Event Log: Dead Ringers

[hadrielmods]

Who: Everyone participating in the event!
What: The event log for the Dead Ringers event!
Where: All around the city
When: January 16th-January 25th
Warnings: Evil doubles, so we can assume manipulation, violence, murder, and maybe some nasty words

Everything seems normal on the morning of the 16th - actually, everything seems normal about the city for the entirety of this event. Nothing is strange, nothing is obviously wrong. Well, except that the population has mysteriously doubled, and the new residents each look exactly like one of the old residents. So weird! Definitely not ominous at all.

At least until your new double gets down to business. After all, their only goal is to ruin your life, and that can take any form. Smashing your favorite coffee cup? Telling your worst enemy they're right? Kissing someone else in front of your girlfriend? Brutally murdering you and then hiding your body in a closet so they can more effectively destroy your life? The possibilities are truly endless, and the only way to protect yourself is to kill your double first. They're not really open to negotiation, after all - but they sure might pretend to be in order to trick you.

So watch your back, and try to make sure that really is your best friend and not an evil clone masquerading as them. Boy, that would be awkward. If you can stick it out until January 25th, good for you! But if you didn't manage to and your double survives until the end - well, just as a final 'fuck you', there's a chance you'll come back to life and remember every awful thing your double did. Hey, at least that'll make it easier to fix, right?

► This log covers January 16th-January 25th.
► 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 your evil clone happens to take you out, please let us know here, and remember that you will not revive until the event is over.

Comments

"Chara" | Open + Closed

[somuchlove]

open | All over the city; If you can be good you'll live forever

[It started out as a feeling, then it turned into a thought.

Well, for a thing less than a demon, very little feeling. Or nothing, but nobody needs to know that! So they just smile.

There's so little time here, after all, for them to waste thinking about something like feelings. Once again, "Chara" has returned. The SOUL was passed over to them and they both took things down to a peaceful zero again. An nice, calm ERASE. A happy ending does not mean one can escape consequences. The moon cannot blot out the sun forever.

But again, they're wasting time. "Chara" has already made a little trip to their real's home, sneaked into their room that was off limits to everyone and removed that thing and shoved it into an envelope. It was going to be a gift for their dear Partner, but they wouldn't exactly be opposed to showing it to others. Their exit from the spire isn't exactly as graceful as it was on the way in, a kid in a stripped shirt zipping away at top speed might catch someone's attention but...

Well. It's not like "Chara" could care about such things.

Once they get out of there, however, then the real fun begins. "Chara" roams back alleyways and dark places in search of people or monsters. There's an unusual glint in their eyes and they almost seem to shamble from place to place rather than normally walk like the real one did. Perhaps, if you know how to look for it, you'll notice there's something even more wrong underneath.

But it all doesn't matter because "Chara" is smiling. Everyone liked it better when you smiled, right? And you all better smile back as they carve you to pieces...

=)]


Closed to Asriel; If you're bad, you'll die when you die

[There is one last person they need to meet.

Knowing the real one, this would likely be the last thing "Chara" does if they catch wind. But these things don't matter. Both of them are dead anyways so it doesn't matter! Well, it doesn't matter on account of "Chara" not having any feelings but what the heck.

At this point they ignore everything. Shut it all down, ERASE. Don't think about it because it isn't productive. "Chara" begins to scour the city on the hunt for their Best Friend for one last talk.

Chara began when they met Asriel and his family. "Chara" was going to end it.

It takes awhile. Asriel, if he wasn't with their real, was probably with their Partner and this was a...conversation that they wanted to have alone. But eventually, finally, finally they find him alone.]

Greetings, Asriel.

[* It's me.
* Y̵͟͜o̧ų̢͜r͝ B͘͠é̕s̵͠t̕ ̨̡F̀͘r̵̸͟ie͢͞n̸͝d̛.͟]

if i told you this wasn't going to hurt

[skelebro]

[It starts off pretty normal. Just an ordinary day, right? He don't feel very different. He's got no bouts of impotent rage directed at inanimate objects. He's just nipping into one of the shops to pick up some food for Brot when he pauses upon recognizing the kid that...

That's walkin' a lot like Frisk could, and did. Like their body is being dragged about by puppet strings, just barely knotting everything together into coordinated motion.

