retrospec | (no subject)

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I'll keep this short and to the point to give you guys time to strategize, catch up, all of that.

Congrats on your Magatus missions. Looks like everything's been cleared out as best as we can, but the region's been evacuated thanks to a couple of factors.

The new problem is we just added a bunch of people to city limits.

I've got some good news and some bad news.

Bad news: need some people out in Pesgare to do some deepdiving and recovery. It doesn't look like there's anything out there that'll kill you, but I need something from down there to stabilize Recollé itself.

Good news: got the subway working. Did you know it was just about coding? That's a little crazy to me and okay, I might have found out on accident, but…whatever was blocking exits from the city was just a false creation.

It means getting out of here and checking out the progress outside. The trains will be ready for departure in about a week, I'll get some maps drawn up and everything. I could really use some of you on location scouting.

Finally…who knows about machinery? We've got a problem we should probably look into, but keeping track of that eye's a huge pain in the ass.

Discuss, get in touch with me, prepare. You know the drill.

Zee Carlisle
Hiring Manager
Retr

spec Incorporated

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[...There's two possible answers to this, with what Yuuki remembers so far. However, there's one by far that's actually important, beyond even just... feelings.]

Actually... I don't know if either of us were involved in it, but I did remember something really dangerous about VR games from our past lives.

[She takes a breath before she begins to explain:]

I don't really remember the details. But I do remember there was an incident that happened - some VR game trapped ten thousand players inside, and if they died in the game or if someone from the outside removed the equipment they were using to play, they would die in real life.

If we really do share a past... even though I think our world was pretty normal, things like that could still happen.

[...okay, she didn't expect that.]

[She's not entirely sure how that would even work, but something about it gives her a chill nonetheless. Turning something that should bring them joy into a death trap is horrific.]

[She swallows, her mouth feeling dry as a realization strikes her.] If we were both gamers in that other world... there's a decent chance we would've known someone who was affected, even with a small player base like that.

[She wraps her arms around herself.]

It might sound selfish, but I hope neither of us was trapped in that game. It sounds so cruel...

[Yuuki nods in agreement. Well, like it's hard to disagree with a sentiment like that.]

I remember a couple different games, but I don't know if any of them were "Sword Art Online." I don't even remember if anyone died, but if they knew what would happen, that has to mean...

[There was at least one case. Even she's not so optimistic to think it was only the one, either.]

[She shudders at the name Sword Art Online though she isn't entirely sure why. Part of her doesn't want to find out, either.]

Even if not... I don't think you'd come out of that the same person.

[She closes her eyes, contemplating for a moment.]

I'm still not entirely sure how all of this works, but... if I remember anything about it, I'll let you know. As terrible as it all might be... the more we know the better, right?

...Yeah. Going through something traumatic like that... There's no way you'd be the same afterwards.

[There's already plenty of things that can affect people like that already, much less games to the death. But she does nod at the last part, her expression solemn.]

Someone told me that if we really do know each other, we might be able to remember things if we just keep talking about them.

Then let's keep giving it a try! You said we fought, and I was pretty good. Maybe if I focus, I could remember something else...

[She closes her eyes, as if it might somehow stir something. At first, it doesn't seem to do anything. After a few seconds, though, a picture does form in her mind. She's not sure what brought that image to her, but...]

This is gonna sound weird, but do you remember anything about a tree? A really big one?

[Oh!]

Yeah! I was fighting on an island with a huuuge tree! I had just defeated someone in an aerial battle, so I was flying down in front of it before I met you!

I think we're on to something!

[She closes her eyes again. At first, nothing. It hits her all at once, a whole scene playing out in her mind. When she opens her eyes again, her breath is hitched by a near sob, though she's smiling as well.]

You were right. We knew each other.

We must've been in that game, because you looked like you do now. [She rubs the back of her neck nervously.] It doesn't make a lot of sense. I was crying but I felt happy at the same time. And you said something about being happy with an answer I'd given you. But I don't know what the question was...

I've got to be honest, I'm feeling even more confused now.

[Concern flashes over her features at that sob. Just what had she remembered...?]

An answer...?

[But what the heck could-]

[...

......

It couldn't be. Could it?

