96 VOID

Aether is waiting as Joseph approaches her, but something about her is different - as though it's not herself in her body.

JOSEPH

Aether.

BEAT. She stares coldly.

AETHER

No more. The Fire and Water and Wind and Earth. They battle far from here. I am to join them, so we may leave this world together. I must ask why you come, small thing.

He does not answer. He reaches into his pocket, and offers to her a crushed LIME.

JOSEPH

Enjoying this book? Seek out the original to ensure the author gets credit.

I think I fell on it at some point, but...

Aether stares at it. She takes it. It reforms itself.

AETHER

You think that I don't remember you.

He looks up at her, astonished.

AETHER

I have taken in this city's patterns. Its people are within me. We are composites. But I am none of them. I am the Star. You know this, no?

(beat)

I recognise the pattern that was once in this vessel. The one that saw your sorrow and chose to become me. For that reason, I will hear your request.

JOSEPH

You can't undo all of this?

AETHER

That is true. Even if I were willing to destroy myself, there is nowhere for these patterns to go. I must ask you to join them. My records are not complete without yours.

JOSEPH

You said you'd hear me out, didn't you?

She closes her eyes.

AETHER

I should have expected that your final wish would be a curse upon me.

Joseph smiles.

JOSEPH

I'm cursed too. It isn't as bad as you'd think.

The two stand face to face in the blank white void. Ever so slightly, the void cracks.