After their journey of ground-breaking discovery and obtaining the high priest's tome, the gang's life took a different course, when they got back home to the overseas.
Maybe except Phillie. The mechanic had the less impact in this journey. He was glad to get back Ags among them, and see everyone doing well. Beside learning his past life, he started to be more supportive with Deen, going out with her in more lady-like activities in their free time and most importantly: they have started to plan their wedding. No specific dates were decided yet, but it was a major step for both of them for even taking it in cosideration: for Phillie because he was pretty carefree and for Deen because she was so overwhelmed in her matriarchic duties that she couldn't think of planning any ceremonies. So, the two of them have lots of relationship discussions ahead...
Ags has received the greatest impact of this journey of them all. Beside getting back on his feet he got an amazing boost to start over again. He looked for jobs - finally ended up in a fancy bar. That required him to get some smart clothes and tie his long hippie hair, but soon he started to enjoy serving drinks and get along with the customer. He moved along, got his life purpose, and beside getting a job that suited him, he also get his apartment cleaned and organized, cutting off drasticly all the supstances that he was consuming. Alcohol was still in the game after shift, though...
Renato has delivered the high priest's tome to Deen. He reported all the experience they had during the journey. Deen realized that both the journey, both the tome are absolutely life-changing in the zoolooks' community and history: Atlantis was the first place where they actually ere in a higher position than simple witch doctors and messengers between mankind and nature.
Renato and Cez started to see eachother again. They didn't dare to declare themselves official (yet) but at least they were hanging out and talking. Casey soothed a lot after the journey and had more willingness to cooperate and discuss other than having her decisions forced over. Renato - on the other hand - has come with terms with his parents: with a little help in the navy he found the contacts of his father. He called him one last time, cut the last remaining tied with him, and moved on. Working in the administratives at the navy had its benefits...
Finally, he brought himslef to visit the Vada Voodoo tattoo salon. His request from Cez: a Poseidon trident tattoo on his shoulder. It was both a reminder of his past life and a sign that whenever bad thing happen and finds himself on the ground, it's never too late to get up and start over...
2019. július 13., szombat
2019. július 7., vasárnap
the sacred tome
Renato started to come to his senses: he was kneeling, in the middle ring, looking towards the valley, that once used to be the great canal that led outside to the open. His sight slowly cleared from black and blurry... but beside seeing the present desert, his memories from the long-lost previous life brought back the view of these lands filled with water.
And then it hit like a train... Not him, but he as the high priest, realized what happened exactly. He failed his people... He promised to protect them from the elements, he, who had the power over the storms - and he failed. This hit him so hard, he started to scream like a wolf in bitter agony, and cry hystericly, punching the ground with both hands. He was a damn monster... causing the death of thousands because they trusted him. Hell could tell, what happened afterwards... was this the first wave that caused the zoolooks to be treated as monsters? Were there any survivors? What happened to his reputation both as high priest and zoolook?
Among the desparate cry and screaming, suddenly he felt someone grabbing his shoulders, and through his tears he realized a shadow.
-Look at me, Reno...- It was Casey, starting with a softer voice. As she didn't get any reaction from him, he shook him hard once:
-Look at me! Renato blinked the few times, focusing on the bat's voice. Slowly, as his past self calmed down, and started to sink back somewhere deep in his subconscious, he recongnized Cez, getting her details by piece to piece, and maintaining eye contact with her. The bat firmly looked into the albatross' eyes:
-You're with me, Reno? Renato slowly nodded. He wasn't capable to speak yet. Casey seemed a bit relieves. She placed both her hands on the albatross' face, holding it firmly, still keeping the eye contact, leaning a bit closer. Her raspy voice was held quiet:
-It's all gone now... It's over. That was the point when Renato could held enough grip to speak - even if his voice was weak and trembling:
-You saw it all, too... It was all my fault... I couldn't protect them... He burst in tears again:
-They have died because of me! Cez embraced him, and held him tight:
-You're hard on yourself- he patted his back providing sympathy- you've always been. Now we all know, why. She sighed:
-None of us possess such great powers to mass with forces of nature this great. No one can expect any one us to stop a volcano, an earthquake or a tsunami. We only have the power to tinker with some elements, but not a full control on any of it. Hearing him calming down, and his desparaite cry turning into sipping, Casey continued:
-No one is to blame. You still did your best agaist the odds. Your primal instinct was not to flee... but to charge that tsunami with all your might. She held a little tighter:
-Actually, I'm proud of you. You willed to sacrifice all, even if you knew the cost. Just admit yourself, that it you couldn't do more. She started to whisper:
-Let this burden go... Just, let is slide away with the backing waves... You've given a new change as Renato Atu. Renato has recognized her pattern. This was another hypnotic treatment. But he felt too weak to resists. He couldn't argue much. Slowly, he surrendered to her arms, loosen his body, caught his breath... and let the guilt from his previous life slip away, gently as the breeze. He let out a deep breath, and hugged the bat back:
-Thanks Cez. I really needed that. Casey smiled, and pat his back again:
-I know, you dummy.
They started to let go on eachother, and as they were done, they have faced eachother again. Renato wasn't sure how to feel, beside having this extra knowledge on zoolooks' history and Atlantis... but also started to see Cez in a new light. She looked gentler. And that vision from the previous life... Casey was caught off-guard... seemed that she had the same in mind. She blushed a bit in emberrasement:
-Uhm... you saw other things too, right? Renato nodded, feeling a little awkward:
-Well, kinda... when you became the guardian of the sky. The bat nodded a few, quickly, as the awkwardness intensified:
-Funny... eh? I used to think back then that we wer ment for eachother, but I never realized we used to have a history. Reno smiled:
-You think, that's a sign? Casey looked back - despite being small by default, she looked ever smaller:
-Dunno. What do you think? Renato shook his shoulders:
-Why asking me? You're the spiritual one. Cez sighed, staring right in front of her. It took her a while in her hesitation, but after long minutes she finally broke the silence:
-I miss you, Reno. And I'm sorry I screwed up. I can't promise to be better, but after all this... I wish the two of us could be back together. Renato digested what he has just heard: the hot-headed Casey Vada just apologised and asked him back?
He was about to responde, when they heard the other two from a bit further.
-Holy crap!- first it was Phillie, the lion, who scanned himslef back and fouth, patting all over his chest, hips and tights- I was a fucking chick! How in the hell? His paws stopped on his chest:
-And where are my fucking boobs? I had gorgeous hips and boobs! Why would I had been a soldier when I could have been a goddamn quite with an army of fuckboys?
Ags, still in dragon form, was his absolute contrast: he was kneeling in the sand, staring with disbelief.
-I.. I had a purpose. He slowly raised his head to the others, smiling in grace, weeping tears of joy:
-I had a goal... I could do it. He shook in his whole body, as he pushed himself up in stand. Grace was taking over him, it was slightly touchable in the air:
-I can do this again!- he cried in joy, as he was cleaning his face- I feel so renewed. I feel that I have my life purpose back. He was trying to catch his breath again, as he looked straight to the albatross:
-Thank you, Reno! It seems you have saved me twice... Renato smiled back at him:
-Don't mention it.
Then, something snapped. His smile suddenly melted down. Something was missing... and he knew it exactly, as he sensed its presence. Reno jumped down, almost right to the feet of the others and started digging like a madman. The others were just staring in their surprise. Casey had enough courage to ask:
-What is it?
-Help me dig it out!- Renato replied briefly, not stopping for a bit. The other three joined him, and started to dig with their bare hands, pawes and claws in the rocky sand. It took about 30-40 minutes, sometimes with swearing here and there because of the heat rising, and joints burning, but they have finally found it. Reno just stopped them with a wave of a hand, then he slowed down his movements... as his sank his hands in the last reachable layer in the sand. He felt it... grabbed it... and with a strong pull, he felt it how the ground releases it. His friends were watching with excitement, as Renato slowly pulled out the very object. And as the sand was slinding down from it, slowly they object showed it's true form: covered in gold and silk, a bit dusty and worn, but there it was.
-The high priests' tome... - whispered Renato with his throat dried as he raised the time above his head.
-So..- asked Phillie- what does it do? Reno turned to him:
-This is valuable to our history as zoolooks- he kept the tome high above his head- we shall deliver this to Deen, and decypher all the information it contains, from both Atlantis and our people. Casey nodded:
-I agree- her eyebrows rose- But.. how did you know ut was there? Reno looked back on the tome:
-I'm not sure- he caressed the cover gently, swiping off some sand- but maybe, delivering this to our matriarch would be my redemption....
And then it hit like a train... Not him, but he as the high priest, realized what happened exactly. He failed his people... He promised to protect them from the elements, he, who had the power over the storms - and he failed. This hit him so hard, he started to scream like a wolf in bitter agony, and cry hystericly, punching the ground with both hands. He was a damn monster... causing the death of thousands because they trusted him. Hell could tell, what happened afterwards... was this the first wave that caused the zoolooks to be treated as monsters? Were there any survivors? What happened to his reputation both as high priest and zoolook?
Among the desparate cry and screaming, suddenly he felt someone grabbing his shoulders, and through his tears he realized a shadow.
-Look at me, Reno...- It was Casey, starting with a softer voice. As she didn't get any reaction from him, he shook him hard once:
-Look at me! Renato blinked the few times, focusing on the bat's voice. Slowly, as his past self calmed down, and started to sink back somewhere deep in his subconscious, he recongnized Cez, getting her details by piece to piece, and maintaining eye contact with her. The bat firmly looked into the albatross' eyes:
-You're with me, Reno? Renato slowly nodded. He wasn't capable to speak yet. Casey seemed a bit relieves. She placed both her hands on the albatross' face, holding it firmly, still keeping the eye contact, leaning a bit closer. Her raspy voice was held quiet:
-It's all gone now... It's over. That was the point when Renato could held enough grip to speak - even if his voice was weak and trembling:
-You saw it all, too... It was all my fault... I couldn't protect them... He burst in tears again:
-They have died because of me! Cez embraced him, and held him tight:
-You're hard on yourself- he patted his back providing sympathy- you've always been. Now we all know, why. She sighed:
-None of us possess such great powers to mass with forces of nature this great. No one can expect any one us to stop a volcano, an earthquake or a tsunami. We only have the power to tinker with some elements, but not a full control on any of it. Hearing him calming down, and his desparaite cry turning into sipping, Casey continued:
-No one is to blame. You still did your best agaist the odds. Your primal instinct was not to flee... but to charge that tsunami with all your might. She held a little tighter:
-Actually, I'm proud of you. You willed to sacrifice all, even if you knew the cost. Just admit yourself, that it you couldn't do more. She started to whisper:
-Let this burden go... Just, let is slide away with the backing waves... You've given a new change as Renato Atu. Renato has recognized her pattern. This was another hypnotic treatment. But he felt too weak to resists. He couldn't argue much. Slowly, he surrendered to her arms, loosen his body, caught his breath... and let the guilt from his previous life slip away, gently as the breeze. He let out a deep breath, and hugged the bat back:
-Thanks Cez. I really needed that. Casey smiled, and pat his back again:
-I know, you dummy.
They started to let go on eachother, and as they were done, they have faced eachother again. Renato wasn't sure how to feel, beside having this extra knowledge on zoolooks' history and Atlantis... but also started to see Cez in a new light. She looked gentler. And that vision from the previous life... Casey was caught off-guard... seemed that she had the same in mind. She blushed a bit in emberrasement:
-Uhm... you saw other things too, right? Renato nodded, feeling a little awkward:
-Well, kinda... when you became the guardian of the sky. The bat nodded a few, quickly, as the awkwardness intensified:
-Funny... eh? I used to think back then that we wer ment for eachother, but I never realized we used to have a history. Reno smiled:
-You think, that's a sign? Casey looked back - despite being small by default, she looked ever smaller:
-Dunno. What do you think? Renato shook his shoulders:
-Why asking me? You're the spiritual one. Cez sighed, staring right in front of her. It took her a while in her hesitation, but after long minutes she finally broke the silence:
-I miss you, Reno. And I'm sorry I screwed up. I can't promise to be better, but after all this... I wish the two of us could be back together. Renato digested what he has just heard: the hot-headed Casey Vada just apologised and asked him back?
He was about to responde, when they heard the other two from a bit further.
-Holy crap!- first it was Phillie, the lion, who scanned himslef back and fouth, patting all over his chest, hips and tights- I was a fucking chick! How in the hell? His paws stopped on his chest:
-And where are my fucking boobs? I had gorgeous hips and boobs! Why would I had been a soldier when I could have been a goddamn quite with an army of fuckboys?
Ags, still in dragon form, was his absolute contrast: he was kneeling in the sand, staring with disbelief.
-I.. I had a purpose. He slowly raised his head to the others, smiling in grace, weeping tears of joy:
-I had a goal... I could do it. He shook in his whole body, as he pushed himself up in stand. Grace was taking over him, it was slightly touchable in the air:
-I can do this again!- he cried in joy, as he was cleaning his face- I feel so renewed. I feel that I have my life purpose back. He was trying to catch his breath again, as he looked straight to the albatross:
-Thank you, Reno! It seems you have saved me twice... Renato smiled back at him:
-Don't mention it.
Then, something snapped. His smile suddenly melted down. Something was missing... and he knew it exactly, as he sensed its presence. Reno jumped down, almost right to the feet of the others and started digging like a madman. The others were just staring in their surprise. Casey had enough courage to ask:
-What is it?
-Help me dig it out!- Renato replied briefly, not stopping for a bit. The other three joined him, and started to dig with their bare hands, pawes and claws in the rocky sand. It took about 30-40 minutes, sometimes with swearing here and there because of the heat rising, and joints burning, but they have finally found it. Reno just stopped them with a wave of a hand, then he slowed down his movements... as his sank his hands in the last reachable layer in the sand. He felt it... grabbed it... and with a strong pull, he felt it how the ground releases it. His friends were watching with excitement, as Renato slowly pulled out the very object. And as the sand was slinding down from it, slowly they object showed it's true form: covered in gold and silk, a bit dusty and worn, but there it was.
-The high priests' tome... - whispered Renato with his throat dried as he raised the time above his head.
-So..- asked Phillie- what does it do? Reno turned to him:
-This is valuable to our history as zoolooks- he kept the tome high above his head- we shall deliver this to Deen, and decypher all the information it contains, from both Atlantis and our people. Casey nodded:
-I agree- her eyebrows rose- But.. how did you know ut was there? Reno looked back on the tome:
-I'm not sure- he caressed the cover gently, swiping off some sand- but maybe, delivering this to our matriarch would be my redemption....
2019. július 6., szombat
intermezzo
********************************************************************************
It was thousands of years ago, the first civilizations just started to srpoud and arise. The city of Atlantis was already blooming: three rings of land and three rings of water, connected here and there with smaller canals - and one big canal, heading towards the open wide ocean. This state has been delicately shaped and structured, where the army, the merchants, and the relionion were in their strict place. All was well-ornated, the buildings sitting on the rings of land - ports located on some of the points. The palace, the temple of Poseidon and the pharos - the lighthouse - were all standing proudly on the middle ring.
The high priest was walking around with the king, on the upper ring. He was holding a big tome, with delicate gold-and-silk ornation, as they were discussing matters. His majesty was human - as all the previous ones before him - but they had a very friendly tone with him.
-Thanks to you, my friend, the blessings of Poseidon is upon us- he said to the albatross- we have the smoothing working statal structure since my great-grandfather, we are rich in food and minerals, and we have exquisit trading partners and colonies. He sighed, and smiled as he looked wondering, towards the great canal that led to the ocean:
-What else can we wish for, my friend? How can we improve this place? He took a glare to the albatross:
-Your people are a great contribution to this land, and we have learned to live together. I'm opened to your or any of your's suggestions on spiritual or material level. The high priest scratched his chin, as he looked around the city. I was an amazing view from the middle ring, no spot remained out of sight: from the smaller merchants to the higher soldiers. And beyong all this wealth and abundance... the endless desert.
