ossifragant | 012 Things Acquired [text; action for Goldenrod]

So here's a question. This place still likes hypothetical, doesn't it?

Say a while ago something happened to you. One of those should be impossible situations that you were nevertheless curious about. But you don't remember it too well so you were hoping that maybe lightning strikes twice. Just maybe, you'll get your chance to have it happen again and this time remember the situation with a bit more clarity than the last.

You're just that lucky-- it happens again by some act of divine providence.

But when it happens again everything about it feels strange. It's like looking into one of those funhouse mirrors. Everything about it is off. It feels wrong. You remember all of it this time and wonder, despite it being what you wanted, if you dearly wish you didn't. It makes you question yourself. Why would you want to have it happen again? Maybe there was a reason why you don't remember it happening the first time.

What would you do? What the hell kind of situation would you find yourself wanting to happen again? I'd like to know, if you don't mind.

Flat | Top-Level Comments Only

I think that's the difference between seeking to repeat history and coming full circle to something in your past.

One tries to take you back to before; the other brings you to that point again, but along a course that's always moved forward.

That's a good way of putting it.

I'm not looking for a way to return to the past. I wouldn't want to, even if I could. There's too much to be unhappy with, you know? There's always something there you wish you could change and getting fixated on that isn't healthy.

But having similar events happen so close to each other is a little different, isn't it? You can still learn from them.

What sort of event are you getting at, out of curiosity?

Say you met someone. Someone you can't normally meet, but it happened once before so you were hoping it would happen again since you don't remember the incident with clarity.

When you meet them again, the conversation is perfectly pleasant. It's not terrible in any way, but it's off in a way that's hard to describe.

...It may not be the exact situation you're describing, but I think I know the sort of wrong you're getting at, yes.

Do you mind telling me about it?

You're talking about meeting someone on one of those strange weekends, aren't you?

You met them once when it was hard to remember them afterward, and then were hoping they'd come back the next time it occurred.

[The change of subject isn't lost on him, but Greed doesn't press.]

That's right. It wasn't a long conversation, so I was wondering if maybe he'd show up again.