Delay

Yes, another delay. Update Thursday when things have calmed down.

Update: To add to the joy of mandatory overtime at work, the most recent strain of influenza is circling me like a shark. I've been keeping it at bay through pure willpower and a crapload of tea. I think this week I'm going to choose extra rest and hopefully stave off the Dreaded Lurgy instead of writing the entry. The positive is that now I can spend a little extra on this week's art.

Thank you for not killing me.

Attack of the Legumes

While talking to Ed and Doc Sutherland was wonderful, I ended up feeling a bit lost after I signed off. I missed them. I missed other humans. Hell, I missed just eating a normal meal and sleeping on more than a pile of grass in a cave. But I was also grumpy with myself for feeling that way, and I was more than a little nervous I would start sliding back toward that hopeless, miserable place I’d been a few days before. I thought back to Eyani’s expression when I’d snapped at him.

No, definitely not going back to that.

I wanted to feel comfortable with the clan. They’re people too, dammit, and there’s no reason why I couldn’t find solace for my loneliness by spending time with people. Even if they do have four legs.

A very old friend of my family always told me the best way to avoid feeling down was to “get up and move.” So I put my computer away, gathered up the solar charger, and set off to find something useful to do.

Nandi and Eyani were both sitting in the shade of a tree a few meters away. They looked suspiciously preoccupied with a leaf Eyani was holding up. But I gave them the benefit of the doubt. Perhaps it was a very interesting leaf.

I asked Nandi if there was anything I could do. He wasn’t terribly helpful.

“There is little to be done that Tee knows,” he said, almost seeming apologetic. “Tee cannot carve, and Tee cannot hunt. Tee does not know what plants heal hurts.” I tried not to look too deflated at this. He seemed to understand, though, and tried to cheer me up by telling me I’d probably be able to help with these tasks someday. Or, as he put it, “Under one tomorrow’s sun.”

So, without any real direction, I wandered off to find something to do. Eyani was supposed to be guarding meat, which sounded pretty boring, and Kohric needed Nandi for some unknown task. So I puttered around the shrubby area between the plains and the beach, looking for interesting plants and animals.

I didn’t get terribly far before I ran into the Terrible Trio. I’m beginning to think the three of them are joined at the hip, because I never, ever see them apart. I made the hand-greeting gesture at them as I approached, and was rewarded with funny, teasing faces and an offer to go swimming again. I stuck my tongue out at them.

Little buggers.

I was dying to prank them back, but I couldn’t decide what to do. What if I went too far and did something damaging? I didn’t want to hurt anyone, or violate some taboo. So instead I tried for a more neutral conversation, and asked them about what things were good to eat, like the koh fruit, and whether there were any dangerous creatures.

Nohwasi eyed me suspiciously, clearly scanning my frame for a hidden biofoam canister, and then settled to help his cohorts answer my questions. He still hasn’t quite gotten over his first experience with my, apparently.

They went on at length about what things were good to eat, and even began a short-lived argument about what the best fruit was in the area. But their attention soon turned to the wildlife. They told me it was unwise to wade out too far into the water, as there were many aquatic predators that prowled the deeper areas. They also told me how to watch out for some of the flying creatures when they were breeding on the beach, as brooding parents would come screaming and biting at you in a protective rage.

Then they began telling me about the most dangerous creature; a tiny, green, caterpillar-shaped creature the size of a thumb, called a “langu”. It was apparently deadly poisonous, and would crawl onto you if you sat still too long. I’ve always been the type that immediately starts feeling a creature crawling on me if someone’s talking about it, and the grass gently brushing my exposed legs was starting to make me twitchy

Just as Ikaylay was finishing his description of the creature, Sodo suddenly leapt to his feet, yelping and scrabbling at his hind leg. The other two quickly jumped away in terror. Sodo brushed furiously at his thigh, sending a small green object flying in my direction.

“Langu!” Ikaylay shouted.

I couldn’t help it. I produced a yelp almost as good as Sodo’s and scrambled away from the thing as it came at me.

It landed at my feet and didn’t move. I hesitantly peered down at it, and realized not only wasn’t it moving, but that it had no legs. Or a head. Or any other visible body parts. It looked like a funny shaped bean, honestly. Then I realized the three little buggers were making the keee-ing Azu-nah version of hysterical laughter.

Hell. I walked right into that one.

