Numb (3 page)

“Wow. May I?” Aster held out her hand.

Tentatively, Gala slid her fingers against Aster’s palm. The warmth of the skin, the texture, it all joined with the ease of motion. She could bend and flex and feel.

“So, with your condition, your hands and feet took most of the damage?”

“Right. The rest of me is easier to keep track of. It is the extremities that take the hits over and over.”

The energy that was making the repairs moved out of her body and ran up in waves from the fingertips, back toward her heart. Rekfa fixed the thick scars that went bone-deep and worked on her until her body felt completely new. Well, that was accurate, because her body could finally feel.

Gala withdrew her hand and touched the roses. “There is almost a cool touch to the petals.”

“You can recognise hot and cold now?”

“Rekfa is giving me the right reference points while he works. This is my body, he is simply doing renovations.”

They started to walk along the paths once again.

“How does it feel to have a masculine presence in your mind?” Aster blurted it out.

Gala smirked. “Rekfa isn’t masculine or feminine. He simply has worn the male body so long that everyone believes that is the gender of the world. It will be a difficult adjustment for those manning the temples, so I am going to have to visit each one in turn to introduce myself.”

“Do you need company?”

“This is something that Gala must do. They must recognise her face as my face, because it will be that way for a few eons. Your people are perfectly suited to habitation, by the way. Her body was damaged, but her mind is exceptionally strong.”

“Of course, Rekfa. She seems pleased with the arrangement.”

“Not yet. She is intrigued by her lost sense being returned to her. I am trying to find a means to keep her satisfied with the bargain she has struck, but I am unsure as to what means to take.”

“Well, a worldwide tour will let you know her and her you. Don’t overstimulate her. She has just begun to learn what her body should have been doing all along. It could overwhelm her.”

“I will take that under advisement, Aster. Now, go to your mate. He is darkening my front path.”

“Fine. Just be careful with her. She is more like a flower than a stone. She can hurt now, and she can feel it. Pain is a bit of a shock.”

“Understood, now go.”
Rekfa waved her off.

Gala watched from behind her own eyes, surprised at how easily Rekfa had taken over. There was no transition, no request. He had needed to answer Aster and so had simply stepped into her form, fully and completely.

Aster bowed, smiled and launched herself into the air, heading for the front of Rekfa’s home.

“So, I get to make friends and they will just fly away?”

They ride along the ley lines and currents of energy that are across my surface. If you like, I can make this area inaccessible by air to anyone but us.

“No, they seem nice enough.” She thought of the glow in Arez’s eyes.

Do you want him? He is very amenable to sexual matters.

Gala felt flustered. “Oh, no. I mean, he does look very attractive but that is not a form of contact I have ever sought out.”

To her shock, Rekfa locked her body, and he went through her memories. When he was finished, there was nothing she had hidden from him. Her soul had been turned inside out.

Gala remained quiet as Rekfa walked them back to the house.

Instead of heading for the wine rack, they knelt in the centre of the building and Rekfa concentrated, sending waves of energy out into the walls and panels of silk.

The rock groaned and shifted.

Gala knelt in the centre of the changing structure until dawn had come and gone. Time felt different with the world inside her. Nothing was urgent.

I apologise for the suddenness of my examination. I have not been in an actively living being for centuries, and I had forgotten how painful it would be for you.

“Was that pain?” There had been fire, a strong urge to run and prickles along her nerves. Pinpoints of sensation that she hadn’t been able to figure out.

It was pain. Emotional pain is different. You will learn the processes in time.

“Oh good. That was missing from my catalog.” She chuckled. “What happened to the house?”

You are a new Avatar, and you deserve to be in a home that fills you with joy. After all you are offering to me, this is the least I can do.

“I am glad you are happy with the exchange. I thought you would be a little perturbed at changing sexes.”

Not at all. It is good for me to feel all sides of the spectrum. My own soil did not lead to intelligent life, so having folk seek me out gives me a new perspective. Change is good.

