A Starlight Carol

[eternitymods]

Who: Everyone!
When: December 24th, 23:00
Where: ???????
What: Log for the Starlight Carol Event! Please check the OOC Log for more details.
Warnings/Notes: Depends on individual memories!

Comments

AN OLD FRIEND

[eternitymods]

It is the Eve of the Starlight Celebration... Across Vaikuntha, all sentient beings celebrate! Some are with their dearest friends, some with their family, yet all are happy and celebrate with the same fervor! Many have had the traditional turkey for dinner, or perhaps some other delicacies that are only served on this most beautiful of night! Have you been with them, celebrating this joyous event? Perhaps you got an early night to prepare for the true festivity on the 25th!

Or have you been all on your own, ignoring the festivities? Perhaps this all sounds foolish to you. Perhaps the threat of Bahamut burning this world down in a hundred days makes the whole celebration feel pointless...

Perhaps you are tired and this is why you suddenly heard the voice of someone you once knew...? Surely that is it.

... But if you turn around—


[ Please post your threads here to play out meeting the ghost of an old friend for the meeting. You can have other players use a journal for the ghost character. Otherwise, you are free to handwave it, ignore it or summarize it. ]

THE GHOST OF STARLIGHT PAST

[eternitymods]

What is a PuPu doing here...? Why is this PuPu able to float and fly? Why, this is no mere PuPu! This is the Ghost of Starlight Past, the first of the three spirits your ghostly friend said would visit you on this most joyous of night! Try as you might, you won't be able to get rid of this PuPu! And this is because this PuPu has a mission: to show you what has been, memories and events immutable and written in the flow of history.

Memories of yours, as seen from an outsider perspective.

Thus why when this PuPu takes your hand, you'll find yourself flying, transported far away by the PuPu's powers... Until you find yourself in a most familiar location that belongs to your past...

There may also be other Heroes of Light there with you! Why, that first memory you find yourself in might not even be yours but that of another Hero of Light. Please understand, the PuPu of Starlight Past is very busy tonight, there are so many people who need to look at their own past!


[ Reply with this thread with your prompts for the memories of Starlight Past and tag around! ]

THE GHOST OF STARLIGHT PRESENT

[eternitymods]

Following the disappearance of the Ghost of Starlight Past, a new ghost appears: the Moogle of Starliight Present! Cheerful, jovial and full of energy, this Moogle grabs your character's hand and gets them to fly all across Vaikuntha! And upon arriving at destination, once more they're not alone, multiple other Heroes of Light there with them for the ride!


A| For the majority of the trips around Vaikuntha, the scenery displays families and gatherings of friends spending time together eating, drinking, or just enjoying each other's company. Some have their own special celebration unique to their country. Some are throwing small get-togethers. Every so often, a scene of a poor family comes through, showing the hardship they live through and the strength needed to find happiness in their situation. Some scenes, however, depict familiar people...

B| Cid and Jessie are sitting in one of the private offices. Jessie wears all black save for the silver designs on her black turtleneck and the green and red highlights on her nail polish. Cid hands her a small gift box, which she opens, revealing a set of books. He sits back in his armchair and drinks from his "festive" coffee mug.

C| Claire is seen in a crowded living room with many other Elezen, bottles of wine and alcohol sitting on the table while they laugh.

D| Ganeshan is at his own celebration at a karaoke bar, where he belts out Starlight carols to a group of appreciative onlookers. He is absolutely not a bard, though he has appropriated a fanciful bardic cap to wear.

E| Mogaruru, wearing a Santa Moogle mask, walks through the chilly night of the Min'To Kingdom with another Lalafell, a young Hypello, and a young Bangaa. She smiles at the kids and lifts up her mask, revealing red hair held together in a ponytail— But the scene ends before her face can be seen.

F| Kupoto stands on a ladder, putting up stockings that fall on him the moment he lands on the floor.

G| Biggs and Wedge are drinking heavily (blue milk for one, a golden brandy for the other), trying to forget the horrors of that one terrible Wookie Life Day celebration a long time ago, in a galaxy far, far away....

H| For a moment, the vision of a green Hypello scowling out of his window flashes by. He speaks in rhymes about how much he hates Starlight and how he plans to stop it all next year.

I| The Empress is sitting by a study, typing something on a mognet tablet and looking very tired, her hair messy with whatsoever no Starlight decorations in sight. She pauses to put eyedrops in her eyes and someone knocks on the door, Meghamaal stepping in with a wrapped gift in hands. It only results in the Empress sighing and shrugging.

J| Balahaka is looking on a banquet in the middle of his city, tiredly and exasperatedly so as an unthinkable amount of cats meow together to form the tune of Jingle Bells.

K| The three members of the Triumvirat are eating together a splendid banquet in one of their private house, discussing and writing about ideas of what they should do next year. They are currently debating which town's got the best pizza toppings.


[ Your characters are ghost-like for these scenes and cannot interact with them, they can however react of comment in group to what they see if you pick a prompt. ]

THE GHOST OF STARLIGHT YET TO COME

[eternitymods]

But then, all good things come to an end. As the Moogle of Starlight Present keeps showing scenes of merry starlight celebrations all across Vaikuntha, suddenly he collapses on the ground. He doesn't move, he doesn't draw breath, spells have no effects on him— For all intent and purpose, he is dead. Can a ghost even die?

But his sudden death isn't the only strange thing. The scenery around changes and others like you are around! Are those... Ruins? A familiar city, recently devastated... Buildings and the ground are still in flame, as if some manner of calamitous event had befallen the city. Why, there was no living soul in sight! More and more more dead people could be seen on the ground besides the Moogle of Starlight Present.

