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Immortality is often something children wish for growing up. Being able to live forever and never having to leave the happy moments in life behind. Thinking that those they care about will stay forever. Never having to worry that people will leave you, never having to say goodbye to those you love for long.
Being able to live your life never having to worry about what’s going to happen next. Knowing no matter what you’ll always have time to fulfill those promises and dreams without the threat of mortality cutting time short. Always being able to put things off knowing that eventually you’ll be able to go back to them. Having the opportunity to do those things that some might consider extremely risky knowing that no matter what things will work out eventually.
Knowing that saying ‘goodbye’ doesn’t mean the end.
However, reality is crueler than fiction.
Immortality doesn’t apply to those surrounding you. They live in the moment, not having the luxury of not having to worry about tomorrow. Those you love still age and move on with their lives, with or without you. Time doesn’t make exceptions for anyone, and saying goodbye will eventually mean the end. No matter how much you cling on, no matter how hard you try to stop it, time is ruthless and death comes for those when they least expect it.
Einstein stared at the photo album in her hands, debating what to do. The room was silent with the exception of the soft ticking of a clock on the wall. Her eyes scanned over the well worn cover expressionlessly. Small tears and scratches were etched into the cover along with dents from being thrown about over the years. It’d been decades since anyone had last opened its cover, not really seeing nor having a reason to open it. Dust was caked over it changing the once purple cover into a gray-ish, light purple-ish hue.
To be quite honest she wasn’t sure what had possessed her to go looking for it again after all these years. It was long since abandoned to one of the bookshelves in their room, having been replaced by a newer album her and Tesla had been using to document their lives together throughout the decades. Maybe it was nostalgia, or maybe it was an attempt to remember those she lost. Whatever it was, it’d been eating away at her all day. Work had become a second priority, and after about an hour of being unable to focus she’d given up. It’d just have to wait until another day.
Raising her hand she gently ran her palm across the cover. In an unfortunate turn of events, this resulted in the dust covering her hand. Her eyebrows furrowed in annoyance and began shaking her hand trying to get it off. Unsurprisingly it didn’t work. She glanced back and forth at the dust and the cover for a few moments before sighing.
Without a second thought she wiped it off on her shorts before sitting down on the rug, using a hand to balance herself on her way down. A feeling of uneasiness came over her. Everyone she knew and lost over the years waited behind the cover, the last memories she had of them.
She gently sat the album down, dust falling off onto the ground below. In a way she was surprised that it had lasted this long. It’d been around for as long as she could remember, possibly from before she was even alive.
Ever since she was a kid her family had updated it when they could, giving it to her when she left to begin learning under Planck. Of course they had expected her to put pictures from her time at Princeton in it, however they expected too much from an eight year old that was more invested in her physics studies than being a kid. It wasn’t until 1952 that she started caring about it, however by then she rarely ever saw them.
Taking a deep breath she gently flipped the cover open. Old, yellowed pictures covered the page. Each one had the date written underneath them, though they’d smeared over the decades. All of the pictures had long since become faded and muddied, and yet she could still make out the silhouettes. Gently placing a finger on one of the pictures, a small frown formed on her face.
It’d been over sixty years since she’d last seen her parents. Over sixty years since they learned their only daughter had ‘died’, never knowing what really happened. Most would consider her actions heartless. Leaving them to believe their only daughter died in a freak lab accident, however even now she would do the same.
Everything that happened that fateful day in 1955 only cemented her fate. Staying ‘alive’ would’ve only put her and everyone around her in more danger, inadvertently putting her parents at risk as well. Though she still sometimes wished she could’ve said goodbye to them. They were far from perfect and she was the first to admit that, but they were still her parents and only wanted the best for her. In the end they’re the ones who allowed her to get where she is today.
She continued flipping through the pages, occasionally stopping to look at old pictures and cut outs. Minutes of flipping through later she sighed and put a hand underneath the cover. The page in front of her was blank along with the ones following it, meaning her trip down memory lane was over.
The last picture was her and Tesla, along with a picture of Planck, Schrodinger, Tesla, and her standing together. Closing the album she sat it beside her before leaning against the bookshelf.