He looked back to the city, this time, taking closer look of the most important building, in the middle ring: the temple, the palace and the pharos. And this gave him the idea, to bring up to the king:
-Your majesty, I do have a suggestion. The king smiled and nodded:
-I'm listening. The high priest kept his manners in his voice as much as possible. He knew, that the kind was quite open-minded, still, he didn't want to offend him with any trace of rudeness. He took etiquette really strictly:
-We shall get some of my people to guard the elements. For the fire- the pharos- one of the dragon tooklooks in our partner, Hellas. Dragons are really rare in within our people, but one of them would me most suitable for this job. The king nodded:
-I prepare a small team for you with that- he waved, permitting the albatross to continue- please proceed...
-For the palace- the high priest resumed his speech- I would suggest one of the Sehkment warriors from our colony, Egypt. She would be both palace guard, and the guardian of the earth. Hopefully, she would agree to contribute to us.The king nodded. As he didn't add any further comments, the high priest continued:
-For the sky, I would suggest one of our people. There is that girl, the right hand of our matriarch. She has a bat totem. She would be both guardian of the night and the sky.The king scratch his chin, considering all he heard previously, then asked:
-What about the guardian of the water, my friend? The high preiest smiled:
-I'm willing to take that position. I have all the power for this task. I have controll over both waves and storms, your majesty. As the high priest of Poseidon, I solemnly vow, to protect the people of Atlantis from he storms. The king smiled widely:
-Very well, my friend. Then please, gather the other guardians, and perform your tasks as it takes to protect our people from them elements. The high priest bowed gracefully:
-Thank you, your majesty. I promise, I won't let you down...
The Atlantian soldiers had a really hard time in the hills of the Northers Hellas. Some of them wear swearing on the high priest for having such a stupid idea, to get someone with a dragon totem. The main problem was not, that the dragon zoolook was hostile or agressive... on the opposite. He was always trying to run away from them, scared of having too many people around, and wanted to be left alone. This troop of 12 people had a hard time chasing him down, and surrending him from time to time with spears, Finally, they had caught him witha few nets. The dragon zoolook was so tangles, he could escape or fly away. he was still scared and confused of the people, and attempt to chew his way out of the nets.
It was then, when the albatross high priest appeared, in his usual bestial form. The dragon instantly calmed down, seeing one of his kind in the crowd. This must be a good sign. He kept the firm eye contact with the high priest, as he kneeled down to him, speaking in their ancient common language:
-You have no need to fear. We're all here to ask your help. The dragon was still trying to catch his breath as he was still shook by fear and tired of fleeing from the soldiers:
-What kind of help? The albatross slowly untangled the nets:
-Atlantis has a great task for you, draconic one. We want you to be the guardian of the fire. As the dragon look puzzled, the albatross continued:
-I entrust you with the pharos. You will have the pharos of Atlantis. The dragon was finally free of the nets, but he didn't pay attention - he was so amazed of what he heared of the high priest, he kept the eye contact:
-You're giving me the pharos? You're giving me... a home? The albatross smiled and nodded:
-Yes, I'm giving it to you. Be our guardian. The dragon nodded, his mouth wide, and eyes sparkling:
-I'll gladly be!
The warriors of Sekhment. Fierce lioness zoolooks, who don't fear anything. There are few males among them, but they are only permitted to be lower-ranked soldiers. All for the glory of Sekhmet, the lioness goddess ow war. The high priest of Atlantis went personally, and by solo, to their temple, and asked for one of the high-ranked soldiers. Their leader, without much hesitation, ordered one of them to step forth and accept the task. It was one fiece lioness alright: tall, noble, broad-shouldered, carrying a spear in a hand and a lighter shield on her back. Zoolooks with lion totem were always known for being protective, strong, and mostly-heavy built... this lady particular looked like as the one the Hellans called amazon. The high priest bowed with salutation:
-Madam... great soldier of her highness Sekhmet. Please be our palace guard, and guardian of the earth. The lioness bowed, going down on one knee, showing obedience:
-I will gladly serve our master Atlantis in the name of our holy mother Sekhmet.
It was getting dark at the temples of Poseidon. The high priest just finished another chapter in his dacred tomb. As he left it open, leaving the ink to dry, he noticed a figure at the entrance. It was the girl with th bat totem: slender, her skin black as obisidian, round hips, short curly hear - that people in the southerner areas have, and two enourmous golden plates as earring in her bat ears. No doubt: the right hand of the local matriarch was a witch doctor herself, too.
-You called, you love... - she whispered. Her voice so smooth like silk and feathers. No wonder she charmed him. They were togetehr for a while, some close friends knew about them, and supported them. Still - for professional reasons- they didn't announce their relationship to the open. A high priest of Poseidon and a feral witch doctor? Hellans, Egyptians, maybe even Mesopotamians would made a scandal. But not Atlantians, who where the most open-minded of them all... Even the kind let a zoolook to a high position which usually were led by human beings.
The high priest smiled back:
-I did - he walk closer slowly, and gently touched her hand- I ask for you to be the guardian of the night sky. I want our people to be protected by the elements. The bat smiled:
-I always told you, you care too much. The albatross smiled back:
-It goes with my rank and my responsability. The bat giggled:
-And yes, I accept the position. I would gladly guard the night sky. The high priest smiled in satisfaction... then slowly leaned over, and kissed her...
///////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////
The waves are coming… and the biggest one approaches. People in the other rings started to fled... but how much time is there left? The hig priest stares at the biggest wave... he remembers his solemn vow to protect Atlantis... that has controls over the waters and the storms. There is no chance, but he has to try – he flew directly to amazing wave, charged it. He’s the albatross zoolook, the high priest of the temple of Poseidon, and also a force of nature. He has to protect the ones he serves, at all costs. he yelled, he gathered all his elemental powers against the sea and the storm...
And he failed. The tide swiped everything away…
He couldn't protect Atlantis...
Everything was gone in one day and one night, when a the ocean striked the city with one huge wave...
********************************************************************-
It was thousands of years ago, the first civilizations just started to srpoud and arise. The city of Atlantis was already blooming: three rings of land and three rings of water, connected here and there with smaller canals - and one big canal, heading towards the open wide ocean. This state has been delicately shaped and structured, where the army, the merchants, and the relionion were in their strict place. All was well-ornated, the buildings sitting on the rings of land - ports located on some of the points. The palace, the temple of Poseidon and the pharos - the lighthouse - were all standing proudly on the middle ring.
The high priest was walking around with the king, on the upper ring. He was holding a big tome, with delicate gold-and-silk ornation, as they were discussing matters. His majesty was human - as all the previous ones before him - but they had a very friendly tone with him.
-Thanks to you, my friend, the blessings of Poseidon is upon us- he said to the albatross- we have the smoothing working statal structure since my great-grandfather, we are rich in food and minerals, and we have exquisit trading partners and colonies. He sighed, and smiled as he looked wondering, towards the great canal that led to the ocean:
-What else can we wish for, my friend? How can we improve this place? He took a glare to the albatross:
-Your people are a great contribution to this land, and we have learned to live together. I'm opened to your or any of your's suggestions on spiritual or material level. The high priest scratched his chin, as he looked around the city. I was an amazing view from the middle ring, no spot remained out of sight: from the smaller merchants to the higher soldiers. And beyong all this wealth and abundance... the endless desert.
He looked back to the city, this time, taking closer look of the most important building, in the middle ring: the temple, the palace and the pharos. And this gave him the idea, to bring up to the king:
-Your majesty, I do have a suggestion. The king smiled and nodded:
-I'm listening. The high priest kept his manners in his voice as much as possible. He knew, that the kind was quite open-minded, still, he didn't want to offend him with any trace of rudeness. He took etiquette really strictly:
-We shall get some of my people to guard the elements. For the fire- the pharos- one of the dragon tooklooks in our partner, Hellas. Dragons are really rare in within our people, but one of them would me most suitable for this job. The king nodded:
-I prepare a small team for you with that- he waved, permitting the albatross to continue- please proceed...
-For the palace- the high priest resumed his speech- I would suggest one of the Sehkment warriors from our colony, Egypt. She would be both palace guard, and the guardian of the earth. Hopefully, she would agree to contribute to us.The king nodded. As he didn't add any further comments, the high priest continued:
-For the sky, I would suggest one of our people. There is that girl, the right hand of our matriarch. She has a bat totem. She would be both guardian of the night and the sky.The king scratch his chin, considering all he heard previously, then asked:
-What about the guardian of the water, my friend? The high preiest smiled:
-I'm willing to take that position. I have all the power for this task. I have controll over both waves and storms, your majesty. As the high priest of Poseidon, I solemnly vow, to protect the people of Atlantis from he storms. The king smiled widely:
-Very well, my friend. Then please, gather the other guardians, and perform your tasks as it takes to protect our people from them elements. The high priest bowed gracefully:
-Thank you, your majesty. I promise, I won't let you down...
The Atlantian soldiers had a really hard time in the hills of the Northers Hellas. Some of them wear swearing on the high priest for having such a stupid idea, to get someone with a dragon totem. The main problem was not, that the dragon zoolook was hostile or agressive... on the opposite. He was always trying to run away from them, scared of having too many people around, and wanted to be left alone. This troop of 12 people had a hard time chasing him down, and surrending him from time to time with spears, Finally, they had caught him witha few nets. The dragon zoolook was so tangles, he could escape or fly away. he was still scared and confused of the people, and attempt to chew his way out of the nets.
It was then, when the albatross high priest appeared, in his usual bestial form. The dragon instantly calmed down, seeing one of his kind in the crowd. This must be a good sign. He kept the firm eye contact with the high priest, as he kneeled down to him, speaking in their ancient common language:
-You have no need to fear. We're all here to ask your help. The dragon was still trying to catch his breath as he was still shook by fear and tired of fleeing from the soldiers:
-What kind of help? The albatross slowly untangled the nets:
-Atlantis has a great task for you, draconic one. We want you to be the guardian of the fire. As the dragon look puzzled, the albatross continued:
-I entrust you with the pharos. You will have the pharos of Atlantis. The dragon was finally free of the nets, but he didn't pay attention - he was so amazed of what he heared of the high priest, he kept the eye contact:
-You're giving me the pharos? You're giving me... a home? The albatross smiled and nodded:
-Yes, I'm giving it to you. Be our guardian. The dragon nodded, his mouth wide, and eyes sparkling:
-I'll gladly be!
The warriors of Sekhment. Fierce lioness zoolooks, who don't fear anything. There are few males among them, but they are only permitted to be lower-ranked soldiers. All for the glory of Sekhmet, the lioness goddess ow war. The high priest of Atlantis went personally, and by solo, to their temple, and asked for one of the high-ranked soldiers. Their leader, without much hesitation, ordered one of them to step forth and accept the task. It was one fiece lioness alright: tall, noble, broad-shouldered, carrying a spear in a hand and a lighter shield on her back. Zoolooks with lion totem were always known for being protective, strong, and mostly-heavy built... this lady particular looked like as the one the Hellans called amazon. The high priest bowed with salutation:
-Madam... great soldier of her highness Sekhmet. Please be our palace guard, and guardian of the earth. The lioness bowed, going down on one knee, showing obedience:
-I will gladly serve our master Atlantis in the name of our holy mother Sekhmet.
It was getting dark at the temples of Poseidon. The high priest just finished another chapter in his dacred tomb. As he left it open, leaving the ink to dry, he noticed a figure at the entrance. It was the girl with th bat totem: slender, her skin black as obisidian, round hips, short curly hear - that people in the southerner areas have, and two enourmous golden plates as earring in her bat ears. No doubt: the right hand of the local matriarch was a witch doctor herself, too.
-You called, you love... - she whispered. Her voice so smooth like silk and feathers. No wonder she charmed him. They were togetehr for a while, some close friends knew about them, and supported them. Still - for professional reasons- they didn't announce their relationship to the open. A high priest of Poseidon and a feral witch doctor? Hellans, Egyptians, maybe even Mesopotamians would made a scandal. But not Atlantians, who where the most open-minded of them all... Even the kind let a zoolook to a high position which usually were led by human beings.
The high priest smiled back:
-I did - he walk closer slowly, and gently touched her hand- I ask for you to be the guardian of the night sky. I want our people to be protected by the elements. The bat smiled:
-I always told you, you care too much. The albatross smiled back:
-It goes with my rank and my responsability. The bat giggled:
-And yes, I accept the position. I would gladly guard the night sky. The high priest smiled in satisfaction... then slowly leaned over, and kissed her...
///////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////
The waves are coming… and the biggest one approaches. People in the other rings started to fled... but how much time is there left? The hig priest stares at the biggest wave... he remembers his solemn vow to protect Atlantis... that has controls over the waters and the storms. There is no chance, but he has to try – he flew directly to amazing wave, charged it. He’s the albatross zoolook, the high priest of the temple of Poseidon, and also a force of nature. He has to protect the ones he serves, at all costs. he yelled, he gathered all his elemental powers against the sea and the storm...
And he failed. The tide swiped everything away…
He couldn't protect Atlantis...
Everything was gone in one day and one night, when a the ocean striked the city with one huge wave...
********************************************************************-
Atlantis found
The gang parted early in the morning due to weather conditions - the temperature was much bearable in the early hours, before the sunrise. As it was rising, they left more and more kilometers behind in the sand, and soon majestic, proud, bare hills... and less and less clothes on themselves. Ags was joyriding half-naked... but if this was not enough, Phillie, as a big lion, wore nothing more than his underpants. He kept his bestial form in case dust pollution and sand, so tose tiny piecese at least stuck on his fur instead of bothering the skin. Renato remained in the back of the jeep, his hair tied. He let Casey lean to him, as she was sleeping. She kept good care of them during the night, keeping the campfire burning, and watching out for some scoprions. It seems her ultrasound deterction as a bat is more than useful.
Renato looked at her. He recalled their chithcat will Phillie yesterday, about their relationship. They say people change... the ungly truth is, rarely any of them does, especially after a certain age. Cez was definitely one of them, it was enough to think about the arguement they had at home when they took care of Ags. He looked her a bit more closely... taking a few moments to realize how much this longer hair suits to Casey... then suddenly, he snapped out of it. "It has been too long ago"- he was schoulding himself- "And it didn't work out. They same reason why it wouldn't work out now. Casey is incorrigible, you know that well... and you had been confirmed by it as well." He looked back at her, taking another few moments on staring at her physical changes: beside the longer hair her face did get a few hints of maturation. Didn't seemed so young and boyish anymore... He signed: "Stop fooling yourself with her changes on the outside. Are you willing to take this risk, and do it all over again?"- his inner voice turned into a straight navy captain1s tone- "Let her go already, this is an order!"
This appeared to be surprisingly affective - he silently thanked to all these years serving for the navy - he caught himself keeping his eyes on the road with the other two on the front seats.
-Where are we?- asked as they passed at the bald and grim hills, and a small resort which was laying on their feet. Phillie pointed at the resort:
-That's Ouadane, the last place before our destination - then he poined to the edge of the hill, which was not far from the resort- behind the hill, and we are there. Suddenly, something kicked in for Renato: his eyes glow in amber yellow. He saw the exact same place where they were at that very moment - the only differen was that it was thousands of years ago: this was not a dry valley. This was the canal, that lead out to the open sea from the three rings. He grabbed Ags' shoulder in his excitement:
-Step on it!- he shouted. The hippie yanked his head back in the sudden spook:
-What's with you, man? He shut up immediately, as he realized Reno's glowing eyes, and as he trasform into his albatross from, blooming out his feathers, his skin turning pale to match them:
-Step on it, I said!- even his voice became more commanding as usual- we get to get there, fast! Ags frowned:
-Whatever, Captain... not if it would get sunken in the meantime...
They passed by the first hill... the first ring. Phillie shrugged, his fur sticking up in the air, his eyes glowing:
-Dude... I can feel it, too. He raised his air up in the air, as he was looking for a divine sigh... or the building that once stood there. The shiveres intensified on him:
-The palace...- he roared, his lion voice full with pride and glory, but turned somewhere far far away in soul- In the name of the mighty Sekhmet, I shall protect your people! I'm gladly obeying for this powerful task! Casey woke up, cleaning out the sleepiness from her eyes:
-What's going on here?- yawned, she clearly was upset about being woken up by a roaring lion. Renato looked at her - even with his eyes glowing, he was still at his senses:
-We're almost there- his smile widened in excitement- Phillie has already kicked in, we are currently reaching ther seconf ring. They were definitely getting close to the another dune, high and pristine as the previous one. Cez's jaw dropped in amazement, as she saw this massive structure leaning over them. Then... as she looked to the diver's seat, her amazement slowely turned into fear:
-Reno... I don't think that it only had kicked in for Phillie...
