Posted by Civilian Yavia Crockett (Nurse - Sacred Heart Hospital) in Sacred Heart Hospital Security Ward - Any Excuse Indeed

Posted by Major General Charles Tenkiller (Vice-Commander, Colonial Customs and Defense Agency) in Sacred Heart Hospital Security Ward - Any Excuse Indeed

(snip)

He smiled at her and then laid back and looked at the ceiling. His voice changed, becoming something else… a Storyteller.

Yavia laid back next to him and closed her eyes. She heard the change in his voice but she felt the change deep within him. She’d never felt anything quite like that, she was fascinated.

“Before there was anything, once upon a time, some of the Osages lived in the sky. We were spirits of star and fire. They did not know where they came from, so the Osage went to Sun. They asked, “Where did we com from?” and Sun said “You are my children.” The Osage thought there must be more, and they wandered further and came to Moon. Moon said, “I am your mother; Sun is your father. But you cannot stay here. You must go down to the earth and live there.” So they came to the earth but it was covered with water. They could not return up above. The Osage wept, but no answer came to them. They floated about in the air, seeking help from some god; but they there were none to help them. Now… all the animals were with them. Elk was the most respected. They all trusted Elk. So the Osage called out to Elk, “Help us.” Elk dropped from the sky and into the water and began to sink. Then he called to the winds with a great cry. The winds came from all sides and they blew until all the waters of the world rose up and became a great mist. Now, before Elk called them to help, the winds had traveled in only two directions; they went from north to south and from south to north. But when Elk called to them, they came from the east, from the north, from the west, and from the south. They met at a central place, and they carried the waters up. At first the Osage could only see rocks. So they traveled on the rocky places, but nothing grew there and there was nothing to eat. But the waters continued to vanish, and at last the people could see the soft earth. When Elk saw the earth, he too was joyous, and he rolled over and over on the earth. All the loose hairs clung to the soil. The hairs grew, and from them came beans, corn, potatoes, and parsnips, and all the good things the earth gives us to eat… and last came all the grasses and trees. Now the Osage wandered the land, and they were happy. But they were lonely. They found human footsteps. They followed them. The Osage joined with Man, and traveled with them in search of food.”

Tenkiller

He went quiet, but there was still that deeper something there, in the room. She turned her head to look at him. “What happened when they joined man?” She was curious and enthralled by the story and how he told it.

Yavia

“They joined Man, walked with them, and soon they were no longer lonely. The Osage decided to stay with Man, and now they are one.” he said simply. “But we will never forget that we come from the stars… and that is why when I went to the Academy my people were pleased. One of the Tribe was returning.” He spoke softly, softly stroking her hair and letting the warmth of the bath and the still of the room work it’s magic.

Tenkiller

A sigh as the heat and stillness helped her relax, turned into a long quiet yawn. “So not only are you the vice commander of the Oed military you are a living legend among your people. I am properly in awe.” She kissed his shoulder lightly. “And what do you make of returning to the stars?”

Yavia

He held her close and said softly “Well it brough me to this point, so I have to say I think it was the best choice I ever made.” He turned on the holovid and put the volume so low it barely audible. “You had a helluva day, V. Get some rest. We can talk more later… I promise.”

Tenkiller