Dictation x03 - [Audio]

[drabsolutelynot]

[The curious phenomenon of the memory sharing has not gone unnoticed by Rosen. Of course he understands the concept of 'God' events and realizes his poking might lead to little more than a 'it's the gods' answer but he still feels he'll be remiss if he misses this opportunity]

I am looking for volunteers who might be willing to let me observe them in relation to this...uh...this 'memory sharing'. Of course this would require that whoever volunteers be alright with the possibility of their memories being seen.

[A pause to clear his throat before he proceeds again]

I can assure you the purpose of my research is not to get any personal information about you so the content of your memories is of little interest to me, but still it will likely be unavoidable.  

Anyway. If you are interested please let me know. 

Comments

text.

[dedikated]

So what's the purpose?

[drabsolutelynot]

Research

[dedikated]

Obviously.
What's the point of it? We just supposed to offer our memories for no explanation?

[drabsolutelynot]

Well...you aren't supposed to do anything, as I said this is purely an exercise for those who might feel so inclined.

It is the nature of my work to observe and try to understand different ways bodies function when they interact with the abnormal or what might be considered abnormal.

I am reluctant to say more because often it leads to trouble when science oversells its potential as a catalyst for future good.

[dedikated]

Point is you didn't explain any of this.

( Is this hypocritical as hell coming from her? Yep. But she always was. )

Think people are just going to believe "I don't want to look at your memories"?

( This event is already annoying her enough as it is, with pieces of her past being doled out like candy to strangers and friends alike, but this request bothers her just as much. It's very "just trust me", just believe that the reports are correct, and all the other shit Rosenberg required back in the Agency. )

[Audio]

[missiondeterminant]

What exactly do you think you'll be able to find out?

[Because this sounds super suspicious.]

[drabsolutelynot]

Well I never said I thought I'd be able to find out anything....

[A clearing of his throat]

...but research is its own reward.

[And also he's never exactly been quick to explain his reasons to others.]

I don't see the harm in trying to compile what can be learned about any given phenomenon.

[missiondeterminant]

[...Humans.]

There's been no shortage of harm done in the name of 'research', so if you really expect anyone to volunteer to allow you to see their memories you may want to come up with a better reason than 'I might learn something.' As it is, you just sound like you're trying to alleviate boredom in a way that also conveniently affords you personal information on other people here.

[drabsolutelynot]

[Rosen chuckles. This one reminds him of a mixture of people from home. Cameron...Nina...It's almost endearing in the sense of nostalgia he gets at being argued with. ]

I would think making up some idealistic lie about wanting to help the world would be worse than admitting that I am just naturally curious in finding out how this place works in the only way I know how: research.

[And there's a rustling of fabric as he shrugs]

And as I said. It's volunteer only. I will put you down as a 'no'

[missiondeterminant]

If you had said that initially it would've still been suspicious, but less so.

[Now it just sounds like backpedaling, and so Connor is still definitely dubious. But he might've left it there, if not for the last comment, which he finds... Annoying? It's not quite annoyance--he's familiar enough with that emotion to be able to identify it now--but he's not experienced enough yet at more subtle distinctions in feelings to be able to name what it actually is. Close enough, though, and it prompts him to continue.]

I asked because memory sharing occurs in my world in a very similar manner to this event.

[But because he's only emotionally like four months old he's gonna be difficult about sharing anything, so there!]

[drabsolutelynot]

[Now that gets Rosen sitting up straighter in his chair]

...also transferred by touch?

[missiondeterminant]

Correct, but it's typically purposeful on one or both sides.

[He supposes it could happen accidentally, but he's never heard of it.]

[drabsolutelynot]

So... it is a direct means of transferring information between individuals....

[A pause for thought]

Any individuals? Or only select individuals with this ability?

[missiondeterminant]

Individuals of a particular species.

[Connor's still deciding how much he's willing to explain, but for now he's just amusing himself with giving the bare minimum answer each time.]

[drabsolutelynot]

[Connor's reticence is not lost on Rosen, still what Connor just said just shifted the field of inquiry.]

So if I understand you correctly, yours is a world that, in terms of sentient beings with heightened speech and comprehension, has multiple species? And can communicate with one another? Does that apply across species?

[missiondeterminant]

There are multiple species here that can communicate with each other.

[He says it in a tone that indicates that of course they can communicate, although for memory trading--]

Memory transfer does not work across species, only within the one capable of it.

[drabsolutelynot]

That may be so, but it was not the case in the world I come from. So I feel it is important to clarify.

[Though he's found in his time here that his world seems to be more of a rarity in that respect]

And that species would be....?

[missiondeterminant]

What wasn't the case, that there were multiple species or that they could communicate with each other?

[He's just purposefully not answering the question yet, not because he's unwilling to but because it's more fun to be difficult.]

[drabsolutelynot]

[Cute.]

The latter.

[missiondeterminant]

Did they not speak the same language? Or were they just incapable of communicating a way the other could understand?

[drabsolutelynot]

[It's not an invalid distinction to make where Rosen's world is concerned. After all it could not be said that other species did not communicate, not could it be said that humans were entirely unaware of other species' methods of communicating, and for all he knew there is an alpha out there who could perhaps bridge that gap....

...but for the time being the wide range of communications among non-human species remain primarily incompatible with human communication]

The different methods of communication do not translate beyond a vague guess of what the other species is trying to convey. For example a human may understand that another creature is displaying anger, or fear, but there is no ability to communicate in any more detailed or meaningful way at this time.

