ANDEN
CHASING THE SUN
A better way of life? Anden wasn't sure about that. His body wasn't even his own anymore. It was The Voice's creation. She played with the very basics that made Anden - Anden. As if she wanted to see just how far she could change him before he wasn't himself anymore, until he was a monster. But here was Bastien, living his own life. He'd even had a child and a wife. Bastien was able to live a new life, even after being dropped in this world. Even after being curse. After everything, he still praised the goddess. Anden took another swig from his drink, if only it could fog his mind so he could stop overthinking it all.
None of this was supposed to be happening. The last thing Anden expected to do when he came to the bar was to think. He wanted to clear his mind, to forget. Instead he was faced with reality. And the reality of his situation was that he was just a whiny kid who got left behind.
Anden meant nothing to The Voice. So why was she all that Anden could think about?
"Are you a happy man Bastien?" He wasn't really sure why he was asking. It's not Bastien's happiness would make or break Anden's. They didn't know each other, and from the way Bastien spoke Anden could tell that they had little in common. That didn't stop Anden from looking at the man as inspiration. If Bastien could still be happy after being here longer than Anden, than why couldn't he?
"It's just hard to imagine. A world where I'm living on my own. A life where I'm... Free." He hesitated on his own words. What did free even mean now? Was he free from Eloise Marie, or free from the expectations of his old world. Or was it something different altogether. Anden stared at his now empty cup, before returning to Bastien's eyes. "And if I'm truly free to live my life however I please, why do I feel like I'd be giving up on myself if I do."
