Under a Starless Sky

Orton’s ‘no’ was not from a place of honor, but from fear. He feared being rejected for all time if he protested too much.

“How do you escape it?” Orton asked, Arne.

“I am clear,” Arne said.

“That’s not helpful. And you?” Orton asked Shen.

“You can’t rape the willing. They come at me at like that, they get fucked,” Shen said.

“Your wives tolerate it?” Orton asked.

“I suspect they have come to some kind of arrangement,” Shen said. He paused for a moment and communed with a tree. He leaned against the tree, touching his forehead against it. The exchange was unnecessarily private, an update on the creatures of the forest.

Their walk of the forest, outside the gates, was usually their only time to recharge- men time, reasonably alone. Uffe and Erico had returned to their homes, likely because their wives had insisted. Shangri-La had more of a commune feel, not precisely hippies; more like a Kibbutz in Israel. It had a democratic feel, people came to a circle and made decisions together. The castle was busy with people, with Avatars, and ghosts. Outside the castle, the Irk had been scarce, likely having had numbers dwindled after the harsh winter. Irks had crossed paths on occasion with Valkyries, scouting the forest- and out of deference to Shen’s request, none were killed. Assuming numbers were down, he wanted them to have a chance to repopulate. If the present company was at risk of encountering Irks, the escort would intercept and direct them away from the men.

The Valkyries found many reasons to come talk to Shen on his walks, and the presence of Irks was one of them. Like the Tamorians, the Valkyries traveled in three’s. Unlike the Tamorians, there was a fourth that walked with them in spirit, watching from ‘Third Sight’ which was their term for ‘Remote Viewing.’ Sometimes the forth was visibly present, like a ghost.

Shen came out of the tree, took a moment to orientate. Arne was there, and Orton, quietly waiting. He was aware of the tree spirit, and the invisible fourth.

“Where were we?” Shen asked.

“We were talking about sex and arrangements,” Arne said.

“I wish I was healthy as you,” Orton said.

“Oh, fuck you. I am not healthy. I am still operating from an outdated, economic paradigm,” Shen said.

“I don’t understand,” Orton said.

“I come from a world where men are catered to- to the degree they could care less if the partner is satisfied. Typically, the more self-sufficient the man is, the more likely he is to be self serving in all domains. I was not that guy. I had to work to get partners, and work to satisfy partners, and consequently I became hyper-sensitive to their needs, meaning an unhealthy balance where I would neglect self. Unhealthy balance always leads to decline in quality of the relationship. I would eventually lament not being appreciated and when someone left, I found myself frequently annoyed they hooked up with someone less sensitive to their needs because I believed I was doing more for them. And I was. But I wasn’t taking care of myself. Their next partner would be more into themselves and that relationship will like be unstainable for her, too.”

“Women don’t like clingy or needy,” Arne echoed.

“Fuck you,” Orton said.

of clingy with the Valkyries. I still likely to accommodate any request, but mostly- I am just accepting a fuck. Unlike my world, if the Valkyries take advantage of any generosity, it is not because they are malevolently manipulative, but because they

world, men and women are equally confident, and in that confidence they negotiate how to serve each other- but that ideal can only come from a place where people are equal in some domains, not all. The

was a noise like thunder, but there was no evidence of rain. At this depth in the forest, it could be raining above

need to return,”

there- with explanation. “There was an

asked.

said.

of the clearing. The Valkyries took up point around the men. Each planted their staffs, illuminating them as if that would

asked him. “You’re

is the sky blue?” Orton

before, when he had confronted the Irk and first used magic. This was when he was holding the orb Oa had given him. The trees stood out from the background of each other and sky, framing a surreal blue- it was not sky, but more

your business,” Imly

girl with the cell phone. “Mother wants to speak with you.”

“Your mother?” Shen asked.

phone. Imly went to intercept the object but the ghost stepped

Shen said. “How

smart as I imagined you to be,” Imly

to that,” Shen said. “But, mother is

real in his hands. Part of his brain wanted to know if he was really holding it and part of his brain was telling him

me off speaker phone,” Mother

I want my companions

crossed her arms, as if conveying ‘how dare you talk to mother like that.’ “Jon-Shen. I want

said, quoting a movie. TL in his ear

will go to Sinter,”

“Not likely,” Shen said.

Sinter, and you will end this,” Mother

likely,” Shen

go to Sinter. You will prophesy against their ways and bring them

he had expected. “Who do you think I am, Jonah? Not

go,” Mother