StoryPaws: A Mystical Old World Story: Toxics (6)

StoryPaws: Stories to help you pause, and relax.
Felicity is swept into the mystical Old World where plants and beasts are equal, and all are heard. There she meets Reuben, whom she must help to save his beloved Old World from the threat of the Toxics...if she wants to return home.
Use this story to help you unwind, rest, and take a mindful pause.
You may like to listen to the first five episodes first!

Transcript

Chapter 6 Shorsh.

The sun was barely peeping over the summit of the dark hill as Ruben called everyone to awake.

Beasts and plants rose and took food.

More forest peas discovered Flisty.

It seemed they simply ate one food from each area in which they traveled.

They didn't seem to carry much at all,

Just a few coverings and containers.

She watched carefully,

But couldn't see any evidence of secreted food.

All weapons,

Thankfully.

It made traveling so easy and there was absolute trust that the land would provide each day.

Flisty thought of her world as it was now.

Food traveling backwards and forwards across its surface aimlessly.

Mountains of waste rotting in stinking heaps,

People starving in countries affected by climate or wars.

She sat up.

How I wish we'd remembered some of this simplicity.

Ruben approached and held out his hand to help her rise.

I hear some of your thoughts,

Flisty,

He said.

You must accept that even in your world there's a plan.

I feel your sadness and despair.

But life is joy and all will balance somewhere for those concerned.

Maybe not in your world,

But in another world that you have yet to discover.

Never despair.

It's extinguished energy.

Felicity took his hand and slowly let the breath go she'd subconsciously been holding.

As she exhaled,

She felt the despair leave.

There's always hope,

She thought.

And beauty.

Even if it takes a little time to find it.

She thought of the wonderful givers of her world.

Those who gave all their time and lives to helping the plants,

The beasts,

The people.

Yes,

There's balance,

She replied.

But in my world it's sometimes hard to find.

Ruben offered her some of the cool green liquid they'd washed the spicy peas down with last night.

And she sipped a little before asking.

Ruben,

What are the aquatics?

The drink chilled her stomach as she drank some more.

It tasted so refreshing.

She felt it cleanse her from the inside.

A little burp bubbled up.

And she struggled to keep it down,

Panicking that Ruben would hear.

But he was brushing out the last traces of the fire whilst he spoke.

We have a very long day,

Felicity.

I will let Sib tell you about the aquatics.

He will enjoy sharing his knowledge with you.

As they began to climb the dense forest path,

Ruben called Sib to walk by Felicity.

Well,

Felicity,

Where do I start?

Said Sib.

He sounded a little irritated and Felicity wondered why.

He spoke quickly.

The aquatics grow at the edges of all our waters.

Their main growth is in the warm western lagoons and lakes close to the oceans where their enharmonics,

The oceanids,

Live.

But their tuberous shoots spread out across the whole world in a vast mat.

Their hollow tubers sift the water in which they float.

And as all that happens leaves its traces upon the earth,

By nightfall so too,

They gather information along with their nutrients.

Our world is full of water.

Oceans and rivers,

Cascading waterfalls and streams,

Tiny rivulets.

Into each and all the aquatics have their tendrils.

They are the interconnecting web of communication of our lands.

At that instant a loud rumbling reached their ears.

Sib stopped scuffling and Felicity instinctively crouched down.

They were deep in the forest.

And the noise was deafening.

The ground shook.

Felicity looked about her.

The left bank was still covered in dense vegetation.

No escape there.

To the right were glistening green banks.

It seemed to be a bulge of rock covered in water that only allowed this slimy plant to grow.

Ruben was shouting instructions up ahead as the vibrations intensified.

Felicity looked at Sib.

Scaly head stretched to the length of his arm.

His nostrils flared as he tried to catch a scent.

The two lupata had gone to the front of the trail.

They stood upright,

Heads raised and teeth bared,

Ready to defend.

The tall green stood either side of the troop,

Branches linked,

A daisy chain of protection.

The other plants and beasts huddled hopelessly in the centre.

The leaves were covered in moss.

