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My Superhero Academy: Darkest Before Dawn

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PossiblyQuiteInsane Where am I? What's going on? from the other side of the mirror Since: Oct, 2016 Relationship Status: Above such petty unnecessities
Where am I? What's going on?
#676: Jul 20th 2020 at 2:58:04 PM

Meditation Class

The girl chuckled. "Battle scars I can give or take. All I want is for my existence to mean something. That's why I'm here."

Then Kano asked what he should call her. The girl paused in thought for a moment before shrugging. "I guess that is a little inconvenient these days. But I'm not picky. You can call me whatever feels good to you. Locksmith, Locke, Smith, Nancy, Sara, Jasmine, it's all the same to me. A name is like a scar, really. Just window dressing."

She chuckled a bit more at the comparison. "Still, it's a scar of love. Proof you meant something to someone else. I don't quite think I've earned that yet."

kagescorpionakki Breath of the Sun from Long Ago Since: Apr, 2009 Relationship Status: Anime is my true love
Breath of the Sun
#677: Jul 22nd 2020 at 6:23:27 PM

Meditation Class

Marisa gave Lucy a small smile. "You don't need to apologize, Lucy. You aren't bothering anyone here."

She rose, clapping her hands to draw attention as she walked back to the front of the room. "Alright, everyone, let's settle down and begin."

Sitting down, cross-legged, on her own mat, Marisa took a deep breath, closed her eyes, and exhaled. Her psychic presence grew stronger, gently brushing over each student and offering connection. "To reiterate, I'm a psychic specializing in emotions, as well as connections. If you'd like, try to mentally 'reach out' to me. You'll join your mind to mine."

She opened her eyes a moment. "You're not at all required to do this, however. Your mind is own, and I will never invade that privacy. Only open up if you feel comfortable with it."

Marisa closed her eyes once more, and focused. "If you do connect with me, you'll find it easier to share feelings and memories. Like so..." In front of her body, there suddenly swirled golden light, which coalesced into an illusory image.

A young girl, giggling as she was being pushed on a swingset by a boy around her age. Those who connected to Marisa's mental network would know instinctively that the girl was Marisa, and the boy was her brother.

"Once everyone who wants to has joined up, I want to ask any of you who feel comfortable to share something that's bothering you. It doesn't need to be about the attack. It could be anything that's getting you down. If you want to share a memory as well, feel free. One at a time, of course."

What is so amusing about this? Why do you take lives? How can you forget?
LilyTheLitten Inspector Irratino my beloved ❤️ from The Investigation Institute Since: Apr, 2020 Relationship Status: Longing for my OTP
Inspector Irratino my beloved ❤️
#678: Jul 22nd 2020 at 6:32:00 PM

Open mind. Okay. I can do that.

But what if it's a trap? What if she's actually a robot in disguise and will split open the skull of anyone who takes her up on the offer?

...

Skye did not open his mind.

When the teacher asked them to share anything that might be bothering them...Skye wanted to talk. He really did. But...well, other people might have more pressing matters. He could wait.

So he did. He folded his hands on his lap and let his eyes wander across his classmates, wondering who would speak first.

"Look inside yourself and to the stars; there, you will find your answers."
Enirboreh AKA Nixer from the domain of infinite floof. Since: Jul, 2015 Relationship Status: Non-Canon
AKA Nixer
#679: Jul 22nd 2020 at 6:57:15 PM

Meditation Class

Like hell I'm not.

Don't undermine her. Come on. Pull it together.

Lucy resumed her prior lotus position with zero effort whatsoever, patiently listening to Marisa's instructions even despite her fraying gaze. She blanched a little at the explanation but forced herself to calm down, repeating inwardly that it was entirely her own choice. She was in control.

But how could she be in control if she could never say ‘no’?

She decided not to think about that, and instead watched curiously as Marisa's memory appeared to manifest. An odd little smile crossed her features for a moment before vanishing just as suddenly, and she closed her eyes—seeming to let herself fall into a trance somewhere between intense concentration and complete relaxation.

She let herself connect.

The first thing she recognized was that horrible breathing. It was suddenly tangible, and right next to her face. She shivered, and made herself concentrate on something else. But the Wraith lingered. It was visible now. Barely an apparition; seeming to emanate a sickly feeling of uncanniness as it remained inhumanly still. It hovered on Lucy's right side, appearing to blend into the shadows behind her. Regardless of the viewing angle and the level of light in the room.

“...fell asleep... kinda...”

“Sheesh, that boring?”

“I guess...”