[missiondeterminant]

[Connor's getting the impression that maybe he's talking about highly intelligent animals like gorillas and dolphins, rather than the sort of situation there is here, which would make sense.]

I understand.

text

[ghostlocked]

[Hm. While Harlan might not be down to play test subject given how much he wants to avoid spreading his nasty memories far and wide, color him curious.]

what do u mean observe?

[drabsolutelynot]

I am looking to understand the function, not the content. So I am looking to see, for example, if type of touch or length of touch has effect. So 'observe' could mean a variety of things: making contact with myself, or perhaps another of your choosing if you had someone willing to volunteer...and then answering questions.

[ghostlocked]

would this tell u anything that might apply to future events?
just studying this one sounds interesting but ultimately pointless. itll be over in a few days.

[drabsolutelynot]

You are not incorrect in assuming that little will be gained from this in reference to future events.

However I would argue we could add concrete knowledge to our overall understanding of the world we now find ourselves in. Research is not just working towards preventing a future negative or creating a future positive. It is also comprehending what it is we have, will, and could experience in our current surroundings.

[ghostlocked]

wouldnt an overall understanding contribute to understanding future events?
maybe anyway. idk.
there dont seem to be a ton of consistencies other than the general timeframe.

[drabsolutelynot]

Could I ask you to be more specific as to which timeframe you are referring?

[ghostlocked]

how long the events last. its usually abt a week to a week and a half.
they tend to happen around the same time of month too. abt halfway between newbie days.
this one came early.

[drabsolutelynot]

I'm less concerned with things like the timeframe and more so with the way we function within that timeframe. Rules of physical boundaries, capabilities and the degrees of change that can be experienced before, during, and after.

Who knows. If we could begin to find even the smallest threads of continuity between them, we might be able to make our services at the clinic more effective.

[ghostlocked]

hm. point.
ig ill help u out on the condition that i get to pick which memories to share.
apparently if ur thinkin abt a memory its prob gonna be the one to transfer.
if u need a grabbag random thing for ur experiment i cant help w. that.

[drabsolutelynot]

Like I said, the content of the memory isn't really what I am getting at. So you'd be more than welcome to select which memories to share or withhold.

I can also guarantee that no specifics about your memories will be kept in my notes.

[ghostlocked]

cool. good to know.
how much do u know abt how shit works already? i did some hefty experimenting with my bf at the start of all this.
ive got the mechanics down.

[drabsolutelynot]

Only what I've gathered through hearsay. If you've already done some experimenting and would be willing to share some of your findings, I'd appreciate it.

It would also help to streamline the process.

[ghostlocked]

ok heres everything ive got.
u need skin on skin contact for the sharing to happen for starters. the sharing triggers when u first make contact but ime its one and done.
ie we dont share shit constantly when were holding hands or smth.
u have some control over what u share w. ppl. w.e mem ur concentrating on is prob whats gonna get sent over.
idk if it works when u share shit accidentally. that hasnt come up.
have u shared any memories urself yet?

[drabsolutelynot]

I have been fortunate enough to avoid it at this stage

[He has a house to himself and once he overheard what was going on he's taken care to avoid any and all contact.]

Is there any physical side-effect to the memory sharing? A lingering sensation from the memory itself? Can the observer feel the emotions or sensations of the memory as the sharer had at the time the memory was made?

[ghostlocked]

well ur gonna have to get ur hands dirty if u want to study this shit.
u already know that tho.
ftr idt u can prevent it from happening and usually its a two way street. i think some ppl have gotten lucky and they just get someone elses memory w.o sharing their own but that hasnt happened to me.
its always a one to one trade.
tho the ppl sayin they didnt get a memory could just be lying. its not like thered be any way to know.
anyway.
theres not any physical shit no. its disorienting but u can shake it off in a couple secs.
as for feeling emotions and sensations and shit i think it depends. some memories are more vivid than others.
most of the time yeah tho. when i saw michaels memories i remembered them from his pov. i felt like i was him. still do when i remember em.
its fuckin wild.

[drabsolutelynot]

I am aware that the want to study the phenomenon comes with the inherent risk. And it would also be unfair of me to expect others to do something I am unwilling to do

[He says that as though he's never asked anyone to do something they are unwilling to do. though that is a discussion for another time]

Are you still willing?

[ghostlocked]

i like that way of thinking.
eh.
yeah why tf not. im not doing anything else atm. where r u?

[drabsolutelynot]

I am currently at home. Do you remember where that is?

[ghostlocked]

yeah. ill brt.

[Knock knock, Rosen. Hope you weren't planning to schedule this Harlan-based research for a later timeslot.]

[drabsolutelynot]

[He wasn't necessarily expecting Harlan immediately however he at least had enough of a sense of this man's abilities to at least not have a heart attack when there's knock at the door just as soon as he's finished reading Harlan's last text.

It's still unnerving, however, and that may show in his face when he opens the door]

You're late

[He offers as an awkward tease, coupled with a half-smile]

[ghostlocked]

Funny.

[Harlan just assumes that everyone who has seen him teleport once will remember and immediately adjust to his zero travel time. It's not like he has any reason to conserve his magic from day to day.]

You did mean now, right?

[The event could be over tomorrow, for all they know.]