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Chapter 8:
Discoveries
The small space craft races through the sky reaching the short runway, slowing and coming to a halt, lowering itself parallel, as it hovers above the ground. Margret glances over at Colm, who is beaming, as he grabs his fancy duffel bag and pushes the button for the door to release itself. Steps appear from the craft,, bouncing to the ground, and Colm places his hand on the small of Margret’s back pushing into her gently. “After you.” He insists.
Margret slowly moves forward looking outside the aircraft to the ground. The weightless steps look a tad intimidating. As Margret begins to think 'it', Colm performs the actions by stepping in front of her and bouncing down the steps. He turns around and reaches his hand toward her. “A little bouncy but you won’t slip. I’ll have you.” He encourages her with his piercing blue eyes.
Margret leans forward and grabs his hands as she bounces down the steps, slightly tripping and flinging her body into his firm chest. Pushing herself up, as he helps to steady her, slightly embarrassed, she gazes toward him. He stands with that irritating yet endearing grin across his face. Margret's heart beats hard against her chest, but quickly fades as she hears a woman call from behind, pulling her focus in the direction of the chirp.
“Colm!” The woman chirps again, waving and rushing toward him, wrapping her arms around his neck. He embraces her tightly, swinging her in a small circle, Margret can’t help to notice the most angelic, white, full set of wings attached to the woman’s back. Her silver hair glistens in the light of the sun with a shimmer. As she releases Colm, Margret suddenly feels insanely jealous of the beautiful woman, who appears, no different in age from her. “Your family is anxiously anticipating your arrival.” She enthusiastically sings while staring up at Colm with soft violet eyes.
“I am anxious to greet them. Someone I would like you to meet.” He takes his hand into Margret's and softly pulls her forward to the angelic woman. Margret fidgets nervously,soothing herself with a gentle rub against her elbow.
“This is Margret. Margret meet Natika.” Colm introduces.
Margret opens her mouth to speak but is abruptly interrupted when Natika flings her body around Margret, grasping her with open arms. “So wonderful to meet you.” She softly grins as she releases Margret from her grasp. She pulls away, warmly smiling at her, before returning her attention back to Colm.
Colm shifts and shrugs his shoulder toward Margret. “Different customs.” he explains warmly.
Margret grins, slightly uncomfortable. “It’s okay.” She struggles to assure gracefully.
Natika pulls on Margret as a child would a new puppy. “Come, Margret! Everyone will love to meet you; especially Colm’s family.” She adds. "His transit is over here."
Colm follows behind trying to contain his boyish laughter as Natika tugs Margret to a small vehicle. “You two ride, I will meet you there.” She smiles, before embracing Colm and Margret once again, and thrusting herself into the sky, with her large wings, leaving a gust of wind behind her.
Margret gazes in amazement as she climbs into the silver hovering vehicle, Colm scooting to the other side.
“She is magnificent.” Margret manages to whisper from under her breath.
“Yes, Natika and I have enjoyed each other’s kinship since we were teenagers.” Colm confirms.
Margret suddenly feels jealous again. The thought occurs to Margret ‘How can I be any soulmate for Colm, with this vision of perfect grace and beauty, around him for so much of his life?’
Colm chuckles, “What an awful feeling. What do you call it?”
Margret flings her head toward Colm. “What feeling is awful?” her voice pricks more defensive than she means to.
Colm quickly decides to change the subject, “We are approaching the city soon. We will be passing through and then will arrive to my home which is on the outskirts.”
Margret holds his smiling eyes, then shakes her head, knowing exactly that he once again manages to avoid her question. Margret is going to protest, but she looks ahead and sees the visual of castle type buildings, high into the clouds. Her mouth drops from the surprising site that quickly comes upon them. Each building appears to be its own monument, reminding Margret much of the famous Taj Mahal, on her planet Earth. For a city, it was light in traffic and the people whom are walking chat amongst each other, as if they have no urgency to arrive to their next destination. She sees more winged people, like Natika, flying through the skies as graceful as doves. Then, suddenly, the city disappears, just as quickly as it appeared; obviously small.