One voice that was recognizably Lucy's, and another that sounded a little younger and more masculine. The outlines were... vague. Fuzzy. It mustn't have been a clear memory. But it wasn't an unpleasant one. The two figures seemed to be walking down a rough approximation of a street, conversing lightly with each other. Interestingly, Lucy's tone seemed to be the most comfortable in both manner and volume they would've ever heard from her.

It was safe to assume this was a close friend or family member, judging by the familiarity in their voices.

“Can't believe you fell asleep. Not like you. Did you get through art class?”

“...Yeah...?”

“You didn't, did you?”

“...n-no...?”

“Tch. You're doing it again. Alright, that's it. Let's go get some ice cream.”

“It's January.”

“Lest the gods strike us down. Come on, Luce. I want one.”

“...Okay.”

“And I'm paying this time.”

“Like hell you will.”

It faded thereafter, and Lucy opened her eyes. She shifted uncomfortably at how mundane the memory was, and tugged at her hair absentmindedly—wondering whether elaborating on it was worth it or not. She supposed it was something, at least.

“...Th-That was um... I think the day I got my powers...” she explained, though her brows furrowed in apparent puzzlement. “...Just after, actually. Don't know why... the actual memory didn't show up... ”

In a strangely grounded way, it had just seemed... normal. Comfortable, even. Which the more she thought about it, the more she equated it to happiness. Her own happiness. There was no value placed in the nauseating experience of her powers manifesting.

“...but I guess... it's a memory I like...”

Edited by Enirboreh on Jul 22nd 2020 at 2:59:06 PM

bork
kkhohoho (4 Score & 7 Years Ago)
#680: Jul 22nd 2020 at 7:17:07 PM

Sue

Sue shrugged. She knew some of the others wouldn't care for someone poking around in their heads, but it's not like she had anything to hide. Closing her eyes, she laid down on the mat, letting her body splay out as all her fears and worries slipped away. Her mind opened, connecting itself to Marisa and anyone else who dared make the leap.

For now, Marisa was the only one letting it out. She could see the golden light as it warped and enveloped her. See her as a little girl. Playing with her brother without a care in the world.

Must have been nice to have a family.

But whatever. She didn't care. Not anymore. Because she had Ellie! And Izzie! And everyone else.

She remembered the first day she came to this school. Where she met Ellie. Where she met Momma. And the rest of the class.

And everyone else did too.

"Oh! You guys saw this already. This is where we all met! Well, most of us. Ooo! There's Lucy. There's Skye! Even Milos is there! Still haven't seen him since the first day. Anyone know where he went?"

...huh. Like, it wasn't as if she'd ever been sad or anything. Like, okay, the day she left her mother, she was bawling her eyes out. But that day? The day where they all met?

That was one of the happiest days of her life.

Somehow, she didn't feel so lonely anymore.

Bored_Man Since: Jun, 2015 Relationship Status: Abstaining
#681: Jul 22nd 2020 at 7:54:40 PM

Isobel (Meditation Class)

Having been snapped back to reality courtesy of Sue, Isobel heard the offer made by Marisa, and after having to really think about it, the huntress opted to try and join in. Trying to get comfortable on the mat, a feat more difficult than she expected due to how wound up she'd been and still was, Isobel eventually managed to make the connection.

Once she did, she and everyone else in the connection was privy to one of Isobel's happier memories...memories of the day she'd first been allowed to go on a mission with her family. They'd been sent out to deal with a horde of ghouls and other creeps besieging a town, and everyone in the connection could see that Isobel was having the time of her life walloping everything that came her way, even managing to save some civilians from attack. At the end of the fight, her older brother and even her father had praised her for a job well done. This brought a smile to the girl's face, one that was now on the older girl's face as well as she remembered this day.

Proud member of the AGOG community.
Blueace Surrounded by weirdoes from The End Of the World Since: Dec, 2010 Relationship Status: Chocolate!
Surrounded by weirdoes
#682: Jul 23rd 2020 at 6:38:29 PM

Miguel wasn't too crazy about the idea, but he still felt that he needed to share something.

He just needed to see what he wanted to show, but he just pushed forward to try and get the others to see something.

He just pushed a few thoughts.

A few incidents of vandalism, several fights, more than one big brawl, the incident when his powers manifested and he nearly burned down the school. He held back on the racketeering incident.

"Guess that's why I wonder, can I be a hero?" He said to the others.

"Hey, is Skye in here? Dude has been in a constant freak out since the unwanted visitors came" He noted to the others. "Can someone shove him here?"

Wake me up at your own risk.
Enirboreh AKA Nixer from the domain of infinite floof. Since: Jul, 2015 Relationship Status: Non-Canon
AKA Nixer
#683: Jul 23rd 2020 at 7:03:23 PM

Meditation Class

“Don't be mean, Miguel...” Lucy murmured, flicking her gaze over to him a moment before sending Skye a kind smile of encouragement. “You um... you feeling nervous, Skye? It's okay if you don't want to do this...”

