CITY EVENT LOG

[recollecters]

EVENT

The New Administration Wait, what? *[ooc: please be sure to read all mod notes at the bottom!] The third is when everything seems to start with a bang. On the third day of February, several crashes and bangs are heard and the sound of creaky metal ripples through the air. Those who look outside will see a sight for sore eyes. The moon and the stars brighten the sky and the dome is nowhere to be seen. Instead, anyone in Tisse will find yet another addition to the wonderful city of Recollé. At the very top of the Towers sits a penthouse with wide windows and an empty office building, soft lights glowing and illuminating the area. The city goes silent after that, but at the top of the hour every single Retrospec user receives a text from a user named Zee Carlisle. Nice city you've got here. They weren't kidding when they said I would fit right in. I've always wanted to live in a city like this. Jo, Maury and the rest of the team have given you a little bit of a breakdown in preparation for our little project, but they recruited me to step in. Seems like a lot of you want a more personal experience here with us at Retrospec. So let's talk. Get to know each other. I'll go first. Zee Carlisle, Hiring Manager. Nice to meet you, etc. I've been watching you for a while, Retrospecters. Kind of a unique group you've got going. I like it. Here's the thing. We've been experiencing some problems out of our control for a while now. The director's been trying to keep things under wraps for the last year, but HR and R&D finally convinced the higher ups that we need help. So. You want the whole story? Here's your story. The storms are getting worse. You might've noticed. Calls are down, mail's down, communication as a whole is down and isolating you into this teensy bubble of a city. It's why the dome went up, had to protect our resources and start isolating the sources. More areas and more people even outside of your little group here are being affected, but you guys are the only people who can help us. Some of you passed your assessments with flying colors and I've already sent messages. You'll leave for your assignments in the morning at 9am, congratulations. As for the rest of you, welllll…consider this an interview. You see...as a Hiring Manager, I'm looking for recruits for our new project. The Recollé Restoration Initiative (going forward known as the RRI) is a project we designed here to not only help us, but to help you help us help you. Make sense? Cool. You may ask, "Why should we trust you?" which is a completely fair question to ask. And hey, you don't have to trust me or trust them. But I think you might be interested to know that you and I have more in common than you think. As a user on the network, you can contact me via text, phone or email. I'll also have some office hours and more resources than you could ever dream of. But enough about me. Here's your first assignment. I. On the morning of the fourth, users going through their assessment period (i.e. those of you who are working inside the city) receive a diagram from Zee. In this diagram, a dot labelled "Recollé" sits in the center and in the four cardinal directions are different labelled dots. To the south is Pesgare. To the north is Magatus. To the east is Respatrum. And to the west is Bosuma. Citizens will find that they are able to leave the city limits now and can explore the open areas leading to these four points. While they will not be able to visit them just yet, they will be instructed that they must work together to begin structuring paths, roads, or forms of transportation between the main city of Recollé and these four locations. Zee may take requests and provide items should users ask, but it's up to you to work together and start brainstorming the best ways to create maps and connect these points together. But the best way to do that is to start exploring, right? Hit the road and grab a friend to begin getting a lay of the land. Southward leads residents to the beach while northward leads them through the forest, east and west giving way to desert and open field areas the further they travel. The expanse of directions seems endless, but eventually citizens will find that they will hit a point where they're unable to enter. An "ACCESS DENIED" notification will pop up on their phone, notifying them that they've reached the entry points of the special assignments volunteers have been sent on. But even with restricted access, there's plenty to be done and plenty to take care of as part of the initiative. Flora in the area needs to be identified and the fauna may be a bit problematic if you aren't careful. Some of these plants and creatures may even look familiar to you, but many of them won't! Off-roading and camping are encouraged and despite the fact it's February the weather seems to be amendable to these ventures. Clear as many of the monsters as possible to make way for the paths, report your findings to your hiring manager, and look out for each other as you start to shape the land. II. It's not just the outskirts of the city and open areas that need help. Some citizens who have lived here for a while may remember that February 3rd is traditionally known as Founder's Day, a holiday set up by the city to celebrate the foundation. In the days leading up to the third, banners, signs and all kinds of advertisements have gone up reminding everyone that this year is the 100th anniversary of the city's foundation. However, as the third approaches, Founder's Day comes and goes without any sort of large celebration. In fact, the annual parade is cancelled and instead citizens gather to discuss a more trying matter. Breaking news hits the airwaves that Mayor Mayer, the entire city council, the head of police, the fire chief and other prominent figures of the city have disappeared overnight. As newscasters record TV footage in front of City Hall and the police station, Retrospec users will receive a new message. Uh. Well, that was unexpected. I wasn't really counting on something like this coming up but let's roll with it and count it as part of your assessment. You want your city to keep running the way it did? Find your mayor and the others. But hey...it's your city. What if you didn't? Under your feet, blue pulses of light run under the streets and the sidewalks, energy thrumming beneath you as all lights lead back to the subway tunnels again. Will you be a hero and follow the lights to rescue these people? Or will you be a face of change and leave them to perish and redesign the city? Those who do enter the tunnels will find that a new route has opened, a mouth to the left of the main entrance from the city. Unlike the other dirt-filled vine-and-rat-infested tunnels, this one is a sterile and bright silver path with floor to ceiling panels on one side of the tracks and floor to ceiling mirrors on the other. The path seems