“And yet, you are content to wear me for centuries?”

It is a pleasure to have you with me.

Emotional pleasure was something she was familiar with. The satisfaction that was running out of the energy inside her, the consciousness that occupied her was pleased to be there. There was no doubt in her mind.

Clothing appropriate to Rekfa was waiting for her in the wardrobe. She tried on a few outfits that were barely there, but the exposure was too much for her.

Her final choice was a set of tunic and trousers with slit sleeves and sides. The wide belt kept it close in to her body and supported her. The constant contact was comforting. It was a touch, a feeling she could predict, and predictability was important.

Are you ready to travel?

“Don’t I need shoes?”

I don’t know. Do you?

She took stock and looked down. She hadn’t even realised that her feet had only touched the ground for those few minutes before he entered her. She was millimetres above the ground, not on it.

My energy field keeps you from touching down. It is the same means that allows us easy propulsion.

The energy field swelled around them, and they flew off through the sunset to the nearest city.

Rekfa had gone over the necessity of the visits, as well as the transformation of the temples into something that suited the new Avatar. The introduction to the few occupants of the world was going to be a little awkward, but it was necessary, and Rekfa was more than willing to back her up.

They landed outside the small city, and Gala walked toward the bustling streets. The mixture of technology was interesting, but the roads were paved, and even the markets smelled fresh.

The people of the city looked at her curiously, and a few smiled in welcome. Gala smiled back at the faces built in every skin colour, tone and texture that she had ever imagined. She wanted to reach out and touch those skins, but it might not be acceptable.

Gala folded her hands in front of her, and she glided through the streets, guided by her intuition to the temple.

They will not speak to you until you speak to them. They wish to address you in your own language.

Rekfa was referring to the merchants on the street. She eyed a few shops with longing but kept up her walk.

The temple was a smaller version of Jurad’s home. She followed the silent directions that Rekfa whispered in her thoughts, and she put her foot on the steps a young man was sweeping.

“There are no petition periods scheduled for today, ma’am.” He moved to step between her and the doorway.

“Good. I am not here to ask Rekfa for anything.” She continued to advance, and she felt the surge of power through her head.

Her eyes were now swirling with bright energy, but she kept her gaze from his as she walked into what was Rekfa’s home away from home. Rekfa was putting brilliant purple into her gaze, and it swirled with the dark brown of her regular colouration.

Rekfa wanted to see what his maintenance men were going to try on a woman who had entered his temple. Jurad had gotten one reception, and Gala was getting another.

When the teen gripped her bicep, she looked at him and he staggered back. His eyes went wide, his mouth opened and closed before he ran off through the pillars and panels of floating silk.

She walked to the centre of the space as voices and the skidding of feet rustled in the background. Gala knelt in the contact point, and Rekfa began the process of remaking the temple.

The energy crackled and finally faded. She thought she would run out of power, but the reserves were endless. She rose to her feet and exited the temple between the two rows of attendants who bowed as she passed.

The first city was remade, and the wide-terraced house now stood where the temple had previously sat. The inhabitants were gathered, and they applauded as she exited her new home.

One of the attendants of Rekfa’s home came forth. “Avatar. We grieve the loss of Jurad with you and celebrate your new arrival. It has been suggested for several years.”

“Thank you.”

“Avatar, may we know your name?”

Gala pulled energy into her and lifted a few inches off the ground. “I am Gala-Rekfa. Thank you for your welcome. I hope it will be reflected wherever I go.”

A few vid cameras followed her as she soared upward. She was off to a solid start.

Four temple changes and introductions later, she landed in Myar City and walked through the streets. Word had spread, and there was a crowd waiting for her.

Children threw flower petals under her feet, and she smiled as she felt the caress on her soles.

The riot of scents and colours blended with the caress on her feet to keep the smile on her face as she paced through the streets toward her temple.

