[When Cloud and Sebastian awaken, they will find themselves in a forest. It doesn't exactly give off of the refreshing feeling of being out in nature, hower: many of the trees are dead or dying, and signs of a fight are everywhere around them. Trampled grass, flowers, and foliage; slash and claw marks on the trunks, etc. Above them, the sky is a bright, foreboding red.
Intuitively, while memories of the hotel may still be vaguely present in their mind, they will know and believe the following:
The year is 20XX. The world has been crawling closer and closer to the edge of destruction for centuries now, plagued by fiends. Though you don't know when or how this calamity began—the details lost to history—you know that the catalyst was the the fiend known ████████, the most powerful of them all.
Cloud, you are a mercenary who was born to a village that, initially, remained untouched by this war against the fiends. However, one day, they came upon your hometown and killed everyone—your family, your friends—and by chance left you as the only survivor. Since then, you've spent your life as a wandering warrior, taking down fiends when you can and trying to get by.
Sebastian, you are someone who was abandoned at a young age, your parents unwilling to continue caring for a child in these chaotic times. Somehow, you were able to survive on the streets through the years, relying on the occasional kindness of strangers. During a fiend attack, you were nearly killed, left to fend for yourself, but Cloud intervened and saved your life. Since then, you've accompanied him, and he's been looking after you.
Unfortunately, despite your efforts, the world is clearly doomed.
Faced with the imminent end, and with no means of defeating ████████ or restoring all that's been lost, you decide to embark on one last, desperate solution: to enter the Time Channels and go back in history, so that you can subdue ████████ before they become a threat. You know these Time Channels are hidden somewhere in this forest; all you have to do is find them, and be careful the fiends don't kill you first.
[ cool cool cool... do we know what kind of signs we should be looking for to possibly lead us to the time channels, or are we just searching in the dark here?
he'll also pause to look at some claw marks on the trees; do these all seem old or does it look like there was recent activity here? are there more in one direction vs another? ]
[ jan said they can have whatever they usually carry on them, so the good news is, this is the only time in game that cloud's giant stupid sword won't be useless.
he's holding it out in front of him as he walks, looking around for any sign of the time chambers. which would normally be done by? humans? maybe? what looks like a science. he is looking around ]
... I don't know, but we need to hurry. World won't last long at this rate.
[ APPARENTLY. he is looking towards the sky when he says that, a brief glance before he's back to getting ready to stab a fiend :/ ]
[You are just searching in the dark, I'm afraid. Some of these marks look, some look pretty dang recent. They're sort of all over the place.
I'm glad they're so prepared (and by "they" I mean Cloud) because as they explore, they may start to hear growling coming from somewhere in the trees...]
[When Bradley and Jason awaken, they will find themselves in an antiques museum. Judging by the crowd, it appears to be of some renown, though perhaps not massively so. Around them are old works of art, each with their own story and historical value. Paintings, sculptures, intricately crafted devices, etc.
Intuitively, while memories of the hotel may still be vaguely present in their mind, they will know and believe the following:
The year is 10XX. The world is, for the most part, peaceful. Of course, danger still lurks from time to time, but there are no immediate crises to worry about. Though there may have been tragedy in your lives, you are ultimately able to go about your daily lives.
Bradley, you are a former gang leader. There was a time that you were notorious on the streets, your group staking your claim on territories. However, when this way of life began claiming too many lives of your men, you decided that for everyone's sake, it was time for them to turn a new leaf and lead honest lives instead. Of course, with your notoriety, you had to go incognito lest you be arrested by the police. An encounter with Jason Todd nearly blew it for you, but surprisingly, he decided to take you in instead.
Jason, you are an orphan, your parents murdered when you were young, and former street rat who was taken in by a philanthropic family. You use your work to deal with crime so that no one else has to go through what you did. Eventually, you started pursuing the notorious Bradley Bain to put him behind bars, but when you learned that he had disbanded his gang and was trying to reform, you instead took him in to keep him out of jail (and, also, to keep an eye on him just in case).
You're here at this museum both for nerdy reasons (at least, on Jason's part) and because you've heard rumours that a group of burglars are planning to target it. As a result, you decide to investigate, in hopes of preventing this burglary when it occurs.
He is the nerd apparently, so he will peruse some of the exhibits of the museum, though he doesn't get too far from Bradley really. Keeping an eye on him. Not for untrustworthy reasons. More for safety ones.
Bradley had turned over a new leaf! Also, there may be burglars.]
[When Sebastian and Cloud awaken (again), they will find themselves in a white void. There doesn't seem to be anything around them, save for a gently flowing river that extends into the distance.
Oh and, like, the fiend that tumbled in with them. That's here and still trying to kill them. Anyway, welcome to the Time Channels. Also, Cloud's ankle is still ouchie, for the record.]
[ okay, well. they're in some kind of white void with a river, which he can accept. all important mythical things are river, see the lifestream. this must be where they needed to go.
anyway, his ankle is ouch owie but it's fine, what if he just hits the fiend on top of sebastian with his sword to try to send it into the river. surely this won't disrupt the flow of time in a negative fashion, right. ]
[It's winter now, in the midst of all the usual holiday celebrations. For better or for worse, Jason and Bradley have been stuck with Ben, who has yet to provide any benefit besides being a clock. It's fine.