But there is someone still standing besides you and your peers.

A Lalafell, entirely muffled in a black hooded cloak. Only his hands were still visible and unlike the ghosts who came before him, he is silent.

[ Please reply to this in your group's sub-thread below. Each group sees the ruins of a different city. ]

THE STARLIGHT CELEBRATION

[eternitymods]

[ This section will open on December 25th. ]

[tiredcharmer]

Good Times
"I can guaran-fuckin'-tee that you wwwwon't find anything," Tyzias complains as the PuPu pulls her through the polluted atmosphere of a grim-looking planet. The landscape is barren and drab in most places, with the occasional bright neon jungle and isolated island breaking the monotony. "There isn't even a 'Starlight' or wwwwhatever on mmmmy wwwworld. Just let mmmme sulk and do college application in peace."

The PuPu tsks, waggling a finger. "Ah, ah, ah! But there is! I've heard of a holiday called 'Secret Sufferer!' It's like a Secret Santa, is it not?"

Tyzias laughs, snorting a little into her hands. "You knowwww wwwwhat? Sure. Good luck wwwwith that. Actually, I have the perfect mmmmmemmmmory in mmmmind for this, hold on." Tyzias turns to her companion and smirks, eyes dancing with spiteful mirth. If this horrid little creature was going to pull her away from her job and college apps, she might as well make it pay for the indignity.

They finally touch down outside an office building in a fairly metropolitan area, grey snow drifting through the air. A flake lands on Ghost of Starlight Past's head, which promptly creates a miniature explosion. "Mmmmind the snowwww," Tyzias says, dry, as she holds out a metallic umbrella over the group's heads.

Another Tyzias, this one perhaps a year younger, walks out of the building bundled up in at least three separate layers of garishly teal-and-pink clothes. In one hand she's holding a heavy-duty umbrella, while in the other she's paging through some ancient, leatherbound tome. A phone is held up to her ear by the shoulder. "Tirona, I swwwwear if you do this for mmmme I'll give you thirty mmmminutes alone in mmmmy office. Alright, thanks. Nowwww put mmmme on." There's a pause. "Mmmmallek, right? Heard you've got control of sommmme of the delivery drones. No, no, not gonna turn you in, just need your help with sommmmething..." Both Tyziases grin ominously.

Bad Time
The PuPu is notably silent as they lead Tyzias to the next memory, even as Tyzias is laughing at her small victory over the spirit of Starlight. But she falls dead silent when she realizes what memory she's in. Her hands fly to her mouth, and Tyzias begins shaking.

It starts out innocently enough. Well, that's a blatantly lie, it starts out miserable, depressing, and brutal, then only gets worse from there. A twelve year-old Tyzias walks through some lowblood megahive, book cradled close and head kept down. The young troll squeezes her eyes shut as she hurries by a gang of yellowbloods telekinetically ripping apart a burgundy pleading for mercy. She turns her head away as juggling clubs smash straight through the ribs of a cowering brownblood in a darkened corner. Just get to the station. That's all she needed to do, she just needed to get to the--

--then everything comes apart when the megahive she's scurrying through collapses. Flames engulf every subhive. Screams echo throughout the neighborhood as the megahive continues to crumble. Pieces of debris fall everywhere, further adding to the destruction. Tyzias just barely manages to avoid getting crushed as she huddles against the ruins of some poor wiggler's hive, hoping the shadows cast by the fire hide her from whatever terrorist group was behind the attack.

To her surprise, somebody darts out of the rubble, coughing and carrying a weakly yowling purrbeast lusus in her hands. The wiggler looks back and forth for somewhere, anywhere that might provide safety, then zeroes in on Tyzias' younger self. Surely an older troll would provide some protection, right?

The burgundyblood, whimpering, rushes to Tyzias' side and clings to her. Tyzias looks hesitant at first, but stays by the wiggler's side as she sobs incoherently, running a hand through her hair and telling her everything will be okay as her lusus bleeds out in her arms.

Then the perpetrators arrive out of the smoke. They look awfully like the police.

[legalcy]

[Minimus Ambus had a thick, green-and-white sweater suited for the festivities, but he's not in the mood to join the celebration. There is research on Bahamut and past quests to be done. He has to re-read the pamphlets and study the Templar Code of Conduct. Having - what's the word - fun is equivalent to procrastination.

He has better things to do than to mind the new presence in the room. That is, until the ghost speaks.]

I shouldn't be surprised to see you here. [A ghostly grey mech sporting a similar frame and mustache facial insignia to Minimus'.]

Dominus?! [And...dear god, what are those creatures? Monsters? He pulls out his spear and points it at the apparition and holiday abombinations.] No, you're not real! This is another illusion, just like Mederi![This time, he's ready. He won't risk his life playing into this, even if he is happy to see his brother in any form.]

I came to warn you, little brother. I, too, was in your situation. A Hero of Light, and like you, I did not spend the Starlight Season with loved ones--

Dominus, please, now's not the time to be poetic. [Really, it's always been annoying how he uses any opportunity to show off his oratory skills. Can he not for once?]

Look, I'm being serious. I'm a real ghost. See? [He makes a motion to pat Dominus' head, and his hand moves through it effortlessly.]

...This is all an effort to trick me.

You'll soon have evidence proving otherwise.

[sassafrisk]

Good Times
The PuPu and Frisk walk through a massive, overcrowded city; pushing through the throngs of people that are shadowed by the gargantuan concrete buildings above. Christmas-themed neon lights and decorations are everywhere, but no-one seems to be paying them any mind. The moon hangs low overhead, partially obscured by billowing clouds of smog. Frisk shivers in the cold, their hoodie not nearly enough protection from the biting wind.