to stretch miles and miles under the city and the further you walk, the narrower the path becomes. The sound of wild animals echo through the tunnels from the other sides of the panels, and the mirrors to your left reflect skeletal forms of both people and animals alike. The closer you get to the end though, the louder the sounds grow and the panels to the right slide open to release several chimera-esque creatures who will do everything they can to guard the silver door at the end of the tunnel. These creatures can be defeated by normal means, and they will not hesitate to attack anyone who gets close. Is it worth fighting to save these people? You decide. Those who defeat the creatures and find themselves at the silver door will receive yet another message. Hang tight, I am grouping you with some of the others to finish this thing. III. Later on the fourth, no matter where you are, you may find something heavy resting in your pocket. A small colored stone shaped like a heart appears and even while tucked away safely it burns brightly. Holding it, the heart feels as though it's pulsating and you're flooded with an overwhelming sense of love for something special whether that's a person, an item, or an ideal. All users find themselves in possession of a stone, and soon another text comes through. If you're anything like me, you're probably wondering what's up with the rocks. Had the techs run some tests on these. Don't freak out, but you might want to be careful with them? They're working as fast as they can but bits of your soul energy are tied directly to those stones. You break it or make it lose its shine, well, hard to say WHAT might happen. Users who keep their stones on their person in their pockets or in a bag will find that whatever emotions they're dealing with will transfer to whomever they encounter. Feeling happy that the sun's back? Everyone around you will wear a smile. Stressed out that your loved ones volunteered for a mission and they're out who-knows-where? Everyone around you will pick up that same nervous energy. The stone's color will fade if you ignore these feelings and even worse, fissures may start to form if they continue to be ignored. And though you may not know it yet, shattering the heart is the worst thing you could do: if the stone breaks, the thing that you love disappears from your mind completely. All memories and emotions associated with this heart will vanish without a second thought. IV. What's that smell in the air? Is it love? Close, it's cherry blossoms. It's a sickeningly sweet scent that occasionally blows through with the wind, strongest in the city and more faint the further you travel. However, citizens beware as invisible assailants appear to be on the prowl. Without warning, you may feel the prick of Cupid's arrow from behind. Though the effects only last two hours maximum, they're fairly inconvenient while on assignment. These effects include: -Heart-shaped pupils -A violent whirlwind of rose petals appearing any time you make eye contact with someone new -Your emotions are intensified -Your emotions are flipped. People you have a fondness for may now disgust you, or people you normally argue with may become your best friend Inconvenient, yet manageable, right? On February 14th though things become a bit harder. Yet another message comes through. Hope you've been having an easier time with the residual effects than I am. You know what makes everything easier? Teamwork. And that's what today's assignment is all about. Happy Valentine's Day. The first person that you see on this day may be a friend or a stranger, but soon you will find that a strangely magnetic force binds the two of you together. For the next 24 hours, you and your partner will be stuck together and must work together. Whether this is working on the road construction assignment, the rescue mission or just going about your everyday lives you'll have a built-in companion for the day. Who knows? You may even find yourself stuck with up to two additional people, too. But what if you stray too far from your partner(s)? No worries. A red string will bind your hands together and ensure you're always connected, simply falling away once the 24 hours are up. THE FUTURE. So this is life now, isn't it? A year's gone by since Retrospec's impacted so many lives and it may feel as though you're nowhere closer to answering questions. Perhaps you're just starting your journey with the restoration company. Either way, your help is most appreciated and acknowledged. As you work toward the goals assigned to you, you will be rewarded. For an excellent show of teamwork, at the end of your assessment you will find yourself on the receiving end of a brand new memory or vision of a life lost. Some of you may also receive a ticket in the mail to pick up an item at the Retrospec mailbox by Wiffle-Waffle. A message will be sent not long after. Congrats, you passed. Come to my office in March if you're ready for harder assignments. Welcome to recolle's February event! Please read these notes carefully! Prompt I may be played with however you want! There is really no right or wrong answer, and as mentioned Zee can be reached at his inbox to provide you with any tools your character may ask for to connect the four points to the city. You are free to make up plant names and what effects they have on the eco systems as well and report these back to the NPC if you wish. As of right now, the only monsters roaming the grounds are those in the above bestiary though other earthly wildlife may be found. Prompt II will require some coordination! If you complete a thread with someone in which you defeat the monsters and get to the silver door before 2/16 at 9pm EST, please hit up Zee's inbox! ICly (and oocly) your character will be put in contact with the small group of others who have worked toward this endeavor and given the next step to save these important NPCs. Prompt III will have set consequences! If your character breaks their heart, they will lose memories and feelings associated with something they love. Breaking the stone is entirely optional, and there will possibly be a way to regain these memories later down the line as a reward for the future, but please keep this in mind! The Future will only be applicable once you've met your freebie requirements for this log! Remember, the requirements for one free memory are 15 comments spread across at least two threads (min. 5 consecutive comments each) using these prompts. For the free 10-20 point item, one of these threads must be with a character you haven't threaded with before! A mod-posted Retrospec post may go up if necessary to connect city players with group players, dependent on player action! As always, you may also create your own logs or inbox threads based on these prompts. Any questions you have regarding this event may be directed to the mod comment here. Happy anniversary, Recollé!

