Jilid Short Story Page One

(This story is set in 3100 of Circa Universe, link at side)

A sweet fragrance swept past her in a gentle breeze. The grass rustled underneath like music to Shelsa’s hair. She raced through the green rolling hills, dipping her hand into the sea of flowers. It was a free world and she could run wild with no care. She ran faster, heading toward the brightest point of light on the sunny cavern ceiling.

When she was only a child, she was amazed to realize the sort of technology that was used to make the cavern ceilings shine bright and swirl in colours of blue, green and white. Then when that wonder ended, night would come and the cavern ceilings painted a new art. The entire world she lived in had been carved out with that technology, from the grass that grew at her feet, to the air she breathed. All these wonders and they could still enjoy their lives with only a wooden spear and iron tools.

She stopped laughing, drawing the attention of Hargor. The man seemed to be built from rock. A dull metal sheen came off the powered armour suit that covered him from head to toe, but Shelsa could almost imagine the muscles waiting to burst outward. Hargor looked toward her with his armour detached from his head. Their eyes played a game and she could feel lust swell in her chest.

Behind, there was laughter and conversation as her friends caught up. There was Jilsian, a cute small girl from the village and Yawnen, another boy older than the girl but with a lust far larger. They walked toward her, but they paid no mind to Shelsa. Theirs was an intimate relationship built when they were young, and grew only stronger later in life.

Shelsa stood up to Hargor, but he was far too tall for her to reach upward. Still, she tried and he grunted, the only sign of laughter that would ever escape his mouth. Then she played the little girl in front of him, pouting her face upward and shortening her height by bending her knees. He looked down, still keeping his rigid stature.

“Lift me up!” Shelsa said in her lightest voice. Hargor had said his vows to the Growar collective, joining the Ever Vigilant forces. It meant no marriage. Still, Shelsa knew it did not mean they could not share genes.

He let out a long breath, almost exhausted from keeping his face void of emotion. “You’re too much for me,” he said slowly, before lifting her up. Gleeful with joy, Shelsa wrapped her hands around his head, brushing her arms against the cold metal of his power suit, and kissed him for the longest time of her life. She felt the moment draw out and her only wish was to stay there. She wanted to be with her long time village protector, the only man in the village who swore the vows joining the communist Growar force on the planet, the man she loved with all her heart.

Hargor took off the armour from his gloves and held her hands tightly. The grip was strong, but he was gentle with her. Shelsa could hear Jilsian giggle as Yawnen had undoubtedly tried to kiss her, or even just hold her but she was focused on the man in front of her.