Don't Forget | Open

[the_obedient_servant]

Who: Chara & OPEN
What: January Catch-All for the event.
When: Early january.
Where: All around town.

Content Warnings: Eventual suicidal ideation, eventual unreality, juggling things that are on fire, Deltarune spoilers.

 

1. SNAKES DEN

A. (COWARDICE)

[As others eagerly dive into this entire charade, Chara stays exactly where they belong, against the wall and as far away from anyone as possible. They know when they're being manipulated by external means, they've become an expert of it after their recent encounter, and they can safely say that this is more of the same.

Only worse, because they've made their peace with their status as a villain and a murderer, but they will not have themselves transformed into a smiling sychophant against their will.

Still. The atmosphere is hard to resist. They even find themselves smiling at some of the performances, or even laughing. What is wrong with them? Come bother them.]

B. (GLUTTONY)

[Chara, perhaps after a day of grouching, eventually folds and allows themselves to have fun. More accurately, they allow themselves to have an entire bowl filled to the brim with different chocolate desserts, something that they fought for with tooth and nail.

They sit down at a table and start putting them all down and arranging them into accordingly. They're fast to decide on starting with a chocolate tart. This. This is the only possible reason why existence in this blighted multiverse of wretched horrors and despair isn't a mistake, because chocolate immediately fills the void in their soul and the despair in their heart.

There are tears welling up in their eyes. Shut up] It feels like a lifetime since I've had any chocolate... or... actually longer. Much longer.

[After that, they can be spotted lying peacefully down amongst the pillows. It's soft. Comfortable. The atmosphere is enough that they won't even shoo away company.

* The bed is so soft, you feel like you could lie down and never get up.]

C. (VANITY)

[Chara, or someone who looks like Chara, with a casual green hoodie and jeans, stands near the stage to wait for their turn on the talent show.

They look... a bit older? Maybe two years older? And they stand decidedly more relaxed than Chara normally would. In fact, if they catch someone looking at them, they'll shoot them a grin.] Is it against the etiquette of this whole thing for me to ask what you've got prepared?

[Their own show consists of them juggling small rubber balls. At first. There's an impressive amount of them, about six, then seven... And then the rubber balls catch fire and they still juggle them. Seven's quite a magical number.

And then they turn into flaming knives, and Chara still keeps juggling. The knives seem to double, reaching about fourteen, and they still keep juggling them. The transformation is certainly magic, but the juggling is just them doing their thing, and it seems like they've had extensive practice in. Perhaps even excessive practice, all things considered, but they found it's a good way to learn magic. And then they allow them all to fall and fizzle out into red misty hearts. They bow dramatically and grin at the crowd, truly the coolest kid.] Thank you! You've been a fantastic audience. Have a good night.

[And with that they drop off the stage and stalk off to join the audience.]


2. SHEDDING

A. (LOVELESS aka Pacifist Chara)

[Anyone who has spoken to Chara will know that they're quite deadpan with their emotions, only really becoming expressive at seemingly random things that they still feel strongly enough to emote over. Not at the moment. At the moment, as they pass through the streets of Trench, they are bitter and angry and dealing with a whole mess of feelings that they can't quite parse.

They have lost something. Whether they only lost it now, or they lost it long ago, that's not something they themselves can quite decide. They are in a lot of ways, still the same Chara, with the same knowledge and the same experiences, only what they remember freshest was a happy ending untinted by bitter feelings of greed and envy.

They can be spotted all over the place, either just casually poking through stores, sitting on their own and staring out into the waves in the middle of the night, or even at the party. However, one night, they might be sitting on their own, stewing in their own toxicity, when they speak up.]

...Do you think anyone can be a good person if they just try?

B. (THE JUDGE aka Storyshift Chara)

[This version of Chara catches on quick. They've taken over an alternate version of themselves and seemingly hijacked their life. Alarming, but apparently it's happening all over the place, so they'll probably be back home soon. If not... well, that's something that can be crossed when they get to it.

They're a lot less outwardly emo than their other selves, generally just taking the time to sightsee. They can't imagine they'll be here for long, based on what they've learnt about whatever condition this place is currently under, so why not make the most of it. If they're not encountered at the party, they're most likely encountered wandering the streets. They're a bit out of their element but they're a good enough actor that they definitely won't show it.]

So, what's there to do around here, anyway?

WILDCARD
(Hit me up on discord, plurk or PMs if you have any specific ideas and I'll write up a starter. 1A and 1B can be either Pacifist Chara or regular Chara. Put in the subject header if you have a preference, otherwise I'll decide case by case.)

Comments

2-A

[eudaimonikos]

Yeah, of course.