"Dude, you know I love Christmas, right? Why are you Dickens-ing around with me?" Frisk says, winking at the pun as the duo follows another, younger Frisk scampering through the city.

"Even true Starlight fanatics need a reminder of what matters every once in a while, oh ho ho ho!" The PuPu chuckles, and Frisk rolls their eyes as their younger counterpart rounds a corner into an alley.

Bad Times
"Soooo, next up is something I regret, right? That's how this always goes," Frisk says as the PuPu takes them to the next memory. "Maybe that time I ate two whole cartons of ice cream? Or when I did Coke and Mentos at the same time. Or-" they stop dead in their tracks as soon as they see what the PuPu has in store for them, gaping and trembling.

The scene is markedly different this time around. Frisk and another child, a girl with long red hair and glasses, hike up a mountainside. Their companion is staring resolutely at the ground, arms crossed, while Frisk chatters and jokes to try and cheer her up. After a few moments, she speaks. "Frisk, I... I don't think this is a good idea," she says, grabbing the hem of her sweater and biting her lip.

[righthandstand]

Good Times

"Hey, Okuyasu, guess what I got?" A blonde boy no older than 12 peeks into the empty apartment of an abandoned building, where a 10-year-old with wide eyes and messy black hair sits on a pile of blankets and leafs through a comic book. An 80's television sits abandoned on one end of the room along a set of full backpacks. "Hey! Okuyasu!"

The younger boy looks up. "Yeah?"

"I got something from the store." He pulls out a plastic bag that has something heavy in it. "Cake. And for free," he adds with a grin that implies that it was something that was not meant to be given away.

Young Okuyasu sits straight up and grips the front of his shirt in anticipation for the wonder and glory that is dessert. "Is it strawberry!"

"Nah," Keicho sets the cardboard container on the ground and opens it up, revealing a chocolate cake with fruit toppings. "They didn't have any. Get the scissors. We'll use the box for plates."

Okuyasu readily obeys and returns with an old pair of scissors to watch his older brother masterfully cut out tableware from junk. The two boys spread out the blankets on the floor and sit down before the window displaying Tokyo in the mild winter.

…

In the present day, the teenaged Okuyasu Nijimura regards the scene silently.

Bad Times

This is a different abandoned building, now a house. Okuyasu sits on the floor with his legs curled up and face pressed into his kness, older and more muscular and accompanied by two teenage boys, both who look sympathetic but don't make a move towards him.

"Why was I an idiot? Why didn't I move? If--if I wasn't standin' there, we would still have the arrow!"

One of the boys looks at the floor, then at the taller boy with the pompadour. Neither knows what to say.

[modelcivilian]

[A: Once Upon a Time... (Good)]

Adrien understood enough of 'A Christmas Carol' to know what the PuPu intended, but at the same time, he didn't fully? Because he didn't despise the holidays or anything. Really, him hating Starlight or Christmas was just ridiculous. The holiday could be a hard time though.

Still, with the PuPu, it was... nice to see the memory.

See more than just a massive tree in the foyer and instead, have fairylights and garland decorating the railings and walls, making the usually only white and black room colorful. A giant of a man helps put silver ornaments onto the tree from ground level while an often stern-looking woman wearing glasses and bearing a single red streak in her hair works from the stairs to put on more.

Meanwhile, in a box by the large fir, a small blonde boy is digging his way through, completely oblivious to the two other adults now making his way downstairs. At least, he remains so until he pulls out a large silver star topper with both hands and turns, beaming at them.

"Maman! Dad! I found the star! Can I help put it on? Please?"

[B: Recent Christmas Past (Bad)]

This scene was all too familiar.

Like the last one, there's a massive fir tree in the corner of the foyer, but nothing else festive adorns the room. Boxes with ornaments stand on top of each other, but only two people were taking their time to decorate the tree. The professional woman with the red streak in her hair stands on the stairs to decorate the middle; meanwhile, standing on the ground floor, the small blonde boy has grown into the fairly present Adrien dating the memory to fairly recent.

Looking at the ornament, looking towards the stairs, past Adrien seems to be expecting someone.

... But nobody appears.

[bladeofconquest]

It's Starlight Eve and there are celebrations to be had...except if you're Corrin, who is spending a quiet evening at home. The first night of her self-imposed week off to rest is currently being spent in a corner of the living room, where she's set up a small drafting table and is currently hard at work sketching out plans for a building. A small shelf of books nearby holds all the volumes she's collected on the subject of architecture, ready to be consulted at a moment's notice. Shadow Yato rests on a small decorative rack on a nearby wall, still glowing with its dark energy.

Though she herself finds the work relaxing, Corrin is finally trying to put all the theory and lessons she's absorbed from the many, many books she's devoured on the subject, to the test and is trying to actually design a building; a school, in fact. A cup of hot cocoa sits at the corner of the table, surrounded by some small stains from where the cocoa has spilled onto the paper as she's reached for it while she works. Her expression is intense, so much so that she doesn't even notice she's not alone in the room until the other figure finally decides she's going to have to speak.

"Really, darling? Tonight of all nights, and you're cooped up with study?" A familiar voice coos, causing Corrin to start with a gasp. She looks up in surprise.

"What the-Camilla?!" She exclaims. "Wh-When did you-wait, why are you-"

"Intangible? Well, I'm a ghost, dear." Camilla lets out a small chuckle. "Couldn't you tell?"

"WHAT? When did that happen?"

"Oh, don't be so worried. I am a ghost, but I'm also still back where you left me and the others at Castle Krakenburg." She waves a hand dismissively. "But enough about that, my little friends and I have come with a warning for you, darling, so pay attention, if you please?"

