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Entry tags:

[open] cancel your reservations

who: cisco + anyone!
what: catch-all, amnesia event
when: august
where: anywhere; if you want a starter, please hit me up!
warnings: discussion of murder, use of alcohol to cope, will add more as needed

i. pre-amnesia (august 5-10)

[ Cisco knows that he is probably opening himself up to a world of headaches and unnecessary trouble, but there have been plenty of new arrivals, and more and more he is noticing that people who show up from non-technologically advanced worlds simply have no support system to really teach them all the cool things they can do even with their phones, not to mention other machines and devices. So, one day when there's a lull between projects for the RPD and other emergency services, he goes to a print shop and has flyers made:

TECHNOLOGICAL CULTURE SHOCK??? NEED LESSONS ON HOW TO USE YOUR PHONE, LAPTOP, OR OTHER ELECTRONIC GADGET??? STOP BY THE ADDRESS BELOW FOR A FREE INFORMAL LESSON!!!

Normally it's the kind of announcement he would make over the network, but what if someone is really struggling and can't even get on there? No, flyers seem like the way to go for this crowd. Cisco adds some fine print at the bottom, below the address for his workshop, but all it says is:

*NO HIDDEN AGENDA JUST A HELPFUL DUDE WANTING TO SHARE THE WONDERS OF TECHNOLOGY, LESSONS ARE FREE BUT TRIBUTE PAID IN CANDY IS ALWAYS ACCEPTED]

ii. amnesia (august 12-19)

[ The changes in Cisco are not, at first, as obvious as they may be in other people. He remembers Riverview, and everyone he has met here, and all the details of his life in this place. He remembers his name, all the movies and video games that he loves, all the technical skills and scientific know-how necessary for his job. He even remembers most stuff about his own past - that he worked at S.T.A.R. Labs, that he's a member of Team Flash and friend to Barry Allen. That he is a metahuman, with various abilities tied to manipulating multidimensional energy.

The only thing that has been carved away from his memory is, in fact, Eobard Thawne. Cisco doesn't remember his mentor's betrayal, or being murdered, or the circumstances that surrounded him discovering his powers. All of the shame and dread he's been carrying about his powers, because of Eobard and the things he'd said and done, has just vanished. In addition, Cisco's trauma over that whole experience is, for the moment, covered over. To anyone who knows him even a little he will seem inexplicably younger. Quicker to smile and laugh, volumes more trusting, and also a lot more inclined to talk about some guy named Dr. Wells in a positive, even devoted manner.

Cisco will spend this week doing what he usually does - working at his workshop (still offering those lessons), trying out new restaurants, shopping for graphic tees and games and movies, exploring the safe parts of the city a little - but with an extra spring in his step. If you've wanted your character to find out about him being a metahuman, now would be a good time for it! ]

iii. post-amnesia (august 20-31)

[ The not-remembering? Had been good. But when that's done, and all of Cisco's memories are restored to him, the transition is... rough. Putting it mildly. Back when all of it had happened, there had been so much going on - one life-or-death situation after the other - that he hadn't had time to linger too much on how he was changing, being shaped into an older, sadder, more broken version of himself.

Now, though, there is no big crisis, no distraction to divert his attention. One minute he is the old, sunny Cisco - the one he still thinks of as the person he was supposed to be - and the next, it all comes rushing back. The contrast is stark, and it's kind of fucking him up a little. Or, rather, a lot.

He goes back to having nightmares almost as often as he did in those first weeks after his death, which means he isn't getting a whole lot of sleep, and it shows in the dark circles under his eyes. Cisco withdraws somewhat - not enough to worry that he's abandoning anyone, but he takes longer to answer texts, doesn't reach out to people first, doesn't go out and about in the evenings. He is quieter, with considerably more strain behind his smiles. He throws himself into his work, staying in his workshop long hours, sometimes falling asleep there, for a few fitful hours. When he can't work any more, he spends a little more time than he should in some nearby bars, drinking a little more than he ought to, trying not to think about the person he is now compared to the person he was the week before. ]

iv. misc

[ Come plot something! ]

Flat | Top-Level Comments Only

Nah, I think we're pretty good. Mostly just crossing my fingers they'll sort it out soon, whatever the fuck it is.

