[ the finders can be brutal even when they're attempting something in the form of humor. it's something Elle knows well and deeply dislikes when others are dragged through their stinging coals. ]
[The spirit of the message is kind, but the naive tone of it makes Charles wonder for a knee-jerk moment whether she understands what the Finder was asking, and hoping for, from him. She must, he reasons, after she responded to his network post, so this may simply be her expressing her support in her own way.
It sounds naive, but that doesn't mean it is. She knows about his situation, and the risks.
So, after an extensive pause to think, Charles replies with a simple,]
Thank you, Elle. As always, your support is appreciated.
I'm glad. And, I know what the answer will be, but if I can ever help, with anything, I can certainly try. But I understand, too. Sort of. I'm learning, anyway.
From where I'm sitting, it seems like you've already come further than when you asked me whether if I could eat, or not. [He doesn't think that she was rude, or wrong to ask, it's just the last time he remembers her bringing up something related to the supernatural.]
You treating me the way you have, despite what I am and what I need to do to survive, has meant a great deal to me.
Learning about vampires and witches and people with all these powers was definitely a shock. It still is sometimes. It's hard to remember who does what or prefers what or is capable of doing what even with my notes and reminders. But none of that should be a reason to treat anyone differently. We all have feelings and emotions, and we're trying to exist together. Survive, even. We can't do that alone. We shouldn't have to unless it's what someone wants.
[ That was a lot of words, certainly, all to say probably one simple thing. ]
More along the lines of a binder. Fully color-coded, though. Personalized, too! I keep a few different journals and books. One with memories and achievements from home along with names of friends and family. There's another one detailing anything that has happened to me since I arrived here. Have you had a chance to talk with Jon? He goes by The Archivist, too. He keeps a lot of records and suggested I keep a journal of things. Apparently, there was a person who the city for something or other but they were able to change and manipulate their memories. Keeping a record of my own information prevents them from doing that to an extent.
Plus, I love arts and crafts, and this is sort of like that for me!
[He can't help but wonder what her vampire section looks like. Colour-coded red, with black or silver details? There's really no way to tell, with Elle's decorative sense being what it is and uniquely her own. Knowing how she feels about vampires, he trusts she'd find a way to keep it from looking ghoulish.
Best he not think too deeply about it.]
It's a sound idea; I've been doing the same, with my own personal journal - not keeping track of the new races I've encountered, especially, but recounting all that's happened to me here, and the phenomena I've been afflicted with over time. Research notes, too.
I'm hoping it'll be a way to remember what happened in the city when I leave. If we don't hold onto our memories.
I know that when we're sent home, we don't remember anything about this place. I think if people come back, there's a chance they won't remember their time here, or it comes back slowly. I don't know if anything we collect here goes with us, either. Which would be very sad. I've received a few very sweet gifts from people I was very close to. I'd hate to not have them but I guess if memories don't carry over, it makes sense for gifts and objects not to, either.
They're definitely handy for people who come back who kept them. I think you eventually remember but it can take some time.
I think that would be worse than a lot of things; having your memories taken away or changed without knowing.
I'm aware of the threat of memory replacement in this place. That there's virtually no guarantee it hasn't already happened, or that it could at any time without any of us knowing, is certainly threatening and abominable. [He doesn't know what can be immediately done about it either, barring Elle's idea about journaling, or some kind of concentrated, and long-term resistance effort.]
How do you know people don't remember anything upon returning home? [She sounds so certain about it, and is the first person he's met who does.]
Oh, a few people who have come and gone have talked about not remembering this place or the people they've met while they were gone. I think they just pick up where they left off if they can.
There are people, too, who have fallen asleep and when they wake up, they have new memories from home. I'm sure it's nice but having them go into a comatose state with no idea if they'll wake up isn't great, either.
Truly bizarre. I don't think it's the case, but people's memories of Duplicity staying locked in the city almost makes it tempting to think of all of this as some kind of test, or purgatory.
We at least seem to live in a kind of dimensional pocket, and one that could be separate from reality, itself.
I can see why some people prefer not to think too deeply about it. [It's disturbing, not to mention a waste of time, when none of it can be tested in a way he's aware of.]
I've heard people call it a different dimension before! I think they even referred to it as a pocket. It's way beyond anything I know or even understand. Half of what goes on here I have only read about or seen in movies. Even Cosmo couldn't prepare me for this place.
Cosmo, Cosmopolitan, is a lifestyle magazine where I'm from. It's practically the bible.
[ Not really, of course, but it's still essential for everything. ]
What's hot for the fashion season, skincare suggestions, how to spice up relationships...
[ He can't see it but Elle did, indeed, laugh when she sent that last message, trying to picture his expression. ]
Very multi-faceted. I can't imagine how that wouldn't prepare someone for an interdimensional sex city. [Which is his own, exceedingly British, way of joking right along with her.]
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mattersofscience) wrote2016-05-31 10:57 pm
text; un: makeitpink
I'm sure you've gotten plenty of supportive messages after the finder, so just know that I'm adding to them. No one should ever have to change who they are for anyone. You are perfect just as you are.🩷
text; @C. Saville
It sounds naive, but that doesn't mean it is. She knows about his situation, and the risks.
So, after an extensive pause to think, Charles replies with a simple,]
Thank you, Elle. As always, your support is appreciated.
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You treating me the way you have, despite what I am and what I need to do to survive, has meant a great deal to me.
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[ That was a lot of words, certainly, all to say probably one simple thing. ]
I'm glad it's helped, though.
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[She really is remarkable.]
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Plus, I love arts and crafts, and this is sort of like that for me!
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Best he not think too deeply about it.]
It's a sound idea; I've been doing the same, with my own personal journal - not keeping track of the new races I've encountered, especially, but recounting all that's happened to me here, and the phenomena I've been afflicted with over time. Research notes, too.
I'm hoping it'll be a way to remember what happened in the city when I leave. If we don't hold onto our memories.
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They're definitely handy for people who come back who kept them. I think you eventually remember but it can take some time.
I think that would be worse than a lot of things; having your memories taken away or changed without knowing.
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How do you know people don't remember anything upon returning home? [She sounds so certain about it, and is the first person he's met who does.]
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There are people, too, who have fallen asleep and when they wake up, they have new memories from home. I'm sure it's nice but having them go into a comatose state with no idea if they'll wake up isn't great, either.
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We at least seem to live in a kind of dimensional pocket, and one that could be separate from reality, itself.
I can see why some people prefer not to think too deeply about it. [It's disturbing, not to mention a waste of time, when none of it can be tested in a way he's aware of.]
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Cosmo, Cosmopolitan, is a lifestyle magazine where I'm from. It's practically the bible.
[ Not really, of course, but it's still essential for everything. ]
What's hot for the fashion season, skincare suggestions, how to spice up relationships...
[ He can't see it but Elle did, indeed, laugh when she sent that last message, trying to picture his expression. ]
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Very multi-faceted. I can't imagine how that wouldn't prepare someone for an interdimensional sex city. [Which is his own, exceedingly British, way of joking right along with her.]
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Now, listen. It's not fair to make me laugh so hard that I snort into my smoothie!
I hope you're feeling a little better about everything. At least you know that you have lots of people to talk to when you need them.
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I do, thank you. Whether you mean to or not, you're making a habit of bringing a smile to my face.
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