22nd Memory [Future-dated to Saturday Morning][Voice/Possible Action]

[memoryboxes]

[It was the usual day—forgetting something, needing an ear on the matter, and then calling someone. It was when she would typically call someone like Raine, or Ginko. And when she called the Mushi-shi, it fell through.

...

It fell through?

No, that's not right. That wouldn't happen. She must've just... done something wrong.

But then it continues to not connect. It's not connecting... That meant—No, no, nonono,  no, please. You can't do this. You can't wander away again; it was okay to walk away before, but not now. You can't just leave now, after everything that's happened, after all she's learned and gained—gained from everyone here, and from you.

Her hands grow numb and her body is hot and her head is spinning, and for a moment she loses her legs from under her and nearly pulls the tablecloth down with her. A soft pitter pat of stunned tears hit the journal. No... It's just a mistake. Maybe they took him and shut off his journal. But that wouldn't make sense, would it, Sayo?

—she has to be sure. And upon checking where he would have typically stayed... she's struck silent.

He's gone.

When she makes the announcement, there's a long, horrible pause where she keeps her voice from betraying the overwhelming feeling in her stomach.]

Ginko-san is....

Ginko-san has left Luceti.

[As the journal shuts, a choked sob cuts out in the middle. It won't be long now until Nami's journal admits Sanji's leaving, forcing Sayo to unleash her own strained tears at the thought that two of the most important people in her life now have vanished without a trace. O-or... some sad trace, she thinks feverishly, cradling the blue notebook in her arms.

They're gone.... just like that.]

Comments

[markofthebrave]

[Ouch. This.

And all of her fears and hopes and loves and pain--]

...maybe not. But that doesn't make it less true.

[memoryboxes]

[running a hand through her hair.

this is difficult.]

... I won't even remember meeting him. I won't even remember who he is.

I--I'll just... forget again...

[markofthebrave]

[Katara frowns a little, feeling both empathy and - a bit of jealous annoyance. Sayo might not remember, but she'll still see him again. And--]

But he'll remember you. He remembers all of the people he tries to help. He tells their stories to others, when he thinks it'll help them, or just because sometimes it's good to hear a story.

[She's starting to tear up again, but she does so silently.

Because he won't remember. He won't remember her.]

And this isn't what he would want for you. He wouldn't want you worrying about the things that will be or could be. You don't know what will happen yet. Don't give up just yet.

[memoryboxes]

... [She furrows her brow, frown deepening.] I won't give up.

Ginko-san wouldn't give up, either. He'd been here much longer than me. He must have suffered when people he knew went home, but I know he never gave up on anything.

[markofthebrave]

That's a good way of thinking about it. [Katara's voice is remarkably steady, if a bit thicker than normal, and she reaches up to dash the tears from her eyes.] Don't give up.

[memoryboxes]

I won't...

[She holds the little blue notebook closer.]

I promise, I won't.

[markofthebrave]

Good.

[...and that's about all Katara can handle for now.]

I'll talk to you later then, okay Sayo?

[Now that Ginko...

She feels responsible to care for the people he cared about.]

[memoryboxes]

... Yeah. I'll talk to you later.