The tranquil night sky draped over the world like a vast curtain. Even though the brilliant artificial lights on the ground made the twinkling stars seem dimmer than before, the cold starlight itself did not care about the lights below—it would continue, as it had for millions of years, to quietly look down upon all living things, watching one world after another where civilizations might flourish amid the vast darkness of space.
What might be happening on those distant planets at this very moment? Even the finest playwright, exhausting all their imagination, probably could not paint such a picture.
Yet information swifter than light could bring greetings from four light-years away, letting those gazing at the stars know that somewhere far off, there was also a world full of life.
Tir raised her head and quietly watched the twinkling starlight. Dim silver glow spilled across her beautiful, delicate scales, somehow lending the sea siren an air of elegance and serenity—Gawain rarely understood what this deep-sea creature, who spent most of her time sleeping, was thinking about, especially at this moment.
"What are you thinking about?" he could not help breaking the silence.
"What a beautiful starry sky... It was once such an unfamiliar sight, but now it feels quite familiar," Tir said softly. "We have watched this sky for millions of years. Tell me, how many civilizations have perished beneath our gaze during those millions of years?"
"...On the scale of light-years, the destruction of a civilization is not even as significant as the flicker of a star. I do not think there is much point in discussing such things before we gain the ability to travel the stars."
"That is true," Tir said with a smile. "We should think about something more practical."
"Speaking of practical matters, I suddenly