“Is that the only city?” Margret says sounding negative, not intending to. “I mean... it is just small. Beautiful but small for a city. How many cities does your planet have?”
“There are more around Cepae Planet. Maybe ten or less. Without sounding condescending toward the planet Earth, Cepae is not over populated, building cities is not a necessity for us.” Colm sweetly confirms.
“Fair Enough.” She admits as she continues to admire the scenery, “The skies are so blue here,” she mentions, “Breathtaking actually. Everything is so green.” She places her hand on the vehicle’s window in amazement as they cross over a waterfall that is slightly hidden beneath the shimmering rocks and greenery, “The water… so blue...yet so... clear.”
She turns her head to Colm who smiles proudly as if the whole planet was personally his creation. Margret knows she would be proud, if this was the magnificent place she called home. “Earth has some wonderful, breathtaking places, as you are witnessing here.” Colm tries to positively suggest.
“Yes, perhaps we do. But the energy here is invigorating.” She sighs, deeply breathing in the air.
Colm steers toward a humongous house, much in the shape of the other buildings in the city. As the vehicle slows Margret gasps peering out the window. “This is where you live? You didn’t tell me you are rich. A prince or something?” She smugly adds.
Colm chuckles, “I’m not. We live in union. No one on Cepae is in poverty, like your planet Earth.” He gently reminds her as he stops the vehicle in front of the enormous building that also appears more of a monumental castle than a home.
“It’s difficult to wrap my head around the concept.” Margret admits, “It’s out of character for any human to be able to live in a real Utopia.”
Colm steps out of the vehicle and opens her door holding out his hand to assist. “Perhaps out of character for an Earthling,” he once again gently reminds her, as to not negatively speak of her home planet, “We are... compiled differently. You will adjust.”
As they walk to the steps, to the enormous architectural designed doors, Natika appears. Margret pauses at her radiant beauty for a moment, almost forgetting of her existence until that moment. Natika exclaims playfully, “I win!” in her high pitched, bird voice, smirking a beaming smile toward Colm.
“Always do.” Colm teases, giving her a small peck on her cheek.
Margret finds herself feeling very small when they are together. They seem to have their own secret code, and once again, Margret finds herself envious of the extravagance and effortless beauty of Natika. As the feeling runs through her veins Colm quickly shoots Margret a confused glaze as he grasps the door knob, opening the door, and allowing the two women to enter. Natika’s large wings brush between the doorway as she moves through the entrance, and it is at this moment that it dawns on Margret that Colm has been sensing her jealously; embarrassing for Margret, is that he doesn’t know what jealousy is. The realization flushes Margret’s cheeks and Colm softly touches her face, acknowledging they are warm, causing Margret’s cheeks to grow redder. She quickly pushes his hand away, struggling to push her emotions to the back of her mind. Her eyes narrow as as the thought passes between her skull 'it is very unfair that Colm is able to read my emotions and thoughts, or whatever it is that he was consistently doing;' Margret fidgets at her self-consciousness.
“Colm!” a woman’s screech suddenly echoes in the doorway. The woman’s arms are already stretching out ready to embrace him as she veers toward him. Colm falls into her arms, and as she pulls him in, the man next to her joins with a firm pat; Another man peers in the doorway, his appearance is just as breathtaking as Colm’s, and that man also embraces him warm and giddy. The crew then embraces Natika while Margret waits patiently for Colm to introduce her.
Colm points each family member out one by one, “Rosalba and Wynne my Forbearers and Pundarak my brother. Family, I introduce Margret, from planet Earth.” He grins proudly making Margret smile wide with his boyish announcement.
Just as Margret suspects each one embraces her and in doing so, it feels as each hug is a little tighter, leaving Rosabala a moment of lingering. She pulls back and touches her palms to Margret’s face, staring in her eyes; Rosabala’s ultramarine eyes mirror Colm’s.
“I’m so honored to meet you. How are you holding up?” she ask softly rubbing Margret’s arm gently. Margret wasn’t sure how to answer. She hasn’t had anyone ask how she was doing through this process, since she had found out she was part Cepaen. Margret continued to live with the idea, learning and processing her reality every day.