I picked up the dread langu bean and threw it at Sodo, glowering. He and the others pranced out of the way and wandered off, laughing.

I’m so getting them back now.

Eavesdroppers

Much as I was looking forward to my next set of lessons, it appears they don’t happen every day. I figured they would be a new daily routine. But when I went looking for Kohric this morning, he told me there was too much work to be done, and lessons would be tomorrow.

I’m still not used to this society’s norms. Children are expected to work. Schooling is considered secondary to basic survival. And when I stop and use my head for half a second, it makes sense. I mean, D’Keda is supposedly a fairly well-off clan (at least all of D’Keda thinks so), but they still struggle to survive. Prey animals must be carefully managed to avoid over hunting, which means the clan hunters only go out every few days. And even when they do go out, it’s no guarantee that they will return successful. Even the gatherers can have bad days. So despite the fact that a good two thirds of the clan spends much of their days just trying to feed everyone, there are times when they still go hungry. Those that are too young or too old to hunt or carry a heavy gather-basket are required to take up all the other chores of the clan: making baskets, carving tools and weapons, weaving cloth, tending the fires, harvesting medicines, scouting for predators, etc.

Several of the children had been called away on predator watch today; the hunters had had a very successful day yesterday, and much of the meat had to be laid out and dried to be saved for later. Small carnivores and aggressive scavengers are attracted to all that food out in the open, so the kids were armed with big, brushy sticks and told to scare away anything threatening the drying meat. They looked pretty funny with a tree branch in their tails, flailing and squawking at everything that moved. I went a little way off to find a quiet spot on my own.

It was for the best that I had time to myself today. As it happened, today is the thirtieth day I’ve been on the planet; check-in day.

You see, my computer automatically uploads all my information on a daily basis as a safety precaution. I have to log every day I use my chlorine reagents, for example, and then every evening that and all my the other information I log is sent via satellite to Ground Zero Station. This way they know I’m not dead, and I don’t have to have a mental breakdown about losing all my notes if something eats my computer (I’d have to bust out the “Oh Shit Box” and send an emergency beacon, but at least my notes would be safe!).

Anyway, while the uploads keep GZS updated, they don’t give immediate access to more subtle things like, say, mental state, physical problems, etc. So Ed, Dr. Sutherland, and I are required to check in with each other every 30 days. It gives us a break from puzzling out Bhukaosi for one thing; and if any of us seems to be going off the deep end, one of the others can flag the station and get the nutjob pulled out before any permanent damage is done.

So I unfolded my little solar array to get a nice, fat charge, plugged in my computer, and pinged Dr. Sutherland.

He was entirely uninterested in talking, which is to say he was acting perfectly normal. For him. The first thing out of his mouth was “You’re still sane, right? I’m too busy to haul crazies away today.” Ah, Doc. I feel the love.

So, yeah, my chat with him lasted all of two minutes. I tried to ask him about his clan, D’Moru; one of the desert tribes. He muttered something about them being very “fierce,” and was then immediately on about some of the creatures he’d encountered. Apparently there’s an animal living out in the desert that can photosynthesize sugars. But before I could grill him about that little nugget, he was off about a bunch of other plant species. As he rambled, there seemed to be something that resembled an Azu-nah nose that kept peeking into his camera’s line-of-site, but he kept shoving it away so I’m not sure. The “conversation” was pretty much over when ended his little ramble and said he had to get back. Then he cut the link without waiting for me to respond. Sigh. Typical Doc.

Thankfully Ed was better company. He also had company; there were a good three or four Azus with him that were absolutely fascinated by the “hyooman in your light-box!” They kept peeking over his shoulder or shoving past it to get a better look at the computer. They all had very bright colored tattoos, and one was a brilliant green; much more colorful than D’Keda. I waved at them. This made them worse.

Ed’s looking a bit frazzled and ragged, and he was clearly annoyed with his eavesdroppers, but he seems like he’s thoroughly enjoying himself. He says he’s had a terrible time getting taken seriously until the last few days. His clan is almost exclusively arboreal, living in the huge trees of their temperate rain forest.

“I haven’t been on the ground more than twice in the last month,” Ed said, grinning. “There are some interesting predators on the ground, so they stay up here. I had a hell of a time getting used to the height, and jumping around tree branches. Excuse you!” He paused to shove another face out of the way.

