003 - Memories of a False History

[tabularasa_mods]

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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code bases by tricklet

Comments

Hornet | OTA except for memories | Spoilers!

[gitgudprincess]

1. Radiance
[The sound is a scream echoing across the ocean, cold and metallic and so much more emotional than it was ever meant to be. Hornet screams as well, falling to her knees and clutching her head because it won't get out, and for a moment she thinks she imagines the scent of sweet rot in the air—]

[And then she recalls a memory not her own but far too fitting regardless. Hammerlocke was not always a ruin, and how else would a town fall than to the Infection? Its inhabitants falling ill in sleep and waking up bloated orange and murderous. It is a miracle the plague has not lingered.]

[Or perhaps, considering the sound, it has.]

[Hornet practically launches herself from the City of Tears, barely pausing to tie her raft at the beach before sprinting past the trash heaps. She only stops when she sees another living being, skidding to a halt before them and choking for breath.]

"You! You heard that sound as well, did you not?"

2. Train Station
[Once her fears of a resurgence of the disease that killed her kingdom are mollified, if not entirely dispelled, Hornet finds her attention drawn to another new development.]

[Of all the unfamiliar things Hornet has seen in this world, a tram is remarkably not one of them. Admittedly, its make is a little odd, but she's long since accepted the architectural differences around here.]

"It's a shame it cannot move. I grow weary of needing to walk everywhere on my own two feet."

Memories
[If you want to thread with one of Hornet's memories, go tag my planning post! Fair warning, I'd like to limit how many threads I take on, so if I get a lot of tags I'm afraid I won't be able to get to everyone.]

Childhood - Locked to Ahsoka

[gitgudprincess]

"Hollow. Hol-low!"

[The Hollow Knight stands tall and silent, unmoving as a statue. They're always like this, always so boring and serious, because they always do what they're told and what they're told is stand very very still and be boring like the rest of the palace.]

[You have a better idea.]

"Hollow Knight! Look at me!"

[The Hollow Knight looks down. You grin behind your mask and lift your arms. They comply with this wordless command, stooping briefly to lift you in their arms. You shiver a little at their touch, their chitin smooth and icy as always, but quickly adjust your cloak to cushion you. You order them down the halls, clinging to their cloak as they dart between hiding places on the way to the kitchen. They blend in much better than you, for as much as you refuse to give up wearing red you have to admit it stands out quite starkly against all the white.]

[You're midway through stuffing your pockets with honey treats when you hear servants approaching. You instantly dart for cover, climbing your sibling like a tree and clinging to them under their cloak. Lacking any orders, they let you, remaining stock-still in the middle of the room.]

[It occurs to you, after a moment, that their current position isn't as inconspicuous as you'd first imagined. This is confirmed when the voices abruptly stop, only to start up again in concerned whispers.]

[You decide the jig is up. You make a break for it.]

[You manage to rappel almost halfway down the wall before one of the servants catches your thread and pulls you back up, demanding you return the treats. Instead, you order the Hollow Knight to help you.]

[An hour later, the Pale King has to personally drag the two of you out of the Queen's thornbushes. But on the bright side, you got to enjoy your treats in peace!]

[realway]

[ END ➠ Each of these graves has a name ]

[ so many memories she has seen today, but this one is... charming. warm and sweet, even as the woman doesn't quite grasp what matter of creatures she was witnessing. the hollow knight was giant compared to the small girl she recollected her life as, but not all the other beings were as big as them. their masks too were intricate and beautiful, yet gave the impression of hiding something perhaps ghastly.

at the very least she doesn't have to try too hard when searching. she has to keep her eye out for someone with a similar visage. ]

[gitgudprincess]

[The statue of the Hollow Knight would be the most obvious landmark for Ahsoka to be drawn to, being a life-size rendering of the being in the memory. Hornet isn't too far from it, though she has yet to give the memorial so much as a glance— she's too busy cursing out the ocean for sweeping away the raft she'd left behind.]

[Eventually she drops to her knees and buries her face in her hands with a small whimper, letting the waves toy with the hem of her cloak. That memory still echoes behind her eyes as if it were her own, with all the sharp grief that comes with it.]

"Let this horrid dream be over, haven't I enough to mourn...?"

[realway]

[ it isn't too long before she makes it to the beach, feet crunching softly into the sand as she walks along the shoreline. this place seems so beautiful, yet isolated. a structure looms in the distance and she debates going there next, if the beach turns up nothing for her search anyway.

in good time she locates the statue, a gasp drawn out in seeing the 'hollow knight' of her memories in full form. it's obviously just a statue, but it's a start! as she walks up to the monument, looking toward it with awe, she overhears a faint voice and follows it. the sight of a red cloak, the same color she saw in the memory, lights a spark. ]

Hello? [ she calls out to the person on her knees with complete absence of familiarity. ] Are you ok?

[gitgudprincess]

[Hornet flinches a little at Ahsoka's voice. Just who she didn't want to see right now, but she supposes there's not much to do to avoid her.]

"Ahsoka. You certainly have a way of finding me at my lowest."

[Any unfamiliarity in the tone is lost on Hornet, too caught up in her own misery. She's missing pieces too, after all; can you really expect her to remember the difference between a friend and a stranger?]

[realway]

...Do I?

[ she says with just a touch of humor, but equal parts confusion. 'ahsoka'? is that... her name? she was thinking those in the memories she saw could help her, but it didn't cross her mind that they could know her. that will be helpful.

she walks a little closer, though keeps a respectful distance, and laces her hands in front of her. ]

So, this is going to sound strange but... who are you?

