Desiderata

Go placidly amid the noise and the haste,
and remember what peace there may be in silence.

As far as possible, without surrender,
be on good terms with all persons.
Speak your truth quietly and clearly;
and listen to others,
even to the dull and the ignorant;
they too have their story.

Avoid loud and aggressive persons;
they are vexatious to the spirit.

If you compare yourself with others,
you may become vain or bitter,
for always there will be greater and lesser persons than yourself.
Enjoy your achievements as well as your plans.
Keep interested in your own career, however humble;
it is a real possession in the changing fortunes of time.

Exercise caution in your business affairs,
for the world is full of trickery.
But let this not blind you to what virtue there is;
many persons strive for high ideals,
and everywhere life is full of heroism.
Be yourself. Especially do not feign affection.
Neither be cynical about love,
for in the face of all aridity and disenchantment,
it is as perennial as the grass.

Take kindly the counsel of the years,
gracefully surrendering the things of youth.
Nurture strength of spirit to shield you in sudden misfortune.
But do not distress yourself with dark imaginings.
Many fears are born of fatigue and loneliness.

Beyond a wholesome discipline,
be gentle with yourself.
You are a child of the universe
no less than the trees and the stars;
you have a right to be here.
And whether or not it is clear to you,
no doubt the universe is unfolding as it should.

Therefore be at peace with God,
whatever you conceive Him to be.
And whatever your labors and aspirations,
in the noisy confusion of life,
keep peace in your soul.

With all its sham, drudgery, and broken dreams,
it is still a beautiful world.
Be cheerful. Strive to be happy.

~Max Ehrmann, 1927~

Delivery

Her eyes ranged over the lands. Power mad people scrambling over each other, trying to be the top killer.

"Avatars," she summoned.

"Mistress?"

"Milady."

"At your service."

She drew a deep breath.

"Deliver the Night."

As silently as the Avatars appeared, they left except one.

"You dislike performing service unto me?" she asked him.

"No," came the reply from the man with the dark expression. His constant scowling, unexpectable behaviour - and powers - earned him the name Darkhorse, replacing his old name.

"Then?" asked the Lady, querying Darkhorse's reason for delaying.

"This holocaust will only gain us our own," came the answer.

Sixor was taken aback by that statement but was able to maintain a calm demeanour.

"Let a Goddess deal with matters related to the Mother Temple and her residents," she replied.

Darkhorse vanished.