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

[blue_eyed_obsession]

You're not the only one. [Would you look at that, she got his name right and this time it hadn't required an outburst detailing prior emotional trauma]

[If only her words could travel across the void, and reach his rival's ears. Things like 'spiky haired idiot', 'prattling about arrogance, etc' and 'he's not natural'. At least Kaiba could enjoy the remarks for himself. Conversely, in the memory he was recalling the effects he was seeing weren't holographic in nature but he hadn't drawn the conclusion to it having to be magic. Danmaku/Domino- how had the two blended into one strange singular location? Like the amalgamations of the sites that existed here.

There were a few female duelists that played competitively, however none that Seto considered a genuine threat. Not even the current queen of games of the Asian mainland region. It could have been his usual arrogance talking- but he had reviewed the tournaments from across the globe.]

[To this he gave a short but sincere chuckle] I'm assuming what you heard wasn't even the half of it. I honestly don't know what Yugi's playing at... I would assume it was just a diversionary tactic trying to put his opponent's to sleep but he might be deluded enough to buy into his own nonsense. [That was the closest he came to admitting that on some level he might trust in the other boy] Always, and I'm in total agreement with you.

[Fuck ups being the technical term- though it was the most fitting]

King of games. [Supplying the title for her. It was peculiar but the more they spoke about this, the less foggy his mind felt] ..... It wasn't instantly. [It totally was, still he knitted his eyebrows a moment before proceeding] Then you're seeing the Battle City finals... [.. and not at it's finest moment] Battle City was a tournament I set up that encompassed the entire city of Domino as it's battleground. Duelists from across the world gathered to prove their worth and potentially gain only the most prized and rare cards in the entire game. I was in the finals when I was pitted against Yugi... I should have won that match.

A spell.... duel? [With the shake of the head] Maybe there's a reason that our memories ended up distorted. [It almost felt like it was beyond coincidence] Does Marisa hold delusions about being an ancient ruler too- or is that just a rare treat that I get to deal with? [Really, thinking you were a pharaoh... and people think he has a huge ego] This just keeps getting better [said with a groan] The way you're describing Spell duels it sounds like what I was told about the origins of duel monsters, apparently they were used to settle disputes too and were supposed to be real monsters summoned by magicians...

[Tired of expanding on his own memories, and experiences Kaiba was relieved when the focus shifted more towards Parsee] I wasn't involved in the fighting, I was on the sidelines.. or you were. I should have realized it couldn't possibly been me from the height difference alone... [Then he tried to recall more of the details of Marisa's opponent] ... It was a female... not... really.. someone who stands out in a crowd. There was one really irritating detail about her however, I never thought she would stop giggling her fool head off. You would think that someone who was getting cremated in combat would know when to knock it off.

[A pause] Might have had green hair..?

1/2

[bridge_princess]

It was something about his Dark Paladin. He split your dragons back up and got a boost from all three. Alone, your fused dragon would have worked, but he had the perfect trap fo...

...

That asshole always seems to miraculously have the right card for the right moment, doesn't he? "The Heart of the Cards" or some bullshit?

[It's called deck fishing tactics. Yugi was a fucking blue deck master when it came to getting just the right fucking card at the right fucking time. He just couched it in a love of the game or some other crap.]

He could definitely talk a god to sleep. [She grunted.] Marisa's got a different kind of arrogance. Real proud of her magical skills, but she's a glorified thief. Always hunting for new baubles and trinkets to make herself more powerful, sneaking into places she shouldn't. Does shit because she gets bored. I'll bet you bottom dollar that's exactly what got her involved to start in this.

A danmaku uses spells sealed in disposable charms a lot. Reimu's the expert. But since she writes the damned things herself for a living of course she would be.

...Green hair?

2/3

[bridge_princess]

Green hair... Green hair... Green hair...

[There was a visible reaction as she tried to remember something. Her hands went up to grip her hair and she fought with it. It wasn't painful other than the strain of trying it. It was like there wasn't enough an impression to really recall so she was searching memory banks for something, anything.

Like trying to remember the individual memory of a sparrow you saw twenty years ago on a random day.]

Not... Sanae... she's not always giggling like that. Everyone knows Reimu's rival anyway.

[Who had green hair... why did she feel a feeling of incomprehensible dread coming over her. Why couldn't she remember her ... er... oh gods...]

Three eyes... one of them closed.

3/3

[bridge_princess]

Why. Can't. I. REMEMBER?!?

[She remembered them all. One glance, and she could tell you everything about someone that was better than her. It was her entire existence, to know why people were jealous of each other, why she was jealous of them. But she couldn't... couldn't fucking...

It was coming to her. She looked actually like she was in pain, straining. Koishi had lost that day. Because of that, she'd gone back to being little old forgotten Koishi. But a garbled, croaking sound came to her voice.]

Koi...shi. Ko...meiji... the Satori's ... s...sister. Fuck, that girl. Nobody remembers her. She's one of the scariest people you'll ever see in Gensokyo, if you ever see her. Carries around a knife all the time.

Nobody knows if it's actually a squeak toy.

[She wasn't exaggerating. Sometimes it was a squeak toy. Sometimes.]

She's dangerous. Dangerous in ways Marisa isn't. Not raw power. Just... you'd never know she was there until it was too late.

1/2

[blue_eyed_obsession]

I don't need the reminder. [Kaiba hissed, though it was too late. The memory was returning with clarity] The perfect spell actually... [At least he could take some satisfaction from correcting her] By using that de-fusion card it forced my monster to separate. If only his paladin didn't gain a boost from every dragon in play... or if I had set this card instead.. [Mentally running over how he could have still pulled out a victory]

Yes. He does... but I'd hardly call it a miracle. [As much as he wanted to snort and fuss about the 'heart of the cards' he was unfortunately unable to in this instance. Perhaps a part of him knew there was some validity to the claim that his mind wasn't willing to accept] A constant irritation...