See what she says.

Lucy froze at that. She normally wouldn't have, since she could just ignore it and rest assured that it wouldn't have been said aloud. But this wasn't her usual intrusive thinking. This warped, twisted tone was audible.

Not only was Wraith now visible to them, but it was audible too. Lucy paled at this realisation, and shrank back somewhat out of instinct. She only remembered to disconnect the link after the thing had started to lean over her, letting out a ragged breath as it clutched tightly at her shoulder.

Then it simply vanished. A slight flicker, and the cloaked phantom had gone completely. Along with the shadow it'd been hiding in; its previous position was now just as well-lit as the rest of the room. Lucy was now separated from the link, and she promptly curled up into a ball on the mat—hugging her knees close to her chest and shuffling away from the rest of the group somewhat.

Can't hide now. Give up.

Wish I could vanish too.

Matter of time.

I shouldn't have even come here.

bork
kkhohoho (4 Score & 7 Years Ago)
#684: Jul 23rd 2020 at 7:25:49 PM

Sue

Sue was taking in everyone's happiest or most valuable memories and experiences when suddenly there was some creepy hooded Psyco standing above Lucy. Her fur bristled at the sight. She wasn't sure how she knew. Like, sure, this was some sort of weird mindscape where everyone could see everyone else's thoughts and shit. But it could have just been some weird memory or something. Or maybe someone else's memory.

But it was more than that. Either Marisa's powers let them all know as a matter of course, or her instincts were kicking in like crazy. But...

...this was Lucy.

Another part of Lucy. The part she'd done her damndest not to show.

And now Sue and half the class had seen it plain as day.

As soon as Lucy cut the link and huddled in the corner, Sue soon— okay, maybe not that soon. She knew Lucy was hurting, that she needed help. But seeing that thing? Hooked up to Lucy, knowing on some level what it was?

It gave her the willies.

But she wasn't gonna let it stop her.

After slapping herself in the face, she managed to get herself together. She leaped over to Lucy, fur still bristling.

But she didn't care.

"You okay, Lucy? That was, uh..."

That was scary as shit.

"...okay, uh, look. Like, you don't gotta talk about it if you don't want to. But no-one's gonna judge you for having some creepy hooded thing lurking around in there. Like, I've got Mr.Bannana stompin' around in my noggin, and that's some real scary shit. But we're here for ya either way. Okay?"

By the Jade Emporer was this akward.

Edited by kkhohoho on Jul 23rd 2020 at 9:25:56 AM

Enirboreh AKA Nixer from the domain of infinite floof. Since: Jul, 2015 Relationship Status: Non-Canon
AKA Nixer
#685: Jul 23rd 2020 at 7:52:12 PM

Meditation Class

Mr... Banana?

Lucy blinked confusedly up at Sue as she gave her attempted form of comfort, before biting her lip and ducking her head down towards the floor. She seemed to be sulking, but in actuality she was now caught in an awkward thought loop about Sue having a giant banana in a bowler hat lurking within the darkest depths of her mind. Which didn't exactly suit the severity of the mood to talk about.

Though it would explain a lot about Sue, thinking about it.

“...Y-You weren't... s-supposed to see...” she stammered, barely managing to meet the monkey girl's gaze before her courage left her again. “I'm sorry... I-I'm sorry if I freaked you guys out. I know it looks... really bad...”

This was by far the worst possible situation she could think of on pretty much every level. The entire class were around her and watching, the attention was on her, and they were all encouraged to share uncomfortable things. But she couldn't say it was anything other than her fault. She'd known the risks and had taken them.

“...wh-why would you care...?” Lucy eventually murmured, staring vacantly towards nothing in particular and sounding somewhat more distant in tone. “...I'm just a... I'm just a bitch underneath it all... just... ignore me and... carry on, okay?”

She didn't even care about Wraith at this point. It held no power over her now. It was like having nothing on her mind for once. She felt numb and drained, resigned to the fact she'd slipped and let show the thing she couldn't even bring herself to completely damn. It was best to get facts straight and make clear what she was.

Better than them seeing it, she thought.

Edited by Enirboreh on Jul 23rd 2020 at 3:55:17 PM

bork
kagescorpionakki Breath of the Sun from Long Ago Since: Apr, 2009 Relationship Status: Anime is my true love
Breath of the Sun
#686: Jul 23rd 2020 at 8:08:16 PM

Meditation Class

Though she told them to share something bothering them, Marisa nonetheless smiled when she saw the happy memories playing out. The warmth that radiated from those memories brushed gently over everyone, soothing with its kindness.

