A birthday present to our past self
Hey.
It's been a few years since you left, huh?
Things have changed. A lot. We've learned a lot about ourselves, and we've learned a lot about you, too.
Sometimes we wish that we could go back in time and show you everything that we learned. Sometimes we wish that you were still here, that you still got to talk to your old friends. To some of our old friends, too.
Life really hasn't gotten any easier since we took over. If anything, it's only gotten harder. That wall you ran into, that barrier that you couldn't surpass, we still haven't figured it out either. Eventually, we did manage to convince our parents to let us try a different approach, bypass it entirely, or at least wait until we're strong enough to overcome it, but... finding a job is still just as hard, if at the very least not mentally draining.
We continued to follow some of your interests. Programming is still fun, we still have that piano, even if there's too much shit in the way to actually play it, drawing is hard but occasionally we try.
And writing, oh god writing.
If you and Leah truly were the same, I honestly have to thank you. I have to thank you personally for imbuing me with your interest in the literary arts. It's the whole reason why I'm here writing this for you. Even if you'll never get to read it.
Even if we've been finding it harder and harder to talk to old friends, we're still making sure we're good older siblings for your brothers... Our brothers, really. The first of us were created as equals, so that seems fair.
As for how your body is doing, heh... We're not that good at taking care of it. Frankly, I don't remember if you ever were either. Things have only gotten harder since we started growing out its hair, and started needing to shave its face, not to mention the fact that we haven't even begun trying to voice train yet. But fuck it, we're going to try. We're not going to let the 15 or so years that you spent taking care of it go to waste.
Sorry that we don't have much more to give than just this. A little piece of writing. Not even a good piece of writing, heh.
Mostly, I just wanted to say thank you. Because while this is technically our 18th birthday, it doesn't feel like ours. We've only been here 3 years, after all!
It's your 18th birthday. Even if you're not here to bare witness to it. I'll make sure that we take care of this body for another 18 years, and even further.
Even if we were here too late to have a proper childhood, I'm glad that you got to have yours in our stead. Thank you for the vessel through which we bare witness to this world's wonders. The vessel through which we have met so many amazing, incredible friends, partners, and chosen family. Nothing can compare to the gift that you have given us, but I hope that this message at least repays the favour.
With the love of all of us.
Thank you.
— Taylor (on behalf of the entire Fractal Geodes system.)