Quoted By:
You shrugged and let out a long, weary sigh.
<span class="mu-r">“Well…we knew there would be risks, so try not to worry about it too much. Whoever you decide to be, you’ll always have friends in us.”</span>
You said, reaching a hand out for her to shake.
Iara stared down at it for several seconds, before breaking out into an open-mouthed smile that revealed all of her incredibly sharp teeth. She gripped your hand and shook it vigorously. You tried your best to ignore the way your bones creaked and ground together painfully in her grasp.
<span class="mu-b">“Thanks! You’re really nice. That pretty much matches up with my memories of you, though. I’ll try my best to remember as much as I can.”</span>
<span class="mu-r">“It’s fine. Just take your time and try to live your own life. If you do end up remembering things, and you decide that you don’t want to live your life as the woman in your memories, then you should feel free to make your own choices and become your own person.”</span>
Iara nodded as if you’d just given her sage advice.
<span class="mu-b">“That…actually does make me feel a bit better. I’ll try my best to…live my life, I guess?”</span>
You both nodded and returned your gazes to the game. After about a minute, she turned back to face you, her head tilted to the side slightly. Her body was starting to follow the movement, and she was slowly rotating in mid-air until she was almost upside-down.
<span class="mu-b">“Can I ask you a question?”</span>
<span class="mu-r">“Shoot.”</span>
“How exactly am I supposed to…?”
<span class="mu-r">“Live your life?”</span>
<span class="mu-b">“Yeah. I mean, you guys know me better than I know myself. What exactly should I be doing? You said that I’m supposed to protect people, right? That’s what the ‘me’ from before did.”</span>
Iara had already done a 180 by this point, and was in the process of completing her rotation.
You leaned back into the couch and let out a thoughtful hum. For most people, the thought of having complete and absolute freedom to reinvent themselves would be a dream come true. Especially after receiving a fresh, cyborg body.
But for someone who just woke up after losing their memories and having their personality wiped, the prospect of not having anyone or anything to tie you down could be…somewhat intimidating.
Being able to do whatever you wanted, without consequences was a liberating notion, but it also meant that no one really cared what you did. “Iara” had peers, but this version of her was still trying to find out where she stood with them, and how she should address them. And for someone who was only just beginning to discover their place in the world, having too many options might be a bit anxiety-inducing.
By now, both Joyce and Glass had stopped playing and were watching the two of you.
(Cont.)