Yuuki's expression strains slightly, but less in a troubled way and more in an embarrassed one. Then again, she's also been dancing around this memory the whole time, so it can't really be helped that it's still on her mind.]

Weeeeeeell... I do remember saying something that might have gotten an answer?

[She's

not actually looking at Asuna right now. Hm.]

[She wasn't expecting that reaction.]

[Biting her lower lip, she ducks her head as she debates pressing a little further. She's really curious what that question was. At the same time...]

Um, if it's something you're not comfortable talking about for any reason, it can wait. You've been so kind to me ever since we met, I'd feel awful if I made you uncomfortable for any reason.

[And in case Yuuki looks back, she'd be greeted by a warm smile.] It's enough for me to know we were friends in that other world.

[She does peek up as Asami speaks, and-

It's hard to ignore how she looks just like Asuna did at that time, even if the lighting and, indeed, the entire setting is totally different. There's another moment of debate before Yuuki speaks up again.]

...I think we were friends in both worlds. VR and the real world, that is.

You look just like she did in real life. Your costume looks way more like her video game character, though.

[Her words are carefully calm as she explains. But it's nearly their turn to put in their orders, so they might want to pause to do that first.]

[Her first response is a nervous chuckle.] Now that you mention it, it's pretty amazing how much you look like the Yuuki I knew in my past life.

[Another brief pause as she struggles with explaining a memory that came back vague but intense.]

And I'm not too surprised that we knew each other beyond the game. It's... hard to explain, especially because I'm missing so many details, but I felt so happy when I saw you.

[Of course, she also felt a weight in the pit of her stomach, sadness lurking just below the surface. How could she explain that? Should she explain that?]

[The cashier calling for the next customer mercifully interrupts those thoughts. She steps up, orders a tea and a cauliflower rice bowl then glances over her shoulder and gestures Yuuki forward. She's a college student while Asami has Fae Force Five money. It's only fair!]

I'm picking this one up. I won't hear any arguments about it, either!

Huh? Come on, I can pay for something like this!

[...But she also won't argue it too hard, picking out a steamed bun and iced tea. On the bright side, this means they can seat themselves while they wait for their orders.]

...Ugh, anyway... I only remember a little bit about when we met up in real life. And like I said, I did say something that could have gotten an answer. But...

[She's stalling, and she knows it. But how do you just come out and say this?]

Anyway, if I tell you, remember that it's just a memory, okay? So like, it doesn't need to change anything in this life or anything if you don't want it to.

I still owe you for the save when I first got here. If you want, it'll be your turn next time.

[Now that they're sitting and Yuuki has gone back to that memory, the butterflies from earlier have come back and brought some friends with them. Asami laces her fingers together and rests them on the table.]

I know we've haven't known each other long... er, at least not in this life. But no matter what happened in that other world, I'm still happy that I was able to meet you here. Nothing that happened in that other world will change that, I promise.

[Then she manages a smile.] Besides, we became friends after a fight. What could be more surprising than that?

[AHAHAHA, WELL, ABOUT THAT, ASAMI......

Her smile strains a bit, but after gathering herself for a moment, she speaks, keeping her tone carefully level:]

I... remembered saying that we should get married.

[...

Yeah.]

[For a moment, it's like they're in a video game and Asami's hit some really bad lag, because she's completely frozen. Several thoughts are competing for her attention first. The loudest is that memory that just came back to her, and the exact words Yuuki spoke in it.]

["Just hearing what you said now was enough for me. Now, at last, I'm satisfied with everything."]

[Does that mean...?]

[It... sort of makes sense, the more she thinks about it. She'd be lying if she said she didn't feel... something when they first met in this world. She'd dismissed it as nothing more than the first flickers of memory. But now?]

Then... maybe my memory was saying yes?

[In a video game? She's got to admit, that's nerdy and adorable.]

It makes sense with what I remember. Mostly. [She hesitates a moment, pursing her lips. Yuuki was honest with her, she should do the same.] Before I saw you by that tree, I felt nervous. Like I was scared you weren't going to be there. As happy as we were, it felt like...

[She trails off, unable to find the right words.]

Something else happened earlier. We were both crying, and I... I don't know why.

[The fact that Asami is taking this admirably well helps Yuuki relax a little, but the concern shows clearly on her face when Asami gets to the last part.]