“It’s been a journey for you my dear. Come let me make you comfortable.” Rosabala wraps her arm around her, pushing Margret under her arm and helping her along as if she is an injured victim, needing special care.
Margret gazes toward Colm who slightly nods with approval as the family gathers themselves in the opposite direction down a hall.
Rosabala leads Margret into a large room. The windows are side by side from ceiling to floor overlooking the greenery outside. The room drapes with white curtains, wall carvings of spirals and wing shapes are etched in the border of the room; the bed is dressed in white with silver round pillows accenting it the sleeping area. The bed sits in the middle of the floor with a fabric, silver lined stool sitting by the window. “It’s not much.” Rosabala sheepishly sighs, “But I wasn’t sure what you would prefer.”
“It’s lovely,” Margret admits. “Spacious for only me, but lovely. Thank you.”
Rosabala pulls Margret over to the bed by her hands and sits her down. “Are you okay?” she questions again as if she were Margret’s confidant since the day she was born.
Margret pauses, “I suppose I am?” she answers, accidentally making it in the tone of a question. “I haven’t really thought about my well-being to be honest. There are two little girls I’m to look after back on Earth, to make sure they stay out of harm’s way, and I am worried about them. I’ve kept a watchful eye on them for a couple years now; it feels odd to not have seen them for this long.” Margret thinks for a moment, chewing on her lip. She wants to ask Rosabala questions, as well, regarding her son and his mystical behavior; perhaps she should save those questions for Zulima. “I am not sure how I am doing, honestly. I don’t have much time to process anything I am given; each event just leads to more questions and I have to accept what it is.” Margret is surprised of her own words and the honesty spilling out.
“Beauty, you have been given a lot to handle.” Rosabala sweetly grins. “I hope this journey brings you clarity and gives you a chance to process all the fates that have been inserted in your life. I excel at listening and am here, when you need that someone to listen.”
Margret feels easy around this woman and the energy calms her, under all the questions and doubt she has felt. Rosabala’s golden hair wraps around her head, reminding Margret of a Dr. Seuss character, and it sparkles a gold shimmer, through the light, lining the ridge of her pale forehead. She appears younger in the face, than in her hand that rest upon Margret, her age shows more through the depths of her eyes than any faint lines on her body.
“The washroom is through that door.” She points across the room. “Natika has chosen a wardrobe that I hope appeals to you. Oh, and I wanted to gift you this.” She pulls out at necklace as if she is a magician and Margret finds herself naturally searching to where the pockets are hidden in her long violet robe that she fashions. The necklace is trimmed in a gold like material, a sparkling 'moon pearl' centering it, with gold dust particles subtly hidden within the stone.
“It’s beautiful.” Margret whispers from under her breath.
“It is yours. It’s actually a common stone of our planet; as you explore you might discover them. Many things are made from this rock material. This necklace, however, was my great forbearers. It belongs to you now.” She places the stone amongst Margret’s hand and she finds herself overwhelmed by the sentiment of the piece, trying to quickly hand it back.
“No, I can’t take something that belonged to your great forbearer.” Margret mildly demands.
Rosabala softly giggles as she closes Margret’s fingers around the piece of jewelry. She shakes her head, “Yes, it is meant to be on your neck. Clean up, won’t you? Please, then join us for drinks and food. You will enjoy the delicious taste of our planet against your tongue.”
Rosabala stands up from the bed and takes the necklace from Margret’s hands, placing it around her neck. After fastening the jewel, she adjusts it to lay flat against her chest, straightening her hair back over her shoulders. “A beautiful stone for a beautiful woman.” She smiles and kisses Margret’s forehead before heading out of the door.
********
Susan takes a deep breath before knocking on the old Victorian home. Slowly, she tilts her wrist, hitting against the door; but before finishing, the door swings open. An older woman stands before her, gray tresses thrown into a perfect bun, a long skirt accompanies the shins on her legs and a nicely trimmed, old fashioned, black blouse perfects the sophisticated attire.
“Mother.” Susan announces. “May I come in?”
