Xenia: Reflections on the Shore

[AndromacheNY]

Andromache sat on the terrace looking out past the beach far below and into the deceptively calm surface of the ocean beyond. Below the surface and beyond the horizon, unseen currents bringing unseen events. Challenges and opportunities. Pleasure and pain. Joy and sorrow. All the currents ebbing and flowing and churning over, under and through each other.
 
She reflects on the events of an unusual gathering:
 
Many avatars she had hoped to meet with were not present or unavailable-- occupied in other matters.

Projects and research have been delayed.

Questions are still waiting unanswered.
 
She was temporarily made into an otter!
 
She chuckles. It had all been so absurd. Not only was there a considerable, if temporary, jump in net Nexal otter and rabbit presence; but the panoply of such a motley collection of avatars -- Cody, Yuri, Pheno, Tartuia, Horrace... all small and furry and adorable and SINGING TOGETHER as if on some bizarre camping excursion!
 
And then of course Cygni rephased into alignment with the general Nexus and crashed into this reality tearing a respectable swath through the middle of Proper.
 
And yet... the hectic pace of prior gatherings to which she had become accustomed was missing.
 
Andromache sighed contentedly, inhaling the aromas of the Island: oranges, cardamom, and lemongrass, Night Blooming Jessamine and Chinese Rice Flower, roses and Angel's Trumpet, the rich dark soil, and, of course, the salty tang of ocean air.
 
Perhaps it was she and not the gatherings that were changing. She thought back to her first cycle in the Nexus. She had been so calculating, so aggressive and desperate for order. She didn't trust easily, and she didn't like anything she couldn't control. She shook her head. She had been so lost. So full of fear.
 
Yet just this past weekend, she had been forced to reschedule major projects. She was way behind on several major research trees. She'd had no end of difficulty connecting with other Delphi via Delphic link through the whole gathering. A giant monolith fell from the sky. She had invited a crazy little pterodactyl to reside in Xenia. And on top of all that, she'd been turned into an OTTER!
 
If these events had occurred a few cycles before, her reaction would have been markedly different-- obsessively gathering data, strategizing, analyzing, stockpiling armaments, and pouring over blueprints.

But she wasn't frightend anymore.

Instead of mounting defenses, her mind was occupied with leisurely musings: what fresh produce to pick up from the agora tomorrow morning, what type of gift Piotr and Natalya for watching Kay and Thea all weekend. She wondered whether there would be ample time for a proper stroll with the girls to the dairy for yogurt and the lavender farm for honey. It would be nice to take them along after breakfast... pack a picnic lunch and let the girls crawl through the clover and look at the goats.

She'd only been gone a couple nights, but she was already longing for some private babytime. Explaining the pros and cons of human child-rearing practices to Felegro at the gathering only had her missing them even more than usual.

She nodded to herself, resolved, they would have their jaunt before her appointment to inspect construction on the eastern wing of the Aqualogy Center, and she'd take them along to the center as well. The two curious half-year-olds loved watching the mesmerizing colors of the endless schools of fish. And once they tired themselves out moving up and down the transparent underwater corridors, they'd be primed for a long nap on the cushions in the coral reef themed reading room. Andromache would then have time to discuss details for the next phase of construction with the contractors and architects.

Excitement and pride swelled in her chest at the mere thought of the Xenian Aqualogy Center. The structure was already so much more than she had first envisioned -- a true blending of art and science, ancient and modern. The unfinished center was already beautiful and emerging on the shoreline with breathtaking speed-- a shining edifice of marble, metal, and myriad textures and colors of glass taking its forms and lines from the many wonders of Poseidon's domain.

When complete, it would serve as a school, a museum, and an aquarium, complete with facilities for continual studies of the local and more distant waters. The designs for the grand conference hall were still being revised, but were already addressing the need for a symposium space that would prove comfortable and convenient for visiting guests and dignitaries of multiple races. There had to be seating and maneuvering room for the Northern Centaurian clans from the high plains and similarly suitable designs for the merfolk and other primarily subaquatic peoples as well. This would be a place of knowledge and beauty for all Xenians; and that intention was being considered at every stage of its evolution.

