Memory Shares

[voidtreckermods]

An archive of the memories used in the Healing Waters Event.

Please note the content warnings at the top of each set of memories!

Comments

Romeo | Katy

[voidtreckermods]

Warnings: Child death
Themes: religion, friendship, grief, belonging

Memory One There is a stall piled high with mochi, in bright colours. You can only barely see over it but you are clearly on the serving side of the stall, looking out onto a crowded street. A crowded street which is filled with many people dressed as stylised cats. As well as other revellers in cat masks, people carrying real cats and an abundance of normal-dressed people taking pictures and chatting.

The stall is busy, the two women running it seem rushed off their feet but they are both smiling. "Hello sir! Can I help you?" You ask a man who has been trying to get the stall keepers attention. He seems thoroughly surprised to see you but puts in an order.

What follows is a frustrating few moments, you start gathering mochi, the man again tries to catch the stall holders attention to be served, you tug the sleeves of both women at least three times to explain you are helping the man with his order and each time they smile at you, looking utterly surprised to see you but thank you for your help.

Then seem to forget you again the moment they turn away. All this leads the a confused man with two bags of mochi in his hands and two confused stall keepers, all dressed in cat-cosplay. You don't seemed bothered by being ignored though, you are just happy to be helping.

Memory Two You are knelt on a chair by a large study table in what seems to be a huge library. The table is full of books, it looks like a great deal of research has just happened. You are nervous and a little awkward, as if you are still not sure you belong here. This is a fancy, big place and you are just a little boy in grubby clothes, who entire life before yesterday is one huge blank nothing.

But it's alright. Because next to you is a blonde haired little girl, looking about twelve years old. She is pointing to something in one of the books, you look but it is a kanji, something you don't recognise and can't read. You nod though with a big smile.

"Are you ready?" She asks, sounding concerned. You nod again, because you are! You are a bit nervous, but mostly excited. "I think you belong here, in this library with me." Are the words that echo through your head and it is safety, belonging, an anchor in what is otherwise a swirl of mystery surrounding your very existence.

The girl stands up, moving away from the desk and you follow standing before her. She smiles, looking a bit nervous and clears her throat.

"My name is Gegute. Grasping thy true name, I bind thee here. With borrowed name, I dub thee my servant. The name answers, the vessel to sound. I call thee as my divine instrument. The name, Romeo. The vessel, Ringo. Come, Ringoki!"

There's a flash of light and then you are... somewhere above the scene, able to see everyone, in every direction in the library. Elfnein is still there, now with a white weasel in her hands. You can feel her hands around you, even from up here.

It worked! You don't have a voice like this, but you can think and Elfnein can hear you.

She smiles down at the weasel and you feel, for the first time in your whole life- an entire day but it still counts, like you are where you truly belong.

Memory Three "Romeo..." There are two young boys on a cold winter street late at night. They are stood outside a church, neither of them really dressed warmly enough for the snow that covers the cobbled streets they stand on. One of them is Romeo, obviously, the other is a blonde boy and he is speaking.

"Shall we tell God about the nights events?" Romeo nods and agrees and the two of them enter the church. It too is empty, only a couple of candles near the entrance are lit, the remnants of worshippers of a more decent hour.

They kneel at the front and spent a quiet moment in prayer, a couple of times Romeo opens his eyes, glancing over at the other boy with a worried expression.

They stand after a moment, still looking towards the alter and the other boy speaks.

"Romeo? Do you remember the day we met?"

Romeo nods, "Yes." His smile is small, but happy.

"You gave me an apple." The blonde boy is smiling too, obviously a fond memory for them both. There's a silence before he continues. "And despite that... You came running after me. Holding onto that apple as if your life depended on it."

They both moved to sit on the pew nearby. "That's right, and ever since that day I've been leaning on you for help!" Romeo told him, he leaned back, tilting his head towards him. "Oh. I tried to be more independent, but you're a tough act to follow."

The other boy leans forward, looking down slightly.

"Romeo, you really don't get it do you?" He smiled, "I'm the one who's been dependant on you. You've been my heart's support."

Romeo leaned towards him, a smile on his face. "Alfredo!"

Just then the rising sun hit the windows of the church and lit up Alfredo's face, haloing him in light. As the light filled the church he continued. "Romeo... I don't know how I would have turned out if I hadn't met you. I might have led a shallow existence, obsessed with only revenge. I've made it this far because you've been there. Thanks Romeo."

Romeo looks shocked, surprised at hearing all of this and for a moment just stares. Then he shrugs his shoulders and looks down, looking bashful.

"What's come over you, Alfredo? You're embarrassing me." He stood up and took a few steps forward, looking towards the large window at the front of the church. "I'm not... Say, Alfredo. I'll be going home when winter's over. Why don't you and Bianca come visit me then?"

Alfredo was smiling, but with a heavy sad smile as Romeo continued. "Sonogno is so beautiful in the spring." Alfredo closed his eyes, slumping slightly to the side. "Let's do that Alfredo. Wouldn't you..." He turned around to his friend and his face twisted with shock as he saw him.

"Alfredo!" He rushed over to him. "So you were still sick after all! Wait here! I'll call Doctor Casella."

Alfredo opened his eyes, moving ever so slightly to stop Romeo darting away. "Romeo... Don't."

"But..."

"Stay here with me." He smiled at him, though his eyes swam with pain.

"But Alfredo..." Romeo's voice was choaked, his eyes swimming with tears which he blinked away.

"Please..." Romeo nodded and helped sit Alfredo up, before sitting next to him. Alfredo spoke quietly. "Your Sonogno is a pretty little village... But I have to go now."

Romeo looked horrified. "Go where?"

Alfredo looked at him, with that same sad smile. "To mother and father." He looked towards the alter and above it to the cross on the large window. "My time has come."

Romeo followed his gaze but protested at the words turning back to his friend. "But... That can't be! What about our promise to follow our dream when we grow up?"

Alfredo's face dropped, he looked down. "I'm sorry Romeo... I won't be growing up."

Romeo's eyes filled with tears and he scrunched up his face, shaking his head. "No. No." He turned away and thumped the pew with a fist, shoulders shaking. "I don't want to be separated from you. I... I want to grow up with you."

Alfredo just watched him sadly, looking lost for words. Then gritting his teeth, clearly gathering all of his strength he stood from the pew and turned towards Romeo, raising a fist to his heart. "Romeo!" Romeo looked up at him with wide eyes. "We'll always be together." Alfredo told him, "No matter how far apart."

Romeo found his own strength, standing in front of Alfredo and raising his own fist to his heart. "We'll always be together, no matter how far apart."

Alfredo fell forwards into Romeo's arms, he lowered them both to the floor of the church. "Alfredo! Hang on!" He held his friend tight as Alfredo opened his eyes once more.

"Thank you, Romeo. You were hope itself to me."

Romeo's tears are falling now, eyes wide as he cries. "No, Alfredo! Don't...!"

"Please carry on for me... See and do the things I would have... The dreams I never..." Romeo sobs silently. "Take care of Bianca..." He slumps in Romeo's arms, his eyes closing.

"Alfredo..." Romeo sobbed, "Alfredo!" He still held on to his friend. "The dreams you never what, Alfredo? You didn't finish..." He hugged his friend tightly as his sobs turned to wails. "Alfredo! Alfredo!"