Velvet Room Mods (![[personal profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/user.png)
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personavelvetroomdr2024-11-21 04:38 pm
vrdr_mods) wrote in personavelvetroomdr2024-11-21 04:38 pm
Entry tags:
[EVENT] Memory Tapes
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!]
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!]
no subject
He clutched the tape in his pocket as though it were his lifeline, the edges digging into his palm through the hoodie. His breath was shallow. The cheerful hum of the nearby department store—Junes, the sign read—felt almost oppressive. It was a sharp contrast to the suffocating quiet of his lab or the cold streets of Odaiba. The flickering fluorescent lights, the upbeat jingles drifting out the door, the faint laughter of families shopping together—it all made him dizzy. Was this place real? Was he real?
No. Focus. He was here for a reason. Mockingbird.
He adjusted the hood over his head, half out of habit, half to keep anyone from looking too closely at his face. The scarring, hidden under the mask, still burned faintly. The green-black veins felt like they were creeping further with each passing second, even if he knew that wasn’t possible. The tape in his pocket grew heavier, as if it might sink him to the floor.
Maruki pushed through the automatic doors of Junes, greeted immediately by a cheery jingle: "Every day’s great at your Junes!" He winced.
It was overwhelming. The aisles were stuffed with an impossible array of products—rows of glossy plastic toys, shelves of canned goods, racks of cheap electronics. The cognitive store had everything, apparently. Too much of everything. He staggered past a display of promotional keychains shaped like cartoon vegetables before his eyes landed on a figure near the entrance.
An Akechi, or rather, Mockingbird. The man was standing in front of a rack of novelty items, holding a bobblehead of himself. The exaggerated likeness—complete with an impossibly smug grin—bounced unsteadily in his hand as he stared at it with an expression that flickered between amusement and disdain.
Maruki squinted, tilting his head. Is that... really a bobblehead of him?
He wonders if he's...talking to his persona. Like how Maruki usually does when he's out of awareness but- he's sure no persona would attack him like this either so who knows?
Maruki took slow steps forward, clearing his throat just loudly enough to make his presence known. Then, he spoke, his voice raspy and dry:
“Is it a motivational tool, or a stress relief toy? Because if it’s the latter, I’d suggest aiming higher than a window.”
Maruki straightened, just barely holding himself together as his weight leaned imperceptibly against a shelf. Totally because he wasn't going to pass out. He nodded toward the bobblehead.
“I’ve read studies on the cathartic effects of breaking symbolic objects. If you’d like, I can provide a professional opinion.” A wry, tired smile tugged at the edge of his lips, though it didn’t quite reach his eyes.
His grip on the tape in his pocket tightened, the edges biting into his skin. One step at a time. He’d made it this far.
no subject
Mockingbird looked over and-
Good grief he looks rough what the hell?
“You look like shit” he startled before he could stop himself. Oh god Damnit- loki stop laughing at him he was distracted by the stupid bobble head!
He puts it away and quickly turns to face Maruki, setting an apologetic smile on his face.
“My apologies I didn’t mean that, you simply startled me.” He chuckled politely, he really didn’t mean to insult the man who’s got his tape.
Despite less than favorable word about Maruki he’d rather know for himself if this is a man worth his ire,
Because even if every other Maruki is as detestable as he’s heard this could be a unique case, like how there’s Akechi with different circumstances leading to different temperaments.
He’s not optimistic though.
“I will confess, I was considering breaking the thing. I’m sure it’s here because of cognition but that doesn’t mean I enjoy looking at a character of my face. Though, perhaps save the professional opinion for another time”
He shakes his head, and changes the subject,
“Ah but I’m rambling, enough of that, you’re Maruki correct?” And frankly this was not what he was expecting? Did he get into a fight or something before this?
… is that why he needed a couple hours before meeting up?
That… would make a lot of sense.
no subject
“Well, I appreciate your honesty, if nothing else,” he said, his voice as soft and even as ever, though undeniably weighed down by his own exhaustion. “Though, it’s rare to hear that kind of candor from anyone.”