[He'd joked about getting Lup a flamethrower, but that honestly sounds like a terrible idea. Being able to shoot fire out of a gun would be amazing in theory, but he doesn't want to risk her burning off his eyebrows, or burning the house down. Flamethrowers don't come with spell shaping.]

It's kinda weird though, right? I mean, you might not even know you'd forgotten something.

[If it was minor, or not that important, it's hard to know what's been forgotten.

And that's coming from experience.]

I get the feeling you're not alone in that, my dude.

[ Weird stuff happens in the quarantine all the time, but it does seem as if this newest crisis has hit a large number of people. There might be some outcry, or at the very least, frustration at the whole thing.

Cisco waves a hand through the air, dismissing Taako's comment with a carefree scoff. ] Naw. I mean, this isn't like with the voidfish or whatever. I would totally be able to tell.

[ Before, when Taako had brought up memory magic, and the voidfish, Cisco's responses had been horrified and, notably, paranoid. He'd pressed for details on how he would know, if his brain had been messed with. As if he just assumed any bad thing that were possible could happen to him, if he didn't take specific steps to avert it. That almost reflexive fear of the worst, that Cisco often did his best to disguise as a joke, had been a part of him for as long as Taako had known him. But right now, it is simply nowhere to be seen.

Cisco rotates his desk chair in lazy circles, slurping away happily at the sugary coffee. ]

[Yeahhhhh......

So this is kind of weird.

Taako prides himself on being pretty good at reading people; it's a survival mechanism, mostly, even if these days he doesn't really need it in the same way he did as a kid. And Cisco has always been pretty easy to read. He keeps stuff to himself, sure, but he's a pretty open dude, even with his less than stellar emotions (which isn't a bad thing, it's kind of refreshing, really) and it means that Taako feels like he knows Cisco pretty well.

Enough that this doesn't seem right.]

You know, pumpkin, if you've been smoking it's only polite to share with the class.

[ He gets that Taako is teasing him about something or other (because what else could it be; Cisco's acting perfectly normally, thanks very much), but Cisco can't quite guess what. Still, he quirks a smile and says: ]

Seriously? You really think I wouldn't immediately share? I thought you knew me better than that, man.

[ Cisco makes a little note on his mental to do list, to get high with Taako sometime. Considering the karaoke antics they'd gotten up to while drunk, it was bound to be a wild ride. But today isn't the day for that. ]

Besides, no drugs in the workshop. That's a rule. Ever since Ronnie got high on my couch while we were working on blueprints for the pipeline, and Hartley came in smelled it and ran off immediately to snitch to Dr. Wells like the annoying little shit he was, and Dr. Wells came down and gave us both the whole "I'm not mad I'm just disappointed" talk. He didn't even care I hadn't had any, he said the fact that I didn't stop Ronnie was just as bad.

[ He tells the story in an amused, fond sort of way, like it's just a cute, light workplace anecdote. Which, in his brain right now, it is. If his behavior earlier was a little different, this is starkly so. Normally, unless absolutely necessary, Cisco goes out of his way to avoid talking about Dr. Wells. When he has told Taako stories about his days working at S.T.A.R. before the particle accelerator, he has always worked hard to exclude Wells from the story at all. And when he has mentioned him, it has never been without bitterness, or fear, or hurt, or some combination of all three. Now, though, he says his name as easily as if he were talking about trusted friend who Taako just hasn't happened to have met - like Barry, or Joe. ]

So- after that. No drugs in the workshop.

Edited 2017-08-14 06:54 (UTC)

[Sometimes stupid quirks of fate are helpful, and right now Taako is thanking his lucky stars that he drunkenly texted Cisco a few nights ago, after he and Lup went to get drunk because they were sad about Magnus. Most of the night had ended up a blur, but he'd read back over the conversations he'd had.

he might choose to remember. i would, if it were me.

It makes the sudden dilemma that Taako suddenly finds himself facing a little easier.]

Hey, sweetheart, I hate to be the bearer of bad news, but you've forgotten something.

