Tadchaen-a-Min (Forward dated to sometime that is obscenely early in the morning)

[inafadingcrown]

[Someone is paying the price of room redecorating/expanding via wishing. And is stubbornly sitting at her desk, attempting to continue working despite her misery. It also happens to be the first time she has ever been sick- elf immunity, you know.]

[Filtered from first gens, their allies, or anyone who would pass information on to them]

I find it curious that there has been so little discussion regarding what was discovered in that alternate realm not long ago. Mayhaps many do not wish to dwell on it. Such an attitude is more than understandable and yet I think it important to—

[There’s some rustling as she cuts herself off and reaches for a handkerchief to wipe the sweat from her brow. How is she sweating when she has chills? She’s exhausted, sweating, freezing, and generally feeling miserable. And she certainly sounds it when she speaks again.]

Forgive me, I seem to be somewhat unwell. [A pause as she gathers herself enough to continue.]

I also wish to enquire about an upcoming expedition. I believe I have heard it mentioned, but there is precious little information about.

[There’s some more rustling as she shifts restlessly in her seat and then the journal catches her muttering to herself:] I do not know how mortals endure this.

Comments

[ninjainviolet]

I hope so. How long did it take you to get used to it?

[Sheena will probably do better once she stops trying to figure out the "why" and just go with it.]

[inafadingcrown]

Several months, I should say, and the arrival and departure of both an ally and my granddaughter.

[ninjainviolet]

Oh...

I wonder if it'll be easier for me since my friends are already here.

[At least, if others show, she'll understand how they feel.]

[inafadingcrown]

Perhaps. Many things are easier to bear in the company of a familiar face.

[ninjainviolet]

This is true. They seem to be handling it pretty well. Then again, some of them have been here for years.

[She wonders how long it took some of them to adjust.]

[inafadingcrown]

May I ask who you know here, if it is not too bold?

[ninjainviolet]

Not at all. You've probably met them anyway.

[She begins ticking them off on her fingers.]

Let's see, there's Lloyd Irving, Colette Brunel, Raine Sage, Noishe, and Zelos Wilder.

[inafadingcrown]

[Oh. You are from the world of sadness and suck. She's sorry.]

I have indeed had the pleasure of meeting all, save Noishe, and the honor of considering a number among my friends.

[ninjainviolet]

[Yeah, blame that on bigoted idiots. And a little blond half-elf who couldn't figure out whether to be a kid or a man, but who REALLY loved his sister.]

Yeah, those are my friends from back home.

I also know Yuan, but I didn't travel with him. [No, he's just someone she knows...]

And...I spoke to Martel when I got here...

[inafadingcrown]

I know them as well. Yuan, I have spoken with less than I would like, but I have come to consider Martel one of my dearest friends here.

[ninjainviolet]

She seemed really nice when I talked to her.

[Pauses a moment.]

How long has Martel been here?

[inafadingcrown]

[She has to think about that for a moment. Martel had arrived during the Paris world change, so that means...]
Over half a year now, I believe.

[ninjainviolet]

[Soft, sad laugh. Sheena's beginning to see another reason why people aren't too upset about being here.]

And if I meet her and talk to her, I'll never remember it when I go home, will I?

[At least here she can live longer than she had back home.]

[inafadingcrown]

So they say. And so I believe. [It's, in her opinion, one of the saddest things about being here. So many things and people she has loved exist only in memory. To lose even that-]

[ninjainviolet]

That's...depressing.

[Sometimes Sheena wonders if remembering people at all is a good thing...]

[inafadingcrown]

It is. But it does not diminish the time we have here.

[ninjainviolet]

[Sheena begs to differ.]

I wouldn't say that. What about those who arrive here with only their memories of home? No friends around to help them adjust?

Then they'd go home without the memories of those friends made here. It does take away from the time spent here, even if you don't know it.

[inafadingcrown]

True enough. But whilst they are here, do those friends not mean as much as if they would be remembered? We must treasure each moment as it comes, for here- more so than any other place- it is all we may have.

[ninjainviolet]

Yeah, they do, but it's not fair to everyone involved that the friendships here aren't remembered back home.

It's like this place thinks it can replace what's been taken when you get here with something else temporarily and it won't be missed when you're home.

[inafadingcrown]

No, it is not fair. But neither are many workings of the world. Life itself is not fair- it does not do to expect it be.

Regardless, this place cares little for our opinion on the matter.

[ninjainviolet]

[No fair using logic against her, Galadriel.]

I know. But I can't help the way I feel. It's bad enough to lose people as it is without this place playing with our memories.

[Sighs.]

Yeah, I discovered its lack of concern when I first got here.

[inafadingcrown]

[It's what she does.]

I understand. And I am not without sympathy; indeed, I feel much the same.

[ninjainviolet]

[Just how long has she known Raine? She does the same thing.]

You're certainly calmer about it that I could probably be.

[And she still has her violent moments, just not in Lloyd's house.]

[inafadingcrown]

[Not very long! And Raine is still a little intimidated by the full-blooded elf.]

It is something that has come with time and much experience.

[ninjainviolet]

Yeah, and from what I've heard, I've got all the time in the world here to get used to things.