he can provide a little piece to fix this...? He isn't sure, actually. Can someone who's this lost about things recognize something that's theirs, even?

There's no harm in trying. And Oak is asking the question anyway, so looking over the picture, Leo simply answers with the truth.

"Mmmm... I have a memory. Since, you know, that's the thing the Void wants to go with this week!"

Or, however long this is. Time. Not that that's the concern right now, so moving on--

"It's hard to figure out what belongs to who when I haven't spoken to 'em before, so I've been focusing on the small stuff I can pick out. This one mentioned a "Professor", so I've been sticking with that! I reeeaally hope this is yours, 'cause from the sounds of it they really dug into your head. D'you not remember anything?"
psychokinesia: (I-0049)

[personal profile] psychokinesia 2020-10-22 07:17 am (UTC)(link)
[Leo is shocked into silence, clearly intimidated by Add's logical prowess. Yeah, that's right! His reasoning is flawless, so don't even bother trying to argue it!

But then Leo goes and tells him the memory anyway. Seriously?? Even after he told him to fight harder for himself... he's just going to give up like it's no big deal? What kind of hopeless idiot is this guy? How's he supposed to just accept something like that and walk away??

The memory is out in the open, and it's starting to come back to him now—but he can't just leave things like this. Add scoffs, gazing off to the side.]


Who do you think you're calling an 'awkward guy'? Tch, you've got the whole story wrong... [but it is his memory, he won't deny that.]

You know, I really was going to just leave, but now I feel like if I did that I'd be stuck remembering your stupid voice for the rest of my life. If it's between that and a couple minutes of humiliation...

[did he... seriously talk himself back into singing the damn song...

why is he like this. not even Add knows.

That said, he is going to shoot Leo a glare alongside one final warning—]
But if you laugh even once, or speak of this to anyone, I will break every bone in your pathetic body. Is that clear? [he is dead fucking serious, he will destroy Leo if this gets out. don't you dare betray his trust you piece of shit.]
symbolofstrength: (not sure if want)

[personal profile] symbolofstrength 2020-10-22 07:37 am (UTC)(link)
"Oh, is everyone else having problems with their memory too?" That would explain his own amnesia.

At his final question, he nods. He still has his general knowledge, but everything personal is just... gone. "If it weren't for my ID, I wouldn't even know my own name." He crosses his arms in thought, before pulling out his wallet.

"I've got some photos of other people with me... I figure they must know me, and if I can find them they can tell me about myself." Even without memory, his intelligence and problem-solving skills are still intact.

"Can you take a look, and see if there's anyone you recognize?"
psychokinesia: (I-0154)

[personal profile] psychokinesia 2020-10-22 09:32 am (UTC)(link)
[damn. They're lucky they added that "mostly anything" before he started getting ideas...

Machines looking out for machines—it's not unreasonable, though he does find it particularly interesting that they'd want to help a machine of a completely unrelated model and creator. Do they consider all advanced machines worthy of such assistance, or is it something about Dynamo specifically? Nasods have their pride, so he can't say for sure if a Nasod would go out of their way to help a non-Nasod machine. Eve probably would, of course, but she is an exceptional Nasod...

Oh, he's getting sidetracked again. He clears his throat, mentally scrolling back to where the conversation left off—]


Salvaged parts... tch. If they were that easy to substitute, I would've solved it a long time ago. No, it's a specialized part that I need.

[... ah, what the heck, he might as well share some of the details. It's rare that he gets to talk about this kind of thing with someone who actually knows enough about machines to keep up.] Nasods need a special El-crystal core to function. The quality of the crystal determines how much energy and data it can process, if the crystal's quality is poor then the output will be too low to maintain higher functionality. It's comparable to a human's heart—if the bloodflow is too weak, it won't be able to reach vital organs and the body will die. Nasods are more resilient than humans, but they'll still cease to function if their core is damaged or removed, and their other components can be easily damaged by any disruption to their core. Unfortunately, obtaining high-quality Nasod cores is no easy feat. Most machines from that era have been destroyed, so even finding a low-quality core can be a challenge. Creating a new core would require knowledge of the manufacturing process, as well as high-quality crystals that are also difficult to obtain.

