they dig the blade into the man's shoulder. it is likely not what the person wants entirely, but it's still something. but saber mainly just needs to stall for more information. ]
Why would you get captured like this? What did you do?
[the wound in the shoulder is obviously painful, but not painful enough to distract him from talking. he opens his mouth to explain more, but.]
...That's enough, Saber.
[saber feels themselves freeze in place, as if by magic. the woman picks up a knife, the blade heated hot enough to burn, and drives it not into their shoulder, but into the tendons and bone of their wrist.
they hear iori shouting, trying to say something, but the pain of destroyed nerves is intense.]
the thing is, saber's reaction to this isn't of disbelief, but of understanding. like, of course they would be punished for not following directions. they knew they were taking a risk to delay it, but the need to get some sort of clue as to what was going on was too tempting to pass. they were hoping the woman would just wait a few more seconds, but–
they bite their lip, trying not to react to the pain. it is very hard but they are getting such a good grade is not yelling right now. ]
[despite everything, they do feel that the woman is proud of them for not yelling. but they are not getting more information now. two other masked individuals will drag them away, back through the temple, where there will be much more pain and punishment waiting for them, where they'll be hurt and then thrown into an isolated cell until they regret not obeying.
they wake up, gazing at a cloudy purple mirror. they don't remember anything. they don't even recall a name. only snippets of a dream where they were alone, abandoned for a long time. and even though they don't remember this place or the people, it feels familiar. it feels that they have been here for some time. so at least, unlike that dream, they aren't alone anymore.
they feel as though they haven't eaten recently, they're weak with exhaustion, and they're in pain. there are bruises and scars on their body from wounds that seem to have been healed with magic but still burn. there's also a black, circle-like wound on their wrist.
just as before, the memories are gone, but the feelings remain behind. how was saber feeling about things, as the last scene ended?]
there was the confusion, of not understanding the current situation they were in. frustration at being told to do things, and people recognizing them, but being unable to piece any of it together. saber did not forget that there was a second where they did feel like they knew that man, but that wasn't too odd, when he had claimed to have known them. the mystery was in how, and if the man was telling the truth about what he said.
but then there was the urge to please, and to do as they were told, because failing did not feel like it should be an option. they don't know why, but they knew that they were not the type of person to not get the job done. these things battled against each other, only leaving a sense of loss and disappointment that they didn't manage to do anything.
not that they remember those finer details right now. but the vibe is currently not great. ]
they are led back to the same room as before. the same man is still in there. the situation is a little more permanent now; he has an altar, a round, flat, stone disc, that he's been chained to with chains made with magic. otherwise, same situation, same tools. same person in a hood and mask.
...not that saber knows, because they don't remember that. they also do not know this person. there is not a flicker of recognition.]
You hesitated too much last time, but I know you'll do better this time.
[ they hesitated? that doesn't sound right, but they suppose they did. the feeling of doing something wrong and failing is there, and that's the only explanation for it.
they go for the knife again, although they don't know it's again. saber walks up to the man and, without much preamble, and takes their hand in theirs. in another life, this would give them a feeling of familiarity.
[saber is going to get an A in torturing friends and acquaintances i can just feel it.
the man screams. he was lying there, asleep. and it is obvious others have beat him, hurt him, tortured him too. (or was it you? you wouldn't remember.) he's in bad shape. but the pain jolts him awake, and he starts screaming, incoherent words. "please, you know me" "don't do this, not again." "saber!"
[ saber is like, what kind of stupid ass name is saber? this guy is definitely lying.
still, they really are not a fan of doing things this way. there is no honor in torture, just like how hurting someone who physically cannot fight back just leaves a bad taste in their mouth. they hesitate again because of this, but this time it's not because they believe they know this person, but just because they dislike the overall scenario. ]
They are a heretic. They don't have to do anything to be punished.
[the person certainly is acting like they know saber. through attempts to muffle their pain and endure, they continue to speak, asking saber to remember them.]
