Gedächtnisschwund
Prologue - Das Erwachen
There was a weight on her chest.
It was heavy, but not so much that is pushed down on her. It was noticeable…and also somewhat comforting. What was comfort again? She didn't remember using the word; she was pretty sure it wasn't in her…what was it called again…databank? No, that wasn't right.
Comfort [kuhm-fert] noun – the state of ease or well-being; something that affords physical ease.
Slowly, she opened her eyes, the blurred shapes and colours sharpening with each passing second. The resolution of her vision cleared, and instantly, she was greeted with a pair of bright, blue eyes. Pointed ears and a pink nose completed the face, as well as thin whiskers that poked out from its cheeks. The white fur was brushed, smoothed as the object in question stared at her curiously.
Felis Catus. The household cat. Threat level minimal unless threatened.
She gasped slightly; turning her head away from the creature perched on her chest. What did it want from her? Was it going to attack? She was unprepared for something so sudden…but she was always prepared…? No, wait…what did that mean, anyway?
"Naughty kitty…"
The sudden voice shook her out of her processing…no, that term was incorrect. She turned back slightly, watching as red-gloved hands removed the animal from its position, cradling it in the space between the forearm and the torso. Her eyes glanced up, examining the face that the body belonged to.
Scanning…
"How's our patient doing?" the voice continued. It was so familiar…but where did it come from…"Any pain or discomfort?"
Her eyes darted around the room. Clean, white walls surrounded her, with a tall, metal stand connected a thin tube to her arm. Sparsely decorated…she tried to remember where she was, how she got there, or why her body felt so…heavy.
"Where…where am I…?" she asked, her own voice sounding foreign coming from her own mouth.
"Don't worry…" the blonde woman continued.
Scanning…35% complete…
"…amnesia can be alarming, trust me, I know, but I'm here for you."
Scan incomplete. 40% data retrieved.
She couldn't put a name to the face. No matter how hard she tried, her…head wouldn't cooperate. But…something about her was…comforting. Yes, that was the right word. For some reason, she felt she could trust this woman…and that she knew her from before. She was an ally, whoever she was, and she felt, no, she knew that this pigtailed woman could be trusted.
"It's you…"
She will help me.
"Yes, that's right…I'm here to help you." The woman said, nodding, before moving the corners of her lips upwards in an unfamiliar emotion, holding the aforementioned felis catus out. "Actually, we'll both be watching over you!"
That unfamiliar gesture the woman did with her lips…she didn't remember what it was. Yet, she, too, felt her own muscles moving, mimicking the same gesture. The motion was unfamiliar to her, but it didn't feel terrible. It felt…normal. She was at ease…
…maybe things won't be so bad.