That's when Corrin sees all the...what in the Gods' name are they? The Ghost Camilla (who may or may not actually still be alive?) picks up one and nuzzles it like she would a baby or puppy. "Aren't they just the cutest little things?" She asks. "Oochy-oochy-ooo!"

Corrin suddenly deflates. "...I am so lost, Big Sister."

"Ah! Yes, well, I did say I was coming with a warning for you, didn't I?" Camilla lowers the...whatever it is...cradling it in her arms and stroking it like it was some kind of cat. "You see darling, I was once a Hero of Light like yourself, but-"

"You were? When?" Corrin asks. "You mean you were here? What happened to you? Nobody's mentioned-"

"Darling, I know you have questions but I'm on a bit of a tight schedule right now, so if you don't mind...?."

A pause. Corrin finally throws a hand up in defeat. "Okay, okay. What's the warning?"

"Thank you. Ahem." Camilla clears her throat. "Like you, I too was a Hero of Light-ironic, isn't it, little old me?-and unfortunately it was as a Hero of Light that I met my end. Like you, I had spent the Starlight Eve before my death alone, cut off from all the friends and loved ones I had made. Not because I was studying, you see, but because I was in battle at the time. And I was so focused on my fight that when I heard the crying of children, I told myself I was too otherwise engaged to go find the poor dears and offer whatever aid and comfort to them I could. But that was just a lie I was telling myself, an excuse so I could continue to be alone and miserable. And so when I died after that Starlight, I found myself in the company of these little darlings, to ensure that no one else I cared about would ever suffer the same fate. And that includes you, my adorable little Corrin."

"...That seems incredibly excessive a punishment." Corrin points out. "And I'm not cut off! I have plenty of friends here!"

"Then where are they?" Camilla asks, smiling sweetly.

"Well, okay, they're not here here, well Nozomi is, but I think she might have turned in for the night, and anyway, we are doing a small little thing tomorrow, but I'm only alone right now because I choose to be." A pause. "I'm tired, Camilla. Am I not allowed to take one night off?"

Camilla looks sad for a moment. "Not tonight, I'm afraid, darling. If it were possible for me to stop the evening's entertainment, I would...but that decision isn't up to me. Suffice to say, I'm not the only guest you'll be receiving tonight."

"Don't tell me I'm going to get ghostly visions of Xander, Leo, and Elise am I?"

A pause. "Not quite, no..."

We're gonna have a Bad Time, okay?

[bladeofconquest]

"Tyzias?" A voice from behind the troll asks. It's Corrin, standing behind her. Guess some wires got crossed in her own journey, and somehow she ended up in one of Tyzias' memories.

Corrin looks around at the chaos unfolding. This is horrifying. "Gods..." She mutters, and her mind drifts back to their conversation during the Dream Width about the notion of "honour". So this is what she meant. Then she looks back at the girl with an expression of concern. "It's going to be okay, Tyzias. You're not alone." She gives the PuPu an angry look. "Why on earth would you show her this? This is insane!"

Re: THE GHOST OF STARLIGHT PAST

[singerofspells]

Good TImes
[In which the player abuses the ability to create scenes in between canon scenes]

An isolated pier in Long Island Sound, in the midst of December. At the end of the pier sits a teenaged human girl, dressed for the weather. A humpback whale floated nearby. The sounds of a conversation flow together, as the human talks about exams at her high school.

Meanwhile, a short distance away, S'reee and the Ghost hover.

"This was last winter," S'reee noted.

"Do you remember what happens next" the Spirit commented.

"No, h'Niit and I spend a lot of time together when she is available." S'reee didn't entirely understand the schedule for the education of humans, but it meant that fall and spring were usually times when S'reee did most of her work with other whales.

Bad Times

Still off the eastern coast of North America, though deeper out. Land is still in sight, and a strong (human) swimmer may be able to return, especially in the gentle waves of the Sound. Here the weather is late summer, with beautifully clear skies.

S'reee -- slightly smaller than the previous memory -- is floating near a concrete fishing platform, while two humans in swimwear sit on it. The girl is the one from the previous memory, several years younger; the boy is about her age.

"Now I am stuck handling it all myself," memory!S'reee was saying. "And it's not easy."

The S'reee with the Spirit paused. "Why this memory? Is it because of the Song?"

"In part," the Pupu said.

[tiredcharmer]

The "real" Tyzias, breathing hard and fast, grabs onto Corrin with shaking hands. She wants to look away. She has to. But she can't. Tyzias stands transfixed by the scene, all the helplessness and terror and anger from that day welling up in her soul.

The PuPu of Starlight Past tsks, shaking their head. "Sometimes, my dear, we must be reminded of what we fight for. Even someone as... stubborn... as Tyzias."

Minutes pass. The fires die down. The screaming stops. It seems, for a moment, that the nightmare is over. Then a tall, imposing troll, clad in black and teal, spots the young duo out of the corner of his eye. He marches over to them, looks down derisively, and barks, "Blood ident! Now!"

Trembling, Tyzias offers her hand, index finger held up. The enforcer takes out a knife and pricks Tyzias' finger, carefully inspecting the teal color on the tip. He gives her a brusque nod, then jerks his head towards one of the empty streets. "Transport's that way, ma'am. You're free to go."

Tyzias looks back at the sobbing burgundyblood, torn. The enforcer takes out a pistol and aims it directly at her cranium. "I said you're free to go," he says, voice chill as ice. Tyzias doesn't move. "Failure to comply with the Legislaceration Thought Crimes Branch is a cullable offense." He cocks the gun.

