SHIRO CATCH-ALL

[robopriest]

Comments

[lionson]

Just peachy.

[He has managed to acquire some booze at this point, and he has definitely had a few drinks.]

I haven't wanted to get drunk like this in a long time.

[robopriest]

I really don't blame you, old man.

[He looks pretty tired himself.]

Did you talk to him?

[lionson]

Beyond what was said at the trial? Not yet. I'm trying to figure out how to start the talk.

[robopriest]

Yeah. That's going to be hard.

[He sighs, resting his arms on the railings.]

...What is he to you, by the way? You two are close, obviously.

[lionson]

'Close' probably isn't the right word. I know his family, but not him specifically. Or, well, I didn't know him before here, but I knew his family.

[robopriest]

So it's like...vague family acquaintances, then?

[lionson]

Yeah, that's a good way to put it.

[robopriest]

I see.

[Seems like they might be closer than that, but he won't pry.]

I can't believe he said he was "helping", though...

[lionson]

In his mind, he probably was. I bet he was the one contacted to ask to kill someone.

[robopriest]

It seems he did, just by his attitude.

[A beat.]

...Have you heard of this "splintering nova" thing before this?

[lionson]

Someone mentioned it to me before, yeah. Something about it changing people?

[robopriest]

I think so. I think it has to do with people losing their memories at a more rapid pace than others.

[lionson]

Now that you mention it, I did notice that some people seemed to be losing more. But that puts the kids at a disadvantage, doesn't it? They're younger, they don't have as many memories as us old foagies.

[robopriest]

Hey, I'm not that old.

[Light teasing from him, but it mellows.]

Its true, but...memories seem to be anything from names to what we know ourselves to be. There's a world of memories to draw from, even if you're young.

[lionson]

I wonder what makes it decide big versus small. Hell, I've only noticed one of my memories being gone so far, so I can't help but wonder if they're all small for me. Or maybe I'm just so old I've forgotten that I've forgotten, ha!

[robopriest]

Oh, come now, old man, don't be so self deprecating. I've only noticed one memory myself...though I guess when I'll try to remember, I'll figure it out.

[lionson]

There's just fuzzy gaps where the memories should be, yes?

[Also he will be self depreciating if he wants.]

[robopriest]

Sort of? I mean, when I forgot coffee, it was just like...feeling like running in circles. Or running into the kitchen and not remembering why I was there.

[lionson]

...you forgot coffee.

[robopriest]

Yep. Apparently I used to drink it a lot. Now its just like...I don't even remember liking it. It still feels strange to even think about it like that.

[lionson]

And you still don't remember liking coffee? Even though someone must have told you about it by now?

[robopriest]

Nope. I mean, people have told me, but it feels like they're mistaken. Like I just have no desire to drink the stuff.

[lionson]

So if I made you coffee right now and offered it to you, you wouldn't drink it?

[robopriest]

Not at all. Why would I?

[lionson]

Just curious.

[Memory loss sure is a thing.]

I guess I got off easy, I just forgot how to write my name.

[robopriest]

Huh. Like...you can't write "Shiro" down?

[lionson]

It's complicated. I know my name is 'Shiro', but I can't remember what symbols are used to write it.

[robopriest]

I'm assuming you're Japanese? I know that language uses different symbols to make up words...

[lionson]

Yeah. It's sort of like how 'Lily' is a name, but it's also a kind of flower. I remember it's a name, but not what it means.