The land is not as constant as the sky

[cavelion_totem]

As the earth turned her face more toward the sun and the seasons grew warmer, the people who inhabited the prehistoric world rejoiced in the bounty of vegetation and new life which would inevitably lead to good food. It was a simple subsistent existence, timed to the moon, the sun, and the slow dance of the stars

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[stranded_ford]

Ford liked to think of his hobby as a form of community service. It was hunting after all, even though it had taken him a while to get used to doing it with more human reflexes. He'd had to change his technique a bit, but Ford Prefect was nothing if not adaptable.

Which was why he walked by the pool with two large birds slung over his satchel. He'd arranged his towel rather jauntily around his head, the sun was bright, and his more primitive and predatory instincts had been appeased. Ford Prefect was in a good mood and he waved at Ayla as he walked by.

"Hey, Ayla. How's it going?"

[cavelion_totem]

It was what was called an 'expression', his greeting. She had come to understand that nothing was actually going anywhere. It was simply an inquiry as to how she was faring this day.

Ayla rolled and swam to the edge, holding on with one hand and waving with the other. "Going well," she said, looking at him and then his catch. "Ix hunts birds today...I can cook for you?" she asked. It was work, but not the kind she minded. She would cook her own meal soon enough. Adding his would be no trouble.

[stranded_ford]

"Sure thing. In fact, you can have them if you want. I wasn't planning on doing much with them, just looking for someone else who wanted them." He crouched down next to the water to be more on level with her.

"So how have been lately? Do you need to borrow The Guide for anything?"

[cavelion_totem]

Ayla nodded enthusiastically, thenpulled herself out of the water to retrieve the clutch from him. She paid no attention to bein naked or wet, or the fact that even her totem pouch had been set aside. What luck to have fresh meat for the night without having to hunt!

"I thank you, Ix!" she exclaimed. "You hunted, you must eat. Eat and bring Guide. I have many questions."

[stranded_ford]

Ford really didn't care about nudity. He was far too well traveled and highly evolved (or so he liked to think) to care about silly things like that. It was all cultural anyway. He tried not to muck about in cultural in the off chance that some of it might stick.

"All right. What sort of questions? Not more sex, right?" It had been an interesting conversation if nothing else.

[cavelion_totem]

"No. Not sex. I want to know stars and sun and moon," she said as se looked to the sky. "Stars here are not the same as my land. They changed, I see this, when snow is...was...was still on this land. Will your Guide tell me why stars change?"

[stranded_ford]

"Probably... A lot of things make stars change position. Time, location, planet... all sorts of things. The Guide can explain it better than I can though." He could try. It just never really made much sense. Ford could leave Earth's top scientists in the dust with some of his explanations on a good day.

[cavelion_totem]

"The Guide expalins well. I ask many questions and Guide is patient to answer all things," Ayla said, shivering a little in the breeze. She looked around an picked up the discarded shirt and tugged it on, the eager sparkle still in her eyes. "Ix? Is this bad? Asking many questions?"

[stranded_ford]

"Well, it depends on who you are asking them to. If it's someone big and important with the power to crush you like an insect, then it's probably not too smart to ask too many questions." He grinned. "But I've made a living out of asking questions, so it can't be that bad."

[cavelion_totem]

"I have not seen anyone big enough to crush me," she said, her eyes growing wide. Did people grow that large?