(Untitled)

[beentodamascus]

One of the last things that Adam remembered before waking up on the island, other than Fiona and the snakes, was Ros screaming his name. She'd wanted him to come back, but he wound up somewhere else entirely instead. Sometimes, if he fell into a deep sleep in his clothes, which he did, from time to time, he'd have dark dreams, and, all the time,

Comments

[cavelion_totem]

It was a wise idea, these wooden paths. Ayla had watched from the jungle as the men had laid the flat pieces of wood--boards--and pounded them into place. The Others walked along them instead of in the dirt. Although the woman was used to walking over rocks, twigs, and dirt, she had to concede that it was a much easier way to travel around this island.

She saw the man coming toward her and he had not seemed to see her. Ayla stepped off the path, yielding the way for him and stood still with her eyes lowered. She had grown accustomed to the way people here dressed. It seemed there were so many customs regarding dress and speech. Try as she might, it was difficult to overcome her upbringing and she was more cumfortable wearing her leather wrap about her waist and the strap of suede across her chest since it was required to conform and not breach any taboo.

Ayla waited quietly for him to pass by so she could continue on her way.

[beentodamascus]

Although he appeared wrapped up in his own head, he noticed her from way down the path. If he'd stopped noticing things like that, he'd fallen way too far from London for his liking. The way she stepped to the side and made room for him was strange enough that he came to a halt, just short of her.

"Good afternoon."

[cavelion_totem]

"Good afternoon," she replied. She could still hear how she did not say the words properly and no amount of practice seemed to help her to remove the strange accent.

She hadn't truly expected him to acknowledge her, a mere woman carrying on with her tasks. She looked up briefly then droppedher gaze again. This idea of absolute directness between men and women was something she could do, however, it made her uncomfortable. She felt more comfortable in the ways of her own people.

[beentodamascus]

She looked uncomfortable, skittish, and she reminded him a little of Sarah, in the way that she was watchful. He took a step back from her, and held up both of his hands in a passive, apologetic pose.

"I'm sorry if I startled you."

[cavelion_totem]

"I saw you from there," she replied softly, point off down the boardwalk. "I am not...startled? I do not know this word. I am Ayla. Only Ayla," she continued. She recognized the stance and relaxed a bit. He was obviously not upset with her, which she should expect by now. None of the men here were ever truly troubled by here mere presence.

[beentodamascus]

"Startled. Surprised. I was worried I'd scared you." He nodded. "Ayla. I'm Adam."

She'd relaxed, so Adam relaxed too, mimicking her stance, a tad unconciously.

"Only Adam."

Why complicate things?

[cavelion_totem]

"Adam. I know Adam...two men have same name? Is this happening many times? Adam-mun-row and only Adam?" she asked. The two Adams did not look or sound alike at all, but it was not common among her people to have the same name as another living person. She looked up in confusion, her brows deeply furrowed.

"I think now I am being surprised. Not scared. I never know about two men with same name."

[beentodamascus]

"There are a lot of Adams," said Adam, nodding. "The first man was named Adam. He was married to a woman named Eve."

It was the strangest conversation to be having. So strange, but, somehow, it took his mind off of Ros, for a moment.

[cavelion_totem]

"First man? My people have one story about firsts...the People. The people do not have names. Not until Sacred Bear tells them," she offered. She worried her lip between her teeth nervously. None of the people she had talked to about her people had any idea of what she was talking about. It only illustrated to her the difference between her people and the Others.

[beentodamascus]

Adam nodded. Sacred bear. Those were some old beliefs, right there. They'd had Wes baptised by in a little Anglican church not far from Fiona's parents' house.

"Different people believe different things."

[cavelion_totem]

"Yes. I know this." It was one of the first things she had learned. All the differences. Sometimes it was more difficult to find the similarities when she felt so out of place among these new people with pets and skin of all colors. And beliefs.

"Oss-tin does not believe in right and wrong," she offered. "My people do not believe shirts are good when it is so hot. All people are different. Ix tells me difference makes all things beautiful."

[beentodamascus]

"Ix is right," said Adam, a small but genuine smile on his face, now. "If everything was the same, it wouldn't be as beautiful. There wouldn't be any reason to go anywhere, ever again."

And that reminded him that he probably wouldn't ever go anywhere again.
He felt Damascus the hardest, maybe, but he missed London so much.

[cavelion_totem]

"I do not go anywhere," Ayla said plainly. "I only hunt. Find plants. Watch people. Here, not all places to go. This is one island. It is not big."

It had been many days to the Clan gathering. That and the mammoth hunt were the farthest Ayla had travelled. It was wiser to stay close to home, in a landscape the people knew well. That was one of many ways they ensured survival.

[beentodamascus]

Adam nodded.

"I know that. Nowhere to go around here." He swallowed, a little painfully. "A friend of mine has gone home."

It was the first time he'd said it. Somehow, it made it more real.

[cavelion_totem]

"How does she go home? I do not find paths to land I know even when I look," she replied, noting his change in demeanor. Once she had asked, she instantly looked down. "I am sorry, this woman should not ask too many questions."

[beentodamascus]

"She's just...gone."

He held up his hand again.

"You can ask me any questions you like. I live with a ten year old. I'm used to it."