Event Log: Memories Past

[hadrielmods]

Who: Everyone
What: Memory Share Event!
Where: All around the city
When: November 14th-20th
Warnings: Please remember to tag all warnings for memory shares!

Have you ever looked through someone else's eyes? Heard through their ears, spoken with their tongue? The gods have tried to teach some of you empathy, but it's time you learned the hard way, exactly what the others here have been through. For a week, every time you brush skin to skin with someone, you'll experience a memory of theirs: happy, sad, it doesn't matter. All that matters is that it feels real to you.

The first touch may come as a surprise- it lasts only for a split second but may feel like an eternity, where you're trapped in someone else's memory. After that, it could be more expected, and some may even figure out how to control it and share specific scenes from their past with others. Or, you might wear gloves and long sleeve shirts for awhile, nobody's judging.

Maybe curtail the handholding for awhile- or go right ahead, if that's your thing. After all, you never really know somebody unless you've walked a mile in their shoes, right?

► This log covers November 14th-20th.
► Feel free to make your own logs as well
► Please tag headers of threads with content warnings where they apply
► Please put your character's name and open/closed in the subject line of your starters!
► If you die in a memory, you don't die in real life, but if you do die in real life please let us know here.

Comments

proposal

[closerift]

[ This scene is not one within Hadriel. It's a beautiful day outside of a beautiful building, one lavish and gilded and host to something of a major event. The name of the setting is made known as the man within the scene speaks it: the Winter Palace, a place apparently within "Orlais." That's secondary to the actual memory, though, which features a dog that is often at Cecily's side within Hadriel: Pup the mabari, and his original master.

"The Inquisition will change after this. I'm not yet sure what that will mean."

It means something, apparently, because he soon utters a command typically meant as a question: "marry me." Cecily is appropriately confused at the change in subject, but does not require much convincing.

In sight of the circumstances, the wedding is limited to an audience of their officiant and the dog, and it's clearly impromptu, but everyone involved seems incredibly at peace, at least in this rare moment... ]

[pocketspa]

[Honestly, Taako's not one to super talk about emotional shit like this. Not to mention that Cecily's description of her world and everything back there isn't... great. He's sort of been under the impression that when this whole Hadriel ride ends, they're gonna be kidnapping her back to Faerun with them to live in a cooler magic world and leave hers to burn or something. But this is very, very tender. A closeness he hasn't really had the balls to ask about or question. So when they come down after an accidental touch out on patrol, she might catch a moment where she can see him in a moment of actual shock before he corrects himself into a telltale grin.]

Wow, Cec, that was pre-tty gay. Wouldn't take you for a marriage kinda girl. No harem? Don't you run a big organization or something, you could totally get a harem.

[closerift]

[ Of course it's Taako who stumbles upon one of her more personal moments, but that seems to just be what happens these days. When he catches her in the middle of a passing thought about the husband she hasn't seen in years, the Inquisitor groans, scrubbing a hand across her face and trying to look as exasperated as possible. ]

You know, I tried a harem, and I actually found it's not all it's cracked up to be. People can get a bit needy in that scenario, and I absolutely cannot deal with neediness.

[ ahem ] Also, you've not seen him with his shirt gone. I think you might change your tune if you had.

[pocketspa]

[He barks a laugh, resisting the urge to slap her on the shoulder. Let's keep this consentual from here on out.]

Okay, number one, love that. Number two, girl, show me that though. If you wanna trade we can trade, I got sooo much good shit of Krav stockpiled. He has back muscles like you wouldn't believe.

[closerift]

I didn't choose to show you anything, thank you. [ Is she about to share a memory of Cullen with his shirt off?? ...Maybe. ] I'm still not sure that I've met Kravitz. If he and his back muscles are here, then I feel incredibly slighted.

[ Taako. Do it for the greater good. Get dem muscles on DISPLAY. ]

[pocketspa]

[DO IT DO IT DO IT DO IT DO IT]

Uhh, yeah my dude. Krav's been here like a year. He's kinda the quieter type, or like, he doesn't tend to get involved in stuff unless it's death stuff. Or me stuff. It's a thing.

[But now he grins like an absolute beastie, raising an eyebrow at her.]

I think some tradesies are in order, my gal.

vaguely nsfw gif get

[closerift]

Or working on his figure. [ Maybe he's born with it, maybe it's the Raven Queen?? ]

Fine, fine. But if he arrives again, ever, you can't tell him that we did this. He may never recover.

[ She extends a hand for him to grasp, after which he'll be treated to something not unlike the "I'll Make a Man Out of You" sequence. A Commander Cullen, dressed just in his breeches and shoes, spars with recruits who have a long way to go in their training. Cullen is unintentionally putting on quite a show: glistening with sweat, putting all of his arm and torso muscles on display, making more than a few noises of exertion.

