Posted by Fleet Captain Kelly Bordeaux (Commanding Officer) in A Tale of Two Cities-Bandi and Windar…life in Vela Astria…when the past doesn’t match the present or the future

A TALE OF TWO CITIES…Life in Vela Astria
BANDI

The morning sky burst into shades of red, pink, and gold as the sun slowly rose on the horizon Dawn had always been seen by countless species as the start of a new day. The sounds of the night slipped off to sleep under the bright, warm sun as birds replaced crickets and insects replaced wolves. The soft glow of sunshine spilled through the windows into the house signaling the occupants that it was time to awaken and begin the day.

Shading his eyes from the bright sunlight, Kotos Vullo woke up with a feeling of peace and serenity. Glancing over at his wife, he felt a serenity knowing the day he always knew would come had finally arrived. Leaning over his kissed his wife. It was barely a kiss with his lips brushing her cheek being careful not to wake her. Slipping from his bed, Kotos looked back at his wife. In the early morning light, she looked beautiful to him. Her hair spilled around the soft silken pillows almost as if she were a princess in some romantic novel. Exiting the room, he made his way to the kitchen. The kids would be up soon and all he wanted was a mug of blutean in peace and quiet before the rush of feet, running down the steps signaled his family was awake.

A small giggle followed by the impact of a tiny body pulled Kotos’s attention to eyes sparkling and bright holding a stuffed Chrisvens mouse so loosely in her hand it was sure to drop to the floor. The smile on the little girl’s face radiated the epitome of being a child and waking up ready for the excitement of a new day. At five, it was clear the little girl knew something wonderful was going to happen but the excitement in her eyes showed it was going to be a grand adventure for her. The sounds of her laughter filled the room, as Kotos hoisted her into the air and smothered her face and cheeks with kisses. Walking with her in his arms, Kotos carried the little girl to a plush, purple, cushioned stool as she peppered him with questions about what they were going to do today. The excitement was almost tangible as she dropped the stuffed Chrisvens mouse into the seat beside her and arranged the toy so that he could also share in her breakfast. Right now she felt safe That was all she wanted: to be downstairs at the kitchen table watching her dad pull out plates and dishes ready to make breakfast in the warm and cozy kitchen.

Opening the doors to the cold cabinet, Kotos began to pull items from it. Fruits and vegetables, dairy and eggs filled his arms so much so he had to use his chin to balance it all for the short trip to the counter. A frown formed on his daughter’s face as she realized there were no tartanberries laid out among the items retrieved from the counter. Crossing her arms she stuck out her bottom lip and fixed a rigid stare on her father. Picking up his mug of bluetean Kotos opened his mouth to chastise his young daughter but stopped as he felt an arm encircle his waist and a hand remove the mug he was about to drink from. This was
a game they played at times. Today his wife had won the prize, a ready cup of ambition she did not have to make herself. A teasing thank you and wink showed his wife was in a frisky mood and was looking to make her husband a bit friskier at the same time. Letting out a laugh he leaned down to kiss his wife. Having these two women in his life meant Kotos was often not in control of his life. Their wants and needs always eclipsing his own but to him, it was never a problem. The two faces looking back at him made his world complete and he would do anything for them.

WINDAR

The evening sky melted into shades of red, pink, and gold as the sun slowly dipped below the horizon Dusk had always been seen by countless species as the end of a new day. The sounds of the day slipped off to sleep under the cool, dark moon as crickets replaced birds and wolves replaced insects. The soft glow of sunshine receded through the windows into the house signaling the occupants that it was time to sleep and put the day behind them.

Squinting his eyes, trying to see something in the inky blackness slowly engulfing him, Shev Ardu, struggled to contain the feeling of terror and anxiety washing over him. Glancing over at his wife, he felt a dread deep in his core knowing the day he always knew would come had finally arrived. Reaching over he grabbed his wife and kissed her deeply. The kiss was not soft or gentle but filled with hunger. As he drew back, he could see the terrified expression in her eyes and felt a rush of anger knowing nothing he could do would alleviate it. Reaching up he brushed the hair off her face. Even with the grime and dirt stuck to her cheeks and forehead, she was the most beautiful woman he had ever seen. She was his life. She was his strength. At that moment, Shev knew if one of them had to die tonight, it would be him. Without her, his life had little to no meaning.

A whimper beside him pulled Shev’s attention to eyes wide in terror and clutching a stuffed Chrisvens mouse so tightly to their chest the little hands were almost as pale as his daughter’s complexion. At five, it was clear the little girl knew something bad was going to happen but the fear of not knowing was consuming her. She knew enough not to talk but soothed herself by stroking the head of the stuffed toy rhythmically. Reaching out he gathered the young girl into his arms crushing her to his chest. No child should carry the look her eyes were reflecting from her soul. She did not say anything as she felt Shev’s arms press her tight to his body. Instead of crying out, she turned her head and laid it on Shev’s shoulder. Right now she felt safe That was all she wanted: to be upstairs in her bed and not hiding in the dank, musty cellar of her own home.

Reaching to his side, Shev opened the small sack next to him and began to pull items from it. A half a loaf bread that was starting to get spots of mold, two potatoes, and three tartanberries fit in his entire hand. A smile formed on his daughter’s face as she realized there were tartanberries among the items retrieved from the burlap sack. Clapping her hands, she let out a small wiggling dance on Shev’s lap fixing a bright smile and happy expression on her father. She knew there were more in there but only once a day did her papa bring out the small skyblue fruits. It was normal to have one at night but the fact there were three had the little girl overwhelmed with excitement. It meant she would get her own and not have to share it with her mother and father. Part of the little girl felt bad for being so selfish yet it had been a long time since she had been able to eat a bowl full of them herself. Passing the food to his wife’s lap, Shev picked up a berry and tapped the girl’s nose with it playfully eliciting a giggle. His wife let out a small chuckle of her own as she worked trying to pick off the moldy spots from the bread but keeping as much of the bread as possible. The moldy pieces of bread would not go to waste, however. She would give them to Shev to put out in the make-shift traps her husband had made. How they would heat the meat or cook any rodent they might catch plagued her mind yet they had no choice but to try. The only other option was to starve. Looking over at his wife prepare the meager meal they had, Shev felt a pang of worry and guilt in his gut. He did not let it consume him, pushing past it to remember with each new day there was a chance their lives would change. Hope was all he had along with his beautiful wife and daughter. Leaning over, Shev kissed his wife but spoke no words. He didn’t have to. She knew exactly the worry and love in his thoughts. Handing him his portion of bread, she let her finger trace the inside of his wrist. A fleeting moment of intimacy on her part reminded him that as long as they were together, they would be okay. Shev returned the gesture with a smile bowing his head to start the prayer. Having these two women in his life meant Shev was often not in control of his life. Their wants and needs always eclipsing his own but to him, it was never a problem. The two faces looking back at him made his world complete and he would do anything for them.