Aquarela

While chaos breaks out in Continuá, Joy and Biel are getting ready for lunch. 

Joy sets the tone with a slightly melancholic humming while taking her potion. She then starts singing 

"Numa folha qualquer
eu desenho um sol amarelo." 

Biel continues

"E com cinco ou seis retas
É fácil fazer um castelo" 

She smiles softly and they both continue together, before starting the meal. 

Biel stares at the girl. He notices it in her humming. She has been into an emotional turmoil once again. He wishes she had her other interlocutor to talk these sorts of stuff, but he tries it anyway.

"How about this one, Joy? Do you know what it means?"

"No, I just feel a soft angst from it."

"Hehe, that checks out. It is a song about nostalgia. Nostalgia for the lenses through which children see the world, but most people lose the ability to once they grow up. It feels like you'd lose yourself if you tried to live like that."

"Hahaha" Her forced laughter and fake smile aren't fooling anyone. There is a discreet and hesitant manner in her eating that completes her phrase with a "I feel that I am losing myself", but instead she says

"Have you ever thought about how Love might be the answer to everything? Sorry, I know you don't like when I ramble on about weird stuff, but think about the love of the creator!"

"Matraca, truly. I do like hearing what you have to say. Your honesty leaks from every word. I just don't understand anything you say. Not a single sentence you said makes any logical sense."

There! That is her genuine smile.

"I guess you're right, there is no logic to it. But ever since we got into this world, I can feel the love from the creator. Before we had to grasp at straws and talk about the very core of what the word means." She starts looking up into the tree tops or the sky, maybe even further. 

"The creator love might've been undeniable, but it was also incomprehensible. Ever since we moved here, there is a certain human quality to it."

She puts both hands in her heart and her chin on top. And continues with a warm, lovingly tone.

"He caters us with skill points and a world where we can make out own story. I feel like he is constantly checking out, always curious about how we think." 

Biel looks utterly confused. Thoughts such as, 'what do you mean undeniable love from the creator?' and 'what does that even matter?'.

Come on, man. Are you immune to beauty? Those were beautiful words!

"Haha. Thanks!"

…

What?

"Thank you. Haha. You said my words were beautiful."

I'm sorry. What is happening? Did I get demoted to a character? 

I have a kid to feed! I cannot do it with a character salary, nor do I have the time for that! Do you have any idea how much a timeless child eats? 

"Haha, sorry, Mr. Narrator, but I think there is work for you here."

Oh. 

HUM HUM.

A familiar figure surges from the shadows of the forest. A senior with long white hair and a beard that joins with it. He is at least 50, but looks even older from the wrinkles in his face. He sports a curious smile while approaching Joy. 

"Young lady, we meet again! What has been on your mind this time?"

She blushes, but ultimately trusts her elderly friend.

"Love. I've been thinking about love."

"Oh, to be young. Is it the boy who isn't here this time?"

"No. Not that kind of love. Maybe? …"

Girl. You're not fooling anybody.

"Is there more than one type of love?" The old man smiles and starts moving away. "There is no point in lying to yourself, you already understood it, dear."

She then starts thinking, "Hey. Are you really gonna invade my mind?"

Oops.

"Lemme tell this myself. I think it helps to talk to someone anyway."

The old man is right. There is no difference. 

Love is like a bubble, so fragile it defies logic by simply being, but it lasts forever while it is there.

There isn't a version of love for different people, we just comprehend it differently because it is something that has no actual logic behind it.

Love is the defining feature of our presence in reality — It is its own beginning and end. Love is also our defining feature outside of reality — It cannot be restrained by our body's desires. It is also the highest expression of the self — Love as a denial of the self is futile.

Love isn't vain or vengeful, either. The creator doesn't discriminate, he loves independently of people's body, mind, or choices. Even those who reject him still get those 5 starting skill points.

This brings to mind a phrase I'll never forget

"To love and win is the best thing. To love and lose, the next best"

Even though I might not be the first in his heart, I still want to give him my best. I know he needs clarity, even more than I do.

I can feel the feelings that were welling inside me getting purified, coated with soap they finally have a shape.

[ Fragile Shepherd ]

My feeling shoot towards the forest. 

They will help him find what he really wants, and we'll know what he really feels.