Reincarnated Into A Dead Woman's Body In Another World-Chapter 302: Interlude - 21: The Search for Memories Long Lost
Warm lights greeted their waxing eyes as they roused awake. Opposite the two, Iridina opened her eyes much quicker, used to the transition she was.
Little breaths escaped both their lips. Asobi and Jotou had leaned on each other shoulder to shoulder and awoke with a glance at the other.
The blonde smiled, reassuring Asobi that all was well. They both looked down at the same time to their hands that were gripped together, fingers intertwined tightly.
Asobi beamed brighter till she giggled. Jotou could only reflect the expression as she unlocked her hands from the elf’s. Iridina massaged the bridge of her nose, "I assume the other me gave you everything you needed?"
"That she did." Jotou gave a sly smirk, "I didn’t know I had such a big fan~"
"What are you talking about?" Iridina looked to Jotou and realized both their illusions had faded.
"The other Iridina said that she and you idolize Jotou!"
"Would you like an autograph?"
"You’re barking up the wrong tree if you’re trying to fluster me," Iridina monotonously replied.
"Hmph, you’re no fun."
"Tears clearly ran down both your faces, which means something else happened. If you could, just enlighten me on the enchantment part at the very least."
Jotou and Asobi checked each other’s faces to see now with more clarity the signs of crying. To which both cleared up their faces before explaining to Iridina the details of the enchantment on Jotou’s mind.
"I see... Give me a moment to process this," Iridina stared to the ceiling to ponder.
Jotou glanced down with a sigh till she noticed Asobi inching closer to her. "Thanks for showing me all of that; it was fun to see your old world," the elf smiled.
"You’re welcome. Sorry you had to see some of the bad parts."
"Those were scary, but it’s okay!" Asobi hushed up to her ear, "Jotou, I saw a lot more things about you."
"Huh? What d’you mean?" Jotou whispered.
"Some loose memories here and there. Even the things that happened in Hartamat..."
"Wait, how?"
"I don’t know and I can’t really recall them exactly. It’s all fuzzy and bubbly in my head," she poked her temple with her wand. "I just know, you were very sad, and scared, and angry, and felt a lot of bad things; blaming life for so many years."
"I’m, so sorry," Jotou tilted her head, "I didn’t realize you saw those things-"
Her words were cut short by two arms pulling the blonde into an embrace.
"Hey," Jotou chuckled with her chin on the magician’s shoulder, "I’ve worked through those, you don’t need to worry. I’m not gonna go on a whole rant about how life’s unfair."
"You don’t have to say anything, I just want to hug you silly," her arms squeezed her tighter.
"Oh." Jotou’s shoulders unstiffened and slowly, she melted into her embrace. Was a reason really needed for her to be hugged? The blonde simply accepted it, hugging Asobi back.
For a moment, she fell into a deep peace... ’This feels, nice. My mind’s a lot clearer; maybe it doesn’t solve my issue of killing so many people. I feel terrible for what I did.
But I have to admit, it feels like I can let it go and move past it all now without so much guilt weighing me down; maybe not instantly, but slowly.’ Tears began to slide down the blonde’s cheeks.
’Crying again?’ Jotou smiled. ’Why not? Iridina gave me the push I needed. And Asobi.’ She hugged the elf tighter. ’Wouldn’t be here without her.
How badly did I need all of this?’ The blonde sniffled. ’Thank you for the birthday present Asobi. Thanks for being with me; you always have a way of comforting me somehow. You’re such a mystery to me sometimes... Wait-’
"Ahem," Iridina faced back down.
The two released each other and looked to her. "Sorry," Jotou subtly wiped her tears away.
Asobi smiled, "Would do you like a hug too?"
"Tempting, but I’ll have to pass."
"Iridina; you can make someone see memories that they’ve forgotten. Hence, making them remember it again by showing it," Jotou stated.
"Yes."
"Does that also apply for memories when you were really young? Like a baby?"
"Well, memories don’t just disappear, they simply get harder to connect and recall. So yes, it’s possible. But babies don’t have developed minds, so that rule doesn’t apply."
"But is it still possible?"
"I make no guarantee. I’ve never done something like that—to my knowledge at least."
"Then, can my mind be explored too?" Asobi’s eyes widened as she queried the mouse-woman. "Is that what you’re asking Jotou?" she looked back.
’I’m surprised she caught on.’ Jotou’s dumbfounded expression served as an answer. The blonde then smirked, "When do you think your birthday is? Maybe July? Or was it yesterday?"
