[OPEN] it all came back to me

[dulynoted]

WHO: Akira Turner (Light Yagami) & you!
WHERE: Recolle Community Center Pool & the underground
WHEN: January 5th and onward
WHAT: Memory regain and January Event tunnel explorations
WARNINGS: Mentions of death, Ryuk's face

[ The first part of this (Option I) is Akira's first memory regain of his own death! All subsequent prompts are for the January event. The latter contains the ability to see the memory that he just regained. (Who doesn't want to hang out with Ryuk?) Please let me know if you have any questions or if you'd like to plot something out! You can hit me up via PM or on pluck at doggystyle ]

I. The Curtain Fall

A. I don't want to die!

[ Friday, January 5th. 6:32 PM. It's been a never-ending night for three days now, but the city still moves forward. The potentially ominous overtones of the occurrence as well as everything he's read about six months prior haven't left Akira feeling very comfortable with the situation, but there's not much he can do about it yet. He just as to continue along with his daily obligations as he would otherwise.

Which includes his volunteer lifeguarding at the local pool. It was something he picked up after his impressive swimming record in high school and at university, though athletics was never something he was interested in career-wise. Still, volunteering looked good on his resume and filled a few hours of his week every now and then.

Akira stands by one side of the pool, wearing swim trunks and a t-shirt, watching a group of rowdy middle schoolers start to go a little overboard. He sighs. ]

Hey--

[ And freezes.

A shot of pain through his heart. Akira grips his chest, eyes going wide, as something horrific appears in front of him, that no one else can see.

I don't want to die!

He hears his own voice shout and collapses on the tile. ]

B. Well, that sucked

[ He'd collapsed. He thought he had a fucking heart attack. If it hadn't been for the quick actions of other pool patrons and his coworkers, he could have landed in the damn pool and drowned.

That kind of thing just doesn't happen to him.

He's shaken. For many reasons. His mortality being in question isn't something he likes to consider in general--who does?--but what he'd seen while he'd been out...

N-No way. I don't want to die. i don't want to go to jail, either! Do something! You can do something, can't you, Ryuk!? ]

...

[ Akira pulls the towel further over his shoulder as his coworker walks away with the first aid kit. He's not really in the mood to play the part of the accomplished grad student volunteering out of the goodness of his heart, but he also knows it's best to be polite. So to the person at his left, he offers a weak smile, despite the fear hanging at the front of his mind. ]

Sorry. I know that's not what most people are hoping for on a Friday night.

[ No, no one is more sorry about the turn of events than he is. For himself. ]

II. We're going deeper underground

[ He's been shaken up after experiencing his first "vision" in combination with the darkness that's blanketed the city. If anything, it drives him further to try and uncover the mysteries that Retrospec presents them. That's why, against what might be his best interests and lack of wanting to crawl around in the darkness, Akira finds himself at the entrance to the tunnel system he's been hearing about.

It's...not the kind of place anyone should be wandering alone. But, just as he had guessed, he isn't the only one debating whether or not they should enter. Putting on one of his better expressions, Akira walks over to the other person as he pulls the collar of his jacket closer to his neck. ]

I take it you've been hearing about this too.

III. For your entertainment

[ Exploring an old, underground subway system is about as gross and creepy as one might expect. Akira has always had a pretty decent poker face, but the knit in his brow and the way he jumps at some of the sounds are clear indications that this sort of spelunking is not his forte. Not at all. But he's trying. That's what counts, right?

The various subway cars all lend to something that looks too old from the outside, but also appears too recent on the inside. A strange juxtaposition that he doesn't have an answer for just yet.

Yet as he he steps into the fourth car...a song that's way too cheery comes on. ]

...

A. The Curtain Fall, Part 2

[ Well, it's unfortunate that the music video for "Life Is A Highway" isn't actually what plays on the projector. As it flickers on, Akira feels his blood go cold. The image is a little grainy at first, but as it starts to clear, his eyes widen.

It's back. ]

There is Akira, on the floor screaming up at what appears to be some sort of monster, grabbing at its belt as he pleads,

"N-No way. I don't want to die. I don't want to go to jail, either! Do something! You can do something, can't you, Ryuk?"

The monster's eyes seem to glow.

"Once the victims name has been written, the person's death cannot be avoided. You are the one who knows it the best. Now is time to say good-bye."

B. Choose your own adventure

[ ...Or maybe Akira is the lucky one this time and it's not his memory that's being projected. Now it's your turn. ]

Wildcard.

[ Open! Feel free to hit me up with any prompt or you can reach out to me via PM or pluck at doggystyle ]

Comments

CLOSED TO MATT

[dulynoted]

[ There's a lot going on, both because of the recent changes in light, but also in Akira's personal life. For a moment he shoves the vision he received as far to the back of his mind as possible to concentrate on one of the other problems that's been keeping most of his attention--his career. He's nearing the end of his time at Recolle University, and while his internship has been successful thus far, he wants to keep his options open.

