It's about time I made this journal. Also concerning a future plot in gargleblasted

[bad_supper]

Mun, allow me to see if I understand this correctly. Your plan is to have me perform an experiment in my own timeline which will send me to the timeline in which the events of this gargleblasted game come to pass? In doing so I will effectively replace my younger counterpart, whom you already have in this headspace, for a period of five days?

So what you're saying essentially.... is that I'm to become an effect of a paradox.

...no. I don't disapprove. If anything, I'm curious to see this S.S. Thor for myself. It should prove to be an interesting experience, as long as it's only temporary. I can't afford to be away from my research for too long. The fate of Cocoon depends on it.

I'm also concenred for the friends of my younger self. The Hope they've known for nearly two years will be replaced by a much older version who comes from a timeline where Pulse was never destroyed and has never heard of a ship that rescues refugees from destroyed planets. Especially this Xion girl. I hope my appearance doesn't disturb her overmuch.

Comments

[remeliorated]

[...well. this is. different. in a way, he's definitely the same person she knows, but at the same time... he's not. a paradox indeed.]

...

Hope?

[bad_supper]

[Hope looks surprised at the young woman for a second before giving her an apologetic smile.]

You must be Xion... My younger self talks about you at every opportunity.

[remeliorated]

[it's strange, she thinks, for this to technically be their first meeting from his point of view. but even if he isn't exactly the man she's come to know over the years, the man she chose to marry... she can't help but smile as brightly as ever when she hears his words. he's still Hope, after all.]

That's me. I'm kind of curious—what has he told you about me?

[bad_supper]

That you're the most important thing in his life. That you're the anchor that grounds him, and the light that guides him.

[He chuckles slightly.]

I might be paraphrasing a little.

[remeliorated]

[and that rightfully earns a few giggles from her.]

Paraphrasing or not, that definitely sounds like him, all right.

[bad_supper]

[He chuckles a bit longer before letting a sober expression come over his face.]

I know that neither of us are responsible for this situation, but I'm still sorry. This must be awkward to see me with no prior memory of you...

If it makes you feel any better, my mun plans to... ah... 'upgrade' my memories once he's finished with that event. Whenever he uses me in memes or dressing rooms with you, I will have the same memories that you do. He also wants me to add that he hates time travel.

[remeliorated]

It's all right. It's like you said—it's not your fault. I don't blame you for anything, Hope, so there's no reason to apologize.

[she almost says "you know that better than anyone," but... she manages to catch herself before she does. she shakes her head a little to psych herself out of it, and luckily he gives her a topic to latch onto before she can stay stalled on that.]

And it does. My mun's saying that she would have had to hit yours if he didn't. ... I don't think she wanted me to say that, but oh well! [she laughs again; clearly her little bout of melancholy earlier is gone.]

[bad_supper]

[This earns a laugh. A laugh that will definitely sound familiar to Xion.]

Don't worry, I think he needs the encouragement.

[remeliorated]

[...on one hand, it's relieving to hear his laugh, but on the other, it sort of tugs at her heartstrings. she chooses to focus on the former feeling, though, again setting aside the awkwardness that would have resulted. this is only temporary, after all.]

Then she says she'll take care of it.