[ For just a second or two, Cisco actually looks concerned. He glances down at himself - shoes are tied, pants are zipped, his socks even match today. He's showered, his hair isn't any more of a disaster than usual. What is he supposed to have forgotten, anyway? What is Taako even doing?

Then, it occurs to him. ]

Oh? So that's how it's gonna be?

[ It couldn't be clearer from Cisco's tone and the smile that spreads over his face that he thinks this is some setup to a joke, or Taako's attempt at a timely amnesia-inspired prank. Maybe not in the best taste, but neither of them have ever been great about that. Cisco puts his hands behind his head, leaning back, and asks: ]

Alright, I'll bite. What am I supposed to have forgotten?

[If he was joking around, this is where Taako would grin, unable to play the solemnity required for the part, but right now his expression stays gentle, as does his voice.

If anything, he just looks sad.]

You know how you said you'd wanna remember shit, even if it was bad? I'm gonna give you an opportunity to take that back, cause it's gonna ruin your day if I spill the beans.

[ Cisco keeps waiting for Taako to drop the act, or else deliver the punchline, but as neither happens, gradually the smile drops from his face. He sits up in his chair, rolling a little closer to Taako, leaning forward. His expression is more solemn, now, but it is concern for Taako, not fear or dread.

He remembers having that conversation with Taako - about Magnus and their timeline and voidfish woes. He remembers telling Taako he'd choose to know the truth, to cheer him up that it was probably what Magnus would pick.

This conversation is really going to some weird places. Cisco takes another sip of his coffee, then says: ]

I'm not taking it back. You got me hella curious, now. It is supposed to be something about the two of us?

[ Maybe this place had made him forget it's Taako's birthday today, or that they'd made plans to go out to some secret concert, or who knows what. ]

[This is very strange to witness; it's not quite the same as the changes brought on by the chalice, maybe because those were more obvious, more stark. This is still Cisco, who knows him and is his friend, who still did all the same things he did before, but he can't remember one betrayal, and it changes everything.

It's not surprising, really, Taako remembers who he was before and after Sazed left, and that wasn't even a betrayal he knew at the time, it was a different kind of betrayal, it was being abandoned. So he can understand the differences, but they're still weird, a little unsettling, like a fucked up funhouse mirror version of Cisco that doesn't look quite right.

He sets his coffee down on one of the work benches, focusing all his attention on Cisco.]

It's about you, about something that happened to you. Something bad.

[Taako doesn't even know what, exactly, Wells did, but he's got a few guesses, and "killed Cisco" is on the list.]

[ It's a very weird position to find himself in, for Cisco. When Taako had come in the door, he'd seemed, if not totally carefree, at least relatively chill. But something had changed. When had that been? Even as Taako is issuing these rather ominous disclaimers about how it's something bad, about Cisco, he tries to think back. His brow is furrowed, and he settles on Taako's weird comment about smoking being the first thing that caught him off guard.

Baffled, he asks: ]

Did I... get... super into drugs?

[ It doesn't sound like him at all, and even as he's saying it aloud he can't believe he's suggesting it, but that had definitely been around the time the conversation took this weird shift. And there is no question of it being a prank, now. Taako's poker face isn't that strong, he thinks.

He huffs a little laugh, more nervous than anything else, and tucks his hair back behind his ears. This is not where he thought this visit would go, when he opened the door. ]

C'mon, Taako. You're kinda starting to freak me out, here.

[Despite all of this, the strangeness of it and how unsettled Taako feels, that question startles a little laugh out of him, just a quick thing before he dismisses it with a shake of his head.

But he can see Cisco is getting nervous, and as much as he doesn't want to do this, he doesn't want to draw it out, either. That's not fair.]

It's about Wells. Eobard. I think you forgot the but where he turns out to be an asshole who betrays you and your friends.

[That's the neatest summary of it that Taako wants to give, though he has a feeling he's going to need to go into more detail.

And then he realizes that it's real fucking lucky he figured this out now, because if it had been Eddie who had to have this particular conversation, about the man who forced him to kill himself, it would be a lot worse than what Taako is managing.]

What?