Asobi gasped, "So that’s what you want to find out! Me too then!" she held her wand in both hands.
"You said you didn’t remember your birthday. So how do you know you’re twenty?" 𝚏𝕣𝕖𝚎𝚠𝚎𝚋𝚗𝐨𝐯𝕖𝕝.𝕔𝐨𝕞
"Zayexiwovu told me..." Asobi’s shoulders began to wilt.
"It’s time for you to know the truth then."
Iridina sighed, "Alright, I’ll do my best. But I’m getting paid this time."
"I’ll pay it from my own pocket," Jotou’s eyes glazed over to her.
"Very well. Ms Asobi, care to see the memories you don’t remember anymore?"
Asobi watched her... She turned her head to Jotou and held out her hand to the blonde, "I don’t know what I’ve forgotten. This is all, really scary... Can you, be with me to see my past?"
The elf’s words barely finished, but Jotou already took her hand without hesitation. Jotou looked her in the eyes with a reassuring and confident smile, "It would be my pleasure."
Asobi paused on the blonde’s expression and simply stared a tad stunned.
"Remember, whatever we see, you’re the Amazing Asobi; the greatest magician I’ve ever known."
She smiled and gave a single nod, "Hm!" She turned to Iridina, "I’m ready!"
"Then think of a memory that touches you deeply."
"Hm..." She glanced to the hand she held, then to the person. "The time when Jotou took me into the party and I left the circus."
Iridina leaned a little forward and her amber eyes flashed a quick pinkish hue, casting the enchantment onto Asobi’s mind. A pink flash overtook all three of their visions at once. Pinpointing on the hopeful memory, everything faded to black...
Asobi glanced to Jotou’s smile; it felt like a warm light. The slight breeze drifted the tent flaps open, to let the piercing moonlight shine behind the blonde. Her jade-green eyes glittered in white light.
Around her, illusions of several colourful circus members all gave a smile and nod to her. She leapt up and the smile on her face returned, "Life on the road sure gets bumpy! Give me some time to pack!" Asobi gulped, "And, thank you..."
"Who are all these people?" Jotou asked, watching through Asobi’s memory.
"They told me to go with you! I haven’t seen them in a long while though... I haven’t talked to them since Kria. But well, they are illusions," a little giggle followed.
"Doesn’t mean they’re not real to you."
"Yup-yup!"
The memory froze, "Hello once again; my, my that was a short departure. Alright, I’ll try to find the best memory that can help you find out your birthday. That is the goal?" Iridina’s voice projected.
"Mhm! Do we have to go through my dome and go through memories and all?"
"Not exactly, this’ll take me a few seconds at most. Jotou’s mind was just a lot more difficult due to the enchantment. Ah..."
"What’s wrong?" Jotou asked.
"I may not be able to grant exactly what you requested... It’s as I said; an infant’s mind isn’t developed enough. I do have a few memories of you when you were a baby Ms Asobi, but it won’t help much to discovering your birthday.
I have another memory that I can retrieve about your birthday. I believe this was when you were very young; if you’d like that?"
"Jotou?"
"It’s up to you. I’ll still be by your side."
"Uhm... Even if it’s just a hint. Sure!"
"Alright then," the memory shifted and changed... Her hand was held, being pulled through, some sort of market? Daylight beamed down through coverings and as she looked up to her left...
"Zayexiwovu..." Asobi uttered. In the memory, he was much taller than her and not as portly as Jotou last saw him. People browsed about the market as Zayexiwovu who had a beard and stained clothes kept the little Asobi close.
Asobi looked down to her ragged clothing and glanced back up as she was pulled into a purplish tent. An old lady with fuzzy grey hair and dark skin sat behind a clothed table.
Her face was in a constant grimace as she rearranged some cards on the table and looked past the crystal ball on the table. Asobi could barely see once she got closer, only peering up to Zayexiwovu as he spoke something Asobi couldn’t hear.
After which, Zayexiwovu lifted the little Asobi up and sat her up on the chair, before sitting down. They both faced the old woman and the little Asobi squeaked as she noticed her clouded eyes.
"I want to know what I’m working with here," Zayexiwovu uttered.
The old woman looked at Asobi up and down as Asobi recoiled slightly, "Hm... This child should not be in your care."
"Just tell me how old she is."
"Three."
"Anyone coming after this kid? Parents? Guardians?"
