Midsummer Night's Sky

Maria

Rich red light against a dark brown sky, crimson fire cast over the landscape. The green of the lake washed away, replaced by sparkling blood. The spires of the CZG base, needles pointing into the sky, touched by sparks of dazzling light.

Sunset on Polynya.

Maria lay on her back on the chilly sand, gazing upward into the darkening sky. The stars surrounded her, even though the sun was still above the horizon. This region of space was rife with bright stars, and even at high noon many were visible.

Anticipation sent a fire through her blood, as she imagined the night sky unfolding around her, stars coming out until the sky was ablaze with them. She could run through the next few hours at an accelerated rate, watch that unfolding happen quickly, but she didn't. Sweeter this way.

Once she had laid beneath the stars and been swept by vertigo. She'd turned away from the spectacle, her heart accelerating. She'd mastered her acrophobia long ago, fortunately, and now she relished the feeling of falling through the universe.

Splashes entered her awareness but she didn't move, didn't need to. She knew who it was.

"Maria," Delithita said, dropping down to sit beside her.

"Del." Maria smiled ever so faintly. She turned her awareness from the stars to Del. "A long time, my friend."

No response came. None was needed. Del had to make her own discoveries, explore her own destiny for a change. Maria never faulted her for that, but still she was feeling guilty about it. "I'm sorry," Del said.

"Do not say that," Maria said chidingly, sitting up. The stars forgotten for the moment, she turned to Del. "You know better than to think any of us would think ill of you because your path diverges from time to time."

"Sometimes I think I'm not even a part of--"

"You are a Ghost, now and forever," Maria said. "Nothing will ever change that." Maria reached out for Del's hand, took it. A blaze of light, brighter than the setting sun, flashed between them, sending blasts of gold and red light all around. Maria smiled, and Del felt it through their contact, rather than seeing it. Maria's words echoed softly in her mind, over and over. Then Maria told her, still in her mental voice, "You are not blamed for your absence, but do not think for an instant that you are not dearly missed."

"I know."

"When you wander the stars, just make sure you remember you will always have a home."

There was no reply to this. Del sighed. The flare of light faded, leaving only sparkles on her hand.

Maria laid back down, focussed on the stars again. "The sun has set. Watch the stars with me. Then dream."

"Of what?"

"Of what you will. Your dreams are your own. And they're more precious than the stars above."

"You can see the future, can't you." It was not a question.

"From time to time."

"What do you see for me?"

"I see a destiny you cannot even dream of..."

Del sighed, knowing her friend would give her no easy answers. "Will there be roses in my future?"

"Del... do you even need to ask?"

/ < / << /