Background music suggestion: Basil Poledouris: Love Theme, Conan the Barbarian soundtrack (looped :))
Chapter 24: Song of the Fall
Und könnt die Zeit verkehrt nun fließen
Und sei nur Traum der ganze Schmerz,
Wird er um sie die Arme schließen
Und Liebe sei um beider herz
And if time could be turned back
And all the pain was just a dream
He'll put his arms around her
And love would be in both of their hearts
-Nargaroth: Seven Tears Are Flowing To The River
...
Blowfish woke up.
"The condition is 'a blank slate' in a way. She is in there but the connection is not...complete."
Dr. Toyoda had explained the situation, looking most sorry.
"It's best if only one of you go meet her first."
Jo wished to do it.
Gwen looked at her. She was sitting on the bed, her face absolutely expressionless. Jo immediately realized there was no recognition - and it was scary.
In a way Blowfish resembled a robot now. They tried to figure out a way to finish the fusion but could not find the key. Unlike Fury Blowfish had no personality. She could follow instructions and requests but it was impossible to have a meaningful conversation with her. She had no memories, no recollection of anyone. No opinions. Being around her made one sad but Erik still kept trying. He would talk to her and often they would listen to music together. Ian and Jo tried too, in their own way.
The scientists in the facility did their tests. One day the Agents were talking to Dr. Toyoda.
"There's one thing we'd like to try, reproducing very strong memories of things that have required her full concentration."
...
It was early morning and Erik was walking in the forest surrounding the complex. It was now mid-October and they had been in Kyoto for almost two months. He had spent another night thinking of a solution, a memory that would be strong enough. During the past week they had tried several BOFH scenarios and visited the shooting range but these didn't trigger memories that were strong enough. At first Erik had been relentless but now he had began to lose hope. He sat on a stone bench under a maple tree. He was just sitting there looking at the ground.
Time seemed to freeze. Then, suddenly a single yellow leaf fell in front of him.
The first leaf of the fall.
Erik had been told that in one month or so it would be the autumn color season. It was apparently a huge thing here. He kept looking at the single yellow leaf and something clicked in his brains. He couldn't understand why hadn't he thought of it before. It was so obvious. He stood up and began first walking, then running, back towards the facility.
"There's something I'd like you to try," Erik said rushing into the room where Blowfish was sitting, looking outside.
He tried to seem calm although his heart was beating faster.
He showed her an internet tutorial that she studied thoroughly as she always did with everything. Then she did some further research by herself.
"So this is what you wish me to do?" she asked.
Erik nodded.
"And this is the song?"
She had listened it a few times now.
She stood up, putting the song back on once more.
He could see how she filled herself with air, with the correct technique, the column of air rising from the diaphragm through her chest. Then, at the right moment, she pushed the air with her abdomen, letting out...a long grunt.
...
The nights were already cool and the walls practically paper. It was difficult for Ian and Jo to understand the combination of low tech and hitech that the place was. They were sleeping on the futon placed on the tatami and Jo had curled up against Ian under a heavy thick blanket. That morning they woke up to the oddest sound. Growling.
"The weirdest dream," Jo muttered.
The grunting continued, and as the realization of its origin dawned for Ian and Jo, their eyes shot wide open almost simultaneously. In a second they were up and putting their clothes on. Then they rushed to the direction where they could hear the sound coming from, through the corridors, the old wooden floor creaking underneath them. The grunting had now stopped but they knew where it had come from. It was a small garden surrounded by the therapy rooms. Ian slid the door open and they were met by a surreal sight. Erik and Blowfish were standing in the middle of the garden, in the morning sun, embracing each other. The surreality was heightened by Blowfish wearing a white yukata and Erik black clothes. They looked just epic.
They was first too occupied to register Ian and Jo who were too stunned to say anything. When they noticed their astounded comrades, Blowfish immediately came to hug them too. She had so obviously returned to her old self that this moment definitely justified a long embrace. Erik walked right next to them.
"What happened?" Jo asked.
"Erik made me grunt Herbstleyd. It unlocked everything."
"Harsh vocals...Don't underestimate them."
Blowfish gave a low chuckle. None of them remembered ever seeing her this happy.
...
They were walking in the forest. Blowfish had asked Erik to come with her.
"Erik, I actually remember all my time here. Even that part I wasn't fully fused yet," she began.
"I know you've been there…For me."
There was a warmth in her eyes.
"But I also want you to know...You owe me nothing. We made no promises."
"I know that, Gwen. Although I'd like to remind we actually made one."
He walked closer and gently touched her nicked ear. He didn't need to say more. And he noticed she had most certainly swallowed.
"So are you going kiss me now?" she asked.
He nodded.
Yes, Gwen knew it was a risk - a relationship would always be that - but it was a risk she was willing to take, perhaps the first time in her life.
And life, it was too short after all.
...
"We have now captured the last members of this regency of scientists that ran SCEPTRE...Most of them were already detained in the labs connected to the pyramid."
Agent Adler had joined them in Kyoto.
"Anyway, we have some openings in the intelligence department if you're interested. Especially for someone who's interested in satellite imagery."
"We will ask Gudrun and Orfeus...They're in Rio nowadays," Jo said.
Mitsuko was about to leave the room. They were all going to have sushi before Agent Adler left.
"Hi Mitsuko."
It was Agent Adler.
"Hi...Laurie."
She'd just never get used to that first name.
"So you are returning with them, to the States?"
"Yeah...They said I could come to Rock Falls."
"Glad to hear that."
Mitsuko looked at his arm.
"How's the arm? Can you play the drums again?"
"It's nothing time won't heal...I'll be back drumming in no time."
Then Agent Adler actually gestured her so that she followed him a bit further from the others.
"Actually, I wished to ask you, have you still been practicing bass?"
Mitsuko was obviously taken by surprise.
"Yeah, of course. Every day."
"Let me guess, you haven't asked them, have you?"
Agent Adler noticed she was suddenly at the point of tears. It was apparently a touchy subject. She shook her head, biting her lip. He looked at her and there was something almost demanding in his eyes.
"Promise to do it. If you don't, let me assure you, you'll regret it."
She had a feeling he somehow knew exactly what he was talking about.
"I...promise then."
"Good."
She snorted once, obviously regaining her composure. And in a second there was the flash of excitement in her eyes again.
"Hey...Could you come to see us play? I mean, if I'd make it and if we'd ever have a real gig or something."
"I promise I'd most certainly try."
"Thanks...Trooper."
...