Regret 009; [Written]

[returninghope]

[A message appears in the journal, first a series of crossed out words and intelligible scribbles, then a harshly scrawled question. Someone seems to be having trouble finding the right words to express themselves today.]

What do you all do to- What happens when--

What do you do to take your mind off something? What are you supposed to do when there's something you just can't stop thinking about?

If there's any way to beat it out of me, that works too.

[Zan'nen's frown deepened. Such a stupid question, but the emptiness of his house was really weighing on his mind. The loss of his roommate, and everyone talking about being sent home and disappearing only made it more apparent. The kid he lived with was always so nervous, how the hell was he supposed to know if he was okay out there? Back on his world? Why wasn't their a way to find out?]

Also, I'd like to know who's still around that recognizes me, if anyone. I was gone for a while. So, hello to the rest of you too, I suppose. Anything major change recently I should know about?

[...]

That's it I guess.

Comments

[seleniahymn]

It was nothing. [Except having to deal with all his arguing against it.]

What did they do with you?

[returninghope.livejournal.com]

I don't remember most of it. I think I was stuck in some type of sludge. Came back covered in the stuff.

You?

[seleniahymn]

... Do you remember the experiment where everyone in the village was forced to believe that we were interrelated, and Luceti Valley was all there ever was?

[returninghope.livejournal.com]

... Yeah. I do. It was pretty messed up, all things considered. [It hurt to remember what it was like to have a 'happy' family again. A normal life.}

What about it?

[seleniahymn]

The Malnosso saw it fit to make me believe that again, and for a much longer period of time as well. [Needless to say, she is Not Happy with them right now.]

[returninghope.livejournal.com]

... Sounds awkward. [Really, he wouldn't want them to pull that on him. Haruhi was angry enough with him as it is. Plus, you'd probably question your own sanity, being the only one who remembered any of it. How lonely.]

[seleniahymn]

I think that would be putting the situation too kindly. [She tries to not let it show too much, but the whole incident and the aftermath has left an emotional toll on her that she's trying to push aside.]

[returninghope.livejournal.com]

Well, I didn't think stating the full extent of how awful it sounded would help you much. [Bad memories and all.]

But I apologize if I sounded unsympathetic.

[seleniahymn]

There's no need to apologize. [She understands how difficult it would be to express condolences for such a topic.]

[returninghope.livejournal.com]

Better to be safe than sorry.

[seleniahymn]

[There's something about the manner in which he says that that catches her attention, but she's not sure of whether or not to ask what it meant. It could be his own private business, but if it means treating her with unwarranted caution...]

Why would you say that?

[returninghope.livejournal.com]

I just meant, it's easier to clarify than correct a later misunderstanding. There's already enough regrets in life without starting unnecessary strife. [Not that he was good at that or anything--the opposite actually.]

[seleniahymn]

I see. [Though that's... not something she wouldn't think about, it seemed to be a little too dark for the current situation.]

By the way, we never introduced ourselves properly to one another, did we?

[returninghope.livejournal.com]

Can't remember if we did. Guess we can go head and do so again, just in case?

My name is Zan'nen. Nice to be acquainted with you. [Or however the hell these things were supposed to be said.]

[seleniahymn]

It's a pleasure to know you, Zan'nen.

Though you had a question other than whether people remember you, didn't you?