ALAIS - This Dream Log requires a trigger warning for dehumanization and nonconsensual hypnosis.
6969 is bound to a table with a painfully bright light shining down upon it. Its eyes seem to be forced open, thus not allowing it any reprieve from the pain. A man with a very soothing voice speaks to her. "What is your name?" The man asks
6969 tries to shake its head, but due to the bindings, it's unable to. Its voice is fully monotone as it responds, "I do not have one. I wish my name was--" When it attempts to speak a name, it is unable to. Its voice disappears upon attempting to speak further. No one else in the room seems to be manipulating it.
The man seems to nod, "Good. Now I will be counting back from 10 to 1. And on 1, you shall be transported to a very warm and comfortable place. Understand?"
6969 does not respond. It does not have a voice to speak with. It does not have the ability to escape the light. It does not have the ability to nod. Its only ability is to obey.
"10, 9, 8, 7, 6," The man begins to count. The man, whose voice is familiar to 6969, counts backwards very slowly as if to prolong the pain 6969 receives from the light.
6969 drifts off into an odd state of unconsciousness despite its eyes wide open while the man counts back, "3... 2.... 1."
The man chuckles and turns the light off, trading it out for something else. It seems to be a black and white spiral, one that moves at a slow yet consistent speed. 6969 is frozen to its binds, both physical and psychological. Its breathing is soft.
Then a few minutes later, he begins to whisper directly into 6969's ears as bells in a seemingly specific pattern play in the background, "6969. These bells are important. Whenever you hear bells in this pattern, you will be compelled to attack whatever is in front of you. You will do it or suffer the consequences. You do not like pain. You do not like The Lights. The Lights cause you immense pain. To turn the lights off, to remove the pain, and to feel a warmth, you will attack. You will kill. You will do as I say, or face the consequences. I am speaking to YOU inside you."
6969's voice returns as its eyes flicker red and it speaks, "I will do as I am told. To not do so will cause me pain. To not do so will hurt me. I will not disobey."
The man nods, "Good. Mental Lock Activate." The bells continue while the man counts back up from 1 to 10. When he does, the bells immediately stop and 6969 wakes up. Its binds are gone. Its memory of this event is sealed, locked away deep within its subconscious. All of the pain associated with everything is gone. It is as if it never happened.
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The man steps out of the chamber and stares at someone standing in the shadows wearing a black and red suit. He asks the other person, "Are you sure we’re doing the right thing? It’s innocent. It’s not done anything wrong to deserve this treatment! I-- I don’t like this."
The other person smiles widely and shakes their head, “Tsk tsk, Crescent. We’ve been over this. It is what must be done! The Raid is upon us soon. We need fighters to protect our livelyhoods. 6969 is our best bet. You don’t want to go to prison over this do you? You realize if they win, everything will die. 6969 will die, you will die, your wife will die, we will all die. You have a daughter at home, don’t you? You will do whatever it takes to protect her right? Realize if the Raid succeeds, your daughter will die as well.”
Crescent growls at the other person, “you DARE talk about my daughter? YOU!" Without another word, Crescent throws a punch at the other person. The moment his fist nearly makes contact with the other’s face, he feels bones in his arm break, causing him to scream in pain, “YOU! WHAT ARE YOU?? GRAHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHH”
The other person simply smiles, “Manipulating your mana. You didn’t think you had a chance to actually harm me did you? Put your arm down, or face the consequences. You do want that arm don’t you?” They laugh maniacally, as more of Crescent’s bones shatter.
Crescent snarls in pain and then puts his arm down, nursing his injury, "Fine. You'll see someday Chandra. This horribly smug aura about you… will be your downfall. Mark my FUCKING WORDS!” Crescent then loses consciousness, again from something Chandra did considering the snap of their fingers.