Chapter Text
Chapter 1 :Shouta
The coolness of the dark cave Shouta called home was welcoming after his long night of hunting. The night’s hunt was longer now that prey was much more scattered than in the past times. The prey preferred the night for safety and to escape the usual heat of the day so Shouta hunted at night. He now needed to travel farther, taking much longer, than in the time when there were others of his kind, and the forest was thick. From his aerie he could look down below and see the dark ground now visible with rows of the plants not native to the forest of his people but useful to man.
Shouta could still remember the warmth of many bodies in the colony together as the night ended, though he was only a fledgling then. The infants and adults would gather in the home cave to tell the histories of how his people and those called humans once were known to each other. The plateau of his home was once alive with activity and family. The adults caring for the young who could not fly, he helped with the old and the infirm, who were no longer able to fly and feed. The old ones were cared for and not cast out or left in the open to perish. The old ones told the stories of the forest, of their kind, of their history when Shouta's kind were still able to fly freely, without fear. The elders knew how it once was, when the tribes of man respected the forest and those within. Man named this place “house of the gods” in their native tongue. Shouta’s people and these men respected each other as co-inhabitants of the rainforest. They were not enemies, not friends, just beings caring for their respective tribes. These tribes of men had gone the way of Shouta’s people, the way of memory and not form.
He placed his nights catch deeper in the cavern where the cool stone would keep it fresh for a few days. Shouta would also dry some of the flesh in the sun for later. Shouta’s eyes which were not impaired by the dark could see the images along the cavern as he walked back. Images depicting the forest, his people, man. Another spot was for remembering his colony, names of the members of families including Shouta’s own were written on the wall in their own language. Deeper still in the cavern were other memories, part of Shouta’s past life, not yet forgotten.
Shouta settled outside, on an outcropping, overlooking one of the steepest cliffs. A fissure in the rock next to him, produced a small waterfall cascading over the edge. The prismatic play of light in the fine mist was beautiful in the early mornings light. It soothed the restlessness in Shouta, muscles still taught and twitching from the long flight and the hunt. He chewed on the leaves he knew would allow muscles to relax and allow sleep to come.
Shouta descended the cliff face to a favorite alcove which was lined with soft moss making it a nice retreat to rest, cooler than the area above due to the mists from the waterfall. His claws made the descent easy even with the slick rocks. He would sleep there sometimes as well, the mossy bed a bit softer than his usual rest. There were birds that nested along the outer edges of the alcove that would fuss when he entered the space, perhaps because they sometimes provided a ready snack for its sometimes inhabitant. Shouta respected the forest and its creatures, usually culling the sick or injured animals. As was the way of his kind, he thanked the creature for their life and its energy. What he did not consume he returned to the forest floor to feed the trees of the canopy below.
Shouta was tall, over 6 feet at his crown but his wings extended another foot or more. He needed to crouch, and tuck his leathery wings to make his way into the recess of the alcove. Dew from the mist caught in Shouta’s dark hair which extended to his mid back. He had created a small bit of twine from plant fiber which he used to bind his unruly mane for flight. That or be blinded by the maelstrom his hair became in the wind. His shoulders and chest were broad and muscular, necessary to propel him with his leathery wings projecting from his scapulae. His wingspan was greater than all creatures except perhaps for dragons. Shouta had never seen one and thought likely they were tales to keep the young from wandering far when they gained flight. His ears were pointed and a bit larger than that of a human. He was not of the order Chiroptera so has no echolocation though his hearing was much greater than that of the human. His eyesight was like that of a raptor, seeing far greater distance and in more detail than any human.
In this particular alcove Shouta had a small cache of belongings he had collected over the years of his life. Time was measured by the seasons, a new cycle started with the opening of floral buds signifying the coming of the more plentiful fruits growing below. Shouta had seen 35 such seasons to his memory. He had been alone for 20 of these. The cache consisted of some small gems he found in the recesses of the larger cave, some gold shavings from the river which left the cliff and a geode the size of a grapefruit, cracked open showing the blue of lapis lazuli within.
Shouta also collected orchids. This collection of orchids thrived in the shady moist of the alcove. He obtained them from the forest below were they clung to the sides of trees or on logs littering the forest floor. Rarer still were those that insinuated their roots in the cliffs and rock faces. Some of these needed to grow elsewhere not in this watery greenhouse. He preferred the diminutive specimens, tiny and fragile, which he cared for like any proud horticulturist. Some were now quite rare as the ecology of the forest had changed with the encroaching farmlands in the distance.
With the sleep leaves taking effect Shouta settled in for a rest, wrapping himself in his wings and stretching to near full length. If he did not bend slightly his feet would dangle in the waterfall’s spray making him too cold at night despite his wing cocoon.
Chapter 2: Hizashi
Hizashi Yamada could not believe the opportunity he was offered by the National Geographic Society to explore a newly discovered Tepui straddling three countries: Guyana, Venezuela and Brazil. In the native tongue of the original peoples now extinct from the area, Tepui meant “house of the gods”. Hizashi a botanist just hoped it was the house of some rare and special finds, especially orchids. As a PhD candidate his thesis entitled: “Pollination of rare orchids by humming birds in the Tepui ecology and the impact of farming on biodiversity” was still wanting for some data. He hoped to find evidence for the environmental impact of the expanding commercial agriculture in the region that would lead to this Tepui becoming a protected sanctuary. Other similar plateaus such as the one from which Angel falls originates were already protected. The ceiling of this one was thought to be inaccessible with its 2400 meters elevation which often remained shrouded in cloud cover. He hoped documenting one or two unique orchids, a bird, frog or special bromeliad would help to seal the deal. His trip was funded generously enough to afford local guides and porters to get him to the plateau.
Chapter 3: The massif
“What do you mean they won’t set the pitons any higher or closer to the waterfall?” Hizashi asked the main guide of his group. An arduous slog through the dense rainforest from the river at his journey’s beginning took days. Hizashi already photographed and documented a number of species which he believed to be unique to the area. It would not be a total loss if the expedition ended at the base of the massif, but Hizashi would not be so easily deterred.
“The porters say there is a demon that lives there. The beast takes livestock, causes blood rain and turns men into stone” the chief guide Eduardo related. “They will not approach further.”
“Yo, that was so not the deal, man” Hizashi said flabbergasted “Deal was plateau, not only base support,” watching the porters already reversing course, not without haste, to leave the shadow of the massive cliff.
