All the while she remained silent. Hardly breathing, as she watched him process the impossiblity of it. She couldn't fathom what it must be like. Was it something to break him, to build him? A relief, a burden, a curse? She only knew what her own feelings might be to realizing she might not be all she was supposed to.
But... that was also something she wondered about. How thorough was the copy? What did it mean in terms of souls, of impact on this world? So far, none of the gods seemed inclined to discriminate against the Outlanders in terms of realness, so did it really mean anything? If their fabricated selves were still embraced by Mort, capable of living a life in honor of Vi, bound to the laws of nature as dictated by Rae... then was there even a problem?
Biting the inside of her cheek until it felt raw, she shrugged somewhat helplessly at the question. "I don't know she said, more honest than helpful. "In the dream I was guided by my brother's spirit. I was shown the construct, and the existence of the portals before anyone else had realized what they were... When I asked why it was shown to me, he said it was because I was soon to be in a position where I could act on the knowledge. Because I'd almost managed to become a ruler, I think."
Maybe it was the gods who'd shown her. Maybe something else entirely. Perhaps her brother's presence had only been her own thoughts, trying to help her cope with a vision that otherwise would have driven her mad. It was impossible to say.
"I suppose it is possible that Ludo might have... But somehow I don't think so. There was no touch of their presence, and I think I would have known if it was done by the Voice. The vision she gave me before was very distinct in nature... nothing at all like this."
Pulling a strand of grass free, the slender girl wound it between her fingers, considering her friend with brows wrinkled in quiet concern.
But... that was also something she wondered about. How thorough was the copy? What did it mean in terms of souls, of impact on this world? So far, none of the gods seemed inclined to discriminate against the Outlanders in terms of realness, so did it really mean anything? If their fabricated selves were still embraced by Mort, capable of living a life in honor of Vi, bound to the laws of nature as dictated by Rae... then was there even a problem?
Biting the inside of her cheek until it felt raw, she shrugged somewhat helplessly at the question. "I don't know she said, more honest than helpful. "In the dream I was guided by my brother's spirit. I was shown the construct, and the existence of the portals before anyone else had realized what they were... When I asked why it was shown to me, he said it was because I was soon to be in a position where I could act on the knowledge. Because I'd almost managed to become a ruler, I think."
Maybe it was the gods who'd shown her. Maybe something else entirely. Perhaps her brother's presence had only been her own thoughts, trying to help her cope with a vision that otherwise would have driven her mad. It was impossible to say.
"I suppose it is possible that Ludo might have... But somehow I don't think so. There was no touch of their presence, and I think I would have known if it was done by the Voice. The vision she gave me before was very distinct in nature... nothing at all like this."
Pulling a strand of grass free, the slender girl wound it between her fingers, considering her friend with brows wrinkled in quiet concern.
