And this is the end of part two. It would made for a fantastic scene in a movie, which was how it was shown to me.

Saras’ conflicted feelings to Les are obvious, as a girl, and complex, as they are both demis. Her question and his answer toward the conclusion put an end to whatever emotions she might have been feeling about him, besides love and respect for a senior member of the family. And, this is two Tolkien references in two segments, for those of you keeping track.

I’m getting into part three…and it’s a tangle. Unlike part one which had Eloise with “first-person thoughts,” and part two with Saras doing the same, there is no single of the three I’ve met so far who will have that. So, instead of people thinking and talking to move the story along, it’s third-person me typing all this out. It is NOT my style and I find it limiting and clunky. I’ve only about 1000 words of it so far, and one of those three characters hasn’t even wandered onstage yet, so I’m a little unclear as to how long part three will be. I do, at least, see how it keeps the overall arc toward that feral demi-girl whose image started all this foolishness.

Have a good weekend. New material on Monday. Deus vult.

Enjoy my content? Buy me a beer!

Steadier now, he let go of her.  Did I just experience jealousy for the first time in my life?  Up here?  An imperceptible head shake.

From somewhere perhaps a mile overhead, millions of tons of water poured in a huge stream to the canyon floor, a half-mile below.

“Part of the Second Inundation,” another yell as they barreled straight for it.  “Ground water release.  Water is maybe a billion years old!”

“You saying I need a bath, Niece?”

“Hold on.  I’m not kidding.”

He wrapped his arms about her little torso as they turned parallel to the cliff face and flew into the torrent.

Slightly saline and very cold, Saras grinned and grinned at her exhilaration. 

I am a Martian.  I do belong here.

Slowing to maybe 150mph, she made an easy turn to her left and started them back east.  She also noted that while he leaned away after the waterfall, Les still had his left hand on her hip.  If he took his glove off and touched my neck, we could talk… what am I thinking!

“What does water imply, Saras?” he asked in much more a professional way than before.

“Huh?” More questions!  He and Min deserve one another!  “That we just might pull this off?”

“Water is a prerequisite for life,” he went on in that tone.  “What if you people dig too deep and find something down there?”

I mention the Argonath and he brings up balrogs!  What the hell!  Wait a minute!  What Min stopped him from saying… classified…

Making sure the sky was clear ahead of her, Saras twisted all the way around.

“What did you see out there, Uncle?” she demanded.  “You found life, didn’t you?  And not just pond scum.  You found animal life.  Where?  Titan, I bet?”

“That’s classified, Princess,” he replied, his face closed.

“Not for long,” she huffed, turning back around, pulling them up until, three miles later, they cleared the canyon.

Now either just scrub grass or the desert sand and dust, she resisted the urge to make another loop and slowed to about one hundred, instead.

“We all serve a harsh mistress, Uncle, so I get it.  And I also think you went out on a limb to say what you just did, ‘cause your mom is going to know.” She flew on, descending slowly.  “But thank you.  Your trust in me; your confidence.”

That single pat to her hip was his only reply.  They flew back to the base.

Post-flighting the flit, she asked, “How long are you two staying?”

“Through tomorrow.  Lionheart needs a full refit back home.” He sighed.  “And I’m sure I’ll get harangued by mom again.”

“Uncle?” she asked, pushing her goggles up.

“Mmm?”

“You and Min, well, it’s embarrassing, but if you like girls, why can’t you, like Dad, have an arranged…”

“I don’t like girls.  I like Minerva.”

“Oh.” I don’t get that, either!

He put his hands lightly onto her shoulders. “You’ve an amazing future here, Saras.  I really wish you the best.”