Hizashi noted that the pitons of the route the porters were willing to set ended a good 300 meters below the plateaus surface. Hizashi was an adequate climber but setting his own route was no way near his comfort zone. Sighing to himself, at least the 1000 meter ascent was a low point of the otherwise 2400 meter cliff face. The crevasse from which the waterfall originated carved the depression over time. A bag containing some of his equipment and supplies was dangling just below the final anchor point should he ever reach it. Hizashi did not relish the idea of climbing alone without the safety of an additional climber belaying him, but he had come too far to go back now. Hizashi turned around just in time to see Eduardo pull out a satellite radio and hand it off to him. Eduardo agreed to return in three weeks, weather permitting to retrieve Hizashi and his equipment. He could attempt to use the satellite radio sooner for an emergency but the canopy was so thick here that, well, reception was iffy at best.
Hizashi grabbed his backpack compete with some grub, headlamp, ultralight tent and tarp just in case he was trapped in a down pour before he was able to start his ascent. On the climb a portaledge on the cliff face would be his only protection. The thick floor of the forest and the distractions of a multitude of interesting specimens made travel painfully slow so it took into dusk until he reached the base of the climb. Hizashi thought it best to spend the evening on solid ground. He would need a headlamp to ascend in the dark and a headlamp meant bugs. Bugs in his face and hair. Superman had his kryptonite, Hizashi’s was insects. At least during the day, with his bug net and jacket he could avoid some of the flying biters. Hizashi did not use DEET due to its effects on amphibians which made the rainforest just a bit harder to embrace. He just chose denial to cope with, no doubt the hundreds of other insects milling around his feet and in the water he needed to wade through on the way. Removing his clothing for the traverse was necessary to try to keep his clothes as dry as possible since hypothermia could happen even in the rainforest. Chafing sucked as well.
Chapter 4: Visitor
Shouta’s sleep was disturbed when light permeated the dark recesses of his alcove. The rainforest had no real light pollution so this bright invasion was unusual. He crawled forward, on his belly to the alcove opening. Leaning out he saw the offending object bobbing on the forest floor below turning upward intermittently annoying Shouta’s hyper-acute eyesight. Even more irritating was the noise the being of light was emanating. It was melodious, in a way, though not pleasant. Shouta was surprised that some of the noise was language. The language of man. Through observation over the years and some interaction many many years ago his kind learned some of the language of man, but words like “Margaritaville” were unknown in Shouta’s lexicon. He continued to watch with much irritation now as the light moved toward Shouta’s pool below the waterfall. Removing his coverings the man screamed and danced spasmodically while swatting at the fleet of biting insects ready to take their tariff for his forest passage. He promptly fell into the icy pool with a yelp. Shouta shook his head and let out a deep throaty guffaw, breaking the silence.
Shouta had seen humans pass below his home but they stayed below the canopy capturing birds and reptiles for food or trade. No one had shown any interest in the steep impassable climb of Shouta’s home. They also did not stay to bathe in Shouta’s pool. The man remained submerged with only his head jutting above the water. Shouta’s acute hearing could hear the man’s teeth chattering as he avoided exiting the sanctuary of the pool. Unlikely this one would remain for long Shouta thought as he retreated making his way to the cliff top. When the light extinguished a few hours later, Shouta plunged from the cliff for his evening flight.
Chapter 5: Big bird
Shaking, teeth chattering and a fresh mosaic of welts from his insect ridden bath Hizashi, settled into his sleeping bag for the night. He was a little wary of sleeping alone in the jungle with its wildlife no doubt was watching his every move. The largest predator in the area was likely a jaguar. The most fearsome though were the snakes and other creepy crawlies which caused more anxiety in Hizashi than any prowling feline. “That kinda sucked” he sighed as he itched and fussed with his eyes beginning to close. He awoke with a start when he heard and felt a heavy whoosh over his tent. He assumed it must be a Harpy eagle or other massive bird of prey going aloft. Its wing beats sent an air current strong enough to rattle the tarp over his tent. He seemed to recall some of his ornithologist friends remarks that if a Harpy eagle was nearby, one better wear a helmet. “Land of the lost” he muttered thinking maybe a vestige of prehistoric times was the culprit.
Chapter 6: Ascent
Shouta returned to the plateau prior to sunrise to avoid any detection, should the man still be alive after the blood letting and hypothermia from his prolonged icy soak. He placed his catch in his larder, taking a bit for a meal to sate some of the exercise induced hunger he was feeling. When he returned to peer over the cliff he dropped to the ground quickly. The man below was already a bit up from the base of his cliff in his ascent. Shouta continued to lie flat peeking over the edge. He hoped the man gave him as good of a show as yesterday’s buggy dance and inelegant bath entry, Shouta thought to himself and chuckled.
The man below made reasonable headway. By the high point of the sun the man has reached about 400 meters with the aid of an ascender. Shouta was somewhat impressed as the man’s pale willowy arms did not seem firm or muscular enough for such a climb, but spider monkeys were impressive aerialists. Shouta’s skin was not accustomed to spending so much time in the daylight so he retreated to his plateau cavern till nightfall. He was eager to see if the human made any more headway. He admitted he may feel a pang of guilt if he found the man shattered below later that evening, but not all flights end in soaring, some ended up in the leaf litter.
Hizashi struggled through the last few meters of the climb intent on reaching his supplies that night. He couldn’t sleep suspended by his ropes and to descend again would mean restarting, “Not happening” he cursed, at least if he could help it. Despite the exhaustion, blisters, bites and torn fingernails Hizashi was elated. He was able to photograph multiple plants and frogs on his ascent. A few orchids jutting from the cliff surface seemed to be unique species to this Tepui. Assembling the ledge fortunately went smoothly and Hizashi collapsed into the tent. A quick meal of trail mix and jerky was all he could muster. Fortunately the waterfall provided a ready supply of water. He jotted a few notes in his journal recording as much detail as he could about his biological discoveries including a quick sketch just in case his camera didn’t survive the trip. Finally he switched his headlamp off and settled in for the night.
Shouta was pleased when he peered below to see the small cocoon still fixated to the side of the cliff. He heard the sounds of the man below sleeping. Shouta had enough food to forgo tonights hunt, so decided to descend to his alcove below. When he was convinced the man was asleep Shouta used his claws to descend a bit closer to the rope leading toward his alcove. The final length of rope ended in a bit of metal pushed into the rock that easily came loose when Shouta lightly pulled on it. The rock here was slick and moss covered. Likely the object only found purchase when the moss enveloped it but it now pulled free easily. Shouta contemplated what to do next. If he left the object in place the man would likely fall to the forest floor or at least some distance causing injury. If he fell, Shouta would be safe since he would remain undiscovered. Shouta doubted the man would be able to ascend the final few hundred meters even with the anchor secured, as the rock was smooth there. Footing would be near impossible, difficult even for Shouta with his claws.