Cecily looks pleased when Taako returns from the memory. ]

hell fucking yes

[pocketspa]

[Taako's grinning from ear to ear, which is doubly impressive considering he's an elf, and reaches forward to take Cecily's palm. And uh, wow. What the fuck. As soon as Taako returns to himself, he licks his lips, raising an eyebrow to her.]

Alright, alright-- I can accept that. Oofa doofa, you did not pick a clunker, my dude. May I say, quite a choice. But can it really compare to this?

[He reaches forward and pokes her right in the forehead, his own memory in tow. Taako's is quieter, more subdued; it's dark, but it doesn't matter through Taako's eyes, the elf's darkvision making the scene appear in black and white. He's blearily pulling himself into sitting up in bed, shaking off sleep, and there's Kravitz right next to him, entirely naked. The sheets cover his bottom half, but he's shirtless, granting Cecily a view through Taako's eyes at toned arms and a tight chest. Taako picked this memory very personally- in his own head, he reaches forward, brushing a hand at his pec and moving it upwards to his bicep, trailing back over the shoulder and letting fingers dance over his back before cupping his chin in his hand. Kravitz, in his sleepiness, nuzzles into the touch, and Taako smiles, unseen. It isn't long before he tucks back down into Kravitz' chest, pressing his head into the crook of his neck and draping a free hand over his shoulder to wrap him up before he drifts back off to sleep.

He's also grinning about as smugly as can be as this one wraps. Be glad he's not shameless enough to pick something more explicit, and that was really only because Cecily seeing his dick at this point feels weird.]

Sooooo. Tell me I'm right.

[closerift]

[ Well then. Hard to argue against that set of muscles. There's an instinctual warmth that brushes over her skin at the scene, and she chuckles, low, with approval. ]

You're certainly not wrong. [ Damn. Lucky Taako, getting his handsome man 24/7 here in Hadriel. She doesn't have the room to be bitter at the moment, because this is all about appreciating the male form, not being a bummer. ]

And how soon can I meet the person attached to that back?

[pocketspa]

[He grins, wiggling his shoulders in an excited little movement.]

I mean, if you want him shirtless, you're gonna have to give me a little bit. But if it's just whatever, I'm sure I can draw him out sometime. We can make a day of it. Come on over, I'll make some tea, we'll have a chat about like, death or whatever. Maybe I can conveniently tell him you're showing up in 10 and you can just walk in and catch him unawares.

[What sucks is he thinks he remembers that person Cecily showed him, one of the first times they talked, almost a year and a half ago. When he muddied his boots at the banks of the river, when she held his corpse as she clung to life, when they both just needed someone and it didn't matter who. He didn't do a good job then, but-- he wasn't really himself. But he doesn't need to bring that in here. Not now.]

But make sure it's a look but don't touch stitch, that boy is mine, I pulled him out of hell fair and square. Literally.

[closerift]

Is it right that we're scheming to take your lover by surprise so that I can see him without his shirt on?

[ That's ethical, probably?? ]

I'm not going to lay a finger on those finely-toned muscles, I promise you. [ For. So many reason. ] Only my eye-fingers. [ ... ] That sounded horrifying and I'd like it scratched from the record.

cw: body horror maybe??????? im fucking sorry

[pocketspa]

[He's already ready to quip back that yes, that's exactly what he's doing, when Cecily busts out fucking eye fingers and he barks a laugh that he doesn't even attempt to hold in.]

Nope! Done! Burned into memory forever. Eye tendrils used to finger fuck my man. Cecily, I am personally disappointed.

[He can't even speak if not in a giggle by this point, but that doesn't change the fact that he realizes he can make that with magic, and therefore immediately has to.]

Wait, holy shit, watch this--

[Minor illusion is easy peasy, so Cecily can now be treated to a view of Taako where he does in fact have eye fingers. There's fingers there around his eyes now. It doesn't last long because he's losing it too hard to keep the illusion up for more than a few seconds.]

you're..........not though

[closerift]

[ Cecily makes a garbled sound as this hellscape makes itself known, throwing her hand up to try and shield her poor eyes. ]

Fuck, Taako, that is the worst thing I have ever seen in my life, and I'll have you know that I've seen a lot I'd like to forget about.

[ Please, someone. Scrub her brain so she can forget. ]

You've absolutely undone all the good you offered when you shared that memory by inflicting this nightmare on me.

[fogsong]

[ It happens in the blink of an eye and all it took was a brief brush against Cecily's arm. The memory fills her with such warm, familiar feelings that it makes her heart feel as if it were glowing. There was something so oddly perfect about it, so preciously them.