She was right. Ags's hands were shaking heavilyon the wheel, as he was fighting against his senses - his eyes started to glow as well. Phillie turned there, grabbing the wheel:
-In the name of all wars, what are you doing? They have just passed the second ring, and somehow managed to stop the jeep, as it took a long and loud drift in the dirt. Ags wasn't paying attention at all. First he just jumped out of the car, and took his dragon form in mid air, making a nice twirl in his flight. Renato looked at him, shouting:
-Ags! What are you doing, man? The hippie looked far in the distance - towards the third ring, right in the middle:
-The pharos.... Then slowly he looked back to Reno, making a firm eye contact with him:
-You've entrusted me with the pharos... With his final words he flew right towards the last ring. The albatross had no time to freak out, or act, because Phillie has lost it as well: he roared gloriously once again, got on all fours, like a full lion would, and started to run wildly to the same direction:
-For Sehkmet!
It ewas a blink of an eye, and they were both gone. Renato shrugged, and the ancient and unknown fear started to get under his skin. What happened here back then? What string insticts took over his friends? He turned to Casey:
-I guess it's just the two of us- said with a short beath- we should go. Then he realized... as the bat was just staring at the structure, her eyes glowing as the starry night. She was affected too... she had a previous life here, like they all did. She slowly turned her head to the albatross, mouth semi-open, her voice so soft the a warm pillow full of fresh feather:
-You gave me the night, my love... Renato's eyes widened as he stunned over this approach:
-Cez... you too? She offered a hand to him, with grace, like a noblewoman:
-Let us go, my love- she turned her head towards the middle ring- our position awaits... That was the point, when Reno realized, that there is no use to fight his insticts anymore. They are, where they needed to be... hopefully, all of them. And now, it's time, to get to the end of this whole mystery. They both took off the ground, leaving the jeep in its place, heading towards the top of the last structure, where Ags and Phillie were already in their position. The last thing Renato remembered, what spotting those two, in oddly specific spots, and he just knew where to go... then, everything turned black...
Renato looked at her. He recalled their chithcat will Phillie yesterday, about their relationship. They say people change... the ungly truth is, rarely any of them does, especially after a certain age. Cez was definitely one of them, it was enough to think about the arguement they had at home when they took care of Ags. He looked her a bit more closely... taking a few moments to realize how much this longer hair suits to Casey... then suddenly, he snapped out of it. "It has been too long ago"- he was schoulding himself- "And it didn't work out. They same reason why it wouldn't work out now. Casey is incorrigible, you know that well... and you had been confirmed by it as well." He looked back at her, taking another few moments on staring at her physical changes: beside the longer hair her face did get a few hints of maturation. Didn't seemed so young and boyish anymore... He signed: "Stop fooling yourself with her changes on the outside. Are you willing to take this risk, and do it all over again?"- his inner voice turned into a straight navy captain1s tone- "Let her go already, this is an order!"
This appeared to be surprisingly affective - he silently thanked to all these years serving for the navy - he caught himself keeping his eyes on the road with the other two on the front seats.
-Where are we?- asked as they passed at the bald and grim hills, and a small resort which was laying on their feet. Phillie pointed at the resort:
-That's Ouadane, the last place before our destination - then he poined to the edge of the hill, which was not far from the resort- behind the hill, and we are there. Suddenly, something kicked in for Renato: his eyes glow in amber yellow. He saw the exact same place where they were at that very moment - the only differen was that it was thousands of years ago: this was not a dry valley. This was the canal, that lead out to the open sea from the three rings. He grabbed Ags' shoulder in his excitement:
-Step on it!- he shouted. The hippie yanked his head back in the sudden spook:
-What's with you, man? He shut up immediately, as he realized Reno's glowing eyes, and as he trasform into his albatross from, blooming out his feathers, his skin turning pale to match them:
-Step on it, I said!- even his voice became more commanding as usual- we get to get there, fast! Ags frowned:
-Whatever, Captain... not if it would get sunken in the meantime...
They passed by the first hill... the first ring. Phillie shrugged, his fur sticking up in the air, his eyes glowing:
-Dude... I can feel it, too. He raised his air up in the air, as he was looking for a divine sigh... or the building that once stood there. The shiveres intensified on him:
-The palace...- he roared, his lion voice full with pride and glory, but turned somewhere far far away in soul- In the name of the mighty Sekhmet, I shall protect your people! I'm gladly obeying for this powerful task! Casey woke up, cleaning out the sleepiness from her eyes:
-What's going on here?- yawned, she clearly was upset about being woken up by a roaring lion. Renato looked at her - even with his eyes glowing, he was still at his senses:
-We're almost there- his smile widened in excitement- Phillie has already kicked in, we are currently reaching ther seconf ring. They were definitely getting close to the another dune, high and pristine as the previous one. Cez's jaw dropped in amazement, as she saw this massive structure leaning over them. Then... as she looked to the diver's seat, her amazement slowely turned into fear:
-Reno... I don't think that it only had kicked in for Phillie...
She was right. Ags's hands were shaking heavilyon the wheel, as he was fighting against his senses - his eyes started to glow as well. Phillie turned there, grabbing the wheel:
-In the name of all wars, what are you doing? They have just passed the second ring, and somehow managed to stop the jeep, as it took a long and loud drift in the dirt. Ags wasn't paying attention at all. First he just jumped out of the car, and took his dragon form in mid air, making a nice twirl in his flight. Renato looked at him, shouting:
-Ags! What are you doing, man? The hippie looked far in the distance - towards the third ring, right in the middle:
-The pharos.... Then slowly he looked back to Reno, making a firm eye contact with him:
-You've entrusted me with the pharos... With his final words he flew right towards the last ring. The albatross had no time to freak out, or act, because Phillie has lost it as well: he roared gloriously once again, got on all fours, like a full lion would, and started to run wildly to the same direction:
-For Sehkmet!
It ewas a blink of an eye, and they were both gone. Renato shrugged, and the ancient and unknown fear started to get under his skin. What happened here back then? What string insticts took over his friends? He turned to Casey:
-I guess it's just the two of us- said with a short beath- we should go. Then he realized... as the bat was just staring at the structure, her eyes glowing as the starry night. She was affected too... she had a previous life here, like they all did. She slowly turned her head to the albatross, mouth semi-open, her voice so soft the a warm pillow full of fresh feather:
-You gave me the night, my love... Renato's eyes widened as he stunned over this approach:
-Cez... you too? She offered a hand to him, with grace, like a noblewoman:
-Let us go, my love- she turned her head towards the middle ring- our position awaits... That was the point, when Reno realized, that there is no use to fight his insticts anymore. They are, where they needed to be... hopefully, all of them. And now, it's time, to get to the end of this whole mystery. They both took off the ground, leaving the jeep in its place, heading towards the top of the last structure, where Ags and Phillie were already in their position. The last thing Renato remembered, what spotting those two, in oddly specific spots, and he just knew where to go... then, everything turned black...
2019. június 9., vasárnap
where we all went wrong?
The party set a camp in the desert. Ags was the first to fall asleep - almost instantly, right after setting up a small camfire with charcoal chunks and some liquid firestarter, and packing out the sleeping bags. He had a heavily grace on his draconic face, while smiling in his sleep.
Casey was away for air patrol. Renato and Phillie were sharing some beer at the campfire - the albatross, and muscular lion.
-Look at the poor devil- Phillie chuckled, pointing at their dragon hippie buddy- at the beginning of the road he looked so miserable, and now he looks so blissful. Just like a little angel... - then he added with some friendly sarcasm in his tone- as if, angels had reptilian scales and breathed fire. Renato laughed quietly:
-He really needed to be taken out- he took a huge sip from his drink- Thanks for giving him the wheel. This joyride definitely rushed through his depression. The lion nodded:
-It was my sheet intention- he looked turned to Reno- Deen told me everything before assigning me to you guys. Not only the task, but also to look after his big bro. Then he scratched his fuzzy head in embarresament:
-Okay... not really "assignment", because we know eachother since we were derpy little teens, and I'm happy to hang around any time with you guys. But under the current conditions, maybe this would be the best way to address why I'm here.
This reminded Renato about the passing out of the other two. He asked:
-Did you see anything?- then he added- you know, when you and Ags...
-Not much- replied Phillie, twirling the bear bottle around his clawls- I had a huge spear, and I stood before a bigass building... probably a palace. He sighed:
-Sorry pal, it was really all just a flash. Renato smiled:
-That's okay. I was just curious- he stared back to the fire- just, it seems a weird coincidence, that you're connected to this madness, as well. The lion smirked:
-Tell me about it - he took a big sip from the beer, and continued- In cases like these it makes me wonder how much Deen was a good choice to be the leader. Maybe she had some 6th sense for sending me with you guys. He got thoughful for a moment: - I mean, beside having a mechanic. I wouldn't be in anybody's place with a broken vehicle. Just look around - waved around with one hand- we're currently in the middle of nowhere. The next establishment is hours from here. The albatross nodded again in agreement:
-That was really thoughtfull of here.
They stood in silence for a moment, as they have drank in sync, then Phillie asked:
-So...- he started really slowly, being aware that this topic might be uncomfortable - you and Cez... ? It was now Reno's turn to scratch his head in embarresment, included with a nervous smile:
-Boy, I really wondered which of you guys would come up with this first. He drank out the last of his beer, continuing in his nervuos smile:
-I don't know...- shaking his head slowly- I really don't know. He looked at Phillie:
-I did remember, why we grew apart... but I honestly didn't think about coming together again. Then he stared back to the fire:
-It's been years... and there was a broken trust. And people don't change after a certain point, you know - Renato shrugged- I'm glad we speak to eachother... but I'm not sure if we could get back ever again. Phillie nodded. He didn't completely agreed, but he acknowledged what Reno is thinking. He slapped his back for encouragement:
-Don't overthink it buddy. Nothing worths overthinking, not even chicks.
Renato smiled back with hints of relief. First time since the breakup he could discuss his messed-up relationship with Casey. Thankfully, he received understanding. He remembered how much these friends ment to him.
-By the way- he asked back- what about you and Deen? Phillie fell calm, smiling, and his voice idealistic:
-Things are going pretty good. You know, I never thought that a wild cat like her could grow into such an amazing and responsible woman - took a drink from the bottle, before proceeding - I'm considering marrying her. Reno's eyebrows skipped up. Right, it has been quite a time since Phillie and Deen are dating seriously, but he never thought about hearing these words out loud.
-Woah- his jaw dropped in his surprise- what about she being the matriarch? And what does Ags have to say about it? The mechanic shrugged:
-We grew up. I guess I can handle when she appoaches me as a wife, or gives me order as a matriarch. It's a thin like between the two, since we are talking about the same person, but... it's like separating you job with your private like. He turned to Renato:
-You're approaching you navy mates outside of the army, right?
-Good point- Reno strongly agreed.
-'Bout him- Phillie waves towards Ags with the beer bottle in his paw- officially, he hasn't got much say in it. I still hope that he gets better, so does our relation. I wouldn't mind having a the happy hippie back as my brother-in-law. Renato smiled wildely. Perhaps it's Phillie with his positive and carefree attitude is the one who changed the least of them.
Cez arrived back, landing near the campfire, instantly looking for a blanket:
-It's freezing- she hissed, as she wrapped herself up, sitting down close to he warming blazes.
-How's it going?- asked Phillie. Casey flapped down her big bat ears to conserv as much heat as possible:
-No clouds or stong currents. We'll have a peaceful night. She turned to both guys:
-You can go to sleep. I'll stand guard and keep the fire burning. Renato took a long stare at her. He almost asked back if she was sure about this decision, but he both realized that Casey is always up at nights due to her totem, and it is also useless to argue with her.
-Goodnight, Cez- he ssid finally, as he fell asleep alongside with Phillie, leaving her in charge...
Casey was away for air patrol. Renato and Phillie were sharing some beer at the campfire - the albatross, and muscular lion.
-Look at the poor devil- Phillie chuckled, pointing at their dragon hippie buddy- at the beginning of the road he looked so miserable, and now he looks so blissful. Just like a little angel... - then he added with some friendly sarcasm in his tone- as if, angels had reptilian scales and breathed fire. Renato laughed quietly:
-He really needed to be taken out- he took a huge sip from his drink- Thanks for giving him the wheel. This joyride definitely rushed through his depression. The lion nodded:
-It was my sheet intention- he looked turned to Reno- Deen told me everything before assigning me to you guys. Not only the task, but also to look after his big bro. Then he scratched his fuzzy head in embarresament:
-Okay... not really "assignment", because we know eachother since we were derpy little teens, and I'm happy to hang around any time with you guys. But under the current conditions, maybe this would be the best way to address why I'm here.
This reminded Renato about the passing out of the other two. He asked:
-Did you see anything?- then he added- you know, when you and Ags...
-Not much- replied Phillie, twirling the bear bottle around his clawls- I had a huge spear, and I stood before a bigass building... probably a palace. He sighed:
-Sorry pal, it was really all just a flash. Renato smiled:
-That's okay. I was just curious- he stared back to the fire- just, it seems a weird coincidence, that you're connected to this madness, as well. The lion smirked:
-Tell me about it - he took a big sip from the beer, and continued- In cases like these it makes me wonder how much Deen was a good choice to be the leader. Maybe she had some 6th sense for sending me with you guys. He got thoughful for a moment: - I mean, beside having a mechanic. I wouldn't be in anybody's place with a broken vehicle. Just look around - waved around with one hand- we're currently in the middle of nowhere. The next establishment is hours from here. The albatross nodded again in agreement:
-That was really thoughtfull of here.
They stood in silence for a moment, as they have drank in sync, then Phillie asked:
-So...- he started really slowly, being aware that this topic might be uncomfortable - you and Cez... ? It was now Reno's turn to scratch his head in embarresment, included with a nervous smile:
-Boy, I really wondered which of you guys would come up with this first. He drank out the last of his beer, continuing in his nervuos smile:
-I don't know...- shaking his head slowly- I really don't know. He looked at Phillie:
-I did remember, why we grew apart... but I honestly didn't think about coming together again. Then he stared back to the fire:
-It's been years... and there was a broken trust. And people don't change after a certain point, you know - Renato shrugged- I'm glad we speak to eachother... but I'm not sure if we could get back ever again. Phillie nodded. He didn't completely agreed, but he acknowledged what Reno is thinking. He slapped his back for encouragement:
-Don't overthink it buddy. Nothing worths overthinking, not even chicks.
Renato smiled back with hints of relief. First time since the breakup he could discuss his messed-up relationship with Casey. Thankfully, he received understanding. He remembered how much these friends ment to him.
-By the way- he asked back- what about you and Deen? Phillie fell calm, smiling, and his voice idealistic:
-Things are going pretty good. You know, I never thought that a wild cat like her could grow into such an amazing and responsible woman - took a drink from the bottle, before proceeding - I'm considering marrying her. Reno's eyebrows skipped up. Right, it has been quite a time since Phillie and Deen are dating seriously, but he never thought about hearing these words out loud.
-Woah- his jaw dropped in his surprise- what about she being the matriarch? And what does Ags have to say about it? The mechanic shrugged:
-We grew up. I guess I can handle when she appoaches me as a wife, or gives me order as a matriarch. It's a thin like between the two, since we are talking about the same person, but... it's like separating you job with your private like. He turned to Renato:
-You're approaching you navy mates outside of the army, right?
-Good point- Reno strongly agreed.
-'Bout him- Phillie waves towards Ags with the beer bottle in his paw- officially, he hasn't got much say in it. I still hope that he gets better, so does our relation. I wouldn't mind having a the happy hippie back as my brother-in-law. Renato smiled wildely. Perhaps it's Phillie with his positive and carefree attitude is the one who changed the least of them.
