"Come children, I may need help" he says beckoning them to come closer, the
children jump to their feet and approach jumping and hopping about him.
"Now what story shall I tell this eve" Parn questions to himself, looking down at the children who can barely stay still. " A story of our people yes? Of who we are, our creation, our existence yes? Or perhaps of when the Gould came and tried to destroy us?"
Parn leans down at the children at this proposal and they scatter from his stretching arms with glee as he playfully pretends to capture them to him.
"No I know the perfect story, a new story my friends, with new characters, now come children quickly we must prepare"
The children gather about him in a circle and they bow their heads close as he speaks to them. I glance over to Daniel who has leaned closer to me, watching the spectacle with a soft smile. I sense intrigue from he and his friends who are also watching Parn and the children with enjoyment. My attention is once more brought to the small group before me. The children spread about before us, their smiling eyes lit up by the light shining over them.
"Let me set the scene, a quiet day, the suns are high in the sky. People going about their daily work, peace fulfilling us"
At this, the children pretend to be busy working, giggling slightly as they perform.
"But what is this, something invades our senses, we are not alone. Someone comes forth"
The children scatter, holding hands and running to hide behind seats and behind the long robes of Parn. Still laughter in their voices. Some hide behind Daniel and myself and their excitement is infectious as Parn continues.
"Fear runs through our veins for a moment, who has come to our small peaceful world. But stillness surrounds them, a childlike curiosity almost as they take in our world. And we sensing friendship draw near."
Some of the children stand looking up at the temple ceiling like it is the first time they have seen it, pointing open mouth around their audience. The little ones hiding behind our seats approach slowly toward them. The children by Parn, enacting the newcomers suddenly jump round and stare at the children approaching. The approaching little ones hold their hands out in a sign of peace. Parn turns and gathers them closer together, bending down between them.
"And who might you be?" he asks the children. Tellash, one of the older boys steps forward and lifts his head proudly.
"I am Jack," he says before a wide grin spreads across his face.
A murmur of laughter flitters across the room. I take a glance to Jack who has sat up in his seat with a similar grin and laughing eyes.
"Ah Jack, Mitoyah, and who are your friends?" asks Parn, a serious face, before being interrupted by Keesha, one of the older girls, pulling on his robe, I sense confusion from her.
"Is it not I who must welcome Parn?" she asks in a quiet voice, only those of us near can hear the soft-spoken words.
"My apologies little one" replies Parn, before Keesha steps forward to Tellash.
"Mitoyah, I am Rani" she says in her sweet lilting voice, before shooting me a shy glance and smile. I bow my head in respect to her and her eyes shine as she turns back to her comrades.
"Rani, these are my friends" says Tellash, stepping to one side so his friends can step forward. Renalsh one of the smaller boys of the group, steps forward, puffing out his chest and standing taller.
"I am Tealc," he says in a deep voice, tracing a finger across his brow in a circle, leaving a trail of red berry oil. This receives another chortle of laughter from us as he beams in pride.
"And I am Daniel" says a small voice from behind them. Heads turn one way and another to spy the shy Ginarn hiding behind his brothers tall form. Tallesh steps further sideways to show Ginarn, Tallesh puts an arm about him and shuffles him forward and lift his hands. Ginarn makes small fists with his hands and peers through circles he creates with them, earning him laughter and applause and his skin flushes red. I turn laughing to Daniel who seems quite taken by surprise at the children's enactment of their arrival. Tealc seems to be enjoying the show, an eyebrow raised and small smile hiding on his lips.
"And this little one" says Parn, lifting Carla, the youngest of the group into his arms. "Who would you be little one?"
"I am Sananmtha" replies the proud little girl trying to get a grasp on the strange words, before throwing her arms about her fathers neck with a giggle and points over to Sam who is also smiling.
Parn looking down upon the little ones gathered about him smiles to Keesha.
"What now Rani?" he asks in a serious voice.
"A celebration" replies Keesha " To welcome our new friends?"
"But first" she exclaims before Parn can reply raising a finger in the air " We must introduce them to someone special"
"Oh?" asks Parn, setting the wriggling Carla back on the floor, who tugs on his hand and leads him to sit in his seat by us. Carla rejoins the group, standing by Tallesh.
"Come my friends, all is well" says Keesha beckoning her friends forward, taking Ginarn's hands she leads them in a circle about the other children, who enact the people of the village before coming to a halt in front of Parn.
"Parn I have brought some people to meet you" she says as the four and indeed all the children gather to our table.
"You have Rani?" asks Parn, playing along with the act.
"Yes friends from another world. They came through the Chapayah" replies Keesha seriously.
"Ah welcome, welcome my friends." Parn smiles and leans down to Keesha "Through the Chapayah you say Rani? They can be trusted?"
"Oh yes" whispers Keesha, hopping from one foot to another.
"Then celebrations it shall be" says Parn as he stands, walking with the children away from our table. "And perhaps in time, a story will be told of our new friends"
I smile and tap on the table with my fingers, as do my people, Parn and the children raise fingers to their foreheads and bow them slightly. Laughter and music is soon filling the air once more, a lighter softer mood sets into the eve. Parn sits once more by us and Keesha climbs onto his lap, burying a tired head into his chest.