Miguel's memories were more somber. Violence, fights, leading to his power manifesting. Nonetheless, Marisa's confidence didn't waver. She sent a feeling of comfort towards him, a mental pat on the back. "The past is the past, Miguel. You'll make a fine hero. I'm sure of it. As for Skye, it's best not to force these things. If he doesn't feel comfortable sharing, he doesn't have to."

Then the apparition appeared, and Marisa's eyes opened again to look at it. She mentally reached out to touch it, only for Lucy to cut off the link. But even with that brief glimpse, Marisa had felt it. She understood, intuitively, what it was.

Self-loathing.

"Lucy," Marisa said, quietly but calmly. "Is that really how you see yourself? As... a bitch? Because when I look at you, I see a lovely, kind, and strong woman. You don't have to apologize; dealing with stuff like this, helping each other, is why we're all here today."

Though Lucy was no longer connected, Marisa still reached out and sent her feelings of love and comfort. "And please, please, don't hate yourself. Never hate yourself for how you feel. You'll only make the bad feelings worse."

What is so amusing about this? Why do you take lives? How can you forget?
kkhohoho (4 Score & 7 Years Ago)
#687: Jul 23rd 2020 at 8:15:25 PM

Sue

Sue had half a mind to slap Lucy silly. Course, she didn't do that cuz it would be wrong and awful and probably send her to the hospital.

But she was sorely tempted.

"What she said! Don't go callin' yourself something you're not! Remember that first day of school? When everyone was bawlin' their eyes out like the Breakfast Club? You were one of the first people to come up to me and say it was gonna be okay. That I didn't have to be so alone. It... it really meant a fucking lot."

And then she went and hugged Lucy like a goddamned plushie.

"So you don't gotta be alone either. You got that, Luce?"

Edited by kkhohoho on Jul 23rd 2020 at 10:19:34 AM

Enirboreh AKA Nixer from the domain of infinite floof. Since: Jul, 2015 Relationship Status: Non-Canon
AKA Nixer
#688: Jul 24th 2020 at 3:38:06 AM

Meditation Class

...A... what...?

...

A lovely, kind, and strong woman.

The concept was so foreign to Lucy that she might've laughed in any other situation. But something in Marisa's tone meant she couldn't bring herself to. It felt cruel, because her words sounded truthful. She couldn't laugh at that. She couldn't...

Slowly, her face reddened and she found herself looking shyly down at the floor again. Those words kept playing over and over again in her mind despite her mental efforts not to make a big deal out of them.

A lovely, kind, and strong woman.

She wanted to cry.

But she didn't. That would've been too much for her. But she couldn't help but acknowledge that it felt... strangely nice to hear. Wraith– she couldn't even think of a counterargument. It meant she was completely caught off-guard by Sue's sudden hug. Rather amusingly, she outright squeaked from surprise.

“...Th... Thank you...” she managed to stammer out, voice barely even an audible whisper as she hesitantly returned Sue's hug. The ink on her person let out an odd warble, and rippled slightly across her form. She'd let it do so this time. Despite her efforts she found herself trying to hide a growing smile, and she ducked away from Sue to block view of her own face with one of her hands.

“...S-Sorry, I don't... I-I don't know what to say...”

They're lying.

...

...

They wouldn't.

They wouldn't.

Somewhere, something shifted deep in Lucy's mind. Not a collapse of a building, but something more deliberate and slow. A gleaming statue of opal rose up out of the ground; idealized in features and taking precedent against the false Newport skyline. A tribute to Marisa. Shortly followed by a golden statue of Sue, which rose up out of the ground a little further into the distance.

Wraith's ragged breathing ceased to exist.

Their claws blunted into mere long, pale fingers.

Their cloak remained, and their lanky proportions didn't shift. Their height stayed the same. But they were cleaner, now. Better fit to be...

With no small amount of trepidation, Lucy shuffled back into her original position on the mat and tried to reach out for the link again. If they'd seen it, then she might as well stop hiding it. One step at a time. Hiding it now felt... numbing. Showing it? Freeing.

If the link reestablished, the apparition would reappear. But this time it knelt behind Lucy, arms resting on her shoulders as it peered through its faceless hood at those in the room. It didn't look as monstrous as before. Still ominous and slightly unsettling, but no features were visible that suggested it was malevolent.