That's what leads him to the District Attorney's office. He's been there a few times for his own projects as well as class assignments and his dissertation. But he's here on a very personal note this time.

On his way up the main steps to the entrance, he has to step out of the way of someone power walking down them and nearly bumps into someone else in the same motion. ]

Oh, excuse me.

[blessmefather]

[ Matt laughs hesitantly and steps back a pace, holding up a hand apologetically. ]

Sorry about that. Did I trip you?

[ He holds up the cane in his other hand. It happens occasionally, someone looks away just in time for the tip of his cane to come into their path. ]

[dulynoted]

[ Nearly knocking over a blind man is hardly a way to give a good impression. Good job, Akira. ]

No, it was my mistake--

[ Wait a second--he knows this man. At least in passing, thanks to his studies and visits to the district over the past few years.

Time to be more charming. ]

I'm sorry, you're Matthew Murdock, aren't you? Now I'm even more embarrassed.

[blessmefather]

It's fine.

[ Matt blinks in surprise. Is he supposed to know this young man? He doesn't recognize his voice. ]

Ah yes! I'm Matt Murdock. Can I help you?

[dulynoted]

[ Akira doesn't expect to be of note, at least not yet. He's made enough of a name for himself at his school, but this is why he's out and about today--to make a name for himself in a positive, professional manner. ]

My name is Akira Turner. [ Should he extend his hand? It feels rude not to, even if the older man is blind. So he does, just in case. ]

I'm a graduate student at Recolle University. I've actually sat in on a few of your cases.

ii maybe to iii??? FINALLY GETS FREYA CR

[crudest]

[Baren glances over when someone talks to him, apparently having planned to just wander into the tunnel with nothing besides himself and his tanuki companion on his shoulder. There's a tilt of his head at the stranger talking to him before he seems to relax into a cheeky smile.]

Impossible not to, right?

Something giving you cold feet?

i don't know if anything can top backstreet boy mummies

[dulynoted]

[ Admittedly, Akira did not account for animal companions on this...quest. But he's willing to put up with quite a few things right now for the sake of knowledge, for answers. Which he expects to find at least one. Hopefully. ]

Cold feet?

[ Akira exhales through his nose, thoughtful for a moment. What would be an appropriate answer... ]

Despite the research I've done, I guess I'm not exactly prepared.

[ Still, he's amicable. ]

I was hoping that I could learn from someone more experienced with this sort of thing.

we can only aspire to better and shitpostier things

[crudest]

That's a good hope.

[And that would be good to have asked literally anyone else, but instead he unfortunately wandered to Baren.

Who just tilts his head.]

You should keep asking around. I'll probably leave you behind if you get in my way.

[no!!!!!]

REACH FOR THE STARS

[dulynoted]

[ That could definitely be enough to brush most people off, but...you know, Akira respects that. He cocks his head slightly, offering a small smile. ]

That sounds fair to me.

[ He may play on the altruism of others, but he's just as well to be on the same page. ]

You can leave me behind whenever you want.

[ Akira just wants someone to clear the way, if possible. ]

Deal?

when two jackasses meet at the tunnels,

[crudest]

[ . . .

It's not what Baren expected and that's a good sign - or maybe at least a fun one. He raises a brow in surprise before giving a little grin in return.]

'kaaaay. ♪

[have you ever seen something destined to become more of a mess]

I don't make deals with strangers, though. What's your name?

III A

[blondferret]

[Derek jolts back against the wall of the train car when he sees the monster's eyes glow.]

Bloody hell... did you just... die?

[dulynoted]

[ Akira is usually fairly calm, even in the most intense situations. Granted, there aren't many he's been in that are quite like this, but it's still rather unlike him to freak out.

Which is kind of what he does. ]

Shit!

[ He swings his flash light at the projector, aiming to break the damn thing. ]

Turn it off!

[ He does not want to relieve the rest of his memory. ]

[blondferret]

[Derek sighs.]

Mate, throwing your torch is not going to turn off the telly. This is probably work of Retrospec, they won't make it easy.

[dulynoted]

[ No, he is literally going to bash the shit out of this thing, which distorts the visuals and audio, though the memory continues to play. Derek will get glimpses of the monster, of Akira pleading more. ]

Shut up.

[ Yes, this puts him in a particularly bad mood. Especially when he sees it--the moment the other Akira's eyes go wide. The moment his heart spasms and then gives out.

He remembers what it felt like. He fucking remembers it.

Thankfully, the lifeless look on Akira's face is where the memory ends. ]

...

[ At least the projector is kind of ruined. ]

[blondferret]

[Derek is leaning against the wall of the train car and watches as Akira beats the crap out of the TV screen. He wants to say, "I told you so," in regards to the fact that trying to destroy the screen did nothing in preventing the memory from showing. However, Derek is not a complete idiot and chooses other words.]