The woman moves her body to the side with her eyebrows buried in the temples of her head allowing Susan to scoot pass her into the inside hallway. The home appears to have stood still from the early 1900’s. Susan makes her way through the house to the living room and sits down on the maroon, cushion couch, trimmed with chocolate wood panels. Keeping her posture straight, a subconscious task around her mother, she folds her hands into her lap, waiting patiently.
Her mother soon enters with a silver tray, accompanied with a sterling silver tea pot and two tea cups on saucers. She braces herself as she sets the tray on the old wooden coffee table, pouring the hot water into the cup and handing it to Susan, while trying to steady her hand and pouring her own. Taking a seat on the red cushioned chair, across from her daughter, she fixes her skirt as sipping on her tea. Her eyes shift toward her daughter as she places the tea cup back to the saucer, it clinking delicately, as she lowers it in her lap. “I must admit I was surprised for the news of your sudden visit. Everything is well?”
“Yes, mother, all is well.” Susan confirms to the uptight woman, the outside world refers to as ‘Joan’. Her mother appears to have aged twice the amount from the last time she had seen her, which had to be around Christmas.
“Is this about money issues?” Joan bluntly asks raising an eyebrow toward Susan.
Susan becomes irritated, but tries not to let it show. “No, Mother. Daniel and I are financially peaceful.”
“Then why the sudden visit?” Joan probes.
Susan takes a deep breathe, “You know, Mother, Janet is doing well. Great in school, she is one of the smartest in her class.”
Joan takes a sip of her tea while eyeing her daughter and then leans forward placing the saucer and tea cup back on the tray.
“Skip the small talk daughter and inform your Mother why you have decided to make a trip home.” She sternly suggests. "Lord, knows it isn't social. Without obligation, you'd never dare to stop in and visit with your mother. Go on. Get to it."
Susan gives a huge sign before beginning, “I’m doing some research on our family history, part of a gift for Janet,” Susan fibs, “I’d like to go through some of my old things and maybe some of grandma and grandpa’s old things. That is all.”
“Awe,” Joan rest her back against the old chair with a profound smudge drooped over her chin. “You flew 200 miles for family research?”
“That’s right Mother.” Susan admits.
Joan abruptly takes the tea cup from Susan’s hand and places it back on the tray and picks up the tray from the table announcing. “You can fly right back home. I know why you have taken a sudden interest. It isn't for Janet. Your aunt has already contacted me about the same thing.” She scoffs turning her back and taking the tray toward the kitchen. She pauses before exiting. "Only... I thought you'd to be smarter. Don't be curious. Go home to your family, Susan."
Susan finds herself fleeing from the reserved act and following her mother into the kitchen. “Aunt Donna or Aunt Patsy? Which one came searching?”
“What difference does it make?” Joan snaps, “Find something better to do with your time and money.”
“Where are grandma’s things? In the attic?” Susan probes.
Joan slams the silver tea pot against the tray agitated, her brows burrowing further into her temples as she faces Susan across the counter. “No good will come of any probing into your grandmother’s past. What’s done is done. Trying to seek some kind of salvation for that woman has far too past. Let her craziness be at peace with her soul and stop trying to bring it back in our lives.” She pauses for a moment as to gain control of her outburst, “You can find your room upstairs for the evening but I suggest you head back home in the morning.” She storms out of the kitchen letting the door swing behind her.
Susan pauses for a moment and then steps to the other side of the door searching for her mother’s presence. When she appears absent Susan makes her way up the stairs, grabbing her suitcase on the way and flings open the second door she comes across. On the other side of the door is an old room that holds a twin a bed with a patterned blue quilt and old chest at the foot of it. Susan pushes her suitcase in the door, closing it a tad loudly, and then slinks her way to another door quietly down the hall. She keeps a watchful eye for her mother while cautiously opening the pale, brown, panel door; trying to keep it from creaking, then gently closing it behind her. Creeping up the stairs, she slightly steps back when one creaks, staring at the door for a moment to make sure she isn’t heard. Reaching to the top, she pushes the floor panel open to the attic and climbs in. Her head surveys the room, as she begins searching through the antique treasures, first opening a chest and peering inside, pulling out some old army clothes. She tilts her head with the sadness that fills her for moment, gazing upon a few pictures, placed in a Ziploc bag and wrapped up in the uniform; it was her father’s. She then faintly grins from the sweet memory of him and quietly places his things back into the chest, shutting it; Placing her index finger on her lip, tapping, as she scans the old attic seeking a clue of her grandmother’s things. Suddenly she spots an old wicker chest, that looks at one time to have been painted white, but chipped off to its normal brown color. “Grandma!” Susan exclaims in a whisper. She flies over to the basket and quickly fumbles to open the latch. It pops open and she peers her head into the basket to find… it empty?
