The Fantastic Meeting

[Dannflower Reguba]

       The horizon, normally a joyful wonder, had it's mystery turned to something more serious in it's questioning. Your gaze scanned the recent invader in the early hours of the morning, only to draw the same conclusion, or lack thereof, as every other day. No more than two weeks had passed since the strange... mass, for lack of any better description, showed up, and in that time, there was but one thing that stayed constant. A soft, white, foggy "Doorway," or at least that's what it appeared to be. Nobeast had attempted to enter as of yet, but you would soon change that. A volunteer for the trip of a lifetime...

[Dannflower Reguba]

       The time for hesitation is over! Behind you lies an unusual assortment of beasts whose curiosities have been pushed to the brink, and before you, the white mist. You take a step forward, and are lost to the world you knew. You feel a pull, not at your fur or clothing, but at something inside yourself. Gut-wrenching might be a bit excessive, but the feeling isn't notably gentle either. The moment passes, but your confusion only grows as you step into the coalescence of grandeur and wonder. It is a room of cosmic proportions, not nearly the nondescript blob you had witnessed prior. The interior is defined by an ever-shifting kaleidoscope of colors refracting off of crystalline surfaces that served as columns to some extent, yet the source of this colorful light was hidden by the rooms reflective nature. "Welcome," with a start, your attention is immediately and fully drawn to the figure of the strangest sable you've ever seen, not that the almost echo'y voice hadn't been disconcerting on it's own. His body seemed to be comprised of.... everything? One of his legs seemed perfectly normal, but poking out under the lengths of his... robe? One could see a wooden foot, and fully functional at that, not to be outdone by a sleek, metal hand showing from the single, long sleeve of the silvery cloth. The other arm, his right, was less elegant, seemingly comprised of slightly mossy rocks, but with blue veins none the less. His face was a patchwork of colors and designs, though it was still characterized by the natural darkness of a sable. One eye was sharp, alert, judging, and yellowish orange, the other black instead of white, with a liquid-like blue iris that seemed to have infinite depth, like it was constantly trying to swallow you. The tail was the only thing that seemed relatively normal, though you tried not to focus on it too much so as to avoid finding yet another absurdity in this contrivance of fantasy before you. It is now that you realize that the two of you are not alone, quite the opposite actually, as the room is filled with others that seem to be of some similar level of confusion as yourself. All the while, the strange creature, the one seemingly responsible for this meeting of sorts, stands patiently, allowing each their time to acclimate.

       The longest mere five minutes of your life pass, and the sable finally moves again. Reaching into a satchel that you'd somehow managed to miss upon your prior inspection, he pulls out a magnificent tome in both scale and appearance. He holds it with his right hand, but as he opens his palm, the book does not slip out of his grasp, rather, it seems to become surrounded by a nigh imperceptible, green.... something. You can't rightfully describe within any terms that make sense exactly what it is, thus having to chalk it up to, well, magic. He smiles, producing a simple quill from his sleeve before speaking, "You are all both infinitely near and far from whence you came, but please, do not worry yourselves, your every need will be satisfied in our time together. Instead, in this time may we all engage our curious minds... Would you explorers indulge me with but a simple request," his smile broadens to what even you can identify as genuine, eager, joyful anticipation, "Please, tell me about your homes..... tell me everything!"

[Dannflower Reguba]

       Time is lost to you, then again, does such a thing exist in a place such as that which you occupy at this very moment? Curious explorers, the sable sure nailed them all on the head with that particular description, not a single complaint was had during the countless conversations that took place in this gathering of dissimilar individuals. The histories you've heard have boggled the mind, brought a laugh to your belly, and a tear to your eye. You've held the quill and seemingly recaptured every event of note from your history, some of which you'd swear you'd never even heard of yourself. Alas, a mere few hours, even those that span whole weeks could never be enough. Your mind fills, but is never full, one more story is never enough. The sable chuckles knowingly, "You all understand, as all others have. I bid you good tidings, as sadly you cannot follow... Though in parting, I leave you this. Your knowledge, though temporary, contains value beyond that which you could ever comprehend. Do not fear the loss of a thought for the greater revelation that will stay with you always. As you depart, you will lose much, but that which lives on is contained without the spirit that brought you here in the first place... Live on, for your joy, has been made eternal."

       You know not why you are lying down, nor why you are being crowded around by many bustling questioners. What you do know, is that life is more than you and me, it transcends the stars above, outshines the light they bring. You do not recall your adventure in the wake of the disappearance of the strange object, yet you smile. You may not remember all that was glorious, but you've found something so precious as is rarely seen in one so young, fulfillment in your conviction. Satisfaction is the garden of joy, and your field is forever fertile.

"Sweet dreams child, the stars are but a waypoint on a journey most grand"