one x one with jae bird

[thingie]

madeline could tell that joby was still unsure about getting back into the loop, and she could only imagine how hard it would be to have everything you remembered just wash away from your memory, and struggling to pick up the pieces of the person you once were. but whatever it took, madeline would always be with him, like she was before. the two were inseparable, and that memory still stuck with her, even if joby didn't manage to feel that same way again. "you'll get the hang of it in no time," she said, a toothy smile splayed perfectly over her lips as she walked closer beside him, and back to the apartment. the young woman checked herself in, walked with joby to the elevator, and from there she juggled the keys in her purse as she opened up the apartment door. the fresh smell of paint and lilac burst through the small hallway, relaxing whatever tense muscle was left in her wake. after taking a few steps forward, madeline spun around, arms outstretched as she presented her humble home. "here we are." a sweet sigh of relief escaped her lips, as she walked further into the main room, pointing to a bedroom with the door already open. "there's a dresser by the window, it has all of your clothes in there."

[xiao.]

"i hope you're right." joby had to refrain from spilling all his thoughts to her right then and there. they would have to wait until they were in a more private setting and he was more comfortable with her. despite everything she was doing, she still felt like a stranger. he remained silent as they arrived at the apartment, and he hesitantly followed her inside, his eyes wide. he took everything in, not that there was much anyway. "wow. it's uh... it's cozy, i suppose." he said, shuffling his feet awkwardly. the only slightly familiar thing was the smell. somewhere, deep inside his lost memories, was that distinct smell that washed over him. but just as soon as a memory was coming to the surface, it was gone, lost once again. "a-alright. i'll just be a minute.." he whispered, quietly moving into the bedroom and closing the door. joby opened the dresser drawers, pulling out a grey muscle shirt and ripped skinny jeans. once he was dressed, in what he was surprised were even his clothes, he took a deep breath before coming out of the bedroom. all he could think was it felt good to be out of the clothes the hospital gave him, and away from that awful sterile smell.

[thingie]

madeline watched as joby left, the door closing behind him. while he was getting dressed, she adjusted herself on the couch, rubbing a hand over her face. the white lace from her cardigan was splayed neatly atop the cushions, and the easel just outside one of the three vertical windows cast shadows over the room. on the easel was the same painting that she failed to finish since she got the call about the accident. that same red splash of paint, like bright blood smeared over her intricate strokes of a setting horizon. it sent a shiver down her spine at the thought. madeline's half-lidded gaze was slightly sunken in, though not too noticeably, from her lack of sleep. she knew that she needed it, given the circumstances, but her mind kept her awake, as she tossed and turned beneath the disturbed sheets, fretting about her boyfriend who hardly remembered her name. it made her restless. the turning of the bedroom doorknob snapped her out of her thoughts, her eyes bouncing over to joby who was in a new, fresher set of clothing. the only thing she did was smile, the only thing she really knew to do, as she shuffled atop the couch.

[xiao.]

joby looked at her, forcing a little smile. "so, we're going to that park now? i'd like to see it. and maybe we can talk." he suggested, walking over slowly. that was the only thing he'd been looking forward to, other than getting out of the hospital. he wanted her to tell him everything she could, about herself, him, and their relationship. he couldn't imagine what it must feel like to love someone and then all of a sudden they don't know who you are. he just wanted to give back what she lost, if he could. "i still want you to tell me things. about.. well, everything i should know. and don't leave anything out... even the bad stuff."

[thingie]

madeline stood from the couch, glad to hear that he was still interested in going to the park. though, she stiffened at the slightest upon hearing his curiosity. the fact that he wanted to get to know her and everything about their past relationship was the good part. but including the bad things? that would have to mean the baby. it was a secret that wouldn't have lasted for very long anyway, and he needed to know about it sooner or later. swallowing her pride, the young woman slipped on her sandals, walking over towards joby. "i'd love to talk with you. and what better place to go than the park?" she beckoned him over to the front door, heading back from where they came. soon enough, the couple approached the sunny outdoors, the fresh air hitting madeline through a warm breeze. the park was like any other, and equally as astounding; the beautiful green birch trees that swayed with the wind, an elegant waterfall in the center of the view, and freshly cut grass and cobblestone paths riddling the ground. it was a paradise amid the bustling city. madeline made her way over to one of the park benches, a safe distance from the small crowd of people gathering towards the entrance. she sat herself down, arms folded gently above her lap as she cast a glance towards joby. "so, what would you like to know first?"