He straightened slightly, though not without effort, and nodded at Akechi-kun’s hasty apology. “No offense taken. You startled me just as much, so let’s call it even.” His hand grazed the shelf beside him for balance, though he tried to make the motion look casual.
Maruki glanced at the bobblehead as the man tucked it away, filing away the Akechi’s confession for later consideration. It was intriguing—not only the admission but the slightly self-conscious way it was delivered. The mixture of amusement and disdain that this Akechi had for his cognitive replica spoke volumes.
When the man addressed him more directly, Maruki’s expression shifted slightly. His gaze sharpened, and he offered a polite, yet apprehensive correction. “Dr. Takuto Maruki,” he said softly, with a faint, professional nod. “Though you can drop the formalities if they feel tedious really. I’ve heard every possible variation of my name at this point.”
He hesitated for a fraction of a second, then slipped a hand into the front pocket of his hoodie, retrieving the tape. The motion was deliberate but gentle, as though handling something delicate.
Which it was to an extent.
The corners of his lips twitched into a small, wistful smile as he extended the tape toward Mockingbird. “Here. I believe this is what you’re after. And before you say anything—” He raised a hand preemptively, his tone kind but firm. “Don’t overthink my state. Let’s just say I’ve had... a long day. I’ll manage.”
There was a subtle precision in his words, as though he could already anticipate any protests or questions. His choice of phrasing carried an almost uncanny accuracy, a hallmark of his skill in reading people—a skill he rarely flaunted but was keenly aware of.
He tilted his head slightly, studying the man before him. “I hope this tape is what you need, though. If it’s not, I’d hate for either of us to have wasted our time.”
He's lying obviously. He knows the tape belongs to him but offering unbiased confidence would be suspicious.
no subject
And if this is the first impression of the man he gets then it sure is… an impression.
Loki keeps commenting that he looks about ready to keel over at any moment, Robin Hood still insists on being vigilant.
He’s no reason to suspect the man has Ill intentions, but letting his guard down isn’t exactly going to help him.
“Well, I can certainly relate to that” he chuckles quietly, “this place certainly doesn’t hold back with its… extricates” good lord it doesn’t. If there’s another event where he’s turned into a dog he’s going to start biting people.
But maruki clearly doesn’t want him to push about his state.
So he doesn’t.
It’s not relevant for now, but if it comes up later… mental notes and all that.
But seeing the tape, his tape, gets his attention.
He eyes it, then glances at maruki, is he claiming he isn’t sure it’s his? And yet he contacted him so he must be certain he got the right akechi.
Robin Hood snaps to attention tread carefully, okay if that’s how how wants to play it… he plants a pleasant, disarming smile before he responds.
“Ah, yes, I hope so as well. With so many Akechi running around it must be hard to figure out who’s tape is who’s isn’t it?” He rests a hand on his chin. “Especially sine you contacted me. So I can’t help but wonder, did you watch it? If not then how could you be sure it was mine?” He levels maruki a more serious look. “I’d rather you’re honesty in this, I’m sure you can understand that having private memories invaded against one’s wishes can be distressing.”
He’s going to give him the opportunity to admit it himself. He’s almost certain Maruki must have looked at it, especially if he’s a therapist who’s incredibly invested in peoples happiness.
Who wouldn’t take the opportunity to snoop when it’s all but handed to you on a silver platter.
Or a magic vhs tape.
no subject
He let out a measured sigh, breaking the silence. “Yes, of course, I’ve watched it,” he admitted without hesitation, though his tone remained soft and polite. “I had to review it thoroughly to ensure I wasn’t handing over a memory to the wrong person. Patient confidentiality is a principle I respect deeply—but verifying ownership in a place like this requires a certain... diligence.”
