It took time to crack shells and dig out the meats, so I asked her "Be calm, sweetheart, and just tell me why you don't come out that often.It took time to crack shells and dig out the meats, so I asked her "Be calm, sweetheart, and just tell me why you don't come out that often." She sighed and said "Because I can't. Because I can't trust people like I need to to go out. I can't... I can't forget." "You trust me," I said. "But you're different. You're like me. Call it science instead of magic, but you're as much a godling as I am, Shardik. Together we built the Great Hall, you and me and Rhys and Raine and Timor. You I can understand, and like I said, I trust you because you care enough. The proof is in the day, but that kind of proof isn't as forthcoming from others." "But with the SDisk network and the science of the day you need never be alone." "I don't want to be hurt." "Being hurt is part of being human." "I am not human!" she said in a shout that shook the walls and darkened the lanterns; a shout that threatened to storm the island and wreck the Succubus. Just as quickly the storm passed. "No, you're right. Nor is the majority of Pendor. By population alone the felines take that. But, you are alive." "Yes, I am alive. In fact, I was the first living thing to walk on the surface of Pendor without benefit of life support, before you had put the water in, even. That was not easy, you know." "I can imagine. Look, Oenone, you choose not to... fade... the way you were about to. You chose to go into stasis until year one, to begin living your life again when life again walked the lands and people painted song and wrote pretty pictures. Do you know that there are people out there who've named their children after you?" "There are?" She seemed honestly impressed. |