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

[menaretrash]

Wait, what? That's horrible! How...? Why would anyone do something like that? [ Actually... she knows how, because people are shitty, and the corporate world is dog-eat-dog. Even still, it's a disgusting thought to think that someone would try and take something that someone's worked so hard to cultivate and build. ] Mm... it's just... something to think about, you know? Maybe... time is standing still at home. When you go back, you'll be right where you were before. Maybe. [ She hopes. ]

No idea, I guess it just comes with the territory. This situation in general is pretty weird, right? I guess it'd be classified as sci-fi. [ And really, she's more of a romcom kind of gal, this sci-fi shit sucks. ]

Well... yeah. He had students expelled and ruined their reputations left and right. I was worried about what he'd do to her... it's bad enough he was taking out his frustrations on not just her, but the rest of his team, too. [ She looks guilty again, and looks away. ] I didn't... realize it at the time, but because I wasn't giving him the attention he wanted, or acting like a "proper girlfriend", he was taking it out on Shiho by beating her... she'd always have bruises and she claimed that it was just from volleyball practice... but that wasn't the case at all. What happened to her should have never happened, and it's partially my fault, so... I'll spend the rest of my life trying to atone for what I did. Even if I'd said something... no one would listen. No one cared. The school I go to is prestigious and well known for our gold medalist volleyball team. As long as the team was willing, the teachers, staff... even parents turned a blind eye.

[ Because, yeah, she was a piece of shit who kept her mouth shut, but it wouldn't have really mattered because parents, teachers... no one cared. And telling just made life even worse, so, at the time... there seemed to be very little hope. ]

Yeah. Everyone has a Persona... to be fair. But it just depends on if you awaken it or not. [ She won't go into the whole 'forced into a cruel game in which there was no possible way of winning' bullshit, of course. Because they did win... she thinks. Things at home are a little... off. ] Yeah, something like that. It's their 'shadow'. Like... that other me that you saw? That's how that dirt bag saw me. [ Calling her Princess and everything... g a g. ] To get there... it's a weird process. Yes, there is technology, oddly enough. An app appeared on my phone, it's called the Meta Nagivator. If you can figure out three words that are in someone's heart and activate it, it'll take you to your target's palace. Sometimes it's easy, sometimes not. It's not just Palaces, either... there's another place that's sort of one giant palace that's the manifestation of the general public's desires called Mementos. That place... is really bizarre. It all is.

[ Ah... her cheeks turn a bright red, and she instinctively crosses her arms over her chest, as if she was wearing that stupid outfit right now. ]

Apparently. Either that, or the Metaverse enjoys watching me prance around like that. [ ...Ryuji doesn't seem to mind, and neither does Ren for that matter. ] That... and a whip and a few guns, yeah. I arrived here with my whip, in fact. [ Not that she's bothered to take it out or anything, there hasn't really been a reason. ] Yeah, we take care of the shitty people that no one else wants to... politicians, corrupt artists... even shitty boyfriends. [ And a big ass, weird looking God, but she's. Not gonna mention that one. ] We do steal something... we steal the core of their desires. Every palace has a 'treasure', the manifestation of their crappy desires. We take that... but we have to be careful. If we kill someone or go too far in the Metaverse, that person will have a mental shut down in the real world. And they'll die... we've already been accused of several murders because of that.

[ THANKS, AKECHI. She sighs. ]

...Anyways, that's... what's up with that. [ Another pause, and then: ] I wish we were able to help you with your problem, though. I could easily convince the others... it's a shame we're not from the same world.

[blue_eyed_obsession]

How the tables have turned... [Eluding back to the threat she issued from last time but with a sense of humor] What can I say? I don't make a lot of friends and there's always someone trying to topple over my accomplishments. [There's no intention of allowing this to go through however. He will fight it to the end.] Ha- that wouldn't be much of an improvement. [Ie. he was unconscious and his soul was locked away- yet again] .. but It's something to strive for I suppose. [Are you going to stop being cryptic or let her in on what you're talking about, Seto?]