Comments

[livingimpaired]

What good news for me. [ Despite the joke, he does mean it. He does think of himself as stunted in a lot of ways due to his emptiness -- and his lack of curiosity in why he is so empty. Due to not ever looking within, he tends to look at others and wonder after them. Yet he can at least say that he's not looking at them for any malicious reason. ]

So it is. I'm certain that even the memories I have of my youth are colored. I certainly feel a debt from those years that I can never repay. [ A beat. ] But to go on about it in public is a poor idea. [ He offers another humorless smile as apathy fills the aisle once more. ]

Indeed. Society is numbers and within those numbers, there are those will always find a way to accept those that have not rebelled against society. [ He tilts his head to quietly ask if she has everything in this aisle before continuing with what he was saying: ]

Because we have not struck against the people, there is nothing that they can do about us. We've not done anything to be ostracized by and large. We've committed no crimes. Due to this... we are enemies of no one and so, we're just oddities.

[leaveittomother]

[They were similar but that was the thing they differed on. Curiosity was a way to kill boredom. To maybe make that empty feeling of not knowing what to do go away. Perhaps it was that work ethic she was 'supposed' to have.]

Ah, yes, of course. We can continue that later, mm? [Even if she's smiling she can feel that apathy once more. Though, she nods her head quietly as if to say that she's done in this particular aisle.]

That's not a bad thing, really. If we had done something to deserve that sort of attention... Well, I think it would be annoying at best. [And destructive at worst. To willingly throw that away, even for people like them, would be a grave decision that might end whatever they called a life. Perhaps it was best not to think about that.]

[livingimpaired]

We shall. [ Kei gives a small nod. It is what his heart stone tells him each time that he holds it. The ideal that has kept him "human" all these years. "Accept and reward the kindness given freely even if it changes nothing within me." It's simple, but one might even say there is true warmth beneath those words. Yet when he thinks on it, he supposes it is a seal.

If he gave up those words -- he lifts his head up as a momentary chill fills the aisle and he keeps walking until the emptiness returns. As soon as the feeling passes, he responds: ]

You're not wrong. It is better to be an oddity that exists within society than not. ... Though, it is amusing that I'm having this conversation with two of my friends recently. I wonder about the meaning of it. [ The amusement itself is softly felt as he means that he does find it a little funny. ] Could it be the memories that we've resurfaced that's having us think this? [ A beat. ] ... ah, have you received anything yet, Ai?

[leaveittomother]

[That chill... It returns just for a brief moment. She knew that she probably wasn't as bad as Kei. That was certain through their years of friendship that they were similar but not quite the same. She could feel things if only for short periods of time. Maybe she just was selfish? Maybe that selfishness would lead to heartache in the future.]

Ah, I have no idea. Maybe it says something about us, as your friends, than it does you. [It was funny, kind of. That gets her to stop.] It might be that the people who we once were might hold the answers.