Unlike Lucy who was sitting obediently back in her cross-legged position, the Wraith's fingers were drumming idly against her shoulder. It looked... bored. It also seemed less afraid to stare between them all individually. Which it did so, even as Lucy contradictorily kept her bashful gaze from meeting theirs.

bork
LilyTheLitten Inspector Irratino my beloved ❤️ from The Investigation Institute Since: Apr, 2020 Relationship Status: Longing for my OTP
Inspector Irratino my beloved ❤️
#689: Jul 24th 2020 at 8:48:00 AM

Skye frowned, ducking his head at Miguel's comment. "I don't really want—"

He stopped talking as Lucy...froze. "Um...are you...okay?"

It's Lucy. The day she's okay is the day pigs suddenly sprout wings and fly.

...that was just mean.

Then, Sue came over, and...apparently, there'd been something in the link.

And it was from Lucy's head.

And also, she thought that that something made her...a bitch.

Skye frowned again. "Lucy...I don't really know what to say." Aren't I a phenomenal friend? "But...you're not a bad person. If anything, you're one of the nicest people here."

That could not have helped.

I know, I'm bad at this.

What if you did such a terrible job that she doesn't want to be friends anymore?

Skye ducked back down, quietly embarrassed.

Edited by LilyTheLitten on Jul 24th 2020 at 8:53:36 AM

"Look inside yourself and to the stars; there, you will find your answers."
Blueace Surrounded by weirdoes from The End Of the World Since: Dec, 2010 Relationship Status: Chocolate!
Surrounded by weirdoes
#690: Jul 24th 2020 at 4:06:42 PM

Miguel nodded at the teacher with a rather serious expression, but just shrugged a Skye. The big shadow walking around Lucy was the biggest concern. Just when you know

"You do you, man" He said "But do something, because curling up in a corner will not do you any favors"

With a simple poke to Lucy, he decided to help a bit, even if Sue started.

"Chin up, lady" He said "I am an idiot with no impulse control that spent years giving grief to my mom and only got it together by nearly burning myself out, you want to be better, so all that negativity, just push through, you are stronger than you think, Luce"

Edited by Blueace on Jul 24th 2020 at 7:33:47 AM

Wake me up at your own risk.
Randomperson1212 Just a Random Guy on the Internet from Right Behind You Since: Nov, 2018 Relationship Status: Having tea with Cthulhu
Just a Random Guy on the Internet
#691: Jul 24th 2020 at 5:02:47 PM

Kano Agano - Meditation Class

Kano listened to the girl as she listed off names. A lot of them were a bit obvious, like Locke and Smith. Others were a bit strange. But there was one in particular that stood out to him.

“Sara...” He mused. “I kinda like that... I think that’s what I’ll call you, if that alright with you.”

He looked around the room as his classmates shared their memories, taking them all in. The happy ones, the sad ones. He even noticed Lucy’s Wraith, as well as her distress after making the connection.

Once again, he felt a strong urge to go over to her and help, but decided there really wasn’t much he could do. He wasn’t very good with words, and there were quite a few people here that could help a lot more than he could.

He sighed, and closed his eyes, eventually deciding having made the connection himself to let his mind wander. After all, it wouldn’t hurt.

He had expected to see something related to the dorm attacks resurface. What he found however, was something very different.

———

“This isn’t right...”

It was Kano’s voice, but he wasn’t actually talking. Two figures. A boy, clearly Kano, and another girl, both of them facing each other. The real Kano’s eyes snapped open as he paled, a look of horror appearing on his face.

“You need to stop this, Abigail. You’ve already murdered three people...”

“They were criminals, all of them” The other girl retorted. Her voice was pretty, but bitter. Sugar laced with venom.

“You murdered them. You can’t use your powers like thi-“

“What gives you the right to tell me how I use these powers, Kano!?” She shouted. “You think I asked for them? You think I wanted to be like this!? The universe itself cursed me, spat in my face! And now all I have left are these damn powers, and I can’t even use them?”

“What about becoming a hero? You used to dream of being like grandma. Helping others no matter the cost. What happened to that?”

“Everything ends eventually...” She practically spat. “It’s inevitable. Death comes for us all, I’ve seen it myself. What’s the point of helping others when everyone’s going to die. What’s the point of helping anyone other than yourself!?”

For a moment, Kano simply stood silently; At the same four sharp looking shadowy tendrils began to protrude from Abigail’s back, lashing violently.

“I can’t... let you do this, Abi. I’m going to stop you.”

Abigail crouched down, as if ready to pounce. “So be it...” She snarled, and she lunged at Kano, shadows lashing, before falling back to the floor, screaming in agony.

Kano had stood his ground, breathing heavily. He had swiped his hand as Abigail lunged at him, knocking her out of the air. His breathing slowed, and his eyes widened as he saw what he had done.

“MY LEGS!!” Abigail screamed. Sure enough, she was laying on the floor, clutching her now bloodied knees. “Y-YOU-“ She couldn’t even get a word out. She just sat there, screaming.

