[His younger self. Somewhere in the Source at this very moment, a much younger G'raha Tia was lying inside the Crystal Tower, dreaming the best and worst parts of his life away, unaware of the future that would now never come to pass. He couldn't help a smile for it. It wasn't like him to be so lazy, but he would forgive himself. Let the boy rest a while longer and get in the repose he himself could still not afford.]
[He gestured to a table nearby and the seats with it, empty but for one end and a few piles of tomes and stacks of parchment he had been perusing.]
Please, make yourself comfortable. This will not take long. [Tea never did. The leaves were brought to a small burner and kettle and he set about making them tea proper. As he did, he thought on her words. He had thought about what he was to do with himself, now that his death was not a guarantee, and had come to the conclusion that if the Ascians still lived and would still try to create a new Rejoining, his powers might yet be needed again. Much as they wouldn't like it, he might need to call them to another star, once he had again placed the Tower upon it. He hoped it wouldn't come to that. But where he had the advantage of foresight before, having lived the tragedy that it brought, he was now blind. Perhaps that was a trick he would only ever be able to pull once.]
[He wouldn't say it outright and cloud the peace that had fallen over them these past few days, or see a return to her ire, but there was always another fight, always another trial for people like the Warrior and the Scions. It was never a matter of if, but when.]
I have wondered that myself, now that I can afford it. Like you, I am from the Source, but from a time that no longer exists. Once the Scions are back safely within their own bodies in their own world, it stands to reason that my work on the First will be done. I should like not to leave this world, these people behind, but one day I may not have the luxury of choice. A bridge to be crossed when the time comes.
no subject
[He gestured to a table nearby and the seats with it, empty but for one end and a few piles of tomes and stacks of parchment he had been perusing.]
Please, make yourself comfortable. This will not take long. [Tea never did. The leaves were brought to a small burner and kettle and he set about making them tea proper. As he did, he thought on her words. He had thought about what he was to do with himself, now that his death was not a guarantee, and had come to the conclusion that if the Ascians still lived and would still try to create a new Rejoining, his powers might yet be needed again. Much as they wouldn't like it, he might need to call them to another star, once he had again placed the Tower upon it. He hoped it wouldn't come to that. But where he had the advantage of foresight before, having lived the tragedy that it brought, he was now blind. Perhaps that was a trick he would only ever be able to pull once.]
[He wouldn't say it outright and cloud the peace that had fallen over them these past few days, or see a return to her ire, but there was always another fight, always another trial for people like the Warrior and the Scions. It was never a matter of if, but when.]
I have wondered that myself, now that I can afford it. Like you, I am from the Source, but from a time that no longer exists. Once the Scions are back safely within their own bodies in their own world, it stands to reason that my work on the First will be done. I should like not to leave this world, these people behind, but one day I may not have the luxury of choice. A bridge to be crossed when the time comes.