...And We Will Have Snow

Part 8: Space Dreams

Rhiannon rings like a bell through the night

And wouldn't you love to love her?

Takes through the sky like a bird in flight

And who will be her lover?

All your life you've never seen a woman

Taken by the wind

Would you stay if she promised you Heaven?

Will you ever win?

Fleetwood Mac - Rhiannon

lyrics from 1975

With the successful launch of the Sea Dream, and the follow-up in the hands of the shifters, Sedna found her attention drawn to what was happening in Houston. Her parents were there again, and by all reports very involved in the developments. It had been a long time since she'd talked to her mother. Their shaman connection remained strong, but the details of what she was up to had become sketchy. So she sent off a thought. Got your lenses handy? Got time for a chat?

Dema said, Sure, so they hooked up. Dema suggested the WBI lounge in case anyone else there might join them. Sedna sat facing the visitor's chair, which was actually a low table that tended to collect empty cups and snack plates. She resolved to clean it up before she left. She opened the link and saw Dema standing in front of her. Dema said, "Oh, good," then turned, walked a few steps, and sat down. The apparent space between them adjusted so her chair overlaid the little table.

"How's Dad?"

"Doing great. Loves it here. Exciting times. But you know that."

"I want to hear more about it. Newt still involved?"

"Very much so. We see him all the time. They'll both join us soon, I think."

"Does he even remember me?"

"Vividly. But he tends to call you Rhiannon."

"Rhiannon? Why that?"

"He says he's Welsh, and knows some of the old stories."

"Welsh. That explains the Tom Jones good looks."

"Tom Jones?"

"Before your time, Mom. But how do I remind him of her?"

"There's an old song by that name. He played it for us. Says it captures his experience of you perfectly."

"I remember that song. Also from before your time."

She did remember, and was secretly thrilled that Newt made the association. Dema was smiling. It was not a secret to her.

"So you know the story?"

"Rhiannon was a moon goddess who became a Welsh queen. Rode a white horse. Men would follow, but could never catch up with her. Like the moon on the horizon, she moved slowly, and stayed in plain sight, but always out of reach. She had birds with the same quality. Their song could be heard clearly, even though they were far away. It's a haunting image, and the song captures it well."

"It captures you well, the way you flew in with your drone, here but not here." Newt came into view as he said this, and sat to Dema's right.

Cern followed and sat to her left. "It also captures the way you promised him heaven. He's been trying to get there ever since. Hi, Young'un. Good to see you."

Sedna still bristled a bit at his pet name for her. She sometimes wondered if he doubted that she was really the same Sedna. He was a good dad, always holding certain things just out of reach, or trying to. All carrot, no stick. They smiled warmly at each other.

Newt noticed, and smiled a bit ruefully. Sedna was too far removed to catch that, but Dema wasn't. She knew that part of Newt's attraction to Sedna was that she was a potentially available version of herself. So her own presence here was a constant reminder. She liked Newt, and gave him a look of understanding, and hope. He acknowledged it gratefully.

Cern pretended not to notice any of that and said, "So, when are you going to come down and pay us a visit? Lots of things are happening here. Don't you think it's time to start working on a Space Dream?"

"You're right, Dad. I'd love to. Soon, I promise."

Newt's heart leapt at that, but then he realized that Space Dream meant the drone. Oh, well. It would be a start.