Cez arrived back, landing near the campfire, instantly looking for a blanket:
-It's freezing- she hissed, as she wrapped herself up, sitting down close to he warming blazes.
-How's it going?- asked Phillie. Casey flapped down her big bat ears to conserv as much heat as possible:
-No clouds or stong currents. We'll have a peaceful night. She turned to both guys:
-You can go to sleep. I'll stand guard and keep the fire burning. Renato took a long stare at her. He almost asked back if she was sure about this decision, but he both realized that Casey is always up at nights due to her totem, and it is also useless to argue with her.
-Goodnight, Cez- he ssid finally, as he fell asleep alongside with Phillie, leaving her in charge...
2019. június 4., kedd
sandride
It was late afternoon, and the Sun was reaching the horizon when the gang dashed from Nouakchott into the wide open. Endless dunes of sand, as far as the eye could see.
Ags seemed to enjoy being behinf the wheel - he stepped on it real hard, and shout out loud in joy. Like someone who had its first ride on a rollercoaster. Phillie sat beside him, having both compass, paper map and a GPS at hand. But when he wasn't checking the route, he checked on the hippie. He smiled in satisfaction, as he saw Ags being his old self again, screaming in excitement.
The other two were in the back of the jeep, on a plateau, with the backpacks and the supply, sharing in the joy of the sand navigation. Cez turned to Renato:
-Wanna meditate some? Reno looked back in curiousity:
-Why should I?
-Because you didn't sleep much - Casey explained - and we both have a lot of way up ahead. The other two already has it under control, so don't have much to do. Renato nodded:
-You're right. He slowly laid down, made himself comfortable - as much as this is possible on the back of a bumping jeep - and put his head into Casey's crouch. She started to massage his head, and started humming. It was the same humming with the bat-like chirping, but the vehicle's sounds mostly enveloped its noise. Still, the massage, and the vibration didn't lose a bit... and it was all that mattered...
Renato found himself among a bunch of random scenes. In the first one, he was doing some administrations - at least, it seemed like it considering the summs, equations and totals. It was somekind of budget calculation. And he wasn't alone: two other men were with him. The only difference was, that he was in his bestial albatross form, and a very detailed and ornated suit with jewels, while the otehr two seemed perfectly human, black-skinned, and with much simpler clothes than his. Probably they were his subordinated...
In the next scene, he was performing some ritual, before an altar. The altar itself was enormous: both wide and tall - made of gold and some blue gemstones - sapphire maybe? - and on the top of it, the statues of Poseidon stood proodly, raising his mighty trident. As he realized the others around him, wearing the same clothes as the two in the previous scene, renato relaized, that they were priests. This meant... he was the high priest here...
Another scene followed: he, flighing in the sky. Big, fat, dark clouthes started to gather around him slowly. He wasn1t simply flighing around them... it was another ritual. He was doing specific maneuvres in the sky, gathering all those clouds, stuffed with precious rain. The peasants from the acricultural zone begged him for help. There was no rain for weeks, however, the salty water of the sea couldn't help much nurturing their crops. Zoolooks always had connection with nature, and had the ability to decypher and manipulate nature - something that mankind considered magic. Still, it wasn't always a small or insignificant task - especially in big deals, like this ritual. Gathering so many clouds could easily cause imbalance. He had to calculate his moves for the rituale, what to gather, and where to gather from - if he "stole" rain from otehr countries in need, that may cause climating disasters. The safest way was to get the rainclouds from above the Atlantic Ocean - still caused a certain level of imbalance, but it was less worse than making another country suffer due to the lack of rain. Now... he saved the people. The rain fell on the glorious city and on all its 3 rings...
Renato stood up in spook, breaking in sweat. It was almost dark. The last rays of the setting Sun tinted the horizon. The jeep was standing in one place. He looked around:
-What happened? Casey was laying back to the edge of the jeep's back, chilling:
-You saw? Renato kept nodding:
-I saw.. a lot. I was the high priest of Atlantis. Casey smiled mildly:
-How pelicular... Renato didn't pay much attention to her. More on the fact that the otehr two didn't responde. Looked around again:
-Why aren't we moving? What's with Phillie and Ags? Cez waved down with one hand:
-They passed out. About 10-15 minutes after you fell in trans. As she saw Renato's expression stunning in fear, she added:
-At least, our hippie noticed that something was fishy going on, and he slowed and stopped the jeep. But them, both fellas' eyes were glowing. I guess, more of us conencted to this story, than we thought. Renato sighed:
-Boy... and it seems, Deen knew who to pick. At this point, no onw would guess if Phillie is in, as well..
Ags seemed to enjoy being behinf the wheel - he stepped on it real hard, and shout out loud in joy. Like someone who had its first ride on a rollercoaster. Phillie sat beside him, having both compass, paper map and a GPS at hand. But when he wasn't checking the route, he checked on the hippie. He smiled in satisfaction, as he saw Ags being his old self again, screaming in excitement.
The other two were in the back of the jeep, on a plateau, with the backpacks and the supply, sharing in the joy of the sand navigation. Cez turned to Renato:
-Wanna meditate some? Reno looked back in curiousity:
-Why should I?
-Because you didn't sleep much - Casey explained - and we both have a lot of way up ahead. The other two already has it under control, so don't have much to do. Renato nodded:
-You're right. He slowly laid down, made himself comfortable - as much as this is possible on the back of a bumping jeep - and put his head into Casey's crouch. She started to massage his head, and started humming. It was the same humming with the bat-like chirping, but the vehicle's sounds mostly enveloped its noise. Still, the massage, and the vibration didn't lose a bit... and it was all that mattered...
Renato found himself among a bunch of random scenes. In the first one, he was doing some administrations - at least, it seemed like it considering the summs, equations and totals. It was somekind of budget calculation. And he wasn't alone: two other men were with him. The only difference was, that he was in his bestial albatross form, and a very detailed and ornated suit with jewels, while the otehr two seemed perfectly human, black-skinned, and with much simpler clothes than his. Probably they were his subordinated...
In the next scene, he was performing some ritual, before an altar. The altar itself was enormous: both wide and tall - made of gold and some blue gemstones - sapphire maybe? - and on the top of it, the statues of Poseidon stood proodly, raising his mighty trident. As he realized the others around him, wearing the same clothes as the two in the previous scene, renato relaized, that they were priests. This meant... he was the high priest here...
Another scene followed: he, flighing in the sky. Big, fat, dark clouthes started to gather around him slowly. He wasn1t simply flighing around them... it was another ritual. He was doing specific maneuvres in the sky, gathering all those clouds, stuffed with precious rain. The peasants from the acricultural zone begged him for help. There was no rain for weeks, however, the salty water of the sea couldn't help much nurturing their crops. Zoolooks always had connection with nature, and had the ability to decypher and manipulate nature - something that mankind considered magic. Still, it wasn't always a small or insignificant task - especially in big deals, like this ritual. Gathering so many clouds could easily cause imbalance. He had to calculate his moves for the rituale, what to gather, and where to gather from - if he "stole" rain from otehr countries in need, that may cause climating disasters. The safest way was to get the rainclouds from above the Atlantic Ocean - still caused a certain level of imbalance, but it was less worse than making another country suffer due to the lack of rain. Now... he saved the people. The rain fell on the glorious city and on all its 3 rings...
Renato stood up in spook, breaking in sweat. It was almost dark. The last rays of the setting Sun tinted the horizon. The jeep was standing in one place. He looked around:
-What happened? Casey was laying back to the edge of the jeep's back, chilling:
-You saw? Renato kept nodding:
-I saw.. a lot. I was the high priest of Atlantis. Casey smiled mildly:
-How pelicular... Renato didn't pay much attention to her. More on the fact that the otehr two didn't responde. Looked around again:
-Why aren't we moving? What's with Phillie and Ags? Cez waved down with one hand:
-They passed out. About 10-15 minutes after you fell in trans. As she saw Renato's expression stunning in fear, she added:
-At least, our hippie noticed that something was fishy going on, and he slowed and stopped the jeep. But them, both fellas' eyes were glowing. I guess, more of us conencted to this story, than we thought. Renato sighed:
-Boy... and it seems, Deen knew who to pick. At this point, no onw would guess if Phillie is in, as well..
2019. május 26., vasárnap
Nouakchott
The flight to Nouakchott seemed longer than they imagined. They were seated on a cargo plane for extra cover. Moments like these made Renato really wonder how much Deen has grown into her matriarch position, taping all connections, they have not even dream of: one cargo pilot, who happened to a part of their kind and community, tinkered a few schedules here and there in the management - where another zoolook happened to be - and finally, the connection who awaits for them on the African continent. How could this little girl have access to this crazy amount information. Also, what about the other matriarchs in other countries and continents? Is there a main matriarch somewhere, or multiple matriarchs have to work strictly together? The second options seemed more reasonable, as per human society it had a perfect example in the coutry-leader system. Renato sighed and amazed... he never thought about these kinds of things before. He never had to. Even when he was on mission as in his years of sailor within the navy, he didn't need to rely on anyone else - including his unit (for obvious reasons), and his own matriarch (for zoolook matters).
Casey slept the entire flight. Due to her totem, she was more a night owl than a morning person - no wonder her Vada VooDoo Tattoo Salon opened in the early afternoon. The other two were oddly quiet. Renato figured that they seemed hard to come truce, especially for Ags. The once-carefree hippie got pretty piled up with anger and bitterness: girlfriend of four-years-relationship left him, substance absuce, and appearently he was mad at Phillie out of sheer jelousy simple because he got along with his sister. Both jelous and ignored. Phillie seemed to care this situation more light-hearted, still, he wasn't completely sure how to approach Ags completely with the matter. Renato sighed: "Since when did things become so complicated?"
They arrived in the around noon. The heat was unbearable, and slowly the jetlag started to kick in. Cez had to experience it first handedly, as they were getting off the place in their human forms:
-It's still morning? - she yawned, rubbing her eyes - too much light over here.
-And too much humidity - affirmed Phillie, as he tied his huge mane with a rubber band - It's like an open-air sauna here... Ags grabbed up his backpack:
-I say, we should get moving. Our contact must be in their airport waiting room. They all packed up, and went to the exit. They marched their way through the terminal, like a bunch of clumsy tourists, and finally head out.
A few cars and taxis parked in front of the terminal - buses were on continuous movement as they dropped out the people and picked up the next group. At one of the taxis there was a Mediterranean/Arabian looking guy, bronze skin, dark brown hair, and in baggy light clothes. He smiled timidly, then approached the party. The other four stunned.
-In he the guy? - asked Phillie.
-I dunno, man - said Ags finally- my sister might have organized this mission by every gear and gadget, but she kinda failed to provide a proper description. Philli chuckled:
-Classic Deen. She still keeps losing herself in the small details, and focusing on the bigger picture. The stranger finally arrived to them, and asked:
-Are you the ones sent by the one called Edina Agosto? Renato nodded:
-Yes, we are. The stranger's smile widend with relief and excitement:
-My brethren from the other side of the ocean!- he hugged them as they were - I'm Khaled. But you call me Spike. Our matriarch sends her blessings to you. The other four was a bit shocked by the extreme heartful greating, but slowly they try to loosen up. One by one, they introduced themselves:
-Renato Atu
-Casey vada
-Jean-Phillippe Prezioso
-Darko Agosto. Spike waved towards the cars:
-Come, my brethren! I'll take you to my place to have a rest after your flight. They squeezed themselved in their guide's taxi. The wasn't much space, and the extreme sweating because of the heatwave didn't help on this situation, at all.
-Watch it, handsome!- said Ags, as he got stuck under Phillie's armit. The mechanic's grin widened:
-Why should I? Enjoy my musk, dear soon-to-be-brotehr-in-law. Casey just burst out in a huge laughter:
-I can't leave you two - she shed a tear of joy - I never though I would hear any of you teasing eachotehr in the goddamn community! Renato smiled... he didn't hear Casey laughing so cheerful for a long time, either...
Spike took them to his outskirt house. It was a one-floor cozy place. He made them take off their shoes before entering, and asked them to take a seat in the living room. Renato looked around: it there were barely any decorations, one modest sofa, a big rug in the middle and sitting cushions on the floor:
-I see you keep it traditional, like the most of us. Spike looked back from another room - probably the kitchen:
-More or less. You see, I'm actually from Morocco. Renato raised an eyebrow:
-How's that so? Their host disappeared behind the wall - proceeding preparing a meal, but that didn't keep him away from responding:
-There are barely 4 million inhabitants in Mauritania. It might be a big country, but most parts are inhabitable. Among these barely 4 million inhabitants there are very few zoolooks. Our matriarch asked me to move my ass down here from Morocco to assist you with your mission. She provided my this house for rent, a taxi to blend in, bills, accounts, and much more. Oh by the way, your jeep awaits in the garage, as well. Reno's jaw dropped. He just learnt what huge of an organization it took from their badass female leaders just for the four of them to fulfull this quest smoothly. Spike replied once again:
-I'm preparing lunch for you. Wash you hands in the meantime, would you? Please use the kettle. After his words all four of them started to scan the room. There was a plastic kettle and a washbowl in the corner. The kettle was fileld with water.
-He is a traditionalist - Casey affirmed - let's not be rude, guys.
After handwash and about half an hour, their host has arrived with a few baguettes and a big bowl - filled with pieces of saucy chicken, boiled potatoes, peppers and onions. All smelled delicious. Also, he changed to his beastial form: his head was covered in sandbrown spikey, so as a part of his neck from behind. It all ended up in a massive scorpion tail. At least, that explained his weird nickname. Something kicked in for Phillie, as he saw the baguettes:
-Now it rings a bell...- his jaw dropped, and looked at Spike- This place was under French authority. It got independent in 1960. Spike smiled:
-You're well informed, my brethren. How do you have this knowledge. Phillie dugs in the food, scouping the sauce and the pieces:
-Mom's French. Dad, on the other hand, is Italian. Spike laughed timidly:
-Probably our kind was the first in all history who never made a deal about nationality or any other tribal original. It seems this hasn't changed a bit. Renato looked at Casey. Beside nationality, some zoolooks didn't care about other things, either. In their case, they both had a human parent. In Cez's case, it was her father. She learnt her mom was a zoolook after marrige, but he didn't care. When she passed away tradicly, he was mouring for months. Still, he kept being a good father for Casey and her twin sister Kita. In Renato's case the scenario was a bit different:his mom was human, and his dad was a zoolook. However, his dad was really upset, when Renato started to show his abilities given by his totem. His father - with this marrige - hoped for a human child instead of a zoolook. A few years after that, he put Reno out with his personal stuff and left with his mom. No womder Renato had to be indipendent since the ago of 16. He sighed. "Why did this have to come just right now?"
They were almost donw with the meal, when Spike continued:
-I suggest you to depart in the late afternoon. Currently, there's a killing heat out there, and it is even worse in the open Sahara. the water supply and the fire tools are already packed in the back of the jeep. Most probably you'll spend the night in the desert. And, believe me, during the night it's freezing cold. Phillie nodded with a friendly smile:
-Thanks for your advice. Ags stretched:
-In the meantime, let's get some shut-eye, shall we? We have a lot ahead. Spike started to serve the mint tea, Cez replied, while accepting a glass of the drink:
-I took all the nap required. You guys just go ahead. Renato accepted another glass, and stared curiously on the party:
-By the way, who's driving? All of them fell dead silent, they could almost touch the awkward tension in the room. Phillie then turned to Ags, and slapped him in the back:
-You go, pal. Ags looked at him surprisedly:
-Why me? - he was glad, but he couldn't deal with the mechanic's decision. Phillie replied:
-I deal with the navigation system. If that fails, I still have the compass and the map - then he pointed to Cez and Renato - the other two can deal with the hypnotic and spiritual bullshit, if we might get stuck. Renato nodded:
-Right. That's seems a sound idea.
Casey slept the entire flight. Due to her totem, she was more a night owl than a morning person - no wonder her Vada VooDoo Tattoo Salon opened in the early afternoon. The other two were oddly quiet. Renato figured that they seemed hard to come truce, especially for Ags. The once-carefree hippie got pretty piled up with anger and bitterness: girlfriend of four-years-relationship left him, substance absuce, and appearently he was mad at Phillie out of sheer jelousy simple because he got along with his sister. Both jelous and ignored. Phillie seemed to care this situation more light-hearted, still, he wasn't completely sure how to approach Ags completely with the matter. Renato sighed: "Since when did things become so complicated?"
