Progeny Chapter 2 The Need for Understanding
After the broadcast, everyone mills around the command center chatting, extending meal invitations and discussing the general impact of the presentation on the people of Hadar, that is, everyone except Doyen Edison Davis. Edison was not interested in talking to anyone but Olivia.
He makes eye contact with Olivia whose talking to Quinn. He tilts his head to the right signaling that he wants to talk to her in the corner. She nods back and asks Quinn to excuse her for a moment. He maneuvers Olivia into the corner near the entrance.
"How may I assist you Doyen Davis?" Olivia asks with just the hint of a smile.
"Olivia, why so formal? I am just Edison now."
"Edison this neither the time nor place to be informal."
"What do you want to talk about?" Her impatience already beginning to show.
"I think we should inform our families tomorrow."
"Inform them of what exactly?"
"Our understanding of course."
"Edison, what, what are you talking about? She stammers. We have no understanding. We are friends. We are good friends, but that is all we are."
"Olivia, you know we are more than that. We have seen each other at our best and at our worst. We support each other through triumphs and tragedies. We are of one mind. Our families are compatible and supportive of our union. We both find each other's appearance pleasing. We are a perfect match." He reaches for her hand but she pulls away.
"Edison, how many times do I have to tell you we are just friends? All we ever will be is friends. Listen, I agree with all you have just said, with the exception of being a perfect match; but everything you have said also applies to great friendship, which is what we have. Obviously we are not of one mind on this matter". Olivia felt anxious and sympathy for Edison. She did not want to hurt his feelings.
"Olivia, I know you care about me. Are you afraid to make a commitment? Are you afraid of what the future holds? You should not run from love, you should embrace it. The cycles ahead will be challenging and having the right bond-mate as we embark upon the journey of relocation is important."
"Edison, please. Please don't make me say it." She says with a hint of sadness in her voice.
"Say what, Olivia? What do you want to say? Do you have an understanding with someone else? Are you in love with someone else?" Sadness and anxiety rise within Edison.
"Edison, I have never been anything but honest with you. I have never given you any indication that I wanted to be anything other than your friend. I have always made my feelings for you clear. I consider you a good friend, one of my best friends; but I am not your bond-mate and in your heart, you know it. You belong to another. You need to find who you are meant to be with. Stop settling for what is familiar. Life is too short to waste time settling for what is acceptable instead of what is desirable."
"Answer my question Olivia; are you in love with someone else, he spits through gritted teeth?"
"Yes, I am." She says softly. I will not commit to a relationship with you knowing that I cannot give myself fully to you. You and I both know we would eventually come to regret such a decision. I would rather be alone than spend my days with you desperately longing for another. I will not do that to you. I love you that much."
Hadarians believed in telling the truth at all times even it hurts. Years of near cataclysmic upheaval bore out the fatal consequences of deception. It did not matter if it the lie was small or a huge omission, the result was always the same, strife, conflict, unnecessary suffering or disaster.
Fitz spies Olivia and Edison in the corner near the entrance to the lab. He can tell the conversation is intense. Edison does not look happy. He is nervously rolling his vow bracelet between his thumb and index fingers. Olivia is shaking her head in disagreement. Fitz tries to contain the smile that quickly overtaking his face. His heart is racing as he watches the Edison drama unfold. Edison attempts to grasp Olivia's arms as he speaks to her, but she retreats. Her facial expression speaks volumes. Edison looks defeated. Olivia and Edison bow to one another, then Edison leaves without uttering another word.
Olivia stretches her shoulders back and twists her neck to relieve the tension that had built up during her brief exchange with Edison. As she turns to reenter the lab area, her gaze falls upon on Fitz who was staring at her intently. She smiles as she moves toward him.
He begins to experience an overwhelming sense of peace and calm; his desire for Olivia is palpable. It is time they come to an understanding.
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On Hadar, mating is steeped in ritual. Ritual helps reinforce the people's dependency and interconnectedness. The three phase mating ritual begins with the couple having an understanding; an agreement to dating exclusivity. An understanding can last a few days or several cycles. Next, the couple recites the vow of commitment to each other and exchange ear cuffs as an outward symbol of their exclusivity and intent to bond. The final phase is the actual mating ceremony where the couple exchanges life commitment vows before family and friends. The ceremony unites not only the couple but also the couple's families and the couple's network of friends.