Susan sits back on her heals for a moment pondering. ‘Yes, this was definitely the wicker chest all grandmas’ stuff was in’, she thinks to herself while inspecting the basket. ‘My aunt must have beaten me to it.’ She decides. She pulls her cell phone from her pocket skimming through the numbers. It would most likely be Aunt Donna over Aunt Patsy. Aunt Donna was more of a free spirit and Aunt Patsy was more uptight like her mother. Either way, Aunt Donna would be in hoots to hear from Susan, providing information.
Susan dials and anticipates the answering as the phone rings. “Hello?” the voice on the other line announces.
“Aunt Donna, it is Susan,” She tries to quietly converse.
“Susan!” the voice exclaims. “It’s so wonderful to hear from you! How are you doing? How is the family? How is Janet?” She questions in sequence.
Susan finds herself on the line with her Aunt Donna more than she does her own mother.
Susan finds herself on the line with her Aunt Donna more than she does her own mother.
“They are all great. We are all great. Actually, I’m in town.” Susan announces pausing for her wonderful aunt’s reaction.
“You’re in town!” Donna exclaims through the phone, “Wonderful! Where are you staying? I would love to see you and your family. I bet Janet has grown so much since Christmas. You should have stayed here! With me!”
“Actually, I’m at moms right now.” Susan informs.
“Your mothers?” Donna questions sounding confused. “Is everything okay?”
“It is fine.” Susan reassures, “I actually came to go through some of grandma’s old things but they appear to be missing…”
“Missing!?” Donna exclaims. “I was over there the other day questioning your mother for them. You know I have just as much right to our mother’s things as she does.”
“Yes, I know,” Susan agrees.
“And you don’t see them?! They were all in a white wicker chest at one time.” Donna confirms.
“Yes, I know.” Susan wonders, “But it is empty.” Susan looks one more time as if they would reappear. She then turns her head and startles with a gasp from the figure standing up through the attic floor glaring at her.
“Everything okay?” Her Aunt probes.
“Um, yes. Everything is fine. I need to go. I’ll call later.” Susan assures tripping over her words as they quickly spill out.
“Make sure to come by and visit me. I’ll…” Donna begins.
“Yes. Yes I will.” Susan quickly interrupts her, “I’ll call you later.” And she quickly hangs up the phone.
“Mother.” She spills as if she were in presence of a dangerous stranger.
Her mother says nothing as she slowly turns away and heads down the stairs. Susan falls back against the wicker chest releasing a huge sigh.
********
Margret finds her way outside to a balcony where the family is gathered having drinks with mild chatter. Natika’s arm is locked in Colm’s as they are engaged in conversation, and once again a surge of jealousy bolts through Margret. Perhaps, she had been more possessive of Colm than she had realized. Just as the bolt flung from her heart to her stomach, Colm slightly turns his head catching her eye, giving a confused glance.
“Margret.” Pundarik takes his arm into Margret’s. “It will be a pleasure to chat with you.” He politely says as he escorts her towards the others.
Pundarik is just as dashing as his brother and Margret is not sure who the older brother is. They both appear to be the same age. His eyes are as enchanting as the rest of the family and he also has golden locks dangling from his head, which he wears a little longer than Colm.
“How is your trip to a new planet thus far?” he joyfully questions.
“Wonderful thus far. A wonderful family host.” Margret entertains.
“I have never been to your planet. I will enjoy listening to your ventures there.” Pundarik says mindfully, as they approach Colm and Natika. “A drink.” Pundarik hands a glass to Margret.
“Thank you.” She smiles politely while trying to ignore Natika’s grasp on Colm’s bicep. Colm gazes at Margret, appearing slightly disturbed, as his parents surround them.
