Aftermath: The Memories of Then and Now

[all_onis_are_true]

*By all rights, it's a time for celebration, and on some level Hiroshi knows that. At the same time, he can't quite bring himself into the mood to revel, and at some length in the midst of the little celebrations he slips out into the night to take a walk. His route is long and winding, passing by old familiar landmarks -- the Ermis Suites, the library where the first populated Oni attack had occurred, the Justice League Building. Here and there, until at last he finds himself on the tall hill where he had nearly made the biggest mistake of his life.

He looks out. Everything seems peaceful. Everything is peaceful, honestly. The monsters are no longer a threat. Nobody he knows here died and became Oni -- well, not on this timeline, he supposes. By all rights, he thinks he should feel like he's accomplished something.

But there's something empty to it. Even with the monsters sealed, something feels inconclusive. And it bothers him.

He continues watching outward. At least, if you were looking for him, you know where he is -- or perhaps you are simply a night owl yourself. He seems approachable, at least.*

Comments

[all_onis_are_true]

My... "holiday?" Palom, aren't you going a bit overboard?

[alittleblackmagic]

You don't want a holiday?

We can call it Palom Day if you're embarrassed. I'm fine with it.

[all_onis_are_true]

Palom, I don't... I don't really think I'm as great as you're making me out to be here.

[alittleblackmagic]

Why not?! All the bad guys are gone, aren't they? Everyone's safe!

[all_onis_are_true]

After I nearly turned a bunch of people into them, and then nearly lost the one thing that could help people by running off like an idiot.

I'm not a hero, Palom. I'm just a dumb kid who thinks he knows what he's doing when he doesn't.

[alittleblackmagic]

If you just went and knew how to do everything perfectly from the start, that wouldn't make you a hero. Being a hero's about... winning in the end, even if you messed up a lot on the way! Because you messed up a lot on the way.

[Palom tells himself this at nights before he goes to bed so he feels better about his life choices.]

[all_onis_are_true]

What about the times where you messed up and things only got worse?

[alittleblackmagic]

Well.

You didn't. So it's dumb to think about it.

[all_onis_are_true]

I'm not talking about what happened here, Palom.

[alittleblackmagic]

...
...
...

You shouldn't assume everything you remember is right until you've got all your memories back. I've remembered all kinds of stupid things.

[all_onis_are_true]

I definitely remembered seeing them die, Palom. Whether I want to or not.

[alittleblackmagic]

Well. Were their heads knocked off or did they just look kinda...

[all_onis_are_true]

Big, blue and mean?

[alittleblackmagic]

I bet you'll remember a way to save everyone who got monster-fied next.

[all_onis_are_true]

If only that were true... The last thing I remember of the experience is fleeing the mansion with the thing that used to be one of my best friends in pursuit.

[alittleblackmagic]

That doesn't mean there's not more! ...There's always gonna be more. It's not done until you've remembered the whole story!

[Palom seems agitated about this for reasons beyond mere sympathy.]

[all_onis_are_true]

*He nearly says "Not all stories have happy endings, Palom." He does. But something's holding him back. Perhaps... affection? In a weird sort of way.*

...maybe. I guess I still have memories left to get.

*Although he's positive nothing of use.*

[alittleblackmagic]

It's not a maybe. That's just how things are.

[Palom huffs a little before thrusting the bag of marshmallows in Hiroshi's direction.]