The Cycles of Revelation Series
Artifact of the Dawn: Reflection (A Queer Sci-Fi Adventure)
Episode 21: Jevan and Ardyn are given their own quarters and have a chance to get some rest for the first time in several days, as they reflect on everything that’s happened.
Staring at Takyra, that revelation confirmed even more of Ardyn’s fears. “How can anyone do something like that?”
“I know this must be a shock to you both,” Takyra replied. “Looking at your clothing, I suspect neither of your civilizations is very advanced compared to what you’re seeing on this ship.”
Looking around him, Jevan nodded. “All of this is going to take a lot of getting used to. I’m usually hiking between villages and settlements, trading for goods.”
“So, you’re a trader.” Takyra looked at Ardyn. “And what is your profession?”
“I was a ranger. I would spend most of my time in the forests, protecting Athla’naa territory and hunting down predators that threatened our settlement,” Ardyn explained.
“Was?” Takyra asked.
“After I found this key, and we discovered the structures within the Aria’una,” Ardyn explained, “Jevan and I returned to Maala’naa. A hunting party was waiting and brought us before The Elder Triumvirate, who sat in judgment against us. I was to be punished and Jevan executed for violating one of our most sacred laws, but we escaped, and I can never return.”
“We made it back to my village,” Jevan continued. “That’s where we learned that the ard of my village knew more about the Aria’una than he had ever told me. He also sat in judgment over us and planned his own punishment, so we ran again. It took several days, but we finally found a way into this structure that wasn’t protected by that forcefield around your tower.”
“The forcefield is still active?” Takyra looked at them, concerned. She sat quietly for a long moment before speaking again. “I need to plan what to do next carefully, so I don’t cause conflict between either of your people and mine. However, I have another urgent matter to consider, especially if the forcefield has been active all this time. We did not design the cryopods to be in operation this long. Many may have already failed, meaning the occupant inside would have died. I cannot delay reviving them too long.”
“Is there anything we can do to help?” Jevan asked.
“I appreciate the offer,” Takyra said. “But I need to spend some time analyzing the situation first. You both look exhausted. Why don’t you get some rest while I figure out how to best proceed?”
Trying to stifle back a yawn, Ardyn nodded. “We would appreciate that. We’ve been on the run all day after we discovered that a hunting party pursued us into the Aria’una. When we were fleeing from them, we stumbled on a hidden entrance into this place.”
“I see,” Takyra said with a note of worry. “I will monitor for any intruders. You can tell me more after you’ve both had some rest. Come, follow me.”
Takyra led them down the hall to two sets of quarters, showing the doors across the hall from each other. “We designed most quarters to be shared by two, but with many cryopods empty and everyone else still in cryostasis, you’re free to each have your own.”
Jevan looked at Ardyn with a shrug. “What do you think? You can get away from this annoying Medellan for a while. We have been tied at the hip for weeks now.”
That made Ardyn laugh, but when he thought about having to sleep alone inside this strange ship, his heart rate sped up and he shook his head. “I don’t think I want to be alone. This has been overwhelming and everything here is so strange,” Ardyn admitted, looking at Jevan. “I trust you, and I would miss your familiar presence.”
Smiling at him, Jevan agreed. “Yeah, I think I’d miss having you nearby as well. Thanks for the offer, Takyra, but I think we’ll share one.”
Giving them a knowing look, Takyra led them back up the corridor, closer to her own quarters. “Most of the shared quarters have two single beds in them,” she explained. “But I think you’d be more comfortable sharing a larger bed.”
Ardyn couldn’t deny that, but said nothing. Jevan’s little smile told him that the man agreed with him as well.
“Let me have your key for a moment,” Takyra requested. Ardyn handed it to her, and she turned to tap a spot on the wall, making a display appear. “While this key will open most publicly accessible doors throughout the ship, the quarters are meant to be private spaces. I am having your key reprogrammed specifically for this door.”
Once she finished, Ardyn noted how their names appeared on the display below the number three. Handing the key back to Ardyn, she gestured for him to unlock the door. Once inside, they saw these quarters were like Takyra’s, although slightly smaller. Takyra showed them how to lock the door, and how to use the food and clothing replicators.
Turning to leave, Jevan stopped her. “We’ve been on the run so long. Is there a way for us to bathe? Also, what can we use for a chamber pot?”
“Oh yes, I forgot,” Takyra apologized. “I’m guessing neither of you have used a toilet or shower before.”
Looking at Jevan, they both shook their heads and shrugged.
Leading them to the door next to the bed, she explained what the toilet and shower were and how to use them. Ardyn marveled at both and looked forward to having a chance to wash his hair again.
Stopping by the door, out to the corridor, Takyra turned back to them. “One last thing. When you’re near the display in the living area, say Cytra’s name and tell her you’d like to talk to me. She will activate the communications system and you can let me know when you’re both rested.”
“Thank you, Takyra,” they both said, in turn.
Once alone, the two looked around them in awe. “Can you believe any of this is real? I feel like I’m dreaming,” Jevan said, leaning against the half wall.