That's what finally sends Tyzias scampering away, tears falling down her cheeks as the wiggler calls after her. Too incoherent to offer her blood freely, she instead shrieks in pain when the legislacerator stabs his knife directly into her shoulder, twisting it as he pulls it out. "Burgundy," he snarls, then levels the gun at the child's head. "The residents of this lowblood megahive have been found guilty of rebellious sentiment. The primary dissidents have been culled, but the rest of the neighborhood has been found culpable after finding evidence of the distribution of propaganda in their base. Your property will be put up for auction..."

The legislacerator continues with his speech, breezing through it with the practiced manner of somebody who's done this dozens of times before. But Tyzias has stopped a few feet behind him, staring at the incredibly heavy, incredibly dangerous, metalbound book in her hands. She looks over her shoulder at the legislacerator, rage and fear warring on her face.

[bladeofconquest]

[Good Memory-Corrin's Birthday.]

"I don't know what exactly you expect to show me, we don't really have a Starlight equivalent in my world." Corrin says to the PuPu. "There must be other people who need your...services more than I."

"Ah, don't worry! I'm seeing to them as well."

Corrin's brow wrinkles. "What, right now?"

"Yes!"

"But how does that-"

"Ghost, remember?"

"...Yeah, all right. But like I said, there is no Starlight equivalent back home. Isn't that the whole point of this exercise?"

"Indeed, indeed! We've had to learn to adapt where offworlders are concerned. It's been a big challenge, let me tell you. But tell me...you still have birthdays back in Nohr, don't you?"

"We do, yes."

"You've been so busy since you arrived, you completely forgot that your's was coming up, didn't you? The date's not an exact match to Starlight, but it's close enough for us to work with! Your twenty-second, right?"

Corrin blinks. She had completely forgotten how close her birthday was, what with arriving at Vaikuntha and all that she'd done since then. "21st, actually." She replies. "You're right, I had forgotten."

The PuPu nods. "So perhaps you remember the last birthday you had before you entered the Hoshidan war properly, yes? Your 18th!"

A scene before them begins to take shape, surrounding the two. It's a familiar scene to Corrin; the private living quarters of the Northern Fortress. A roaring fire heats the room, a bearskin rug, and a collection of chairs and couches have been set up around it. A slightly younger-looking Corrin sits with her siblings. They are all laughing; a solemn-faced young man with silver hair is pouring some tea into a cup for Corrin.

A look of contentment spreads across the real Corrin's face. "Yeah, I remember this day. This is more like it." She crouches down and puts her head in her hand to watch the scene unfold with a look of joy on her face.

[Bad Times-The Ice Tribe Rebellion]

"That was...pleasant. Thank you." Corrin says as the scene of her family at the Northern Fortress fades away.

"You're welcome! It's important to spend time with family when you can...and you of all people should know that "family" isn't just a matter of blood. It's who you choose as well. You know all about that!"

"Of course I do." Corrin replies. "I'm not denying that."

"Anyway, I'm afraid you might be so keen on thanking me after this next scene. With good also comes bad, y'see."

"I don't recall any particularly unpleasant birthdays."

"Like I said, we've had to get a bit creative. Do you remember fighting for your life in the snow? Against Flora and Chief Kilma?"

Corrin is silent for a moment. "The Ice Tribe Rebellion. Of course I remember. Father's insane "test of loyalty"."

"A suicide mission, in point of fact. You know he didn't count on you succeeding."

"But I did." Corrin said confidently. "I stopped the fighting without any loss of life to the tribesmen, and convinced Chief Kilma to stand down. I promised I'd help him get his people back their autonomy, and I did; Xander released them from their vassalage when he took the throne." She thinks for a moment. "I shudder to think what would have happened to them if I hadn't been there for Father to send."

"Well, anyway, get comfy. This might not be as bad as some, but I know you don't like seeing memories of you fighting people you care about."

Corrin sighs. "Yeah, yeah...let's get this over with." She glances at the PuPu. "Two more after you, right?"

"Yepyepyep."

"Neat."

A scene of a snowy battlefield at night begins to form; a small frozen lake dominates the center of a small village. Corrin sees herself and a small group of Nohrian troops-Princess Elise among them-gather at one side of the village. Across the lake, at the other end of the village, is an opulent mansion, the residence of Chieftain Kilma, head of the Ice Tribe, who stands in front of the front gate of the house. There are Ice Tribe soldiers massing as well, including somewhat strangely, a young blue-haired woman in a maid's outfit who nevertheless is carrying a rather wicked-looking dagger in her hand with the expertise of someone who knows how to use it. Her expression is grim, but resolute.

"Flora..."

[bladeofconquest]

Corrin allows Tyzias to hold onto her, wrapping her own arms around Tyzias in turn. "It's okay, it's okay, I've got you." She says. "You're safe. I promise you."

She looks distinctly unconvinced at the PuPu's assertion, but holds her tongue, and let's the scene play out. She keeps holding onto Tyzias the whole time, not letting go until she does.

[legalcy]

Silent Light

Minimus kept his arms crossed and glared at the PuPu for making him waste precious time. The past could not be changed, and he already experienced his life once. He reluctantly held onto its hand with two servos while wishing to sink into his sweater, and they flew - flew? - through some sort of wormhole. They ended up in space, outside of a familiar ship. It gestured him to follow inside.

Another Minimus walks through the hallways, carrying a string of lights - while their appearance is similar to ones used on Earth for Winter Solstice celebrations, they served a more serious purpose. The resemblance to Christmas decorations was purely coincidental and certainly not related to the activation of Brainstorm's Contrivance Machine.

