silversnowfall

[69]

[It was almost a relief, to hear about so many people going home recently, even as more were due to arrive.

It was too sad to mention, knowing that one of those people was Professor Nebilim. That she wasn't really returning to anything. Just to the completion of a sad tale of a boy who thought he should be able to do everything.

And now Nephry is lonely. She has been, off and on, for a while; she feels it especially strongly today. At first she tried cleaning the kitchen but now she's sitting there, chin against her hands, staring at the table. With almost half of the house away or out of commission...things are quiet.

In the silence, she turns to her journal for a while.]

What do you believe happens...when you die?

Flat | Top-Level Comments Only

[As the King of Bel, Kouki wonders if he's still subjected to the rules of reincarnation for humans.]

That usually depends on what you believe in. Either you join the cycle of reincarnation or get sent to the afterlife.

So you have some kind of minimal choice in the matter?

We have...some influences over it. In some religions, our deeds, faith or sins decide whether we deserve a good afterlife or eternal damnation. In others, we reborn as another person without any memories.

If it depends, as it sounds, on what you believe, then suppose I believed I would never die.

The power of people's thoughts and emotions can be pretty...amazing. Even when they start clashing.

[Ahahaha, man. Guys, stop worshipping God, you're making him tougher to fight.]

That's true. You'd be surprised by what people can accomplish if they believe it is possible.

Yeah. When the odds are stacked against them, but they still overcome their obstacles. [He's thinking of what he have to do, and had to do to get there.]

...So with enough deeds and such, someone may find themselves in an afterlife they deserve.

[It's a topic he think about a lot, but for a different reason. But that reason...Kouki doesn't feel comfortable enough, yet, to share it.]

I've found that far less is accomplished if the odds aren't stacked against you. There is less innovation and creativity, and ultimately the small problems are solved without addressing the larger ones.

[She's a politician.]

"Deserve" is interesting. Do you get what you "deserve" even if you want something different?