I'd rather file it away in an archive and set it on fire... [Ie. Be done with it. Sci fi was more his thing but he didn't want to be starring in it, so much as creating the technology others could only dream about in the past]

... If there were that many victims, why didn't anyone else speak up or try and stop it? [Asking a foolish question. Domino High had been plagued with delinquency, not just from the students but some of the teachers as well. Did anyone say anything? Did anyone care? ... Things only started to change when a certain spiky-haired boy assembled that ancient relic. Probably unrelated.] I retract the question. [Yet, she answered it anyway. It was criminal negligence, on behalf of the institution.] I've heard enough. [Drawing the line at her victim blaming, and sounding irritated for witnessing it] The only one at fault in this situation is the perpetrator. [Ie. Kamoshida. Even though Kaiba said this, didn't some of his own insecurities force him to blame himself from alleged shortcomings in his own dealing with Gozaburo in the past?] He should have his medal revoked. [Ok. So he wasn't just a gym teacher- at one point in his life the scumbag had enough discipline to train himself and compete in a worldwide competition]

Oh Goody. Just what I wanted to hear. [Sarcasm was still in his employ. Not even trying to envision what his own might look like. The game portion would have been it's own unique element, something he would want to test due to the 'unwinnable' nature of it.] A shadow... [Repeating it thoughtfully, briefly thinking back to his rival and the shadowy apparition that had once meted out a punishment game to him. Not the same thing, decidedly but no less disturbing to witness... OK. Slightly less disturbing because of the whole speedo thing.] That explains alot. [Having a low opinion of the other Ann] An app. How convenient. [This was a lot to take in at once but she might not be as willing to spill it later. Best to strike now while emotions were running high] Does everyone have a palace? Though.. I suppose not or this Mementos place wouldn't need to exist... [One guess what Pegasus's palace would look like..]

[It was a bit of a low blow admittedly]

I'll have it noted that you selected hte word 'prance', I didn't. [In case she took exception to it later. There were also an abundance of zippers on that suit in questionable places... BUT.... ] A whip... [Letting that linger in the air a moment or two. She wasn't making this any easier to not make remarks about] ... [If this sort of technology ever bled through here or in his own place of origin then boy... would he have some additional security measures to put into place. As paranoid as he could be, Kaiba was already assessing just what the damage could be to himself if this was a thing] Fun stuff. [Clearly downplaying the murders]

[To that he darkly chuckled. Yes, that was what was up indeed...] I can handle Dartz. [Er... or he wanted to] ... and I'm not in the habit of asking for help. [With this much discussion about the memory, it felt as if it had returned to it's rightful place no longer throwing a haze over things. Hopefully the same was true in reverse, though he... hadn't... said... much... about that period of his life.]

[menaretrash]

Yeah... sorry about that, by the way. [ A little cringe, honestly, because... yeah. That happened, but at least he's not holding it against her. ] That's rough... I can't imagine being in that sort of position. But I'm glad that it's yours, you've worked hard for it. And I know that no matter what, you will take it back. [ Because... there's no other choice. And he seems like the type to stop at nothing to make sure the job gets done, so, she's pretty confident that he'll get it taken care of. ] ...Wait, what do you mean not much of an improvement...? [ Please... let her know what's happening here man... ]

That makes two of us, honestly. We've got some... pretty bad things happening at home right now, too. [ Sort of? She's not really sure what's what right now. Ren gave her a lot of info and she's... well. She's confused. ]

No one listened. I tried to tell my parents, too, but they're never home, and they're busy. So, they didn't want to hear it. No one wants to believe something like that, anyways, and as long as the volleyball team kept winning, it's all that mattered to any of them. [ The teachers and principal didn't want a scandal on their hands, either. So, just keep quiet and pretend it isn't happening. ] ...He did have his medal revoked. That was his treasure -- we pawned it off and no one asked any questions about it or where it came from.