This Minimus, while sporting a green and white color scheme, wears a slightly different set of armor. This is his outer armor that hides his true irreducible form seen on Vaikuntha. It nearly doubles his height, features shoulder pads and wheels, and has a shell on his back that is part of his minesweeper alt-mode. The pattern on this one's chest resembles the one on the sweater Vaikuntha Minimus wears. Past Minimus also looks happier.

He approaches a part of the ship that doesn't have the glowing lights, at which he turns around - to Megatron. Without the Dream Width shrinking him down, he towers over all onlookers. "This location requires field boosters, but it appears that--"

"You require assistance in reaching it," Megatron finishes his sentence. "Allow me." He walks over to Minimus in two strides and picks him up with his large hands gripping him under his arms.

"Thank you," Minimus replies with the same stern look on his face, but if one looks closely, his body language indicates he's relaxed as he strings up the lights. "Have you attempted to contact Rodimus lately?"

"Just before I left to inspect your progress. He still has not responded to my messages." Megatron steps to the side to allow him to continue his work.

"As expected. I have concerns about his safety if he does not return before we enter Mauler territory."

Megatron makes a noise of agreement, and the two finish decorating the hallway before Megatron sets him down. They walk to another area of the ship together.

Vaikuntha Minimus didn't realize how tense his fists had beem until he felt them relax while watching this scene. This was when he trusted Megatron and looked past his sins. Before the mutiny and the betrayal. He was...happy. Less uptight. It was sad, in a way, watching his ignorance play out.

"I don't need to see this," he addressed the PuPu chaperoning him. "May we leave?"

Rebirth of a Mech

The second scene takes place in a large, official-looking room. Minimus, still wearing his outer armor, stands before a regal robot with golden metal protruding form his head like a crown, a flowing cape, and a scepter. Beside him is a gigantic set of blue armor that would be mistaken for another robot save for the lack of glow in its optics and the open chest cavity revealing a small cockpit. Minimus could fit in there.

"I require an answer as soon as possible," Tyrest begins, gesturing at the suit. "I selected you as a candidate to take on the mantle of Ultra Magnus due to your abilities, but if you would rather hand over the opportunity to another mech, I understand. All I ask is that you keep the truth a secret."

"I accept!" Minimus responds a tad too eagerly. "It will be an honor to work under you." He lowers himself on one knee. "I swear I will uphold the Tyrest Accord and uphold the legacy of the Immortal Lawman until the day I die."

Tyrest nods. "Minimus Ambus of Ambustus Minor, I hereby bestow upon you the title and identity of Ultra Magnus, the Duly Appointed Enforcer of the Tyrest Accord. From now on, you life your life according to the Autobot Code and work under my guidance. No one must know the existence of the pilot save for a select few. We shall begin your fitting and calibrations at one."

Under his breath, too quiet for Tyrest to hear, Minimus mutters: "Thank you."

"You told me that this was a negative moment in my life to encourage self reflection," Minimus turned to the PuPu of Starlight Past. "This was the most important decision in my life. I have to admit, my blind loyalty to Tyrest is one of my regrets, but I would have been an nobody if I weren't Ultra Magnus."

"Ah, so you believe that your life changed for the better, puuuu?"

"I got everything I had ever wanted." Respect. A purpose. A new name and face. A legacy separate from his brother's.

"At what cost?"

Minimus tilted his head, the equivalent of a Cybertronian raising a brow. "I don't understand. I gave my up former public identity, of course, but that didn't change who I was."

The PuPu shakes its head.

[cureofmanyworlds]

Good Times
Nozomi blinked in surprise at her arrival spot - the commune back in Ponyville. Which was probably just as well, since Mayfield Christmases weren't as exciting. It was so strange seeing everyone there, just having a good time. A period before they had to deal with the Pale Pony.

"Wow, it's been ages since I've seen this. This was just after I arrived. I think." Nozomi said, beaming proudly.

Her attention comes to one pony in particular - herself, easily spottable with those tiny twintails on her mane and the magic flowing from her unicorn horn. Her hooves were full with cookies and she had made her way towards another pony, a normal pony wearing a t-shirt and vest with a baseball cap on her head, a ponytail sticking out of the back.

"It's me and Mako! My other-OTHER sister!" Nozomi said.

"You two were quite close, weren't you?" the Ghost of Christmas Past said.

"Still are, even if she's now a Professor!" Nozomi said.

Bad Times

Nozomi shivered as the PuPu took her to the next memory. This wasn't Christmas, this was in the summer. It was a beach. Beaches should be fun, right? But, no. Right there was Nozomi confronting another pony, teal colored and seemingly growing plants.

"You recognize this, don't you?" the PuPu said.

"I... I do..." Nozomi said, her voice wavering. "Ponyville was connected to a strange dimension that was hooked to our worlds. Like the Dream Width. But we... I... kept going in, trying to get stronger. But there was a breaking point. A big one."

She winced as she heard herself arguing. She hated Princess Celestia for holding everyone back, to trust in the Power of Friendship when it seemed nothing wanted to work with that mad... book? Pony? Zetta, in any case.

"Everything was falling apart, especially when Lyra there had disappeared in a huff." Nozomi said. "I... I felt so helpless, like I had back in Mayfield. I hated that feeling. I still hate it!"

She winced more as the arguing picked up. Things were going to reach a breaking point...

[tiredcharmer]

The younger Tyzias reaches a decision.

She runs away.

She keeps running, even when the burgundy pleads with her to stay.

She keeps running, even when the shot rings out, and a pained cry echoes through the night.

She keeps running all the way to her hive, where she collapses into the side of some massive white bear creature, sobbing.

Her eyes are hollow as she watches the newscaster proclaim a raid on a rebel base a success.

The memory fades, and Tyzias collapses to her knees, shaking. Her gaze is glassy, empty.

