The Empty World | The Empty World Sequence [complete | rewriting]

Ten (these events are Eleven in revised scene list)

Mother stood up then, Morpheus moving up with her. She nodded slowly. "That would be a pleasure."

Rahab said that she usually took a short nap, but she did not want to offend them, or leave them without a hostess. "You sleep on the roof!" Mother said suddenly.

"Why, yes, when it is hot like this we always sleep under a canopy on the roof to catch the breeze."

"Then we can all go up there, and lay out, and we won't try to sleep, but if we do then it will be all right, we'll all be there together."

And so they went up and napped on the roof. It was very nice, like sun bathing, only the canopy kept out the harsh rays. Every so often a breeze would come by and cool their bodies. It was nice. And sitting up just slightly the house was tall enough to provide a splendid view of the plain.

Morpheus and Opium were helping Rahab prepare dinner, when Mika came home. Mother was watching the meat in the stew, stirring every so often. Morpheus was slicing cheese. He almost cut his finger. In some way, Mika reminded him of Julien, it wasn't just knowing he sewed and drew pictures, it was seeing him, a Julien painted in dark neutral colors.

"I didn't know we were to have company," Mika said.

"Mika, these are my new friends, they saved me quite a bit of money in the market today, I asked them to come to the festival with us...there is more to tell, but...they come from a land very far west, this is Opium and her brother Morpheus."

Mika nodded, walked into his house slowly. He went to wash his hands and face and then he went into the other room and changed his robe.

They sat to dinner then, Mother, as before, only pretending to eat as Morpheus quickly snatched food from her plate. Morpheus looked at his mother, she said nothing. He looked at Rahab, she blew across her bowl of stew. He looked at Mika, "If I may say, it's a fine robe you put on, I hope you didn't dress especially for us."

"No."

Morpheus wanted to laugh, but he felt Mother's eyes burning into his head.

"Mika," said his sister, "Opium and Morpheus are collectors of art. They were very moved by your drawings-"

"What?"

"I showed them. Mika...please, they have been with me all day, they are my friends."

"Well, if you don't mind women, who are guests in your house, speaking too much, let me say that I know it must have been very hard growing up here. I admire you and Rahab. When she showed me that you were both artists, I felt sad that you do not live better, sad that your work will not be seen, because you have this talent in you!"

Mika laughed. "I am not a very good host. My sister is happier than I have seen her in a long time. Why should I be moved to anger? It is good you like what we do. I will even let you have a piece."

Mother smiled. "Thank you. You can be sure your work will be appreciated where I will take it."

"Rahab, you mentioned the festival, what's it like?" Morpheus asked.

"It is an old harvest time celebration honoring the gods of the earth. It is not a religious celebration, a local-" Morpheus could feel Angels nearby- "festival only. We all dress in our fanciest clothing and go out onto the street and have fun and games and dancing."

Morpheus looked at his mother in such a way that she knew he had sensed the Angels.

They got ready for the festival. Rahab's dress was thin and white, slit up both legs and cutting just under the arms, but over this a robe of sheer fabric in delicate pleats was worn, closed under a wide bronze girdle, with neck and arms decked in bronze jewelry. Mika had made a sort of kilt made of large panels of different colors and put this on. They painted their faces then. Opium and Morpheus made to do the same, but already Mother had black lips and dark shadow over her eyes. Morpheus chose the color silver for his makeup sure everyone would wonder how he'd done it. They went out onto the streets together.