Living memory;
[Summary: When a memory breaks, it is sometimes a part of yourself that puts it back together. In this case, the Drifter is mending something important for the Operator.
(Written with my Drifter Lif and Operator Fray in mind. Female-centric. Names not mentioned. Enjoy!)
Walking down those long stairs from the Necralisk to Sanctum Anatomica has always felt like a journey from one world to another — one that the Drifter can experience outside their Warframe and other powers. As she enters the enclave, Loid comes into view: The butler and lover of Entrati. He had become like family to her and the Operator. One of the kindest souls they had encountered, someone who often looked beyond their powers and eldritch nature, always worrying about their well-being.
"Loid?" The Drifter approaches him, giving a quick wave to Fibonacci along the way. The others will be greeted soon; after all, it is important for her to make sure that everyone in Sactum Anatomica knows how much they mean to her, especially the three animals. "Drifter" Loid responds, scratching his beard slightly and maintaining that same pensive posture. "I… I must ask you for a favour" "A favour? Did something happen? Is everyone alright?" "You could say so"
She watches as Loid turns his head in the direction of Bird 3. "She's up there. Looking quite sad. I asked her what was going on, but she seemed to avoid telling me" "Do you think it could be about the Dark Refractory?" the Drifter asks. She knows it is not her place to say anything; after all, it is the Operator's decision to go this far and ultimately, it is their memory they have to go through. "I thought that too. But she told me herself that it's not the case, and I trust her. Still, there is something I noticed" "And what would that be?" "That hair ornament you both wear. it is gone"
'"Hey, buddy! " Bird 3 squeals so loud that the Drifter feels like she's already standing next to him, even though she's still walking up the stairs. But for once, he doesn't actually mean her, but the Operator sitting on the ground next to him. Her legs are pulled towards her body, her arms hugging them and her face pressed into her knees. "Buddy! Hey, why's small buddy so sad?" the giant bird wonders, as the Drifter comes into view. "I don't know. Time to ask her…" The Drifter kneels down in front of her younger self, keeping a little distance to give her space. "Hey, kiddo. Loid said you're not doing so well. Want to talk about it?"
She looks at the young girl, noticing what Loid had mentioned. Her normally braided hair is fully open and the familiar ornament is gone. "Kiddo…" "'I broke it" she whispers, still unable to look at the older woman. "After everything. Literally everything… I broke it. Why now? Why now ?!" It becomes obvious that she has been crying for a while, still sobbing. Trying to rub away any tears with the back of her hands. "The last thing that reminded me of Mum is gone. Gone…" The Drifter can't deny that she would probably feel the same if she were in her position. The hair ornament that they both wore was a memento of their mother. She had proudly braided their hair like this. after they repeatedly asked for it. Even putting her own favourite ornament, a simple metal ring that clicks together, into their hair. "I'll give it back later!" they had both promised on that morning, grateful for their mother's kind gesture. "I know you will. Even though I must say it looks so lovely on you. I'll make sure I get you one of your own. I promise"
A promise that could never been fulfilled, since that was the day the accident happened. The day they lost their family — their father, their mother and their brother — and, in a way, their right to live a normal life. 'It really hurts to think about it,' the Drifter thinks, 'but it hurts even more to see her like this.' Both of them have been through so much, so many horrors. But at least the Drifter is living a somewhat normal life right now… but what about the kid? "Turn around" "What?" "Just turn around, kiddo" The Drifter waits for the Operator to do as she says. Watching her shift her position and turn around. The girl can no longer look at her older self. She can only tell that she is right behind her by how she grabs her hair. Suddenly, she hears the sound of something clicking. Over the next few minutes, she feels more gentle tugs at her hair, just like when her mother had braided it. And then the familiar clicking sound can be heard again.
'There you go. All done" The Operator lifts her arms, running her fingers through her hair, only to realise that it has been styled as usual. Surprised and confused, she quickly turns around and looks at the Drifter. Now her hair is hanging loose. That familiar ornament gone. "Wait… no, you can't do that! I—'" "I can. As you can see, I already have. Listen. Kiddo, I know it means a lot to both of us. After all, it's one of the few reminders we have of better times, of the family we lost. But we also need to consider the here and now. The piece means a lot to me. And so do you; you're my family, just as they were, just as she was. I don't mind giving it to you — after all, I'm sure it will be in good hands with you. And if you're worried about me losing the memory… Don't be. I can look at you whenever I want to remember Mum and how kind she was"
The Operator tries to speak, to say anything at all, but she can only cry. Tears of sadness, but also of joy. It's a small act of kindness from someone who has experienced a similar pain. Without hesitating, she hugs the older one, trapping her with her arms. Knowing all too well that she will do everything to keep their memory alive. Extra: What hair ornament I mean is from this hairstyle. Both my Operator and Drifter used to wear the same hairstyle and this is my little short explanation why the Drifter doesn't wear it anymore.