Like... something happened earlier?

[She has a sense of foreboding. "Like she wouldn't be there?" There's so many things that could be, but with Yuuki's past in this life, and knowing her past self's feelings from that one...

She's been trying so hard to avoid thinking about the implications. But the more that comes out, the harder it is to ignore.]

Yeah. Maybe we had an argument or something?

[It doesn't quite fit with everything else, but she's still struggling with that bizarre sense of memories and emotions without any context. Even now, there's a flutter of discomfort...]

[...which, admittedly, might also be due to the other elephant in the room she danced around. There's a sudden rush of warmth in her cheek, and there's no way Yuuki can't see it.]

So. Um. I guess this means we were probably dating in our past lives...?

[It's a little delayed, but now it's Asami's turn to look away sheepishly!]

[They can both be pros at Not Looking At Each Other Right Now.]

I... I guess so?!

[It comes out a little bit too loud.]

I asked some other people who met their... ummm, significant others in both this life and the past. Someone said they remember feeling the same way back then, so they were happy to find them again in this life. But some people move on and find new love too, and...

[Oh god this is a disaster.]

-But I definitely, definitely remember thinking how cool and awesome you were. And... [She has got to be beet-red by now.] ...how you were really important to me, too.

[She's hanging on every word, and with every pause, she's keenly aware of the way her own heart is pounding away. To her surprise, that same fear from her memory comes back when Yuuki mentions finding new love. It's just the lingering effects of that memory.]

[She listens, takes in every Yuuki says then draws in a deep breath.]

You've remembered more than I have, of course. But... it's hard to mistake how I felt in that memory when I saw you. And... I've always felt like something was... missing. I could never find anything to fill that void. This might sound silly and really sappy, but... maybe I was meant to come here.

[And even though she still can't quite look in Yuuki's direction, she lets one hand drift to the middle of the table.]

Whatever we are to each other here, I know that Asuna wouldn't want to lose you.

[She pauses, hesitant to complete her thought. But in the end, Asuna's feelings are hers too, aren't they?]

...and neither do I.

[Maybe her heart stops for a second, or maybe that second just feels absurdly long and stretched to its limit. Either way, her elfin ears catch those last few words, and for a second she can't come up with words to respond.

Part of her wants to chase the giddy feeling rising up like soap bubbles, but her more cautious side is wary, warning. There's still so much she doesn't know, so many ominous feelings she's been pushing aside in favor of living in the moment.

Living in the moment. Something her past self did too, really. Not for the first time, she can't help but muse how similar they really were. How, in spite of being separated by completely different lives, by completely different times, their feelings still lined up so cleanly.

The thought brings a strange feeling of calm, a small smile making its way onto her face. Yeah... Yeah, they both just lived their lives to the fullest, didn't they?

That's just how they were.

With much more confidence than she'd had mere seconds ago, she raises a hand to place gently over Asuna's.]

Yeah. I know... Both me, and the Yuuki from before...

Neither of us would've wanted to leave you, either.

[She'd always heard of moments like these described as electric, a spark passing between two people when they touched. Yet that's not what she feels as Yuuki's hand comes to rest on hers. Instead it's comforting and warm, like sitting by the fire on a winter's day.]

[There's still so much to remember, so much to learn. She still doesn't have a strong sense of who Asuna really was or the obstacles she'd faced. Fear still nagged at her as well, certain that more painful memories awaited her.]

[But she wouldn't have to face them alone.]

[When she finally works up the nerve to look back at Yuuki, her cheeks and even the tips of her ears bright enough to guide Santa's sleigh. The smile she offers her is awkward and shy, but there's a shine to her eyes that hadn't been there until this moment.]

And I promise, no matter what happens from here on out, we'll face it together. And--

[And what remains a mystery, as someone clears their throat nearby. Oh! Right! They had actually ordered food, hadn't they?]

[And Yuuki's just going to jerk her hand back, settling both hands in her lap like a child who's been scolded.]

Oh! Umm, thank you!

[She. She totally forgot they were getting food. She's just going to avoid looking at the server and stare very pointedly at her order, continuing to do so even when they leave.

...But once they do, although she keeps her head down, she can't help but give a short snort before breaking into a full laugh.]

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