[ oh somehow this name is stupider than saber is, so they regret asking.
sorrowglare's attention snaps back towards the man. they do not like getting chastised, and at the moment they have less of a reason to believe him because of the lack of recognition. the only reason for hesitation is their general distaste for the current situation.
but fine. they kneel down and shove the knife straight through the man's foot. ]
it's unfair, but in saber's own wound, the one on their wrist, they feel an echo of the same pain. they did everything right, but it still hurts, just as if it had been done to them instead.]
saber, like before, does not cry out again. but they do buckle down to one knee, breathing heavily at the pain. their other hand grips at their wrist. they stare at it, then at the man. ]
[but that seems to be enough of that. they are led out of the room and back to a small barrack with bunk beds, where they are given some tasteless porridge and water. down the hall, they can hear the man still screaming.
(and for a moment, it feels like maybe they do know him after all? but that can't be)
the pain is horrible, but it subsides, it doesn't last very long.]
they will sit in tis room and listen to the man scream, and wonder what's going on. the sudden recognition makes it impossible to finish the food, so they just set the porridge down and wait for whatever comes next. ]
[nothing happens. they're ignored for a while, which is probably a good thing. the door is left closed and locked, so they can't leave. the screams eventually subside.
and then after a few hours pass, a person pokes his head into the room and gestures to them, sort of a "follow me" motion.
[ saber stares at him, before quietly getting up and following after him.
do they trust the stranger? absolutely not. but this is doing something other than sitting here, and it's not like the woman told them to not leave this room so. yippee. ]
[the stranger will lead them down the hallway to an area where some stones can be pulled away, revealing a secret little alcove. it's quite pretty here, actually - some flowers bloom here even in the pitch darkness, casting a light glow.]
I'd say we're friends, even if you can't remember right now. Well, maybe we wouldn't admit that as easily if you did remember. I don't get why they're always so much harder on you that way.
Uh, I really can't? And I don't. I just don't get mine erased as often as you do. Like I said, they're hard on you for some reason, even though you're better at all of that than I am.
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holyspirits) wrote2025-02-23 02:30 pm
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they dig the blade into the man's shoulder. it is likely not what the person wants entirely, but it's still something. but saber mainly just needs to stall for more information. ]
Why would you get captured like this? What did you do?
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...That's enough, Saber.
[saber feels themselves freeze in place, as if by magic. the woman picks up a knife, the blade heated hot enough to burn, and drives it not into their shoulder, but into the tendons and bone of their wrist.
they hear iori shouting, trying to say something, but the pain of destroyed nerves is intense.]
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the thing is, saber's reaction to this isn't of disbelief, but of understanding. like, of course they would be punished for not following directions. they knew they were taking a risk to delay it, but the need to get some sort of clue as to what was going on was too tempting to pass. they were hoping the woman would just wait a few more seconds, but–
they bite their lip, trying not to react to the pain. it is very hard but they are getting such a good grade is not yelling right now. ]
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they wake up, gazing at a cloudy purple mirror. they don't remember anything. they don't even recall a name. only snippets of a dream where they were alone, abandoned for a long time. and even though they don't remember this place or the people, it feels familiar. it feels that they have been here for some time. so at least, unlike that dream, they aren't alone anymore.
they feel as though they haven't eaten recently, they're weak with exhaustion, and they're in pain. there are bruises and scars on their body from wounds that seem to have been healed with magic but still burn. there's also a black, circle-like wound on their wrist.
just as before, the memories are gone, but the feelings remain behind. how was saber feeling about things, as the last scene ended?]
