open.

[escardos]

I've been thinking.

[ the presence in the communion is like the expansive void, dark and lonesome. and yet, within that darkness, flat's chipper voice resonates clearly and innocently, though whether it's a blessing or a curse is unknown. ]

You know how we've apparently been asleep for a 114 years? Well, that means that I've missed about 114 birthdays. And that means that you guys have also missed 114 birthdays. That's horrible! There's nothing more important than the celebration of life.

[ he sounds horrified, but 'sounds' is as far as it gets. he continues, with an energy and cheer that is, perhaps, not befitting a place that is quickly rushing towards both war and oblivion. ]

Therefore, happy belated birthdays to everyone! Enjoy being alive for yet another year and that this world has not yet been consumed by the void!

Comments

[spellcollect]

I'm afraid I just woke up, so I can't share in the sentiment of missing birthdays.

[ Also she's had so many that she's just kinda lost track. ]

Although I hope you can make it up to yourself for missing them.

[escardos]

Oh, I didn't account for that. I'm sorry!

[ therefore, to make it more inclusive... ]

Happy harvest day!

[spellcollect]

...harvest day?

[ This is equally confusing. ]

[escardos]

Because...you came out of the ground? Maybe?

[spellcollect]

Oh-! Yes, I suppose I did. Although that was a few days ago, I think...

[escardos]

As long as the sentiment is there, it shouldn't matter too much if it's a little belated.

[ he nods happily to his own words. ]

You can call me Flat Escardos, then. It's nice to meet you!

[spellcollect]

Frieren. I take it you're one of the older shard-bearers.

[escardos]

Well, not that old. I think I was here for about two months before we went to sleep...

[ he hums, trying to think of the logistics. ]

Oh, but if we add the 114 years to my age, then I'd be 133. I guess that's pretty old.

[spellcollect]

Not that old, then. Although older than most humans.

[ She's used to this kinda thing. ]

[narsinssist]

[ i hate that i had to research forgotten realms stuff to answer this...weeps ]

Do you all actually still celebrate birthdays? Far be it from me to refuse the opportunity to celebrate myself, but...I hardly never needed an excuse.

Have you considered throwing parties for the whole lot of us, to make up for the loss?

[escardos]

Not that old... Miss Frieren, you must be pretty old then.

[ he means this in the least rude manner possible, despite how blunt it sounds. ]

[spellcollect]

[ Fortunately, she also tends to be a bit straightforward. ]

Over a thousand.

[escardos]

I did.

[ he really did. ]

But organizing them takes too much work, and I'm not really in the mood for doing that. [ sorry everyone! flat can hardly organize his room, let alone a party for who knows how many shardbearers. ] And then there's also the fact that we can't really bring Zenites and Meridians together without it causing trouble, so all the effort just wouldn't be worth it!

[ too much work, too much risk, and way too little reward for it. ]

So I had to find a more efficient way to do it. [ and he snaps his fingers. ] And what's better than a mental e-mail blast to everyone? If you want to celebrate yourself, then go ahead and eat cake in front of a mirror!

[ he says this very cheerfully. like it's a genuine suggestion. ]

[narsinssist]

[ Don't encourage him he'll just make out with the mirror and then there will be cake everywhere and — ]

A fine suggestion, but there is something I don't quite understand.

What is an e-mail blast?

[escardos]

Ooooh!

[ he's both genuinely impressed and extremely curious. ]

I've heard about some mages in my world living for a long time, and I also have— or had, technically— a vampire friend who was over two thousand years old, but that's still really incredible! What's your secret? Oh, but if it is a secret and you can't tell me, then that's okay too! Except I'm really curious, so if you can tell me, I'd really like to know!

[escardos]

[ HE FORGOT HE'S DEALING WITH A BUNCH OF TROGLODYTES.

not that he would think of them as such but... he sighs. ]

It's like sending a mail to a bunch of people at the same time and it reaches them immediately.

[spellcollect]

Oh, it's no secret.

[ There's a mental sort of hum. A sound of consideration. ]

I'm an elf. We live very long lives.

[narsinssist]

Ah.

Yes, I suppose you would need a particular way to do that, wouldn't you?

[ You mean you can't just manifest letters into peoples hands naturally?

Raphael... ]

That would be an accurate example of what you have done, then! Fantastic! This is the equivalent of a mass-well wishes?

[escardos]

Elves…?

[ flat thought that he heard it all, but this actually gives him a bit of pause. it makes sense, when he thinks about it, but… ]

I’ve never met an elf before! That’s so cool! Are you a common species in your world? And are they all as long-lived as you are?

[escardos]

That’s exactly it!

[ there’s a sense of pride at having his message and intentions understood. ]

You asked if anyone still celebrated their birthday, but I think that it’s important to celebrate the fact that you’re not dead yet. This means that there is still time for you to fulfill your potential.

[ wha— ]

[narsinssist]

Quite the low bar to cross, if you wish for my opinion. Most can stumble over it effortlessly!

[ Sighs. ]

Though, I suppose the longer one lives, the more of a chance they have to be of use, as you said. I do not really quite think about living as an achievement, of course.

[ Because he's kinda. Well. Weird. Half-an extra-planar being and half...something. ]

Is fulfilling your potential something you wish to do?

[spellcollect]

Well, I wouldn't say we're common. We're few and far between in the current era - but all of us live very long lives, unless we're killed or fall ill.

[escardos]

It's...what's that saying...? "It's in the eye of the beholder," or something like that? But the dead don't have any worth or purpose other than being dead...well, aside from the undead, but their purpose is totally different.

[ he pauses. considers raphael's question as if he were buffering, and then shrugs it off. ]

But maybe you've just lived too long and lost all meaning in life. In that case, I think finding a new hobby might be good for you. Have you considered painting?

[narsinssist]

Oh! I quite disagree! The dead have great purpose! After all, what is left after one is dead? The body eventually decays, yes, but like when we shard bearers die, what is left is our souls.

I would say death is only the next great adventure!

[ But, more importantly: ]

I am no painter, but I am a poet! And a musician! Perhaps you would enjoy to hear my work?

[ don't do it, flat ]

[escardos]

That makes sense...but that's still amazing.

[ the curiosity and amazement are still very strong in his communion with frieren, just barely held back. ]

Then, a hundred years is probably like a short break for you, isn't it? What's the coolest thing you've seen in your life, Miss Frieren?