The man was unlike any that Shouta had seen come before. He did not capture the animals or eat them. Frogs, birds and their eggs were easily obtained but the man ate only from the bag he carried and drank from the waterfall. Shouta had heard the man laugh like a child when a butterfly landed on his harness. He made excited sounds whenever he encountered a new flower, plant or frog. He often held up a device to these objects and wrote things in a small book he carried. The man spoke to himself, sang to himself as he ascended. Shouta thought the man was likely an older child. He admitted he liked hearing the sound of another’s voice even if he did not know all the words the man spoke. It had been a long time since Shouta had company aside from the animals, birds and bones of his elders. Shouta decided for now, at least, he did not want to see the man splattered on the forest floor so he pushed the anchor deeper into the crack making it much more stable. Returning to his alcove Shouta rested his head on his hands and stared down at the little cocoon below wondering what amusement the man would offer him tomorrow.
Chapter 7: Gift
Hizashi woke retching. Something he ate or drank or some poison from the villainous insects, was not agreeing with his system at all. He leaned out of the side of his tent heaving paroxysm after paroxysm, as his guts extruded anything he had consumed the day prior. When nothing remained, Hizashi moaned and retreated again to his sleeping bag with chills and teeth chattering. This was not good. He was too weak to rife through his belongings to find the pepto-bismol somewhere in the med pack.
He slept through the next day but when he awoke again he felt a bit better. He found the med pack, took the tablets with some water. When he peeked out of his tent he found a small branch poking out from the cliff face. “How the heck?” It appeared to be brysonima crassifolia. The fruit tree, while common in the amazon basin or in well drained soil was not a plant found in a cliff face. He pulled out his guidebook and he was reasonably sure this was indeed the plant. The fruit was in fact edible and the leaves and stalk had healing and anti-inflammatory action. Perhaps the “house of gods” was offering up a miracle for him and he was not looking this gift horse in the mouth. He waited for 30 minutes or so after eating a portion of the plant and did feel amazingly better. He drew a quick sketch of the site where he withdrew the branch from, noticing no root mass, and no additional clues as to how the plant wound up here. He continued his ascent with the remaining hours of sunlight available.
Shouta knew he took a risk placing the medicine plant near the man but he felt sympathy for his suffering. Shouta knew the medicinal value of many plants. He had spent many hours with the elders while caring for them. They taught him the pharmacopeia of the forest, the plants for wounds, the plants for nausea, the plants for the watery guts, the plants for fertility and for helping the pain of dying. He knew this knowledge was important, so devoted the time to learn. Many of his age were more interested in sparring, hunting and seeking a mate. Perhaps some of those pursuits would have been more worthwhile after all, since he had no one to impart this knowledge to, or to use it on, until now. He might have followed the others, had a mate, children and companionship, but he chose another life.
“Enough of spirits today” Shouta muttered and settled in deeper in his alcove for a nap.
Hizashi was hearing voices, perhaps an after affect of the crassifolia, although he did not think it had hallucinogenic properties. He distinctly heard a deep voice speaking from the cliff above. He could not specifically make out the words but is was language and not a frog or a bird.
“Hello?” he called out quietly, still not convinced it wasn’t the trippy fruit talking. When he heard no answer he continued his ascent. He noted what appeared to be a depression next to the waterfall. Perhaps it was a small outcropping which might serve as a good rest spot for tomorrows big push. He was able to set a few more anchors today bringing him within an estimated 200 meters to the plateau’s edge. He set his platform for the night and settled in.
Chapter 8: The Demon
Shouta now started to get a little nervous since the man had exceeded his expectations as to the success of the climb. If the man continued, as he did today, he would reach Shouta’s alcove soon. The thought disturbed Shouta since it was an invasion of his domain. No one had entered his alcove even when the others remained. It was his secret place where he was able to relax with his thoughts, away from his more combative contemporaries. He had nothing of value in the space. He was most worried that the orchids would be damaged or taken, but the man had not shown any interest in taking anything from the forest thus far. He hunted and fed well that night since Shouta intended to wait out the next day, in his alcove to see how the man progressed.
“Oooooh shit!” Hizashi woke with a start when his portaledge rocked and the tent material vibrated during Shouta’s earlier descent. Hizashi heard as well as felt, the whoosh and turbulence of air as a very large raptor “or a Pteradactyl” he mused, passed within what seemed like inches of his retreat. He donned his climbing helmet ‘in case of Harpy’ and peeked out only to catch a glance of a silhouette in the moonlight. A silhouette unlike anything he had ever seen, read about or heard reference to in any scientific meeting or journal. It was big. A quick wingspan estimate was 15 or more feet and the shape was not avian. There was no long tapering wing like that of an albatross or rectangular shape of a large raptor such as condor. Harpy eagles were large stocky birds but their body was not 6 feet long. Hizashi distinctly noted a long trail of what must have been a crest from the raptor’s head or some adornment birds sported for lek displays, like a bowerbird. “Huge fucking bowerbird” he joked with himself, it looked like hair though.
The following day went better than expected. Hizashi made good progress despite the slick conditions, proud of the route he was able to place. Little did he know Shouta checked and stabilized some of the more tenuous attachment points. It was mid day when Hizashi reached the small moss covered ledge. To his surprise, it extended much deeper into the wall than he had seen from below. He took a few steps into the opening, still tethered to the last anchor point. He considered detaching for a moment but thought of the Harpy eagle again and thought better safe than sorry if he needed to make a quick exit. Hizashi gasped as he saw the arch like arrangement of orchids surrounding the opening of the alcove. He did a quick assessment and at least a few of the specimens were unique to any orchid genus he could identify. He’d found the holy grail he sought. He took the camera from his pack and began taking photos of the specimens.
Shouta pushed himself as deep back against the wall of the alcove as possible when the man came over the lip and entered. He had not meant to stay quite this long but fell asleep a bit too soundly. He curled into as small a form as he could, wrapping his wings around him as tightly as possible. If he was lucky, and the man’s eyes were not so sharp, Shouta hoped he might pass for a boulder.
Hizashi moved deeper into the alcove. The moss was amazing, like a thick carpet, spongy yet dry as he moved further inward. The camera flash caught a glimmer and looking toward the right he saw small flecks of what looked like gold leaf and a large geode. “Hmm, I didn’t think Harpy took trinkets for adornment like a bower bird or a crow.” Hizashi knew harpy were canopy birds not cliff dwellers but nothing else could fit the size of the silhouette he noted last night. Nothing except for something out of folklore or mythology he thought.
