Playne: Gaia's Calling

One

The soundless thin air surprisingly made me feel still, yet stagnant. As if I was stuck-frozen in time. My thoughts began to settle and as I allowed my eyes to take in the sights, I wondered if anyone could survive living here for so long. There was not a cloud in sight, no insect that I could see, no animals or fruits or seeds to feed on.

I was in denial.

How could I be so old? How could I have forgotten?

Standing up felt the cold earth send shivers from my soles.

Instead of asking me where I was going or why I was leaving, I was surprised that Fox just let me go silently. I felt a ping of disappointment.

In this lonely world he was my only companion-and yet he just let me go-just like that?

What can I expect.. he's a wolf-a wild animal that talks. He doesn't care for a human he just met.

My mental musings were obviously heard, but Fox did not stir. I humfed and continued walking away. Head hung in a low bow, and it was then i realized how long my hair actually was. It was funny for until now my awareness seemed to have been lacking in so many basic things. I was afraid to see my face-all wrinkled and old.

The sound of a soft stream played near by and I gathered the courage to go look myself in the eyes.

Once there I hesitantly peered into it's glassy frame to find a fair wrinkle free face with long flowing wavy brown layered hair with graceful fringes outlining my rosy cheeks. What was stranger still was that my frame was bare of any eyes, nose, ears, or mouth-yet I could see, hear-and just possibly... taste?

I dipped my fingers into the cool water and patted the place where I assumed a mouth should have been and sighed.

"Of course I could not taste.."

A spell of depression befell my heart and mind.

I found myself walking back towards camp. Pausing, released a sigh.

At least I'm not old or wrinkley.

Sitting next to the flameless fire I sighed and hugged my knees. Fox had not stirred from his resting position, his longful gaze staring out into the near distance.

I sighed deeply and rested my chin against my knees. It then occured to me that I did not get scared when I saw my barren facial canvas. Was I always faceless? No-expressionless would be the best term. The fact that I did not panic, proved it must have been so. But how could I have forgotten my own face?

I sighed again and turned to Fox. He seemed to carry a familiar presence, and yet I had no recollection of a wolf for a friend-a talking wolf is surely someone One would never forget-let alone his very annoying know-it-all-personality.

I sighed again, this time more loudly hoping that he would turn his face towards me, but to no avail.

"Hmf.. you knew I would come back didn't you?" I grumbled.

When he did not respond, I felt my nerves tingle. I really did not like being ignored.

"Forget it."

I gave in. If he was not going to talk to me, then fine I would not talk to him either!

What is that wolf doing here anyway..

"I sense a question."

His voice came out of the blue, and as I met his gaze I frowned.

"You mean you heard a question."

He sighed then looked away.

"Who are you anyway?" I finally asked.

His left ear twitched to the sound of my voice and I could see the corner of his muzzel curve upwards.

I got annoyed.

"I am Fox!"

His puppy like hyper voice took me aback and I just stared blinking blankly. Fox was so regal and mysterious until now- I feared he just might flip on me.. Didn't know he had a side like this.

"Oh...kay..Um.." I felt awkward. He seemed quite happy I had taken an interest in him. "How did you..get here?" I was honestly afraid to ask.

"I was a Wonderer just like you. I lived in the mountains not far from here across the Great Lake. When I was fully grown, I left my pack to explore the near by territory in hopes of starting a new life-maybe even start a new pack of my very own." He paused, a sad twinkle in his eyes. "I found the most beautiful butterfly I had ever seen, and I had chased her for a long time. The feeling she gave me, made me feel pure joy and freedom-I never wanted it to end."

There was a loving tint to his tones, and as he turned to meet me eye to eye I blushed and turned away. I guess even wolves could look charming, cute, and handsome when they were in love. I had my own reservations about a wolf and a butterfly falling in love but I let him continue. I didn't even have a face yet I could still see and smell. I guessed anything was possible in this world.

"I then saw a Cricket which I then started to chase as well, and for the longest time I contemplated on whether I should stomp on it or eat it.
At the end I decided not to do either and by then it was sunset. When darkness came it began to rain and I lost my trail. That when I became a wonderer just like you."

His story seemed normal enough, but I never heard of a wolf losing his or her way before. "So why Fox and not Wanderer?" I quizzed about his odd name. His coat didn't even look like that of a fox's.

"It's because your the wanderer and I am Fox!"

I felt a vain pop in frustration. He was really starting to irritate me and even scare me a little.

"Your eyes did something magical!!"

If I had a visible mouth I would be gawking right now. "Don't be silly, I have no eyes!"

Out of no where Fox pounced and licked my face-his slimy saliva was gross and I was forced to wipe the wetness away.

"Your eyes did this rolling thing and-"

I cut him off. For a fierce looking brute his puppy hyperness started to freak me out. "My eyes couldn't possibly-they don't-" I froze.

Was that.. eyelashes just now?

I rubbed my eyes clear of slime-I rubbed my.. EYES!

"I HAVE EYES!?!?"

I quickly searched for something reflective but found nothing.

"Your eyes are big enough-lend me one!!"

Fox stuttered and backed away as I grabbed his head. He struggled and landed on his back. I sat on his undercoat and tilted his face to that I could see myself reflected on his large eyeball. He blushed.

"I have eyes!!!!" I was so happy. I then patted the rest of my face but was disappointed to know that only my eyes had reappeared.

~*~
"It is not what you choose to look at, but what you choose to see."
~*~