It's been a long time since Ben has seen the outdoors when it's winter, so he requests that Jason and Bradley take him outside. He may or may not have been very stubborn about it, so here you are (eventually), outside on a field of snow away from prying eyes who could point at you and go IS THAT CLOCK STOLEN? At least he's appreciative of it, as he continues to stare at everything in awe.
Unfortunately, it doesn't seem like you get a moment of peace, as you hear a voice in the distance.]
[He makes sure they go out in appropriate attire because I don’t trust Bradley not to have some stupid mobage SSR skimpy outfit with fur that constitutes as warm wear.
Anyhow, he is holding the clock under one arm, letting Ben look a…t… Sheesh.
[Bradley is here with his one rifle because he never leaves it anywhere. Also don't be rude, he's in his default outfit with the stupid military jacket.]
[When Cloud and Sebastian awaken, they'll find themselves on the outskirts of a village... again. "Jan why are your settings so uncreative" deal with it............ Anyway, it's a DIFFERENT village, probably. There are forests here too, though.
Though they'll see that this village is fairly small and looks it might be abandoned...?]
[ he has decided on this. let's see what the hell they can do now!! sebastian checks the compass and the sky and cloud just starts walking to try to get inside the maybe abandoned village. he is looking around warily for fiends or any kind of other enemy, or a small talking clock. ]
[Days or weeks pass! It's still winter, occasionally snowing outside. 'Tis the season to be jolly, and all that.
Jason and Bradley are probably having dinner right now, inside. Do either of them cook? I hope so. Maybe they got takeout. Anyway, Albamanny is outside, as is Marshmallow to play with his owner. The clock sits wherever it usually does, with Ben hovering above it, as he appears to be... meditating? A warm fire is going on in the hearth, lights are set up, etc.
It's a cozy scene that will definitely continue for the rest of the CYOA. From here on out I'm making you RP holiday moments. Actually you know what? I'm deciding right now that you're exchanging gifts. What did you guys get each other?]
They are having dinner. Maybe Jason is so rich he has a butler. MAYBE JASON CAN COOK DECENTLY. It’s Christmas and they are exchanging gifts…?
Uhhhhh.
He maybe got Bradley a really cool crafted genuine leather strap so he can carry the rifle easier? It has cool designs in the leather and fancy silver hardware. Enjoy, Bradley, he is bad at gifts.]
So you're saying it matches his actual rifle and that's very sweet.
Bradley gave him that very fancy letter opener that he definitely stole from the 1% they stole Ben from. A surprisingly earnest letter about how he's appreciative of Jason giving him a second chance and not slamming him in prison the moment he could.
There's also a stuffed mouse toy for Marshmallow.]
[Jason wakes up alone to a white void. For a while, it seems as though there's nothing around him, nothing happening.
But gradually, memories of his real life trickle in. Or are they his real life? Maybe it's just a faraway dream. Either way, though, as that occurs, he'll hear a voice calling for him, in the distance.]
—Jason?
[Meanwhile:
Bradley also wakes up alone to a white void. For a while, it seems as though there's nothing around him, nothing happening.
But gradually, memories of his real life trickle in. Or are they his real life? Maybe it's just a faraway dream. Either way, though, as that occurs, he'll see Nero standing not far from him.]
[He truly doesn't think about how frigid the water is until it hits him like a bunch of glass. Of course, he starts trying to swim, but nothing he does with his body seems to matter. The water pulls him down.
For some reason, this doesn't feel like the first time this has happened to him. Why does fate always want him to drown? In dirt, in water?
When he opens his eyes, he stays either lying or standing where he is... just... looking around without turning his head. He'd feel more like an imposter with the memories coming back if a voice didn't call his name. ???]
He's groggy when he rolls up. He's surprised to see Bradley when the man wasn't with him earlier. And he's also surprised to see Ben and the mallow cat.]
YEAR 20XX - Cloud & Sebastian
Intuitively, while memories of the hotel may still be vaguely present in their mind, they will know and believe the following:
And so, here you are now.]
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he'll also pause to look at some claw marks on the trees; do these all seem old or does it look like there was recent activity here? are there more in one direction vs another? ]
Which way do you think...?
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he's holding it out in front of him as he walks, looking around for any sign of the time chambers. which would normally be done by? humans? maybe? what looks like a science. he is looking around ]
... I don't know, but we need to hurry. World won't last long at this rate.
[ APPARENTLY. he is looking towards the sky when he says that, a brief glance before he's back to getting ready to stab a fiend :/ ]
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I'm glad they're so prepared (and by "they" I mean Cloud) because as they explore, they may start to hear growling coming from somewhere in the trees...]
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YEAR 10XX - Bradley & Jason
Intuitively, while memories of the hotel may still be vaguely present in their mind, they will know and believe the following:
And so, here you are now.]
