029. [Text]

[explosivecombat]

Memory seems to be something of an elusive thing for some people, from what I've heard; I've never really considered it to be much of a problem myself, for various reasons both personal and not. But since we're all in this more or less together, and we have no obvious indication of if - or when, depending on your level of optimism - we'll be returned to our worlds of origin, I have to admit curiosity regarding the experiences of others.

Memories being the finicky things that they are, I'm sure we all have things we remember vividly about home - people, places, various other whatnot that I'm sure mattered to you at the time. I'm mostly curious about the people; you don't have to give me specifics if you choose not to, but I want to know -

What sort of things do you remember most vividly about the people that were important to you, and what sort of things do you not remember but wish you could? I'm sure we've all had that jarring moment when we realize that we don't remember what someone's voice sounded like, for example; I want to hear about things like that, if you don't mind. As always, do it anonymously, if you wish; I have less interest in your name than I do your answer.

Perhaps someday I'll learn to ask questions that are more seasonally-appropriate for any oncoming holidays; unfortunately, I've never really been one to adhere to the spirit of a season that I have no real understanding of in the first place.

Comments

Anon text

[doubleornothing]

It's always the interesting ones that leave the most impression on me. They tend to stay far longer in my memory, no matter how brief a role they played. I suppose it's because they stand out from the crowd.

I suppose I wish I could remember my life before I lost it, but given that I can't miss what I can't remember, one could argue that I'm not missing much at all. I'm more driven by curiosity's sake, to know what sort of person I was before I lost myself to darkness.

And I also despise losing, so there's that motivator to recapture my past.

[explosivecombat]

As well it should be - that's something of an important thing to lose, if you ask me, and it's not something I would take lightly, either.

So am I to assume you're dead now, or just presumably so fundamentally different that "you" might as well be?

[doubleornothing]

In a manner of speaking. The honest answer is that I lost one life for another the first time round, and I died the second time.

[explosivecombat]

My, my - I'm not used to hearing something like that, I must admit.

It sounds familiar, at any rate.

Text

[itsjustdust]

[Just for you, he actually turned off his sparkletext.]

Expressions. Things I see I remember so much more vividly than things I hear. I'll always remember when someone gave me a dirty look, but it's harder to remember when they apologized, if they did. A smile has always meant more to me than a laugh, and just... things like that stick with me better.

I wish I remembered the details that were more... pleasant? Unfortunately, I always notice the bad things first, and those always stick with me the longest.

text forever then

[explosivecombat]

[My, consider him flattered.]

I'm the same way, actually, though perhaps in a more complete way than most - I never forget the faces of those I've seen, and I can recall surroundings in exact detail despite not having seen them in years; if I've seen it for long enough, it's always going to be with me. I can recall exact details of conversations as well, though that's taken practice and is something I've trained myself into; unfortunately, though I'm rather fond of sound and like to consider myself an aural person, things like that don't tend to stay. So, for example, I can recall every detail of an important conversation I've had with a friend of mine, but I can't remember what his voice sounded like when we had it.

And I think that latter part is probably just human nature; we remember the things that hurt us, because we have cause to remember them.

[itsjustdust]

[He would be pleased if he knew.]

I think part of it, with me, is family bias. Our eyes are everything, so we're trained to watch from very young, because there is always the hope we'd be able to do something special when we're older.

But touch has been more vivid than sound in my memories, which can be irritating since touch isn't really a common thing where I'm from.

[explosivecombat]

Is that so? It's not terribly common where I'm from, either - at least not among the circles I spent time with.

Is there a particular reason for that?

[nostabbing]

Did you know there are people who can't draw a person's face from memory after seeing it for a couple seconds?

[explosivecombat]

Apparently it's a bit of a rare gift; I admit that I was disappointed the first time I found out that others' memories are so short.

[nostabbing]

It's really weird. I didn't know everybody couldn't do that.

[explosivecombat]

How did you find out they can't?

[TEXT]

[sadisticwarfare]

[Memories are sort of an odd thing for Archer. His memory isn't bad by any means, but he tends to keep notes to help him remember things. As Kimblee's probably noticed by now, he keeps a lot of notes.

He doesn't respond to Kimblee's post to the network right away as he's been busy rewriting his notes for about the billionth time (this time he actually has a reason; this set of notes is going to Cobra for Christmas). He's not really sure what to say. Kimblee already knows about Kimbley after all, and as far as Archer's concerned, there really isn't anything left to say on the subject.

What happened over that strange weekend doesn't count.

He finally sets his pen aside and picks up the 'Gear again, sending a brief text to his friend.]

Where are you?