Shouta held his breath not so much in fear but from awe. He knew he could easily overpower the man and throw him from the cliff if need be, but being this close to a human was intriguing. Close up the man was thin, but his arms did have some strength as his climbing attested to. He had a covering over his eyes perhaps to protect him from debris. When the man removed his helmet his hair was fair and long, and like Shouta he used a fiber to keep it controlled. Shouta marveled when the man removed the eye coverings . His eyes were like emeralds. The eyes surprised Shouta the most, since he knew of no other animal with such luminescent eyes in the daylight. At night the animals eyes would reflect different colors when light captured them, but to emit such light in the day was mesmerizing.
“I can’t believe this” the energized excitement clear in Hizashi’s voice. Flash after flash went off to capture the wonderland that was this tiny alcove, in this magical place. With the camera’s next flash Hizashi gasped. The light reflected back two red eyes and the unmistakable form of something alive, as it shifted in response to the reveal. The form also gasped in a deeper tone compared to Hizashi’s higher pitched exclamation. Wide eyed Hizashi fell backward dropping the camera by mistake as he crawled back rapidly approaching the drop off.
Shouta held his clawed hand outward, muttering a low and guttural “stop” as Hizashi lost his footing and disappeared over the edge with a sickening thump, as his body struck the cliff wall below.
Chapter 9: Decisions
It took a moment for Shouta to process what happened. One moment the man was alive and child like in his wonder looking at Shouta’s alcove and treasures. The next…Shouta moved to the edge looking over at the form below. He could see the man was bleeding from where he struck the wall on the right side of his face and arm. Shouta could not see if he was breathing. Shouta faced the decision of allowing the man to die, retrieving his body and equipment later protect Shouta from discovery. His stealth is what had kept Shouta alive this long. He could also remove the man now and see if he survived. The second option would clearly expose Shouta and destroy his lifetime’s effort to remain undetected.
He heard a small whimper escape from the man making Shouta’s decision clear. He descended the cliff face carefully. Enough outcroppings were there for his claws to gain purchase. Shouta hugged the man to him with one arm. His claw sliced the rope attaching the man to the cliff. Holding the man now in both arms he pushed off from the wall to take flight. He descended, first opening his wings into a glide then pumping his wings for his ascent to the plateau. He brought the man into his cave and placed him carefully on the area which served as Shouta’s bed. Skins, furs, fibers and moss made a reasonably comfortable place lofty enough to keep the cold of the stone from reaching his skin.
The man was still breathing. Shouta placed his ear to the man’s chest. Both sides seemed equal and no fluid escaped the man’s lips or ears, which was a good sign. Shouta grasped each of the man’s limbs determining no bone needed to be realigned, as far as he could tell. Shouta retreated to his larder deeper in the cave and retrieved some water held in a gourd, along with some leaves, fibers and herbs to address the man’s injuries. Satisfied, Shouta left to retrieve the man’s possessions. Shouta was pretty sure the man would not be descending the same way, or even if he would survive to leave the cave at all.
Chapter 10: Introductions
Hizashi went from states of delirium to coma. Shouta would intermittently disturb his fitful sleep to force him to swallow a bit of liquid or soft fruit to prevent dehydration. Other times Hizashi would wake on his own, murmuring to himself, gasping, trashing calling out various words like “eyes, creature, demon, spiders.” Shouta had heard a few of these words before. He mostly focused on demon having heard the word used by men before when near his cliff. Shouta kept vigil, allowing himself a few short forays to find prey, more medicinal herbs and water for the man. At times the man was so difficult to wake Shouta thought his vigil was over. For the wounds on the man’s face and arm Shouta made a paste with herbs and mud which he applied multiple times each day, after cleansing with clear water from the waterfall. He chewed some dried meat to soften it and added it to the paste of root and fruit for the man to eat, since meat was better for healing, Shouta knew. He changed the fibers and leaves that served as the man’s sickbed to keep away further illness from his own filth. He removed the man’s clothes to clean and dry them, covering the man with additional furs and skins. Remarkably, Shouta realized the man’s body, though smaller and more frail was largely like his own, responding to the same care, food and medicine of his people. The man weighed no more than some of Shouta’s larger prey.
Hizashi awoke after two days of remaining essentially unconscious except for the brief periods he was roused by Shouta. He opened his eyes tentatively since visions of the 'demon' were fresh in his memory. Hizashi was pleased that he was alive, he was in pain but it was bearable, a wicked headache was the worst of it. Groaning he looked around and realized he was not on the forest floor or hanging from his rope but in a cave. Light streamed in warming his face. His hair hung in greasy knotted ropes, he was sweaty and ripe, but he was alive. He had no idea how he got here, knowing he fell off the cliff. Fell after seeing… he wasn’t sure if the residual image was a fever dream or real. He was on a bed of sorts, naked, which was a bit distressing, and covered in furs. His arm ached, his head throbbed and he touched something he supposed was a bandage on his arm. “Must be a caveman dream or something,” he said to no one in particular. “ That fruit was clearly a hallucinogenic and I just need to sleep it off” he concluded. It was then Hizashi heard a voice.
“No fear, no harm” a voice stated from deeper in the cavern.
“Eduardo?” Hizashi called out the name of his guide.
“No fear, rest, food” the voice continued. Hizashi saw a large leaf with some fruit, water, paste of something and some large grubs wriggling about. Eyes wide he shivered “bugs”, holding back a small heave. The voice huffed and Hizashi distinctly thought he heard a laugh.
“Yo, hey, thanks. I’m good with the fruit and water for now but I’m allergic to bugs, man” Hizashi said trying not to sound ungrateful. He continued, “Who are you? Can you come out and join me? Wouldn’t want the, uh, bugs to go to waste yanno” Hizashi smiled even though it hurt his bandaged face. He was trying to play it cool and not sound as terrified as he truly was.
“Shouta” the voice answered.
“Is that your name? Shouta?” Hizashi asked.
“Yes” the hidden man answered.
“I’m Hizashi, nice to meet cha and thanks for the bed and furs and stuff. Uh, do you happen to have my clothes?” Hizashi asked coyly, feeling a bit vulnerable even with the furs.
“Hizashi” the voice repeated pretty clearly. Hizashi heard his host moving about, as his clothes landed by his side. The wounded botanist felt nothing but gratitude toward this hermit, holy man, or shaman. Whomever he was, Hizashi knew the dude, seriously saved him when that big ass bird scared him off the cliff.