[ They got quite a bit of money for it, too, but that's... sort of another deal in itself. ]

Right? It sounds crazy, but it's all true. [ Hey, she can't even blame him here, okay, and his sarcasm actually has her laughing a little bit at least this time. ] Yeah, an app. If I can ever get my phone to work again, I'll show you. No, not everyone... only the super corrupt have palaces. But Mementos is sort of... a public palace. Lesser, in a way, but no less difficult to navigate. There's a ton of layers to it, too... it's a really weird place. [ No one needs giant wine glasses and cartoons.... funny bunnies...... ]

Of course, of course. Eh, either way, it is what it is. I can fight well enough in it, and I don't hear any of my teammates complaining about it... [ Because they wouldn't fucking dare. ] Yeah, a whip. I'm pretty good with it, too. [ Don't. Even. Go. There. It's not for those reasons, okay. Femme fatale is more what she's trying to go for here!! ] Yeah, it's... it's something.

[ Dartz... she'll remember that name. ] Yeah, but even still, if we could make it easier for you, would it really matter? You wouldn't even have to ask, because we'd already know. Uh... since you just... told me. [ Not that she can do anything about it here, but you never know. Something to file away for later, at least. She looks down again. ] ...Listen, I really am sorry that you had to go through all of that, though. You're a good brother, and a really strong person. I couldn't... have handled what you went through.

[blue_eyed_obsession]

It went both ways. [Shrugging it off. Surprisingly, he saw no need to hold that against her, the challenge had been more amusing than threatening.] I will. Mark my words. [A serious edge in that delivery] Don't we have enough on our plates as is...? [This wasn't related to the memories in question so unfortunately he didn't divulge more, initially.]

Somehow, I'm not sure there's much of a comparison. [Maybe he would regret this, but if it kept them from the other subjects then sure. Why not?] This person that's trying to takeover my company has his sights set even higher than that. He's a total lunatic that claims to be the former ruler of the lost city of Atlantis. [Scoffing, he held up a hand to discourage her from interrupting] I know what it sounds like, and it is why I called him a lunatic. He has it in his mind that if he collects enough souls, then he can revive a great beast, a Leviathan, in order to restructure the world to his designs. I was in the middle of a tag duel with him before I arrived here... [This part hurts the most to recount but look how he spins it] .. or more accurately, because my partner was unwilling to do what was necessary I lost that duel- and fell unconscious. He better.... not have screwed up after that point or I'll kill him myself.. [Not being serious. Despite the criticism, Kaiba actually thought highly of Yugi, he placed his trust in that spiky-haired brat to win this...]

[Apparently, he could add negligent parents into the mix. Great] People often have selective hearing and vision. They see what they want and not what they don't.. [Pot calling kettle in some regards. That last part garners another dark chuckle.] Good. Serves him right, losing the possession he likely cherished the most.

[The laughter seemed to suit her better than the tears did......ok, so he'd just file that thought away and bury it] Wouldn't you know, even the cognitive world has a caste system. [Or a socio-economic one, in a sense] So Mementos is more like the slum... [Perhaps undervaluing the fact that it wasn't a good thing to have one's own palace. That just meant you were more messed up. Also, no. No one needs those funny bunnies running around free]

Your teammates are male. [Blurting it out before he could stop himself, then realizing how it might come across. Sheepishly, he averted his gaze] I hope I won't have the opportunity to test that myself. [ Ie. Don't use it on him]

... [Kaiba looked back at her, giving her a hard stare. Why offer to do something like that for someone out of no where. Ugh, she was feeling pity for him still- wasn't she?] Do we have to discuss it....... I mean that. Literally. [Not that he wanted to] Whatever is causing this, seems to lessen the more details are resolved by the person the memories belong to.

