[video] the road that ended

[sassguard]

[ For those familiar with his face, Shepard seems ... younger, somehow. Not by much, but there are fewer lines creasing his forehead and the corners of his eyes. His posture's slightly different, too, shoulders squared and spine straight even as he almost hums with alertness. ]

I'm Commander Shepard. I've been told I've been here before, but apparently I'm missing a few things. I don't recognize most of the faces on this network.

[ His voice is scratchy, hoarse from use -- or lack of it? He's had the time to go through his communicator record -- lucky it wasn't locked -- and what he's seen has mostly added to his growing confusion. Although he conceals it well, the frustration with the inability to understand what's happening grates on him. ]

Am I the only one having issues with memory loss? Is this something that happens a lot here?

Comments

[incogneto]

It happened to me once. It wasn't permanent.

[sassguard]

Well, that's reassuring.

How'd you get it back?

[incogneto]

It came back of its own accord.

[darwinatrix]

Shepard. You've lost your memory?

Annoying.

[sassguard]

That seems to be the case.

[ A pause. ]

I'm afraid you have me at a disadvantage. Should I know you?

[darwinatrix]

Yes. We work together. I'd say you work for me, but somehow I think you or Alenko might balk at that.

Is he still here?

Video

[kanadian]

Hey.

[ Awkward. ]

How you feeling now?

Video

[sassguard]

Still pretty disoriented, but ... I'm working on it.

Video

[kanadian]

It takes some getting used to.

Just being here in general, let alone... [ A vague wave of his hand. Kaidan looks more exhausted than he'd been in over a year -- not that Shepard would notice. ]

video | private ; IF KYTHA DOESN'T MIND THE THREADJACK

[khajidont]

Kaidan? Are you okay?

THREADJACK AWAAAAY /popcorn.gif

[sassguard]

video | private ; WE LITERALLY HAD A COMBINED SAD EMOTION ABOUT THIS

[kanadian]

What? I'm fine, it's... Shepard that I'm worried about right now.

[ he isn't, and he's obviously lying ]

I'm pretty sure he's overwhelmed right now.

voice; also private bc I DO WHAT I WANT

[stealwithit]

Oh god, Kaidan... I'm sorry.

Do you have any idea what's going on?

voice; private

[kanadian]

No?

I mean... we woke up, and Shepard thought he was...dying -- and he was pretty mad I hadn't left him yet. [ He let off a somewhat bitter chuckle. ]

I guess he's from before the Lazarus project, would be my guess.

[khajidont]

[Ohhhhh, crap.]

It happens sometimes, when people get ported out. Welcome to this world, Commander Shepard. I can probably answer any questions you have, but could you answer one of mine first?

[sassguard]

Thanks. Kaidan filled me in on most of the basics, but if I think of something, I'll let you know.

I'll answer if I can.

[khajidont]

Do that. I know it can be rough getting here, at first. But that's what I wanted to ask you about -- when you got here, where did you wake up?

[Shepard's not the first guy acting weird, and Jaime's starting to learn the game. C'mon, Shepard, please say you didn't wake up at the Porter...]

video;

[hollowly]

I was told I was here before, too. ( he takes in a slow breath. ) I still haven't gotten any of those memories back, and I don't think I'm going to.

All I can say is ... I think it'll get easier.

( maybe. )

video;

[sassguard]

Can't say I feel better knowing I'm not the only one in this situation, but it's good to know.

[ Shepard rubs a hand at the nape of his neck. ]

I'm assuming you've got people to fill in the gaps for you?

[ Unless they're omitting things. For their own good or otherwise. ]

video;

[hollowly]

I'm sorry. ( he really is, because he knows it can either be comforting or discomforting to know that this has happened to others before you. but misery loves company, or so they say, right? at least you're not alone. )

My fair share, to be honest. And not all in a good way. ( because some people - who shall remain nameless - are a little more malicious about it than others. lucifer. )

video;

[stealwithit]

[ It was high time for something new to go wrong, wasn't it... ]

... Welcome, Commander Shepard.

[ A beat, and, well, this is pretty much exactly how she introduced herself the first time, too. Why not? ] Kasumi Goto. I'm a fan.

video;

[sassguard]

[ Shepard seems mildly nonplussed by that introduction, but after a moment, he nods ... although he looks a little wary.

After all, if Conrad Verner is representative of his average fan, he's not sure he wants to keep engaging with them... ]

Thanks. Though, I'm pretty sure I haven't done anything to get any fans here.

[stealwithit]

[ She's not as bad as Verner, is she.... ]

Oh, probably not. But I'm from the same 'verse as you, so I'm a little familiar.

As for your question--it's... Complicated. But chances are you're not the only one who's a little fuzzy on the memories right now.

[VIDEO]

[calibrating]

[Garrus pauses, analyzing the situation and its relation to the overall current events of crazy.]

[Outside of looking younger, Shepard seems relatively okay (thank the spirits), so he decides to have a little fun with this one.]

Oh, this is gonna be good.

[VIDEO]

[sassguard]

[ Well, that's a pleasantly familiar sight -- and those dulcet flanged tones are hard to mistake for anyone else's. Shepard visibly brightens at the sight of another familiar face (finally) though his mouth twists a bit. ]

Not even a 'hello'?