Removing a subjects memory of an event or period of time should only be used as a last resort and will eventually prove ineffective, no matter how much care is taken to eliminate relevant nexuses.
Memories are not like the pages of a diary, instead they are composed of numerous snippets provided by the separate senses of sight, smell, taste, touch, sound each of which is an independent record.
If a memory has been non destructively modified, after a period of time, often lengthy, these seperate sense record strands will persistantly attempt to re-establish their connections to the neural network.
In so doing the neural networks damage control and alarm systems which are entirely automatic, will look for evidence of interference with the nexuses.
This can cause several possible outcomes in the subjects mental health, none desirable and some destructive in the extreme. Therefore it is better to eliminate a subject than attempt to alter memories.
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This it was, as they rode along mostly in the company of their own thoughts, that Tim and Garm were undergoing a similar mental renaissance which brought back memories they'd forgotten by accident or design. Not all of them welcome ones.
The dwarf's initial feelings of gratitude and anticipation at Tim's return, for he and his tribe had benefitted greatly from Tim's help, were being subsumed by a growing sense of resentment that Tim took his help for granted.
To be honest, Tim's own feelings were not dissimilar because he rather resented the knowledge that he could not manage his own affairs without dwarven and probably elven intervention. Then there was the awkward issue of Blase's obvious feelings for him and how they had parted.
He'd been immensely relieved to discover she was no longer around but what made it awkward was that her mother obviously hoped Tim and she would be together again and this time permanently.
It was another example of inconvenient memories coming home to roost and it was an inescapable fact that he had benefitted greatly from her loyalty and affection for him.
It is more than mere stature that separates dwarves and humans. Dwarves are much tougher and more resilient, they can shrug off circumstances that would throw a human into the depths of despair and they are more focussed mentally than almost any except the most exceptional humans.
Dwarves are not known for their imaginative abilities which explains their lack of pictures or portraits although exceptional ancestors often merit a small statue which like as not will be displayed as doing something that's a testament to the dwarves broad sense of humour.
Thus it was that the two of them, Tim and Garm spent most of that first days trek in coming to terms with their own perceived shortcomings and making the necessary adjustments to get the most out of their companionship which both valued most of all.
Tim was feeling needlessly guilty about Blase's having apparently set off to explore the perils of the Deep Forest because to his way of thinking it was almost a 'goodbye cruel world' cry of despair.
He'd been wrestling with these thoughts as they sat around the campfire and finally confessed as much to Garm who laughed so uproariously that he snorted his ale out of his nose and almost fell off his seat.
"Bless you laddie I wish she'd been here to listen to you! She'd have probably had the same reaction. No, Tim, she's her own dwarf and I pity the creature fair or fell that tries to stop her. All I know is that she set off with a purpose and a set to her jaw and glint in her eyes that none of us would have tried to interfere with.
She repaired that balloon airship you built and made it better, stocked it up with tools, food, water and weapons before setting off to explore the unknown lands beyond the forest. Its true she's been away longer than her mother likes but we're not getting any feelings that somethings amiss. If it was, we'd know it.
Mind you I can't say that she might not want to give you a piece of her mind when she returns but then you'd earned it by scarpering off without so much as a fare thee well."
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