personavelvetroomdr | [EVENT] Memory Tapes

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[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!]

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I cannot speak for Ren, but I would rather see my memory with my own eyes than leave it in the hands of another.

I'll also speak with Ren on the matter, but I can confirm that I am of the mind to speak with you.

It's not pleasant, he thinks... but it's a necessity. He wants that memory, whatever it may be, and some part of him squirms and twists into knots at the idea of Maruki having it.

[He wonders how much of Dove's reason of wanting to even speak to him was his powers of Actualization But he will take what he can get.]

Alright. I understand that and if by any instance Amamiya-kun doesn't wish to speak with me, I would like to know them through you. I know. Its a big favour to ask. But yes- please let me know and message me whenever you can well...give me an answer.

We've discussed it, and we've decided to speak with you together on this.

More like Ren refused to let him see Maruki alone.

Would you be able to meet with us at Leblanc? Ren is still very prone to bouts of heavy drowsiness, and we believe it would be best he doesn't need to walk far for what will be an important discussion.

Heavy drowsiness, you say?

[Maruki's expression grows tight as he even considers simply ignoring the whole concept of reconcilation and just drop the tape at Leblanc with a note.

A few minutes later, another message comes in.]

I wouldn't want to push Amamiya-san's fragile mental state either. I am alright with meeting at Leblanc. If there is some third-party involved then I will be taking my chances.

I'll make certain we have privacy, even if it requires pulling aside anyone at the counter to ask for such.

In any case, we'll meet with you soon, then.

Alright. See you soon.

His gaze hovers over the screen, watching those words fleeting over through the network as he winced to himself and wondered just how different things would have been if he knew how to contact others before this.

If he didn't simply just rush head first into everything, considered his chances a little more and maybe if he had been a bit more calculative.

Like that Maruki was...in their tape.

He had a vision. A dream. He was driven by them, motivated by them, fuelled in each step as he adjusted his glasses with the lenses growing foggier by the minute. That Maruki helped them, didn't he?

So why did it happen like that?

He was always lenient on others who never wanted to make a decision. He understood that because sometimes, making a choice on the fly, wasn't easy. Maruki was never the type to be indecisive really, he made peace with his choices- even if they were all too easy or a blatant shortcut. They were his.

And now.

Now he doesn't know what the hell he's even supposed to do in this situation.

Maruki grits his teeth, phone left on his lap as he curled up on himself, wanting to simply tell himself that no, it wasn't him! He's not responsible for this-! but he did make the decision of helping people in anyway he can.

And he would have helped his own Akira-kun if he suffered from a relentless life. Which he did. He found it admirable even when that boy pushed through and spear headed against the system that wronged him. His spark and his knowledge of pushing against all possibilities. To make the impossible possible

He would've...

He would've...

Maruki finds his bearings nearly collapsing as he finds himself before Leblanc again.

He can't help but be reminscent of the fact that this was the place that started all of this in a way. The existence of Mementos, the possibility of reaching all of mankind's heart and reaping out the sorrow nestled in their hearts.

He...accomplished that, didn't he?

I am here.

He sighs, pushing open the door, preparing himself for the worst.

Dove is sitting across from his Ren at one of the booths in Leblanc. They both sit quietly, not quite managing to speak up as they wait for Maruki.

As Dove sits, he stares blankly at his phone. Time feels as though it moves so slowly, and even though they both discussed this thoroughly, he doesn't really know how he feels about what's about to happen.

His eyes slowly lift up slightly to look at Ren's, and Ren seems to be staring somewhat blankly at the table.

Dove tries to open his mouth to say something, anything, to make certain they're both ready for this. There's still time, he can still tell Maruki to just leave the tapes at the door or something, but his voice won't leave his throat.

...Perhaps they're stuck waiting. Waiting for something neither of them are prepared for. What has Dove gotten Ren sucked into? He doesn't want Ren getting hurt any further... He couldn't bear the thought of anything happening to him.

He gulps, doing his best to steel himself...

That's when his phone vibrates, snapping Dove back to reality, and making him switch his attention to his new message.

Maruki is here...

But even before he walks in, Dove can hear Ren from across the table. Reluctant in tone, but clearly aware of the gravity of the situation. The necessity of it all.

"...He's here, isn't he."

And all Dove can do, is nod.

As Dove and his Ren sit in one of the booths, waiting for the inevitable march of boots clambering down like a war promised to be inflicted down upon them- Maruki steps into the cafe.

Taking in the distinct smell of coffee, paired with the warmth the place brings over the otherwise cold December. He's barely made his way in as he stalls before taking deep breaths as he looks ahead and for a moment-

His face vehemently runs into cob webs.

"Wha-" Maruki's eyes widen- waving his hand off as the white...string that he swore his face touched has extinguised into nothingness. His insides squirm as his gaze darts around for a moment before he brings up a closed fist and coughs into it- as if trying to bridge himself into something more orderly. "I mean- uh sorry about that."

Cobwebs.

That was definitely Azathoth's doing.

He looks around for a moment, carefully accessing any eavesdroppers in the distance. When he finds none, he offers them a placid smile. And that Ren. "Is there any time for pleasantries still or...would you like your tapes first?"

