------------------------------------------------------------ Initial conversation: T: Are you all right? L: Yes, yes, I'm okay. Why didn't you tell me? T: Tell you what? L: That you're a clockwork... L: Did I decide to forget this before? T: You decided you never wanted to have this conversation ever again. L: Oh. L: Hmm. That's... that's difficult to... hmm. All right, I think I can do that. ------------------------------------------------------------ Letter Alexandra writes to Thielo: Thielo, my dear - I will say first that I don't understand, but that that doesn't matter. You have always been my guide to those things that I have forgotten, but more importantly, you are - still, ever, always - my husband, whom I love with all my heart. It strikes me that this is a difficult secret to keep, and if we have, in fact, had that conversation an inordinate number of times, I am very sorry. The device I am building will, I hope, cause a disruptive shock to short-term memory, that may help you prevent it from happening again. And, of course, I will cease to remember this evening's events. Alexandra ------------------------------------------------------------ Letter Alexandra writes to herself: A brief explanation: In the most recent mission, I was affected by a spell that struck me down as if being ritually sacrificed. Near-death experiences are, I am given to understand, never pleasant in the best of circumstances, and this one has hit us particularly hard. For continued health and sanity, I am choosing to forget this, and some associated events. I advise reading the report on the mission to cover the factual data, depending on how much is lost, but trust me that the actual *memories* are not ones we need. Give the note and the device to Thielo - it's the best I can do with the memories, but it's probably not something you should ask about, it'll just make him uncomfortable. ------------------------------------------------------------