The leaves were covered in moss.

The leaves were covered in moss.

The leaves were covered in moss.

The leaves were covered in moss.

The leaves were covered in moss.

The leaves were covered in moss.

The leaves were covered in moss.

The leaves were covered in moss.

The leaves were covered in moss.

The leaves were covered in moss.

The leaves were covered in moss.

The leaves were covered in moss.

The leaves were covered in moss.

The leaves were covered in moss.

The leaves were covered in moss.

The leaves were covered in moss.

The leaves were covered in moss.

The leaves were covered in moss.

The leaves were covered in moss.

The leaves were covered in moss.

The leaves were covered in moss.

The leaves were covered in moss.

The leaves were covered in moss.

The leaves were covered in moss.

The leaves were covered in moss.

The leaves were covered in moss.

The leaves were covered in moss.

The leaves were covered in moss.

The leaves were covered in moss.

The leaves were covered in moss.

The leaves were covered in moss.

The leaves were covered in moss.

The leaves were covered in moss.

The leaves were covered in moss.

The leaves were covered in moss.

The leaves were covered in moss.

The leaves were covered in moss.

The leaves were covered in moss.

The leaves were covered in moss.

The leaves were covered in moss.

The leaves were covered in moss.

The leaves were covered in moss.

The leaves were covered in moss.

The leaves were covered in moss.

The leaves were covered in moss.

The leaves were covered in moss.

The leaves were covered in moss.

The leaves were covered in moss.

The leaves were covered in moss.

The leaves were covered in moss.

The leaves were covered in moss.

The leaves were covered in moss.

The leaves were covered in moss.

The leaves were covered in moss.

The leaves were covered in moss.

The leaves were covered in moss.

The leaves were covered in moss.

The leaves were covered in moss.

The leaves were covered in moss.

The leaves were covered in moss.

The leaves were covered in moss.

The leaves were covered in moss.

The leaves were covered in moss.

The leaves were covered in moss.

The leaves were covered in moss.

The leaves were covered in moss.

The leaves were covered in moss.

The leaves were covered in moss.

The leaves were covered in moss.

The leaves were covered in moss.

The leaves were covered in moss.

The leaves were covered in moss.

The leaves were covered in moss.

The leaves were covered in moss.

The leaves were covered in moss.

The leaves were covered in moss.

The leaves were covered in moss.

The leaves were covered in moss.

The leaves were covered in moss.

The leaves were covered in moss.

The leaves were covered in moss.

The leaves were covered in moss.

The leaves were covered in moss.

The leaves were covered in moss.

The leaves were covered in moss.

The leaves were covered in moss.

The leaves were covered in moss.

The leaves were covered in moss.

The leaves were covered in moss.

The leaves were covered in moss.

The leaves were covered in moss.

The leaves were covered in moss.

The leaves were covered in moss.

The leaves were covered in moss.

The leaves were covered in moss.

The leaves were covered in moss.

The leaves were covered in moss.

The leaves were covered in moss.

The leaves were covered in moss.

The leaves were covered in moss.

The leaves were covered in moss.

The leaves were covered in moss.

The leaves were covered in moss.

The leaves were covered in moss.

The leaves were covered in moss.

The leaves were covered in moss.

The leaves were covered in moss.

The leaves were covered in moss.

The leaves were covered in moss.

The leaves were covered in moss.

The leaves were covered in moss.

The leaves were covered in moss.

The leaves were covered in moss.

The leaves were covered in moss.

The leaves were covered in moss.

The leaves were covered in moss.

The leaves were covered in moss.

The leaves were covered in moss.

The leaves were covered in moss.

The leaves were covered in moss.

The leaves were covered in moss.

The leaves were covered in moss.

The leaves were covered in moss.

The leaves were covered in moss.

The leaves were covered in moss.

The leaves were covered in moss.

The leaves were covered in moss.

The leaves were covered in moss.

The leaves were covered in moss.

The leaves were covered in moss.

The leaves were covered in moss.

The leaves were covered in moss.

The leaves were covered in moss.

