capeandcowl | twenty-two. voice.

[There's the soft sound of a heater in the background, a pleasant, continuous hum. Katurian's voice is clear but decidedly subdued, a contrast to his typically frantic nature.]

Aristotle once said that most of humankind is swayed by fear rather than reverence, that they refrain from evil not because it's the right thing to do but because they're afraid of punishment. It gets me thinking about religion more than anything.

[Pause. The faint sound of nails tracing wood. Tapping.]

After all, religion builds monsters to keep people in line. Fantastical beings. Or-- not so fantastical. But of course, I never needed them. I never payed attention to all the monsters that people cowered over in groups behind pews. The monsters described on clear blue pamphlets.

I'm a writer. I make my own monsters.

[Pause. Then, softer:]

There are, of course, quite a few people who don't refrain in the first place. I suppose that's what Aristotle meant. Most humankind.

[More tapping. Drumming.]

I suppose-- [Pause.] Well. I suppose that's it for today.

[Click.]

Flat | Top-Level Comments Only

Begins sunset on the twentieth.

Tradition is important to me as well. Back home, my brother and I celebrated every Christmas together. We didn't have visitors and we didn't go to church, but we still k-kept a-- we kept a tree. Tradition is important.

Who's the older one?

It was my mother who taught me the importance of tradition. She'd light the menorah every Hanukkah we spent together.

He was. But I-- looked after him. That was how it went.

Was it you and your mother, growing up?

That's kind of you. Normally the older one watches out for the others.

It was my mom and my sister. My dad too, but he was often serving overseas.

It wast the least I could do.

[Pause.]

He was a soldier?

He's a full-bird now. [ pause. ] Colonel.

He is. He is.

That's-- incredible.

[ she has not witnessed that sort of reaction a long time now. due to the fact many people know who the kanes are. ]

He'd appreciate the compliment.

It's too bad I could never give it to him. Well, probably never, I mean-- I mean unless he comes into this place. Unless the Porter takes him in.

It's funny, how our old lives can cross like that.

Let's hope she doesn't.

The past always has a way of sticking around, doesn't it?

Do you think of him as your past?

[ she'd like to move on in a way. ]

We don't talk anymore.

[A soft laugh.]

That was rude of me.

No offense taken, Katurian. You didn't know.