Submission (#680) Approved

When Aphrodite had been given a set of stationary as a gift, she grew curious by the day on what she could possibly write, leading to an idea; why not write to your former self?

The idea was endearing in a way. Things were jarringly different for her back then than compared to how they are now. Propping herself up onto one of the smoother rocks in the cove, Aphrodite begun to write.

"Dear Aphrodite,

It's such a shame you won't be able to read this for yourself. I'm sure you would have benefitted greatly if you had been given the opportunity to go over this.

I wish to start with something simple. To tell you that things are far more wonderful in your life that you would ever be able to imagine. Well, our life. Here in the future, things are what you had longed for. It has been nothing short of a privilege to honor each wish you made on the countless shooting stars you looked up to.

I've moved to be closer to that cove we always visited. I've decorated with wonderful trinkets I think you would fall in love with, just as much as I have. I've adorned myself with the pearls and shells you collected, a way to keep you here with me, my dear. I think you'd love the cove. If there was way to bring you here to see me, I'd tell you the stories of each and every thing.

On the topic of stories, I've been lucky to learn so many. Countless have visited the cove to tell me tales of their adventures or of those they hold dearly close. It's a daily occurrence now. A visitor comes by to tell me of something they care for and look to me for advice. Sometimes, they leave offerings as a thank you. I of course always reply to something from deep in the ocean. Loose pieces of coral that had been chipped off, the seaweed bracelets you wore every day, pearls, and shells. Little things that brought joy to us, but mean the world to them. Perhaps they see it in the same light when they offer me something in return.

I believe they think I have the power to influence their relationships, or at least grant some sort of luck. After they've spoken to me, they leave and come back at a later day to tell me another story, this time, one happier. I've even heard some myths about us.

I can't say I mind though. When someone comes by to tell me all about their loved ones, it brings me a spark of joy of which I can't put into words. When I look over each and every gift, I can't help but recall them. If they're of the belief that I can bring them solace in their struggling relationships, it's nice to let them.. With those warmer thoughts, they bring themselves the very same confidence they came to me for.

Regrettably, I still haven't had the pleasure of meeting someone like us, with the same tail. I've asked those who pass by to inform me, but there hasn't been any luck just yet. I'm keeping my hopes up for both of us. When one shows up, I'll be sure to write all about them.

Enough about me of course. How is the reef? Do you still have to detangle the seaweed from the coral? I hope you're still using it for jewelry. Remember to not adorn yourself with sea snails again, alright? They're always a hassle to clean up."

Aphrodite paused. Where she moved to the next paragraph, she hesitated before she put pen to paper. There was a question she had almost instinctively written, as if she was asking another person and not her younger self.

'Have you met someone like us?'

Aphrodite didn't need to write it, she was well aware of it, of all of which she was asking. It was lighthearted to ask something she knew the answer to, but this was something she wasn't sure of being able to write. After all, this was the only wish she had never been able to grant. The wish her younger self couldn't help but spend an entire meteor shower wishing for. Someone who didn't make her feel like she stood out. She was afraid of the jammyx on the surface, the same ones Aphrodite befriended. She could only muster the courage to "speak" to the sea creatures around her. It was lonely.

Aphrodite tilted her head and gently set her hand over the still drying ink, smudging some of the words that hadn't been given the chance to dry out and lose their shine. It was an act of empathy, almost to comfort the paper version of her younger self.

...

"A small tip, from me to you. That shipwreck near our little cave isn't so scary. It's full of wonderous things I think you'd love. I know from experience but there's no harm in checking it a little early. I know you can do it.

I'm afraid I've run out of things to say that aren't just circling around the same few thoughts. Leading the life you've wished for has been an honor I treasure each and every day. I know that this world is a bit daunting, but I can assure you that those people on the beach you've been afraid of want nothing more than to be your friend.

I can't wait for you to take that first step, little one. If you can find a way to send me a letter, please do. I'd love nothing more.

Sincerely, your future self,

Aphrodite."

Aphrodite leaned away from the letter as she meticulously put the stationary away and back in a safe place far away from the foamy waves that ebbed and flowed into the cove. When she was sure the ink had fully dried, Aphrodite slowly folded up the letter before guiding it into a small bottle she placed a handful of stones into for added weight. Securing a cork and some seaweed around the bottle neck (with a shell or two of course), it was done. Clutching the bottle close, Aphrodite sunk below the waves to her home.

When she arrived, she set the bottle on one of the "shelves" that naturally formed in the wall. The rocks gave the bottle just enough weight to not float up, allowing Aphrodite to safely leave it alone.

She knew that water would eventually seep in and ruin the kind words she wrote to herself, but in a way, if it was washed away.. perhaps it meant it reached back in time to the nervous child who needed to hear those words more than she needed to write them.

Reward	Amount
Serum	20