Chapter 7: A Confidant

I love my wife. And my new friends. And my new life. But my people meter has been depleted from the moment I was born on the muddy banks of the swamp. Don’t get me wrong, there are definitely perks to being born with a life partner included. But Ahlirah’s fluid nature with her girls causes us to get roped into a lot of events. Every day is something new. And while I love exploring every part of Storyteller Planet together, a man needs a break.

Today, I managed to wake up before everyone and decided to go on a walk. The peace of the early morning is unmatched. It holds a peace that I want to preserve for as long as possible. Before Prahsehss comes bursting through the door with an itinerary, and Prehp has to wrangle her in. The days have become so predictably chaotic that I feel less and less inclined to return. I walk so far that by the time the sun rises, I’ve walked halfway up the ice mountain.

We’re supposed to come up here at some point to ski and drink hot chocolate, but no one seems to like the cold weather besides me. Good. Maybe I can finally get a moment to myself. I continue up the path with no plan of returning anytime soon. But after another hour, the distance from Ahlirah is tangible. She’s probably wondering when I’ll return from the note I left. Be back soon isn’t the most descriptive timeframe. Knowing her, she’ll incessantly worry if I don’t return.

Maybe I’ll just explain to her my need for solitude once I return. I’m sure she’ll understand. I turn back to return down the path, and the wind begins to kick up. So much so that I can’t seem to find my way back without fear of falling off the cliff. I don’t know if this new world grants us immortality or not, but I’d rather not restart my existence without Ahlirah. I remember seeing a small cave earlier and decided to wait out the storm inside. It now glows with a flicker of fire as it comes into view.

The moment I look inside, I see her. Hair dark as night that flows down her pale body. Eyes half open as she sits cross-legged by the fire. I think about leaving, but her eyes open more and lock with mine.

“I know you didn’t summon me here just to slink back to your wife.”

Her tone shocks something awake within me.

“I didn’t summon you,” I snap.

“Oh? So you don’t desire someone who understands your need for solitude?”

She had me there. The entire walk here, that’s all I could think of. If I weren’t born into a family of extroverts, would things be easier or harder?

Does Ahlirah really understand the need for solitude, or does she just hold herself back for me?

“My name’s Aensli, by the way,” she holds out a hand towards me. “And you are?”

“Drahn,” I say, shaking her hand. “Welcome to Storyteller Planet.”