Installation Dec-2 21

Prologue
Para Canon: Lyse was confronted by an alarming dilemma, the city-bound astronomers had lied to him. Farmers could predict accurately when to plow and plant with the Tolhelte calendar via counting the phases of the moon compared to the location of the suns. But they had lied to him, after two decades his most recent attempt at preparing the fields had been wasted.

Para Canon: Ariasra is a special day on the Alkete Calendar. A relic of the past used to harmonize the lunar and solar aspects of the calendar. Referred to as the new year's moon, the day only actually symbolized a new year in the sense that is was preparing the moon for the following year. The day carried over well from the origin planet of Tolholta to the planet of Alsara, and on and around Alsara, did represent the coming of the new year.

Atata Apasa 41st
Ekeu carefully nestled the tome back into its place on the shelf. He stretched, looking around the library for the last time that semester. Exiting the room under the porcelain archway into the hall. He moved slowly towards the stairwell enjoying the calmness that the day presented between the demonstration and the halfway break in the academic year, and he admired the artwork along the hall as he readied himself to embrace the sixth and final semester of the course. The feeling reminded him a little of graduating the elementary schools, but this time felt more sophisticated.

He came to his room and his mind switched gears, contemplating his day off tomorrow.

Day of Ariasra
Ekeu woke up, staring at the ceiling. Looking out the window, his eyes met a light overcast which he knew hid the brilliant dawn, and he could barely make out the soft drumming of a gentle rain and the distant songs and ballads of the morning birds. While still looking out the window, he also looked forward to the events later that day. He thought to himself for a few minutes before hiking out of his room to get ready for the day.

Later On
This thought was cut short as Ekeu heard a familiar voice call his name. He turned around and widely grinned as his eyes appraised Alpe, dressed in a dark blue gown and wearing a simple silver necklace. As Alpe approached him slowly, Ekeu moved closer and embraced her, grabbing booth of her knees and she did the same with his, as they leaned in towards each other. After a moment Ekeu's grip released and their heads drew back upright. "How's the air?!" Alpe asked. "Besides the fact I'm now the best pilot this side of Arhala" Ekeu replied with a slight smile, before posing his own question "How have you been getting along?". Alpe's eyes flicked from his for a moment before she answered "I've been holding up. My family has really helped soften the blow." she responded. Ekeu nodded, his mind soberly wandering back to the memory of her ships landing and resulting failing grade, "Yeah, that must have been really tough". Then steering the conversation away "Girl, you look gorgeous. Why didn't you ever dress like this at the pre-college?" Ekeu asked, pitching his voice jokingly. Alpe's mouth smiled as her face slightly reddened at Ekeu's abrupt flattery. Ekeu heard no audible reply despite the body language, so he continued "Do you want to dance?". "Sure" Alpe replied a little hesitantly.

Ekeu, not entirely sure of himself, led Alpe onto the dance floor a little distance away from the crowd. He took her forearm with one hand, while his other hand remained on her knee as she did the same, they began to sway, stepping backwards and forwards, left and right. Some time passed as they danced in silence. It was finally ended when Ekeu finally said "I wish you were still at pre-college". "Well, there's always programming..." Alpe responded, trailing off as she stared deeper into Ekeu's eyes. "No... I mean, I've missed you" Ekeu clarified, what he thought was, an already clear remark. "It" Alpe got out before coughing "Khgh, It sounds like your grades haven't" she said, half laughing, as her face blushed once more. Alpe then hesitantly let go of Ekeu and quickly turned away from him "Hey, I need a moment" she quietly called back before hurrying off.

Ekeu felt his heart sink and his gut rattle as this happened. Left by himself, part of his mind searched desperately for an explanation, while the other half fell to worry and confusion. Ekeu wondered why she would respond that way. Had too much time passed? Had he misread their friendship? (Script Pending/ Was she religious? Was she lesbian? \). Ekeu took his turn to blush as he supposed that he may have jumped the gun with the remark and shook his head a little as he thought, "It's not like I said I loved her". He knew that he wanted closure before their paths separated completely and, despite the reaction, he was a little glad to have told her how he felt.

Interlude
"Gather round" called a loud watery voice. The cry could be heard clearly by anyone within miles as it echoed across the city streets. "Gather round I say, and listen. The time has come for our foes to feel our wrath and for our voices to finally be heard. Soon we shall fall upon them and our enemy will be vanquished". The growing crowd susurrated with undertones of anger and excitement as it grew in confidence, responding to the thundering words of the speaker. "Cease Aseil, you know they're innocent" a single voice shouted rising above the sounds of the mob.