[menaretrash]

I know, but still. I'm sorry about that... can we start over? [ If there's anything good to come out of whatever the hell this is, this is it. She's just glad he isn't angry. ] I'm glad to hear it. [ She is, too. She hopes he gives this nutcase absolute hell. ] Well... apparently, not enough. [ Man.... come on. Throw her a bone here. ]

There's probably not, no. [ Someone's been screwing with her memories at home, too... not just her, either. All of them. Which is... it's just so strange. ] Wait... actually, that doesn't seem that... strange at all. But you mentioned dueling... like... with swords? [ She blinks, tipping her head to the side. ] Akechi-kun knows how to do that, and I think Ren took it up for a while at home, too... uh. If we're talking about the same kind of dueling, at least. Reviving a Leviathan, though... that sounds really bad. But I take it you don't believe in any of that, right? [ She hums, nodding. ] I'm sure he'll do what needs to be done... if he's anything like you, he will. I know it. [ She... she hopes, at least. Don't be a pussy, Yugi. ]

Yeah... it happens more often than not, unfortunately. [ She sighs, before smiling slightly. Well, he's taking this better than she expected; at least he's not condemning their criminal activity. ] Yeah... the place where we pawn this stuff never questions us, either. Which is really... strange. [ Except it's a seedy little shithole so not... really strange, maybe. ]

Something like that! A target's palace appears different every single time. Kamoshida's was a castle, another's was an entire gallery dedicated to art... another one saw us as mice, so it turned us into mice of all things, at one point. It's just... weird. [ She reaches up to wipe at her eyes one more time; she's not crying anymore, for the most part, but she's done enough of that today between Seto and Ren and her eyes sting. ] Wellll... not... really. Then again, it's not nearly as opulent as some of the palaces we've infiltrated. If we ever get the opportunity and it's safe enough, I'll show you. [ She HOPES... not but also, one never knows here. And if anything to do with the Metaverse appears, it's probably better that people are more prepared for it than... not. The three of them can't just be there all the time, guarding it, after all.

She blinks at him again, feeling her cheeks heat up just a little. ] Oh! Yeah... Skull and Joker. The girls actually outnumber the guys in the Phantom Thieves now, though. Somehow, I feel like the boys are happy about that. [ ...Specifically Ryuji.... ] Don't worry... I don't plan on it. There's only one person here who might get that kind of treatment, and even he's a big 'maybe'.

[ She's not going to say who, of course. She shrugs at that stare he gives her. ] I mean... I think that's how it works, right? Is this the first time this has happened here?

[blue_eyed_obsession]

Do as you please. [Not really seeing the need to. It wasn't like he was going to be that much easier to get along with. Kaiba knows who he is and what he's like]

[With all those similarities the people from her dimension likely thought the void could be an extension of this world of cognition stuff] I forgot- everyone always assumes I mean the variety with weapons. [Huffing at this] No, with duel monsters. [Raising his left arm to show off his duel disk] Cards. [Like the one he flung at that dragon fish] This device is called a duel disk, and when it's functioning it has the capability of projecting the cards as holographic images. The matches can get so intense that a person feels as if they are truly apart of some climatic battle. [But it's not... bloody... REAL. How many times does he have to tell people that in a week?] Not a bit. [With only a moderate level of hesitation.] ... Either way, he needs to win this. [Sounding completely serious]

[The same could be said in the reverse. Considering the types of targets the Phantom thieves took out... they should be on opposing sides.] Not for a pawn shop. [Giving a brief snerk] I'd say just ask Wheeler, but he's not around to hear me insulting him.

So you never quite know what to expect, like entering a dungeon in a video game. [It would make for an interesting video game actually. Filing that away for later] ... Guess we'll see. [Unsure if he was ready to commit the time to such a thing were it possible but not ruling it out.]

Yeah- that I don't doubt. [About the boys. The rest of it is a mess.]

First time I've been exposed to it, so yes. [GREAAAATTTTttt. So, how to go about this.] Maybe we should sit down... [Motioning to the seating area. That being said he remained standing and just moved to the other side of the bar to lean on it from a different angle] I don't quite know what you saw... so I'll run through the basics.. [.. and have done with it] Our parents died when we were young, and we were dumped at an orphanage. Gozaburo Kaiba happened to be doing some charity tax write off function there, and knowing that he was a chess champion I challenged him to a game with the condition that should I win he would adopt both myself and Mokuba.

