[EVENT] Memory Tapes

[vrdr_mods]

On the morning of November 21st, denizens in the Velvet Room will awake to a message on their phones or by their bedsides in an envelope. Perhaps even on their computer screens.

Greetings! If you've received this message, then you've been selected as a participant in a new activity to strengthen bonds within this community.

In order to facilitate connections with your fellow residents, we advise you to watch this video. Watch it and return the tape to its rightful owner. If you lacked the means to watch VHS tapes before, we have provided you with the necessary equipment.

Failure to do so may put your own memories at risk. Do not be selfish, lest you find yourself struggling to recall crucial moments of your life. You have no way of knowing which memories have been shared, so ask yourself if it is worth the risk to selfishly hoard another's secrets.

They will soon find a VHS tape, with a case that gives off a soft, blue glow to symbolize its importance. If they lack a TV or VCR, they will find one in their living space.

What they do is up to them, but they should heed the warning, if they value their own memories.


[For links to characters' memories, please see this post in the OOC comm. Have fun!]

Comments

[vampirethief]

Network
So forcing us to share memories with old VHS tapes huh? It really feels like the Velvet Room is getting really desperate in trying to force bonds. I don't have anything against them mind you, but forcing bonds isn't the way to go.

Hey Raven, I have a tape of yours. Wanna meet up?

Grocery shopping
Ren is out getting some supplies and apparently today isn't his lucky day because there's apparently a large sale on garlic so there's more than usual. Usually he can avoid the garlic section by avoiding that area unless he has to, but there's an unusual amount.

Right now, he's lean a little against his cart and trying not to throw up in the store. Sure it's just cognitions but it's a matter of digity and pride.

Tapes
Contact this Ren or find him to discuss tapes in person.

[herewardbound]

Very annoyingly, in my experience it has a history of working, in the long run. Fosters a deeper level of understanding and empathy and all that shit, plus it unites people in mutual loathing of the one responsible.

Seems like Igor doesn't give a shit if we hate him, only that his plan works.

[vampirethief]

Spite is a powerful motivator, that's true. That said, threatening to take away memories is a little much, even for them.

[It could be a sign that things might turn into literal hell (if one hasn't already thought of this place as one anyway. But Igor isn't the God of Control.]

[herewardbound]

It's probably the least efficient method I've seen for doing this. I can only imagine what the hell his game is. Everything he does just cements the notion that whoever he is- he's not the Igor I'm familiar with back home. I'd never call the old man a chatterbox, but he's much more... open than this one is.

You ask him for an explanation, and sometimes he'll actually give one, if he thinks that information won't 'unduly influence your course' or whatever.

I wish I could say that I trusted this one, but so far... he hasn't done anything to inspire it.

[lifeinit]

I believe I have one of yours. I'm not aware of anyone else who can turn into a bat, in any case.

[vampirethief]

[That didn't take long until one of his was found. Granted, he has changed into a bat countless times, so he's not sure exactly what's in the tape.]

We should meet up, then. Should I head to your place, or do you wanna meet up at mine?

[lifeinit]

I don't have a strong preference.

[vampirethief]

Then I'll head to your place.

[As soon as Ren gets directions, he heads over there and knocks on her door, waiting to get in. Sure he isn't bound by the 'need to be invited in' rule, but it would be still rude to barge in.]

[lifeinit]

[He may recognise the directions, and following them proves true - 'her place'? Haru's house. As such, most of the delay to letting Ren in is Yaeko needing to get to the door in the first place.]

Come in. I've got the tape in here. [She's turned that giant, empty living room into an art studio. Why not?]

[vampirethief]

[Ren was a bit surprised she was living in Haru's house, but then again, there's been copies of familiar places (and apparently you can go to Hawaii because of the trip he and the others went to last year), so is it really that surprising?

He comes inside and is amused at the living room being turned into an art studio.]

I see you've been adding more life to the place. The last time I was in Haru's place, it felt so empty and lifeless for the most part. Her room though had much more life than the majority of the house.

[He was asked to visit her and Haru apologized to him about ignoring Ren and losing herself in Maruki's reality.]

[lifeinit]

Well, neither Noir nor Rose had any use for the place. I think it amuses Rose to unleash a 'mere peasant' on her father's house. [And from what Yaeko's gleaned of the story there, she finds she can't blame Rose at all.

She passes him the tape without further preamble.] I don't believe I've seen that particular Palace yet, but that was an innovative way to scope out security cameras.

[vampirethief]

I can't blame either of them really.

[Ren accepts the tape.] Oh yeah Kaneshiro's was kind of a pain. Place was huge and I really had to pace myself. The lock maze was annoying too as we had to figure out codes to get farthur in. The only saving grace was the safe room was close by. Which definitely helped in the long run.