They arrived in the around noon. The heat was unbearable, and slowly the jetlag started to kick in. Cez had to experience it first handedly, as they were getting off the place in their human forms:
-It's still morning? - she yawned, rubbing her eyes - too much light over here.
-And too much humidity - affirmed Phillie, as he tied his huge mane with a rubber band - It's like an open-air sauna here... Ags grabbed up his backpack:
-I say, we should get moving. Our contact must be in their airport waiting room. They all packed up, and went to the exit. They marched their way through the terminal, like a bunch of clumsy tourists, and finally head out.
A few cars and taxis parked in front of the terminal - buses were on continuous movement as they dropped out the people and picked up the next group. At one of the taxis there was a Mediterranean/Arabian looking guy, bronze skin, dark brown hair, and in baggy light clothes. He smiled timidly, then approached the party. The other four stunned.
-In he the guy? - asked Phillie.
-I dunno, man - said Ags finally- my sister might have organized this mission by every gear and gadget, but she kinda failed to provide a proper description. Philli chuckled:
-Classic Deen. She still keeps losing herself in the small details, and focusing on the bigger picture. The stranger finally arrived to them, and asked:
-Are you the ones sent by the one called Edina Agosto? Renato nodded:
-Yes, we are. The stranger's smile widend with relief and excitement:
-My brethren from the other side of the ocean!- he hugged them as they were - I'm Khaled. But you call me Spike. Our matriarch sends her blessings to you. The other four was a bit shocked by the extreme heartful greating, but slowly they try to loosen up. One by one, they introduced themselves:
-Renato Atu
-Casey vada
-Jean-Phillippe Prezioso
-Darko Agosto. Spike waved towards the cars:
-Come, my brethren! I'll take you to my place to have a rest after your flight. They squeezed themselved in their guide's taxi. The wasn't much space, and the extreme sweating because of the heatwave didn't help on this situation, at all.
-Watch it, handsome!- said Ags, as he got stuck under Phillie's armit. The mechanic's grin widened:
-Why should I? Enjoy my musk, dear soon-to-be-brotehr-in-law. Casey just burst out in a huge laughter:
-I can't leave you two - she shed a tear of joy - I never though I would hear any of you teasing eachotehr in the goddamn community! Renato smiled... he didn't hear Casey laughing so cheerful for a long time, either...
Spike took them to his outskirt house. It was a one-floor cozy place. He made them take off their shoes before entering, and asked them to take a seat in the living room. Renato looked around: it there were barely any decorations, one modest sofa, a big rug in the middle and sitting cushions on the floor:
-I see you keep it traditional, like the most of us. Spike looked back from another room - probably the kitchen:
-More or less. You see, I'm actually from Morocco. Renato raised an eyebrow:
-How's that so? Their host disappeared behind the wall - proceeding preparing a meal, but that didn't keep him away from responding:
-There are barely 4 million inhabitants in Mauritania. It might be a big country, but most parts are inhabitable. Among these barely 4 million inhabitants there are very few zoolooks. Our matriarch asked me to move my ass down here from Morocco to assist you with your mission. She provided my this house for rent, a taxi to blend in, bills, accounts, and much more. Oh by the way, your jeep awaits in the garage, as well. Reno's jaw dropped. He just learnt what huge of an organization it took from their badass female leaders just for the four of them to fulfull this quest smoothly. Spike replied once again:
-I'm preparing lunch for you. Wash you hands in the meantime, would you? Please use the kettle. After his words all four of them started to scan the room. There was a plastic kettle and a washbowl in the corner. The kettle was fileld with water.
-He is a traditionalist - Casey affirmed - let's not be rude, guys.
After handwash and about half an hour, their host has arrived with a few baguettes and a big bowl - filled with pieces of saucy chicken, boiled potatoes, peppers and onions. All smelled delicious. Also, he changed to his beastial form: his head was covered in sandbrown spikey, so as a part of his neck from behind. It all ended up in a massive scorpion tail. At least, that explained his weird nickname. Something kicked in for Phillie, as he saw the baguettes:
-Now it rings a bell...- his jaw dropped, and looked at Spike- This place was under French authority. It got independent in 1960. Spike smiled:
-You're well informed, my brethren. How do you have this knowledge. Phillie dugs in the food, scouping the sauce and the pieces:
-Mom's French. Dad, on the other hand, is Italian. Spike laughed timidly:
-Probably our kind was the first in all history who never made a deal about nationality or any other tribal original. It seems this hasn't changed a bit. Renato looked at Casey. Beside nationality, some zoolooks didn't care about other things, either. In their case, they both had a human parent. In Cez's case, it was her father. She learnt her mom was a zoolook after marrige, but he didn't care. When she passed away tradicly, he was mouring for months. Still, he kept being a good father for Casey and her twin sister Kita. In Renato's case the scenario was a bit different:his mom was human, and his dad was a zoolook. However, his dad was really upset, when Renato started to show his abilities given by his totem. His father - with this marrige - hoped for a human child instead of a zoolook. A few years after that, he put Reno out with his personal stuff and left with his mom. No womder Renato had to be indipendent since the ago of 16. He sighed. "Why did this have to come just right now?"
They were almost donw with the meal, when Spike continued:
-I suggest you to depart in the late afternoon. Currently, there's a killing heat out there, and it is even worse in the open Sahara. the water supply and the fire tools are already packed in the back of the jeep. Most probably you'll spend the night in the desert. And, believe me, during the night it's freezing cold. Phillie nodded with a friendly smile:
-Thanks for your advice. Ags stretched:
-In the meantime, let's get some shut-eye, shall we? We have a lot ahead. Spike started to serve the mint tea, Cez replied, while accepting a glass of the drink:
-I took all the nap required. You guys just go ahead. Renato accepted another glass, and stared curiously on the party:
-By the way, who's driving? All of them fell dead silent, they could almost touch the awkward tension in the room. Phillie then turned to Ags, and slapped him in the back:
-You go, pal. Ags looked at him surprisedly:
-Why me? - he was glad, but he couldn't deal with the mechanic's decision. Phillie replied:
-I deal with the navigation system. If that fails, I still have the compass and the map - then he pointed to Cez and Renato - the other two can deal with the hypnotic and spiritual bullshit, if we might get stuck. Renato nodded:
-Right. That's seems a sound idea.
2019. május 22., szerda
assembling the party
The gathering had been summoned.
It was localed in their secret basement, somewhere in the middle of the city. The huge room gave a really cozy atmosphere: giant navajo rugs on the floor, smaller ones on the wall alongside with ritual shamanic masks of African and Oceanian origin, a few oriental paper lanterns, wooden tribal shields and a fireplace on the side. In all, the placed looked like an ancient tribal spot of hardly-identifiable origin. Zoolooks have gathered lot of relics of their own during the ages.
Everyone were in their bestial forms. Renato and Casey kept it quite casual, while Ags wore swwatpants and a warm hoodie. He felt and looked much better - as the meds and his friends' care kicked in- however, he was still a little pale, and down. He choose this wardrobe of choice, because he wasn't willing to take the risk to fall back in his previous shitty condition. Deen appeared in her own bestial form as well: the winged red cat. She had one of those rare cases when two totems clashed over her, and couldn't agreed on which would patronize her. So, she has received both the wild cat and the bald eagle. This resulted a pretty majestic look, which was augmented by her traditional clothes she currently wore: native tribal longsleeve and pants, with traditional pattern on them, and a necklace with teeth, wooden beads and feathers with a modest gem in the middle.
She scaned the three of them, her voice was even more solemn than usual:
-So... you claim that you have found Atlantis, and you require support for your expedition. Renato sighed. Surely, in the first gatherings then Deen was elected matriarch in her early teenage, it was weird to hear her speaking so prim. Not to mentioned, that she was the youngest among them for a long time. But since she got used to her role - and grew in adulthood - she had been taken dead serious on the gatherings. He opened his mouth to speak up, but Casey raised her hand, stopping him:
-Let me do the talking. She wasn't ordering. She was asking - both for permission to take over and for his trust. Renato nodded. Cez grabbed a folder:
-Yes, we did - she replied to the matriarch with a straight face - Probably Renato told you about his dreams. Turned out, they weren't in vain. When I performed the hypnosis on him, we have learnt more about the location. She handed the folder to Deen. While the matriarch was accepting it, she took a look on Ags:
-And may I know, why is my brother involved? Casey hummed in agreement and replied:
-We have discovered, that he might be connected to this whole story, as well. Not as deeply as Renato... I couldn't find the reason why. But I suspect his substance abuse and temporary illness for it. Hearing this, Ags grumpled in displease. As his mind slowly cleared and started to coming to his senses, he wasn't too proud of his actions. Then he caught a brief eye contact with his sister. Deen didn't judge him. She was sorry, and understanding by the look of those dark-blue eyes.
Then she turned back to the folder, and opened it, examining its content. Casey continued:
-By the description of Renato's dreams and visions, we started to do a research. It took as two days and two nights- signed- And for the biggest plot twist of them all, Atlantis was never where we or humankind ever thought it would be. Judging by the look on the matriarch's face, she has arrived to that very chapter that Cez was talking about - her eyes widend, her mouth dropped semi-open, and her cat ears sharpened straight up:
-This isn't the middle of the ocean!- she exclaimed all the sudden - this is the Sahara desert! Renato couldn't help, but smile... This reaction should have been predicted. Who would ever thought to search for a land of the waters in the middle of the desert? He replied:
-To be more precice, it's the Richat structure, also known as the Eye of Sahara. If you observe the rings of the structure, they are almost perfectly concentric, some of them are higher and others are lower- he started explaining - These a upper and lower circles are varying, and if you picure how would it looked if it was fileld with water... then you get the three rings of land and three rings of water.
-Also - Cez continued - if you check the territory between this structure and the Atlantic ocean, you could see a part of a road leading there. In addition, the whole place looks like from the satelite photos if it has been struck by a gigantic tidal wave...
More or less that was the time, when Deen finished with the documenty. She looked back to the other three again, with affacinated expression on her face:
-So, when it said "in a single dreadful day and night life was swallowed up by the sea and vanished" was not referring to an island that sank into the ocean. It was refferring to a costal metropolis, that was struck by a massive tidal wave, that scrubbed it off from the surface of the earth. The other three was nodding in agreement.
Finally Renato stood up:
-We require your support for this expedition - he was reasoning- were could learn both about Atlantis, and our own history, as well. Since we no barely anything about the place, we don't know what role our people could have played there. And if my dreams are to give credit for, zoolooks had been there. The question is, for what purpose? Deen closed the folder:
-So, it's your final decision? You're all going?
-We are all required for this mission- said Renato - Ags and I have some strange connection with the place. And Casey has her psychic abilites, she can give as a mental kick, if we might get stuck in the progress. The matriarch nodded:
-Very well - she got her cool back again, and continued professional- I'm going to contact our people in Mauritania. First you'll need to get to Nouakchott by plane, where our contact gets you a jeep and some supplies. Also, Phillie is going with you.
Renato and casey wasn't much surprise about the extra passenger, but Ags - who was dead silence all along - exclaimed all the sudden:
-What the hell? - he even stood up in his dismay- Why is that asshole coming with us? He started to walk back and forth in the room:
-We don't need extra protection, we can take care of ourselves. Or you just want to keep on eye on us so we don't fool around?
-He's a mechanic, you dumm dumm- Deen lost it, and even if her posture remained majestic, her voice trasformed to meddling sisterlike- If anything happens to the jeep in the desert, he can fix it. Otherwise, good luck finding an expert in the middle of nowhere.
Ags fell silent. His sister was right. Still, all the situation bugged him. Renato and Casey thanked and sterted moving on. The hippie left behind - perfect opportunity for Deen to grab his arm and stop him:
-Hey,,, - she said softly. His brother looked back in a grim look - not the face that he used to have. His sister sighed:
-I'm sorry - she whispered- I should have known better, and should have looked out for you.
-Don't mention it - murmored Ags and stripped his arm from Deen's hold- you were too busy hanging with your boyfriend... Deen anxiously big her lips, then with a definite move she grabbed his arm again:
-I said that I'm sorry, and I mean it!- she exclaimed. Her brother stunned, and looked back at her. His facial expression softened a bit. Deen hugged him:
-Promise me, you take care of yourself, okay?- she whispered, holding him tight- swear me, to the matriarch, that you're gonna take care of yourself. I'll try to do better, when you get back. Ags' eyes got a bit more wet after this. Being so desparate for months he completely forgot his friends... not to mention her sister. He didn't admit he needed help... and this help was within reach. He hugged back:
-I swear it, to my matriarch....
It was localed in their secret basement, somewhere in the middle of the city. The huge room gave a really cozy atmosphere: giant navajo rugs on the floor, smaller ones on the wall alongside with ritual shamanic masks of African and Oceanian origin, a few oriental paper lanterns, wooden tribal shields and a fireplace on the side. In all, the placed looked like an ancient tribal spot of hardly-identifiable origin. Zoolooks have gathered lot of relics of their own during the ages.
Everyone were in their bestial forms. Renato and Casey kept it quite casual, while Ags wore swwatpants and a warm hoodie. He felt and looked much better - as the meds and his friends' care kicked in- however, he was still a little pale, and down. He choose this wardrobe of choice, because he wasn't willing to take the risk to fall back in his previous shitty condition. Deen appeared in her own bestial form as well: the winged red cat. She had one of those rare cases when two totems clashed over her, and couldn't agreed on which would patronize her. So, she has received both the wild cat and the bald eagle. This resulted a pretty majestic look, which was augmented by her traditional clothes she currently wore: native tribal longsleeve and pants, with traditional pattern on them, and a necklace with teeth, wooden beads and feathers with a modest gem in the middle.
She scaned the three of them, her voice was even more solemn than usual:
-So... you claim that you have found Atlantis, and you require support for your expedition. Renato sighed. Surely, in the first gatherings then Deen was elected matriarch in her early teenage, it was weird to hear her speaking so prim. Not to mentioned, that she was the youngest among them for a long time. But since she got used to her role - and grew in adulthood - she had been taken dead serious on the gatherings. He opened his mouth to speak up, but Casey raised her hand, stopping him:
-Let me do the talking. She wasn't ordering. She was asking - both for permission to take over and for his trust. Renato nodded. Cez grabbed a folder:
-Yes, we did - she replied to the matriarch with a straight face - Probably Renato told you about his dreams. Turned out, they weren't in vain. When I performed the hypnosis on him, we have learnt more about the location. She handed the folder to Deen. While the matriarch was accepting it, she took a look on Ags:
-And may I know, why is my brother involved? Casey hummed in agreement and replied:
-We have discovered, that he might be connected to this whole story, as well. Not as deeply as Renato... I couldn't find the reason why. But I suspect his substance abuse and temporary illness for it. Hearing this, Ags grumpled in displease. As his mind slowly cleared and started to coming to his senses, he wasn't too proud of his actions. Then he caught a brief eye contact with his sister. Deen didn't judge him. She was sorry, and understanding by the look of those dark-blue eyes.
Then she turned back to the folder, and opened it, examining its content. Casey continued:
-By the description of Renato's dreams and visions, we started to do a research. It took as two days and two nights- signed- And for the biggest plot twist of them all, Atlantis was never where we or humankind ever thought it would be. Judging by the look on the matriarch's face, she has arrived to that very chapter that Cez was talking about - her eyes widend, her mouth dropped semi-open, and her cat ears sharpened straight up:
-This isn't the middle of the ocean!- she exclaimed all the sudden - this is the Sahara desert! Renato couldn't help, but smile... This reaction should have been predicted. Who would ever thought to search for a land of the waters in the middle of the desert? He replied:
-To be more precice, it's the Richat structure, also known as the Eye of Sahara. If you observe the rings of the structure, they are almost perfectly concentric, some of them are higher and others are lower- he started explaining - These a upper and lower circles are varying, and if you picure how would it looked if it was fileld with water... then you get the three rings of land and three rings of water.