“Hey, Shouta, please come eat something with me and tell me how I got here to this place” Hizashi requested.
“ I flew you here,” Shouta replied, as he slowly moved out of the shadows.
“Flew?” Hizashi tried to process. He heard movement and turned toward the voice. He gasped and stiffened as he saw Shouta walk out of the shadow. His porter’s “demon” defied all logical explanation. There was no spot in the natural history of man or beast into which Shouta could be categorized.
The creature or man Hizashi saw, looked essentially human. He was tall, with cascading wavy dark hair, with dark eyes larger than a humans. He looked strong but not bulky. He had hair much in the distribution of man, except for a larger tuft over his trapezia and pectoral muscles. Hizashi speculated the hair was an adaptation perhaps serving to keep his flight muscles warm and at the ready. He had hair rising a bit above the margin of a leather garment which covered him from his waist to calves. His feet were long and slender ending in large claws, Hizashi noted a bit nervously. Clearly they could be used as weapons. Similarly his fingers, a bit longer than a humans, ended in long claws. His arms looked strong, like he had been carrying the livestock the porters claimed he was stealing. Carrying a lot of them for a long, long time.
“You have wings,” Hizashi stammered sounding awestruck. Shouta’s wings were large and leathery, darker than his overall complexion. No digit protruded from the wrist joint as would be expected of a bat. This wing was not an extended arm with fingers like those of birds or bats. The anatomy was unique. Hizashi’s eyes were wide as he pushed back just a bit from Shouta as the man advanced.
“No wings, no fly ” Shouta peered at Hizashi as if he was simple.
Shouta sat down a few feet in front of Hizashi and tried to appear non threatening, letting his wings fall to the sides bringing his overall height closer to Hizashi’s. He reached out and took the leaf with grubs and downed them in one bite shrugging toward Hizashi, thinking his guest had missed the best part of the meal.
The scientist in Hizashi tried to piece together the various orders and phyla and species he thought Shouta may belong to, coming up only with mammal. Hizashi looked around a bit nervously for any other inhabitants of the cave asking Shouta, “Do your people all live here?”
“Only Shouta” his host answered.
Hizashi reformatted his question for a bit for clarification “Are your people in other caves here in the forest or on this plateau?”
More slowly the man answered “Only, Shouta, no others, only Shouta.” He swept his arm wide as if to indicate a large area. Shouta huffed and stood moving out to the area in front of the cave.
Hizashi took a bite of the food in front of him while surveying the cavern a bit more. The fruit was fresh and delicious. Hizashi was starving so was not shy returning for more. Furs and skins were neatly piled in one area and another raised bed was tucked next to the caves opening. A bit deeper in Hizashi noted some wooden bowls, a rack of poles with what appeared to be curing leather or meat strips. No sounds emanated from deeper in the cave to suggest other occupants. Hizashi rose slowly a bit dizzy at first, and walked toward one wall of the cavern. He looked toward Shouta asking if it was ok if he went further. Shouta shrugged. There was a small ledge along the wall where what appeared to be Shouta’s tools were arranged. Something resembling an Ulu used by Inuit lie in a depression. A few sharpened bones, and axe like tool were also there. Long strips similar to those on Shouta’s leggings were draped over a pole. A water bladder made of some animal skin hung there as well. As Hizashi continued along the wall, he saw rows of drying plant material hanging from an a frame type scaffold. He recognized some species of mint, chamomile. Strips of tree bark were there, ginseng root and others all hung to dry. Hizashi, a botanist recognized quite a few but there were others he could not identify. He was startled and could not suppress a gasp when he turned to find Shouta close behind regarding Hizashi with some curiosity. Shouta brushed past and retrieved a small half gourd containing a grey poultice. He took Hizashi’s injured arm, pulled off the “bandage”and inspected Hizashi’s injury with a frown. Shouta retrieved some of his materials and used what appeared to be a primitive mortar and pestle and proceeded to pound the herbs to powder. He had an additional container with a cover which had a yeasty smell when opened. Shouta added as small pinch of this material to the powder. A bit of water was added. Shouta then spread the paste on Hizashi’s arm again followed with a makeshift bandage.
“T-tthank you” Hizashi offered. Shouta responded with a small nod and returned to the outside of the cave. The sun dipped and twilight approached. Hizashi retrieved and donned his headlamp which Shouta pulled off with shaking his head, tapping Hizashi on the forehead.
“Bugs” handing the lamp back to Hizashi.
Shouta pointed to Hizashi’s eyes then out over the canopy stating “look, see.” Shouta then dropped from the cliff causing Hizashi to gasp. It was a long nauseating way down but Hizashi could see Shouta was gliding toward the base of the waterfall remarking “bath time I guess.” Hizashi retreated back into the cave finding his way to his bed. surprisingly well even without the use of a head lamp. Hizashi settled down on the pallet of furs. He pulled his notebook and field guide and tried to catalogue some of Shouta’s pharmacy.
When Hizashi woke the next morning Shouta was not in the cave. He rolled toward the sunlight with a large yawn, rose stretched and walked to the cave’s opening. He noticed his host off to the right leaning over a rock table of sorts. Hizashi realized he was dressing a kill. He offered a “good morning” to Shouta who briefly glanced away from his work to regard Hizashi. Looking over his shoulder Shouta returned the greeting with “Hizashi” somewhat gruffly.
“Not a morning person, huh” Hizashi chirped. On the rock, there was some blood and what appeared to be an agouti. Others lie to the side already skinned and gutted. Shouta offered Hizashi the animal’s heart, still warm which he politely declined. Shouta shrugged and popped it into his mouth like a strawberry. Shouta then gathered up the offal in a larger skin, tying it off with some sinew and took off over the edge again.
“Shit!” Hizashi’s heart stopped momentarily when Shouta dropped over the edge, his self preservation instinct couldn’t handle the thought of such a cliff drop. His injured shoulder ached a bit in response to the triggered memory of his own fall and impact. When Shouta returned a bit later he was chewing what smelled distinctly like coffee or cacao. He motioned Hizashi to the cave front where he opened the skin, now full of various fruits, a root, and what looked like brazil nuts. He motioned to Hizashi to indulge. Fortunately the skin had been cleaned of any residual blood and gore, Hizashi noted thankfully.
“My hero” Hizashi nodded with a slight bow to suggest thanks, holding his hand over his heart in sincerity. Shouta gave a small side smile or smirk slowly adding “no bugs”.
