[Story scene post]
"Yarth. Blacks rarely use our names among others. We're usually just known as a Black or Master Healer. But, among each other, I was called Yarth."
I move my arm back and forth, rocking the level one. "We need a name for this little one."
"Yes. And some food and clothing, I imagine. Come, let us go to the building of the Colorless. See what we can find."
"I imagine we're going to need to rename such places. I am grateful that you're here with me, so please do not misinterpret this, but I long for a Red."
Yarth chuckles. "I do understand. They could reach the level fives, get us some knowledge. It would be very useful. I can help keep the little one alive, but I have no useful skills to impart."
I find a white vegetable that looks similar to a rock. "I remember the Colorless boiling these and mashing them up for us when I was a level two. Perhaps this will do?" The level one is screaming, making my voice almost inaudible.
Yarth takes the little one from me while I prepare the food.
"Why would the world make me the Valianter?" I ask.
"The what?"
"Darterra said it's the one who raises this new generation, I guess. Maybe you're one too? I don't know. I fed Jaildarn when he was cold and hungry, like that little one. What if I hadn't acted that day? Would everyone be gone now?"
Yarth puts a hand on my shoulder. "If Jaildarn were honestly on the brink of becoming a level five that day, a Black would have come. We had to intervene several times among the Golds. Honestly, when the story of what you did reached us, we questioned if you were part Black."
"The story? You heard about it?"
"The Blacks, Reds, Opals, and Purples met to discuss your unusual interaction with that Gold." Yarth taps my jewel. "Though I only see Brown here, you may have been the original redesignation, for you acted above and beyond mastering mountains."
My cheeks flush. I use the tools of the Colorless to mash the boiled vegetable in a bowl.
QUESTION -- Have you ever felt regret for helping someone?
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I have had not enough time to read your story, and I was deterred by the explaining parts in the beginning of April, swore to return later, when you got the storuy upå and running, then never made it.
ReplyDeleteI'll be back rainy evenings in May.
Wow, what a nice way to use AtoZ challenge for writing a story. I came upon your page from your comment in my blog. I will have to start the story from A, will check it out. Thanks!
ReplyDeleteOh, that makes sense - he's the original redesignation!
ReplyDeleteI'm not sure I've ever regretted helping someone, but I have been disappointed on occasion it didn't "work" the way I hoped.
I am intrigued by your world-building. I must read more.
ReplyDeleteHave I ever regretted helping someone? No… oh, hang on. There was that time someone was frantically waving someone down at the side of the motorway to get a lift to the airport, since her taxi had broken down. We were only about three junctions away, so I piled her and her bags in, and set off. She seemed to have a lot of time before her plane… and then I discovered she was flying from Gatwick, another 45 minutes away! I was late for what I was doing, but she got her plane (I think).
ReplyDeleteI'm working my way through the April A to Z list from the bottom up! I decided I should jump to the top today! I'm not sure I've regretted helping someone though my husband has been known to say, "no good deed goes unpunished" which makes me think there might have been a time! Thank you for co-hosting the April A to Z!! It is truly a challenge!
ReplyDeleteI have missed the whole story, but it sounds like a potato. Sour cream? Butter, salt? Only white foods? I should go back and read. I did the middle of the list where I am, then today started at the bottom of the list and there are lots who either never started or only did a few letters, so I've been spending more time looking for a worthy read than getting to read. Starting at the top now.
ReplyDeleteVery interesting story. Yes, many times I have regretted helping someone because I gave an inch and the person took a mile.
ReplyDeleteThere have been a few times where I’ve regretted helping, but then it assumes we help for some sort of emotional reciprocity.
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