Book 2: New Life, Old Life
Part 9
Morning
The unicorn smiled as he watched the human go about his work. Every few minutes he would stop to wipe the sweaty auburn bangs from his forehead, and every time his hand lifted the damp hair from his eyes, those eyes would seek out the unicorn. The unicorn was pleased by this. This human seemed kind enough, although the unicorn was still wary, and any company at all was preferable to the dreadful solitude of the desert. After so many decades alone, the frequent eye contact, being able to connect with another living being, even for just a few seconds, was like a sudden shaft of sunlight on a cloudy day. He clung to each moment for as long as it could last, gazing into those bright emerald eyes as though they held all the secrets of the universe within their depths.
When he learned that the unicorn had no place else to go, the scientist had allowed the unicorn to stay and watch him work. The unicorn did not know exactly what the boy was doing, but just watching the other move among the multitude of machines was fascinating enough. The unicorn knew quite a bit about science, at least the science that had existed before he was left alone, but most of these strange instruments were completely foreign to him. So much equipment was kept within that little tent! Well, the tent was actually quite large, but as it sat amidst the endless waves of sand it seemed to shrink into insignificance. Still, in the unicorn's mind this small crater, containing merely two canvas tents and a small shuttle, encompassed the whole of the desert. All the years of wandering alone were eclipsed by this single sun's passing.
Perhaps this man would stay, he thought. Perhaps the years of solitude had come to an end. It had been so long since he had shared this world with another creature, and despite his fears, this did seem to be a very nice creature. No, the unicorn decided, he would not mind sharing the world with this human at all.
As the hours wore slowly on, the unicorn felt the sun beat down on his skin, and the breeze, no longer a symphony of smells, but simply a muted melody, toss his short blonde hair about his head. He reached up with one pale hand and pulled at a strand that fell across his eyes. The same nuisance had plagued him in his natural form as well. Every time he transformed into human shape, the vague hope remained that he might attain mane free vision, but that hope was always dashed. Apparently something in his nature dictated that his eyes be veiled by silky forelocks.
The unicorn shifted uncomfortably on his sandy perch. The sun's rays no longer felt pleasant, but were beginning to burn, within and without. He suddenly remembered how mortals felt heat and cold. His normal awareness of temperature was a subtle awareness, both heat and cold lacking any sort of teeth. For humans, the shift was much more violent, and the growing fire along his body was quickly becoming intolerable. The scientist did not seem to be suffering from this ache of heat. Surely something could be done. He swiped silken bangs from his own damp forehead, only to smile at the air that cooled as it brushed past his skin. That's what he needed, to move around. Perhaps if he helped the human work, the heat would lessen. That seemed logical.
With careful steps, the unicorn rose and walked to the main tent. As he approached, the green-eyed human looked up at him curiously.
"May I help you?"
The scientist showed no emotion, but nodded once, quickly illustrating which packages of supplies needed to be moved and stored. Though he gave no outward sign, the unicorn felt that he had made the man happy, which in turn made him happy. He thought that this was a good beginning.
Morning
The unicorn smiled as he watched the human go about his work. Every few minutes he would stop to wipe the sweaty auburn bangs from his forehead, and every time his hand lifted the damp hair from his eyes, those eyes would seek out the unicorn. The unicorn was pleased by this. This human seemed kind enough, although the unicorn was still wary, and any company at all was preferable to the dreadful solitude of the desert. After so many decades alone, the frequent eye contact, being able to connect with another living being, even for just a few seconds, was like a sudden shaft of sunlight on a cloudy day. He clung to each moment for as long as it could last, gazing into those bright emerald eyes as though they held all the secrets of the universe within their depths.
When he learned that the unicorn had no place else to go, the scientist had allowed the unicorn to stay and watch him work. The unicorn did not know exactly what the boy was doing, but just watching the other move among the multitude of machines was fascinating enough. The unicorn knew quite a bit about science, at least the science that had existed before he was left alone, but most of these strange instruments were completely foreign to him. So much equipment was kept within that little tent! Well, the tent was actually quite large, but as it sat amidst the endless waves of sand it seemed to shrink into insignificance. Still, in the unicorn's mind this small crater, containing merely two canvas tents and a small shuttle, encompassed the whole of the desert. All the years of wandering alone were eclipsed by this single sun's passing.
Perhaps this man would stay, he thought. Perhaps the years of solitude had come to an end. It had been so long since he had shared this world with another creature, and despite his fears, this did seem to be a very nice creature. No, the unicorn decided, he would not mind sharing the world with this human at all.
As the hours wore slowly on, the unicorn felt the sun beat down on his skin, and the breeze, no longer a symphony of smells, but simply a muted melody, toss his short blonde hair about his head. He reached up with one pale hand and pulled at a strand that fell across his eyes. The same nuisance had plagued him in his natural form as well. Every time he transformed into human shape, the vague hope remained that he might attain mane free vision, but that hope was always dashed. Apparently something in his nature dictated that his eyes be veiled by silky forelocks.
The unicorn shifted uncomfortably on his sandy perch. The sun's rays no longer felt pleasant, but were beginning to burn, within and without. He suddenly remembered how mortals felt heat and cold. His normal awareness of temperature was a subtle awareness, both heat and cold lacking any sort of teeth. For humans, the shift was much more violent, and the growing fire along his body was quickly becoming intolerable. The scientist did not seem to be suffering from this ache of heat. Surely something could be done. He swiped silken bangs from his own damp forehead, only to smile at the air that cooled as it brushed past his skin. That's what he needed, to move around. Perhaps if he helped the human work, the heat would lessen. That seemed logical.
With careful steps, the unicorn rose and walked to the main tent. As he approached, the green-eyed human looked up at him curiously.
"May I help you?"
The scientist showed no emotion, but nodded once, quickly illustrating which packages of supplies needed to be moved and stored. Though he gave no outward sign, the unicorn felt that he had made the man happy, which in turn made him happy. He thought that this was a good beginning.