Coming out of her reverie with a glance up at the sky's rapidly changing hues, Andromache realized it was getting late.  Piotr had insisted on making a "Welcome Home" feast, and the aromas were wafting from the kitchen windows. Natalya was playing with the girls on the pantry floor. Andromache could hear from the clattering that Kay and Thea were practicing their telekinesis on the pots and wooden spoons.

She retrieved a grapevine basket of offerings from the place where she'd left it on the patio wall. There was still time to go to the temple before dinner, bathtime, and lullabies.

The path to the temple was peaceful. The stepping stones were cool and smooth under her bare feet. The white roses were stunningly large and fragrant.

It was hard to imagine what she might be doing tonight had she never come to the Nexus. The Gods had taken her from a life that was rigid and planned and entirely someone else's design. They had hurled her into this realm of constant change.

In the past six months she had found a profound calm deep within herself. It filled a void she had never known was there.

There was so much to be thankful for.

[Aiskon]

A small metal sphere races towards Xenia, and stops when it locates Andromeche (homing in on the signal device given to her by Aiskon).

When it finds her (through a recording requesting to deliver a message) A hologram of Aiskon appears and says,

"My dear Andromeche. I have been negligent in my duties with you and your children.  Please accept my apologies.  I have been working on honing new abilities that may be helpful in dealing with some not so nice beings in the Nexus.  Would you be so kind as to visit Refuge at your earliest convenience.  The girls should have a check-up, and I need to speak to you concerning some things.  Just take this sphere, and with a double tap, speak 'refuge' and it will create a gate to my ship.  If you are unable to leave within a day, please return a message with this sphere by tapping once - recording a message, and ending with 'Refuge Kaete. 

Thank you, dear friend."  and the holograph stops.

[AndromacheNY]

A message is relayed back to Aiskon at Refuge. The Holographic image reveals a stunning woman in a sleek silver garment with a number of tech devices. She appears to be of Afro-Asian heritage. Her voice is friendly, but formal.

"Greetings Admiral Aiskon Tyrwos: I am Oba Dalanae, Head of the Xenian Communications Network. We intercepted your communication to Lady Chthoniaos. I am contacting you to let you know that Andromache is temporarily out of the domain, but we are expecting her back shortly. She informed us not long ago by electronic communication that she would be bringing several guests to the Domain for Nexal entry debriefing and q&a. She further instructed that anyone seeking her was to be invited to dinner this evening at the main house. I am certain she would be delighted to see you there, and if your communications are of a sensitive nature, I expect there will be ample time to parlay in privacy after dinner. If I may be of further assistance, please do not hesitate to contact me at any time. I look forward to meeting in person one day. Oba Dalanae, out."

[Aiskon]

The data sphere with the message returns to Refuge with the answer.  It zips to the lower level lab where the commander is, and hovers outside of the door.
In a few minutes, Aiskon opens the door, looking haggard.  There are multiple non-functioning robots inside. 
She reviews the response, and smiles.
She send the drone back to Xenia with the answer, "I will be there."


She uses the teleport system to go up to her living suite and readies for the dinner.  Meanwhile, the robots in the old lab begin to stir. The largest one comments, "remind me to deny the request next time she wants to try out something new." it said to the others.  "Now I know what sleep is, and I don't like it."
"You were warned, Hachiman.  She said it could drain your batteries to empty."
"But Rama, how often has her powers worked so effectively?"
"She has never tested any destructive powers on us."
"Have to have them to use."

[Aiskon]

Dressed in a plain dark blue jumpsuit devoid of decoration, Aiskon exits her suite followed by her red phoenix.  She stops briefly at her lab, checking the results of the latest experiment.  A small smile crosses her brow, and she downloads the data to a crystal.  Moments later, she is in a small craft heading towards Xenia. The craft will land close to the entrance shown by Andromeche in the past.  Aiskon waits.

[gaylord500]

Out in Proper, Eli puts out a thumb. Seeing no-one around, he scribbles on a piece of paper and pins it to himself before hooking out his thumb, to the empty plain, again.

"Xenia or Bust!" it read.

For good measure, he yells, "Is there anyone around going to Xenia? I could use a ride there."