Currently, Dynamo is connected to a network of several low-quality cores as well as myself, but that hasn't been enough to activate it... to try and substitute something else, I wouldn't even know where to start. Diceon ore had similar properties to El, but the quantities needed were too large to be effective in Nasod core manufacturing. A more efficient ore or crystal might exist in other worlds, though... it'd have to be something that can handle large quantities of El energy, but how would you even check for that in this place when everything is so inconsistent...?

[and after all that rambling he may have zoned out again... at least he finished his explanation first.]
Edited (me squinting at the wiki at 6am like WHY IS IT SO HARD TO FIGURE OUT WHAT THIS ROCK IS CALLED) 2020-10-22 09:48 (UTC)
starshower: (Default)

[personal profile] starshower 2020-10-22 02:44 pm (UTC)(link)
[So that's how they managed to get on Corneo's radar... The dress had made sense when she thought about it, but the lengths that he had to go to get it? It’s a shame that she doesn't think he'll ever do it again.]

Pretty sure if I asked him to dance for me now, he'd never do it. [She frowns, mimicking Cloud's usual grumpy expression, perhaps overdoing it a little for dramatic effect.] "I don't know how to dance!" [She waves a finger.] But now I know he can swing his hips as well as he can a sword.

[If not better!]

I'm so sad I missed it. Think we can convince him again?
starshower: (141)

[personal profile] starshower 2020-10-22 03:24 pm (UTC)(link)
[Oh, that time.]

Barret, [she gently corrects him, although she's not at all offended on Barret's behalf for that. It's hard not to notice the giant gun on his arm when that's all you know about him.]

I don't think I've told you anything about Shinra, but... we were trying to get Aerith out of there. They took her, and only way to get into the reception desk was from above. Took a pretty bad fall at one point, though.
forwearemany: (Side)

[personal profile] forwearemany 2020-10-22 03:58 pm (UTC)(link)
Affirmative.

(Turin's words are truth, though they do not hate the Quarians for their actions.)

We murdered them.

(They drove the Quarians from their homeworld. And then their descendants came and took back Rannoch three centuries later. Now they are alone.)
activatingcombatmode: <user name=sefirot> (13112713)

[personal profile] activatingcombatmode 2020-10-22 05:57 pm (UTC)(link)
[A little quick to the punch, is he? Zack smiles.]

Hey now, maybe after a few more drinks and a few dates with you and those pokemon of yours?
activatingcombatmode: <user name=sefirot> (Default)

[personal profile] activatingcombatmode 2020-10-22 06:01 pm (UTC)(link)
[Zack leans up against the bridge ledge and throws his head back to laugh.]

That's pretty wild to hear. Never thought I'd meet a vengeance uh- youkai, like you.
activatingcombatmode: <user name=sefirot> (12)

[personal profile] activatingcombatmode 2020-10-22 06:17 pm (UTC)(link)
[Back to other timelines and other Clouds and it's all way over Zack's head. He frowns and still points a finger at Sephiroth's chest.]

Glad we share the same sentiments about getting home but the rest of it better be true for now. Just leave Cloud out of your weird god fantasies.

[He's already seen Cloud at a somewhat fragile state. And he won't have anyone messing with Cloud even more.]
activatingcombatmode: <user name=sefirot> (85)

[personal profile] activatingcombatmode 2020-10-22 06:32 pm (UTC)(link)
Wait, what-?

[Hold up-!!!]

When did I...?? An umbrella?

[It takes a hot second but the memory comes rushing back to him in a flash. He'd been on a forced vacation only to be interrupted from his beach time by some Genesis clones.

