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[eidetics]

[There are several orders of business, here, and Lisbeth gets right down to them: no greeting, no please, no thank you.]

I want to know how many people have left the ship and then returned. With or without memories of being here before, and how long they were gone. Firsthand accounts or otherwise.

I also want to know how often our brains and bodies are fucked with and whether anyone's unaffected. I know this isn't the first time. [And if you're stupid enough to go blabbing to a stranger about the memories you're experiencing, be her guest, but she's not asking for that.]

I need these items:
- disposable camera
- soldering iron
- copper wire
- electrical tape

Contact me privately and we'll arrange something.

Comments

[northerner]

[ there's a long pause, uncertain of that demand, before robb's expression steels. ]

For what purpose do you ask?

(VIDEO | 100% ENCRYPTED) popping her network video cherry w/ him

[eidetics]

[Lisbeth's face is largely in shadow, but that matters less than voice recognition for him--she doesn't know what he might have seen of her, if she'd been in front of a mirror or if he'd been able to look at her hands, the clean bands of blue-black around her wrists and ankles.

She's used to using her knowledge of other people to her advantage, but not knowing what someone else has of hers makes her feel vulnerable.]

Your name is Robb. [His mother had said it--that was crystal clear, though it takes her just a moment to pull the family name back, has to picture the other young man with the wolves. Like Arya's.] Robb Stark. Is that correct?

i wanted really badly to make a virgin who can't drive joke here but i cannot

[northerner]

[ oh.

oh.

there's a long pause, robb looking steadily back at her. he knows her face. he has known her face since he arrived, in one form or another. she's returned, and he's still at a loss. finally, he inclines his head, deference and greeting both. aberdeen was hand of the king. lisbeth salander was an honored friend. robb has not forgotten either, even if the ship has not seen fit to return her with memory once more. ]

Aye. Aye, my name is Robb Stark. Will you tell me yours?

as if

[eidetics]

Lisbeth.

[The first she's told her real name, too. It could be reckless, but once someone's been in her brain--or she in theirs--she'd rather come to them and lay it out on her terms than the other way around.

She thinks she sees recognition in his expression, maybe, but that could just be from the memories.]

[northerner]

[ robb takes a breath, then inclines his head, a bow, a sign of respect. she's returned and she no longer recalls, and he has weathered this before and he shall weather it again. ]

I knew you once. [ his voice is quiet. ] Do you recall?

[eidetics]

[Lisbeth was expecting this--she's seen herself in the archives of this network, knows that there must be some who have been here long enough to remember, but there's an odd twinge behind her ribs at the thought that she might have let anyone close enough to care.

The others weren't her, though. They were the same in face, and one the same in name, but neither were quite right.

There's a moment where her expression betrays her, a flicker of uncertainty before she steels herself again, jaw working and metal clacking against her teeth.]

No. [Ostensibly to the question, but then--] You didn't know me.

[northerner]

[ it's not the first time robb has been faced with this. he's been here long enough to see people come and go, and sometimes they don't return remembering. he remembers lisbeth's stubbornness. he didn't expect anything different. ]

I did. People forget, when they return.

[ the tone of his voice is unapologetic, but unwavering.

[eidetics]

They weren't the same.

[They weren't her--close, but no cigar. She can't quite look at him, wonders how much he knows.]

My name isn't Aberdeen.

[northerner]

I know that.

[ it had been a long time since aberdeen ( hallah ) and robb knew better than to hope for her return. there's a pause, robb drawing a breath, and then. ]

You're Lisbeth. I've known you as well.

[ it would never be the same. robb didn't seek for it to be. ]

It's alright, if you don't remember.

[eidetics]

[Her lips are pursed into a thin line before she voices her next question, still pointedly avoiding his gaze.]

Were we friends?

[She doesn't like the sound of it, feels as if it makes her weak--because it implies a sentimentality she doesn't, can't feel for someone she doesn't know.]

[northerner]

Allies, aye.

[ but robb speaks the way one would speak of a friend, so perhaps the attempt at softening the blow is useless. ]