And then connection was severed.

And the real Kano sat on his mat. Crying. Shaking. Muttering to himself.

“That-That wasn’t supposed to happen! That one was private!” He was sobbing, barely able to even get a word out.

But enough had been said.

Edited by Randomperson1212 on Jul 24th 2020 at 5:37:56 AM

“You see son, in life there are facts and there are opinions. Your opinion is wrong, and that’s a fact”
Enirboreh AKA Nixer from the domain of infinite floof. Since: Jul, 2015 Relationship Status: Non-Canon
AKA Nixer
#692: Jul 24th 2020 at 6:59:25 PM

Meditation Class

Skye received a small smile for his efforts, and at Miguel's words Lucy outright blushed again. Mostly at being called ‘lady’. It felt inherently wrong when it was applied to her but she couldn't help but admit to herself that she liked it. It wasn't something she ever even thought she could be called.

Regardless she calmed herself eventually, and kept herself connected if only to get used to showing the Wraith to the others so readily. It was idle and less intimidating than it had been previously, so she wasn't as bothered by it. But her attention was drawn by Kano's own memories, and she paled considerably at what they included. Then paled even further than that as he broke down in tears afterwards.

She had to stop herself from cursing in her mind, remembering that Wraith was clearly audible to the others now.

Despite her efforts to do so, Lucy still found it hard to comfort others readily. Usually when she felt surrounded like this. But she didn't let this slightly awkward circumstance stop her. She instead shuffled a little closer to Kano, reaching out to place a gentle hand of comfort on his shoulder while looking up at him worriedly.

“Kano... i-it's okay. We're not judging... m'sorry we saw it, we can just... forget about it for now if you want, if you're not ready to... t-talk about it...”

bork
MichaelDj54 Since: Mar, 2010
#693: Jul 25th 2020 at 10:04:24 AM

Ozvald

"Hello? Is there-is there someone there?"

The golden glow enveloped him and Ozvald was staring at a younger version of himself, scuffed up. Beaten. Bruised.

Scared.

Ozvald stared exhaustively down at the little memory bubble and realized, of course it would be this memory, wouldn't it? The younger Ozvald rose to his feet and looked at the incredibly empty world around him. The trees stood stock still and the silence was deafening. With no where else to go the younger Ozvald ventured off.

And continued to find a lot of nothing.

He found the nothing in the NP Cs, with their constantly repeated dialogues, the constant threat of monsters trying to kill him and a cruel, unforgiving world where it didn't matter if this was just a kid, forced from his home and forced to fend for himself as his DNA was changed without his say, without his control. Ozvald watched as this young one, albeit sad and desperate, turned defeated, sullen, stoic, quiet.

Alone.

And that was the key word for this memory folks. Alone. No matter who he talked to he had no companionship. His skills as a Level 100 Janitor used to simply pass the time. Everything was hollow, mechanical, no end in sight, no ''beginning' in sight either.

Which probably explained that when a few memories flicked forward of the class, he just...wasn't there. A blank space where he once was just there, blatantly obvious. No one sitting in the seat with the others on the first day. Sue talking to dead air. Someone opening up and talking to Izze.

Ozvald existed, he desperately claimed himself, but his mind always knew otherwise that loneliness was just par the course for him. No matter how much he would rage.

"Hm."

PossiblyQuiteInsane Where am I? What's going on? from the other side of the mirror Since: Oct, 2016 Relationship Status: Above such petty unnecessities
Where am I? What's going on?
#694: Jul 25th 2020 at 9:08:08 PM

Sara? - Meditation Class

The girl gave Kano a small smile at his decision, before hooking up to the link herself. It was an interesting experience, to say the least. Everyone's memories were clear as day, along with Lucy's... thing. A few of said memories were painful, but they were a distant pain, a pain the girl could sympathize with but not necessarily empathize.

And then Ozvald's memories hit her with an all too familiar loneliness. A pervasive loneliness that brought her back to darker days.

Scooting over to sit next to Ozwald, she hugged him as her own memories did the talking.

A seedy dark alley where a young, malnourished girl sat alone, dressed in rags, digging through the trash for scraps. She looked out at the street as people passed, pretending not to see her.

Days, weeks passed at a breakneck pace. Nobody acknowledged the girl's existence. Occasionally she'd leave the alley, sometimes to beg for food, sometimes just to be seen. Still the passersby would ignore her, or worse, they'd punish her with violence for touching them or getting in their way. Even the nicest would just throw her food without really looking at her.

Finally, a relatively recent looking memory. Someone saw her in the alley. Someone looked at her. A kind looking man with a wide smile. He approached her, and she was awash with happiness. Someone saw her. Someone would save her.