He brings out his small work bag he interchangeably used for his time in college as well- patting on it as if to let them know their tapes were safe and sound. Ever the considerate doctor as well, wanting to give them their tapes when they wished for it in the way they pleased.

Dove is the first to respond, trying his best to seem like he's completely calm and ready... but he still seems just the slightest bit frazzled.

"Ah, welcome, Dr. Maruki. I'm glad you could make it."

He smiles, being courteous as he looks at Maruki from his spot at the booth.

"I personally wouldn't mind, but I would defer to Ren on the matter. Ren...?"

Ren's eyes have been downcast the whole time. It's a bit hard to tell if he's been paying attention at all this whole time, or if he's been in a daze.

It doesn't help that he stays silent for a palpable several seconds before raising his head silently, and slowly shaking his head to Dove.

"...I don't mind either way."

A noncommittal answer, one that Dove seems to recognize as his smile visibly weakens in response.

Ren then looks over his shoulder slightly at Maruki, but then even more quickly he seems to shy away from it. He can't seem to meet his eyes or face him head on as easily as he wants.

"..."

The weight on his shoulders is almost visible.

Maruki heart clenches at the side of these two. Dove's politeness catches him off-guard a little but he keeps the same courtesy extended to him. His smile remains posed, even if it twitches at the ends.

His gaze does remain longer on that Ren. He looked so tired. So meek. His gaze remained fleeting, shy and just out of touch from reality in a way Maruki wasn't sure how to feel about.
He was nothing like the young man he had shaken hands with in the counselling room.

"Thank you for giving me the chance to speak to both of you," he says- referring to both of them with a quick bow as he makes his way to one of the Leblanc stools and places the bag there. Just as practised. He simply needed to pose as the counsellor from Shujin again, he's sure he could get somewhere with this mess.

Cobwebs.

He unlatches the buckle and finds the two casette tapes carefully tucked in one of those sections. He's labelled them effectively- writing Dove's memory on one and Ren's memory on another.

"I would much rather not make it seem like I am holding your tapes hostage," he says in an unusual round of a coincidence as he places the two tapes and pushes it to their respective owners.

With that, he steps back and takes a seat on one of the stools close to the counter. He knows better than to try and push his luck by sitting next to either Dove or Ren. "...that's all I have. If you two need casette video players, I can manifest them for you right now."

Ren actually focuses on the tape this time. He's... not particularly enthused about the idea of Maruki having seen his memories, but what is there to do about it? It's not as though it can be undone, and his own Maruki has probably seen whatever it is.

There's no escape.

"My memories... You saw them, right?"

It shouldn't be hard to ask Maruki. 'Which memories'? Unfortunately, he has a sickening feeling that he doesn't want to know. He doesn't want to remember.

He turns his eyes away from the tape, struggling to look at it any more.

"..."

'I don't want mine. You can keep it. Please.' It should be easy to say, but the words won't leave his mouth no matter how hard he tries. His stomach twists around at the thought of asserting himself.

So he looks at Dove. Dove, who for some reason or other chooses to stand with the shadow of a shadow that Ren has become. Even after all that has happened, after Dove has become an entirely different person, and thinks of himself as a stranger...

...In an ironic sort of way, Dove's confidence and happiness brings him a sort of peace of mind he can't find for himself anymore.

"No, it's quite all right. At the very least we felt it necessary to speak with you, and... we couldn't leave our memories with you like that. Not with the risks of it."

He looks towards Ren, who looks so uncertain. While they were speaking before, he seems more level, but now...

"...If possible, I would like to view my own memory. I have no clue what the memory in question may be related to, and... I'd like to make certain of whether it's true or not considering my background's... questionable authenticity."

He looks back to Ren though, speaking once again. Gently so.

"...Would that be all right, Ren? If you aren't comfortable, I can view it another time."

There's a quiet pause as Ren seems to linger on it... before quietly nodding his head.

"...Go ahead. You. Need to see it."

"I did," Maruki evenly answers- his heart aching when that Ren can barely make it past the surface to look at his own tape, much less Maruki who had done his part in another world. "Though I am sure I was in no position to watch it."

And so it seemed that the person in charge here had to be Dove so he turned his attention to him. He would want to offer his own consolation, his own guidance but all he was truly left with was a hole in his stomach.

"I would agree with him," he solemnly nods with a brief smile. "The sooner you recieve your tape the easier it will be for you to get comfortable."

"Or I could be kicked out of here just as quickly but the last time we met...that conversation still lingers in my head. I don't believe the events that had happened on your tapes are related to me but considering the date was February 2nd..."

The day he lost everything.

He falls short. Quiet. His mind twists and turns in ways he wished it didn't.

"Nevermind that," A placid smile takes position instead and he snaps his fingers. There's a certain weight on his lap, courtesy of Azathoth storing away important items in its otherwise void-like inventory. Maruki had specifically packed these VHS players for the sake of this interaction. He holds out the small black box with an HDMI cable already attached to one of its ports, leaning away from his seat so that Dove can accept it. "We used to carry these around for school projects until it got replaced with the digital ones. Funny how I just found them lying around in my lab."

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[EVENT] Memory Tapes

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