In which Geoff flaunts the rules of his own game.

[mybrotherskeeper]

[It was raining down by the waterfront. This is only worth mentioning because it was only raining over a city block and a bit of the harbor. Thankfully, the new arrival was mostly under awnings. Mostly. The legs of his pants were pretty wet.]

Strange. This place isn't very familiar. I'm forgetting something, but what? ...must not be my day, I can barely remember my own name. No wallet, no identification, no information.

[As he starts to wander around town, he starts to look distracted. Like he's thinking through an argument, or thinking of things he can't really understand. When he gives himself a reprieve, he might stop to ask someone nearby:]

Sorry if this sounds strange, but you wouldn't happen to recognize me, would you?

Comments

[press_b_to_run]

[Ruby had dashed under the awning next to Gaignun when the weather suddenly changed.]

No, can't say that I have. You must've just arrived.

[mybrotherskeeper]

Arrived, you say? I don't see any boats that just got here.

[press_b_to_run]

No, no. I mean, you just suddenly realized you were standing here and have no idea why. Don't worry, that's normal for around here.

[mybrotherskeeper]

That's... slightly disconcerting.

[press_b_to_run]

You kinda get used to it after awhile. I take it I'm the first one to find you, huh.

[mybrotherskeeper]

...Or the first one I've asked.

[press_b_to_run]

Really? Usually people are pretty good about noticing a new person and gets them all taken care of.

[mybrotherskeeper]

I suppose it must be normal if there's a formalized process to it. Or I don't remember what normal is.

Is irony palpable, or is that just my pants being wet?

[press_b_to_run]

[And the joke goes right over his head. After all, he is only twelve.]

Normal enough. And the only reason you're wet is 'cause the weather changes for a bit when a new arrival gets here. Once it lets up a bit, I'll take you to the labs. They can explain everything a lot better than I can.

[mybrotherskeeper]

[TIMESKIP after all the lab business]

...and then a train exploded out of the moon?

[press_b_to_run]

With a bunch of creatures following behind it.

[mybrotherskeeper]

...I believe you have me at a loss for words.

[red_dwarf]

[Underneath a tent, not too far from the apartments, Jr. was hard at work on his hovering skateboard.]

Then if I put this THERE, it should keep those gears from coming loose, and then...

[mybrotherskeeper]

...loose gears? That was a terrible way of putting it.

[red_dwarf]

Loose gears are loose gears, there's no other way to put it. Why did I even think that? Stupid. Maybe I'm working too hard.

[mybrotherskeeper]

Sure there are. Off the deep end, off your rocker, went nuts, flipping lids, fly off the handle... things must be bad if I can't remember basic synonyms.

[canthandleacape]

You're not ringing any bells, but considering how many bells I'm still missing, that doesn't really mean much, does it?

[mybrotherskeeper]

So it would seem. Is this a city largely for amnesiacs, then?

[canthandleacape]

Not exactly. As far as I know, everybody who was born here is fine. People like us are just a particularly visible minority. Have you been to the Labs yet? They should've explained all this, probably better than I could.

[mybrotherskeeper]

All I've heard was that there's a formal process to it.

[TIMESKIP past where the lab is, going there, being briefed]

Quite the conundrum for this place, but it's something. There's around fifty of us, then.

[canthandleacape]

Fifty, huh? I would've guessed more than that. Guess more people have left than I thought.

[mybrotherskeeper]

Here I thought that people "vanishing" was due to these monsters attacking.

[He flips the smartphone around in his hand before pocketing it.]

Feels... quaint.

[canthandleacape]

I know at least one guy who came back after disappearing, so if it is monster attacks, he must taste pretty awful.

[healeveryone]

Um...no, I don't think so! What's your name?

[mybrotherskeeper]

[There's a long enough pause to almost be uncomfortable. Did he forget his-]

Gaignun. A pleasure to meet you, miss...?

[healeveryone]

Rosalia! My name's Rosalia. Um, are you trying to find somebody?

[mybrotherskeeper]

Not that I can remember, which appears to be a running theme lately.

[healeveryone]

I think that's normal! It's weird, but...a lot of the people here have forgotten most things about themselves. You must be new!

[mybrotherskeeper]

Hit the nail on the head again. You're quite perceptive.

[healeveryone]

[She giggles.]

So, welcome to Sirocco! Even if you've forgotten things, I think it's still a nice place here. And you'll get to remember more over time!

[promised_victory]

Ah, I apologize, but I do not. Others here are in a similar situation, however.

[mybrotherskeeper]

I see. I was actually on my way to these labs, figured I might ask one last time.

Nice to meet you regardless, miss...?

[promised_victory]

It never hurts to get full disclosure. They should set you up with lodgings and directions to employment should you not be in their city records.

My name is Arturia, if you please. Would you by any chance remember what your name is, sir?

[mybrotherskeeper]

They've got it down that well? I wouldn't have thought amnesiacs intruding would be so common.

Gaignun. I'm afraid any last name is on the tip of my tongue.

[promised_victory]

Apparently in this place it is. What's more, we might not even be in our home worlds from what I understand of the situation.

[mybrotherskeeper]

Fascinating. I feel like I'm operating at a bit of a disadvantage here. Perhaps I should visit these labs and continue the conversation shortly thereafter?