[open] introduction to advanced relocation

[doesthethings]

She doesn't remember anything.

It's a jarring feeling, to have no recollection of the series of events that have led up to this moment - to her standing in Republic City, near the Spirit Wilds, still as she always is among the throng of people going to and fro. Could this be one of Varrick's ridiculous plans? Some transporter that had the unintentional side effect of ruining her memory in the process? No, that didn't sound right. She can clearly remember what they'd been working on in Zaofu. The gap in her memory seems to have started one night when she went to sleep and ended here, with absolutely nothing in the middle.

She needs a moment. Just a moment to duck her head, to push her glasses up, to try to force herself to recall something from the past... period of time. She doesn't even know how long she's been like this. When nothing comes to mind, she comes up with a second plan, just as she always does.

Straightening and feeling for her notebook (breathing a sigh of relief when she finds it where it always is), she approaches the nearest person she can find, tapping them on the shoulder. Brisk and efficient as always. This isn't a problem she can't fix. "Excuse me. Do you happen to know if Varrick is in the city?"

Comments

[profiteers]

Of course it is, Zhu Li! I'm a complete natural at this.

[varrick fires off two more balls before his brain catches up with his mouth. Wait, he just said something to Zhu Li. But Zhu Li's not here, he's been looking for her for MONTHS. But if he's speaking to her that must mean...

He turns around slowly, eyes wide. ]

... Zhu Li?

[this is not how this was supposed to go. There was supposed to be a daring rescue (not by him, obviously, but by someone) and a huge dramatic moment with Zhu Li breaking down about how much she'd missed him. And huge orchestral dramatic music playing, he was certain there was supposed to be music. Instead it's just him sanding there with his mouth open holding a mini golf mallet looking like an idiot.]

You're... You're back!

[doesthethings]

… yes, sir. ((She can’t help letting the corners of her mouth turn up lightly at his response. Aha. He needed her after all. After the brief moment of expressive emotion, she pulls out her notebook, flipping to a new page.))

I hope I haven’t inconvenienced you too much by my absence. ((She says calmly, pen poised at the ready as if she’d never been gone.)) It was unintentional.

[profiteers]

Wasn't intentional! Zhu Li, it's been three months!

[He takes a step forward, but stops himself half way. Stop it, Iknik, you don't touch Zhu Li, that's not what you're supposed to do. He tries to turn his half-way poised arms into some kind of intentional dramatic gesture. It is somewhat effective.]

The kettle!

[He swears this was a normal thought process. The gold club gets flung to the side dramatically.]

You know, the one I invented that just plugs in so you didn't have to go to the kitchen to boil water? How the hell does it turn on, I've been staring at it for three months and it's never turned on once I have to get the guy from the kitchen downstairs to try to bring boiling water up and it's been TERRIBLE!

[doesthethings]

I'm glad to see you managed to survive during that time. ((Her voice is blander, slightly dry as she preemptively raises her notebook a little in front of her face. He's not going to actually touch her, is he? After a slight pause, she explains further, her tone becoming more serious.)) I... didn't know where I was.

To be completely honest, I still don't know where I was. I have a bit of a gap in my memory. ((She's surprised to find herself speaking more quietly as she goes on. It's a scary thing to admit for her.))

[profiteers]

What do you mean you have a gap in your memory?! But you remember everything!

[Yeah okay this time it's panic Varrick is coming over and grabbing her around both arms, giving her a good firm shake. Because isn't that how prompting someone's memory works?]

What's your middle name? wait, don't answer that, I don't know what your middle name is anyway so you could make it up. What's MY middle name?

[doesthethings]

Blackstone, sir. ((And she's definitely going to push him off as soon as she can do so without being too obvious about it.)) I haven't lost my memory. I simply can't remember anything between being in Zaofu and being here. And I don't think shaking will help very much, sir.

[profiteers]

Correct me if I'm wrong, Xhu Li, but you not remembering anything between three months ago and right now kinda qualifies and losing your memory. Actually don't correct me, I'm totally right about that.

[Okay, shaking doesn't work. Should he... feel her forehead? Those are really the only two ideas he can come up with.

Her forehead feels... normal. Really he has no idea why this is a thing people do when someone's unwell. Also her bangs are in the way.]

You know you've had me worried SICK. I have no idea where anything is around here any more and you weren't there for me to ASK.

[doesthethings]

It’s just a gap. ((She says, and Varrick can probably tell the stubborn look in her eyes as she reaches up to pull his hand away from her forehead. She doesn't want to make this into a bigger deal than it is. Now that she's back, can't she just be useful again?)) If I could’ve returned-- here earlier, I would have. And I’m here to assist you now. You have no reason to worry anymore.

[profiteers]

I'll worry exactly as much as I want you, thank you very much Zhu Li.

[Jeez, it's like a guy can't even react to his assistant disappearing for several months any more.]

...did you get shorter since you were here last?