Nothing but the Static, a partner to LupineBridge's story, Continued.

I know she recognizes me. Joe had worn the suit because it was distinctive. He wore it so she would know he was here, specifically, for her. Yet she was still treating him like a stranger. Had she hurt her head? The thought made him sick to his stomach. If she had, it was his fault for not being by her side. Thralvila’s sister was right where Serci told him, but she was still writing the letter. With Serci finally at his side once more, Joe went back to told the elf he would have to wait.
“I’m sorry I couldn’t help more,” Serci mumbled behind him, and he smiled. He couldn’t help but smile, whenever she made understatements, even if she didn’t realize.

“Nothing to be done for it,” Joe wanted very badly to tell her who he was, to make sure she understood. He had heard somewhere it was best to let people regain their memory on their own, however. He wasn’t about to endanger the time he could spend with her, memory or not, anyway.

“There are some bandits, around here,” she was shuffling. Being shy, almost like she recognized him and didn’t want to show it… Well, if that’s what she wanted. Joe agreed, but she went to show him how to properly plant seeds. Ah, Joe thought, she never could get me into gardening. He supposed, what with “not recognizing” him, she had decided now was the time to finally teach him something he had always found reason not to learn. It was more enjoyable than he had thought it would be, years ago. Then again, it may well have been because of the occasional furtive glance her way. The entire experience felt like being a boy again, and catching Serci’s eye every now and then while they did their schoolwork. He almost broke down and told her, then and there. He knew better, though. Serci’s games were usually drawn out, and it would be like trying to run from the law, to stop her before she decided it was over.

Ah, well. She was talking, wasn’t she? All Joe heard was music, but his body seemed to be responding to the instructions, even moving to plant seeds and water them. That task done, she hauled out and assembled her bow with the grace and strength he’d come to expect from her, even if she was completely disheveled all the time. He always did love watching her shoot that bow. There was something in the movements and the meaning that stirred the primal forces in Joe’s heart. She asked his name, and Joeseph Prudomin responded automatically, like most everyone else. Ah, well. One must keep up appearances, with this sort of game.

“And yours, miss?” Joe heard himself say.

“I am Sabine,” she said. Joe recognized the name, of course. She never used it, but what sort of man grows up next to the love of his life, and never learns her surname?