[ odog | voice ]

[elfstoned]

Well, that was unexpected.

[Aaron's tone is even, measured.]

As of this morning, my number, memories, and all of the paraphernalia that had been cluttering up the clinic's lost and found have returned.

If I forget again, I want everyone on this network to know that they can still come to the clinic safely. The matter was partially explained to me in my amnesiac state, and I promise you, no one will be turned away -- or turned in to the police.

...this may seem a strange thing to say, but I am glad that I remember. Not only for the practical reasons -- after all, it is dangerous to forget that one is in danger.

[He hesitates.]

Forgetting who you are and becoming who you were lets you compare the two side-by-side. I believe I prefer who I am.

[Texted to Mordin, Anthony and Julien, off the network:]

You may already have noticed the athelas on the window, but if you haven't, this is a notice that my memories are back.

Comments

[Texted][Private]

[espigeonage]

Good.

[espigeonage]

[Seconds later]

Think you could record something on a normal medium? I don't want to have to do that again, lol. I'm thinking about taping something for myself too.

['partially explained.' hopefully Aaron's not annoyed about that.]

[elfstoned]

Not a bad idea. Though I wonder, if it happens again, will I recall last week's conversation, since it occurred while I was "normal?"

[espigeonage]

[Julien is in the clinic today, but plans to largely avoid Aaron, like he's been doing. He's become very used to listening for footsteps and creeping away.]

Probably not, if we're keeping with the nothing-can-ever-be-easy pattern. It won't hurt to have something anyway.

Sorry it took me so long. [More than a week passed between the realization and the text that they needed to talk.]

[elfstoned]

It's all right. It can't have been an easy thing to say.

As for the recording, no real information should be on it. We don't want incriminating evidence lying around waiting to be found by an enemy.

handwritten

[wastingtime]

Well. It says something that it can return after leaving, doesn't it?

permatext

[elfstoned]

It does. We can't count on it, but...it is a comforting thought.

[wastingtime]

Indeed. There must be sort of fluctuation that affects the link between source and individual, that regulates how strong their connection is and when, if ever, it fades enough for them to lose memory. Or regain it.

[elfstoned]

If there's a scientific explanation, I'd love to find it. Even if the fluctuation you're talking about can't be controlled, if we can detect it, we might be able to predict when someone's in danger of dropping their connection. That could give them valuable time -- to hide evidence, leave the city, etc.

[Text]

[shiromadoushi]

Good. Don't pull that again. You have people who rely on you.

[Text]

[elfstoned]

I know. Believe me, if I'd had a say in the matter, this wouldn't have happened.

The clinic seems to have managed well enough, though, in my -- I don't suppose "absence" is the right word.

[Text]

[shiromadoushi]

Absence of mind maybe.

Might want to start keeping a diary or something so you at least remember the important things.

[Text]

[elfstoned]

Julien suggested something like that, but I don't think any real information should be kept on it. We ARE operating in secret, and a tape with any details on it would be incriminating.

text

[testsonseashells]

Good to have you back. Able to remember when precisely you dropped?

text

[elfstoned]

I'm afraid not, not precisely anyway. I could tell you the date, but not the time or what I was doing. Something non-numbers-related, at any rate, since the transition from remembering to not was smooth.

Re: text

[testsonseashells]

Connection drops making less and less sense as we move on.

Suppose it's no different than anything else in that regard.

text

[elfstoned]

You haven't been able to detect what connects us to the network yet, then?

[counterclock]

sounds like a shitty videogame plot
complete with deus ex machina

[elfstoned]

As long as the deus ex machina is in our favor, I'm not about to complain.

Hello again.

[counterclock]

sup

[elfstoned]

Communicative as ever, I see.

[Texted]

[scramasax]

[Anthony hadn't seen a thing - he hadn't heard that even without his number Dr. Strider had been made clear on things, kept away.

The text comes as a surprise and an odd, acute relief.]

Thank you, sir. It is good to hear that you are [Moment's pause.] back.

[Texted]

[elfstoned]

And it is good to BE back! Are you all right?

[Texted]

[scramasax]

Yes, sir! I apologize for not going to the clinic while your memories had left. Is there anything that I will have to do when I come again?

[Texted]

[elfstoned]

Nothing out of the ordinary.

Has your condition changed at all in my absence?