He snorts and laughs, looking positively amused at himself.]


Look, there were these bastards attacking at the time so I did the best I could with what I had! You'd be surprised how strong beach umbrellas are, maybe I should permanently swap my weapon of choice for one.
forethinking: (MwHVZuR)

[personal profile] forethinking 2020-10-22 09:15 pm (UTC)(link)
(That sounds incredible, but... Why does she look upset about it? And... "I think"?

He did notice that she seemed to not have recognized him when she first came in, and that only confirms it. She's not the first case he has seen.)


Ahsoka-san, do you remember who I am?
Edited 2020-10-22 21:16 (UTC)
bachagain: (pic#10478558)

[personal profile] bachagain 2020-10-22 11:43 pm (UTC)(link)
He's really starting from square one, huh... Leo isn't sure how coherent he'll be explaining this to someone who truly, truly has no clue about the who, what, wheres and hows of their own existence, so maybe he should just take this one step at a time.

Step one: do what Oak is requesting, and then move onto trying to line his pieces up in the way Leo knows... has been kind of working? He doesn't wanna spook this mindwiped grandpa too much, honestly.

"Sure, sure! It's the least I can do. Show me the pictures, and I'll tell you what I know... and maybe a little more than that, after? I'll follow your lead!"

What a weird thing to end that sentence with, but whatever.
obscurus_phantasma: Küss mich auf meine feuchten Lippen (Küss mich auch wenn es bitter schmeckt)

[personal profile] obscurus_phantasma 2020-10-22 11:47 pm (UTC)(link)
It surely does, but it feels. . .for lack of a word, gross (though that's not doing any justice), to continue holding this memory that isn't hers. And Melinoë wonders too what she's missing, somewhat anxious by the knowledge that she doesn't even know what, doesn't feel lacking.

Pushing to her feet, she shifts forward and presses lips to his. "Gratzi, mago mio. I look forward to being regaled by the details later."
theforgottenboy: (is that I'll find my way)

[personal profile] theforgottenboy 2020-10-23 12:28 am (UTC)(link)
It's good that your friends came for you.

[He doesn't know anything that happened in between, but she had friends who helped her, so that's good. Hopefully she has friends here too. She didn't answer his other question, though...]

[But he should find out what memory she has. Maybe it's not a very bad one. She doesn't seem to be afraid of him, at least.]


Yes, I want to know.
gitgudprincess: (side glance)

[personal profile] gitgudprincess 2020-10-23 01:13 am (UTC)(link)
[Hornet thinks for a moment, hand on her chin.]

"I cannot imagine what else it could be. Odd as it is, things have some measure of order. Surely that cannot be the result of simple chaos?"
theforgottenboy: (I'm just an echo of the things I like)

[personal profile] theforgottenboy 2020-10-23 01:37 am (UTC)(link)
[It's a kind sentiment, if an unnecessary one. At least, if things were "normal" here, Blue may well have never have known he exists. He doesn't like that people fear him, but he doesn't need assurance that he's not something to fear. He know that he can be, even if some people treat him like a person.]

[It would be nice if Blue didn't fear him, though.]

[And now that's confirmation that Blue has one of his memories, and it doesn't take any guessing to know who he's talking about.]


You remember Rhys.

[There are others he could perhaps have called friends in retrospect, but back then Rhys was the only one that he knew would stay his friend, the only one who wouldn't simply forget him without constant reminders of his existence, like the others inevitably would.]

[Not that he got to keep Rhys' friendship, either.]


What do you remember...?
bridge_princess: (014)

[personal profile] bridge_princess 2020-10-23 01:53 am (UTC)(link)
Ya know... funny you mention that. Now that I think about it, humans wouldn't normally SEE one of my kind unless they did something stupid like get us to thin about another bridge, or defaced the shrine... or they were the target of that vengeance.

So... it is sort of odd for you to meet one, as a human.