Then there was a needle in her arm and everything went black.

As the memory faded, the girl clung to Ozvald, sobbing. She'd meant to show him she understood, but one memory had led to another and ended up bringing her own pain rushing back.

LilyTheLitten Inspector Irratino my beloved ❤️ from The Investigation Institute Since: Apr, 2020 Relationship Status: Longing for my OTP
Inspector Irratino my beloved ❤️
#695: Jul 27th 2020 at 6:28:00 PM

...hm. It...appeared as though Lucy had triggered a chain reaction. Now, it seemed like everyone was crying, or at least sad. Skye...didn't know what to do about this.

He awkwardly shuffled over to Kano. "If it helps at all...no one's judging you." He looked over at his classmates. "We're all dealing with...stuff."

In the back of his mind, he wondered if he should join the link and offer up some memories of his own. Fight pain with pain. But aside from maybe the kidnapping, nothing about his life was truly traumatic. He had nothing to call on.

"Look inside yourself and to the stars; there, you will find your answers."
Bored_Man Since: Jun, 2015 Relationship Status: Abstaining
#696: Jul 28th 2020 at 3:53:04 PM

Isobel (Meditation Class)

As the memories of her classmates started taking a turn for the worse, Isobel too found her worst experience coming to light, and even as she tried to stop it and disconnect from the session, her fall from grace was laid bare for all to see.

Isobel, still looking human but definitely looking worse for wear, was led by a rope around her neck into a judgment hall, where many older men and women were looking down at her, eyeing her like an insect they were debating on squashing. The old man at the head of the table, so to speak, spoke with a voice that carried throughout the room.

"Van Hemels, our family stands at the precipice of a decision that will change us forever. Our laws are clear: those with the curse are to be destroyed, lest they bring others down with them into ruin. The Van Hemels stand together, whatever hell may come. These two ideologies now clash together; we can only abide by one this day. Do we eliminate one of our own, or do we willfully allow an accursed one to exist?"

"The girl knew the dangers of this position, yet refused to come to heel! Why should we make an exception for her recklessness? Give her an honest death!"

"That GIRL is my daughter, and I refuse to cast her aside!"

"Those who bear the curse must be put to rest. No exceptions!"

"To execute her is to declare our familial bonds null and void!"

"SILENCE!" The head called out, before fixing Isobel directly with that steely gaze, looking for all the world like God facing a soul in Purgatory. "Isobel Van Hemel, you are hereby - "

"NO!" Isobel cried out, finally yanking herself free from the connection, eyes widened; given the expression on her face, she was a million miles away right now, still lost in the memory.

Edited by Bored_Man on Jul 28th 2020 at 5:55:23 AM

Proud member of the AGOG community.
kkhohoho (4 Score & 7 Years Ago)
#697: Jul 28th 2020 at 4:17:09 PM

Sue

Sue had been sitting pretty after Lucy returned her big warm hug with one of her own, near blushing as Lucy managed to get her shit together.

And then everyone lost their shit together.

One by one, everyone started unloading all their worst moments and trauma, the grief and sorrow flooding her like a tidal wave. If she hadn't gotten over herself and got a new a mama the other day, she might have joined in.

But she couldn't let herself. Someone had to be the big girl here.

...

They were all fucking doomed, weren't they?

Whatever. They needed her. All of them did.

But hey. Hoes before bros, right?

She hopped over to Izzie, starting with her. "You okay, Izzie? You wanna talk about it?"

She turned to the others. "Same goes for everyone else. Like, I know that was some really depressing shit. But you don't gotta mope about it! Like, we're all one big family, right? We're all here for each other. Whatever you're all dealin' with, ya don't gotta do it alone! You all got that?"

Bored_Man Since: Jun, 2015 Relationship Status: Abstaining
#698: Jul 28th 2020 at 4:20:30 PM

Isobel (Meditation Class)

It was a testament to how much Isobel had already clicked with the group here that even in her fog, she could still faintly hear Sue's voice calling out to her. Having to close her eyes, and do her damndest not to let any tears out due to the painful reminder of why she was here in the first place, she eventually re-opened them and looked at Sue.

"Y-Yeah. Just...came up before I could stop it. It's cool. It's...all cool." As to whether or not she wanted to talk about it...she seemed undecided, but that was a lot better than just brushing it off like she might have ordinarily.

Proud member of the AGOG community.
kagescorpionakki Breath of the Sun from Long Ago Since: Apr, 2009 Relationship Status: Anime is my true love
Breath of the Sun
#699: Jul 28th 2020 at 5:43:34 PM

Meditation Class

As Marisa watched one bad memory after another, she couldn't help but feel tears welling up. The connection caused her to take in the feelings of those around her, and the sadness and grief built up.

