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[dusk_and_dawn]

[It's a brilliantly sunny day, everyone. It's raining, of course, but not lightly enough to turn to mist and block the light, and not heavily enough to drive everyone indoors.

The cause for the brilliance is sitting atop the highest structure he could find near the center of the city, shining like a star. Best not to look at him directly. You might even want to buy sunglasses, although there's probably no one who sells them.

He's not illuminating the whole city, of course, but he's trying.]

Greetings all, 'tis Balder the Brave. If others can bring snow, I thought I might try to bring the sun. Let me know if it is too much. And if you would, entertain me with your best stories. I ask not that they be true, merely interesting.

Comments

[dusk_and_dawn]

Yes, 'tis quite useful, but this day I would rather hear something more personal. I am used to a life of ballads and epic poetry and boastful tales of great adventure.

[salvagedsoul]

I see. I prefer those sorts of stories, too. I have an admiration those common people who continue to move forward despite there being many forces pushing back against them.

[dusk_and_dawn]

Yes, there is no courage without risk or fear, no triumph without struggle. [And now he's wistfully thinking of Bill of Bills.] I owe many such people a great debt.

[salvagedsoul]

It sounds like you have your own story to tell, then. [he pauses.] I wonder what kind of story it must be if your soul is immortal, like you told me.

[dusk_and_dawn]

One might say my tale concerns me little at all. 'Twas my fate to be slain and for my death to herald Ragnarok, the end of days. That was my role in life after life.

'Tis different now.

[salvagedsoul]

[that..... is.... painstakingly familiar.]

I see. Different how?

[dusk_and_dawn]

The cycle of Ragnarok is broken, and we are free of our roles. Now we tell our own stories.

[Strangely enough, he seems a bit more uncertain when he says this than when he spoke before. But he collects himself.]

So that tale is as yet unwritten.

[salvagedsoul]

Free will is God's gift. And now you can tell your own story. The tale of how you came to control your own fate is surely a story that has much to do with you.

[dusk_and_dawn]

'Twas my brother's doing. For myself, the true tale lies in what I shall do with my brother's gift. It is a hard question.

[salvagedsoul]

I don't know what to do with my new freedom, either.

Does the question trouble you?

[dusk_and_dawn]

Yes. I would serve my people, but I do not know how to go about it.

[salvagedsoul]

Well, why not start with what your people need?

[dusk_and_dawn]

[He pauses.]

I think they need Asgard itself. We all do. [I do.] But I do not know how to deliver it to them.

[salvagedsoul]

Hm. There's no need to take my suggestion too literally. You don't have to begin with the most difficult task first.

[dusk_and_dawn]

I suppose. 'Tis a bit of a moot point at the moment.

[salvagedsoul]

Yes. We're here, not at our homes. A blessing for some of us, but not all.

[dusk_and_dawn]

Ah well. I am also dead. Although that may be temporary.

[salvagedsoul]

Oh... is that so?

I thought we already had much in common, but apparently even more than I knew.

[dusk_and_dawn]

My condolences, my friend. But at least we have been granted an extra measure of life, even unwillingly.

[salvagedsoul]

Yes, I'm very thankful for it. My life has been extended beyond its alotted time.

I'm going to use it. I have mistakes to undo, and a new purpose to find.