[If Michael answers quickly, without any apparent thought, it's only because the question was mulled over and decided long ago. This is the cornerstone of his philosophy now; without that belief, what else could he possibly have?

Granted, he's not that used to the question being posed by random children. He was on his way through the market, having closed up shop for the evening, with the intent of stopping by the butcher's before they do the same. But it's not an urgent errand. He knows from experience what it is to worry about things like that. It helps to have someone to talk it out with - a listening ear, even if he's no philosopher. He stops and steps aside, out of the flow of traffic, though really there aren't too many other people on the street at this hour.]

Why do you ask?

[the_obedient_servant]

[They frown, like they don't really believe that, even though part of them really, really wants to.]

...What if before that, they just keep hurting people? Is it fair to just keep hoping they'll change their mind?

[eudaimonikos]

[Michael folds his arms, leaning sideways against the side of the nearest building.]

Fair to who? I mean, you can't just let them keep on hurting people, if that's in your power to stop. But that doesn't mean they can't still make better choices later on.

[That's what happened with him, after all. He's done a lot of shit, and maybe some pain would've been spared if he'd been retired somewhere in there - sometimes it feels like he should've been. But then who would've been around to help people out now?]

I don't know if it's just about hoping. People usually need some help, to change. And probably to be shoved into it a little. Doesn't have to be from anyone they've hurt, just...generally speaking.

cw for suicidal ideation

[the_obedient_servant]

If someone can bring only harm to people around them, isn't it for the best if they just disappear? If you're powerless to stop them but not powerless to destroy them, then isn't it for the best if you just...?

[They trail off.

If they go back to the way they were before, they can't... stop themselves from hurting anyone. They might as well be a different person. But...]

[eudaimonikos]

Hmmmm.

[Michael mulls that over for a second.]

I mean, I know it's different for humans. You've got more...practicalities to deal with. But I do sort of think people jump the gun on that sort of thing a lot. I don't really know why anyone would only be capable of causing harm.

[the_obedient_servant]

[...Yes. They were capable of doing something other than harm. They freed the monsters, they SAVED Asriel, they helped Frisk at every step of their journey. But that's not them.]

If... they've only ever caused destruction for their entire life, and they have no plan to stop, and they wield unmeasurable power to destroy and hurt, what do you do then?

[Their hands might be shaking a little.]

1-b

[stilljustyou]

( The sight of Chara wandering around town catches Frisk's attention quickly. For someone who's more familiar with things such as different timelines and multiverses strictly in their own world, it's easy for even someone as normally cheerful as Frisk to feel uneasy. The sight of Chara is a surprise, but it's a welcome one.

They're very well-aware of this Chara and the universe that they're from. They can't help but wonder if others from the Underground are here, as well. They may not be their Frisk, but they can't help but want to approach them all the same. )

Chara...!

[the_obedient_servant]

If it isn't my favourite mirror.

[They can't help but smile upon recognizing the voice. But they turn and see their appearance and their eyes widen just the slightest bit.]

Jeez, what the hell happened to you?

[stilljustyou]

( They can't help but shake their head at what they ask. It's... not a very pleasant story to tell! Not to mention, there's a lot that this Chara doesn't exactly know. )

I'm not your Frisk. ( They say simply. ) We might be here together, but we wouldn't have met if we weren't sent here.

[the_obedient_servant]

Oh, I got that much already, don't worry. This isn't either of our worlds, is it? Seems like most people here are in sort of a similar boat.

[They put their hands in their pockets, aloof and cool. They're a cool kid.]

I'm mostly just exploring while I'm here.

[stilljustyou]

You've caught on quickly.

( To say the least! That's much less to explain. They can't help but smile brightly. )

Can I join? We might find someone else we know!

[the_obedient_servant]

Sure thing. Maybe we could get a bite to eat on the way.

[They grin and reach a hand out to hold chalky Frisk's.]

2 - B

[onerthes]

[Vira-Lorr looked paler than she had since the two had met. As she walked along, warming her hands by one of the fires, she glanced over at Chara, looking a little surprised. That question was honestly not one that they'd ever asked before, so it took her aback. They'd always just kind of survived all the time...]

Good to see you're asking. Well, that depends. Do you mean more to 'pass the time' or is this more of a general question than hobbies?

[the_obedient_servant]

[Ah yes, they vaguely recall this woman. She was helping them learn about the world before they arrived. Or before their mirror self arrived.]

Well, I can't imagine I'll be here long. I wanted to see the sights before I go. It's not like we get much of an opportunity to leave the underground.

[onerthes]

[She definitely blinked at that. Chara... wanting to see the... nope, she'd just roll with it. Maybe they were having a joke at her expense, or maybe something was going on.]

