Chapter 164

Chapter 164

Holy shit, this is boring.

Sitting alone in the void, I watch the whirlpool of Spectres float by, a twinkling object in a universe of unending darkness. Reaching out to grasp it, I ask, Wanna build a snowman? Or how about we sing a song? Without waiting for answer, I start my melody. I am slowly going crazy, one two three four five six, switch. Crazy going slowly am I, six five four three two one, switch. Okay, now your turn, you start first, and Ill start when youre halfway through. Its called a round song, itll be fun. Silence is my only answer, and in response I channel my chi and torment them. Dont be a bunch of party-poopers. If you dont wanna sing, then how about a trip on Crazy Raynes Wild Ride? 32,000 kilometres of roller coaster fun. Dont forget, youre here forever! I am slowly going crazy, one two three four five six, switch.

What can I say? Misery loves company.

Their chorus of wails sets a good harmony for my singing, perfect in pitch and tone. It helps that there are no vocal chords involved, Im just imagining myself singing. Its harder to imagine myself out of tune, oddly enough. Maybe it has something to do with self-perception. I can even do a barber shop quartet by myself, but it gets boring fast. I only know a few childrens songs and Im neither imaginative nor musically inclined enough to compose my own.

Why is it called a barber shop quartet? What does getting your hair cut have to do with singing?

My brain, just chock full of useful information. I wish I could go back in time and punch past-me in the nuts for being a dumb, worthless bastard. Go read a damn physics book or something, do something useful for once. If I sing the song once, Ive sung it a thousand times, so my interest quickly wanes. That, and its boring singing to myself. No, calm yourself. Boredom is when everything feels like a waste of time while serenity is when nothing does. Well, Id like one serenity please. Serenity Now!

...

Nope, nothing, just boring boredom here.

Woo.

Hmm... Where was I?

Ah, right.

Crazy slowly going am I. One two three four five six... Switch?

...The source of this content nov(el)bi((n))

Cmon Baledagh, how long are you gonna keep me here? Months? Years? I dont think I can handle this any longer, I need to see the sun, breathe fresh air, talk to someone who isnt me or me pretending to be someone else talking to me. Is this what it was like for Baledagh when I sent him away? He said it was unpleasant, but man, was that an understatement or what? I can't fall asleep and for all I know, I am asleep and this is all just a dream.

For the umpteenth time, I go through my time-wasting exercises. I practice the Forms and chi manipulation, meditate, heal my bodys injuries, review my studies, and test new theories. Then, bored of working, I attempt to create something to entertain myself, fail, cry, and mope. Its happened countless times before and will happen countless times after. Everything moves at the speed of thought, time flying by and at a standstill. Without fatigue, hunger, stiffness, or bodily functions to go by, I dont know if Ive been here for days or weeks, it's driving me nuts.

Time is a weird concept, isnt it? What is time exactly? Time is precious, time is fleeting, time is endless, but when it comes right down to it, time is what keeps everything from happening all at once. Seconds to minutes to hours to days, it is forever moving forward at an immutable pace, with only our perception of time altering things. You can give time and take time, spend time and lose time, but no matter how much youd like, you cant slow, hurry, stop or reverse it.

Thats one theory.

What if its wrong?

Using a clock, we measure the numerical order of material change in time, but time itself has no physical existence. I cant see, touch, taste, smell, or hear time, I can only perceive the effects of time passing. Whats interesting is that everyones perception of time is different, and youll never empirically understand how someone else observes time. Even your own awareness of time changes; time flies when youre having fun, but it slows to a crawl when youre bored. When youre young, every day is forever, an hour, an eternity away. Then, as you age, time speeds up, days passing in the blink of an eye, and before you know it, youre another year older and, if lucky, another year wiser.

Where did all the time go?

The world slows as I realize were about to collide, both rider and quin too eager to reunite. Sidestepping onto the road, I barely avoid the massive quin as Lin leaps from his back, the air rushing by at the narrow miss. Sailing through the air with a smile on her face and tears in her eyes, Lins moving too quickly, about to crash into me like a tiny, adorable missile. Unwilling to see her hurt, my body moves faster than ever, my days of mental practice come to fruition. Catching her with both hands, I spin in a large circle with arms extended, twirling in place with Lin to disperse her momentum. Coming to a stop, I pull her in close, careful not to crush her in my arms.

Breathless and dizzied, she nuzzles against me. I missed you so much, hubby.

I missed you too. Nothing more needs to be said as we hold each other, happy and content.

Our private reunion ends as abruptly as it began, Mafu bowling into us with a series of chittering squeaks. Rubbing his head against me, his little hands pat and grasp at my clothes, making sure I cant get away. If this was a happy charge, I never want to be on the receiving end of an angry one.

Lin alternates between smiling and crying as she rests her head against me, her arms clamped tightly around my chest. Her frowning guards arrive with the rest of the Sentinels close behind, Mila in the lead. Before I can say anything, round two of my over-enthusiastic greetings begin as Aurie bolts from his travel wagon. Turning to shield Lin, I cringe and giggle as a quarter-tonne of affectionate feline latches onto my shoulders, his rumbling purrs reverberating down to my bones. Suffering in silence, I shake Aurie off me and placate him with hugs and kisses. A few bruises and cuts are well worth it in return for unconditional love.

Thankfully, Jimjam and his sister are far more restrained in their greetings, happy to pad over slowly with Mila and Li Song. Hello Li Song. Did you miss me? Her frown deepens, ignoring the question as I greet the other cats, Aurie growling in discontent. Hello Jimjam, hello princess floofykins. Did you miss daddy? I bet you didnt, you big meanies.

That is not her name. Li Song interjects, snorting while the cats tolerate my affection. With Masters approval, this one has named her Sarankho.

Moonlight Talon, a lovely choice. Its about time. Ha, meet my cats, Aurie, Jim and Sara. Its nice to see Li Song meet my eyes, even if she doesnt like me very much. Leaving Jimjam and Sarankho, I finally turn to Mila with a teasing smile. Shes ready to explode over being ignored yet too prideful to make the first move. I cant help needling her, shes too cute when shes angry, her pouting lips and furrowed brow making my heart skip a beat. With Lin still clinging tight, I stretch my hand and wave for Mila to join us. Hello my princess. Dont be jealous and come greet your betrothed.

Her anger visibly melts as she moves in for a hug, sniffling and hiding her face. Idiot. What did you think you were doing, standing in front of their boats like that? And losing your Token? Were you trying to aggravate me? Leaving me to do all your busywork, youre lucky Im so understanding and tolerant. I swear if you ever do this again...

Smiling as I embrace my two little brides-to-be, I send a message to Baledagh. Come out for hugs?

Leave me alone.

Mafu found the bear cubs. Theyre snuggling. He thinks theyre baby quins.

...

Jimjam grabbed one to groom, and the little bear loves it. Come out and see.

Baledaghs presence wells up from within, sharing my senses without taking over. Hugging Lin and Mila tighter, I try to convey the warmth and love to him while watching the bears, cat, and quins all get along. Gerel and the Sentinels watch warmly, the People never ones for privacy, while my retinue grins at my return. Remember, this is your life too.

A wistful sorrow echoes in my chest. No brother. This is your life, it has nothing to do with me.

Dont be silly, whats mine is yours. Well make this work.

Somehow.

...probably.

Chapter Meme