Chapter 552 (1/2)

Randidly frowned. “What?”

“Through your actions, you have become more than yourself, you have become a symbol,” Neveah said patiently. “You are not just a person, but you are proof of a concept; you are proof that humanity can stand up against the System. But your legend is more than that as well. Because it is every story from the lives you have touched. It is every way that you existing rippled outward, changing the course of history.

“You are upset because you see yourself, and some part of you says ‘that’s not me’. Even if those actions are good, you have that instinctual reaction. In the nicest way, you are naive, Randidly.

“Do you think that some others have not also have had the ideas to impersonate you? You are the most powerful human I know of, both in terms of individual might and in terms of renown. In both Zones, you are known. If I was not acting as you, there is no doubt in my mind others would attempt to do the same, either for good or for ill. Your legend would grow piecemeal from the tales of these impersonators. At some point, it is possible that the fakes proliferate to such a degree that your own actions can do little to sway the course of your legend. But that is okay because you are not the type of person to care about such things.”

“That… that’s not…” Randidly said, grasping to find exactly why he disagreed so strongly with what Neveah was saying. He could understand that some people might try and use his identity to their advantage, but to actually pass themselves off as him…

“You are self-absorbed. If you were not, you would have been crushed by the details of what you have been doing.” Neveah said matter of factly. “I have watched many people. I started thinking that people were like you, but you are atypical in so many ways… I would not have become the Soulbond of most people. But with you, it was the most natural thing in the world. Most other people do not like themselves. They clothe themselves in status, distract themselves with pleasures, hide within righteous emotions and religion. You have become such a thing that you are a piece of clothing these people can wear.

“You are an icon.”

Randidly just stared at Neveah. When they were bound, Neveah could barely speak. She wasn’t even gendered at that point. Now, she seemed to be lecturing Randidly on his own existence. And honestly… her words rung true. There was a lot here that Randidly hadn’t thought about simply because he was too close to the issue. He should have understood that people would use his identity at some point. Neveah’s actions here did have a sizable anchoring effect on that.

People being what they were if there was no news to talk about they would make news on their own. Usually, by imitating the past news. But as long as Neveah was the face of Randidly Ghosthound, they wouldn’t act out as him. Or at least, that was what Neveah was claiming.

However, Randidly could see now how it was all of those things. It was her being the Randidly people could see, it was her helping people, it was her enjoying this life, it was her making a good name for him. But it was also…

Neveah waved her hand, and suddenly she was him. “Before we continue, there’s something that I need to take care of. Can I have a minute.”

For a second Randidly was confused, but then he heard something and nodded. He stepped into the shadows just as Tia stomped forward. Her face was scrunched up into a scowl and she glared at Neveah, who simply smiled affably back.

“You left the party. The ENTIRE party.” Tia huffed. There were tears in her eyes, Randidly saw. Abruptly, he felt guilty that he had assumed that she would be glad to have him gone so she could take the limelight. Although Randidly wasn’t sure how superficial the relationship between Neveah and Tia was, it was still a relationship. Both of them needed to be a part of it.

Perhaps that’s why his own relationships were so sporadic and short-lived.

“I know. I’m sorry. I was helping a friend.” Neveah said simply.

Tia shook her head. “Today of all days? You spend every day helping people! You are obsessed with helping people! Can’t I have a SINGLE day where you are just mine?”

With a sigh, Neveah shook her head and said, “No.”

Abruptly, Tia burst into tears and threw herself into Neveah’s arms. The two embraced, and Randidly was a little afraid that Tia would be scared off by the feel of Neveah’s true body. But if she noticed it, she gave no sign. Then two of them held each other for several minutes, the only sounds between them Tia’s sniffles.

“This is the way I am. In a way, I am blessed that I have many soul mates.” Neveah said, some of her cheer restored.

Tia snorted. “When my next tour starts, I’ll be even busier. I probably won’t even take your calls. And god help you when I finally am ready to record another album…. Oh! There’s even been talk of me acting in a movie-”

“We will always find time for each other, even if it makes us uncomfortable,” Neveah announced. “That is what a soulmate is.”

After a while, the two took a step back from each other. Tia’s eyes roamed the dark alcoves of the half-constructed building behind Neveah, where Randidly was standing. “...She’s here, isn’t she.”

Neveah nodded. “I must finish talking to her.”