[She shook her head.] Not yet. I do wonder what we'll recover. Our memories might shed light on how we feel the way we do.

[livingimpaired]

That may be so. [ He smiles faint before the smile vanishes. The answer may be in who they once were, hm? Kei shakes his head at that thought. His emptiness has always lacked curiosity -- not once did he wonder why he was the way he was, but accepted himself completely. His hand slides into his pocket as he once more holds the small, stone heart. The words of his ideal comes back to him and it settles his unease. ]

Are you curious about yourself, then, Ai? [ Deciding to not give her a scrutinizing stare, he looks what is on the shelves instead. ] I've stopped being curious about myself about when I came to this city. [ Kei wonders if he did so out of the burden he saw his father take on, but there is no way of really knowing. If it was on a whim, if it was out of attempting to take responsibility for himself by just stopping, it is almost twenty years ago and so he can't recall his feelings at the time other than he decided that he wouldn't ever wonder why. ]

I was quite a troublesome youth but when I came here, I settled down considerably. But you wonder after yourself, then? You want to know why you feel as you do? And perhaps, you want to seek out your own happiness? [ Because Ai isn't like him; even on a impulse, she decided to do something for herself. ] I know you think the latter may be impossible, but... sometimes, it is alright to believe in the impossible for ourselves.

[leaveittomother]

[Once, perhaps she didn't care why. If her parents--so worried that their clearly intelligent daughter lacked ambition--hadn't pushed her to try to overcome it maybe she would have ignored the impulse. It was certainly a possibility. Maybe if they hadn't bribed her with piano lessons she would have dropped out of high school like she had done in university. Maybe her apathy was just a natural response to having such high expectations of her.

There were many 'maybe's in Ai's life. Her own hand slips into her pocket. Yes, there's many different possibilities but if there's no expectation of one outcome does it matter? No, perhaps it didn't.]

I have many questions, yes. [Her eyes run over her shopping list briefly. A few more things in this aisle, perhaps. Ai definitely had questions that could have been answered properly. Why didn't she care about so many things? Why didn't she care yet but could still feel things like 'pity'? Wasn't that fact alone enough to exclude her from being anti-social? She had many questions but, like most things, Ai didn't think she would care what the answer was.]

I guess I've always had questions of one kind or another. [Why did the others start making plans for a future even at a young age? Why was she the only one 'lazy' enough to almost fail even the first few grades?] Asking questions and finding answers are two different things, however.

[The grocery list crumples slightly as she closes her hand. As if to make up for even that smallest of noise, her usual smile is just a little bit bigger.] Not that it wouldn't be nice to be happy, of course.

[livingimpaired]

That it is. [ His mouth opens and closes. He decides that he shouldn't tell her that she may not like the answers that she happens to come across. But that isn't for him to say; their apathy is of a different nature yet meshes well together. ] Still, if that is your decision, I support you in it.

[ He offers a small nod before turning to look to Ai, noting the sound of paper crumpling. Somehow, even though they are talking, the aisle itself feels quiet. He understands that feeling, too. ] I don't know what it is that I can do for you, but I'll do what I can. Still... since you're already saying that it wouldn't be terrible to feel happy... search for that as well, won't you?

You are already curious and searching, so there is no harm in it. [ He pushes the idea because he thinks he could experience a healthy -- or healthier -- happiness vicariously through someone similar to himself. The only pure happiness he has felt was through a memory by the man that lives in his past. He had purposely tormented a young girl outside the cemetery, just minutes after they buried her father, and watched her misery build until it broke. He had stood watching her cry without offering any comfort and knew the girl's mother sat just feet away, oblivious to her daughter's upset -- which had made it all the sweeter to him.

Kei shudders, fear pouring out of him. That is not the happiness he ever thought he would experience and doesn't like what it hints at for his future. ]

[leaveittomother]

[She would argue the point. The answers might not be ones she'd like to hear but an answer is an answer, even if it was a poor one. Ignorance might be bliss but, well. Ai thought she could handle it regardless.] I might as well, right?

[There shouldn't be any harm in it, after all. It's a purpose even if a small one. There had to be more than simply working day to day--Ai notices the change. What was this fear? It didn't seem right at all.]

Ah...

[What in the world?]

