Γ 14

[silk_for_calde]

I stopped to inquire at one of the little tents as to why they were giving injections, and had a fascinating conversation on the subject of immunizations. The technology to create vaccines is lacking in my whorl, unfortunately; it is a shame, because I imagine it would save hundreds of lives. Especially in the Orilla, and in my own Sun Street Quarter; when diseases hit there is so little that can be done to stop their spread, and the consequences can be devastating.

The concept, though, of immunization is not unknown; there are certain diseases, mostly childhood ailments, which one does not catch twice. Often, if a child is infected, her neighbors' children will be sent to play with her so they will sicken. It seems backwards, even cruel; but as a child's body is more resilient, it is easier for her to fight the disease while she is young, than to risk sickening as an adult, and experiencing a much more severe and dangerous illness.

I gather the theory is the same with vaccines; only without the necessity of actually experiencing the sickness, in general. I suspect this is something that was known to my ancestors, but that we no longer have the knowledge to create these medicines. Living here I am reminded every day of the disparity between what my whorl has, and what it must once have had. Any one of us can learn to operate the mechanisms of this City, the day-to-day items, but many of us could never comprehend the skills needed to make them. So it was with us; like children living in the ruins of our parents' home, we survive, but we cannot rebuild.

I shouldn't let myself sound so sorrowful. I spend too much time alone, here, I think.

In any case, though I am not prone to illness, I've now been vaccinated as well. They warned me that I might experience some symptoms but thus far I feel quite well. May Fierce Phaea bring those of you who have fallen ill a swift recovery.

Comments

[lionesscouchant.livejournal.com]

You're not sick, are you?

I would like to spend more time with you, Silk.

[silk_for_calde]

No, Lucy; I'm actually feeling quite well. I thought it best to take the precaution, though.

I'd like that as well. Have you been to the zoo here? I've been thinking I'd like to visit it. I imagine they have creatures here that do not even exist in my whorl.

[lionesscouchant.livejournal.com]

I would like it very much if I could go with you.

[silk_for_calde]

Shall we go tomorrow? I don't teach on Sphigxday. Ah, Saturday, I should say.

[lionesscouchant.livejournal.com]

Yes, please.

[silk_for_calde]

I look forward to it, Lucy.

[ooc: i could have sworn i replied to this last night :O ee. did you want to log or just assume?~ I'll be around a couple more hours tho I'm goin out later. ^^]

[Next day?]

[lionesscouchant.livejournal.com]

[She's waiting for him at the entrance of the zoo]

[Next day indeed :3]

[silk_for_calde]

[Silk arrives, dressed in black as always, smiling brightly when he sees Lucy waiting for him.]

Am I late? I hope you haven't been waiting long.

[Next day!]

[lionesscouchant.livejournal.com]

[She sees him and smiles a little]

No, not at all.

Re: [Next day!]

[silk_for_calde]

Good, good. [Still smiling, he gestures toward the gate.] Have you been here before? I've only read about it.

Re: [Next day!]

[lionesscouchant.livejournal.com]

Yes, once. But I'm glad to come again.

Re: [Next day!]

[silk_for_calde]

We haven't a public zoo in Viron, though some of the wealthy citizens keep small menageries. The beast market, though, is perhaps the closest parallel.

[He began walking at a leisurely pace, not sure whether he ought to offer Lucy a hand. One of his own students would have been too old for that, and though she was somewhat younger than his boys, she seemed older than her years to the augur.]

Re: [Next day!]

[lionesscouchant.livejournal.com]

Really? There wasn't a zoo in Narnia, because all the animals were free.

[She solves the problem by taking his hand anyway]

I like Lions the best.

Re: [Next day!]

[silk_for_calde]

[He smiles at that; he worries too much about things which are solved simply.]

Do you? In my whorl we call today Sphigxday, after the youngest of Pas' daughters, and lions are sacred to her.

[He raises his free hand absently to his face, running a finger down his cheek.]

Though I imagine it might be dangerous, if lions ran free.

Re: [Next day!]

[lionesscouchant.livejournal.com]

Well I suppose that rather depends on the lion.

[She tugs him over to look at the monkeys]

Do they have those in your whorl too?

Re: [Next day!]

[silk_for_calde]

I suppose it does.

[He tags along obediently]

We do, though they're not native to the area around Viron. They can be trained to do a great many things people can do, did you know? They're very clever animals.

Re: [Next day!]

[lionesscouchant.livejournal.com]

Yes, I think they are.

Although sometimes we make fun of people by saying they have a face like a monkey. Like my brother Edmund.

Re: [Next day!]

[silk_for_calde]

[He laughed at that.]