Finally, it's refreshing to hear the perception of someone not in his persistent fanclub.. [Yes, let's insult Yugi some more shall we?] That's a key difference between them. He thinks what he's doing is for some higher cause, and he holds onto this sense of honor stuff too strictly to be a common thief. Marisa... she's a piece of work, isn't she? Not building up her own skills, she relies on what she's taken.

One could say Reimu has an unfair advantage. [Though let's face it.. with his satellite system, Kaiba was able to observe every duel in his tournament. It's not like he was above giving himself an edge]

2/2

[blue_eyed_obsession]

[It was clear that recalling the person was difficult, from her actions and the way she was attempting to talk herself through it. He wished he had more details to offer up but they were oddly elusive. Mostly he remained silent as not to serve as an additional distraction.]

Short- about shoulder length? Wearing a....... yellow top and green skirt... possibly in a floral design?

[Oddly, he was doubting himself]

Or.... was it something else..

[There had to have been someone else in the ring. Marisa couldn't have been battling thin air]

Ugh- whoever she is she seems like the sort of person to delve into mind games. [That was the only explanation available for someone they were both struggling to remember. The snippets of the altercation were like wisps of smoke breaking apart] How scary can she be if no one can even remember that she exists?

Did you just say squeak toy..? [No one is going to fall prey to a dog's chew toy. Still, to hear that last part he felt a little more convinced that maybe Koishi was a threat]

Then it's a good thing she isn't here. I get the feeling that not only could she get the drop on a person but she would relish every moment of it as the life drained from her victim..

[bridge_princess]

Yes, Marisa's an arrogant little shit, and Reimu's got an unfair advantage. Pinned it down in one, but I'm not surprised. You'd figure that out easily even if you were half as smart as you are, and you're a lot of things. You aren't dumb.

[Enjoy that little admission. She didn't think Kaiba was actually stupid. Arrogant and stubborn? Absolutely, but not stupid. He was one of the smarter folks she knew here.]

Yeah, squeak toy. Don't ascribe motivations to her. Now that I got her in my head, I can piece the tiny glimmers o memory together. Probably won't be able to tomorrow. It's weird how it works with her. It's like remembering how breakfast tasted ten years ago. On a Monday.

What I remember? She doesn't plan things out. She just does what interests her. If she wants to see your guts, she'll do it. If she wants to giggle and tickle, she'll do it. And ... it can change any minute, like she's a gadfly.

She literally exists in the moment, like an animal. I think... I remember Satori said she did it to herself once. I don't know why.

[blue_eyed_obsession]

People like that... need to be taken down. [Something Kaiba likely shouldn't have been quite so invested in given his track record. Still, he enjoyed enlightening other duelists on just how inferior they were if they had overinflated egos themselves, or if they were clearly cheating]

[He acknowledged the admission with a hint of a smirk, honestly it was strangely mutual. Although he didn't think of Parsee being on his level, she did what most people didn't in questioning the norm, and actively seeking answers. She wasn't someone to follow others blindly.]

That unpredictable, hm? [Beginning to fully comprehend the danger. Even someone like Pegasus, Marik, or Dartz had motivations. They had goals they clearly were striving towards and wouldn't do anything to jeopardize those plans. This other girl, was something else... wild and unstable like a supercell. Near impossible to outmaneuver strategically, since her whims could alter in a moment's notice.]

Guess we lucked out that you're here instead of her- [It wasn't meant as a slight but it could have been taken as one. He genuinely meant it] ... though this place would put a stop to her before she could try anything. [Was this an acknowledgement that supernatural powers could exist?! Ok, yeah even going that far made his insides twist in revulsion] I wonder... with all of this going on, just how many times are we going to experience similar. [Ie. Would there be more misplaced memories?]

[bridge_princess]

Just a little bit, but I'm not the one to do it. They kick my ass whenever we run into each other. I don't pretend to be one of the big fishes of that world. There's no way I'd ever be that powerful.

[Though with the right boost, she'd be scary as fuck herself. It was kind of warped that way.]

Yeah, there's some crap in Gensokyo that's seriously messed up. We're better off not dealing with any of that.

[blue_eyed_obsession]

[Least she knew her limitations, many didn't. The calm acceptance of it was not something he could relate to. Considering how often Parsee talked down about herself, he found himself questioning it. What she was actually capable was likely somewhere in between.]

Agreed. The pontificating buffoons and the psychopaths need not apply.

[bridge_princess]

[Whether he realized it or not, that calm acceptance came with the equally calm acceptance that she would always be jealous, and by always being jealous, she would retain power. It was a strange cycle that kept her empowered out of habit. Far more self serving than she let on.]

Oh, you know that they will. that's in their nature by being psychopaths and buffoons.

[blue_eyed_obsession]

[One could say that her jealously fueled her, as he believed his anger did for him. The difference being he might actually become more unstoppable if he would listen to some of that advice the pharaoh had tried to impart on him. His desire to best others, led to an obsession of an unhealthy level]

Unfortunately, I do.

There will be no end to them. [Thinking back on it, he considered what she had initially told him and how it must have related to the vision she saw] Respect is a strong word- I will admit that he provides a stimulating challenge on an intellectual level, that's it.

[bridge_princess]

[Precisely, though it was very literal in her case. And in her case, it was unknown what would happen if she had no jealousy. But maybe one day he would listen to the Pharaoh for a hot minute... preferably when not prattling about the power of friendship.]

No, I get it. You'd never deign to call him a rival, but ... you relish the idea you beat him.

[Which was basically calling him a rival, but not saying the word.]

[blue_eyed_obsession]

[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.