middaeg | [ open ] only a memory

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[ open ] only a memory

Who: Chise + YOU
When: Aereuer 13th
Where: Looking-Glass House
What: Meeeeeemorieeeeeeeees (event catch all!)
Warnings: Attempted child murder, suicide, human auctioning, will update for any future memories that will be added.

For the frame belonging to her, to those who know Chise, has the carving a robin adorning the top. Upon closer inspection they'll notice that the entirety of it has vines with thorns wrapping around the frame, with a pair of what seem to be a pair of dragon claws gripping either side of the mirror.

Dance into the Night

A Beautiful, Dying Dream

Black Market Beginnings

Please Forgive Me:

Viewable only to those she already has CR with

Wildcard:

tantei

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[ The moon hung high in the night sky kept company by the stars that twinkled. A ground of lush green grass basked in the soft pale glow, dotted by beautiful blossoms and buds of flowers that should not have bloomed at such a late hour. The air was crisp with a gentle breeze that sent petals dancing in the air. Glittering particles of light partnered with the blossoms in this peaceful moment in time.

There was a lake within this area, a place shielded from the world by high cliffs and spells. And at the center of the lake was a massive tree. its trunk of twisted wood that wove together, as if to reach the sky itself with its boughs of leaves and white blossoms. Though it could only be seen there was something warm and comforting about it. But that was a different memory all together.

In this one, the Chise of this memory was being pulled along by elves to dance with them along the lake shore. A blond man in white garb was off to the side while a rather large dog sat there, tail thumping against the ground in time with the song that was filling the air. Small fae creatures were out and about, playing their small flutes and instruments, with a chipper selkie keeping time with a drum in their hands.

This was a moment of respite. A reminder that there is still beauty and warmth in this ever changing, often times unforgiving world. ]

[The scenery was absolutely enchanting, exactly as one would've found in children's fairy tales. Diana didn't quite know what to make of it, though she felt grateful for the opportunity to witness it. Fortunately, she was able to avoid being dragged into a dance, and much rather preferred to simply watch the unfolding events.

Ah, Chise, the girl who knew much of magic.

This must've all belonged to her, then.

Diana was content to just looking on. Everyone seemed to be enjoying themselves, and it wasn't as though she could interact much.]

[So what trauma filled memory was Mira going to see? That seemed to be the theme while jumping in between these mirrors and she is expecting some scene of death and destruction. Instead, she's greeted with...a breathtaking view.

A beautiful starry night and there's...joy around her. Creatures out and about and dancing.

It stuns the dark knight as she simply finds a place further away to sit and watch. Pretty pathetic that she assumed all memories she would go in are traumatic but this one? It's nice.]

It's been awhile since I've seen something like this.

[ He stands watching in awe.

A reminder that there is still beauty and warmth in this ever changing, often times unforgiving world. He hasn't had one of those moments since he lost his childhood in the warrens under the graveyard. It bursts over him like a sudden breath of air after he's been suffocating for a very long time.

Dazed, with tears dripping down his face, he drops into a crouch and covers his face with his hands. It's almost like he just can't bear it after so long staring into the dark. ]

[ Words could not do justice for the overwhelming beauty that was unfolding in this memory.

A great dragon with wings outstretched was guiding the girl of this memory through his own. She was standing beside him, her hand pressed flat against his side, absolutely entranced by the scenes he was showing her. Shifting sights of lands he had seen and a sky full of his own kind. There was no ground beneath her feet but there was nothing to fear.

All while the dying dragon was speaking to her, the Chise of now was standing behind herself. Though it was not necessary she too had her hand resting upon the memory of her old friend, a wistful look upon her features. Glancing to her side she smiles at the visitor of her memory, extending her free hand to them. ]

If it becomes too much you can take my hand.

[ Eventually, like all good dreams, this too comes to an end.

Where one memory fades, another weaves itself into the picture. Reality snaps back into place as the visions before gave way to the sight of a lakeshore. Both Chise of this moment and the dragon were there still, though now accompanied by a small crowd of baby dragons with the bone-headed mage and a blonde man in white watching from the side.

The peace was shattered by the cries of alarm from the red-head as sudden thick vines tore through the old dragon's body from within. In moments the vines had expanded and grown to covering the creature, climbing up the sky to weave themselves into a massive tree. And Chise could only stand there and watch this memory play out, arms wrapped around herself, observing as her younger self seemed to struggle with the reality in front of her while the baby dragons were chirping happily. It was heart-wrenching to see.

Despite knowing what she knew now, there was no helping the tears that collected in the corners of her eyes as she watched. A quiet laugh escapes her as she wipes them away. ]

Thank you, Nevin.

Edited 2020-04-14 19:29 (UTC)

[ It was the sight of red hair in the quiet of the room of Mirrors that had first caught her eye, drawing her over to shyly approach the other girl. But the sight of the memory that plays out, brilliant and stunning, in the Mirror's reflection, has her gasping softly and leaning in to peer as the dragon and girl soar through skies. ]

Oh. Oh, it's so beautiful!

[ A dimly lit hall filled with as many cloaked figures as there were an array of creatures and magical beings. Werewolves in chains and muzzles, giant birds with masks and their wings weighed down by sealed blankets; smaller creatures in cages while aquatic beings were kept in giant tube tanks. All of them were there to be examined by the masked guests: merchandise on display for potential buyers.

It was an auction house.

One for magical creatures and items.

In this memory, a Chise younger by only a year is being escorted down this same hall, accompanied by a man in a gray suit with long black hair tied up into a ponytail. She was following him with her head bowed, A white cloth is draped over her like a veil. Bare feet pattered against the floor while the sound of chains clinked with her every step. her hands were cuffed and a metal collar around her neck with a loose chain dangling down to her waist. She showed no signs of attempting to escape either. ]

It feels as if years have past since this day.

