❖ 3rd || [text]

[fonlines]

Hello, Tower. I've been away for a while, so I apologize for that. I'm not here to speak about myself, however.

People come and go here as a fact of life. [ Had this been delivered verbally, this statement would have been entirely matter-of-fact. ]

Rather than dwell on that...

I would like to hear of them. Those who are here, those who aren't. Those who've arrived recently and those who've left.

Whatever you'd like to say.

If you please.

Comments

[What is a man? A miserable pile of texts!]

[seventhsong]

This is true. But surely there are people who would be willing to provide you an escort if you wished to do a little exploring!

She is, yes. Isn't it something? Even time has no control over the fates of those in this place. Today, a hundred years from now, a thousand years past, it's all the same 'here' and all the same 'now'. Anything could happen!

[fonlines]

I'm sure there are, but I would hate to have to burden them. They shouldn't need to think they're obligated to do such a thing. I've managed thus far, in any case.

That it is. It's quite amazing sometimes, what this place is able to do. [ That's the diplomatic answer. Though if Ion were to be honest, he's not quite sure how to handle that sort of enthusiasm after half a month- was it that?- on the dead Auldrant. ]

[seventhsong]

A friend wouldn't consider it a burden or an obligation, I don't think.

What do you think, about the Tower? Is it a prison to you, or something more?

[fonlines]

[ ...ah. There's a sizable delay in the response. ]

I am among the number here that wouldn't still be alive were it not for the workings of this place.

[ The matter of friends, well, he's not even going to touch on that. ]

[seventhsong]

In that case it seems that this place is a blessing for you, even with the monsters and troubles. Unless of course you wish for death, which seems not uncommon. But it's better to live, surely?

[fonlines]

I think that if someone wishes to die, it should be on their own terms.

That said, I can't say I quite understand the viewpoint of those who wish for it, myself. It seems greatly wasteful.

[seventhsong]

I can't disagree, on either account. Dying at someone else's whims seems to be rather terrible. But dying at all seems worse yet. Nothing ever gets better then.