PUNKTOBER PLOT: Memory Lane (forward dated, OPEN)

[pillz]

WHO: Ensemble Production (open to all characters)
WHERE: Downtown Maurtia Falls, an alleyway
WHEN: Approximately October 15-31 (forward dated)
WHAT: Memory share plot. Expanded OOC information post, including timeline, is here along with a fairly extensive Questions thread. Feel free to continue asking questions on either post.
WARNINGS: Potential triggers for trauma, mental manipulation, disturbing mental health themes, etc. Please mark your subject headers appropriately.



[October 15-31 (General Starter)]

[it's a downtown alleyway like any other. concrete on the ground and a couple of permit-only parking spots, dumpsters along the sides, more full behind restaurants and emptier at the boutiques and dedicated apartment buildings. fire escapes zig-zag up the brick walls up to barred windows. in the daytime, you have sour smells and sunshine and swearing sounds from the kitchens; at night, sour smells and a higher proportion of knife-wielding lunatics trying to get your wallet.

it's like any other, right up until the first echo of memories past begins to play. was it a gunshot? the rhythm of ocean waves? a familiar voice? whatever it was that happened before, it's suddenly happening all over again. it floods the alleyway with sight and sound, maurtia falls vanishing from sight.]

[Trauma Night: October 25]

[the air over maurtia falls is dark and heavy. that's not magic, just pollution and a recent wash of rain. the kind of ambience that that you don't enjoy so much as you get swallowed by it like a boa constrictor. the alleyway is more foreboding than usual.

by now, you've probably heard the rumors. a thief who turned himself in sobbing, after he saw an apparition of an old victim. old men and women who've come with candles to commemorate their lost beloved, children who run screaming about ghosts. maybe that's why you're here-- to investigate or out of morbid curiosity. to see what the narrow lane might hold for you. perhaps you're even here to end it.

but then the music from a distant concert starts to strain through the air. heavy, angry beats, a young woman's voice reverberating through the walls. and the scuttle of emotion down your spine isn't like the rumors-- it's rage and grief and blazing hope.

when the memories begin, the rush of thought and feeling might not even be your own.]

Comments

One

[timecapture]

[Max watches the scene unfold before her in horror, knowing it's a memory and still desperately wishing she could do something about it. She gives Axel a look of fearful disgust, unable to comprehend why there's a kid caught in the middle like this.

Like she's that much older.

When it's over, she carefully steps near to Naminé, gently placing a hand on her shoulder.]

It's over, now.

[She doesn't know what else to say.]

[redigere]

[She turns and gives Max a wane smile. Despite the horrific scene she'd had to re-experience, she's not too shaken, only a little resigned.]

Thank you, Max.

Don't be too mad at Axel. He was doing it for someone precious to him.

[timecapture]

Yeah, and that totally excuses him being a complete asshole and hurting a kid.

[Axel is the redhead, she gathers - but it doesn't matter. She can't imagine anything justifying what he's doing.]

[redigere]

[Max's righteous anger leaves Naminé speechless. After a moment she reaches out and gives Max a tight hug.]

He didn't actually hurt me. But thank you. For caring.

[timecapture]

[Max hugs Naminé back, giving her a small squeeze.]

Good. Are you okay?

[redigere]

[Naminé breathes out, the tension leaving her slowly.]

Yes. I'm fine. It's strange. It feels like such a long time ago, even though it was only a year ago. I've changed so much since then.

[timecapture]

I believe you. People change all the time. I'm not the same person I was a year ago.

And I don't really know you yet, but you seem like a strong person.

[redigere]

I don't really think so...but I want to be, because people like you think I am.

[timecapture]

I think you're stronger than you think you are, Naminé.

[People didn't think Kate had been strong, either.]

[redigere]

I wonder.

It's hard to think of myself like that, but I want to try. I just...don't know where to start.

[How does anyone gain self-confidence?]

[timecapture]

I know the feeling. It took a lot for me to start believing in myself, too.

But that's what friends are for, right?

[redigere]

[Is it? She wouldn't know. But she doesn't want to say something as depressing as that.]

If it is, then I hope I can surround myself with a lot of friends.

[timecapture]

Well, you've got me.

[redigere]

Thank you. And you've got me too, if you ever need me.

[timecapture]

Thanks.

[A pause, and then...]

Hey. Wanna get out of here? Are you hungry?

[redigere]

Yes. Please.

[She shoots a look down the alleyway.]

I wanted to try and figure out what was going on, but...I think I should stay away, for now.

[timecapture]

Let's go, then.

[With that, she begins to lead Naminé out, walking quickly in order to get away from that place.]