Mission 25 [Voice]

[redhairedknight]

 [This is something that's been on her mind for a while, but she hadn't wanted to express it.  Still, she figures that she should probably bite the bullet and ask - what harm could it do?]

How do you deal with someone who has amnesia?  ...Not here - at home.  A friend of mine doesn't remember anything about his life, whether it's good or bad.  Whether I meet him here or back home, I don't know whether I should tell him about his life, or let him start fresh.  Having a fresh start would be better for his conscience, but... some of his actions were particularly cruel, and if he doesn't know about them, he'll be targeted for acts that he doesn't know he did.

Comments

[voice]

[notreesplease]

Is there no way to let your friend decide?

[A relatively long silence.]

I have never suffered from amnesia myself before coming to this village, but... perhaps your friend would rather not learn. Even when you only mean well, words have... consequences.

[voice]

[redhairedknight]

I could let him decide, yes. And I can see why I wouldn't tell him - he seems... happier this way. It's just... he committed some horrible crimes when he had his memories - if I didn't tell him anything, he could be thrown in prison or killed without having any idea why it was happening.

[voice]

[notreesplease]

I don't believe that knowing knowing why he would be killed would make any difference to him. Death is still death. If your friend does not remember for himself, he might think his attackers justified. He might... let himself die.

[Another silence.]

Perhaps... just stay with him? Or - or someone else he is close to. Then when he remembers, or when you have to tell him, he will at least know that one person found enough good and hope in him to judge him worthy of forgiveness.

[voice]

[redhairedknight]

...No. I won't let that happen. [If Jellal died, she'd probably go berserk, no matter who was responsible for it.]

Staying with him would be nice, but it's complicated. He's a wanted fugitive, and my friends and guildmates depend on me. ...I can't abandon them, or drag them down with me. And I can't think of many others who are close to him - I had a few friends from my childhood, but we've all gone our separate ways and I can't get in contact with them.

[voice]

[notreesplease]

You may not have a choice, if you are not there.

[A long pause as Martel ponders the issue.]

If you cannot stay with him, then I believe you should tell him. Not knowing at all might be more comfortable, but if he is on his own, he will hear what he was not told sooner or later - and it would be better for him then to hear it from someone he can trust. I... had to deal with something similar recently, and though I was happier without knowing, I am glad I learned what happened from my friends and not strangers.

[Another pause.]

...Besides, if your friend never learns what he did, then he can never truly apologize or try to atone for it. It would be unfair to take that away from him.