Newsgroups: alt.pub.dragons-inn Path: netcom.com!csus.edu!wupost!howland.reston.ans.net!math.ohio-state.edu!cs.utexas.edu!asuvax!chnews!ornews.intel.com!percy!agora!penny From: penny@agora.rain.com (Penny Hutchison) Subject: [RatTale] Howard's Story Message-ID: Organization: One Non-Blonde Date: Fri, 13 Aug 1993 15:15:38 GMT Lines: 421 [ADMIN] This is the fourth in a series of bedtime stories ar'Elya is telling to Little Rat and Kev. Dedicated to all kids, no matter how big they are. "Hey, where's da cocoa?" asked Little Rat as ar'Elya came into the connecting playroom between Kev's and Rat's bedrooms. "No cocoa tonight. Something very special is happening that I want both of you to see," ar'Elya answered. She held out her hands to the children. "Come on. We've got to go get some special clothes." She lead the way down the hallway and opened a door into a room Little Rat remembered. "Dis is where we did dressup stuff, huh?" "Right. We're going to dress up tonight, too, but this time it's so we won't get cold." ar'Elya opened a box and pulled out clothing for all of them. Long sleeved tops and pants that were fuzzy inside, and soft boots that were fuzzy inside, too. "Any colors you especially like?" Little Rat thought hard and pointed at the dark grey-purple outfit. "What a good choice. That color will look good on you." Rat looked at the woman soberly. "Dat's not why. Is 'cause dey hard to see in da dark." ar'Elya sighed and looked a little sad. "How about you, Kev? What would you like?" Kev grinned and grabbed a bundle of saffron-yellow. "Don't put those on yet," ar'Elya warned, finally lifting out an armful of fluffy towels. They all went outside the Lighthouse into the garden. ar'Elya, carrying the towels in one arm and a glowing sphere of light in the other, led them to a large, steaming, bubbling pond. "We gonna take bafs at night? I'm not sweaty or nuthin'. Haven't worked out neither!" "Oh, there can be baths for different reasons. You know how you've been learning how important your mind is when you do your exercises with Mister Raf? This bath is to help relax you and to get you mentally ready for what's to happen tonight. C'mon, let's get in." Kev, of course, quickly stripped and cannonballed into the water. Rat was more cautious, but took off her rags and stepped in. It was not as hot as her usual baths, and the bubbles ticked her skin. The water moved around her too, and it felt good. ar'Elya spoke. "I'm coming in, too. First, I'm going to make this light very dim. Don't worry, it's just so your eyes will adjust so you can see easier in the dark." She placed the towels on one of the benches around the pond, then waved her hand over the globe. The light dimmed from a bright yellow-white to a soft blue. ar'Elya set the globe on the pile of towels and clothes, removed her robe and quietly settled into the water. Little Rat looked at ar'Elya intently. It wasn't that she had never seen the naked human form before. In the Low City, clothing was often only a matter of warmth or protection, and many denizens had neither. But ar'Elya's body was something different. She wasn't skinny, and she wasn't soft and puffy. There also wasn't a single bump, scar, scratch, or sore to be seen. Rat blurted out, "Gosh, you's purty ...an' you gots bulges like a waryer too." "Why, thank you. I like being strong. I feel like I can take care of myself and I don't get tired soon," ar'Elya replied. Little Rat thought that over for a moment, and opened her mouth to ask another question. But just then ar'Elya smiled and her eyes got bright and shiny. Rat knew that ar'Elya only looked like that for one person, so without turning around called out, "Hiya 'Raelf!" A deep chuckle answered her, and a tall, well-muscled blonde man stepped into the circle of blue light. "Sure can't sneak up on you, lil' dudelette!" Little Rat studied him as he took off the towel he was wearing and joined them in the pond. His bulges were even bigger, and there weren't any scars on him either. "You's purty too, like Reelya. You ain't got no marks on ya, either. Mus' never get hit inna fight, huh?" 'Raelf smiled and thanked her for the complement, then he and his mate exchanged looks. ar'Elya held out a hand to Little Rat, who took it. "I could help you with that, if you like. Would you like your scars to go away?" Rat shook her head. "Nah, da scars I got 'minds me ta be cafful. Mebbe later if I gets a big n' nasty one. 