[TEXT]

[explosivecombat]

[...oh, well, that's...huh.]

Do you need me to return?

[TEXT]

[sadisticwarfare]

It's not urgent; take your time.

[TEXT]

[explosivecombat]

Give me twenty; I'm assuming you're in the room?

text;

[angerpoints]

Y'know, come to think of it, I'm starting to forget what my apartment smells like after my mother's been binge-drinking for a couple hours. I dunno whether I'm relieved by that or if I'm bummed out.

[Oh, ha ha, Yusuke. He's clearly aiming to be a smartass with that above message, but despite himself, he can't help but feel a sharp twinge of mixed sadness and frustration when he suddenly finds himself thinking about how long it's actually been since he's seen his mom. Turns out even tough crime-fightin' delinquents can miss their mommas, even if their mommas aren't necessarily the most perfect people in the world. Surprise!]

Seriously, though, the thing I remember most about the people back home are the experiences I've had with them. Great ones, bad ones... hell, I'd probably need an extra pair of hands just to count the number of times my friends and I have nearly died trying to take out some demon. We've seen each other through some pretty messed up stuff, but I wouldn't take any of it back. I figure it's just made us that much better of a team.

Kinda sucks that some of them aren't here with me.

text;

[explosivecombat]

That's one of the better answers I've received, and actually one I wouldn't have thought much about; I've always assumed that remembering experiences one has had with people would be something of a given - after all, there's enough happening to ensure that at least some of it will take, but now that I think about it I don't think that things like that stay with me quite as well. Surely if the experience was unique or jarring enough, I'd remember it, but...well. You've given me something to consider, at least.

Tell me more about your friends, if you're willing; I'm curious now. Do all of you hunt demons?

text;

[angerpoints]

[... wait, Yusuke gave somebody else something to consider? Hot damn, it's a Christmas miracle. Yusuke makes a mental note to tell Botan about it later; if he remembers to show her this conversation, maybe she'll even believe him.]

That's right. Technically, I'm the only one out of the four of us whose actual job it is to protect the living world from anyone who decides to mess with it, demon or otherwise, but after the other three guys ended up helping me out on my first big mission, we kinda just ended up sticking together. One of them is this dumbass from my school who basically invited himself along on that mission after we defeated this demon called Rando at a tournament; the other two, believe it or not, are actually demons themselves. They ended up joining me and the other guy on the mission as part of a deal my boss struck with them: that if they helped me defeat the bad guys, the Spirit World would wipe their criminal records and let them off scot-free. I already knew who they were before that point - I was the guy who busted them after they stole some artifacts from the Spirit World's vaults.

[... so yeah, basically, the fate of Yusuke's world rests on the shoulders of two teenage delinquents and a couple ex-felons. Talk about your rag-tag team of misfits.]

[surpassedjupiter]

[Oh, memories now. Man, this guy had all the good topics.]

Someone I know had this habit of making cat puns if he saw or talked about a cat. It didn't even matter if it was real or fake.

[She felt ridiculous just typing that.]

I haven't been here as long as most people, so I haven't forgotten things like their voices. But there are some things I would like to remember but can't, due to circumstances back home. There wasn't time to take it all in.

[Pause.]

How does one answer anonymously, with our accounts linked to our names?

[explosivecombat]

[Consider it a talent.]

It requires a second Gear. The Centers give out these devices for free; I had to get a new one when mine was destroyed in a rather insipid accident, and they didn't ask questions. Apparently, there are ways to get them to connect to the network anonymously or under another name; unfortunately, I don't really understand how as the technology is admittedly a bit beyond me - it's just something that I've seen people do.

I do appreciate the answer, however; is there something about the circumstances back home that would make you prefer this conversation be carried out anonymously, or are you all right with answering questions?

[surpassedjupiter]

[WELP, she's gotta get herself one of those.]

I see. Thank you.

That would all depend on what sort of questions you'd want to ask. [Hmmn.] There have been times when I've seen things made to be private. Are you able to do that, or is that still too complicated, technologically?

[anon text]

[imthe_shit]

Filled with holiday cheer, aren't you.
I remember the day I met most of the people closest to me... I remember the deaths of others, too. Sometimes, it was the same day.
I can barely remember what it's like to not have aching joints, to not have back pains. I don't remember what it's like to be naive, innocent.
There are things I do remember that I wish I could forget, but if I do, then no one else will remember them.

[explosivecombat]

The Christmas spirit has never been very strong with me, I'm afraid.

With all due respect, might I ask if you were involved in some sort of war? You speak like many I've known on the battlefield.

[imthe_shit]

I've never stopped. I'm always being pulled out of retirement.