[livingimpaired]

[ The soft sound is enough to bring his attention to his own feelings. Ah, right, she can feel them, too. He wonders what it is that he could say about them. His head tilts as he thinks of what he could say. It isn't even that they are in public, but -- ]

In one of my memories, a man told me that he wanted to eliminate all humanity because he found it disgusting. [ This is true. Kei feels guilt come after that he is hiding something from Ai. But he isn't certain he can put into words how he is feeling. Because the memory of tormenting that child was not completely unpleasant to him. ]

I suppose I can understand those feelings, but I've always found humanity to be one that is mostly "good." To see through someone else's eyes, to feel just calm acceptance, to know that someone came to me with such words... it frightens me. [ That's the most acceptable way he can talk about his feelings. ]

That is another reason why I pushing you toward happiness... not just because you are seeking it and I support you, but I want to be part of something that... isn't like what I saw. When I think back on what I've done and what I am doing, I find that my involvement is always minimal. But that is how I liked it... I may meddle but my meddling is at the bare minimum. [ Giving Rin money or a good previous job review isn't the same as participating in her life. Speaking kindly to Sakura when she happens into his shop isn't the same as being a mentor or figure for her. His involvement with people is always on agreed terms; he's always just outside their social bubble but could that end up damning him? ]

[leaveittomother]

[She stares at her cart for a few moments. As a friend, she can't accept that. They both had their issues but Kei always supported her in his own way. Perhaps she was rushing into this the wrong way.]

Yes...yes I suppose it would be. [Her words are quiet. Even to someone like her, even if she'd accept those words, they were frightening. What was the reason behind them? She frowns in thought. Not at his words that could be considered selfish, no. She understands that.]

I don't think what you've been doing is harmful. Not everyone can go out on their own. [Certainly, she kept up the appearances of a go-getter but how much of her actions had merely been to keep up that appearance? Quite a few. Even if he purposefully kept out of others's lives Ai had accepted him as one of the few that she could express her own lack of ambition.] It might be presumptuous but I want you to be happy as well.

[Even if it's just a ghost of happiness.]

[livingimpaired]

[ He breathes out a small sigh of relief. Ai would understand why that would be frightening. Their feelings are filled with apathy but if they turned that apathy into a knife -- it is as he said to her; neither one of them is an enemy of society and so society cannot do anything to them. But if they decided to become enemies of humanity --

His hands tighten on the cart, but he feels saved by her words. Kei did not realize that he started to break out in a cold sweat. He only notices it when his collar feels slightly damp. It seems his attempt to not worry Ai only did the opposite. ]

You don't think that, huh? ... thank you. [ A beat. ] And you wish for me to be happy? That's-- that's very kind of you. I'm sorry for saying such troubling things in the middle of a grocery store. No, that's not right. The place where I said it was wrong, but I'm relieved that I said it to you. [ Because his actions were becoming clouded to him. He couldn't tell if he was doing anything "good" or if it was actually harmful. ]

I should have just spoken honestly in the beginning. It isn't like me to hide anything. [ Something that is as much of a pro as it is a con. ] Sorry. I'd say it was to protect your feelings, and I'm certainly I said that much to myself. [ He takes in a deep breath. ] You're going to make a good foster mother, Ai. A sudden statement, but I believe it.

[leaveittomother]

[If they turned that apathy against others there would be trouble, yes, but was there a reason to? He had his business. She had hers and now Luna. It would be troublesome to throw that all away. No. They were already on the sideline as it was.

Glancing around the aisle she shifts her cart a little so they were closer. A gesture of support.]

We're a rare breed, Kei, even if we're different. That aside, we've known each other for a while and you've been a good friend to me. [Those were things that were uncommon for Ai, after all, even in this life. She couldn't judge him but she could feel sympathy.]

I don't blame you. [Even if it wasn't to protect her feelings.] Feelings are difficult things to grasp, after all. [At that statement she blinks.] Ah, well..

[She stumbles a little at that.] I do hope so. [She shouldn't let him change the subject.]

[livingimpaired]

[ He lifts his chin up as he pauses to look around. The emotions that have been flooding the grocery store -- he's certain more than a few people are dragged down by them. Yet Ai can still stand with him and so, he acknowledges that he is not alone. His head gives a small tilt to show that he acknowledges and thanks the gesture. ]

I don't know what to say to such kind assessment of my character. Still, you have, indeed, always been one to me just as you are now. [ That is why he's starting to believe if he allows himself to be alone that his morals and common sense will start to twist to rationalize a reckless gambit to avoid destruction. But such recklessness most likely will not have a good ending. ]

And feelings are difficult to grasp. Yet it is not as though we're without them, right? We recognize the need to comfort one another despite our odd nature. We recognize the desire to want to help even if it changes nothing inside of us. [ A smile. ] The sentiment then is pure. Pure of expectations and idealistic wants.