'sides, you guys is changin' me so much anyhow. Lookit." She stood up out of the pool and pointed to her chest. "Ya can't see da bones no more." The two grownups chuckled, but Rat knew they weren't making fun of her. But Kev laughed really loud and kicked up water with his feet, so Little Rat started splashing him back. "Told ya this would happen," 'Raelf muttered as they separated the two squabblers before they could dislocate all the water from the pond. ar'Elya made a face at him and turned to the small girl. "Okay, you can keep your scars, but starting tomorrow I'll help you to start building your muscles, OK?" Rat nodded in agreement. "Now are you all settled down? Good. Now first of all, I'm putting something into the water that will smell nice. Then I want you to do the relaxation exercises you've been taught. I'll lead, but I'll want you to continue by yourselves. Most important," and she looked at Kev as she said this, "I want you to be as quiet as possible, and just pay attention to my voice and the sounds of the night." 'Raelf cleared his throat. "Uh, Raye, you wanna change the light first?" ar'Elya answered through gritted teeth, "I was just about to DO that, DARLING!" She glared at him and he ducked lower into the pond, while Kev giggled again. She contented herself with a snort of disgust, and, motioning at the globe of light, it dimmed further and changed from blue to red. "As 'Raelf would be SO happy to tell you, the red light will help your eyes tonight," ar'Elya seemed to grow calmer as she spoke. "When I finally make the light go out, the night won't look as dark to you." ar'Elya reached out and took a pouch that had been near the pond. She took out a handful of powder and sprinkled it into the water. At first Rat felt like she was going to sneeze, but then sniffed appreciatively as the powder mixed into the water. The smell reminded her of some of the flowers in the garden, some of the stuff stored in jars in the kitchen, and of Princess Leah's hands. It made her feel warm inside, and that she was safe. With a little sigh, she relaxed and slide lower into the pond. Kev and the grown-ups were doing the same, but Rat suspected that the latter were doing something Kev had called "playing footsie". Then ar'Elya started to speak, low and quietly. Rat couldn't understand what she was saying, but the words were making her feel things, just as the smells had. She felt as peaceful as if she were asleep, but she knew she was wide-awake. The most important thing in the world was to just sit here and enjoy the warm water, spicey smell, and the faces of those she now lived with. Then as ar'Elya's voice faded away, there was the sound of the surf hitting the shore, the whisper of wind in the trees, the gurgling of the pond and her own deep even breaths. Before Little Rat's fingers got too pruney, ar'Elya said, "It's time," and got out of the pond. They all helped each other to towel dry, and Rat was grateful for the warm, fuzzy insides of her new clothes. The slight breeze made her shiver. ar'Elya took the red globe and lead them up outside steps that Little Rat hadn't seen before, to the very top of the Lighthouse. The top was all flat, surrounded by a wall that came up to Rat's shoulders. The wall was topped by a curved railing. "It's to keep people from falling off," 'Raelf said. There was a thick carpet covering the tiled floor. "So our bottoms don't get cold," said ar'Elya. ar'Elya then told everyone to sit where they could get a good view of the sky, and put the globe down on the middle of the carpet. "I know you two wanted your cocoa, so a friend of mine is bringing us a snack." " 'Nuther friend? Ya sure gots lots!" "Yes, I've picked up quite a few in my travels. The one visiting tonight is kind of shy around people, which is why he doesn't come visit us often. But he really wanted to meet both of you," ar'Elya smiled at the children. Little Rat opened her mouth to ask why they were all on the roof tonight instead of in their beds, but closed it again. Something just felt different about tonight, and any answer she would get could wait. Before anyone else felt like talking, there was the sound of someone quietly walking up the stairs, and the rattle of crockery. A man carrying a tray of dishes stepped into the light of the globe. At first Rat thought he was really old, but he wasn't all bent up and shakey. As he placed the tray down on the carpet, she saw that the top of his head was all shiny, with a funny fringe of hair all around. And he was wearing stuff that looked a lot like Little Rat's own rags. ar'Elya smiled at the newcomer, "Father Howard! Thank you so much for bringing up our snacks. Please join us. I know you know 'Raelf, but I'd like you to meet Little Rat and Kev." The Father sat down and nodded at them. "Hello, children. May this meeting be a blessing to us all. Daughter," he looked at ar'Elya, "have I your permission?" He raised his hands, palms facing them all. ar'Elya nodded. "Peace be with you. By all the gods and the Gracious Light, may this evening be holy, good, and peaceful. Protect us through the hours of this night, so that we who are wearied by the changes and chances of this life may rest in the Eternal Changelessness. Let us never forget that our common life