[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

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[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.

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[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.

[sassguard]

[ It would take a lot to be as bad as Verner... ]

You are? Seems like there's a few of us around. [ Something in him seems to partially relax at that. At least one person he's not going to have to explain a lot to. ]

Is memory loss that common here?

[stealwithit]

Kind of.

[ Kasumi herself hasn't really experienced it, personally, but heaven forbid that she does, one day. Memories are sacred to her,and if this place were to screw with them in any way... (Knock on wood.) ]

But you're going to be okay, Commander.

[sassguard]

Uh, thanks. I didn't really think I wasn't going to be. I mean, it's not like I'm bleeding out from an artery, right?

[stealwithit]

Not with that attitude, you aren't.

[ Even if Shepard doesn't know her, he still feels familiar. ]

I'm curious, though. You seem to realize you have memory loss... you don't feel like you just suddenly showed up here from wherever you were before? Or do you feel like you've been here, but don't remember any of it?

[sassguard]

I don't remember being here at all -- the last thing I remember is the Normandy getting wrecked. Kaidan's the one who told me I'm missing a few years.

[ And, you know, dying. But he's not going to dwell on that. ]

Honestly, I still haven't ruled out that this is a hallucination, but I'm willing to give it the benefit of the doubt. I don't think my imagination would be this creative.

[stealwithit]

It would take a pretty imaginative person to come up with characters like the ones you've come across since waking up, I'm sure.

[ Exhibit A: Kasumi Goto. ]

And no offense, Shep, but you never really struck me as the creative type.

[sassguard]

I'd say my feelings were hurt, but... I can't actually argue with that assessment.

[stealwithit]

You're creative in combat, sure, but I don't know if you could even come up with such colorful characters as the ones around here, and back at home.

[sassguard]

And you don't count as one of those colorful characters yourself?

[stealwithit]

In all-black and a hood? Nah.

[ That's a yes. ]

[sassguard]

[ Dryly: ]

Have you met Joker? I have a feeling the two of you would get along.

[stealwithit]

[ She can't help but laugh at that. ]

Your pilot? I've heard great things about him.

[sassguard]

Yeah. Best pilot in the Alliance.

[ He'd say the galaxy, but ... no need to stroke his ego, even if he isn't here. ]

So he's got a fanclub of his own now, does he?

[stealwithit]

Not nearly as big as yours, but he'd probably brag about it, anyway.

[sassguard]

I think if he knew about it I'd never hear the end of it.

So, how long have you been here?

[stealwithit]

About a year and a half, now. Some of your people have been here even longer.

[ She mostly means Kaidan. ]

[sassguard]

And you haven't figured out a way to get back in all that time?

[stealwithit]

We wouldn't be having this conversation here if anyone had figured out a way back. Just saying.

[sassguard]

Fair enough.

[ He chuckles. ]

I just wondered if anyone was still trying, or if people prefer being here.

[ Or, in his case, have anything to go back to. ]

[stealwithit]

Oh, I'm sure there are a few mad scientists here and there trying to make sense of all this. Something something quantum physics, or something like that.

I'm sure some people prefer it here, though.

[sassguard]

That sounds like a pretty accurate description of science.

Would 'some people' include you?

[stealwithit]

I'm...

[ Good question, Shep. ]

Somewhere in the middle, I guess? Don't get me wrong, the significant lack of giant destructive cuttlefish here is a huge plus, but I also miss a lot of things about home.