[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

[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.]

[fogboundcrow]

Did you at least find something else to do instead?

[That bathhouse visit seems... important, at least based on what he saw with the, ugh, "Gorbs" and "Rorbs"... Still, not all events are constant or mandatory, or Raven wouldn't be as he is.]

[vampirethief]

We did visit a park one night and there, he did talk about his mom. About her job and how she would send him to the local bathhouse whenever she brought a man home. He did kind of mention Shido, but didn't say his name. Just that he had abandoned them, and how he wanted to make him pay, but it "wasn't possible anymore".

It was a pretty relaxing evening otherwise.

And well, after Maruki messed with reality and brought him back, he stopped bothering to hide himself, and we did end up taking a bath at the bathhouse once.

[It's bittersweet to think about. Now that his Akechi is gone for good this time.]

[fogboundcrow]

Maruki...

[A scowl starts to take form, only to fade. The nature of his abilities must be deeply bittersweet.]

It's nice that you were able to share the moment together. A pity that it couldn't last.

[Presumably, anyway. He has seen that Karasu milling about, but is his fate an outlier?]

[vampirethief]

[Ren can't blame him for that reaction. He knows Maruki's actions can't be defended, yet he can't find it in himself to hate the man.]

He refused to live in a reality where he was being controlled, and would rather be dead free. Even though Maruki said it wasn't his intention, he did use Akechi as a bargaining chip to try to manipulate me into accepting his reality.

[He toys with a lock of hair.] I chose to let him go and restore the old reality. Because as much as I cared for him as a rival, I respected his feelings.

[While a small part of him hoped he was alive somewhere, it's rather unlikely given what happened in Shido's palace.]

[fogboundcrow]

Which explains why Sparrow's Shadow was so infuriated by the mere mention of his Ren...

[Damn it. It's still unfortunate. What an awful choice for anyone to have to make.]

It does make me wonder what it is about Karasu that let him survive. I may have to inquire the next opportunity I get.

[vampirethief]

Yeah I did see on the board of those who decided to accept his deal. Which I guess means I really did make the right choice, though I hadn't had any doubts about it.

[He toys with a lock of his bangs.]

I can't speak for him, but I can say is that saving him was tempting. Very tempting. I couldn't save him in Shido's palace and a part of me was happy to see him alive again. But I knew accepting the deal would be going against Akechi's wishes. I can see how he might have not been able to get past that wish of saving him.

[fogboundcrow]

Given the state of Sparrow's Shadow, I'm sure he would have been infuriated. That's not to say there's anything wrong with Sparrow as he exists now. He's not to blame.

[Raven heaves a little sigh.]

Karasu's just an odd anomaly. Somehow he survived, and if I could find out how, I might be able to help Magpie.

[vampirethief]

Clearly either a miracle or his version of Maruki was lying.

[If only his Maruki was a liar, and his Akechi was alive somewhere, but he's not holding his breath.]

[fogboundcrow]

I suppose it could be both. If Maruki was working off of assumptions, his powers may have reaffirmed those assumptions...

[But ultimately, Raven shrugs.]

But it is what it is. If given the chance to revive the dead at the cost of everyone's free will, I certainly wouldn't take it.

[vampirethief]

So there's a possibility that he could be alive?

[Man he doesn't want to get his hopes up, but a part of him can't help but hope his Akechi is out there somewhere.]

No. Especially when it's all a lie. Even if he was able to somehow make my friends human again while they were under his spell. He even offered to make me human again too if I accepted his reality.

[Which while tempting, he had to refuse.]

[fogboundcrow]

I wouldn't rule it out, though obviously, I don't want to instill false hope.

[It wouldn't be fair, especially when so many other factors could be at play. Still, throwing in humanity adds another wrinkle.

His scowl deepens.]

Even if Maruki had good intentions, it's unfair of him to dangle such things over your heads. Your autonomy matters more.

[vampirethief]

[Ren nods. It's understandable.]

Seriously. That one week he had me wait, just to "see" how my friends "enjoyed" his new reality, sucked. I tried to wake them all up, but they were too deep in. Even Yusuke not only didn't wake up, but it had the side-effect of him forgetting that we're dating.

[Having a then-human Yusuke introduce him to Madarame as his "dear friend" really hurt him. Luckily not only did Yusuke eventually wake up and apologize, but even stay a night to give Ren some much needed comfort.]

I'm just glad they did eventually wake up and came to the palace in time before Akechi and I could get killed. Again.

[He's willing to tell Raven about his death and awakening if asked.]

[fogboundcrow]

There's a Maruki here now, apparently, and I really hope he doesn't try anything that absurd.

[Hrmph. Imagine... Granted, Igor would likely limit his abilities.]

I imagine it would be difficult, forgetting an entire relationship. It's not his fault, but it would still sting.

[vampirethief]

[Well crap. He should have seen that coming.]

Well he'll have an uphill battle trying to have anyone on his side. Other than that one version of Sumire anyway.

[Aka the one that tried to put Pro-Maruki propaganda on the board.]

It did hurt at the time, but once he was back to himself, he did apologize to me and we made up. All of them apologized too.

[fogboundcrow]

That's... apparently the Yoshizawa-san from my world.

[He grumbles.]

Well, Crow's. But still, it's troubling. At the very least, it sounds like Maruki's brainwashing can be undone...

[vampirethief]

Yeah but the question is how. Without a palace, there's nothing to work with. And it would be very difficult to convince him to undo it.

[And given her state, reasoning with her is impossible.]

[fogboundcrow]

Really, it must be difficult for Joker and Crow. They're the ones closest to her, yet there's an undeniable rift due to her... condition.

[Which in turn must isolate her from people who should be familiar and safe.]