-Also - Cez continued - if you check the territory between this structure and the Atlantic ocean, you could see a part of a road leading there. In addition, the whole place looks like from the satelite photos if it has been struck by a gigantic tidal wave...
More or less that was the time, when Deen finished with the documenty. She looked back to the other three again, with affacinated expression on her face:
-So, when it said "in a single dreadful day and night life was swallowed up by the sea and vanished" was not referring to an island that sank into the ocean. It was refferring to a costal metropolis, that was struck by a massive tidal wave, that scrubbed it off from the surface of the earth. The other three was nodding in agreement.
Finally Renato stood up:
-We require your support for this expedition - he was reasoning- were could learn both about Atlantis, and our own history, as well. Since we no barely anything about the place, we don't know what role our people could have played there. And if my dreams are to give credit for, zoolooks had been there. The question is, for what purpose? Deen closed the folder:
-So, it's your final decision? You're all going?
-We are all required for this mission- said Renato - Ags and I have some strange connection with the place. And Casey has her psychic abilites, she can give as a mental kick, if we might get stuck in the progress. The matriarch nodded:
-Very well - she got her cool back again, and continued professional- I'm going to contact our people in Mauritania. First you'll need to get to Nouakchott by plane, where our contact gets you a jeep and some supplies. Also, Phillie is going with you.
Renato and casey wasn't much surprise about the extra passenger, but Ags - who was dead silence all along - exclaimed all the sudden:
-What the hell? - he even stood up in his dismay- Why is that asshole coming with us? He started to walk back and forth in the room:
-We don't need extra protection, we can take care of ourselves. Or you just want to keep on eye on us so we don't fool around?
-He's a mechanic, you dumm dumm- Deen lost it, and even if her posture remained majestic, her voice trasformed to meddling sisterlike- If anything happens to the jeep in the desert, he can fix it. Otherwise, good luck finding an expert in the middle of nowhere.
Ags fell silent. His sister was right. Still, all the situation bugged him. Renato and Casey thanked and sterted moving on. The hippie left behind - perfect opportunity for Deen to grab his arm and stop him:
-Hey,,, - she said softly. His brother looked back in a grim look - not the face that he used to have. His sister sighed:
-I'm sorry - she whispered- I should have known better, and should have looked out for you.
-Don't mention it - murmored Ags and stripped his arm from Deen's hold- you were too busy hanging with your boyfriend... Deen anxiously big her lips, then with a definite move she grabbed his arm again:
-I said that I'm sorry, and I mean it!- she exclaimed. Her brother stunned, and looked back at her. His facial expression softened a bit. Deen hugged him:
-Promise me, you take care of yourself, okay?- she whispered, holding him tight- swear me, to the matriarch, that you're gonna take care of yourself. I'll try to do better, when you get back. Ags' eyes got a bit more wet after this. Being so desparate for months he completely forgot his friends... not to mention her sister. He didn't admit he needed help... and this help was within reach. He hugged back:
-I swear it, to my matriarch....
2019. május 21., kedd
Fever
Next morning. The mood was vigorously gloomy, for multiple reasons.
First, Ags’s condition got worse. During the night his fever escalated, and he was sweating so hard, that the other two could squirt bottles of water from his blanket. So, before doing everything else in the morning, they pulled the hippie dragon in the bathroom, and let the ice cold shower pour on him. Ags was howling in agony: the fever was bad enough, clouding his mind, burning his muscles, but now – as the shower seemed extremely colder for him in this condition – the chill pierced to his bones. He felt unable to move, just curled up in the cabin, shaking, given such a vulnerable and pathetic impression, than never before. Renato tried to give him some emotional support:
-It’ll be all better, buddy. This is for your own good. Just two more minutes to bare. Ags was weeping in his agony:
-I’m gonna fucking die by that time! Renato pat his shoulder:
-At least you didn’t fully lost your humor. There, there…
As soon as he got dried, redressed in Renato’s spare pyjamas, and drugged with antibiotics, Ags was wrapped again in a fresh new blanket. He fell asleep right away. The whole scenery was just enough to break the ice between the other two – since the mood was really blue since their argument last night.
-Poor devil – Renato shook his head – he’s in deep mess this time.
-He’ll be just getting better from this point- affirmed Casey – the meds and his dragon mojo will do the trick.
-What about his willpower?- Renato was a bit doubtful- if we take out his sleepwalk, the last time we saw him, he was deeply desperate. Cez hummed, but didn’t reply.
“That settles it”- thought Reno- “He will get better physically, but saving his soul would require his cooperation… if he wishes to cooperate, that is”
-We should carry on with our part of the plan, in the meantime- said Casey all the sudden. Right… Ags was out of the question. But Renato could still proceed with the hypnosis. He set on the floor, legs below his body, with a posture that kinda gave him a respectful look:
-Okay… don’t go easy on me. Casey grinned for a short moment:
-Believe me, I won’t. Renato closed his eyes.
The bat began to hum on a semi-loud tone. Renato started to loosen himself on the smooth melody. First it seemed like a vocal-test before singing… then slowly he observed the well-known bat chirps within the humming. Finally, the whole melody has slowly turned into a lullaby. He didn’t completely lose himself though – he felt a massaging, buzzy and warm feeling growing on his forehead, spreading over his eyes, then fully covering his head…
The three rings of land and three rings of water… almost perfect concentric circles, with small cuts of canals here and there. Different quarters on different rings: the inner, the despotic and imperial ring, then the middle ring of the merchants and craft artists, and the outer ring of military. From the outer ring a wide canal led out in the open, towards the ocean. He looked around: the huge city was surrounded by steeped hills covered in thick flora. And all over that vivid fauna… the endless desert…
He woke up from the hypnosis all the sudden, gasping for air, ventilating for minutes. Cez stood up in excitement, examining her ex from a safe distance:
-What happened? What did you see there? As soon as Renato could catch his breath, he replied:
-I have found Atlantis – he stood up, looking directly into Casey’s eyes, and smiled victoriously – I know where it is. We need to go there, right away!
First, Ags’s condition got worse. During the night his fever escalated, and he was sweating so hard, that the other two could squirt bottles of water from his blanket. So, before doing everything else in the morning, they pulled the hippie dragon in the bathroom, and let the ice cold shower pour on him. Ags was howling in agony: the fever was bad enough, clouding his mind, burning his muscles, but now – as the shower seemed extremely colder for him in this condition – the chill pierced to his bones. He felt unable to move, just curled up in the cabin, shaking, given such a vulnerable and pathetic impression, than never before. Renato tried to give him some emotional support:
-It’ll be all better, buddy. This is for your own good. Just two more minutes to bare. Ags was weeping in his agony:
-I’m gonna fucking die by that time! Renato pat his shoulder:
-At least you didn’t fully lost your humor. There, there…
As soon as he got dried, redressed in Renato’s spare pyjamas, and drugged with antibiotics, Ags was wrapped again in a fresh new blanket. He fell asleep right away. The whole scenery was just enough to break the ice between the other two – since the mood was really blue since their argument last night.
-Poor devil – Renato shook his head – he’s in deep mess this time.
-He’ll be just getting better from this point- affirmed Casey – the meds and his dragon mojo will do the trick.
-What about his willpower?- Renato was a bit doubtful- if we take out his sleepwalk, the last time we saw him, he was deeply desperate. Cez hummed, but didn’t reply.
“That settles it”- thought Reno- “He will get better physically, but saving his soul would require his cooperation… if he wishes to cooperate, that is”
-We should carry on with our part of the plan, in the meantime- said Casey all the sudden. Right… Ags was out of the question. But Renato could still proceed with the hypnosis. He set on the floor, legs below his body, with a posture that kinda gave him a respectful look:
-Okay… don’t go easy on me. Casey grinned for a short moment:
-Believe me, I won’t. Renato closed his eyes.
The bat began to hum on a semi-loud tone. Renato started to loosen himself on the smooth melody. First it seemed like a vocal-test before singing… then slowly he observed the well-known bat chirps within the humming. Finally, the whole melody has slowly turned into a lullaby. He didn’t completely lose himself though – he felt a massaging, buzzy and warm feeling growing on his forehead, spreading over his eyes, then fully covering his head…
The three rings of land and three rings of water… almost perfect concentric circles, with small cuts of canals here and there. Different quarters on different rings: the inner, the despotic and imperial ring, then the middle ring of the merchants and craft artists, and the outer ring of military. From the outer ring a wide canal led out in the open, towards the ocean. He looked around: the huge city was surrounded by steeped hills covered in thick flora. And all over that vivid fauna… the endless desert…
He woke up from the hypnosis all the sudden, gasping for air, ventilating for minutes. Cez stood up in excitement, examining her ex from a safe distance:
-What happened? What did you see there? As soon as Renato could catch his breath, he replied:
-I have found Atlantis – he stood up, looking directly into Casey’s eyes, and smiled victoriously – I know where it is. We need to go there, right away!
Guardian of the pharos
Ags fell asleep right away, as he got comfortable in the guest room. The other two wrapped him up in a blanket, like a burrito and left him on the other bed. He felt cosy and secure instantly. Cez smiled in satisfaction:
-Like a big baby- chuckled in her raspy tomboy voice- seems that changing to a cleaner environment does release a significant amount of depression. Renato looked at her – also couldn’t help, but smile. When was the last time he saw his bat companion being happy about something? Then his expression melt away in a sharper look and hardened face: the last nth time they met or talked, she was furious. Those were the very days, when Renato really wondered, how come she got a bat for a totem, and not a harpy eagle…
-What?- Casey just interrupted his train of thoughts, staring at him puzzled. Renato sighed:
-Do you insist to stay? We’re kinda out of beds, unless you want to share mine. Cez frowned:
-You’re really underestimating me, don’t you? With these words, she flew up, found one of the decorative beams on the ceiling, and hung upside down:
-I’m still a bat, dummy. I can easily get myself comfortable. Renato smiled back at her – he had been just outwit by this batty’s outstanding move. Gotta admit, Casey was always pretty resourceful.
-Goodnight – he said on a cheered voice, and got into bed. It has been a long time, since he had company in his apartment. This moment brought back those long-lost times, when they were just a bunch of carefree teenagers, goofing around, with grandiose plans in their heads. How sweet and innocent they were – Sighed – and how wasted and broken they have become…
The dream stroke again. The three rings of land and three rings of bodies of water. He was in the middle ring, nearly on the highest point. The tides are coming… and the biggest one approaches. There is no chance, but he has to try – given, he’s the guardian of the sea and storms. He flew directly to amazing wave, charged it. He’s the albatross zoolook, also a force of nature. He has to protect the ones he serves. The tide swiped everything away…
Renato woke up with heart pound. But what made him breaking into cold sweat, was just coming now…
The sheer silhouette of a slender green dragon, arching above him, his green eyes glowing vivid and in ecstasy, like shining emeralds. It was Ags… in his bestial form. But something was freaky off about him.
-A-Ags- Renato could help, his voice shook in terror. The dragon replied – he seemed to recognize him, but at the same time, it sounded like he was talking to someone distant:
-The pharos… you’ve entrusted me with the light of the pharos… Reno got even more confused:
-What are you talking about? He grabbed onto the dragon’s wrist. Feeling the strong grab, Ags seemed to come to his senses. The glowing died out from his eyes… however, they got shut down, as well. His body slowly began to lose, joint by joint… eventually, he collapsed. Reno just caught him in the very last moment, preventing him to fall on the floor, and get seriously hurt.
-Casey!- he yelled. The bat flew there immediately – she probably got scared by Renato’s alarming voice.
-What is it? – she screamed. Renato lowered his voice a bit, as he laid down the dragon slowly on the floor:
-Ags… he was sleepwalking- he started to explain, his voice blocked from time to time from terror- he was talking about some kind of Pharos… Casey put her hand on Ags’s forehead. It was mildly warm, probably nothing to worry about. Then he checked on of his eyes. The pupil was reacting to the vague light, but he didn’t wake up.
-He's unconscious- she affirmed, then turned to Renato – did you happen to have you re-occurring dream again?
Renato’s eyes widened. Yes… he did. And then Ags was mumbling this gibberish about protecting a certain light. Could the two things be connected? As they were placing back their dragon hippie buddy on the guest bed, wrapping him again like a green reptile burrito in the blanket, Renato shared these thought with Casey. She looked concerned, hearing and processing all those information… finally she nodded:
-Reno, my boy… we are in a deeper shit than I thought – pointed at him – tomorrow, hypnosis. You, Ags, and me. You boys will get your mind tinkered. Renato frowned:
-You know… you already did that, when we are dating. Cez flew up, grabbed a hold on the beam again, and hung down:
-It seems it wasn’t affective enough- she grunt- you’re still stupid.
Renato didn’t reply instantly. He stood just stood there, thinking, how much he got tired of this attitude. He looked up back at her:
-Why are we doing this? Casey looked out from behind her wings:
-Come again?
-I still keep acting defensive against you – he exclaimed- and for a reason, because you keep insulting people, including me. This is not a rebel anymore, you’re a grownup now, and your actions have serious consequences. No wonder, people don’t stay around you for long. Cez hissed:
-You take that back! Renato growled:
-No, I won’t. NOW, I won’t – he exclaimed even further - I cared so much about you, that I put aside all these bullshit… just for you. But I had enough at one point. And to maintain us, it wasn’t just about me anymore. It was about you, too, you know. And you didn’t do anything. Casey hissed again, on a low voice:
-Oh, just piss off!
-Gladly – said Renato and went back to bed.
-Like a big baby- chuckled in her raspy tomboy voice- seems that changing to a cleaner environment does release a significant amount of depression. Renato looked at her – also couldn’t help, but smile. When was the last time he saw his bat companion being happy about something? Then his expression melt away in a sharper look and hardened face: the last nth time they met or talked, she was furious. Those were the very days, when Renato really wondered, how come she got a bat for a totem, and not a harpy eagle…
-What?- Casey just interrupted his train of thoughts, staring at him puzzled. Renato sighed:
-Do you insist to stay? We’re kinda out of beds, unless you want to share mine. Cez frowned:
-You’re really underestimating me, don’t you? With these words, she flew up, found one of the decorative beams on the ceiling, and hung upside down:
-I’m still a bat, dummy. I can easily get myself comfortable. Renato smiled back at her – he had been just outwit by this batty’s outstanding move. Gotta admit, Casey was always pretty resourceful.
-Goodnight – he said on a cheered voice, and got into bed. It has been a long time, since he had company in his apartment. This moment brought back those long-lost times, when they were just a bunch of carefree teenagers, goofing around, with grandiose plans in their heads. How sweet and innocent they were – Sighed – and how wasted and broken they have become…
The dream stroke again. The three rings of land and three rings of bodies of water. He was in the middle ring, nearly on the highest point. The tides are coming… and the biggest one approaches. There is no chance, but he has to try – given, he’s the guardian of the sea and storms. He flew directly to amazing wave, charged it. He’s the albatross zoolook, also a force of nature. He has to protect the ones he serves. The tide swiped everything away…
Renato woke up with heart pound. But what made him breaking into cold sweat, was just coming now…
The sheer silhouette of a slender green dragon, arching above him, his green eyes glowing vivid and in ecstasy, like shining emeralds. It was Ags… in his bestial form. But something was freaky off about him.
-A-Ags- Renato could help, his voice shook in terror. The dragon replied – he seemed to recognize him, but at the same time, it sounded like he was talking to someone distant:
-The pharos… you’ve entrusted me with the light of the pharos… Reno got even more confused:
-What are you talking about? He grabbed onto the dragon’s wrist. Feeling the strong grab, Ags seemed to come to his senses. The glowing died out from his eyes… however, they got shut down, as well. His body slowly began to lose, joint by joint… eventually, he collapsed. Reno just caught him in the very last moment, preventing him to fall on the floor, and get seriously hurt.
-Casey!- he yelled. The bat flew there immediately – she probably got scared by Renato’s alarming voice.
-What is it? – she screamed. Renato lowered his voice a bit, as he laid down the dragon slowly on the floor:
-Ags… he was sleepwalking- he started to explain, his voice blocked from time to time from terror- he was talking about some kind of Pharos… Casey put her hand on Ags’s forehead. It was mildly warm, probably nothing to worry about. Then he checked on of his eyes. The pupil was reacting to the vague light, but he didn’t wake up.
