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.]

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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.

Tohko sighed. "...It probably isn't, but it's still pretty terrible, especially since it involves my secret. However..even if that's not the only use he has for me, I have no idea what else he's planning to do with me, if anything at all. A chessmaster doesn't reveal their strategies while they're playing, you see."

Tohko sighed. "I think I know how his mind works now..but I only have one alternative plan that hasn't been shot down yet..it still needs to be run through by him or Azazello."

Tohko had no intention of taking things sitting down. She hadn't given up yet..she was just finding her options growing smaller and smaller, and the fact that her secret had been pulled out the way it had didn't help.

A sigh of her own, and, "I'm familiar with the type." Much too familiar. "Believe me, I... understand your position. But even chessmasters have weaknesses. It's just a matter of finding them. Still, right now, there may not be anything to do but wait."

"Good. At least you have that. It's a start, right?" And an attempt at a smile. "Who is Azazello?" A friend, or--

Tohko nodded. "I see..I'm sorry to hear that. It must have been horrible to deal with. I'm just not quite sure what weaknesses Wilhelm has..and I suppose waiting around isn't a bad idea.."

Tohko then gave a small smile. "That's true..and Azazello is a nickname I gave to..a man that works for Wilhelm. It's the best way I can put it. He wouldn't tell me his real name, so I gave him that nickname. However, he's much nicer than Wilhelm and seems to like the idea of finding an alternative as much as I do. I consider him a friend."

Her teeth pressed lightly against her lower lip, eyes threatening to avert for a brief moment. "Thank you. But... what's past is past." Or so she had to keep reminding herself. The possibility of that past no longer staying where it belonged was one that haunted her, and even more so today, after the gift that she received. "I wish you all the luck in the worlds."

"I see...!" She paused to consider this, one hand disentangling from the other to lightly press, fingers curled inward, against her chin. "So you won't be alone. Do you think maybe he's being controlled as well, or is he a willing participant?"

Tohko sighed and patted Namine on the head. "That's true..but that doesn't mean the pain goes away that easily." Tohko then nodded. "Thank you..and I wish you luck all the luck that my universe can offer."

Tohko scratched her head.

"Well..technically, I'll still be on my own. To become one of Wilhelm's workers, you have to know everything that you're getting into before you agree or disagree to be one. He's a willing participant, but he joined up with Wilhelm so that he could make the acts that Wilhelm does a little softer and easier to bear. He doesn't like the Eternal Recurrence, and as much as he would love an alternative, he thinks that there's nothing more he can do but wait until humanity can break the cycle."

Her eyes shut just a moment longer than necessary for a blink at the pat. Tohko was right - or would be, if Naminé were even capable of ~~believing in her own~~ pain. What she experienced took place at such a formative time in her life that she may never recover from it. It had such an impact on her personality, on her outlook, on everything that she developed to be that it was not an easy mark to erase. Her response was a quiet, grateful smile. She may not have been able to accept the assessment in good conscience, but neither could she deny it.

"Hm." Funny, almost, how she was reminded, though only slightly, of someone in her worlds. "That may be a noble goal. I can only imagine what it's like for him to take on such a responsibility. It makes me wonder how much influence he actually has." Not in any sort of critical way; it was more a matter of benign curiosity.

Tohko tried to give Namine a smile that look reassuring and nodded.

At Namine's words, she nodded. "It is a good goal..but it's a pretty heavy burden to be one of Wilhelm's workers..after all..you do have to die to take on the job. However, he does have some influence, as Wilhelm doesn't care what he does as long as he follows his commands and orders."

"-- Die?" Curious, that such a thing would be a requirement. Though technically all of the Nobodies had 'died' in at least one sense of the word, the idea was still distasteful to her. After all, most of them didn't do it willingly. "I suppose it's good that he chose to, and that he has that much control, but-- why did he have to die first?"

Tohko sighed and nodded. "I guess it is good that he picked to be Wilhelm's worker..as for why you have to die, in Wilhelms' world there are three..dimensions. The Upper Domain holds what humans call god. The Lower domain is where humanity resides, and the realm below that is the Collective Unconscious, where souls go once they die to be as one until some souls get reincarnated.

However..to be one of Wilhelm's workers, a soul has to be rather..special." How to tell her what Anima was without going on too long about it?

"However, since he can't make a certain person his worker until they die, he'll wait until they die and then grab them before they hit the Collective Unconscious and offer them a choice-be his gofer or go to the Collective Unconscious."

Tohko sighed and scratched her head. "Does that make any sense?"

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