"I should have known you'd be against this, against us Anhei, you've always preferred them over you're own kind!" Aseil responded, turning the mob on Anhei. With that Aseil drew his sword striding towards Anhei before cutting at him, arching the stroke in an attempt to split his rival in half. Anhei parried and reiterated the unworthiness for such barbaric actions against the objects of Asiel's hatred. Asiel answered "If you have made yourself out to be one of them than you can be the first of them to perish!" Asiel again swung at Anhei wounding him as Anhei continued to protest, those around him in the mob closed in, raining down blows until Anhei's pleas were drowned out and then silenced forever.

Asiel, again rallying the masses and lead his charge towards the neighboring city. They arrived under the dark of night and Asiel spotted an outlying resident. "After me" He called and darted forward in a murderous rage.

Act 2
Alpe felt a sudden small shock on her bare forearm with the impact of the first drop of an oncoming rainstorm. She looked up at the growing downpour as she sat on the large stairway leading up to the building's entrance and soon began to feel the rain's chills peppering her exposed skin as it joined the tears streaming down her cheeks. Alpe was now wishing that she hadn't left her jacket inside, because to retrieve it she'd have to face Ekeu once again. She mumbled to herself as she reluctantly climbed the stairs towards the doorway. "Grievous and exasperating! I've finally heard what I'd been longing to hear and now, now I'm too scared to talk to him! Get over yourself" Alpe said, mumbling under her breathe and despising her awkwardness.

As she came to the door, it opened itself revealing Asa. "Hey Alpe!" Asa said holding the door. "Thanks Asa" Alpe said, grateful but in the fashion of someone who wants to move on. "I hadn't realized it was raining I think I'll follow you in" Asa said as Alpe passed her. Alpe crossed back into the wide ballroom and started fumbling through the coat racks as Asa asked her "Are you feeling alright?". Alpe nodded her head and moments later found her jacket. Alpe noticed Asa grab her own coat before hearing her voice "Do you mind if I walk with you?". Alpe considered for a moment, then nodded. And the two walked out into the storm.

"I can't think straight whenever I'm around him, you know? Just suddenly I'm very aware of my posture, what I'm doing, I can't act normal. I can't think when I'm looking at him but I can't tear myself away from his eyes, I just feel so weird..." Alpe unleashed her torrent of thoughts as they attempted to manifest themselves into that ever elusive coherency "...I just don't know how I can keep going" Alpe finished as the two strolled in no particular direction. "Yeah, you've got it bad" Asa said sympathetically "Alpe, know this, you're smart and reasonably attractive, just don't try to force something that feels premature. Wait until you feel comfortable around him" Asa added. Alpe stopped and turned to look at Asa, noticing for the first time that evening that she must have been half a head taller than her. "It had felt more comfortable before the demonstration, but then being apart reiterated that feeling and I can't afford to rebuild." Alpe replied with some hesitancy wondering why she was saying all this to Asa, who'd mind as well be a perfect stranger.

"You can't afford not to" Asa smiled as she said this. Alpe too smiled soberly, it sounded so poetic, then she concluded with the current dilemma "He said he missed me". Alpe saw Asa's face continue with it's own train of thought for a second than digest what she'd just said. A new look appeared on Asa, a look of an uncovered deception "Kindly get your ass back to the party. I mean what are you and I doing out here in the pouring rain?" Asa exclaimed half shocked before smirking lifting her face up at the clouds, the smirk of a person who had been wasting their time. "What happened to not forcing a relationship?" Alpe asked, not taking notice of Asa's regret that she'd glanced up. Asa dispelled the water off her face before replying with a shrug "I mean, it looks like he already did".

Alpe wrestled with herself for a few seconds, then felt a shy determination, "You know Asa? Thanks" Alpe said stepping a pace towards Asa and grasping her knees, Asa reciprocated and the two embraced. Asa would've enjoyed it more if it were the son of a particular pilots ed teacher but it was wet better than nothing. Asa then stepped back, turned, and sprinted back towards the gala.

Part 3
Ekeu now realized he was standing alone on the dancefloor and relocated himself by the refreshments. He considered chasing after her but decided against it.

Book 2: Gifts are Given to be Given
On hold indefinitely.

Derrick, peered through the crack of light in the window, left by the window curtain held ever so slightly ajar. He saw a glimpse of what had, two and a half years prior, been his home. His reasons for leaving seemed so foolish now and had for some two plus years. But it was the principle of the matter, how could they ever let him back. No, he could not burden them any more than he had already.

Plot points:


 * Derrick ran away
 * Lost his job recently (probably for stealing)
 * His brother had died while he was gone