There's still something real off there. Something real wrong.

He's not about to let that sit. Maybe he would'a in another time but...kid's grown on him, like it or not. So he shoulders his way outta the shop, approaching 'em direct. It's best if they're direct, he's learned. Comin' at 'em sideways never helps anybody.]

Heya, kid. How's tricks?

bring it on Zero. I am ready

[somuchlove]

[They hear that voice and Chara looks at Sans and smiles.

And straightens up because they're just being silly! It's not like Chara was beyond being silly from time to time, if that last few meetings and conversations showed. So don't worry.

Or worry. Their smile is still just a little bit too wide, their eyes a little too bright. Chara didn't do things by halves either. This was no exception.

* The weakest enemy has appeared.]

Greetings. I'm doing rather well, actually. How are you?

my body is ready but my heart is not

[skelebro]

[Yeah, that's something that's more than a little off, he'd say. Still, no call to panic just yet. He's been, alarmingly, gettin' along with the kid better than he'd've ever expected. Maybe to the point that he could call 'em a friend.

Fancy that.]

Oh, y'know. Doin' just swell.

[His skull lists to one side, casually.]

You sure you're feelin' all right?

same :(

[somuchlove]

[Should they smile less? Laugh? Oh well, they'll figure it out later. Instead they bring a hand to their forehead like one would do for checking temperatures. Only a bit more exaggerated because that's what Chara does.]

No, I've been infected by the plague. Or just playing a game with Frisk.

[Duh.]

ᕕ( ᐛ )ᕗ

[skelebro]

[Trotting out the old sarcasm. That's two excuses in one, and neither of 'em have any particular weight whatsoever. He watches 'em quietly for a long moment.]

So it's a multiple choice kinda deal.

[What kinda game you playing, kid?]

[somuchlove]

[...well it doesn't really matter if Sans figures it out. It's not like killing them is something new! Not like he wasn't crossed out in that photograph either and hadn't THAT been fun.

So to that end Chara just shrugs.]

They do love using multiple choices in quizzes at school. So which one do you think it is?

[Because clearly it's only those two. Clearly there isn't a third reason.]

(glances at watch) oh golly is it pain o'clock already

[alltozero]

[This is... it's scary. There are doubles everywhere, and he's doing his best to ping-pong between keeping Frisk safe and watching over Chara, but it's hard to not worry. Worry that the other self, the one who Frisk shouldn't think of as really him, might be crawling around somewhere out there. Worry that maybe he won't be able to tell the real Frisk or Chara apart from their doubles, because he'd been so confident that Frisk was the kind of friend he'd always wanted until he saw them standing over Chara's lifeless body. Maybe he doesn't truly know anyone.

He's hurrying when he hears Chara call. Asriel stumbles to a halt, relieved to have found them, to hear them calling out in that familiar way of theirs - they take so much after Mom, always so good at talking like a real monarch.]

Chara!

[There's something... odd... about the way they walk. It almost seems automatic? Mechanical? Or, no. Stiff? Maybe they're sore. He remembers that even with Mom's healing magic, when they first fell, they were so full of bruises and scrapes and things that were supposed to bend but couldn't - a bunch of phenomena unknown to monsters, to beings made of dust and magic instead of capillaries and skin cells and marrow.]

Are... are you okay? You haven't run into any of those, um... those mean ones, have you?

my body is ready, let's do this

[somuchlove]

[They remember - or Chara just has the memories the real one possessed. The Fallen Child broke their arm when they fell and woke up feeling like the bruises, scrapes and bones had pierced right into their SOUL. They had not bothered to evaluate if it was the worst pain they've ever felt because they were convinced that was it. But...

* Here we are!

Chara smiles and by this point the emotionless thing had finally gotten the hang of it. Of how to smile just like the real one did when Asriel was around. Because their best friend was here! All good things must come to an end, after all.]

I am okay Asriel, I've been avoiding them. What about you?

[Because you're old friend Chara would be happy to talk to them if they've been bothering you!]

swandives into hell

[alltozero]

I just want to stay with you. You and Frisk.

