Things Tasha or Zale have said about their home world (context and formatting missing)

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"I'm sorry, I don't know how I feel about that." Tasha offered over her shoulder as she fluffed a pillow, stopping to look to the window.

"Well I know how I feel." Stacy stated. "Shocked, angry, embarrassed... a little selfish, a lot foolish."

"Stace, you know why I stay here and don't go to live with my father in our home world?"

"You've never really said..."

"Because I love it here but also because... To them, I am living a 'faithless life' while I am here. I dance whenever, wherever I want to, I make friends of all manner of association, I study and learn things that are far outside the thinking realm of Aivik. Debauchery is a word you could use but on Aivik it is so much more harsh and the meaning is so much wider in scope. On Aivik freedom of expression is only to be used in your show for your Faith, for your Love of the Goddess and the Water. I am a heathen and yet I am still expected to return, and to partake in arranged marriage, should my father find anyone lowly enough to want me. When I return, the truth of my life here will be shared with whomever my father has found. My worth would plummet so much it may even drag my father down." She sighed and sat on the edge of the bed.

Stacy felt as if she was taking a great risk just stepping into the room but she managed and sat next to her, a good few inches separating them.

"There are many things here that fascinate me. Many of which I stay away from." Tasha leaned slightly, resting her head on Stacy's shoulder. "I know you would say it's not a fair life but we all have duties."



The healer looked between Stacy and Kuritoo, feeling they must be the most honest people she had dealt with lately. They were open about... so much. Not even Zale or her religion was so truthful? What else did Zale know, that she did not? What else had she thought for herself, hypocrisies she had found, that Zale did not validate? I think I will do whatever I want Zale. You can chide and be angry but you cannot stop me. If, as you said, the Goddess was happy for my being here, then my worth to another for marriage is not at all important. I do not care about the opinions of those from Aivik, as you do not care about my clients or my interests in them. The spirit was quiet and for that Tasha smiled quite genuinely.

"I grew up mostly here," Tasha answered. "After going to school here, I went home to do formal training in water arts and healing and then came back. I've been here for a long time. I suppose my father meant for me to stay in Aivik when he sent me back for training but I disliked it there far too much and missed all my friends here. Although on Aivik it does not take so long to earn masteries."

Why not it is as showy as dancing and you love clothes? I thought you were uninterested in all this Zale, beyond making sure I keep my worth anyway? You are right. I am uninterested beyond making sure we don't miss out on our perfect match. Do as much as you want Tasha, I cannot stop you, but I emplore you do not lower our chances to find our Valinksa. An arranged marriage does not find or equate to a Valinksa. You must have realized this by now? Or else father... She frowned slightly. Father would be dead. Therefore Valinksa was another farce created by Aivik's religious leaders. If they did exist there would be no arranged marriages. They use the arranged marriage to keep us from the brink of self destruction. From death yes, you must be partnered and have children to keep these forms from dying completely.

Tasha let out a breath, shaking her head to clear it. "Sorry," she mumbled. "Lost in thought."
Ever since studying other religions in Celestia's schools, she had always felt off about Aivik and the Goddess. Zale was the only proof that she existed but here he was, backing one of her own thoughts and fears. So why the lie? It is easier, to teach you that so you willingly continue physical forms. And you believe I could ever return home and share these thoughts with another? They cannot be covered up. ... Zale went quiet and Tasha felt cold in her feet.



Tasha was rather enamored with the pictures and retelling of Kuritoo's early life. To see pictures of another completely different place... was rather stunning. She wished she had pictures of Aivik to share but they were not allowed to bring technology from Celestia in (without being smugglers) and Aivik didn't have things like phones or cameras.



With a grin Tasha swirled around Kuritoo, letting go a stream of bubbles. "But while my belief may have me second guess choices, I am very free. I do not have the society of Aivik weighing on me here."



As Kuritoo went past and came back to make circles around her, Tasha found herself wondering on some of the thoughts Stacy had let float loose. She chuckled and shook her head. While Stacy's ideas and opinions were helpful they were made and remade with some wild abandon. Tasha felt she might understand some frustration or jealousy, if she wanted more of her own abilities. Zale. ... Zale we must talk eventually. Why so that you may disregard me? It is hard to listen to advice from one who claims to never care and indeed never speaks when circumstances does not directly involve oneself. This is not a problem with me. You are a healer and have focused on healing others, why is my voice needed in such a job? You truly are uncaring... What did you wish to speak on?