[ There is total confusion, in that one syllable. He's glad it's not the drug thing, but this? This is just... bizarre. Taako doesn't say "just kidding". He really means it, in all seriousness. And Cisco has no idea why, or what his game is here. This is the last thing he thought he'd encounter here, from someone who comes from a different world entirely - this weird bias that some people seem to have against a good and decent man, just because they're angry about the accelerator explosion, or offended because he doesn't suffer fools. ]

I... Taako, that makes no sense. Who is 'Eobard', is that even, like, a name? Anyway, you must be confused. Dr. Wells's first name is Harrison, and yeah, I mean. Sure. He can be a little aloof sometimes, if he doesn't know you, but 'asshole' is taking it way way too far. Especially for someone who's never even met him. And there's absolutely no way he would betray Barry, or Caitlin, or me.

[ Cisco's words have complete, easy conviction in them. What Taako's suggesting is just not possible, and it's honestly a little bit offensive. But he does his best not to be offended, because obviously Taako's just confused. This is a case of mistaken identity, of stories getting garbled by a telephone game of gossip. ]

[He really should have expected this reaction, because of course Cisco isn't going to immediately take his word over his own experiences of Wells, especially when he's known the guy for so long.]

I know this is kinda weird, bubbale, but you gotta remember that this place does a lot of fucked up shit. And I've got no reason to lie to you.

[There's no point to this, maybe if Eobard was here and Taako wanted to turn Cisco against him for some reason, it could be passed off as a lie, but there's nothing about this situation that serves him in any way, shape, or form. And it sure as hell isn't a funny joke.]

His real name is Eobard Thawne, he's a speedster, like Barry. I don't, uh, fuck, I don't know all the shit he did, but we saw him together in a dream and you looked like you'd seen your worst enemy.

[He looked terrified.]

[ When Taako assures Cisco that he knows it sounds weird, but he has no reason to lie, he has a moment of doubt. Not a moment when he entertains that Taako's telling the truth, but one where he thinks that maybe more is going on here that he doesn't understand. He's seen just how much fucked up shit does happen here. People getting turned into alternate versions of themselves, people compelled into truth-telling. Even this week, people made to be confused and forget things.

But it is just as logical, and makes far more sense, to assume that Taako's the one who has been messed with. This place has gotten him all scrambled, and now he's trying to tell Cisco this nonsense like it's urgent, and he's sure it feels that way, to Taako. Cisco expression softens from confusion into one of concern. ]

Taako... I don't think you're lying, I promise. I just think maybe you're a little confused. Eddie Thawne is your ex, and my friend, and he's definitely not a speedster, or my enemy, or yours.

[ Taako brings up seeing this imaginary 'Eobard' person in their shared dream, and Cisco opens his mouth to refute it. And just then, for the first time since Taako had brought up the subject, something happens to really disturb Cisco's stubborn refusal to listen. He tries to explain what they had seen in the dream, and as he casts his memory back, there is a blank. He remembers a lot of it: his evil weird doppelganger, seeing Taako on a cute pottery date with his hot grim reaper boyfriend, seeing the Hunger and the end of the world. But as for how they had started off, there is just nothing. And it doesn't feel like he's just forgotten, either. There's a gap.

Cisco swallows, worry creeping into his voice, but there's still just as much conviction when he speaks next: ]

Taako, listen. I believe you think you're telling the truth. I don't know who, but I think somebody's messed with your head... or maybe both our heads, kind of, but trust me, this is some bullshit. Dr. Wells is a good man. Somebody's doing this, trying to slander him, and I'm not about it. I know you haven't met him, but you gotta believe me. He-

[ Cisco breaks off for a moment, shaking his head a little, before his voice drops a bit, going soft. ] -I was nothing before he hired me. He gave me a chance. He changed my life. He's... like, the first person who ever cared about me. Like, at all. He's made some mistakes, but he couldn't do anything seriously bad, okay?

Edited 2017-08-14 13:28 (UTC)

[The temptation to give up is right there, lingering at the front of his thoughts, but then Cisco says Eddie's name and the possibility rises again, that this might be brought up again, between the two of them, and regardless of his own feelings towards Eddie, he's not cruel enough to wish this particular explanation on him. It would be awful, having to explain to Cisco that Eddie's descendent was responsible for so much pain, for both of them.