Clearly I won. [And lost] So surprisingly he kept his word. Then.... what you saw... happened. [Backing off of the part he legit needed to talk about] Any questions?

[menaretrash]

... [ Okay, she can't quite hide the look of disappointment that crosses over her face, but she doesn't comment on it any further, either. He already told her during their first meeting that he wasn't into the whole friendship thing, so... that's that. ]

Duel Monsters. [ Okay, she can roll with that. She glances at the Duel Disk in question, then back at him. That sounds like some #AdvancedTechnology that they don't have at home that she's aware of. They have holographic cartoon pop stars that have entire concerts that sell out, but not... not this. And this? Makes her visibly light up. ] Wow, that sounds amazing! Ah... let me guess, it doesn't work here right now, huh? I'd love to see that in action. [ Oh. So, this dude isn't anything like Seto... well. That probably... it'll probably be fine. ] Well, have faith. I'm sure he'll pull through!

[ That's... not a lie. Seto is 100% someone that they'd probably look into targeting... if he were an actual threat. He might be a jerky CEO, but from what she can see and understand right now, he's not a bad person. ] Yeah, I'm learning a lot about those places. They're pretty shady... not places that I frequent if I can help it. [ Because she may not look it or... even act like it, but she comes from money, too, thanks to her parents. She just sort of... tends to downplay that. ] ...Not someone you want to be around, I take it?

Something like that, yeah! You can go in to Mementos one way, and turn around and it's all different. It's huge... I don't think that we'll ever actually see just how deep it really goes, honestly. Palaces at least seem to stay relatively the same once you're in them, there always is an entrance and an exit. [ She's not a huge gamer or anything, but... yeah, the comparison is pretty legit. She'd be glad if he stayed away from it, though... one less person to worry about. ]

They're idiots, sometimes... but I'm glad that I have them. Especially the two you saw. [ Giving out names? Hell no. Seto can probably figure out who Joker is, anyways. ]

Okay... [ Except he's not sitting. Eh, whatever. She'll go take a seat at her usual booth, keeping her gaze on him and listening intently. He's not... telling her the whole story, though. She knows this for a fact, considering she'd seen it. ] I'm sorry to hear about your parents... and I'm sorry that your step dad ended up being such a terrible person.

[ She glances off to the side almost nervously, because she doesn't want to piss him off again, but... also, he kinda needs to... you know. Actually talk about it. ] What I saw was terrible, Kaiba-san. Not him... killing himself, but what came before that. You put up with a lot, no child should have to go through what you did...

[blue_eyed_obsession]

[Honestly he doesn't understand the look that took over her features. It really shouldn't have felt like a loss, he hadn't given any indication that he would be a decent companion, at least not in his own mind... and that's how he preferred to keep it. Things could get complicated all too quickly forming ties like that... he was guarding himself.

So what was this modicum of guilt?

Stop looking that way. As slight as the change was it remained with him. Perhaps it was because he'd been able to feel some of her emotions as if they were his own, and the loneliness encapsulated in the background had been on a whole other level of intensity.]

[Forget Miku, Monsters are better] Maybe sometime... you'll get to see it for yourself. [He was beginning to realize that if he wanted any chance of repairing his duel disk then he was going to have to start promoting the idea. If enough people took an interest then it would be more likely to be implemented into this system. Ok- Maybe Yugi shared SOME traits with him. They were both prideful and determined...] Unless he failed and this is the result. [Just saying]

[There would have at least been a few complaints submitted about him to the Phan-site if they all resided in one dimension. Or it would be like.. Alister upvoting multiple times... maybe Zigfried.] Wise decision, but I guess to dispose of the evidence you don't really have a choice. [Cough. If she thinks she doesn't look it then she should consult the mirror a second time.] Not if I can help it. He's a wisecracking delinquent riding on my rival's coattails. [Harsh]