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there was the confusion, of not understanding the current situation they were in. frustration at being told to do things, and people recognizing them, but being unable to piece any of it together. saber did not forget that there was a second where they did feel like they knew that man, but that wasn't too odd, when he had claimed to have known them. the mystery was in how, and if the man was telling the truth about what he said.
but then there was the urge to please, and to do as they were told, because failing did not feel like it should be an option. they don't know why, but they knew that they were not the type of person to not get the job done. these things battled against each other, only leaving a sense of loss and disappointment that they didn't manage to do anything.
not that they remember those finer details right now. but the vibe is currently not great. ]
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they are led back to the same room as before. the same man is still in there. the situation is a little more permanent now; he has an altar, a round, flat, stone disc, that he's been chained to with chains made with magic. otherwise, same situation, same tools. same person in a hood and mask.
...not that saber knows, because they don't remember that. they also do not know this person. there is not a flicker of recognition.]
You hesitated too much last time, but I know you'll do better this time.
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[ they hesitated? that doesn't sound right, but they suppose they did. the feeling of doing something wrong and failing is there, and that's the only explanation for it.
they go for the knife again, although they don't know it's again. saber walks up to the man and, without much preamble, and takes their hand in theirs. in another life, this would give them a feeling of familiarity.
...
they slice off a finger. ]
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the man screams. he was lying there, asleep. and it is obvious others have beat him, hurt him, tortured him too. (or was it you? you wouldn't remember.) he's in bad shape. but the pain jolts him awake, and he starts screaming, incoherent words. "please, you know me" "don't do this, not again." "saber!"
but you don't know who that is.]
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still, they really are not a fan of doing things this way. there is no honor in torture, just like how hurting someone who physically cannot fight back just leaves a bad taste in their mouth. they hesitate again because of this, but this time it's not because they believe they know this person, but just because they dislike the overall scenario. ]
What did this person do?
[ they slice off another finger after asking. ]
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[the person certainly is acting like they know saber. through attempts to muffle their pain and endure, they continue to speak, asking saber to remember them.]
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they go for another finger, but stops. ]
... is my name Saber?
[ the question is directed towards the woman. ]
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[goes to the warrior cats name generator to give you an edgy warrior cats name.]
Your name is Sorrowglare.
[that's your name! so. guess that settles that.]
Are you losing focus so quickly? And he isn't even screaming yet, not really.
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sorrowglare's attention snaps back towards the man. they do not like getting chastised, and at the moment they have less of a reason to believe him because of the lack of recognition. the only reason for hesitation is their general distaste for the current situation.
but fine. they kneel down and shove the knife straight through the man's foot. ]
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it's unfair, but in saber's own wound, the one on their wrist, they feel an echo of the same pain. they did everything right, but it still hurts, just as if it had been done to them instead.]
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saber, like before, does not cry out again. but they do buckle down to one knee, breathing heavily at the pain. their other hand grips at their wrist. they stare at it, then at the man. ]
Why...?
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[but that seems to be enough of that. they are led out of the room and back to a small barrack with bunk beds, where they are given some tasteless porridge and water. down the hall, they can hear the man still screaming.
(and for a moment, it feels like maybe they do know him after all? but that can't be)
the pain is horrible, but it subsides, it doesn't last very long.]
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they will sit in tis room and listen to the man scream, and wonder what's going on. the sudden recognition makes it impossible to finish the food, so they just set the porridge down and wait for whatever comes next. ]
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and then after a few hours pass, a person pokes his head into the room and gestures to them, sort of a "follow me" motion.
you don't know them, either.]
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do they trust the stranger? absolutely not. but this is doing something other than sitting here, and it's not like the woman told them to not leave this room so. yippee. ]
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So. Did they erase your memories again?
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What do you mean? Who are you?
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[why does this person get a normal name.]
I'd say we're friends, even if you can't remember right now. Well, maybe we wouldn't admit that as easily if you did remember. I don't get why they're always so much harder on you that way.
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saber still isn't sure what to do. ]
... why are they erasing my memory? Why do you remember? How can you walk around freely?
[ they have another question they want to ask, but they're worried to, so they stick to these for now. ]
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[the torture things.]
I snuck out. I thought you might need a break.
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[ they go quiet for a moment. ]
When they make you do that–does the person claim to know you? Do you feel like you know them back?
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