Aria
Chapter 4
"Aria," Jessinia began as we sat in my newly claimed apartment, "you told me that the necklace you wear is a family heirloom."
"I did?" I asked, feeling a pang of frustration as I struggled to recall anything about my family. "I'm sorry, but I can't remember anything about them. My memories are a jumbled mess, and I can't seem to piece them together."
"It's okay," Jessinia said with a comforting smile. "I just find it strange that you have a family heirloom, yet you have no memory of your family. How did you end up on that ship, and why did you have the necklace with you?"
I shook my head, feeling frustrated. "I don't know. I can't seem to remember anything about my past, it's like a blank slate. I just have these hazy memories, like snippets of dreams that I can't quite grasp."
"What do you remember?" Jessinia asked.
I thought for a moment, trying to focus on the wispy memories that flitted through my mind. "I remember a sense of familiarity with the necklace," I said. "And I remember feeling scared and alone. That's all I can really recall."
Jessinia nodded, looking thoughtful. "Jori, the captain of the ship that brought you here, is a friend of mine. I'll see if he knows anything about your past, maybe he can shed some light on the situation."
"I'd appreciate that," I said, feeling grateful for Jessinia's help. "I just want to know who I am, where I come from. It's like there's a missing piece to my life, and I don't know how to find it."
"We'll figure it out," Jessinia said confidently. "In the meantime, you should focus on settling in and getting to know this new world. Tirovna may be a strange place, but it's full of possibilities. You never know what you might find."
I smiled, feeling a glimmer of hope. "You're right, I need to focus on the present and not dwell on the past. I just need to find a purpose, something to anchor me in this world."
"Well, what do you plan to do next?" Jessinia asked. "Do you plan to try and remember your past, or do you plan to start a new life here in Tirovna?"
I thought about her question for a moment. Part of me wanted to try and remember my past, to figure out who I was and where I came from. But another part of me was afraid of what I might find.
"I don't know," I said honestly. "I feel like I need to know the truth about my past, but I'm also scared of what I might find."
"I understand," Jessinia said sympathetically. "But you can't just sit here and do nothing. You need to figure out what your mission is in Tirovna."
"My mission?" I repeated, feeling confused.
"Yes," Jessinia said firmly. "Everyone has a purpose in Tirovna, whether it's to learn a new skill, to start a business, or to help others. What do you want to do?"
I thought about it some more. "I don't know," I said. "I don't even know what my skills are."
"Well, that's something you can find out," Jessinia said. "Tirovna has many schools and workshops where you can learn new skills and discover your talents. You can start there."
I considered her words. "I suppose I could do that. But what if I do remember my past, and it's something terrible? What if I'm a criminal or something?"
"That's not for us to judge," Jessinia said. "Everyone deserves a second chance in Tirovna, regardless of their past. And even if your past is not something you're proud of, you can still make a positive impact in Tirovna."
I took a moment to think about my options. I wanted to learn more about my past and my family, but I didn't know where to start.
"My first priority should be to try and recover my memories," I said to Jessinia. "I don't even know my own name, let alone anything about my family. It's frustrating, but I have a feeling that if I can remember who I am, I'll be one step closer to finding my place here in Tirovna."
Jessinia nodded in agreement. "That makes sense. Do you have any idea how you might go about regaining your memories?"
"I'm not sure," I admitted. "I've heard that some people who have experienced amnesia have recovered their memories through therapy or by revisiting places that were significant to them in their past. But I don't know if that will work for me."
"There are also other ways to try and remember your past," Jessinia said. "You could try writing down everything you do remember, no matter how small or insignificant it may seem. You could also try talking to people who live in Tirovna and seeing if they know anything about you or your family."
I considered her suggestions. "I think I'll start by trying to remember as much as I can on my own, and then see if I can find anyone who might know something about me. I feel like I need to know more about who I am before I can really start making plans for the future."
Then Raggs barked at Jessinia, and to my surprise, she seemed to understand what he was saying. After a brief conversation, Raggs turned and left, and Jessinia turned her attention back to me. "Come on," she said, walking over to the window and pointing out the street corner below us. "Let's go see if we can find you some clothes and toiletries. Do you have anything with you?" I shook my head, feeling a pang of embarrassment. "Just these clothes they gave me on the ship and this necklace." Jessinia nodded understandingly. "No need to worry, we'll get you everything you need. This apartment is small, but it's cozy. The living area is a bit cramped, but there's a separate sleeping area that should do nicely for you. I think you'll be comfortable here."
I looked around the living space, taking in the details. The walls were made of stone, but they had been covered with tapestries and rugs, giving the space a warm and inviting feel. A small kitchen area was tucked into one corner, and there were a few chairs and a table in the main room. "It's perfect," I said, feeling grateful for Jessinia's help. "Thank you." She smiled. "You're welcome. Let's go get you settled in." And with that, we left the apartment and headed out into the city.