[gitgudprincess]

[Hornet looks over, tilting her head at the question. It is indeed the Ahsoka she knows; there's only one person she knows with those distinctive head-tendrils. And yet she acts far less familiar than even their first conversation.]

"...I am Hornet. We've met some handful of times, do you not recall?"

[She supposes it's not too outlandish, with what's been happening. Unfortunate, though.]

[realway]

No, I don't.

[ her voice is honest and frustrated, though not at hornet. at least her theory about the people in the memories knowing her checks out. ]

I've lost all my memory. You called me 'Ahsoka' just now - that's my name I figure?

[gitgudprincess]

"Indeed it is."

[Hornet is quiet for a moment, then sighs and looks up at the sky.]

"I find myself missing pieces as well, though not so much as you. Still, it is... frustrating, to know that I am missing something, yet have no clue what it is."

2

[anciently]

It's weird, huh? Must be out of order.

[ It's been a while since they've spoken, but there's Aerith, chatting casually with Hornet as if it had been a more recent meeting between them. She wanders around a little, peering curiously in and around the train, as well as at all the signage. ]

Reminds me of a haunted train yard I had to go through, once. [ She remarks, tapping a finger against her chin. ] But this is definitely less creepy, and it seems more...defunct than anything. If you see any ghosts, though, let me know!

[ She ain't afraid of no ghosts!! ]

[gitgudprincess]

[Hornet hums a little, a smile tugging at her voice. Limited their interactions may have been, but what conversations they do have are altogether not unpleasant.]

"I'll keep you posted. I can't say I've met very many ghosts myself, though. Not literal ones, at least."

[anciently]

Oh, I have! And I'd prefer not to, if at all possible.

[ Spoken casually. After, she hums a bit to herself. ]

So, find anything interesting here? …I guess there're interesting things all around this place, but I haven't look at this area in particular yet.

[gitgudprincess]

"The tram is odd," [Hornet muses.] "I am used to single-car vehicles, though I must admit the segmented body is an ingenious variation. If this world had any logic behind it, I'd wonder how it all fits together."

[anciently]

You don't have trains and things where you're from? [ She asks curiously. ] We've got both. At least, if we're thinking of the same kind of single-car vehicles. Motorcycles and other stuff, too.

[ Midgar is 'modern' like that, she supposes. ]

I think this place has some logic. It's just not the kind we're all used to. Know what I mean?

[gitgudprincess]

"I don't know what a motorcycle is, I'm afraid. What we have where I come from is like this, with the rails and whatnot, but there's only a single..."

[She gestures vaguely with her hands, indicating the train car before her. Compartment. Segment. Whatever you want to call it.]

"I believe I understand, though. If nothing else, this world is excellent at taunting me personally."

[anciently]

No worries! It's like...a bike, if you know about those. If not, think of it like a vehicle with a wheel in front, and one in back, and a seat in the middle. It runs on its own power source and everything.

[ Aerith nods, though, in understanding of the description of the train. ]

I'm sure it doesn't mean it personally. [ The flower girl points out, still smiling lightly. ] Unless it's a joke on all of us! I guess that could be true...

[gitgudprincess]

[Hornet struggles to imagine what Aerith describes.]

"...I'll take your word for it."

[She grumbles a little at Aerith's cheer. It's hard not to take things personally when she has such important things thrown in her face like yesterday's garbage]

"Perhaps. Still, I wouldn't trust whatever force reigns over this land. If it is antagonizing everyone, then that's yet more knowledge it ought not to hold."

1

[mightdoriya]

[Izuku had headed away from the apartment complex the moment that deafening sound had ceased, so suffice it to say he's more than a little surprised to see that someone else heard it too all the way from the beach. It must have been just as loud as he imagined for it to carry this far, even with how unpredictable things like sound can be here.]

Y-yes! Just a few minutes ago. Or, well...I assume it wasn't that long ago.

[gitgudprincess]

[It feels like only seconds ago to Hornet, but then, time flies when you're sprinting like there's a mad god at your heels. She grabs at Izuku's collar.]

"Have you— have you seen anything strange, strange lights, or— sleep, has anyone slept?! Tell me no fool has managed to sleep!"

[She might be raving a little, but it's all she can think about. Sleep is dangerous. Dreams are dangerous.]

[mightdoriya]

W-ah-

[Oh, god. He wasn't expecting to be grabbed, but he's still trying to answer her questions either way, holding his hands up now defensively.]

I d-don't think so! It was just the noise, mostly! W-why, is there something else we should be looking out for?

[gitgudprincess]

[Hornet huffs and releases him, turning away and pacing tight circles. She hisses a little before speaking again, voice tight but controlled.]

"I recognized that sound, that was the— a terrible thing. From my land. Are you certain nothing has happened? If anyone is acting unusual, I must know."

[mightdoriya]

I...well, I'm not certain. I heard that sound too, but it sounded more like...

[War. Warring factions, clashing together, bloodshed and weapons colliding-]

Either way, I don't know what it was, but I agree that we should probably figure it out sooner rather than later. I haven't run into anyone else yet though, so I couldn't tell you if they were acting strangely.

[...]

I will say that...I feel like something isn't right.

[gitgudprincess]

"Nothing feels right. This is— I've been lenient. I should've kept an eye out."

[She winces, presses a hand over one eye. Visions still swim in her mind, not hers but there nonetheless.]

"I remember— this land was taken by plague. The worst one. I fear it may be returning, now that there are people once more."

1

[reachforthesummit]

Had she heard it? Had she heard it? That question was so absurd it took Madeline longer than usual to process it; who wouldn't hear something like that? The sound was so loud it practically deafened her, and having Hornet run up to her like that didn't leave her any less shaken.

"Of course I did! I doubt anyone couldn't hear that!"