Anima, Ch.2: Blank Slate

[Anima, Ch.2: Blank Slate]
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--01-- [Scene: Filia] <BGM: The Story of a White Deer>
Nao patiently answered every question of mine that she was allowed to, but most of her answers only left me
wanting to know more. I was left with more questions than I'd started with.



--02-- <BGM: The Story of a White Deer>
According to her, newly-arrived souls to this world chose their desired physical form,
and what they wanted to be called.
Nothing about my arrival had been normal, though.


--03-- <BGM: The Story of a White Deer>
I didn't know my name. I didn't know what I should look like.
Or that I should even have a name, or look like anything.
I'd almost completely forgotten physical existence itself.


--04-- <BGM: The Story of a White Deer>
There are three sentient species in this world, Erinn. 'Humans', 'Giants', and 'Elves.'
I was made an Elf, as Nao felt that it was...the least awkward fit?
I find that choice of words discomforting.


--05-- <BGM: The Story of a White Deer>
When we were done, Nao gave me a letter.
Well, more accurately, it just appeared in my hands.
Nao told me to take this to another elf named "Castanea," in a house on a nearby hill she pointed me to.


--06-- <BGM: Whisper of Wind> {SFX: huge success}
When Nao vanished, more elves suddenly appeared around me.
Stillness became a cacophony of sounds and motion. Too much noise! Too much!
I covered my ears until I was desensitized enough to bear it.


--07--
Now I know what Nao meant when she said I'd "see everything when I was ready."
The other myriad elves walk about, coming and going, conversing with one another, yet paying me little notice.



--08-- <BGM: Tears of Memories>
I'm not used to this body. Well, I guess it's "my" body, now.
The connections are there, but it takes me a few tries before I get the right muscles to do what I want.
I started walking, awkwardly.


--09- <BGM: Tears of Memories>
The structure I'd been directed to was on the far side of a pool full of a shimmering clear substance.
What was it called? Water? Water. A pond of water.
A pillar stood out of the middle of it.


--10-- <BGM: Tears of Memories>
I walked to the edge of the pond, and looked down.
A distorted image of a female elf looked back up at me from the shimmering water.
My...reflection? This is what I look like? I leaned closer.


--11-- <BGM: Tears of Memories>
My skin is pale. My hair is long and bright red, stirred by the light breeze.
My elongated pointy ears stick out diagonally through the crimson strands.
My small mouth seems to default to a frown.


--12-- <BGM: Tears of Memories>
My eyes are yellow, with narrow vertical slits for pupils.
Nao's eyes weren't like mine. Is this normal? Maybe elves just have weird eyes...?



--13-- <BGM: Tears of Memories>
Did I have this same face once before? In my...past life?
I try to remember...
Nothing. Nothing remains. That past-face of me-that-was is lost to me.


--14-- <BGM: Tears of Memories>
I turn away, and walk around the pond. The ground ahead rises up in a jagged artificial pattern.
I climb up the...stairs? I think that's what these are, yes. Stairs.



--15-- <BGM: Tears of Memories>
As I reach the top of the stairs, the door before me opens. My arrival seems to have been expected.
A female elf dressed in dark purple robes steps out.



--16-- {SFX: slam}
"Are...you Castanea?"




--17-- <BGM: Song of Blessing>
(Castanea)
Yes, I am Castanea. So Nao has sent us another wayward soul, hm?
Welcome to Filia. I am the overseer of this city. You are...Meara?



--18-- <BGM: Song of Blessing>
I nod, and hand her the letter.
She took it carefully, as if it were a delicate thing, and began to read it: aloud at first,
but after a few lines, she went quiet and kept the rest to herself.



--19-- <BGM: Song of Blessing>
(Castanea)
Let's see here.
"Dear Castanea. The one who bears this letter needs your particular guidance.
Their spirit has been trapped in the Soul Stream for an untold length of time."



--20- <BGM: Song of Blessing>
(Castanea)
"Their memories are gone. They could not even..." Hmm?
...Oh.

...Oh, my.

