Loneliness

Shiara is sitting on a rock by the river, dressed in the new clothes that were given her in the dressing room.  When Raynor sent her away, everything seemed simple.  But now she has learned that Raynor is in love with her, and things suddenly seem complicated.  What does it mean that he wants them to both see her new tunic “together”?  This scares her, and as she sits on the rock, watching the river, she realizes how much she misses Geo.

On the New Planet, Geo lies on his back out on the wooden deck, and he looks up at the stars.  The sky is so beautiful, and he is all alone.  Where is Shiara?  Where is Pigmet?  A tear rolls out of his eye and down into his ear.

***

7:40:03 PM    

Geo’s Journal--Sept 12, 2003

I am on a beautiful planet that seems new to me.  However, the house I am in seems like one I have lived in before.  I have walked the inside of it, removing the sheets from the furniture, and, of course now my dust allergy is in full bloom.  So at least I know I have not changed that much!  I recognize the furniture, and even the Fresnell lens that I procured at great expense for my study.  However this house is hewn of a different kind of wood, something I am not familiar with.   

What I can say is that the inside of the house seems like familiar territory… but the outside, while having some similar landmarks… it is not the same place.  There are species of plants I have never seen before.  Grasses of metallic golden and copper hues.  Young trees with trunks like polished ebony, and leaves that range from pink to dark red.  While the soil and rocks seem familiar, there is a large percentage of red granite, and sedimentary stone rather like agate.

At nightfall I stood on the large deck at the back of the lodge, and watched two asymmetrical moons rise, with a pale ring circling the planet between them.  This ring was so pale that I could still see the stars… a star field that seemed familiar to me as the same as that seen from the planet earth.  It relieved me greatly to see this.  I can’t fully explain that response from me, but it has always been, that as long as I can see the stars, and familiar constellations, I feel safe, and somewhat sane, even if that sanity may be an illusion.

***

2:05:00 PM    

On Display

“Close your eyes. Keep them closed.”

Dauphina slid the precious tunic over Shiara’s head, and slid it into place.  She drew in a breath.  She had been the head servant of the forest gods for quite awhile, and she had not seen a garment such as this.

The Dryads and the Nyads of the whole house began to peek out, trying to get a look at Shiara’s tunic.  There were low, brook like murmurs, and soft wind-like whispers, as all the spirits remarked on her beautiful dress.  Dauphina gave into them a bit.  She turned Shiara around so that everyone could see. Shiara could feel the tree-spirits pressing close to her, to see the details of her garment. She thought to herself this must be how a Christmas tree feels.  She stood there, suspended in time,on display for what seemed like an hour. Then Dauphina took the dark outer tunic, put it around Shiara and buttoned it all the way up.

When she stepped outside the bath house of the Forest Gods, it was mid afternoon.  A cool breeze was blowing, and Shiara, with three layers of clothing on, was grateful for this breeze.  She was used to cold climates, and wind tussling her auburn hair.  She was walking alone.  What shall I do?  Shall I go to seek out Raynor where he was?  I just want to be alone for a while, to rest from all that feminine gaggle… and to think. She walked northward toward a small brook that flowed nearby, and sat on a rock, listening to the flow of the water.  Her thoughts turned to Geo again.  How she missed his companionship…

***

12:05:58 PM    

In the Dressing Room

“But what was I saying?” Dauphina continued, “It is hard for one to oversee a whole planet.  The overseer cannot really connect with his Planet.  He’s not down there making Creatures, and walking around. It is a somewhat spiritual job… but really more political… encouraging different beings to live in harmony with each other and with nature.  Do you think that is the job that is right for you?”

“In my heart I can honestly say, I think not!  I love to be with creatures; to make new trees sprout within my hands, and creatures out of the earth.  I loved what I did in my experimental project, and I would be perfectly happy to go back to doing that again.”

“That is what Raynor thought.  He was overwhelmed by your talent with creatures.”

“Ha ha!” Shiara laughed.  “I am such a klutz!  And he’s been watching me all this time?  And he still …. Likes me?”

“Enough about Raynor, now.  I am going to get myself in trouble; probably already have.  Let’s get you dressed."

A slender wood-nymph entered the room.  She carried a large brown box with a silver ribbon around it.  She bowed deeply and gracefully to Dauphina as she proffered the box.  There was a note on the top, addressed to Dauphina.  She opened it.

“Mmmmm,” said Dauphina.  “That will make it much nicer.  He has sent you a suitable outer garment to wear.  I wonder will there be an end to the gifts you receive today?  Here.  This is one you can see. She rooted through the box and pulled out a dark green outer tunic.  It was made of soft kidskin and had dark brown leather buttons offset down one side, to match Shiara’s boots.

“How lovely!” said Shiara.  “So simple, and yet perfect!”  She held it out for Dauphina to touch.

“Not made by human hands, that is for sure,” remarked Dauphina. As Shiara examined the beautiful outer tunic, Dauphina got the box that held the mysterious inner tunic.  She peeked inside, and a ray of dazzling sunshine poked out at her.  “Whoa!” she said. She sat down on a bench, and rubbed her eye.

