Date: Mon, 1 May 2023 17:46:54 -0700
From: Juxepe Albi <juxepealbi@gmail.com>
Subject: Stranded - Chapter 4 - The Compound

A Note on the Diacriticals and Quotation Markings

A portion of the dialogue is telepathic and, in the original, is set off
by italics.

Unfortunately, italics, accents and diacritical markings do not translate
to the web from ordinary text files, and they are replaced with junk. To
simplify matters I have set italic text--such as thoughts to oneself, or
words to be stressed--off with <...>; telepathic and telepathic dialogue
with <<...>>.

t/t

Chapter 4 - The Compound


At our next general meeting, we discussed moving the pods into a
formation that would enable us to include part of the cavern outside to
make an outdoor recreational area that wouldn't feel so out-in-the-open.
Shrubbery, or fencing of some sort, could be placed around the outer
sides to soften the looks of the place. Our present arrangement was
reminiscent of photographs we had seen of old-time Terran trailer-parks;
and we had rather unpleasant memories of them.

Azel, our architectural engineer, began drawing plans that would enable
us to create an attractive and secure structure. Since the stone ceiling
was at least ten meters over our heads, we decided to make a look-out
tower on top, with maybe an eating area; and, perhaps, a tennis court.
The roof area would be accessible from the top ports of all four pods. We
just had to figure a way to move the things that wouldn't break
everyone's backs.

The next morning when we stepped outside, we discovered that Azel's plan
had been carried out to the letter, overnight; and the entire place had
been beautifully landscaped. There was also a small corral with four
strange animals that none of us had ever seen. They looked like
copper-red short-haired sheep, no horns, one male and three females; and
by late afternoon, two of the females had borne young. We called them
lambs; even though we knew they were not sheep. We learned that they were
called ovin [OH-vin], and the young ones, ovini [oh-VEE-nee]. Now we had
our own milk factory.

<<If you will meet me by the lake, I will bring you to one of our
villages.>> I heard in my head.

Everyone was working outside in our newly-enclosed space. I went inside
to make myself presentable to any new acquaintances I might meet on my
visit.

My hair was a very light blond, and prone to be extremely curly, my eyes
were deep blue and I was generally considered to be a <catch>, by my
friends. I had never had an interest in girls; but they had certainly had
an interest in me. Every feminine guile in the world had been used on me
to attract my attention. My mother had been an excessive flirt; and it
had been a constant source of embarrassment to me all my short life. She
flirted shamelessly with every male that came into her presence. I
suppose that is what had built up my immunity to feminine "charms."

I dressed in a clean uniform, including the dress cape; and slipped out
of the compound without encountering anyone, walking the short distance
to the lake. Oestl was waiting there for me.

<<Have you been waiting long?>> I asked.

<<No, I knew when you left the Compound,>> he replied. <<You should know
beforehand, that you will be greeted by the Mages' Guild. They will give
you an honorary citizenship because of our union,>> he said.

<<They know about that?>> I asked. I didn't know how I felt about that.

<<They know everything that happens. The Mages' Guild will gift to you a
dwelling in the village; and you must take it. It is a great honor; and
it would be, as you would say, `politically incorrect' to refuse it,>>
he instructed. <<It will also enable you to have a voice on the Grand
Council in matters concerning your people,>> he explained. <<I will tell
you more later; we must go now.>>