[ The Chise of now was following her marginally younger self. Whether she had noticed someone had also ventured into this memory or not was unknown, but she continued to maintain a steady pace as she continued her trip down memory lane.

Eventually the memory would shimmer and shift, the hallway melting into the auction hall. Where the seats were filled with the masked, cloaked figures while she stood alone on the stage under the harsh, bright lights overhead. The voice of the auctioneer declaring tot he crowd what she was and starting the bid were muffled sounds, but the numbers were in the millions.

Meanwhile, her future self was seated on the edge of the stage, legs dangling over the side as she leaned back on her palms. Her sight was focused on the entrance to the hall. Waiting. It was not until the doors suddenly opened, allowing for a tall horned figure to pass through and head straight down the aisle making for the stage did the real Chise find herself smiling warmly. Her blackened hand reached up to touch the bolo tie around her neck as she watched the man with the hidden face climb the steps of the stage. ]

"Five million."

[ His voice rang out in the room. At once the crowd dissolved into gasps and loud whispers, but neither girl or the strange man were paying mind to them. The bound girl could only lift her gaze as she stared in awe at the man who had placed such a high bid for her. There was a rustle of the cloth covering his own skull shifting, revealing to all parties witnessing this memory a blank socket with a crimson dot glowing within. ]

"It's decided. You will be my apprentice."

[Mikasa pales and her throat dries when she realises what kind of place she is wandering around. At first she thought the chained beasts were from someone else#s past. Someone who had mentioned such creatures. But there seemed to be an odd amount of attention on the one walking down the hall. A clarity that the darker corners of the cells lacked.

Then she realises how out of place the girl following is. Not looking like the slavers, but then none of them acknowledge her going and sitting on the edge. While Mikasa stayed by the entrance to the stage. Scowling at it all as it dredged up thoughts of what could have been. But she didn't want to voice. Or ask.

And she can't help but stare at the man with the... deer skull head?

She doesn't say anything still. But there is a gasp at the man's declaration. What was that, a lie?]

[From one memory to another, he might've taken a wrong turn when in the long hall of mirrors and now finds himself walking down in a dimly-lit hall with chained beasts instead. He instantly realizes what kind of place this is, subconsciously raising a hand to his faceplate, visor narrowing to a thin red line in disgust. These poor creatures, robbed of their freedom...

His attention shifts to the sound of chains and feet tapping the ground, then seeing the real person following her younger self. He silently follows from behind, staying a good distance away, footsteps light despite being made of metal.

The memory then shifts, now he's standing at the back of the stage, and all the bidders before him only serve to make him scowl under the mask. When the deer skull-face man makes his entrance and placed the high bid, he turns his attention to the real red-haired girl, sitting on the edge. Is she... smiling? How odd. He doesn't say anything, only observing for now.]

[ The setting was that of a small apartment during a quiet, peaceful morning. There was nothing particular about it. It was mostly tidy save for a few dishes in the sink and the door of the fridge decorated with an array of bills and invoices, many in which were sporting the vibrant stamp saying that they were past due. Nothing about it appeared to be out of the ordinary. All seemed well enough. That is until a gurgling sound broke the silence. The source of it came from the open room beside the kitchen where, on the ground, a blanket an older woman with vibrant red hair could be seen kneeling, her hands gripping the throat of a small child. A child who had the same hair as her. Those small hands grabbed at the mother's wrists as the child's eyes filled with fear, pleading.

Her mother was still as she refused to ease her hold. Hunched over Chise, her eyes could only be described as dead. Hollow. Just as devoid of emotion as her voice when she finally spoke in a tone soft and grave, but still the words seemed to ring out in the air. ]

"I shouldn't... have given birth to you."

[ Tears were welling up, making it hard for the child to see. She kicked and squirmed, gasping for air as she feebly clawed at her mother. She was so lost and confused and it was etched upon her face how she could not understand why this was happening. Why her mother was trying to hurt like this. It made no sense. ]

"I shouldn't have given birth to you!"

[ The words were repeated but they wavered. There was desperation in her voice the mother shed tears of her own. Down her cheeks they rolled, dripping from her chin. All the while she watched as her daughter's attempts to break free grew weaker with each passing second. When those small fingers finally went limp and slipped from her mother's wrist, Chise could only stare up through a veil of tears as a single word barely passed through her lips. ]

"M...om..."

[ And just like that, her mother snapped out of it. As air came flooding back into her lungs Chise felt her body shake as lapsed into a fit of violent coughing, massaging her throat to ease the pain, unaware of the bruises that would soon be forming there. It wasn't until she heard the sound of the glass door to the small patio opening did she realize that her mother had since left her side. Climbing to her feet she walked slowly to the kitchen, hovering in the frames between the rooms, wide-eyed and confused as she watched her mother lean back again the patio's railing. ]

"Mom?"

[ A smile, sad but true, could be seen on her mother's lips. ]

"I'm sorry, Chise. Please forgive me."

[ Blankly the child stared as the sight of her mother falling backwards over the railing registered. Then came the unmistakable sound of her mother's body impact upon the ground. Frozen where she stood, hands gripping the hem of her shirt, the child could only stare at the now empty space before her. The memory would begin to ripple then, as into the picture an older Chise would now be standing in the memory, looking between her past self and the person viewing her memory.

There was no tears from her, nor any signs of anger or fear. Just a quiet, somber expression of what could only be described as acceptance. ]

Flat | Top-Level Comments Only

[ open ] only a memory

dance into the night

no subject

no subject

no subject

a beautiful, dying dream

no subject

black market beginnings

Because I'm a horrible person

no subject

please forgive me