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

[memorate]

[ If it's something about his mom and "girlfriend" then it's already too personal! Not that it's Aerith's fault, but it does put him immediately on the backfoot. She's seen him appear vulnerable in many of their shared embarrassing moments, but this one... this is something else. ]

I-I don't need help!

[ God, even that sounded uncool and completely embarrassing to have to say. Besides, an older city girl who can keep Cloud in line almost sounds like a description of Aerith, which makes it even more imperative that they don't linger on what his mom said. ]

...It doesn't matter anyway, that was a long time ago.

[ Not that long, but it feels like a different lifetime ago. ]

But... I remember yours, too.

[ Obviously, if one were to assume he's talking about Elmyra. ]

[anciently]

'Course you don't. Who said that you did?

[ She cocks her head playfully, smile blooming somewhat into an amused grin. ]

How long ago? It looked like you were pretty young... [ Plus, if that was Nibelheim-...well, she can guess at the timeline. ]

Oh, yeah? [ Her smile turns to something more inquisitive. ] Well, I sure hope so. You met her a few times, right?

[ Elmyra, that is... ]

[memorate]

[ Cloud thinks he knows how long ago, until Aerith stumps him with her question. There was a life before the Nibelheim incident, and there's a life after it... whatever happened inbetween is still a bit blurry to him. That conversation would have happened when he returned home, but... ]

...It doesn't matter.

[ He repeats, like it's a mantra to himself, as well as a way to get out of answering how long ago it was. ]

Aerith... it wasn't Elmyra. This memory was in your old room.

[ Shinra HQ. ]

[anciently]

[ She's certainly not going to press. After all, Cloud's memories are...a little scattered, at the moment.

Instead, she nods in acknowledgement, careful not to let her smile slip. ]

It was, huh? Well...you've been to that room before, and I told you a little about it. [ For once, she'd been somewhat open with them. ] But...you saw her there, too. I hope it wasn't anything too bad.

[ A lot of bad had happened in that place, after all, though she'd been left behind in the room when most of it took place. When they took Ifalna away. ]

[memorate]

It's bad enough.

[ Nothing too bad... but the vision of them living in a glorified jail cell was enough to make his blood boil. All that suffering, and for what? Someone should have saved them a long time ago.

He looks at her with great intensity, like he wants to storm Shinra HQ all over again, but he notices her smile doesn't quite match his own countenance.

That's right, she's had a long time to come to terms with this history, of course she'd be good at acting like everything is fine. In that moment, Cloud himself manages to reign himself in, and his features appear a little softer this time. ]

... Her name was Claudia. My mom.

[anciently]

[ The whole experience, of course, was bad, and that's putting it lightly. She remembers without too much trouble: her mother being taken away, and being alone, crying, in that little room. Aerith isn't the type to bemoan it all now to Cloud, but the delicate sadness behind her smile is likely clear enough. ]

Claudia. [ Aerith repeats, looking at first a touch surprised, and then - grateful. ] Mine was Ifalna.

[ She isn't 100% sure how much Elmyra had told them, after Aerith had been taken, but...likely not all of the details. It was a difficult time for both of them, after all. ]

I know she'd be proud of you, Cloud. [ The brunette adds, stressing the sentiment, but gently. ] You've done a lot of good for the world. You've really helped a lot of people.

[memorate]

When I left town... I wanted to be a hero.

[ "Like Sephiroth". What a disgusting taste that leaves nowadays. ]

In reality, I joined the organisation that had a hand in destroying my and Tifa's hometown, then I couldn't stop them from taking her second home, too.

[ The Sector 7 incident, of course. In the end, he's not sure how his mother could be proud of him, but it's kind of Aerith to mention it anyway. ]

I didn't think I could change anything, Aerith... until you convinced us that we can. Guess you're doing a lot of good for a flower peddler, too.

[anciently]

Cloud... [ Aerith sighs softly, brows knit with concern as she watches him. ] There are good people in Shinra, too, you know. Like you. People who don't know how bad it really is, or who do know, but have to work at it from the inside. [ beat ] You did everything you could.

[ In the end, they hadn't been able to stop the plate from falling, but...there had been some differences. A lot of lives had been spared that might otherwise... ]

Glad I could help, then. [ She replies, nodding firmly. ] Selling flowers might be my day job, but by night, I'm...fighting for the people, and for the Planet. In my own way.

[ Not quite AVALANCHE, but...then, neither is he. ]

We're all just...doing what we can. For as long as we can.

[memorate]

[ "As long as we can"? That sounds strangely ominous, like something inevitable is going to happen or they're running out of time. Cloud wonders if she's referring to his own eventual cellular degradation, but a SOLDIER's average lifespan has always been a top secret.

She's right either way, he'll fight for as long as he can. It's not only for the people, but for her future, too. ]

What about after we save the Planet? Ever thought about what you'd do after that?

[anciently]

After that? [ She smiles her mysterious smile, humming thoughtfully. ] Dunno. Maybe see the world? Open a flower shop somewhere? [ Aerith shrugs lightly, upturning her palms. ] What about you, Cloud? "Where do you see yourself in five years?"

[ That's what they always ask, right? ]

[memorate]

[ He turns silent for a moment, looking away as he thinks about it. Nobody has really asked him that lately, or if ever. A young and naive Cloud would have known the answer, but... perhaps he knows the answer now, too. ]

I'm not that type of planner. I'll just do what I always do, for as long as I can.

[anciently]

What, merc stuff? [ It isn't judgmental: only the lightest bit of teasing, with fondness and...maybe a little exasperation. ] If that's what you want to do... But, there's a whole world out there, you know? Maybe...go and see some of it, while you're taking on jobs?

[ If alternate history is to be believed, then he'll see a lot of Gaia in the next few years. He'll meet a lot of interesting people, too.

That part of things...she hopes still comes true. ]

[memorate]

I'm not from Midgar, you know, I've seen what's out there.

[ Not all of it, of course, but he is (quite mistakenly) convinced that he knows all about the outside world. ]

Anyway, you don't need to worry about me. Looks like we'll both get to see plenty now that we're on a new journey.

[anciently]

Mm-hmm. Well, maybe this way, you'll see even more!

[ Either way, she nods approvingly. ]

Yeah. We will. There's already so much to see in this place, so we're off to a good start!