Work Text:
“I'm so sad… why did you die?”
A question that they have asked time and time again. It was impossible for them to get an answer, after all, that ‘Aeon’ was just a simulation in a computer, a set of pixels meant to mimic what mortals could grasp and understand of a philosophical concept. But what is a simulation if not an approximation to reality in a controlled environment? The real question was, what data has been introduced that led to that result? Aeons are as mysterious as the vastness of the cosmos, mortals could not possibly know everything about THEM despite the unwavering need of some to do so.
But nothing could come as a bigger surprise than the trickster Aeon themselves, or, at least, their copy, breaking down into tears and shaking even if just for a moment. The Joyseeker themselves calling out for the Aeon of The Trailblaze, gone long ago. Everyone was looking, perplexed at the image of a weeping god, the Trailblazer, Herta, Screwllum, Stephen and…
“That was fun.”
Looking over the mortals was Aha's main source of entertainment, if you were to, of course, take away how THEY also loved to mess with them. Seeing them pull data and analyze what was basically a fraction of THEIR self had a certain amount of humor to it, enough to catch THEIR attention.
“Aha could do that, but THEY are not allowed.”
The Aeon mentions in a voice that ripples throughout the galaxy, talking to THEIR own self, a self made out of the other masks and props that composed THEIR body. The shining mask was now the one in front while the others circled THEM in a mocking manner, THEY were mocking THEMSELVES. One of THEIR hands lowers, allowing the human-legged dove to jump on, starting to dance over the Aeon's palm before jumping right on one of the floating circus balls. A display that would have amused even the youngest of kids, and yet, Aha does not laugh.
“Does Aha miss THEM?”
One of the other masks ends up asking, being met with a light nod of The Elation's current main one. The answer was expected, no one knew Aha better than those masks, the only exception to this constant being that one traveler whose final stop had already arrived, just like all the Nameless before THEM.
“Aha does, but shhh… THEY can't know.”
“Who?”
“ Who can't?”
Masks perk up, clearly interested in who Aha was referring to, especially when The Elation was really not that good at hiding certain emotions. Of course, Aeons worked solo, and even those who had good relationships with others barely ever crossed paths; there was more than enough room to miss certain changes to a concept.
There was a short moment of silence before Aha erupted in loud laughter, throwing THEMSELVES back and turning the main mask around to show the back of it to the others, playful as THEY always were.
“The old hag with the golden scales.”
Commotion followed through, that was a name that few other than THEIR followers enjoyed mentioning. The Aeon of Equilibrium, the one that influenced even others in THEIR same godly status.
“HooH!”
"HOOH!”
The laughter became even noisier, now all the masks joined in on the fun of mocking the old Aeon. But amongst all the clapping and laughter, there was a tinge of bitterness that could be felt only by those knowledgeable enough in what made a laugh a truly joyous one.
“Aha does not like it.”
Masks shifted their focus at that exact second, getting closer to their core, the shadow body that usually hid between them, some mortals not even knowing about its existence. The dark hands play around with the mask they were holding not long ago, all happening right before setting it in front of where THEIR face should be.
“But ripping off the Primum Mobile means the end, and, when the curtain falls, the laugh only lingers for a while before dying out.”
Monologuing to THEMSELVES was not weird on Aha's part, but it was usually a way to organize THEIR schemes, yet, at that moment, seeing THEIR simulation act in a way THEY could never, made THEM slightly resent that fake self that appeared on the computer. Why that thing and not THEM? With Akivili gone, there was no one Aha could complain to about that invisible chain that so strongly binded THEM to THEIR path, chain that prevented THEM from showing how much the loss had affected THEIR entire self.
“Life has always been unfair to Aha.”
THEY mention amidst the laughing masks, being able to hear the joy in the other faces before lazily leaning back to rest on some of the cards and balls, now carefully displayed in a way that allowed the change in positions. The Aeon appeared bored for a moment while the masks continued laughing on their own. It all looked like a display, an act, all carefully crafted in order to circumvent the same restrictions THEY have been complaining about. But THEY had to be careful, since the oh so loathed Primum Mobile could never be blindsided by masks and fanfare, the chain going straight to the core of the Aeons.
“Aha can't cry, Aha can't cry!”
“The fake one can, but the real one can't!”
Aha listens to the teasing without reacting much at first, letting out a loud laughter being the chosen response, bending forward and holding THEIR own body as best as THEY could. The cards did not have to hold THEM anymore so they returned to just float around THEIR self.
“Aha can't cry!”
And yet THEY cry out those words, laughing hysterically once again as the props shook in place before moving in circles, like a cyclone whose center was just a fake calmness before the winds finish their job of destruction in a more dreadful manner. The eye of the storm was tranquil only for the ignorant.
Even when Aha knew THEY would not see Akivili again, not in the same way at least, not being able to at least say goodbye was THEIR biggest regret, a last embrace would have made the hole in THEIR chest hurt slightly less. For an Aeon, losing a partner was the most painful experience that could happen as THEY were still ascended, romantic partnerships being almost unheard of between THEM, but Aha and Akivili have always played by THEIR own rules within THEIR restrictions.
“Aha wants to cry?”
“Aha can't cry, THEY are Elation!”
They could be annoying at times, but Aha was more than used to it. THEY knew the masks were other sides of THEMSELVES, nothing more, nothing less. There was no entity laughing at Aha’s misfortune other than THEMSELVES. They laugh once more, joining the mocking masks before juggling two of the balls between THEIR hands, playing around with how high to make them reach.
“The Trailblaze is long gone, Aha is fine with that! There is no need for tears when we are off the stage.”
Lying for fun was something they were accustomed to, but, at that time, they were lying to keep the fun. Everything Aha did was for Fun.
“Aha is used to having an aching hole in THEIR chest, Aha is fine with seeing the simulated self weep and cry! Just like my dearest Mourning Actors!”
Now it came the rambling, the madman THEY were always described as coming to shine in moments like this. Pathetic way of coping, THEY were aware of that, but it was better than nothing.
“Elation is full of emotions, and Aha's ultimate goal is laughter. But the world is a sad, sad place…”
“... Sad when you are not on it.” But THEY did not dare to voice that part of THEIR own thoughts, to accept that THEIR ultimate Joy had vanished with the last twinkle of a distant star. If Aha was honest, THEY had a desire to fall to the abyss just like THEIR beloved supposedly did. But despite THEIR usual reckless nature, Aha was being awfully cautious about all that THEY were doing regarding that desire. Because finding out what happened to Akivili and exactly how was of utmost importance. If Akivili had a chance to return, there was no use making the reunion impossible. If THEY had no chance, then further consideration would be needed, or not, Elation had always been an unpredictable one. In the end, it was all future Aha's issue, the current one looking down at the mortals at the station once again.
“Maybe I should mess up with the calculations again, Nous' Genius always seem frustrated and annoyed when it does happen without a proper explanation.”
Aha clapped THEIR hands a couple of times, faint laughter being heard all across the universe before the sound of protest came from the Simulated Universe’s team. The trailblazer inside the computer was suddenly served with only Fools’ Masks as a curio option. It was amusing even if slightly, there was no time to mourn, not when the world was in such dire need of Elation.
All masks laugh in unison once again, pure joy emanating from the Aeon, as it had always been, as it should always be. But, in the back of the mask that had been used to talk up until now, strategically concealed from the Golden Scales of Equilibrium and only visible to The Elation’s eyes, Aha would always have a shiny little mark in the form of a shooting star, a Compass carefully hidden in that mark as a last gift from The Trailblaze, a memento of their relationship that was always supposed to go beyond death itself.