"I am afraid the excitement is catching up on most," says Parn holding his daughter closer to his chest.
"Not just the children" replies Jack, covering a yawn, before stretching out his arms. I sense a strong wave of fatigue suddenly surrounding me; it seems the night has gone on longer than we thought.
"Perhaps it is time to draw the eve to a close Parn?" I ask him, he nods in agreement and I stand and make my way slowly to the front of the tables, eyes focusing on me. I note most of the children are practically sleeping in their parents or guardians arms.
"My friends, the eve is ended. Make haste with the children, the moons are rising and we would not want them to catch chills. Those without children help would be appreciated to clear the temple for the morn as you know."
The words are barely from my mouth as people already start to stand in their weary forms to help the temple servants clear away, a hum of voices talking of the eve events. I sense satisfaction and joy from the eve. Parents and guardians carry or lead the little ones home. I beckon to Nina.
"Take Darla and our friends home Nina, I will be along soon. Take Dalsh with you also."
Nina nods and helps a weary Darla stand as I wish good eve to Jack, Samantha and Daniel. I feel tiredness from them as well as enjoyment from the eve's events.
"Do not forget your robes, the moons are rising and the wind is high this eve"
A temple servant retrieves the robes and they take them.
"Can we get some of those flower petals to go too" asks Jack, looking hopeful to the temple servant who giggles and goes back to her work clearing the tables. I smile and shake my head.
"I will be home soon, I will stay here until the temple is cleared, we shall not be long"
"I'll wait and walk you back" says Daniel stepping forward, a determined tone coming from him as if he knows I would politely refuse. I bite back my refusal, knowing it would be useless.
"Thankyou" I reply, and watch as the others depart, I frown realising Tealc is not with them, turn to see him helping carrying tables, and benches into out lying storage rooms. Realising to try and send him home too would be hopeless; I instead approach Parn who is still sitting in his chair, with the small form of his daughter bundled in his arms.
"Parn, would you like me to lay her down for you?" I ask, sensing a strange overwhelming exhaustion and happiness coming from him.
"No no Rani, I am afraid I am not as young as I think myself to be, however I will lay her down as I do every night since her mother left us"
At this, another wave of settled bliss passes to me. After all this time the love he has for her is still as strong and yet he is accepting of the fact she will never return. He stands and bows to me slightly, shifting his daughter weight to cradle in his arms. I place my fingers on his forehead for a moment and plant a kiss in Keesha's hair before he makes his way from the hall to his living quarters wishing Meltolyah to people he passes.
"Now what story shall I tell this eve" Parn questions to himself, looking down at the children who can barely stay still. " A story of our people yes? Of who we are, our creation, our existence yes? Or perhaps of when the Gould came and tried to destroy us?"
Parn leans down at the children at this proposal and they scatter from his stretching arms with glee as he playfully pretends to capture them to him.
"No I know the perfect story, a new story my friends, with new characters, now come children quickly we must prepare"
The children gather about him in a circle and they bow their heads close as he speaks to them. I glance over to Daniel who has leaned closer to me, watching the spectacle with a soft smile. I sense intrigue from he and his friends who are also watching Parn and the children with enjoyment. My attention is once more brought to the small group before me. The children spread about before us, their smiling eyes lit up by the light shining over them.
"Let me set the scene, a quiet day, the suns are high in the sky. People going about their daily work, peace fulfilling us"
At this, the children pretend to be busy working, giggling slightly as they perform.
"But what is this, something invades our senses, we are not alone. Someone comes forth"
The children scatter, holding hands and running to hide behind seats and behind the long robes of Parn. Still laughter in their voices. Some hide behind Daniel and myself and their excitement is infectious as Parn continues.
"Fear runs through our veins for a moment, who has come to our small peaceful world. But stillness surrounds them, a childlike curiosity almost as they take in our world. And we sensing friendship draw near."
Some of the children stand looking up at the temple ceiling like it is the first time they have seen it, pointing open mouth around their audience. The little ones hiding behind our seats approach slowly toward them. The children by Parn, enacting the newcomers suddenly jump round and stare at the children approaching. The approaching little ones hold their hands out in a sign of peace. Parn turns and gathers them closer together, bending down between them.
"And who might you be?" he asks the children. Tellash, one of the older boys steps forward and lifts his head proudly.
"I am Jack," he says before a wide grin spreads across his face.
A murmur of laughter flitters across the room. I take a glance to Jack who has sat up in his seat with a similar grin and laughing eyes.
"Ah Jack, Mitoyah, and who are your friends?" asks Parn, a serious face, before being interrupted by Keesha, one of the older girls, pulling on his robe, I sense confusion from her.
"Is it not I who must welcome Parn?" she asks in a quiet voice, only those of us near can hear the soft-spoken words.
"My apologies little one" replies Parn, before Keesha steps forward to Tellash.
"Mitoyah, I am Rani" she says in her sweet lilting voice, before shooting me a shy glance and smile. I bow my head in respect to her and her eyes shine as she turns back to her comrades.
