Loss of Memory

As the sun started to set, Kim still hadn't had any real luck with figuring out on how to add any defensive measures to their camp. Though, in all fairness, she had pretty much given up on that shortly after she'd finished her discussion with Patricia on the matter.

Mostly because she couldn't keep some of the points Patricia had made out of her head. Though, she would at least like to set up some raps, but unless her allies know where those traps are, then they'd be as much of a hazard as a safety precaution.

Though, at the very least, they'd gotten some boar roasted, a few pieces that hadn't been cooked from previous times when someone had gone hunting.

Kim was starting to wonder when the others would return when Grisha walked into camp, carrying his usual complement of rabbits.

"Sorry I'm later than I usually am," he said conversationally. "I just had a few things come up that I hadn't expected. Like having to repair a few traps in order to reset them and stuff like that."

"Not a problem," Kim replied, wondering if the others in the combined group would want Grisha to be informed of where any traps were placed.

As far as Kim was concerned, he shouldn't be told, but she was confident that others, like Bart, would object to keeping him in the dark on that. Especially with how there was no reason to not suspect that he could give that information to any attacker himself.

Besides, even if he wasn't an enemy himself, that didn't necessarily make him an ally, either. Though, she did have to at least consider what the allies she did have would do. As that would influence who knew about certain measures. Since that would affect their effectiveness.

After all, a trap isn't any good if an enemy knows where it is and is able to go around hit and not set it off in the first place.

"Uh, did something happen since I was here last?" he asked, looking around. "Usually there's more of you here."

"We were attacked last night," Patrick replied. "Our friend Heather was knocked out and Elmo was captured. Though, we haven't been able to figure out how to get him back yet, or even where he's being held exactly, either."

Kim wasn't sure, but she had a feeling that Grisha didn't like the news of Elmo being captured. It felt like it might have been a twitch on his face. Something subtle that unless she'd been looking that she'd have missed it entirely. Something that told her he probably knew more than he was letting on and that he wasn't happy with Elmo having been captured.

Kim wasn't sure what exactly was going on, but she had a feeling she was going to find out sooner or later. One way or another.

"So, you haven't been able to tell if he was captured by the same people that attacked you?" Grisha asked after a minute.

"We're pretty sure it was orcs that attacked us, and yeah, captured Elmo. Though, I guess as you mention it, it's possible that it was done by someone else. Can't say for sure if it was or not, though. Not without being able to confirm where he currently is, at least," Kim answered.

Kim wasn't sure, but she heard Grisha mumble something under his breath. She thought she caught what he'd said, but the arts about how the orcs having hid 'that' from him didn't make any sense to Kim. It almost sounded like he was in league with the orcs and she couldn't think why he'd have done that.

While she didn't trust him, she couldn't see him being that hostile to them either. Besides, it's not like she could figure out what he'd have to gain by doing that. It wasn't like he'd be able to win Sonya's trust over that or even what he'd gain by forcing them to leave their camp or something.

Too many things just didn't make any sense to her.

"So, what've you been up to?" Kim asked, as if she didn't hear anything. Until she knew for certain, or at least understood what his motivation might have been, she was going to pretend that she hadn't. "I know you said that you had to reset a few traps and all that, but that doesn't say why you took so long doing that."

Grisha looked at Kim, appearing almost stunned. Kim wasn't sure if that was a good thing, but there was something that she suddenly felt like she was losing. She wasn't sure how or why, just that it was slipping away.

"By the way, who'd you say got taken by the orcs?" he asked, looking like he was concerned.

Kim wasn't sure what he was up to, but she couldn't push the sensation about something slipping away. She wasn't sure if there was someone's name she should be saying, but her mind was coming up with a blank. So, until she had a name to go with it, she was confident that this person was real. That this was how the others had forgotten Elin.

Even if she still didn't understand how it worked. Though, it did mean that Grisha was a mage if nothing else. Yet, she knew what to say to keep him from realizing she was suspicious of him.

While she doubted that he was behind the attack of the orcs, she was confident that he was at least not friendly towards them when it came to helping them with keeping their group together.

Whether he was threatened by large groups or if there was something else going on, she couldn't really say. All she could really say at the moment was that the memory of someone who had been part of their combined group was gone. Though, she refused to accept that he really was a figment of her imagination.

She just needed to wait until the others showed up so she could recall what that person's name was. As she was confident that they'd mention it to them. If only to give them an update from when they got back, which should be any moment.

"It was… uh," Patrick started to say, but then trailed off.

Kim wasn't surprised, but didn't want to say anything since she was pretty sure that she wasn't supposed to suspect anything. Instead, she let her expression remain puzzled. Which was what she was certain Grisha wanted.

"Oh come on! It was just on the tip of my tongue!" Patrick complained.

"I understand refusing to admit you made up someone out of your imagination, but you really should admit it when caught," Grisha remarked like he was lecturing unruly children. "It makes you look less… competent."

Patricia glanced at Kim with an arched eyebrow and Kim slowly shook her head while Grisha's attention was on Patrick. She hoped that Patricia was picking up on the flags that were popping up all around Grisha.

"Well, if we can't remember, I'm sure it'll come back to us eventually," Kim remarked, as if she was trying to brush the matter aside to avoid embarrassment. She really was hoping to try and get rid of Grisha instead. That way she could talk with Patricia more easily, though she hoped that Jonas could be found sooner rather than later, if only so they could figure out what to do overall. Especially since it felt like they were just spinning their wheels in the mud at the moment, unable to get any traction on anything. Instead just adding wear and tear to the vehicle for no reason.

"Yeah, when the others get back, I'm sure they'll remember," Patrick added, sounding rather satisfied with himself.

Kim wanted to slap both her face in exasperation and Patrick for opening his mouth. If Grisha hadn't recalled the others, he certainly did now, so he'd certainly know to remove… whoever's name from their memories before they could return again.

"Where are they?" Grisha asked, as if he was commenting on the weather. "I hope they're not collecting more boar. I mean, I did bring some more rabbits, right?"

"You did," Kim acknowledged and suddenly wondered if there was a reason for that. She wasn't sure what it might have been, but she felt rather confident that there was one. Even if she couldn't put her finger on what it was.

"No, they're investigating the orcs. Seeing if our captured friend can be found there," Patrick answered.

"You are sure they captured him, right?" Grisha asked, sounding like he might be doubting an assumption he'd made already.

"Oh yeah, we are," Patrick assured him. We might not have seen them take him, but there's no other explanation on what might have happened."

Kim resisted the urge to roll her eyes. Of course there were other explanations. Just none that made as much sense. Although, one thing that didn't make much sense was standing in front of her: Grisha.

What didn't make sense about him was the fact that there wasn't a reason for him to be acting this way. That he really didn't have any motive that Kim was aware of to behave like this.

Which meant that she had a feeling that he was either something other than he appeared or that he might be more of a threat than Kim had originally estimated him to be.