Counting Stars
The story of Sviatlana (she/her) and Aster (xe/xyr). Two Talitahns who live outside of the Credit System and sell their wares by trade and barter. Sviatlana is a clothing artist, creating art with Clothing. Aster is an author and illistrator of paperback children's books.
“Would you like to partake?” Sviatlana asked with a grin. Aster looked at the small satchel of Marjallo she held in her dye stained fingers. "Traded?" xe asked. “Yes, as part of the commission for the coat of memories. We should relax and count the stars."
Aster ran xyr fingers through Sviatlana’s blond curls as they lay in the green of the living terrace on their house. The Marjallo gave xyr a sense of luminous perspicacity. “I should pen a book,” Aster said, “with stars giving birth to Talithan children.”
"An origin story," Sviatlana said, "tell it to me." Aster did. The sound of xyr voice and the rise and fall of xyr chest putting Sviatlana into a state of beautiful hypnosis.
Aster’s tale was complete and xe realized that Sviatlana was asleep. Xe smiled and sat up before shaking her awake. No words were said. Their connection deep and secure, they knew what each other desired. It was with amorous intent that they left the stars.
The soft glimmer of sun through the window woke Sviatlana. She always slept fitfully when Aster was beside her. Still asleep, xyr face serene, Aster challenged Sviatlana's will to leave the warm bed and start her day.
“The supply distribution was generous today,” Sviatlana said as Aster walked into the small kitchen. She held up a plate, raising it to Aster’s eye level as if it held a prize. On it was a bright red slice of watermelon.
Aster and Sviatlana walked, holding hands, through Pangu. They heard a deep and melodic serenade. “It’s Dumas'’ Traveling Troupe,” Aster said with a grin. With a sudden change of plans Sviatlana launched them toward the sound of the singing storyteller.
Antoine Dumas, the Troupe’s playwright, sang one of his most popular tales. A tale of a hero who flies through the midnight sky to discover what resides on Talitha Harbor’s sister planet.
When Dumas' tale was complete he moved aside and gave the stage to another troupe member. A siren with deep black hair recited a poem from an ancient Earth writer named Poe. “Oh what a tangled web we weave when first we practice to deceive.”
Aster raised xyr brows at Sviatlana and grinned. "No more practicing to be a liar then." A figure, who needed no introduction, noticed Aster's distraction and popped up. Her hair dyed orange, one eye blue and the other green, Mira the Jester grinned.
Sviatlana kept her focus on the actress, not noticing Aster as xe collaborated with Mira. Then the two of them slipped away. Much to Sviatlana's surprise, Aster showed up on stage dressed as the devil. Xe cackled and demanded a soul, yet only one would do.
“Would you like to partake?” Sviatlana asked with a grin. Aster looked at the small satchel of Marjallo she held in her dye stained fingers. "Traded?" xe asked. “Yes, as part of the commission for the coat of memories. We should relax and count the stars."
Aster ran xyr fingers through Sviatlana’s blond curls as they lay in the green of the living terrace on their house. The Marjallo gave xyr a sense of luminous perspicacity. “I should pen a book,” Aster said, “with stars giving birth to Talithan children.”
"An origin story," Sviatlana said, "tell it to me." Aster did. The sound of xyr voice and the rise and fall of xyr chest putting Sviatlana into a state of beautiful hypnosis.
Aster’s tale was complete and xe realized that Sviatlana was asleep. Xe smiled and sat up before shaking her awake. No words were said. Their connection deep and secure, they knew what each other desired. It was with amorous intent that they left the stars.
The soft glimmer of sun through the window woke Sviatlana. She always slept fitfully when Aster was beside her. Still asleep, xyr face serene, Aster challenged Sviatlana's will to leave the warm bed and start her day.
“The supply distribution was generous today,” Sviatlana said as Aster walked into the small kitchen. She held up a plate, raising it to Aster’s eye level as if it held a prize. On it was a bright red slice of watermelon.
Aster and Sviatlana walked, holding hands, through Pangu. They heard a deep and melodic serenade. “It’s Dumas'’ Traveling Troupe,” Aster said with a grin. With a sudden change of plans Sviatlana launched them toward the sound of the singing storyteller.
Antoine Dumas, the Troupe’s playwright, sang one of his most popular tales. A tale of a hero who flies through the midnight sky to discover what resides on Talitha Harbor’s sister planet.
When Dumas' tale was complete he moved aside and gave the stage to another troupe member. A siren with deep black hair recited a poem from an ancient Earth writer named Poe. “Oh what a tangled web we weave when first we practice to deceive.”
Aster raised xyr brows at Sviatlana and grinned. "No more practicing to be a liar then." A figure, who needed no introduction, noticed Aster's distraction and popped up. Her hair dyed orange, one eye blue and the other green, Mira the Jester grinned.
Sviatlana kept her focus on the actress, not noticing Aster as xe collaborated with Mira. Then the two of them slipped away. Much to Sviatlana's surprise, Aster showed up on stage dressed as the devil. Xe cackled and demanded a soul, yet only one would do.
Fin?
For now I don't have plans on adding to this story, but if you would like to see more of these two then let me know. (underline words indicate challenge words)
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