"Rani, these are my friends" says Tellash, stepping to one side so his friends can step forward. Renalsh one of the smaller boys of the group, steps forward, puffing out his chest and standing taller.
"I am Tealc," he says in a deep voice, tracing a finger across his brow in a circle, leaving a trail of red berry oil. This receives another chortle of laughter from us as he beams in pride.
"And I am Daniel" says a small voice from behind them. Heads turn one way and another to spy the shy Ginarn hiding behind his brothers tall form. Tallesh steps further sideways to show Ginarn, Tallesh puts an arm about him and shuffles him forward and lift his hands. Ginarn makes small fists with his hands and peers through circles he creates with them, earning him laughter and applause and his skin flushes red. I turn laughing to Daniel who seems quite taken by surprise at the children's enactment of their arrival. Tealc seems to be enjoying the show, an eyebrow raised and small smile hiding on his lips.
"And this little one" says Parn, lifting Carla, the youngest of the group into his arms. "Who would you be little one?"
"I am Sananmtha" replies the proud little girl trying to get a grasp on the strange words, before throwing her arms about her fathers neck with a giggle and points over to Sam who is also smiling.
Parn looking down upon the little ones gathered about him smiles to Keesha.
"What now Rani?" he asks in a serious voice.
"A celebration" replies Keesha " To welcome our new friends?"
"But first" she exclaims before Parn can reply raising a finger in the air " We must introduce them to someone special"
"Oh?" asks Parn, setting the wriggling Carla back on the floor, who tugs on his hand and leads him to sit in his seat by us. Carla rejoins the group, standing by Tallesh.
"Come my friends, all is well" says Keesha beckoning her friends forward, taking Ginarn's hands she leads them in a circle about the other children, who enact the people of the village before coming to a halt in front of Parn.
"Parn I have brought some people to meet you" she says as the four and indeed all the children gather to our table.
"You have Rani?" asks Parn, playing along with the act.
"Yes friends from another world. They came through the Chapayah" replies Keesha seriously.
"Ah welcome, welcome my friends." Parn smiles and leans down to Keesha "Through the Chapayah you say Rani? They can be trusted?"
"Oh yes" whispers Keesha, hopping from one foot to another.
"Then celebrations it shall be" says Parn as he stands, walking with the children away from our table. "And perhaps in time, a story will be told of our new friends"
I smile and tap on the table with my fingers, as do my people, Parn and the children raise fingers to their foreheads and bow them slightly. Laughter and music is soon filling the air once more, a lighter softer mood sets into the eve. Parn sits once more by us and Keesha climbs onto his lap, burying a tired head into his chest.
"I am afraid the excitement is catching up on most," says Parn holding his daughter closer to his chest.
"Not just the children" replies Jack, covering a yawn, before stretching out his arms. I sense a strong wave of fatigue suddenly surrounding me; it seems the night has gone on longer than we thought.
"Perhaps it is time to draw the eve to a close Parn?" I ask him, he nods in agreement and I stand and make my way slowly to the front of the tables, eyes focusing on me. I note most of the children are practically sleeping in their parents or guardians arms.
"My friends, the eve is ended. Make haste with the children, the moons are rising and we would not want them to catch chills. Those without children help would be appreciated to clear the temple for the morn as you know."
The words are barely from my mouth as people already start to stand in their weary forms to help the temple servants clear away, a hum of voices talking of the eve events. I sense satisfaction and joy from the eve. Parents and guardians carry or lead the little ones home. I beckon to Nina.
"Take Darla and our friends home Nina, I will be along soon. Take Dalsh with you also."
Nina nods and helps a weary Darla stand as I wish good eve to Jack, Samantha and Daniel. I feel tiredness from them as well as enjoyment from the eve's events.
"Do not forget your robes, the moons are rising and the wind is high this eve"
A temple servant retrieves the robes and they take them.
"Can we get some of those flower petals to go too" asks Jack, looking hopeful to the temple servant who giggles and goes back to her work clearing the tables. I smile and shake my head.
"I will be home soon, I will stay here until the temple is cleared, we shall not be long"
"I'll wait and walk you back" says Daniel stepping forward, a determined tone coming from him as if he knows I would politely refuse. I bite back my refusal, knowing it would be useless.
"Thankyou" I reply, and watch as the others depart, I frown realising Tealc is not with them, turn to see him helping carrying tables, and benches into out lying storage rooms. Realising to try and send him home too would be hopeless; I instead approach Parn who is still sitting in his chair, with the small form of his daughter bundled in his arms.
"Parn, would you like me to lay her down for you?" I ask, sensing a strange overwhelming exhaustion and happiness coming from him.
"No no Rani, I am afraid I am not as young as I think myself to be, however I will lay her down as I do every night since her mother left us"
At this, another wave of settled bliss passes to me. After all this time the love he has for her is still as strong and yet he is accepting of the fact she will never return. He stands and bows to me slightly, shifting his daughter weight to cradle in his arms. I place my fingers on his forehead for a moment and plant a kiss in Keesha's hair before he makes his way from the hall to his living quarters wishing Meltolyah to people he passes.