[ He shakes his head. ] You needn't hope for it. You're doing your best for me now while I'm stumbling over feelings and thoughts I cannot quite put into words. You'll be able to do a better job for one with [ A chuckle. ] a normal spectrum of emotions. There is a gentleness beneath the apathy. It's softer and quieter than most, but it is there. That is why I know you will do well.

[ His head bows and he feels a shift in his tone and words. ] Well. We certainly ruined these people's day out. I believe it is time we head to checkout before the poor innocents become permanent fixtures on the floor. While it's involuntary, I still feel like that makes us menaces right now. [ A lightness to them even if his collar is still lightly damp with nervous sweat. ]

...Sorry Kei. You're apparently very triggering. At least in a good way.

[leaveittomother]

[There's quite a few things she could say to those words. Things she'd like to say but now wasn't the time. Instead, she nods again with a small cough.]

Ah, yes. Yes. We probably should move--

[Are you alright, Mother?

The voice cut through her thoughts like a bell. The girl couldn't have been much younger than Luna. Worry lined her scarred face as she spoke with a tenderness that she couldn't remember ever hearing before. The pain and blood didn't seem to matter when that child was there. Even if the word choice was odd. It wasn't just 'mother'. She was saying 'Master' as well.

Please wait. We'll help you now. It's okay. It's going to be all right. We're sorry, Mother. Please hold on for a bit longer.

Ai's grip on the shopping list and cart tightened quickly. The sharp pain was gone. The stench of blood--her own blood--was gone. It wasn't a bad memory but she could suddenly see why Kei had reacted in the way he did.]

M-move to the checkout.

[It was a small stumble of her words. It's all she'd let herself show. It wasn't the right time.]

at least this is a good way finally

[livingimpaired]

[ Kei was already starting to turn to head toward checkout as she started those words, but halted. He turns back when she cuts herself off as he looks at her face. It's the faint sound of crinkling paper as she holds onto the shopping list tighter. ]

Ai.

[ He calls her name, but his lips press into a thin line. His eyebrows furrow as he looks over her expression -- a silent question being asked if she had regained a memory. Because of him? He flinches a little as he steps back. Like he may be as poison to her. But as he starts to pull away, he remembers just seconds ago she drew closer to him. Yes, I am thinking of my feelings rather than acknowledging her own. Right? ]

Being a foster mother is already giving you late nights, it seems. [ He steps forward, a pause before he begins pulling the items out of the cart to set into his own. ] As nice as it would be to offer you my arm as we walk, I believe we'd make a strange pair if it was with two carts, Ai. I hope you will allow me to indulge myself in worry like this.

good for them, at least. perhaps not so good for recolle

[leaveittomother]

[Who was that child? Had she been the one to stab Ai? No, she was free of blood. There was no way someone could have done that and not be splashed back--wait, no. No. This wasn't the time to do that. She straightens her back.

She swallows.]

Aha... well. Maybe. [What was that about 'Master', though? Again she had to focus her thoughts to the present. She gives a faint, sincere smile that's quite different than her usual.] I...really can't say thank you enough. I do apologize. I don't know what came over me.

[Beat.]

I think you're right, though. I think...perhaps I was meant to be a mother. [That child in her vision definitely wasn't her own child. No, she felt surprise at her appearance and gentleness. Maybe not a birth daughter but whoever she was felt that Ai was her mother.]

it's not too great for them, no!

[livingimpaired]

You showed me kindness just now, didn't you? If I couldn't offer anything in return, it'd make the action meaningless.

[ It would probably amuse Kei to know the stone in his pocket glows more brightly upon those words, filling itself up on him continuing to live by the idea that spawned the heart-shaped stone. All items make their way into his cart as he offers his arm and her side of the cart to help her walk toward the checkout. ]

Do you? [ Is that the memory that she had regained? The memory that she could be? Kei wants to ask more but realize that the grocery store probably isn't the best to delve any deeper into their memories and issues. ] It seems I have a good judge of character, then.

[leaveittomother]

Mm...yes, that's true, isn't it?

[She really didn't deserve a friend like him. She holds onto his arm tightly, ignoring any looks that might arise. It doesn't matter. She's just grateful for the help.]

Yes. We can talk about it later, I think. [It probably wouldn't the best place to discuss just what a Master-Mother could be, after all.] I'll have to buy more next time I visit to make up the difference.