RAIN in the Forest

North of the clearing a track led through the trees to a picturesque setting where one of many streams lacing the Forest floor widened into a deep, green pool. Saska found it soon after the Guardians arrived on Valaris, in her search for a place to bathe in private.

This was where Cristi discovered Rain before they moved on. He squatted on the edge staring into the rippling depths as if mesmerised. Water dripped from his face and hands and his hair was damp. Never comfortable around people, she had come for a few minutes of solitude and, finding it unlikely with Rain already there, she began to retreat.

His head turned. Grey eyes speared her, immobilising her. He rose with a sigh, drying his hands roughly on his breeches. When he finally looked away she felt released. And then strangely...bereft.

‘I don't mean to frighten you,’ he said as he moved past her heading for the path back to the clearing.

‘Wait,’ she said and could not believe she did so.

He halted and to his credit did not express surprise. If he had she might have bolted.

‘I’m ever wary,’ she said. ‘Around others. It’s not that you frighten me...’

He gave a half-smile. ‘You’re lying.’

She stared at him, briefly nonplussed, and then stood straighter. ‘Fine. You do scare me, but that’s how it should be. Somehow that makes all this strangeness all right.’

He frowned quizzically, but didn’t speak.

‘What I mean is, I feel safe.’ Cristi stopped there, putting a hand to her burning face.

‘That makes no sense.’