I wandered
out of this "Hive" as they call it, finally scraping together enough
food and courage to wander afield. It is not hard to recognize the city's
guards, more by their rigid walks and constant glares at anything. Others are
more difficult, especially as there are few commonalities among them. Every
citizen is different. Sure, there are humans, dwarves, elves, and other various
species I recognize, but then there are the bariaur, tieflings, githzerai,
aasimars, and hundreds of others. I can see demons and devils that were used to
frighten me as a child, famous by their descriptions and menacing presence, but
there are no undead that I have seen.
I make my
way to the sounds of merriment, where the streets are crowded with performers
and celebrators. I take part when I can, but most of the diversions require
money or "jink" as they call it. I spend the few coppers I've
gathered for bread and sit and enjoy the performances from afar. The dancing,
poetry, and even street theater lighten my heart.
Later still
I find the heart of the celebrations, a building known as the Festhall.
"Welcome
to the Sensorium," a friendly Bariaur said. "For a few coins you can
experience wonders that others have been recorded. I am Annali
Webspinner."
"H-How
can I experience these wonders?"
"The
stones in this place have been enchanted. People come in and record their
experiences and feelings. Others can pick up the stones and feel the experience
for themselves. It is only by having experiences that we truly understand
life's offerings. Try that one."
I picked up
the smooth stone, holding it in my hands. After a moment I felt myself looking
through someone else's eyes.
I was in a
forest, a lively, golden wood filled with sunlight and music. I was dancing
around, twirling an elven maiden in my arms as the instruments played. People
laughed and clapped when they didn't drink of wine and mead, and I felt happy,
so happy.
Abruptly
everything vanished as Annali took the stone from my hands.
I blinked,
gradually resolving where I was again. "Rain. Do you have any rain?"
"Of
course. Many different kinds. You can experience rain on the top of one of
Bitopia's mountains, looking up at the other, or the rains of Arborea's fields.
If you are more adventurous you can have the rain of Baator, which stings with
fiery heat. Perhaps the storms of Ysgard are to your liking."
"Simple
rain. A long drizzle, cool, like in a mountain. Here." I passed over every
coin I had. "Please. I know it's not enough . . . please."
Annali
studied me, then nodded. "Come. This way."
He led us
further into the Festhall passing room after room all filled with stones, all
catalogued by the type of experience. We passed others along the way, some
wide-eyed like me, others seemingly comfortable, and still others looking as if
they were a part of this place. I couldn't readily understand why I thought
that, but it felt right. I saw a group of what looked like adventurers—reminding
me of my own friends who had fallen—who seemed to be negotiating for something
with a smiling woman with slightly curved horns and a barbed tail.
Annali
brought us into a room and pointed to a stone. "That is the one."
I picked it
up and felt myself standing on a mountain underneath a mostly clear sky, but
cool rain drizzled on me. Above I saw another landscape, other mountains above
the clouds, but I didn't care.
I reveled
in the rain.
I
remembered Rina.