Shouta set to work putting the other food and skins he obtained into the cave.
Chapter 11: Family album
Shouta moved toward the deeper recess of the cave. Hizashi motioned for permission to follow. Shouta gave a noncommittal shrug which Hizashi took as a yes. Here the walls were adorned with hundreds of painting and carvings. “Oh, my” Hizashi remarked staring upward open mouthed This was a treasure trove where any archaeologist could spend a lifetime analyzing and interpreting. If only it was safe for Shouta to reveal it. There were pictures of beings like Shouta, adults, infants, young and old. There were figures without wings represented in the pigment. Shorter, stockier looking more like the indigenous pre columbian peoples who were essentially eradicated from this area. There were animals, plants and most incredible to Hizashi what could be no other than a genealogy tree with icons which no doubt represented names.
“Shouta, did your people interact with our people before?” Gesturing to the wall, to himself and to Shouta to trying to get some understanding. Things started to make a bit more sense. Shouta knew some language because his people interacted in some way with the indigenous human tribes. The porter’s “demon story” started to make a bit more sense. The folklore likely started back then.
Shouta considered the question for a while and gestured Hizashi to another part of the wall. There were images of winged people leaving the cliff face. Other images seemed to show silhouettes in the distance. The rainforest was represented, extending from the Tepui . The right most area bore dark slashes resembling the rows of the cultivated cash crops. Beyond that the land was bare.
A final image was of the Tepui with a lone winged figure on the plateau. Shouta watched Hizashi for any reaction to the image “Shouta” he said quietly pointing to the figure.
“Oh, Shouta” Hizashi felt the weight of what Shouta had revealed. Everyone had left him. Hizashi sat on the floor looking at the images. The usually objective ‘scientist’ covered his face as a few tears let loose. Shouta moved on to finish arranging his pantry leaving Hizashi to himself and his thoughts. When he collected himself, Hizashi moved back to the front of the cave where Shouta had settled and already seemed asleep. Hizashi followed suit trying to adjust his sleep cycle to Shouta’s.
Chapter 12: Full frontal Shouta
Hizashi awoke to Shouta removing the makeshift bandage from Hizashi’s arm once again. Satisfied he nodded and did not replace it. A scar would remain but the wound was closed and no infection or warmth seemed evident. As Shouta walked away Hizashi first noticed he was without pants. Embarrassed for staring, Hizashi quickly looked away when Shouta turned around to ask him “Fly with Shouta?” When he recovered from Shouta’s exhibitionist moment, Hizashi gave a tentative “yes?” Shouta pulled on and tied his usual leggings smiling and swatted at the garment as though slapping an insect. “Gotcha” Hizashi made the connection and put on longer sleeves and his boots.
At the cliff edge Hizashi pointed to Shouta’s back as if to ask if he should piggy back. Shouta gave him a quizzical look, brows together. He flapped his wings behind him as if to suggest ‘are you kidding me? How will I fly that way’. If Shouta had ‘idiot’ in his vocabulary Hizashi admitted, he would own it. Hizashi stood in front of Shouta waiting for a clue for how to proceed. Shouta put his arms out gave a motion for Hizashi to come forward. Hizashi wrapped his arms around Shouta’s neck which the man repositioned lower to fit just below the inferior margin of his wings. Hizashi wrapped his arms as far around Shouta as he could while Shouta lifted Hizashi’s hips and motioned for Hizashi to wrap his legs around Shouta’s waist. “Awkward” Hizashi muttered. Shouta wrapped his arms around Hizashi, who gasped and closed his eyes as Shouta left the ledge.
Hizashi’s heart raced but he held back on the scream threatening to escape. He was sure he was going to die as the wind whipped around them with Shouta’s descent. He buried his face in Shouta’s chest hair, surprised to find it was really soft. Shouta smelled like citrus which surprised Hizashi as well. He wondered if this was a form of bug repellent. While contemplating some of his new revelations about his strange friend he felt the flapping of Shouta’s wings lessen and dared to open his eyes a bit and peek to the side. They were gliding over the canopy, still in view of the plateau, but starting a slow spiral toward the forest floor. The landing was a bit hard, Shouta tipping forward putting one arm out in front to prevent him from falling forward onto Hizashi. When Hizashi failed to uncoil his legs from Shouta’s hips, Shouta swatted Hizashi’s thigh as if to remind him. Hizashi blushed with a hasty “sorry.” Shouta walked toward the edge of the biotope where the canopy lead to an opening.There was a small pond with various wading birds and a small Tapir browsing.
“Food?” Hizashi gestured toward the animal. Shouta pantomimed himself trying to lift a load while slowly beating his wings. “Ahhh, too heavy,” Hizashi understood. Shouta reached down and pulled up a plant from the water’s edge. A long tuber was at its base. Shouta peeled the outer fibrous layer with his claws and handed Hizashi a portion of the white central core motioning to eat. Shouta ate the second portion. It tasted something like a palm heart. “Good” Hizashi nodded. Shouta pointed to a shrub with large round apple sized red fruit. Hizashi looked at the plant which had an unpleasant smell and indicated no by wrapping his hands around his throat jutting out his tongue to indicate poisoning. He recognized the fruits as from the Strychnos genus which could be used to make poison arrows. Shouta smiled and gave Hizashi a not so soft pat on the back while rapidly nodding yes. Hizashi was happy to show his host he was not entirely incompetent. Shouta motioned they move closer to the canopy again.
Hizashi stared downward while walking, noting some of the grasses and leafy plants while admittedly, watching for snakes. Shouta stopped behind him and grabbed Hizashi’s face from behind, guiding his gaze upwards toward the tree trunks. Orchids clung to the trunks by their roots. The trees were dripping in the yellows, pinks, whites and purples of so many species. Tiny orchids, large orchids, insectile and bird like shapes represented. Some had flowers the size of dinner plates which Hizashi had never seen. Others clung to the fallen trunks on the ground more typical of the terrestrials. Hizashi inched forward toward them like a child let loose in Santa’s toy factory. He ooohed and aaahhed, laughed and squeaked as Shouta looked on in amusement. Shouta moved forward to peel off one or two of the more diminutive specimens placing them in a bag he had hanging from his waist. Shouta pinched off one long flowered stalk and pushed it behind Hizashi’s ear into his hair looking pleased with himself.
Hizashi smiled not quite sure if the gesture was fondness or flirtation from Shouta. Hizashi expected it was more like a parent giving a kid a lollipop. Hizashi did not bring his camera unfortunately, but made note of the spot relative to the water fall and would try to stop here again when he departed. He felt a little pang of grief thinking about departing this magical place.