“The drink, much like your wine on Earth,” Wynne announces proudly.
“It is called Pare`,” Rosabala chimes in as if she is completing his thought.
“From a common fruit on this side of our planet called the Parendere`.” Wynne concludes the introduction.
Rosabala and Wynne smile at each other as if they are the only two in that moment, finishing one another’s sentences. Margret finds it grossly adorable and uncomfortable. It is like a scene out of a 'I Can’t Believe It’s Not Butter' commercial. Colm tilts his head at her as she decides to pretend not to notice. “Cheers, then.” She forces a smile trying to ignore Natika’s beautiful silhouette hitting against the setting sun.
Rosabala and Wynne smile at each other as if they are the only two in that moment, finishing one another’s sentences. Margret finds it grossly adorable and uncomfortable. It is like a scene out of a 'I Can’t Believe It’s Not Butter' commercial. Colm tilts his head at her as she decides to pretend not to notice. “Cheers, then.” She forces a smile trying to ignore Natika’s beautiful silhouette hitting against the setting sun.
“Cheers?” Wynne shrugs, “Oh, yes, an Earth custom? Cheers!” he laughs tossing the flute glass in the air.
Rosabala laughs, “It is an Earth custom,” she reveals to Natika and Pundarik, but ignores informing Colm who already has his glass raised in the air. Natika and Pundarik raise their glasses to the air.
“Good fortune for the future.” Colm announces nodding his head toward Margret, the glasses all clink together through the dimming sunset.
****
Black has fallen over the night sky and Cepae Planet is lit with stars brighter than Margret has ever witnessed. Four moons reside visible in the sky above the planet. Margret leans over the balcony resting her elbows against the edge. The long evening with food, laughter and much conversation leaves her exhausted. Natika prances out and approaches Margret. “I must leave sister.” She announces.
Margret turns her body to the glowing angel that warmly smiles at her. She takes Margret’s hand and kisses it with her pursed lips and once again holds her warm glow. “Sister is a special female relationship on Earth? Correct?"
Margret decides how to answer but finds it easiest to nod in agreement. "Um...yes, I suppose."
Natika's face glows with the revelation, "Then Sister, it is the most delightful pleasure to meet a woman such as yourself. We will cross paths again, until then, enjoy the night. It is one of the many gifts of being alive.”
Margret decides how to answer but finds it easiest to nod in agreement. "Um...yes, I suppose."
Natika's face glows with the revelation, "Then Sister, it is the most delightful pleasure to meet a woman such as yourself. We will cross paths again, until then, enjoy the night. It is one of the many gifts of being alive.”
Margret is speechless to the confident, marvelous, enchanting, winged woman that stands before her. “Uh, yes, my pleasure as well.” She manages to blurt in a sloppy manner.
Natika gives one last slight grin and whooshes off into the sky, with her amazing feathered wings, leaving a slight breeze against Margret’s face; She stands alone in the night feeling small compared to the enchanting winged woman, watching until she vanishes in the darkness.
Margret turns to head in but gasp, startled by Colm, who stands only inches away from her. “How long were you…”
“Long enough.” Colm finishes. “She really is delightfully one of the most enchanting woman, isn’t she?” He agrees with Margret’s thoughts, sending that bolt of jealousy right back through her bones.
Colm acts as though he is startled and grabs Margret’s arm quickly. “That! What is that dreadful feeling?” He pleas to know.
Margret becomes annoyed and embarrassed, crossing her arms over her chest. “Stop prying.” She insists.
“I’m not prying,” Colm slightly frowns.
He tugs on her arms gently, waiting for an explanation, she finally uncrosses them, allowing them to slump against her side while he rest his hands on her wrist. She decides to use Colm's change of subject tactic, “Why does she have wings? I saw others through the city flying. Are they angels?”
Colm belly laughs at the thought, “I suppose it would make sense for you to call them that. They are actually warriors.”
“Warriors? She is a warrior?” Margret challenges while trying to cross her arms, but Colm struggles to keep them by her side, her eyes drifting uncomfortably away from his.
“She is.” Colm confirms trying to find Margret’s eyes.