[That sounds just like a video game actually, he's sticking to the assessment. It's not like some games don't also include maps that can randomly change. Then the boss stages usually have the set patterns]

[He does have the suspicions about the male with the poofy hair since he already knows someone that matches that description AND knows Ann]

You don't.... have to keep doing that. [If he was going to proceed then ground rules were being laid] Stop telling me you're sorry, I don't need your pity. [Trying not to lose his temper this time but it was starting to grate on his nerves. Fidgeting a bit, he started to pace until he composed himself, then he stood closer to her booth] It's all in the past... I couldn't care less. [Sure. That's why he'd been so upset] Just... same stipulation applies, tell no one what's been said here...

That narrows it down. [Looking sincerely at her] You saw the whole thing didn't you? The so called accelerated learning program.. [The contempt was a little hard to miss] That was my step father's idea of how to best raise a child- no that isn't the right word, a replacement. [Did she know about Noah? Just how much did he have to go into?!] I can't fully fault the curriculum, it's all served me well, everything from foreign languages, to economics, and business. [Looking smug for a moment, because yes he is incredible and yes he aced those studies... but it's short lived] I suppose I should feel flattered that he realized that potential in me... but I'm sure it comes as no surprise that I don't.

[menaretrash]

[ Sorry, Seto, but she can't help it. She's used to rejection, but for some reason, this one stings just a little bit. Not that she'll make that known, of course. Verbally, at least.

Hey, she... might get behind Monsters being better in time, okay. ] I hope so. That'd be really cool! I'll bet it's really neat to see up close and personal. [ That there's technology like that is just kind of mind boggling, honestly. She stares at him for a second, before waving a hand. ] Don't say that! Have a little faith...

[ Yeah... there definitely would be. At least they do... investigate these things on their own before making a decision. They'd probably find out just who was up voting and find them instead tbh... ] Yeah... it's an easy way to make money for more weapons, anyways. [ She looks down at her nails for a moment -- her manicure is still looking pretty fresh, but it won't for long. Which is a massive disappointment. Eh. ] Yeah? That sounds familiar... are they friends, at least?

But it's not pity... it's just the truth. [ She keeps her eyes on him, tilting her head slightly, before she nods. ] Yeah, of course. I promise... your secret is safe with me.

[ And if she's not good at anything else? Secrets and keeping them is something she specializes in, thanks. So, she folds her hands in her lap neatly and watches him, listening patiently to his story. He might not want sympathy, but she can't help it -- it almost makes her want to cry again, honestly. ]

I did see the whole thing, yeah... a replacement...? [ She blinks, brows furrowing. What does THAT mean? ] It may have served you well, yeah, but... it shouldn't have been like that. It was wrong. [ He may be way ahead of the game, yeah, but that was a HUGE price to pay. ] No, I don't blame you. I wouldn't, either. I'm just glad that he's out of your life. Do you... ever regret that, though? Challenging him to that chess game, I mean. [ She leans back in her seat, looking down at her hands. ] You are the whole package, though. You're smart, talented, handsome... even if you hadn't done that, I think you'd have been extremely successful regardless.

[blue_eyed_obsession]

[Perhaps because they had reached a point where there could be some real understanding between them if he wasn't being resistant

It's a start, he'll take it] My imaging technology is flawless, I'm sure you would be impressed. [Can you pat yourself on the back any harder?] I've already used these same sort of peripherals to project an entirely different environment so I'm sure you can understand the implications of just how much farther it can be taken. [Ok, maybe he can] I need information, not something intangible like faith.

