ota | cheap thrills

[anacardiaceae]

FORM: Sending Crystal
SENDER: Pamelia Islain
RECIPIENT: Everyone
WHAT: Maudlin birthday musing
WHEN: Now, late night sometime during mid-Frostfall
WHERE: Wherever you happen to be (Pamelia is in a corner of a garden)
NOTES: nyet

[ It is late, and the voice coming through the crystal is quiet. ]

My mother used to say that the day of one's birth was not a celebration of that moment, but a celebration of all the moments after that led up to you being alive, and a bit older.

[ Pamelia sighs. ]

But what does one do when they find themselves regretful of being a bit older? Of surviving, and living, through strokes of luck and stubbornness when others have not?

[ Happy 21st to her. ]

Comments

[gatheringstorm]

Survivor's guilt can only take you so far. Trust me on that. Regret will eat you alive if you let it, so don't. Take advantage of that luck and stubbornness to keep going and help others do the same. Sometimes, that's all we can do.

[anacardiaceae]

I like to think that's what I've been doing. Helping others to keep going. [ She rubs a fist against her chest. ] For the longest time I hated everyone. I didn't want to make ties or bonds.

Now, things are different, and I'm not sure I deserve it.

[gatheringstorm]

Does it truly matter? You're here, now, where you can make a difference. Don't let anyone tell you otherwise.

[anacardiaceae]

It doesn't change what I'll do - in that sense, no, it doesn't truly matter.

[gatheringstorm]

Good, don't let it.

And no one should have a birthday go by without someone to buy them a drink or two. Let me do that much when you're at the tavern.

[anacardiaceae]

That's very nice of you. [ It's been a while since she's been in the Tavern, and she won't be alone, so... ] Perhaps tomorrow. Or today. After sunrise, anyway.

[gatheringstorm]

It's no problem. Either way, I'm likely to be around. You can't miss me; large, curving horns, honey badger tattoo, probably telling Ruby she needs to stock more northern vintages yet again.

[anacardiaceae]

[ Pamelia lets out a surprised laugh. ]

I will be sure to seek you out. I'm Pamelia, by the way. Short, pointed ears, red hair for ages.

[gatheringstorm]

Nice to meet you, Pamelia. I'm Korrin. Just about everyone is short to me, but the red hair will help.

[anacardiaceae]

Well met. I look forward to the drink.