Descent into Darkness

[bravenewmods]

As the characters arrive, they will find what appears to be a rather deep cavern. Upon entering, the caverns are quite narrow, with twists and turns everywhere and different tunnels that all seem to be interconnected. As characters travel deeper within the caverns, reality around them will start to warp, they will start to see and hear things that aren’t necessarily there - images of old enemies, past failures, voices of condemnation, visions that strike at the soul and core of the characters. Once this begins, it will only increase in power and volume, demanding it be confronted, lest they be trapped within these caves forever.

[OOC: This event will run for a week. All characters who enter the caves will be subject to some of their deepest fears, darkest demons, and most abject failures. To overcome them, characters must help each other out, finding their purpose through strength of character and resolve to move forward. In general, these visions should require characters to come to grips with themselves. Illusory images and voices can and will appear and can take any number of forms, depending on what is most appropriate to a character. Additionally, characters may thread with each other and are encouraged to help each other out to overcome these personal demons. For those who wish to take part, they are able and encouraged to narrate their own personal demons, which will be on display for everyone who enters their thread. IC threads may be made in this post.]

Comments

[wishingalone]

A few scratches and scrapes, but--the forest was--

[She looks over her shoulder.]

--it was falling apart. Trees were flying everywhere. I couldn't find my parents. Or anyone else.

[imprudens]

[ His eyes follow her look. ]

Mmh, it sounds like it's quieted down now. I'm glad you made it out okay.

[wishingalone]

I...

[She looks back down. Her eyes widen; there's no physical sign of it, but the "real" Mami begins to take hold of the younger version here. Something about what he says...]

...I wasn't hurt, but I didn't make it out okay. I left my parents behind and this forest is so lonely, but... it's what I deserve.

[imprudens]

[ Ah... there it is again. He lacks a point of reference for what it feels like, being really attached to one's parents. But he can see that she's not okay. And he can see that she's blaming herself. So he does what he tends to do, he poses a question she might not have thought of. ]

What's deserving got to do with it?

[ His tone isn't grave or accusing or demanding, but light, almost casual. It's an honest question. ]

[wishingalone]

...what?

[She didn't expect that question. It interrupts her train of thought, stopping the self-loathing before it can really start. Mami turns and stares at Totsuka. She also doesn't understand it.]

Everything! We... we get what we deserve. It's how the world must work. It lets justice be done. It...

[But the speedy defense falters and she trails off.]

[imprudens]

Mmh. See, I don't think people all just get what they deserve. Sometimes, bad things happen to people who've done nothing wrong. Sometimes even before they've had a chance to make any kind of mistake. [ He doesn't say "to small children". He doubts it would help to point out openly. ]

That wouldn't make much sense then, would it?

[wishingalone]

I... [It's one of those things where she knows, on some level, that he's right. That he brings up a fair point. But Mami hesitates, still, because that guilt is deeply ingrained.] ...I remember her face, as I ran off. How can I forgive myself for that? Why should I have lived?

[imprudens]

In the end, aren't children supposed to outlive their parents? Not like this, of course, but... [ He trails off. That is how it goes, isn't it? He doesn't know much about family. About parents what what they think and want or should think or want, or feel. But it doesn't seem to him to make sense to keep hanging on to what should've happened. ]

[wishingalone]

...th-they are, of course. But... [Mami doesn't finish that right away, looking down at the ground. She shudders, drawing her arms around herself.] How we live. That must be important too? Mustn't it?