[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]

It's just a shame that it's so common. You all deserve so much better.

[But then, given his own circumstances...]

Then again, I suppose I'm living proof that an adoptive or chosen family can be just as real and meaningful, if not more so.

[vampirethief]

[Ren makes a small smile at that.]

Thanks. Honestly I'm pretty over it by now, and regardless of how they will act when I get back home, I already have a plan to get out. Hell if they decide to lock me out and disown me anyway when I'm back in my home town, I have my friends to help me out.

[Sure it might mean either he can't finish school or has to delay going back to school, at least he has Sae to help him legal wise, as well as other adult confidants.]

Exactly. Real family isn't sharing blood, but by being there and caring for each other through even the toughest of times.

[fogboundcrow]

[Raven nods in understanding, his expression calm, if a tad somber.]

It took a lot of work for me to understand that. When you spend so long in hostile environments, never knowing if you'll be safe, it grows difficult to trust. Kindness becomes disorienting.

[vampirethief]

[Ren makes his own nod.]

Trust is not easy to have, especially after getting burned time and time again from others. After your sperm donor got me arrested, I got to see who was truly on my side, and I made a family of my own during my time in Tokyo.

[Even if it meant becoming a vampire to do so.]

I have no idea what I want to do with my undead life after high school. I know I'll have to eventually change my identity once people start to notice I'm not aging, though I do have a list prepared for names to switch to. Which will likely last me at least a century or so.

[He does have the list on hand if Raven wants to see it.]

[fogboundcrow]

Are any of the other Phantom Thieves in a similar boat? It would be a shame if you were the sole immortal in the group.

[He can't even fathom it, what it'd mean to outlive so many loved ones. It's a daunting prospect, certainly.]

[vampirethief]

Ryuji and Sumire are. Ryuji's a zombie. He died and came back as one in Kamoshida's palace. Much like I died and came back as a vampire.

Sumire is also a vampire though she didn't go through the actual dying process because she awakened to her persona while still actualized, and still believing she was Kasumi. In hindsight, her awakening should have been a red flag because instead of the usual blood and screaming of our persona awakenings, she basically had a magical girl transformation if it was Halloween themed.

[It was sure something. Even seeing a moment of her covering her ears briefly before they became pointy, then covering her mouth briefly before moving them to reveal fangs (and doing so in a way that implying blowing a kiss).]

Morgana is a nekomata and Yusuke's a kitsune, and I'm not sure how long either live for, but Morgana did mention that kitsunes live for centuries and Yusuke will gain more tails as time goes on. He only has two fox tails at the moment.

The other girls... Well I'm not sure how long werewolves, werecats, satyrs, and plant nymphs live for, but they are mortal. I think Morgana said that were-creatures do have a slightly longer lifespan than humans.

[So yeah, Ren is dreading when most of the girls will eventually pass away. At least he'll still have his boyfriend, the guys, and Sumire.]

[fogboundcrow]

Rather cruel, that there are all these discrepancies. It sounds like it will make navigating the world quite tricky, going forward, especially for those who no longer visibly age.

[It's beyond his comprehension, outside of the ream of fiction, but that makes it no less tragic.

So different from losing a parent from age. That's to be expected, if anything.]

[vampirethief]

Yeah. I know Sumire still wants to make her and her sister's dream with gymnastics come true, but I'm not sure if she'll even be able to. I hope she manages to before her lack of aging causes too many problems.

[It is quite different. Ren already knows he'll have to leave all his human confidants behind, which will suck but it's life.]

[fogboundcrow]

In some respects, it may actually prove advantageous, if only for a time. After all, the retirement age for gymnasts is rather young.

[At least, based on what he understands.

An unaging body would certainly buy her more time, at least until people start to grow suspicious.]

[vampirethief]

Oh really? I had no idea. I guess it has some in common with the idol industry.

[True, she doesn't have to worry about getting old, and aches in joints. Ren's pretty sure he might be able to buy some time before people start to notice him not aging either.]