@hythlodaeus | text

[nomoresharks]

I've an odd question to ask, if you'll indulge me.

Let us say a world exists where all work toward the betterment of their world, where none go without, and no one need be separated from their loved ones before they could bid farewell. Each day is peaceful and productive, and you know your place within it. You need not leave until you are ready, and only when you feel fulfilled.

Would you choose to live in this world or the one you came from? Why?

And to those who know why I ask this question, I pray you answer as well, and do so honestly. I promise 'tis in the spirit of keeping an open mind.

Comments

[nomoresharks]

Guilty as charged.

The world I've outlined is mine own, after all. And apparently 'tis a rarity among rarities, judging from everyone's reaction so far.

[abstractart]

yeah, i kind of get the feeling mine is similar, just in the opposite way...

[so he sort of understands the feeling, at least, if not the full context.]

but in a way it's a relief to know there are different sorts of places out there, too.

[nomoresharks]

It is indeed. There's so much to learn from each and every one, many of whom have taken a path I never would have believed existed. 'Tis but one of the things that brought me to ponder the question in the first place.

[abstractart]

what would you answer, then?

[nomoresharks]

Haven't the foggiest. In my case, the answer is a bit more... complicated, to put it lightly. I may not even have a choice in the matter.

[abstractart]

how complicated is it?

[nomoresharks]

"Horrific cataclysm within one's lifetime" complicated.

[abstractart]

so that's why you were thinking about having some kind of forewarning, i'm guessing?

[nomoresharks]

'Tis more that I was the one who received the forewarning--from those who would come after no less. The details were sparse, but there was certain evidence I saw with mine own two eyes that made the possibility of this cataclysm, whatever it may be, seem likely.

[abstractart]

those who would come after...? what did that cataclysm end up changing? if there was anyone left after, it doesn't sound like it destroyed everything, at least

[nomoresharks]

Nay, not everything. I know that some small amount of my people survive. But the people who told me it was to occur were very... different from them, to say the least. Their souls especially.

They were so thin that they looked as if they'd dissipate in a summer's breeze.

[abstractart]

but they still had them, right? even if they were different. they were still alive.

[nomoresharks]

They were. And there is some comfort in that.

Even so, to think on what will be lost, knowing now just how rare and precious it truly is... And then there are the survivors.

[abstractart]

at least the way i see it from here...

you didn't know before that it was rare or precious. for people like us who are used to the idea of not being able to decide when our lives end, we know that we have no idea how much time we're going to get. we know if we start a project that's going to take time, maybe more than we have, we might not even get to see the end of it, and that we might not get to do everything we wanted to do.

coming from that kind of place... if something's all you know, then you sort of take it for granted. that's just how things are. you wouldn't know what you really had, otherwise.

what happened to the survivors?

[nomoresharks]

I don't know for certain. Very little was gone into. But from what I do know, there would be great expectations placed upon them, if not by others then by themselves. A desire to fix things. To regain what was lost. For salvation, in other words--a nigh-impossible task that they undertake for who knows how long.

I know that at some point at least one of them may lose their way.

And I know that one of them is one of my dearest friends.

I don't believe I am among them.

[abstractart]

so it might separate you, then...

i can understand wanting to, but how do you even fix something like that?

[nomoresharks]

I haven't the slightest idea. Which, of course, means it's another worry of mine. And I'm not even the one who has to come up with the answer.

[abstractart]

i'd like to say not to worry about it if it's not gonna be your problem, but it's probably not that easy...

[nomoresharks]

Far from it. I wouldn't be surprised if the thought plagues me for some time, regardless of what can or can't be done.

Forgive me, by the way, for putting all of this on you. 'Tis hardly fair of me when you likely have your own troubles to deal with.

[It just became too much to keep in.]

[abstractart]

if it bothered me, i could just stop responding

being here means i have a few less troubles than usual, honestly

[nomoresharks]

Ha. That certainly says a lot about your circumstances.

Then mayhap a word of thanks would be more appropriate. For being willing to hear me out and offer your advice in turn.