The leaves were covered in moss.

The leaves were covered in moss.

The leaves were covered in moss.

The leaves were covered in moss.

The leaves were covered in moss.

The leaves were covered in moss.

The leaves were covered in moss.

The leaves were covered in moss.

The leaves were covered in moss.

The leaves were covered in moss.

The leaves were covered in moss.

The leaves were covered in moss.

The leaves were covered in moss.

The leaves were covered in moss.

The leaves were covered in moss.

The leaves were covered in moss.

The leaves were covered in moss.

The leaves were covered in moss.

The leaves were covered in moss.

The leaves were covered in moss.

The leaves were covered in moss.

The leaves were covered in moss.

The leaves were covered in moss.

The leaves were covered in moss.

The leaves were covered in moss.

The leaves were covered in moss.

The leaves were covered in moss.

The leaves were covered in moss.

The leaves were covered in moss.

The leaves were covered in moss.

The leaves were covered in moss.

The leaves were covered in moss.

The leaves were covered in moss.

The leaves were covered in moss.

The leaves were covered in moss.

The leaves were covered in moss.

The leaves were covered in moss.

The leaves were covered in moss.

The leaves were covered in moss.

The leaves were covered in moss.

The leaves were covered in moss.

The leaves were covered in moss.

The toro dipped his head in greeting.

The toro dipped his head in greeting.

This was not a fast act.

First he moved one leg in front of the other.

Then he shook his huge head Then he shook his huge head and ever so slowly lowered it towards the earth and ever so slowly lowered it towards the earth until only the dark,

Woolly jungle right between his ears was facing them.

Right between his ears was facing them.

He snorted with the effort and a group of colour changers were blown high into the sky.

And a group of colour changers were blown high into the sky.

Everyone laughed and the toro straightened up.

He looked straight at Felicity.

Felicity joins our quest from.

.

.

Felicity joins our quest from.

.

.

A far Finnish shore,

Still scrutinising Felicity.

His eyes were a deep green and a little cloudy but the expression in them was not.

Felicity felt herself blush.

Felicity felt herself blush.

It is an honour to meet such a fine young creature,

He said gallantly.

I'm happy to meet you,

Sir,

She replied.

May I call you a more simple name?

He bowed his head in agreement.

Then I shall call you George,

She said.

Ruben hesitated,

But as the toro said no more,

He continued.

And she finds our names difficult.

And she finds our names difficult.

He looked up through the trees at the paling sky.

The hour grows late and we must reach the waters by nightfall.

We shall all call you George,

Henceforth,

With your permission.

Toro,

2524th.

Now let's walk and talk.

Everyone seemed eager to move off.

The day had been long and exciting.

Felicity wondered what food they would eat at the next camp.

In front,

The landscape opened into a vast grey plain.

But in the distance,

Felicity saw a sparkle and smiled.

Yes,

Felicity,

We reached the shore.

Yes,

Felicity,

We reached the waters at last,

Said Ruben,

Appearing as he always did without her noticing.

She had missed him today.

He wasn't very good at keeping his word to stay by her side.

His mouth lifted in a mischievous grin,

And she felt a bit strange.

She shivered.

I miss your company too,

Said his voice into her head.

And then he continued aloud.

Each trail throws new challenges each day.

Why is Georges here?

Asked Felicity.

As if he was inside her head even when she wasn't aware of her thoughts,

He replied.

Georges was travelling before seeking a new mate,

As his lifelong partner was lost many years ago.

He says the rumours he hears are very worrying.

Has he heard of danger then?

Felicity asked.

She was still not sure how she felt about this mountain of a beast in spite of his twinkly eyes.

But if there was close danger,

She was glad to have him too.

No,

Don't be scared.

We should be far from any toxics for now.

No,

This natural desire to preserve the old world,

Which is inherent in a Toro,

Simply prompted him to divert his journey to join us for a time,

I think.

He hasn't mentioned danger.

His knowledge and strength are an unexpected gift,

Felicity.

I hope to persuade him to stay with us as long as possible,

In spite of the Torels.