The sound of animals stirring and likely the call of a jaguar put Shouta on alert mouthing “go” to Hizashi. He pulled Hizashi back onto his chest like a primate parent might an infant and moved toward a large tree. To his amazement, Shouta used the claws on his hands and feet to ascend the tree like a squirrel. They stopped on a larger horizontal branch where Shouta paused briefly to catch his breath. Hizashi could appreciate even with his strength, carrying another man up a tree was not an easy task, even for a god-ling like Shouta.
“Shouta I can climb up too, you don’t need to carry me” Hizashi offered.
A wide smile broke on Shouta’s face and for the first time Hizashi noted the longer canines of a predator in that smile. Shouta tipped his head toward the trunk where a 6 inch rhinoceros beetle was making it way upward. Like a bush baby, Hizashi’s eyes widened reflecting some of the moon light. He would have fallen out of the tree if not for Shouta’s grip around him.
“Very funny” Hizashi looked up and glared just a bit at Shouta as the laugh rumbled from Shouta’s chest. Shouta continued his ascent and when satisfied Shouta indicated for Hizashi to hang on and then vaulted off the tree gliding downward briefly before Shouta’s wings brought them aloft.
Hizashi was shaking from nerves as well as excitement as they landed again on Shouta’s Plateau. Hizashi was a little chilled so grabbed a few skins and furs to wrap around himself. His sleeping bag was outside drying. At this altitude the temperature did drop enough to get chilly on the stone floor. As Hizashi continued to shiver he heard Shouta approach.
“Hizashi” Shouta kneeled next to him. “Yeah, Sho?” the blonde answered. Shouta opened up his arms and wings welcoming Hizashi in his embrace. Hizashi had a moment’s pause but judging by Shouta’s almost paternal behavior toward him at other times he thought once again, most likely, Shouta viewed Hizashi as an incompetent adolescent about to freeze to death. If Shouta had other intentions, Hizashi would just add it in as another unique experience.
Chapter 13: Fever
The next morning when Hizashi awoke he was way too warm. Shouta’s leathery wings coupled with the furnace that was the man’s body left Hizashi feeling like a baking burrito. “Shouta?” Hizashi elbowed the man gently as he tried to wriggle free. When Shouta’s eyes popped open, he abruptly sat up and unfurled to let Hizashi break free. Shouta stood and flapped his wings a few times then kept them open much like raptors might when drying their wings. Hizashi surmised their large surface area likely facilitated some cooling.
“Thanks for last night” HIzashi offered, referring to the perfectly platonic sleeping bag of Shouta’s wings the man provided.
Shouta shrugged as if to say ‘no big thing’ as he left the cave and descended to the pool below.
Hizashi made himself busy walking around the plateau. He found a pile of bones to the east. Sifting through Hizashi found skulls of small rodents, agoutis, birds, perhaps a capybara and small deer like creature. Shouta’s prey were mostly small mammals. Hizashi thought the smaller prey made sense since the energy expenditure to carry large prey would likely yield a net deficit to what Shouta would gain by their consumption. Hizashi shook out the furs and skins, tidied up Shouta’s pallet. Shouta did not usually stay out long during the day so Hizashi felt uneasy as the time passed. As day turned into night and the next sun rose Hizashi started sifting through his gear measuring out his rope to estimate just low long of a belay he could manage with his remaining equipment. If Shouta had been injured, he had no way to find him. Hizashi had images of Shouta being shot down by a rifle from some hunter. He saw him trapped and vivisected by some capitalist trying to cash in on wing technology. He saw his friend chained in a cage for spectators to gawk at for a price. He couldn’t call out, afraid his voice would carry revealing Shouta’s home. So he waited and fretted, and waited.
Hizashi woke at daybreak once again not seeing Shouta in his sleeping spot. When he approached the opening of the cave intent on scanning the skies, he saw a heaped mass at the edge of the plateau. When he realized the mass was Shouta he ran to him, not sure if he was alive or dead.
Shouta lie on the ground, eyes closed, hair damp, breathing heavily. When Hizashi touched the man’s brow, he was burning up. His breathing seemed too rapid and raspy.
“Shouta, Shouta.” Hizashi shook the man trying to rouse him.
Hizashi retrieved one of the water skins and soaked one of the small furs and placed it on Shouta’s neck and chest. He tried to pour a bit of water into Shouta’s mouth to no avail. He soaked one of his unused bandanas and rolled it into a tube, placing the edge into Shouta’s mouth hoping he could draw the water out. Shouta seemed to understand and made the attempt. Finally after what seemed like and eternity Shouta’s eyes opened a bit but his gaze was not focused with any intention.
Hizashi was finally able to coax Shouta to crawl while pulling him by his shoulders as best he could, but Shouta was heavy. Hizashi wanted him in the shade of the cave so heat stoke wouldn’t add to his already weakened state. Adding that to the fever, Hizashi feared may be the end of his exotic friend. He placed his ear to Shouta’s chest and heard rattles, wheezes and crackles. “Oooooh noooo” the realization finally struck Hizashi full force. He recalled the history of indigenous people who were wiped out by missionaries and conquistadors carrying influenza. The isolation of these tribes, Shouta’s among them, left them vulnerable to succumbing even to a common cold. Hizashi realized the close contact when Shouta carried Hizashi to the orchids and then Shouta’s act of kindness to keep him from shivering, may have killed him.
He tried to keep Shouta cool with a damp cloth when he was overheating. Covered him with furs when he was shivering. Shouta was able to chew on some moist fruit and the soaked bandana. Shouta’s breath was still labored a day later, as he coughed and gasped. Hizashi showered him with apologies which Shouta answered with a weak smile and shrug. When Shouta slept too long for Hizashi’s liking, thinking his end was near, he’d wake him. Shouta did get annoyed when the distractions came too often, preferring to sleep longer and longer to HIzashi’s dismay.
Hizashi used some of his remaining camp fuel to make a broth of some roots and meat strips from Shouta’s cache. Shouta seemed to perk up a bit with this. Finally Hizashi remembered Shouta’s pharmacy. Excitedly he pulled out his guide book and scanned for plants with antibacterial, antipyretic and mucolytic properties. He replayed in his mind, the tour Shouta had given him of his herbal pantry. Shouta had held each plant to Hizashi and pointed to a part of his body or gestured with motions representative of vomiting, coughing and the like, holding each of the dried plants. Hizashi realized that his friend’s effort to impart some of the knowledge of his people may have given them a glimmer of hope.