It doesn't make it any easier, though, especially not when Cisco says he was nothing, before Eobard, and suddenly a lot more of... Cisco, makes sense. The way he is about himself, the reason he avoided his powers for so long, how much Eobard's betrayal messed with him. Eddie died, because of Eboard, and Taako thought that was the worst thing the man could do, but now he's seeing the way he fucked up Cisco, and suddenly he's not so sure.]

You're making this real hard, you know that? [He's not annoyed, though, just... troubled.

But he has an idea.] Cisco, how did Eddie die?

[He doesn't think this is like the voidfish, where things can be adjusted slightly, which will leave Cisco with no answer to that question.]

I'm not trying to make it hard, I promise. I'm just trying to make sense of what's happening here.

[ He can tell this is messing with Taako's head, and he braces himself, ready to listen, to really give whatever Taako says next a chance. At least, in theory. But then what Taako says is just so ridiculous that he abandons that plan immediately. Cisco's heart is beating a little faster, because this whole thing is spiraling out of control, somehow, and he isn't sure how he can help Taako right now. ]

Taako... Eddie's not dead. I saw him, like, four hours ago. He's fine, I promise.

[ Guess what else Cisco doesn't remember?

He reaches out, sets a hand against Taako's arm, comforting, worried. This clearly goes further than he had thought. He feels bad, now, that he'd joked about people on the network being confused. Something, or somebody, has tampered with Taako's brain, and Cisco is not about to let that shit fly. Nobody messes with his friends. Nobody. ]

Listen. I know, after the stuff with Lucretia erasing your memories and all that... I know someone else getting in your head and changing things is probably, like, an actual nightmare. But I think somebody has. I don't want you to worry, though, okay? I'm gonna find a way to fix it. I'll figure out who did it, and find them, and then I'll absolutely turn a blind eye when Lup charbroils them.

[It's a real challenge not to brush Cisco off immediately; Taako can practically feel his hackles go up at the way Cisco is turning this around on him, even if he knows it's not fair to get angry for something like that. It's just that he'd know, he'd have to know, if someone fucked with his memories again.

And that's not what this is.]

Son of a bitch.

[It's muttered under his breath, but Taako takes a step away from Cisco as he pulls out his phone, holding up his finger in a wait gesture.

It takes him almost a full minute, but he finally pulls up the first broadcast Eddie ever made on the network, and then wordlessly holds out his phone for Cisco to take.]

[ It's pretty obvious that Taako is not super loving the things Cisco is saying to him, but Cisco doesn't blame him. He would be hurt and defensive, too. But just because it's an understandable reaction doesn't mean he enjoys upsetting his friend. When Taako swears and steps away, getting out his phone, Cisco's half convinced he must be contacting Lucretia, or maybe conferring with Lup about something. Cisco waits, the gentle worried look never leaving his face.

And then Taako is holding out the phone to him, and Cisco takes it from him, confused, and looks down. It takes a moment or two, for him to get what he's looking at. To check the username, check the date, and scroll through some of the comments, skimming and half-reading, going back to check one or two, making sure he understands the words on the screen. ]

This is... I don't...

[ His objections trail off into silence, dying before they're even half-formed. Eddie had responded to a few people that he was dead back home but had been revived, upon arrival. So Taako is not saying that Eddie's died today, or something, but that he's been dead this whole time. Which is some Sixth Sense bullshit. It's not possible.

Cisco's stomach is twisting itself into knots as he looks up from the phone. Other things are slowly slotting themselves into place, in his head. Odd little moments, these last few days, in his interactions with Eddie, that he didn't understand. Could it really be true? Why hadn't Eddie said anything? Maybe... it's a cover up. Some complicated undercover thing for the police department. Cisco resolves to ask about it, the second that he gets home. Because there's so much that doesn't make sense.

He looks at Taako, not saying anything for a few moments, his expression just... lost. ]

I... maybe you're right, and I forgot some stuff, and I don't really know what's going on right now, but... what exactly do you mean, Dr. Wells turned on us, or whatever? Are you sure?