Maruki’s smile softened, though the faintest edge of weariness flickered at the corners. “It wouldn’t do anyone any good to return such a deeply personal artifact to the wrong person. That would hardly foster any semblance of healthy mental growth, wouldn’t you agree?” He tilted his head slightly, his expression remaining calm but hinting at a quiet exasperation. “If anything, it would create even more drama—like, well... this.”
There was a beat of silence as Maruki regarded Akechi’s carefully disarming smile, the sharp glint of his eyes betraying his guarded demeanor. Maruki’s own smile grew faintly amused, his exhaustion tempering the friendliness in his tone with an almost ironic candor.
“I have to admit,” he began, his voice carrying a trace of dry humor, “there’s something amusing about you asking for honesty from me of all people. I mean, why would I have any reason to lie?"
He placed the tape on the table between them, his gesture deliberate but without any hint of malice. His gaze was steady, kind, and tinged with the weariness of someone who had spent too long trying to fix things he couldn’t fully control.
“Here’s the truth: I watched it, and I know what I saw. But whatever choices you made in that memory are yours to grapple with—not mine to judge. Though I am intrigued by some of the details.” His voice softened further, his sincerity unmistakable. “Take it, Akechi-kun. It’s yours.”
no subject
Though the confirmation that a memory of his has been witnessed sure is… something.
No wonder Kira freaked out, and he doesn’t even have time travel related drama in his memory.
…
Okay well depending on what memory Maruki did watch he might double back on the freak out option.
Keep calm akechi.
Though hearing him possibly hiding a tape, or worse, feeling the need to confront whomever was before him where some sort of fight broke out might be why Maruki looks like such a mess now is… well it certainly means Hannei could have something to look into.
Shelving that for now, Maruki doesn’t look to be here for a fight, perhaps a discussion though.
Ugh, that might be needed, until he can get back to his room and watch the tape himself the only way to know what memory Maruki saw is to ask him.
Please don’t be a bad one, last thing he needs is a potentially nosey therapist breathing down his neck.
He looks at the tape placed on the table, and carefully picks it up.
“Indeed, the actions I’ve taken in the past are my own. I cannot change them, so I have to live with the decisions I’ve made” he replies calmly, the good and the bad, the smart and the foolish. He can tear himself apart all he wants but it won’t bring back the dead.
… Mockingbird is starting to dread what is on this tape.
“Well regardless, thank you for returning this to me. Though I am curious what you saw on the tape. I have an awful lot of memories after all” he chuckles, but he couldn’t completely hide the unease.
A part of him doesn’t want to push this, to just walk away and not tempt an adult with some sort of history to be loathed enough that it’s mentioned on a conspiracy board.
But he’s curious, and frankly if there’s a chance he might start to pester Hannei hed better nip that in the bud.
no subject
At Akechi’s measured words—"Indeed, the actions I’ve taken in the past are my own. I cannot change them, so I have to live with the decisions I’ve made"—Maruki’s expression flickered, sympathy and sorrow crossing his face. He tilted his head slightly, his brows knitting together as though the weight of the statement struck a familiar chord.
"A lot of Akechis say the same thing," he said softly, his tone neither condescending nor pitying, but calm and reflective. "So harsh on yourselves, pushing forward no matter the cost, even when the path isn’t kind to you. It’s... admirable, in a way." His lips curved into a faint, wistful smile, though there was a quiet heaviness in his eyes. "I only wish reality wasn’t so cruel, that it didn’t demand that kind of strength from anyone." He paused, letting the sentiment hang in the air, his expression betraying a fleeting glimpse of regret. "Not everyone has the strength to persevere like that."
Maruki’s gaze lingered on Akechi for a moment longer before he shifted slightly, crossing his arms as his legs trembled faintly beneath him. He exhaled deeply, the motion almost imperceptibly unsteady, before he reached out to pull a chair from the same table where the tape had been placed. He lowered himself into it with a quiet sigh, clearly weary, though he maintained a calm and composed demeanor.
