heaven / lucas

[midway]

Comments

[midway]

Oh, really? Well, I'd love to see them.

[ yay!

Meanwhile, ] And this? I wouldn't say I "enjoy" it, but I'm hoping to better my understanding of some of the modernizations that are so common in other worlds.

[faithkept]

Here you are.

[He will hand a couple of volumes from the bottom of the stack! They are probably beautiful and depressing because Arpecheleans live in tragedy.]

It really is fascinating hearing about the way people go about life in their own homes, though, isn't it? Hearing about technology we've never seen a single version of and how commonplace it is elsewhere...

[midway]

Mm, a little disheartening too, at times.

[ Leaning back in his chair. ]

Sometimes I think... If we had better technology or more resources, we could fix everything. But that's a naive way of thinking. [ Hehe. ] Well, I guess perfection is for the afterlife.

[faithkept]

Unfortunately, it does seem that problems exist wherever people do...

[For better or for worse... The people are at the crux of these issues, even if they're also the source of the things that solve them.]

But better technology and more resources don't hurt, at the very least. Providing for a populace and ensuring they're well cared for does eliminate some of the problems, yes? Though even in our little slice of Heaven, it's clear that's not always the case.

[He's actually referring to their troublemakers but this could also apply to the fucking murder.]

[midway]

It does make one wonder...

[ What the point is...? But, well, since they're talking about poetry, he'll drop another verse. ]

But actually, it makes me think of another poem I read:

Lord, said he, since you do not need us,
why did you create these two worlds?

Reality replied: O prisoner of time,
I was a secret treasure of kindness and generosity,
and I wished this treasure to be known,
so I created a mirror: its shining face, the heart;
its darkened back, the world;
The back would please you if you’ve never seen the face.

[faithkept]

[Damn Claude your poems...

Lucas listens attentively, frowning just a little as the poem carries on. Once it's done:]

Another one that's very beautiful to the ear... What do you take from it?

[midway]

[ Sometimes a guy loves poems. ]

I always took it to mean that the beauty of the human heart is one of the greatest treasures in life, if only you take the time to look.

That people might become obsessed with the world: wealth, status, resources, but they'd be missing the true treasure. [ He shrugs. ] As a leader, I usually get wrapped up in the material, you know? Not to say that it doesn't have importance, but it can be exhausting sometimes.

[faithkept]

[TRULY. Not the way his interpretation was so much more grim. He likes this one, though, and smiles, humming in agreement.]

I think that's a lovely way of looking at it. I'd agree! There isn't anything more beautiful than the human heart.

[And then, curiously:] It does sound exhausting... May I ask what you lead?

[midway]

[ He's an optimist! ]

A country.

[faithkept]

Oh! [OH.] Oh, my. That's quite a lot of responsibility?

[midway]

Yeah, I'd say.

[ Haha. ]

But that's for when I get back home.

[faithkept]

[Girl your nations at war......]

I don't think I've met anyone yet who doesn't intend on returning once they've received their passing grade here.

[midway]

It's very generous of them all, isn't it?

Do you also want to go back?

[faithkept]

I would like to, yes. I can't leave my sister alone.

[HIS SWEET BABY SISTER.]

[midway]

You have a sister? How old?

[faithkept]

She turned thirteen not that long ago.

[Their one month apart birthdays...]

[midway]

Oh, quite young then. Is she a troublemaker?

[faithkept]

Oh, not at all! She's an absolute angel. The very sweetest person you could ever meet.

[midway]

Much like you then.

[ wink wonk ]

[faithkept]

[HELP. He just laughs, bringing a hand up to politely cover his mirth.]

You speak so flatteringly. The work of many poems read, perhaps? Or a natural charm?

[midway]

I'll take the credit, I think.

[ Hehe ]

But you can read more poetry and see if it has an effect on you.

[faithkept]

That would suit you.

[A charming guy who's about to get fully bodied by a CYOA...]

Ah - speaking of, do you have any other recommendations while I'm here and gathering some books up?

[midway]

There's a really interesting book about the weird uses of vegetables in various cultures that I thought was interesting...

[faithkept]

I had meant more along the lines of poetry, but I see you have an eye for varied literature.

[midway]

Oh, you've really taken to poetry, huh?

Trying to impress someone, Lucas...?