Chapter Eight – Purchases


The next few days passed by in a blur while Edi learned all about Selenia. Kasper had taken him on a tour of the land so that he could get acquainted with it before he began to work. The first thing they'd done was to get Edi new clothes since his old ones had been too ostentatious, and although everyone in the commune wore black attire, neutral colors predominated in their garments and accessories as well.

While doing so, Edi learned that all their clothing was made from wool and cotton since the weather was always chilly, and that those materials were produced in the commune. There were small shops that only interchanged the fabrics after they were manufactured, while others also confectioned garments there. Their designs were pretty basic, and as he came across more citizens of Selenia, he realized that only the ones that had a higher rank wore designs that were more elaborate.

Kasper got him a couple of pants and shirts that were made from wool as well as a few linen shirts. Afterward, they went to the only shoe shop in the commune to get Edi some new boots.

"What's wrong with my boots?" Edi asked, raising his brow.

"They look like my girl's boots," Kasper told him. "And I mean no offense when I say this, but, they look better on Aliz."

That earned Kasper a wholehearted laugh from Edi, marking the first memory they'd create together.

From there, they drove around the commune while Kasper showed Edi the large greenhouses where they cultivated all of their produce and grains. He explained how they used full-spectrum lights to emulate the sunlight they lacked—also powered by lunar energy—and that they were tended by workers daily. The water they used there, as well as in the entire commune, was supplied from the Astrea River and processed by their custom water treatment plant.

Kasper also told him about the couple of farms they owned where they raised cattle, goats and sheep, as well as pigs and chickens. Then, he explained that they didn't have a formal type of government, but that the three main household chiefs managed different areas of the commune and kept it in order. No money was handled; therefore, everyone worked to make sure they had enough sustenance, creating an uncomplicated system and lifestyle for everybody.

Overall, Selenia had a much better quality of life than Edi had in Volterra, but there was one thing that still bothered him: there was no telecommunication of any form. Conscious that Selenites could build an underground energy system, Edi knew they were capable of developing telecommunications as well. He didn't ask Kasper or Lyle about it, though, aware that it would be considered prying, and the last thing he wanted was to become a nuisance.

Edi did ask about Isbel, but Kasper simply told him, "If I were you, I would keep my distance. She's to be married to Yakob—Vili's son—and you do not want to upset that family."

What Kasper didn't know, though, was that Edi was a rebel at heart, so his words fell on deaf ears.


Alix and Edi have similar boots! lol (: Also, how awesome are Kasper and Edi together?!

Sigh. I love them so much.

Thank you for reading. See you later, alligators! ;)