[text]

[unpocoloco]

Hola, Haven. I'm Héctor. Adding myself to the list of those asking strangers some even stranger questions, but after talking with some people, I'm wondering how many here are familiar with their world's afterlives. Who's been there and can you tell me what it was like for you?

With no connection to the other thing, I've also heard that the gods here sometimes give people powers. Whoever's willing to share that, what did you end up getting? Do you have any guesses why?

Comments

[astralera]

That's unfortunate, though unsurprising. People so easily forget the truths of history, twisting it to match their misplaced feelings. Memory is such a fickle thing.

[unpocoloco]

That might be so. But sometimes it's because they want to forget. They can erase some of the pain and then all that's left is the story to warn others. There can be a lot of complicated things involved.

[astralera]

Or they seek someone to blame for their own misfortunes.

It's cruel, to twist the memory of someone into something else. To fade from memory naturally over time is different from being erased.

But people can so often be cruel even without meaning to be, especially if it's to lessen their own pain.

[unpocoloco]

[He... doesn't need to say it. It would be better not to. But part of him still insists he does. He can't let them go undefended.]

My daughter wasn't cruel. Or my wife. They were simply hurting. And tired. I don't blame them for wanting to hurt less. I hope they do.

Some people who erase might be that cruel. I've met those. But not all of them are. Not my girl.

[astralera]

What is her name?

[unpocoloco]

Coco. Short for Socorro. But she was always my Coco.

[astralera]

Coco sounds very cute. Fitting for a precious daughter. Does Socorro have a meaning?

[unpocoloco]

[He knows what she's doing, humoring him in his grief, now that she knows it. But he's still grateful. He's always glad to speak of her.]

It means mercy. To call for help and have it answered. Like a blessing.

There is also, of course, Our Lady of Socorro, but I'm afraid I've become rather lapsed in faith.

[astralera]

It's lovely, and very fitting. If I were to ever have a daughter I would surely see her as the greatest of blessings.

Faith is a complicated thing. It can be both good and bad. It's fickle; easy to lose, and easy to find. So long as you are content with what you believe in, that is what matters most.

[unpocoloco]

Thank you. She was the greatest joy I've ever known.

And thank you for that as well. The trouble is less that I don't believe, more that I don't belong. Not in a good way. But I've accepted that so much as I can and I do my best with what I've got.

My apologies, Señora, for dragging you into some old sinner's troubles.

[astralera]

Feeling like you belong when you don't fit is a challenge, isn't it?

You've nothing to apologize for, Señor. You hardly dragged me at all. It has been an interesting conversation.

[unpocoloco]

Yeah. Yeah, it is.

I'm glad you think it was interesting. I've certainly enjoyed learning more about other worlds. And the people too. I always found that the nicest part of all this.