Silent Light

[tiredcharmer]

Tyzias furrows her brow as she observes the memory, mug in hand. Somehow. That thing practically has a spiritual bond with her. One part of her wonders why this particular inane holiday seems to be a multiversal constant in one form or another. A different part is restraining a snicker at watching Minimus tackle his holiday duties so seriously, while also resisting the urge to smile at the bot's subtle happiness in the memory. But the final, inquisitive part of Tyzias' thinkpan is what dominates in this case. "Wwwwait. Hold on a second. You're buddies with Mmmmegatron?" she asks, turning to Minimus. They did seem like peas in a pod in retrospect, but it was somewhat puzzling how she never saw the Cybertronians together on Vaikuntha.

Once Upon a Time

[tiredcharmer]

Tyzias was on the verge of calling up Minimus to draft a formal complaint to the Board of Magical Bullshit Ghosts at this point. Not only had she spent a solid hour recovering from her own bad memory--which put her in an incredibly sour mood--but the little blue bastard kept on mixing up who was supposed to see which memories. Sweet Sufferer, she didn't even know this wiggler.

"I swwwwear, if you drag mmmme into another rando asshole's mmmmemmmmory, I wwwwill find a wwwway to get revenge, no mmmmatter wwwwhatever hoofbeastshit mmmmagical dimmmmension you live on mmmmost of the year," Tyzias grumbles, taking a resentful sip from her mug. "Wwwwhat the hell are those adults doing there, anywwwways? Does your species have sommmme kind of holiday task force for helping wwwwigglers pay tribute to the dark festivity deities?"

Good Times

[sassafrisk]

Frisk watches, silent as well. The memory was painfully reminiscent of what their life was like just barely more than half a year ago now. It's all too easy to imagine themself and Lilac in the exact same place, eating the exact same cake, reading the exact same comics.

They stay silent for almost a full minute before speaking up, and when they do, their voice is oddly quiet. "...you too, huh?" they say, watching Okuyasu and his brother with an odd mix of nostalgia and pain plain on their face.

[songbird_slayer]

[Be Good, for Goodness Sake]

The world outside the caravan was frozen, a fine layer of snow and powder coating the meadow. The flowering plants had long since shrunk down and gone dormant, waiting to burst into bloom in spring. The sound of far-off chattering voices could be heard, instruments played, and fires lay scattered, crackling as they kept many wildly-dressed humanoids warm in their festivities. Old crackled paint covered the wagons, proudly presenting the Mystic Myriad Troupe.

Madhuri was nine, a skinny little thing with purple hair down to her waist tumbling in messy strands. She lifted a wooden spoon full of soup to her mouth, kicking her bare feet as she was enraptured by the performance her parents were putting on: Her mother, with eyes that glowed like gold and deep dark skin, framed by chestnut-colored hair, long fingers plucking away at a harp; her father, tall and lithe, with short deep purple hair and orchid eyes that closed when he began to sing. His voice filled the wagon, strong and clear, with vibrato that made the heart ache.

Though the very small Madhuri ate her soup and watched her folks duet as they always had, singing holiday tales of old, present-day Madhuri had to turn away from it and take a breath, pressing her face into her hands. Her make-up be damned, this wasn't fair.


[The Coal in the Stocking]

She was fifteen, crouched over a table top in the dark. Eyes black with burning purple irises flit over the room, balanced by bags of fatigue. She'd been through with weeping over them. They'd been buried just last night and would never come back. But the answer was clear, wasn't it? When it came to poisoning, there was only one prime suspect.

The cook.

He was a large dragonborn coated from head to toe in dark screen scales, whistling casually as his keys jingled in his hands. He was just coming home and had whiskey on his breath. He'd had a damn good time, as if nothing two days ago had ever happened. How convenient for him.

He reached for his lamp and went for the matches for a little light. But he felt something on the back of his neck- that prickle that he was being watched- and turned to see pins of purple glowing on the other side of the room.

"What in hell-" As large as he was, he wasn't planted and ready to handle a weight being thrown at him. Something pierced his shoulder, a dagger, but when he reached for it and wrenched it free, it... it moved. In surprise he let it go and reached for the figure that had bowled him over.

"Tell me why you did it!" The girl demanded, and the lizard man recognized immediately.

"Madhuri...? Child, what's wrong? Rgh-" That spaded tail jabbed into his flesh again.

"They're dead! You poisoned them!" She hated that her voice was cracking. She wanted to sound intimidating, she wanted to sound stronger than she really was.

"Dead? Poison!? Peanut, what in the Prime is going on? Settle down!" She would never be strong enough. At eight feet tall and several hundred pounds, the dragonborn cook would easily pry the young tiefling from him. In retaliation, the girl howled with fury, and the dragonborn's body was engulfed in flame. She was dropped, and her body sunk low, withdrawing.

The dragonborn dropped to his knees, fighting to put the flames out. But burning scales flew and caught on the draperies, the wooden cabinets. The flames grew.

"Oh gods... oh gods, what have you done!?" The panic rose in his voice. The wood was old and dry, the draperies naught but dust. They filled the air with smoke.

"K-killing you...! Getting revenge for what you've done to Mom and Papa!"

"I don't know what you're talking about, girl! I love Shara and Byron! Gods, my wagon...! Get out of here! Get help!" But as he fought to gather water and throw it against the flames, he was losing sight in all the smoke. From outside, alarmed voices grew. The smoke and flames could be seen by the others.

Madhuri stepped back. This man killed her parents. It... it was the right thing to do, to let him burn like this, right? She was a tiefling. Flames never hurt her. She could stand here and watch.

