Beauty
Scratching one of his numerous scars, Langrid looked at Pyrik with curiosity in his eyes. Though no words had been spoken, his imminent question was apparent nonetheless.
"Pyrik, what is beauty to you?"
"Beauty?"
"Yes, beauty. I wish to learn how you perceive it, what definition you give the word."
Chuckling, Pyrik said, "That is an answer undergoing constant change. I'm not sure I could give you a satisfactory one."
Langrid's gaze intensified. "Try."
"Very well. Beauty, as I see it, is life. It is all things, embodied in something that succeeds externally and internally. It catches and holds your eye, leaves you no choice, compels you to stare in wonder. It is captivating, encouraging, reassuring - the viable words are quite boundless. Simply, it is the reminder that life is never completely the ugliness it seems. Lurking in places obvious and hidden, beauty, whether you like it or not, makes you remember the good you've become so skilled at ignoring. It's... my inspiration. What I fight to keep whole."
The fire continued to burn in the silence that followed, and not for any amount of time did it become awkward.
"Thanks, Pyrik. I could ask the fates for no better friend."
He smiled. "You're welcome. We've a long day ahead of us; let's get some sleep lest it get the best of us."
And so they did.
"Pyrik, what is beauty to you?"
"Beauty?"
"Yes, beauty. I wish to learn how you perceive it, what definition you give the word."
Chuckling, Pyrik said, "That is an answer undergoing constant change. I'm not sure I could give you a satisfactory one."
Langrid's gaze intensified. "Try."
"Very well. Beauty, as I see it, is life. It is all things, embodied in something that succeeds externally and internally. It catches and holds your eye, leaves you no choice, compels you to stare in wonder. It is captivating, encouraging, reassuring - the viable words are quite boundless. Simply, it is the reminder that life is never completely the ugliness it seems. Lurking in places obvious and hidden, beauty, whether you like it or not, makes you remember the good you've become so skilled at ignoring. It's... my inspiration. What I fight to keep whole."
The fire continued to burn in the silence that followed, and not for any amount of time did it become awkward.
"Thanks, Pyrik. I could ask the fates for no better friend."
He smiled. "You're welcome. We've a long day ahead of us; let's get some sleep lest it get the best of us."
And so they did.