towerofanimus | [.oo8] A Compulsion of Memory [OPEN]

Entry tags:

[ou] naminé

[.oo8] A Compulsion of Memory [OPEN]

Characters: Naminé (OU) and any passersby.
Setting: Floor 11/later in the day Floor 3, December 26th
Format: Responder's choice.
Summary: Naminé's Christmas present from the Tower has put her in a strange mood. Studying ensues, resultant exhaustion included.
Warning: Memories/possible reference to kidnapping, violence, death etc. pretty much only as a past occurrence.

Floor 11

[Someone is seated at the edge of the lake, right in front of one of the waterfalls that empty into it. A couple of blankets are gathered around her, probably taken from her bed. Wrapped around her and even forming something a hood over her head, only a few strands of golden hair visible from behind her, they offer some amount of defense against the cold as she works. Curiously, there appears to be a small doll also tucked into the blankets, on the edge of them not far from the girl's right side. On her left, some distance away from her but close enough to imply that it belongs to her (whether she likes it or not) is a white cage, about the right size to house a small bird. It is empty.]

[Those who are familiar with it or have the sense for it may recognize, even before getting close enough to see what she's doing, that she seems to be practicing magic. Persistently, over and over as if training, she reaches out pale, slender hands to form glowing barriers against the falling water, allowing it to flow off over the edges of the spell but attempting to maintain or strengthen that shield as best she can. Other times, she does something else entirely, using another sort of magic to stop portions of the water entirely, as if they are frozen in time, though this, too, wears off eventually. Over time, she is becoming more skilled.]

[It looks like something has encouraged Naminé to do a little studying.]

Floor 3

[Later in the day, Naminé can be found in the library, several books relating to magic spread out on the table before her, the doll next to them and the cage on a chair by the far side of the table. Unfortunately for her, it seems she's done a little TOO much studying today, because she's out cold, head on her arms which are folded over the one book she was trying to use to FINALLY take a break, a book of fairytales (ironically) open to the story of Sleeping Beauty. The blankets are still wrapped around her, but in her sleep it has fallen from around her shoulders and now rests mostly against the chair itself.]

Flat | Top-Level Comments Only

Nor would many things be too strange for Naminé, but she is mindful of telling others things that would trouble them, be it because of the tone of the subject matter itself or because it was cause for confusion.

"Yes.... I've... seen a lot of that happen before." She shook her head. "It seems like it's just the way the worlds work." It was just a shame that they had to be that way.

Tohko nodded.

"I've seen that happen at home too, and I've read of it too. However, even though that's the way the universes work, it's not a bad thing. Without understanding pain, one cannot understand joy. It's like they say at home: The world is not beautiful, therefore, it is. By realizing the sad and bitter things, you see the good and sweet things as well."

"No Darkness without Light and no Light without Darkness. It does seem to be the same, no matter where you go or what you're talking about. Both are necessary. Things the way they are couldn't work otherwise. To change that... would mean changing the way everything functions, in a way so fundamental that life would probably be unrecognizable. It's not possible," As far as she knows, anyway. "... and probably not advisable. But it is interesting to think about, sometimes."

At the mentioning of light and darkness, Tohko looked a tad puzzled, but nodded her head.

"It probably would be a dangerous thing to do, if you tried. However, it is interesting to think about. It might make a good story for someone someday. Pardon me for asking..but do you know a boy with short blue hair that wears a lab coat? He's a scientist that's really interested in the heart."

A reasonable comparison when one is familiar with her worlds, but perhaps not so when one isn't.

The question gave Naminé visible pause. She recovered in fairly little time, but perhaps not soon enough. "... I might. What's his name?" Because she could match the description to someone she knew, yes, though not without some slight discomfort and the desire to be certain before jumping to any conclusions.

Tohko sighed and scratched her head. This obviously made Namine uncomfortable. "Sorry..I didn't manage to catch his name..however, I do remember that he might have done some horrible experiments on the hearts..and he seemed to be a really big jerk. I'm sorry if I bothered you by mentioning him."

The blonde paused, then shook her head. "It's alright. It's just-- if you're talking about the same person I'm thinking of, then... it may be best for you to keep your distance." There was another pause, for just a moment, then, "If you don't mind my asking... how old was he? Or-- how old did he seem to be, that is."

Tohko sighed. "Probably.." However, Tohko was bad at avoiding people that she should have. Mostly because she was way too stubborn to give up on them.

Tohko then nodded. "Sure. He looked to be about nineteen."

Naminé could relate, in some ways. The answer caused her brow to knit, a frown tugging at her lips. A moment late, she nodded back. "I was afraid of that. If that's the case, I'd have to stand by what I said before. He's--" What was the term? "... probably bad news."

Tohko sighed and scratched her head. "I had a feeling that he wasn't a wholly good person. But..could you tell me why? He wouldn't tell me too much about himself or his past, so I was never able to figure that out. I guessed..but I'm not sure if my guessing is correct."

"Well--...." She faltered, trying to think of how to phrase it. "Let's just say... that he has been very manipulative in the past. If it suited his ends, I don't think he would hesitate to try to use you. It may not be in his interest to now, but-- it's definitely something to watch out for." That really wasn't even the half of it, but getting into the details - that might not be in anyone's best interest, either. The less involved Tohko was, the better.