Also I should mention that I tend to turn into a bat when going through air vents. It's a lot quicker than crawling through. It can also be useful for dodging attacks from shadows sometimes.

[Obviously he can't do it all the time.]

[lifeinit]

Nor can I. [She doesn't fully understand why Rose is choosing to stay in a love hotel, of all places, beyond enjoying the irony - but Yaeko's not going to complain when she benefits.]

That sounds... rather tedious. I can't say I blame you for using whatever shortcuts you have at your disposal.

[vampirethief]

[At least it's by her own choice rather than some teacher making her students stay in one in a class trip, in order to save money.]

It was. My advice if you guys end up in Kaneshiro's palace, make sure to pace yourself, and rest in any safe rooms you can.

[There's an arguement to be made that future palaces were longer (Maruki's was certainly really big), but with Futaba's, it was exhausting for other reasons too. Other than sheer annoyance.]

[lifeinit]

I'll be sure to keep that in mind. [She doesn't yet know how likely her own world's trajectory is to follow anyone else's. Whatever advice she can get is likely worthwhile.]

[fogboundcrow]

[Another one of his tapes? Please, please don't be something embarrassing...]

I believe I have something of yours as well. I suppose that at least makes for an easy exchange.

Though I can only pray that my memory wasn't anything too... revealing.

[vampirethief]

How convenient. Shall I head to your place, or do you wanna come over to my apartment?

I wouldn't say revealing, just that it's nothing to be embarrassed about.

[Not as far as Ren can tell anyway. After all, going 'oh no he's hot' is perfectly normal, and a part of puberty.]

[fogboundcrow]

Whatever's most convenient, really.

[...Nothing to be embarrassed about. Oh dear.]

If it's the memory I think it is, it's not what it looks like!

[vampirethief]

I can head over. I'll even bring some washi tape to make labels. I feel like putting some on them would really helpful, especially if we get to keep the tapes later.

[If this wasn't text, a grin would be seen on Ren's face.]

Hey now, there's nothing wrong with finding another guy hot. I've been there too. Along with 'oh no she's hot' thoughts too.

[Once he gets directions, Ren shows up with both Raven's tape, and a roll of washi tape.]

Hey there.

[fogboundcrow]

[Raven approaches with the corresponding tape and a nod.]

Please make yourself comfortable.

[He gestures at the couch. It'll likely be easier to hash all this out if they sit down.]

[vampirethief]

[Ren was half expecting Akechi to be all blushing and flustered, but maybe he's underestimating him. Or maybe he had time to calm himself down.

He heads over to the couch to sit down. Then he offers Raven's tape to him.]

As I was saying before, there's nothing to be embarrassed about it. Puberty is a confusing time for everyone, and sometimes finding another guy hot happens. Frankly our society sucks at properly explaining LGBT stuff. I had to talk with Lala-san in Shinjuku last year to actually learn what I needed to know.

[fogboundcrow]

Oh, you know Lala-chan?

[Assuming it's the same Lala and not someone else, but it's not exactly a common name in Japan. Either way... hm. That's interesting.]

I was able to figure it out for myself relatively easily, merely by the revulsion I had toward female classmates showing 'interest' in me. I had no qualms spending time with my female friends, but anything remotely indicative of attraction from girls was... off putting.

[vampirethief]

[Ren nods.] I did some part-time work for her. Not to sell booze, but to do cleaning and sometimes talk with the customers.

Oh I see. Sounds like you got an easier time than I did. I was very confused at first, as I was finding myself attracted to both girls and other guys, and for a while, I honestly couldn't tell if I was gay or straight. I eventually figured out that I was kinda both. It wasn't until Lala-san told me the term I was looking for is bisexual.

But anyway, it might seem embarrassing now, but I'm sure in time you'll be able to laugh about it later.

[But enough about that. Might as well ask about what's in his tape.]

So what did you see in my tape?

[fogboundcrow]

Well, I witnessed your encounter with your world's Akechi, right down to his blackmail and the ring you described before.

[He touches his chin, contemplating for a moment.]

It's certainly an impressive device. The ability to so effortlessly blend in, even concealing additional limbs... Though I suppose that most people would have no idea even without the ring.

[vampirethief]

Not to mention making sure his wings don't bump into things. It's true that normal people can't see our true appearance. At least not without having their cognitions changed. His story of needing the bracelet to hide from us, was frankly pretty weak, but I'm not sure what other lie he could have told. Plus we already knew something was up with him during the school trip when he heard Morgana mentioned pancakes. We just didn't know about him being a crow tengu.

[Yes the pancakes thing happened there too.]

It did explain why he would decline going to the bathhouse across from Leblanc. It would have raised a red flag if he wore just that in the bath, and I guess he didn't want to chance it.

[Or at least he likely guessed Ren would found it suspicious given how Ren once pointed out he was left-handed.]