beyondtherift ][ just the needed locks, the only kind she can't break

[ohshiny_tomatos]

How do you stay here?

There should be a weight you can wear so the Rift can't take you away.

Are there people that never leave ever?

Comments

[smithnjones]

I haven't left yet, and I'm nearly on year four.

Unfortunately, you cannot guarantee that for everyone. More people have left in my time than have stayed. It doesn't mean that will happen to you or that it happens to most, but there's nothing that keeps anyone here.

I'm sorry.

[ohshiny_tomatos]

Are you happy here?

[locked]

[smithnjones]

Now, I am.

Not as happy as I've been in the past, but after awhile of losing constantly, you lose some ability to be quite as happy as you once were.

I've been my happiest here, but I've also been at my absolute lowest point here.

[locked]

[ohshiny_tomatos]

I haven't had very many things to lose. Now I have a lot I think. I don't like thinking about it.

Why? Don't you have friends here?

[locked]

[smithnjones]

I have had quite a few friends and family here over the years. Yes.

I wouldn't think too much about it. We have no control over it, and you'll hurt yourself worrying too much about it.

[locked]

[ohshiny_tomatos]

Oh.

Did they leave?

Is that okay to ask that? If they left? Or is that sad? I'm sorry.

I don't want to hurt myself, so I'll try not to think about it anymore.

What should I think about?

[locked]

[smithnjones]

They left, they were taken, or they died.

It's okay to ask. It will always be sad when you lose someone how ever they go.

Okay. I don't want you to hurt either.

You can think about whatever you'd like. Anything at all. Something happy that's happened to you recently.

[locked]

[ohshiny_tomatos]

Oh. I'm sorry.

I think you're a really nice person. Most people don't care if someone gets hurt.

Um.

I was a princess!

[locked]

[smithnjones]

It's alright.

Thank you. I do care very much, and I think most of the people who live in the Tower care. It's a nice change, isn't it? From most of the world.

Were you? So perhaps I should refer to you as Princess Parker should we meet in the future?

[locked]

[ohshiny_tomatos]

It is nice. A little weird. It's not

not really the kind of world I'm used to.

No, just Parker. I like being Parker.

[locked]

[smithnjones]

Just Parker then.

I'm glad you like being Parker.

But it must have been nice to be a princess for a little while too.

[locked]

[ohshiny_tomatos]

I do.

It was. It made me feel really special and pretty.