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[lightbranded]

It is strange how quickly time passes here.

[Will smiles into the video feed, his expression pleasant but contemplative. He had been keeping much to himself recently. Which was pleasant enough, but had left a great deal of time for thinking.]

If I was at home, it would be December soon. December and Christmas and my birthday.

[He trails off into thought.]

Will there be snow, do you think? 

Comments

[shroudofgray]

[Birthdays! She knows what those are now.]

I hope you have a happy birthday.

What is Christmas? Is snow important to it?

[lightbranded]

Thank you. [Will was pleased to receive the greeting. It wasn't the same as being with his very large family, but it was something. ]

It is a holiday where I came from that takes place in mid-winter. There is not always snow. [He grins.] But I like snow. It is always my wish to have snow on my birthday.

[shroudofgray]

You are welcome.

Snow is very nice, yes. When it came, it covered all things and the world was very quiet.

There was snow here for a long time when we were in Hatal. Maybe it will come to this place as well.

[lightbranded]

I like the way it makes the whole world look like it has become something new.

Oh, I do hope so.

[shroudofgray]

So do I. It becomes very peaceful when it does.

[lightbranded]

Peace is something that we could all use more of.

[shroudofgray]

Was there turmoil where you came from as well?

[lightbranded]

I came here just after the end of a war. One that very few people knew was being fought for their sakes, but a war just the same.

[shroudofgray]

Why did they not know? If people fought for them, maybe that is something they should know.

[lightbranded]

Sometimes, for some things, it is better to be unknown.

[shroudofgray]

Is that something you were told? Because it is a lie. I have learned that much.

[lightbranded]

Something I was told, yes. But it is also something that I know to be true. Sometimes a truth can do nothing but hurt others.

[shroudofgray]

Truth is rarely kind, yes. But it is more cruel to choose another's fate for them.

[lightbranded]

Is it truly? When the truth will bring nothing but sorrow and doubt? Sometimes, the only kindness that can be given is cruelty in another guise.

[shroudofgray]

Yes. Truly. It is within the shadows of sorrow and doubt that happiness and greater understanding are forged. Lies breed only ignorance and complacency.

[lightbranded]

I think we must disagree in this. [A shade of sadness comes into his voice as he says this. He understood why she was saying this, but... The truth of the Old Ones was not the truth of men. He had seen what came, when men who had always believed that the world was one of science learned of the greater truths of the universe.]

[shroudofgray]

I understand. Please be well.

[lightbranded]

Thank you. I am sure I will be.