Nathan Summers (alter_nate_ive) wrote in valarlogs, @ 2013-03-02 09:07:00 |
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Entry tags: | !complete, nathan summers (cable), tessa |
Who: Nate and Tessa
Where: The Mako, a blizzard, somewhere near Kansas
What: During a tragic moment, a spirit of kindness comes walking.
When: During the previous log. in the future!
Warnings/Rating: R for references to character death.
Status Complete
Nate was a little busy when he first saw her, trying to hold Lisa’s mind and body together for just a little longer. But there was a feel to this, a feeling to her, that made him pay what attention he could. In a moment between moments, when time was stretching thin and seemed to pause, as if to take a breath, Nate glanced at her. She was powerful and yet powerless, to his eye, and he knew, without wanting to, without asking, that she meant no harm.
He smiled to her, a simple smile stained with sadness as he nodded.
“Hello.”
She didn’t want to be there. She was not so sadistic that she enjoyed watching the light go out of a person’s eyes, or hearing loved ones mourn for that which had passed beyond their reach. In those moments, those thin moments when a soul was about to leave this life and pass into the next, she could feel the pain of those gathered as if it was her own.
But she also knew that, though it was a thin comfort, this life was not all there was. That there were other worlds beyond this one.
She was about to reach out to the dying woman in invitation when Nate caught her eye, and she returned a smile much like his own. “I’m sorry.”
Nate shook his head. “It’s not your fault, I know.” He smiled slightly. “She deserves to be taken on by someone with compassion. So I’m glad you’ll be doing it.” He knew her face, and wondered. “Are you just using that face or are you Tessa, from the Valarnet?”
“No, it’s me,” she said, inclining her head. “Though my powers have grown since I started dreaming.”
Nate nodded. “I can imagine so.” He smiled at her. “Have you lived this entire time? Are you okay?” Even in the midst of the moment, he had time to care for someone else. It was who he was. He felt Lisa slip into his dream world for her and knew the time would be soon.
“I have,” she replied, “And I will likely keep living until I have worked myself out of a job. It can be lonely work, but I am not alone.”
“Good.” He smiled at her. “No one deserves to be alone.” Somewhere else in the world, another Nate walked the earth, hundreds of years old who had not been along most of his life. But it was a good time.
Nate smiled softly. “How much can you say about what happens when you interact with souls?”
“Not much, I’m afraid,” she said, “But you can ask questions. I will answer to whatever extent I am able.”
“Can you tell where someone will go next?” He was curious.
“Usually,” she said, nodding her head. “It is kind of my job to get them there. But there is a certain element of choice involved. Some people have been known to run from their reaper, in the end.”
“Lisa won’t.” He reached into the dreamworld he had made and sighed. “She‘s ready, though sad.” He gently drew out the shimmering soul, even as she died in the real world. “Walk safe, both of you.”
Tessa nodded, tears in her eyes as she cradled Lisa’s soul to her bosom like a newborn babe. With hope, her pain had ended now. Only time would tell what lay ahead for those who remained behind.
“Be well, Tessa:” He smiled as he waved. Then time seemed to start again.
FIN.