thefarshore | Heaven's BBS | Video (because spelling is hard when you're six)

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Heaven's BBS | Video (because spelling is hard when you're six)

From: Nanshe
Date: June 18

[ The video opens to Nanako sprawled on her stomach, kicking her feet in the air behind her but her expression is one of serious thought. Although she looks a little shy and uncertain about leaving a message like this, she also looks pretty determined, too. This... hadn't been something she was sure about asking her big brother, so instead she tries here. Maybe that will be easier? Or people will be less quick to guess why she might be asking... ]

Sooo.... this is heaven, right? And where people go after they die?

If someone died a while ago, can you find them here somewhere?

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But isn't that where gods are supposed to live, too?

Is it? Or did people use the same word to mean different things?

[His smile is sad. He'd promised several people to see them again in heaven, and so far, he's only been able to keep one of them-- but if she has no memory of that promise, does it still count...?]

I don't know. Is that what you think they meant?

[ This is complicated to puzzle out when you're six.

But his smile looks sorta sad, so she hesitates a moment before gently asking. ]

Was there someone you wanted to see in Heaven, too, Mister?

Zeno doesn't know, either. Zeno is just guessing, because that's what people have to do in the face of gods. Even if Zeno is a god now, that wasn't always so!

[Hard to break that habit of being confused and unable to understand the gods and their actions... though he's sure that isn't entirely their fault.

But to her question, he nods.]

More than someone. Some many.

I wasn't always a god, either. But I thought that maybe now that I was... I could find her.

[ Her expression falls at his answer, her face sad. ]

I'm sorry.

Zeno is sorry, too, that you were disappointed.

The saddest part of being a god is finding out something like that. Because gods sound like they can do anything, but they have just as many limitations as anybody else... just different ones.

Don't lose hope, because the chance is still there... Zeno met one person he promised to see again in heaven here. But don't let it be the only thing that can make you happy, either, please.

Do they?

[ She'd never really thought about it like that, but now that he mentions it. ]

Do you think it's something I can learn? Or get better at if I practice?

[ His encouragement makes her smile though and she nods, always easy to sway back to optimism. ] I won't. I'll keep looking. maybe I can find her someday when I get better at being a god. And I am happy here, with everyone else. My big brother is here, and I made lots of new friends.

[...whoa now, little girl. She's--]

Zeno would-- probably not.

[After that bit of bluntness, he changes tone. He wanted that to be clear, but he adds, in a softer tone:]

One of the ways gods and mortals are the same is their lives are governed by chance. It's just good luck to meet the people you love, and Zeno thinks that sort of luck applies to meeting them again, too. It's not something gods control...

Zeno would say, definitely, keep looking! But Zeno would also say, don't look so hard you see past the people already here, but you already are smart enough not to do that, it sounds like.

I won't.

[ She answers with an earnestness that's perhaps uncharacteristic of a six-year-old, but it's clear she's taking the warning seriously. She gives him a shy smile. ]

Thank you, Zeno. I'll be careful. And I'll still be happy, even if I don't find her. Promise!

[Even if it's uncharacteristic of six-year-olds, well. Age is a funny concept for someone who's lived as long as Zeno has, and still looks seventeen.]

Good, 'cause that way, everyone is still happy!

I want people to be happy, too! I don't want anyone to be sad anymore.

[ Isn't that why she was here to help a god, after all? ]

[...her resoluteness is so cute. He wants to ruffle her hair. And her wish is simplistic, but older and wise people (like, himself...) have made that same simplistic wish.

He rather hopes it ends better for Nanako than it did for him.]

Talking to you has made Zeno very happy. Which is amazing, because Zeno didn't think there was anymore happiness to be had after Kaya came to stay!

[ Nanako blinks, then breaks into a bright smile. ]

Do you know Kaya too? She's really nice!

Zeno is lucky enough to be paired with Kaya by heaven itself.

[He can't contain just how happy that makes him. There's defiance, too, and some rebellion, after the dragon gods kept them separated for so long, but all of it is buried and drowned deep by the overwhelming joy of getting to be with her again, even if it isn't as husband and wife.]

If the young lady is making her welcome, you have Zeno's deepest appreciation.

I met her when we were at the beach! We're gonna build sandcastles sometime soon. She said she'd never seen a castle, though. She said your temple was really pretty, though!

What a relief. If she hated it, Zeno would have to tear the whole thing down and rebuild it so she liked it.

[...is he serious, or...?]

[ Her mouth drops open anyway. ]

Whoa! Would you?

Oh yes! It's mostly gold, and gold is a soft metal. It melts super easy!

Kaya is so happy, it'd be terrible if she was sad about the temple where she has to live.

Well, yes, but melting your whole temple and making a new one sounds like a lot of hard work!

[Zeno laughs genially.]

But it'd be worth making Kaya happy... even if maybe we'd have to stay somewhere else for a little while!

Luckily, Kaya is good enough to be happy anyway.

[ She considers that before giving him a bright smile. ]

You're a really nice god! I'm glad Kaya is with you.

You make Zeno's face get redder!! But it's worth it if the young lady approves.

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Heaven's BBS | Video (because spelling is hard when you're six)

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