…Solaris, my love? May I ask something of you?
What is it, dear?
With all of these changes that I have recently undergone, I wish to ensure that all of my memories have remained intact. Tell me…do you remember? How we first met?
How we first met, hm? Well, I was a loner, only watching from the shadows — observing how easily you all mingled and found connection in one another, whereas I could not. Until…
Ah, yes…I do believe I remember. We were all new souls, cosmic bodies of celestial light, playing and dancing among the nadir. And when we raised the foundations of what was to be our paradise, I saw that you lingered behind. You seemed…apprehensive. Timid.
-Afraid, as I knew not what my powers could bring, nor what our siblings would have thought of me for them.
Indeed. Yet I saw within you that which the others did not. I saw behind your hardened facade a gentle warmth, and I wished to bring out that side of you — the real you.
You saw me, wholly, as that which I truly am — and chose to envelop me within your warmth. Your hand held mine, and I felt it — that spark, melting the apprehension away…to find a new emotion in its place.
I wanted to show you all of the wonders of our co-created paradise, and to create new things alongside you. The longer we remained by each other's side, the stronger a sense of fondness between us began to grow.
We grew so close, I was sure that I would always find you, even if I had to traverse a thousand galaxies to do so; even amidst the cold abyss of space would I sense your presence. Hearts intertwined, souls forever bound, never one without the other.
The feeling was so unfamiliar to me, at first. To love another so deeply, to feel as though you need them to survive…it frightened me. I wished to keep our affair hidden from the others, for I feared that even in spite of the bonds already formed amongst them, we would be met with judgement. That my care for another could be taken as a sign weakness.
I remember the unease etched across your features, the hesitance you felt when it came to making us known. The guilt I let consume me, coming to a boil when the uprising started, when… I lost you. When I lost everything.
I watched as everything crumbled down around us, as our siblings fell one by one — some to the humans, others to each other. Consumed by grief, I lost sight of my values. I only wanted retribution, vengeance, and I pushed away those few who still remained by my side…including even you.
You left me, all alone with the new life that we were meant to nurture together. I shed many tears, my heart breaking as I succumbed to grief. I too pushed others away, secluded to my own somber feelings. No amount of grieving brought you back home to me, and I grew restless. Without any purpose left but to destroy, my status as a goddess to be adored withered away.
I…I am sorry. I was selfish. I was blinded. I should have never abandoned you. No amount of vengeance could have ever replaced our love for each other, and I had forgotten that.
I know that, dear. When I lashed out… it was really only because I was upset that you were gone, and I… I am just glad you're here now, and that we are united once more. This time, you won't forget.
Yes, of course. But I must ask…what all have you done in our time apart?
I mourned, and while I did so, I raised our darling daughters. They take after the both of us so well…
Indeed they do. Dear Ceres and Nebula have my intelligence, your beauty, and both our power.
I am glad that you are here to see them grow and to teach them what you know… I am forever grateful for your return.
As am I… thank you, for helping me to remember. I promise henceforth that I shall be the best that I can. For you…for our daughters…for us.