Another chess player, huh? Tohko sighed. First Wilhelm, and now this guy. Why did the Administrators like bringing jerks and manipulators to the Tower? For extra conflict? Tohko nodded.

"Right, I understand. He's another chess player of people. Don't worry..I'll be careful. I've already dealt with another chess player in the Tower, so I'm a bit prepared."

"Something like that, yes." An apt description, it seemed. Naminé blinked at that last part, head raising slightly. "I... suppose it's good that you're ready, if you do have to handle that. Still, I'd-- suggest avoiding it entirely, if you can." Now, to indulge her curiosity. "... Who was the other one?"

Tohko nodded. "Alright then. And don't worry..I'll try to avoid being a pawn."

Tohko then sighed, thinking about the best way to describe Wilhelm. "..A white haired man named Wilhelm. He's in the Tower too, and he's even more dangerous than this blue-haired boy, as he can play chess with his whole universe and not care or be detected until it's too late."

A smile finally started to return to her face. "Thank you. I'll try not to worry too much."

Naminé was content to be patient through any waiting necessary. Any attempts at a smile, however, fell away at the answer. "The whole universe?" It was more of a way of testing those words out than a sign of disbelief. "... He does sound like trouble. I'll be certain to be on the lookout. -- He didn't hurt you, did he?"

Tohko gave a small smile in return. "Good. I'm glad to hear that."

At her question, Tohko nodded. "Yup..his whole universe. In order to save his universe, he decided that a method called the Eternal Recurrence should be used. The Eternal Recurrence brings the universe back to the starting point, but certain things have to happen in order to use it. So, with a tool, he was able to manipulate the universe for quite some time in order to bring the universe back to the start..and manipulate it again."

Tohko then sighed and gave a weak smile. "No, he didn't..not physically at least."

Her lips pressed together as she considered this. It wasn't the sort of thing she was comfortable with the idea of. It may not have been her universe in the balance, but that sort of power being in the Tower, too--... well, perhaps he was limited, to even be contained in a place like that at all. "I'll definitely try to stay out of his way."

That response was a more welcome one, and it earned a little smile from Naminé in return, one meant to be encouraging. "That's something, then. But... did he hurt you any other way?"

Tohko sighed and nodded. "Thank you..I'm glad to hear it. He's not a wholly trustworthy person."

Tohko's smile then looked a little sad. "..He found out a huge secret of mine and revealed that he knew in quite a dramatic way. I know he doesn't care about the secret itself, but I know he'll use it any way he can in the future.."

She sighed again.

Naminé's smile slipped away once more to be replaced by a frown. "... Blackmail. I'm so sorry. I know it must be troubling for you. But, you know-- there are worse things he could threaten you with, aren't there?" That was... sort of a bright side, right?

Tohko sighed and shook her head. "..Actually, he promised not to tell anyone my secret. However, he could break that promise..or use my secret in some way I'm not thinking of. He's not a chessmaster of the universe for nothing."

Tohko then sighed and gave a small smile. "That's true..there are worse things he could do. Hopefully he won't do them..but the trouble is that he won't hesitate to do those things if he thinks it's necessary. He runs on orange and blue morality, if you will."

A blink; Naminé was perhaps much too used to those with leverage using it, too used to threats and coercion. "Really?" Her brow knit. "... Huh. Well-- I suppose we'll find out what his true intentions are sooner or later, if they effect you."

There was an obvious question in the tilt of her head, even before she asked. "'Orange and blue'?"

Tohko sighed and nodded. "Really. However, I did just tell you what his goal was. Since I know a lot about him and his universe already, he'll probably try to make a pawn out of me..and anyone else he has to use."

Despite the situation, Tohko lightly chuckled at the headtilt and the question.

"Yup. You know how people usually refer to black and white when they talk about morality? Well, when someone or something runs on a completely different morality system, people usually call their morality orange and blue. Of course..that usually only happened in stories. I didn't expect to run into anyone like that here.."

"Yes, but... I suppose that depends on how exactly you fit into it." Because it was one thing to be used and another matter how.

"... Hm. I get it. With the number of worlds out there, I suppose it was inevitable. Then-- what have you learned about his morality?" That could be quite useful information, in the right situation.

Tohko sighed and nodded. "That's true..he's told me he'll ask me to analyze certain literary works sometimes, and I'm trying to think of an alternative for his universe..but he's not the type to reveal too much information about his plans. I have no idea how he'll use me.."

She then sighed again. So, in Namine's universe, there was more than one world that people lived on.

"That he considers his goal and method above good and evil and that he will sacrifice a million people if that means a billion get to live. He doesn't really care about humanity, but since it's his duty to save them, he will. Plus, if they died, so would he..but he told me his goal goes beyond mere self-preservation."

Naminé's hands clasped together as she considered this. "... It's hard to know if he's only starting you out with tasks like that or if that really is his only purpose for you. It's not the worst thing he could ask you for." Even if the idea was still quite distasteful, especially for someone like her.

"So... it sounds like he's at least dedicated to his duty, whatever his reasons might be. Hm. Well, the more you can find out, the better, I think. If you can understand how his mind works, you may be able to find away around his plans." Not easily, though, of course. Chess against a chess master never was, but it might have been better than just taking everything sitting down. Something to consider, at least.

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject