Playne: Gaia's Calling

Fox

"I am Fox."

I just stared at the big lump of furry muscle standing in front of me.

"No you're not- you're a Wolf."

As the wolf sat on his haunches, I could've sworn he quirked a mischievous grin.

"You learn quickly."

It was then I realized that as he spoke, it wasn't the same way humans communicated, it was something much deeper then that.

"It feels having a man inside my head." I scoffed as I took as seat, the flat rock right across from this Great Wolf called Fox.

With a low amused grunt, Fox continued.

"As the Guardian of Playne, I was given this ability to guide anyone who wonders through here."

I echoed, "Playne? I locked quizzical eyes onto his golden deep optics.

"Playne is the Earth to which you tread." He paused as if to let this fact sink into my mind. "Have you noticed that the sun never sets, the trees never grow, and the sky never rains?"

I replied in a matter-of-factly tone. Since my Awakening, this world has always remained consistent.

"It's always been this way."

With a deep breath he proceeded to explain, a longing look setting upon his features as he turned his face away. He seemed sad, Fox's mind was far from here.

"It hadn't always been this way." His voice trailed. "A long time ago, time used to flow, trees used to grow, and birds used to sing." Turning back to me he asked in a soft nostalgic tone.

"Don't you remember?"

My pause gave him his answer and he bowed his head in slight disappointment.

"Of course you don't.." he seemed to say this to himself.

I felt a tug in my heart and a pinch of annoyance grow in my nerves.

"It can't be helped." His eyes locked on mine once again. "Age makes you forget things."

Distracted, my eyes followed his lightly thumping tail and he had to repeat his question.

"Do you at least remember who you are?"

For some reason this question irked me and defensive-almost as if I was too embarrased to share.
"We all stopped counting." I huffed and mumbled childishly.

" Don't worry-I know how old you are." That mischievous tone of his pulled on my nerves.

I retorted. "How can you tell if the sun never sets? You can't possibly-"
He cut me off with that annoying twinkle in his eyes.

"403 years old."

My face paled. "I'M THAT OLD!?!!?"

He began to laugh.

"You are old." He playfully taunted. "But so am I." His eyes softened as did his voice. It sounded more kind now.

"With age your memory fades. You were there when it happened." He exhaled deeply.

Before I could ask the obvious, Fox continued.

"When time stopped, when everything stopped growing-you just don't remember it because it was such a long time ago."

I dropped my gaze, the many questions that bombarded my mind moments ago were stilled. My heart grew heavy and I did not know why.

Was it that long ago?

There was a slight pause as I allowed my mind to settle. "I vaguely remember watching a sunset-let alone how things used to be." My voice was sad.

Fox's look of longing made our eyes meet and I felt my heart skip. "Beautiful wasn't it?"

I felt my cheeks heat but replied holding onto our eye contact. "It was.." Hearing my voice now, I realized I too had a taste of yearning on my tongue.

I wonder what happened all those many years ago..

My thoughts stung.

"What am I doing here?" I painted a light frown.

With the moment passed, Fox's tones became casual. "You are here because of that One. You are here to make the sun set again."

I really did not understand how could a person like me make an entity like the sun move. It was absolutely proposperous and impossible!

Before I could protest, he continued.

"Because only the committed ones wander into Playne." His tone shifted and a slight accent of playfulness could be heard. "Then again, there have been many a Fool as well." Chuckling he added with a playful wink as he lay down. "But don't you worry, I'm very good at spotting fools."

My voice was flat. "Are you now.."

He just grinned a mischievous toothy wolfish grin that irritated me in response.

Continuing in my flat tone I asked. "You don't see any fools here by any chance?"

With a twinkling eye he rested his chin on his crossed paws nonshalauntly. "Not yet."

I huffed and lay flat against the cold earth. It was not too dry, nor was it too damp to be muddy.

So the ground can be cold but not hot even when the sun's up 24/7?

My silent grumble made him grunt as if stifling a laugh. I almost forgot he can hear my thoughts.

"Too bad, because I do." I grumbled.

The following silence made me a little anxious so I rolled onto my stomach to find Fox staring at me. I felt uncomfortable.

It was weird.

"Is there something you want to say?" My voice came out kinder than I had expected.

Fox just smiled.