Firmament

sure, travel with them for a while.

You let Cerulean know you want to keep travelling with them. They seem happy to hear it.

Together, you head off in the direction of the purple Rift. You're not sure if you want to go through it. At least not yet. But the Blue Soul seems to know things you don't. Perhaps it is good to keep them close.

After floating for a bit, Cerulean speaks up.

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Cerulean: Hey... Rainbow?

Whether or not you want to Reincarnate right now, I wanted to say. I appreciate the company. Most Souls would be too preoccupied. And I'll admit... I think your weirdness is fun to puzzle over, too.

Anyway, I know this whole Soul thing is new and confusing for you, so feel free to ask questions as we go. I'll answer what I can. If I can help you figure out your situation, I'd be happy to.

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Theory have I am of the do.

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Cerulean: You... have a theory? Oh, about your situation, you mean! What is it? I'm curious.

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Not normal soul. Not being of the oneness. Instead, am much of the scraps. Loose bits of soul all in togetherness, smooshed! Pieces meant for the leaving behind, not of the wholeness. Some bits be bigger pieces here, big enough to of the thinking. Sometimes burble upwards and do of the talking, yes?

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Cerulean: So... you think you're made of pieces of Souls? Interesting. I guess that would explain all the colors! And the sudden shifts in the way you talk and act too, I guess. I don't know whether or not this is possible, but it is a good theory.

Still, if you are some kind of Patchwork Soul... where'd your patches come from? I mean... doesn't that raise some pretty grisly implications?

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It is much of the fascinating, more than bit of spookyness too.

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Cerulean: I'll say. Would that mean Souls can just lose pieces of themselves? And if so, do those just clump together into confused new Souls like you? Or is someone intentionally taking parts of natural, healthy Souls?

Er, sorry, that came out wrong. I'm not saying you're unnatural! You're just... you're proposing quite the little mystery.

I wonder how that might affect Reincarnation. Could a Patchwork Soul like that even live a mortal life, without falling apart?

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If this is of the true, we have little natural muchness in world. A wholeness of many bits and bobs glued together as one.

Will biggest piece win, become whole in new life?

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Cerulean: I mean, I'd hope you'd be a bit more put-together afterward. Living ought to iron out some of these quirky speech patterns at least, haha!

Seriously though, if you ever do make the trip through the Rift, I think you'll do fine. Whatever happens. If for no other reason, mortal life is good for helping us learn and grow.

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How does reincarnating feel like?

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Cerulean: Okay, this is going to sound silly, but I don't know. I know I've done it a great many times by now, but I don't remember what it's like. I cross through the Rift... and next thing I remember are early childhood memories!

If you were worried, I bet that's a small comfort... but that's just how it goes.

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Can we reincarnate together? That could be fun!

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Cerulean: Oh? Do you mean you want to Reincarnate at the same time as me? Or are you saying that you... want to spend time together in our next life?

I mean, it's a nice thought, either way... but...

---

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Cerulean: The thing is? Once we cross into the Rift and reincarnate, we won't remember much about our time as Souls. Or each other. It's the same way Souls only remember the particulars of their most recent life; living or dead, we generally only keep echoes of the further past. And if you really are some kind of Patchwork Soul, who knows how that might affect your memory...

But next time we pass on, maybe we will still remember each other? We could always meet up here between lives. Trade stories? Catch up? I would like to know how your first life works out. But, even if we don't remember each other? I'm still happy for you. You get to have a truly fresh start...

---

At this, Cerulean trails off. You continue your journey in silence. You draw closer to the Rift, and as you do, you see more and more lights around you. More Souls, gathering in the general vicinity of the Rift, you suppose?

Not much of the else out here but souls, yes?

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Cerulean: Well, not just Souls. There are some things out here in Limbo. For one, some Souls aren't ready to move on. Some are even fed up with mortal life, would you believe it? Those types like to get together, and do things to pass the time. They chat, reenact events, build Constructs from their memories... little pieces of the worlds they knew. Sometimes groups make little cities in Limbo, to hang out in with other Souls like they did when they were alive. Or sometimes, they just make places to linger in, alone.

Frankly, though? That all seems pretty... navel-gazey, and self-indulgent. It isn't really my scene.

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What if...

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Cerulean: ...hmm? "What if" what?

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...is it likely that we will meet new friends by staying?

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Cerulean: That sounded like a change of subject... but sure. You or I might meet some other friendly Souls by staying in Limbo. But there's no guarantee any of us will even remember after the next life. And that... I mean, isn't it...

Don't you think it's a bit of a waste? Why bother reaching out to someone else, when nothing is sure to last...

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...

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Cerulean: Anyway, you started asking a "What if" earlier. Is that all you wanted to ask me?

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...

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Cerulean: Whatever's on your mind... you can say it. I'm listening.

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What if, instead of you going into the rift...

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Cerulean: Y-yes?

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What if, instead of you going into the rift, I were to eat you?
Would that be okay?

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Cerulean: What?!? No! No, that would not be okay! My stars, I thought you were about to ask if we could...

...I thought that would've been obvious by now!

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Can i eat the rift?

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Cerulean: Ughhhh... of course not! The Rift is much bigger than you! And... it's not even solid. It's more like a hole that pulls things close, and...

...wait. Wait a minute. Did you just... are you having a laugh?

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What I'm trying to say is that I'm hungry. Is there anything to eat around here?

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Cerulean: You were serious, just now...

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Cerulean: Well fine. Yes, last time I was here in Limbo, I vaguely remember a place. Some Soul's Construct, floating near the Rift. A "Cafe" for transmigrant Souls. We don't exactly have bodies nor any need to eat, and any food there would just be another make-believe Construct... but I imagine they have things that are meant to be eaten there.

I'm pretty eager to Reincarnate at this point, though, so I'd rather not make the stop. I'm certain you could find it on your own.

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Please we are so hungry

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Cerulean: ...

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>Chew on own tail

You twist and loop around, and eventually manage to bite onto your own tail. Nibbling on it doesn't fill your non-existent stomach, but it seems to make a point. Cerulean watches your ordeal in exasperated silence for a moment, before letting out a sigh.

Despite not having any, you get the distinct impression they are rolling their eyes.

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Cerulean: Oh, fine... come on, you oaf. I'll bring you to that Cafe. I'm going that direction anyway. But that doesn't mean I'm sticking around to get chummy with the locals! I just don't want you flying around the Rift chewing on people, and making a whole scene. Someone's got to keep the rest of Limbo safe from you.

---

Barely waiting for you to follow, Cerulean heads off at a slightly different trajectory than before. You travel quickly now, and in silence. Seems they want to waste no time. The Blue Soul guides you toward a green light, bigger and brighter than the rest. Before long, the distant point of light has resolved itself into a faintly glowing structure not so far from the Rift, with a sign overhead.

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Cerulean: Well, here you are. Enjoy.

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