“They treated me like a baby. But a couple days ago they had a series of games, and I actually won one of the races!” He gestured to a dyed pattern across one eyebrow and down his cheek. “They gave me this as a kind of trophy. It’ll wear off in a day or two, but now they act like I’m actually a member of D’Sokati. Er.. Well, maybe not a member, but I’m not a todd--Keshay, go away!” Poor Ed.

It’s been really good talking to him. I’ve missed human company. Much as I’m growing to love the Azu-nah, it’s been lonely being the only one of my species for a thousand kilometers. We chatted for a good hour. It was a huge relief to speak English for a while, and talk to someone else who understood my experiences.

“Next time, you may want to hide somewhere!” I teased him as we were saying goodbye. “Or you’ll probably have an even bigger crowd.”

“Shut up, and be glad yours are quiet,” he grinned, and we signed off. I’m looking forward to our next check-in.

I wonder what he means about “yours are quiet?”

Attack of Reality

Unfortunately, there will not be a blog entry this week. I'm sorry to disappoint, but a series of real-life difficulties have dropped into my lap and I just don't have time to make a quality entry this week. Believe me, I wish circumstances were opposite.


I will do my best to make next week's entry worth the wait. Hope you guys have a great week!

Creation Story

I was feeling kind of emotionally ragged after making up with Nandi and Eyani. That and I still wasn’t feeling entirely comfortable with the entire clan. Their endless torrent of questions at dinner didn’t feel like they were prizing apart my very being like before, but it was still kind of a chore. Nandi mentioned something about helping me later. Hopefully that will work out.

So, I ended up going to bed pretty early and woke late to Nandi shoving his nose in my side. He babbled something about needing too much sleep, but I wasn’t awake enough to translate it in my head. I did see Nandi’s gesture to the front of our cave. Kohric was waiting politely at the threshold (note to self: the polite wait-until-the-person-comes-out protocol doesn’t include one’s roommate. Dammit).

Kohric carried me off immediately, pausing only long enough to let me snatch breakfast. I tried not to be greedy with my grabbing, and shoved several extra morsels into my jacket pockets for later. Hey, the Azu-nah have no concept of lunch, and dinner was a long way away!

It turns out I was to attend school. With the kids.

Now, this sounds really embarrassing on paper, and when Kohric first told me what was going to happen, I can’t say I was thrilled; but now that I’ve actually sat through a session I think Kohric my be on to something. The kids are more at my level. I admit it. Their vocabulary doesn’t stump me as much, and they’re still awkward and foolish in their own way. Other than the fact that I tower over them, I actually almost sort of fit in.

Eyani was there, as were Oshtik, Nyarno, and two other somewhat older (pre-teen?) Azu-nah that I didn’t know. Ghee arrived much after everyone else had arrived and settled. She still seems withdrawn. I was debating whether it would be incredibly insensitive to ask her if Nanahan was doing okay, since I hadn’t seen even a hair of her since we’d arrived. Oshtik beat me to it, though, and asked almost as soon as Ghee had arrived. Ghee seemed to bristle, but said “Nanahan eats well but cannot walk. She still sleeps much.” Kohric, clearly eavesdropping, seemed happy with that answer, and then called for the student’s attention.

Saying it was “school” is actually probably too formal a term. It’s more like a collection of small, unofficial lessons and fable-like stories to teach morals and what-not. It’s actually fascinating from an anthropological view.

For example: from what I can tell, the Azu-nah are more or less entirely illiterate. They have symbols and glyphs that stand for things, and I think they may be able to write numbers, but for the most part it’s the literary equivalent of drawing hearts and smiley faces to communicate. Kohric, though, clearly does know some form of writing. He actually used me as an example. The kids were curious about my taking notes on my computer pad. Kohric explained that I was “turning words into shapes,” and then drew a few characters in the sand. Thus went a very rudimentary writing lesson.

At the end of the lessons, Kohric said he would reward us with a story, and as a bonus we could choose which. There were immediate shouts for different story titles, but one, “The Creator’s story” seemed to get the most votes.

I was fascinated.

I cornered Kohric and made him help me transcribe it after. I wanted every word perfect. It took about an hour, but I finally got it. I think it’s fairly accurate, too. Though, a little of the meaning may have changed because I had to translate some very odd grammar bits. Here’s more or less a direct transcription

I will tell you the tale as it was told to me.

