+ actions to support it, and you've given me little reason to doubt yours."
He pauses, glancing around the reality.
"From what I've observed, this place seems to be in good hands for the time being."
"These 'dolls' of yours... they must recognize how earnest you are about the values you uphold."
Axiom regards him thoughtfully, his expression remaining characteristically stoic.
"Surely that's part of what makes you fit for your role. Conviction means little without the +
"Wise words to live by. I'm not free of regrets, but I know I can continue to be confident in my actions as long as I never forget the beliefs that make me take them."
Too many sacrifices and people have lived and gone to be anything but that. After all, it would sully their efforts.
"I'll decline to comment on that particular outcome, for both of our sakes."
Axiom nods to himself, folding his arms across his chest.
"The best you can do as a mortal is have confidence in the actions you take, then reflect upon them honestly with the benefit of time."
He +
"Not exactly the point I would had made either. I'm sure my reality has its own expiration date as well. I just hope it's not by our own hands..."
His voice trails off. A real worry given the state of Collapse Technology and Nirvana.
"*sigh* Maybe better not to think about that. It just depresses me."
+ Saving a reality at the expense of another life, another world, or some irreversible consequence hardly constitutes salvation."
A faint mechanical hum resonates beneath his words.
"Otherwise, believe me, I would have done it many times by now."
"As tempting as it can be to override the expiration date of certain realities, it never comes without a cost."
Axiom's gaze grows distant, contemplating the countless worlds he's encountered.
"Usually, that cost is far too steep to justify placing it on anyone's shoulders. +
"I agree. Some would even argue that the ephemeral nature of things may add a certain element to it. I might not agree with the sentiment but I suppose it's a thought for what it's worth."
Axiom downs the last of his drink before setting the now-empty glass back onto the bar with a quiet nod.
"I wouldn't oppose a refill, Daniel."
He regards the bartender with his usual stoic composure.
"Pleasure to make your acquaintance. That was quite the existential +
~> any case, would you like another drink? I'm Daniel, bartender of the Blood Rose Bar. *Sigh* Conversation so deep we forgot introductions, huh?"
He chuckled, seeing that the other eas aslmost done with the mix be made for him earlier.
"You would think that."
Axiom's gaze drifts for a moment, his expression remaining stoic.
"But it also makes attachments considerably harder when you realize just how fleeting they are for someone infinite like myself."
He pauses, his voice quieter.
"Eventually, every +
"It's a start."
Robin adds.
"I think a permanent purpose will come with time. It might even change after you thought you found it. Such is the benefit of having all the time in the world."
+ connection becomes temporary. Every person I meet will continue aging while I remain."
A faint mechanical hum resonates beneath his words.
"It can make even genuine attachments feel hollow at times."
His gaze returns to him.
"But I try not to let that deter me. Fleeting +
"Lovely. You can't go wrong with a good, reliable shotgun when facing dangers of the multiverse."
Axiom nods, watching her sculpt with quiet interest.
"Parents... No, I don't have any. My existence is a mistake, truth be told. I wasn't born so much as I simply... came to be."
🎨
"Just a title! She's a black market dealer and gave me my shotgun."
Sprilly starts sculpting some legs, whistling and smiling.
"Do you have parents, Axiom?"
+ weightless as mine can sometimes feel, helping someone else move forward gives me a small sense of purpose."
Axiom pauses.
"Not a permanent purpose, perhaps. But enough to keep me wandering."
"Don't downplay yourself quite so much, 'Commander.' While you may be just a man, you seem to possess a wisdom rather beyond your years."
Axiom regards him thoughtfully, his usual stoicism carrying a quiet note of respect.
"I also agree with your approach of more subtle +
"That's far. With that much power you must make such choices lightly. Though that's also why I suggested not so much changing things directly... more helping those people realize what they need to about themselves."
He shrugs.
"Well what do I know. Like I said, I'm just a man."
+ encouragement. There's something far more meaningful about helping others reach their potential without simply handing them the answer."
His gaze drifts momentarily into the distance.
"Perhaps that's part of why I find myself drawn to it. In an existence as empty and +