Yet she felt sick. She knew this dragonborn. She knew Warrick. He'd been nothing but kind to her. But he... he had to have done it, right? He had his reasons!

"Stop gawking and get the Ringmaster, NOW, you foolish girl! Gods, all my spices...!"

Oh gods. He didn't do it. And now she'd rendered the man homeless. If she'd just talked to him, asked him who made their meals, she'd have gotten to the bottom of this, surely...

Instead, just as impulsively as she'd attacked the man, she turned and fled.

Good Memory

[princeandscholar]

Stepping into the glow of the firelight and glancing over the scene, he can’t help echoing their smiles. This is more like it! A wintertime celebration… but where? Orcelito assumes he's still in his home country until a closer look reveals the fashions and architecture are different. Is this in the past of Vaikuntha? But one of the young women looks familiar.

He finally catches sight of older-Corrin and recognizes her from the Curti Center. A light blush follows being noticed in return.

"Ah, I'm sorry. It wasn't my intention to intrude." He tosses a concerned glance at the Pupu of Starlight Past.

Spoilers for Kingsglaive

[sonoftenebrae]

A Memory of Peace

[The air is cold, and a brisk wind sends a light scattering of snowflakes swirling through the air. The snow has only begun to dust the ground, but the air carries the scent of wood smoke from the houses nearby, their hearths fired up against the cold.

A line of people travel from house to house. Three figures walk in front, followed by a line of guards in Tenebraen livery, who lead carts of gifts and food.]

Mother, isn’t it time to turn back? We’ve been at this for hours. [A gangly blond teen, nose turned red by the cold, protests. His mother, regal in a thick feathered cloak and a crown decorated with holly, shakes her head.]

Ravus, there are still more families to visit. They need us now more than ever. [Her admonishment comes gently. If she is cold or tired, she doesn’t let it show.]

At least send Lunafreya home. She shouldn’t be out in this cold. [The tone is equal measures of concerned older brother and sulky teen wanting to boss someone around. The little Lunafreya, dressed in white with cheeks flushed with either cold or excitement at the season, whines at that.]

Mother, tell him! I am the future Oracle, and I am old enough to help!

We must all do our part, Ravus. You know this, my darling.

[Young-Ravus sighs, but he stops complaining at that. If Lunafreya won’t turn back and return to the warmth of their mansion, he can’t either.
The door of the next house swings open before Queen Sylva has a chance to knock. The households of this poor section of Tenebrae have all been waiting for the annual visit from their queen. The family welcomes the royals eagerly, and although they do not have much, they offer the Fleurets hot drinks and bowls of soup as the guards bring the supplies in. The Tenebraens dote especially over Lunafreya, who rushes out to bring in gifts for the children of the household from one of the carts.

The house is filled with laughter and hope, the shadow of the war outside of their borders lifted for this moment. Even Ravus unthaws a little in the warmth and smiles as he helps walk the family’s elderly grandmother over to his mother for healing. She pats his bony arm through his starched white coat and coos, ‘oh, what a upstanding boy, our prince is.’ He scowls, and his mother and sister both giggle in unison.]

A Memory of War

[The second vision falls a few months later. The weather is warmer, and the forest clearing smells of soil and greenery. The earth is soft and fertile beneath the feet of the party gathered there, and when conversation between the visiting Lucians and the Tenebraens wanes, the sound of running water can be heard.

It is an idyllic scene, allies gathered together in peace, the Princess Lunafreya pushing Prince Noctis’ wheelchair around to show him the various blooms native to Tenebrae. Ravus stands beside his mother, proud of this place of honor with the adults rather than being relegated to play with the children.

The conversation around him is boring— affairs of state and exercise regimes for the recovering prince— and Ravus is only giving it half an ear as his attention wanders.

The Niflheim troops get the drop on him all the same. By the time any of the group hears the roar of Magitek engines overhead, there is no hope of escape. The troopers descend from above, and there is chaos.

Ravus doesn’t run. Princes don’t run, and he won’t go anywhere without his mother and sister. Around him, the gathered guards and nobles rush past, fighting or fleeing, making it hard for Ravus to scan for Lunafreya.

The sound of a gun firing is magnified in the memory, a deafening crack before an explosion of pain in his left arm. Ravus crumples, clutching at the wound. He turns and sees the expressionless mask of a Magitek Trooper standing above him, its wrist hanging at a grotesque angle to expose the nozzle of a flame thrower.

The world is transformed into heat and smell of accelerant. Sylva cries out her final word, her son’s name, as she throws herself in the path of the streaming fire to shield him. The stench of burning flesh and hair, the crackling of the roaring fire, and the heat overwhelm everything else, and for a moment, everything goes white.

At some point, the Trooper’s flame attack ceases, though the grove still burns around them. A gigantic blade stabs through the queen, who collapses like a puppet with strings cut once General Glauca jerks it back out. Ravus screams, but he’s so little of a threat that the armored man doesn’t even turn back to finish him off.

Ravus crawls to his mother’s side, reaching for her even though he knows there is no hope for her. His eye catches movement behind him, and he turns to see Regis rush past, Noctis clutched tightly to his chest and Lunafreya trailing on his hand.]

Please, help us! [He begs, but he already see the king will not stop.] King Regis!

[He lets his head sink down to his mother’s still-smoldering shoulder as he sobs in pain and fury. The Niflheims return with Lunafreya, and Ravus’ tears subside. His left arm hangs limp at his side, but he drags his right sleeve over his wet face, leaving streaks of blood and soot.]

Regis, you’ll pay. I’ll make you pay for this. [He murmurs to himself, over and over, as the two remaining Fleurets are gathered up and led back to their home by their new Imperial ‘guardians’. ]