“You’re right. I knew when I’d found this key, it must be very advanced technology. Yet, I never even imagined the truth it would unlock.”
“So… about calling me an athla’maahk when we first met…” Jevan began.
Ardyn’s eyes darted away from Jevan. “I am sorry. Some of my people mean it as an insult, but I hadn’t intended it that way. I… promise I’ll never call you that again.”
“So, that triwolf that nearly killed you?” Jevan prompted.
“Yes, that would be an athla’maakh,” Ardyn replied. “The meaning of the term is closer to the word beast in your language.”
Jevan chuckled. “Well, that brings some new context to certain conversations I’ve had with your people in the past, that’s for sure.”
“You’re not angry with me?” Ardyn asked, looking back at Jevan.
The Medellan smiled at him warmly. “I know you didn’t mean any harm. So, let’s make a deal. If you stop calling me athla’maakh, I’ll stop calling you an elf.”
“I never thought to ask, but what does elf mean, anyway?” Ardyn asked.
Jevan shrugged. “I don’t know. All I know is that there are ancient fairy tales with elves, and they had pointed ears, but if there’s a meaning beyond that, I have no idea.”
“You’ll have to tell me some of these tales some time,” Ardyn said. “But I think I’m almost ready to sleep, after I try out that shower.”
“Okay, you go and do that,” Jevan said. “I’ll play around with this clothing replicator. I think we both need a clean change of clothes.”
“You’re right,” Ardyn agreed, before standing and heading back toward the shower room. Once inside he unclipped his cloak and removed his leathers, folding them carefully. Then he used the toilet. After spending most of his life urinating in the woods, it still felt odd to do it inside, even after using Jevan’s chamber pot for weeks.
Afterward he stepped into the shower. Ardyn marveled at the concept, having water rain down on him while inside and having the ability to control the temperature. Being able to cleanse himself with hot water was a luxury he’d never imagined. Even when he was stuck in Jevan’s house all those weeks, the water they used to bathe was still often lukewarm at best.
As he stood there under the spray, letting the water rinse away the dirt and stink from his body, Ardyn’s mind reeled at everything he’d experienced in the past few hours. All the time they’d been searching the Aria’una, he never imagined everything they had found.
Once he felt clean enough, Ardyn turned off the shower and dried himself with one of the towels that hung on the wall. Walking back into the bedroom, unabashed by his nudity, he went to sit on the bed. He was too tired to take much notice of the shy smile that crept over Jevan’s face as he hurried past him.
Ardyn worked his fingers slowly through his long, wet hair, as his exhaustion caught up to him. He caught himself nodding off when Jevan emerged from the shower, still sleepily trying to untangle his hair, and failing.
Jevan presented Ardyn with some clothes. “The replicator suggested these for sleeping,” Jevan explained. “Put them on, and I’ll help you with your hair.”
Taking the clothes, he marveled at the softness of the gray fabric and how tightly woven it was. “Wow, this feels amazing,” he said as he slipped on the bottoms first, followed by the top.
“Yeah, it feels so different from the roughspun fabric and leather we usually wear,” Jevan said as he slipped into his sleep clothes, before guiding Ardyn to sit down on the couch and turn his back toward him.
“I wish we had brought our packs with,” Jevan said, using his fingers to help Ardyn untangle his wet hair. “I’m going to miss brushing your hair.”
“Why don’t you use that replicator to make a new hairbrush?” Ardyn suggested.
“How’d you get so smart?” Jevan teased as he went over to the replicator again. “Cytra, can you replicate a hairbrush?”
The replicator display showed an array of hairbrushes made from different materials and different styles of bristles. “There are so many to choose from. Which one do you like?”
Ardyn came over and looked through the options with him. “That one, I think,” Ardyn said sleepily, pointing to one that had a wooden handle and soft, brown bristles. “That looks like it would feel nice.”
Making their selection the replicator created the brush. Taking it out of the receptacle, Jevan admired the craftsmanship. “Good selection,” Jevan said. “Although, I still want to get my other brush back, eventually. It was a gift from my sister.”
Sitting back down, Ardyn turned, so Jevan could use the brush on his hair. “Yeah, I have a few items in my pack I would like to have, too. Just some trinkets I’ve collected over the years. We should go get them when we have a chance.”
Jevan slowly worked the brush through the wet strands of Ardyn’s damp hair. He enjoyed working out the tangles until Ardyn’s hair was smooth and nearly dry. This was an evening ritual that he would miss, if they ever went their separate ways again.
Once Jevan was done, Ardyn turned. “Thank you. I really enjoy it when you brush my hair. It’s very soothing.”
“You’re most welcome,” Jevan said with a warm smile and a wink. “I find it relaxing, and I’m glad you trust me enough to do this for you.”
“Right now, you’re the only one in this world I do trust,” Ardyn said honestly.
“That means a lot,” Jevan said, looking back at him with a smile. “The feeling is mutual.”
Returning the smile, Ardyn crawled under the covers. “Now come, let’s go to bed. I feel like I could sleep for a week.”
Jevan rolled his eyes. “Yes, dear,” he teased as he set the brush aside and slipped under the covers next to Ardyn.
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