[Just wants a chance to... to help, instead of being the thing in their way. The thing that ruins everything at the last second, when it's too late for them to do anything about it. Asgore's SOUL breaks and the six human SOULs are snatched away. He decides he doesn't like this plan anymore and clamps down control without a word of discussion, goes against everything they planned because it's just too awful to stare into the eyes of someone and strike them down.

He wants to do right by everyone this time. Not just right by everyone-but-Chara. Not just right by not-FrisK-that's-for-sure.]

But... um, but if you do see a me who acts strangely... don't think of that as me at all, okay? He's just - he's a liar. Anything he says isn't real. I care about you more than anyone, Chara, and I just want you to be safe.

[He doesn't know what he'd do if Chara saw... if there are a lot of Floweys out there, and Flowey is one of them. What would they think if they saw he'd become just as bad as the humans they detested so much? If they found out that instead of bracing themselves to take just six lives for the greater good, to free everyone, to asve monsterkind... that he'd just... kill for the sake of it? Cut down people simply because he had the power to.

What would he do with himself if Chara grew to hate him like they hated those violent, unfeeling humans?]

[somuchlove]

[Everyone got a double and by the sounds of it, Asriel's came knocking. Chara wonders for a moment if it's in the shape of that useless flower. What a show that would be if the real Chara met it! That's not their show to run but it'd still be interesting to watch.

But they can easily slip into the role of a concerned best friend. They smile slightly. It's a little bigger than Chara's normal smile though.]

I promise I'll be okay Asriel. And you're my best friend after all. No fake could mimic that.

[Which is not a lie, they think. Once upon a time Chara and Asriel were joined at the hip and if someone tried to replace the one, there would be no doubt in the other's mind that something was wrong.

That was then, however. And Asriel, dear Asriel who learned Chara's tells for things they never said out loud, never really looked too deep, did he?]

[alltozero]

[No, you can't fake love, can you?

...What does that make what Asriel feels, then? He's still empty inside. Incapable of truly caring. So separated from Chara that he confused a completely different person with them. So separated that he... he doesn't understand their smile quite like he used to, because they seem to be just a little bit too happy?

They smile when they're scared, he knows. Try to defuse situations with jokes and laughter, instead of escalating them with crybaby tears like Asriel does. Maybe they're afraid, and just trying to act strong.]

I know. You're tough. Tougher than anybody I know. I just... I'm scared, Chara. I'm scared I might lose you again. When I met Frisk, I... I couldn't even tell that they weren't you. What if I meet the other you, and I don't even recognize that it's not really you all over again?

[somuchlove]

[Make people laugh and they'll forget they're angry at you. Wear a cute ribbon and monsters won't hit you as hard.

It all evens out. You can't fake love but you can always bottle up LOVE.

If Chara had it in them anymore, they'd probably laugh here too. Not at their Best Friend, oh no. Just...the irony of the thing. Hearing "Please don't kill me." and going through it all again to reach the surface once more. But you can't escape those consequences, no sir. That's why they were there to begin with.

"Chara". System_information_963.

But let's move on.]

Well how about this? They have our memories up until today, so how about we come up with a code word? We say it to each other and we'll know that it's the real one.

[It's just like a game!]

RAMALAMA BANG BANG FLASH BANG BIG BANG

[save_theworld]

[Don't think about it anymore.

Frisk would like to think they won't. And they are trying very, very hard, at this moment, to put it out of their mind. Don't think about it. Don't think about it. Don't think about it.

But words stain and scar and hurt. They won't ever forget what Alphys said, not really. For the moment, at least, something is really wrong. And for the moment, at least, Frisk has a reason to be running about as they are, ignoring burning lungs and wobbly legs, to grit their teeth and make sure that the few times their eyes blur are the only times their eyes blur. Chara, Asriel, Sans, Papyrus. That's the priority right now. And everything else can be stuffed right down, until it's not second, or third, or any place at all.

It can.

They practically run into Chara in their distress. A gasping, wheezing mess that stops a few inches from collision, and takes a few steps back, because their partner won't appreciate it and big kids don't cry, silly.]

H-hey.

Okay?

Bing bong Ding dong Dom dom do dom dom

[somuchlove]

[You don't have to think about it anymore, your Partner is here.

