Book One – Chapter 11

But this was exactly it. It was not just about seeing. You never only wanted to see. Beneath all this distinction, recognition and pursuit of physical beauty lay the longing to touch. Within all this fixation on perfection lay the craving to claim and possess. To Yves, the fixation on external beauty was a reflection of innate desire. Such desire can be satisfied and it can be very much exhausted – especially if you find yourself curious enough to investigate all these controversial rumours. Mind you, it helps quite a bit to be influential and wealthy enough to afford an equal level of discretion.

But what remains after seeing and touching and claiming and possessing such perfection? Time may pass, desire may resurge to be satisfied again, but what is the point? What does beauty give you, except for momentary pleasure?

“There is something like love at first sight, you know,” said Mushroombird, “amongst other races.”

“Can you honestly believe in love at first sight?” Yves deliberately stressed the words. “In the literal sense? How do you not see the hypocrisy in this? If you do not even know whether the person you see is real or an illusion, what more is this love than physical temptation, the call of desire in disguise?”

“That is a quite disappointing perspective,” said Mushroombird.

“Disappointment is not a valid counterargument,” replied Yves.

“Rude. Well then, your perspective is not very romantic.”

“How could it be, when there is nothing more superficial than a first glance? What does beauty offer, when I can create as many beautiful beings as I want?”

“Like me,” said Mushroombird.

“Like you,” agreed Yves.