[xiao.]

joby seemed to notice her slight hesitation. was there something bad that had happened between them recently? something really bad? he wasn't sure, but whatever it was, he needed to know. putting those worried thoughts aside for the moment, he nodded in agreement. he walked over to the door and put on what he assumed were his boots, then followed her out, staying close behind. he enjoyed the scenery of the city as they went through it, but none of it was nearly as gorgeous as the park. he saw now why this was one of his favorite places. "oh wow. it's beautiful." he said, mostly to himself, as he was distracted by the waterfall. it was all mesmerizing, but then he remembered why they were here. joby turned around, following madeline to the bench, and sitting down beside her. "well... i want to know about you. where you're from, what interests you, what you like to do, your favorite food, what you're afraid of..." he just didn't want her to feel like a stranger anymore. "you know everything about me. i just want to remember everything about you."

[thingie]

madeline nodded in acknowledgement, her gaze dropping down to the flower buds at her feet. the voices of the other passerby were still made known in the distance, though it seemed much more faded, as if the whole world hushed itself to let her speak. releasing a short breath, the young woman's eyes rose to meet joby's once more. "well.. let's see," she muttered, kicking a leg over her knee. "i grew up in manchester, new hampshire, in a small town not too far away from the border of new york. i moved around a couple of times, and i grew up with a younger brother named anthony, two-year difference. you and him always got along pretty well.." a warm smile spread neatly across her lips, her thoughts flashing back to all of the nonsensical memories. "once i was old enough to move out of the house, i caught onto a steady artist career, which was pretty much only freelance painting while i juggled college.." her gaze shifted over to meet joby's, the corners of her mouth twitching. "and then i met you. you were uh, one of the jokesters at college, always pulling some sort of witty comment up your sleeve. everyone really appreciated your humor, but, i'm not gonna lie, i was annoyed by you at first." madeline chuckled. "you somehow found interest in me and took the initiative to ask me out on a date, and of course, i accepted. we got to know each other, and i started to find your jokes somewhat funny.." the young woman clasped her hands together, settling it onto her lap. all the while, her focus shifted from the scenery to joby's face. "but regardless, we started to fall for each other, like any other early-aged college students would. we went on more dates, got to know each other more, then things got a little more serious." madeline pursed her lips, the hold on her palms tightening as she took a moment of silence, just to let all of her words sink in.

[xiao.]

joby was quiet as she spoke, listening eagerly, and trying to store every bit of information in his long-term memory. he wasn't going to forget this time. he focused on her, reminding himself not to interrupt. he just couldn't believe all these things happened and he remembered none of it. when she finished, he blinked slowly, then looked down at his lap. "wow. i wish i could remember all this. it just feels like a dream." joby sighed shakily, then lifted his head to look at her again. "can you... tell me about me now? i know it's weird, but.. i just can't remember what i like to eat, what i like to do... everytime i try thinking about it my mind just goes blank. it's like i forgot everything about myself." he couldn't explain how he felt. it was like he was a stranger to himself, he didn't know who he was. the doctors told him his amnesia was bad, but he didn't think he was being given a clean slate. like his previous memory chip had been removed, and a new and fresh one was put in. the more he thought about it, the more overwhelmed he felt, and he closed his eyes, digging his teeth into his lip. maybe the pain would clear his mind of all those bad thoughts.

[thingie]

madeline shifted herself on the park bench, nodding slowly. "joby.. you aren't expected to jump right back into your memory. things like this take time, you just need to be patient with yourself. okay?" a flash of concern bore into her eyes as she spoke. there were so many lovable things about joby that were hard to forget, but now, her mind was drawing a blank. his favorite food was definitely a good start, so maybe she could branch off of that. "you really weren't all that picky when it came to food. you loved burgers, pizza, things that weren't always the best for you," she mused. "you always wanted to be a cop. on our first date, you talked about your dream career right off the bat. it was admirable, really. you'd still make a great one even now," madeline said, her once crestfallen voice raising into that of a more jovial one.

[xiao.]

joby heard her words, but they didn't ease his worried thoughts. "yeah, okay... i'll try." he sighed softly, playing with the hem of his shirt. he was silent for a moment, but he looked up when she began speaking again. the mention of burgers and pizza was enough to make him realize he was hungry, but he didn't say anything. the information that said he had wanted to be a cop came as a surprise. joby never thought that he'd ever be interested in something like that. but then again, he didn't really know himself anymore, did he? "you think so? hm... maybe some day." he felt his brief lightened mood drop again, and he slumped back against the bench. "i guess that's enough about me, for now... but now i want to know about us. i just want to know.. i don't know. how serious is-... or was our relationship?" he winced slightly. "are there any, um, really good memories we have that i should know? or.. any bad ones?"