Or just about run into. But Chara can appreciate the distance given once Frisk realizes who they nearly ran into. Perhaps it was just the nature of their body, but despite everything "Chara" still couldn't stand touch. But that thought is quickly discarded in favor of focusing on Frisk.

Because that's the important thing here, right? They school their face into something that looks concerned. Maybe. They might look a little frazzled.]

I'm okay Frisk. What about you?

[Even after all this time Chara's Partner didn't often look the way they did. Perhaps they ran into something? Because of the nature of their relationship, the fake Chara wasn't going to hurt them.

Still didn't mean they weren't going to hand over their gift. But one thing at a time.]

With a s-stammer bang bang

[save_theworld]

[They okay. A little frazzled, but okay. A few more deep breaths; they look over Chara keenly, trying to suss out if there's anything odd, or different. And that's the thing, isn't it? They're Partners.

They're Partners, and if something was wrong, Frisk should be able to tell. No longer just the voice in the back of their head, they're right there.

They would know.]

I just...

[They don't want to tell them if they don't know.]

Alphys said some things. I'm okay.

[Fine. Better than fine; 1/4.]

Where's Asriel?

Chash bang Bang bang

[somuchlove]

[Their smile is just a little wider than normal but Chara also laughs when nervous. It's just because they're frazzled, right? Right.]

I can't find him. I was hoping he was with you, but...

[Looks like they were wrong! Oh well, they'll find Asriel later. At least it's a sign that he's alone right now.]

Did she say no to helping us after all?

[May as well keep this 'nice' for now, then they'll hand over their present.]

Crash bang Big bang Bing bang

[save_theworld]

We should find him.

[They don't...think he'll do too well out there. Doesn't know what it's like, when you're facing down someone and they're exactly the same, but they aren't. They promised themself he wouldn't get hurt.]

Hm? No, I think-

[...]

I don't know. It's not important right now.

llama llama lam =)

[somuchlove]

[...so much for that promise! But that comes later.]

Agreed. Can you show me where you last saw him?

[It's clear they're not going to tell Chara any more about whatever went down with Alphys. Oh well, it's not like it really matters in the end.]

I have something to give to you as well, but it can wait.

[Concerned friends go find the people they intend to murder first, right?]

hello i am here for the Suffer

[sciencelizard]

[This week is the opposite of okay. She really feels like she should just be staying inside for the rest of her life, but food has to be found and she'll need things to do, so she's out and about. She's jumpy and uncertain, and the shambling movement of Chara's double catches her off-guard, causing her to nearly trip over her own feet.

But it's fine! It's fine, there's no... no human coming to get her, or anything. It's just Chara.

Yeah.

So she waves, just a little, tries to keep everything cordial. She'll just say hello and leave! Yep. She can Do This.]

H-Hey, Chara. Nice, uh, nice day, right?

Hi Suffer I'm Pain =)

[somuchlove]

[There she is!

"Chara" straightens up when Alphys speaks to them and smiles. It's a little...wider than what she might expect, but they're kind of weird after all! And it's not like things have been too bad between them lately.

Yeah, right. Well, it's not like they can be bitter about things anyway.]

Greetings, Alphys. It is a beautiful day outside. How are you doing?

[sciencelizard]

[Well, it's enough that she trusts herself enough to actually speak to them, so better than most places.]

Uh, it's, o-okay. Except for uh, all the doubles and, uhm, s-stuff. You haven't, uh... s-seen another me running around being, uhm, really m-mean or anything, right??

[somuchlove]

[That'll just make this more fun if she doesn't recognize the difference.]

I have not, but personally I cannot see you being mean.

[Something a little nice, before things go downhill.]

Have you seen 'me' around? Or the real Frisk or Asriel? I am looking for them.

[sciencelizard]

Oh, n-no, I haven't. I've been trying to find them, too. I've heard, uhm, some of the doubles have been attacking people, and well, I don't know h-how much help I'd be with that, but uh, w-we're probably safer as a group, right? How did, uhm, y-you and Asriel and Frisk get separated?

[Since she knows they live together. Did something happen to one of them?]

[somuchlove]

[You could say that!]

Yes we were. I'm going to find Asriel in the dirt again at this rate! But I trust Frisk will look after him.

[Until Chara gets their hands on him, anyway. But it's still a strange way of putting it, isn't it?]

Want to help me find them?