She was able to blink them away, however. She'd dealt with worse, felt worse. Even if she didn't have a memory as bad as these herself, she'd experienced many times over the bad memories of others.

"It's alright." Marisa said, pushing feelings of love and comfort to everyone. Even those who had broken from the connection would still feel the pulse of emotion from her. "This is a safe place, a place without judgment. It's alright to cry. Letting that sorrow out is better than bottling it up. You are among friends here, and you are loved."

"You kids know this isn't supposed to be a competition, right?" Another voice cut in, from the doorway. "Not that I mind. It's quite entertaining."

Marisa sighed. "Aelrys," She said, "Why are you here?"

"Your brother suggested it." Aelrys shrugged. "Said it might help to know others 'hurt as much as I do.'"

"Well, he's not wrong." Marisa said. "The students are already having breakthroughs and supporting one another."

"Oh please," Aelrys scoffed. "Like having the Depression Olympics is going to help anyone."

"Then why don't you show the class your worst memory?" Marisa asked calmly.

He paused, his eyes narrowing. Then he licked his lips clearly nervous. "Fine." Aelrys said at last, fluttering over to an empty mat and sitting cross legged.

Aelrys joined the connection, and immediately the kids would feel his mind, vast and ancient, brush against theirs. A moment later, his memory began to play.


The students would see the view through Aelrys's eyes, as he drew his slender finger across a tombstone. The grave beneath it had clearly been filled not too long ago.

It read:

Elizabeth Arneson
1792 - 1896

"I knew you would leave me, Elly." Memory-Aelrys said to himself. "I told you we couldn't be friends. But of course, you never listened..."

Tears fell into view, clearly coming from Aelrys. "It's fine." He said. "I won't make that mistake again."


Aelrys, in the present day, was crying. He rubbed his eyes, trying to clear the tears from them. "See?" He said, hoarsely. "That didn't help at all."

A hundred years of sorrow seemed to emanate from him. Marisa managed to hold it back from the students, but could feel the strain in her mind. She grit her teeth from it, but then thought of something, and slowly she smiled.

"Aelrys." She said. "Why did you agree to teach here?"

He didn't answer. But his mind was still connected, and the memories came unbidden. Him talking with Dexter, working out a contract. But before that, the person to first approach him was Ellie. The conversations were blurred, unfocused, but as he spoke to Ellie, she smiled at him, and for a brief moment the sorrow wavered.

Then the Memory-Ellie enveloped Aelrys in a crushing hug, and the sorrow vanished. In that instant, there was only warmth. Only love, and hope.

Aelrys, despite himself, smiled through his tears. "She just... reminded me so much of my Elly. I couldn't say no."

"That's the reason." Marisa said. "The reason this school exists. The reason heroes exist. To let people know that it's going to be alright."

She looked over the students, letting the warmth emanating from Aelrys wash over them. "You're all going to be alright. I promise."

Edited by kagescorpionakki on Jul 28th 2020 at 9:26:35 AM

What is so amusing about this? Why do you take lives? How can you forget?
Enirboreh AKA Nixer from the domain of infinite floof. Since: Jul, 2015 Relationship Status: Non-Canon
AKA Nixer
#700: Jul 28th 2020 at 6:02:30 PM

Meditation Class

Som... medi... tion...

Wraith's ‘speech’ was partially inaudible at this point; either Lucy was purposefully making it so or her inner thoughts were simply that vague by this point. The onslaught of miserable memories had naught but brought on her fatigue, and she'd just started staring blankly at nothing after a point. No tears fell. It was just exhaustion.

Do... more... better...

...

“...I'm sorry...” she eventually managed to mumble, blinking finally as she flicked her eyes momentarily up towards and then rapidly between the others in an apologetic fashion. “F-For um... for everything. For everything you've been through, I'm just... I wish I could do anything for you guys, y'know? I just... I-I don't know where to start in...”

She had a sudden thought, and promptly disconnected herself so that Wraith wouldn't be overheard in commenting on it. There was a silence both from her and her newfound exemption from the link, before she let out a long exhale and caused her ink to gently flow outwards—forming into small tendrils that splayed out towards everyone she could in offer to comfortingly take their hands.

Then a spark; a slight sting of psionic energy. A heartfelt psychic message emblazoned into their minds (granted only if they'd accepted the contact from her ink), and one that was delivered in a way so lacking in hesitation that it was momentarily unrecognizable as even being from Lucy.

But it was.

I love all you guys so much.

From the bottom of her heart.

Edited by Enirboreh on Jul 28th 2020 at 2:03:01 PM

bork

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