depends upon each other." Father Howard then turned and placed his hands on Raelf's head. Little Rat thought she saw his hands glow briefly. "Courage, my son. Do not fear to depend on others at this time. Be thankful for the gifts of love in all its forms." As the father removed his hands, 'Raelf breathed deeply and looked up and smiled. His shoulders lowered as if a heavy weight had been removed. Howard moved over to ar'Elya and did the same thing with his hands. "Ah, my daughter, great Warrior of Hope, I see great joy and great sorrow for you soon. Don't be afraid. You inspire love, and that itself will fight for you." It was Kev's turn next. Kev looked especially serious as the father touched his head. "My dear child, who finds childishness so hard. Find joy in the means, not looking to the ends. May the stars' laughter light your way." Then Father Howard walked over to Little Rat and knelt in front of her. "With your permission, little daughter?" Rat studied him carefully, and his brown eyes smiled back at her. She nodded, but instead of the top of her head, he placed his hands lightly and gently on both sides of her face. His hands were warm, but not soft. He looked into her eyes for a moment. "An old soul in one so young. You have seen too much, and not enough. Fear no more, my child. All here wish you well, and no harm will come to you on these grounds. You know well how to fight for survival, but that is no longer necessary here. Now is the time to grow, to learn, to find out what happiness can be. Dear little daughter, I ask for you to be filled by much joy and love, by all gods and the Light." He then kissed Little Rat on her forehead. She felt all funny, not bad funny though. A tickly-tingly warmth spread out from her forehead and went all through her. She looked down at herself and saw that she was glowing all over the way Father Howard's hands had, but she wasn't scared. The glow then seemed to sink back into her skin, and her ears burned briefly. By now Father Howard was seated on the carpet, and ar'Elya was pouring something hot from a pot into mugs and was passing it around. Little Rat sipped hers carefully. Yum! It wasn't cocoa, but it tasted like some of the big red flowers in the garden smelled, and it had honey in it for sweet. ar'Elya also handed her a plate. It had sammidges on it, but they were little and didn't have any crusts. They were sure good, though. Everyone, even Kev, was quietly eating and sipping and looking up at the sky. "It will begin soon," said the priest. ar'Elya cocked her head to one side. "You still miss it, don't you?", she asked, and she waved her hand towards the sky. "Miss what?" Kev asked and craned his neck up as if to find what they were talking about. Father Howard smiled. "I used to be a sailor of sorts. You know how the ships in the harbors here sail the watery oceans? I used to sail the ocean of stars." "Huh?" Kev scratched his head. "How could a ship get up there?" "The place I came from had a different sort of magic than the kind that you find here. There they were able to launch ships into the sky, some much bigger than the ships you've seen here. They were beautiful and graceful, made out of silvery-white metal, with sails that would billow in the solar winds. Some were small and quick, others were larger and soared with ponderous grace. You could set sail with hundreds of other people around you to share the adventure together, or you could steer a ship alone, and revel in the songs that stars make and view all that is surrounding you." "That's how I met you," ar'Elya chimed in. "I wanted to study the paths that stars took, and instead you taught me to listen to their music and how to answer that within myself. I will always be grateful that you let me share your solitude." Father Howard's face crinkled into a smile. "Yes, it was such a hard- ship to have you along. My dear, you were such a quick and willing pupil that it was always a pleasure. And it was good to find out that I could still hear the singing while someone was with me." "Why was solitude so important to you, Father?", 'Raelf asked. "It made it much easier to hear my own thoughts, my son. At first it was because my job called for it, later I began to appreciate it and only later did I seek it out on purpose. I needed both solitude and time to ponder the ways of gods and man and creation. The unanswered and the unanswerable could wait more easily then, while I had time to find my way to answers..." "Look, everyone!" ar'Elya interrupted, and pointed up. "It's starting!" Slowly at first, then faster and faster, bright points of light flared up and streaked across the sky. Some were short bursts that seemed to dissappear as you looked at them, others glowed red or yellow and left long, lingering trails. Sullenly glowering in their midst was a green star with a purple