[It would be a race to see who got to take them out first, the duelists or the Phantom thieves. If it was the thieves the sharp decline in opposition would be jarring] ... If combat takes place in the cognitive world, where are you buying weapons? [Baffled by that concept. Did someone dream up a weapons shop too? Though it hadn't been on the forefront of his mind, not having access to salons of any kind could lead to a sloppier looking set of refugees. Eventually people are going to need/want haircuts, etc.] They profess as much... [who cares]

... [Kaiba wanted to add something to drive the point home but refrained. The claim was made that it wasn't pity, but that didn't change how it felt]

[Had she been moved to tears again, he would have no idea how to deal with it. Before he could fool himself into thinking something else entirely had triggered it... and it would have been half right, but now the focus was clearly on his past]

Gozaburo needed an heir. [From what she said, he didn't think she knew about Noah, but why not? Give her another reason to despise the man, it was his skeleton not Seto's.] He... had one in his biological son, Noah. [He was diverting away from himself.. again] I didn't know about him at the time for one simple reason. He'd nearly died in a car accident- in fact his body wasn't salvageable. His consciousness was uploaded to a computer system. After a while Gozaburo completely abandoned that son and focused on me. [Suck it Noah]

... [It might have been wrong, but he didn't openly agree with her conclusion.] I don't have time for regrets, I really don't see the point in fixating on it. It's the future that matters to me. [There was so much that he wasn't saying. Of course he had some regrets but admitting them would be like proclaiming he was weak. That's the last word he wanted to associate with. There was a quiet moment shared between them that occurred naturally in any conversation...

.. what she came up with next surprised him, and he wished he had been sitting so he wouldn't have shown it quite so visibly. A small jolt, followed by looking aside after a slight darkening of his pale skin near his cheeks. It didn't happen often but it was a rare flash of embarrassment. Smart and talented he could have handled...After a little cough] Yes, well... but would I have had the discipline and the dedication? [Get it together... Taking a deep breath, he continued] The hours were long, and the assignments were never-ending... and yes. the ... punishments took multiple forms. I paid him back in full for the program, and that should fulfill the conditions of... whatever this is. [So he hoped]

[menaretrash]

Wait... you designed it? [ That's... actually really impressive. Wait... it's a little fuzzy, but that memory of his had shown him developing something for a video game at a very young age. And then getting berated among other things for it, too. ] Wow... you really are a genius, aren't you? [ Well... a genius about some things, at least. Mostly, she thinks he's stubborn, but, credit is due and thus, he will get it. ] Mmm... well, then I guess I'll just keep the faith for you, then.

[ Okay, to be fair, that'd be both hilarious and impressive. His world would have less and less weird threats in it between the duelists and the phantom thieves, at least... ] Oh. Well, the same shop... sells us weapons, too. Except... so, if your enemy in the cognitive world believes your weapon is real, it becomes real. We are literally buying toy weapons in the real world, dragging them with us to the Metaverse, and then using them as real weapons there. Which is great, because it means that ammo is unlimited. Which is great, because we've gotten ambushed on more than one occasion. [ Yeah, salons would be fabulous. Except even if they had even one salon... not a single soul here probably knows how to cut hair. Which... is a shame. ] Eh... well, at least they have each other, right?

[ As Ann continues listening, her face visibly falls because wow, this guy just keeps getting worse and worse. Abandoning his flesh and blood son who clearly needed him is shit, abusing Seto was shit... this guy really stooped to the lowest of the low, and for what? ] That's all so horrible... what... happened to Noah? How did you find out about him?

[ Because, something tells her that ended REAL BADLY. Just a little. His words, though... she can get behind those, mostly. She wishes she could be more like him in that aspect, to be able to push forward without regrets for the past, but she's not that strong. ] I understand that... yeah, you're absolutely right. The future is what matters.

[ His reaction, though small, is sort of adorable, but she knows better than to giggle or tease him about it. Not just because of this serious conversation, but because she doesn't want to piss him off again. They've hit some sort of plateau of understanding here, and she'd like to keep it. ] You were a driven person even back then... I think you'd have it, yeah. I think you'd have been really successful, no matter what. You seem very focused on what you want, so... it may not have been the same, but I think you'd have done very well for yourself regardless. Even still... [ She has to stop herself from saying I'm sorry that happened to you again, because she doesn't want him to get upset... again. ] ...I'm glad that you made it, and I'm glad that you at least got something out of the whole ordeal. I'm also glad that he's not in your life anymore. Er... yeah, it should, I think.