In the days before the Azu-nah, when the night sky was dark and without the stars, the Great Creator looked out over the expanse of all that was. The round world lay below and bare earth shone in many beautiful colors. But this was not enough for the Maker of All Things. There were no other creatures with reason or thoughts of their own, and this made Creator sad enough to weep many tears. Creator scattered the fallen tears into the sky to become the stars. Each star was given a name and a spirit. One of the stars was named Sukil, and he was filled with curiosity.

Creator was content with the company of the stars, and returned to building the world. Sukil stayed close to Creator, curious to know all that was happening.

When Creator asked the star named Sun to watch over the earth. Sukil asked why the world needed watching.

“Wait and watch,” said Creator, for the Maker of All things prefers that we learn for ourselves. So Sukil watched as Sun was given great size and strength with which to provide warmth and light for the earth, and separate night from day.

“Why create more light when we provide it to the sky?” asked Sukil.

“Wait and watch,” said Creator.

Creator waved one long hand and sent stars showering down onto the earth. The stars became rivers and oceans. Some became clouds that sprang from the water as Sun warmed the air, and rain fell down onto the brightly colored earth.

“Why create three different worlds within one?” asked Sukil.

“Wait and watch,” said Creator.

With the other hand, Creator sent stars showering down again. Those that touched the water were born into the sea beasts and river creatures. Those that touched land became those creatures that ran on feet, and stars that played amongst the clouds turned into the winged ones to master the winds.

Sukil was filled with curiosity. “What will they do now that they dwell on the earth and not the heavens?”

“Wait and watch,” said Creator.

Creator wished for all the world to be interconnected, and so Creator sent yet more stars to earth, forming the plants and the trees, the roots and mosses, and bid that they should provide food and shelter for the beasts, just as the beasts would provide for the plants with their bodies, and the earth must provide for and be nurtured by all.

“Why must they be bound to eachother?” asked Sukil.

Creator smiled this time. “This one thing I will tell you; if each needs the other, then no one creation will become greater than the rest. Each respecting the other will create balance, and all will flourish. Each creation must always remember the Balance.” Sukil was careful to remember this lesson.

One day, after Creator had filled the world with life, one of the stars that had fallen to earth cried out that she longed to return to the night sky. Creator felt compassion and released her from her flesh and allowed her to return to the heavens.

“Who will stay on the earth if the stars all return?” asked Sukil.

“Wait and watch,” said Creator, and another star leapt down from the sky to take the other’s place.

Creator watched the world with contentment, but Sukil’s questions never stopped. Always Sukil remained with Creator, asking why a creature was named so, or why a plant’s leaves were shaped thus. Creator became annoyed and took Sukil in one hand.

“You are so full of questions,” Creator said, “I have given you a mind to reason with. Go down to the world and satisfy your endless curiosity with it.”

And so Creator flung Sukil down from the heavens to land on the earth. Sukil’s bright glow was suddenly shrouded by flesh. Creator gave Sukil long ears for listening to all sounds, hands and a tail for grasping new objects, a long, sensitive nose, and keen eyes for observing his new world.

Sukil knew great joy, for at last he had endless things to learn and understand. Each answered question granted him knowledge, which then led to more questions. Sukil explored the world, watching the great Balance of all the world’s spirits and learning much. But as he watched the other creatures of the world, Sukil began to feel sorrow, for there was a question in his mind he could not answer.

Sukil turned his muzzle to the sky and plead his question to the Creator. “Maker of All Things,” said Sukil, “All the living creatures have others of their kind to share company. Yet I am alone. Are there no others like me in the world?”

Creator smiled. “You have been wise and responsible with the knowledge you’ve gained, Sukil,” Creator said. “You have earned a place in the world.” And to Sukil’s great joy, Creator sent a star named Yusa down to the earth, and she become another of Sukil’s kind. “Your kind will now always be a part of the earth. Remember to keep the Balance with the other spirits, and never forget that all were once stars.”

So Sukil and Yusa named themselves the Star People, Azu-nah, in honor of the Creator’s wishes, and together they explored the world and flourished. They had many adventures together, such as when Yusa stole the lights from a glow-bird so she could see in the dark, or when Sukil raced with Blue River Spirit, or when both Yusa and Sukil returned to the heavens.

But those are all stories for another night.


I can’t wait to hear another story.