--21-- <BGM: Song of Blessing>
Castanea shifts her gaze from the letter to myself and back several times, as she reads the remainder
of it in silence, then folds the paper again and tucks it into her robe.



--22-- <BGM: Song of Blessing>
(Castanea)
...I see. I am afraid I do not know if we can help you.
So, you have lost your identity, correct?
It seems strange to me for anyone to want such memories to come back.


--23-- <BGM: Song of Blessing>
(Castanea)
Consider this: what if you do not like what you find?
Try and look at this as an opportunity; as a gift.
You can experience the world anew, free of all the burdens you once carried.


--24-- <BGM: Song of Blessing>
"No. I...still want to know who I am...even if it's bad.
Then I'd...know what to expect if I...ever meet someone I used to know.
If I should...try and make amends."


--25-- <BGM: Song of Blessing>
(Castanea)
...If you insist, then.
Do you see that pillar, in the pond? That is the Memory Tower.
It can store memories, and then bestow them to other Elves.
It stores all that which we Elves must remember.

--26-- <BGM: Song of Blessing>
(Castanea)
Shall we try an experiment, then? Please go and touch the Memory Tower.
As you are from another world, I do not know what will happen. At worst, nothing.
In the meanwhile, I must speak with someone.


--27-- <BGM: Song of Blessing>
I nodded. It's as good an idea as any, even if she sounds...suspicious.
I turned, and wobbled my way back down the steps awkwardly.
Why is coming down harder than going up?


--28-- <BGM: Song of Blessing>
I heard steps behind me.
Castanea was following me down the steps. As I moved towards the pool,
she turned aside and walked towards a nearby house to my left.


--29-- <BGM: Song of Blessing> {SFX: plop}
I took my shoes off, and waded into the shallow water.
Slowly, I approached the pillar.
A strange feeling came over me...as if my skin didn't want to stay attached to me.


--30-- <BGM: Whisper of Wind>
I raised my right hand, and gently pressed it against the engraved stone as I closed my eyes.




--31-- <BGM: Whisper of Wind>
Some minutes pass. Nothing happens. Nothing surfaces in the void of my mind.
Whatever memories this stone holds...it seems that none of them are meant for me.
I got out of the water.


--32--
I sat down and put my shoes back on.
Castanea approached with another elven woman, who had black hair and empty orange eyes.
She wore a pink robe with maroon sleeves.


--33--
(Castanea)
No reaction? Curious.
Meara, this is Atrata, our village's healer.
I believe her...circumstances...will better relate to yours.
I will take my leave now. Good day.

--34-- <BGM: Tranquil but Smiling Cure>
(Atrata)
Hello, Meara. I am Atrata. Castanea has told me of your plight.
I see you were trying to use the Memory Tower. Did it...reveal anything to you?



--35-- <BGM: Tranquil but Smiling Cure>
"N-No." I stood up.
"I felt...strange near it. Like my skin wanted to...crawl off my body? Other than that, n-nothing."
Atrata placed her right hand on my shoulder, in sympathy.


--36-- <BGM: Tranquil but Smiling Cure>
(Atrata)
I'm sorry to hear that. Perhaps, because you are new to Erinn, it seems the Tower didn't know
what to share with you? I do not understand its workings as Castanea does.



--37-- <BGM: Tranquil but Smiling Cure>
(Atrata)
For what it's worth, I understand how you feel. I, too, feel the pain of lost memories.
Even if Castanea tells me I'm better off, I'm still curious what was once there.
It must be the same for you.


--38-- <BGM: Tranquil but Smiling Cure>
(Atrata)
I can only suggest this: Walk around Filia. Look at everything. Experience everything.
Maybe that will awaken some of your memories, and it will give you somewhere to start looking for the rest.



--39-- <BGM: Tranquil but Smiling Cure>
(Atrata)
You may not have specifically chosen to be an Elf of your own volition, but we welcome you all the same.
You may always think of Filia as home.



--40--
We parted company. I spent the rest of the day taking Atrata's advice.

I have a whole world to search, and I don't even know what I'm looking for.
Right now...just a place to start would be nice.

[chapter end]