"From what I can glean, it seems her parents died in the fire. You found her in the ruined forests of Burnetrout did you not?" the old woman’s eyes narrowed.
"News says the fire’s managed, we’re just left with the smoke and ash. So this kid’s got nothing left, got that right?"
"You seek this elven child for potential."
"Yeah; what’s it to you?"
"I not only see the past boy, I see the potential futures of each soul. You will only nurture this child for your own greed," the old woman rasped.
"The world ain’t full of saints lady, mind your own business, I just needed confirmation. While we’re on the topic, if you can tell the future, how much can this kid get me? I know she has an affinity," Zayexiwovu probed.
"I can’t tell the future; each of your decisions will dictate what happens, I can only see possibilities. This child may bring you great fortune indeed, but it’s not for certain," she rambled.
"I’ll bite. What do I need to do to get that future?" Zayexiwovu leaned in closer as Asobi took turns looking at both of them.
"Hm... You seem to miss the meaning of my words. You fear not the consequences of even attempting to abuse a child’s gift like this."
"I didn’t come here for ethics. Besides, it’s better to you to leave this kid in the woods, without food, water or shelter?"
"You care not for the child’s fate, merely your own whilst using her."
"I did not, ask."
The old woman grumbled something under her breath... She looked up to Zayexiwovu, "Are you a gambling man per chance?"
"Depends on the gamble."
"I know of a path that leads you to great fortune and one of great ruin. Keep using this child for your own gain, and see which will arrive."
"Wait, which one leads to a more fortunate future?" Zayexiwovu squinted.
"The one in which you stop when the time comes."
"Stop? When?"
"When your sins will be found out and this child will not let you go."
"So I’ll have to get rid of this kid at some point?"
"Perhaps. Doing so at the very least, will grant you the most riches out of all possibilities. But, I advise you to not use this child in this way. Heed my word or you will face the consequences of what you will do."
Zayexiwovu got up from his seat, "If you’re going to say the future is uncertain, then why do I need to be certain to take your word? I saw this kid make a bunch of illusions; perfect for a trick or two. I got what I came for lady, so I’ll be off. How much?"
"I don’t charge; out of my sights."
Zayexiwovu groaned and took Asobi out of the chair by her hand. He turned around and walked away... However, Asobi turned to the old woman mumbling to herself.
"Fool. The path that leads him to great fortune and that which leads him to great ruin are one in the same." She shook her head. "At least the child will be fine in such a path."
...The memory faded. Jotou, Asobi and Iridina stood in a black void. The glowing Iridina looked to Asobi staring at the floor, her hand still held by the blonde.
"Sobi..."
Asobi gave no reply as tears of rainbow streamed down her cheeks; her hand gripped Jotou’s tighter like she would her wand. Jotou pulled into her hug. The elf shook out of it and took a deep breath, "Sorry, I just..."
"Shh," Jotou soothed the back of her head.
"I’m really sorry... But I do have a couple more memories from younger days, if you wish; he will be there," Iridina’s irises went blue. "It’s not of your birthday, but the day you were found. I’m surprised I found it."
"When I was found?" her voice cracked... "I wanna see that."
"Asobi..."
"I want to," she replied sternly to Jotou.
Jotou took a breath, "Okay." She held Asobi’s hand. Iridina nodded and the memory shifted.
The memory wobbled, akin to a baby’s footsteps. The crackle of fire was not too distant, but this memory was not like any other Iridina had displayed.
The corners were foggy, the image distorted and the sound clear for a second, then muffled the next. What looked to be stone-like housing—ruins perhaps; some old architecture.
Around the memory were several white butterflies, glowing in white light and fluttering away as the memory chased them. They could feel the smile as they heard the giggles of an infant. The rumblings of a stomach were faint, but present.
The memory cut forward, like footage broken apart and stitched together. It was a memory of Zayexiwovu feeding her something on a spoon.
Location unable to be discerned and memory barely intact. Zayexiwovu seemed to be speaking to her, but Asobi couldn’t comprehend it.
The only thing they all heard was the laughs of a fed and happy toddler before the memory faded away.
"That’s the closest thing I can get to a birthday and that’s the furthest memory I can get from a baby. I’m sorry," Iridina sighed. "Is there, anything else you wish to see?"
Jotou still held her hand in the void. The grave Asobi shook her head as she watched the floor, "Thank you."
Iridina nodded; the void began to fade and a bright light began to shine down...