Mmmm, well then. Perhaps I should take you to the Lighthouse. It's properly creepy after all, and nobody ever goes to see that place. We could have a walk through the Cellar Door, though, if you actually want to try out some of the entertainment here.

[the_obedient_servant]

[It's also probably a bit noticable that they're slightly older at the moment. Maybe they matured since you last saw them, Vira.]

Both sound cool. Start with the spooky then head to the "Cellar Door"?

Honestly, the Cellar Door sounds creepier than "The Lighthouse" but I'll trust your judgement on this one.

[onerthes]

Well, in fairness... they just like provocative names around here I think. Cellar Door is the entertainment district, nothing more.

[She started to lead the way towards the nearest of the lantern locations, the little moaning figures wailing around the light softly as she walked.]

The lighthouse is just very remote in its own way, and I think the people there suffer from the separation from others.

2A

[expiera]

[As a recent arrival still getting used to the rhythm of the Trench, unfamiliar faces are practically all that Ciel sees, though the number of actual children she's come across in person and over the Omni is certainly noticeable to more than an alarming degree. At least some of the cases seem to be a recent happening, even though she only has one concrete and verified example of "suddenly de-aged physically and mentally" to build her entire flimsy theory on. Is it silly to hope this goes away soon? A place like this, is really...

Yet despite all her experiences with the supernatural, being suddenly asked a question that hits far too close to home is undeniably the most shocking thing she's experienced since finding herself in this world. She was just taking a break by the canal's public benches after having finished surveying the trading district of the Willful Machine, having also acquired some groceries and a bag of baked goods she's letting rest on her lap. Then someone took a seat on the other end, and before she could get a word out--]

--Ah? It... depends, on the reason?

[She finds herself blurting out, caught far more off-guard than she would care to admit. It'd be far easier to simply say yes, the thought occurs to her the instant after, but she couldn't bring herself to say it despite that. Maybe she's not as well-adjusted as she hoped to be, after all...?]

[the_obedient_servant]

...The reason?

[They cock their head up at her in confusion. They are... very exhausted, as shown by the heavy bags under their eyes and the slumped nature of their posture. They haven't been having a great couple of days.]

The reason for what?

[expiera]

[--Goodness. That "someone" doesn't seem older than junior high age at most, maybe, and they look awful to boot. She already finds herself scooting closer, despite still mentally reeling from the sudden question.]

For... trying to do good. 'Good' and 'bad' can be very subjective things, so I don't think I can answer you properly without more details. [...] But more importantly, should you really be out here like this? You don't look so good... [Terrible, honestly, so asking them if they're okay would be a moot question. Is this really any time to get philosophical...?]

[the_obedient_servant]

I've suffered worse. I don't need your concern.

[Blunt. Even defanged and exhausted like this, Chara is prickly as ever.]

Someone once posed that question to me, if anyone can be a good person if they try hard enough. I think he gave up on it.

[expiera]

That's not a very good excuse, you know... Having felt worse before doesn't change the fact that you still don't feel very good right now.

[But judging by their tone and body language, maybe she shouldn't push it... At least, not for now. Giving a quiet exhale, she opts to let them keep their space as her expression shifts to something more thoughtful and neutral.]

Someone else asked you that? ...Hmm. I think that's the sort of question only you can answer for yourself, no one else. [a beat.] So are you asking other people now because this other person asked you before, or are you asking for yourself because you want to know the answer for your own sake?

1A

[miiraculous]

[When Rika sees Chara against the wall, she freezes. She herself is wearing a pure white dress but knows she is otherwise identifiable. This child is the one that she had met in that strange hotel building. This child is the one that has seen 'that' side of Rika.

It would be natural to assume that Character also holds their memory of that incident. That would be a problem. Rika does not want that side of herself exposed... No one will want anything to do with a 'witch,' as she's come to think of herself.

So she approaches with some caution. There is a big smile on her face and her voice is held in a higher register, but there is purpose to every move that she makes.]

... Mii~ You look familiar! Have we spoken before?

[the_obedient_servant]

[Chara looks at Rika like she's gone insane, cocking their head to the side and looking her over to see if she's physically any different. No, it wouldn't seem so. Interesting.

They don't recall resetting that interaction, so she should still remember.]

Why are you talking like that?

1 - B

[survivalthroughhate]

[Maul is nearby lurking in the shadows. It's much easier to do for once given he's in the form of a human being after undergoing his own shedding ceremony. No one gives him a second glance without his extreme looks. But his low, smoky voice remains despite the change to his species.

He does give Chara a sideways glance when they have such an....emotional reaction to chocolate. Is there something he's missing her or is the food here just really that good?]

At least then you know how to appreciate it.