-He's unconscious- she affirmed, then turned to Renato – did you happen to have you re-occurring dream again?
Renato’s eyes widened. Yes… he did. And then Ags was mumbling this gibberish about protecting a certain light. Could the two things be connected? As they were placing back their dragon hippie buddy on the guest bed, wrapping him again like a green reptile burrito in the blanket, Renato shared these thought with Casey. She looked concerned, hearing and processing all those information… finally she nodded:
-Reno, my boy… we are in a deeper shit than I thought – pointed at him – tomorrow, hypnosis. You, Ags, and me. You boys will get your mind tinkered. Renato frowned:
-You know… you already did that, when we are dating. Cez flew up, grabbed a hold on the beam again, and hung down:
-It seems it wasn’t affective enough- she grunt- you’re still stupid.
Renato didn’t reply instantly. He stood just stood there, thinking, how much he got tired of this attitude. He looked up back at her:
-Why are we doing this? Casey looked out from behind her wings:
-Come again?
-I still keep acting defensive against you – he exclaimed- and for a reason, because you keep insulting people, including me. This is not a rebel anymore, you’re a grownup now, and your actions have serious consequences. No wonder, people don’t stay around you for long. Cez hissed:
-You take that back! Renato growled:
-No, I won’t. NOW, I won’t – he exclaimed even further - I cared so much about you, that I put aside all these bullshit… just for you. But I had enough at one point. And to maintain us, it wasn’t just about me anymore. It was about you, too, you know. And you didn’t do anything. Casey hissed again, on a low voice:
-Oh, just piss off!
-Gladly – said Renato and went back to bed.
2019. május 18., szombat
a life wasted
A few days had been passed and the dead end with the investigation remained. Renato was so stunned by not getting any results, that the following nights were completely dreamless.
“No result”- he murmured- “Cez must be nuts by making me believe such types of bullshit…” He was still restless, though. What was his tinkering with? This childish scenario about his dreams made him call his bat-shit crazy ex, and made him call out the matriarch in the open…
Suddenly, it popped in…. Ags. Deen’s big brother. Then again, he hasn’t been seen for months… He set down on his bed, covering his face in both hands:
“Why would Ags happen in this picture? I have absolutely no business with him”- he kept shaking his head, hoping that these insane thoughts might drop out and get rid of them for good. But they insisted to stay, sticking like a flytrap. Finally, he sighed in both his hands: “I better check on him…” He stood up, to reach his phone, but then, he froze for a second. No one knew what happened to Ags exactly. What if he got into a huge mess? Adult or not, zoolook or not, this better be no one-man mission. A backup would be optional… and at the moment, for some devilish reasons, he could not think of any better backup, than her…
The phone rang.
-Vada Voodoo Tattoo Salon, sorry but we’re closed.
-Cez, it’s me again – Reno interrupted as fast as possible.
-Seriously? - grunted Casey- you called a few days ago and now you miss me already, or what? This better be not a creepy stalker moment.
-It’s not – shout Renato, then sooth his temper and continued on a calmer voice- it’s about Ags.
-Ags? – Casey scratched her ear in boredom- Our dear boy Darko Agosto? He must be with his beloved girlfriend, as last time.
-No, Cez, he’s missing for months!- yelled Renato, so loud, that they both fell dead silent. One could almost touch the awkward tense in the air. Cez had a bitter taste in her mouth with a pinch of guilt. She wasn’t fond of having someone completely abandoned within the clan. And knowing her ex, this wasn’t some lame joke or endeavor to get back them together. Renato was sincerely worried… and he wanted backup. She almost felt honored for a second, that he still trusts her on this very level that she had been asked for this mission.
-You’re saying, we should check up on him, right?
-Positive- confirmed Reno. Casey grunted a bit, the replied:
-Do you still know his place? Meet me there in thirty – she ordered, so straight-forward, not leaving a speck of space for any other topic – We take a look at that idiot.
-Roger that- Reno replied and hung up the phone.
Ags, 34, was known as the long black-haired and emerald-eyed hippie, who always manipulated tense situations with his smooth-talk, but he was never afraid to take a fight when things got ugly. Renato could have sworn multiple times, that if their society had been patriarchal instead of matriarchal, Ags would have been a really badass leader.
The two met in front of the apartment – both in their true colors: Renato in albatross feathers on his arms – like wings – around the eyes, with a red mark on his lips – same red mark as on his totem’s beak. Cez with sharp black bat ears, elongated teeth and fingers – as her arms transformed to bat wings. Renato noticed something else on her:
-Your hair… it’s longer. True, it was the first time Casey left her hair shoulder-length instead of cutting it down to tomboyish.
-What? – she frowned – you like it?
-It kinda suits you – admitted Renato, like confirming something out of the blue. Cez sighed:
-Okay, Romeo, let’s move on…
They went to their pal’s floor. Renato knocked on the door:
-Ags… you’re okay buddy? No response. The two stared to each other. Then Cez knocked – harder, and yelled in her usual scandalous style:
-You there? Move your ass here, you hippie, and open the goddamn door! As she stopped, both of them were listening closely. There was some moaning coming from over, such as a haunting ghost or a dying ghoul. The two of them stared at each other again, this time, with sheer horror on their faces.
-This can’t be good – whispered Reno.
-Watch me!- hissed Cez, and with a massive kick, she burst the door.
On their surprise – and possibly relief – there was nothing behind the door… at least nothing menacing. The whole place was one big mess, like the Doberdo battlefield: dishes unwashed, dirty clothes from floor to ceiling, the stench of self-negligence and depression oozing over the place. Cez pressed her lips together in disgust - she was aware of the fact she wasn’t much lady-like, however, even this level of dirt and stench burst through her mess-o-meter. While she was struggling with this whole new experience, Renato yelled:
-Ags?
-Leave me alone…. – a vague response came from the bed. Renato turned on the lights…
There was he… the once glorious hippie, who was radiant of confidence – now pale, sad, and weak. He lost some weight, too. A burnt-down joint was sticking out from the corner of his mouth, and a bottle of cheap whiskey was in his right hand. Renato looked all over at him, and felt an amazing worry and pity for him:
-Oh man… look at you… - he finally stopped, maintaining firm eye contact with him, in his sallow eyes- what happened to you? Ags sipped – sounded like a sad sip after crying:
-She left me…- took the joint out of his mouth, and made a few grand gestures while explaining- she just… gone… without a word… Without explaining… He searched on and under the bed with his free hand, until he found another joint. He inserted it in his mouth:
-I don’t know where I went wrong… I wish I knew and fix all this – his thumb lit, a small red flame was dancing on its tip- there is nothing for me now…
Right before he could light the next joint, Cez hit it out of his mouth with a fast blow of her hand:
-Quit it! The hippie looked at her with a desperate and shocked face, like she just have murdered a bag of kittens:
-W... why? The bat sighed in anger, held between her eyes for a few seconds with two fingers – probably she was counting to ten and gathered her thoughts. She couldn’t afford to lose her temper against a friend in need. Finally, she let go with her two fingers and looked back to the hippie:
-Look – she leaned closer- this is not okay. You can’t lose yourself because of ruined relationship.
“How ironic”- thought Renato sarcastically- “When we tore up, you threw half of the chinaware at me….” Casey kept talking to Ags:
-We were worried, you know – her voice was firm but still, there was a hint of caring – now, you’re going to get up, and we’ll take care of you.
Renato shook his head for a moment and turned to the bat:
-Sorry, I must have misunderstood. Did you just say, “We take care of… him”? Cez turned to the albatross:
-Stop being a cry baby, and help me – she dug under the hippie’s shoulder to help him on his feet – of course, we’ll take care of him. He’s one of us. Renato helped her, and they were both supporting Ags, helping him slowly out of the house:
-Then tell me, wise-ass- he grunted at Casey- what’s your plan? Taking it to your place?
-Of course not!- yelled the bat, then she changed her tone like it was all natural- We’ll take it to YOUR place, since my flat is just a rat hole. There is plenty of space at your apartment. And I’ll stay for the night, just in case. Renato’s face transformed into a sneaky grin:
-Oh, look who’s missing who..
-Shut up, asshole!- yelled Casey- I only do this for Ags. Renato couldn’t help, but keeping his semi-victorious smile:
-Keep telling that to yourself…
“No result”- he murmured- “Cez must be nuts by making me believe such types of bullshit…” He was still restless, though. What was his tinkering with? This childish scenario about his dreams made him call his bat-shit crazy ex, and made him call out the matriarch in the open…
Suddenly, it popped in…. Ags. Deen’s big brother. Then again, he hasn’t been seen for months… He set down on his bed, covering his face in both hands:
“Why would Ags happen in this picture? I have absolutely no business with him”- he kept shaking his head, hoping that these insane thoughts might drop out and get rid of them for good. But they insisted to stay, sticking like a flytrap. Finally, he sighed in both his hands: “I better check on him…” He stood up, to reach his phone, but then, he froze for a second. No one knew what happened to Ags exactly. What if he got into a huge mess? Adult or not, zoolook or not, this better be no one-man mission. A backup would be optional… and at the moment, for some devilish reasons, he could not think of any better backup, than her…
The phone rang.
-Vada Voodoo Tattoo Salon, sorry but we’re closed.
-Cez, it’s me again – Reno interrupted as fast as possible.
-Seriously? - grunted Casey- you called a few days ago and now you miss me already, or what? This better be not a creepy stalker moment.
-It’s not – shout Renato, then sooth his temper and continued on a calmer voice- it’s about Ags.
-Ags? – Casey scratched her ear in boredom- Our dear boy Darko Agosto? He must be with his beloved girlfriend, as last time.
-No, Cez, he’s missing for months!- yelled Renato, so loud, that they both fell dead silent. One could almost touch the awkward tense in the air. Cez had a bitter taste in her mouth with a pinch of guilt. She wasn’t fond of having someone completely abandoned within the clan. And knowing her ex, this wasn’t some lame joke or endeavor to get back them together. Renato was sincerely worried… and he wanted backup. She almost felt honored for a second, that he still trusts her on this very level that she had been asked for this mission.
-You’re saying, we should check up on him, right?
-Positive- confirmed Reno. Casey grunted a bit, the replied:
-Do you still know his place? Meet me there in thirty – she ordered, so straight-forward, not leaving a speck of space for any other topic – We take a look at that idiot.
-Roger that- Reno replied and hung up the phone.
Ags, 34, was known as the long black-haired and emerald-eyed hippie, who always manipulated tense situations with his smooth-talk, but he was never afraid to take a fight when things got ugly. Renato could have sworn multiple times, that if their society had been patriarchal instead of matriarchal, Ags would have been a really badass leader.
The two met in front of the apartment – both in their true colors: Renato in albatross feathers on his arms – like wings – around the eyes, with a red mark on his lips – same red mark as on his totem’s beak. Cez with sharp black bat ears, elongated teeth and fingers – as her arms transformed to bat wings. Renato noticed something else on her:
-Your hair… it’s longer. True, it was the first time Casey left her hair shoulder-length instead of cutting it down to tomboyish.
-What? – she frowned – you like it?
-It kinda suits you – admitted Renato, like confirming something out of the blue. Cez sighed:
-Okay, Romeo, let’s move on…
They went to their pal’s floor. Renato knocked on the door:
-Ags… you’re okay buddy? No response. The two stared to each other. Then Cez knocked – harder, and yelled in her usual scandalous style:
-You there? Move your ass here, you hippie, and open the goddamn door! As she stopped, both of them were listening closely. There was some moaning coming from over, such as a haunting ghost or a dying ghoul. The two of them stared at each other again, this time, with sheer horror on their faces.
-This can’t be good – whispered Reno.
-Watch me!- hissed Cez, and with a massive kick, she burst the door.
On their surprise – and possibly relief – there was nothing behind the door… at least nothing menacing. The whole place was one big mess, like the Doberdo battlefield: dishes unwashed, dirty clothes from floor to ceiling, the stench of self-negligence and depression oozing over the place. Cez pressed her lips together in disgust - she was aware of the fact she wasn’t much lady-like, however, even this level of dirt and stench burst through her mess-o-meter. While she was struggling with this whole new experience, Renato yelled:
-Ags?
-Leave me alone…. – a vague response came from the bed. Renato turned on the lights…
There was he… the once glorious hippie, who was radiant of confidence – now pale, sad, and weak. He lost some weight, too. A burnt-down joint was sticking out from the corner of his mouth, and a bottle of cheap whiskey was in his right hand. Renato looked all over at him, and felt an amazing worry and pity for him:
-Oh man… look at you… - he finally stopped, maintaining firm eye contact with him, in his sallow eyes- what happened to you? Ags sipped – sounded like a sad sip after crying:
-She left me…- took the joint out of his mouth, and made a few grand gestures while explaining- she just… gone… without a word… Without explaining… He searched on and under the bed with his free hand, until he found another joint. He inserted it in his mouth:
-I don’t know where I went wrong… I wish I knew and fix all this – his thumb lit, a small red flame was dancing on its tip- there is nothing for me now…
Right before he could light the next joint, Cez hit it out of his mouth with a fast blow of her hand:
-Quit it! The hippie looked at her with a desperate and shocked face, like she just have murdered a bag of kittens:
-W... why? The bat sighed in anger, held between her eyes for a few seconds with two fingers – probably she was counting to ten and gathered her thoughts. She couldn’t afford to lose her temper against a friend in need. Finally, she let go with her two fingers and looked back to the hippie:
-Look – she leaned closer- this is not okay. You can’t lose yourself because of ruined relationship.
“How ironic”- thought Renato sarcastically- “When we tore up, you threw half of the chinaware at me….” Casey kept talking to Ags:
-We were worried, you know – her voice was firm but still, there was a hint of caring – now, you’re going to get up, and we’ll take care of you.
Renato shook his head for a moment and turned to the bat:
-Sorry, I must have misunderstood. Did you just say, “We take care of… him”? Cez turned to the albatross:
-Stop being a cry baby, and help me – she dug under the hippie’s shoulder to help him on his feet – of course, we’ll take care of him. He’s one of us. Renato helped her, and they were both supporting Ags, helping him slowly out of the house:
-Then tell me, wise-ass- he grunted at Casey- what’s your plan? Taking it to your place?
-Of course not!- yelled the bat, then she changed her tone like it was all natural- We’ll take it to YOUR place, since my flat is just a rat hole. There is plenty of space at your apartment. And I’ll stay for the night, just in case. Renato’s face transformed into a sneaky grin:
-Oh, look who’s missing who..
-Shut up, asshole!- yelled Casey- I only do this for Ags. Renato couldn’t help, but keeping his semi-victorious smile:
-Keep telling that to yourself…
Deen matriarch
Edina „Deen” Agosto, 28, dark blue eyes. Serving one of the tables in a fancy restaurant, fully-armoured in the server uniform, her long burning-red hair currently in a modest bun. Appearance in everything... and currently she wanted to look as unimportant as possible – perfectly blending in among the other waiters of the place.
The day was busy, as usually, and it was a relief to take deep breath after the shift was done. But as she got out of the personnel backdoor, she encountered a familiar face.
-Do you have a moment? – Renato was facing her, still in his navy uniform. Deen sighed:
-This better be important – her voice was silenced, but calm, not to draw attention – you know well, that I don’t like discussing our people’s matters outside gatherings, for safety reasons.
-I know- Reno nodded and stepped closer- Cez suggested me to talk to you.
-So you’re communicating again- there was some kind of relief in the matriarch’s voice, while she untied her hair and let flow like a gorgeous mane- That’s good news. For a moment Renato stunned: this being right in front of him used to be one used to be one small loud-mouth little girl. Same rebellious attitude as Cez. Come to think of it, Cez was a bad influence on her, and they kept trolling around back in the days. Now Deen’s a full-grown woman, definitely taller, softer voice, and lots of patients – this last one had to be learn when she became the matriarch out of the blue, and suddenly... had to deal with all other zoolooks’s needs.
