Entry #A-5: "Ashes" [March 31, Text]

[dead_black_eyes]

A little while ago, my friend, Ban Ueno, posted here. We were receiving the same echoes and thought that perhaps we were the same person before we ended up here.

As of today, Ban has lost his echoes and I have a new one, and with it a new understanding of what was actually going on with our situation. Suffice it to say that our theory was incorrect; as far as anyone knows, it is still impossible for multiple people to receive echoes from one simultaneously. Our situation wasn't unique or enlightening, just superficially misunderstood.

If you encounter Ban, I would be appreciative if you did not mention me to him ever again.

Comments

[wonk]

were u twins

[Text]

[dead_black_eyes]

No... I was a few years older, and we were unrelated biologically.

Had you spoken with him?

[wonk]

nah thatd just be my theory if somth like that happend 2 me

so what rly went down

[Text]

[dead_black_eyes]

We thought we were getting our echoes from the same detective.

It turns out that my other is the detective, and his was psychotic and obsessed with that detective to the point of impersonating him.

[wonk]

thats p much straigh out of a batterman comic

[dead_black_eyes]

That's the thing Alan likes, isn't it? Tavia said so.

[wonk]

no dude ur missin the point

that thing u said is straight out of a gritty comic book

ur friend was gettin memories of a gritty comic book villain

i cant tell whether thats funny or scary

mb both

[dead_black_eyes]

It's not funny. He was my friend, and now I don't want to talk to him again, whether he gets his echoes back or not. What's worse is that none of it is his fault... but it would only get worse, wouldn't it?

[wonk]

depends on how much u think echoes influence some1

like ur old memories dont disappear when u get ur new ones past me was an orphan who never knew her parents and i still remember dad

theres no straight answers here buddy

[moreweaponsthanyou]

So...now you're just going to stop talking to your friend?

[dead_black_eyes]

As cold as it sounds, he wouldn't have started talking to me again if it weren't for our echoes and this network. It's better if I'm just a person he knew when he was still fluffing his resume.

[moreweaponsthanyou]

Shouldn't you let him decide that?

[dead_black_eyes]

He scares me. If he starts getting echoes again, it can't end well. Even if he doesn't, I can't look at him without feeling that fight-or-flight reflex.

[moreweaponsthanyou]

Oh. I guess I could understand that.

[dead_black_eyes]

I could try to overcome my emotions, and ordinarily I'd be all in favor of that, but there are a lot of other things going on right now. I know my limitations and doubt my ability to successfully balance everything.

[He doesn't feel like he's arguing, just... elaborating further. It actually helps a bit to talk this out.]

[moreweaponsthanyou]

You gotta do what you gotta do. Not my place to judge, especially if it has an effect on your wellbeing.

[dead_black_eyes]

Judgment doesn't bother me, but thank you, I suppose.

[occasus]

Good for him.
He's not in this crazy stuff anymore.
You okay?

[dead_black_eyes]

That's a strange question to ask.

[occasus]

What is?

[dead_black_eyes]

If I'm OK. It doesn't matter, does it? It's not like it'll change this situation.

[occasus]

Of course not.
But it's good for you, for someone to ask.

[dead_black_eyes]

You think so? Do you want to come tuck me in tonight, too, and tell me that everything is going to be OK?

[occasus]

Not particularly, no. Asking a question and wanting to warm up some milk and make you go nap nap aren't the same thing.

[dead_black_eyes]

You probably didn't intend this but "go nap nap" sounds really foreboding.