[AndromacheNY]

Eli is embraced by a soft breeze fragrant with the heady scents of tropical flowers, ocean air and grove after grove of oranges. Apinpoint of aqua light cuts an archway through the air directly before him. A sheet of falling water hangs like a beaded curtain in the archway and parts as if by invisible hands for Eli to pass through. On the other side, there is a stretch of immaculate sandy coastline edged by lush greenery and flora. A stepping stone path leads away from the beach into the wild garden.

[gaylord500]

"Hurrah!" Eli says. He waves his arms above him as if victorious. "Woo hoo!"

Leaving the sign behind, he hops on over to the beach...

[Horace]

Horace nods and leads away from the Bazaar. After a very short walk, he spots the Orange tree.

"Different Domains have different rules, including how you get there. For Xenia, just approach the Orange tree and desire to be in Xenia."

Horace will watch Des to make sure she gets through, and will then follow.

Horace
Citadel

**Cross posted from Bazaar Bulletin Board to make sure Andromache/Molly sees it.

[gaylord500]

..leaving behind a sand castle and assorted sandy outbuildings for the waves to take, Eli walks up the path, into the garden.

[AndromacheNY]

Horace and Des, upon approaching the orange tree, are met with a doorway identical to the one Eli passed through not long before. Facing the same spot on the beach shortly after Eli starts into the garden path. Sandcastles are slowly being swept gently into the evening tide. The sunset is just beginning to fingerpaint the sky with streaks of rose and gold and lavender.

[Horace]

Horace watches as Des approaches the orange tree and a portal opens that looks like a sheet of falling water. As Des approaches, the water parts to allow her through.

"Just walk through, that is Xenia."

Horace follows Des through the portal and they find themselves on a beach (described a few posts ago) just in time to see Eli walking up the path to the garden. Once through the portal, Horace stops and watches Des, to see her reaction to another of the Nexus's wonders.

Horace
Citadel

[Des]

Wideeyed, Des looks around her in awe, trying to process the past few weeks has been difficult on its own, but right now passing thru a mystical waterfall to a beautiful beach just put the icing on the cake. Slowly as she steps forward and turns in circles trying to take in her new surroundings. The warmth of the sand passes thru the thin materal of her shoes. "Amazing." she wispers to herself. "Simply amazing." She slides her feet out of the shoes and walk down to the water just to feel the ocean on her skin. She held the bottom of her skirt as she stepped in the water.

"Horace, This is place is stunning." She said walking back to where she left her shoes. She kicked sand off of her feet before sliding back into her shoes.

[AndromacheNY]

Des, after taking off her shoes and making direct contact with the island feels the welcoming spiritual embrace of Gaia and as the water laps around her feet she feels the acceptance of Poseidon all around her. The whole domain wants to fill her her with a profound glowing feeling of peace.

[Horace]

Horace chuckles at the wonder and amazement.

"Xenia is just one of many Domains. Once the Nexus deems you worthy, you will have one as well. And it will look and behave just as you wish it to."

He waits for Des to get her shoes back on. "I believe we are to go up this path. Appears to be a residence just over the hill."

Once Des is ready, they begin walking up the path. First it is surrounded by the sand of the beach. Then low lying greenery. Soon in to tropical woods.
As they round a bend, they enter a clearing overlooking the beach and sea, in which they find a small stone statuary, mostly covered in moss, depicting images of hermes with his wide brimmed traveling hat (protector of travelers), a strong bearded man with a fish tail and a trident -- clearly the ocean protector, a vuluptuous maternal figure covered with vegetal imagery holding a snake, and a kneeling female by a hearthfire.
"Appears to be a shrine. I recognize some of these, tho likely by different names than they are known by here."

Horace steps up to the edge of the clearing, and stepping out of his sandals will approach the shrine. Reaching in to his bag, he produces some incense and a small candle. Kneeling, he clears the remains of past such offerings and lights and places his. As this is all happening, Des stands quietly watchingl. After a moment, she nods her head and bows, holding that pose momentarily before straightening.
Finished with his offering, Horace stands, steps backward away from the shrine, right in to his sandals, as if he'd practiced the move for decades. Looking at Des, "ready to proceed?"

Horace
Citadel