-So- she stared curiously and protectively with those dark blue eyes- what is it about? Renato snapped out of his train of thoughts:
-Atlantis. Do you know anything about it? Had our people ever been involved? The matriarch’s eyes widened for a second, they sighed with disappointment:
-We know as much about Atlantis, as humankind does- she explained, this time a little impatience rang in her voice- some mystical island in the middle of the ocean... probably not real at all. She stopped for a moment, they with a bit of a concern she added:
-And even if it was real, I don’t think we were much involved. Probably as messengers between nature and mankind, like everywhere else. There are nothing in our tales or archives about achieving more, or if we had anything to do with Atlantis, in any form. She scanned Renato from toe to head, then back again, slowly:
-Why would you like to know? – she was fully of concern by this time- Why did Cez sent you to me?
-Reoccurring dreams- replied Renato briefly. Deen nodded in agreement:
-I see now...
Then another voice interrupted the chit-chat, coming from the other side of the street:
-Deen! You’re coming? Both of them turned in that direction. It was Jean-Phillippe „Phillie” Prezioso, 36, probably the tallest and most muscular of them all. His unmistakable grin was shining on his bearded face, and with his long fuzzy brown hair and sparkly blue eyes he resemble more his lion totem, than an actual human. Renato slipped his hands in his pockets:
-So... you’re now-fiancé. Doesn’t the age-gap bother you? Deen chuckled:
-Not anymore- she smiled- Even my brother stopped bothering me about it.
„Ags” – popped into Reno’s mind – „what’s with him, anyway? We didn’t see him since a few months, not even on gatherings”. The matriarch waved goodbye as she was heading to Phillie and the car:
-You take care now! Renato waved back to the both of them. Currently, this seems to be a dead end…
The day was busy, as usually, and it was a relief to take deep breath after the shift was done. But as she got out of the personnel backdoor, she encountered a familiar face.
-Do you have a moment? – Renato was facing her, still in his navy uniform. Deen sighed:
-This better be important – her voice was silenced, but calm, not to draw attention – you know well, that I don’t like discussing our people’s matters outside gatherings, for safety reasons.
-I know- Reno nodded and stepped closer- Cez suggested me to talk to you.
-So you’re communicating again- there was some kind of relief in the matriarch’s voice, while she untied her hair and let flow like a gorgeous mane- That’s good news. For a moment Renato stunned: this being right in front of him used to be one used to be one small loud-mouth little girl. Same rebellious attitude as Cez. Come to think of it, Cez was a bad influence on her, and they kept trolling around back in the days. Now Deen’s a full-grown woman, definitely taller, softer voice, and lots of patients – this last one had to be learn when she became the matriarch out of the blue, and suddenly... had to deal with all other zoolooks’s needs.
-So- she stared curiously and protectively with those dark blue eyes- what is it about? Renato snapped out of his train of thoughts:
-Atlantis. Do you know anything about it? Had our people ever been involved? The matriarch’s eyes widened for a second, they sighed with disappointment:
-We know as much about Atlantis, as humankind does- she explained, this time a little impatience rang in her voice- some mystical island in the middle of the ocean... probably not real at all. She stopped for a moment, they with a bit of a concern she added:
-And even if it was real, I don’t think we were much involved. Probably as messengers between nature and mankind, like everywhere else. There are nothing in our tales or archives about achieving more, or if we had anything to do with Atlantis, in any form. She scanned Renato from toe to head, then back again, slowly:
-Why would you like to know? – she was fully of concern by this time- Why did Cez sent you to me?
-Reoccurring dreams- replied Renato briefly. Deen nodded in agreement:
-I see now...
Then another voice interrupted the chit-chat, coming from the other side of the street:
-Deen! You’re coming? Both of them turned in that direction. It was Jean-Phillippe „Phillie” Prezioso, 36, probably the tallest and most muscular of them all. His unmistakable grin was shining on his bearded face, and with his long fuzzy brown hair and sparkly blue eyes he resemble more his lion totem, than an actual human. Renato slipped his hands in his pockets:
-So... you’re now-fiancé. Doesn’t the age-gap bother you? Deen chuckled:
-Not anymore- she smiled- Even my brother stopped bothering me about it.
„Ags” – popped into Reno’s mind – „what’s with him, anyway? We didn’t see him since a few months, not even on gatherings”. The matriarch waved goodbye as she was heading to Phillie and the car:
-You take care now! Renato waved back to the both of them. Currently, this seems to be a dead end…
2019. május 16., csütörtök
long time no hear
It was in the early afternoon, when the phone rang in the old-school tattoo salon.
Casey didn't answer first. She was in progress with a traditional Japanese koi ink on a beefy dude's bicept. When she was finally done with the lines, she decided to give it a break and answer the call:
-Vada Voodoo Tattoo Salon...
-Cez, it' me - it was the almost-forgotten and long familiar voice of Renato. First she got sweet shivers... and then slowly extending anger.
'What does this jerk want?"- she murmured with her inenr voice - "Finally showing up after 5 years, he must be really desparate..."
-Wut?- she answered, in her good old-fashioned trashy style. Since everyone mistook her for a boy for her short, black hair, hard facial features, lack of boobs or butts, and 150 cm shortness, she compensated with overall rudeness... and sometimes with her fists.
-I need a piece of your advice- said Renato.
-Sorry, I don't do dicks - rushed in Casey- those are too sensitive for my work. Renato growled for a moment and shout:
-Would you please listen to me? I have a serious question for you? Cez sighed:
-Why's ya call? Renato gathered his thoughts, and answered:
-It's one of those re-occurring dreams. You used to be keed on them.
Casey's eyes widened for a second:
-You have them? - she lit on a cigarette- what are they about?
-Atlantis - replied Reno, almsot instantly, then with some delay, he added- more specify, when the waves engulf and swipe away the city. Cez took a nice long sip from the tobacco:
-Ya sure it'l Atlantis? It took some moments, but Renato replied:
-I know it, within the dream. I have also seen the three circles of land and three circles od wather withing the city....
It was the girl's turn to lost her words. Reoccurring dreams about a sacred land... as much as she knew, this was serious business. Beside her tomboy attitude she was fond of all esoteric and spiritual studies - firstly because she tried to conserv this aspect of the zoolook nature. She had all the information on reincarnation, divine indication, cleaning, all sorts of ancient cities and communities... but Atlantis. Atlantis barely scratched the surface. She took another smokey sip:
-I'm not really sure why you're having dreams about Atlantis - she explained in a much calmed and conserned tone - that place is such a big-ass doubt, that it might had been non-existent at all. I mean, sure... - sipped the cigarette again- there are common symbols and avatars in different countries... but you can't just simply explain that by a mofo huge island in the middle of the Atlantic ocean. That's a simple-minded approach.
She put out the tobacco:
-Still, we're SOME of a kind - she didn't have in mind to let a customer know within hearing distance that they were zoolooks-, and having reoccurring dreams in our case is serious business. I suggest you to get the matriarch and consult her, asap. You still know where to find her, right? Reno frowned. Of course he knew... he went often to gatherings and met the matriarch. Still... this question required some privarcy, and he had doubts if it was a good idea to bother her after her shift.
-Right- said briedly.
-Good- the voice in Casey's voice just turned back- now, move your ass to her, and stop call me when you mention me in your last will. With her final words, she hung up the phone.
Reno just stood back on the "disconnected" sign on hus mobile phone. Yup... Cez didn't change a bit... maybe got more sour than usual. Who knows...
One's for sure, his next way would lead to the matriarch, right after work....
Casey didn't answer first. She was in progress with a traditional Japanese koi ink on a beefy dude's bicept. When she was finally done with the lines, she decided to give it a break and answer the call:
-Vada Voodoo Tattoo Salon...
-Cez, it' me - it was the almost-forgotten and long familiar voice of Renato. First she got sweet shivers... and then slowly extending anger.
'What does this jerk want?"- she murmured with her inenr voice - "Finally showing up after 5 years, he must be really desparate..."
-Wut?- she answered, in her good old-fashioned trashy style. Since everyone mistook her for a boy for her short, black hair, hard facial features, lack of boobs or butts, and 150 cm shortness, she compensated with overall rudeness... and sometimes with her fists.
-I need a piece of your advice- said Renato.
-Sorry, I don't do dicks - rushed in Casey- those are too sensitive for my work. Renato growled for a moment and shout:
-Would you please listen to me? I have a serious question for you? Cez sighed:
-Why's ya call? Renato gathered his thoughts, and answered:
-It's one of those re-occurring dreams. You used to be keed on them.
Casey's eyes widened for a second:
-You have them? - she lit on a cigarette- what are they about?
-Atlantis - replied Reno, almsot instantly, then with some delay, he added- more specify, when the waves engulf and swipe away the city. Cez took a nice long sip from the tobacco:
-Ya sure it'l Atlantis? It took some moments, but Renato replied:
-I know it, within the dream. I have also seen the three circles of land and three circles od wather withing the city....
It was the girl's turn to lost her words. Reoccurring dreams about a sacred land... as much as she knew, this was serious business. Beside her tomboy attitude she was fond of all esoteric and spiritual studies - firstly because she tried to conserv this aspect of the zoolook nature. She had all the information on reincarnation, divine indication, cleaning, all sorts of ancient cities and communities... but Atlantis. Atlantis barely scratched the surface. She took another smokey sip:
-I'm not really sure why you're having dreams about Atlantis - she explained in a much calmed and conserned tone - that place is such a big-ass doubt, that it might had been non-existent at all. I mean, sure... - sipped the cigarette again- there are common symbols and avatars in different countries... but you can't just simply explain that by a mofo huge island in the middle of the Atlantic ocean. That's a simple-minded approach.
She put out the tobacco:
-Still, we're SOME of a kind - she didn't have in mind to let a customer know within hearing distance that they were zoolooks-, and having reoccurring dreams in our case is serious business. I suggest you to get the matriarch and consult her, asap. You still know where to find her, right? Reno frowned. Of course he knew... he went often to gatherings and met the matriarch. Still... this question required some privarcy, and he had doubts if it was a good idea to bother her after her shift.
-Right- said briedly.
-Good- the voice in Casey's voice just turned back- now, move your ass to her, and stop call me when you mention me in your last will. With her final words, she hung up the phone.
Reno just stood back on the "disconnected" sign on hus mobile phone. Yup... Cez didn't change a bit... maybe got more sour than usual. Who knows...
One's for sure, his next way would lead to the matriarch, right after work....
Renato Atu
The waves are bursting in the city, one at the time, always followed by bigger ones. First it appears that the gates will hold... but then, an eerie silence settles on the whole place, so dense, one can barely touch it.
And then he saw it.... the biggest wave of them all.
There is barely time to think, not to mention fight.... the gigantic tide knows no mercy, and englufs the entire city, and everyone in it, in the blink of an eye....
Renato Atu hits the snooze on the alarm.
"Same dream again" - flows through his mind, as he rubs his face to keep himself awake. "What was Casey saying about these kinds of stuff?" - he mumbled, digging hid fingers in his shoulder-length, brown, curly hear for a wake-up head massage- "She was really superstitions about reoccurring dreams. Better ask her..."
As he finally stood up from the bed, he realized, he shouldn't ask her... at all. The memories crawled into his mind, like a nasty reptile: the vision of them, tearing apart after college, after spending their teenage years together as a couple. They didn't ever met on zoolook reuntions...
Renato looked into the mirror. Checked up on his face, making a few grins - yup, he's getting rugged again, it would be time to shave soon. Took long enough to have whiskers... it started a few before turning to 30. Now he was 34....
He just realized this again, his wet face covered in a towel. It pissed him so much all of the sudden, he threw the towel right on his reflection:
-This is stupid!- he yelled - I'm a grown-ass man! Why can't I just act like one, and call Casey? As he kept staring back to his face in the mirror, he finally sighed:
-Right... because between the two of us, it was always me who acted more adult....
Quick blink on the clock: it's 7:20. As much as he knew, his ex girlfriend because a tattoo artist. What an interesting turn of events... No one thought she could stand any chance with her rebellious attitude in the adult world... maybe predicted to end up as a guerilla in Middle-Africa or a sniper in a warzone. Eventually, Cez did made some commitments with society, opened her little business, and ever since she was ornating people...
"Stupid bat...." - Renato thought, and continued to get ready for work.
During and right after college he spent a few years at the navy as a sailor. As he graduated, he still stayed there, but translocated to navigation, then administration. Seemed a bit more boring, but he wanted to keep it calm for a while.
"I should call her"- he decided as he got ready with tie. All suit up, and he left his place...
And then he saw it.... the biggest wave of them all.
There is barely time to think, not to mention fight.... the gigantic tide knows no mercy, and englufs the entire city, and everyone in it, in the blink of an eye....
Renato Atu hits the snooze on the alarm.
"Same dream again" - flows through his mind, as he rubs his face to keep himself awake. "What was Casey saying about these kinds of stuff?" - he mumbled, digging hid fingers in his shoulder-length, brown, curly hear for a wake-up head massage- "She was really superstitions about reoccurring dreams. Better ask her..."
As he finally stood up from the bed, he realized, he shouldn't ask her... at all. The memories crawled into his mind, like a nasty reptile: the vision of them, tearing apart after college, after spending their teenage years together as a couple. They didn't ever met on zoolook reuntions...
Renato looked into the mirror. Checked up on his face, making a few grins - yup, he's getting rugged again, it would be time to shave soon. Took long enough to have whiskers... it started a few before turning to 30. Now he was 34....
He just realized this again, his wet face covered in a towel. It pissed him so much all of the sudden, he threw the towel right on his reflection:
-This is stupid!- he yelled - I'm a grown-ass man! Why can't I just act like one, and call Casey? As he kept staring back to his face in the mirror, he finally sighed:
-Right... because between the two of us, it was always me who acted more adult....
Quick blink on the clock: it's 7:20. As much as he knew, his ex girlfriend because a tattoo artist. What an interesting turn of events... No one thought she could stand any chance with her rebellious attitude in the adult world... maybe predicted to end up as a guerilla in Middle-Africa or a sniper in a warzone. Eventually, Cez did made some commitments with society, opened her little business, and ever since she was ornating people...
"Stupid bat...." - Renato thought, and continued to get ready for work.
During and right after college he spent a few years at the navy as a sailor. As he graduated, he still stayed there, but translocated to navigation, then administration. Seemed a bit more boring, but he wanted to keep it calm for a while.
"I should call her"- he decided as he got ready with tie. All suit up, and he left his place...
Zoolooks
Zoolooks - the connection between humans and etherial beings. Stuck between the state of man and animal in the dawn of times.
As the bridge between nature and mankind, they all had an animal form to shapeshift to - a totem, a spirit who chose them for their duty to maintain this delicate balance in ancient times.
However, as times changed, humanity turned to multiple religions and technology, forsaking nature slowly but surely... thus, the zoolooks, as well. This led from treating them as sacred messager to freaks of nature.
Nowaday, zoolooks and their matriarchic system has smoothly blent into the society of mankind. They work and live, as they do... yet, they gather from time to time, maintaining their rituals and customs, and rely on their matriarch's lead.
They could never dream about becoming bridges of mankind and nature, ever again. They hadn't been more than that.
This journey is about them....
As the bridge between nature and mankind, they all had an animal form to shapeshift to - a totem, a spirit who chose them for their duty to maintain this delicate balance in ancient times.
However, as times changed, humanity turned to multiple religions and technology, forsaking nature slowly but surely... thus, the zoolooks, as well. This led from treating them as sacred messager to freaks of nature.
Nowaday, zoolooks and their matriarchic system has smoothly blent into the society of mankind. They work and live, as they do... yet, they gather from time to time, maintaining their rituals and customs, and rely on their matriarch's lead.
They could never dream about becoming bridges of mankind and nature, ever again. They hadn't been more than that.
This journey is about them....
Feliratkozás:
Bejegyzések (Atom)
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The flight to Nouakchott seemed longer than they imagined. They were seated on a cargo plane for extra cover. Moments like these made Renato... -
The gang parted early in the morning due to weather conditions - the temperature was much bearable in the early hours, before the sunrise. A...
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Renato started to come to his senses: he was kneeling, in the middle ring, looking towards the valley, that once used to be the great canal ...