(no subject)

[shantiprayer]

[Sera sounded a little awkward as she spoke, still not used to using the psychic connection she shared with the other Travelers. The fact that finding herself in an awkward situation is what prompted her to reach out for advice in the first place probably didn't help.]

I knew the Trumps could make people believe they're someone else, but I didn't think it would be like that. I mean, I didn't think they could make us feel differently about things than we normally do. Especially not about other people... Um, does anyone know what you're supposed to do if you thought you were good friends with someone, and then remembered you've never even talked with them before? I want to go talk to them, but I'm not sure how to do it.

Comments

[wholeheaded]

[ Ambrose's voice has that gentle, accepting, "kind-uncle" thing going on. ]

The first time I infiltrated I sort of picked up an entire family. [ and this time the Trumps had put a totally different spin on he and Daneel's partnership but that's another kettle of muglug. ] So yes, it does happen to all of us, and those people are probably feeling the same thing. Talking it out will probably be good for both of you.

[ adviser, heed thyself. ]

[adjustable]

...Jus' go up and talk to 'em about it. If you're rememberin' that, they're probably rememberin' the same thing.

[Souda sounds a little awkward talking about this but he does it anyway!]

Yeah, it's a little weird when you've suddenly got all these feelings or memories about someone, but you can't get rid of 'em so you may as well act on 'em.

[howexciting]

Sera... that is how I met Lila and Alcuin.

[His mental voice is good-natured, soft, reassuring. He's done this before apparently.]

There is no shame in it. Just talk to them, say hello. They might surprise you with how accepting they are. Of course, depending on what you both remember, it could... complicate things, a little. But if you were good friends with them as mermaids, I am convinced you could easily become friends with them as people.

[canbebrave]

It is difficult.

You do not have to keep the relationship if you do not want to. But in your heart....

[amadine]

'We've never actually met, but since our invisible puppetmasters decided to twist our minds until we thought we knew each other, so I thought I'd come say hello' seems like a reasonable opener.

[Without an actual mask of body language and vocal tone to modify it, this comes out a little more honestly acerbic than she'd generally prefer.]

[shantiprayer]

You really think so? I wasn't sure if I should try doing something or try ignoring them and starting over...

[shantiprayer]

Oh, I didn't know you'd known Alcuin before! He's the one I'm the most worried about. I'd never had a brother before. It was nice.

[A pause. Wait. Waaaaaaaaaait.]

Oh no! If you already knew Alcuin, things must be even more complicated for you two now!

[shantiprayer]

But I do want to! I just don't know if they do too. How will I know whether they'd want me to come talk to them, or stay away?

[canbebrave]

I am afraid there is no way of knowing but trying, my lady.

As travelers, the Trumps strip us of ourselves. Each of us reacts to this differently.

[shantiprayer]

That sounds a little bit like what happened to me. Did talking to them about it work out for you?

[shantiprayer]

I don't know, that seems a little...

[There's a pause as she tries - and fails - to think of the right word. Sera ends up giving up on that and moves on instead.]

I'm sorry, I don't think that will quite work. Uh, but thank you! I will go talk to them, I think, even if I don't say it like that.

[shantiprayer]

I don't want to make them angry... but I guess there's nothing else I can do but try and hope for the best.

[Feels like introductions should be in order now. ...Although as weird as being called "my lady" was, it did have a nice ring to it. Like a princess in a story!]

Thank you for your help! I'm Sera.

[canbebrave]

If they are of good heart, they will be kind to you. If not, they were not worth your time in the first place.

[ Sansa knows how hard this is. She went through it for the first time herself months ago- and now she's courting a boy she had known nothing about before. It was the girl who wore her face whose feelings jump started Sansa's own. She feels great sympathy for Sera. ] Sera. I'm Sansa of House Stark.

[flatteries]

Shouldn't it be obvious? You should still go and talk to them! [ Easier said than done. Even Inigo himself knows it, considering how naturally shy he is - but he's trying to not give it away here, instead trying to make his mental voice be filled with confidence. ]

Even if those memories may not have entirely been real, you cannot say they are fake either, right? The bond you have with a person does not fade away that easily, even if it may have lasted for only a short while or was based on false premises.

[wholeheaded]

To an extent, yes, it was something of a dysfunctional family. But we've stayed close, so maybe it'll go the same for you.

[ there's little pause. ]

Who're you going to talk to? Maybe I know them.

[adjustable]

I-- ignore them?! No no no, that's definitely weirder.

[upcard]

[This is something near and dear to Mai's heart as well, so she can't help but respond, even if the psychic network is still a little awkward for her as well.]

Um... I think that...even if they change our memories, we're all still the same people. So... you should still be able to be good friends with them now, too.

Right?

[capital_asset]

[Speaking of which...]

[...no, he still doesn't quite know how to approach this. Parroting her suggested opening phrase back at her would feel too odd.]

Were you able to escape the Lictor unscathed?

[Because even after he'd gotten his own mind back, he'd been worried about his fellow... ex-Sirens.]

[capital_asset]

I admit I've been wondering about that myself.

[The fact that some of the people he interacted with presumably have no idea he can even speak doesn't help.]

...You were part of the school, weren't you?

[howexciting]

Sadly, I must inform you that having a brother - or brothers - really is not as grand as others believe, sometimes. But I can speak from personal experience that Alcuin was... a wonderful brother to have.

[... ouch, that hurt. In many different ways, once Leonardo realizes just what he's saying. He hesitates, but continues after a moment, his mental voice still gentle and cheerful.]

Alcuin has been nothing but kind to me since we first met each other properly in Liminal Space. I doubt you will need to worry.

... what do you mean, it must be more complicated?

[shantiprayer]

But you care for each other, right? That's what's important.

Three people, but Alcuin's the one I'm worried about the most. He was like a brother, and I'm... a little scared of losing that. Phedre was another good friend. I didn't know Joscelyn as well, but he was still someone I cared about. But I'm not sure I've ever even talked to him before... I'm sorry, I'm having trouble telling where the memories stopped being fake and started being things that really happened.

[howexciting]

[Leonardo's mental voice seems a bit amused at that.]

There is no doubt it was. They had their fair share of arguments and complaints against each other. Still, I must confess, the Illuminated were closer to family than my real family.

I almost... miss it. Is that odd?

[protected to Sera]

[wholeheaded]

[ there's a little pause, and then a not-unkind laugh. Ambrose focuses more closely on her, and with his new psychic protection abilities they should have some mental privacy. ]

Phedre I don't know well yet and Joscelin's... something of an enigma too, but Alcuin was one of my acquired "cousins". There's still times I think he saved me in my darkest hour, even if it wasn't really us. I think they'll all be happy to remake your acquaintance.

I'm Ambrose, by the way. I was infiltrating on the Panlong.

[wholeheaded]

No, not odd. But it's almost better now: we have the bond - sort of - without the baggage. We can make our own road.

[amadine]

Harsh?

You don't have to say it verbatim - but acknowledging that you weren't yourselves can't hurt. Not everyone's going to be willing to take a relationship they never chose as given.