“Why does a peaceful Utopia planet need warriors?” Margret questions.
Colm opens his mouth to answer but instead a voice from the side of the balcony intervenes. “Because light energy is consistanly in danger of a dark one."
Margret turns her head to the familiar voice and screeches, “Zulima!” she runs to her, the familiarity of the face and energy almost brings Margret tears of relief. She wraps her arms around Zulima and hugs her tightly. Margret can barely allow herself to release and when she does Zulima softly wipes the tears beginning to form on her eyes.
“You are in wonderful hands, child,” she assures her nodding in Colm’s direction.
Margret turns to catch a visual of Colm whose eyes have also started watering slightly. Zulima takes Margret’s hand as if she was a small child and leads her toward Colm. The Cepaen’s are a very "touchy feely" society, but when they reach out it feels organic.
Zulima reaches in and embraces Colm while still holding Margret’s hand, as if she could stray into oncoming traffic. “Thank you, Colm.” She smiles to him.
“My pleasure.” He warmly grins.
“I’m sure.” She nods back with a slight tease in her voice.
“I have so many questions, Zulima,” Margret admits as if it is a confession.
“Yes, I know. We have much to discuss. You need to rest well tonight for your invigorating day ahead. I merely chose to visit before returning home tonight. I wanted to allow you to see I have returned.”
“Thank you,” Margret gratefully hugs her again, “Thank you so much”
“Give Colm the gratitude he deserves.” She says bluntly for Colm's ears to hear. “He has much information you yearn for. Keep your heart open to possibilities.” Zulima softly lectures as if it is only Margret and Zulima standing alone. Margret has noticed this appears to be common Cepaen behavior, acting as if others in the room have disappeared. She suppose privacy isn't an option with Colm's intrusion in her thoughts; but courtesy of Zulima speaking in private is less mortifying. Margret, embarrassed, simply nods to her mentor. Zulima kisses Margret’s forehead and then kisses the back of Colm’s hand, Margret quickly catching the obvious departing gesture of the Cepaen People.
“Until light.” Zulima nods with a smile and turns to the door exiting the balcony.
Margret fumbles with her hair trying to balance the weight of her tired feet. Colm swoops her in his strong arms and carries her to a stoned bench, the material is the same as in her necklace, and places her gently on it. He pulls her body toward him, placing her skirt respectfully back over her knee and strokes his fingers down the calves of her legs. “May I?” he ask wanting to remove her tiny slipper from her foot.
Margret nods speechless, secretly hoping her feet don’t hold a stench from sweating in the small fitting slipper.
He gently removes it off her foot and wraps his strong hands on the ball of her foot, kneading it between his thumbs. Margret closes her eyes and unconsciously moans from the tension being released of her muscles. Hearing the moan between her ears flings her eyes opens and her cheeks flush.
“It’s okay,” Colm grins in victory to himself, “It is my pleasure.”
Margret doesn’t argue and closes her eyes once again letting him work his fingers through her foot.
“So….” Colm begins casually, “What is that awful feeling called?” he inquires.
Margret opens her eyes and brings her bare feet to the ground while perching her hands against the edge of the bench.
“Why does it make you so uncomfortable?” he ponders in an endearing manner.
“Can’t you read why?” Margret asks.
Colm shakes his head bewildered, “No, I can’t see. There is this cloud of gray I can’t get passed every time you feel it.”
“Well good,” Margret pokes, “Because you don’t need to know all my thoughts and feelings.” She smirks as if she could be teasing but knows she feels very serious about the matter.
“Why?” Colm ask distraught.
Margret gives an exasperated sigh with a brief chuckle but notices Colm’s head hanging perplexed.
“You are serious?” Margret baffles.
“Of course.” Colm confirms. “I knew it would be different with someone that was half Cepae and half Earthling, but this situation between us is weighing heavy on my heart.” He shakes his head, “I don’t understand why you are so resident toward me.”
Margret’s heart suddenly feels an ache seeing this wonderful man in distress. His bright energy seems to dim and it is the first time Margret witnesses a sad Cepaen; and she is the cause of it.
