[ One should be impressed that every person here hasn't collapsed to madness already. Vanessa would be loathe to admit how very close she has come on more than one occasion. She may yet be more skilled at concealing such weakness, but his efforts are admirable nonetheless.

As they leave the park, she keeps her eye out for some place of business they might sit away from prying eyes. A restaurant or café will do, though she has no plan to eat or drink. She simply does not like to be exposed for too very long, in large part due to the constant terrorizing she has undergone in the months before her arrival.

His mention of alcohol draws no judgment from her; how could it? Everyone has their vices. Vanessa has been one of the lucky ones to not become lost to them. She is only sorry that it now torments him in a way that he cannot even address as any person should. How does one know themselves without any memories? Her heart is heavy for him. Vanessa has had...lapses in her own memory when her fits have overtaken her.

She knows they are still there; only she cannot bear to dig them free. ]

Surely your memories cannot have gone away. You do still have them, for they are yours and no one else's. You have merely forgotten where you have hidden them.