Shouta woke, finally breathing a bit easier feeling cooler to Hizashi’s hand. He was able to sit up and sip the broth Hizashi made with a grimace, but he downed it nonetheless. Hizashi held up a few of the herbals pointing at his chest “ Good?” trying to confirm if he had the right one’s. In all but a few cases Shouta nodded and appeared genuinely impressed that his tutelage was not wasted. He progressed to eating strips of meat. Hizashi teased, “Sorry no bugs” which made Shouta laugh weakly but genuinely. Hizashi was showing the strain of caring for Shouta. His hair was greasy falling every which way, his face was dirty and his tiny mustache which he usually kept neatly trimmed was turning into a lip covering caterpillar.
Finally Shouta rose, the color finally back in his face. He spread his wings and flapped them vigorously as if to get the blood flowing again. Shouta went to the cliff edge with Hizashi in tow, firmly attached to his arm, worriedly asking “is it o.k.?” Shouta’s answer was to remove Hizashi’s hand and drop over the edge with a “hmmph” descending to his pool. Hizashi still gasped every time he did that. It was then that Hizashi heard voices from the cave. He remembered the satellite radio and dashed into the cave to answer.
Chapter 14: Departure
After a brief exchange Hizashi confirmed he was indeed alive and Eduardo agreed to meet him at a clearing about two days walk from the Tepui. He sighed knowing that his time with his unique friend was coming to a close. Hizashi would have loved to stay much longer, but looking out over to the fields of agriculture rapidly encroaching into Shouta’s territory he owed it to his friend to leave. With the photos of the unique species, his field notes and observations Hizashi was confident he could present a compelling case to protect this area and halt any further encroachment.
Shouta returned having bathed, hair still damp and hanging loose. He was glorious. He was not a god Hizashi knew based on the prior few days events, but he was so very suited to his life and his environment. “Master of the Sky” Hizashi smiled and addressed Shouta.
As they sat that evening to eat their usual meal, Hizashi told Shouta he would need to leave soon. Shouta looked at Hizashi unblinking for few moments nodded his head and said “Ok”.
One mystery still remained and Hizashi felt close enough now to ask his friend directly.“Shouta? Why did you stay when your people left” Hizashi asked pointing at the wall painting of the man alone on the plateau.
Shouta regarded his friend, blinked slowly, sighed took Hizashi’s hand and led him deeper into the cave. They emerged in a room with an open ceiling. To the walls clung orchids specific to this substrate. Flowering vines hung from the ceiling’s rim. Along the back wall were four mossy patches each with a log header. Flowers, of course orchids, clung onto the logs. The mossy patches were approximately a meter by meter and a half. Shouta gestured Hizashi to come closer. Looking into the patches, Hizashi saw the bleached white of bones were just visible under the surface of the moss. Hizashi put his hand over his mouth eyes tearing up, as Hizashi understood at last.
Shouta brought Hizashi back to the larger room and Shouta’s family tree. Shouta placed Hizashi’s finger onto the representation of his name “Shouta” he stated. He moved the finger up and across one level to what must have been Shouta’s parents, then back one more level to what must have been Shouta’s grandparents. He touched each name pointing each time to the back of the cave and the orchid room. Smiling with his usual shrug, Shouta remarked “Shouta fed, Shouta cared, elders too weak to fly. Shouta stayed.”
Hizashi let the tears fall freely again hugging his friend.
“Shouta happy?” Hizashi asked.
Shouta shrugged. “Bed, home, water, orchids”. “Shouta…” he paused looking for words. Shouta gestured touching his chest, taking a deep breath moving his arms like smoothing bed sheets.
Hizashi understood. “Shouta is content”. Shouta nodded, smiling, tapping Hizashi on the forehead. “Yeah I got it big guy, I get it” Hizashi answered placing his hand on Shouta’s heart and his other on his own, “friend.”
Chapter 15: Surprise
Hizashi packed up his belongings while Shouta removed any remaining anchor points along his cliff face. They hoped the steep wall would remain an intimidating barrier to any interested passers by. They stopped at the orchid field so Hizashi could take a few pictures. They took a bath in the pool together, Shouta nearly drowning Hizashi in the splash fight. Wings are more effective paddles than hands. Under cover of night Shouta carried Hizashi and his belongings to within a half days walk of his rendezvous point with Eduardo. Shouta surveyed the area and deemed it safe enough to leave his now more capable friend. Hizashi noted Shouta’s hair was a bit shorter “I Like it” he remarked referring to his friends look. Of course Shouta shrugged non committal. Hizashi hugged Shouta again telling his friend he would try his best to protect Shouta’s forest. Shouta ruffled Hizashi’s hair. 'Yup, I’m his gawky adolescent' Hizashi concluded. Hizashi handed Shouta his pocket knife thinking it might come in handy. Shouta smiled and handed it back holding up his well armed claw tipped hands. Hizashi pulled the scrunchie off his braid and placed it on the end of Shouta’s braid. His friend looked pleased. Hizashi was about to tell Shouta he would try to return but Shouta vaulted from the ground and took to the sky. He made one circle around the clearing waving and he was off.
Shouta settled into his mossy alcove surveying his garden while picking up one of the swallow’s eggs for a quick snack. He lay back, drew his feet in so they wouldn’t dangle in the waterfall making him cold. He thought that if Hizashi could help his forest that was good. He thought if Hizashi returned, he would welcome him again, but he hoped it would not be too soon. Hizashi was a handful. Hunting and feeding one adult was hard enough, but two was quite a chore, even for Shouta. If Shouta had really wanted a mate or more appropriately descriptive of Hizashi, a son he would have left his alcove and aerie to seek out another of his kind. Shouta wasn’t lonely. He had been living this way, in this place, for most of his life just being who he was. Shouta considered for a moment what he would do, if another human ventured into his forest and tried to climb up his wall. He decided he’d retreat in to his cave and just wait until the visitor exhausted themselves and left.
As Hizashi sorted through his gear back at his hotel preparing to depart, he dumped the contents of his backpack. To his surprise, out fell a rock. He laughed, “very funny Shouta," thinking Shouta felt he needed some additional strength training. Only when he turned the rock over in his hands, did he realize it was Shouta’s geode. Looking further he found a little square of leather, like a pillow wrapped with sinew. Another surprise revealed itself when Hizashi opened the package. Inside a coiled length of Shouta’s braid encased a small twig and moss. Probing gently into the moss Hizashi found a small cluster of pseudobulbs capped by a few leather like leaves and a tiny perfect orchid.