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[sathan]

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[compellingstatement]

Yes, they were close. Much closer than I was to either of them. What the Not-Them do is essentially paste themselves into every memory of a person they're replacing. I was thinking I could figure out a way just to get the photos fixed, but without fixing our memories... [Jon frowns.] It would just be a stranger in the photos.

Tim thought that might be worse.

[sathan]

Then I'll need to meet him to see what the memories are like.

( and what she has to work with to try and recover )

It'll... be kinder than when you visit someone's mind.

[compellingstatement]

[Jon sips his tea, glancing off to the side and considering.]

I could... potentially fix my own memories. Would that be enough for you to be able to work with to fix him in a kinder way? I might be able to do the same to him, but it would be invasive, horrifying.

[sathan]

Using your memories to fix his would not be my first choice.

( she might have been in his head before but she's not jumping at it )

I may be able to unravel it myself, see what's been affected. If not-- then I'll use your memories.

[compellingstatement]

[Jon realizes he's still probably going to need to fix himself. Which is going to be unpleasant. And possibly require--ugh--Elias' guidance.]

All right. And I assume once he have a picture of Sasha you might be able to fix the actual photos?

[A pause.]

I'm willing to pay for this assistance. As I said, my helping out with your business wasn't actually meant to be a trade for this.

[sathan]

I will allow a favour owed.

( she doesn't have a need for money, partly because she doesn't see much of a value in it. but favours... )

And yes. Once I have an image of her I can fix the photos. Perhaps even you.

( though she'll definitely charge extra there )

[compellingstatement]

I'll sort myself out.

[The back-pedal on that is quick.]

It didn't go particularly well the last time you were in my head, as I recall. Let's not repeat past mistakes.

[sathan]

Then contact your friend. I assume you'll want to be present when I do what I need to. Should they agree.

[compellingstatement]

[There's a long pause.]

I don't suppose you could... do it covertly? Tim has a bit of a problem with people who aren't human. Understandably so given his history with them in our world. He won't take it well, you being a witch.

[sathan]

( she smiles because oh, mr sims, look at what you're suggesting )

I can. Getting into his head will be a simple task. But I may need one thing first.

[compellingstatement]

The blood of a virgin?

[His tone is very dry.]

[sathan]

( she's very tempted to ask if he's offering but instead just gives him a slightly predatory look to that effect before answering )

A memory to search for, a moment when that woman should have been there. It will give me somewhere to focus.

[compellingstatement]

[Jon bristles slightly at that look. He is not a virgin anymore. Lilith had seen to that. He glares at her for a moment before looking off to the side.]

How much detail do you need? We all worked together for years. Tim knew her better than I did before we went to the Archives.

[sathan]

More is better but at least where you were, what you were doing. Something that I will know when I see it.

( she doesn't want to target the wrong person after all )

[compellingstatement]

[That does make sense, but now that he's thinking about it...]

I can give you the details, but let me talk to him about it first before you go snooping. I think I have a way that might make him more... amenable to you. You both despise the Beholding with a particular passion. Your efforts toward dealing with it might be enough to sway him.

[And if not, then something more covert.]

He's not the sort of man to forgive easily, and I'd rather not... ruin things with him. Again.

[Pressing on.]

We had my birthday in the Archives once. Or close enough to it. It was the week before Christmas and everyone was gathered in our break room. Sasha was the only woman working in the Archives at the time. This would have been... about a year ago from Tim's perspective. Tim, Martin, and Elias were all there, as well.

[sathan]

That should get me there.

( it was enough of a visual to know what she was looking for, particularly when she knew the faces of the majority of those that would be present )

And... I wouldn't have done this without his knowing. Manipulating a memory and retrieving one leave very different impressions.

( one was noticeable )

[compellingstatement]

Fair enough.

I'll have a talk with him and let you know. Am I allowed to walk out the door, or do you need to put a bag over my head now and spin me around three times before shoving me through a portal to leave?

[sathan]

Actually--

( all he'll see is a wave of her hand before feeling himself bilocated back to where they'd teleported from. enjoy your trip )