itt: bad omens?

[sails_and_stars]

Comments

[just_irving]

Whoa, those stars are really bright! I didn't know there were blue stars, either.

[sails_and_stars]

Yes, they are... Though normally the two brightest ones wouldn't be so overpowering.

Do you know what these stars are are used for?

[just_irving]

Oh, so that's what you were worried about?

Um... no. I didn't know stars had much of a purpose, other than keeping the sky lit at night.

[sails_and_stars]

I'm worried about the possiblity that they may.... well, "burn out" to put it one way.

You're right. Of course the stars in the heavens provide us with the light we need at night. But they can do much more than that. If you imagine lines coming from the four points, pointing inward and connecting to each oher, what sort of shape do you see?

[just_irving]

Um.... it's a diamond, right? So if the stars burn out, you're worried about losing the shapes?

[sails_and_stars]

It's a diamond... yes, you can draw it like that...and it also points downward because the lower part is longer than the top.

The way the diamond points is used in finding the direction south. So yes, I'm worried about losing the shape if...possibly... one or two of the stars in the diamond disappear.

[just_irving]

Can't you just make other shapes, then? Looks to me like there are tons of other stars to chose from.

[sails_and_stars]

Yes.... you can.

I used to do that often when I was younger.

[just_irving]

Oh, I thought that's what you did for your job or something, since you knew about how they make shapes and stuff.

[sails_and_stars]

It's somewhat related. I'm a sea-captain. The shapes of the stars are as important to me as the strength of the wind. Have you ever been sailing, boy?