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

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.

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[...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?

[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.

[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?

So what you're saying is that you're going to leave me behind again, huh, Director?

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.

[A sigh.]

Not by my own choice, but unfortunately yes. I hope that I can trust you to take care of things at the Academy until I return?

[There. Hopefully the praise will distract her. Though he also gives her a pointed look that says, 'If you want that raise, you'll stay away from the obvious joke in that last statement.']

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

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

[as much as she wants to poke fun at him, she keeps herself under control. mostly. she's still got that sort of huffy expression on her face, though, as she shifts her weight to one leg and rests her hand on her hip.]

Of course I can handle things on my own just fine! You'll have to tell me what happens whenever you get back, though. It's no fair when you're always running off without me, even if you don't get to choose.

Ah, I think poppet ought to be able to deal with it. I mean, it's not like you aren't still gonna be you.

[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.

[This earns her a smile.]

I will. A journey to an alternate version of the past should provide us with very useful data. But we can't let ourselves become too infatuated with the possibility of time travel. We can't forget the promise we made to Serah and Noel.

[Have a slight frown. Mini-him's talked all about you Organization schmucks.]

I have no doubt that she can handle it. Still, having someone you've known for nearly two years suddenly grow older and have no memories of you has to be a jarring experience.

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.]

[SCORE.]

I know, I know. I mean, what kind of friends would we be if we did?

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

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

Exactly.

[A bit of melancholy comes over his face as he continues.]

I let down someone important to me once. I'm not going to let it happen again.

[...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.

[oh, she knows just how much something like that can affect someone... but she's not having any of that. she gives him a stern look, coming so close to just jabbing her finger at him.]

Don't give me that look, Director. How are you ever going to get anything done like that?

[Oh, he's harmless... for the most part. He's certainly a sight less immediately dangerous than some of the others, although this may not be the best vote of confidence.]

She's tougher than you think. Besides, she'll still have the memories of the other you, even if you aren't really him anymore.

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

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