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!

▲▼▲▼▲▼▲▼▲
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?

back to top

code bases by tricklet

Comments

[rotomphone]

[ Ren might not be giving a reason, but Raihan can make a very educated guess as to why he's here to see him. it's appreciated in any case, and met with a small smile. he can't fault Ren for being worried, of course... but he's hoping that it doesn't morph into some sort of pity. ]

I've had a lot of people do that today. [ he nods his head over his shoulder, inviting. ] C'mon in.

[ it'll be a bit of a squeeze with all three of them, but Duraludon knows how to minimize the space he takes up. there's an office chair for Ren to sit on, scavenged from the beach in perfect condition, while Raihan sits on the edge of his bed. ]

I guess you had the vision, right? About Hammerlocke.

[forethinking]

(He sees the smile and it's a nod in acknowledgment. If anything, Ren is glad to know Raihan had support through it. He mutters a polite 'excuse me' as he makes his way in and towards the chair, where he sits comfortably.

He doesn't mind the lack of space and the thought barely crosses his mind, and instead, he appreciates how Raihan goes straight to the point.)

Not only. I've seen how beautiful it is, too. (Not only doom and gloom is what Ren intended to bring. It was nice that he got such memory in a difficult time - it surely cheered him up and he strongly supposes that it would do the same for him.)

[rotomphone]

[ Duraludon greets Ren with a subtle nod as he settles in, keeping a watchful eye on Raihan. he knows Raihan well enough to understand that his human partner has been going through quite a bit of emotional turmoil, even if he's not showing it to others. having a sense for things like that is part of their bond.

it's not like Raihan to beat around the bush; there's no use in tiptoeing around what's happening. what he isn't expecting, however, is for Ren to expand on what he's seen - he assumed that he'd only seen the images of destruction that seem to be widespread, but the fact that he'd really gotten a memory of the city intact softens the blow of what's been happening. if there's one thing Raihan has wished for since showing up here (besides going home and having his team around, of course), it's for people to see Hammerlocke for what it is. ]

Kind of wish you didn't have to peek into my head for it, but I'm glad you did.

[ he can take it in good humour, considering it's not the first time he's having a conversation like this. Tifa had seen the city as well, and they'd had a good conversation about it. ]

What did you see?

[forethinking]

You had a... Pokémon? (Great explanation, Ren. Keep it up!)

You took it to see the sunrise. It was nice.

(A large part of him felt happy to see Hammerlocke through Raihan eyes, even though there's still the part of him recovering from seeing it in ruins now and the alleged destruction of it. It felt like he understood Raihan a little bit better, seen more of the reason he seemed devastated on their first meeting, mere hours upon materializing into the Void.

To the first comment, Ren doesn't have a reply. He too wishes he didn't, uninvited as it was. The past hours just feel like the largest invasion of privacy in history.)

[rotomphone]

[ the first part of his explanation definitely doesn't help, but when he mentions a sunrise, Raihan's expression lights up. that wasn't actually all that long ago - it was a little before the League season started, when the egg that his Goodra laid had hatched. ]

Oh, that must've been Goomy! Purple and squishy with two horns, right? [ he even mimics the two horns with his fingers behind his head. he misses the little guy... as much as Raihan loves cool-looking Pokémon, he has a soft spot for the cute ones. ] He was just a newborn, so I wanted to get him a look at how cool the outside world could be.

[ it's a great motivator for people and Pokémon alike; he recalls the next day's training session being tough, but productive. the little Goomy was raring to go, motivated by a taste for adventure. ]

That view from the castle walls is one of my favourites. It feels like you can see the ends of the earth!

[forethinking]

(Never change, Raihan. Ren laughs at the impersonation, nodding a few times between the chuckles. That was it!

Ren can't help but to have a sense of admiration for Raihan at the moment. It hasn't been easy for Ren, but he hasn't had the one place he cares about destroyed for all the Void to see and still be here, excited as always to talk about how it is back at home.)

You all make me wish I could visit. (From dragons that save sailors to cities to the incredible technology and mesmerizing places, it seems like quite the adventure.)

[rotomphone]

[ it's not in Raihan's blood to dwell on negativity - he more or less has a personal code of "good vibes only", even when things look rough. sure, he'll let that go once he's the only one in the room, but there's no use in getting everyone else bummed out! you just have to keep moving forward somehow - in this instance, it's making sure people know that Hammerlocke isn't dead as long as he's around. ]

If we come out of this with the power to cross universes, make sure you come to Galar first! Blue's gonna tell you that Kanto is where it's at, but don't listen to him.

[ not that Kanto isn't nice, but does it have a Wild Area? IT DOES NOT. ]

You know, I've got a memory that doesn't belong to me, either. Not sure if it's yours, but are you willing to hear it out?

[forethinking]

(Ren gets it, he prefers looking forward than backward as well.

He can briefly remember the conversation he has had with Raihan at the bar, something about them being from different parts of the world, even if he doesn't remember Galar perse - Kanto was easy enough due to familiarity. That party was a Pokéworld class through and through. Good party!

He laughs, but probably he'd be one of those who'd like to check out the entire world in a journey.)

Of course. Tell me.

[rotomphone]

[ he's yet to know the similarities in name and culture between the two Kanto regions, but it's certainly something that he'd be willing to discuss. maybe Galar has similarities to somewhere in their world... but he'll maintain that Ren's world is automatically lacking without Pokémon. that just goes without saying. ]

Stick with me, alright? It's bloody weird. [ he sighs, picturing the memory as he struggles to word it in a way that doesn't sound insane. ] There were a couple of kids that looked about your age, on a beach. One of them was wearing a white hoodie, and holding these two... things? I guess they were animals, buy yeah - I think one of the girls called them "lobsters". Then he started playing keep-away when she wanted to hold 'em.

[ he honestly has no idea if that makes sense or not. ]

[forethinking]

(The moment Raihan says "beach", Ren checks a mental box. "White hoodie", another box. It is only when he says lobster that Ren's eyes goggle a little, simply because after all the headache this memory chaos has given him, Raihan had got the lobsters. Not something traumatizing, sad, or even what he had expected when he heard Raihan call it weird - not Monabus...

The initial confusion soon turned into a series of deep chuckles, a hand hiding the smile before he shakes his head.)

Tiny girl, orange hair, glasses? (Not that he felt the need to confirm it, but still.)

That would be mine, yes.

[rotomphone]

[ the fact that Ren is laughing and not taking the memory seriously is something of a relief (because it was so ridiculous to begin with); he nods at the younger man's question, letting out an unsure chuckle with a bemused raise of his eyebrow. ]

You've got a odd batch of friends. [ but strange as it was, it looked fun, too. ] Is that sort of thing normal for you lot?

[forethinking]

Yusuke being like that? Yeah.

(And he uses the back of his hand to wipe off a tear that escaped with all his laughing.)

That's really their dynamics.