memory 20 | The burned village.

[cosmetician]

EARNED: DAY 145
TAKEN: DAY 145
WITNESSES: TBA

❚ the memory itself ➙

You're heading through this village on your way to somewhere else. Despite having lived in the shadows of revolution for a long time, you can walk among innocent people as if you belonged there, so there's no need for a disguise this time beyond a change in your usual outfit. You're relaxed and in a pleasant mood, idly windowshopping as you head into the marketplace.

A ball rolls across your path. A little girl runs out to get it. She smiles and waves at you, impulsive in her innocence. You return the gesture, smiling as well.

Then you move on, eventually meeting up with other revolutionaries in another place entirely.

......

Later, you receive word that the entire village was burned to the ground by the Empire's Incineration Squad, headed by Bors. Outwardly there's no change of expression when you process this information, but on the inside you can't help but reel a little. Because you remember the little girl, because you've only truly grown used to the reality of innocent adults having to suffer under the Empire's oppressive rule.

You return to where the village used to be. It doesn't matter that you believe the intel. You still have to go there, you need to see. And from a safe distance, disguised as a bird, you take in this particular monument to the Empire's cruelty.

The buildings are charred rubble. The people were burned in batches: men, women, children. The air is thick with the reek of smoke, cooked meat, death. Nothing was cleaned up. Why would they? This is a warning, another symbol of terror to force obedience.

❚ what is learned ➙

● The little girl and her entire village were BURNED ALIVE under suspicion of treason.
● Nothing was proved, there were no trials, no one was arrested, the Empire simply wiped them off the map without regard to the innocent or the ignorant.
● .....That the village WAS supporting the revolutionaries doesn't change the emotions of cold, hateful anger present in this memory.
● Chelsea and certain Rats who saw some of her previous memories already know this happened.

❚ what this means ➙

○ fuck the empire
○ FUCK THE EMPIRE
○ FUCK THE EMPIRE!!!