Does he really look like one? Monkeys in my whorl are symbols of the goddess of knowledge, so perhaps it would be a compliment. But... probably not.

[He winked rather conspiratorially at her.]

Re: [Next day!]

[lionesscouchant.livejournal.com]

[She laughs too]

He does, when he's surprised! Although the girls rather fancy him so maybe he does know a lot.

Re: [Next day!]

[silk_for_calde]

Perhaps he does.

[He smiled at the thought, heading for the next habitat when she seemed willing to move on.]

You've mentioned other siblings, I think. Are they all here with you?

Re: [Next day!]

[lionesscouchant.livejournal.com]

[She freezes]

....Peter...P-peter went home.

[You touched that sore spot, Silk. She's sniffling]

And E-Ed went away too.

Re: [Next day!]

[silk_for_calde]

[He stops as she does, eyes widening with concern.]

Oh, Lucy... I'm so sorry.

[No wonder she's seemed so subdued. The augur kneels beside her and gives her a hug. The poor girl...]

Re: [Next day!]

[lionesscouchant.livejournal.com]

[Her arms go around his neck]

And S-susan is sti-still here and so is Ca-caspian but I miss Ed and Peter so much!

Re: [Next day!]

[silk_for_calde]

[He pats her back, trying to comfort her, wishing for perhaps the thousandth time that Maytera Mint was here; the youngest sibyl was adept at mending children's broken hearts.]

I know, I know, my child... But I am sure you'll see them again, when you return to your whorl.

Re: [Next day!]

[lionesscouchant.livejournal.com]

W-What if I don't go back?

What if Caspian and Susan leave too?

Re: [Next day!]

[silk_for_calde]

If I told you that they certainly won't, I would be lying; I suspect not even the deities here fully understand why people arrive and depart as they do.

[He would have liked to tell her everything would be all right; he wished he could. But though it might make her feel better now, lying could only hurt in the long run.]

But, Lucy, I feel certain you will see them again, some day, no matter what.

Re: [Next day!]

[lionesscouchant.livejournal.com]

I don't want to be alone! I'm not scared often but I hate thunder and....

[She takes a deep breath]

I'm sorry.

Re: [Next day!]

[silk_for_calde]

You don't have anything to be sorry for.

[He smiles reassuringly, wishing he had a handkerchief or a tissue to offer her.]

Everyone is frightened sometimes, remember? And I don't believe anyone wants to be alone, although some people say they do. Lucy, I am sure that Caspian and Susan will stay with you if they can.

Re: [Next day!]

[lionesscouchant.livejournal.com]

I hope so.

Re: [Next day!]

[silk_for_calde]

And if they cannot, if they must return to your whorl... Even if you are frightened sometimes, you are one of the bravest girls I have ever met. Promise me you will remember that?

[ooc: aaaand i gotta jet for a while! :O i'll probably be back late tonight, orz ♥]

Re: [Next day!]

[lionesscouchant.livejournal.com]

I promise.

Re: [Next day!]

[silk_for_calde]

Good.

[Silk offered his hand again, still crouching beside her.]

I have faith that, no matter how difficult things become, you are strong enough to do well, here.

[livingmyths.livejournal.com]

Hi, Silk.

I'm sick. So I'm stuck here in my house.

I'm not used to being stuck in one place. It makes me all.. itchy.

[silk_for_calde]

I'm sorry to hear that, Rain! I do hope you'll feel better soon. I suspect you will heal more quickly if you rest, though, even if it makes you restless.

Would you like me to bring you anything?

[livingmyths.livejournal.com]

I know it will, but it's hard.

Maybe you could come and tell me stories?

[silk_for_calde]

Certainly I shall, as long as you don't mind that most of my stories are from the Writings. I can't think of many that haven't a religious meaning, in my whorl.

[livingmyths.livejournal.com]

I like those best!

[silk_for_calde]

Then I will gladly share some with you, Rain.

[livingmyths.livejournal.com]

Oh good!

I really like the stories about the one who even watches over people like me.

[silk_for_calde]

The Outsider? I'll do my best to remember more of them; there are not so many that mention, in the Writings, and it has been some time since I've studied them.

[livingmyths.livejournal.com]

Oh, any of them will be fine. And I like hearing the same stories over and over with them so I can remember them right.

[silk_for_calde]

It will do me good to try and remember more; I'll hold off repeating them until I have no choice.

[ooc: unpredictable weekend is unpredictable! xD we can log tomorrow if you like? @_@ or just assume he came over to tell her stories, whichever you prefer <3 sorry i am flakey]

[livingmyths.livejournal.com]

Oh, that would be lovely!


[ooc: either is fine with me. My weekend has been crazy made of fail anyway. ;)]