handwritten

[wastingtime]

[the number here may or may not be familiar to some, but its pen taps the paper for some time, as if trying to decide how to start. finally;]

How best do you convince the taximan (and whatever police he threatens to summon) that you did not, in fact, pack a greatsword with your luggage and the fact that there is one in there now is completely out of your hands?

And for that matter, am I allowed to keep said greatsword if I insist it was some sort of prank? It was my luggage, and if something saw fit to give it back to me I believe I should very well keep the damn thing. (Especially after it ruined my best shirts.)

Lyall, I hope you'll read this before you reach our meeting place. I believe I may be delayed for some time.

To the rest of you- if we've already met, I do apologize for these months of forgetfulness but I consider this headache my due punishment. If we haven't - my name is Elian, and I will be pleased to meet you once I am done convincing this poor man I'm as much a victim in this little debacle as he.

Comments

[alilyinthemoonslight]

You-you, or Other-you?

[wastingtime]

Me-me. I don't think other-me was very familiar with Earth at all, other than knowing about Atlantis.

[alilyinthemoonslight]

Sometimes, it gets hard to tell when talking with people.

...so, wait. The "other-you," he wasn't from Earth?

[wastingtime]

I'm almost certain he wasn't.

[alilyinthemoonslight]

Then... are you worried about turning into something else, sir...? If you don't mind my asking.

[wastingtime]

[he doesn't respond immediately- but when he does, at least his hand is steady.]

I've come to accept the fact that whatever this is, whether it be a previous life or someone to which I happen to hold a strong connection, may not have been human. A robot, perhaps - it would fit with the visions I have seen.

But whatever changes may happen, I refuse to be anyone other than myself.

[alilyinthemoonslight]

[Lily does worry for a moment she may have asked too much. Her head's in a weird place right now, so she second guesses herself pretty hard, though breathes a sigh of relief at the answer. Enough that the aspect of "I might be some space robot" barely even clicks with her as remotely odd. This girl is desensitized when it comes to that much.]

Refusing to be anyone other than yourself... that's a good attitude to have, sir. One I had to learn the hard way, really.

Still... perhaps there can be something about that which can be helpful in its own way, too. Better to... look on the bright side, right? [She should take her own advice, really.]

[wastingtime]

I imagine a robot must have a better body than I. Does that count as a bright side? Or perhaps not better body, but at least the vigor.

[alilyinthemoonslight]

You must have quite a lot of vigor left if you still want a part in all of this, but... Yes. That could definitely be a bright side.

[wastingtime]

The alternative is to close my eyes and pretend none of this is happening.

I would like to think myself a better person than that.

[alilyinthemoonslight]

Of course. Really, most of us are, I believe.

Even if what we're seeing is really terrible.

[Like friends brutally killing mafia goons. Whoops.]

[wastingtime]

I wouldn't mind forgetting it, but only if it were because it were all in the past and we didn't have to worry about it anymore. But we do, and so I am here, for better or for worse.

[alilyinthemoonslight]

Used to be, I'd think I wouldn't mind either.

But I'd lose too much now, if I did, so... I have to kind of press on, no matter what I see.

[wastingtime]

I take it you've gained some fond memories, with it all?

[alilyinthemoonslight]

More than fond, I'd say, and... not what I've remembered from that other life, either. I've gained too much, changed myself too much. There's too much and too many people I care about here, so I have to see it through.

[wastingtime]

No one could fault you for that. I'm glad that you've found something to believe in; many go throughout their lives without such a thing.

[alilyinthemoonslight]

Heh, I guess that's a good point. I'm thankful for that, so... it's one reason why I want to do whatever I can to help people. Even if I'm having a hard time lately figuring out what that is.