halo that none of them had ever remembered seeing before. Rat was reminded of the fireworks the night of the Big Party. Kev started to ask what the lights were and why, and 'Raelf answered him, "No, we'll answer all your questions tomorrow. Tonight is strictly for kicking back and enjoying the show, lil' dude!" "Izall so purty, but it makes me feel real liddle," Rat remarked. Father Howard nodded, "Yes, the heavens are vast, but we were given the ability to study and understand them, and even to set sail there. It fills the place it was given, as we all do, and it serves its purpose, as do we. My daughter, you may be small, but you are here because there is a job only you can do, a space only you can fill." ar'Elya smilingly stroked Little Rat's hair away from her eyes. "And I am so glad you are here. I would have missed you if you never came." Little Rat's eyes screwed up in thought. "Dat don' make sense!", she declared. 'Raelf laughed and gestured at Father Howard. "That was zen, this is Howe!" The rooftop lit up with groans and laughter. POSTLUDE "I think she's asleep now," Kev whispered, looking at Little Rat's touseled head snuggled into ar'Elya's lap. "Time to go, then," 'Raelf answered, standing up. He and Kev looked at each other for a moment, and the same grin crawled across both their faces. 'Raelf gestured, and there was a smooth, curved railing encircling the steps down the Lighthouse. With a whoop, Kev leaped astride the railing and slid quickly from sight. Cradling the girl in her arms, ar'Elya rose gracefully to her feet. Father Howard got up, too, and smiling, held out his arms to ar'Elya. He hugged her gently, then appeared to sink into her. 'Raelf picked up the tray of dishes, and with a peculiar flip, they dissappeared. "What about the carpet?", ar'Elya asked. 'Raelf only looked at her, with a slight quirk of his mouth. She definitely didn't ever trust _that_ look! "Gonna use the stairs, Raye?" "Yes, I'd like to keep things as normal for the Rat as I can, while she's so young. Even normalcy is strange for her right now." In comfortable silence, they walked down the stairs and into the Lighthouse, ar'Elya cradling Little Rat's head on her shoulder. They went into the child's bedroom, and ar'Elya placed Rat gently down on the straw matting which was the only bedding the girl would accept. 'Raelf started to leave the room, but turned back. His mate was still standing at the sleeping girl's side, looking at her with wet, shining eyes. As he went back to her, he heard her murmur, "I wish...I wish.." "I know, babe." "But Rafe, it's not fair! She's so sweet, and brave, and smart. I want to spoil her, to never have her know want again." "You can't give her back her childhood." "I know. I just want to make what's left of it good for her." "But, Raye, look at how much she's changed it such a short time. She's stopped acting as if it all was going to be snatched away from her tommorrow. She's starting to play. She even cuddled you tonight, without you having to initiate it. And she's not going to be a child much longer." "Yes, I was thinking of starting her warrior training soon. Afraid I have some plans that Critter isn't going to like!" ar'Elya was smiling again and her eyes were dry. "Attagirl," 'Raelf softly crowed and put his arm around her shoulders. "C'mon." They left the bedroom. ar'Elya started to turn towards the rec rooms, but 'Raelf shook his head and lead her in the opposite direction. "Outside again?" "Yeah, there's still some stars left." The 'kan strolled slowly, aimlessly through the garden. Their arms were wound about each other, and ar'Elya had rested her head on his broad shoulder. 'Raelf's eyes flickered. They had been apart for so long, and never thought they'd ever see each other again. Raye had been too used to being on her own. Maybe she was starting to believe in their happily-ever-after? 'Raelf felt her relaxing into him and his smile widened into a dopey intoxicated grin. He nuzzled into her hair, smelling the essences of the flowers and herbs she had used to perfume the water in their shared bath. She was still holding onto him, not building her walls up again. He let his eyes go half-lidded and tipped her face up the slight angle so they could kiss. Their lips met and struck sparks that lit up her face slightly. "Careful, darling," he said. "Don't want to burn a hole in your new silk blouse." He didn't give her the chance to say anything in reply, though, and they didn't need to come up for breath. After a while she whispered a suggestion. "Stairs?," he grinned, "We don't need no steekin' stairs!", and grabbed her tightly. She shrieked and struggled a little, but only a little. Their laughter entwined as much as they did as they floated up, up to the very top of the Lighthouse. And far below, the waves danced in the light of their joyful pleasure.