Margret finds her hands suddenly feeling for his and grabbing them. He gazes into her eyes distressed and immediately Margret feels his soul bearing into her.
“Uh…” she tries to find her words, “I’ve never been good with feelings. That is all. It’s not you. It’s me.” She decides to feed a common Earth line to the Cepaen.
“I had expectations that once we resided on the home planet you would suddenly have the light blinded through you and feel our connection.” Colm grasp Margret’s hand tighter with a wisp of pain vivid in his eyes.
“See this is what I don’t understand.” Margret quickly turns away from his pathetic gaze that is grasping at her soul. She stands to her bare feet and crosses the balcony gazing into the dark wooded lands lit under the bright stars. She wraps her arms around her chest squeezing herself tightly. “How do you read my mind? How do you know what I am feeling and thinking? It’s weird for me, Okay?” she turns to him and again he is standing inches behind her. “And that. Always standing inches away from me at any given minute. Weird.” She confirms.
“What makes it weird?” he questions.
“Why don’t you tell me how you are able to see and feel those things? Are you psychic? Intuition is stronger than most? Is that your Cepae gift?” Margret interrogates.
Colm shakes his head, “It’s only you.” He answers very matter fact.
“Only me?” she doubts.
He nods, “Yes. Our souls are the two souls to make one. We are the two meant to be.”
“Like soulmates?” Margret questions backing away a bit.
Colm nods again with confusion, “I don’t understand why this scares you? Aren’t you thrilled we have finally found one another? In all the galaxy, you and I have finally met."
“So you never dated the enchanted Natika?” Margret begs to know, ignoring his fairy-tale.
Colm thinks for a moment, “Date?” he then laughs at the realization of the Earth word, “Oh, no. Why would I? She is not my ‘Soulmate’.”
“She is beautiful. Magnificent. Her body screams sex and you have been surrounded by her since your teen years, puberty of puberty years, teenage boy years, and never thought about having sex with her?” Margret bluntly digs for information.
Colm chuckles, “That thing you feel, that awful thing is Earthling jealousy isn’t it? That is what that feeling is!” He exclaims at the revelation.
Margret quickly cowers with her pouting lips. “And you haven’t felt jealousy?”
Colm can’t contain himself from being tickled with laughter as he closes in on Margret’s pouting face. “No. Jealousy and Greed are not emotions we are capable of feeling. We know of them but do not feel them. Well, until today, when my soul intertwined with a jealous Earthling’s soul.” He teases flattered and grabs her by hips pulling her into his pelvic area.
“My Margret,” he suddenly seems to find confidence once again.
Margret feels her body temperature rise as her neglected parts throb against him when she feels his erection through his thin pants.
“No, I have never had sex with Natika.” He confirms pulling his one arm toward Margret’s neck. “In fact I have never had sex. You are the only experienced one standing on this balcony.” He grins at her leaning in to her neck closely kissing the nape. “However, I have well educate myself and am ready to show your soul all I have discovered.." he softens his voice as he continues, his breath heavy against her neck, "let your body feel all I know, discover one another together... when you decide.” He faintly whispers against her ear.
She slightly shivers from the sweet tickle. His breath gives her ear a thousand soft kisses as his head passes by her neck, allowing his face to meet hers. He softly touches her lips with his index finger, gliding it across the lower lip. Closing her eyes, memorizing the stroke as he tilts her head up, slowly he leans in and presses his lips against hers.
An immediate bolt of electricity fills her body with a surge of bright energy racing through every polar force of her body. He grabs her waste tighter thrusting her harder against him and she slightly moans from the desiring pleasure. She throws her body into him harder kissing vigorously with her tongue circling around his and clawing at his neck like a hungry beast.
He begins pulling her away to look at her but she flings herself back against him kissing him harder. He returns the kiss smiling from underneath the conquest.
She finally pulls herself together backing away for a moment while holding his porcelain face between the palm of her hands. Her sexual appetite has peeked as her breath has become short and heavy. She holds his gaze as it feels their souls have intertwined slightly above their heavy bodies. “I’m sorry.” She whispers from under her breath.
“Sorry for…?’ Colm begins.
“Sorry for resisting.” She warmly smiles.