Reuploaded: 10/25/16

Chapter 3.1 Oh Vivienne, My Vivienne

Before I began my field training, I was chosen to be a part of a project for GRM. It was simple, take one of their newest CAST models through basic training. Why would they choose a new graduate of the academy when there's plenty of Guardians to choose from, I don't know. I wasn't in the position to ask why. But if I were to take a guess, it was my combat skills.

Or mainly that I was a quiet person who was the least likely to jeopardize the project.

Though I wondered why they required a full physical before we started. Even taking samples of my blood.

It was more than running through combat simulations I found out. I would also be asked questions by the Cast and answer them the best I could. My interactions with it would have some influence of their personality.

Vivienne was a peculiar Cast. She wasn't created with the CAST supremacy ideas I heard some CASTs have. I remember hearing from Hilde how hard it was for her husband to be in the Alliance Military at times because he's a Cast who married a Beast. I think with Vivienne having so much contact with Humans from the start, those ideas didn't stick.

She was basically a child.

A child that looked about my age, but a child nonetheless.

When we first started, she asked me the simplest of questions. Like what race I was. Then, as she "evolved" her questions would get more personal. Like what are my hobbies. Sometimes she would ask me combat based questions. It was never to a point I felt too uncomfortable to answer. She was an inquisitive person, but just didn't know how to go about asking these kinds of questions. I was glad that she didn't have the depth to ask the really personal questions. I wasn't sure if I was ready to discuss my life in that respect.

"What should I call you?"

"Call me?"

"A title or something of that nature."

"Oh! Ami is just fine."

"Calling someone by their first name is intimate."

"It can be depending on the situation. But I was never one for titles, my first name is easy to remember as it is."

"If you are sure, Ami."

"I am. Thank you for asking though Vivi."

"Vivi?"

"A nickname for you. We're friends now right?"

Seeing Vivi smile like that made me smile. I saw a bit of my younger self in her. Not sure how to go about talking to people. I wonder if this is how Kiri felt when we first became friends? If I could become someone for Vivi to talk comfortably around like Kiri was to me, then I think I'd feel good. She was one of the first friends I had since I decided to become a Guardian.

I received my first reminder that being a Guardian can be a path filled with partings.

Learning that Vivienne would have her memory wiped was hard to take in. We were friends, and she would forget that. Even if it was a short time together. I was glad that Vivi cared enough to object to it. She cherished our friendship as much as I did. Maybe even more.

Despite how much I hated this, I knew it had to be done.

Her memory being wiped was better than the alternative.

It hurt my heart that I understood why so easily. She was ultimately GRM's property. I had no right to tell them what to do with their own CASTs, unless it was illegal. They couldn't risk our bond being a hindrance to whatever they decide for her to do. A hindrance that could lose clients. GRM is a company first and foremost.

I never doubted for a moment that they could deactivate her.

Memories are nothing to losing an existence.

The researchers aren't complete monsters and let us run the simulation one last time. "For memories sake." they said.

"Why did you agree Ami?"

"If I could, I would fight against it. But I'm just a graduate who hasn't even gotten her Guardians license. I'm powerless against them."

"But I'll forget all of this! And you!"

"I'll remember though. And somewhere deep in your personality, you will too. You won't remember me or all of this exactly, but you'll remember these feelings."

"Ami..."

"Just promise me, you'll stay you."

Vivi seemed to understand what I was saying. I hope she did. We finished the simulation and said our goodbyes. Vivi gave me a gift that day, a replica of the double saber she always used. I cherished it.

Oddly enough I didn't cry when we said goodbye. I had a feeling I shouldn't.

"If, however, some miracle were to occur and Vivienne were to remember you...That would be something completely out of your control, and ours."

I kept the researcher's words in my mind. Could a bond be strong enough to invoke such a miracle? I'd like to believe that.

I just knew it was another reason for me to become stronger.