It's funny how much she'd forgotten about Cullen; the waves in his hair; the husk in his voice; hell, she's pretty certain she remember his scent along with the bright, richness of the palace grounds. Is this how Cecily felt, all excitement and uncertainty twisted up sweetly?

Sharon swallows a thick lump in her throat, the world coming back in a nauseating rush. Oh god, she misses him now. Her eyes wet against her will, nose tingling. ]

I think I.. [ She feels as if she should apologize. For what she saw, from what was felt. She's lets out a controlled breath. What does she say? How? ] Did Cullen ask... How did he propose?

[ No, she can't bring herself to believe what she saw. This is just some sick joke or... Or... She knows exactly what it is and she's just deluding herself. She hates bringing up the woman's significant other, fear of reminding her, fear of hurting her, but she wants to know now. ]

[closerift]

Cullen? [ ...Oh. What had Sharon seen, she wonders? Hopefully nothing particularly scandalous. The Inquisitor scoffs lightly, turning her gaze away. ]

...By accident, it sounded like. We were in the middle of a very important meeting, more or less, and I came across him playing with a dog. ...Pup, actually.

[ The mabari isn't here, but Sharon knows him, of course. ]

We were talking about the creature, and then he just sort of blurted it out. Very eloquent, the Commander.

[ Ah, well. That's what they have Josie for.

... ]

I miss him. [ She admits, chuckling weakly. ]

[fogsong]

[ It's the same memory. Cullen was never the chattiest of men within Hadriel back then but he'd had such a strong presence; a comforting strength. There can be no wonder as to why Cecily misses him and everything he was. They gave to her, like Rose and Chris, a hope that things like love were real. ]

I... saw that. I saw him propose and... I saw a small wedding. [ She can remember so many details so vividly that it's dizzying and somehow makes her heart full. ]

[closerift]

Ah. Yes, that was at the Winter Palace. [ Embarrassing, but it could be worse, and this is Sharon. Her expression softens a little, giving way to a rare sort of smile. ] Impromptu, as you saw, but no less...mm. It was - nice. We really did need to keep it a bit of a secret, but I would've preferred it that way anyway.

[ It wasn't as if she'd ever want family there, if she were to wed. ]

[fogsong]

[ The Winter Palace. It was something she'd never see back home. Cecily's world was beautiful, like something straight out of a fantasy novel she would read instead of paying attention to her schooling. ]

It seemed kind of... you two, honestly. I can't see Cullen wanting anything really grand, let alone you. [ She looks down, a smile on her face. ] I'm... I'm kind of sad I didn't get to be there but I'm glad I got the chance to see it.

[closerift]

I wish that you had. If anyone else could have been there, then I wish it had been you.

[ Sharon knows her and had known Cullen. Sharon has seen her at some of her very worst.

Sharon is her closest friend. ]

Better you than that dog. [ She adds belatedly, a smile tugging at the corners of her lips. ]

[fogsong]

[ Sharon smiles wide. She bets the slobber just made the wedding. ]

I wish you two had one of those big, extravagant weddings. I bet you'd look amazing in a giant, fluffy, white gown that makes it impossible to go to the bathroom alone. [ And she knows Cecily would hate it so that, in some weird familial way, would have made it all the better. ]

[closerift]

[ Cecily groans as soon as Sharon begins to spout the idea, pulling a face. ]

That's revolting. You take that back. [ Imagine. All of Thedas might've been there. The concept turns her stomach. ] One of my advisors would cling to the idea, too. I think it'd be best if we never spoke of it again, just in case.

[fogsong]

I don't know, I'm kind of hoping this advisor makes an appearance and can make dresses based off of really intricate sketches. I'm thinking... [ She touches her chin dramatically, squinting her eyes. ] Ruffles. Lace. Something cinched around the waist.

With a cape.

[closerift]

Ruffles. [ She laughs, surprised and earnest. ] Another member of the Inquisition calls her that as a nickname. [ beat ] The woman is Josephine Montilyet, and she's just about the hardest-working person I've met in my life.

[ Strict, and finicky, and - a bit gaudy, but without her? The Inquisition would never have existed. ]

No cape, though, that I've seen.

[fogsong]

[ That woman's name is a bit of a mouthful, a bit like Cecily's last name, and Sharon isn't even going to give it a try. ]

Capes are so underrated. So, does she wear a lot of ruffles? I mean, nicknames don't come out of nowhere.

[closerift]

She does. It's an apt name. [ Ruffles and gold and other items of high fashion that Cecily could care less about. ] Varric gave everyone names, though. He had a habit of hitting the nail on the head with them.