"As I am now," he began, his voice soft but steady, "I have no connection to your world. None of the strings that tie me to its stories or struggles. Whatever I might have seen, I only know it as an observer—someone without the power to intervene." He rested his hands on his knees, leaning forward slightly, as though inviting a more casual atmosphere.
His smile returned, faint but sincere. "We can dispel our curiosities together, if you’re comfortable. There’s no rush, and I have no intention of prying any more than you’d like. It’s your choice."
no subject
“It’s a nice wish, but unfortunately reality isn’t as kind. I’m used to the cruelty, wishing something didn’t happen won’t fix things, and what I’ve been threw is why I am the person I am today. You can wish it didn’t happen but it did, and I wouldn’t take that away” there’s a lot of things hes done he wished he could take back, but life is never so kind.
And going back further, had things been different for his mother…
He doubts he’d recognize the person he’d become if things changed.
“If someone doesn’t have the strength to perceiver then shouldn’t they rely on others for support?” He asks, curious of this line of thinking from maruki. “Of course, there will be those who stubbornly insist to go it alone, but having support certainly helps” it took him a little too long to admit that, even a little. He shakes his head, people are different, Futaba couldn’t have escaped her palace alone, Hannei likely couldn’t rebuild a life for herself alone, and Akechi…
Well, he’d be a lot more tangled than he is if he was totally alone.
But right, the tapes contents. He takes in a breath and evens his expression.
“Right, of course, if you could give me a few details of the memory you saw, I’m sure I’ll piece together what’s on this tape from there. Then I suppose I can elaborate on what I feel comfortable sharing” or maybe justify himself, he doesn’t care much about what this man might think of him, but he’d rather squash any inaccuracies in his head before he gets some reason to pity him, or worse, think of him as a charity case.
Ugh, he’s going to get a headache at this rate.
1/2
Akechi’s words carried a certain resolve, that much was clear. There was no wistful longing in his tone, no lingering on what could have been—only the acceptance of what was. Maruki had heard similar things before, from so many Akechis, but this one…
This one was measured. Thoughtful.
And yet, in his insistence that reality’s cruelty had made him who he was, Maruki could hear something else. Something just beneath the surface.
Before he could let himself linger too long on that, Akechi’s next question struck him.
"If someone doesn’t have the strength to persevere, then shouldn’t they rely on others for support?"
Now that was interesting.
Maruki tilted his head, his gaze taking on a thoughtful glint. “Of course, support can make all the difference,” he mused. His tone was light, inviting, carrying no trace of judgment. “People aren’t meant to endure everything alone, no matter how much they try. It’s admirable, certainly—but even the strongest foundations crack under enough weight.”
He gave a short, almost self-deprecating chuckle. "That's the whole point of my counselling. To prevent that crack. To lift someone up before the ground under their feet shatters and they find themselves falling."
2/2
He let the moment hang, studying Akechi carefully before leaning forward, elbows resting against the table.
“You asked me about the tape,” he said, voice still gentle but carrying an undeniable shift. “But let me ask you something first.”
His fingers tapped idly against his own curled up fist, a casual gesture that belied the intent behind his words.
“If I told you that I’ve pushed my body past its limits—far beyond anything it should have been able to endure—because of an eldritch, god-like Persona whispering into my mind…” His voice trailed off for a beat, then continued, still light but edged with something else. “That it spoke to me in ways I couldn’t even begin to comprehend. That it filled my head with thoughts, memories of past actions I will never be sure I’ve committed.”
His smile remained, but there was something unreadable in his eyes now. “If I told you that every waking moment feels like a headache I can’t rid myself of—this festering, gnawing thing at the edges of my mind…” He exhaled, feigning a kind of casual exasperation, as if he were merely discussing a mild inconvenience rather than something deeply, viscerally wrong.
“…Would you support me?”
He let the question settle between them, tilting his head slightly. “Would you believe me, even? Would you stand by me, knowing that?”
There was no hostility in his voice. No accusation. Only something dangerously close to amusement, as though he were humoring his own words rather than expecting any real answer.