This time Zale received silence. Tasha propelled herself ahead, finding for once she didn't feel... sorry. She changed her skin several times over, blending with the water or the sand or the rocks as she passed over. She felt a great determination building. I don't want to return to Aivik, Zale. Even long before knowing Stacy, I never considered returning there, not to live and not even for marriage. Know the truth of that Zale and realize, I will not fall into line and we will not find a match among the people of Aivik. Even you must have known as much. I am sorry to hurt father but he could always choose to return to Celestia. Nothing binds him to Aivik.



Tasha wasn't sure what Kuritoo was asking or what he meant to be asking. She was quiet for a moment. "Everyone's religion is wholly unique to them, even for those that believe the same thing. Some people can lose their religion and be fine, even free. Others suffer. On Aivik our Salsin, like Zale, are paired to us before birth, by the Goddess' divine light. They are our proof of her, and our link to her and our abilities. At least, that is what the scriptures teach. I do not think the Goddess is untrue, nor our reason to have Salsin. I do think that some of our scriptures are wrong... used to control us, even in areas we do not need. But Aivik's society comes heavily from its belief. I do not think you're a sinner but we do not hold the same belief. Your choice is not something I can judge or hold opinion on."



A little flustered by his questioning, Tasha was quiet as she swam on to a new grouping of rocks and deep plants. "Both." She spoke tentatively. "If you have one, you can certainly have the other. There should be no 'one or the other' with such things."

With a glance, she wondered why such an idea would come up. Did he fear having to pick one or the other? The now versus the future? "Aivik's religion has goodness in it but it can be harsh. I know it but I don't follow it fully do I? My belief in our Goddess is not because of the religion. I would still believe in hef without scripture. If I loved the religion I would not live here, would not dance, would not have lain with you and Stacy. It is not something that bothers me, except for when it bothers Zale. But I think even Zale can understand we are not our religion. We are our Goddess."



"I like that you have found it so easy. Both of you... find such ease with complications. I- am struggling between what I have grown to know as truth and faith through tradition and the culture of Aivik which my parents tried to give to me. But growing up here... where there is no hierarchy, where I am the only one from my world- My father and Zale have taught me the scriptures but in this world they do not hold any meaning beyond myself. The only thing that holds onto me the most, is my ability and my duty to others, to seek out those in help and help where I can and when I am wanted."



"All of Aivik's population lives deep under water. Even though I have been here so long, I go swimming and diving often enough to keep my body familiar to high pressure, I'll be fine." Tasha grinned.



"Well, my mother had died unexpectedly." Tasha answered simply. She had plenty of time to come to terms with it but for her father... "Marriage for Aivik is between the person and the Salsin. All four. Even if some matches are arranged or attempted arranged... Salsin must be happy in a union too. My father and mother and their Salsin were very much in love. Zale wishes for something like that for us too. But my life already makes it hard for us to be compatible and now... my decisions..."

She frowned and went quiet. I am sorry Zale.



But the feeling Tasha really got was just an anxiety about being disappointing or disappointed. "Maybe you should? If he's challenged you before but now he holds back? My father and I do not have such things. I wish he would come back to Celestia though. Aivik is... strict, even without belief getting in the way. I think he would have more fun here but I think he is afraid of memories with my mother. They had a lot of fun here."

She smiled softly. "Actually my mother taught me to dance but it was more traditional and faith based. In Aivik dancing is only for those such reasons. There are no clubs. The first time I was taken to a club here... I- Didn't know if I should be offended or relieved. I love movement. The waters of Aivik never stop moving. Water does not like to be still. Dancing... is a release of everything we have to hold in tight. It is the first thing Zale and I agreed on, that it made no sense to disallowing dancing just for pleasure."



She chuckled at the idea of anything happening beyond several impossible barriers that made her different from humans. "Aivik birth is very different from humans, based on everything I have learned. I can assure you, there is nothing to fear from this."



"I think there were a few differing religions that eventually melded into one." Tasha answered, a little unsure herself. "That's what it feels like when you learn about older aspects. Things change over time, very slowly though because we live so long. But my own knowledge of it is only basic and whatever else Zale has taught me. During my education in Aivik I learned enough to get by."



My my, unintended consequences you perhaps had not considered or bothered to listen to me for? She stiffened slightly, her excitement swallowed up. What, suddenly talking to me? As if you care Zale? I just thought I should point out the hypocrisies. How about we speak again when you're ready to agree to the hypocrisies and tell the truth about our so-called religion? The spirit went quiet.



Kuritoo's story of two brothers was intriguing but no one on Aivik could turn into water. Tasha chuckled at the idea. "I suppose that might make us similar but we're probably closer to the mermaids Stacy has told me about than people that can turn their bodies into water. Although I am sure some in Aivik would like to boast they could, it is not likely to have ever happened." She paused, thinking Zale might have some knowledge to add but the spirirt remained quiet.

 

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