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He is the nerd apparently, so he will peruse some of the exhibits of the museum, though he doesn't get too far from Bradley really. Keeping an eye on him. Not for untrustworthy reasons. More for safety ones.
Bradley had turned over a new leaf! Also, there may be burglars.]
Paintings aren't too bad.
[They're literally impressionist art probably.]
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Bradley looks up at the painting, appraising it. It's not exactly to his personal tastes, but it's valuable, and he can see that straight away.]
Whoever collected these got a good eye.
[He'll look at the devices a little closer. What kind of devices are these? Are they familiar to him at all?]
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YEAR ???? - Cloud & Sebastian
Oh and, like, the fiend that tumbled in with them. That's here and still trying to kill them. Anyway, welcome to the Time Channels. Also, Cloud's ankle is still ouchie, for the record.]
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[ he looks around the void with wide eyes. ]
Is this—
[ and then he's cut off by the fiend tackling him again i guess!! ]
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anyway, his ankle is ouch owie but it's fine, what if he just hits the fiend on top of sebastian with his sword to try to send it into the river. surely this won't disrupt the flow of time in a negative fashion, right. ]
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YEAR 10XX - Bradley & Jason
It's been a long time since Ben has seen the outdoors when it's winter, so he requests that Jason and Bradley take him outside. He may or may not have been very stubborn about it, so here you are (eventually), outside on a field of snow away from prying eyes who could point at you and go IS THAT CLOCK STOLEN? At least he's appreciative of it, as he continues to stare at everything in awe.
Unfortunately, it doesn't seem like you get a moment of peace, as you hear a voice in the distance.]
... lp! H... lp!
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Anyhow, he is holding the clock under one arm, letting Ben look a…t… Sheesh.
He looks over at Bradley.]
…do you hear that?
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Help?
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YEAR ???? - Cloud & Sebastian
Though they'll see that this village is fairly small and looks it might be abandoned...?]
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he squints. does the sky at least look less ominous? ]
This... isn't the same place as before, is it?
[ why do those gates take them to different times and different places...
anyway, he will check the compass to see if it feels like doing anything yet. ]
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[ he has decided on this. let's see what the hell they can do now!! sebastian checks the compass and the sky and cloud just starts walking to try to get inside the maybe abandoned village. he is looking around warily for fiends or any kind of other enemy, or a small talking clock. ]
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YEAR 10XX - Bradley & Jason
Jason and Bradley are probably having dinner right now, inside. Do either of them cook? I hope so. Maybe they got takeout. Anyway, Albamanny is outside, as is Marshmallow to play with his owner. The clock sits wherever it usually does, with Ben hovering above it, as he appears to be... meditating? A warm fire is going on in the hearth, lights are set up, etc.
It's a cozy scene that will definitely continue for the rest of the CYOA. From here on out I'm making you RP holiday moments. Actually you know what? I'm deciding right now that you're exchanging gifts. What did you guys get each other?]
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They are having dinner. Maybe Jason is so rich he has a butler. MAYBE JASON CAN COOK DECENTLY. It’s Christmas and they are exchanging gifts…?
Uhhhhh.
He maybe got Bradley a really cool crafted genuine leather strap so he can carry the rifle easier? It has cool designs in the leather and fancy silver hardware. Enjoy, Bradley, he is bad at gifts.]
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So you're saying it matches his actual rifle and that's very sweet.
Bradley gave him that very fancy letter opener that he definitely stole from the 1% they stole Ben from. A surprisingly earnest letter about how he's appreciative of Jason giving him a second chance and not slamming him in prison the moment he could.
There's also a stuffed mouse toy for Marshmallow.]
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YEAR ???? - Bradley & Jason
But gradually, memories of his real life trickle in. Or are they his real life? Maybe it's just a faraway dream. Either way, though, as that occurs, he'll hear a voice calling for him, in the distance.]
—Jason?
[Meanwhile:
Bradley also wakes up alone to a white void. For a while, it seems as though there's nothing around him, nothing happening.
But gradually, memories of his real life trickle in. Or are they his real life? Maybe it's just a faraway dream. Either way, though, as that occurs, he'll see Nero standing not far from him.]
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For some reason, this doesn't feel like the first time this has happened to him. Why does fate always want him to drown? In dirt, in water?
When he opens his eyes, he stays either lying or standing where he is... just... looking around without turning his head. He'd feel more like an imposter with the memories coming back if a voice didn't call his name. ???]
...Hello?
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Ah.
Is this how Riku felt? Getting memories fed into him that were never his to begin with? Terrible.
He sits up, gets up, brushes himself off. ]
Nero?
[ It's probably not even him. Hope is still alive, even after all of this. ]
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YEAR ????
Not far from them, Ben is seated—notably corporeal, and without the clock nearby. In his lap rests Marshmallow, apparently unharmed.]
You two okay?
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He's groggy when he rolls up. He's surprised to see Bradley when the man wasn't with him earlier. And he's also surprised to see Ben and the mallow cat.]
Be...n? Where the hell are we...?
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Weren't we on that lake?
[Let's just. Not talk about Nero right now.]
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