Ruben's mouth lifted at one corner.

Could you tell me more of Georges' kind?

Asked Felicity,

Enjoying his company and determined to keep him by her side a little longer.

Well,

The Toro are respected for their strength,

Their stamina,

Their stoicism,

And they can carry wisdom.

They,

And not the Lupata,

Are chosen to guard the sacred caves,

Because their strength,

Endurance,

And stability outweighs the fiery nature of the Lupata.

Felicity was tired.

Every question was answered with another mystery.

What were the sacred caves exactly?

Why did they need guarding?

Felicity sighed.

It was hard not to think of home at times like this.

How long would she have to be in this world?

Would she ever be allowed home?

A chill crept up her spine.

She actually felt the hairs on her arms lift.

She glanced at Ruben,

Who was marching beside her.

His profile was strong against the darkening sky.

The bump on his nose fascinated her.

She realised she was smiling.

I'm terrified one minute,

And dreaming of kissing his nose the next.

The thought came unbidden to her mind.

Oh no,

He's smiling now.

Could he hear my thoughts?

Did I conceal them?

Flustered,

She strode forwards to catch up with Gus,

Who was trundling ahead of them.

As they crossed the slightly boggy plain,

Darkness fell.

There was not much conversation.

The Lupata led the group.

Georges walked at the side of Ruben.

The noise of his feet striking the ground was deadened in this boggy landscape,

But the squelching was sufficiently loud.

The thick fogs of before had not descended,

But a clinging mist was rising from the earth.

Oh,

This endless marching,

Thought Felicity.

Georges decided to sing to cheer her up.

He could feel her misery and wanted her to admire his deep,

Wonderful voice.

Lo,

Lo lo lo lo lo,

Lo lo lo lo lo lo,

Lo lo lo lo lo lo lo,

He sang in a deep boom.

Felicity surreptitiously stuck her fingers in her ears.

He wouldn't see in the gloom,

She thought,

Not wanting to offend this proud old beast.

His song lasted until they reached the water's edge.

Ruben and Georges organised the camp.

Zib and Gus worked together to begin a fire from the driftwood on the beach.

The Lupata scavenged for sand chutes,

And the colour-changers flew about distributing them.

Felicity clutched her handful and bit into one.

It was chewy and tasted a little like liquorice.

It was dark grey and not attractive,

But it was the best thing she'd ever eaten at that moment.

Everyone sat or lay or leaned or piled up and chewed their sticks.

The Lupata swallowed them whole.

The greens licked them delicately.

She and Ruben chewed them slowly.

Georges ate his entire supply in one mouthful and went in search of more.

Felicity didn't like to ask how the leafy colour-changers ate,

But of course Ruben was there in her head.

They only require liquid,

He explained.

It supplies them with all they need.

When you're satisfied,

Felicity,

Please sleep.

You've done so well.

Your kind are stronger than they look,

He said and reached out to touch her with a pat of reassurance,

But found himself gently stroking her hair.

Felicity was quite pleased with her hair.

It was a grubby blonde colour,

But it was thick and grew fast.

Its curl was enough to annoy her and enough to make her mother smile when she brushed it.

It reached just above her waist and bounced when she walked.

Ruben had been watching it with fascination for the last two days.

The orion hair was long and strong also,

But it was dead straight.

He tied his back with a woven cord.

Ruben stroked her curls for a moment longer and Felicity allowed it.

She lay down with a sigh and Ruben felt Sib staring at him.

He returned the gaze,

His eyes steady and clear of expression.

Sib looked away.

Then Ruben left Felicity and strode amongst the weary travellers,

Ensuring everyone was settled.

When he returned,

She was almost asleep.

Sleep well,

Little Felicity,

He murmured as he finally lay down himself.

His face was serious.

For tomorrow we cross the seas to the temperate north,

And there I am not sure what to expect,

He murmured.

Watching the flames gently flicker,

His thoughts took him back to his home,

To Orion country and the Orion women.

He was ready to find his enharmonic he knew.

He felt the need within him.

It was time to become mature.