***

10:48:05 AM    

Planet of the Gods

Shiara had been scrubbed and scented and combed and pummeled and left on soft pillows to sleep.  It was afternoon when Dauphina came to her side. She had the boxes in her arms, and she set them on a table.  Then she began to rub Shiara gently awake. 

“Ummmmh!” said Shiara in a grumpy tone.

“Now, dear—“said Dauphina.

“Ummm.  Ohhh!” and she remembered where she was.  She was in a comfortable place… not the unending grayness of her dream.

“It is time for you to dress,” Dauphina said.

Sleepily Shiara moved her head back and forth and began to sit up.  She remembered the tunic she had not been allowed to see.  She quickly sat upright on the bed.  “Yes!” she said.

Dauphina began helping Shiara to dress.  She helped her into the shimmering green undergarment that would keep her warm beneath her tunic.

“What is this planet, Dauphina?  I understand I was born here?”

“Yes,” she said “This is the planet Olympus. many gods and goddesses are born here, but they don’t live here.  This is not a place to live and grow up.  It is more of just a resting station.  We have the house where the goddesses give birth, and we have stations like this one you are in… different ones for differing gods and goddesses.  The Oreads have more rugged, mountainous needs… the Okeanids are tended to under the water, out in the ocean you see to the west when you go outside… You traveled with your father, I believe?”

“Yes, when I was young. And we went from planet to planet as I gained my education. Then, I was given an “experimental forest” as part of my education as well, to see if I was ready to rule.  It is my understanding that they don’t think that I am ready to oversee a planet.”

***

3:13:19 PM    

One Voice

“Tell me more,” Said Shiara to Dauphina “About this place--surely you can tell me some of this in front of the others.  The other two—Voices.  Who are they?”

They are Raynor’s younger brothers, Damon and Rheis.  Rheis has feelings for you also, but he is… well he’s a bit of a nuisance.  You know, young, impetuous… B-R-A-T. Now let’s go. The rest I can tell you while you take your bath.”

The bath was a large warm pool with a small rippling stream flowing into it.  She peeled off her old clothes and handed them to Xara, who folded them as if they were treasures.  Shiara then walked into the bath pool and immersed herself up to her shoulders.

Raynor, she thought to herself, and Geo instantly entered her mind.  She had had feelings for Geo, certainly while they were on the Gray Planet, but things were very tense there.  How would she feel when she saw Geo again?

Geo is Human, she reminded herself. His needs are different, he is mortal.  He can’t travel and change the way I—or Raynor—can.  Geo has an entirely different purpose on the new Planet.  Wu.  The planet Wu.  He must work directly with the humans in the house, whereas I--I must overlook the whole forest.  And Raynor—what is his purpose?  She thought of Raynor in his physical form, and her stomach did a little belly flop. His curly dark hair, his dark eyes.  Yes, she liked him.  The One Voice.  She thought of The One Voice she had listened to all these years.  The Other voices lending him opinions, but it had been the One Voice who she felt had guarded her, and protected her.  He was the One she always wanted to hear.

She sighed, and immersed her head in the water.  Having no need to breathe, she lay at the bottom of the pool and looked up.

***

12:56:21 PM    

Shiara’s Bath

Shiara went away, led by the servant women, who carried her boxes.  She was still rather stunned by just being in this incredible place.  She was led to a wooden house built in a pagoda style.  The ceilings were high and vaulted, and clerestory windows softened the noonday sun and brightened the whole bathhouse.  The inside of the house was so clean and spare that the deep grain of the wooden beams became the artwork for the walls.  

“Wood,” said Shiara, and she drank deeply of the fragrance in the air.

“Where else would we take the Wood Goddess for her bath?” Said Dauphina.  "I am Dauphina, the head servant, and here is Xara, and Xena, and Xeana… Xeana will be giving you your massage later on…”

“What beautiful names,” said Shiara. “They sound like tree names…”

“Indeed,” said Dauphina.  “Tree Spirits to prepare our new Knower of the Forest!  It may take all of us just get the mud out of your beautiful red hair!”

Shiara gasped, and looked down at her tattered clothes.  They consider me important here.  Do they know what an idiot I am?

“Relax,” said Dauphina, “There is nothing you can do wrong here… except…” and she got a little sparkle in her eye.

“Exept what?” Said Shiara. She hated it when people drew things out.

“Let’s go pick out your towels” Dauphina said loudly, and she pulled Shiara away from the wood-nymphs preparing her bath.

“Exept what?” asked Shiara again.

“It’s not our business who you ally yourself with.  But in case you haven’t noticed, Raynor is in love with you.”

Shiara’s mouth dropped open.

“Think about it while you have your bath.  You have known his Voice for a long time.  What do you feel in your heart for him?”

“Buh—“

“Don’t say anything now.  I thought it would be wiser to let you know, though I may be chastised for it.”

***

2:35:35 PM