I want to take this moment to give a big thank you to everyone who has reviewed this story, since we have now passed 1,000 of them! I always enjoy hearing what people think and feel. So thank you again, especially to you frequent commentators out there.


Chapter 109: After Stories - The Scholar

Parchment scratched underneath the point of Shad's pen. The sharp sounds flowed in creation of their own score; a symphony of ideas put to paper. Shad finished the paragraph and leaned back with a weary exhale of breath. It had felt like he had been working for hours without end. As Ashei often told him, he probably had. He never could keep track of time when his passions overtook him.

Shad looked down at the page. He read it once over, becoming aware of several typographical errors that would need to be fixed. Still, he was proud of the progress he was making. After completing this and the two chapters to follow, the fruits of his life's work would finally be complete. Soon, everything that he wished to share would become available to the world for years to come.

Even then, Shad felt he had so much more awaiting him. There was always something new to explore everywhere he looked; another reason to get his mind churning with fresh ideas. Shad wondered briefly if he'd ever meet the end of this exciting sensation. He smiled as he hoped that he never would.

A light knock came from his office door. "Come in," Shad called. The larger part of the door did not move as a handle turned. Instead, a smaller door built into the bottom swung open as his feathered guest walked in.

"Ah, Ooccoo. Welcome," Shad beamed.

"Pardon if I have disturbed you, Professor," Ooccoo, son of his mother of the same name, closed the door gently behind him. The young oocca flapped onto the perch that Shad always had prepared for his student.

"Not at all," he assured. "I was just taking a break from my book, actually. So, your timing is perfect."

Shad stood and stretched the tension built throughout his back and shoulders. Age was showing its signs more frequently. He then walked over to join Ooccoo by the lounge chairs. A game board was set atop the coffee table between them.

"How are your studies progressing?" Shad asked.

"Well," Ooccoo answered pleasantly. "I have learned a lot more from being here on the surface world than what my mother could before me. There is so much to experience that we cannot from home."

"I'm glad," Shad smiled. He glanced down at the board. "I do believe it was your turn last we played."

The game, racha, was of oocca creation. Many of its principles were similar to chess. Shad suspected that there was some historical connection between the two but had yet to find out. It was Ooccoo Sr who had introduced him to racha, and it became a regular pastime between Shad and the younger oocca at the university.

"How is your book coming along?" Ooccoo asked. His smaller hands were better suited for moving the pieces around the board than Shad's.

"Almost done. After that, we can hopefully teach more people about your tribe and foster better relations between us."

There were, tragically, too many rumours and fears spreading about all that the oocca and their advanced technology were capable of. It saddened Shad to think that anyone would believe ill of such a peaceful, intelligent race. His goal these days was to change that mindset on a mass scale. His masterpiece would see to that.

"Do you believe that many people will read it?"

The question felt akin to a light blow to Shad's stomach. He moved his next piece to capture Ooccoo's. His fingers were almost too clumsy for the tiny board. "Perhaps not right away; but if the information is out there, then people will always have the opportunity. The more eyes and hearts that we can reach, the more voices we gain to reach new ears. What's important is this first step."

Ooccoo captured his offending piece. Shad anticipated that response and exploited the opening made to reach deep into his opponent's territory. "Tell me, Ooccoo; what are your thoughts on the future of sky-and-surface relations?"

A surprised cluck answered at first. It was followed by a pensive expression that lingered on Ooccoo's face. "People here look down on us for our smaller size, yet they are afraid of our machines. They do not trust us. Nor do they try to understand."

"The oocca are not alone with this," Shad pointed out. "Even relations with the bulblins and twili are still teething. The yetis and gerudo are also working hard to build the peace we've sought to create. Such things will continue to take time."

"I know," Ooccoo nodded. He found a way to defeat Shad's intrusion and secure his king. "And I know that there are people who do try to understand, like you. Queen Zelda is of the same mind, I believe."

"That's correct. And she and I do trust your people. We understand that you are kind folk at heart, just like many of us are." Shad noticed danger encroaching upon his guard to the left. He moved a pawn forward in response.

"That is why I want to believe that maybe we can become friends." Ooccoo claimed another piece that Shad neglected to protect. "Though, I also think it will take longer for us to trust each other. We cannot teach them about our technology if they are not able to use it safely."

"And we cannot use your technology safely until you teach us how to." It was a vicious cycle that, unfortunately, was more complicated to resolve than it appeared on paper.

Ooccoo agreed. "My mother once said that it will take time before your tribe is ready to learn. Until then, we can only do what we can without science. That is why I hope that your book can help."

"Maybe it will take one of their own to encourage my people to understand," Shad nodded sadly. "If that is what it takes to set the foundations for building trust, then it becomes all the more important that I finish my work."

"Checkmate."

"Huh?" Shad straightened his glasses and re-examined the board. Somehow, he had let Ooccoo stage a trap around his king. The lad's latest move tightened that subtle noose, leaving Shad with no options to flee or block his assailant. "Deary me," Shad chuckled. "You got me. Good game." Ooccoo grinned in triumph.

"For what it's worth, Ooccoo," Shad smiled, "I do hope that our people can share mutual trust within my lifetime. I don't expect it to be easy; but nothing worth fighting for is. There is so much that our people can learn from each other, and that is why I am so thrilled to have you here as a student. I know in my blood that you'll be instrumental in forging that bond we're striving for. Together, I know that our worlds can become better as friends."

"Thank you, Professor. I am honoured to be here with you," Ooccoo bowed. "Shall we play another game?"

Shad turned to the wall clock. He sighed. "Perhaps not today. I promised Ashei and the children that I would be home on time tonight." He then chuckled. "I should try to keep that promise at least once."

Although his eyes flashed with disappointment, Ooccoo smiled and dropped to the floor. "Thank you for your time, Professor. Have a good evening."

"And you, as well." Shad sent the boy off and quickly returned to his desk to store his papers away.

Outside the window, he could see the fountain modelled with a decommissioned guardian in the campus yard. Young minds could pass by and marvel at the resting machine, and have their curiosities peaked at the possibilities of science and progress. In time, one day hopefully soon, humans would become able to achieve the same heights as the oocca. Then maybe… just maybe… their two worlds could come together to see each other as true equals.

Shad wished that his father had lived long enough to see this new age. Now, he also hoped to still be alive with his children to see the next come about. From cradle to grave, he was a scholar. Understanding the unknown was his ambition. Teaching the knowledge that he had gained to others would always be his purpose.