Chapter 54 – It exchanges vows
Chapter 54 – It exchanges vows
🖤███ : “These Rings Eternal were forged by my hand from a single strand of Consequence. They will last as long as Time itself—Eternal and Unbreaking unless removed. And, bound to the very essence of the wearer’s soul, removal is impossible no matter how many reincarnations or Cycles pass. Thus, effecting Forever.
🖤███ : “Brides to be, please make your vows to each other, and bind your Terms to the Rings Eternal so that they may last for as long as the Rings Eternal remain unbroken.
🖤███ : “Please hold hands and deliver your vows to each other. Amy, would you like to begin?”
Amy: "...Oh boy. Really putting me on the spot here... Is this because I said I wasn't interested in that giant metal bean you've been shilling so much to everyone?”
Sprinkles of laughter.
Amy: “Uh... You know... I'm supposed to be a writer or some kind of divine transformer or something... but every time I've ever tried to come up with the words to express how I feel for you, it always falls short. ‘You’ being Thia. Not Lulu. In case that wasn't clear. But, uh... yeah. I just suck at writing about Thia. That was true years ago, and it's still true today. It’s impossible to put my feelings for you into words because there's just no combination in existence that can truly capture how amazing you are, and how blessed I feel every day to just be by your side. In my heart, you're so perfect in every single way. And when I see you, or hold you, or even just think about you, I feel this feeling bubbling up in the depths of my soul, but I've never been able to put the entirety of that feeling onto paper. It’s one of those things that can only be felt and not explained... but believe me when I say that it's the most beautiful feeling in the world. Because that feeling is you. It's every part of you combined into this wonderful glow of love and warmth that fills the core of my being and radiates through every part of my soul. And I'm so lucky to have met you. To have you in my life. To be part of your life.
Amy: “I love you so much, Thia. In sickness and in health, I would do anything for you. Forever. Not that you ever get sick, you absolute medical anomaly. But I would happily give you everything I had if that would let you feel even 1% more happiness. And I'll always be there for you, no matter what happens. I've loved you from the very start, and I'll keep loving you even after everything ends. The only thing I've ever wanted was for you to be happy. And somehow, by the miracle of God, Satan, Cthulhu, or whoever else is sitting in the front row... somehow being with me is what makes you happy. And I don't know whose dog I saved in a past life to deserve that, but I'm never letting this opportunity go. I'm yours Forever. I'll never let you go. I'll never give you up. I won't tell a lie or desert you.”
Groans throughout the church.
Amy: “Sorry. Anyways, look. Like I said... I don't word good. But I love you, Thia. And I always will. Forever and ever and ever. For a thousand forevers. For a million always. I'll keep loving you for eternity. I offer you my Everything Forever, or until our Rings Eternal shatter.”
🖤███ : “Beautifully said, and truly Divine. Retribution—Thia, would you please offer your vows in kind?”
“It posits: the bond of a relationship between two beings is forged by the Terms they have completed, the Terms they have in progress, and the duration for which these Terms have existed. The quality and quantity of these Terms make up the composition of the strings which bind these two beings together.
“It has presided over a great many Terms for a great many throughout the myriad realms, but few since the Dawn of Time have forged any bonds with It.
“With Amy, It has made countless Terms of every quality and duration. Terms completed within seconds. Terms spanning a lifetime. Terms so small that others would deem them inconsequential. Terms so large that others would deem them impossible. Yet for It and Amy, all Terms are exchanged easily, and with Overall Benefit at their heart.
“To always think of one’s other half. To create Benefit from nothing. To take that which is inconsequential, and to turn that into something positive for the other. To wish the best for one's other half, and to elevate them above oneself. That is Overall Benefit. That is Divine.
“It had never experienced such unwavering Divinity until It met Amy. Amy has always acted and thought with It’s Benefit in mind—always seeked to elevate It. It has also tried to give Amy Overall Benefit in return, and to help Amy flourish into the best version of Amy. It hopes that one day It might become as unconditionally giving as It's Wife. To It, Amy is the model of Divinity, and every second spent with Amy brings It closer to the Divine.
“To Amy, who has never sought to take advantage of It, and whose heart of Divinity has only sought Overall Benefit, It is Forever blessed. To Amy, whose heart of Divinity beats for It, and who has nurtured It’s heart of Divinity, It is Forever grateful. For Amy, who has shown It more Divinity than any other, It will spend the rest of Forever with It's heart of Divinity beating for your sake.
“For all beings in existence: It grants the knowledge of Overall Benefit which It's Wife has granted It. For all beings in existence, It will continue to preside over that which is Just. But For It's Wife—to the only Wife It has and the only Wife It will ever have—It offers It's Everything Forever, or for as long as Amy and It's Rings Eternal exist.”
Amy: "...Thia..."
“Forever has no end, but Forever must have a beginning. It wonders if Amy agrees to the exchange of Everything Forever with It? It wonders if Amy is ready to begin The Great Dream?”
Amy: "...Yes. I do. I am. Of course. Of course I will, Thia. I offer you my Everything Forever. I'll love you Forever, even if our Rings Eternal shatter and our terms end. I'll love you until the end of everything, and even after that I'll still love you. I'll love you for as long as you love me, and even if one day you stop, I'll still love you. Forever. Forever. Forever. A million Forevers. Have my Everything, Thia. Take anything you want. I offer it all to you for Eternity.”
“It does not need Anything from It's Wife. Everything Forever will suffice.”
Amy: “Then have my Everything Forever.”
“It accepts and offers It's Everything Forever in return.”
🖤███ : “Do you, Amy, willingly, and under no threat or coercion, pledge your Everything to Thia Forever, or for as long as your Rings Eternal exist?”
Amy: “Jesus, is that really how that line goes? I do.”
🖤███ : “Do you, Thia, willingly, and under no threat or coercion, pledge your Everything to Amy Forever, or for as long as your Rings Eternal exist?”
“It does.”
🖤███ : “Please now exchange your Rings Eternal.”
...
..
.
“The Price is It's Everything Forever. The Ask is Amy’s Everything Forever. Are these Terms correct?”
Amy: “Aww. We get our own little special term, too? Of course they're correct. I accept.”
“The Price and the Ask are Just. It Obeys.”
Amy: "...I love you, Thia.”
“It accepts the premise. Continue.”
Amy: "After Lulu finishes the rites.”
🖤███ : “Of course, dear brides. By the power vested in me, with God as my witness..." Lulu winked at the front row. “I now pronounce you Wife and Wife. You may now kiss the bride.”
"...Thia?”
“It accepts the premise. Continue.”
“Forever.”