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

[dead_black_eyes]

There's no getting around this sense of revulsion and fear, either. Even if it's someone else's, I'm feeling it just as strongly.

[wonk]

thas true

it might subside w time like u spend so much time around him u just become immune but u gotta judge whether its worth that effort

[moreweaponsthanyou]

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

[occasus]

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

[dead_black_eyes]

He wouldn't have started talking to me again without the echoes. He had his own life to think about after the time we spent together years ago, and it makes sense to let him enjoy that life without my interference.

[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.

[dead_black_eyes]

That's a strange question to ask.

[wonk]

im hearin a no on the worth it question then

the entire situation is weird but it seems shitty

so sorry about that

cant be fun :(

[dead_black_eyes]

We're all making sacrifices. I can live with it, and so can he. It'll be easier on him to not go crazy and start stalking me. Easier on both of us, really.

[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.

[wonk]

tru that

[occasus]

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

[dead_black_eyes]

Of course it's true. I wouldn't say it with such conviction if I didn't believe it wholeheartedly.

[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?

[moreweaponsthanyou]

Shouldn't you let him decide that?