[ There is a horrible note of hope, in that last question. ]

Edited 2017-08-14 23:15 (UTC)

[While Cisco is reading, Taako goes to grab another chair, partly to give him a second to digest all this information privately, but also because he feels kinda weird looming over Cisco, slightly, while he tells him all this awful shit about his home.

And he keeps his distance, despite the fact he's the one delivering the shitty news, Taako feels like an outsider looking in on Cisco's trauma, and he suddenly understands how Cisco likely felt watching him mourn Lup. It's an uncomfortable thing, made worse by the fact he knows he has to tell Cisco the truth, that Eobard was a liar from the beginning, that everything he did was part of manipulating Cisco and Barry and the others.]

I'm real fucking sorry, Cisco. [It probably says a lot that he's using names instead of terms of endearment.] Eobard had some beef against Barry, he was-- he was from the future? He came back to hurt Barry.

[It had never occurred to him to ask more, mostly out of not wanting to pry, but right now he regrets not having more details.]

[ Cisco knows how he should be feeling, right now. Even with that post from Eddie, and even though Taako is his friend and stands to gain nothing from this bizarre story - Cisco ought to be feeling outraged. This has happened before, after all. Lots of people have said bad things about Dr. Wells. The media, after the explosion. All the other employees at S.T.A.R. Labs, other than Caitlin and Cisco, when they left one by one. Hartley. Wells's colleagues in the scientific community - Stein, Stagg, McGee. Joe, other people with the CCPD, too. Dr. Wells had had a million enemies accusing him of every possible wrongdoing and ignoring the fact that he helped to save lives, every day. How many times had Cisco burned with anger at all of them, felt a fierce pride that at least he hadn't abandoned Dr. Wells. All the rest of them might turn on him, but Cisco was different. He was loyal. Special.

But for some reason, that anger doesn't come right away. Instead there's a sour weight in his stomach. Something more like fear than anger. ]

So you're saying he's the Reverse Flash?

[ Taako had said before that he was a speedster, and there's only one other speedster besides Barry, who tried to hurt Barry. And... time travel. Speedsters could time travel. Cisco knows that, but as soon as he tries to trace that thread back to how he knows it, his mind just goes empty. Barry had travelled in time, hadn't he? But when? Why? That's not the sort of thing that Cisco would forget, after all.

Cisco crosses his arms tightly over his chest, hugging himself, frustrated and unhappy. ]

I don't see how that could be possible. I- I know you're right, now. Something's messed with my memory. I keep trying to think about stuff and there's... gaps. But I saw the Reverse Flash almost kill Dr. Wells. Hell, it was my fault. The trap I built for him in the basement malfunctioned and-

[ But Cisco breaks off, then, because a wave of fear and nausea comes over him, inexplicably, stopping up his throat. He doesn't know why, but all at once his heart is racing. Cisco gets to his feet without realizing what he's doing. The fear is strong enough now to make him swing back to anger as a defense, and he says, decisively: ]

I changed my mind. I don't wanna hear this anymore. I- I know you're only trying to help. I really believe that. But... you don't even know what you're talking about, either. You're not from Central City. People have it out for him. This... this has to be some kind of trick on both of us. And it doesn't fucking matter, right? He's not even here. I wish he was, but he's not. If he shows up before we get to the bottom of this, then you can just take up your ridiculous accusations with him.

[ Cisco pulls his jacket from the back of the chair, heart still hammering. He can hear how harsh he is being, but he can't seem to slow down. There are gaps in his memory and Eddie had made posts about being dead and Taako is trying to talk him into turning on his loved ones and he just wants to run away from all of it. ]

I'm going home. Thanks for the coffee.

[Taako doesn't interrupt. He wants to, he wants to explain as much as he can to Cisco, but there are two problems. One, is still the fact that he does't know enough about the situation to really answer all these questions, but mostly it's the fact he can see Cisco pulling away, until he finally verbalizes it, and that leaves Taako with nowhere to go for this discussion.

He won't push it. It doesn't matter that he's right, what matters is how upset this is making Cisco, and even if there's a part of him that's frustrated at being dismissed, he squashes it down.]

Don't, I'll go.

[This is Cisco's workshop, after all.

Taako moves a hand through the air, and disappears.]

Flat | Top-Level Comments Only

[open] cancel your reservations

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