[blue_eyed_obsession]

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]

[menaretrash]

Wow, that's amazing! [ She really is as impressed as she sounds, too. At least there's that. ] ...Nerd herd is cute, so I'll take that as a compliment instead of the insult I think you meant it as.

[ Almost... a perfect world! Except that would get boring, and also, there's no such thing as a perfect anything. Perfection is just an illusion. ] You've got a good point, but we haven't run into that complication just yet. And we've faced off against quite a few strong willed people. [ Shido, for one. ] Nothing would surprise me, though... maybe we just haven't met our match yet. [ ...They have, sort of. She just doesn't know that yet. ] Eh, I could say the same for Shiho. But she stuck with me, too... so... [ ...And look at where that got her. She glances off to the side with a small wince, before shrugging. ]

That sounds awful... wait, why would he try to destroy you? [ That has her looking back at him, brows drawn together in concern. ] ...Was he jealous or something? [ Because that's the only thing she can think of. She shifts a little bit again, as another question suddenly hits her: ] If he was trapped inside a program, how did he even know about your existence? Was he able to keep tabs on you through your own systems, then?

No, it can't. You're right. [ Again. ] Yeah... it feels like it. [ She stares at him, tiredly, as he gives her his little 'encouraging' pep talk. Okay, he's not the best at this, but it seems real enough, so, she just sort of offers him a tiny smile that isn't nearly as genuine, but it's good enough. Fake it 'til you make it, right? ] Temporarily or not, at least they're not here, right? [ Looking down, her shoulders finally drop; she's tired, and mostly, she just wants to go curl up and hide for a little while now. ] Yeah, you stay strong, too.

[ She pushes herself up to her feet finally, feeling drained, and she keeps her gaze firmly on the floor. ] ...Take care of yourself, Kaiba-san.

General wrap up /o/

[blue_eyed_obsession]

[The adulation doesn't sound disingenuous to his ears, so he's pleased by it. I mean- not that he needs her approval but it's still nice to be acknowledged for one's accomplishments.] It's really not. [Cute that is] There are times I think you just enjoy being contradictory. [Not that there's much he can say on that subject... since .. well... he engages in a fair amount of that himself]

[It would, and perfection is. Although later Kaiba hopes to create his own sort of perfection down the line through virtual technologies.] Heh- lucky for you. [Luck might have little to do with it. Since these encounters happened in the cognitive reality, a person's subconscious might be more susceptible to the ruse.] Better not think too hard on it or you'll give someone else the idea. [If it's anything like the void, and it's shaping up to be similar] ... [The part that verged on the cusp of self-pity and guilt was the most uncomfortable to listen to.] That had less to do with either of you and more to do with the situation that was foisted upon you by a negligent school board.

What else? Jealousy. I'd become everything he thought he was intended to be. [The favored son, given the keys to Kaiba corp. She'd nailed it in one guess] Apparently. [A sobering thought, really. Despite having his mainframe located out in the middle of no where in the middle of the ocean, Noah had been able to keep tabs on Seto's activities to some degree, though how much of that came from Gozaburo's knowledge and how much of it came through more technological channels it was hard to say. If a connection to his systems did exist, there could still be copies running around..] .. Although there are some alternate methods. Gozaburo's consciousness was there within Noah's virtual world by this point, so he could have filled the brat in on some details. That and this system had the ability to peer into others memories that were hooked up to it via the virtual pods. Noah could have used that to update himself instantaneously.

[Relieved that story time is over, he's ready to part ways and get in some self reflection for himself. It was the best pep talk you every received. You can admit it Ann... and then get struck by lightning months before it's inclusion] ... [For now, they weren't here..] Mm. [Said with a little nod]

I will. [You as well, Takamaki]