Peridot

[dramatispersonae]

[There is a circular table with seven chairs lined around it. In the center of the table, there is a bowl with fire burning pleasantly inside it. It seems to be the only source of light in the room. The flames flash upon a few items spread across the table: A spool of black thread, a worn though plenty sharp knife, a wooden cup with a faint coopery smell, and a saucer of seven smooth, black stones.]

Comments

Re: Choice

[threadspinner]

I don't want to hurt any of them. That would defeat the pleasure of getting her back.

Re: Choice

[squirreledaway]

Exactly, that's why getting hurt is off the table.

We all have someone who's important to us that's not here, maybe? What if we offer them?

We can quest for the memory back from another persona. Or maybe she just wants to know.

[threadspinner]

[ nods ]

I'd give up an important memory to get her back.

[squirreledaway]

We all agree, then?

[threadspinner]

Yes.

Re: Choice

[unionoftheheart]

[hesitating for a long moment, chewing his lip]

Wouldn't losing a part of ourselves like that...be far worse a price than getting physically injured?

Re: Choice

[squirreledaway]

[he nods a bit]

I... think it would, in a way. But...

[he takes out a pen and a notebook]

I can write down notes for us. And we can quest for them back.

Re: Choice

[unionoftheheart]

...and what if we can't?

[absolutely terrified and trying not to show it]

Re: Choice

[threadspinner]

We'll find a way to get them back. I promise.

Re: Choice

[unionoftheheart]

[after a long silence]

Everybody who was important to me, back home, is probably dead because of me. I'll never see them again. My memories are...the only thing I have left of them--

[stopping and trying not to choke up]

I would rather pay any other price, so why are we doing the worst one?

Re: Choice

[squirreledaway]

... It's okay. We don't have to do it.

Re: Choice

[unionoftheheart]

I don't...think Cassie would want us to hurt our hearts like that, either.

Re: Choice

[threadspinner]

But what could we give that would be worthy of her, if it didn't hurt in some way?

Re: Choice

[unionoftheheart]

Losing a piece of our hearts and memories...it's far worse than losing a limb. Believe me, I've done both. We want to give something worthy of her, but...we also don't want to hurt ourselves really badly, because she wouldn't want us to. Because we want to keep ourselves whole. And we know Personae can fix injuries or even missing senses, but if they could give back memories for quests, why isn't everybody just doing that to get them back--?

Re: Choice

[threadspinner]

[ there's a long silence before she nods. she didn't think about that. ]

Do you think there's a limitation on what they can give back? If it's not won in a game?

Re: Choice

[unionoftheheart]

I don't know. But if we're trying to avoid making stupid sacrifices...

[deep breath, trying to calm himself]

I'd be willing to give up my ability to speak. It's...not as much, but...it's appropriate, in a way, at least?

Re: Choice

[threadspinner]

[ briefly realizing if she couldn't speak, she couldn't actually communicate with people because she can't write

wow this is a stupid decision she is having Feelings
does she like Cass enough to do this the answer is yes ]

I'd be willing to do that too.

Re: Choice

[unionoftheheart]

[slow nod]

Only if you're sure. Because I think...part of this is making choices that we know we can handle. Not just making...the biggest sacrifice, regardless of how much it hurts. [fiddling with that wristband again] Like I know I'm okay with writing stuff down until I can finish a quest or whatever, but...think about it.

Re: Choice

[threadspinner]

I would do charades for Cass.

Re: Choice

[squirreledaway]

Me too.

Re: Choice

[unionoftheheart]

E-emil--if people could quest to get memories back, wouldn't they do that all the time? This is way riskier than cutting off a limb or something.

Re: Choice

[squirreledaway]

They quest to get shareable versions of their memories. So, it's possible.

Re: Choice

[unionoftheheart]

I didn't know you could...

[deep breath, face in hands]

Emil, I thought the idea was to not hurt ourselves horribly for stuff like this. Losing pieces of our memories, our hearts...it's way worse than getting injured.

Re: Choice

[squirreledaway]

[he closes his eyes]

... I guess I don't see it the same way. Everyone from before... they're all important to me but... I can't even remember half the time here.

Re: Choice

[unionoftheheart]

[c-can I just hug you for a bit, is that a thing that can happen]

...sorry to freak out on you.