Arez was leaning on the wall outside her temple with a bouquet of flowers in one hand and lying across the expanse of his chest. “Avatar Gala-Rekfa, you are looking well.”

She paused. “Arez. Good day. Thank you.”

“Aster created these for you; they are her new roses. She said you were to select one, and Gala’s rose would be crafted into a bush that she would install in the gardens alongside Jurad’s rose.”

She looked at the flowers he was still holding to his chest. “A flower? For me?”

“Yes. Go and do what you have to do as Avatar. I will be here when you emerge.”

Her trousers fluttered around her legs as she entered the temple and began the renovations once again. Her stomach fluttered at the smile that Arez had given her as she walked away.

You want him.

She blinked and settled in the centre of the building. She whispered quietly. “It doesn’t matter.”

It does. He wants you as well. He had to fly like hell, protecting those flowers, to make it here before we did.

Gala smiled softly. “I don’t know much about normal courtships.”

Excellent. Arez is far from normal. He will not do anything you do not wish him to. He can’t. You have the energy to flatten him into paste if you wish. I want you to be able to indulge in any experience you want. You have been the victim of violent crimes and that will not happen again. I am here to protect you, but you have your own mind, your own will. You can come and go as you please, but I will always be with you. Occasionally, I will have to insist on my issues taking precedence, but I will attempt to limit those events. Feel. Take the joy offered in others. I understand the sleep your senses have been in. My senses rested until the first colonists attempted to dig into my soil. That touch was my first stimuli out of my boring existence. When the ship with Jurad and Yodin arrived, I leapt at the chance to have a life among the walking and talking living.

I wish you to take the same chances. I have never been able to observe it and am curious to how your mind will accept the thrills and dangers.

“Dangers?”

There are always dangers when you engage in relationships. The danger comes to the emotions, not to the body.

Gala sensed the anticipation in Rekfa. “You want to experience this, don’t you?”

Yes. Women flocked to Jurad, but after a while, he despaired when those he loved grew old and passed away. He gave up on life and faded away, leaving me with only his form as a memory. I want you to remain happy and strong for as long as you can.

She whispered again, “What if he grows tired of me?”

Then he is not worthy, and I will send him away if you wish it. This is your world now. The only ones who belong here are those who help you move forward in life. All others can be dismissed.

“That is rather harsh.”

My world, my rules.
I can and will protect you at every opportunity. You are my link to the world, and your satisfaction comes first.

She listened to the vibrations of energy in Rekfa’s thoughts. He really meant it. He was bristling with his intention to keep her safe. It was almost frantic.

Gala felt the care and protection around her more than any casual touch. She breathed in and exhaled softly as the power flowed through her and out her hands and knees.

The stone shifted and changed its shape into a terraced house with wide verandas and an open courtyard in the centre. It was a cross between pictures she had seen in travel magazines back on Terra. Places she had wished to see and would never have a chance to. When you couldn’t feel your hands and feet, travel was dangerous. Even crossing the street was dangerous. The sudden feeling of freedom and protection was going to take some getting used to.

A fountain graced the centre of this particular temple. It was Gala’s personal touch to add to the formality and ceremony of the courtyard, but it was also pretty. A winged figure sprouted from the centre, and when Gala walked toward it, she noted that it was a depiction of Jurad as an angel. Her iconography was a little muddled as Jurad was holding a trident to the skies.

Thank you. It is good to see a piece of him here. He had a wife here. They did not have children, but her family still resides in this place.

“I am glad it brings you joy. I know you are still grieving.”

I will always grieve for him. He was part of me, and I part of him. Now, I have joined to you, and I will feel the same for you in time. We are still in early days.

“I know. Well, this house has been remade in my image. Time to go and enjoy my flowers.”

Rekfa was silent, but she could feel him watching as she tentatively left the temple to look for Arez. He was right where she had left him but sitting on the ground with the flowers in his lap. They looked just as fresh as they had when she had entered the temple.