She closed her eyes and began thinking to herself. Karl and Planck.. The two people who taught her a majority of what she knows, and the people she viewed as family.
Although vague, the memory of their last day together still existed. The meeting in the garden, singing while Planck played her violin. The two cousins bickering with each other and joking around unaware that it’d be their last time together. Karls promise of coming back to see her, never knowing that his life would be cut short by a certain herrscher.
She’d never forget everything he did for her. Karl was the only person who understood her, and was the one who opened the door for her. If it wasn’t for him and his patience she might’ve never ended up where she is now. Never getting the chance to help others like he did, never getting the chance to make a difference in the world.
Without him she’d never have met Planck either. She took her in and taught her everything she could. If she was honest, Planck was the mom she always wanted. Despite her… Questionable personality, she raised her and treated her with care even at the worst of times. Even when Karl passed she never took it out on her. She continued teaching her and caring for her as if Einstein was her own. Even when she joined Schicksal she still took her with her and continued letting her learn. Ending up taking in other students that would come to be her friends, and one that’d end up standing firmly by her side through anything and everything.
Even after the violent separation in 1955 she always put her first. It was her who stayed beside her and Tesla despite nobody knowing whether they’d wake up, or if they even had a chance at living. It was her who, even in her final moments, showed care towards her. Reminding her it was okay to cry, and that she was proud of everything she’d accomplished.
Then there was Welt.. The herrscher who left an impact and legacy that carries on even today. Despite the pain and torture he went through he still chose peace. Even after learning he was a herrscher he didn’t budge. Caring about his friends to the very end, sacrificing himself to save everyone that day. The first herrscher of the C.E. who fought for humanity, and in a twisted turn of events was killed by humanity.
The irony of his short life was not lost on her.
She smiled slightly, thinking about Tesla and Schrodinger. Despite Schrodinger being gone for so long she was one of the only people that they had left. Their older sister and colleague, the only other person still living from that day. Although she hadn’t heard from Schrodinger in a while she had hopes she was doing okay wherever she was. Last time she heard from her was before she disappeared back into the sea of quanta, presumably traveling the bubble universes once again.
And Tesla.. Where did she even begin? Smiling, she looked up towards the ceiling. If there’s anything that’s been a certain in her life it’s been trouble popping up at every turn and Tesla.
The ball of constant anger and pure annoyance that she was honored to call her wife. The only person who stayed by her side throughout everything. A constant reminder of why she’s here, and why everything matters. Her encouragement when things were looking dark, and the person who refuses to let her forget that she has people who care about her.
Every failed experiment, every inconsequential moment, all of it was important to her. Even the time she blew the lab up with a popcorn machine was something she cherished. Granted, she wasn’t quite amused with having to fix it, but it’s a memory she cherishes nonetheless.
Without warning her train of thought was wrecked by something falling on top of her head and a familiar yell.
“MOPHEAD!”
Einstein jumped, nearly hitting her head on the bookshelf behind her and flailed her arms trying to get the sudden unknown object off of her. Once being freed from her prison she looked up to see Tesla staring down at her with a hand on her hip.
“... Good afternoon to you too, Dr. Tesla-”
Tesla stared down at her with a frown. “Don’t Dr. Tesla me! Lieserl you promised me you’d be ready when I got back! Remember? You promised we’d eat out tonight!”
She looked down at her watch before replying. “Ah.. Is it already that late?” Frowning slightly, she began pushing herself off the floor almost embarrassed. “Sorry Nikola.. I didn’t realize how late it was.”
Looking down at her, Tesla's expression softened as if realizing something was wrong. She put her hand out to help her up, Einstein quickly accepting.
“Hey, Mophead..” She hesitated for a moment, pulling her up before continuing. “.. Is everything okay?”
“Yeah,” she replied, turning to look at her with a teasing grin. “I was coming up with ways to explain to Theresa why company funds magically disappeared once again, meanwhile truffles magically appeared at our doorstep.”
“HEY! MOPHEAD THEY STILL OWE US!! If we’re having to ‘work together’ now then fairs only fair!”
All she could do in response was roll her eyes and smile. “Whatever you say, Dr. Tesla.”