Feel better?

II

[strawberrypunch]

[Tatsuma comes armed with a flashlight, his trademark blue hoodie peeking out from under a heavier coat. He's opted for the usual blue fingerless gloves - although come to think of it, just when did those become the usual? Only in the past few months, surely.

He offers a nod as he peers into the tunnels.]

You're going in too?

[Even if he hasn't exactly been a shining example of good life choices recently, he's not about to leave his cousin to wander the depths alone.]

[dulynoted]

[ Akira also comes with a flashlight, his smart phone, and an old school camcorder. (It's important to have a backup, or more precisely, to be able to record on something that he doesn't believe Retrospec has installed itself on.)

He nods at his cousin, watching the other out of the corner of his eyes. No, he doesn't exactly trust Tatsuma's better judgment right now, so maybe Akira's presence can be something of a counterweight. ]

We should go in together.

[ It's not really a suggestion. ]

[strawberrypunch]

[He wouldn't have let Akira go so easily either, anyway. As such, he nods and begins to walk ahead, taking point. He's plenty confident in his combat ability now, even if most of it's thanks to Retrospec.

The coast seems clear - for now, at least. He casts his light around a bit as they walk past the lights, trying to catch sight of what might be deeper in the darkness.

No signs of movement so far...]

[dulynoted]

[ It's his duty as family to keep an eye on Tatsuma, but his skill are also useful. It will work out best this way, he thinks. So he let's Tatusma lead, knowing the younger man is more experienced with this sort of thing than he is. Akira will turn on his flashlight, illuminating some of the tunnels and walls. ]

Have you been down here before, or is this new for you too?

[strawberrypunch]

Mm... One time I went with some friends, but it was when everyone shrank.

[It says a lot, that he explains this without any particular weight, like it's a perfectly normal and accepted part of life.]

The biggest problem was the rats. They were still normal-sized.

i, a/b

[spes_phthisica]

[He'd rushed forward to help instinctively, while at the same time pushing back against the memories of the time he'd collapsed out of nowhere just like this. It's probably not the same. There could be any number of reasons, and this guy doesn't seem to have any particular problems breathing.

He hadn't really known what to do, though, other than to desperately flag down another of the life guards for help, and then sit uselessly and watch. Once the situation seems to be under control, he offers Akira a wan smile back.]

I imagine it wasn't what you were hoping for either. [No, the guy seems shaken, but he's breathing just fine. He tries to not feel bitter about that; it would just be uncharitable.] What happened?

[dulynoted]

[ Logically Akira knows that, save for the threat of drowning, he's by a large group of people--so someone would notice--and others who were already trained in CPR and first aid should he need the assistance. He is very lucky, yet...he can't help but feel very much the opposite.

To explain what happened to the first person to help him, though, Akira owes him that much, doesn't he? ]

...

[ It's a thoughtful moment as he straightens. ]

I thought I was having a heart attack.

[ It...isn't wrong? He was begging not to die and then felt like he was having a heart attack. But he knows he can't just talk about a vision like that--this person may not even be aware of Retrospec. ]

I must have just been working too hard.

[ Lies, lies, lies. ]

Thank you, though.

[spes_phthisica]

[Soujirou frowns slightly.]

Have you had heart troubles before?

[He’s in his 20’s and struggling with pulmonary fibrosis, so he’s not going to make any assumptions based on Akira’s youth and very apparent good shape, or pass comment on the unlikeliness of it. His own body is most definitely several meals short of a healthy weight, but other than that there are no overt signs. But he does elaborate a bit after a moment or two.]

I mean, since that’s where your mind went so quickly. [Because, well, it wouldn’t be the first assumption for most people under 50. There is another option, though he’s not sure how to approach it.] Or was it some other reason? Did you... remember something similar?

[dulynoted]

[ Truthfully, Akira has had nothing to complain about for most of his life other than some abject boredom every now and then. It's a fair question that's posed--Akira shouldn't say something like that so lightly without good reason, and it seems that Souji thinks so as well.

Akira is about to shake his head, but then...

"Remember"? That could imply...

No, he should confirm first. If it's a word that he doesn't know, he may just think Akira is feeling the affects of his spell. ]

...Retrospec?

[ This young man is also a user, is he? ]

[spes_phthisica]

[Ah, so it’s something like that after all, then. Soujirou’s mouth twitches in a small, slightly exasperated smile, though not really at Akira’s expense. God knows he’s had some very bad reactions to the things he’s remembered too - like being suddenly and violently sick. So at least the absence of that is a silver lining, right?]

Yes, for quite a while now. Not sure I’ll ever get used to it, though.

[He frowns slightly, fidgeting absently with his towel.]

So you remembered having a heart attack? That sounds... terrifying, honestly.