A Touch of Force & Fire -- Hawks X OC // MHA X OC

What are Memories if not Dreams Themselves?

"Dreams feel real while we're in them. It's only when we wake up that we realize something was actually strange."
Inception

----------------------------

"What are you thinking about, young Midoriya?"

Midoriya had been sitting there muttering to himself. Contemplating different scenarios of the events and trying to find a motive. Granted he had just met Arya. He didn't know much about her, only her testimony of the events and some answers she had been willing to give. Plus, they weren't completely sure it was the League that was after her. All of that was pure speculation.

"I'm just thinking, if it is the League that started these fires, they must not want her dead. They may just be trying to put her in a situation where she is out in the open and defenseless."

"What makes you think that?"

"Arya said the fire had just started getting bad as she was walking up to her apartment building. If they wanted her dead, they easily could have just waited for her to get back inside. Or started the fire at night like the others. It could be something personal. Or maybe they want her for something. Her quirk maybe? But that would imply that they know what it is."

All Might shrugged his shoulders. Midoriya kept his head down, pinching his bottom lip while in thought. "Hmm," he wondered. He remembered her saying that she had never seen fire like that before. Maybe it isn't as personal as he thought.

"What do you think, Arya?" He looked up at her, noticing her head against window. But her eyes were closed. "Arya?"

Bakugo had been staring out the window from his seat next to her. From that angle he couldn't tell her eyes were closed either. He may had been staring off into the distance, but he was still listening to what Midoriya was saying.

"Kacchan, is she sleeping?"

Bakugo looked at him, then back at her. "What?" He shifted closer in his seat, grabbed her shoulder, and shook her. No response. "Hey! Dumbass!" He shook again, harder this time.

"Hang on, calm down, Bakugo, kid. Give her a second. I don't think there's any need to panic yet."

They both stared at All Might, confused. The slightest hint of panic still on their faces, but they listened. They waited for her to stir, and watched closely.

-------------------------

What else are memories if not dreams themselves? Arya doesn't dream. Or, at least, she never really considered it dreaming. Anytime sleep pulled her in, it was usually due to the life force of another person wanting to show her something. Her 'dreams' were always memories, and they were never hers. It was like her subconscious opened up for the life force to take over and manipulate it. Allowing for her to navigate the past through her perspective.

The dreams usually happened in chronological order. Usually a memory that had a large impact on the person, whether that individual saw it that way or not. The subconscious and energy chose what was important. Even something of severe trauma that had been repressed. Arya didn't like seeing those kind of memories. It was like seeing something she shouldn't have and now had to take it with her to the grave.

The memories occurred for her viewing in two ways. Either first person or third person. And it all depended on how much energy she withdrew from the individual. You would think it takes more energy for a third person perspective. Being able to manifest fully and just watch it happen. However, that's not the case. First person requires a lot more energy, and it can actually be quite dangerous. The first person perspective puts her directly in the mind of the individual as the event is taking place. The emotions, the pain, all of it can be felt. Not physically, but the psychological pain that does the most damage.