[ That makes no sense to him. Although by now he's talked to Merisia too, but he's got a million thoughts and they're all concerned about the same thing. So it's hard to focus on anyone else. ]
I- I mean, maybe. Wherever they went though, it's not my world, Squall, that's the problem!
If someone with a heart as big as Sora's... and someone as stubborn as Riku... if people like them could easily forget even with how deeply you are in their hearts then what chance is there for me?
[ That tone, that fear, right there.... that was how Arden was feeling too. He has to let that question hang miserably for a moment. It is possible. Way too possible, in Arden's experience, but then there's what Izana's telling him right about now too... ]
According to Izana, he's seen people come back to Verens who remembered all of the time they knew a person in Verens. So if Sora came back and remembered all of the Somebodies in his life - you, Riku, Kairi - but not me, Replicas, Nobodies, those kinds of us...
Well, it won't be the first time.
Riku... he might remember me, but not the connection we have. That's what happened the first time. He might not remember you two being friends, but he hated me.
[ Arden's got all kinds of depressed and frustrated emphasis on that word. ]
It took so long... so long... [ He bites his lip. ] That's why I think you have a better chance than I do.
[ Arden's frustrated too. He lets out a long breath of air, pulling his hands down his face, before finally responding. ]
Because that's exactly what happened, Squall. That's why Sora forgot me before - Naminé too - because we were replacements in his memory for Riku and Kairi, so to fix his memories Naminé had to make him forget us. I'm a Replica - that's what I am. Naminé's a Nobody, so is Roxas. None of us were supposed to exist.
[ He didn't mean to let that out but there it is. ]
So remembering us is harder than a Somebody like you. You've got all of your pieces - Heart, Mind, Memories, Body, Soul, whatever all of them. You're real.
[ And he hasn't broken down crying on that particular word in YEARS now. Context is amazingly different, but it still resonates just as strongly now as it did then. ]
We're just... leftover pieces trying to hang on. That's why it's more likely any of them could come back and forget us, but not you.
[ Squall didn't even know Namine had that sort of power... ]
I don't know what a replica is, but it sounds like he didn't forget because you weren't important. It sounds like he was forced to forget. Those are completely different situations, Arden...
He's both appreciative of Squall's words, but also completely unprepared to hear them from Squall. Izana got him going, Roxas too, Machina... and now here's Squall just so certain. So very certain that he won't be forgotten.
So... he doesn't know how to respond at all. He's just... so overwhelmed right now. ]
[ Squall didn't notice how embarrassed Arden was getting, which was lucky for him, but also unlucky because Squall continues on now. ]
I don't know Riku as well as everyone else does, but I do know... that when he cares about someone, cares about anything really, he cares hard. He's shown that many times this past year. You're one of those important things, Arden.
[ Maybe being positive with these amulets wasn't going to be as hard as he thought it might? ]
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innermonologues) wrote2017-02-14 09:17 am
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I get it. He probably will.
[ He's been talking to the others by now too. ]
He's come back before. And Izana said his name wasn't on the wall - neither of theirs.
[ But yes there's still anxiety and fear in his connection. ]
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[ The last time he'd used metaphors, it'd been cooking, and just confused Ventus. So maybe that'll be better. ]
It was just a few minutes before I contacted you guys.
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[ That makes no sense to him. Although by now he's talked to Merisia too, but he's got a million thoughts and they're all concerned about the same thing. So it's hard to focus on anyone else. ]
I- I mean, maybe. Wherever they went though, it's not my world, Squall, that's the problem!
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... And I died there too. I don't exist there anymore. It's no home for me to go back to like it is for them.
[ He's really upset. ]
And... if they went back... even if they do come back here... they might not remember me again.
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[ Not about the dying thing. ]
For them to forget you, it'd go against everything they are.
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[ Between chats with Roxas and Xion, he hates these people more than ever. ]
All they need is someone else like Naminé with the power to rewrite memories, and I'm gone again. A couple of us, actually.
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According to Izana, he's seen people come back to Verens who remembered all of the time they knew a person in Verens. So if Sora came back and remembered all of the Somebodies in his life - you, Riku, Kairi - but not me, Replicas, Nobodies, those kinds of us...
Well, it won't be the first time.
Riku... he might remember me, but not the connection we have. That's what happened the first time. He might not remember you two being friends, but he hated me.
[ Arden's got all kinds of depressed and frustrated emphasis on that word. ]
It took so long... so long... [ He bites his lip. ] That's why I think you have a better chance than I do.
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[ Squall almost sounds frustrated but it was mostly just the stress that was slowly building up already. ]
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Because that's exactly what happened, Squall. That's why Sora forgot me before - Naminé too - because we were replacements in his memory for Riku and Kairi, so to fix his memories Naminé had to make him forget us. I'm a Replica - that's what I am. Naminé's a Nobody, so is Roxas. None of us were supposed to exist.
[ He didn't mean to let that out but there it is. ]
So remembering us is harder than a Somebody like you. You've got all of your pieces - Heart, Mind, Memories, Body, Soul, whatever all of them. You're real.
[ And he hasn't broken down crying on that particular word in YEARS now. Context is amazingly different, but it still resonates just as strongly now as it did then. ]
We're just... leftover pieces trying to hang on. That's why it's more likely any of them could come back and forget us, but not you.
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I don't know what a replica is, but it sounds like he didn't forget because you weren't important. It sounds like he was forced to forget. Those are completely different situations, Arden...
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But he could still come back not knowing who I am, for whatever reason. That's my point.
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It's the kind of thing I have to worry about and you don't. It's just because of what I am, and the others like me.
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He's both appreciative of Squall's words, but also completely unprepared to hear them from Squall. Izana got him going, Roxas too, Machina... and now here's Squall just so certain. So very certain that he won't be forgotten.
So... he doesn't know how to respond at all. He's just... so overwhelmed right now. ]
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I don't know Riku as well as everyone else does, but I do know... that when he cares about someone, cares about anything really, he cares hard. He's shown that many times this past year. You're one of those important things, Arden.
[ Maybe being positive with these amulets wasn't going to be as hard as he thought it might? ]
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... I hope you're right.
[ He takes a breath. ]
Thanks, Squall.
[ He's calmed down a little - and at least he's not going to go hunting everywhere for Riku. ]
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[ Or... something like that. ]
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[ He takes in a deep breath, wondering how he can explain... ]
I don't make promises lightly either.
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[ he let out a soft sound of amusement. it's probably the first since it all went down. ]
But I still... think things are going to be okay.
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[ ... ]
But when I get back tonight, we could always play cards to pass the time...?
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