10. 'cause you're gone, gone, gone, gone, gone

[pompous_today]

I don't know if many of you knew them, but Wash and Zoe Washburne have left Paradisa. They were from my world, so I am alone [he quickly crosses this word out] the sole person in Paradisa from it once again.

[A dot as his pen rests on the page, but he can't think of anything more to write.]

Comments

[lightbranded]

I'm sorry. I talked to Wash for a while. He seemed like a good friend.

[pompous_today]

He is. He was is always very friendly and helpful to everyone hs meets.

[lightbranded]

Will you be alright?

[pompous_today]

I think so. We were never particularly close, but I had been hoping to get to know them better.

[lightbranded]

The loss of a friend must always be painful, but sometimes it is the way it was meant to be.

[pompous_today]

[Simon pauses before replying, as this answer strikes quite a chord with him- considering Wash's fate back home, perhaps being brought back to life just was not meant to be.]

It is. Disappearances here are just as unpredictable as death.

[lightbranded]

[Will had never been very good at offering comfort, and he was becoming worse at it as he spent more time as an Old One. Too many of his thoughts were concerned with the greater good, with the welfare of the entire world and with the outcome of the war against the Dark. His ability to empathize had become limited.]

But not always as permanent, I think.

[pompous_today]

No. I believe people have been known to come back to Paradisa after leaving, though whether or not they remember the place or not varies. So perhaps I will see them again.

[theabjectauthor]

My condolences, sir. Do you find it better or worse than being the sole inhabitant of a desert island?

[pompous_today]

It depends on who would hypothetically be with me, I suppose. If it were them, or my sister, or my girlfriend, I'd have preferred the company.

[theabjectauthor]

It was more an allegory for being here with strangers or with friends, but ... I suppose that answers my question just as well.

[pompous_today]

I see. I don't particularly mind the company here as it is, now that you mention it.

[theabjectauthor]

I've found a surprising number of like-minded or at least pleasant individuals here, myself. Normally I am not the sort to tout the existence of silver linings, but good company is a resilient one, indeed. My name is Lemony Snicket, sir, and it's a pleasure to make your acquaintance.

[pompous_today]

I'm Simon, and likewise, Mr. Snicket.

I feel the same way. I guess no matter which world or time we come from, we're all in the same situation, and we've all experienced some of the same things. It helps unite us and make usfeel less isolated.

[theabjectauthor]

Yes, it gives us both a literal and figurative common ground, both of which are welcomesme concepts in such a large community. Tell me, is Paradisa vastly different from your own home?

[pompous_today]

It is. In my time, humanity has long since abandoned Earth and colonized other planets. Space travel is quite common, and technology has quite advanced.

[theabjectauthor]

Goodness, that sounds like something out of a novel, to me. I wonder what people in your time write novels about, then ...

[pompous_today]

We still find things, believe me- living the things people only dreamed about just centuries ago does not stop human imagination.

[theabjectauthor]

I wonder ... Do you think any of those books might be in the library? I would be quite interested in trying one, if they are.

[pompous_today]

You know, I have never thought to look.

[theabjectauthor]

Well, then, perhaps if you give me a list of suggestions, I could look for them, the next time I am there.

[spongetastic]

I remember Zoe. She was a big help when we were on those sailing ships a few months back. Sorry to hear she's gone.

[pompous_today]

That sounds like her. We come from a world where space travel is the norm, so...

[spongetastic]

She wasn't very eager to be the captain, but she was great when the fighting started.

If you ever want a drink, Caritas is open.

[pompous_today]

She was a soldier, so that role certainly suits her.

I think I will stop by some time soon.

[spongetastic]

I might see you then. Or at the clinic.

[pompous_today]

Either one seems appropriate.

[gottaknockhard]

... Easy come, easy go.

[pompous_today]

My first thought as well.