Starting the School Year
In his admittedly short life, Vincent had faced all sorts of things beyond normal comprehension, of the arcane, the extra-dimensional, the chronologically displaced, or extra-terrestrial. Right now, he would rather be dealing with any of those.

He took a breath and went out on stage to the podium with his best show smile in place, waving to the crowd of college freshmen and their parents.

"Ladies and gentlemen, of the entering class of 2014, my name is Vincent Richardsson, probably better known until now as Vincent Amorason. The dean of your university has invited me today as part of your orientation ceremonies to address you. Me, someone only the same age as most of you and not even in college myself yet." He shrugs, letting the crowd have a brief chuckle with him. "I am here today to tell you one simple and disheartening fact.

Most of the world is dead." Vincent paused to let some of the shock ripple over the crowd.

"I'm not going to bore you with details about orbital deceleration or genetic stagnation or the greenhouse effect, no. When I say 'the world', I mean the world all the peoples on this planet have made it to be. Society.

How long does the discovery of a new species, or a new medication, or solar system, stay in the news? If it ever makes the mainstream news to begin with. Conversely, how long do we need to hear about the infidelities of some athlete or politician?

The edges of the map may have been filled in, but we should not let ourselves grow satisfied with that. There are other planets to map, and worlds beneath the surface of our own that we have barely charted.

Do not let the spirit of exploration, of discovery, die in your generation. Do not settle for some line of study simply because you feel it is profitable or what your parents want; but don't take your family for granted. You never know when anyone you treasure might be lost to you, even if they're still alive and well.

Cultivate your friendships. You have more to discover about the people you've known all your life than you can even yet imagine.

Respect your teachers, even if you don't like them. Respect them more if they challenge you. Question what you learn, but only when you're prepared to do the work to find your own answers or confirm the ones you've been given.

Find your own ideals and goals, and realize them. If nothing else, realize that the world is waiting to be made a better place, and you can expect no-one to do it but yourselves. Thank you."

He doesn't wait for any applause. He simply vanishes, with less light and noise than is typical for him.