Thinking it over, you consider that while you and Honourshine are of the same age and both share warm coat and hair colours, you don't look quite alike the way most twins do. You would have to consult a genealogist to know for certain, but you suggest that you could always be half-siblings.

Honourshine: "Half-siblings? A fair compromise, I suppose."

You grin, and lean in closer to teasingly ask Honourshine if her half-brother would still be getting kisses.

Honourshine: "I... well, n-not with that dumb smirk on your face!"

Your smug mug is nudged away by a playful hoof, and you share a chuckle. She doesn't seem opposed to the idea, at the very least, but knowing her, you figure that the occasion would have to be somewhat special.

In any case, now is not the time. You get back to reading, and skim through the rest of A-Ni-Ma for any more relevant information about soulmates. Most of it seems to be focused on the balance between hei and bai, and the belief that a perfectly balanced soul may live long enough to ascend to a greater class.

With yet more questions to answer, you put the book away, and move on to the next one: On the Subject of Memories. Once you reclaim your seat by the window together, you open the new tome, and begin to read...

The book introduces Munin, one of two primordial ravens created by Odin, Lord of Darkness. According to Munin, memories are entities of their own, originally stored in physical objects, and synthesized from Light and Dark ether.

Honourshine: "Hm. Again with the light and the darkness."

The raven explains that memories are a design of Harmony, the magic of Law. Beyond the mortal mind, memories allow all things to be remembered, including the physical state of objects in the Nine Worlds, wherein each object mechanically remembers its own state.

Indeed, without memories, an apple thus created could not remember being bitten, and would ever be whole; nor could it remember being taken, and would ever hang from its branch. All would remain as it was upon its creation, and revert to its original state every passing instant.

Honourshine: "This is... difficult to imagine."

The concept of Memory was initially brought into being as a response to Time: a design of Chaos, the magic of Creation. It was only later decided that mortals should be given the ability to Recall; that is, to perceive, in part, past memories created through observations of their own.

This ability is based on the Fundamental Law of Observation, by which it is impossible to perceive the state of an object without altering it, no matter how insignificantly. As such, these new memories, rather than stored in the mortal's body, are bound to its spirit, intended as an incentive and reward for experiencing life.

Munin, however, criticizes the flawed design, and warns that mortals will, in due time, claim the ability to control both Light and Dark. When the day comes, he believes that memories of visiting spirits will be at risk of being accessed or even taken by other malevolent beings.

Honourshine: "Here! Does this mean what I think it means?"

You agree that Munin's warning makes it sound like stealing memories could be possible... but you wonder, what kind of creature would possess such an ability? You certainly can't imagine an alicorn princess being responsible for your predicament.

In an ironic twist of fate, mocks the raven, such incompetence from the Lords of Harmony could usher the Nine Worlds closer to the Black Void. Thus, he imparts his wisdom to mortals of such a future in the form of advice:

"Thou art unique. Thy memories art thine own, and forever will be. If thou art made to forget, then aspirest to remember. Reclaimest thy memories. Cast aside thy mortality if thou must. Seekest thine own written name in Dark ink on pages of Light, and returnest to the Great Beyond with a story due true stars."

Honourshine: "Can you make any sense of this?"

You hesitate. Recalling your brief encounters with Midgardsormr and Ratatosk, you are starting to believe that primordial beings are simply wont to speak in riddles.

Honourshine: "Wait, keep reading!"

Thanks to Munin's counsel, Sage Alabaster Light was able to make some important discoveries in the realm of arcana: notably, that the ethereal third of arcane is able to perceive, but not affect, memories. In combination with the latter's referential nature, this finding was heralded as a major breakthrough in the school of divination magic, and led to the invention of the scrying pool.

In conclusion, so long as something is remembered, then a memory of it exists. From that selfsame memory, a reference can be traced back to its source. Such is the relation between Creation and Law on the subject of memories.

Honourshine: "So there is hope after all, huh?"

You nod. Admittedly, you don't know any diviners, but you feel eager to meet one; just knowing that the answer is somewhere out there fills you with determination! Or maybe what you're feeling is your legs getting restless after sitting still for so long.

The clock on the wall indicates five o'clock.