heartofthestar (![[personal profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/user.png)
heartofthestar) wrote2024-01-09 08:37 pm
heartofthestar) wrote2024-01-09 08:37 pm
Labyrinthium Inbox
Feel.
Think.
Call.
Message.
Feel.
Think.
Call.
Message.
Hi, Venat-san.
I didn't intend to take you up on this offer so soon, but you'll perhaps be unsurprised to know the young man that I share living quarters with is slightly troublesome at times.
I'm sure he'll get it out of his system soon, but for the time being, it's difficult to sleep while a demolition is occurring in the room next door.
What say we go camping tonight?
I didn't intend to take you up on this offer so soon, but you'll perhaps be unsurprised to know the young man that I share living quarters with is slightly troublesome at times.
I'm sure he'll get it out of his system soon, but for the time being, it's difficult to sleep while a demolition is occurring in the room next door.
What say we go camping tonight?
Of course, you are more than welcome to join me. I'd welcome the company.
Have you a particular place you'd wish to camp?
Have you a particular place you'd wish to camp?
Then I suggest we travel up the Starlight Cliff. Both the view atop it and on the way to it are marvelous.
Oh! Near the all seeing, all knowing, all powerful crystal of dubious accountability, right?
I saw it from afar when I went to get my business license. Yes, let's!
I'll meet you at the base.
[ This is going to be the most he has hiked in half a decade at least. Oh boy. ]
I saw it from afar when I went to get my business license. Yes, let's!
I'll meet you at the base.
[ This is going to be the most he has hiked in half a decade at least. Oh boy. ]
Splendid! Argos and I will meet you there anon.
Ah, I forget you have not met him. He is my familiar.
So long as you do not attempt to ride him. Argos is particularly picky about who he chooses to carry. But as we cannot fly on the path anyway, that will be quite unnecessary in any circumstance.
He has yet to eat anyone that I am aware of. If you go missing during this trip, I shall have to start considering whether I need to investigate more thoroughly.
Hi, Venat. It’s Aubrey. I hope your labyrinth trip went okay, if you went at all.
Can I ask you a morbid question?
You may ask me whatever you wish, of course.
I just figured, since you talk a lot about the aetherial sea and how natural it all sounds...
Do you know what it’s like to die?
That is a complicated question. Do you want to know what happens, or if I myself have died?
I have, in fact, but I did so in a way that is not quite conventional, so my experience may not be what you wish to know.
I have, in fact, but I did so in a way that is not quite conventional, so my experience may not be what you wish to know.
Either, I guess. If it’s not too painful to say.
I kind of just... want to know if it’s a relief. [Or at least, if it feels like one.]
I have no doubt that some people think so. And I cannot fault them for feeling that way, though I do not believe it truly is.
When I died, I felt relief, but not because I was dying. I felt relief because of what it meant -- that mankind would find its way without me, needing me no longer. Perhaps it was not relief, but instead, satisfaction. One can welcome death, when one is satisfied with one's life. That was the custom of my people, who met with no natural end from age. Upon achieving their purpose, they returned to the star.
Death comes for everyone in turn -- for life cannot exist without death. It, then, falls to you to decide what your life means. Why you move forward, knowing each step takes you closer to the inevitable end. What your purpose is, when your ultimate fate is already decided. Why, being born, are you destined to die? Why, given life, are you fated to suffer?
Only you can answer that for yourself. But to surrender, to welcome death as an end to a miserable life, is to surrender on everything else that can be as well. In weakness, you find strength. In pain, you find joy. And in deepest despair... light, everlasting.
When I died, I felt relief, but not because I was dying. I felt relief because of what it meant -- that mankind would find its way without me, needing me no longer. Perhaps it was not relief, but instead, satisfaction. One can welcome death, when one is satisfied with one's life. That was the custom of my people, who met with no natural end from age. Upon achieving their purpose, they returned to the star.
Death comes for everyone in turn -- for life cannot exist without death. It, then, falls to you to decide what your life means. Why you move forward, knowing each step takes you closer to the inevitable end. What your purpose is, when your ultimate fate is already decided. Why, being born, are you destined to die? Why, given life, are you fated to suffer?
Only you can answer that for yourself. But to surrender, to welcome death as an end to a miserable life, is to surrender on everything else that can be as well. In weakness, you find strength. In pain, you find joy. And in deepest despair... light, everlasting.
[Aubrey rereads the message. Again. Again. Several times over.
[It’s hardly the first time Venat’s words have rung through her soul. It might be the first she’s been truly ready to take that in, to sit with it and feel what it means to not surrender. To not want anyone else to, ever—and hang on, if only for them.
[To keep searching for something, no matter what.
[There’s a good delay before she responds.]
Thank you.
I really mean that. I don’t know if I’ve told you this, but a lot of what you’ve said to me... I think about it all the time. I know I’ll be doing the same for this. And I don’t know if I have answers yet, but...
People like you are my light.
[Venat doesn't drop her phone in surprise, but the sentiment is there.]
Oh, hello!
Oh, hello!
H-hi, Venat…
[Aubrey’s voice is choked and wavering. She manages a light laugh.]
S-sorry to surprise you… I kind of just. Wanted to hear your voice again, hah....
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