Midnight, not a sound from the pavement

[headandhand]

WHO: All residents of Dualis + special guest stars
WHAT: Strap in, kiddos, it’s a ~memshare~
WHERE: In your head. Or, you know. Everywhere you go to escape that.
WHEN: August 15-24
WARNINGS: Don’t forget these if they’re applicable!

It’s been a few months, Dualis, how are you settling in? New arrivals, we know it’s sudden, but we hope you’re making new friends already and settling in well! You’re all gonna fit in juuuust fine around here.

Things have calmed down after the supposed terrorist attacks during the Dualis Days celebration, and there’s still no news about that strange network broadcast. But maybe that’s for the best, right? See, the Head really does have everything under control.

But speaking of heads…

Over the course of these next few days, yours might be feeling a little funny. Maybe you just aren’t quite feeling like yourself. Or there’s an ache that just won’t quite go away. Or maybe you’re perfectly fine! Which is completely optimal, honestly.

Except--that memory you suddenly have. Is that really yours? And what about those fainting spells that seem to come with premonitions...or are you perhaps remembering something you repressed long ago? You’d probably remember something like this, though, wouldn’t you?

It’s perfectly natural to be concerned. However, if you approach your friendly neighborhood MedBot or clinician, they’re going to be pretty stumped. It appears there's nothing really wrong with you, but hey, here's some mild painkillers if you want them. And if you try and consult the Head, all it’ll be able to do is give you it’s most sincere condolences. It seems that there may have been some complications with the transfer process, but these should definitely wear off soon! In the meantime, why not visit your local clinic for a sedative and some painkillers?

Good luck, denizens. Looks like you’re in for a bumpy week or two...

[[As a reminder, these memory shares can happen at any point in time during the span of the event, not just when your characters are sleeping! You're also welcome to have them experience no side effects at all, all the way up to fainting spells and headaches a la Cordelia circa season 2 of Angel. Feel free to reach out to your friendly neighborhood mods if you have any questions!]]

Comments

[silentnarration]

Squall would. If he can find a way to remember, to keep that memory. Maybe he can fight it... futile as it is with their track record.

He knits his brows, not pleased with what he's hearing. He's not good at any of those things. He's just trying to adapt and survive.

"I don't want blind obedience," he scowls. "Not thinking for ourselves got us in trouble in the first place." He looks away from Nida, staring at the far wall, realizing he should explain himself. "It's who you are. You shouldn't lose that."

[skyward_eyes]

If anyone could fight themselves out of the drag of linear time, it would be Squall. He's done it before. Why can't he do it again?

"You may not want it, Squall, but you need it. And it isn't blind. I always knew what I was doing when I was asked," Nida assures him. "Spies are useless when they don't think."

That being said, obedience? That's what was trained into him. So had. And perhaps manipulated there too, from Elijah.

[silentnarration]

Squall doesn't get it. Why do people put that much trust and support in him? It can't just be strength and his abilities. He was the lone wolf that shunned everybody and yet they still placed their faith in him when he was appointed commander. It's not a weight he can just overlook and ignore. Not anymore.

That's the price of leadership, isn't it?

"... you did good."

Because what else can he say? Nida was trapped in a no-win situation.

"You don't have to worry about me." If Nida wants to get out, he should. "You'll always have a place in Garden no matter what." He made the same offer to Seifer. Nida deserves this much too. It's home, after all. A shitty home but still.

[skyward_eyes]

Squall will get better at it, don't worry about that. But he bites his lip to keep from laughing. He did good, didn't he? He murdered the man he thought he loved. Applaud him.

"That's definitely against Garden rules."

What? It's the only snipping at Squall he can do because it would be rude to call him out for the whole 'you won't remember' thing.

[silentnarration]

Foot, meet mouth.

Squall looks sour as he rolls his shoulders. "It's about time I change it." He sighs and runs a hand through his hair. "I can't promise anything. All I can do is try and make it happen. Somehow."

[skyward_eyes]

Huh. Nida smirks. That's an interesting idea.

"I believe in you, Squall. Trust me. You'll manage whatever you want."

[silentnarration]

He talked to Seifer about this and it's been swimming in his head. Now he just has more reason to get it done.

Still... it's a huge undertaking.

His shoulders sag slightly and he leans against the head of the bed, one knee drawn up where he can fold his arms over it and hide the lower half of his face. He's tired. It's been a long few days. He just wants these memory invasions to be over. He turns his attention to their half-played card game.

"I think all of you place too much faith in me." A longer pause. "Thanks..."

It's a weight he's still learning to bear but it's comforting in a way.

[skyward_eyes]

"Honestly, Squall? We don't."

And that's said with absolute conviction. Even now he believed in Squall. His boss, even now. Even with SeeD Nida buried deeper than ever.

[silentnarration]

He looks at Nida again and there's a genuine quirk of a smile there before he turns and gestures to the game.

Keep playing. They'll pass the time this way, and he can kick Nida's ass for once.